EP2772592A2 - Device for a flushing device of an urinal - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (1) has a support (4), a sensor head (5), and an adjustment unit is arranged for changing a relative position between the support and the sensor head. The sensor head is arranged with a sensing unit (7) with a directed acquisition direction. The adjustment unit is arranged such that the sensor head provided opposite to the support is rotatable in a stepless manner. The sensor head is arranged with an infrared measuring cell. The support is arranged with a watercourse. An independent claim is also included for a flushing device.

Description

The present invention relates to a flushing device of a urinal, in particular a technically simple way of attaching an electronic infrared Urinalspülers to a urinal.

It is known to provide sensors to increase the ease of use as well as to maintain the cleanliness of urinals, which recognize themselves when a purge of the urinal has to be made. In this case, it is particularly desirable that no contact triggering of the rinsing process is necessary. Thus, it can also be realized that an excessive cleaning of public urinals and / or the risk of infection are reduced.

Urinals themselves are available in many copies. So urinals are known, which can be mounted on a flat wall. Similarly, so-called corner urinals are known, which can be used in a corner of a room.

With regard to the design of the sensor system, it should be taken into account that the exact operation is also influenced in particular by the exact orientation of the sensor. It can be responsible for a variety of causes of malfunction of the infrared electronics. Thus, for example, a feedback must be avoided, that is, the infrared radiation from opposing valves / sensors should not be detected. In addition, it should be avoided that certain signals (bathroom furniture, pubic walls, mirrors or the like) misinterpret measurement signals from the sensor system. Also to be considered here is the light and solar radiation in the surroundings of the sensors.

In addition, it is desirable to retrofit such sensors also for existing urinals.

On this basis, it is an object of the present invention, at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art. In particular, a device for a flushing device of a urinal to be specified, which is easy to install and has a lower susceptibility to malfunction.

These objects are achieved with a device according to the features of claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with each other in any technologically meaningful manner and show further embodiments of the invention. The description, in particular in conjunction with the figures, explains the invention and provides further embodiments.

The device for a flushing device of a urinal has at least one holder and a sensor head. Furthermore, adjusting means are provided for changing the relative position between the holder and the sensor head.

The device may in particular be designed as a kit and / or retrofit kit for urinals of various types. The holder is used in particular to mount the apparatus comprising the sensor head to a wall. The wall can be part of the urinal; but this is not necessary. Holder and sensor head represent a structural unit, in particular in the mounted state Adjustment means are also part of this device and act in particular between the holder and the sensor head. The change of the relative position is preferably a (horizontal) rotation, so that, for example, the sensor head is designed rotatable relative to the holder. It is also possible that the change in the relative position comprises a (vertical) pivoting process between the holder and the sensor head, in particular perpendicular to a direction of rotation. Thus, for example, the sensor head can be rotated or pivoted horizontally and / or vertically relative to the holder.

The adjustment means may comprise guides, locking means, sliding surfaces, drives and the like. It is preferred that the adjusting means are formed (only) with mechanical components. The adjustment means are preferably operable when the device is already mounted on the wall. It is further preferred that no disassembly of the sensor head is required by the holder. In particular, the adjusting means are accessible from the outside, preferably in a region which is remote from a sensor unit or opposite. Thus, a measurement can take place simultaneously, while on the other hand, the adjustment means are operated. Thus, an exact alignment of the sensor head to avoid the erroneous measurements can be avoided, as they have been initially stated. Alternatively, it is also possible to make the sensor head housing separately detachable in order to set the sensor unit then attached to the flushing device separately from the sensor head housing.

It is further preferred that the sensor head has at least one sensor unit with a directional detection direction. In particular, the sensor unit comprises a sensor suitable for detecting persons. The sensor unit is for this purpose preferably equipped with an infrared sensor, which is a special reliable detection allows. In addition to the advantageous reflection sensors, however, it is also possible to use other sensors, such as motion sensors, which work, for example, with radar radiation. The directional detection direction can be characterized in particular by the fact that the sensor unit is sensitive only in a predetermined, directed detection direction. The directional detection direction could also be regarded as the "viewing direction" of the sensor unit. The use of such adjusting means for changing the relative position between the holder and sensor head is particularly advantageous for this type of sensor unit, because they can be aligned particularly accurately, and thus misinterpretations of the measurement signals can be avoided.

According to a further development, it is proposed that the adjusting means are designed such that the sensor head is continuously rotatable relative to the holder. In this way, the relative position between the holder and the sensor head or the orientation of the sensor unit to the urinal and / or the environment can be set very precisely. Optionally, however, preferred grid positions may be provided in the adjustment means, so that, for example, a certain angle setting can be selected as the output.

