SINGLE-LEVER CARTRIDGE FOR SIGNAL GENERATION

Abstract

A cartridge (1) for the generation of control signals for a water mixing system includes a housing (7), a lever attachment (2) which is moveable relative to the housing (7) for the accommodation of a lever, and a detector device for the generation of a signal according to the position of the lever attachment (2).

Claims

1. A cartridge (1) for the generation of control signals for a water mixing system, comprising: a housing (7), a lever attachment (2), which is moveable relative to the housing (7), for the accommodation of a lever, and a detector device for the generation of a signal, according to the position of the lever attachment (2).

2. The cartridge (1) according to claim 1, wherein the detector device comprises a locator (15, 25, 41) and a valuator (11, 21, 31, 42).

3. The cartridge (1) according to claim 2, wherein the locator (15, 25, 41) is coupled to the lever attachment (2), and wherein the locator (15, 25, 41) cooperates with the valuator (11, 21, 31, 42), which is fitted in a fixed arrangement relative to the housing (7).

4. The cartridge (1) according to claim 2, wherein the locator (41) comprises a permanent magnet, and wherein the valuator (42) comprises a Hall effect sensor (43).

5. The cartridge (1) according to claim 2, wherein the valuator (11, 21, 31) comprises a potentiometer.

6. The cartridge (1) according to claim 5, wherein an annular resistance path of the potentiometer is interrupted at least once, such that the locator, depending upon the polar position of the lever attachment, connects a first or a second resistance path with the contact ring.

7. The cartridge (1) according to claim 1, having a communications module (34) and/or an energy supply apparatus (35).

8. A water system (50) for the output of water, comprising a cartridge (1) according to claim 1, at least one actuator (52) for controlling the delivery of water, and a control device (54) for controlling the at least one actuator (52).

9. The water system (50) according to claim 8, wherein the control device (54) is designed, according to the signal from the valuator (11, 21, 31, 42), to generate control data with respect to a temperature, a volume flow and/or a degree of effervescence of water which is to be delivered, and/or an overall quantity of water which is to be delivered in a delivery process.

10. The water system according to claim 8, wherein the control device (54) is arranged remotely from the cartridge (1).

11. The water system (50) according to claim 9, wherein the control device (54) is programmable, such that the control device (54) is also designed to generate control data in accordance with the programming of the control device (54).

12. The water system (50) according to claim 8, having an operator module (64) which is designed, according to the signal from the valuator (11, 21, 31, 42) and/or the programming of the control device (54), to generate a display output.

13. A method for controlling a water system (50) according to claim 8, comprising: determination of the setting of the lever attachment (2) and generation of a signal by the valuator (11, 21, 31, 42) which corresponds to the setting; transmission of the signal to the control device (54); and actuation of the at least one actuator (52) by the control device (54), according to the signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, comprising: output of a display on the operator module (64), according to the signal from the valuator (11, 21, 31, 42) and/or the programming of the control device (54).

15. The method according to claim 13, comprising: reception of an input from an operator; and adjustment of the programming of the control device, according to the input.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the attached drawings wherein, in the figures:

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge;

[0039] FIG. 2 shows a lever attachment of the cartridge according to FIG. 1, with axes of rotation;

[0040] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge, with a twin valuator;

[0041] FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge with seals;

[0042] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first valuator, in the form of a potentiometer;

[0043] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first valuator, with an interrupted resistance path;

[0044] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first valuator, with interruptions in the resistance path which are connected by resistors;

[0045] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a second valuator, in the form of a potentiometer;

[0046] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge having a communications module and an energy source;

[0047] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge having an electronic valuator; and

[0048] FIG. 11 shows a water system for the output of conditionable water, having a cartridge according to one exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0049] Typical embodiments of the invention are described hereinafter with reference to the figures, wherein the invention is not limited by the exemplary embodiments but, instead, the scope of the invention is determined by the claims. In the description of embodiments, under certain circumstances, identical reference symbols are employed for identical or similar elements in different figures and for different embodiments, in the interests of improving the clarity of the description. However, this does not signal that corresponding elements of the invention are limited to the variants represented in the embodiments.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1. A lever attachment 2, to which an unrepresented lever of a single-lever valve is attachable, is mounted by means of a bearing 3 in a bearing ring 6. Upon the rotation of the lever attachment 2, the bearing 3 is actuated orthogonally to its direction of action, such that the bearing ring 6 is rotated in a housing 7 of the cartridge 1. By means of the lever attachment 2, a first locator 15 and a second locator 25 are connected in a mechanically fixed arrangement. A first valuator 11 and a second valuator 21 respectively are mechanically secured to the housing 7.

