DE102023126564A1 - Method for operating a building water supply system with sanitary fittings - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for operating a building water supply system (1) with sanitary fittings (4), wherein several of the sanitary fittings (4) each have a water outlet opening (7), an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7) and a fitting control (9) for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve (8), wherein a hygiene flushing instruction from the fitting control (9) is implemented by controlling the water outlet valve (8), wherein a sensor (11), in particular a ToF sensor, is provided for detecting an environment of the sanitary fitting (4), wherein by means of the sensor (11) after controlling the water outlet valve (8), in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) outside the respective sanitary fitting (4) is detected with the sensor (11), thus ensuring successful control of the water outlet valve (8) is validated in a validation routine (13).

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a building water supply system according to claim 1, a sanitary fitting for connection to a water pipe network of a building according to the preamble of claim 11 and a building water supply system according to claim 14.

Hygiene requirements for the drinking water supply of buildings have increased significantly in recent years. A relevant aspect here is the fact that water that has been standing in the water pipe network for extended periods, also known as stagnant water, can lead to the undesirable formation of germs. In this context, Legionella or similar germs pose a health risk. For this reason, a move has been made to record water flows in the water pipe network and/or to regularly and actively flush the affected water pipe network, which is referred to here as "hygienic flushing." Depending on the flushing strategy, the germs are flushed out, decimated, and/or killed, so that the water is once again hygienically safe.

Various methods for operating a building water supply system with sanitary fittings are known from the state of the art. DE 10 2017 105 449 A1 Such a method is described, for example. The building water supply system also described has several sanitary fittings, each of which can have a proximity sensor for user-controlled actuation. Furthermore, the described sanitary fittings can be controlled for flushing by a central controller according to a global flushing strategy. These controls of the sanitary fittings by the central controller are usually logged in the central controller.

However, it has been shown that situations can occur in which the central control system controls the sanitary fittings to flush and also logs this, but the flushing does not take place.

It is a challenge to improve the known state of the art.

The invention is based on the problem of designing and developing the known method in such a way that the operational reliability in a building water supply system is increased.

The above problem is solved by the features of claim 1.

The fundamental idea is to check the success of controlling a water outlet valve outside the water supply system by using a sensor to detect a change in the water outlet outside the respective sanitary fitting.

Specifically, a method for operating a building water supply system with sanitary fittings is claimed, wherein several of the sanitary fittings each have a water outlet opening, an electrically controllable water outlet valve for discharging water from the water outlet opening, and a fitting control for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve. Furthermore, a hygiene flush instruction from the fitting control can be implemented by controlling the water outlet valve. Furthermore, a sensor, in particular a ToF sensor (time-of-flight sensor), is provided for detecting an environment of the sanitary fitting. According to the proposal, after the water outlet valve has been controlled, in particular based on a hygiene flush instruction, the sensor can be used to detect an actual change in the water outlet from the sanitary fitting outside the respective sanitary fitting, and thus to validate successful control of the water outlet valve in a validation routine.

This makes it possible to increase safety, especially hygiene, in the building water supply system, as the detection captures the actual change in the water outlet from the sanitary fitting outside the respective sanitary fitting, making it possible to detect activations of the water outlet valve that do not result in a desired change in the water outlet. For example, if the water outlet valve is defective or the supply line to the sanitary fitting is closed, the fitting control could previously implement a hygiene flush instruction and activate the water outlet valve accordingly without actually performing a hygiene flush. In a state-of-the-art building water supply system, the central control system would then incorrectly assume a successful hygiene flush.

Additionally or alternatively, for example, the proposed method can be used to check whether the water outlet valve is actually closing and to detect an uncontrolled water outlet due to a water outlet valve that is triggered to close but is defective and does not close. valves can be avoided. These situations can now be identified as incorrectly executed controls using the proposed procedure, and appropriate measures can be taken immediately, thereby increasing the safety of the building's water supply system and, as a result, making it particularly easy and cost-effective to operate.

The advantageous embodiment of the method according to claim 2 describes preferred embodiments of the method with regard to the opening or closing control as well as an advantageous embodiment of the sanitary fittings, which each bring about a particularly simple and safe operation of the building water supply system.

Claim 3 describes preferred embodiments of the method during an open water outlet valve, which enables particularly reliable recording of the actual water flow.

