CN216822860U

CN216822860U - Water dispenser and heater for use during rest days

Info

Publication number: CN216822860U
Application number: CN202121487580.3U
Authority: CN
Inventors: E·克里斯托; 奥马尔·本巴鲁克; 梅塔尔·沙菲尔; 奥利·内厄姆
Original assignee: Strauss Water Ltd
Current assignee: Strauss Water Ltd
Priority date: 2020-07-01
Filing date: 2021-07-01
Publication date: 2022-06-28
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-01
Also published as: WO2022003695A1; CN113876197A; IL275789A; CN113876197B

Abstract

The present application relates to water dispensers and heaters for use during the weekdays. Apparatus and methods for dispensing hot water are provided herein, particularly for use during the holidays and other jewish days. The apparatus comprises a reservoir chamber and a heating assembly, wherein the reservoir chamber comprises a heat exchange unit configured to transfer heat from the heating assembly to water contained inside the reservoir chamber, thereby continuously heating the water, and wherein the reservoir chamber is configured to be in fluid communication with a source of water. The apparatus also includes a dispensing outlet configured to dispense water from the reservoir chamber through the dispensing outlet according to a user demand.

Description

Water dispenser and heater for use during rest days

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to devices and methods for dispensing hot water, particularly for use during festivals, during which the operation of electrical devices or the heating of water is not allowed due to religious restrictions.

Background

References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

-US 7,672,576

-US 9,321,623

-US 2014/136109

the acknowledgement herein of the above references should not be inferred to mean that these references are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

Background

Whether for domestic or industrial use, a water dispenser device configured to supply filtered or purified hot or near boiling water on demand is highly advantageous to consumers. Such water dispenser apparatus typically houses a heating chamber adapted to receive unheated filtered water and to directly supply heat to the unheated filtered water using an electrical heating element. After hot water is dispensed from the heating chamber, a new unheated filtered water stream will be introduced into the heating chamber to replenish the supply of water, and then directly heated by the heating element.

There are several limitations to using a water dispenser configured to supply hot water according to immediate demand. When one is unable to do work, this means that the start-up current is prohibited from heating the water directly. Further, direct heating of the liquid beyond a certain threshold temperature is prohibited. Typically, such a threshold temperature may be in the range of about 40 ℃ to 45 ℃.

Various technical solutions have been disclosed to overcome these limitations, such as starting the current by means of a pre-programmed timer before starting, so as to heat the water residing in the heating chamber and keep it at a constant high temperature (similar to the operation of a kettle), or devices containing several heating chambers, in which water is heated in a first chamber and dispensed from a second chamber.

However, there are several disadvantages associated with conventional or previously disclosed techniques, such as a limited supply of hot water that can be consumed, or the incorporation of complex mechanisms, which may result in large and bulky devices that are not suitable for use in a domestic kitchen. There remains an unmet need for a simple and cost-effective apparatus and method of heating and dispensing hot water that complies with regulations, while complying with regulations.

General description

The present invention provides an apparatus and method for heating and dispensing treated hot water. Advantageously, the disclosed apparatus provides a compact system that meets domestic hot water consumption requirements while providing treated hot drinking water at a controlled and predetermined temperature for unlimited continuous consumption.

As used herein, the start-up current is inhibited and the water is directly heated to a temperature above about 40-45 ℃.

Accordingly, by one aspect of the present disclosure, the present disclosure provides a dispensing unit configured to provide a continuous supply of hot water for use. The water dispenser includes a reservoir chamber, a heating assembly chamber, and a dispensing outlet configured to enable water to be dispensed from the reservoir chamber therethrough. The reservoir chamber is configured to receive and contain water from a water source and includes a heat exchange unit configured to transfer heat from a working fluid to the water contained within the reservoir chamber to heat the water to a predetermined temperature. The heating assembly chamber includes a heating assembly in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit.

According to some embodiments, the water source is a water treatment unit configured to be in fluid communication with the dispensing unit and to be electrically and/or data connected.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit further comprises a controllable valve configured to control the flow of water into the reservoir chamber, wherein the dispensing unit further comprises a control unit, and wherein the controllable valve is in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit.

According to some embodiments, the heat exchange unit comprises a heat pipe having a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion extending between said first end portion and said second end portion, and wherein each of the first end portion and the second end portion extends through a respective hole formed in a wall of the reservoir chamber.

According to some embodiments, the heating assembly comprises a heating unit in fluid communication with the pump, wherein the heating unit and the pump are in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit.

According to some embodiments, the heating unit is configured to receive, contain, and heat a working fluid residing in the heating unit to a preselected temperature.

According to a further embodiment, the preselected temperature of the working fluid is selected from the range of about 45 ℃ to about 99 ℃. According to further embodiments, the preselected temperature is selected from the range of about 45 ℃ to about 50 ℃, about 50 ℃ to about 60 ℃, about 60 ℃ to about 70 ℃, about 70 ℃ to about 80 ℃, about 80 ℃ to about 90 ℃, or about 90 ℃ to about 99 ℃. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to yet another embodiment, the preselected temperature is selected from the range of about 75 ℃ to about 99 ℃. According to yet another embodiment, the preselected temperature is selected from the range of about 90 ℃ to about 99 ℃. According to yet another embodiment, the preselected temperature is selected from the range of about 95 ℃ to about 98 ℃.

According to some embodiments, the heat exchange unit, the heating unit, and the pump are in fluid communication with one another, forming a closed loop heating system configured to transfer heat from the working fluid to water contained within the reservoir chamber using indirect contact between the working fluid and the water through the heat exchange unit.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit further comprises at least two water level sensors, wherein each water level sensor is configured to measure a water level of water contained in the reservoir chamber and to generate a measured water level signal indicative of the water level and to transmit the measured water level signal to the control unit.

According to some embodiments, the at least two water level sensors are configured to determine when the level of water contained within the reservoir chamber reaches or falls below the first and second threshold levels.

According to some embodiments, the reservoir chamber further comprises at least one thermal sensor configured to measure a temperature of water contained in the reservoir chamber and generate a temperature signal indicative thereof.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is configured to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: transmitting a communication signal to the various electronic components of the dispensing unit, receiving the communication signal from the various electronic components of the dispensing unit, and initiating the communication signal; wherein the various electronic components include a controllable valve, a heating unit, a pump, a thermal sensor and at least two water level sensors.

According to some embodiments, the control unit is configured to periodically refill the reservoir chamber at predetermined time intervals depending on the water level residing in the reservoir chamber, and to alternately activate and deactivate the pump and the heating unit in order to heat or continuously maintain the water contained within the reservoir chamber at a predetermined temperature.

According to some embodiments, the at least two water level sensors include a first water level sensor, a second water level sensor and a third water level sensor, wherein the second water level sensor indicates whenever the water level of the water contained in the reservoir chamber reaches or falls below a first threshold level, and the third water level sensor indicates whenever the water level of the water contained in the reservoir chamber reaches or falls below a second threshold level.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit further comprises a fluid conduit configured to attach to a water source and allow fluid to flow therethrough, and at least one DC wire for establishing an electrical and data connection between the dispensing unit and the water source.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit further comprises at least one-way valve fluidly coupled to the controllable valve, the at least one-way valve being configured to allow water to flow only from the fluid conduit in the direction of the reservoir chamber.

According to some embodiments, the heating assembly is fluidly coupled to at least one-way valve configured to allow fluid flow in a single direction within the closed loop heating system.

According to some embodiments, the first threshold water level represents a selected amount of water contained within the reservoir chamber from about 0.5 liters to about 6 liters. According to a further embodiment, the first threshold water level represents a quantity of water selected from about 1.5 liters to about 2.5 liters. According to some embodiments, the second threshold water level represents a selected amount of water contained within the reservoir chamber from about 1.5 liters to about 10 liters. According to a further embodiment, the second threshold water level represents a quantity of water selected from about 2 liters to about 4 liters.

According to some embodiments, the predetermined temperature is selected from the range of about 40 ℃ to about 99 ℃. According to a further embodiment, the predetermined temperature is selected from the range of about 75 ℃ to about 99 ℃. According to some embodiments, the preselected temperature is selected from the range of about 45 ℃ to about 110 ℃. According to a further embodiment, the preselected temperature is selected from the range of about 90 ℃ to about 99 ℃.