[0051] In typical embodiments having two valuators, the second valuator is typically configured such that the value generated is independent of the position of the lever attachment in the rotational direction and, moreover, is dependent upon the position of the lever in the tilting direction. By this arrangement, both values can be detected in a mutually independent manner.

[0052] FIG. 2 shows a detailed view of the lever attachment 2 with the bearing 3, wherein a tilt axis 4 and a longitudinal axis 5 of the lever attachment are indicated. The arrows shown illustrate a rotational movement of the lever attachment 2 about the longitudinal axis 5, in the event of the rotation of the unrepresented lever of a single-lever valve, and a tilting movement of the lever attachment 2 about the tilt axis 4 on the bearing 3, in the event of the raising or lowering of the unrepresented lever of a single-lever valve. The longitudinal axis 5 typically coincides with the longitudinal axis of the cartridge 1.

[0053] FIG. 3 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1 having a twin valuator 31. The twin valuator 31, on the side facing the bearing ring 6, is contact-connected with a first locator 15, which is connected to the bearing ring 6. On the opposing side, in the axial direction of the lever attachment 2, the twin valuator 31 is contact-connected with a second locator 25.

[0054] FIG. 4 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1, having a twin valuator 31 and an annular seal 32, which prevents any penetration of foreign bodies between the housing 7 and the bearing ring 6. In an analogous manner to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, a first locator 15 is provided. The cartridge 1 in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4 further comprises a packing seal 33, which forms a seal between the bearing ring 6 and the lever attachment 2. A second locator 25 is connected to the packing seal 33, and is contact-connected with the twin valuator 31.

[0055] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first valuator 11 in the form of a potentiometer, wherein the resistance path 12 is connected on one side to terminal A, and is connected on the other side to terminal E. The contact ring 14 is connected to the terminal S. The first locator 15, which moves in the polar direction, connects the contact ring 14 to the resistance path 12.

[0056] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first valuator 11 in the form of a potentiometer having an interrupted resistance path 12, which is interrupted in subregions 12, 12a and 12b. One side of each resistance path 12 respectively is connected to a terminal A and a terminal E. The contact ring 14 is connected to the terminal S. The first locator 15, which moves in the polar direction, respectively connects the contact ring 14 to one of the resistance paths 12, 12a or 12b.

[0057] Embodiments with an interrupted resistance path can permit a setting of the nature of the medium which is to be delivered and can establish, for example, whether a water output is to be delivered with or without effervescence.

[0058] In order to maintain, for example, a known mode of operation of conventional water systems, the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 6 can be employed. Cold/hot can be selected on the basis of the resistances between S and A2/S and E2, i.e. by means of the resistance path 12. Chilled water can be selected on the resistance path 12b between S and A3, S and E3. In this setting, the lever attachment would be moved further than the cold end of the hot/cold resistance path 12. Boiling water might be selected on the resistance path 12a between S and A1, S and E1, given that, in an analogous manner, the lever attachment is rotated further in the hot direction, beyond the hot end of the resistance path 12.

[0059] FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a first valuator 11 in the form of a potentiometer, having interruptions in the resistance path 12, which is divided into subregions 12, 12a and 12b, which are connected by means of resistances 16. The resistances 16, 16a connect the subregions 12, 12a and 12b such that, between terminal A and terminal E, an overall resistance is present. The contact ring 14 is connected to the terminal S. The first locator 15, which moves in the polar direction, connects the contact ring 14 with one of the resistance paths 12, 12a, 12b respectively, or is arranged in the region of the interruption, such that no contact is established.

[0060] FIG. 8 shows an exemplary embodiment of a second valuator 21, in the form of a potentiometer. The terminal A is connected to the inner contact ring 24. The terminal E is connected to the outer contact ring 23. Between the inner contact ring 24 and the outer contact ring 23, a planar resistance layer 22 is provided. The terminal S is connected to a second locator 25, which can be moved in both a polar and in a radial direction.

