Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SANI~ARY SYSTEM
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVEN~ION
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
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This invention relates to control circuits for batrling apparatus and
more particulaxly, to an electrical circuit for controlling bath water
temperature and the degree of bath water agitation, and the like.
PRIOR ART
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The physical benefits of "whirlpool" and "hot tub" baths are well
known. Tubs or baths of this nature generally provide some degree cf bath
water temperature monitoring or regulation, and "whirlpool" features of which
the introduction o~ massaging jets of water and.air into the bath water are
typical. Frequently, features of this character can be "programmed" in order,
for example, to establish a desired tub water temperature at a particular
time and to continue "whirlpool" operation for a predetermined interval.
There is, nevertheless, an unsatisfied need for a more comprehensive ba.h
control that would enable the bather to enjoy a considerably longer and un-
interrupted bath and to control from the bath tub a number of household
activities that otherwise would impose an irritating interruption to the bath.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE II~VENTION
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These additional contxol features now are possible through the
application of microprocessor technology to bath control apparatus.
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Illustrat~vely, a microprocessor is provided to initiate the introduction of
air and water jets to the bath water andl at a predetermined time, to
terminate these jets, as well as to maintain the bath water temperature at
a level that is compatible with comfort and safety.
The microprocessor further controls on either a program or on a
command basis, filling the tu~ with water and draining waste water from the
tub at the conclusion of the bath. The microprocessor also is coupled to
the telephone system to enable the bather to dial telephone numbers, receive
incoming telephone calls and to conduct these telephone conversations through
a loudspeaker system. Desired levels of illumination, within the bathing
area and in the bath water, also are controllable through the microprocessor,
as well as to control the generation of stereophonic music within the bathing
area. A capability to converse with visitors through a primary door
intercommunication system and a door release mechanism for the primary and
bathroom doors also is provided as a feature of this system. The circuit
under consideration also deactivates pump and stereophonic sound systems i~
the telephone or intercommunication system are in use.
Many of the command signals of which the primary and bathroom door
release mechanism are typical, are carried through the household electrical
wiring system through a carrier current control. The microprocessor moreover,
is coupled to the telephone system. In this way, a potential bather may
communicate directly with the microprocessor through the telephone system
in order to have the bath prepared in the desired manner upon arri~al in the
bathing area. These and other features of the invention are obtainable in a
relatively, inexpensive reliable and safe-to-use apparatus.
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BRI~F DESCRIPTION OF ~HE D~AWING
FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram of a typical embodiment of the
invention, and
FIG~RE 2 is a wall panel keyboard suitable for use in connection
with the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGUgE 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EM3ODIMENT
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For a more complete appreciation of the invention, attention is
invited to FIGURE 1 which shows a microprocessor 10, of which the Motorola
No. 6802 microprocessor is typical, controlled through manipulation of
individual switches ~FIGURE 2) in a wall panel 11.
As shown in the drawing, the wall panel 11 preferably is a water-
proof membrane type switching device of the sort described in more complete
detail in To~flight CorporAtion Brochure titled "Membrane Switching Panels
and Reyboards". Thus, as shown in FIG~RE 2, discrete areas on the surface
of the waterproof, flexible membrane identify associated pressure
switches on the opposite side of the membrane. Signals from these switches,
when activated or deactivated, as for exaTnple, high speed pump switch 12,
are sent through a cable 13 (FIGURE 1) to the microprocessor 10. The
microprocessor 10, in turn, gates signals that correspond to des.ired
unctions through another cable 14 for subsequent activation of the
appropriate bath-associated function. Accordingly, the cable 14 is coupled
electrically to an audible speaker control 15 and speaker 16. Signals in the
cable 14 also are transmitted to the heat lamps 17, door release 20, room
lights 21, underwater tub lights 22 (preferably flexible fiber optic light
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transmission apparatus of the sort available from Xanadu International, Inc.,
6859 Valjean Av., and Van Nuys, CA ~1406), telephone 23, pri~arX door
intexccmmu~ication 24, primary door lock release 25, visual tub status displays
26, auxiliary keyboard 27, a pulse sensor 30, a stereophonic signal input 31
and a carrier current control 32.
As shown schematically in FI~7URE 1, a bath tub 33 is provided with
a water inlet 34 ~hat is in fluid communication with hot and cold water
conduits 35, 36, respectively, by way of parallel branches through manually
operated hot and cold water valves 37, 40, in one branch, and through a mixer
valve 41 in the other branch. As shown, the mixer valve 41 is automatically
controlled through the microprocessor 10, by means of signals that are sent
by way of the cable 14 and a conductor 43 to a motor 42. The motor 42,
moreover, is mechanically connected to the mixer valve 41 in order to adjust
the relative hot and cold water proportions as described subsequently.
