Electrically operated fitting

• US 6,478,285 B1
• Filed: 09/17/1999
• Issued: 11/12/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ideal-Standard GmbH & Co. Ohg.
• Original Assignee: Ideal-Standard GmbH & Co. Ohg.
• Inventors: Bergmann, Konrad
• Primary Examiner(s): Yuen, Henry C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KEASEL, ERIC S
• Application Number:
  US09/380,623
• Time in Patent Office: 1,152 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.01, 251/129.03, 251/129.04, 459/6, 459/8, 460/5
• US Class Current: 251/129.03
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/055 Electrical control devices, e.g. with push buttons, control panels or the like
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/10 operated electrically E03D5/01, E03D5/12 take precedence, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 11/207 with two handles or actuating mechanisms at opposite sides of the housing
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/046 with electric means, e.g. electric switches, to control the motor or to control a clutch between the valve and the motor F16K31/041 takes precedence

Abstract

An electrically operated fitting with a fitting body that has a valve arrangement and an electrically operated drive arrangement for operating the valve arrangement. In order to produce an electrically operated fitting which is of simple and economic construction while having an attractive aesthetic design, a housing is provided for mounting purposes, in particular, for sealing abutment with an installation wall. Disposed on the housing is an actuating arrangement for an electronic unit for controlling the drive arrangement.

Claims

1. Electrically operated fitting comprising:

a fitting body with a valve;

an electrically operated drive means for operating said valve;

a housing for at least partially covering at least one of said fitting body and said drive means when said housing is installed;

an electronic module positioned on said housing for controlling said drive means; and

a cover mountable on said housing to at least partially cover said housing, said cover including an opening lo allow access to said electronic module;

wherein said fitting body includes a supply housing through which hot and cold water flows, said valve and said drive means being located underneath said supply housing and said electronic module being located in front of said supply housing; and

wherein fitting is battery operated and a battery compartment is located above said supply housing, a longitudinal axis of batteries held in said battery compartment being essentially parallel to a transverse axis of said cover.

2. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said electronic module is attached to said housing and is sealed thereon to prevent liquid from entering said electronic module.

3. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said battery compartment is accessible only with said cover removed.

4. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said housing is attached to at least one of an installation wall, said drive means and said fitting body.

5. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, further comprising means for pressing said housing against an installation wall.

6. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said electronic unit is connected to said drive means via connecting cables having plug connectors.

7. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said housing includes a seal for sealing said housing against an installation wall.

8. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said electronic module is programmable to regulate the amount and temperature of the water.

9. Electrically operated fitting of claim 8, wherein said electronic module is programmable for a plurality of in individual users to regulate the amount and temperature of the water for each individual user.

10. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, further comprising a manually actuated cutoff to allow manual operation of said valve.

11. Electrically operated fitting of claim 10, wherein said manually actuated cutoff is positioned proximate to an outlet of said electrically operated fitting;

and wherein said housing includes an opening to allow access to said manually actuated cutoff, said opening being accessible only when said cover is removed from said housing.

12. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said cover is detachably mounted to said housing.

13. Electrically operated fitting of claim 12, wherein said cover is mounted on said housing via a pivot bearing to allow said cover to be pivoted relative to said housing;

and wherein the electrically operated fitting further comprises a catch connection positioned between said housing and said cover, opposite said pivot bearing, to prevent unintentional pivoting of said cover.

14. Electrically operated fitting of claim 1, wherein said battery compartment is tubular and includes an insertion opening to allow insertion of at least one battery.

15. Electrically operated fitting of claim 14, wherein said battery compartment also includes an elastomeric cover for sealing said insertion opening.