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(11) | EP 1 609 402 B1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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| (54) |
Sanitary fixture Sanitärvorrichtung Appareil sanitaire |
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| Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention). |
[0002] As is known, over the past few years, highly advanced sanitary fixtures, particularly shower stalls, have been designed featuring devices which, in addition to conventional main hydraulic functions, e.g. shower and hydromassage, also provide for auxiliary functions, such as sauna, sound broadcasting, chromotherapy and aroma therapy.
[0003] To enable the user to activate each of the above functions manually, currently produced shower stalls are equipped inside with a mixer for controlling shower function parameters, and an interface device housed inside the shower stall, next to the mixer, to activate and control the auxiliary and hydromassage functions.
[0004] The mixer is defined by an ordinary handle for manually activating and regulating water supply flow and temperature, and the interface device comprises a control panel or keyboard comprising a number of keys, each related to a specific command to activate or regulate an auxiliary function. A control panel or keyboard for shower stalls performing auxiliary therapeutic functions is described in American Patent US-5,645,578 filed by Sybaritic, Inc. on 16.11.1994, and in American Patent US-6,623,511 filed by Visibelle Derma Institute, Inc. on 6.11.2000.
[0005] In detail, US-6,623,511 discloses a personalized therapeutic compartment including a horizontal bed for supporting a person to be treated, and has a shower system with a plurality of shower nozzles arrayed above the bed so that a person can have a therapeutic shower while lying on the bed. The shower system includes a water source which may be coloured and coordinated with a light source on the interior of the compartment. A source of aroma is provided that suggests the colour used for total therapy treatment. Additional therapeutic steam and dry air can be provided as desired. A method of treatment disclosed includes chromatherapy using coordinated colours and aroma and if desired requested colours for therapy of different portions of the body of a user.
[0006] Document US-6,623,511 discloses a sanitary fixture having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and of claim 2.
[0007] In actual use, the user of the shower stall regulates the shower function, i.e. water flow and temperature, using the handle, and keys in commands on the control keyboard to select and regulate the auxiliary functions and so "configure" the shower stall as required.
[0008] Unfortunately, the handle and interface device occupy large part of the space available inside the shower stall, thus causing a certain amount of discomfort to the user. Moreover, whereas the shower function handle is easy enough to use, the control panel or keyboard has a large number of keys which make keying-in of the commands to activate and regulate the functions awkward and far from intuitive on the part of the user.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary fixture comprising an interface device which is compact, and is easy to use to control the functions performed by the sanitary fixture.
[0010] According to the present invention, there is provided a sanitary fixture as claimed in Claim 1 and in claim 2.
[0011] A non-limiting embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of a sanitary fixture in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a circuit block diagram of a group of operating units forming part of the Figure 1 sanitary fixture;
Figures 3 and 4 show an interface device of the sanitary fixture in two different operating conditions;
Figure 5 shows, schematically, a first variation of an interface device employed in the Figure 1 sanitary fixture;
Figure 6 shows, schematically, a second variation of an interface device employed in the Figure 1 sanitary fixture.
[0012] Number 1 in Figure 1 indicates as a whole a sanitary fixture comprising a horizontal bottom wall defined by a shower stand 2, from which extend upwards four vertical lateral walls 3 preferably made of plastic material and bounded at the top by a substantially horizontal wall 4.
[0013] Sanitary fixture 1 is fitted inside with a hand-shower 5; a shower head 6; and a number of nozzles, outlets and holes 7 arranged in a predetermined manner on lateral walls 3 to emit respective jets of water of given pressure from various points and in various directions into sanitary fixture 1 to perform a hydromassage function.
[0014] Sanitary fixture 1 also comprises a number of loudspeakers 8 fitted to lateral walls 3 to generate sound signals; and at least one nozzle or outlet 9 fitted to a lateral wall 3 to emit steam and hot air and so produce a sauna effect on the body of the user (not shown).