Mixing control signals that regulate the hot/cold water mixture are received
fro~ a temperature sensor 44. Typically, the temperature sensor 44 is in
thermal communication with the water flowing through the inlet 34 and sends
signals that correspond to this water temperature through a conductor 45 to
the cable 14 for transmission to the microprocessor 10. The microprocessor 10,
in turn, responds to these temperature signals by controlling the operation of
motor 42 to adjust the movement of the mixer valve 41 that regulates the
relative inlet flows of hot and cold water to the tub 33 by way of the inlet 3~.
It will be recalled that the tub 33, in this illustrative embodiment
of the invention, has been provided with "whirlpool"tub features in which
jets of water and, if desired, air either individually or mixed with the jets of
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water, are introduced into bath water 46 for massage and therapeutic purposes.
Thus, air blower 47 responds to signals in a conductor 50 by pumping air under
pressure through a conduit 51 into the water 46 in the tub 33. Note in the
embodiment of.the invention under consideration that only one conduit 51 is
shown in communication with the bath water ~6. Preferably, however, several
pressurized air discharges are arrayed in the tub 33 in general alignment with
that portion of the tub that ordinarily supports the bather's back in order
to present a soothing and relaxing physical effect. Naturally, other air and
water jet arrangements can be disposed within the tub, as desired.
Thus, a water intake 52 is in fluid communication with the bath water
96 in the tub 33. The intake 52 communicates with a water conduit 53. WiLhin
the ccnduit 53 a water temperature sensor 54 responds to the temperature of
the water within the conduit by sending a signal through a conductor 55 to
the ca~le 14 for transmission to the microprocessor 10. A water pressure
sensor 56 also responds to the hydraulic pressure within the conduit 53 and
sends a signal that reflects this pressure through a conductor 57 to the
cable 14, also for transmission to the microprocessor 10~ The conduit 53
terminates at the inlet to an electrically driven water pump 60. The pump 60
is energized and deactivated, as desired, through control signals that are
sent to the pump from the microprocessor 10 by way of a conductor 61.
Bath water under pressure is discharged from the pump 60, when this
pump is activated, through a discharge conduit 62 that is in fluid communication
with a water heater 63. As illustrated, the water heater 63 is activated and
energized through a conductor 64 from the cable 14 that is connected to the
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microprocessor 10. Water is discharged from the heater 63 through a jet conduit
65 into the bath water 46 within the tub 33. Although only indi~vidual air
jets 51 and water jets 65 are shown in the drawing, a diverter ~alve ~not shown)
also can be provided to direct the ai~ under pressuxe into the tub 33 through
many small perforations rather than through the jets 51, as shown.
A waste bath water drain 66 permits water to flow fTom the tub 33
through a waste conduit 67 that is selectively opened and closed by means of
electrically activated waste valve 70 that interrupts or permits flow through
the conduit 67 in response to signals in a conductor 71 from the cable 14
and the microprocessor 10.
In operation, as shown in PIGURE 2, an appropriate switch, e.g., the
high speed pump switch 12 is activated. The activation signal from ~he pump
switch 12 is sent through the cable 13 to the m;croprocessor 10. Within the
microprocessor 10, appropriate circuits send signals from the cable 14 and the
conductor 61 to the pump 60. A portion of the bath water 46 in the tub 33 is
drawn through the intake 52 and enters the conduit 53. The temperature of the
water thus flowing through the conduit 53 is registered by the temperature
sensor 54 that sends an appropriate signal from the conductor 55 to the
microprocessor 10. The microprocessor 10 compares the measured water
temperature signal with the temperature that was set through manipulation of
temperature set switch 72 (FIG~RE 2). If the measured temperature is less
than a desired predetermined bath water temperature, the microprocessor 10
activates the heater 64 in order to warm the water flowing frcm the pump 60
back into the tub 33 through the jet conduit 65~ The pressure sensor 56 in
the conduit 53 responds to the observed pressure in that conduit by sending
a si~nal to the microprocessor 10. If the response of the pressure sensor 56
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registered in the microprocessor 10 is indicative of low water or no water
wi~hin the tub 33, the microprocessor deenergizes the pump 60. A low watex
signal also is sent to the display 26 for visual presentation. The pump 60,
moreover, is coupled to the telephone 23 and the intercommunication circuit 24
through the cable 14 and the microprocessor 10 in a manner that permits the
microprocessor to deactivate the pump 60 when either of the voice clrcuits
are in operation, to eliminate background pump noise.
Assuming, however, that the depth of the bath water 46 is ade~uate to
protect the pump 60, or the voice circuits are inactive, the pump continues
to run and to discharge a jet of water at hish or low pressure, as desired.
At the conclusion of the bath, or at some time set through manipulation of a
time setting switch 73 (FIGURE 2), the pump 60, the heater 63 and the air
blower 47 all are deenergized through appropriate signals transmitted ~rom
the microprocessor }0. At the same time, the microprocessor 10 enables the
waste diverter valve 70 to open and thereby to permit the waste bath water 46
to ~low from the tub 33 through the waste conduit 67 and into the conventional
sewage system.
