(19)
(11) EP 1 657 367 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
04.06.2008 Bulletin 2008/23

(21) Application number: 05110685.4

(22) Date of filing: 14.11.2005
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
E03C 1/05(2006.01)

(54)

Shower Cubicle

Duschkabine

Cabine de douche


(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR

(30) Priority: 15.11.2004 IT TV20040133

(43) Date of publication of application:
17.05.2006 Bulletin 2006/20

(73) Proprietor: Check up S.p.A.
31013 Codogné, (TV) (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • CARLET, Michele
    31020, TARZO TV (IT)

(74) Representative: Modiano, Micaela Nadia et al
Dr. Modiano & Associati SpA Via Meravigli 16
20123 Milano
20123 Milano (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
WO-A-99/04283
US-A1- 2003 005 514
US-A- 5 327 473
   
       
    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).


    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to shower cubicle.

    [0002] In recent years there has been a considerable increase in the trend to provide shower cubicles, mainly for home use, which have several functions intended to facilitate personal hygiene care activities and integrate them with new services capable of providing an intense feeling of well-being and relaxation to the user, such as for example hydromassage and sauna functions.

    [0003] The increase in the number of these functions has required the integration, within these known types of shower cubicle, of hydraulic systems which have an ever-increasing degree of complexity and are aimed at achieving a broad range of ways for feeding water or steam into said cubicle and for adjusting their temperature.

    [0004] Moreover, such known types of shower cubicle comprise sensors for detecting chosen operating parameters thereof and valves which can be activated automatically also to prevent damage to the shower cubicle or the overflow of the water as a consequence of improper use on the part of the user. In view of the complexity reached by these known types of system, users feel particularly the need to control and activate the many functions offered by said shower cubicles in a manner which is simple and intuitive, from the inside of said cubicle, during its use.

    [0005] Currently, it is known to place within the shower cubicle a known type of keypad unit for controlling and setting the operating cycle of the cubicle, located at the inside face of one of the side walls that constitute the outside enclosure of the cubicle, at such a height as to allow easy access thereto by the user.

    [0006] Such unit is constituted by a screen which displays for example the available functions, the active ones and a chosen number of operating parameters of the shower cubicle.

    [0007] The operating cycle of the shower cubicle is set by means of the keypad, of a known type, by way of which it is possible to access the various functions of the cubicle and select the chosen values for parameters such as for example the type of cycle to be provided, its duration, the temperature of the water or of the shower cubicle in its various steps, the lighting of the light sources and the activation of the hydromassage functions.

    [0008] It is known to use known types of mechanical or membrane keypad in shower cubicles; it is also known to use, because of their easier use, touch screens based on capacitive, resistive or infrared technology, or capacitive and/or optical keypads located behind a sheet of dielectric material constituted for example by glass or clear plastic material.

    [0009] The main drawback of these known types of keypad is that their operation can exhibit irregularities in humid environments or if they are covered by a substantial film of water, conditions which in practice occur during the normal use of a shower cubicle or when the cubicle is cleaned.

    [0010] Irregular operation of this known type of keypad can make it difficult or even impossible to set the operating cycle of the shower cubicle.

    [0011] This difficulty in setting the operating cycle of the shower cubicle may lead to the unwanted activation of functions which are potentially dangerous for the user, such as for example the incorrect feeding of steam or water at an excessively high or low temperature into the cubicle; moreover, a malfunction of the keypad can activate unwanted controls, which can cause the overflow of water from the shower tray, with the consequent possibility of flooding the building in which the shower cubicle is installed.

    [0012] Particular cases in which these drawbacks are particularly felt occur if a Turkish-bath cycle is set, since the high humidity of the air required by this treatment can lead to the condensation of a substantial film of water on the keypad, which can cause its irregular operation, or when a jet of water from the shower head or hydromassage jet is directed onto the keypad during the normal use of the shower cubicle; these malfunctions occur particularly often when the keypad is provided by means of a capacitive or infrared technology.

    [0013] Further, if sprays of washing water affect the keypad during operations for cleaning the shower cubicle, the shower cubicle might be activated unintentionally.