Claim 4 describes preferred embodiments and implementations of flushing strategies.

When implementing the method according to the features of claims 5 and/or 6, the water flow can be recorded particularly well.

The features of claims 7 and 8 describe preferred embodiments of the method with regard to error handling for the safest possible operation.

Claims 9 and 10 describe preferred embodiments of the method with regard to the sanitary fitting and its particularly reliable and safe operation.

According to a further teaching according to claim 11, which has independent significance, a sanitary fitting for connection to a water supply network of a building is claimed.

It is essential that the sanitary fitting is designed and constructed to perform a process of the type described. The same advantages are achieved as explained in connection with the described process.

The sanitary fitting may exhibit all the features described in connection with the process individually or in combination. Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed process.

Claims 12 and 13 describe preferred embodiments of the sanitary fitting which enable particularly safe operation and particularly cost-effective implementation.

According to a further teaching according to claim 14, which also has independent significance, a building water supply system is claimed, in particular for carrying out a method of the type described. The building water supply system is connected, in the assembled state, to a water pipe network of a building. It has a plurality of sanitary fittings, in particular of the type described, wherein the plurality of sanitary fittings each have a water outlet opening, an electrically controllable water outlet valve for discharging water from the water outlet opening, and a fitting control for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve. A hygiene flush instruction is implemented here by the fitting control by controlling the water outlet valve, wherein the building water supply system, in particular the plurality of sanitary fittings each have a sensor, in particular a ToF sensor, for detecting an environment of a, in particular the respective, sanitary fitting. According to the proposal, after the water outlet valve has been activated, in particular due to a hygiene flush instruction, the sensor is used to detect an actual change in the water outlet from the water outlet opening outside the, in particular, respective, sanitary fitting and thus to validate a successful activation of the water outlet valve in a validation routine.

The building water supply system may incorporate all of the features described in connection with the proposed method and/or sanitary fitting, individually or in combination. Reference may be made to all statements regarding the proposed method and sanitary fitting.

Claims 15 to 17 in turn describe preferred embodiments of the building water supply system with regard to the water pipe network and the central control system.

• 1 in schematischer Darstellung ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines vorschlagsgemäßen Gebäude-Wasserversorgungssystems mit vorschlagsgemäßen Sanitärarmaturen zur Durchführung des vorschlagsgemäßen Verfahrens,
• 2 in schematischer Darstellung ein Ausführungsbeispiel einer vorschlagsgemäßen Sanitärarmatur aus der 1 und
• 3 in schematischer Darstellung ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer vorschlagsgemäßen Sanitärarmatur.

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing which merely represents exemplary embodiments. In the drawing,

• 1 in schematic representation an embodiment of a proposed building water supply system with proposed sanitary fittings for carrying out the proposed method,
• 2 in schematic representation an embodiment of a proposed sanitary fitting from the 1 and
• 3 in schematic representation another embodiment of a proposed sanitary fitting.

The proposed method is used to operate a building water supply system 1 such as the one described in 1 shown.

When installed, the building water supply system 1 is connected to a water pipe network 2 of a building 3. The building water supply system 1 includes several sanitary fittings 4 as consumers. These are connected to the water pipe network 2 when installed.

The sanitary fittings 4 can in particular, as shown in the exemplary embodiment, be designed as shower fittings 5 and/or washbasin fittings 6.

The sanitary fittings 4 each have a water outlet opening 7, an electrically controllable water outlet valve 8 for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7 and a fitting control 9 for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve 8.

The faucet controller 9 can implement a hygiene flushing instruction by controlling the water outlet valve 8. Hygiene flushing instructions enable hygiene flushing to be carried out according to a flushing strategy. As described below, these can be hygiene flushing instructions according to a local and/or global flushing strategy. Furthermore, here and preferably, the faucet controller 9 detects a user action of a person 10 present and implements a corresponding control of the water outlet valve 8.

Furthermore, a sensor 11, in particular a ToF sensor, is provided for detecting the surroundings of the sanitary fitting 4. The ToF sensor (time-of-flight sensor) is preferably an infrared-based ToF sensor. It enables distance measurement using a time-of-flight method. For this purpose, it preferably comprises a PMD chip.

After the water outlet valve 8 has been activated, in particular due to a hygienic flushing instruction, the sensor 11 can detect an actual change in the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 outside the respective sanitary fitting 4. In this way, successful activation of the water outlet valve 8 is validated in a validation routine 13.