To initiate a complete bathing cycle, automatic fill switch 74 (FIGURE 2)
is manipulated to enable the microprocessor 10 (PIGURE 1) to energize the
waste valve 70 and close the waste water drain 66. At the same time the motor
42 is activated to open the mixer valve 41 in the hot and cold water conduits
35, 36. The mixer valve 41 is controlled through the motor 42 to permit water
to ~low from the water inlet 34 into the tub 33. The temperature sensor 44
responds to the temperature of the water ~lowing through the inlet 34 to send
a signal by way of the conductor 45 to the microprocessor 10. The microprocessor
10 compares this measured water temperature with the temperature selected by the
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bather through manipulating the temperature set switch 72 (FIGUÆ 2). An error
signal that is generated through this comparison is applied to the motor 42 to
cause the motor to adjust the hot and cold water mixing proportions producèd
at the mixer valve kl in order to bring the water fi.owing through the inlet
to the desired level. At the end of a predetermined filling time, or in
response to depth of the water in the tub 33 as registered through the pressure
sensor 56, the microprocessor lO sends a control sic3nal to the motor 42 that
closes the mi~er valve and terminates further filling of the tub 33 during the
bathing cycle.
A~ additional feature, the manual hot and cold water valves 37, 40,
also are provided to bypass the conduits that are connected in parallel with
the mixer valve ~1. This feature of the invention provides manual control of
the tub filling portion of the bath cycle.
In accordance with additional features of the invention, the me~brane
switch shown in FIGUR~ 2 can be manipulated to provide a number of associated
functions directly from the tub 33 through manipulation of appropriate switches
o~ the tub-mounted auxiliary keyboard 27. The keyboard 27 present an array of
switches that is similar, or the same, in layout to that which is shown in
FIGVRE 2 with respect to the wall panel 11. Thus, as shown in FIGURE 2, the
group of switches 31, 81, control the operation of the stereophonic sound
telephone and intercom systems, as well as ~eactivation through the microprocessor
10 (~IGURE l) of the water pump 60 and the air blower 47. In accordance with
the invention if, for example, the telephone or intercom circuits are activated
to permit voice communication, si~nals are sent from, say, the telephone 23 or
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the intercom 24 through the cable 14 to the microprocessor 10 to indicate an
active status for one of the voice systems. The microprocessor 10 responds
to this signal by deenergizing (or reenergizing at the end of the conversation)
the stereophonic system 31, the air blower 47 and the water pump 61, as each of
these devices may have been operating, in order to eliminate background noise
that might lnterfere wi.th conversation through the telephone or intercom systems
and to restore these devices to operate at the end of the conversationO
The heat l~mps 17 are controlled through switches 75 and 76,
respectively, and the room lights l are aimrned or brightened, as desired,
through the operation of room light switches 77 and 80.
The primary door control t~o unlock the door) is activated through
manipulation of door release switch 82 which causes the microprocessor to
transmit an appropriate door unlock command signal from the carrier current
control 32 to the door (not shown) through the household wiring system (also not
shown). The door is unlocked, however, only on command from the microprocessor
10 when the door intercorn 24 is also activated. Purther in this respect, the
carrier current control 32, also on appropriate command from the microprocessor,
sends signals through the household electrical wiring systern to regulate the
heat lamps 17, the room lights 21 and the like. Other pertinent data, of which
water temperature and elapsed time since commencement of the bathing cycle are
illustrative, are sent from respective signal sources through the microprocessor
10 to the raster on the display 26.
The level of the bath water 46 within the tub 33 is predetermined
through operation of a water level switch 87. By activating the switch 87 and
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manipulating the appropriate numerical switches 86, the desired tub water level
is established. As previously mentioned, the pressure sensor 56 responds to
the head of the bath water 46 in the tub 33 by sending a signal through the
conductor 57 that prevents the pump 60 and the air blower 47 ~rom operating
as long as the water level in the tub is too low. As the tub 33 ~ills to a
level that will permit the blower 47 and the water pump 60 to operate/ such
operation (if programmed into the microprocessor 10) will commence for the
preestablished time. As the desired depth of the bath water 46 is reached,
the microprocessor 10 responds to the signal from the pressure sensor 56 by
sending a signal through the conductor 43 to the motor 42 that causes the motor
to terminate fl~w through the mixer valve ~1. The level of aeration activity
within the tub 33 also is established through suitable operation of a group of
air blower switches 84. There is, of course, a further switch 85 for energizing
the entire system prior to initiation of any of the functions mentioned above.
A conventional telephone "push button" type nume~ical array 86 mentioned above
also is provided on the wall panel 11.
It is through the operation of the numerical switches 86 that tub
operation, bath water temperature, telephone dialling, the stereophonic
selection and other important functions mentioned herein can be chosen,
activated and automatically or manually deactivated as willed. Thus there is
provided in accordance with the invention the microprocessor 10 that enables
the bather to accomplish ~rom the tub 33 a number of othexwise burdensome tasks
that would re~uire a bather to leave the tub ln most circumstances while,
moreover, providing a bather with invigorating massage at comfortable and safP
bath water temperatures.
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