    [0014] US-A-5 327 473 discloses an electronic timing circuit for controlling a time period of fluid flow in a shower. The timing circuit has an active DRIVE output signal permitting the flow of fluid to begin, when either a user is detected to create an active DETECT input signal, or when a user manually invokes an initialization circuit by touching a touch pad or similar electrical short circuiting device.

    [0015] US 2003/0005514-A discloses a sanitary shower installation including, in a shower cabinet, a hand-held sprinkler controlled by a computer-based regulating apparatus with television screen.

    [0016] The aim of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited background art, by providing a shower cubicle which allows the activation and deactivation of a broad range of programs for personal hygiene and/or relaxing or therapeutic treatments in the shower cubicle, making it easy and safe to program on the part of the user.

    [0017] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a shower cubicle which allows to offer high safety and stability of use of the various functions provided in a shower cubicle.

    [0018] Another object is to provide a shower cubicle which can be cleaned easily without thereby causing incorrect operation of the functions available in the shower cubicle.

    [0019] Another object is to provide a shower cubicle which prevents any malfunctions due to the particular environment that occurs in a shower cubicle during its use or cleaning.

    [0020] Another object is to provide a shower cubicle which is structurally simple and has low manufacturing costs.

    [0021] In accordance with the invention, there is provided a shower cubicle, as defined in the appended claims.

    [0022] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the following detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

    Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shower cubicle according to the invention;

    Figure 2 is a top view of a detail of the invention;

    Figure 3 is a block diagram of a possible embodiment of a circuit for controlling and programming a shower cubicle according to the invention.



    [0023] In the examples of embodiment that follow, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiment.

    [0024] Moreover, it is noted that anything found to be already known during the patenting process is understood not to be claimed and to be the subject of a disclaimer.

    [0025] With reference to the figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a shower cubicle according to the invention, which is constituted by a shower tray 2, which has a chosen plan configuration, such as for example a square or rectangular one with a rounded corner and with a raised perimetric rim 3.

    [0026] A first hole 5 for the outflow of water is provided in a bottom 4 of the shower tray 2 and can be connected to the water system of the building in which the shower cubicle 1 is installed.

    [0027] The shower cubicle 1 further comprises an openable compartment 7, which is constituted by a plurality of walls 8, which are arranged vertically and preferably made of clear plastic material or glass; the compartment 7 can be opened in at least one of its regions by means of one or more doors 9, preferably of the sliding type.

    [0028] The walls 8 are arranged perimetrically with respect to the shower tray and their plan shape matches the perimetric shape of said tray, so that the compartment 7 and the shower tray 2 form an approximately prism-shaped volume 10, inside which it is possible to accommodate the user of the shower cubicle.

    [0029] One or more nozzles 11 for feeding water or steam by way of a water system not shown in the figures are arranged in appropriate points of the compartment 7 and are directed toward the inside of the volume 10, so as to allow optimum dispersion of the fluid introduced in said volume and therefore on the body of the user.

    [0030] Optionally, it is further possible to provide within the volume 10 a seat 12, which is supported by an internal face 8a of one or more walls 8.

    [0031] Moreover, the shower cubicle 1 comprises at least one keypad unit 13, for controlling and setting its operating cycle, which is located on the internal face 8a of a wall 8 and is arranged in a position which can be reached easily by the user when he is standing on the shower tray 2, preferably at eye level, so that it can be viewed easily by the user.

    [0032] The unit 13 is constituted by a screen 14, for example a display, on which it is possible to show, for example, the available functions of the shower cubicle 1, any active functions and a chosen number of operating parameters of the shower cubicle 1, such as the temperature of the water or steam, the duration of the operating cycle in progress, or any alarms.

    [0033] The unit 13 further comprises a keypad 15, which is constituted for example by a touch screen, which is optionally superimposed on the display and operates with capacitive, resistive or infrared technology; as an alternative, said keypad can be constituted by a capacitive and/or optical button pad in front of which a sheet of dielectric material, constituted for example by glass or clear plastic material, is arranged.

    [0034] The keypad 15 is normally deactivated even when the shower cubicle is operating.

