Distributed control system for a whirlpool tub

• US 6,993,415 B2
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Hackl, Richard J., Bauer, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Picard, Leo
• Assistant Examiner(s): KOSOWSKI, ALEXANDER J
• Application Number:
  US10/820,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20050228544A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 700/2, 700/3, 700/9, 700/17, 700/19, 700/83, 700/282, 454/11, 116/300
• US Class Current: 700/282
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0054 with liquid level detectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2033/0058 controlled by the user
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/00 Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H35/00 takes precedence; sprays acting on a body or body part not immersed in water A61H9/00; means for washing bed-ridden persons A61G7/0005; for sub aquatic intestinal cleaning A61M9/00; isolation chambers A61M21/0094; electric or magnetic baths, applying ionised fluids A61N1/44 ; heater for bath tubs F24H1/54
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/6063 Specifically adapted for fitting in bathtub walls
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0423 Input/output
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25312 Pneumatic, hydraulic modules, controlled valves
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/25314 Modular structure, modules
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house

Abstract

A control system for plumbing equipment includes a user interface and a main controller. Only the user interface is customized and unique to a specific model of the plumbing equipment, and stores main software program that is tailored to operate the particular components of that specific model. The main controller is generic and is able to be used on several different models of the plumbing equipment. Upon activation of the control system the main software program is transferred to the main controller which configures the main controller to operate the specific model of the plumbing equipment.

Claims

1. A control system for a plumbing fixture that has a plurality of components which are electrically operated, the control system comprising:

a main controller with a first microprocessor, a first memory connected to the first microprocessor, and a plurality of outputs coupling the first microprocessor to the plurality of components;

an input controller with an input device by which a user of the plumbing fixture is able to enter commands for selectively operating the plurality of components, the input device connected to a second microprocessor which is connected to a second memory containing a first software program for execution by the second microprocessor to process the commands from the input device, the second memory also containing a second software program for execution by the first microprocessor to operate the plurality of components, and

a transfer mechanism to convey the second software program from the second memory to the first memory upon activation of the control system.

2. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the transfer mechanism conveys the second software program from the first memory to the second memory upon application of electrical power to the control system.

3. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the transfer mechanism conveys the second software program from the first memory to the second memory upon operation of the input device by the user.

4. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first memory is a non-volatile memory device.

5. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second memory permanently contains software routines for operating the plurality of components.

6. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the main controller is generic for controlling a plurality of models of plumbing fixtures having different pluralities of components;

and the input controller is unique to one of the plurality of models of plumbing fixtures and the second software program is unique for controlling only those components on the one of the plurality of models of plumbing fixtures.

7. The control system as recited in claim 1 wherein the main controller is located in a housing that is separate and remote from the input controller.

8. A method for controlling a whirlpool tub that has a plurality of components which are electrically operated, the method comprising:

providing a main controller that has a first microprocessor, a first memory connected to the first microprocessor, and a plurality of outputs coupling the first microprocessor to the plurality of components;

providing an input controller that has an input device by which a user of the whirlpool tub is able to enter input commands for selectively operating the plurality of components, the input device connected to a second microprocessor which is connected to a second memory;

storing a first software program and a second software program into the second memory;

upon activation of the control system, transferring the second software program from the second memory to the first memory;

executing the first software program by the second microprocessor to process the input commands from the input device and transmit control commands to the main controller; and

executing the second software program by the first microprocessor to control the plurality of components in response to the control commands.

9. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein activation of the control system comprises applying of electrical power to the control system.

10. The method as recited in claim 8 wherein activation of the control system comprises operation of the input device by the user.