Abstract
A sanitary insert (1) having a housing (2), in which at least one functional unit (3) is arranged, having an outlet side (4), which is formed by an outlet structure (5), the sanitary insert (1) having at least one identifier (6) by which a product form of the sanitary insert (1) can be identified.
Claims
1. A sanitary insert (1), comprising: a housing (2); at least one functional unit (3) arranged in the housing, the at least one functional unit having an outlet side (4), which is formed by an outlet structure (5); and at least one discernible identifier (6) by which a product form of the sanitary insert (1) is identifiable.
2. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one discernible identifier (6) comprises at least two identifier elements (7) which are at least one of adjustable or fixable in position relative to one another, and a specific said discernible identifier (6) is settable or set by setting a particular position of the two identifier elements (7) with respect to one another.
3. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least two identifier elements (7) are adjustable relative to one another at least one of during production of the insert (1) or subsequently, into a setting position (29) that characterizes the insert (1) or a particular product form thereof, and the setting position (29) thus set is subsequently permanently fixable, and thus allows unique identification of the insert, when the insert (1) is in an intended position of use.
4. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an identifier object (11) which is removable or pivotable out from at least one of the housing (2) or from the outlet side (4) and which has the at least one identifier (6).
5. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identifier (6) is arranged such that the at least one identifier (6) is detectable when the sanitary insert (1) is in an installed state in a sanitary fitting.
6. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identifier (6) is formed by at least one plug-in element (12), the at least one plug-in element (12) being at least one of plugged onto or into the outlet structure (5), or into the housing (2), and a pattern (13) that forms the at least one identifier (6) is formed by multiple plug-in elements (12).
7. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in further comprising a transponder (14) in which the at least one identifier (6) is stored, the at least one identifier (6) being readable using a reader (15).
8. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identifier (6) is formed as at least one of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional code (16).
9. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one identifier (6) is at least one of arranged or formed on at least one of: the outlet side (4), a pattern (13) of fillings (17) of passage openings (18) of the outlet structure (5), an upstream screen (10), a mouth piece (19), a seal (20), or the housing (2).
10. The sanitary insert (1) as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one magnetically readable identifier (6) by means of which a product form of the sanitary insert (1) can be identified.
11. A method for producing a sanitary insert (1), having at least one of an optically or magnetically discernible identifier (6) for identifying a product form of the sanitary insert (1), the method comprising: forming the identifier (6) using at least two identifier elements (7) which are adjustable relative to one another adjusting the identifier elements (7) relative to one another and fixing the identifier elements relative to one another in a setting position that characterizes the insert (1) or a product form thereof.
12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising, to form the at least one identifier (6), plugging at least one plug-in element (12) into at least one of the housing (2) or an outlet structure (5).
13. A method for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert (1), the method comprising: acquiring at least one discernible identifier (6) assigned to the product form on the sanitary insert (1); determining the product form using the acquired at least one identifier (6) based on an identifier list stored in a database; and at least one of outputting the product form or sorting the insert (1) in accordance with the product form.
14. The method as claimed in claim 13, further comprising at least one of removing or pivoting out from the housing or an outlet side of the sanitary insert an identifier object (11) which has the at least one discernible identifier (6), and identifying the product form from the identifier (6) on the identifier object (11).
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least one identifier (6) is coded on the identifier object (11) so as to be machine-readable.
16. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the acquiring includes at least one of: optical detection, near-field communication, haptic detection, detection by positive engagement, magnetic detection and electromagnetic detection for detecting the identifier (6).
17. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the acquiring of, the at least one identifier (6) includes taking a negative molding, or using a provided negative, and comparing the negative with an identifier list that comprises positives.
18. A computer program product, comprising commands fixed in a tangible storage medium which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause said computer to carry out a method as claimed in claim 13.
19. A device, comprising a processor programmed with steps of the method as claimed in claim 13.
20. A computer-readable memory medium, comprising commands fixed in a tangible medium which, when executed by a computer, cause said computer to carry out the method as claimed in claim 13.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The invention will now be described in more detail on the basis of several exemplary embodiments, but is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Further exemplary embodiments will emerge from the combination of the features of individual or several claims with one another and/or with individual or several features of the exemplary embodiments.
