iFlush: sanitation in the digital age
Given the world’s pre-occupation with digital convergence, the success of the iPod and the coming age of the iPhone – is it any wonder then that advanced electronics are entering a ‘new age’ in the control of plumbing fixtures.
While they may not take over our lives, such technologies are destined to play a growing role in monitoring our wastage of water and energy, as well as caring for our aging populations.
More and more product will be directly linked to the Internet to both monitor and control such fixtures remotely.
Electronics have been in the plumbing sector for about 40 years, but they have developed from quite rudimentary forms into much more sophisticated technology.
In the United States, Sloan Valve Company director of design engineering Peter Jahrling says the market is driving new electronic developments, particularly in relation to water-saving and energy-efficient products.
“Examples include faucets with power-generating devices such as solar cells and others with turbines that provide supplementary power to the battery,” he says.
“Complete washing stations with a solar collector on top are now available. This enables electronically operated faucets to be used by groups of people at a sink with a common drain. Sloan Optima faucets include a model with a solar collector mounted on top of the faucet, and some have automatic adjusting sensors to meet prevailing conditions.” For example, the sensors are powerful enough to pick up the target even if the sink gets dirty.
“In relation to toilets, flushing valves are available, whereby a device can be retrofitted over an existing valve to turn a manual flush into an automatic flush without the need for wiring or additional plumbing.
A flushometer valve for commercial markets has also been developed with a battery-assisted flushing device for automatic activation, or transformer power can be utilised so that a battery is not required.”
US manufacturer Delta Faucet Company launched its first electronic hands-free faucet for residential use (the Delta e-Flow) in 2001. Product development manager Nathan Price sees electronics as a growing trend in the bathroom and kitchen.
“With the aging of the baby boomers, products that are accessible and easy to operate will be more in demand,” he says.
“Therefore, you’ll be seeing a lot more done with electronics. There is also a ‘green’ aspect that will boost the electronics trend. By not having the water run continuously while performing tasks such as brushing teeth or washing dishes in the kitchen, you can save a significant amount of water.
“The e-Flow faucet features a high-arc spout for longer reach and has a waterproof polymer electronic control board that controls water flow, as well as a control knob for temperature selection before and during use. A mixing valve with a high-temperature mechanical limit stop prevents the water from turning too hot.
“Digitally calibrated electronics enable the e-Flow to adjust to its environment, preventing false activations when a toothbrush or towel falls into the sink. A 30-second maximum run time automatically resets once the obstruction is removed.”
Delta Faucet Company also manufactures the Brizo brand of premium faucets. The Pascal electronic kitchen faucet was recently released featuring combined hands-free and touch-control technology.
Brizo research and development manager Bob Rodenbeck says Pascal’s electronic technology can use timing to discriminate between momentary touches and grabs.
“This highly precise technology can differentiate between moving and static objects – removing an object from under the spout will turn off the water flow within two seconds,” he says.
“Water flow activates or deactivates by ‘tapping’ the spout almost anywhere on the faucet, as well as via the hands-free sensor, so this technology has special benefits for physically challenged people. Also, when the pull-down spray head extends, it automatically turns water on, and when retracting, the water is turned off.”
More products under the Delta and Brizo brands are on the way, including remote-control showers and the next generation of electronic bathroom faucets featuring additional functionality.
Swiss-based Geberit International produces a range of electronic bathroomware including WC and urinal controls and washbasin faucets. Geberit’s Christian Bartholet says the company recently launched the HyTronic premium hands-free electronic faucet range designed for commercial applications in the US market.
“The HyTronic range offers different designs and program settings for different applications such as hospitals, schools and offices,” he says.
“It uses highly reliable innovative electronics, including twin-beam technology whereby two intermittent infrared beams ensure optimal detection. The beams switch individually from static to dynamic mode if background reflection exceeds a threshold, and a scanning sensor adapts to background changes over time – such as dirt build-up on the basin.
“Provision of a smart power mode extends battery life by reducing the scanning frequency of the sensor if the fixture is not in use for an extended period. All programs and settings are adjustable by Palm software with bi-directional communication.
“HyTronic automatic and touchless WC controls are also available for the Geberit UP300 concealed cistern, and the latest products for barrier-free applications include HyTronic WC remote flush control, whereby wireless toilet flushing is enabled by triggering a switch on the handrail.”
Ian Strickett is general manager of New Zealand-based electronic systems manufacturer MacDonald Industries. He sees a growing trend to electronic controls in commercial washrooms, as evidenced by the proliferation of electronic sensor faucets and urinal and WC flush valves coming from European, American and Asian suppliers.
“This has mostly been spurred on by the desire for people to keep hands away from public washroom equipment,” he says.
“But what is really starting to concern the public now is water and energy consumption. Flow restrictors and clever design of WCs have achieved success, but limiting fixture use in certain applications is crucial.”
