EP0724044A1 - Control device for a sanitary fitting - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves activating and deactivating the control and evaluation electronics (2) and an associated sensor (2) at periodic time intervals. The sensor is controlled by an auxiliary receiver (13) of visible light and a timer circuit (4), where the timer circuit is switched over to a longer timer period for electrical power saving at a defined ambient light intensity. The timer is switched to a smaller time period for normal operation. The light intensity at which the changeover occurs is set in the region of the limit of perception of human vision. A single receiver can be used for the infrared and visible light.

Description

The invention relates to a method for operating a sanitary fitting controlled by a clocked infrared light sensor system in a contactless manner via control and evaluation electronics and a device for carrying out the method.

Battery-operated sanitary fitting controls based on an active IR reflex light barrier emit IR transmission signals (transmission pulses or pulse sequences) at defined intervals, which are reflected in an object or body reflected in the detection range of the sensor system and converted back into electrical signals in the receiver of the sensor module after an evaluation in a subsequent control electronics, possibly to carry out an adjustment process, e.g. B. to release the tap water flow. In order to distinguish between external and intrinsic IR radiation, pulse trains or modulated IR radiation are mostly used as transmission signals. In this case, only individual pulses or shortened pulse sequences are used until approach detection, so that only when possible or the probable presence of an object or body in the detection area for the plausibility check or avoidance of unintentional watercourse is switched to pulse groups or longer pulse sequences (2-stage, clocked operation).

Basically, however, constant time intervals are used between the individual transmission signals or pulse groups or individual pulses, regardless of the current ambient brightness.

The energy required for the IR transmission signal (active IR sensor system) or the IR transmission impulses largely determines the useful life of a battery-operated sanitary fitting for a battery charge (effective battery life).

The invention has for its object to provide a method and a device with which the electrical energy consumption of the controller can be significantly reduced, so that the service life of the battery is considerably extended, in particular in the case of electrical energy supply by means of a battery.

This object is achieved by a method with the features of claim 1 or claim 6 and by a device with the features of claim 7.

Further refinements of the invention are specified in claims 2 to 5 and 8.

The advantages that can be achieved with the invention are, in particular, that battery-operated sanitary fittings have a longer service life per battery charge is made possible because the energy required for the active IR sensor system is minimized during natural periods of non-use (night reduction). This can be achieved by suppressing the transmission signals or increasing the time span between two successive transmission signals if the current ambient brightness no longer enables the fitting to be used or if the ambient brightness falls below a certain threshold.
The serious disadvantage of all automatic sanitary fittings equipped with an active IR sensor system, even when a potential user is not present, is to send out IR pulses, at least during the period in which use due to insufficient lighting or ambient brightness is ruled out.

The natural no-use period is, for example, night operation of a fitting operated in the private area or operation in the dark in the public area (e.g. toilet area of a restaurant, etc.).

In both applications, it is characteristic of night operation or operation in the dark if the natural ambient brightness at the place of use of the automatic fitting is in the range of the human eye's perception limit or if the ambient brightness falls below a certain limit.

The control electronics of an automatic, non-contact sanitary fitting is therefore expanded according to the invention in such a way that the current ambient brightness can be detected and evaluated. Based on the determined ambient brightness either the intensity of the transmission signals is reduced or the time interval between the transmission signals or transmission pulses is widened. The ambient brightness is advantageously measured with the aid of the receiver, which is already available in the sensor module of the fitting, the sensitivity of which may need to be adjusted (increased) accordingly.

The "night setback", i.e. H. the energy-saving mode in the dark can also be deliberately faked, e.g. B. by sticking an opaque sticker on the sensor cover or inserting the fitting in an opaque packaging. This makes it possible to extend the possible storage times or transport times due to reduced energy consumption.

Figur 1

ein Blockschaltbild einer Steuerung für eine sanitäre Auslaufarmatur;

Figur 2

ein Schaubild, in dem die Taktperioden für den normalen Arbeitsbetrieb der Steuerung angegeben sind, wobei auf der Y-Achse das Steuersignal A und auf der X-Achse die Zeit t aufgegeben ist;

Figur 3

ein entsprechend Figur 2 aufgebautes Schaubild, wobei die Taktperiode des Steuersignals in dem Energiesparbetrieb gezeigt ist.

An embodiment of the invention is shown in the drawing and is explained in more detail below.
It shows

Figure 1

a block diagram of a controller for a sanitary outlet fitting;

Figure 2

a diagram in which the clock periods for the normal operation of the control system are given, the control signal A being given on the Y axis and the time t on the X axis;

Figure 3

a diagram constructed according to Figure 2, wherein the clock period of the control signal is shown in the energy-saving mode.

The block diagram shown in FIG. 1 contains a sanitary water outlet control. Control and evaluation electronics 2 are connected to an IR sensor module 1 consisting of a transmitter 11 and a receiver 12 (E1). A battery 5 is used to supply the system with voltage, the water flow is released via a solenoid valve 6.

