CONTROL UNIT FOR A MOBILE SANITARY DEVICE AND MOBILE SANITARY DEVICE COMPRISING SAME

Abstract

The invention relates to a mobile sanitary device, in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a vacuum toilet, a flush button, a power supply, a control device, and a control unit. In particular, the invention relates to a mobile sanitary device comprising a vacuum toilet, a flush button, a power supply, a control device, and a control unit, the control unit comprising a standard circuit board for routing signals, having a standard interface comprising a vacuum toilet connecting means for connecting a vacuum toilet, a flush button connecting means for connecting a flush button, and a power supply connecting means for connecting a power supply, a configuration circuit board comprising a configuration interface having a first configuration connection means, wherein the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means, the power supply connection means, and the first configuration connection means are conductively coupled to each other, wherein the configuration interface is arranged such that the configuration circuit board is coupled to a control device, and at least one signal carried by the standard circuit board and/or by the configuration circuit board can be tapped, processed and/or driven by the control device.

Claims

1. A mobile sanitary device in particular for a rail vehicle, comprising a vacuum toilet, a flush button, a power supply, a control device, and a control unit, wherein the control unit comprises a standard circuit board for carrying predefined signals, having a standard interface, comprising a vacuum toilet connection means for connecting a vacuum toilet, a flush button connecting means for connecting a flush button, and a voltage supply connection means for connecting a voltage supply, a configuration circuit board for routing signals, comprising a configuration interface with a first configuration connection means, wherein the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means, the power supply connection means, and the first configuration connection means are conductively coupled together, wherein the configuration interface is configured such that the configuration circuit board is coupled to the control device, and at least one signal carried by the standard circuit board and/or by the configuration circuit board can be tapped, processed and/or controlled by the control device.

2. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, wherein the standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board are coupled to each other with a coupling means, wherein preferably the coupling means is formed as a flex connector.

3. The mobile sanitation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a housing with a cavity wherein the standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board are arranged in the cavity, and the planar extensions of the standard circuit board and the configuration circuit board enclose a circuit board angle with each other, and preferably the configuration circuit board is arranged substantially vertically within the housing and/or the standard circuit board is arranged tilted with respect to the vertical.

4. The mobile sanitation device according to claim 1, wherein the standard circuit board has an upper standard edge and a lower standard edge arranged opposite thereto, the configuration circuit board comprises an upper individual edge and a lower individual edge arranged opposite thereto, the upper standard edge is positioned in a smaller distance from the upper individual edge than the lower standard edge from the lower individual edge, and preferably the coupling means is arranged in a region adjacent to the upper standard edge and/or in a region adjacent to the upper individual edge.

5. The mobile sanitation device according to claim 1, wherein the configuration interface comprises a second configuration connection means, said second configuration connection means is arranged to control at least one relay, preferably two or more relays, wherein preferably said relay is arranged as a pluggable relay, and wherein preferably the second configuration connection means comprises a relay socket or is designed as a relay socket, and wherein preferably the second configuration connection means is arranged on the configuration circuit board.

6. The mobile sanitation device according to claim 1, wherein the relay is adapted to switch a coil voltage of less than or equal to 24 volts and/or less than or equal to 72 volts and/or less than or equal to 110 volts and/or greater than or equal to 110 V, and preferably the relay is adapted to switch a coil voltage of from 16 volts to 32 volts, in particular from 16.8 volts to 31.2 volts, and/or from 50 volts to 94 volts, in particular from 50.4 volts to 93.6 volts, and/or from 77 volts to 143 volts.

7. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, comprising a third configuration connection means for voltage supply with 16 volts to 32 volts, in particular with 16.8 volts to 31.2 volts, and/or with 50 volts to 94 volts, in particular with 50.4 volts to 93.6 volts, and/or with 77 volts to 143 volts, and preferably a fourth configuration connection means for voltage supply with 16 volts to 32 volts, in particular with 16.8 volts to 31.2 volts, and/or with 50 volts to 94 volts, in particular with 50.4 volts to 93.6 volts, and/or with 77 volts to 143 volts, and preferably the third configuration connection means and/or the fourth configuration connection means is arranged on the configuration circuit board.

8. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, comprising a voltage converter coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board, which is arranged to convert a supply voltage into a working voltage, and/or a diagnostic device coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board for analyzing a system state, and/or a maintenance device coupled to the standard circuit board and/or the configuration circuit board for analyzing signals relevant to maintenance.

9. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means and the voltage supply connection means are each arranged to form a plug-in connection, preferably the control unit is designed without terminal clamping strips, and preferably a terminal clamping strip can be arranged on the control unit by means of a plug connection.

10. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, wherein the first configuration connection means, the second configuration connection means, the third configuration connection means and/or the fourth configuration connection means is/are configured as a multi-pin connector strip.

11. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, wherein the standard circuit board comprises: an emergency call button connection means for connecting an emergency call button, and/or a light button connection means for connecting a light button, in particular for a water tap, and/or a faucet valve connecting means for connecting a faucet valve control, and/or a tank level indicator connecting means for connecting a tank level indicator, preferably a first tank level indicator connecting means and a second tank level indicator connecting means, and/or a waste water tank sensor connecting means for connecting a waste water tank sensor, and/or a sensor connection means for connecting a sensor, in particular for a fresh water tank.

12. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, comprising an individual device, wherein the individual device is coupled to the configuration circuit board by means of the first configuration connection means, wherein preferably the individual device is configured as a frost draining device.

13. The mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, wherein the control device is arranged to control the vacuum toilet and/or the flush button, in particular in such a way that the flush button and the vacuum toilet are in an operative relationship.

14. A control unit for a mobile sanitary device according to claim 1, comprising a standard circuit board for carrying predefined signals, having a standard interface comprising a vacuum toilet connection means for connecting a vacuum toilet, a flush button connecting means for connecting a flush button, and a power supply connection means for connecting a power supply, a configuration circuit board for routing signals, having a configuration interface with a first configuration connection means, wherein the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means, the power supply connection means, and the first configuration connection means are conductively coupled to each other, wherein the configuration interface is configured such that the configuration circuit board is couplable to a control device, and at least one signal carried by the standard circuit board and/or by the configuration circuit board can be tapped, processed and/or driven by the control device.

15. A method for configuring a mobile sanitary device, in particular a mobile sanitary device for a rail vehicle, comprising providing a vacuum toilet, a flush button, a voltage supply and a control unit with a standard circuit board for carrying predefined signals and having a standard interface, comprising a vacuum toilet connection means for connecting a vacuum toilet, a flush button connection means for connecting a flush button a power supply connection means for connecting a power supply, and a configuration circuit board for routing signals having a configuration interface comprising a first configuration connection means, wherein the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button connection means, the power supply connection means, and the first configuration connection means are conductively coupled to each other, connecting the vacuum toilet to the vacuum toilet connection means, the flush button to the flush button connection means, and the power supply to the flush button connection means, and connecting a non-predefined individual device to the first configuration connection means.

16. A method for controlling a mobile sanitary device, in particular a mobile sanitary device for a rail vehicle, comprising Providing a mobile sanitary device according to claim 1 and/or a mobile sanitary device with a control unit, connecting a or the control device to the configuration circuit board by means of the first configuration connection means, and driving and/or tapping and/or processing a signal carried by the configuration circuit board.

Description

[0049] Preferred embodiments are explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures. They show:

[0050] FIG. 1: a schematic, three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

[0051] FIG. 2: a further schematic, three-dimensional view of the control unit from FIG. 1;

[0052] FIG. 3: a schematic, three-dimensional broken view of the control unit from FIG. 1;

[0053] FIG. 4: a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

[0054] FIG. 5: a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

[0055] FIG. 6: a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit;

[0056] FIG. 7: a schematic view of a mobile sanitary unit.

[0057] In the figures, identical or essentially functionally identical or similar elements are designated with the same reference signs.

[0058] FIG. 1 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a first exemplary embodiment of a control unit 300. The control unit 300 extends from the first secondary side 302 to the second secondary side 304. Between the first secondary side 302 and the second secondary side 304 extends the vertically oriented third secondary side 306 and the horizontally oriented top side 308. The third secondary side 306 and the top side 308 are spaced apart in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The standard connection side 310 extends between the third secondary side 306 and the top side 308, and between the first secondary side 302 and the second secondary side 304.

[0059] A standard interface 311 is disposed on the standard connection side 310 and is encompassed by a standard circuit board 320. The standard interface 311 includes a vacuum toilet connection means 312, a flush button connection means 314, and a power supply connection means 316. Vacuum toilet connection means 312, flush button connection means 314, and power supply connection means 316 can be used to arrange components of a mobile sanitation device that will be explained in more detail below, namely a vacuum toilet, a flush button, and a power supply. In this exemplary embodiment, the standard connection side 310 includes further connection means. The further connection means are arranged for a second flush button, three help call buttons, a sensor of a fresh water tank, two tank level indicators, a faucet valve, a faucet sensor and button, two multifunction displays, four additional sensors and four additional actuators. The components of a mobile sanitary facility mentioned in the preceding may also be standard components. In particular, these components may be coupled to the control unit 300 by means of standardized cables. Furthermore, the standard printed circuit board coupled to these connection means, which will be described in more detail below, can be manufactured as standard, since it can always be set up for the components mentioned in the preceding.

