Sanitary device having a sensor device

Abstract

The invention relates to a sanitary device (1), at least comprising: - a sensor device (4) having a ToF sensor (5), wherein the ToF sensor (5) comprises an emitter (6) for emitting light in a first radiation direction (7) and comprises a collector (9) for the light; and - a first optical element (10) for diverting the light out of the first radiation direction (7).

Description

[0001] Sanitary facility with a sensor device

[0002] The present invention relates to a sanitary device, for example in the form of a sanitary fitting. Such sanitary devices are used in particular for the on-demand dispensing of a liquid to washbasins, sinks, showers, bathtubs, bidets, toilets, and / or urinals.

[0003] Sanitary fittings that can be manually operated using control elements such as buttons and / or levers are known. Sanitary fittings can also be automatically controlled using a sensor device. The sensor device can include a ToF sensor for detecting an object or a user of the sanitary fitting. The dispensing of the fluid can be activated, for example, if the sensor device detects the object or user within a detection range of the sensor device.

[0004] To detect the object or user, an emitter of the ToF sensor emits light in a direction orthogonal to the ToF sensor. Depending on the desired detection range, the sensor device with the ToF sensor must therefore be installed in the sanitary facility at an appropriate angle or angle. This increases the space required for the sensor device in the sanitary facility and can be associated with significant installation effort.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to provide a sanitary device whose sensor device requires less installation space and requires less assembly effort.

[0006] This object is achieved with a sanitary fitting and a method according to the features of the independent patent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the dependent patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0007] This is achieved by a sanitary facility that has at least the following:

[0008] - a housing;

[0009] - a sensor device with a ToF sensor, wherein the ToF sensor comprises an emitter for emitting light in a first emission direction and a collector for the light; and

[0010] - a first optical element for redirecting the light from the first emission direction.

[0011] The sanitary fixture can, for example, be a sanitary fitting, for example in the style of a kitchen faucet or sink faucet. The sanitary fitting serves in particular to provide a liquid, for example water, to a washbasin, a kitchen sink, a shower, a bathtub and / or a bidet. Alternatively, the sanitary fixture can be an actuating device for a flushing device of a toilet or urinal. The flushing device can, in particular, direct a flushing liquid into the toilet or urinal in order to flush the toilet or urinal. The actuating device can be a flush plate or control plate which can, for example, be fastened to and / or at least partially in a wall. The actuating device can, in particular, control a drain valve, for example of a cistern for the flushing liquid of the flushing device.

[0012] The sanitary device can have a housing, for example in the manner of a fitting housing, which is preferably made at least partially of plastic and / or (cast) metal, such as brass. The housing can, particularly when the sanitary device is designed as a sanitary fitting, have an outlet that is rigidly or movably attached to the housing, in particular pivotably and / or at least partially extendably. The housing and / or the outlet can have at least one outlet opening for the liquid. The liquid can be released, in particular, into the environment of the sanitary device via the at least one outlet opening. The sanitary device can, particularly when the sanitary device is designed as a sanitary fitting, comprise a mixing valve for mixing cold water and hot water to form mixed water with a desired mixed water temperature. The mixing valve is arranged, in particular, in the housing.The cold water can be supplied to the mixing valve in particular via a cold water pipe and the hot water via a hot water pipe. The cold water can have a cold water temperature which is in particular a maximum of 25 °C (Celsius), preferably 1 °C to 25 °C, particularly preferably 5 °C to 20 °C. The hot water can have a hot water temperature which is in particular a maximum of 90 °C, preferably 25 °C to 90 °C, particularly preferably 55 °C to 65 °C. The sanitary device or the housing can be fastened in particular to a support, such as the washbasin, the kitchen sink, the bathtub, the bidet, the shower, the toilet, the urinal, the wall and / or a worktop. An assembly space can be formed within the housing. The assembly space can, for example, extend from an assembly opening of the housing into the housing.The mounting space can extend along a, in particular straight, longitudinal axis, for example at least partially cylindrical. The mounting space and / or the longitudinal axis can, for example, run vertically, in particular when the sanitary device is fastened to the support. The housing can have a window. The window can be designed as an opening that can extend from an inside of the housing and / or from the mounting space to an outside of the housing. The window can have a pane that can, in particular, consist at least partially of glass or plastic. The window can, in particular, be at least partially transparent and / or translucent. The window and / or the pane can be (substantially) flush with the outside of the housing and / or end flush with the outside of the housing. The sanitary device has a sensor device.The sensor device can in particular be arranged on and / or at least partially in the housing and / or the mounting space of the housing. The sensor device can be arranged and / or fastened on the inside of the housing. The sensor device can be arranged, in particular directly, adjacent to the window and / or the pane of the housing. The sensor device can in particular detect the presence of an object and / or a user of the sanitary fitting in a detection range of the sensor device and / or determine a distance of the object and / or the user of the sanitary fitting. The distance can in particular be a distance between the object or the user and the sensor device or the sanitary fitting. The object can, for example, be at least one hand of the user of the sanitary fitting and / or an object.The object can, for example, be a container for holding the liquid, such as a drinking vessel and / or pot. Furthermore, the object can be an object to be cleaned. The sensor device can control the sanitary facility, in particular depending on the presence and / or distance of the object and / or the user. The sensor device enables, in particular, contactless and / or convenient operation of the sanitary facility. The sensor device can, for example, control the dispensing of the liquid or the rinsing liquid. The sensor device can comprise a controller and / or be connected to the controller. The controller can be a microprocessor or have a microprocessor. The sensor device can have a printed circuit board. The printed circuit board can be a printed circuit board.The circuit board can be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or, particularly when the sanitary device is attached to the support, vertically. The microprocessor can be attached to the circuit board. The sanitary device can have an energy storage device for the sensor device and / or the microprocessor, for example in the form of a battery. The energy storage device can supply the sensor device and / or the microprocessor with electrical energy, so that the sanitary device can be used, in particular, without an external electrical energy source. The sensor device can have a sensor housing in and / or on which the circuit board, the microprocessor and / or the energy storage device can be arranged.