[0015] With reference to Figure 2, sanitary fixture 1 also comprises a number of control devices for activating and controlling the various functions performed by sanitary fixture 1. More specifically, the control devices comprise a hydraulic device 10 for regulating, on command, water temperature and flow from hand-shower 5 and/or shower head 6 and/or nozzles, outlets and holes 7.
[0016] Sanitary fixture 1 also comprises an additional device 11 for regulating steam and hot water time and/or temperature on command.
[0017] The control devices also comprise an additional audio device 12, which is connected to and supplies loudspeakers 8 with audio signals to permit sound broadcasting inside sanitary fixture 1. More specifically, additional audio device 12 preferably comprises a radio unit (not shown) tuneable to a radio channel to receive radio-frequency signals; and/or a sound reproduction unit (not shown) for reading preferably musical data stored in a known storage device, such as an optical disk (CD, DVD) or any other similar data storage device.
[0018] The control devices also comprise an additional device 13 for emitting aromatic substances from an outlet 13a on a wall 3 of sanitary fixture 1 (Figure 1); and a number of lighting devices 14, each for controlling one or more lighting sources 14a installed in sanitary fixture 1 (Figure 1), e.g. lamps or similar devices for emitting light of given colour and predetermined intensity.
[0019] Hereinafter, the functions performed by hydraulic device 10 described above, i.e. water supply from hand-shower 5 and/or shower head 6 and/or nozzles, outlets and holes 7, will be referred to as "hydraulic functions"; and the functions performed by additional devices 11-14, i.e. sauna, sound broadcasting, aroma emission and lighting, will be referred to as "additional functions".
[0021] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, sanitary fixture 1 also comprises an interface device 15 enabling the user to manually select, activate and control the various functions performed by sanitary fixture 1; and a central control unit 16 comprising, for example, a microprocessor, which controls each device 10-14 on the basis of the commands selected and entered by the user by means of interface device 15.
[0022] Unlike the user interface panels of known sanitary fixtures, interface device 15 comprises a number of rotary control knobs, each of which rotates about its axis into a number of angular positions, each corresponding to a command to select and activate one of the functions performed by sanitary fixture 1, and/or to regulate the characteristic parameters of the selected function. In other words, by turning the control knobs of interface device 15, the user can advantageously select, activate and regulate both the hydraulic and additional functions.
[0023] Interface device 15 also comprises a display device 21 which, in use, as the user turns the control knobs, displays the selected and/or selectable function and the values assigned to the characteristic parameters of the function.
[0024] In the Figure 1 and 2 example, interface device 15 comprises three rotary control knobs, which are located on the central wall 3 of sanitary fixture 1, are aligned in a preferably vertical direction and a predetermined distance apart, and rotate about respective parallel axes A, B and C.
[0025] Display device 21 comprises three display rings 21a, each of which extends, on wall 3, about a respective control knob to display and/or indicate the command associated with the angular position assumed, at each instant, by the respective rotary control knob.
[0026] More specifically, interface device 15 comprises a first control knob 17 for selecting and activating each of the functions performable by sanitary fixture 1; and a second and third control knob 18 and 19 for regulating the characteristic parameters of the function selected using control knob 17.
[0027] With reference to the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, rotation of the top control knob 17 provides for selecting and turning on/off one of the hydraulic functions comprising water supply by the hand-shower or shower head or hydromassage, and the additional functions comprising sauna, sound broadcasting, aroma emission, and interior lighting.
[0028] The second and third control knobs 18 and 19 each provide for regulating the characteristic parameters of the above functions. More specifically, when control knob 17 is set to select and activate the hydraulic function of water supply by hand-shower 5, manual rotation of control knobs 18 and 19 to the various angular positions provides for regulating the temperature and flow respectively of water supply by hand-shower 5. Similarly, when the hydraulic function of water supply by shower head 6 is selected, manual rotation of control knobs 18 and 19 provides for regulating the temperature and flow respectively of water supply by shower head 6. When control knob 17 is set to the angular position corresponding to selection of the hydraulic hydromassage function, rotation of control knobs 18 and 19 provides for regulating the temperature and flow respectively of water supply by nozzles, outlets and holes 7.
