Bathing unit controller

• US 7,419,406 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2005
• Issued: 09/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gecko Alliance Group Inc.
• Inventors: Brochu, Christian, Laflamme, Benoit, Gaudreau, Daniel, Recoura, Pascal
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad; Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US11/072,335
• Publication Number:
  US 20050151425A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,275 Days
• Field of Search: 439/677, 439/680, 439/681, 307/149, 307/11, 307/112, 307/116, 361/104, 361/42, 361/45, 361/115
• US Class Current: 439/677
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 33/005 Electrical circuits therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6456 comprising keying elements at different positions along the periphery of the connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

A controller suitable for use in controlling components in a bathing unit is provided. The controller includes a controller body having a back surface and a front surface generally opposed to the back surface. The front surface includes a plurality of connector interfaces each being adapted for receiving a connector associated to a respective bathing unit component. A control circuit is positioned within the controller body for selectively providing electrical power to respective bathing unit components connected through the plurality of connector interfaces.

Claims

1. A controller for controlling bathing unit components in a bathing unit system, said controller comprising:

a. a controller body having;

i. a back surface;

ii. a front surface generally opposed to said back surface, said front surface including a plurality of connector interfaces, wherein at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces are for engaging complementary connectors associated with respective bathing unit components;

iii. at least one other connector interface for engaging a complementary connector associated with an input device in the bathing unit system, in use said at least one other connector interface receiving signals originating from the input device in the bathing unit system;

iv. an enclosure defining a space between said back surface and said front surface;

b. an electronic circuit board positioned at least in part within said enclosure, said electronic circuit board including a control circuit, in use said control circuit being responsive to signals originating from the input device in the bathing unit system for selectively providing electrical power to bathing unit components connected through said at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces.

2. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said electronic circuit board includes printed conductor traces, at least one of said connector interfaces including a conductive member establishing a direct contact with the printed conductor traces.

3. A controller as defined in claim 2, wherein the direct contact is established through a soldered connection between the printed conductor traces and the conductive member of said at least one of said connector interfaces.

4. A controller as defined in claim 1, said controller further comprising a set of instructions positioned on said front surface of said controller body, said set of instructions providing guidance as to how to couple said plurality of connector interfaces to respective connectors associated to bathing unit components.

5. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said back surface and said front surface are connected such as to form a first portion and a second portion, wherein said second portion may be accessed independently from the first portion.

6. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein said second portion includes an access panel providing access to the second portion.

7. A controller as defined in claim 6, wherein said access panel is moveable between a closed position and an open position.

8. A controller as defined in claim 7, wherein said access panel is moveable between a closed position and an open position through a hinge member.

9. A controller as defined in claim 6, wherein said access panel is releasably fastened by fasteners such as to provide access to the second portion.

10. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein said first portion is sealed such as to prevent access thereto by a technician.

11. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein the first portion is sealed such as to reduce the likelihood of water entering the first portion.

12. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein said controller comprises a power connection interface positioned within the second portion.

16. A controller as defined in claim 12, wherein said electronic circuit board is in communication with the power connection interface and with said plurality of connector interfaces, said electronic circuit board being positioned at least in part within the first portion.

17. A controller as defined in claim 5, wherein at least some of said plurality of connector interfaces are positioned on said first portion.

18. A controller as defined in claim 17, wherein said control circuit includes printed conductor traces, at some of said connector interfaces establishing a direct contact with the printed conductor traces.

19. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some connector interfaces of said plurality of connector interfaces include descriptive indicia, the descriptive indicia providing guidance in locating corresponding connectors associated to bathing unit components.

20. A controller as defined in claim 19, wherein the descriptive indicia include alpha-numeric characters.

21. A controller as defined in claim 19, wherein the descriptive indicia include color indicia.

22. A controller as defined in claim 21, wherein the color indicia allow effecting connections between the plurality of connector interfaces and the connectors associated to bathing unit components on the basis of a color code.

23. A controller as defined in claim 1, wherein said input device is a control panel.

13. A controller as defined in 12, wherein said power connection interface includes at least one fuse connector.

14. A controller as defined in 12, wherein said power connection interface includes a plurality of connectors adapted for receiving electric wires.