[0038] In the Figures:
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a first possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having at least two identifier rings which are adjustable relative to one another through an angle of rotation and/or are fixable in position relative to one another,
[0040] FIG. 2 shows a second possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number of depressions on the outer side of the housing, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number of depressions,
[0041] FIG. 3 shows a third possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number of protuberances and/or material accumulations on the outer side of the housing, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number of protuberances and/or material accumulations,
[0042] FIG. 4 shows a fourth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number and/or a pattern of identifier elements that can be plugged into the outlet side, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number and/or a different pattern of identifier elements,
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a fifth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number of identifier elements that can be plugged into a side wall of the housing, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number and/or a different pattern of identifier elements,
[0044] FIG. 6 shows a sixth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number and/or a pattern of preferably two-dimensional identifier elements formed and/or implemented by coloring in the outlet side, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number and/or a different pattern of identifier elements,
[0045] FIG. 7 shows a seventh possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number and/or a pattern and/or a size of filled areas in the outlet side, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number and/or a different pattern and/or a different size of filled areas,
[0046] FIG. 8 shows an eighth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number and/or a pattern of preferably three-dimensional identifier elements formed and/or implemented by coloring in the outlet side, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number and/or a different pattern of identifier elements,
[0047] FIG. 9 shows a ninth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number and/or a pattern and/or a size of filled areas in the outlet side, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number and/or a different pattern and/or a different size of filled areas,
[0048] FIG. 10 shows a possible design variant of a method according to the invention for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert according to the invention, with a molding being taken to create a negative, or a matching negative being used, with an attempt being made to insert a new sanitary insert in order to be able to test whether the new insert corresponds in terms of product form to the old insert,
[0049] FIG. 11 shows a further possible design variant of a method according to the invention for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert according to the invention, with a molding being taken to create a negative, or a matching negative being used, with an attempt being made to insert a new sanitary insert in order to be able to test whether the new insert corresponds in terms of product form to the old insert,
[0050] FIG. 12 shows a further possible design variant of a method according to the invention for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert according to the invention, with an identification by means of an electronic identifier being performed by virtue of an external analysis unit being used to read an electronic identifier, wherein the identifier may for example be formed as an NFC chip,
[0051] FIG. 13 shows a further possible design variant of a method according to the invention for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert according to the invention, with an identification by means of a graphical identifier being performed by virtue of an external analysis unit being used to read a graphical identifier, wherein the identifier may for example be formed as a two-dimensional code, in particular as a QR code,
[0052] FIG. 14 shows a further possible design variant of a method according to the invention for identifying a product form of a sanitary insert according to the invention, with an identification by means of a magnetic identifier being performed by virtue of an external analysis unit, in particular a magnet, being used to read a magnetic identifier, wherein identification is performed for example by way of an interaction between the magnet and a ferromagnetic identification element,
[0053] FIG. 15 shows a fifteenth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier in the form of a number and/or a pattern and/or a size of identifier elements arranged and/or formed on a seal element, each product form being assigned a different identifier, in particular a different number and/or a different pattern and/or a different size of identifier elements,
[0054] FIG. 16 shows a sixteenth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier on the outer side of a mouth piece belonging to the sanitary insert, each product form being assigned a different identifier,
[0055] FIG. 17 shows a seventeenth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier on the outer side of a mouth piece belonging to the sanitary insert, each product form being assigned a different identifier,
[0056] FIG. 18 shows an eighteenth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier object which can be removed and/or pivoted out from the housing and/or from the outlet side and which has the at least one identifier,
[0057] FIG. 19 shows a nineteenth possible design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention, the sanitary insert having an identifier object which can be removed and/or pivoted out from the housing and/or from the outlet side and which has the at least one identifier,
[0058] FIG. 20 is an illustration analogous to FIG. 4, with the identifier elements being inserted from the inside or from an inlet side, and
[0059] FIG. 21 shows a further design variant of a sanitary insert according to the invention having an optically readable identifier in the form of a color coding of the outlet structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0060] FIGS. 1-19 show multiple design variants of a sanitary insert, denoted in each case as a whole by 1.
[0061] Each sanitary insert 1 may be configured to be inserted into a water outlet of a fitting. For example, the sanitary insert may be formed as a jet regulator. A jet regulator may be configured to homogenize a water jet that emerges from a fitting.
[0062] The sanitary insert 1 has a housing 2 on which an outlet structure 5, which forms an outlet side 4 of the sanitary insert 1, is arranged and/or formed. The outlet structure 5 may for example have a honeycomb or lattice structure such that multiple mutually separate passage openings 18 are formed by the outlet structure 5.