    [0035] The unit 13 for controlling and setting the operating cycle of the shower cubicle 1 further comprises an electronic control unit 16, which is connected electrically to the screen 14 and to the keypad 15 and is intended to process the data entered by means of the keypad 15, transmit such data to an electrical actuation board 17 designed to control the elements that constitute the hydraulic system of the shower cubicle 1 and manage the display, on the screen 14, of the chosen parameters related to the operation of the shower cubicle 1.

    [0036] Moreover, the electronic control unit 16 is connected electrically to a plurality of sensors located in chosen points of the shower cubicle 1, such as for example sensors for detecting infrared rays emitted by an optional remote control, temperature sensors and/or vibration sensors.

    [0037] The electronic actuation board 17 can comprise a control processor 18 for a plurality of actuators 19 and a plurality of additional cards 20 constituted for example by audio playback devices, input/output devices, and interfacing systems.

    [0038] The shower cubicle 1 further comprises a device for temporarily activating the keypad 15 and simultaneously suspending the operating cycle of the shower cubicle 1, which is constituted by a switch 21 of the single-state type.

    [0039] Such device can be arranged advantageously in a chosen point of the shower tray; for example, the switch 21 can be arranged within an appropriately provided through seat 22 formed on the bottom 4 of the shower tray 2, which is arranged preferably so that its axis is vertical, thus allowing to arrange inside it a terminal of one or more electrical cables arranged below the bottom 4.

    [0040] The seat 22 can be arranged, in an advantageous but not exclusive embodiment, preferably proximate to the perimetric rim 3 of the shower tray 2, in a position which can be reached easily, intentionally and not inadvertently, by the foot of a user who is standing on the shower tray.

    [0041] The switch 21 can be for example of the mechanical type or of another type, so as to ensure its operation and the intentionality of the activation of the keypad 15 by the user.

    [0042] The switch 21 is connected electrically to the electronic control unit 16; according to an alternative embodiment, the switch 21 can be connected electrically directly to the electric actuation board 17.

    [0043] When the switch 21 is pressed by the foot of the user, it causes the temporary activation of the keypad 15 and the simultaneous suspension of the operating cycle of the shower tray; since such switch is of the single-state type, when it is released by the user the keypad 15 is deactivated automatically, while the operating cycle resumes from the point where it was interrupted, optionally taking into account the new parameters entered by means of said keypad.

    [0044] Optionally, the keypad 15 can have a different coloring depending on whether it is activated or deactivated, so as to provide an immediate visual cue regarding its status to the user; by way of example, said keypad can have a red lighting when it is deactivated and a green lighting when it is instead activated.

    [0045] Conveniently, the switch 21 has a high degree of protection against water infiltrations, for example equal at least to IP 66 or higher, according to the IEC 529 standard, so as to ensure high operating safety even during operating cycles which entail the flow of a large amount of water onto the shower tray 2.

    [0046] Preferably, the switch 21 is connected to a LED or to a lamp, which also can be accommodated within the seat 22 or integrated in the single-state switch 21, which are lit when the switch 21 is not pressed, in order to facilitate the identification of said switch by the user.

    [0047] When the shower cubicle 1 is in the standby condition, the switch 21 may further be advantageously lit and act as a power-on switch, optionally activating simultaneously a lamp for better viewing of the keypad 15.

    [0048] The operation of the shower cubicle 1 according to the invention entails that the keyboard 15, during the execution of an operating cycle, is always deactivated so that any films of water produced by the condensation of water vapor which is present inside the cubicle or water sprays which strike the keypad cannot in any case cause the accidental sending of impulses to the electronic control unit 16.

    [0049] If the user wishes to modify one or more parameters of the operating cycle performed by the shower cubicle, change the type of cycle or perform any operation that entails the use of the keypad 15, pressing the switch 21 with a foot temporarily suspends the operating cycle currently in progress and the functions of the shower cubicle 1 which potentially may cause incorrect operation of the keypad 15, as well as a simultaneous activation of said keypad.

    [0050] Moreover, the user is facilitated in determining the position of the switch 21 by the presence of the lamp or LEDs, which light up said switch when it is not pressed.

    [0051] The keypad 15 therefore remains activated until the user, by lifting his foot off the switch 21, allows the switch to return to the inactive state, causing the deactivation of the keypad 15 and the resumption of the operating cycle from the point where it had been suspended, unless different orders have been imparted by the user to the shower cubicle by means of the keypad 15 in the time interval during which it was active.

