TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to water computers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a control unit which makes use of concentric adjusting knobs for varying different parameters controlled by the water computers.

BACKGROUND

Water computers (also referred to as water distributors) are used for controlling different parameters of water systems in outdoor applications. Generally, the water computers are provided with a control unit which acts as an interface for a user. Further, the control unit usually has multiple adjustment knobs, with each of the multiple adjustment knobs programmed to adjust value of a parameter operated by the water computers.

However, there have been instances when operation of one adjustment knob disturbs values pre-set by any other adjustment knob of the multiple adjustment knobs. This can usually happen with“double -knob” type of adjustment knobs where the adjustment knobs are arranged such that there may be inadvertent adjustment while engaging with only one of the adjustment knobs of the control unit.

An example of an interface such as a vehicle air-conditioning unit is provided by EP0795807 (hereinafter referred to as ’807 reference). The’807 reference provides a control unit that includes a rotary knob for air quantity adjustment provided concentrically with a rotary knob for temperature adjustment. The rotary knob for temperature can usually be retracted with respect to the rotary knob for air quality and being movable to a projecting position. However, the Ό92 reference does not disclose a means which allows locking of one set of the rotary knob while operating another set of the rotary knob. This can lead to undesirable change in parameters while engaging with only one rotary knob.

Thus, there is a need of an improved arrangement of adjustment knobs of the control unit to avoid any undesirable operation of any of the adjustment knobs. SUMMARY

In view of the above, it is an objective of the present invention to solve or at least reduce the drawbacks discussed above. The objective is at least partially achieved by a control unit. The control unit includes at least of an inner knob configured to adjust a first parameter controlled by the control unit. Further, the inner knob moves between a first position and a second position. The control unit includes an outer knob configured to adjust a second parameter controlled by the control unit. The outer knob is present concentrically around the inner knob. Moreover, the first position of the inner knob is defined as a projected position relative to the outer knob, and the second position of the inner knob is defined as a retracted position relative to the outer knob. The control unit is characterized in that when the inner knob is in the first position, the outer knob is locked for adjustment of the second parameter.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the inner knob is locked for adjustment of the first parameter in the second position of the inner knob. This avoids any inadvertent adjustment of the first parameter while the inner know remains in the second position. But, adjustment to the second parameters can be made by the outer know even as the inner knob is locked.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, movement of the inner knob between the first position and the second position is effectuated by applying a push force to the inner knob. This provides convenience of operation of the inner knob by application of the push force.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is configured to control a water distributor. The water distributor can be controlled as desired using position-based-locking feature of the inner knob and the outer knob.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit is configured to control a water computer. The control unit allows desired control of the water computer, particularly by change of position of the inner knob which also has a relation with working of the outer knob. Other features and aspects of this invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the enclosed drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A shows a cross-sectional view of a control unit with an inner knob in a first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. IB shows a front view of the control unit with the inner knob in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C shows a cross-sectional view of the control unit with the inner knob in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. ID shows a perspective view of the control unit with the inner knob in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. IE shows a top view of the control unit with the inner knob in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of the control unit with the inner knob in a second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a front view of the control unit with the inner knob in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional view of the control unit with the inner knob in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2D shows a perspective view of the control unit with the inner knob in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2E shows a top view of the control unit with the inner knob in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the control unit with the inner knob in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the control unit with the inner knob in the second position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows a perspective view of the control unit with the inner knob in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4B shows a side view of the control unit with the inner knob in the first position, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the invention incorporating one or more aspects of the present invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. For example, one or more aspects of the present invention can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of structures and/or methods. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the invention. For example, "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "side", "longitudinal", "lateral", "transverse", "upwards", "downwards", "forward", "backward", "sideward", "left," "right," "horizontal," "vertical," "upward", "inner", "outer", "inward", "outward", "top", "bottom", "higher", "above", "below", "central", "middle", "intermediate", "between", "end", "adjacent", "proximate", "near", "distal", "remote", "radial", "circumferential", or the like, merely describe the configuration shown in the Figures. Indeed, the components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

FIG. 1A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a control unit 100. The control unit 100 of the present disclosure makes reference to a water computer or a water distributor for implementation. However, the present disclosure can be readily implemented for any system which requires control of one or more parameters by a control unit as will be appreciated by a person having ordinary skill in the art.

The control unit 100 includes an inner knob 102 which is shown here in a first position. The inner knob 102 is used to adjust a first parameter controlled by the control unit 100. Moreover, the inner knob 102 can be used to adjust the first parameter in the first position only. This prevents any inadvertent use of the inner knob 102, and as a result adjustment of the first parameter when it is not desired. The control unit 100 includes an outer knob 104 to adjust a second parameter controlled by the control unit 100. The outer knob 104 is provided concentrically around the inner knob 102. However, the outer knob 104 and the inner knob 102 may be arranged in any other relative configuration for application of the present disclosure.