[0063] In order to be able to identify a product form of the sanitary insert 1, all of the design variants shown in FIGS. 1-19 have in common the fact that the sanitary insert 1 has at least one identifier 6. Each identifier 6 is thus assigned to a particular product form. The invention thus also encompasses a range of multiple sanitary inserts 1 of different product forms with respectively different identifiers 6.
[0064] Using the at least one identifier 6, it is possible, without expert knowledge, to exchange a used or defective sanitary insert 1 for a new sanitary insert 1 which is structurally identical or which at least corresponds in terms of the product type. The identifier 6 specifically makes it possible to identify the sanitary insert 1 and/or at least the functional unit 3 and to find a new sanitary insert 1 with the same identifier 6 in order to replace the old one.
[0065] Functional units 3 may be regarded as units which form, define and/or aerate a water jet.
[0066] The individual design variants of the sanitary insert 1 therefore differ with regard to the nature of the identifier 6. The invention is however not limited to only the design variants shown in FIGS. 1-19.
[0067] FIG. 1 shows a design variant of the sanitary insert 1 which has two identifier elements 7 that are adjustable relative to one another through a rotational angle. The identifier elements 7 are in this case each configured as identifier rings 8, and/or as an identifier ring 8 and a housing part 9 that is adjustable relative thereto. An identifier 6 assigned to a particular product form can thus be set by way of a relative adjustment of the identifier elements 7 with respect to one another. This is achieved by virtue of the two identifier elements 7 being adjusted into a particular setting position 29 that characterizes the product form, and said setting position subsequently being permanently fixed (that is to say so as to be unalterable during the intended use of the insert).
[0068] This has the advantage that the setting position is unalterable, and thus allows the insert to be uniquely identified, when the insert is in a position of use. This is because the product form of the insert can be ascertained as soon as the setting position has been read. This may be performed in particular in computer-implemented fashion, for example by means of an app on a smartphone, which optically reads the setting position and, on the basis of a stored identifier list (stored in the app or in up-to-date form on the Internet), ascertains the product type/product form of the insert on the basis of the read setting position 29.
[0069] In the example of FIG. 1, the setting position is a relative rotational position between the two rotationally adjustable identifier elements 7. Yet further possible relative setting positions 29 will be discussed below; for example, these may also be implemented with more than just two identifier elements 7, and it would also be possible for other relative spatial adjustments of the identifier elements 7 with respect to one another to be utilized to define a characteristic setting position 29.
[0070] The two identifier elements 7 that are adjustable relative to one another may for example also have recesses, in particular notches. It is however also conceivable for the identifier 6 to be formed by other identifier elements 7 situated on the identifier rings 8.
[0071] The identifier elements 7 may furthermore be formed on a side wall 23 and/or on the outlet side 4 of the housing 2. It can thus even be possible to read the identifier 6 when the sanitary insert 1 has been inserted into a fitting, without the fitting being dismantled for this purpose.
[0072] FIG. 2 shows a design variant in which the identifier 6 is formed by material recesses 22. The identifier 6 may in this case be specified with regard to the product form through variation of the number of the material recesses 22 of different product forms. In particular, the material recesses 22 may be formed on a side wall 23 and/or on the outlet side 4 of the housing 2.
[0073] FIG. 3 shows a variant similar to the design variant from FIG. 2, with material accumulations 23 being formed here instead of material recesses 22, which material accumulations are adaptable in terms of their number in accordance with the product form, in the same way as in the design variant from FIG. 2.
[0074] FIG. 4 shows a design variant of a sanitary insert 1 in which identifier elements 7 are inserted, as plug-in elements 12, in a particular pattern 13 and/or a particular number in the outlet structure 5 in accordance with a particular product form. In particular, a plug-in element 12 can close a passage opening 18, such that a filling 17 is formed. By means of a particular arrangement of the identifier elements 7 in the outlet structure 5, an identifier 6 assignable to a particular product type can thus be formed.
[0075] Such plug-in elements 12 can thus likewise (by being inserted or not being inserted) define a characteristic setting position 29 as described above, which on the one hand is easily optically readable (in particular in automated and/or computer-permitted fashion) and which is specifically characteristic of a particular product form/product type of the insert.
[0076] The outlet side 4 may correspond to an end side of the housing 2.