    [0052] If the shower cubicle 1 according to the invention is in the standby condition, the keypad 15 is deactivated, so as to allow easy cleaning of the cubicle without the possibility of an unwanted activation thereof caused by water sprays accidentally directed toward the keypad 15.

    [0053] It has thus been found that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a shower cubicle having been provided which allows to provide a broad range of programs for personal hygiene and/or relaxation or therapeutic treatments, making it easy and safe to program on the part of the user.

    [0054] Another object achieved by the invention is to offer high safety and stability in use.

    [0055] Another object achieved by the invention is to allow its easy cleaning, which can be performed without requiring particular precautions.

    [0056] The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the appended claims.

    [0057] Thus, for example, it is possible to provide said at least one device by means of a switch of the two-state type; in this solution, a first pressure on the part of the user causes the temporary activation of the keypad and/or the simultaneous suspension of the operating cycle of the shower cubicle, while the deactivation of the keypad and/or any resumption of the operating cycle occurs following a second pressure on the two-state switch by the user.

    [0058] The switch, whether of the single-state or two-state type, may further be arranged at an internal face 8a of a wall 8, so that it can be operated by the user are with one hand.

    [0059] The user must manually deactivate the keypad before performing shower cubicle cleaning operations; otherwise, sprays of water used for washing may in fact affect the keypad, causing the unwanted activation of the cubicle.

    [0060] The materials used, as well as the dimensions which constitute the individual components of the invention, may of course be more pertinent according to the specific requirements.

    [0061] The various means for performing certain different functions need not certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment but can be present per se in many embodiments, including ones that are not illustrated.

    [0062] The characteristics indicated as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or replaced by with equivalents.

    [0063] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.


    Claims

    1. A shower cubicle (1), comprising a shower tray (2), a compartment (7) which can be opened for user access, and internally at least one keypad unit (13) with a keypad (15) for controlling and setting the operating cycle of said shower cubicle (1), characterized in that said keypad (15) of said keypad unit (13) is configured to be normally deactivated even when said shower cubicle (1) is operating, and in that the shower cubicle (1) further comprises at least one device (21) selectively operatable by the user to temporarily activate said keypad (15) and simultaneously suspend said operating cycle of said shower cubicle (1).
     
    2. The shower cubicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (21) for temporarily activating said keypad (15) and simultaneously suspending said operating cycle of said shower cubicle (1) is constituted by at least one switch of the single-state type.
     
    3. The shower cubicle according to claim 1, characterized in that said device (21) for temporarily activating said keypad (15) and simultaneously suspending said operating cycle of said shower cubicle (1) is constituted by at least one switch of the two-state type.
     
    4. The shower cubicle according to one of the preceding claims 2 and 3, characterized in that said at least one switch is located on the bottom or on a wall of said shower tray (2).
     
    5. The shower cubicle according to claims 1 and 4, characterized in that said keypad (15) comprises a touchscreen which operates with capacitive, resistive or infrared technology or a capacitive and/or optical button pad in front of which there is a sheet of dielectric material.
     
    6. The shower cubicle according to claims 1 and 5, characterized in that said at least one device (21) can be arranged in a chosen point of said shower tray (2), within a seat (22) formed on said bottom of said shower tray (2), said seat (22) being a through seat and being arranged so that its axis is vertical, allowing to arrange within it a terminal of one or more electrical cables arranged below said bottom.
     
    7. The shower cubicle according to claim 6, characterized in that said seat (22) is located proximate to said perimetric edge of said shower tray (2), in a position which can be reached easily, intentionally and not inadvertently, by the foot of said user while standing on said shower tray (2).
     
    8. The shower cubicle according to claims 2 to 7, characterized in that said at least one switch is connected electrically to an electronic control unit (16) for managing the functions of said shower cubicle.
     
    9. The shower cubicle according to claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said at least one switch is connected electrically directly to an electronic board (17), which is connected to said electronic control unit (16), for activating the functions of said shower cubicles (1).
     
    10. The shower cubicle according to one or more of the preceding claims 2 to 9, characterized in that said at least one switch has a level of protection against water infiltrations of at least IP 66 or higher, according to the IEC 529 standard, valid on 14.11.2004.
     