[0013] The sensor device comprises a ToF sensor with an emitter for emitting light in a first emission direction and a collector for the light. The ToF sensor enables contactless detection of the presence of the object and / or the user in the detection area and / or measurement of the distance to the object and / or the user. The ToF sensor, the emitter, and / or the collector can be arranged on and / or at least partially in the sensor housing and / or the circuit board. The ToF sensor, the emitter, and / or the collector can be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or, particularly when the sanitary fixture is attached to the support, perpendicularly. The emitter can emit light in the form of electromagnetic radiation and / or photons in the first emission direction. The emitter can emit the light conically or in the form of a light cone. A center of the light cone is oriented in the first emission direction.The first emission direction can be a main emission direction and / or a central emission direction of the light. The emitter can be a vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL). The first emission direction can point toward the window and / or the pane of the housing. The first emission direction can be oriented orthogonally to the emitter, the circuit board, and / or the longitudinal axis.

[0014] The sanitary fixture has a first optical element for deflecting the light, the electromagnetic radiation, and / or the photons from the first emission direction. The first optical element can be formed and / or arranged, for example, in or on the window of the housing, in or on the pane of the housing, in or on a sensor window of the sensor device, and / or in or on an optical region of the sensor device or the sensor window. The first optical element is, in particular, at least partially transparent and / or translucent. The first optical element can consist at least partially of plastic and / or glass. The first optical element can be an optical lens, for example in the manner of a Fresnel lens. The first optical element deflects the light from the first emission direction, in particular conically, in the form of the light cone, (essentially) without focusing and / or (essentially) without amplification.This ensures the safety of the user's eyes. The light cone can have an aperture angle of, for example, 5° to 45°, preferably 5° to 35°, particularly preferably 14° to 18°. The first optical element directs the light, in particular, toward a desired detection area of ​​the sensor device. This prevents, in particular, unwanted objects from being detected by the sensor device.

[0015] If the object and / or user are within the detection range of the sensor device, the light is reflected by the object and / or user. The reflected light can be detected by the collector of the ToF sensor, allowing the time required for the light to travel from the emitter to the object or user and back to the collector to be determined. The presence and / or distance of the object or user can be determined based on the required time. The collector can be an array of single-photon avalanche photodiodes (SPAD).

[0016] Thanks to the first optical element, the sensor device does not have to be tilted in the sanitary device or the housing in order to achieve a desired detection range of the sensor device. Instead, the sensor device can be arranged in a position favorable for mounting the sensor device and / or in a space-saving orientation, i.e., in particular parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or, particularly when the sanitary device is attached to the support, vertically oriented in the sanitary device or the housing.