[0077] The design variant shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, with the plug-in elements 12 in this case being inserted not into the outlet side 4 or the outlet structure 5 but into a side wall 23, in particular a lateral surface, of the housing 2. For this purpose, multiple openings and/or recesses 25 are formed on the housing, into which openings and/or recesses the plug-in elements 12 can be inserted, in particular during the production of the sanitary insert 1.
[0078] FIG. 6 again shows a sanitary insert in which the identifier elements 7 that form the identifier 6 are arranged as ribs 26 on the outlet side 4. The identifier elements 7 formed as ribs 26 may for example be formed as elongations of the boundaries between two passage openings 18 of the outlet structure 5. The ribs 26 may furthermore have several directional changes, such that an identification is possible for example from the number of directional changes and/or the number of ribs 26 and/or the position of the ribs 26 and/or the color of the ribs 26.
[0079] FIG. 7 shows a sanitary insert 1 with one or more fillings 17 of individual and/or several passage openings 18. The fillings 17 may completely and/or only partially close the passage openings 18. Particular product-form-specific patterns 13 can be formed on the outlet side 4 by means of the fillings 17.
[0080] FIG. 8 shows a sanitary insert 1, with the identifier 6 in this case being formed on an outlet side 27 of the sanitary insert 1. In the design variant shown, the identifier 6 is formed on a screen 10. The identifier elements 7 are in this case in the form of ribs 26 and protrude from a top side of the screen 10. It is thus possible, for example, for three-dimensional patterns 13 to be formed by means of the identifier elements 7, wherein a pattern form and/or position and/or number of the ribs 26 may vary in a manner dependent on the respective product form.
[0081] FIG. 9 shows a sanitary insert 1 with one or more fillings 17 of individual and/or several openings of a screen 10 arranged or formed on the inlet side 27. The fillings 17 may completely or only partially close the openings. Particular product-form-specific patterns 13 can be formed on the inlet side 27 by means of the fillings 17.
[0082] FIG. 10 shows a sanitary insert 1 with an identifier 6 formed from three-dimensional identifier elements 7 that protrude from the outlet side 4. The identifier elements 7 form a three-dimensional positive, in particular in the form of a height profile and/or a relief, which can be introduced into a detection tool 28. The detection tool 28 may for example comprise a receptacle containing a deformable molding compound. By pressing the positive in the manner of a punch into the molding compound, it is possible to form a negative. By fitting a matching positive into the molded negative, a user can identify a suitable replacement insert 1, because only this can be inserted in a fitting manner into the negative. Non-matching inserts 1, which for example have a different functional unit 3, cannot be introduced in fully fitting fashion into the negative.
[0083] It is however also possible to provide the sanitary insert 1 as a set together with a matching detection tool 28. Only a structurally identical replacement insert 1 can then be inserted in a fitting manner into the pre-formed detection tool 28 with the matching negative. The detection tool 28 thus has a pre-formed negative that matches the positive of the insert 1. Non-matching inserts 1 therefore do not constitute suitable replacement parts.
[0084] The design variant from FIG. 11 substantially corresponds to the sanitary insert 1 as per FIG. 12, with the positive being formed here not by identifier elements 7 that protrude from the outlet side, the identifier elements 7 of the positive instead being formed by indentations and/or material recesses 22. Correspondingly, the negative of the detection tool 28 has counterpart elements 29 which match the identifier elements 7 and which can be introduced into the identifier elements 7 if these belong to a structurally identical matching replacement part 1.
[0085] FIG. 12 shows a sanitary insert 1 with a transponder 14 as identifier 6, such that contactless identification of the structural form is possible using a suitable read unit 15. The detection may be performed here for example by means of near-field communication (NFC) if the identifier element 7, in the form of a transponder 14, is configured for example as an NFC transponder and/or RFID chip. Identifying the structural form using near-field communication has the advantage that the sanitary insert 1 does not even have to be uninstalled from the fitting for this purpose.
[0086] FIG. 13 shows a sanitary insert 1 with a code 16 as identifier 6. The code 16 may be one-dimensional and/or two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional. In particular, it may be a QR code. Using a read unit 15 configured for example as a scanner, the code can be scanned and/or translated, such that the product form of the sanitary insert 1 is output to a user as a result.