    11. The shower cubicle according to claims 2 to 10, characterized in that said at least one switch is connected to a LED or to a lamp, which also can be accommodated within said seat or within the switch and are lit when said at least one switch is not pressed.
     
    12. The shower cubicle according to claims 2 to 11, characterized in that said at least one switch is lit and constitutes a power-on button when said shower cubicle is in the standby condition.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Eine Duschkabine (1), die Folgendes umfasst: eine Duschwanne (2), ein Abteil (7), das für den Zugang des Benutzers geöffnet werden kann, und innen mindestens eine Tastenfeld-Einheit (13) mit einem Tastenfeld (15) zum Steuern und Einstellen des Arbeitszyklus der Duschkabine (1), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Tastenfeld (15) der Tastenfeld-Einheit (13) ausgebildet ist, um normalerweise deaktiviert zu sein, und zwar selbst, wenn die Duschkabine (1) in Betrieb ist, und dadurch, dass die Duschkabine (1) weiterhin mindestens eine Vorrichtung (21) umfasst, die selektiv vom Benutzer betätigt werden kann, um das Tastenfeld (15) zeitweilig zu aktivieren und gleichzeitig den Arbeitszyklus der Duschkabine (1) zu unterbrechen.
     
    2. Die Duschkabine gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung (21) zur vorübergehenden Aktivierung des Tastenfelds (15) und zur gleichzeitigen Unterbrechung des Arbeitszyklus der Duschkabine (1) aus mindestens einem Schalter des Einzelzustands-Typs besteht.
     
    3. Die Duschkabine gemäß Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Vorrichtung (21) zur vorübergehenden Aktivierung des Tastenfelds (15) und zur gleichzeitigen Unterbrechung des Arbeitszyklus der Duschkabine (1) aus mindestens einem Schalter des Zwei-Zustands-Typs besteht.
     
    4. Die Duschkabine gemäß einem der vorherigen Ansprüche 2 und 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Schalter sich auf dem Boden oder an einer Wand der Duschwanne (2) befindet.
     
    5. Die Duschkabine gemäß Anspruch 1 und 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Tastenfeld (15) einen Touchscreen umfasst, der mit kapazitiver, resistiven oder Infrarot-Technologie oder einem kapazitiven und/oder optischen Druckkopf-Feld arbeitet, vor dem sich eine Folie aus dielektrischem Material befindet.
     
    6. Die Duschkabine gemäß Anspruch 1 und 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die mindestens eine Vorrichtung (21) an einem ausgewählten Punkt der Duschwanne (2) angeordnet werden kann, in einem Sitz (22), der auf dem Boden der Duschwanne (2) gebildet ist, wobei der Sitz (22) ein durchgehender Sitz und so angeordnet ist, dass seine Achse vertikal ist, was es ermöglicht, in ihm einen Anschluss mit einem oder mehreren elektrischen Kabeln anzuordnen, die unter dem Boden angebracht sind.
     
    7. Die Duschkabine gemäß Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich der Sitz (22) in der Nähe des perimetrischen Randes der Duschwanne befindet, in einer Position, die leicht, absichtlich und nicht versehentlich, vom Fuß des Benutzers zu erreichen ist, während er in der Duschwanne (2) steht.
     
    8. Die Duschkabine gemäß den Ansprüchen 2 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Schalter elektrisch mit einer elektronischen Steuereinheit (16) zur Verwaltung der Funktionen der Duschkabine (1) verbunden ist.
     
    9. Die Duschkabine gemäß den Ansprüchen 2 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Schalter elektrisch direkt mit einer elektronischen Platine (17) verbunden ist, die zur Aktivierung der Funktionen der Duschkabine (1) mit der elektronischen Steuereinheit (16) verbunden ist.
     
    10. Die Duschkabine gemäß einem oder mehreren der vorstehenden Ansprüche 2 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Schalter einen Schutzgrad gegen das Eindringen von Wasser von mindestens IP 66 oder mehr hat, entsprechend dem am 14.11.2004 gültigen IEC 529-Standard.
     
