WO2000032314A1

WO2000032314A1 - Control interface for electronic fluid control valve

Info

Publication number: WO2000032314A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1999/000205
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter James Jeromson; Jamie Jon Aorangi Wilkinson; Peter Stephen Barnes
Original assignee: American Standard International, Inc.
Priority date: 1998-12-01
Filing date: 1999-12-01
Publication date: 2000-06-08
Also published as: AU1419300A

Abstract

An electronic interface (36) for use in the control of fluid delivery through a hand-held device. Push-button switches (16) or similar devices (37a, b, c and d) of the electronic interface are located on a hand-held portion of a fluid delivery device (30) and provide switching input to a microprocessor (10). The switches can control the temperature, volume, and/or composition of the fluid through the device such as a shower rose or a sprayer. The effect of any adjustment of the switches may be indicated by a bi-colour light emitting diode (LED) (37e). One or more electronic fluid control valves may be located distant from the interface and the interface may communicate with the valves through the use of a communication link (e.g. four-wire bus (13)) imbedded in the hose, or a wireless system using infrared, radio or optical techniques.

Description

CONTROL INTERFACE FOR ELECTRONIC FLUID CONTROL VALVE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electronic interfaces for use in fluid delivery. More particularly, although not exclusively, the present invention relates to integrated fluid delivery devices with user actuable interfaces for controlling predetermined parameters in relation to one or more fluid delivered by the device. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a hand-held fluid delivery device incorporating a user control interface.

Background to the Invention

To the present time, hand-held fluid delivery systems have generally been in the form of a mechanical fluid transport and emission device whereby control of the fluid is performed at a fixed or static location. Such control is conventionally in the form of hand-operated valves, taps or similar.

An example of such a device is a hand-held shower rose fixed to the end of a hose. Such a device incorporates a hand-piece terminating in a multi-apertured face (the "rose") whereby fluid is delivered to the hand-held unit from a wall or bath mount or outlet. Control of the temperature and delivery rate of the fluid is by means of hot and cold flow control valves (with separate hot and cold controls) or, (for example) a single lever mixing valve of a type known in the art.

Such arrangements are not ideal in that manual adjustment of mixing valves can be inaccurate and can be difficult to control where either one or both of the supply fluid pressures varies or is inconsistent. As is known, the supply pressure of a fluid of one temperature can effect the flow-rate of the other fluid. This can result in a variable or unpredictable temperature for a fixed valve position. Further, known adjustment systems can simply be inconvenient to use.

A further disadvantage of known systems is that in order to control them, the user must manually adjust the fluid supply. This can be problematic in cases where both the hot and cold supply need to be adjusted at once and is considered to be a disadvantage even in cases where the supply and/or mixing is controlled by a single lever. In such situations, it is necessary that the user be within arms reach of the control device.

Electronic control of such hand-held devices has hither to not been particularly successful. Such systems include a foot-switch for activating a fluid control valve. Again, the location of the actuation device must be known to the user and accessible at all times if it is to be used effectively.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an interface for the control of an electronic fluid control valve and/or a hand-held fluid dispersion unit integrated with same, which overcomes or at least ameliorates an number of the above mentioned disadvantages or at least provides the public with the useful choice.

Disclosure of the Invention

In one aspect the invention provides for a hand-held fluid delivery device including: a body shaped to allow effective retention and control by a users hand; at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fluid into the body by means of a hose connection or the like; one or more outlet apertures in fluid communication with the one or more inlet apertures; and electronic interface means incorporated into the body and oriented positioned so that the interface can be operated by a user's fingers, thumb or other hand part and wherein the electronic interface means is adapted to control fluid delivery and related characteristics. Preferably, the characteristics may include temperature, volume, composition and the like.

Preferably the interface means includes one or more buttons, keys or similar.

Alternatively, the interface means may include a membrane keypad, proximity-type switch, touchless infrared switches or inductive sensors.

Preferably the fiuid delivery device further includes a communication means adapted to receive control signals from the interface means and communicate same to one or more electronic fluid control valves located remotely from the hand-held unit.

Preferably the communication means is adapted to couple with a conductive wire embedded in a fluid supply tube, said fluid supply tube being in communication with a corresponding electronic fluid control valve wherein the conductive wire is in electrical communication with one or more corresponding electronic fluid control valves.

