Sanitary installation and potable water supply station

Abstract

A sanitary installation (1) is disclosed comprising a hot water component for providing hot water, in particular potable hot water, for at least one tap (2), at least one tap (2) connected to the hot water component, at least one remote control unit (3) for requesting a setpoint temperature and / or a setpoint flow rate for the at least one tap (2), and at least one control device (16) structurally separate from and coupled to the remote control unit (3) for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate from the hot water component to the at least one tap (2) based on the requested setpoint temperature and / or the requested setpoint flow rate. Furthermore, a potable water supply station (10) suitable for use in such a sanitary installation (1) is disclosed.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sanitary installation for providing hot water, in particular potable hot water, for at least one tap point, and to a potable water supply station suitable for use in such a sanitary installation.

[0002] In conventional plumbing installations, cold and hot water are typically supplied via separate lines to different taps. Depending on the type of hot water source, the supplied hot water can be either potable water or process water from an external heat source, which is not directly suitable for drinking. The cold water, especially potable cold water, and the hot water are mixed directly at the tap, typically by a mixing valve, to achieve the desired temperature of the dispensed water.

[0003] Sanitary installations of the type described above have a number of disadvantages. For example, the aforementioned approach requires an extensive pipe network and the provision of mixing valves for each tap. Furthermore, there is a risk of scalding if the hot water is supplied at a high temperature and dispensed unmixed or mixed in an incorrect ratio. Finally, contamination of cold drinking water with potentially unsuitable hot water is possible.

[0004] An improved concept for a sanitary installation is revealed, which overcomes the aforementioned problems completely or partially and enables new possibilities for supplying one or more taps with hot water.

[0005] The subject of the disclosure includes, among other things, a sanitary installation. The sanitary installation comprises a hot water component for providing hot water, in particular potable hot water, for at least one tap, at least one tap connected to the hot water component, at least one remote control unit for requesting a target temperature and / or a target flow rate for the at least one tap, and at least one control device, structurally separate from and coupled to the remote control unit, for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate from the hot water component to the at least one tap based on the requested target temperature and / or the requested target flow rate.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, hot water, in particular domestic hot water, is supplied at a predetermined setpoint temperature and / or a predetermined setpoint flow rate by a control device separate from the actual tap. This eliminates the need for a mixing valve at the tap. Simultaneously, it is possible to connect the tap to the control device via a single pipe. Particularly when the control device is located in close proximity to the hot water component, the number and length of the required pipes are significantly reduced. Furthermore, this approach allows the pipes leading to the respective taps to be designed without pressure.At each tap, only a relatively simple remote control unit is required, such as a wireless electronic remote control integrated into the system. Furthermore, the remote control unit can be designed and installed independently of the actual tap. This allows for significantly greater design flexibility, particularly when creating aesthetically pleasing fixtures or bathroom fittings. Additionally, the corresponding functional units can be designed to be especially robust and therefore vandal-proof, for example, when installed in public spaces.

[0007] Optionally, at least one control device is integrated into or coupled to the hot water component. The hot water component only provides hot water when requested by at least one remote control unit. For example, the hot water component can be configured to provide hot water at the requested set temperature. Alternatively or additionally, cold water, in particular potable cold water, is provided at the at least one tap if no hot water is requested by the at least one remote control unit.

[0008] Such regulations can reduce the primary energy consumption for hot water supply. In particular, it is not necessary to keep hot water at a fixed set temperature regardless of consumption or to circulate it through a circulation line. Instead, hot water is preferably only supplied by the hot water component when it is actually requested at at least one connected tap. This can increase the overall energy efficiency of the plumbing system.

[0009] Optionally, the sanitary installation includes multiple taps connected to the hot water component, multiple remote control units for requesting a target temperature and / or flow rate for each of the multiple taps, and multiple control devices for setting an actual temperature and / or flow rate from the hot water component to each of the multiple taps, based on a target temperature and / or flow rate requested for the respective tap. The hot water component is configured to supply drinking water at the highest requested target temperature.

