Programmable Sanitary Room Controls With Separate User Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing program-controlled sanitary installations have not gained widespread use due to a lack of practical solutions that meet high comfort standards and user-friendly operation.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary room with separate user interfaces for room and device controls, allowing selection and manual modification of lighting, sound, and water dispensing programs, integrated with a programmable electronic control system that prioritizes or overrides settings based on user identification and scene programs, and includes features like edge computing for user-specific preselection and intuitive operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single integrated control interface is used for all sanitary functions, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of specialized control for different functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into two distinct interfaces: a room user interface for controlling lighting, sound, and heating, and a device user interface for controlling water dispensing. This segmentation allows each interface to be optimized for its specific function, improving ease of operation without requiring a single complex interface to handle all functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If multiple separate control interfaces are provided for different functions, then ease of operation improves through specialized controls, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is divided into specialized interfaces: room user interface for environmental controls and device user interface for water controls. This segmentation improves operational ease by providing dedicated controls for each function while the underlying electronic control integrates the systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple separate control functions are merged into a unified electronic control system that coordinates room environment controls and device controls. This merging allows the system to function as an integrated whole while maintaining separate user interfaces for optimal operation of each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fixed program selections are provided, then ease of operation improves, but adaptability deteriorates due to lack of customization options

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The control system provides dynamic adaptability through two modes: pre-programmed sequences for simple operation, and manual modification capability for customization. Users can switch between fixed programs and manual adjustment, allowing the system to adapt to different user needs and preferences while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system allows parameter changes in pre-programmed sequences through manual modification at the user interfaces. Users can adjust parameters such as lighting intensity, sound volume, temperature, and water flow rates, enabling customization while maintaining the simplicity of program-based operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4341501B1Sanitary room of a building
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 JOMOO KITCHEN & BATH DEUT GMBH
  • EP4341501B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4341501B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4341501B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanitary room of a building, comprising: an access point for persons (4); at least one sanitary station (5, 12, 16), which comprises a sanitary apparatus having a metering and mixing valve unit (38); a lighting apparatus (34); and a sound apparatus (25); wherein a programmable electronic controller (40) influences the metering and mixing valve unit (38), the lighting apparatus (24) and the sound apparatus (25). The programmable electronic controller comprises: a water program memory (42) suitable for retrievably storing a plurality of different water discharge programs; a lighting program memory (42) suitable for retrievably storing a plurality of different lighting programs; a sound program memory (42) suitable for retrievably storing a plurality of different sound programs; and at least one data-processing unit (41), which operates at least one actuator of the metering and mixing valve unit (38), at least one illuminant controller and at least one sound generator. The sanitary station (5, 12, 16) comprises a device user interface (33), which is associated with the sanitary apparatus and allows one of the water discharge programs to be selected and allows the selected water discharge program to be manually modified. Adjacent to the access point for persons (4), a room user interface (23) is provided, which allows one of the lighting programs to be selected and one of the sound programs to be selected and which allows the selected lighting program and the selected sound program to be manually modified.