TWI413503B - Method for controlling digital shower system - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling a digital shower system is provided. The method includes the steps of: actuating the digital shower system for operation; detecting whether the system is in order or not, and if not, generating an error message; otherwise, performing the next step; entering a ready mode (RM), for discharging in advance a water flow in an outlet pipe that does not reach a preset outlet water temperature; entering a shower mode (SM), in which a desired message is input through a digital user interface, a water outlet is controlled by a control unit to continuously output water maintained at the same temperature as the preset outlet water temperature; and providing several preset power-off conditions for automatically turning off the digital shower system. The present invention may not only achieve the function of discharging water in advance, but also automatically shut off the water output in a certain period of time, so as to save water.

Description

Digital shower system control method

The invention relates to a method for controlling a digital shower system, in particular to a control method which has a pre-drain function and can automatically shut off the water in a certain time to save water.

According to today, people pay more and more attention to the quality of daily life. In addition to being comfortable in terms of living, even the sanitary equipment that must be used every day has more requirements. At present, the common water outlet of the sanitary equipment is provided with a cold water inlet pipe, a hot water inlet pipe, a water valve and a water outlet pipe in the body, and a handle for connecting the water valve is arranged on the body, wherein The cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe are respectively used for supplying cold water and hot water, and the outlet pipe is connected with a water outlet on one end of the body, the water valve system and the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe. The road and the water outlet pipe are connected and connected with the handle, so the handle can not only drive the water valve to adjust the flow rate of the water flowing out of the water outlet, but also can drive the water valve to change the water outlet pipe and the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe. The connection between the roads allows the temperature of the water flowing out of the water outlet to be adjusted.

The shower faucet is provided with another shower faucet than the general faucet, and is connected by a shower head through the water pipe and the shower spout, and the body is located between the shower spout and the universal spout, further set There is a water flow selector, the water flow selector is worn out of the body, for the user to adjust the choice to let the water flow through the shower outlet, or the universal outlet.

The above structure is manually controlled by the user to adjust the flow rate and water pressure of the cold water and hot water flowing through the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe, thereby passing through the universal water outlet, the water outlet pipe and the connection to the shower head or It is the water pipe of the tap that flows out of the water temperature that the user wants to use or shower; and because the accuracy of manually controlling the temperature of the water flow is not good, and the temperature of the water must be directly contacted by the user, to sense whether it is a user's pre-presence Set the temperature of the water and water. If the temperature of the water is too high, it will cause the user to burn. If the temperature of the water is too low in winter, the user may be injured. The cold causes the body to feel uncomfortable. In addition, when the temperature is manually adjusted, the water flow must always flow out from the water outlet (outlet pipe), which is a waste of water resources and also increases the user's water fee.

Therefore, in order to allow the user to directly set the water temperature and temperature in a manner of detection, it is possible to directly set and control using the control panel. Please refer to US Pat. No. 6,286,764, which discloses a liquid and gas supply system including a cold water source, a hot water source, and a mixing device. a flow control valve, a water outlet pipe, a shower head, and a user interface, and a hot water temperature sensing is provided at the inlet end of the hot water inlet pipe. A hot water temperature sensor for sensing the influent water temperature of the hot water, and the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe are respectively provided with a cold water supply valve and a hot water supply valve (hot) Water supply valve) to control the flow of cold water and hot water inflow, and to the mixing device for temperature mixing of cold water and hot water, and a cold water supply sensor (cold) between the cold water inlet pipe and the mixing device Water supply valve sensor), and a hot water supply valve sensor between the hot water inlet pipe and the mixing device for sensing cold water flow to the mixed device The flow rate and the flow of hot water to the mixing device.

The water flow from the mixing device is then passed through the flow control valve and the water outlet pipe, and finally flows out from the shower head to provide the user with a shower; between the mixing device and the flow control valve, the system is installed in sequence. a mixed fluid temperature sensor and a fluid and gas composition sensor to respectively sense the temperature and water pressure of the mixed water flow in the water outlet pipe A flow sensor is further provided to sense the flow of water to the user.