[0010] Because hot water is generated and supplied centrally for multiple taps, it is both possible and practical to regulate the temperature of the supplied hot water according to the highest current demand. Hot water for the remaining taps can then be lowered in temperature by mixing in cold drinking water, for example, to prevent scalding. The temperature of the supplied hot water can be dynamically regulated according to the requirements of each individual tap. In the common scenario where only one of several taps is in use at a time, it is always possible to adjust the drinking water to the temperature of the currently used tap, thus achieving the aforementioned energy-saving advantages even in installations with multiple centrally supplied taps.

[0011] Optionally, the hot water component is connected to each of the at least one tap via a single pipe. In particular, a direct, depressurized line can be used from one of the control devices assigned to each tap to the tap itself. This eliminates the need for separate cold and hot water pipes. Furthermore, this approach reduces the risk of water damage by shutting off the water supply at a central distribution point, such as within the apartment, rather than at the individual taps. For example, if a hazard is detected, all taps can be centrally shut off, thus depressurizing all pipes.Finally, in this constellation, the provision of any shut-off devices in the area of ​​the dispensing point itself can be dispensed with, which further increases the possibilities for the aesthetic design of the respective dispensing point.

[0012] Optionally, the hot water component and at least one control device can be structurally integrated into a decentralized drinking water supply station, in particular an apartment station connected between a central building installation and an apartment's internal plumbing system. In this way, virtually all components of the plumbing system, with the exception of the individual taps and their supply lines, can be integrated into a single, compact unit. In particular, it is possible to integrate all active control components, such as all flow regulators, into such a drinking water supply station. This simplifies the installation and maintenance of all relevant plumbing components by a qualified technician, without requiring access to other parts of an apartment or other building structure.

[0013] Optionally, at least one remote control unit and at least one control device are coupled via a wireless radio connection and / or a bus connection, in particular an RS485-MODBUS connection. Such connections can be easily implemented using radio or an existing building installation bus, thus enabling the integration of the sanitary installation into other components of an intelligent building installation in the sense of a so-called smart home.

[0014] Optionally, at least one tap and at least one remote control unit are located in a wet room, particularly a shower cubicle. This has the additional advantage of avoiding bulky installations within the wet room. Depending on the water quality, it can also potentially prevent problems caused by the placement of hot water pipes and mixing valves within the wet room, especially regarding limescale buildup.

[0015] The disclosure further relates to an improved drinking water supply station, which is particularly suitable for use in a sanitary installation of the type mentioned above. The drinking water supply station comprises a hot water component for providing hot drinking water to at least one tap, at least one drinking water connection for connecting the drinking water supply station to a tap, at least one interface for receiving a request signal from a remote control unit structurally separate from the drinking water supply station, and at least one control device for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate for the at least one drinking water connection based on the request signal.

[0016] Such a drinking water supply station includes all essential components for the remote-controlled provision of hot drinking water for one or more taps, for example in a residential installation.

[0017] The hot water component optionally includes the following: a water-to-water heat exchanger, which is connected on the primary side to an external heat source and on the secondary side to a potable water supply line and the at least one control device; a flow controller hydraulically connected between the external heat source and the water-to-water heat exchanger; and a control component, wherein the control component is configured to control the flow controller based on the request signal in such a way that potable hot water with a requested setpoint temperature is provided at the at least one potable water connection.

[0018] By using, among other things, a water-to-water heat exchanger, a secondary drinking water installation can be completely hydraulically separated from a primary heat source. This makes it possible, for example, to use hot water produced by a heat pump or a solar thermal system, which does not meet the hygienic requirements for drinking water, to produce domestic hot water. At the same time, the control component and the flow regulator allow for easy control of the desired setpoint temperature for the prepared domestic hot water.

[0019] Optionally, the hot water component also includes an electric auxiliary heating unit. The control component is designed to control the flow regulator and the electric auxiliary heating unit based on the demand signal, ensuring that domestic hot water at the requested setpoint temperature is provided at at least one drinking water connection. Providing an additional electric auxiliary heating unit is particularly useful if the requested setpoint temperature at the respective taps is regularly higher than the flow temperature of the external heat source. For example, it can be advantageous to integrate an electric instantaneous water heater into the domestic hot water supply station to provide domestic hot water at a temperature of 40 to 60 °C if the plumbing system is supplied by a heat pump with a flow temperature of, for example, only 35 to 45 °C.In this way, it is possible to operate the entire sanitary installation and the drinking water supply station it contains with a relatively low, energy-saving flow temperature. Only in the rather rare case that a significantly higher target temperature is requested at a tap is the electric auxiliary heating unit activated, thus reducing overall energy consumption.