[0017] The first radiation direction can be horizontal. The first radiation direction is particularly horizontal when the sanitary fixture is attached to the support. The light can be deflected by an angle of up to 45° by the first optical element. The light can be deflected, particularly upwards or downwards, by the angle, particularly when the sanitary fixture is attached to the support. The angle can be, for example, 1° to 45°, preferably 10° to 30°, particularly preferably 10° to 20°.

[0018] The first optical element can be formed in or on a sensor window. In particular, the first optical element can be formed in and / or on a sensor window or an optical region of the sensor window of the sensor device. The sensor window can be formed in and / or on the sensor housing of the sensor device. The first optical element can be part of the sensor window. The sensor window or the optical region of the sensor window can be made at least partially of plastic and / or glass. In particular, the sensor window can be at least partially transparent and / or translucent.

[0019] The sanitary facility can have a second optical element for redirecting the light to the collector. The second optical element can, for example, be formed and / or arranged in or on the window of the housing, in or on the pane of the housing, in or on the sensor window of the sensor device, and / or in or on the optical region of the sensor device or the sensor window. The second optical element is, in particular, at least partially transparent and / or translucent. The second optical element can consist at least partially of plastic and / or glass. The second optical element can be an optical lens. The second optical element redirects the light reflected by the object and / or the user in the detection range of the sensor device, in particular in an optically focused manner, to the collector. The light can be redirected by the second optical element by a (second) angle of up to 45°.The light can be deflected upwards or downwards, particularly when the sanitary fixture is attached to the support, by the (second) angle. The (second) angle can be, for example, 1° to 45°, preferably 10° to 30°, particularly preferably 10° to 20°. The second optical element can be formed in and / or on the sensor window or the optical region of the sensor window of the sensor device. The second optical element can be part of the sensor window.

[0020] The sanitary facility can have a first optical barrier for the emitter. The first optical barrier can at least partially or completely surround the emitter. The first optical barrier can extend from the emitter and / or the circuit board to the first optical element, the second optical element, the window of the housing, the pane of the housing, the sensor window of the sensor device and / or the optical region of the sensor device or the sensor window. The first optical barrier can prevent the light from reaching the collector, for example due to reflections within the sensor device, without reaching the detection range of the sensor device and / or without passing through the first optical element and / or the second optical element. The first optical barrier can be designed at least partially as a wall. The first optical barrier can be made at least partially of plastic, rubber and / or metal.

[0021] The sensor device can comprise an infrared sensor with an infrared emitter for emitting infrared light in a second radiation direction and an infrared collector for the infrared light. The sensor device can be designed as a hybrid sensor. The infrared sensor enables contactless detection of the presence of the object and / or the user in the detection range and / or measurement of the distance to the object and / or the user. The infrared sensor can be supplied with electrical energy by the energy storage device. The infrared sensor is characterized by lower energy consumption compared to the ToF sensor. In contrast, the infrared sensor has lower detection accuracy compared to the ToF sensor. To reduce the energy consumption of the sensor device, the ToF sensor can be deactivated if there is no object or user in the detection range of the sensor device.The ToF sensor can, for example, only be activated when an object or the user is detected in the detection range of the sensor device using the infrared sensor. The infrared sensor can be permanently activated. The infrared sensor, the infrared emitter, and / or the infrared collector can be arranged on and / or at least partially in the sensor housing and / or the circuit board. The infrared sensor, the infrared emitter, and / or the infrared collector can be aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or, particularly when the sanitary device is attached to the support, perpendicularly. The infrared emitter can emit infrared light in the form of electromagnetic radiation and / or photons in the second emission direction. The infrared emitter can emit the infrared light conically or in the form of an infrared light cone. A center of the infrared light cone is oriented in the second emission direction.The second radiation direction can be a main radiation direction and / or a central radiation direction of the infrared light. The second radiation direction can correspond to the first radiation direction and / or be identical to the first radiation direction. The second radiation direction can point toward the window and / or the pane of the housing. The second radiation direction can be oriented orthogonally to the infrared emitter, the circuit board, and / or the longitudinal axis.