[0029] When the additional sauna function is selected, rotation of control knobs 18 and 19 provides for regulating the steam temperature parameter and sauna time parameter respectively. When control knob 17 is set to the angular position corresponding to selection of the additional sound function, rotation of control knobs 18 and 19 provides for selecting a piece of music or a radio station and for adjusting volume respectively.
[0030] When the additional aroma emission function is selected and activated, rotation of control knobs 18 and 19 provides for selecting the type of aroma and regulating the strength of the selected aroma respectively. When control knob 17 is set to the angular position corresponding to selection of the additional lighting function, rotation of control knobs 18 and 19 provides for selecting the colour and regulating the brightness of the light respectively.
[0031] In connection with the above, it should be pointed out that rotation of control knob 17 to select and activate a given function preferably produces a corresponding predetermined graphic configuration of display rings 21a surrounding control knobs 18 and 19, so as to provide the user with a display of the values assumed by the parameters of the selected function, as each control knob 18 or 19 is turned.
[0032] More specifically, with reference to the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, rotation of control knob 17 to select and activate a given function automatically activates a respective graphic configuration of display rings 21a of control knobs 18 and 19. More specifically, when control knob 17 is set to select the function, central control unit 16 commands a graphic variation of display rings 21a surrounding control knobs 18 and 19, each of which display rings is defined by a circular or semicircular graduated scale comprising a number of luminous markings which come on/go off sequentially, depending on the angular position of the relative control knob, to indicate at each instant the value assigned to the corresponding parameter. More specifically, each display ring 21a may comprise, for example, a circular or semicircular liquid crystal or LED display, and/or a dial or half-dial (e.g. a screen-printed dial or half-dial) resting on and covering the luminous face of the display, and which is appropriately backlighted by the LEDs as the control knob is turned.
[0033] In addition to rotating about respective axis A, B, C to select functions and/or regulate parameters, each control knob 17, 18, 19 preferably, though not necessarily, also acts as a control button to confirm the selected function and automatically set a predetermined parameter value.
[0034] More specifically, besides rotating about axis A to select a function, control knob 17 can also be pressed temporarily by the user along axis A to confirm and activate a previously selected function. Similarly, besides rotating about respective axis B, C to regulate the relative parameter, each control knob 18, 19 can be pressed temporarily by the user along the respective axis to activate a procedure by which a predetermined value is automatically assigned to the corresponding parameter. For example, when first control knob 17 is set to select and activate the sauna function, temporary pressure on second control knob 18 automatically assigns a predetermined mean time to the sauna time parameter, and temporary pressure on third control knob 19 automatically assigns a predetermined mean temperature to the sauna temperature parameter. The values of the parameters characterizing each of the functions performed by sanitary fixture 1 may obviously also be assigned automatically in exactly the same way.
[0035] With reference to Figure 2, interface device 15 also comprises a command control block 20 connected electrically and mechanically to control knobs 17, 18, 19 in known manner to translate the angular position of, and preferably pressure on, each control knob into an electric control signal SCOM coding the above information. In connection with the above, it should be pointed out that command control block 20 may be connected to control knobs 17-19 by a preferably "click-on" mechanical connection system enabling control knob 17-19 to be click-operated to activate the selected function or automatically assign the predetermined parameter value.
[0036] Central control unit 16 is connected to command control block 20 to receive control signal SCOM, and, depending on the information in control signal SCOM, commands the graphic configuration of the display rings and controls devices 10-14.
[0037] In actual use, when the user touches one of the control knobs, this activates display ring 21a of first control knob 17, which displays the various selectable functions, each represented by a symbol, e.g. a graphic icon. For this purpose, interface device 15 is equipped with contact sensors (not shown) integrated in control knobs 17, 18, 19 to supply an output signal indicating user contact of a control knob.