According to further embodiments, the predetermined temperature is selected from the range of about 40 ℃ to about 50 ℃, about 50 ℃ to about 60 ℃, about 60 ℃ to about 70 ℃, about 70 ℃ to about 80 ℃, about 80 ℃ to about 90 ℃, or about 90 ℃ to about 99 ℃. Each possibility is a separate embodiment. According to yet another embodiment, the predetermined temperature is selected from the range of about 75 ℃ to about 99 ℃. According to yet another embodiment, the predetermined temperature is selected from the range of about 85 ℃ to about 98 ℃. According to yet another embodiment, the predetermined temperature is selected from the range of about 85 ℃ to about 95 ℃. According to some embodiments, the predetermined temperature is greater than about 95 ℃.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit extends from the dispensing unit bottom surface toward the dispensing unit top cover, and further includes a dispensing unit housing that houses internal components of the dispensing unit, including the reservoir chamber, the heating assembly chamber, and the control unit. According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit top cover includes a circumferential seal configured to provide a water-tight seal between the dispensing unit housing and/or its reservoir chamber.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit top cap comprises a top cap inner face and a top cap outer face, between which a top cap inner space is accommodated. According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit top cap further comprises at least one discharge opening at the top cap exterior face and at least one fluid opening at the top cap interior face, wherein the at least one discharge opening is fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid opening via the top cap interior space, wherein the at least one discharge opening enables boiling water and/or steam/vapor to flow therethrough, and wherein the top cap interior space is configured to allow boiling water and/or steam/vapor flowing therethrough to condense into liquid form and flow back into the reservoir chamber through the at least one fluid opening.

According to some embodiments, the at least one fluid opening is located at a lowest position along the interior face of the roof to allow condensed liquid water to efficiently flow back into the reservoir chamber.

According to some embodiments, the at least one discharge opening is surrounded by a circumferential extension extending vertically from the cap outer face.

According to some embodiments, the cap outer face slopes downwardly from the region of the circumferential extension to the circumferential edge of the cap.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a method for dispensing hot water from a dispensing unit, the method comprising (a) connecting a dispensing unit as described above to a water source, thereby forming a fluid communication and an electrical/data connection between the dispensing unit and the water source; (b) initiating activation of the dispensing unit; (c) activating the controllable valve to initiate and periodically regulate the flow of water from the water source into the reservoir chamber of the dispensing unit; (d) activating the heating unit to heat the working fluid residing in the heating unit to a preselected temperature; (e) activating the pump to circulate the hot working fluid through the heat exchange unit for a predetermined duration to heat the water contained within the reservoir chamber to a predetermined temperature; and (f) repeating steps (d) and (e) in succession.

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises periodically monitoring the level of water flowing into or contained within the reservoir chamber during operation of the dispensing unit according to the first and second threshold water levels, and initiating various refill commands accordingly.

According to some embodiments, the controllable valve is activated at a first predetermined time interval to initiate a first amount of water to flow into the reservoir chamber if the water level contained within the reservoir chamber is between a first threshold water level and a second threshold water level.

According to some embodiments, if the level of water contained in the reservoir chamber is below the first threshold level, the controllable valve is activated at a second predetermined time interval to initiate water flow into the reservoir chamber until the level of water contained in the reservoir chamber reaches the first threshold level.

According to some embodiments, the controllable valve will not be activated if the level of water contained within the reservoir chamber reaches a second threshold level. According to some embodiments, only one of the pump, the heating unit and the controllable valve can be activated at any given time.

According to some embodiments, the water source is a water treatment unit. According to some embodiments, the working fluid comprises distilled water (distilled water).

According to some embodiments, the method further comprises the step (g) of disconnecting the dispensing unit from the water source.

According to some embodiments, the first predetermined time interval is selected from every about 1 hour to about 4 hours. According to a further embodiment, the first predetermined time interval is about every 1 hour to about 3 hours.

According to some embodiments, the first amount is selected from the range of about 1ml to about 300 ml. According to further embodiments, the first amount is selected from the range of about 1ml to about 10ml, about 10ml to about 20ml, about 20ml to about 40ml, about 40ml to about 60ml, about 60ml to about 80ml, or about 80 to about 100 ml. Each possibility represents a different embodiment. According to further embodiments, the first amount is greater than about 100 ml. According to yet another embodiment, the first amount is selected from the range of about 1ml to about 120 ml. According to yet another embodiment, the first amount is selected from the range of about 5ml to about 50 ml. According to yet another embodiment, the first amount is selected from the range of about 10ml to about 30 ml. According to a further embodiment, the first amount is about 20 ml.

According to some embodiments, the second predetermined time interval is selected from the range of every about 1 minute to about 2 hours. According to a further embodiment, the second predetermined time interval is every about 1 minute to about 60 minutes.

According to some embodiments, the first threshold water level represents an amount of water selected from about 0.5 liters to about 6 liters contained within the reservoir chamber. According to a further embodiment, the first threshold water level represents an amount of water selected from about 1.5 liters to about 2.5 liters. According to some embodiments, the second threshold water level represents an amount of water selected from about 1.5 liters to about 10 liters contained within the reservoir chamber. According to a further embodiment, the second threshold water level represents an amount of water selected from about 2 liters to about 4 liters.

According to further embodiments, the predetermined second threshold water level represents an amount of water selected from about 1.5 liters to about 4 liters, about 4 liters to about 6 liters, about 6 liters to about 8 liters, or about 8 liters to about 10 liters. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment. According to a further embodiment, the predetermined second threshold water level represents a quantity of water selected from about 1.5 liters to about 4.5 liters. According to a further embodiment, the predetermined second threshold water level represents a quantity of water selected from about 2 liters to about 4 liters. According to a further embodiment, the predetermined second threshold water level represents a quantity of water selected from about 2.5 liters to about 3 liters. According to a further embodiment, the predetermined second threshold water level represents a quantity of water of about 3 litres contained in the reservoir chamber. According to a further embodiment, the predetermined second threshold water level represents a quantity of water of about 2.8 litres contained within the reservoir chamber.

According to some embodiments, the predetermined duration is selected from a range of about 10 seconds to about 60 minutes. According to a further embodiment, the predetermined duration is from about 30 seconds to about 15 minutes.

According to some embodiments, there is provided a system comprising a dispensing unit and a water treatment unit fluidly coupled to the dispensing unit, as disclosed above, wherein the water treatment unit comprises at least one liquid treatment device, and wherein the water treatment unit is configured to: receiving a raw liquid stream; at least one treatment or treatments is applied to the raw liquid stream with at least one liquid treatment device and the treated water is supplied to a dispensing unit.

According to some embodiments, the at least one or more treatments are selected from: filtration, disinfection, purification, distillation, and combinations thereof. Each possibility represents a separate embodiment. According to some embodiments, the water treatment unit is configured to apply at least one or more processes to the treated water contained in the water treatment unit prior to supplying the treated water to the dispensing unit, wherein the processes are selected from the group consisting of: heating, cooling and/or freezing.

According to some embodiments, the water treatment unit comprises at least one of a heating chamber and a cooling chamber, the heating chamber being configured to heat and/or contain a quantity of treated hot water; the cooling chamber is configured to cool and/or contain a quantity of treated cold water.

According to some embodiments, the dispensing unit is configured to be in fluid communication with the water treatment unit as well as electrically and/or data connected.

According to some embodiments, the treated water is supplied directly to the dispensing unit after undergoing the at least one treatment without being contained within at least one of the heating and cooling chambers of the water treatment unit.

According to other embodiments, the treated water is supplied to the dispensing unit directly from at least one of the heating and cooling chambers of the water treatment unit after undergoing the at least one liquid process.

According to some embodiments, the water treatment unit further comprises a dispensing outlet configured to dispense said treated water according to user demand. According to some embodiments, the water treatment unit further comprises one or more flow meters for measuring the amount of treated water supplied to the dispensing unit and is configured to generate flow signals/data indicative of its flow rate and to communicate the flow signals/data to the control unit of the dispensing unit.

According to some embodiments, the water treatment unit further comprises at least one first valve configured to regulate the supply of raw liquid into the at least one liquid treatment device and at least one second valve configured to regulate the supply of treated water from the at least one second valve to the dispensing unit.

According to some embodiments, the water treatment unit further comprises a controller configured to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: transmitting the communication signal to various electronic components of the water treatment unit and communicating with the distribution unit; receiving communication signals from various electronic components of the water treatment unit and communicating with the distribution unit; and initiating a communication signal and communicating with the dispensing unit.

As used herein, the term "about" when referring to a measurable value such as an amount, time distance, and the like, is meant to encompass a variation of ± 10%, as such variation is appropriate for the disclosed apparatus, system, and/or method.

It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination or as suitable in any other described embodiment of the invention. Features described in the context of an embodiment are not considered essential features of this example unless explicitly so specified.