[0022] The sanitary facility can have a third optical element for deflecting the infrared light from the second radiation direction. The third optical element can, for example, be formed and / or arranged in the window of the housing, in or on the pane of the housing, in or on a sensor window of the sensor device and / or in or on the optical region of the sensor device or the sensor window. The third optical element is in particular at least partially transparent and / or translucent. The third optical element can consist at least partially of plastic and / or glass. The third optical element can be an optical lens, for example in the manner of a Fresnel lens. The third optical element deflects the infrared light from the second radiation direction, in particular conically, in the form of the infrared light cone, (essentially) without focusing and / or (essentially) without amplification.This ensures the safety of the user's eyes. The infrared light cone can have a (second) aperture angle of, for example, 5° to 45°, preferably 5° to 20°, particularly preferably 5° to 15°. The third optical element directs the infrared light, in particular, toward the desired detection area of ​​the sensor device. This prevents, in particular, unwanted objects from being detected by the sensor device.

[0023] The infrared light can be deflected by the third optical element by a (third) angle of up to 45°. The infrared light can be deflected, particularly upwards or downwards, by the (third) angle, particularly when the sanitary fixture is attached to the support. The (third) angle can be, for example, 1° to 45°, preferably 10° to 30°, particularly preferably 10° to 20°. The third optical element can be formed in and / or on the sensor window or the optical region of the sensor window of the sensor device. The third optical element can be part of the sensor window.

[0024] The sanitary facility can have a fourth optical element for deflecting the infrared light to the infrared co-hector. The fourth optical element can, for example, be formed and / or arranged in or on the window of the housing, in or on the pane of the housing, in or on the sensor window of the sensor device and / or in or on the optical region of the sensor device or the sensor window. The fourth optical element is in particular at least partially transparent and / or translucent. The fourth optical element can consist at least partially of plastic and / or glass. The fourth optical element can be an optical lens. The fourth optical element deflects the infrared light reflected by the object and / or the user in the detection range of the sensor device, in particular in an optically focused manner, to the infrared co-hector.The infrared light can be deflected by the fourth optical element by a (fourth) angle of up to 45°. The infrared light can be deflected, particularly upwards or downwards, by the (fourth) angle, particularly when the sanitary fixture is attached to the support. The (fourth) angle can be, for example, 1° to 45°, preferably 10° to 30°, particularly preferably 10° to 20°. The fourth optical element can be formed in and / or on the sensor window or the optical region of the sensor window of the sensor device. The fourth optical element can be part of the sensor window.

[0025] The sanitary fixture can have a second optical barrier for the infrared emitter. The second optical barrier can at least partially or completely surround the infrared emitter. The second optical barrier can extend from the infrared emitter and / or the circuit board to the first optical element, the second optical element, the third optical element, the fourth optical element, the window of the housing, the pane of the housing, the sensor window of the sensor device and / or the optical region of the sensor device or the sensor window. The second optical barrier can be used to prevent the infrared light from reaching the infrared light collector, for example due to reflections within the sensor device, without reaching the detection range of the sensor device and / or without passing through the third optical element and / or the fourth optical element.The second optical barrier can be at least partially formed as a wall. The second optical barrier can be at least partially made of plastic, rubber, and / or metal.

[0026] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred variant of the invention, but are not limited thereto. Identical components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically:

[0027] Fig. 1: a sanitary facility with a sensor device in a side view; and Fig. 2: the sensor device in a front view.

[0028] Fig. 1 shows a side view of a sanitary device 1 in the form of a sanitary fitting. The sanitary device 1 comprises a housing 2 with an outlet 21 having an outlet opening 20 through which a liquid can be dispensed. The housing 2 has a mounting opening 23 at a lower end 22, with which the sanitary device 1 can be fastened to a support (not shown here). The housing 2 has a mounting space 27 which extends from the mounting opening 23 along a longitudinal axis 26 of the housing 2 into the housing 2. The housing 2 has a housing window 3.

