WO2016007926A1

WO2016007926A1 - Shower water conservation system

Info

Publication number: WO2016007926A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/040053
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jin XIAOXIAO
Original assignee: Xiaoxiao Jin
Priority date: 2014-07-10
Filing date: 2015-07-10
Publication date: 2016-01-14

Abstract

A shower water conservation system may include a hot water pipe including an initial cold water, which is colder than a set shower temperature; a water tank to receive and store the initial cold water; a plurality of water valves and temperature sensors disposed near said water valves, and a controller to communicatively connected to the water valves and the temperature sensors; wherein the initial cold water in the hot water pipe starts flowing into the water tank when the system is started, and when the controller determines that the water temperature reaches the set shower temperature based on the signals transmitted from the temperature sensors, the controller controls the water valves to enable the hot water from the hot water pipe to mix with the initial cold water saved in the water tank to generate water at the set shower temperature discharging from the showerhead.

Description

SHOWER WATER CONSERVATI ON SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a water conservation system, and more particularly to a shower water conservation system that can be easily operated and controlled by the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] With the increase in global population and the vagaries of weather, water conservation has become a significant cause, not only in this country but throughout the world. While people have been aware of the importance of water saving, it is difficult for everyone convert the awareness of water-saving into action, so it is still a lot of water being wasted.

[0003] As we all know, in a shower water system, hot water has to go through a lengthy hot water pipe to the showerhead. Compared to room temperature, the water temperature in the hot water pipe is much higher, so after every shower, the hot water remaining in the hot water pipe will be inevitably cooled down, and the next user has to drain the remaining cold water in order to obtain the higher temperature water for shower, which results in unnecessary waste of water. Accordingly, several bathroom water conservation systems have been developed.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No.: 5,341,629 to Serrano discloses a system to re-use the soapy water resulting from a shower bath, which is collected in the shower area and is sent to a complementary tank being placed above the ordinary water tank of the toilet, and in fluid communication with this latter to supply the soapy water for operating the flush of the toilet. This system comprises a pumping device to convey the soapy water collected in the shower area to said complementary tank. Although Serrano's system meets the purpose of saving water, it is different from the present invention because Serrano's system is to reuse the soapy water to flush the toilet, while the present invention is to conserve the initial cold shower water to mix with the hot water instead of draining away the initial cold water.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No.: 7,707,665 to Hong discloses a shower water conservation apparatus that conserves the shower water by storing the initially cooled water that is produced by a hot water source. The initially cooled water is routed by a series of pipes and timed valves into a water reservoir assembly, such as a bellows, where the water is stored for later use. The cooled water from the bellows is timely released and mixed with flow of cold water from a cold water source. The mixed cold water is further mixed with the now hot water from the hot water source before the mixed hot and cold water is manually regulated and applied through a shower head. However, Hong's system seems bulky and complicated, and is technically different from the present invention. Therefore, there remains a need for a new and improved shower water conservation system to overcome the problems stated above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide a smart shower water conservation system to save the water that has not reached the desired temperature at the beginning of the shower.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a smart shower water conservation system without the use of any external power or energy sources such as pumps or power outlets. [0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a smart shower water conservation system to provide shower water at the desired temperature as soon as the user begins to take shower.

[0009] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a smart shower water conservation system that is easy to install and clean.

[0010] In one aspect, a shower water conservation system may include a water tank, a controller, a showerhead, a plurality of water valves, a hot water pipe, and a cold water pipe. As stated above, there may be some cold water remaining in the hot water pipe and people usually drain the remaining the cold water to obtain the shower water at the desired temperature, which causes an unnecessary waste of water. In one embodiment, the user can manually operate the controller to start the system to set up the temperature of the shower water. Right after receiving the order from the user, the remaining cold water in the hot water pipe starts to flow into the water tank, so the remaining cold water is saved in the water tank instead of draining away to cause waste.

[0011] It is important to note that the remaining cold water in the hot pipe can flow into the water tank when the valves on the hot water pipe are open (while the valves on the cold water pipe are closed) because the cold water in the hot water pipe is driven by the gravitational potential energy. Namely, the cold water can flow into the water tank without any external power source like a pump, which makes the shower water conservation system 300 more environmental friendly.