[0038] Function selection is made by the user turning control knob 17. As control knob 17 is turned, the corresponding display ring 21a indicates instant by instant, and by an increase in brightness level, the symbol of the function corresponding to the angular position of control knob 17; and, once control knob 17 is set to the angular position corresponding to the selected function, this is activated by the user clicking control knob 17. At this point, command control block 20 supplies signal SCOM to central control unit 16, which activates the device corresponding to the selected function, and commands the graphic configuration of display rings 21a of control knobs 18 and 19 according to the parameters of the selected function. Once the device is activated, the symbol corresponding to the activated function lights up to a predetermined brightness.
[0039] At this point, the user can either turn control knobs 18 and 19 to assign desired values to the corresponding parameters, or may click control knobs 18 and 19 to assign the parameter values automatically. At this point too, command control block 20 supplies signal SCOM to central control unit 16, which regulates the parameters of the device corresponding to the selected function on the basis of the variation made by the user. After activating the first function, the user may turn first control knob 17 again to activate other functions and regulate the relative parameters by means of control knobs 18 and 19. When selecting multiple functions, display ring 21a of control knob 17 indicates the symbols corresponding to the functions still active. It should be pointed out that a function is deactivated in exactly the same way in which it is activated, i.e. by turning control knob 17 to the angular position corresponding to the function to be deactivated, and then clicking control knob 17.
[0040] Sanitary fixture 1 has various advantages. In particular, user interface device 15 of sanitary fixture 1 is extremely compact as compared with known user interface panels. In fact, by automatically configuring the commands imparted by second and third control knobs 18 and 19, and the respective display rings 21a, on the basis of the function selected by first control knob 17, the external user interface is simplified by using only three control knobs, as opposed to a control keyboard with an extremely large number of keys. Simplifying the user interface in this way obviously has the big advantage of completely eliminating the control keyboard, and enabling the user to select both the hydraulic and additional functions by simply turning the control knobs.
[0041] Clearly, changes may be made to sanitary fixture 1 as described and illustrated herein without, however, departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0042] In particular, in an alternative embodiment, as opposed to three control knobs, user interface device 15 comprises one control knob 23, by which the user imparts the same commands to sanitary fixture 1 as those described above relative to the three knobs 17-19; and one command display ring 23a.
[0043] With reference to the Figure 5 example, control knob 23 is movable axially into three axial positions corresponding to three respective selection planes : a first axial position P1 corresponds to a function selection plane, and a second and third axial position P2 and P3 each correspond to a respective selection plane relative to commands to assign values to the characteristic parameters of the selected function.
1. A sanitary fixture (1) comprising hydraulic means (10) for performing a number of
hydraulic functions in the space inside said sanitary fixture; additional means (11,
12, 13, 14) for performing a number of additional functions comprising a sauna function,
and/or a sound broadcasting function, and/or a lighting function, and/or an aroma
emission function; and an interface device (15) allowing a user to manually control
each said hydraulic and additional function; said sanitary fixture being characterized in that said interface device (15) comprises a first control knob (17) being manually rotatable
about an axis of rotation (A) into a number of angular positions, each corresponding
to a selection command to select a respective hydraulic or additional function; and
at least one second control knob (18, 19) being manually rotatable about a respective
axis of rotation (B, C) to regulate at least one parameter of the hydraulic or additional
function previously selected by means of said first control knob (17).
2. A sanitary fixture (1) comprising hydraulic means (10) for performing a number of
hydraulic functions in the space inside said sanitary fixture; additional means (11,
12, 13, 14) for performing a number of additional functions comprising a sauna function,
and/or a sound broadcasting function, and/or a lighting function, and/or an aroma
emission function; and an interface device (15) allowing a user to manually control
each said hydraulic and additional function; said sanitary fixture being characterized in that said interface device (15) comprises at least one control knob (23) which is movable
axially along a relative axis of rotation (A) into at least three axial positions
(P1, P2, P3); in one said axial position (P1) the control knob (23) being manually
rotatable about said axis of rotation (A) into a number of angular positions, each
corresponding to a selection command to select a respective hydraulic or additional
function; and, in each of the other axial positions (P2,P3) said control knob (23)
being manually rotatable about said axis of rotation (A) into a number of angular
positions, each corresponding to regulation of a respective parameter of the previously
selected said function.
