WATER TAP AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE WATER TAP

Abstract

A method of operating a water tap, in particular a hot water tap, including a dispensing step in which water is dispensed from the water tap. Initiation of the dispensing step requires several preceding steps, including an actuation of a first actuating element and an actuation of a second actuating element. Within an actuation step, the actuation of a first actuating element is detected by a control unit. The actuation step also includes an unlocking step, in which, upon detection of the actuation of the first actuating element, an unlocking time window is started by the control unit. The actuation step also includes an activating step in which the actuation of the second actuating element activates a dispensing switch. The dispensing step is only initiated in case that the activating step is triggered within the unlocking time window.

Claims

1. A method of operating a water tap, in particular a hot water tap, comprising: a dispensing step, in which water is dispensed from the water tap, wherein initiation of the dispensing step requires an actuation of a first actuating element and an actuation of a second actuating element, and wherein, in an actuation step, the actuation of the first actuating element is detected by a control unit, wherein the actuation step comprises an unlocking step in which, upon detection of the actuation of the first actuating element, an unlocking time window is started by the control unit, wherein the actuation step also comprises an activating step in which actuation of the second actuating element activates a dispensing switch, and wherein the dispensing step is only initiated in case that the activating step is triggered within the unlocking time window.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein an electric line is part of a power supply of an electric pump or an electric valve for dispensing water through the tap, and wherein closure of the electric line by activating the dispensing switch through actuation of the second actuating element is mandatory to operate the pump or valve and performed in the activating step without involving the control unit.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the activating step comprises forwarding an activating signal related to the activation of the dispensing switch to the control unit, and the actuation step comprises an initiation step in which the control unit initiates the dispensing step only after successful verification that the activating signal is received within the unlocking time window that was started by actuation of the first actuating element.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking step also comprises the activation of a further dispensing switch, and wherein the dispensing step is only initiated in case that the dispensing switch and the further dispensing switch are activated within the unlocking time window.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuation of the dispensing switch is performed without involving the control unit.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the actuation of the second actuating element actuates a timer element that deactivates the dispensing switch after expiration of a preset time limit of the timer element.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit starts a timer upon detection of the actuation of the first actuating element or upon starting of the unlocking time window, and wherein the control unit stops the dispensing step and further dispensing of water from the water tap after expiration of a preset time limit of the timer.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the control unit initiates the dispensing step and stops the dispensing step by activating and deactivating a further dispensing switch that is in operative connection with the dispensing switch in such a manner that dispensing water from the water tap requires the dispensing switch and the further dispensing switch to be activated.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein, by activating the dispensing switch and the further dispensing switch, a pump or a valve is activated that dispenses water through the water tap.

10. A system comprising: a water tap and operating means comprising a first actuating element, a second actuating element and a control unit, wherein the first actuating element is operatively connected to the control unit, wherein the second actuating element is operatively connected to a dispensing switch, and wherein the system, e.g. the control unit, is configured to initiate a dispensing step in which water is dispensed from the water tap only after successful verification that an activating signal from the second actuating element is received within an unlocking time window that was started by actuation of the first actuating element.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is not operatively connected to the dispensing switch.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second actuating element is configured to actuate a timer element that is operatively connected to the dispensing switch.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is configured to comprise a timer.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit is operatively connected to a further dispensing switch.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising a pump for dispensing water through the water tap, operatively connected to the dispensing switch and to the further dispensing switch in a manner that the pump is activated only in case that both dispensing switches are activated.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein one or both of the first actuation element and the second actuation element comprises a touch sensor.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control unit comprises a data processing unit that is configured to run a software program that is stored in a program storage unit of the control unit.

18. The method according to claim 2, wherein the activating step comprises forwarding an activating signal related to the activation of the dispensing switch to the control unit, and the actuation step comprises an initiation step in which the control unit initiates the dispensing step only after successful verification that the activating signal is received within the unlocking time window that was started by actuation of the first actuating element; wherein the unlocking step also comprises the activation of a further dispensing switch, and wherein the dispensing step is only initiated in case that the dispensing switch and the further dispensing switch are activated within the unlocking time window; wherein the actuation of the dispensing switch is performed without involving the control unit; and wherein the actuation of the second actuating element actuates a timer element that deactivates the dispensing switch after expiration of a preset time limit of the timer element.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the control unit starts a timer upon detection of the actuation of the first actuating element or upon starting of the unlocking time window, and wherein the control unit stops the dispensing step and further dispensing of water from the water tap after expiration of a preset time limit of the timer; wherein the control unit initiates the dispensing step and stops the dispensing step by activating and deactivating a further dispensing switch that is in operative connection with the dispensing switch in such a manner that dispensing water from the water tap requires the dispensing switch and the further dispensing switch to be activated; and wherein, by activating the dispensing switch and the further dispensing switch, a pump or a valve is activated that dispenses water through the water tap.

20. The system according to claim 11, wherein the second actuating element is configured to actuate a timer element that is operatively connected to the dispensing switch; wherein the control unit is configured to comprise a timer; wherein the control unit is operatively connected to a further dispensing switch; and further comprising a pump for dispensing water through the water tap, operatively connected to the dispensing switch and to the further dispensing switch in a manner that the pump is activated only in case that both dispensing switches are activated.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present invention will be more fully understood, and further features will become apparent, when reference is made to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. The drawings are merely representative and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the following specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto without deviating from the innovative concepts of the invention. Like parts depicted in the drawings are referred to by the same reference numerals.