[0020] Optionally, the electric auxiliary heating unit is hydraulically connected between the external heat source and the water-to-water heat exchanger. The control component is configured to activate the electric auxiliary heating unit only when the flow temperature of the external heat source is insufficient to supply domestic hot water at the required setpoint temperature to at least one domestic hot water connection.

[0021] Optionally, the control component is configured to control the flow regulator and, optionally, an electric reheating unit in such a way that the water-to-water heat exchanger is briefly heated, particularly at regular intervals, to a predetermined temperature, especially a temperature of at least 60 °C. Such a control system enables automatic disinfection of the drinking water supply station, for example, to counteract contamination with Legionella bacteria.

[0022] Optionally, the drinking water supply station has a plurality of drinking water connections for connecting the drinking water supply station to a corresponding plurality of taps and a corresponding plurality of control devices for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate for the respective drinking water connection based on an associated request signal.

[0023] The sanitary installations and drinking water supply stations described above enable a variety of novel application scenarios in the area of ​​hot water supply for a building or part of a building, in particular a self-contained apartment.

[0024] In particular, water, whether cold drinking water or hot drinking water, can only be supplied or pumped to a specific tap when a user actually requests it. This can be done, for example, by activating an electronic request element, such as a push button, at the tap. As explained above, this allows for a pressureless design of the supply lines. It also makes it possible to centrally control the water supply to all taps connected to the hot water system and to shut it off if necessary, thus eliminating the need for mixing valves and / or shut-off valves at individual taps.

[0025] At the same time, the water is only heated when explicitly requested. Furthermore, the demand-based provision of hot water, especially domestic hot water, preferably at a specific desired temperature, significantly increases the energy efficiency of the entire installation, for example by 10% compared to an installation where hot water is always kept at a maximum required temperature in a circulation line.

[0026] Furthermore, by deliberately separating the corresponding request signals from one or more remote control units and their associated control devices, a highly flexible overall system can be built. For example, profiles of individual taps can be taken into account, limiting a controllable temperature range or flow rate to a range tailored to the respective tap. This can reduce both water consumption and the potential risk of scalding.

[0027] By using a water-to-water heat exchanger in conjunction with a few, single-pipe or single-line pipes, the total volume of hot water stored in the plumbing system can be significantly reduced. This makes it possible, in particular, to reduce the total volume to hygienically prescribed limits, such as three liters, thus reducing the risk of bacterial contamination in the plumbing system and the overall effort required for disinfection.

[0028] The demand-based provision of drinking water enables easy integration with various heat sources, especially highly efficient alternative heat sources such as heat pumps or solar thermal systems with low flow temperatures.

[0029] Providing only a single supply line for each tap significantly reduces the installation effort, both in terms of material costs and working time.

[0030] The following section describes in detail individual embodiments of sanitary installations and drinking water supply stations. It should be noted, however, that the aforementioned advantages and aspects of the invention can also be implemented independently. For example, relocating the control of a desired flow rate to a drinking water supply station is also advantageous even if hot water is not required for a specific tap. Conversely, the demand-based provision of hot water at a predetermined target temperature can also be useful in sanitary installations where the respective taps are designed in a conventional manner, i.e., with an existing mixing valve.

[0031] Brief description of the characters Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sanitary installation. Figure 2shows a schematic representation of a drinking water supply station. Figures 3A and 3B shows possible designs of remote control units.