The control and evaluation electronics 2 is activated by a timer electronics or timer circuit 4 by means of a control signal A at certain periodic time intervals t ₁ and performs the proximity measurement with the output of an IR transmission signal via the transmitter 11 (S) of the sensor system 1 during the time period τ . After the period τ has expired, the sensor system 1 and the control and evaluation electronics 2 are deactivated for reasons of energy saving. Only the timer circuit 4 is constantly active and triggers a renewed activation of the control and evaluation electronics 2 after the time period t ₁ -τ. The diagram in FIG. 2 shows the normal operating mode of the control and evaluation electronics 2, the signal A being entered on the Y axis and the time t being entered on the X axis. Thus, a transmission signal is emitted at periodic time intervals t ₁ during the active phase τ of the overall system, the reflection of which is possibly detected by the receiver 11 (E1) of the sensor system 1, which is usually only sensitive in the IR range.

According to the invention, the system is now extended by a further receiver 13 (E2), which is connected to the timer circuit 4. The receiver 13 is sensitive to the spectrum of visible radiation and can therefore be used to determine the ambient brightness.

If the illuminance determined by the receiver 13 (E2) falls below a defined, preselected value, the control signal A, which is used to activate the control and evaluation electronics 2, is now output at larger time intervals t ₂ . This case is shown in Figure 3.

bestimmt werden. Wobei k das Gleichstromäquivalent der Stromaufnahme der Elektronikkomponenten und des Senderstroms darstellt.The energy required for the supply of the system according to FIG. 1 can be obtained from the equation for the case shown in FIG. 2 $${\text{<figure-callout id="1" label="E" filenames="imgf0001.png" state="{{state}}">E</figure-callout>}}_{\text{1}}{\text{= k · τ · t / <figure-callout id="1" label="t" filenames="imgf0001.png" state="{{state}}">t</figure-callout>}}_{\text{1}}$$

be determined. Where k is the direct current equivalent of the current consumption of the electronic components and the transmitter current.

beschrieben. Infolge der größeren Zeitdauer t₂ ergibt sich somit eine Reduzierung des Energiebedarfs E₂ im Vergleich zu E₁.With activation of the night setback (behavior according to Figure 3), the supply energy by the equation $${\text{E}}_{\text{2nd}}{\text{= k · τ · t / t}}_{\text{2nd}}$$

described. As a result of the longer time period t ₂ , there is thus a reduction in the energy requirement E ₂ compared to E ₁ .

The threshold for the illuminance at which the timer circuit increases the period for the control signal A to t ₂ is advantageously selected in the range of the perception limit of human eyesight. This ensures that the system automatically switches to energy-saving mode when the fitting can no longer be expected or is possible due to the given lighting conditions or ambient brightness.

Alternatively, the invention can also be implemented in that the ambient brightness is detected directly by the receiver 12 (E1) of the sensor system 1, which in turn is advantageously designed without a daylight filter.

Another embodiment of the invention provides a non-linear control of the measurement interval time t ₁ depending on the illuminance in the receiver of 12 or 13.

In a further embodiment variant, the control and evaluation electronics itself select or calculate the suitable time interval for the next activation of the IR transmitter on the basis of the illuminance determined in the receiver.

Ultimately, a reduction in the energy consumption of the controller can also be achieved by reducing the IR transmission power in the event of an obvious period of non-use (darkness).

Claims (8)

Method for operating a sanitary fitting, in particular a water outlet fitting, controlled by a clocked infrared light sensor in a contactless manner via control and evaluation electronics, characterized in that the control and evaluation electronics (2) and the sensor system (1) are activated and deactivated at periodic intervals, the sensor system (1) with an additional receiver (13) sensitive to visible radiation controls a timer circuit (4) in such a way that from a certain brightness in the vicinity of the receiver (13) the timer circuit (4) is switched to a larger clock period (t ₂ ) for electrical energy saving (energy-saving mode) or for a smaller cycle period (t ₁ ) for normal working operation (normal operating mode). A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the brightness for switching in the range of the perception limit of human eyesight is fixed. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a single receiver for infrared light and daylight is used. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a non-linear control of the clock period (t ₁ ) is provided as a function of the illuminance. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the timer circuit itself selects or calculates the suitable time interval or cycle period for the next activation of the infrared light sensor system and the evaluation electronics on the basis of the determined illuminance in the receiver. Method for operating a sanitary fitting, in particular a water outlet fitting, controlled by an infrared light sensor system in a contactless manner via a control and evaluation electronics, characterized in that the sensor system is additionally provided with a receiver which is sensitive to visible radiation and which controls the infrared light transmission power in such a way that when the brightness falls below a certain minimum level in the vicinity of the receiver the infrared light transmission power is reduced to save electrical energy. Device for controlling a sanitary fitting according to the method specified in at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a separate timer circuit (4) is provided for the periodic activation and deactivation of the sensors (1) and the control and evaluation electronics (2), in which a receiver (13) for visible radiation is arranged in the sensor system (1) and connected to the timer circuit (4), so that if the minimum brightness in the vicinity of the receiver (13) is undershot, the timer circuit (4) switches the sensor system ( 1) and the control and evaluation electronics ( ₂ ) drives with a larger cycle period (t ₂ ). Device according to claim 7, characterized in that one or more batteries (5) are provided for the electrical energy supply.

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