Alternatively, the communication means may be adapted for wireless communication between the hand-held unit and a control unit including an electronic fluid control valve. Preferably the wireless means is in the form of an infrared, radio or similar link.

Preferably the interface means further includes one or more indicator means, the indicator means being adapted to visually display indicia, coloured light, or other visual indicator adapted to represent a particular characteristic of the fluid which is being delivered.

Preferably the interface means further includes; a key pad; microprocessor;

memory means; communication hardware; display; and power supply means.

Preferably the display comprises a bi-colour light emitting diode capable of emitting colours ranging from red to blue.

Power may be supplied via a communication wire connecting the interface means with one or more corresponding electronic fluid control valves. Preferably the communication means is adapted to provide bidirectional communications between the hand-held device and a corresponding control device.

Alternatively, the hand-held device may be battery powered or alternatively powered by means of the flow of water through the device itself.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory means is adapted to record device status such as duration, performance information, maximum and minimum temperatures, pre-set information and battery life.

The present invention also provides for an interface adapted for use with hand-held fluid supply devices.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the drawings in which:

Figure 1 : illustrates a simplified schematic of an interface means; Figure 2: illustrates a schematic circuit diagram of the components of an interface means; and

Figures 3(a) and 3(b): respectively illustrate an application of the interface means in a hand-held shower device inside and underneath views.

With reference to Figure 1 , a highly simplified schematic of the control interface suitable for use with the hand-held delivery device is shown. One or more push-button switches 1 6 provide switching input to a microprocessor. In the preferred embodiment, the push-button switches provide for on/off functionality and hot/cold adjustment of the fluid being delivered. This may be indicated using a bi-colour light emitting diode (LED). EEProm memory 15 can be programmed to enable functionality such as fluid delivery duration timing, performance information (for example error logging and usage) and can be accessed via the IIC bus 1 3. Communication signals from the microprocessor are transmitted to the four-wire bus 13 via the IIC line driver 14.

The communication means or four wire bus 13 is, in a preferred embodiment, connected to a physical wire preferably embedded in the fiuid supply line or hose thus allowing the electronic connection of the interface means to, for example, an electronic fluid control valve. The microprocessor 10 also controls the light emitting diode temperature indicator 1 1 . This is shown in more detail in Figure 2.

Figure 2 illustrates a more detailed schematic of this interface means circuit. Of course. Figure 2 represents merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the precise implementation of the present invention. It would be clear to one skilled in the art that there exist alternative specific constructions.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention implemented in the context of a hand-held shower device is illustrated in Figure 3. Here, a hand-held fluid delivery device 30 comprises a body 31 having a stem or handle section 33 and a head section 34. The head section 34 incorporates a plurality of fluid outlets in the form of shower rose 35.

The hand-held device incorporates an inlet 32 which may be screwed on to a fitting attached to the end of a fluid delivery tube. The physical connected between the device tube and wall is adapted to incorporate the required electrical connection to allow data communication.

The interface means 36 is positioned so that it rests under the thumb and/or fingers of the user. The interface means is moulded into the hand-held showerhead and includes 4 buttons 37a, b, c and d and an Indicator light and/or an off/on indicator light 37e. Alternatively, the indicator 37e could indicate a characteristic parameter of the fluid such as temperature. The prototype embodiment has been constructed so that the user can adjust the temperature of water by pressing either a hot or the cold button. The effect of this adjustment may be indicated by a bi-colour LED 37e. Although the present embodiment, with reference to Figure 2, illustrates binary-state (on/off) switches being used to control the device, pressure switches or position-based switches may be used to provide the temperature adjustment or other signal. Other possibilities include membrane keypads, proximity-type switches or touchless (infrared) switches. Further, the display may take a number of forms including LED, multiple LED array packages or any other suitable indicator which is adapted to provide a visual indication of the waters temperature, volume or other fluid characteristic.

With reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, control signals are communicated between the hand-held device and one or more electronic fluid control valves by means of a physical hard-wired connection. In the preferred embodiment, this consists of a fine communications wire moulded into the hand-held device. This runs through the fluid supply tube which is connected to the hand-held device and delivers the fluid. The IIC bus system comprises a serial 2- wire which allows bi-directional communications between the hand-held device and any other IIC component (such as a fluid control valve or other control-type accessory). The bus is also used to communicate between the microprocessor 10 and EEprom memory 1 5.