The user inputs the water temperature of the desired water through a user interface to a control unit, and simultaneously controls the cold water supply valve, the hot water supply valve, the mixing device, and the flow control valve, and receives the hot water. Temperature sensor, mixed liquid temperature Temperature and pressure information of the sensor, liquid and gas combination sensor and flow sensor, and then go back to control each valve group to obtain the user's preset water temperature.

In addition, please refer to US Pat. No. 6,075,534, which discloses a shower control system including an inlet pipe, a stem pipe, a shower head, and a mixing assembly. The two inlet pipes supply cold water and hot water respectively, and a solenoid (solenoid) is provided between each inlet pipe and the outlet pipe to control the inflow of cold water and hot water, and the mixing component contains a sense of pressure. a pressure sensor, a temperature sensor and a control assembly, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor are mounted on the water outlet pipe, and the control component is powered by a power supply Providing power, and the control component is electrically connected to the solenoid, the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor; the user inputs the desired outlet temperature by the control component, and the control component controls the solenoid to change the cold water and the hot water The incoming water flow rate, and receives the information returned by the pressure sensor and the temperature sensor, and then compares the received information with the water temperature input by the user, and further controls the solenoid. Water temperature in line with the water temperature input by the user.

Although the above structure and method allow the user to directly input the desired outlet water temperature to avoid direct contact with the test outlet water temperature, but at the same time as the outlet water temperature control, a lot of water resources are wasted, and before the hot water enters The water flow of the water pipeline does not reach the preset outlet temperature and the water flow of the outlet pipeline cannot be pre-discharged. Even after the cold water and hot water are mixed, when the user wants to use it, it will first contact the previous hot water inlet pipeline. If the user does not reach the preset water temperature and the water flow of the water outlet pipe, the user will also encounter the preset water temperature of the user not at the beginning; in addition, if the user temporarily goes out of the shower, forget to turn off the shower device. At the same time, the shower equipment is still continuously discharged, but it cannot be automatically closed to compensate for the carelessness of the user, and it will lead to waste of water resources.

Therefore, how to provide a preset outlet water temperature that allows the user to input and adjust in a digital manner, and to pre-drain before the shower system is used, and automatically close within a certain period of time when the user no longer uses the shower during the shower. Water to save water The shower system control method is currently an urgent task in controlling the shower system.

In view of the above, the main object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a digital shower system in which pre-drainage of a water stream previously staying in the water outlet pipe is performed before the water of the user's preset outlet water temperature flows out of the water.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling a digital shower system, which can be used when the user no longer uses the shower and does not turn off the water discharge control, or does not use the shower after the water is suspended and does not turn off the water discharge control. The water is automatically closed during the time to save water.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for controlling a digital shower system having a cold water inlet pipe, a hot water inlet pipe, and a mixture of one end and the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe. a temperature device, an outlet pipe communicating with the other end of the mixing device, at least one water outlet communicating with the other end of the water outlet pipe, a digital user interface, and a control unit in the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet A water reversing valve is disposed adjacent to the water mixing device, and a temperature sensor is disposed in the water mixing device, the water pipe is provided with a control valve, and the temperature sensor and the control valve are respectively electrically connected to the control unit The user connects the preset water temperature by the digital user interface. The control method includes: step SA1: power on, the digital shower system is turned on to operate; step SA2: detecting whether the system is normal, if the system is not Normally, an error message is generated. If the system is normal, proceed to the next step; step SA3: enter a standby mode for pre-discharging a water flow in the outlet pipe that does not reach the preset outlet temperature; step SA4: entering a shower mode, inputting a desired message from the digital user interface, and controlling the control valve to make the water outlet Continuously discharging water, and the effluent water temperature is kept the same as the preset effluent water temperature, and providing a plurality of preset shutdown conditions; and step SA5: shutting down, automatically closing the number by the preset shutdown conditions Shower system.