This makes it possible to increase safety, particularly hygiene, in the building water supply system 1, since by detecting the actual change in the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 outside the respective sanitary fitting 4, those activations of the water outlet valve 8 can be detected that do not lead to a desired change in the water outlet 12. For example, if the water outlet valve 8 is defective or the supply line 14 to the sanitary fitting 4 is closed, the fitting control 9 could previously implement a hygiene flush instruction and activate the water outlet valve 8 accordingly without actually performing a hygiene flush with an actual water outlet 12. In a building water supply system 1 according to the state of the art, the central control 15 would then incorrectly assume a successful hygiene flush.

Additionally or alternatively, for example, the proposed method can be used to verify that the water outlet valve 8 is actually closed, and to prevent an uncontrolled water outlet 12 due to a water outlet valve 8 that is triggered to close but is defective and does not close. These situations can now be identified as incorrectly executed triggering by the proposed method, and appropriate measures can be taken immediately, thereby increasing the safety of the building's water supply system 1 and, as a result, allowing the building's water supply system 1 to be operated particularly easily and cost-effectively.

By detecting the desired actual change in the water outlet 12 by the sensor 11 outside the sanitary fitting 4, this change is directly detected and the change is validated. This change is not indirectly inferred, for example, by issuing a switching command to the water outlet valve 8.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that, by means of the sensor 11, an actual water outlet 12 from the respective sanitary fitting 4 or an actual stop of the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is validated in a validation routine 13 upon the opening and/or closing activation of the water outlet valve 8, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction.

By checking the opening activation and an actual water outlet 12, it can be ensured, for example, that an opening, particularly during a hygiene flush, actually occurs and that a water outlet 12 also occurs. The false assumption of a water outlet 12 that does not actually occur can be avoided. In previous systems, in which only the water outlet valve 8 is activated but the actual water outlet 12 is not validated, this was assumed, for example, even if an angle valve to the sanitary fitting 4 was blocked.

Checking the closing activation and an actual stop of the water outlet 12 has the advantage that unsuccessful closing can be detected directly and further measures can be taken promptly to avoid or limit damage resulting from such a malfunction.

In the validation routine 13, the sensor signal 16 of the sensor 11 is preferably monitored for a sensor signal 16 characteristic of the actual change in the water outlet 12 and/or a characteristic sensor signal change 17. This can be, for example, a sensor signal 16 characteristic of the reflection of the water outlet 12, i.e., for example, a water jet, and/or a characteristic sensor signal change 17. Additionally or alternatively, this can be distance information determined from the sensor signal 16, in particular from the ToF sensor. Additionally or alternatively, this can also be the absence of a sensor signal 16 characteristic of the reflection of the water outlet 12 and/or a characteristic sensor signal change 17. Preferably, different characteristic sensor signals 16 and/or characteristic sensor signal changes 17 are stored in the fitting control 9 for different jet patterns of water outlets 12. Preferably, the characteristic sensor signals 16 and/or characteristic sensor signal changes 17 assigned to the respective jet pattern are then used in the validation routine 13 to validate the change in the water outlet 12 of the respective sanitary fitting 4.

In the exemplary embodiment, and preferably, the sanitary fittings 4 each have a sensor 11 for carrying out the validation routine 13 for the respective sanitary fitting 4. This is described in connection with the sanitary fitting 4 and the 2 explained in more detail.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that before the water outlet valve 8 is closed, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 is checked, and/or that during a hygiene flush, in particular during an opening of the water outlet valve 8 due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 is checked continuously or repeatedly, in particular cyclically.

In this way, the actual duration of the water outlet 12 can be determined particularly easily. In particular, the duration of a hygiene flush can also be recorded particularly easily and reliably in this way. Recording the actual water outlet 12 has the advantage that, for example, for logging purposes, the actual execution is not in question.

In this context, it should be noted that water outlet 12 from a sanitary fitting 4 in the exemplary embodiment and preferably a water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 of the respective sanitary fitting 4 is meant.