[0032] For clarity, the same reference numerals are used in the figures for identical or similar components in different embodiments. This does not mean that the respective component is identical in the different embodiments. Furthermore, alphabetical suffixes are appended to the reference numerals to better distinguish between several similar components. If the alphabetical suffix is ​​omitted, the corresponding descriptions generally apply to all instances. Description of implementation examples

[0033] Figure 1Figure 1 schematically shows a sanitary installation 1 with multiple taps 2. In this example, the sanitary installation is located within a typical apartment, for instance, with a bathroom and a kitchen. Specifically, the first tap 2a could be a kitchen sink faucet. The other taps 2b to 2e could be different taps in the bathroom area, such as a hand basin faucet, a bathtub faucet, and two different shower faucets in a shower cubicle 4.

[0034] How Figure 1As can be seen, a corresponding remote control unit 3 is located near each tap 2. The remote control units 3 are functionally coupled to a drinking water supply station 10, for example, via radio, a dedicated cable connection, or a shared communication bus. The taps 2 are also hydraulically coupled to the drinking water supply station 10 via pipelines 5. A direct connection between the individual taps 2 and the remote control units 3 does not usually exist.

[0035] The first three taps, 2a to 2c, have a direct connection between them and three corresponding remote control units, 3a to 3c. However, the remaining two taps, 2d and 2e, located in the shower cubicle 4, do not have such a direct connection. Instead, they are controlled by a shared, fourth remote control unit, 3d.

[0036] Drinking water supply station 10 forms an interface between supply lines 7 to 9 of a system located in the Figure 1 The general building installation, not shown, and the installation in the Figure 1The depicted apartment installation leads to the taps 2. Therefore, it is also referred to below as the heat interface unit or, in English, as the Heat Interface Unit (HIU). In other words, the drinking water supply station 10 represents a central component within the apartment's internal sanitary installation 1, in particular for all of the taps 2, and a decentralized component with respect to the building installation or a central heat source.

[0037] The primary function of the heat interface unit is to hydraulically separate a building-side hot water installation from an apartment-side drinking water installation. For this purpose, the heat interface unit comprises, as described in detail later, a [component / element / etc.] located in the [location / context missing]. Figure 1 Water-to-water heat exchanger (not shown), by means of which heat energy can be transferred from the building installation to the apartment installation.

[0038] On the inlet or building side, the drinking water supply station 10 is connected to a corresponding external heat source of the building via a supply line 7 and a return line 8. Additionally, the drinking water supply station 10 is connected to a drinking water source via a drinking water line 9.

[0039] On the outlet side, the drinking water supply station 10 provides four connections for connecting the taps 2a to 2e. For the first three taps 2a to 2c, a dedicated pipe 5 is provided between the drinking water supply station 10 and the corresponding taps 2a to 2c. In the case of the shower installation, in the illustrated embodiment, a common pipe 5 runs to the shower cubicle 4 and is then divided there via a branch 6 to the two taps 2d and 2e.

[0040] In the exemplary embodiment, switching between the two dispensing points 2d and 2e via the branch 6 can be effected, for example, by a mechanical control element such as a two-way valve. Alternatively, it is also possible to control an electronically controlled switching valve via the corresponding remote control unit 3d. Of course, it is also possible to operate the valve differently than in the Figure 1 The diagram shows that two separate pipelines 5 are to be provided between the drinking water supply station 10 and the taps 2d and 2e, as will be shown later by the Figures 2 and 3B is described.

[0041] First, it should be noted that each of the in Figure 1 The depicted taps 2 are connected to the drinking water supply station 10 only by a single pipe 5. In the Figure 1The connection diagram shown does not include circulation lines, especially for the circulation of hot water, nor separate cold and hot water lines to the individual taps.

[0042] Furthermore, taps 2 can optionally be implemented as simple outlet fittings without a hydraulic shut-off function. While it is generally possible to design taps 2a and 2b as conventional faucets with corresponding shut-off valves, this is not necessary for the function of the sanitary installation 1, as will be shown below. Figure 2 executed.

[0043] Figure 2Figure 1 schematically shows the internal structure of the drinking water supply station 10. As mentioned previously, the drinking water supply station 10 comprises a water-to-water heat exchanger 11, or heat exchanger (HX), which hydraulically divides the station 10 into a primary heating zone 12 and a secondary drinking water zone 13. There is no water exchange between the primary heating zone 12 and the secondary drinking water zone 13. Therefore, the source of the hot water flowing through the primary heating zone 12 in the supply line 7 is irrelevant to the quality of the water supplied at the taps 2a to 2e.