The step of entering the standby mode in the step SA3 includes: step SR1: starting the standby mode to perform pre-drainage of the hot water inlet pipe; step SR2: detecting the effluent flowing into the outlet pipe Whether the water temperature is the same as the preset effluent water temperature, if it is not the same, return to step SR1, if it is the same, proceed to the next step; step SR3: continuously discharge the water flow for three seconds; and step SR4: stop draining, close the Standby mode to enter the shower mode. Preferably, the digital user interface has a plurality of buttons, including a plurality of function keys and a plurality of numeric keys, and the step of the first preset shutdown condition of the preset shutdown conditions includes: step SB1: starting the shower mode And step SB2: determining whether the button of the digital user interface is unattended within five minutes, and if it is used within five minutes, the digital user interface enters a setting screen and completes the water outlet setting of the water outlet. If it is not used within five minutes, the step SA5 is performed.

Preferably, the one of the preset shutdown conditions is performed after the digital user interface is completed in the step SB2, and the step of the second preset shutdown condition includes: step SC1: Determining whether the digital user interface is not used within 20 minutes. If there is a user, the water outlet continues to discharge water. If there is no user, the process proceeds to the next step; step SC2: stopping the water outlet of the water outlet; and step SC3: It is judged whether the function button of the digital user interface is not used within five minutes, and if it is used, the water outlet is discharged again, and if it is not used, the step SA5 is performed.

Preferably, one of the preset shutdown conditions is performed after the water outlet in the step SC3 is discharged again, and the buttons comprise a pause button (Pause), the third The steps to preset the shutdown conditions include: Step SD1: It is judged whether no one is used within ten minutes after the pause button is pressed, and if the person uses it, the water outlet continues to discharge water, and if it is not used, the step SC2 is executed.

Therefore, the present invention adopts the above control method to pre-drain the water flow previously staying in the hot water pipe and/or the water outlet pipe before the user presets the water of the outlet water temperature to flow out of the water, and the user does not When the shower is used and the water control is not turned off, or when the shower is no longer used after the water is suspended and the water control is not turned off, the water can be automatically shut off within a certain period of time to save water.

The detailed features and advantages of the present invention are described in detail in the embodiments of the present invention, which are to be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. The objects and advantages associated with the present invention can be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic structural view of a digital shower system of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the digital shower system 1 has a cold water inlet pipe 11, a hot water inlet pipe 12, a mixing device 13, an outlet pipe 14, a water outlet 15, a digital user interface 16, and a control unit. 17, wherein a flow control unit 11a may be disposed in the pipeline of the cold water inlet pipe 11, and a flow control unit 12a may be disposed in the pipeline of the hot water inlet pipe 12, and is disposed in the pipeline of the outlet pipe 14. A control valve 14a, a flow control unit 11a, 12a, and a control valve 14a are respectively electrically connected to the control unit 17, and the user can input a preset outlet temperature through the digital user interface 16.

In addition, a reverse anti-backflow valve 11b, 12b is respectively disposed at the adjacent water mixing device 13 of the cold water inlet pipe 11 and the hot water inlet pipe 12 to prevent the cold water or the hot water from being excessively pressurized and flowing back to the other inlet pipe. .

The number of the water outlets 15 may be plural to control the water discharge state of the plurality of water outlets 15 by the control unit 17, such as a single water outlet water outlet, two water outlet water outlets, three water outlet water outlets, etc.; The embodiment is described with a water outlet. If there is an additional flow control unit 11a and a flow control unit 12a, it is used to separately control the flow of cold water and hot water into the mixing device 13, and the water outlet of the mixing device 13 can be further provided with a temperature sensor 13a. And electrically connected to the control unit 17, whereby the temperature of the mixed water flow is initially sensed, and the preliminary mixed water flow temperature value is transmitted to the control unit 17.

Furthermore, the digital user interface 16 is electrically connected to the control unit 17, and has a plurality of buttons 16a and a display element 16c. The button 16a includes a numeric key, a function key, and a pause button 16b, and the display element 16c can be a liquid crystal. Display panel (LCD), but not limited to this.