[0029] Behind the housing window 3, within the housing 2 or the mounting space 27, a sensor device 4 is arranged. The sensor device 4 comprises a sensor housing 24 in which a printed circuit board 25 is located. The sensor device 4 or the printed circuit board 25 are aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis 26. When the sanitary device 1 is attached to the support (not shown here), the sensor device 4 or the printed circuit board 25 is aligned vertically. The printed circuit board 25 has a ToF sensor 5 with an emitter 6 shown in Fig. 2, with which light can be emitted in a first emission direction 7. The first emission direction 7 runs orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 26. When the sanitary device 1 is attached to the support (not shown here), the first emission direction 7 runs horizontally. The printed circuit board 25 has an infrared sensor 17 with an emitter 6 shown in Fig.2, with which infrared light can be emitted in a second radiation direction 8. The second radiation direction 8 corresponds to the first radiation direction 7. The sensor device 4 has a front side 28 with an optical region 29.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows the sensor device 4 with a view of the front side 28. The front side 28 comprises a sensor window 30 with the optical region 29. Behind the optical region 29 are the ToF sensor 5 with the emitter 6 and a collector 9, as well as the infrared sensor 17 with the infrared emitter 18 and an infrared collector 19. A first optical element 10 is formed in the optical region 29, with which the light emitted by the emitter 6 in the first radiation direction 7 can be deflected upwards by an angle 14 shown in Fig. 1. The light is (essentially) not focused by the first optical element 10, but radiates as a light cone 31 into a detection area 32 of the sensor device 4 (cf. Fig. 1). If, for example, a user's hand 33 is located in the detection area 32, the light is reflected by the hand 33 to a second optical element 11 of the collector 9 shown in Fig. 2.The second optical element 11 is formed in the optical region 29. The second optical element 11 redirects the reflected light to the collector 9. The sensor device 4 has a first optical barrier 15 that separates the emitter 6 within the sensor device 4 from the collector 9, so that the light within the sensor device 4 cannot be reflected directly to the collector 9.

[0031] A third optical element 12 is formed in the optical region 29, with which the infrared light emitted by the infrared emitter 18 in the second radiation direction 8 can be deflected upwards by the angle 14 shown in Fig. 1. The infrared light is (essentially) not focused by the second optical element 11, but radiates as an infrared light cone 34 into the detection area 32 of the sensor device 4 (see Fig. 1). If, for example, the user's hand 33 is located in the detection area 32, the infrared light is reflected by the hand 33 to a fourth optical element 13 of the infrared collector 19, shown in Fig. 2. The reflected infrared light can be deflected to the infrared collector 19 by the fourth optical element 13.The sensor device 4 has a second optical barrier 16 which separates the infrared emitter 18 within the sensor device 4 from the infrared collector 19, so that the infrared light within the sensor device 4 cannot be reflected directly to the infrared collector 19.

[0032] By virtue of the present invention, the sensor device 4 in the housing 2 of the sanitary device 1 requires less installation space and requires less assembly effort.

[0033] 1 sanitary facility

[0034] 2 housings

[0035] 3 case windows

[0036] 4 Sensor device

[0037] 5 ToF sensor

[0038] 6 emitters

[0039] 7 first radiation direction

[0040] 8 second radiation direction

[0041] 9 Collector

[0042] 10 first optical element

[0043] 11 second optical element

[0044] 12 third optical element

[0045] 13 fourth optical element

[0046] 14 angles

[0047] 15 first optical barriers

[0048] 16 second optical barrier

[0049] 17 Infrared sensor

[0050] 18 infrared emitters

[0051] 19 Infrared collector

[0052] 20 Outlet opening

[0053] 21 Outlet

[0054] 22 lower end

[0055] 23 Mounting opening

[0056] 24 sensor housings

[0057] 25 circuit board

[0058] 26 Longitudinal axis

[0059] 27 Assembly room 28 Front

[0060] 29 optical area

[0061] 30 sensor windows

[0062] 31 Light cone 32 Detection range

[0063] 33 hands

[0064] 34 infrared light cones

Claims

Patent claims 1. Sanitary facility (1), comprising at least: - a sensor device (4) with a ToF sensor (5), wherein the ToF sensor (5) comprises an emitter (6) for emitting light in a first emission direction (7) and a collector (9) for the light; and - a first optical element (10) for deflecting the light from the first emission direction (7).

2. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first radiation direction (7) is horizontal.

3. Sanitary device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the light can be deflected by the first optical element (10) by an angle (14) of up to 45°.

4. Sanitary device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first optical element (7) is formed in or on a sensor window (3).

5. Sanitary device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a second optical element (11) for redirecting the light to the collector (9).

6. Sanitary device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a first optical barrier (15) for the emitter (6).

7. Sanitary device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor device (4) comprises an infrared sensor (17) with an infrared emitter (18) for emitting infrared light in a second radiation direction (8) and an infrared collector (19) for the infrared light.

8. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 7, comprising a third optical element (12) for deflecting the infrared light from the second radiation direction (8).

9. Sanitary device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, comprising a fourth optical element (13) for deflecting the infrared light to the infrared converter (19).

10. Sanitary device (1) according to one of claims 7 to 9, comprising a second optical barrier (16) for the infrared emitter (18).

Images