[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a water tap with actuation elements according to the invention,

[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic representation of a power supply for a pump that controls the water flow through the water tap, whereby a control unit and a second dispensing switch that is not operatively connected to the control unit control the operation of the pump,

[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic representation similar to FIG. 2, but including a first and second timer element, and

[0038] FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic representation of yet another embodiment of the operation of the water tap.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a water tap 1 as seen by a user. The water tap 1 comprises a supply channel 2 and an outlet 3. Water that is dispensed through the water tap 1 is conveyed through the supply channel 2 and flows out of the outlet 3. The water tap 1 also comprises an operating unit 4. Within the exemplary embodiment that is illustrated in FIG. 1, the operating unit 4 is located near the outlet 3 of the water tap 1. However, the operating unit 4 can also be located far away from the outlet 3 or even not as integral part of the water tap 1, i.e. mounted separately e.g. in a part of a wall, table or a wash basin next to the water tap 1. The operating unit 4 comprises a first actuating element 5, a second actuating element 6 and a third actuating element 7, whereby all actuating elements 5, 6, 7 are designed as touch sensors. The operating unit 4 also comprises a display 8 that can be used to indicate a current status of the operation of the water tap 1 or e.g. the temperature of water that can be dispensed by the water tap 1.

[0040] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a power supply for a pump 9 that controls the water flow through the water tap 1. An electrical line 10 that provides electrical power from a power source 11 to the pump 9 comprises a first dispensing switch 12 and a second dispensing switch 13 that are connected in series within the electrical line 10. The first dispensing switch 12 is controlled and activated by a control unit 14.

[0041] The first actuating element 5 is operatively connected to the control unit 14. Any actuation of the first actuating element 5 by a user is monitored by and forwarded to the control unit 14. The control unit 14 then closes the first dispensing switch 12 and starts a unlocking time window. Unless there is no actuation of the second actuating element 6 within the unlocking time window, the first dispensing switch 12 returns to an open state that interrupts the electrical line 10 and any power supply to the pump 9.

[0042] The second actuating element 6 is operatively connected to the second dispensing switch 13 in a manner that the actuation of the second actuating element 6 by a user results in an activation of the second dispensing switch 13 that switches between an open and closed state to control the power supply to the pump 9. Neither the second actuating element 6 nor the second dispensing switch 13 are operatively connected to the control unit 14, i.e. these components are not controlled by the control unit 14. However, the control unit 14 can be designed in such a way as to monitor the current status or any change of status of the second actuating element 6 or of the second dispensing switch 13.

[0043] As can be seen from the schematic illustration shown in FIG. 2, the pump 9 is only activated and water is only dispensed through the water tap 1 if both, the first dispensing switch 12 and the second dispensing switch 13 are closed and electrical current can flow from the power source 11 through the electrical line 10 to the pump 9 in order to activate and operate the pump 9 to pump water through the water tap 1. Thus, in order to dispense hot water from the water tap 1, a user must first actuate the first actuating element 5. Afterwards, the user must actuate the second actuating element 6 within the unlocking time window. Only then the first dispensing switch 12 and the second dispensing switch 13 are closed and electrical power is transferred from the power source 11 through the electrical line 10 to the pump 9 and hot water is dispensed from the water tap 1.

[0044] With the embodiment of the water tap 1 that is illustrated in the figures, a method for operating the water tap 1 can be implemented as follows. Actuation of the first actuating element 5 begins an unlocking step and starts a unlocking time window. The unlocking time window is managed and monitored by the control unit 14. Also, the first dispensing switch 12 is closed. During an activating step, the actuation of the second actuating element 6 activates the second dispensing switch 13. If the second dispensing switch 13 is closed within the unlocking time window, a dispensing step is initiated and water is dispensed through the water tap 1 by activating the pump 9.

[0045] If cold water is to be dispensed, a user can actuate the third actuating element 7 that initiates dispensing of cold water through the water tap 1.

[0046] In case that the pump 9 is used for dispensing either hot or cold water through the water tap 1, the control unit 14 can be used to operate a valve device or a switch device that operatively connects the pump 9 with a hot or cold water reservoir.

[0047] According to a further embodiment that is illustrated in FIG. 3, the first dispensing switch 12 is operatively connected to a first timer element 15, and the second dispensing switch 13 is operatively connected to a second timer element 16. Both timer elements 15, 16 can be activated by closing the corresponding first or second dispensing switch 12, 13, and can be used to open the corresponding first or second dispensing switch 12, 13 after expiration of a time limit that is preset for the first and second timer element 15, 16. Thus, even in case there is some malfunction of the control unit 14 or caused by the user, the duration of outflow of water through the water tap 1 is limited. The preset time limit can be e.g. 60 seconds. It is also possible to reduce the time limit of the first timer element 15 that is operatively connected to the control unit 14 at the time of installation of the water tap 1 or via the operating unit 4 at any time during use of the water tap 1.

[0048] According to yet another embodiment that is illustrated in FIG. 4, the method for operating the water tap 1 differs from the method described with reference to FIG. 2. Within the unlocking step, only the unlocking time window is started and monitored by the control unit 14, but the first dispensing switch 12 is not closed at the same time. After activation of the second dispensing switch 13 an activating signal is forwarded to the control unit 14. Only upon verification that the activating signal is received within the unlocking time window, the control unit 14 closes the first dispensing switch 12 which results in the electrical current flowing through the electrical line 10 and the pump 9 dispensing water from the water tap 1. The unlocking time window can be monitored with a dedicated timer element 17 or e.g. with the first timer element 15.