Therefore, by the above configuration, the user inputs the information into the digital user interface 16, and the digital user interface 16 transmits the information to the control unit 17, and the control unit 17 controls the flow control unit 11a and the flow control unit 12a; After the cold water flow and the hot water flow are mixed by the temperature mixing device 13, the temperature value sensed by the temperature sensor 13a is supplied to the control unit 17, thereby controlling the control valve 14a disposed at the water outlet pipe 14, thereby The control valve 14a controls whether the water is discharged from the water outlet 15, and the temperature of the water after the temperature is adjusted by the temperature mixing device 13 is the temperature input by the user through the digital user interface 16.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown a flow chart of a method of controlling a digital shower system of the present invention. The control method of the present invention comprises the steps of: step SA1: power on, turning on the digital shower system 1 to operate; step SA2: detecting whether the digital shower system 1 is normal, and if the digital shower system 1 is abnormal, a The error message (SA21), if the digital shower system 1 is normal, proceeds to the next step; step SA3: enters a standby mode (Ready Mode) RM, which is used to pre-discharge the preset outlet water temperature in the outlet pipe 14 Water flow; step SA4: entering a shower mode (SM), inputting a user's desired message (preset water temperature) from the digital user interface 16, and controlling the water outlet 15 to continue to discharge water by the control unit 17, and The effluent water temperature remains the same as the preset effluent temperature and provides a number of preset shutdown conditions; Step SA5: Power OFF, the digital shower system 1 is automatically turned off by a plurality of preset shutdown conditions described above.

In step SA2, the control unit 17 detects whether the temperature sensor 13a has a message feedback, and detects whether the temperature mixing device 13 has signal feedback for detecting the normality of the digital shower system 1.

Referring to FIG. 3 again, it is a flowchart showing the present invention in the standby mode; the step SA3 of entering the standby mode RM includes the following steps: Step SR1: starting the standby mode (step SR11) to advance the hot water inlet pipe 12 Drainage (step SR12); Step SR2: The temperature sensor 13a detects whether the temperature of the effluent water flowing into the outlet pipe 14 is the same as the preset outlet temperature input by the user through the digital user interface 16, and if it is not the same, return Step SR1 (step SR12), if the same, the next step is performed; step SR3: the water flow is continuously discharged for three seconds; and step SR4: the drain is stopped, and the standby mode RM is turned off to enter the shower mode SM. Referring to FIG. 4, it is a flow chart of the present invention in the shower mode; after the pre-drain function of the standby mode RM is completed, the shower mode is entered (step SA4), and one of the first preset shutdown conditions is performed in step SA4. The step includes: step SB1: starting the shower mode SM; and step SB2: determining whether the button 16a of the digital user interface 16 is unoccupied within five minutes, and if the user uses it within five minutes, the digital user interface 16 enters. When the setting screen is completed and the water discharge setting of the water outlet 15 is completed (step SB21), if it is not used for five minutes, the process proceeds to step SA5. One of the preset shutdown conditions in step SA4 is performed after the digital user interface 16 completes the setting. The second preset shutdown condition includes the following steps: Step SC1: determining the digital user interface 16 in the twenty Whether there is no one in the minute, if there is a user, the outlet 15 continues to discharge water (step SC11), if there is no user, the next step; step SC2: stop the outlet 15 out of water; Step SC3: It is judged whether the button 16a of the digital user interface 16 is unmanned within five minutes. If it is used by someone, the water outlet 15 performs water discharge again. If it is not used, the process proceeds to step SA5.

One of the preset shutdown conditions in the step SA4 is performed after the water outlet 15 is discharged again. The third preset shutdown condition includes the following steps: Step SD1: determining that ten minutes after the pause button 16b is pressed Whether it is used or not, if it is used, the water outlet 15 continues to discharge water (step SC11), and if it is not used, step SC2 is executed.

Therefore, the present invention adopts the above-mentioned structure and control method to pre-drain the water flow previously staying in the hot water pipe and/or the water outlet pipe before the user presets the water of the outlet water temperature to flow out of the water, and is in use. When the shower is no longer used and the water control is not turned off, or when the shower is no longer used after the water is suspended and the water control is not turned off, the water can be automatically shut off within a certain period of time to save water.

In summary, the present invention is only described as a preferred embodiment or embodiment of the technical means for solving the problem, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. That is, the equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application of the present invention or the scope of the invention are covered by the scope of the invention.

