Supervisory unit washing facility

Abstract

A facility used for sanitation, cosmetics, and private or industrial cleaning includes a water supply, an outlet unit, a consumable unit and a control unit. The facility is a low through-flow rate facility. The control unit includes a sensor adapted to measure at least one value, a user interface unit adapted to enter a set-point and a closed loop control unit configured to adapt an operation parameter of the facility in consideration of the set-point.

Claims

1. A facility used in sanitation, cosmetics or cleaning, wherein the facility comprises a water supply and an outlet unit, wherein the facility is a low through-flow rate facility and comprises a consumable unit and a control unit, wherein the control unit comprises a sensor adapted to measure at least one value, a user interface unit adapted to enter a set-point and a closed loop control unit configured to adapt an operation parameter of the facility in consideration of the set-point, wherein the consumable unit comprises a reservoir for a consumable or is arranged for inserting a consumable contained in a container, wherein the consumable unit comprises a mixing device, and wherein the value measured by the sensor corresponds to an amount of a consumable flowing out of the consumable unit and via the mixing device into a feeding conduit or to a concentration of the consumable present in water flowing in the feeding conduit downstream of the mixing device.

2. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the control unit comprises a communication unit, wherein the communication unit is adapted to up- and/or download data from a supervisory unit.

3. The facility according to claim 2, wherein the communication unit uploads data relevant for logistics.

4. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility is equipped to operate in a plurality of modes and wherein the control unit is configured to run the facility in said plurality of modes.

5. The facility according to claim 4, wherein the control unit is configured to run the facility in a cycle, wherein the facility is in at least two different modes during the cycle.

6. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the measured value is at least one of an operation parameter of the facility, a characteristic of the water supply and a parameter characteristic of a user-facility interaction.

7. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility comprises a facility body and wherein the user interface unit is at least one of integrated into the facility body, integrated into the outlet unit, and provided in a remote control unit that is separate from the facility body and the outlet unit.

8. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the facility comprises an outlet of a first kind and an outlet of a second kind, wherein the outlet of the first kind is a low through-flow rate outlet and wherein the outlet of the second kind is not a low through-flow rate outlet.

9. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to perform failure detection and a debugging routine.

10. The facility according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to determine operational data, wherein the operational data comprises at least one of data determined by the control unit, data determined by the control unit in combination with sensor data, and data determined by the control unit in combination with user input data.

11. A method for operating a facility according to claim 1, the method comprising the steps of: bringing a body part or object in a position relative to the facility; mixing of a consumable into water circulating within a feeding conduit of the facility; dispersing the water comprising the consumable in direction to the body part or object positioned relative to the facility; rinsing of the body part or object; compiling a report comprising information concerning the steps performed.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising at least one of the steps: computing operation parameters of a cycle based on data from a supervision unit, from user input and/or a detection mode; uploading the report comprising information concerning the steps performed.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Exemplarily embodiments are shown in the following figures. In the figures, the same reference symbol is used for identical or comparable elements. The figures show:

(2) FIG. 1: A schematic representation of an exemplary operation principle of a facility;

(3) FIG. 2: A schematic representation of an outlet unit;

(4) FIG. 3: A schematic top view of a facility showing an exemplary user interface unit in detail;

(5) FIG. 4: A schematic representation of an exemplary facility;

(6) FIG. 5: A schematic representation of another exemplary facility; and

(7) FIG. 6: A schematic representation of yet another exemplary facility.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary operation principle of a facility 1. The facility 1 includes an outlet unit 6 in which a first outlet 2.1, a second outlet 2.2 and further outlets 2.3 are arranged.

(9) Each outlet includes one or more nozzle units 3 that are arranged to dispense a liquid 4.

(10) A shower head or hand shower or an arrangement of liquid dispensing units arranged in a shower cubicle are examples of the outlet unit 6.

(11) Each of the outlets is connected to an individual feeding conduit. The first outlet 2.1 is connected to a first feeding conduit 5.1, the second outlet 2.2 is connected to a second feeding conduit 5.2, and the each of the further outlets 2.3 is connected to further feeding conduits 5.3 that are separate for each further outlet 2.3.

(12) The facility includes a consumable unit 30 that contains a consumable 31. In the embodiment shown, an outlet of the consumable unit 30 is connected to the second feeding conduit 5.2 by the use of a mixing device 25. A measurement device 24 that is arranged between the outlet of the consumable unit 30 and the mixing device 25 allows for setting, controlling and/or measuring an amount of consumable mixed into water flowing in the second feeding conduit 5.2.

(13) Operation of the measurement device 24 and/or the mixing device 25 is done by a control unit 20.

(14) Each of the feeding conduits originates from or is supplied from a general supply conduit 9.

(15) In order to ensure a control of each outlet in a manner that is independent of the control of the other outlets, the feeding conduits include valves 7 that are configured to be operated, that is, turned on and off, individually.

(16) Independent operating of the valves is done by the control unit 20.