In addition, it is considered advantageous that the adjusting means comprise a locking means which blocks a change in the relative position. In particular, measures are in focus, which ensure a mechanical fixation of the adjusting means and thus also a secure fixation of the relative position between the holder and the sensor head. As a locking means, for example, bolts, screws, pins or the like can be used. It is particularly preferred that the locking means are accessible from outside the device, in particular by appropriate positioning of the locking means on or on the surface of the holder and / or the sensor head. The locking means can be made detachable again, so that multiple changes in the relative position and / or locking the relative position is possible without the device itself completely and / or partially disassemble.

According to a further development of the invention, the adjustment means form a pivoting region of the sensor head with respect to the holder from 10 degrees of angle to 60 degrees of angle. In this case, in particular stop means are provided which limit this pivoting range. In other words, this means that a complete rotatability of the two components to each other is not possible even with decoupled locking means. If a smaller angle is chosen, the setting possibility for the different situations in the bathroom or the toilet may not be sufficiently ensured. A swiveling range greater than 60 ° does not seem necessary in view of the direction of detection and the situation of use where the person is relatively close to the urinal. Particularly preferred is a range of 20 degrees of angle to 50 degrees, with which the most preferred angular range of 45 degrees, for example, with a deviation of +/- 15 degrees in the case of corner installation of the urinal is particularly well represented.

As already stated at the outset, a sensor head which has an infrared measuring cell is proposed here in particular.

It is very particularly preferred that a combined flushing / sensor device is provided here. It is preferred that the holder has a watercourse. Consequently, the device can be placed on a water inlet be automatically and automatically influence the flushing process through the watercourse with the help of the provided by the sensor head electronics. Here, for example, motors, sensors, valves, etc. controlled by the sensor head or activated / deactivated. Thus, a particularly flexible and / or compact device for a flushing device of a urinal is specified.

Accordingly, a flushing device of a urinal is proposed, comprising at least one device of the type highlighted here, a flushing apparatus and a control unit, wherein the control unit is designed and configured to receive signals of the device and to actuate the flushing apparatus in response to the signals. The rinsing apparatus is arranged in particular in the region of the holder or at least partially integrated in it. The control unit in turn is preferably arranged in the sensor head and is in electronic contact with the sensor unit. Measurement signals from the sensor unit can thus be processed in the control unit according to the stored there / predetermined manner and then actuate demand-oriented at the correct time and to the correct extent, the rinsing apparatus, so that the watercourse and thus ultimately the urinal is flushed as desired.

Furthermore, a urinal with a corresponding flushing device is proposed. This may also be a preassembled component group, in which the device is mounted directly on the urinal.

Particular application of the invention in a urinal, which is designed as a corner urinal. Such a corner urinal is mounted in a corner of a room, where it is usually in contact with two mutually perpendicular wall sections.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht auf eine Ausführungsvariante der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine Schnittdarstellung durch ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Vorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine Detail-Schnittansicht einer Ausführungsvariante der Vorrichtung, und

Fig. 4

eine Draufsicht auf ein Eck-Urinal mit montierter Vorrichtung.

The invention and the technical environment will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It should be noted that the same component in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The figures are schematic in nature and are not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment shown. Show it:

Fig. 1

a front view of an embodiment of the device,

Fig. 2

a sectional view through an embodiment of the device according to the invention,

Fig. 3

a detail sectional view of an embodiment of the device, and

Fig. 4

a plan view of a corner urinal with mounted device.

Fig. 1 shows a front view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention 1. The device 1 is here designed with two substantially cylindrical components, namely on the one hand (below), the holder 4, which forms a tubular housing portion in the front and a (above) positioned above, also a cylindrical housing portion having sensor head 5, whose diameter is made slightly larger than that of the holder 4. Thus, both components have a common center axis 27. Directed frontally forward, the device 1 has a sensor unit 7, which comprises an infrared measuring cell 11, which is formed behind a window 20. Through this window 20 through the detection of persons who are located frontally in front of the device 1 takes place. As shown by the arrow above, the sensor head 5 can be rotated relative to the holder 4 (horizontally).

Fig. 2 shows a perspective sectional view through an embodiment of a device 1, which is designed at least similar in terms of the housing, as the variant in Fig. 1 , In the area of the holder, the watercourse 12 is also realized, so that the holder 4 can be mounted, for example, on a corresponding water connection. Also in the region of the holder 4, the rinsing apparatus 13 is formed, which, for example. Includes a valve with which the watercourse 12 can be released demand-oriented. Thus, the flushing device 2 can be activated or deactivated according to demand.