15. A controller as defined in 14, wherein said plurality of connectors are generally aligned along a first axis, each connector in said plurality of connectors being associated to a respective connection path through which respective wires can pass in order to effect electrical connections with the connectors, the connection paths being positioned at an angle from a second axis, wherein the second axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis.

24. A controller for controlling bathing unit components in a bathing unit system, said controller comprising:

a. a controller body including;

i. a back surface;

ii. a front surface generally opposed to said back surface;

iii. an enclosure defining a space between said back surface and said front surface, the space including;

1. a first portion having a first content;

2. a second portion having a second content;

iv. said front surface including an access panel moveable between a closed position and an open position for selectively providing access to the second portion, when in the open position the access panel exposing the second content without exposing the first content;

b. a plurality of connector interfaces positioned on said controller body, wherein at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces are for engaging complementary connectors associated with respective bathing unit components;

c. at least one other connector interface positioned on said controller body for engaging a complementary connector associated with an input device in the bathing unit system, in use said at least one other connector interface receiving signals originating from the input device in the bathing unit system;

d. an electronic circuit board positioned at least in part within said controller body, said electronic circuit board including a control circuit, in use said control circuit being responsive to the signals originating from the input device in the bathing unit system for selectively providing electrical power to bathing unit components connected through said at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces.

25. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein said input device is a control panel.

26. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein said access panel is moveable between a closed position and an open position through a hinge member.

27. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein said access panel is releasably fastened by fasteners such as to provide access to the second portion.

28. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein said first portion is sealed such as to prevent access thereto by a technician.

29. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein the first portion is sealed such as to reduce the likelihood of water entering the first portion.

30. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein said controller comprises a power connection interface positioned within the second portion.

34. A controller as defined in claim 30, wherein said electronic circuit board is in communication with the power connection interface and with said plurality of connector interfaces, said electronic circuit board being positioned at least in part within the first portion.

35. A controller as defined in claim 24, wherein at least some of said plurality of connector interfaces are positioned on said first portion.

31. A controller as defined in 30, wherein said power connection interface includes at least one fuse connector.

32. A controller as defined in 30, wherein said power connection interface includes a plurality of connectors adapted for receiving electric wires.

33. A controller as defined in 32, wherein said plurality of connectors are generally aligned along a first axis, each connector in said plurality of connectors being associated to a respective connection path through which respective wires can pass in order to effect electrical connections with the connectors, the connection paths being positioned at an angle from a second axis, wherein the second axis is generally perpendicular to the first axis.

36. A controller for controlling bathing unit components in a bathing unit system, said controller comprising:

a. a controller body having;

i. a back surface;

ii. a front surface generally opposed to said back surface, said front surface including a plurality of connector interfaces, wherein at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces are for matingly engaging complementary connectors associated with respective bathing unit components;

iii. at least one other connector interface for engaging a complementary connector associated with a sensor in the bathing unit system, in use said at least one other connector interface receiving control signals originating from the sensor in the bathing unit system;

iv. an enclosure defining a space between said back surface and said front surface;

b. an electronic circuit board positioned at least in part within said enclosure, said electronic circuit board including a control circuit, in use said control circuit being responsive to the control signals originating from the sensor in the bathing unit system for selectively providing electrical power to bathing unit components connected through said at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces.

37. A controller for controlling bathing unit components in a bathing unit system, said controller comprising:

a. a controller body including;

i. a back surface;

ii. a front surface generally opposed to said back surface;

iii. an enclosure defining a space between said back surface and said front surface, the space including;

1. a first portion having a first content;

2. a second portion having a second content;

iv. said front surface including an access panel moveable between a closed position and an open position for selectively providing access to the second portion, when in the open position the access panel exposing the second content without exposing the first content;

b. a plurality of connector interfaces positioned on said controller body, wherein;

i. at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces are for matingly engaging complementary connectors associated with respective bathing unit components;

ii. at least one other connector interface in said plurality of connector interfaces is for engaging a complementary connector associated with a sensor in the bathing unit system, in use said at least one other connector interface receiving control signals originating from the sensor in the bathing unit system;

c. an electronic circuit board positioned at least in part within said controller body, said electronic circuit board including a control circuit, in use said control circuit being responsive to the control signals originating from the sensor in the bathing unit system for selectively providing electrical power to bathing unit components connected through said at least some connector interfaces in said plurality of connector interfaces.