IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,566,405
Granted Patent B2
US 11,566,405 · App. 16/686,944 · Granted Jan 31, 2023

Integrated bathroom electronic system

Inventors: Ryan A. Reeder (Carmel, IN); Spencer L. Stohler (Anderson, IN); Andrew B. Mendenhall (Mooresville, IN); Paul T. Zink (Indianapolis, IN); Robert W. Rodenbeck (Indianapolis, IN)
Assignee: Delta Faucet Company
E03C1/057E03C1/055E03D9/04
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,566,405
App. No.
16/686,944
Granted
Jan 31, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

An integrated bathroom electronic system including a plurality of sensors to detect conditions within a bathroom and to provide signals indicative thereof to a controller. A plurality of distinct and exclusive modules or subsystems are illustratively provided for integration into the system. Such modules may include a quick hot water module, a roman tub module, a custom shower module, a hands free faucet module, and a tub shower module. In certain illustrative faucet modules, a controller is configured to select between a manual mode of operation and a hands-free mode of operation in response to a mode signal, and is configured to control an electrically operable valve in response to a proximity signal during the hands-free mode of operation.

Claims (51)

1. A bathroom device control system for use with a bathroom, the bathroom device control system comprising:

a shower head;

a control valve operably coupled to the shower head;

a controller in communication with the control valve;

an exhaust fan in communication with the controller;

an audio device in communication with the controller wherein the audio device is located within the bathroom and is a radio or a digital audio playback device;

a proximity sensor in communication with the controller; and

wherein the controller activates the audio device when a user is detected by the proximity sensor within a predetermined distance of the shower head and the controller deactivates the exhaust fan a predetermined time after the control valve stops water flow to the shower head.

2. The bathroom device control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller activates the exhaust fan when the control valve starts water flow to the shower head.

3. The bathroom device control system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a light in communication with the controller; and

wherein the controller activates the light when the user is detected by the proximity sensor within a predetermined distance of the shower head.

4. The bathroom device control system of claim 1 , wherein the controller activates the exhaust fan when the user is detected by the proximity sensor.

5. The bathroom device control system of claim 4 , wherein the proximity sensor comprises at least one of an infrared sensor, a radio frequency sensor, an ultrasound sensor and a thermal sensor.

6. A bathroom device control system comprising:

a shower head;

a control valve operably coupled to the shower head;

a controller in communication with the control valve; an external accessory in communication with the controller wherein the external accessory is an audio device located in the bathroom;

wherein the controller deactivates the external accessory a predetermined time after the control valve stops water flow to the shower head;

a proximity sensor in communication with the controller;

an exhaust fan in communication with the controller; and

wherein the controller activates the external accessory when a person is detected by the proximity sensor and activates the exhaust fan when the control valve starts water flow to the shower head.

7. The bathroom device control system of claim 6 wherein the audio device is a radio or a digital audio playback device.

8. The bathroom device control system of claim 6 , further comprising a light, and the controller activates the light when a user is detected by the proximity sensor within a predetermined distance of the shower head.

9. The bathroom device control system of claim 6 , wherein the proximity sensor comprises at least one of an infrared sensor, a radio frequency sensor, an ultrasound sensor and a thermal sensor.

10. A bathroom device control system for use with a bathroom, the bathroom device control system comprising:

a shower head;

a control valve operably coupled to the shower head;

a controller in communication with the control valve;

an exhaust fan in communication with the controller;

an audio device in communication with the controller wherein the audio device is located within the bathroom and is a radio or a digital audio playback device;

a proximity sensor in communication with the controller; and

wherein the controller activates the audio device when a user is detected by the proximity sensor within a predetermined distance of the shower head and the controller activates the exhaust fan when the control valve starts water flow to the shower head.

11. The bathroom device control system of claim 10 , wherein the controller deactivates the exhaust fan a predetermined time after the control valve stops water flow to the shower head.

12. The bathroom device control system of claim 10 , further comprising:

a light in communication with the controller; and

wherein the controller activates the light when the user is detected by the proximity sensor within a predetermined distance of the shower head.

13. The bathroom device control system of claim 10 ,

wherein the controller deactivates the exhaust fan a predetermined time after the proximity sensor detects the user has left the bathroom.

14. The bathroom device control system of claim 13 , wherein the proximity sensor comprises at least one of an infrared sensor, a radio frequency sensor, an ultrasound sensor and a thermal sensor.

15. A bathroom device control system comprising:

a shower head;

a control valve operably coupled to the shower head;

a controller in communication with the control valve;

an exhaust fan in communication with the controller;

an audio device in communication with the controller wherein the audio device is located within the bathroom;

a sensor located within the bathroom, the sensor being in communication with the controller;

wherein the controller activates the exhaust fan when the control valve starts water flow to the shower head and the controller deactivates the exhaust fan when the control valve stops water flow to the shower head or a predetermined time after the control valve stops water flow to the shower head; and

wherein the controller activates the audio device when a user is detected by the sensor.

16. The bathroom device control system of claim 15 wherein the controller deactivates the exhaust fan when the control valve stops water flow to the shower head.

17. The bathroom device control system of claim 15 wherein the controller deactivates the exhaust fan a predetermined time after the control valve stops water flow to the shower head.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 25, 2020
From: REEDER, RYAN A.; STOHLER, SPENCER L.; MENDENHALL, ANDREW B.; ZINK, PAUL T.; RODENBECK, ROBERT W.
To: MASCO CORPORATION OF INDIANA
Reel/Frame 051914/0214 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 15996775 · Jun 4, 2018
Continuation 14715064 · May 18, 2015
Division 13887780 · May 6, 2013
Continuation 13251839 · Oct 3, 2011
Division 12151769 · May 9, 2008
Continuation In Part PCTUS2006044023 · Nov 13, 2006
Provisional Application 60838271 · Aug 16, 2006
Provisional Application 60735569 · Nov 11, 2005
Related Publication 20200087905A1 · Mar 19, 2020