[0012] The shower water conservation system may further include a plurality of temperature sensors disposed near the valves respectively. The temperature sensors are communicatively connected with the controller, so the controller can control the valves according to signals received from the temperature sensors. [0013] When the remaining cold water is flowing into the water tank, the water temperature in the hot water pipe gradually increases because hot water keeps flowing into the hot water pipe. When the controller determines that the temperature can reach the desirable temperature set by the user based on the signals transmitted from the temperature sensors, the controller controls the valves to enable the hot water from the hot water pipe to mix with the cold water saved in the water tank, and the water at the desirable shower temperature set by the user can be generated and discharged from the showerhead.

[0014] In another aspect, a method of conserving shower water may include steps of providing a set shower temperature; determining whether the shower temperature is higher than the water temperature in the hot water pipe; storing the cold water in the hot water pipe into the water tank if the shower temperature is higher than the water temperature in the hot water pipe; determining whether the shower temperature is reached; and mixing the cold water in the water tank and the hot water in the hot water pipe to start providing the shower water.

[0015] Comparing with conventional shower systems, the present invention is advantageous because a significant amount of water that has not reached the desired temperature at the beginning of the shower can be saved to the water tank, which can be mixed with the subsequent hot water to generate the shower water at the desired temperature without wasting the initial cold water. Also, the system is easy to operate and install. Furthermore, the water is driven by gravitational potential energy, so the system does not need any external power source like pumps to drive the water, which makes the system more eco-friendly and environmental friendly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a prior art disclosing a system to re-use the soapy water resulting from a shower bath.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a prior art disclosing a shower water conservation apparatus that conserves the shower water by storing the initially cooled water that is produced by a hot water source.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the shower water conservation system in the present invention

[0019] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the shower water conservation system in the present invention when the remaining cold water in the hot water pipe is flowing into the water tank.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the shower water conservation system in the present invention when the hot water is mixing with the cold water in the water tank.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the shower water conservation system in the present invention when the cold water in the water tank is running out and the hot water is mixing with the cold water from the cold water pipe.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of conserving the shower water in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently exemplary device provided in accordance with aspects of the present invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be prepared or utilized. It is to be understood, rather, that the same or equivalent functions and components may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. [0024] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods, devices and materials similar or equivalent to those described can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the exemplary methods, devices and materials are now described.

[0025] All publications mentioned are incorporated by reference for the purpose of describing and disclosing, for example, the designs and methodologies that are described in the publications that might be used in connection with the presently described invention. The publications listed or discussed above, below and throughout the text are provided solely for their disclosure prior to the filing date of the present application. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the inventors are not entitled to antedate such disclosure by virtue of prior invention.

[0026] In one aspect, as shown in FIG. 3, a shower water conservation system 300 may include a water tank 310, a controller 320, a showerhead 330, a plurality of water valves (341 to 346), a hot water pipe 351, and a cold water pipe 352. As stated above, there may be some cold water remaining in the hot water pipe 351 and people usually drain the remaining the cold water to obtain the shower water at the desired temperature, which causes an unnecessary waste of water. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user can manually operate the controller 320 to start the system 300 to set up the temperature of the shower water. Right after receiving the order from the user, the remaining cold water in the hot water pipe 351 starts to flow into the water tank 310 as shown in FIG. 4, so the remaining cold water is saved in the water tank 310 instead of draining away to cause waste. [0027] It is important to note that the remaining cold water in the hot pipe 351 can flow into the water tank 310 when the valves 341 to 343 are open (while other valves are closed) because the remaining cold water in the hot water pipe is driven by the gravitational potential energy. Namely, the cold water can flow into the water tank 310 without any external power source like a pump, which makes the shower water conservation system 300 more environmental friendly.

[0028] The shower water conservation system 300 may further include a plurality of temperature sensors 341' to 346' disposed near the valves 341 to 346 respectively. The temperature sensors are communicatively connected with the controller 320, so the controller 320 can control the valves 341 to 346 according to signals received from the temperature sensors 341' to 346'.

[0029] When the remaining cold water is flowing into the water tank 310, the water temperature in the hot water pipe 351 gradually increases because hot water keeps flowing into the hot water pipe 351. As shown in FIG. 5, when the controller 320 determines that the temperature can reach the desirable temperature set by the user based on the signals transmitted from the temperature sensors, the controller 320 opens valves 344 and 345, and closes valve 341, so the hot water from the hot water pipe 351 can mix with the cold water saved in the water tank 310, and the water at the desirable shower temperature set by the user can be generated and discharged from the showerhead 330.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, when the cold water in the water tank 310 is nearly running out, the controller 320 opens valves 345 and 346 to let the cold water flow into the cold water pipe 352 to the showerhead 330 to mix with the hot water, so the user can continuously enjoy the shower water at the desired temperature. At this time, the system 300 works similarly to a typical shower system. [0031] In one embodiment, the controller 320 can be controlled by an electronic device, such as a cell phone, computer, tablet computer, etc. So the user can even remotely initiate the system while driving, and when he/she gets back home, the water at set temperature has been ready. In another embodiment, when the system 300 is temporarily shut off, the controller 320 can record current temperature of the water, and when the system 300 is resumed, it can adjust the amount of inlet hot/cold water to reach the temperature set by the user.