Brief Description of Drawings

In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The features shown in the drawings are intended to illustrate only some embodiments of the invention, unless implicitly indicated otherwise. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used to indicate corresponding parts, and in which:

fig. 1A schematically illustrates details of a dispensing unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B schematically illustrates an exploded view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 1A;

2A-2B illustrate different perspective views of a dispensing unit according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the dispensing unit of FIGS. 2A and 2B with portions of its housing removed to expose internal components;

FIG. 4A is a side view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 3 with some additional portions of its internal components removed to expose additional internal components;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the dispensing unit of FIG. 4A rotated 180;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal cross-section of the dispensing unit of FIG. 2A taken along line V-V;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal cross-section of the module of FIG. 2B taken along line VI-VI;

FIGS. 7A-7B are top perspective views of a dispensing unit and a top cover, respectively, according to another embodiment;

8A-8B are close-up views of the dispenser unit overcap of FIG. 7B in longitudinal cross-section along line VIIIA-VIIIA and in detail X, respectively;

8C-8D are front cross-sectional and close-up views of the dispenser unit top cap of FIG. 7B along lines VIIIB-VIIIB, respectively, detail XX; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for dispensing treated hot water from a dispensing unit according to some embodiments.

Detailed description of the embodiments

One or more specific embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered illustrative only and not limiting in any way. It is not important that the elements illustrated in the drawings be drawn necessarily to scale or to the correct relationship.

Reference is first made to fig. 1A-6. The dispensing unit 100 is exemplary and extends along a central vertical axis 101 (see fig. 2A) from a dispensing unit bottom surface 111 to a dispensing unit top cover 109. The dispensing unit 100 includes a dispensing unit housing 102 that houses internal components including a reservoir chamber 104, a heating assembly housing 149, and a control unit 170. The reservoir chamber 104 is located above the heating assembly housing 149 along the central vertical axis 101. The heating assembly housing 149 extends from the dispensing unit bottom surface 111 toward the reservoir chamber 104, and the control unit 170 is attached to an outer surface of the heating assembly housing 149, as illustrated in fig. 3.

The dispensing unit 100 is configured to be in fluid communication with a water source. The water source may be a main water line (main line) configured to supply water to the residence, a separate water reservoir, or another water supply unit/system.

In an exemplary dispensing unit, the dispensing unit 100 is configured to be in fluid communication with a water treatment unit 10 (schematically illustrated in fig. 1B) configured to receive a flow of a raw liquid (e.g., tap water) and to apply one or more treatments (e.g., filtration, disinfection, purification, distillation, and/or the like) to the flow of raw liquid to obtain treated water. The water treatment unit 10 may include at least one liquid treatment device (e.g., a filter) configured to treat liquid flowing therethrough or therethrough. The water treatment unit 10 may be configured to apply one or more processes (e.g., cooling, heating, freezing) to the treated water contained therein.

The treatment unit 10 may include at least one water chamber for receiving and containing a quantity of treated water and optionally providing at least one liquid process (e.g., cooling, heating, freezing) to the treated water. For this purpose, the processing unit 10 may include at least one of a heating chamber configured to heat and/or contain a quantity of hot water and/or a cooling chamber; the cooling chamber is configured to cool and/or contain a quantity of cold/chilled water. The water treatment unit 10 also includes a dispensing outlet (e.g., a manual/electric water tap) configured to dispense treated water according to user demand (e.g., from at least one of the cooling chamber and the heating chamber), and/or at room temperature (i.e., about 25 ℃).

The water treatment unit 10 is configured to supply a flow of treated water to the dispensing unit 100, typically after the water treatment unit 10 has undergone at least one treatment (e.g., filtration, disinfection, purification, distillation, and/or the like) and/or at least one liquid process (e.g., cooling or heating).

The dispensing unit 100 is configured to be in fluid communication with the water treatment unit 10 as well as electrically and data connected. The electrical connection between the dispensing unit 100 and the water treatment unit 10 may be performed by wires connected therebetween and/or wirelessly (e.g., via a wireless connectivity protocol such as ZigBee, WiFi, bluetooth, etc.).

The distribution unit 100 may also include a cable assembly 132 configured to deliver a flow of treated water from the water treatment unit 10 to the distribution unit 100 and to enable an electrical/data connection between the distribution unit 100 and the water treatment unit 10. The cable assembly 132 may also be configured to transfer power from the grid/power grid to the distribution unit 100. For example, the cable assembly 132 may include a fluid conduit 126, at least one DC electrical line 128, and optionally an AC electrical cable 130, the fluid conduit 126 for passing treated water therethrough; at least one DC wire 128 for establishing an electrical/data connection between the dispensing unit 100 and the water treatment unit 10; the AC cable 130 is used to transfer power from the grid to the distribution unit 100. The AC electrical cable 130 may be separate from the cable assembly 132; alternatively, the AC cable 130, the fluid conduit 126, and the at least one DC wire 128 are separate from one another.

At least one DC wire 128 is configured to communicate signals/data between the water treatment unit 10 and the dispensing unit 100 and optionally Direct Current (DC) thereto; and the AC cable 130 is configured to power the distribution unit 100 by passing Alternating Current (AC) from the power grid to the distribution unit 100. Cable assembly 132 may also include an insulating sleeve/sheath (not shown) that tightly holds at least fluid conduit 126 and DC cable 128 and optionally AC cable 130.

The dispensing unit 100 is configured to be removably attached to the water treatment unit 10 via a cable assembly 132. To this end, the cable assembly 132 may include a connector (e.g., a socket/plug) configured to be removably attached to the water treatment unit 10 and enable fluid communication and electrical/data connection therethrough.

Returning to the dispensing unit 100, the reservoir chamber 104 includes a reservoir chamber bottom surface 106 and a reservoir chamber peripheral surface 110, the reservoir chamber peripheral surface 110 extending vertically from the reservoir chamber bottom surface 106 toward the dispensing unit top cover 109. The reservoir chamber 104 is configured to receive and contain a flow of treated water flowing to the reservoir chamber 104 through a reservoir chamber inlet port 112, the reservoir chamber inlet port 112 extending through an aperture formed at a wall of the reservoir chamber 104, such as an aperture (not shown) in the reservoir chamber bottom surface 106.

The reservoir chamber 104 is configured to be in fluid communication with the water treatment unit 10. The fluid conduit 126 is fluidly coupled to the reservoir chamber inlet conduit 140 via a controllable valve 134 configured to control the flow of treated water into the reservoir chamber 104, and is in electrical and/or functional communication with a control unit 170. The reservoir chamber inlet conduit 140 is fluidly coupled to the reservoir chamber inlet port 112 so as to allow water to flow into the reservoir chamber 104 through the reservoir chamber inlet port. Controllable valve 134 may be an electromagnetic, electrically operated valve or any other controllable valve known in the art.

The reservoir chamber inlet conduit 140 is further fluidly coupled to at least one-way valve 105 configured to allow water to flow only from the fluid conduit 126 in a direction toward the reservoir chamber 104 and to prevent water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 from flowing back toward the fluid conduit 126, as shown in fig. 1B.

The reservoir chamber inlet conduit 140 may be further fluidly coupled to at least one flow meter (not shown) configured to measure the amount of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104. The controllable valve 134 may include a flow meter function, enabling it to measure the amount of treated water flowing therethrough. Alternatively or additionally, a flow meter may be provided as a distinct component that is fluidly coupled to the fluid conduit 126 (not shown) configured to measure the amount of treated water flowing through the controllable valve 134. The flow meter may be in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit 170.

The reservoir chamber 104 generally includes a reservoir chamber outlet port 172 that is in fluid communication with a dispensing outlet 168, the dispensing outlet 168 being located, for example, at a front face of an outer surface of the dispensing unit housing 102, such that hot water can be dispensed from the reservoir chamber 104 through the dispensing outlet in accordance with the direct needs of a user, as illustrated in fig. 1A and 5. It should be apparent that although in the illustrated embodiment the dispensing outlet 168 is shown at the front of the exterior surface of the dispensing unit housing 102, this is for illustrative purposes only, and in alternative embodiments the dispensing outlet 168 may be located at any other exterior surface of the dispensing unit housing 102, such as at a sidewall of the dispensing unit housing 102.

Water is permitted to be dispensed from the dispenser by operation of a user operable dispensing mechanical lever 167. Dispensing mechanism lever 167 includes a safety feature (not shown) configured to prevent accidental dispensing and/or child usage. As described above, hot water can be dispensed from the reservoir chamber 104 upon direct demand by the user, i.e., by manual activation of the dispensing mechanical lever 167 by the user, to dispense water through the dispensing outlet 168.

The reservoir chamber 104 may also include at least two water level sensors 114, wherein each water level sensor is configured to measure the level/amount of water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 and to generate measured water level signals/data indicative of its level/amount of water. Each of the at least two water level sensors 114 is in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit 170. The at least two water level sensors 114 of this example include a first water level sensor 114A, a second water level sensor 114B, and a third water level sensor 114C, wherein each water level sensor is located at a different height relative to the reservoir floor surface 106, spaced parallel to the central vertical axis 101 from each other, as illustrated in fig. 1B, 4A, and 4B. Each of the first, second and third

water level sensors

114A, 114B, 114C is attached to the reservoir chamber circumferential surface 110 at a different location.