3. A sanitary fixture as claimed in Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said interface device (15) comprises display means (21, 23a) for displaying the selectable
functions and/or the selected function, and the value assigned to the parameter of
said selected function.
4. A sanitary fixture as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said display means (21, 23a) comprise a first display ring (21a) associated with
said first control knob (17) and for displaying the selectable functions and/or the
selected function; and at least one second display ring (21a) associated with said
at least one second control knob (18, 19) and for displaying the value assigned to
the parameter of said selected function.
5. A sanitary fixture as claimed in Claim 4, characterized by comprising processing means (16) for varying the graphic configuration of said second
display ring (21a) on the basis of the function selected by means of said first control
knob (17).
6. A sanitary fixture as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said hydraulic means (10) comprise a device (10) for controlling water supply by
a hand-shower (5) and/or by a shower head (6) and/or by hydromassage outlets or holes
(7); and in that said additional means (11, 12, 13, 14) comprise a sauna regulating device (11) and/or
a sound broadcasting device (12) and/or a lighting regulating device (14) and/or a
device for controlling the emission of aromatic substances (13).
7. A sanitary fixture as claimed in any one of the foregoing Claims, characterized in that said control knob means (17, 18, 19) (23) comprise means (20) for translating rotation
of said control knob means (17, 18, 19) (23) into each said angular position into
a relative electric control signal (SCOM) coding a selection command to select a function or regulation of a parameter of
the selected function.
1. Sanitärvorrichtung (1), umfassend eine Hydraulikeinrichtung (10) zum Durchführen einer
Anzahl von hydraulischen oder wassertechnischen Funktionen in dem Raum innerhalb der
Sanitärvorrichtung; Zusatzeinrichtungen (11, 12, 13, 14) zum Durchführen einer Anzahl
von zusätzlichen Funktionen oder Zusatzfunktionen, einschließlich einer Saunafunktion
und/oder einer Klangausstrahlungsfunktion und/oder einer Beleuchtungsfunktion und/oder
einer Aromaausstrahlungsfunktion; sowie eine Schnittstelleneinrichtung (15), die es
einem Benutzer ermöglicht manuell jede der hydraulischen und zusätzlichen Funktionen
zu steuern; wobei die Sanitärvorrichtung dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Schnittstelleneinrichtung (15) einen ersten Steuerknopf (17) enthält, der manuell
drehbar ist bezüglich einer Rotationsachse (A) hin zu einer Anzahl von winkelmäßigen
Positionen, jeweils entsprechend einem Auswahlbefehl zum Auswählen einer jeweiligen
hydraulischen oder zusätzlichen Funktionen bzw. Zusatzfunktionen; und zumindest einen
zweiten Steuerknopf (18, 19), manuell drehbar bezüglich einer jeweiligen Rotationsachse
(B, C), zum Einstellen zumindest eines Parameters der hydraulischen oder zusätzlichen
Funktion bzw. Zusatzfunktion, wie vorangehend gewählt mittels des ersten Steuerknopfes
(17).
2. Sanitärvorrichtung (1), umfassend eine Hydraulikeinrichtung (10), zum Durchführen
einer Anzahl von hydraulischen oder wassertechnischen Funktionen in dem Raum innerhalb
der Sanitärvorrichtung; zusätzliche Einrichtungen (11, 12, 13, 14), zum Durchführen
einer Anzahl von zusätzlichen Funktionen oder Zusatzfunktionen, einschließlich einer
Saunafunktion und/oder einer Klangausstrahlungsfunktion und/oder einer Beleuchtungsfunktion
und/oder einer Aromaausstrahlungsfunktion; sowie eine Schnittstelleneinrichtung (15),
die es einem Benutzer ermöglicht manuell jede der hydraulischen und zusätzlichen Funktionen
bzw. Zusatzfunktionen zu steuern; wobei die Sanitärvorrichtung dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass die Schnittstelleneinrichtung (15) zumindest einen Steuerknopf (23) enthält, welcher
axial beweglich ist entlang einer relativen Rotationsachse (A) hin zu zumindest drei
axialen Positionen (P1, P2, P3), wobei in einer axialen Position (P1) der Steuerknopf
(23) manuell drehbar ist bezüglich der Rotationsachse (A) hin zu einer Anzahl von
winkelmäßigen Positionen, jeweils entsprechend einem Auswahlbefehl zum Auswählen einer
jeweiligen hydraulischen oder zusätzlichen Funktion bzw. Zusatzfunktion; und wobei
in jeder der anderen axialen Positionen (P2, P3) der Steuerknopf (23) manuell drehbar
ist bezüglich der Rotationsachse (A) hin zu einer Anzahl von winkelmäßigen Positionen,
jeweils entsprechend der Einstellung eines jeweiligen Parameters der vorangehend gewählten
Funktion.