The sensor head 5 is designed with a sensor head housing 15, in which a plurality of mechanical and / or electrical components is integrated. In particular, here the sensor unit 7 with the control unit 14 and a battery 16 is housed. These can be positioned at suitable locations in the interior 18 of the sensor head housing 15.

In addition, a mounting attachment 19 is provided, which extends from the holder 4 into the interior 18 of the sensor head housing 15. Adjusting means 6 are now provided on this mounting attachment 19, which allow a pivoting of the sensor head housing 15 relative to the mounting 4. Thus, between the sensor head housing 15 and the mounting attachment 19, an intermediate ring 17 is formed, which comprises a locking means 9, in particular here in the manner of an adjusting screw. If this is solved, the intermediate ring 17 can slide on the support attachment 19, so that the relative position between the support and the sensor head 5 is made possible. If the corresponding position is found, the locking means 9 can block this relative movement or the sliding surfaces with each other. Furthermore, the intermediate ring 17 and the mounting attachment 19 form a further adjustment means 6, as soon as they are clamped against each other, since they are not rotatable in this state and act as a locking means. In the region of the mounting attachment 19, a pilot valve 24 is additionally provided, which activates the rinsing apparatus 13. This space-saving arrangement leads to a particularly compact design of the device. 1

Fig. 3 shows a detail view in the area of the adjusting means 6. The upper part of the mounting bracket 19 and the outside on a conical surface 26 sliding intermediate ring 17. The intermediate ring 17 has a bore in which the adjustment means 6 can be integrated demand-oriented, so that then a rotation between intermediate ring 17 and bracket attachment 19 is blocked. Of course, seals 28 may be provided at suitable locations, in particular between the intermediate ring 17 and the mounting attachment 19 and the intermediate ring 17 and the sensor head housing 15. Below the pilot valve 24, a valve housing 25 is also provided, which is part of the rinsing apparatus 13, the function of pressure relief fulfilled and the flushing process triggers.

Fig. 4 illustrates a concrete installation situation of the device at a corner urinal from above. In the rear area, the wall 21 is shown, which forms a corner 22 here. The urinal 3 is suitably mounted in this corner 22. In this Corner or a nearby portion of the wall 21 (left or right of the corner 22), the bracket 4 is mounted. The device 1 is now designed with a sensor head 5, which allows a predetermined pivoting range 10 by changing the relative position between the holder 4 and the sensor head 5. Thus, the directional detection direction 8 of the device 1 can be set exactly with respect to the urinal 3 or the bath environment. If a flushing process is triggered by the device 1, then water flows through the watercourse 12 of the device 1 and cleans the basin 23 of the urinal 3.

Thus, the invention solves the problems posed initially and in particular provides a device for a flushing device of a urinal, which is easy to install and has a lower susceptibility to malfunction.
As a precaution, it should be noted that the combinations of technical features shown in the figures are not generally mandatory. Thus, technical features of a figure can be combined with other technical features of another figure and / or the general description. Something else should only apply if the combination of features was explicitly identified here and / or the person skilled in the art recognizes that otherwise the basic functions of the device can no longer be met.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

contraption

2

flushing

3

urinal

4

bracket

5

sensor head

6

adjustment

7

sensor unit

8th

detection direction

9

locking

10

pivoting

11

Infrared cell

12

watercourse

13

Spülapparatur

14

control unit

15

Sensor head case

16

battery

17

intermediate ring

18

inner space

19

mount attachment

20

window

21

wall

22

corner

23

pool

24

pilot valve

25

valve housing

26

conical surface

27

central axis

28

poetry

Claims (10)

Device (1) for a flushing device (2) of a urinal (3), comprising at least one holder (4) and a sensor head (5), wherein further adjusting means (6) for changing the relative position between holder (4) and sensor head (5) are provided. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sensor head (5) has at least one sensor unit (7) with a directional detection direction (8). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting means (6) are designed so that the sensor head (5) relative to the holder (4) is continuously rotatable. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the adjusting means (6) comprise at least one locking means (9; 17,19) which blocks a change in the relative position. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the adjusting means (6) form a pivoting region (10) of the sensor head (5) relative to the holder (4) of 10 degrees to 60 degrees, preferably 20 degrees to 50 degrees. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sensor head (5) has an infrared measuring cell (11). Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the holder (4) has a water passage (12). A flushing device (2) of a urinal (3), comprising at least one device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, a flushing apparatus (13) and a control unit (14), wherein the control unit (14) is designed and arranged to receive signals from the device (1) to receive and operate the flushing apparatus (13) in response to the signals. Urinal (3) with a flushing device (2) according to claim 7. A urinal (3) according to claim 8, wherein the urinal (3) is a corner urinal.

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