The reservoir chamber 104 may also include at least one thermal sensor 116 in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit 170 and configured to measure the temperature of the treated water contained in the reservoir chamber and generate temperature signals/data indicative thereof. At least one of a first water level sensor 114A and at least one thermal sensor 116 is attached to the reservoir chamber bottom surface 106.

The reservoir chamber 104 may also include a heat exchange unit 142 configured to transfer heat to water contained within the reservoir chamber 104. The heat exchange unit 142 comprises a heat pipe having a first end portion 145, a second end portion 146, and an intermediate portion 144 extending between the first end portion 145 and the second end portion 146. The middle portion 144 may be a coiled portion 144, as illustrated in fig. 1A, 4A, and 4B. Alternatively, the intermediate portion 144 may be U-shaped, square, or have any other suitable shape thereof (not shown).

Each of the first end portion 145 and the second end portion 146 generally extends through a respective aperture formed in a wall of the reservoir chamber 104, such as a respective aperture (not shown) extending through the reservoir chamber bottom surface 106. Two corresponding apertures may be formed at the reservoir chamber peripheral surface 110 or the bottom surface 106 (not shown). Alternatively, one hole is formed at the reservoir chamber peripheral surface 110 and the other hole is formed at the reservoir chamber bottom surface 106 (not shown).

The heat exchange unit 142 is configured to allow the working fluid to flow within the heating tube (from the first end portion 145, through the intermediate portion 144, and toward the second end portion 146). The working fluid continuously or periodically circulates within the heating tubes of the heat exchange unit 142. The heat exchange unit 142 is configured to allow heat to be transferred from the working fluid flowing therein to the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104, thereby heating the treated water to a predetermined temperature, which may optionally be selected from the range of about 40 ℃ to about 110 ℃.

The heating tube includes a thermally conductive material configured to allow sufficient heat transfer therethrough, and may be selected from the group consisting of: carbon steel, stainless steel, copper nickel alloys, aluminum alloys, titanium, alloys, and combinations thereof; preferably, the thermally conductive material is stainless steel.

The heating assembly housing 149 houses a heating assembly 150 that includes a heating unit 152 in fluid communication with a pump 156, wherein at least one of the heating unit 152 and/or the pump 156 is in electrical and/or functional communication with a control unit 170. The heating unit 152 may be in electrical communication with the power grid via the AC cable 130, thereby receiving electrical energy from the power grid, as illustrated in fig. 1B.

Optionally, but not necessarily, the pump 156 may be located below the heating unit 152 along the central vertical axis 101, as illustrated in fig. 4A. According to some embodiments, heating unit 152 is fluidly coupled to pump 156 by heating unit outlet conduit 154, as illustrated in fig. 1A.

Heating unit 152 may be fluidly coupled to pump 156 by heating unit outlet conduit 154 and elbow connector 155, as illustrated in fig. 1B, 4A, and 4B. Heating unit outlet conduit 154 may extend from heating unit 152 to an elbow connector 155 and be fluidly coupled to elbow connector 155, where elbow connector 155 is fluidly coupled to pump 156.

The pump 156 is fluidly coupled to the first end portion 145 of the heat exchange unit 142 by a heat exchange inlet conduit 159, wherein the second end portion 146 of the heat exchange unit 142 is fluidly coupled to the heating unit 152 by a heat exchange outlet conduit 160.

The heat exchange outlet conduit 160 may further be fluidly coupled to at least one-way valve 105 configured to allow fluid to flow in the direction of the fluid flow direction 103 only from the heat exchange unit 142 towards the heating unit 152, and to prevent fluid from flowing in the opposite direction, as illustrated in fig. 1B. The valve 105 is configured to allow fluid to flow in the direction of the fluid flow direction 103 only from the pump 156 toward the heat exchange unit 142 and to prevent fluid from flowing in the opposite direction, as illustrated in fig. 1B. Advantageously, the one-way valve 105 is utilized to ensure one-way flow as disclosed above for preventing inadvertent mixing between water entering the boundary of the heat exchange unit 142 within the reservoir chamber 104 and water heated within the heating unit 152 prior to entering the boundary of the heat exchange unit 142 within the reservoir chamber 104.

The heating unit 152 includes a base 176 and a body surface 178 attached to the base 176, defining an interior heating chamber 180 between the base 176 and the body surface 178, the interior heating chamber 180 housing a heating element 182 therein. In an exemplary embodiment, the base 176 may be in the form of a smooth rounded surface, and the body surface 178 may be dome-shaped; however, it should be understood that this is merely an example, and the shape of the base and/or body surface may have any other suitable configuration. The heating element 182 is generally attached to the base 176 and extends from the base 176 into the interior heating chamber 180, as illustrated in fig. 5 and 6. The heating element 182 may be a coiled electrical heating element as illustrated in fig. 6, or alternatively, a U-shape, square, or any other shape suitable for an electrical heating element.

The heating element 182 is in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit 170, and the internal heating chamber 180 is configured to contain a working fluid therein. The heating element 182 is configured to heat the working fluid residing within the internal heating chamber 180 to a preselected temperature, optionally selected from the range of about 45 ℃ to about 110 ℃.

The interior heating chamber 180 may include at least one thermal sensor 117 (illustrated in fig. 5) disposed within the interior heating chamber 180 that is configured to measure a temperature of the heated working fluid contained therein and to generate a temperature signal/data indicative thereof. The thermal sensor 117 may be similar to the thermal sensor 116. The at least one thermal sensor 117 is typically in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit 170.

The control unit 170 is configured to control activation and deactivation of the heating unit 152. As used herein, the phrase "activation of the heating unit" refers to activation of the heating element 182, which is configured to heat the working fluid residing within the interior heating chamber 180 as described above. As used herein, the phrase "deactivation of the heating unit" refers to deactivation of the heating element 182.

The working fluid may be selected from water, organic oils, and combinations thereof. According to a further embodiment, the working fluid comprises distilled water.

The heat exchange unit 142, the heating unit 152, and the pump 156 are in fluid communication with one another, forming a closed loop heating system. According to some embodiments, the heating unit 152 is configured to receive, contain, and heat the working fluid to a preselected temperature. As a result of the heating, the working fluid may boil or be converted to steam. The pump 156 is configured to allow the heated working fluid to flow between the heating unit 152 and the heat exchange unit 142 such that the working fluid flowing within the heating tubes of the heat exchange unit 142 is configured to transfer heat to the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 by indirect contact via the heating tubes. The working fluid cools or undergoes condensation to a fluid due to heat transfer. Advantageously, the working fluid does not come into direct contact with the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104, thereby separating the container that heats the working fluid from the container that contains the treated water.

As described above, the dispensing unit 100 includes a closed loop heating system configured to transfer heat from the working fluid to the water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 using indirect contact between the working fluid and the water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 through the heat exchange unit 142. The use of heat exchangers for heating water is conventionally implemented for large tank boiler systems (large tank boiler systems) suitable for heating large amounts of water, typically for domestic bathing or washing purposes, wherein such systems are kept outside the house or kitchen due to their large size. Such large tank boiler systems typically utilize large heat exchange coils, which occupy a large amount of internal tank volume. The coiled heat exchanger cannot be used in combination with a conventional fluid dispenser because of its inadequate volume, requiring the tank to be enlarged to accommodate the same volume of fluid therein.

Advantageously, the dispensing unit 100 disclosed herein utilizes a closed loop heating system to heat the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104, thereby providing a compact and economical dispenser, while at the same time due to the indirect contact between the working fluid and the reservoir chamber 104. In addition, the dispensing unit 100 of the present invention has been developed to incorporate an unconventional small size heat exchange unit 142 to provide an economical dispensing unit 100 that can be installed in a kitchen counter in a residence.

The heating unit 152 may be fluidly coupled to the drip tray 166 by a safety valve conduit 164, the safety valve conduit 164 being configured to allow fluid flow in the direction 103, as illustrated in fig. 1B. The drip tray 166 is generally positioned substantially parallel to the dispensing outlet 168, wherein the drip tray 166 is configured to receive spilled water during dispensing through the dispensing outlet 168. The safety valve conduit 164 is further coupled to at least one safety valve 119 configured to regulate flow therethrough to the drip tray 166 (shown in fig. 1B). Safety valve 119 may be an electrically operated valve similar to controllable valve 134 and configured to control or limit the pressure that may build up in heating unit 152 during heating/boiling of the working fluid in heating unit 152. The relief valve conduit 164 is configured to receive fluid from the heating unit 152 in order to relieve pressure that may come from within the heating unit 152.