[0044] In the primary heating section 12, there is a primary flow regulator 14 and an optional auxiliary heater 15. The auxiliary heater 15 can, for example, be an electric instantaneous water heater. In the secondary potable water section 13, two control devices 16a and 16b are arranged in the exemplary embodiment, which, for example, control the remote control units 3a and 3d according to Figure 1 are assigned. Of course, further control devices may be present in the secondary drinking water area 13, for example for the remote control units 3b and 3c. These are shown in the diagram for the sake of simplicity. Figure 2 However, this is not shown. The first control unit 16a is a control unit for a single dispensing point, for example dispensing point 2a.

[0045] The second control unit 16b is a control unit for connecting two taps 2, such as taps 2d and 2e of the shower cubicle 4.

[0046] In the described embodiment, all active components of the drinking water supply station 10 are integrated into a housing 20 or arranged on a common mounting frame. The active components are controlled by a central electronic control unit 17 (ECU). In the described embodiment, the remote control units 3 are coupled to the ECU directly or indirectly via a radio link, for example, via a base station connected to the drinking water supply station 10. Alternatively, a remote control unit 3 can also be integrated into the ECU. Figure 2A wired interface not shown may be provided. For example, it is possible to provide a corresponding electrical interface on each of the control devices 16a and 16b for connecting the corresponding remote control units 3a and 3d. In this case, the exchange of control signals can also take place from the individual control devices 16 to the control device 17 and not, as in the Figure 2 shown in the opposite direction.

[0047] As in the Figure 2As shown, the domestic hot water supply station 10 includes a first connection 21 for connection to the flow line 7 of the building installation. For example, the domestic hot water supply station 10 can be connected to a hot water supply line of a heat pump with a flow temperature of 38 to 45 °C. The amount of hot water supplied to the water-to-water heat exchanger 11 via the first connection 21 is regulated by the control device 17 using suitable control signals via the primary flow regulator 14. The more heat energy is required in the secondary domestic hot water section 13, the further the primary flow regulator 14 opens. If no hot water is drawn from the secondary side, the control device 17 typically closes the primary flow regulator 14 completely.For example, with a primary supply temperature of 45 °C and a domestic hot water temperature of 15 °C, a secondary hot water flow of 15 °C (flow regulator 14 closed) to 40 °C (flow regulator 14 fully open) can be achieved by regulating the primary hot water flow through the heat exchanger 11.

[0048] If the thermal energy supplied by the first connection 21 is insufficient to reach the expected drinking water temperature on the secondary side, the electronic control device 17 additionally activates the auxiliary heater 15. With simultaneous activation of the auxiliary heater 15 and full opening of the flow regulator 14, a secondary-side hot water flow of, for example, 60°C can be achieved at the heat exchanger. In the exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary heater 15 is arranged downstream of the flow regulator 14 in the primary heating circuit. Therefore, it is not necessary for the auxiliary heater 15 to meet the stringent requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance or similar legal requirements.

[0049] The auxiliary heater 15 can also be used to heat the water exchanger 11 regularly and briefly. In this way, for example, an automatic disinfection program to prevent or reduce legionella contamination of the sanitary installation 1 can be implemented by the control device.

[0050] After passing through the water-to-water heat exchanger 11, the hot water, which has been passed through by the primary flow regulator 14 and, if necessary, further heated by the auxiliary heater 15, flows back to the heat source via a second connection 22 for the return flow at a reduced temperature.

[0051] Cold drinking water is supplied to the drinking water supply station 10 via a third connection 23 in the secondary drinking water area 13. As in the Figure 2 The drinking water provided typically has a relatively low temperature, for example 15 °C.