1‧‧‧ digital shower system

11‧‧‧ cold water inlet pipe

11a‧‧‧Flow Control Unit

11b‧‧‧Reverse flow valve

12‧‧‧ hot water inlet pipe

12a‧‧‧Flow Control Unit

12b‧‧‧Reverse flow valve

13‧‧‧Hybridizer

13a‧‧‧Temperature Sensor

14‧‧‧Outlet

14a‧‧‧Control valve

15‧‧‧Water outlet

16‧‧‧Digital User Interface

16a‧‧‧ button

16b‧‧‧Pause button

16c‧‧‧ display components

17‧‧‧Control unit

1 is a schematic structural view showing a digital shower system of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing a control method of the digital shower system of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the present invention in a standby mode; Flow chart when invented in shower mode.

Claims (5)

A method for controlling a digital shower system, the digital shower system having a cold water inlet pipe, a hot water inlet pipe, a mixing device at one end connected to the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe, and a mixing device a water outlet connected to the other end, at least one water outlet communicating with the other end of the water outlet pipe, a digital user interface, and a control unit, wherein the temperature mixing device is provided with a temperature sensor, and the water outlet pipe is provided with a control valve The temperature sensor and the control valve are respectively electrically connected to the control unit, and the user inputs a preset water temperature through the digital user interface, and the temperature mixing device is used to adjust the water temperature after the temperature mixing. The control method includes: step SA1: power on, turning on the digital shower system to operate; step SA2: detecting whether the system is normal, if the system is not normal, an error message is generated, and if the system is normal, proceed to the next Step; Step SA3: entering a standby mode for pre-discharging the water flow in the outlet pipe that does not reach the preset outlet temperature; step SA4: entering a In the bath mode, a desired message is input from the digital user interface, and the control unit controls the control valve to continuously discharge the water outlet, and the outlet water temperature remains the same as the preset outlet water temperature, and provides a plurality of Presetting the shutdown condition; and step SA5: shutting down, automatically closing the digital shower system by the preset shutdown conditions; wherein the digital user interface has a plurality of buttons, including at least a plurality of function keys and a plurality of numeric keys The control method of one of the preset shutdown conditions includes: step SB1: starting the shower mode; and step SB2: determining whether the button of the digital user interface is unattended within five minutes, If it is used within five minutes, the digital user interface enters a setting screen and completes the water outlet setting of the water outlet. If it is not used within five minutes, the step SA5 is performed. The control method of the digital shower system according to the first aspect of the invention, wherein the step SA3 of entering the standby mode comprises: step SR1: starting the standby mode to perform pre-drainage of the hot water inlet pipe; SR2: The temperature sensor detects whether the temperature of the effluent water flowing into the outlet pipe is the same as the preset effluent water temperature. If it is not the same, return to step SR1, and if it is the same, proceed to the next step; step SR3 : continuously discharging the water flow from the water outlet for three seconds; and step SR4: stopping the drainage, turning off the standby mode to enter the shower mode. According to the control method of the digital shower system of claim 1, wherein one of the preset shutdown conditions is performed after the digital user interface in the step SB2 is completed. The step of the second preset shutdown condition includes: Step SC1: determining whether the digital user interface is not used within 20 minutes. If the user is a user, the water outlet continues to flow out. If there is no user, the next step is entered. Step SC2: stopping the water outlet of the water outlet; and step SC3: determining whether the button of the digital user interface is unmanned within five minutes, and if it is used by someone, the water outlet is discharged again, if it is not used, then This step SA5. According to the control method of the digital shower system of claim 3, wherein one of the preset shutdown conditions is performed after the water outlet of the step SC3 is discharged again. The button system includes a pause button. The step of the third preset shutdown condition includes: step SD1: determining whether no one is used within ten minutes after pressing the pause button, and if the person uses it, the water outlet continues to flow out. If it is not used, the step SC2 is executed. The method for controlling a digital shower system according to claim 3, wherein the step SA2: detecting whether the system is normal includes: The control unit detects whether the temperature sensor has signal feedback, and detects whether the temperature mixing device has signal feedback.