The control unit 170 is generally configured to transmit communication signals/data to the various electronic components of the dispensing unit 100 (including the controllable valve 134, the heating unit 152, the pump 156, the first water level sensor 114A, the second water level sensor 114B, the third water level sensor 114C, the thermal sensor 116, and the thermal sensor 117), receive communication signals/data from the various electronic components of the dispensing unit 100 described above, and initiate communication signals/data. The control unit 170 is configured to initiate communication signals/data to and/or receive communication signals/data from the water treatment unit 10. The communication signal/communication data may be transferred through the DC wire 128 (connecting the control unit 170 with the various electronic components (as illustrated in fig. 1B)) and/or wirelessly (not shown). The connectivity signal/connectivity data may include command/control signals.

The control unit 170 generally includes at least one processor (not shown) configured to transmit data (such as, but not limited to, digitized signals, control data, etc.) to the various electronic components of the dispensing unit 100, receive data (such as, but not limited to, digitized signals, control data, etc.) from the various electronic components of the dispensing unit 100; or startup data (such as, but not limited to, digitized signals, control data, etc.); and is configured to initiate and/or execute program instructions for generating control signals for operating the dispensing unit 100. The processor may be selected from, but not limited to: a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a controller, a state machine, gating logic, discrete hardware components, or any other suitable device or combination of devices that can perform calculations or other manipulations of information.

The control unit 170 also includes a connectivity module (not shown) that includes electronic connectivity systems and methods, including wireless links that may incorporate any suitable wireless connection technology known in the art, including but not limited to NFC, Wi-Fi, bluetooth, other radio frequency, Infrared (IR), GSM, CDMA, GPRS, 3G, 4G, W-CDMA, EDGE, or DCDMA200, and the like. According to some embodiments, the connectivity module further comprises a Radio Frequency (RF) antenna.

The communication module may also include at least one of a transmitter module and/or a receiver module, and is typically (although not exclusively) configured to perform wireless communication using bluetooth. The connectivity module may be embedded within the processor or mounted on the PCB and is in electrical and/or functional communication with the processor, thereby enabling transmission and/or reception of signals/data between the connectivity module and the processor. The connectivity module may be configured to communicate signals/data with external devices/equipment and/or computer systems, such as, but not limited to, smart devices (e.g., smartphones or tablets), remote computers/servers and/or databases, remote and/or local data networks, and the like.

According to some embodiments, the control unit 170 further comprises a timer configured to measure time. As used herein, "timer" refers to a software embedded feature that is adapted to measure time when activated.

The dispensing unit 100 also includes a user interface device (not shown) configured to receive user input (e.g., using buttons, such as on/off buttons and/or a touch screen/touch pad), and/or present information to a user (e.g., using a liquid crystal display (i.e., LCD), or a touch screen). The user interface device may be configured to exchange signals/data with the control unit 170, indicative of user input and/or information presented to the user thereby. The user interface device may be configured to indicate the temperature of the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104. The user interface device may include at least one LED light, which may be configured to provide a visual indication during activation of the controllable valve 134 to fill or refill the reservoir chamber 104 with treated water. Advantageously, the user interface device may indicate each time the reservoir chamber 104 is filled or refilled with treated water, alerting the user to not dispense water by activating the dispensing mechanical lever 167 during this period.

The dispensing unit 100 may also include at least one on/off button or switch, which may be an integral part of the user interface device, or alternatively, spaced apart from the user interface device and located at different locations along the dispensing unit housing 102. The on/off button, when activated by a user, may initiate activation or deactivation of the dispensing unit 100.

The second water level sensor 114B is generally configured to generate and communicate measured water level signals/data to the control unit 170 such that the measured water level signals/data indicate whether the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 reaches/falls below a predetermined first threshold level. According to some embodiments, the predetermined first threshold water level represents a quantity of water selected from about 0.5 liters to about 6 liters contained within the reservoir chamber 104.

The third water level sensor 114C is configured to generate and communicate measured water level signals/data to the control unit 170, the measured water level signals/data indicating whether the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 reaches or exceeds a predetermined second threshold level. The predetermined second threshold water level represents a quantity of water selected from about 1.5 liters to about 10 liters contained within the reservoir chamber 104.

The first and second threshold levels are illustrated in FIG. 1B. Typically, the first threshold level represents a quantity of water selected from about 1 liter to about 4 liters contained within the reservoir chamber 104, and the second threshold level represents a quantity of water selected from about 2 liters to about 5 liters contained within the reservoir chamber 104.

Prior to initial activation of the dispensing unit 100, a user may manually connect the cable assembly 132 to the water treatment unit 10 (to form fluid and electrical connections therebetween), and optionally connect the AC electrical cable 130 to the electrical grid (to power the dispensing unit 100) if such cable assembly 132 is not already connected to the electrical grid. Upon initial activation of the dispensing unit 100, the control unit 170 may be configured to transmit a control signal to the water treatment unit 10, thereby requiring activation of any corresponding water treatment unit 10 valves for flow of treated water from the valves into/into the dispensing unit 100. The control unit 170 may be further configured to transmit a control signal to the controllable valve 134 to initiate activation of the controllable valve 134 to allow treated water to flow into the reservoir chamber 104. During activation of controllable valve 134, pump 156 and heating unit 152 are typically deactivated.

Once the level of the treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 reaches the first threshold level, the second water level sensor 114B generates a measured water level signal indicative thereof and transmits the measured water level signal to the control unit 170. When the measured water level signal is received from the second water level sensor 114B, and when the third water level sensor 114C indicates that the water level has not reached the second threshold level, the control unit 170 is configured to regulate the activation and deactivation of the controllable valve 134 to provide for the periodic filling of the reservoir chamber 104 with the first amount of treated water at repeated intervals. Periodic filling is achieved by initiating a first amount of treated water flow into the reservoir chamber 104 at a first predetermined time interval. Supplying the first amount at the first predetermined time interval may be designed to provide periodic filling of the reservoir chamber 104 while preventing interference/overflow of water from the reservoir chamber 104.

The water treatment unit 10 may include one or more flow meters for measuring the amount of treated water supplied to the dispensing unit 100, and the water treatment unit 10 is configured to generate flow signals/data indicative thereof and communicate them to the control unit 170 of the dispensing unit 100. The control unit 170 may adjust the activation and deactivation of the controllable valve 134 accordingly. According to other embodiments, the dispensing unit 100 includes at least one flow meter configured to measure the amount of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 and adjust the activation and deactivation of the controllable valve 134 accordingly.

As long as the level of treated water contained within reservoir chamber 104 remains above the first threshold level, controllable valve 134 is typically configured to be activated by control unit 170 to initiate the flow of a first amount of treated water into reservoir chamber 104 at a first predetermined time interval of about 0.5-5 hours. Further, and when the third water level sensor 114C indicates that the water level has not reached the second threshold water level, the controllable valve 134 is configured to be activated by the control unit 170 at a first predetermined time interval of about every 0.5-4 hours and to initiate a first amount of treated water flow into the reservoir chamber 104. According to some embodiments, the first predetermined time interval is selected from a range of about 1 hour to 3 hours. According to a further embodiment, the first predetermined time interval is selected from the range of about 0.5 hours to 2.5 hours, for example about 2 hours.

Once the level of the treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 reaches the second threshold level, the third water level sensor 114C generates a measured water level signal indicative thereof and transmits the measured water level signal to the control unit 170. When receiving said measured water level signal from the third water level sensor 114C, the control unit 170 is configured to deactivate the controllable valve 134 until the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 reaches/falls below the first threshold level due to consumption by the user. Once the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 reaches/falls below the first threshold level, the control unit 170 is configured to continue to regulate the activation and deactivation of the controllable valve 134 as described herein in order to "refill" the reservoir chamber 104 with treated water.

As long as the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 remains below the first threshold level due to user consumption, the controllable valve 134 is configured to be activated by the control unit 170 to initiate flow of treated water into the reservoir chamber 104 until the level of treated water contained in the reservoir chamber 104 reaches the first threshold level at a second predetermined time interval of every about 1 minute to about 3 hours to refill the reservoir chamber 104 with treated water. The controllable valve 134 is configured to be activated by the control unit 170 at a second predetermined time interval of about 1 minute to about 90 minutes and to initiate flow of treated water into the reservoir chamber 104 until the level of treated water contained in the reservoir chamber 104 reaches the first threshold level. According to some embodiments, the second predetermined time interval is selected from the range of about 5 minutes to about 60 minutes, such as a range of about 10 minutes to about 40 minutes, such as about 30 minutes.

Once the level of treated water contained within reservoir chamber 104 reaches the first threshold level, control unit 170 is configured to continue to regulate the activation and deactivation of controllable valve 134 as described above.