[0060] The configuration connection side 350 of the control unit 300 shown in FIG. 2 is vertically oriented and extends from the first secondary side 302 to the second secondary side 304. A configuration interface 351 is arranged at the configuration connection side 350, which is comprised by a configuration circuit board 360. The configuration interface 351 comprises a first configuration connection means 352, a second configuration connection means 354 and a third configuration connection means 356. Any components of a mobile sanitary device can be connected to the first configuration connection means 352, the second configuration connection means 354, the third configuration connection means 356 and the further connection means arranged at the configuration interface 351. The further connection means are designed, for example, as relay actuators or plug-in relays.

[0061] FIG. 3 shows a fractured side view of the control unit 300. A cavity 301 is formed through the sides 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 350. The standard circuit board 320 and the configuration circuit board 360 are arranged in the cavity 301. The standard circuit board 320 is arranged parallel to the surface behind the standard connection side 310. The connection means 312, 314, 316 available at the standard connection side 310 are connected to and protrude from the standard circuit board 320 through openings in the standard connection side 310. The standard circuit board 320 is fixed spaced from the standard connection side 310. The spacing is provided by a first spacing element 322 and a second spacing element 326. The spacing elements 322, 326 are formed as sleeves. The standard circuit board 320 is fixed to the standard connection side 310 by means of the first fastening element 324 and the second fastening element 328. The fastening elements 324, 328 are formed as rivets.

[0062] The configuration circuit board 350 is arranged parallel to the surface behind the configuration connection side 350. The connection means 352, 354, 356 available at the configuration connection side 350 are connected to the configuration circuit board 350 and protrude from it through openings in the configuration connection side 350. The configuration circuit board 350 is fixed spaced from the configuration connection side 350. The spacing and fixing is done in a manner analogous to that of the standard circuit board 320 with third, fourth and fifth spacing elements 362, 366, 370 formed as sleeves and with third, fourth and fifth fixing elements 364, 368, 372 formed as rivets.

[0063] The standard circuit board 320 and the configuration circuit board 360 are coupled together by a coupling element 380. By coupling the standard circuit board 320 and the configuration circuit board 360, the components of the mobile sanitary device connected to the standard circuit board 320 can be accessed from the configuration interface 351. In particular, signals can be tapped, processed or controlled. Thus, the standard configuration can be accessed.

[0064] FIG. 4 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit. The control unit 1 has an operating side 3, a standard connection side 2 and a configuration connection side 4. The operating side 3 is oriented substantially horizontally. The configuration connection side 4 is oriented substantially vertically. The standard connection side 2 extends between the operating side 3 and the configuration connection side 4. The operating side 3 is arranged at a first height in the vertical direction. The configuration connection side 4 extends in the vertical direction to a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. As shown in FIG. 1, the first height is more than twice the second height. Due to the differences of the first height and the second height, the standard connection side 2 is arranged inclined. In particular, this means that an area orthogonal of the standard connection side 2 has a horizontal component and a vertical component.

[0065] The standard interface 42 is arranged on the standard connection side 2. The standard interface 42 is formed by a plurality of connection means. The connection means of the standard interface 42 are designed as connectors. Exemplarily, the vacuum toilet connection means 10, the flush button connection means 12 and the voltage supply connection means 14 are provided with a reference sign. The standard interface 42 with the vacuum toilet connection means 10, the flush button connection means 12 and the voltage supply connection means 14 is arranged on a standard circuit board not shown inside the control unit 1. The connection means shown in FIG. 4 in the form of pin headers of the configuration circuit board arranged inside the control unit project through through-holes inside the standard connection side.

[0066] A first configuration connection means 20, a second configuration connection means 22 and a third configuration connection means 24 are arranged at the configuration connection side 4. The first, second and third configuration connection means 20, 22, 24 are coupled within the control unit to a configuration interface arranged on the configuration circuit board. The configuration interfaces are explained in more detail below.

[0067] A first switch 30, a second switch 32 and a third switch 34 are arranged on the operating side 3. In addition, a display device 36 is provided on the operating side 3. The display device 36 can be set up, for example, to display error codes. Furthermore, a diagnostic and maintenance device 37 is arranged on the operating side.