A hygiene flush according to a flushing strategy can, in particular, be a stagnation flush and/or a thermal disinfection flush. With a stagnation flush, the temperature of the flushing water is generally below 65°C, whereas with a thermal disinfection flush, the temperature of the flushing water is at least 65°C, preferably at least 68°C, more preferably at least 70°C, in particular at least 72°C.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the hygiene flushing instruction for performing a hygiene flush is issued by the respective valve control 9 based on a local flushing strategy. A local flushing strategy has the advantage that it can be carried out independently of a central control 15.

Additionally or alternatively, it may be provided that a data network 19 is formed between the valve controls 9 and a central control 15 via, in particular, bidirectional, data connections 18. Preferably, it may then be provided that the hygiene flush instruction for performing a hygiene flush originates from the central control 15 based on a global flushing strategy. This enables a central and, if necessary, cyclical optimization of the hygiene flushes in the water pipe network 2. A particularly high level of hygiene can be ensured by that in normal operation, the valve controls 9 and thus the water outlet valves 8 are controlled by the central control 15 according to the global flushing strategy and that in fault operation, if the central control 15 is at least partially unavailable, at least some of the water outlet valves 8 are controlled according to a local flushing strategy.

Hygienic flushing instructions according to the global flushing strategy originate from the central controller 15 or are controlled by the central controller 15, while hygienic flushing instructions according to the local flushing strategy originate from the respective valve controller 9. They can, for example, be stored in a memory of the valve controller 9.

At this point, it should be noted that hygiene flushes can preferably be performed as stagnation flushes, and additional hygiene flushes can be performed as thermal disinfection flushes. Thus, a first hygiene flush instruction can be a hygiene flush instruction for performing a stagnation flush, and a second hygiene flush instruction can be a hygiene flush instruction for performing thermal disinfection. Both types of hygiene flushes or hygiene flush instructions can be part of a flushing strategy, in particular a central flushing strategy and/or a local flushing strategy.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the water outlet 12 of the sanitary fittings 4 is logged, in particular in the fitting control 9 and/or in the central control 15. Particularly preferably, during a hygiene flush, the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and/or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and/or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 is detected, in particular by the sensor 11, and logged by the fitting control 9 and/or the central control 15. Additionally or alternatively, it can be provided that the quantity of the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 or the sanitary fittings 4 is determined by means of the respective sensor 11 and the fitting control 9 and logged by the fitting control 9 and/or the central control 15.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the fitting control 9 sends the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and/or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4 and/or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting 4, in particular as an event, to the central control 15 for logging and/or stores it in the fitting control 9.

Based on such logging of the actual water outlet 12, the hygiene flushing and/or the flushing strategy, in particular central and/or local, can then be optimized.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that, following an opening actuation, in particular due to a hygienic flushing instruction, no actual water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is detected in the validation routine 13, in particular by the fitting control 9 and/or the central control 15, an error message 20 is generated and/or logged. Preferably, the fitting control 9 generates the error message 20 and sends it to the central control 15.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that upon the generation and/or logging of the error message 20, a mobile device 21 is notified of the error message 20. This is preferably done by the central controller 15. The mobile device 21 can be a smartphone, for example. This enables rapid intervention by a person 10 responsible for operational safety.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the respective sanitary fitting 4 has a fitting housing 22 in which the water outlet valve 8 and/or the fitting control 9 and/or the sensor 11 and/or the water outlet opening 7 are arranged. The water outlet opening 7 can be as in the 1 in the case of a shower fitting 5, be arranged separately from the fitting housing 22, or, as for example in the case of a shower fitting 5 also shown in the 1 shown wash basin fitting 6, in the fitting housing 22.

In the embodiment of the 2 the fitting housing 22 is formed as a cast body 23, in which here and preferably the water outlet valve 8 and the fitting control 9 and the sensor 11 and the water outlet opening 7 are arranged.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the water outlet valve 8 can be actuated by a user action, in particular that the user action is detected by the sensor 11 and, upon detecting the user action, the fitting control 9 opens the water outlet valve 8. For example, a user action can be detected by detecting the presence of a person 10.

Preferably, the sensor 11 is additionally for validating the successful control of the The water outlet valve 8 is operable in an operating mode and configured to detect the presence of a person 10 in an operating detection area 24 assigned to the operating mode in this operating mode, and that, depending on the sensor signal 16, the water outlet valve 8 is triggered to open in this operating mode and/or is triggered to open after the successful execution of a test routine. In this case, dual use of the sensor 11 is possible: firstly, for the opening triggering due to a user action of a person 10 present and, secondly, for the proposed validation in the validation routine 13.