The control unit 170 is generally configured to regulate activation and deactivation of the heating unit 152. When a measured water level signal is received from the second water level sensor 114B indicating that the level of treated water residing within the reservoir chamber 104 first reaches the first threshold level, the control unit 170 is configured to activate the heating unit 152, thereby heating the working fluid residing within the internal heating chamber 180 to the preselected temperature as described above. The preselected temperature may be determined by the control unit 170 according to a preprogrammed protocol, or alternatively by the user. Once the temperature of the working fluid residing within the interior heating chamber 180 reaches a preselected temperature, the control unit 170 is configured to deactivate the heating unit 152. According to some embodiments, during activation of heating unit 152, controllable valve 134 and pump 156 are deactivated.

The water treatment unit 10 may be configured to determine a preselected temperature and generate a temperature signal/data indicative thereof and communicate the temperature signal/data to the control unit 170 of the dispensing unit 100. The control unit 170 receives the temperature signals/data and may perform various calculations or data manipulations thereon to alter the preselected temperature. As described above, the control unit 170 may adjust the activation and deactivation of the heating unit 152 accordingly. The preselected temperature may be selected based on environmental conditions (such as altitude and atmospheric pressure) and the type of working fluid.

The control unit 170 may also be configured to regulate activation and deactivation of the pump 156. After the heating unit 152 is deactivated, the control unit 170 is configured to activate the pump 156, thereby flowing/circulating the working fluid within the closed loop heating system including the heat exchange unit 142, for a predetermined duration selected, for example, from a range of about 10 seconds to about 2 hours, such as about 30 seconds to about 30 minutes, or even about 30 seconds to about 15 minutes. According to some embodiments, the predetermined duration is about 2 minutes.

According to some embodiments, activation of pump 156 may be delayed after heating unit 152 is deactivated. Since the heating unit 152 still provides some heating function after it has been deactivated, activation of the pump 156 may be delayed, for example, by between about 10 seconds and 30 seconds (e.g., about 15 seconds), in order to prevent circulation of water that is still heated (i.e., passively heated by residual heat of the heating unit 152 during cooling after the heating unit 152 is deactivated).

During the flow of the heated working fluid within the heat exchange unit 142, heat is transferred from the heated working fluid to the treated water within the reservoir chamber 104, thereby heating the treated water. After a predetermined duration, the control unit 170 is configured to deactivate the pump 156.

During activation of the pump 156, the controllable valve 134 and the heating unit 152 are deactivated. Once the pump 156 is deactivated, the control unit 170 is configured to reactivate the heating unit 152, thereby heating the working fluid residing within the interior heating chamber 180 to a preselected temperature, regardless of the current temperature of the working fluid. Control unit 170 may be configured to continue to alternately regulate the activation and deactivation of heating unit 152 and pump 156, as described herein, to periodically circulate the hot working fluid within the closed-loop heating system.

The level of heated treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 changes due to consumption by the user. The control unit 170 may be configured to periodically regulate activation and deactivation of the controllable valve 134 at predetermined time intervals in order to refill the reservoir chamber 104 as described above. Thus, the control unit 170 is configured to regulate the refilling of water according to the sensed water level measured at constant predetermined time intervals, rather than a real-time reaction to the consumption of the user. Further, the control unit 170 is configured to continuously regulate the activation and deactivation of the heating unit 152 and the pump 156 in order to heat and/or continuously maintain the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 to a predetermined temperature.

According to some embodiments, only one of heating unit 152, controllable valve 134, and pump 156 may be activated at any given time. If one of the heating unit 152 or the pump 156 is activated while the control unit 170 is required to initiate activation of the controllable valve 134 according to a predetermined time interval in order to refill the reservoir chamber 104, the control unit 170 will allow the current process (i.e., activation of the heating unit 152 or the pump 156) to end and then initiate activation of the controllable valve 134 as needed. When the refill process is over, the controllable valve 134 is deactivated and the control unit 170 may resume activation of the heating unit 152 or the pump 156 as required. For example, if the heating unit 152 is activated to heat the working fluid residing within the internal heating chamber 180, as described above, when the control unit 170 needs to refill the reservoir chamber 104, the control unit 170 will allow the heating unit 152 to finish heating the working fluid as needed, deactivate the heating unit 152, and then initiate activation of the controllable valve 134 as needed to refill the reservoir chamber 104. When the refill process is over, the controllable valve 134 is deactivated and the control unit 170 initiates activation of the pump 156 to circulate the hot working fluid within the closed loop heating system.

Once activated, the dispensing unit 100 is configured to periodically draw treated water from the water treatment unit 10, heat them, and enable the treated water to be dispensed according to a predetermined protocol initiated by the control unit 170, including: continuously refilling the reservoir chamber 104 at certain predetermined time intervals according to the water level residing in the reservoir chamber 104; and alternately activating and deactivating the pump 156 and the heating unit 152 to continuously maintain the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 at a predetermined temperature, as described above. Advantageously, since the predetermined protocol is initiated before the beginning of the rest day and the treated water can be periodically flowed into the reservoir chamber 104 at predetermined time intervals, the dispensing unit 100 can comply with various restrictions/regulations on heating and dispensing water and can provide potable water.

The dispensing unit 100 is configured to maintain its continuous operation as detailed herein until a user deactivates the dispensing unit 100 and/or manually disconnects the cable assembly 132 from the water treatment unit 10.

Reference is now made to fig. 7A-8B. The dispensing unit top cover 109 is removably attached to the dispensing unit housing 102. However, it is also contemplated that the dispensing unit top cover 109 may be integrally formed with the dispensing unit housing 102.

The dispensing unit top cover 109 comprises a top cover inner face 109a and a top cover outer face 109b, wherein the top cover inner face 109a is configured to face the reservoir chamber 104 and the top cover outer face 109b is configured to face the external environment. The dispensing unit top cover 109 may also include a circumferential seal 191 surrounding the top cover interior face 109a and configured to provide a water-tight seal between the dispensing unit top cover 109 and the dispensing unit housing 102 and/or the reservoir chamber 104. As described above, it is contemplated that without an adequate seal between the reservoir chamber 104 and the dispensing unit top cover 109 during heating of the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104, hot and/or boiling water (i.e., steam or vapor) may leak or flow from the reservoir chamber 104, which may result in water loss due to condensed water flowing along and undesirably wetting the exterior surfaces of the dispensing unit housing 102. Advantageously, the dispensing unit top cover 109 includes a circumferential seal 191 configured to provide a substantially watertight seal between the dispensing unit top cover 109 and the dispensing unit housing 102 and/or the reservoir chamber 104, thereby preventing unwanted leakage of hot water and/or steam therethrough.

The dispensing unit top cover 109 also includes at least one vent opening 190 located at the top cover exterior face 109b and configured to allow hot water/boiling water and/or steam/vapor to flow from the reservoir chamber 104 to the exterior environment through the at least one vent opening. The at least one vent opening 190 may be centrally located on the cap outer face 109b, thereby separating the steam or vapor outlet point from the dispensing outlet 168 to minimize accidental contact between the hot steam and/or vapor and the user. The at least one discharge opening 190 may have any suitable shape, such as oval, circular, square, rectangular, trapezoidal, U-shaped, or any other shape.

As used herein, the term "center" refers to a location along the cap outer face 109b that is located at the same distance from at least two, optionally four, opposing edges of the cap outer face 109 b.

A header interior space 193 is received between the header interior face 109a and the header exterior face 109b, the header interior space 193 including at least one fluid opening 192 configured to allow hot water/boiling water and/or steam/vapor to flow therethrough. The discharge opening 190 is fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid opening 192 via a cap interior 193. In this particular example, the fluid openings 192 include a first fluid opening 192a and a second fluid opening 192b spaced from one another, each configured to allow hot water/boiling water and/or steam/vapor to flow from the reservoir chamber 104 through each fluid opening through the header interior space 193 to the at least one drain opening 190, as illustrated by fluid path line 193a in fig. 8A. According to some embodiments, the header interior space 193 is shaped as a labyrinth-like interior structure to facilitate condensation of vapor and/or steam flowing therethrough.

It is contemplated that, as noted above, boiling water or steam/vapor may form therein during heating of the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104. To prevent pressure buildup within the reservoir chamber 104, the at least one drain opening 190 enables boiling water and/or steam to flow therethrough, thereby relieving pressure that may build within the reservoir chamber 104. The header interior 193 is configured to allow boiling water and/or steam/vapor passing therethrough to condense into liquid form and flow back into the reservoir chamber 104 through the first and second fluid openings 192a, 192b, thereby preventing or reducing water loss. According to further embodiments, as illustrated in fig. 8A-8B, the first and second fluid openings 192a, 192B are located at a lowest position along the roof interior face 109a, allowing condensed liquid water to efficiently flow back into the reservoir chamber 104.