[0087] FIG. 14 shows a design variant of a sanitary insert 1 with a ferromagnetic identifier 6 that can be read and/or activated by means of a magnet 21. For example, at least one ferromagnetic identifier element 7 may lead to an interaction with the magnet 21. Based on the nature of the interaction, the user can draw conclusions regarding the product form of the sanitary insert 1. The ferromagnetic detection of the identifier 6 may occasionally also be performed when the insert 1 is in the installed state. The sanitary insert 1 thus remains functional during the detection of the identifier 6.
[0088] The various design variants of the sanitary insert 1 shown in FIG. 15 each have different identifiers 6, which are formed on a seal 20 that is arranged or arrangeable on the inlet side 27. From the nature of the identifier 6 on the seal 20, formed for example by identifier elements configured as indentations, material recesses and/or material accumulations, conclusions can thus be drawn regarding the respective product form of the sanitary insert 1.
[0089] FIGS. 16 and 17 show design variants of the sanitary insert 1, which have a mouth piece 19 into which the sanitary insert 1 is insertable and by means of which the insert 1 is fastenable to an outlet of a fitting. For this purpose, the mouth piece 19 has a coupling point that is connectable to a corresponding counterpart coupling point on the outlet fitting. In particular, the coupling point may be configured as a thread, in particular as an external thread. The at least one identifier 6 is in this refinement formed and/or printed on the outer side of the mouth piece 19. For example, it may be a code 16, in particular clear text and/or a graphical and/or two-dimensional code, such as a QR code.
[0090] FIG. 18 shows a design variant of a sanitary fitting 1 with an identifier object 11 which can be removed or pivoted out from the housing 2 and/or from the outlet side 4 and which has the at least one identifier 6. The identifier object 1 can be pulled in an axial direction out of a slide-in compartment in order that, in the pulled-out state, the identifier 6 can be read. The sanitary insert 1 thus remains functional during the detection of the identifier 6. In the inserted state, only an engagement surface, for example for a fingernail or a tool, in particular in the form of a projection, is visible, because the rest of the identifier object 11 is recessed in the slide-in compartment.
[0091] FIG. 19 likewise shows a design variant of a sanitary insert 1 with an identifier object 11 which can be removed or pivoted out from the housing 2 and/or from the outlet side 4 and which has the identifier 6. By contrast to the refinement from FIG. 18, the identifier object 11 is in this case pivotable about an axis of rotation at the outlet side 4. In the pivoted-out state, the user can more easily read the identifier object 11, in particular whilst the insert 1 is in the installed state, and/or can remove the identifier object 11 from the housing 2. The sanitary insert 1 thus remains functional during the detection of the identifier 6. The identifier object 11 may for example be configured as a ring segment.
[0092] FIG. 20 shows a design variant of a sanitary insert 1 in which identifier elements 7 have been inserted into the outlet structure 5 as plug-in elements 12 in a particular pattern and/or a particular number in accordance with a particular product form. By contrast to FIG. 4, the plug-in elements 12 are in this case inserted not from below, counter to the flow direction, but from above, or from the inside, in the flow direction.
[0093] In particular, it is possible in this case, too, for a passage opening 18 to be closed by a plug-in element 12 such that a filling 17 is formed. By means of a particular arrangement of the identifier elements 7 in the outlet structure 5, an identifier 6 assignable to a particular product type can thus be formed.
[0094] FIG. 21 shows a further exemplary embodiment according to the invention. The illustration shows two sanitary inserts 1 in which different identifiers—illustrated by way of example using different hatching—are configured in the form of color codings on the respective outlet structure 5. The insets in the Figure each show the detail indicated. The color codings are selected here such that they can be acquired and distinguished automatically. Alternatively or in addition, a color coding may also be implemented on the housing 2.
LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS
[0095] 1 Sanitary insert [0096] 2 Housing [0097] 3 Functional unit [0098] 4 Outlet side [0099] 5 Outlet structure [0100] 6 Identifier [0101] 7 Identifier element [0102] 8 Identifier ring [0103] 9 Housing part [0104] 10 Screen [0105] 11 Identifier object [0106] 12 Plug-in element [0107] 13 Pattern [0108] 14 Transponder [0109] 15 Read unit [0110] 16 Code [0111] 17 Filling [0112] 18 Passage opening [0113] 19 Mouth piece [0114] 20 Seal [0115] 21 Magnet [0116] 22 Material recess [0117] 23 Side wall [0118] 24 Material accumulation [0119] 25 Opening; recess [0120] 26 Rib [0121] 27 Inlet side [0122] 28 Detection tool [0123] 29 Setting position (between 7)