It is preferably provided that, after the water outlet valve 8 has been opened due to the detection of the presence of a person 10, an actual water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is checked in a validation routine 13 by means of the sensor 11, and/or that, after the water outlet valve 8 has been closed following the opening of the water outlet valve 8 due to the detection of the presence of a person 10, an actual stop of the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is checked in a validation routine 13 by means of the sensor 11.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the sensor 11 has different modes, in particular that the sensor 11 is operable in a presence operating mode and is configured to detect the presence of a person 10 in a presence detection area 25 assigned to the presence operating mode in this presence operating mode and to switch to the operating mode depending on the sensor signal 16 in this presence operating mode. In this operating mode, the operating detection area 24 is preferably smaller than the presence detection area 25 in the presence operating mode and/or the query frequency for the presence of a person 10 is higher in this operating mode than in the presence operating mode. By means of this two-stage test, the sensor 11 can be operated in a particularly energy-efficient manner.

During the validation routine 13, the sensor 11 is here and preferably operated with a detection range 26 which corresponds at least to the distance of the water outlet 12 from the sensor 11 in the detection range 26, preferably which includes the entire water outlet 12 in the detection cone of the sensor 11. Additionally or alternatively, the detection range 26 is smaller during the validation routine 13 than in the presence operating mode and/or the polling frequency in the presence operating mode is lower than during the validation routine 13.

In the following, a preferred design of a proposed sanitary fitting 4 is to be described on the basis of the 1 and 2 be described.

The sanitary fitting 4 is used for connection to a water supply network 2 of a building 3. It has a water outlet opening 7 and an electrically controllable water outlet valve 8 for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7. Furthermore, it has a fitting control 9 for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve 8.

The sanitary fitting 4 is used to carry out a process of the type described. It is equipped and designed to carry out the process.

Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed procedure.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the sanitary fitting 4 has the sensor 11. In the exemplary embodiment, the sensor 11 preferably serves to carry out the validation routine 13. As already described above, it is preferably designed as a ToF sensor.

In the exemplary embodiment and preferably, the sanitary fitting 4, as shown in the 1 and 2 As shown, the valve body 22 has a valve housing 22 in which the water outlet valve 8 and/or the valve control 9 and/or the sensor 11 are arranged. Additionally or alternatively, the water outlet opening 7 can also be arranged in the valve housing 22.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the sanitary fitting 4 has an electrically controllable second water outlet valve 27, in particular also arranged in the fitting housing 22, for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7. Here and preferably, the second water outlet valve 27 can be controlled for opening and/or closing by the fitting control 9 and/or a control 28 arranged separately from the fitting control 9.

In the exemplary embodiment, the second water outlet valve 27 can preferably be controlled to open and/or close in order to carry out a thermal disinfection rinse. Here, and preferably, after the second water outlet valve 27 has been controlled, an actual flush is initiated by means of the sensor 11 based on a hygiene flushing instruction, in particular a hygiene flushing instruction for carrying out a thermal disinfection rinse. A material change in the water outlet 12 from the sanitary fitting 4 is recorded outside the respective sanitary fitting 4 and thus a successful control of the water outlet valve 8 is validated in a validation routine 13.

In the exemplary embodiment, the second water outlet valve 27 is preferably arranged here and preferably in a bypass line 29 to the water outlet valve 8. Preferably, the bypass line 29 leads past the water outlet valve 8 and a mixing valve 30 for mixing cold water and hot water of the respective sanitary fitting 4, as shown in the 1 shown below.

Also proposed is a building water supply system 1, in particular for carrying out a method of the type described, wherein the building water supply system 1, in the assembled state, is connected to a water pipe network 2 of a building 3. It has a plurality of sanitary fittings 4, which are designed in particular according to the type described. The plurality of sanitary fittings 4 each have a water outlet opening 7, an electrically controllable water outlet valve 8 for discharging water from the water outlet opening 7, and a fitting control 9 for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve 8.

As already described in connection with the method, a hygiene flushing instruction can be implemented by the fitting control 9 by controlling the water outlet valve 8, wherein the building water supply system 1 has a sensor 11 for detecting an environment of a sanitary fitting 4.