The dispensing unit top cover 109 may also include at least one discharge member 195, which discharge member 195 may be a sealing member. According to some embodiments, as illustrated in fig. 8C-8D, the cap outer face 109b slopes downward from the area of the circumferential extension 194 to the circumferential edge of the cap. It is contemplated that such tilting will prevent or at least minimize the flow of water from the external environment through the at least one drain opening 190 into the reservoir chamber 104 and reduce the risk of debris accumulation in the reservoir chamber 104. Similarly, the inclined shape of the circumferential extension 194 and the cap outer face 109b may enable condensed water to flow around the at least one drain opening 190 along the cap outer face 109 b.

Advantageously, the dispensing unit top cover 109 includes various features as described herein, which may reduce the loss of water during heating of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104, allowing for economy and improved performance of the dispensing unit 100.

Referring now to fig. 9, a flow chart illustrating a method 200 for dispensing treated hot water from the dispensing unit 100 is shown, according to some embodiments. The method 200 includes optional step 202: prior to the beginning of the rest day, the cable assembly 132 of the dispensing unit 100 is manually connected to a water source, preferably the water treatment unit 10, so as to allow fluid communication and electrical/data connection between the dispensing unit 100 and the water source. Step 202 also includes connecting the AC cable 130 to a power grid to provide power to the distribution unit 100. This step is optional because it is not required if the dispensing unit 100 is already connected to a water source and/or an electrical grid via the cable assembly 132.

The method 200 further comprises step 204: activation of the dispensing unit 100 is initiated by activating a user interface device connected to the dispensing unit 100 as described above, or alternatively activating an on/off button. The dispensing unit 100 automatically performs an initial activation of the dispensing unit 100 upon connection to the water treatment unit 10; upon activation of the dispensing unit 100 or connection of the dispensing unit 100 to the water treatment unit 10, the water treatment unit 10 automatically enters an "A mode" in which the water heating and/or cooling functions of the water treatment unit 10 and dispensing through the treatment unit dispensing outlet are disabled. The user may manually activate the "A mode" of the water treatment unit 10 as desired.

During "A mode," dispensing from the treatment unit dispensing outlet of the water treatment unit 10 may be disabled to prevent accidental water refilling of the corresponding water chamber disposed within the water treatment unit 10. However, it should be understood that during the "a mode," the processing unit 10 may still perform certain functions, such as regulating activation of the respective valves, flow meters, receiving and processing raw liquids (e.g., filter sterilization, purification, distillation, etc.), and being in electrical and/or functional communication with the dispensing unit 100. According to some embodiments, step 204 also includes transmitting a control signal to the water treatment unit 10 via the control unit 170, thereby requiring activation of any corresponding water treatment unit 10 valve for flow of treated water from the valve to/into the dispensing unit 100. If the treatment unit 10 needs to receive and treat the raw liquid while flowing treated water into/into the dispensing unit 100, it will allow the current process (i.e., flowing treated water into/into the dispensing unit 100) to end and then initiate activation of the corresponding valves as needed (to receive and provide treatment to the raw liquid).

The method 200 may also include step 206: the controllable valve 134 is activated by the control unit 170 to initiate the flow of treated water into the reservoir chamber 104 through the cable assembly 132. The controllable valve 134 is configured to fill the reservoir chamber 104 until the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104/contained within the reservoir chamber 104 reaches a first threshold level. The first threshold water level represents an amount of water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 selected from a range of about 0.5 liters to about 6 liters, preferably 1.5 liters to about 2.5 liters, or more preferably about 2 liters. Once the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 reaches the first threshold level, the second water level sensor 114B issues an indication of that level and communicates that indication to the control unit 170. In response thereto, the control unit 170 deactivates the controllable valve 134. During activation of controllable valve 134, pump 156 and heating unit 152 are typically deactivated.

The method 200 further includes step 208: the heating unit 152 is activated by the control unit 170 to heat the working fluid residing within the interior heating chamber 180 to a preselected temperature, wherein the preselected temperature is selected from the range of about 45 ℃ to about 99 ℃, preferably about 75 ℃ to about 99 ℃ or more preferably about 90 ℃ to about 98 ℃. Once the temperature of the working fluid reaches a preselected temperature, the control unit 170 is configured to deactivate the heating unit 152. During activation of heating unit 152, controllable valve 134 and pump 156 are typically deactivated.

The method 200 further comprises step 210: the pump 156 is activated by the control unit 170 to flow/circulate the hot working fluid within the closed loop heating system (i.e., through the heat exchange unit 142) for a predetermined duration selected from the range of about 10 seconds to about 60 minutes, preferably about 30 seconds to about 15 minutes, or more preferably about 2 minutes. As described above, the activation of the pump 156 may be delayed, for example, by a period of time between about 10 seconds and about 30 seconds (e.g., about 15 seconds), to prevent water circulation during passive/waste heating of water during cooling of the heating unit 152. During the flow/circulation of the heated working fluid within the heat exchange unit 142, heat is transferred from the heated working fluid through the heating tube to the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104, thereby heating the treated water to a predetermined temperature selected from the range of about 40 ℃ to about 99 ℃, preferably about 75 ℃ to about 99 ℃, or more preferably about 85 ℃ to about 98 ℃. After a predetermined duration, the control unit 170 is configured to deactivate the pump 156. According to some embodiments, during activation of pump 156, controllable valve 134 and heating unit 152 are deactivated.

Once the pump 156 is deactivated, the method 200 returns to step 208, wherein the control unit 170 reactivates the heating unit 152, thereby heating the working fluid residing within the interior heating chamber 180 to the preselected temperature, regardless of the current temperature of the working fluid. The method 200 is generally configured to continuously repeat steps 208 and 210, thereby continuously heating and maintaining the treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 at the predetermined temperature disclosed herein. As long as the dispensing unit 100 is connected to the water treatment unit 10, the user can continuously dispense hot treated water from the dispensing outlet 168 as desired using the dispensing mechanical lever 167.

The method 200 may further include step 214: during operation of the dispensing unit 100, the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 and/or contained within the reservoir chamber 104 is periodically monitored and/or measured using the second and third

water level sensors

114B and 114C.

It should be understood that each water level measurement made by each of the second and third

water level sensors

114B and 114C has a water level measurement duration. The water level measurement duration of each of the second and third

water level sensors

114B and 114C may be less than about 1 second, such as less than about 0.5 seconds, or even less than about 150 milliseconds (ms). In some embodiments, the water level measurement duration is less than about 100ms, less than about 50ms, less than about 10ms, or less than about 5 ms. In other embodiments, the water level measurement duration is about 2 ms.

The periodic measurements of the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 and/or contained within the reservoir chamber 104 by each of the second and

third level sensors

114B, 114C are performed at repeating intervals that occur every about 1ms to about 10 seconds. According to some embodiments, the periodic measurement of the water level of the treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 and/or contained within the reservoir chamber 104 is performed at repeating intervals that occur every about 1ms to about 50ms, about 50ms to about 100ms, about 100ms to about 200ms, about 200ms to about 500ms, about 500ms to about 1 second, or about 1 second to about 10 seconds. According to other embodiments, the periodic measurement of the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104 and/or contained within the reservoir chamber 104 is performed at repeated intervals that occur every approximately 100 ms.

Each of the second and third

water level sensors

114B, 114C is typically configured to measure the level of treated water of the reservoir chamber 104 for less than about 10ms every about 50ms to about 150 ms.

Since the user may continuously dispense various amounts of treated hot water from the reservoir chamber 104, the amount of treated hot water residing within the reservoir chamber 104 may vary. The control unit 170 is configured to periodically monitor/measure the level of treated water flowing into/contained within the reservoir chamber 104 during operation of the dispensing unit 100 and initiate various refill instructions according to a predetermined protocol.

If the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 is below the first threshold level as detected in step 214, the controllable valve 134 is activated by the control unit 170 in step 220, thereby initiating the flow of treated water into the reservoir chamber 104 until the level of treated water contained therein reaches the first threshold level (refilled to the first threshold level). The first threshold level indicates an amount of water of about 0.5 liters to about 6 liters, preferably 1.5 liters to about 2.5 liters, or more preferably about 2 liters. Step 220 is configured to repeat at a second predetermined time interval of about every 1 minute to about 2 hours, preferably about 5 minutes to about 60 minutes, or more preferably about every 30 minutes, so long as the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 remains below the first threshold water level. Once the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 reaches the first threshold level, the method 200 returns to step 214: the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104/contained within the reservoir chamber 104 is periodically monitored/measured.

If the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 is between the first threshold level and the second threshold level, as detected in step 216, the controllable valve 134 is activated by the control unit 170 in step 222 to initiate a first amount of treated water flow into the reservoir chamber 104 (refill the first amount) at a first predetermined time interval. The first predetermined time interval is selected from about 0.5 hours to 4 hours, preferably 1 hour to 3 hours, or more preferably about 2 hours, and the first amount is selected from the range of about 1ml to about 120ml, preferably about 5ml to about 50ml, or more preferably about 20 ml. Once the first amount of treated water enters the reservoir chamber 104, the method 200 returns to step 214, i.e., periodically monitoring/measuring the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104/contained within the reservoir chamber 104.