3. Sanitärvorrichtung nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Schnittstelleneinrichtung (15) eine Anzeigeeinrichtung (21, 23a) enthält zum
Anzeigen der auswählbaren Funktionen und/oder der ausgewählten Funktion, sowie des
Wertes der dem Parameter der ausgewählten Funktion zugeordnet ist.
4. Sanitärvorrichtung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Anzeigeeinrichtung (21, 23a) einen ersten Anzeigering (21a) enthält, zugeordnet
dem ersten Steuerknopf (17) und vorgesehen zum Anzeigen der auswählbaren Funktionen
und/oder der ausgewählten Funktion; sowie zumindest einen zweiten Anzeigering (21a),
zugeordnet dem zumindest einem zweiten Steuerknopf (18, 19) und vorgesehen zum Anzeigen
des Wertes, der dem Parameter der ausgewählten Funktion zugeordnet ist.
5. Sanitärvorrichtung nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Verarbeitungseinrichtung (16) umfasst, zum Verändern der graphischen Konfiguration
des zweiten Anzeigeringes (21a) auf der Grundlage der vermittels des ersten Steuerknopfes
(17) gewählten Funktion.
6. Sanitärvorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Hydraulikeinrichtung bzw. hydraulische Einrichtung oder die Wassersteuereinrichtung
(10) eine Einrichtung (10) enthält zum Steuern der Wasserzufuhr einer Handdusche (5)
und/oder eines Duschkopfes (6) und/oder Wasser- bzw. Hydromassageausströmern oder
-öffnungen (7); und dadurch dass die zusätzliche Einrichtung oder Zusatzeinrichtung
(11, 12,13, 14) eine Saunaeinstelleinrichtung (11) und/oder eine Klangausstrahleinrichtung
(12) und/oder eine Beleuchtungs- bzw. Lichtsteuereinrichtung (14) und/oder eine Einrichtung
zum Steuern der Emission von Aromasubstanzen bzw. aromatischen Substanzen (13) enthält.
7. Sanitärvorrichtung nach einem der vorangegangenen Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Steuerknopfeinrichtung (17, 18, 19) (23) eine Einrichtung (20) enthält zum Umsetzen
einer Rotation der Steuerknopfeinrichtung (17,18,19) (23) in bzw. hin zu jeder winkelmäßigen
Position in ein relatives elektrisches Steuersignal (SCOM), einen Auswahlbefehl codierend, zum Auswählen einer Funktion oder zum Einstellen
eines Parameters der ausgewählten Funktion.
1. Appareil sanitaire (1) comprenant des moyens hydrauliques (10) pour effectuer un certain
nombre de fonctions hydrauliques dans l'espace à l'intérieur dudit appareil sanitaire
; des moyens additionnels (11, 12, 13, 14) pour effectuer un certain nombre de fonctions
additionnelles comprenant une fonction de sauna, et/ou une fonction de diffusion sonore,
et/ou une fonction d'éclairage, et/ou une fonction d'émission d'arômes ; et un dispositif
d'interface (15) permettant à un utilisateur de contrôler manuellement chaque fonction
hydraulique et additionnelle ; ledit Appareil sanitaire étant caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif d'interface (15) comprend un premier bouton de commande (17) pouvant
tourner manuellement autour d'un axe de rotation (A) en un nombre de positions angulaires,
chacune correspondant à une commande de sélection permettant de sélectionner une fonction
hydraulique ou additionnelle respective ; et au moins un second bouton de commande
(18, 19) pouvant être tourné manuellement autour d'un axe de rotation respectif (B,
C), pour régler au moins un paramètre de la fonction hydraulique ou additionnelle
précédemment sélectionnée au moyen dudit premier bouton de commande (17).