During adjustment of the first parameter, the inner knob 102 may be rotated along its vertical axis. Further, there can be indicators/markings with the inner knob 102 to act as reference for change in magnitude of the first parameter. Similarly, indicators/markings can be provided with the outer knob 104 to act as reference for change in magnitude of the second parameter. The outer knob 104 can be rotated along its vertical axis, independently of the inner knob 102. This leads to adjustment of the second parameter. Thus, the first parameter and the second parameter can be independently adjusted. The control unit 100 further includes a locking device 106 which locks the outer knob 104 and/or the inner knob 102 depending upon position of the inner knob 102. In some embodiments, this allows locking of adjustment of one parameter (i.e. the second parameter) while the other parameter (i.e. the first parameter) undergoes suitable adjustment as desired. Moreover, the control unit 100 includes a spring 108 to guide movement of the inner knob 102 between the first position and the second position, which is expected to take place on application of an external push action on the inner knob 102.

FIG. IB and FIG. 1C illustrate different views of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in the first position. FIG. 1C, in particular, shows location of the locking device 106 which further includes a locking contour 110 and the spring 108 inside the inner knob 102. The locking contour 110 can lock the inner knob 102 or the outer knob 104 depending upon position of the inner knob 102. Further, the locking contour 110 checks any inadvertent movement of the inner knob 102 in absence of any push force. The first position of the inner knob 102 may be defined as a projected position relative to the outer knob 104. This allows ease of engagement with the inner knob 102 so as to make desired adjustments to the first parameter.

When the inner knob 102 is in the first position, the outer knob 104 is locked for adjustment of the second parameter. FIG. ID and FIG. IE illustrate views from top of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in the first position. The changeover of the inner knob 102 which moves from the first position to the second position is shown with FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2D.

FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in the second position. This position (i.e. the second position) leads to locking of the inner knob 102 and allows adjustment of the second parameter by the outer knob 104. The second position of the inner knob 102 may be defined as a retracted position relative to the outer knob 104. Thus, the inner knob 102 is locked for adjustment of the first parameter in the second position of the inner knob 102 as desired in cases of “double -knob” arrangement provided by the present disclosure. In an embodiment, movement of the inner knob 102 between the first position and the second position is effectuated by applying a push force to the inner knob 102. The push force may be pre-set depending upon the material/weight/type of the control unit 100 or any component thereof. Further, the control unit 100 may be programmed such that a single instance application of the push force to the inner knob 102 moves it to the second position and a double instance of application of the push force moves the inner knob 102 to the second position or vice-versa. The spring 108 housed inside the inner knob 102 guides the movement of the inner knob 102 between the first position and the second position and stores the push force for effectuating such movements of the inner knob 102.

FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C illustrate different views of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in the second position. Further, FIGS.2D and FIG.2E illustrate views from top of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 in the second position. The inner knob 102 is practically inaccessible in the second position t and as a result, only allows adjustment by the outer knob 104 which controls the second parameter of the control unit 100.

The control unit 100 of the present disclosure controls a water distributor, or a water computer as illustrated by different views of FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. Here, the control unit 100 is shown with the inner knob 102 in the second position. The inner knob 102 stays in this position as long as no external push force is applied on the inner knob 102. The present figures illustrate only the major components such as the inner knob 102 and the outer knob 104 from aesthetical and clarity considerations although there will be other components such as valve, seals among others of the control unit 100 as will be appreciated by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art.

Now, in order to make any adjustment by the inner knob 102 which remains locked in the second position of the inner knob 102, the push force is applied. The push force moves the inner knob 102 to the first position (from the second position as shown earlier) and allows adjustment to the first parameter. FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate different views of the control unit 100 with the inner knob 102 again moved to the first position. Further, the inner knob 102 and/or the outer knob 104 can be provided with means to monitor and notify for events where any undesired adjustment is solicited during locked stage of any of them. For example, when the inner knob 102 is in the first position (as in the current case), the outer knob 104 remains locked for adjustment of the second parameter. However, in case of negligence on the part of a common user there may be forced engagement with the outer knob 104 (currently locked) leading to possible damage. So, the control unit 100 may prevent this damage by timely notification to the common user regarding the state of the inner knob 102 and/or the outer knob 104 and any further information, if warranted/queried by the common user. This feature is expected to extend the life of the control unit 100 and prove beneficial during maintenance of the control unit 100.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed preferred embodiments and examples of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation of the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

LIST OF ELEMENTS 100 Control Unit 102 Inner Knob

104 Outer Knob

106 Locking Device 108 Spring

110 Locking Contour