[0052] Furthermore, the drinking water supply station 10 has a plurality of drinking water connections 24a to 24c, which are connected, for example, to the taps 2a, 2d and 2e of the sanitary installation 1 according to Figure 1 The drinking water connections 24 are hydraulically connected. The drinking water flows supplied via the drinking water connections 24 are regulated by the associated control devices 16 with regard to their temperature and / or volume flow rate. In the exemplary embodiment, regulation of both the flow rate and the temperature is possible. In other embodiments, it is also possible for only one of the two quantities to be regulated by the respective control device 16.

[0053] As also in the Figure 2 As can be seen, each of the control devices 16a and 16b comprises an inlet valve 18 and one or two outlet valves 19.

[0054] The inlet valve 18 can be configured as a diverter or mixing valve. It serves, firstly, to selectively supply cold water directly from the third connection 23 or hot water from the heat exchanger 11 to the corresponding potable water connection 24. If the hot water temperature supplied by the heat exchanger 11 is above a desired setpoint temperature and the inlet valve 18 is configured as a mixing valve, the hot water supplied by the heat exchanger 11 can be cooled to the desired setpoint temperature by mixing in a corresponding amount of cold water. If only potable cold water or only unmixed potable hot water directly from the heat exchanger 11 is to be supplied to the corresponding potable water connection 24, the inlet valve 18 can be omitted.

[0055] In the exemplary embodiment, the outlet valve 19 is designed as an adjustable proportional valve or flow regulator. It serves in particular to set a desired flow rate or a desired quantity of water. Instead of an adjustable proportional valve, it is also possible in other embodiments to provide a simple shut-off or solenoid valve. In this case, the flow to the corresponding tap can only be switched on and off by the outlet valve 19. The water pressure then essentially corresponds to the water pressure of the drinking water line 9, and the corresponding flow rate is determined by the shape of the outlet fitting or by pressure regulators installed along the line.Such a design is suitable, for example, for handwashing basins where a water flow with a predetermined temperature and flow rate is only to be switched on and off, or provided for a predetermined period after activation, as is common in public restrooms. If the flow at the corresponding tap 2 is regulated by a conventional control valve, such as an integrated valve insert of a conventional faucet, the outlet valve 19 can also be omitted.

[0056] As in the Figure 2The primary flow regulator 14 and, optionally, the reheater 11, as well as the control devices 16, in particular their valves 18 and 19 in the exemplary embodiment, are shown, intelligently controlled by the electronic control device 17. For this purpose, the control device 17 calculates an ideal, i.e., generally the lowest possible, setpoint temperature for the secondary-side outlet of the water-to-water heat exchanger 11 based on the water temperature of the supply line 7 and the desired setpoint temperatures of all remote control units 3, and controls the primary flow regulator 14 and, if necessary, the reheater 11 accordingly.In particular, if only one tap 2 requests hot water, or if the same target temperature is requested at all active taps 2, the flow regulator 14 is opened only to the extent that this temperature, possibly plus any thermal losses through the pipes 5, is just reached at the secondary outlet of the water exchanger 11. Mixing the supplied hot water with cold water via the inlet valves 18 is not necessary in these cases. With variable flow rates, the opening degree of the primary flow regulator 14 also depends on the water flows through the individual outlet valves 19. If several hot water flows with different target temperatures are requested, the...

[0057] The water temperature at the secondary outlet of the water exchanger 11 is set so that tap 2 can be supplied with the highest required setpoint temperature without mixing. The control devices 16 for all other taps 2 are then controlled so that appropriate quantities of cold water are mixed in via the inlet valves to achieve the desired setpoint temperature.

[0058] In addition to the request signals received by the respective remote control units, connection-specific profile data can also be stored. For example, as in the Figure 1As indicated, the control device 16d is configured to recognize a drinking water connection 24 for a shower cubicle 4. To prevent potential scalding, a corresponding profile 25d is limited to a maximum hot water temperature of 40 °C. Naturally, other parameters, such as a minimum temperature, a preferred or start temperature, a minimum, preferred, or maximum flow rate, or the like, can also be stored in one of the tap-specific profiles 25a to 25d. This data can be preset either via the corresponding remote control unit 3a to 3d or via a central administration interface of the drinking water supply station 10 (not shown in the figures) and stored, for example, in the individual remote control units 3a to 3d or the electronic control device 17.