Preferably, the plurality of sanitary fittings 4 each have a sensor 11, in particular a ToF sensor, for detecting an environment of one, in particular the respective, sanitary fitting 4.

By means of the sensor 11 or the sensors 11, after the water outlet valve 8 has been activated, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual change in the water outlet 12 from the water outlet opening 7 outside the, in particular respective, sanitary fitting 4 is detected and thus a successful activation of the water outlet valve 8 is validated in a validation routine 13.

Reference may be made to all statements relating to the proposed procedure and the proposed sanitary fitting 4.

Furthermore, it is preferably provided here that the water pipe network 2 is assigned to the building water supply system 1.

A data network 19 is formed between the valve controls 9 and a central controller 15 via, in particular, bidirectional data connections 18. The central controller 15 can be part of the building water supply system 1 and can be arranged in the building 3 or outside the building 3. Additionally or alternatively, a central controller 15, in particular, can also be provided separately from the building water supply system 1 and then possibly also form a central controller 15 for further building water supply systems 1, which are provided in separate buildings 31. In particular, this central controller 15, then as the central controller 15 and/or a further central controller 32, can be provided by a cloud service 33.

In a preferred embodiment, the building water supply system 1 has at least one branch 34 with several sanitary fittings 4. Preferably, two of the sanitary fittings 4 in a branch 34 are of identical design and are controlled according to the same flushing strategy, preferably together with other non-identical sanitary fittings 4 in the same branch 34. To implement the same flushing strategy, two sanitary fittings 4 are combined here and preferably in the central control 15 to form a virtual group. In the exemplary embodiment, this is achieved by a control-technical 28 link to a virtual group.

Here and preferably, a valve 35, in particular a manually operable valve, is provided in the supply line 14 from the branch 34 to the sanitary fitting 4, in particular one for the hot water supply line 36 and one for the cold water supply line 37.

In a preferred embodiment, the building water supply system 1 has a flow valve 38 that blocks or enables the water flow in the water pipe network 2 to at least one of the sanitary fittings 4. The flow valve 38 is controlled by the central control unit 15, preferably to block and/or enable the water flow. Here, several sanitary fittings 4 are arranged downstream of the flow valve 38 in the branch 34.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, it is provided that the flow valve 38 is arranged in a supply line of the water pipe network 2 to at least two sanitary fittings 4 and is assigned to these and the water blocks or releases water flow to these sanitary fittings 4. The building water supply system 1 is configured so that, upon detection by at least one sensor 11 that the water outlet valve 8 of one of the associated sanitary fittings 4 does not close upon corresponding control, the flow valve 38 blocks the water flow.

Additionally or alternatively, the building water supply system 1 may include a flow sensor 39 that measures the water flow at a point in the water pipe network 2. The flow sensor 39 preferably sends data about the water flow to the central controller 15.

Furthermore, the building water supply system 1 may additionally or alternatively comprise a temperature sensor 40 that measures the water temperature at a point in the water pipe network 2. Here, and preferably, the temperature sensor 40 sends data about the water temperature to the central controller 15.

Finally, it should be noted that the respective sensor 11 can also be used for other functions. For example, it can be provided that the respective sensor 11 or the respective fitting control 9 is configured to detect the particularly close presence of an object and/or an operator in a close range. This close range is preferably less than or equal to 5 cm, preferably less than or equal to 3 cm, in the exemplary embodiment less than or equal to 2 cm in front of the sensor 11. Depending on the duration of presence in the close range, the respective sanitary fitting 4 is here and preferably configured to perform various additional functions.

One function can be, for example, a cleaning mode. In this case, it can be provided, for example, that if a presence in the vicinity is detected for a predetermined time, for example, 1 second, a water outlet 12 is blocked, here for a predetermined time, for example, one minute. This facilitates cleaning of the sanitary fitting 4.

Additionally or alternatively, a function can be a manual activation of a hygiene flush for thermal disinfection. This is not a hygiene flush for thermal disinfection based on a previously described flushing strategy, but rather a single user-controlled manual hygiene flush for thermal disinfection. For example, it can be provided that if a presence in the immediate vicinity is detected for a predetermined time, for example, two seconds, a user-controlled manual hygiene flush for thermal disinfection is triggered.

Additionally or alternatively, a function can be a water outlet time adjustment. For example, it can be provided that when a presence is detected in the vicinity for a predetermined time, for example, three seconds, a configuration mode is called up, which allows the water outlet time to be adjusted based on a user action.