[0068] FIG. 5 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit. This alternative design of the control unit 1′ also comprises a standard connection side 2′, which is also arranged at an angle. The configuration connection side 4′ is arranged horizontally, with parts of the functionalities of the control side 3 shown in FIG. 4 being arranged here on the configuration connection side 4′, for example the first switch 30′. In the present embodiment of the control unit 1′, the latter comprises a plurality of connection means at the standard connection side 2′. A first configuration connection means 20′ and a second configuration connection means 22′ are arranged at the configuration connection side 4′.

[0069] FIG. 6 shows a schematic, three-dimensional view of a further exemplary embodiment of a control unit. The control unit 1″ again comprises a standard connection side 2″ with a plurality of connection means. Furthermore, this comprises a configuration connection side 4″ with a first configuration connection means 20″, a second configuration connection means 22″ and a third configuration connection means 24″.

[0070] The control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300 shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 enables the efficient and cost-effective development as well as production of a mobile sanitary device 100. The standard interface 42, 311 on the standard printed circuit board 320 enables the standardized connection of standard components, such as a vacuum toilet 110, a flush button 120 and a power supply 130. However, since in the project-related business of mobile sanitation devices such rigid configurations are usually not sufficient, the control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300 further provides the possibility to connect further components of a mobile sanitation device 100 to the configuration interface 44, 351. Such a non-standard component may be, for example, a frost drainage device.

[0071] However, the control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300 can always be provided as a standard component. Thus, the standard printed circuit board and the configuration printed circuit board and, if necessary, also the housing of the control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300 are to be manufactured as standard. In the wiring harness as a specific component, the individuality is fully represented, so that the individuality is reduced to the wiring harness. By replacing the wiring harness, a completely new function can be implemented on the control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300. If necessary, the entire control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300 can be provided as standard. Thus, the control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300 can be mass produced so that economies of scale are achieved and costs are reduced. Nevertheless, the control unit 1, 1′, 1″, 300 can be arranged in a wide variety of projects between the hardware components of a mobile sanitary device 110, 120, 130 and a control device 200 and still allows the mobile sanitary device 100 to be designed flexibly.

ACCESSORIES

[0072] 1, 1′, 1″ Control unit [0073] 2, 2′, 2″ Standard connection side [0074] 3 Operating side [0075] 4, 4′, 4″ Configuration connection side [0076] 6 Grounding element [0077] 7 Voltage transformer [0078] 10 Vacuum toilet connection means [0079] 12 Flush button connection means [0080] 14 Voltage supply connection means [0081] 20, 20′, 20″ first configuration connection means [0082] 22, 22′, 22″ second configuration connection means [0083] 24, 24″ third configuration connection means [0084] 30, 30′ first switch [0085] 32 second switch [0086] 34 third switch [0087] 36 display device [0088] 37 diagnostic and maintenance device [0089] 41 standard side [0090] 42 Standard interface [0091] 43 Individual page [0092] 44 Configuration interface [0093] 45 first pin header 15-pin [0094] 46 second pin header 6-pin [0095] 48 first relay socket [0096] 50 second relay socket [0097] 62 third relay socket [0098] 60 Bushing housing [0099] 61 first socket housing [0100] 62 second socket housing [0101] 63 third socket housing [0102] 64 fourth bushing housing [0103] 65 fifth bush housing [0104] 66 sixth bushing housing [0105] 67 seventh female housing [0106] 70 Wiring harness connection [0107] 100 Sanitary equipment [0108] 110 vacuum toilet [0109] 120 flush button [0110] 130 Power supply [0111] 200 Control device [0112] 300 control unit [0113] 301 cavity [0114] 302 first side [0115] 304 second auxiliary side [0116] 306 third side [0117] 308 top side [0118] 310 standard connection side [0119] 311 standard interface [0120] 312 Vacuum toilet connection means [0121] 314 flush button connection means [0122] 316 Power supply connection means [0123] 320 standard printed circuit board [0124] 322 first spacer element [0125] 324 first fastening element [0126] 326 second spacer element [0127] 328 second fastening element [0128] 350 configuration interface [0129] 351 configuration interface [0130] 352 first configuration connection means [0131] 354 second configuration connection means [0132] 356 third configuration connection means [0133] 360 configuration circuit board [0134] 362 third spacer element [0135] 364 third mounting element [0136] 366 fourth spacer element [0137] 368 fourth mounting element [0138] 370 fifth spacer [0139] 372 fifth fastening element [0140] 380 coupling element