Strickett says public buildings such as prisons, police stations, court houses, schools, gymnasiums and swimming pools offer users unlimited fixture use. In particular, correctional institutions can spend huge sums of money on water and water heating. Restriction via electronic controls on showers, WC flushing and basin faucet use offers real economies in water and energy consumption.
“What is important with the various types of applications is the quality of the product installed. We have found it is imperative to install products that complement each other and have a history of success. Loose specifications do not work, and installing a ‘package’ from one supplier gives the specifier security.
“It is not enough to specify the electronics, as the package often includes mains-pressure flushing valves, solenoid valves, flow regulators, thermostatic mixing valves, shower heads and pressure-reducing valves. Good electronic control allows complete regulation and is flexible enough to control whichever fixture the specifier wishes in order to suit the application.”
Stern Faucets director of international sales Christiaan Scholtes says electronic faucets are being installed in offices and hotels, but vandal resistance is still a design requirement.
“Although the main market is still based on infrared technology, several companies, including Stern, are developing new and more advanced technologies that are still experimental and being tested in small contained environments,” he says.
“There is a feeling that these technologies will promote electric faucets in the residential market, because new technologies tend to provide market growth. However, when replacing mechanical faucets in the residential market it is of utmost importance to focus on product reliability.
“Important factors of a successful product line include a solid electronic platform being used among different product groups and it needs to be upgraded on a continuous basis.”
Based in Germany, Schell is a leading manufacturer of WC and urinal flush systems and sensor-operated and self-closing taps. The company also offers a wide range of valves and fittings – mainly for commercial use but also for residential buildings.
The latest developments include self-closing Schell Linus shower fittings and Schell Compact HF (high frequency radar control) urinal flush valves. The Schell Linus shower systems include an electronic model activated by touching a finger on the start/stop symbol on the safety glass window. Under the window there is a second sensor (infra-red type) that monitors the space in the shower tray and will automatically stop the water flow when the user leaves the area.
Schell senior product manager Klaus Held says a special feature of these new valves is an integrated additional solenoid valve to enable the whole system to be flushed with very hot water for a certain period to counter the potential growth of Legionella bacteria.
“We believe this is the first valve that includes this feature in the body of the valve,” he says.
“Our new Schell Compact HF urinal flush valve system provides precise detection of the user without any interference by passing people. In order to save water, the stems switch into ‘stadium mode’ when there are more than five users within three minutes. In this situation, it flushes once every minute – rather than after every user – until the rush of users reduces.
“This is also a useful anti-vandal system, because only the ceramic bowl is visible to users. The sensor is hidden behind the ceramic bowl, and the flush valve with the electronic components may be installed in the ceiling or in-duct, which provides easy access for maintenance purposes.”
One of the latest fully electronic products from German manufacturer Grohe is the Grohtherm Wireless. This innovative system provides precise water setting for the shower, with an optional remote control that may be installed in any room of the house.
This allows the user to start the shower, then the system controls the water temperature and pressure while the person is on the way to the bathroom. Grohe is working on products offering the same kind of added value on other water outlets in the bathroom and will present the results at the 2007 ISH trade show in Frankfurt.
The company says the market for touch-free and electronically controlled special fittings continues to grow. Consumers are no longer afraid of products combining electricity (12 volt) with water, and mass production offers affordable pricing. Years of experience have been engineered into today’s fittings, resulting in reliable functionality, and products can be installed out of the box at the customer site even by sanitary fitters who may not have worked with electronic products before.
Faucets can be programmed by remote control, and such technologies are also used in self-closing faucets whose push button design makes them even more intuitive to use than electronic models fitted with infra-red ‘eyes’. The typical features of electronic faucets (auto rinsing, electronic flow-time control, etc) have been engineered into these self-closing faucets.
In Japan, Daiwa House Industry Company and Toto have jointly developed equipment that enables entire families to carry out regular health checks.
In view of the fact that lifestyle-related diseases are increasing, the Intelligent Toilet offers users a system for daily health management. Equipped with a measurement function for checking blood sugar, blood pressure, body fat and weight, the Intelligent Toilet records a year’s data for up to four individuals in a household.
Measurements taken and stored by the toilet can be transferred via a home network for storage on a PC. Hiroyuki Yoshida of the Daiwa House central research laboratory says data stored on the PC can be displayed on a graph as weekly, monthly and annual units using Kenko Kanri Kun health-management software.
“This system enables changes in current health conditions to be easily identified. The calories in everyday meals can be calculated and advice provided about appropriate diet and exercise,” he says.
“The Intelligent Toilet is based on our electronic home network technology, which is similar to our IT Earthquake Notification System. We are continually working to develop new systems to make the home smarter, and the Intelligent Toilet is one of the steps in our strategy.”