As a result, the operational reliability in a building water supply system 1 is increased by the features described above.

List of reference symbols

1

Building water supply system

2

Water pipe network

3

Building

4

Sanitary fitting

5

shower faucet

6

washbasin faucet

7

Water outlet opening

8

Water outlet valve

9

Valve control

10

person

11

sensor

12

Water outlet

13

Validation routine

14

supply line

15

Central control

16

Sensor signal

17

Sensor signal change

18

Data connections

19

data network

20

Error message

21

mobile device

22

Valve body

23

Cast body

24

Operational recording area

25

Presence detection area

26

Detection range

27

second water outlet valve

28

steering

29

Bypass line

30

mixing valve

31

separate building

32

further central control

33

Cloud service

34

strand

35

valve

36

Hot water supply

37

Cold water supply

38

flow valve

39

flow sensor

40

Temperature sensor

QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 10 2017 105 449 A1 [0003]

Claims (17)

Method for operating a building water supply system (1) with sanitary fittings (4), wherein several of the sanitary fittings (4) each have a water outlet opening (7), an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7), and a fitting control (9) for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve (8), wherein a hygiene flushing instruction from the fitting control (9) is implemented by controlling the water outlet valve (8), wherein a sensor (11), in particular a ToF sensor, is provided for detecting an environment of the sanitary fitting (4), wherein, after controlling the water outlet valve (8), in particular based on a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) outside the respective sanitary fitting (4) is detected by means of the sensor (11), thus ensuring successful control of the water outlet valve (8) is validated in a validation routine (13). Procedure according to Claim 1 , characterized in that by means of the sensor (11) upon the opening and/or closing control of the water outlet valve (8), in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet (12) from the respective sanitary fitting (4) or an actual stop of the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is validated in the validation routine (13), and/or that the sanitary fittings (4) each have a sensor (11) for carrying out the validation routine (13) for the respective sanitary fitting (4). Procedure according to Claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that before a closing actuation of the water outlet valve (8), in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual water outlet (12) from the water outlet opening (7) is checked, and/or that during a hygiene flush an actual water outlet (12) from the water outlet opening (7) is checked continuously or repeatedly, in particular cyclically. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hygiene flushing instruction originates from the respective fitting control (9) on the basis of a local flushing strategy, and/or that a data network (19) is formed between the fitting controls (9) and a central control (15) via, in particular bidirectional, data connections (18), preferably that the hygiene flushing instruction originates from the central control (15) on the basis of a global flushing strategy, further preferably that in normal operation the fitting controls (9) and thus the water outlet valves (8) are controlled by the central control (15) according to the global flushing strategy and that in fault operation when the central control (15) is at least partially unavailable, at least some of the water outlet valves (8) are controlled according to a local flushing strategy. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water flow of the sanitary fittings (4) is logged, in particular in the fitting control (9) and/or in the central control (15), preferably that during a hygiene flush the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and/or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and/or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) is detected, in particular by the sensor (11), and logged by the fitting control (9) and/or the central control (15). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fitting control (9) sends the start of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and/or the stop of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4) and/or the duration of the water flow from the sanitary fitting (4), in particular as an event, to the central control (15) for logging and/or stores it in the fitting control (9). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the validation routine (13) following an opening control, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, no actual water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is detected, in particular by the fitting control (9) and/or the central control (15), an error message (20) is generated and/or logged. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that upon generation and/or logging of the error message (20), a mobile device (21) is notified of the error message (20). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective sanitary fitting (4) has a fitting housing (22) in which the water outlet valve (8) and/or the fitting control (9) and/or the Sensor (11) and/or the water outlet opening (7) are arranged, and/or that the sensor (11) is operable in an operating mode in addition to validating the successful activation of the water outlet valve (8) and is designed to detect the presence of a person (10) in an operating detection area (24) assigned to the operating mode in this operating mode, and that depending on the sensor signal (16), the water outlet valve (8) is activated to open in this operating mode and/or is activated to open after the successful execution of a test routine, preferably that by means of the sensor (11) after the opening activation of the water outlet valve (8) due to the detection of the presence of a person (10), an actual water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is checked in a validation routine (13) due to the detection of the presence of a person (10), and/or that by means of the sensor (11) after the closing activation of the water outlet valve (8) following the opening of the water outlet valve (8) due to the Detecting the presence of a person (10) an actual stop of the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) is checked in a validation routine (13). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor (11) has different modes, in particular that the sensor (11) can be operated in a presence operating mode and is set up to detect the presence of a person (10) in a presence detection area (25) assigned to the presence operating mode in this presence operating mode and to switch to the operating mode in dependence on the sensor signal (16) in this presence operating mode. Sanitary fitting for connection to a water pipe network (2) of a building (3) with a water outlet opening (7), with an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7) and with a fitting control (9) for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve (8), characterized in that the sanitary fitting (4) is set up and designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims. Sanitary fitting according to Claim 11 , characterized in that the sanitary fitting (4) has the sensor (11), in particular the ToF sensor, for carrying out the validation routine (13), preferably in that the sanitary fitting (4) has a fitting housing (22) in which the water outlet valve (8) and/or the fitting control (9) and/or the sensor (11) and/or the water outlet opening (7) are arranged. Sanitary fitting according to Claim 11 or 12 , characterized in that the sanitary fitting (4) has a second, in particular also arranged in the fitting housing (22), electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7), wherein the second water outlet valve (27) can be controlled for opening and/or closing by the fitting control (9) and/or a control (28) arranged separately from the fitting control (9), in particular that the second water outlet valve (27) can be controlled to open and/or close in order to carry out a thermal disinfection rinse, preferably that by means of the sensor (11) after the control of the second water outlet valve (27) on the basis of a hygiene flushing instruction, in particular a hygiene flushing instruction for carrying out a thermal disinfection rinse, an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the sanitary fitting (4) outside the respective sanitary fitting (4) is detected by the sensor (11), thus ensuring successful control of the water outlet valve (8) is validated in a validation routine (13). Building water supply system, in particular for carrying out a method according to one of the Claims 1 until 10 , with several sanitary fittings (4), in particular according to one of the Claims 11 until 13 , wherein the building water supply system (1) is connected in the assembled state to a water pipe network (2) of a building (3), wherein the plurality of sanitary fittings (4) each have a water outlet opening (7), an electrically controllable water outlet valve (8) for discharging water from the water outlet opening (7) and a fitting control (9) for opening and/or closing the water outlet valve (8), wherein a hygiene flushing instruction from the fitting control (9) is implemented by controlling the water outlet valve (8), wherein the building water supply system (1), in particular the plurality of sanitary fittings (4) each have a sensor (11), in particular a ToF sensor, for detecting an environment of a, in particular the respective, sanitary fitting (4), wherein by means of the sensor (11) after the water outlet valve (8) has been controlled, in particular due to a hygiene flushing instruction, an actual change in the water outlet (12) from the water outlet opening (7) outside the, in particular respective, sanitary fitting (4) is detected and thus a successful control of the water outlet valve (8) is validated in a validation routine (13). Building water supply system according to Claim 14 , characterized in that the water pipe network (2) is assigned to the building water supply system (1), and/or that a data network (19) is formed between the fitting controls (9) and a central control (15) via, in particular bidirectional, data connections (18), preferably that the central control (15) is part of the building water supply system (1) and is arranged in the building (3) or outside the building (3). Building water supply system according to Claim 14 or 15 , characterized in that the building water supply system (1) is provided with a flow valve (38) which blocks or releases the water flow in the water pipe network (2) to at least one of the sanitary fittings (4), and/or a flow sensor (39) which measures the water flow at a point in the water pipe network (2), and/or a temperature sensor (40) which measures the water temperature at a point in the water pipe network (2), preferably in that the flow valve (38) is controlled by the central controller (15) to block and/or release the water flow, and/or in that the flow sensor (39) sends data about the water flow to the central controller (15), and/or in that the temperature sensor (40) sends data about the water temperature to the central controller (15). Building water supply system according to one of the Claims 14 until 16 , characterized in that the flow valve (38) is arranged in a supply branch of the water pipe network (2) to at least two sanitary fittings (4) and is assigned to these and blocks or releases the water flow to these sanitary fittings (4), wherein the building water supply system (1) is set up so that the flow valve (38) blocks the water flow upon detection by at least one sensor (11) that the water outlet valve (8) of one of the assigned sanitary fittings (4) does not close in response to a corresponding control.

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