[0032] In another aspect as shown in FIG. 7, a method of conserving shower water may include steps of providing a set shower temperature 410; determining whether the shower temperature is higher than the water temperature in the hot water pipe 420; storing the cold water in the hot water pipe into the water tank if the shower temperature is higher than the water temperature in the hot water pipe 430; determining whether the shower temperature is reached 440; and mixing the cold water in the water tank and the hot water in the hot water pipe to start providing the shower water 450.

[0033] As discussed above, a plurality of temperature sensors 341' to 346' are disposed near the water valves 341 to 346, and the temperature sensors are communicatively connected with the controller 320, so the controller can determine whether the water temperature in the hot water pipe 351 is higher (or lower) than the set shower temperature, as shown in step 420.

[0034] In step 430, once the controller 320 determines that the shower temperature is higher than the water temperature, the controller 320 opens water valves 341 to 343 (while valve 344 is closed) for the cold water in the hot water pipe 351 flowing into the water tank 310. As discussed above, the remaining cold water in the hot pipe 351 is driven by the gravitational potential energy, so the cold water can flow into the water tank 310 without any external power source like a pump. [0035] While the cold water flowing into the water tank 310, the water temperature gradually increases because fresh hot water continuously flows into the system. According to the signals transmitted by the temperature sensors 341'- 343', the controller 320 determines whether the water temperature has already reaches the set temperature for shower as shown in step 440. If the temperature reaches the set shower temperature, the controller 320 opens valves 344 and 345, and closes valve 341, so the hot water from the hot water pipe 351 can mix with the cold water saved in the water tank 310, and the water at the temperature by the user can be generated and discharged from the showerhead 330, as shown in step 450. At this time, the water tank functions as a cold water supply.

[0036] In steps 460 and 470, when the system is just initiated, if the water temperature in the hot water pipe is already higher than the temperature set by the user, the water in the hot water pipe does not need to flow into the water tank 310, and the system can be used as a regular shower system as shown in FIG. 6.

[0037] Comparing with conventional shower systems, the present invention is advantageous because a significant amount of water that has not reached the desired temperature at the beginning of the shower can be saved to the water tank 310, which can be mixed with the subsequent hot water to generate the shower water at the desired temperature without wasting the initial cold water. Also, the system 300 is easy to operate and install. Furthermore, the water is driven by gravitational potential energy, so the system 300 does not need any external power source like pumps to drive the water, which makes the system more eco-friendly and environmental friendly.

[0038] Having described the invention by the description and illustrations above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered as limiting. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description, but includes any equivalents.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A shower water conservation system comprising:

a hot water pipe including an initial cold water, temperature of which is lower than a set shower temperature;

a cold water pipe;

a water tank to receive and store the initial cold water;

a plurality of water valves and temperature sensors disposed near said water valves, and

a controller to communicatively connected to the water valves and the temperature sensors to control the water valves based on signals received from the temperature sensors;

wherein the initial cold water in the hot water pipe starts flowing into the water tank when the system is started, and water temperature in the hot water pipe gradually increases because hot water keeps flowing into the hot water pipe, and when the controller determines that the water temperature reaches the set shower temperature based on the signals transmitted from the temperature sensors, the controller controls the water valves to enable the hot water from the hot water pipe to mix with the initial cold water saved in the water tank to generate water at the set shower temperature discharging from the showerhead.

2. The shower water conservation system of claim 1, wherein the initial cold water flowing to the water tank is driven by the gravitational potential energy.

3. The shower water conservation system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the water valves is disposed on the hot water pipe, while the other portion of the water valves is disposed on the cold water pipe.

4. The shower water conservation system of claim 1, wherein when the initial cold water in the water tank is nearly running out, the controller opens one or more water valves on the cold water pipe to enable fresh cold water to flow into the cold water pipe to the showerhead to mix with the hot water from the hot water pipe.