[0059] The control devices 16 and / or the control device 17 can optionally be configured such that cold drinking water is supplied at an associated tap 2, in particular a conventional fitting with a built-in mechanical outlet valve, as long as hot water is not actively requested by an associated remote control unit 3. For example, the inlet valve 18 can establish a direct connection to the third connection 23 without a corresponding hot water request signal. If no inlet diverter or mixing valve 18 is provided in the control devices 16, cold water can be drawn at least as long as the primary flow regulator 14 is closed and thus no heat energy is transferred from the primary heating area 12 to the secondary drinking water area 13.

[0060] The Figures 3A and 3BThe diagrams show possible configurations of the remote control units 3a and 3d for installation near the respective dispensing points 2a and 2d and 2e, respectively. The diagrams in the Figure 3A The first remote control unit 3a shown is particularly suitable for installation at simple dispensing points, such as a tap in the area of ​​a washbasin. In the illustrated embodiment, the first remote control unit 3a comprises a first control element 31 for starting or stopping a water flow. Furthermore, the remote control unit 3a comprises a second control element 32 and a third control element 33 for increasing or decreasing the flow rate. Finally, the remote control unit 3a comprises a fourth control element 34 and a fifth control element 34 for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the supplied water.

[0061] The alternative, second 3D remote control unit according to Figure 3BIt also features three selector switches 36 to 38, which allow the selection of different outlets or taps 2d and 2e. Such a remote control unit 3d is suitable, for example, for shower cubicles 4 with multiple shower installations, such as a top-mounted shower head and an additional hand shower. In this case, selector switches 36 to 38 can be used to select either a first tap 2d, a second tap 2e, or a combination of both taps 2d and 2e. Of course, other application scenarios are also possible, such as selecting one of three alternative taps.

[0062] Additionally, the second remote control unit 30 includes a display unit 39, which can, for example, display the currently selected setpoint temperature. Naturally, such a display unit 39 can also be integrated into the first remote control unit 3a. Alternatively or additionally, the operating elements 31 to 38 in both remote control units 3a and 3d can be illuminated and / or designed as status indicators.

[0063] The remote control units 3 described above provide purely digital control of the water flows supplied via the respective taps 2. A corresponding temperature or flow sensor in the vicinity of the taps 2 is not required.

[0064] Instead, all sensors and actuators available for controlling the overall system can be integrated into the drinking water supply station 10. In the exemplary embodiment, this includes, in addition to the actuators described above, in particular inlet-side flow and temperature sensors integrated into the primary flow controller 14, as well as outlet-side temperature and flow sensors integrated into the respective control devices 16a to 16d. Optionally, further sensors can be provided in the reheater 15 and / or at the inlets and / or outlets of the water heat exchanger 11 to monitor the operation and actual water flows and temperatures within the drinking water supply station 10 and to control them as needed.

[0065] Using the approach described above, a sanitary installation can be fully integrated into a so-called smart home. In particular, the control system is completely shifted from a conventional, mechanical or hydraulic domain to an electronic one. Therefore, the described system is especially suitable for developing advanced application scenarios that are currently difficult to implement with conventional sanitary installations. Reference symbol list

[0066] 1 Sanitary installation 2 Taps 3 Remote control unit 4 Shower cubicle 5 Piping 6 Branch 7 Flow 8 Return 9 Drinking water pipe 10 Drinking water supply station 11 Water-to-water heat exchanger 12 Primary heating area 13 Secondary drinking water area 14 Primary flow regulator 15 Reheater 16 Control device 17 Electronic control device 18 Inlet valve 19 Outlet valve 20 Housing 21 First connection 22 Second connection 23 Third connection 24 Drinking water connection 25 Profile 31 First control element 32 Second control element 33 Third control element 34 Fourth control element 35 Fifth control element 36 First selector button 37 Second selector button 38 Third selector button 39 Display unit

Claims

1. Sanitary installation (1), comprising: - a hot water component for providing hot water, in particular potable hot water, for at least one tap (2); - at least one tap (2) connected to the hot water component; - at least one remote control unit (3) for requesting a setpoint temperature and / or a setpoint flow rate for the at least one tap (2); and - at least one control device (16) structurally separate from and coupled to the remote control unit (3) for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate from the hot water component to the at least one tap (2) based on the requested setpoint temperature and / or the requested setpoint flow rate.