    11. Die Duschkabine gemäß den Ansprüchen 2 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Schalter mit einer LED oder einer Lampe verbunden ist, die ebenfalls in dem Sitz oder in dem Schalter untergebracht werden können und eingeschaltet werden, wenn der mindestens eine Schalter nicht gedrückt wird.
     
    12. Die Duschkabine gemäß den Ansprüchen 2 bis 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der mindestens eine Schalter eingeschaltet wird und einen Anschalt-Druckkopf bildet, wenn sich die Duschkabine im Standby-Modus befindet.
     


    Revendications

    1. Cabine de douche (1) comprenant un plateau de douche (2), un compartiment (7) qui peut être ouvert pour l'accès d'un utilisateur, et intérieurement au moins une unité à clavier (13) avec un clavier (15) pour commander et régler le cycle d'opération de ladite cabine de douche (1), caractérisée en ce que ledit clavier (15) de ladite unité à clavier (13) est configuré pour être normalement désactivé même lorsque ladite cabine de couche (1) est en fonction, et en ce que la cabine de douche (1) comprend en outre au moins un dispositif (21) qui peut être opéré par l'utilisateur de façon sélective pour activer temporairement ledit clavier (15) et simultanément suspendre ledit cycle d'opération de ladite cabine de douche (1).
     
    2. Cabine de douche selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif (21) pour l'activation temporairement dudit clavier (15) et la suspension simultanément dudit cycle d'opération de ladite cabine de douche (1) est constitué par au moins un interrupteur du type à une position.
     
    3. Cabine de douche selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ledit dispositif (21) pour l'activation temporairement dudit clavier (15) et la suspension simultanément dudit cycle d'opération de ladite cabine de douche (1) est constitué par au moins un interrupteur du type à deux positions.
     
    4. Cabine de douche selon l'une des revendications 2 et 3 précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un interrupteur est situé sur le fond ou sur une paroi dudit plateau de douche (2).
     
    5. Cabine de douche selon les revendications 1 et 4, caractérisée en ce que ledit clavier (15) comprend un écran tactile fonctionnant avec technologie capacitive, résistive ou à infrarouge ou bien un clavier à boutons optique et/ou capacitif sur le devant duquel se trouve une feuille de matériau diélectrique.
     
    6. Cabine de douche selon les revendications 1 et 5, caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un dispositif (21) peut être agencé dans un point choisi dudit plateau de douche (2), dans un logement (22) formé sur ledit fond dudit plateau de douche (2), ledit logement (22) étant un logement traversant et étant agencé de sorte que son axe soit vertical, permettant d'y agencer à l'intérieur un terminal d'un ou plusieurs câbles électriques agencés sous ledit fond.
     
    7. Cabine de douche selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que ledit logement (22) est situé à proximité dudit bord périmétrique dudit plateau de douche (2), dans une position qui peut être facilement atteinte, intentionnellement et non par inadvertance, par le pied dudit utilisateur lorsqu'il est debout sur ledit plateau de douche (2).
     
    8. Cabine de douche selon les revendications 2 à 7, caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un interrupteur est relié électriquement à une unité de commande électronique (16) pour gérer les fonctions de ladite cabine de douche.
     
    9. Cabine de douche selon les revendications 2 à 8, caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un interrupteur est relié électriquement directement à un tableau électronique (17) qui est relié à ladite unité de commande électronique (16) pour activer les fonctions de ladite cabine de douche (1).
     
    10. Cabine de douche selon une ou plusieurs des revendications 2 à 9 précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un interrupteur présente un niveau de protection contre les infiltrations d'eau d'au moins IP 66 ou supérieur, selon le standard IEC 529, en vigueur au 14.11.2004.
     
    11. Cabine de douche selon les revendications 2 à 10, caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un interrupteur est relié à une LED ou à une lampe, qui peuvent être logées aussi dans ledit logement ou dans l'interrupteur et qui sont allumées lorsque ledit au moins un interrupteur n'est pas pressé.
     
    12. Cabine de douche selon les revendications 2 à 11, caractérisée en ce que ledit au moins un interrupteur est allumé et constitue un bouton de mise en marche lorsque ladite cabine de douche est en condition d'attente.
     




    Drawing











    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description