If the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber 104 reaches the second threshold level as detected in step 218, the control unit 170 does not activate the controllable valve 134 (without refilling) in step 224, thereby allowing the level of treated water contained within the reservoir chamber to reach/fall below the first threshold level due to user consumption. After step 224, the method 200 returns to step 214: the level of treated water flowing into the reservoir chamber 104/contained within the reservoir chamber 104 is periodically monitored/measured.

If the control unit 170 needs to refill the reservoir chamber 104 during operation of one of the pump 156 or the heating unit 152, the control unit 170 will allow the current process (i.e., activation of the heating unit 152 or the pump 156) to end and then initiate activation of the controllable valve 134 as needed (to refill the reservoir chamber 104 accordingly). When the refill process is finished, the controllable valve 134 is deactivated, according to steps 208 and 210 as described above, and the control unit 170 may resume activation of the heating unit 152 or the pump 156 as required.

In some cases, the reservoir chamber 104 may be completely depleted of treated water due to consumption by the user. If the reservoir chamber 104 is completely depleted of treated water, the control unit 170 is configured to continuously repeat the above steps 208 and 210, thereby alternately activating and deactivating the pump 156 and the heating unit 152. The reservoir chamber 104 will be refilled according to various refill commands as described above.

The method 200 may also include step 212: deactivating the dispensing unit 100 and/or manually disconnecting the cable assembly 132 from the water treatment unit 10. Advantageously, the dispensing unit 100 may supply an unlimited supply of hot water to the user as the reservoir chamber 104 is periodically refilled in accordance with various refill commands issued by the control unit 170.

Claims

1. A dispensing unit configured to provide a continuous supply of hot water for use during a weekday, the dispensing unit comprising:

a reservoir chamber configured to receive and contain water from a water source and comprising a heat exchange unit configured to transfer heat from a working fluid to the water contained within the reservoir chamber, thereby heating the water to a predetermined temperature;

a heating assembly chamber comprising a heating assembly in fluid communication with the heat exchange unit, wherein the heating assembly is configured to alternately heat and circulate a working fluid within the heat exchange unit; and

a dispensing outlet configured to enable dispensing of water from the reservoir chamber through the dispensing outlet.

2. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein the water source is a water treatment unit configured to be in fluid communication with the dispensing unit and electrically and/or data connected.

3. The dispensing unit of claim 1 comprising a controllable valve configured to control the flow of water into the reservoir chamber, wherein the dispensing unit further comprises a control unit, and wherein the controllable valve is in electrical and/or functional communication with the control unit.

4. The dispensing unit of claim 3, further comprising at least two water level sensors, wherein each water level sensor is configured to measure a water level of water contained within the reservoir chamber and to generate a measured water level signal indicative of the water level and to communicate the measured water level signal to the control unit.

5. The dispensing unit of claim 4, wherein the at least two water level sensors are configured to determine when the level of water contained within the reservoir chamber reaches or falls below a first threshold level and a second threshold level, optionally wherein the first threshold level represents a quantity of water selected from about 0.5 liters to about 6 liters contained within the reservoir chamber and/or the second threshold level represents a quantity of water selected from about 1.5 liters to about 10 liters contained within the reservoir chamber.

6. The dispensing unit of claim 5, wherein (i) the at least two water level sensors comprise a first water level sensor, a second water level sensor, and a third water level sensor, wherein the second water level sensor indicates whenever the level of water contained within the reservoir chamber reaches or falls below the first threshold level, and the third water level sensor indicates whenever the level of water contained within the reservoir chamber reaches or falls below the second threshold level, (ii) the control unit is configured to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: (ii) communicate a communication signal to various electronic components of the dispensing unit, receive a communication signal from various electronic components of the dispensing unit, and initiate a communication signal, wherein the various electronic components include the controllable valve, a heating unit, a pump, a thermal sensor, and the at least two water level sensors, and/or (iii) the dispensing unit further includes at least one-way valve fluidly coupled to the controllable valve, the at least one-way valve configured to allow water to flow only from a fluid conduit in the direction of the reservoir chamber.

7. The dispensing unit of claim 1, wherein the heat exchange unit comprises a heating tube having a first end portion, a second end portion, and an intermediate portion extending between the first and second end portions, and wherein each of the first and second end portions extends through a respective aperture formed at a wall of the reservoir chamber.

8. The dispensing unit of claim 7, wherein the heating assembly comprises a heating unit in fluid communication with a pump, wherein the heating unit and the pump are in electrical and/or functional communication with a control unit of the dispensing unit.

9. The dispensing unit of claim 8, wherein the control unit is configured to periodically refill the reservoir chamber at predetermined time intervals depending on the water level residing in the reservoir chamber, and to alternately activate and deactivate the pump and the heating unit in order to heat or continuously maintain the water contained within the reservoir chamber at a predetermined temperature.

10. The dispensing unit of claim 8, wherein the heating unit is configured to receive, contain, and heat the working fluid residing therein to a preselected temperature.

11. The dispensing unit of claim 8, wherein the heat exchange unit, the heating unit, and the pump are in fluid communication with one another, forming a closed loop heating system configured to transfer heat from the working fluid to water contained within the reservoir chamber by indirect contact between the working fluid and water contained within the reservoir chamber through the heat exchange unit.

12. The dispensing unit of claim 1, characterized by at least one of the following features: (i) the reservoir chamber further comprises at least one thermal sensor configured to measure a temperature of water contained in the reservoir chamber and generate a temperature signal indicative thereof, (ii) the heating assembly is fluidly coupled to at least one-way valve configured to allow fluid flow in a single direction within a closed loop heating system, (iii) the predetermined temperature is selected from a range of about 40 ℃ to about 99 ℃, and/or (iv) the dispensing unit further comprises a fluid conduit configured to attach to the water source and allow fluid to flow therethrough and at least one DC wire for establishing an electrical and data connection between the dispensing unit and the water source.

13. The dispensing unit of claim 3, wherein the dispensing unit extends from a dispensing unit bottom surface toward a dispensing unit top cover, and further comprising a dispensing unit housing containing internal components of the dispensing unit including the reservoir chamber, the heating assembly chamber, and the control unit, wherein the dispensing unit top cover comprises a circumferential seal configured to provide a water-tight seal between the dispensing unit top cover and the dispensing unit housing and/or the reservoir chamber.

14. The dispensing unit of claim 13, where the dispensing unit top cap includes a top cap inner face and a top cap outer face with a top cap inner space received therebetween, wherein the dispensing unit cap further comprises at least one discharge opening at the cap outer face and at least one fluid opening at the cap inner face, wherein the at least one discharge opening is fluidly coupled to the at least one fluid opening via the cap interior space, wherein the at least one discharge opening is configured to enable boiling water and/or vapor to flow through the at least one discharge opening, and wherein the cap interior space is configured to allow boiling water and/or vapor flowing therethrough to condense into liquid form and flow back into the reservoir chamber through the at least one fluid opening.

15. The dispensing unit of claim 14, wherein at least one feature selected from the group consisting of: (i) the at least one fluid opening is located at a lowermost position along the cap inner face, thereby allowing condensed liquid water to efficiently flow back into the reservoir chamber, (ii) the at least one discharge opening is surrounded by a circumferential extension extending vertically from the cap outer face, and (iii) the cap outer face slopes downwardly from a region of the circumferential extension to a circumferential edge of the cap.

16. A system comprising a dispensing unit according to any of claims 1 to 15, and a water treatment unit fluidly coupled to the dispensing unit and comprising at least one liquid treatment device, the water treatment unit being configured to:

receiving a stream of a raw liquid;

applying at least one or more treatments selected from filtration, disinfection, purification, distillation and combinations thereof to the raw fluid with the at least one liquid treatment device to obtain treated water, and

supplying the treated water to the dispensing unit.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the water treatment unit is configured to apply at least one or more processes to the treated water contained therein prior to supplying the treated water to the dispensing unit, wherein the processes are selected from heating, cooling, and/or freezing.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the water treatment unit further comprises at least one of:

a dispensing outlet configured to dispense the treated water according to a user demand;

one or more flow meters for measuring the amount of treated water supplied to the dispensing unit;

at least one first valve configured to regulate the supply of raw liquid into the at least one liquid treatment apparatus, and at least one second valve configured to regulate the supply of treated water from the at least one second valve to the dispensing unit, and

a controller configured to perform at least one action selected from the group consisting of: transmitting a communication signal to various electronic components of the water treatment unit and communicating with the dispensing unit; receiving communication signals from various electronic components of the water treatment unit and communicating with the distribution unit; and initiating a communication signal and communicating with the dispensing unit.