2. Sanitary installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein - the at least one control device (16) is integrated into or coupled to the hot water component; and - the hot water component only provides hot water when this is requested by at least one remote control unit (3).

3. Sanitary installation (1) according to claim 2, wherein the hot water component is configured to provide hot water at the requested set temperature.

4. Sanitary installation (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein cold water, in particular drinking cold water, is provided at the at least one tap (2) when no hot water is requested by the at least one remote control unit (3).

5. Sanitary installation (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, comprising: - a plurality of taps (2) connected to the hot water component; - a plurality of remote control units (3) for requesting a setpoint temperature and / or a setpoint flow rate for each of the plurality of taps (2); and - a plurality of control devices (16) for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate from the hot water component to each of the plurality of taps (2) based on a setpoint temperature and / or a setpoint flow rate requested for the respective tap (2); - wherein the hot water component is configured to provide hot water at the highest requested setpoint temperature.

6. Sanitary installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hot water component is connected to each of the at least one tap (2) via a single pipe connection (6), in particular a direct line which is unpressurized when the respective tap (2) is not in use, from a control device (16) assigned to the respective tap (2) to the tap (2).

7. Sanitary installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the hot water component and the at least one control device (16) are structurally integrated into a decentralized drinking water supply station (10), in particular an apartment station connected between a central building installation and an internal sanitary installation.

8. Sanitary installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one remote control unit (3) and the at least one control device (16) are coupled to each other via a wireless radio connection and / or a bus connection, in particular an RS485-MODBUS connection.

9. Sanitary installation (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one tap (2d, 2e) and the at least one remote control unit (3d) are arranged in a wet room, in particular a shower cubicle (4).

10. Drinking water supply station (10), in particular for use in a sanitary installation (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising: - a hot water component for providing hot drinking water for at least one tap (2); - at least one drinking water connection (24) for connecting the drinking water supply station (10) to a tap (2); - at least one interface for receiving a request signal from a remote control unit (3) structurally separate from the drinking water supply station (10); and - at least one control device (16) for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate for the at least one drinking water connection (24) based on the request signal.

11. Drinking water supply station (10) according to claim 10, wherein the hot water component comprises: - a water-to-water heat exchanger (11) which is connected on the primary side to an external heat source and on the secondary side to a drinking water supply line and the at least one control device (16); - a flow controller (14) hydraulically connected between the external heat source and the water-to-water heat exchanger (11); and - a control component, wherein the control component is configured to control the flow controller (14) based on the request signal such that hot drinking water at a requested setpoint temperature is provided at the at least one drinking water connection (24).

12. Drinking water supply station (10) according to claim 11, wherein the hot water component further comprises an electric reheating unit (15) and the control component is configured to control the flow controller (14) and the electric reheating unit (15) based on the request signal in such a way that hot drinking water with a requested setpoint temperature is provided at the at least one drinking water connection (24).

13. Drinking water supply station (10) according to claim 12, wherein the electric reheating unit (15) is hydraulically connected between the external heat source and the water-to-water heat exchanger (11) and the control component is configured to activate the electric reheating unit (15) only when the flow temperature of the external heat source is insufficient to provide domestic hot water at the required setpoint temperature at the at least one drinking water connection (24).

14. Drinking water supply station (10) according to one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the control component is configured to control the flow regulator (14) and optionally an electric reheating unit (15) such that the water-to-water heat exchanger (11) is heated briefly, in particular at regular intervals, to a predetermined temperature, in particular a temperature of at least 60 °C.

15. Drinking water supply station (10) according to one of claims 10 to 14, wherein the drinking water supply station (10) has a plurality of drinking water connections (24) for connecting the drinking water supply station (10) to a corresponding plurality of taps (2) and a corresponding plurality of control devices (16) for setting an actual temperature and / or an actual flow rate for the respective drinking water connection (24) based on an associated request signal.

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