(17) Additionally, there can be a security or overpressure valve 8 on a conduit that runs parallel to the feeding conduits.

(18) The general supply conduit 9 includes one or more pumps 14 capable to drive the pressure in the general supply conduit 9 to a value needed for the configuration of feeding conduits and outlets present. In general, a pressure between 10 and 30 bar, in particular a pressure around 20 bar is sufficient.

(19) Depending on the number of outlets that are in operation, one or more or all of the pumps 14 can be turned on or off.

(20) In other embodiments (not illustrated), instead of one or more pumps for the general supply and individual valves for the feeding conduits, there is an individual pump for each feeding conduit. In such embodiments, controlling of each outlet is effected by controlling the individual pumps.

(21) The general supply conduit 9 includes a pressure sensor 16.6 arranged before the splitting of the general supply conduit 9 into the feeding conduits, immediately. The pressure sensor is part of a control loop for the pumps 14.

(22) The general supply conduit 9 includes further check valves 15 arranged downstream of the pumps 14 and a flux sensor 16.7 arranged upstream of the pumps 14.

(23) The general supply conduit 9 is configured to be fed from a local water supply.

(24) As an optional feature, the facility 1 can include a heater 12. In such embodiments, feeding by cold water will be sufficient, even if there is need for dispensing a warm liquid 4 by at least one outlet. For this purpose, the heater 12 is arranged downstream of the point where the local cold water supply 17 connects to the washing device 1.

(25) If both a local cold water supply 17 and a local warm water supply 18 are available, the facility 1 can include a connection to the local warm water supply 18 besides the connection to the local cold water supply 17, and further a thermostatic mixer 19 instead of the heater 12 or in addition to the heater 12.

(26) The facility 1 includes a plurality of temperature sensors for a temperature management of the washing device 1: A first temperature sensor 16.1 measures the temperature supplied to the washing device 1 by the local cold water supply 17. A second temperature sensor 16.2 measures the temperature of the liquid immediately after or in the heater 12. A third temperature sensor 16.1 measures the temperature supplied to the washing device 1 by the local warm water supply 17. A fourth temperature sensor 16.4 measures the temperature in the general supply conduit 9. A fifth temperature sensor 16.5 measures the temperature dispensed by at least one outlet.

(27) One or more of the temperature sensors can be omitted in dependence of the concrete realization of the warm water supply, in particular in the case of warm water supplied by the heater 12 only or in the case of warm water supplied by the local warm water supply 18 only.

(28) Heater 12 and/or thermostatic mixer 19 as well as the temperature sensors are part of the control unit.

(29) The control unit includes a closed loop control unit 22 and a user interface unit 21 in addition to the sensors and in addition to connections 28 to the measurement device 24, the mixing device 25, the valves 7, the pressure sensor 16.6 and the flux sensor 16.7. The control unit 20 implements the control loops for the liquid 4 dispensed and the control loop for the pumps 14.

(30) Further, the control unit 20 includes a control loop for the temperature management, in particular for the liquid 4 dispensed by the outlets.

(31) The user interface unit 21 is arranged such that it is operable by a user in a comfortable manner. In particular, it is arranged such that a user using the facility 1 can operate the user interface unit 21 easily during usage of the facility 1. FIGS. 4-6 show examples of exemplary arrangements of the user interface unit 21.

(32) The control unit 20 can include a communication unit 23 as an optional feature. The communication unit 23 is arranged to communicate with a supervisory unit 50, in particular to upload information gathered by the control loop 20 during operation and to download information stored in the supervisory unit 50, for example information uploaded by other facilities 1, settings and/or operation parameters.

(33) FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an outlet unit 6. The outlet unit 6 includes a first outlet 2.1 with a single nozzle unit 3 and a second outlet 2.2 with two nozzle units 3. The first outlet 2.1 and the second outlet 2.2 are configured to be fed independently through a first feeding conduit 5.1 and a second feeding conduit 5.2 respectively, each with an individual valve 7.

(34) The outlet unit 6 can be configured to dispense water including the consumable 31 by one of the outlets, for example by the second outlet 2.2, and to dispense water without mixed in consumable 31 by the other outlet, for example by the first outlet 2.1.

(35) However, one can envisage that both the first outlet 2.1 and the second outlet 2.2 are capable to dispense both water and water including the consumable 31, for example by a consumable unit 30 that is arranged at the general supply unit 9 feeding both the first feeding conduit 5.1 and the second feeding conduit 5.2. In such an embodiment, the concentration of consumable 31 dispensed by the outlets can be adjusted by the measuring device 24.

(36) Independent of the concrete arrangement of the consumable unit 30, the measuring device 24 and/or the mixing device 25 can be arranged to switch in a state in which no consumable 31 is mixed into the water flowing in the facility 1.

(37) In embodiments including the first outlet 2.1, the second outlet 2.2, and optionally further outlets 2.3, the control unit 20 can be configured such that the different outlets are controlled independently.