Communication is however not limited to the use of the IIC bus system. Wireless (such as radio or optical) techniques could be used. This would necessitate an internal power supply such as battery or alternatively the unit could be self-powered by means of the flow of water through the device.

The interface and combined interface/hand-held device is intended to control a thermostatic mixing valve in a domestic hand-held shower situation. Other uses include commercial applications such as hair salons, hospitals, rest homes, pet-care and high and low pressure cleaning systems.

The hand-held device and interface means can be used in conjunction with other forms of interface to enhance the functionality and/or usability of the device for example, the interface means may include a control adapted to operate additional accessories, for example diversion valve which operates an alternatively constructed shower rose thereby producing an alternative spray pattern. A further example might be the injection of additional fluids into the water. Such fluids might include cleaning aids, detergents and the like. The interface means and hand-held device is not limited to the delivery of fluids such as water. It is envisaged that the interface and device may be used to control the mixture of chemicals or powders.

Thus it can be seen that the present invention provides for a significantly improved and convenient interface means for the control of and/or the delivery of fluids. It is considered that the adaptation of such a device to incorporate the interface means described above provides significance enhancements in terms of usability and functionality. Using the device, a user need not make manual adjustments to valves which may be located some distance from the delivery location. Further, the presence of the optical indicator and discrete adjustment switches allows significantly finer resolution of water temperature.

Wherein the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents, then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications and/or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1 . A hand-held fluid delivery device including:

a body shaped to allow effective retention and control by a users hand; at least one fluid input port adapted to receive fiuid into the body by means of a hose connection or the like; one or more outlet apertures in fluid communication with the one or more inlet apertures; and electronic interface means incorporated into the body and oriented positioned so that the interface can be operated by a user's fingers, thumb or other hand part and wherein the electronic interface means is adapted to control fluid delivery and related characteristics.

2. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 1 , wherein the characteristics may include temperature, volume, and/or composition.

3. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the interface means includes one or more buttons, keys or similar actuation means.

4. A fluid delivery device as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the interface means includes a membrane keypad, proximity-type switch, touch-less infrared switches or inductive sensors.

5. A fluid delivery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid delivery device further includes a communication means adapted to receive control signals from the interface means and communicate same to one or more electronic fluid control valves located remotely from the handheld unit.

6. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the communication means is adapted to couple with a conductive wire embedded in a fluid supply tube, said fluid supply tube being in communication with a corresponding electronic fluid control valve wherein the conductive wire is in electrical communication r with one or more corresponding electronic fluid control valves.

7. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the communication means includes wireless communication between the hand-held unit and a control unit including an electronic fiuid control valve.

8. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the wireless means is in the form of an infrared, radio or similar link.

9. A fiuid delivery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface means further includes one or more indicator means, the indicator means being adapted to visually display indicia, coloured light, or other visual indicator adapted to represent a particular characteristic of the fluid which is being delivered.

10. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the display comprises a bi-colour light emitting diode capable of emitting colours ranging from red to blue.

1 1 . A fluid delivery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface means further includes; a key pad; microprocessor; memory means; communication hardware; display; and power supply means.

1 2. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 1 1 , wherein power is supplied via a communication wire connecting the interface means with one or more corresponding electronic fluid control valves.

13. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the communication means is adapted to provide bi-directional communications between the hand-held device and a corresponding control device.

14. A fluid delivery device as claimed in Claim 1 1 wherein, the handheld device is either battery powered or powered by means of the flow of water through the hand-held device.

1 5. A fluid control device as claimed in Claim 1 1 wherein, the memory means is adapted to record device status such as duration, performance information, maximum and minimum temperatures, pre-set information and battery life.

1 6. A fluid delivery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface is further adapted to provide controlling signals to control a diversion valve thereby diverting the fluid between two or more outlet apertures.

17. A fluid delivery device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interface is further adapted to provide controlling signals to control the insertion of one or more additional fluids into a primary fluid within the fluid delivery device.

18. A fluid delivery device substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.