[0061] FIG. 9 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1, having a communications module 34 and an energy supply apparatus 35. The communications module 34 is connected by means of cables to the twin valuator 31. The communications module 34 is designed for the wireless transmission of signals from the twin valuator 31 to a control device (see FIG. 11). In the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 9, the energy supply apparatus 35 is configured in the form of a battery. The energy supply apparatus 35 supplies the communications module 34 with electrical energy.

[0062] FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cartridge 1, in which a locator 41 is formed by a permanent magnet, or comprises the latter. The permanent magnet is rigidly fastened to the lever attachment 2, such that the permanent magnet follows the movements of the lever attachment 2.

[0063] Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 10, an electronically configured valuator 42 is provided, which comprises a multi-axis Hall effect sensor 43. The term “multi-axis Hall effect sensor” 43 typically describes a combination of a plurality of linear Hall effect sensors. The Hall effect sensor 43 is connected to the housing 7 of the cartridge 1 in a fixed arrangement. The Hall effect sensor 43 assumes the movements of the permanent magnet in a cartesian coordinate system x, y, z.

[0064] In embodiments of the invention, a conversion from the x, y, z system into the alpha, phi system can be executed in the valuator or in another apparatus which is arranged in the data stream, down-circuit of the valuator, for example in the communications module or in the control device. A further option is provided, wherein the control device can process signals directly in the x, y, z system, for example by means of corresponding programming to this effect.

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a water system 50 for the output of conditionable water, having a cartridge 1 in which, in conjunction with the embodiment described with reference to FIG. 10, is supplemented by the communications module and the energy supply apparatus described in conjunction with FIG. 9.

[0066] The water system 50 comprises terminals 51 for hot water and cold water. The water system further comprises actuators 52 for controlling the delivery of water and a control device 54 for controlling the actuators 52. The control device 54 is designed to receive the valuator signal from the communications module and, according to this signal, to generate control data with respect to the temperature, the volume flow and, if required, the degree of effervescence of the water output. The actuators 52 comprise various valves, for example for controlling the flow of boiling water from the tank 60b, of chilled water from the tank 60, of water combined with CO.sub.2 from the tank 60a, and of cold water and hot water, by means of an output device 61.

[0067] The control device 54 comprises a memory 56 and, moreover, is connected by means of a wireless or hard-wired data connection, particularly a Bluetooth or WLAN connection, to a data network 62, such that the control device 54 is programmable. By a cable connection or by means of Bluetooth, a data connection for the transmission of signals from the cartridge to the control device 54 and, optionally, in the reverse direction, can be established.

[0068] In embodiments of the cartridge with Hall effect sensors, for example, entries for various fields or value ranges of signals from the Hall effect sensor can be saved or programmed in the control device 54, in order to permit the output of various types of water.

[0069] The cartridge 1, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 11, further comprises an operator module 64 which is designed, according to the valuator signal and according to a programming of the control device, to generate an optical feedback output for the attention of an operator. To this end, the operator module 64 comprises a functional display which is equipped with LED lighting means and which, for example, can display a temperature setting or degree of effervescence setting for water which is dictated by the cartridge.

[0070] The invention is not limited by the above-mentioned embodiments but, instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the attached claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0071] 1 Cartridge [0072] 2 Lever attachment [0073] 3 Bearing [0074] 4 Tilt axis [0075] 5 Longitudinal axis [0076] 6 Bearing ring [0077] 7 Housing [0078] 11 First valuator [0079] 12 Resistance path [0080] 14 Contact ring [0081] 15 First locator [0082] 16 Resistance [0083] 21 Second valuator [0084] 22 Resistance layer [0085] 23 Outer contact ring [0086] 24 Inner contact ring [0087] 25 Second locator [0088] 31 Twin valuator [0089] 32 Annular seal [0090] 33 Packing seal [0091] 34 Communications module [0092] 35 Energy supply apparatus [0093] 41 Valuator (permanent magnet) [0094] 42 Electronic valuator [0095] 43 Multi-axis Hall effect sensor [0096] 50 Water system [0097] 51 Terminals for hot water and cold water [0098] 52 Actuator [0099] 54 Control device [0100] 56 Memory [0101] 60 Tank, chilled water [0102] 60a Tank, carbonated water [0103] 60b Tank, boiling water [0104] 61 Output device [0105] 62 Data network [0106] 64 Operator module [0107] A Electric terminal, designated as A [0108] S Electric terminal, designated as S [0109] E Electric terminal, designated as E