(38) In particular the control unit 20 can be configured to run different outlets in different modes. The modes can differ in at least one of: The liquid 4 dispensed, i.e. the nature of the liquid 4 dispensed: For example, an outlet operating in a first mode can dispense water whereas an outlet operating in a second mode can dispense water including the consumable 31. The pressure of the liquid 4 dispensed. In particular, the pressure can be adapted to the liquid 4 dispensed and/or the pressure can be a pressure specific for a step within a washing cycle performed by the facility 1. The flow rate of the liquid 4 dispensed. The temperature of the liquid 4 dispensed. The time dependence of the liquid 4 dispensed: For example, the time dependence can include changing from or between different liquids 4 dispensed, pressures and/or flow rates. The changing can be continuous, stepwise and/or periodic. It can be characterized by a changing frequency, a period, limiting upper and lower values, e.g. with respect to the amount of consumable added, pressure and/or flow rate. It is further possible that not all of the outlets run in a mode that is time dependent. For example, only one or more outlets run in a mode that is time dependent. One can also envisage that at least one mode is a pulsed mode. A stream surface and/or shape of a jet generated by a nozzle present in a nozzle unit 3 (e.g. more focused).

(39) Nozzle units 3 as shown in FIG. 2 are capable to reduce the through-flow rate of the liquid 4 dispensed significantly. For doing so, the nozzle unit 3 includes two or more nozzles arranged to generate impinging (or, in other words, colliding) jets.

(40) A flow of droplets is generated where the jets impinge, wherein the amount of liquid needed to generate a flow of droplets that is sufficient for example to wet and/or rinse an object is reduced significantly, when compared to conventional washing devices.

(41) In other embodiments, a nozzle unit 3 can include a single nozzle arranged to spray a liquid 4, or two or more such nozzles.

(42) FIG. 3 shows a schematic top view of a facility 1 including an exemplary user interface unit 21.

(43) The user interface unit 21 shown is arranged on a facility body 26.

(44) In the embodiment shown, the outlet unit 6 is not an integral part of the facility body 26. However, the outlet unit 6 is in fluidic connection to the facility body 26 and the conduits comprised by the facility body 26 via a tube 29.

(45) The user interface unit 21 shown includes a display field 21.1 and a control field 21.2.

(46) Information that are helpful for the user are shown in the display field 21.1, for example the temperature of a liquid 4 dispersed, the kind and amount of consumable 31 added, the washing cycle performed currently, the running step within such a washing cycle, remaining time, but also information concerning the customer being served and/or the user operating the facility, or information for the customer and/or user.

(47) The control field 21.2 includes controls 21.3, such as buttons, switches and touchscreens. The controls 21.3 are configured to effect, for example, one of the following actions upon operation of a control 21.3 by the user of the facility 1: setting or changing set-points, changing the operating status of the facility 1, switching between consumables 31 or adjusting the amount of a consumable 31 added, choosing or switching between programs, for example programs for washing cycles, skipping, repeating, shortening, enlarging steps of a washing cycle etc.

(48) The embodiment of FIG. 3 shows the optional feature of a non-integral user control unit 21.

(49) In the embodiment shown, a portion of the user control unit 21 is arranged on the outlet unit 6. In particular, the portion can include one or more of the controls 21.3.

(50) However, on can also envisage to arrange the portion of the user control unit 21 or an additional portion of the user control unit 21 elsewhere, for example in reach of the customer, close to a place at which the user is during a washing cycle or on a movable remote control unit 27. The remote control unit 27 is shown in FIG. 3 as an optional feature.

(51) FIGS. 4-6 show schematic representation of exemplary facilities 1. The shown facilities 1 include the facility body 26 and the outlet unit 6 that is connected to the facility body 26 via the tube 29.

(52) The facility body 26 includes at least part of the user interface unit 21 and one or more consumable units 30 each of it containing a consumable 31.

(53) In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the facility 1 is a movable unit by including wheels 40, for example.

(54) Again, the optional feature of a portion of the user interface unit 21 arranged on the outlet unit 6 is shown.

(55) The at least one consumable unit 30 is arranged at a horizontal surface of the facility body 26. The consumable unit 31 includes an opening, into which a container 45 including the consumable 31 can be slid in.

(56) However, one can also envisage that the opening of the consumable unit 30 is an opening to a container reservoir internal to the facility body 26. In this case, the internal reservoir is re-Tillable via the opening.

(57) FIG. 5 shows a chair 41 as used in professional coiffure- and beauty shops, for example. The facility body 26 is arranged on the back of the chair 41 and includes the user control unit 21 or a portion thereof on top of the facility body 26.

(58) Each consumable unit 30 includes an opening into which a container including the consumable can be pushed in, again.

(59) The water supply of the facility 1 is not shown. In chairs 41 that are mounted permanently, the water supply can be realized by conduits arranged within the chair 41.

(60) FIG. 6 shows a facility 1 that is used as a shower device with the facility body 26 mounted to a wall 42 that forms part of a shower cubicle, for example.