2. Appareil sanitaire (1) comprenant des moyens hydrauliques (10) pour effectuer un certain
nombre de fonctions hydrauliques dans l'espace à l'intérieur dudit appareil sanitaire
; des moyens additionnels (11, 12, 13, 14) pour effectuer un certain nombre de fonctions
additionnelles comprenant une fonction de sauna, et/ou une fonction de diffusion sonore,
et/ou une fonction d'éclairage, et/ou une fonction d'émission d'arôme ; et un dispositif
d'interface (15) permettant à un utilisateur de contrôler manuellement chaque fonction
hydraulique et additionnelle ; ledit appareil sanitaire étant caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif d'interface (15) comprend au moins un bouton de commande (23) qui
est mobile axialement le long d'un axe de rotation (A) correspondant, dans au moins
trois positions axiales (P1, P2, P3) ; dans l'une desdites positions axiales (P1),
le bouton de commande (23) pouvant tourner manuellement autour dudit axe de rotation
(A) en un certain nombre de positions angulaires, chacune correspondant à une commande
de sélection, pour sélectionner une fonction hydraulique ou additionnelle respective
; et, dans chacune des autres positions axiales (P2, P3), ledit bouton de commande
(23) pouvant tourner manuellement autour dudit axe de rotation (A) en un certain nombre
de positions angulaires, chacune correspondant au réglage d'un paramètre respectif
de ladite fonction précédemment sélectionnée.
3. Appareil sanitaire selon les revendications 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que ledit dispositif d'interface (15) comprend des moyens d'affichage (21, 23a) pour
afficher les fonctions à sélectionner et/ou la fonction sélectionnée, et la valeur
attribuée au paramètre de ladite fonction sélectionnée.
4. Appareil sanitaire selon la revendication 3, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens d'affichage (21, 23a) comprennent un premier anneau d'affichage (21a)
associé audit premier bouton de commande (17) et pour afficher les fonctions à sélectionner
et/ou la fonction sélectionnée ; et au moins un second anneau d'affichage (21a) associé
audit au moins un second bouton de commande (18, 19) et pour afficher la valeur attribuée
au paramètre de ladite fonction sélectionnée.
5. Appareil sanitaire selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de traitement (16) pour modifier la configuration graphique
dudit second anneau d'affichage (21a) sur la base de la fonction sélectionnée, au
moyen dudit premier bouton de commande (17).
6. Appareil sanitaire selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens hydrauliques (10) comprennent un dispositif (10) pour contrôler l'alimentation
en eau par une douche manuelle (5) et/ou par une pomme de douche (6) et/ou par des
sorties ou orifices d'hydromassage (7) ; et en ce que lesdits moyens additionnels (11, 12, 13, 14) comprennent un dispositif de réglage
de sauna (11) et/ou un dispositif d'émission sonore (12) et/ou un dispositif de réglage
d'éclairage (14) et/ou un dispositif pour le contrôle des émissions de substances
aromatiques (13).
7. Appareil sanitaire selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que lesdits moyens à bouton de commande (17, 18, 19) (23) comprennent des moyens (20)
pour traduire la rotation dudit moyen à bouton de commande (17, 18, 19) (23) dans
chacune desdites positions angulaires en un signal de commande électrique relatif
(SCOM) codant une commande de sélection, afin de sélectionner une fonction ou un réglage
d'un paramètre de la fonction sélectionnée.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
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Patent documents cited in the description