DE102010041295B4 - Method and device for using tap water intended for drainage - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for using tap water intended for drainage, characterized in that the increasing temperature of the tap water is measured with a temperature sensor (5) and the flowing tap water is first fed via an inflow into an intermediate tank (10) and the water outlet (8 ) is opened for the tap water (9) as soon as the flowing tap water has reached a minimum temperature and the flow to the intermediate tank (10) is interrupted by a valve (6).

Description

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for carrying out the method for using tap water intended for drainage.

If hot water is needed for washing hands or showers, cold water runs out of the tap unused. This is usually because the previously used hot water has cooled in the line. As a rule, return lines or circulating pumps, which keep the water in a closed circuit at a preset temperature, can be remedied. However, these are not available in many households and would have to be retrofitted for a lot of money and with a high construction cost.

As a result, countless liters of water run unused into the drain every year and are thus wasted.

In practice, there are a variety of ways to reduce water consumption accordingly.

The best known are the so-called greywater conditioners. These catch the usually still very clean water of the hand wash basin and the shower and lead this into a tank, which is usually in the basement of the house. Maintenance-free filters then separate the water from coarse contaminants. In addition, a UV lamp kills germs. Thereafter, the water is used for toilet flushing and urinals. However, these systems are very expensive and require regular maintenance. Furthermore, high construction costs, electricity costs for pumps and corresponding maintenance costs are incurred.

Another possibility that solves the problem of cold water in the first place are instantaneous water heaters with integrated microprocessor, which use the water circulation temperature to heat the water to the desired temperature in an energy-efficient manner and immediately provide hot water at the tap. As needed, peak times can be set to avoid wasting unnecessary energy while nobody is in the house. Circulation pumps ensure the immediate supply of hot water at the tap. This is achieved by a permanent circulation of the warm water in a loop, which is connected to the hot water tank.

The utility model DE-U 9111942 describes a water saving device for sanitary facilities with water heater. Here, the device is provided completely without electronics that uses a regulator faucet cold water in a container, preferably a flushing device for toilets directs warm water is applied.

The solutions known from the prior art have the great disadvantage that they are usually very expensive and require large structural changes that require further laying of pipes. Or they are relatively energy-intensive and generate additional electricity or gas costs in favor of saving hot water.

The invention is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for performing the method available, the temperature-controlled by cold water sensor into the cistern passes to warm water and then switches to the faucet.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a method for using tap water intended for drainage, which is characterized in that the increasing temperature of the tap water is measured with a temperature sensor and the flowing tap water is first passed through an inflow into an intermediate tank and the Water outlet for the tap water is opened as soon as the flowing water has reached a minimum temperature and the inflow to the sub-tank is interrupted by a valve.

According to the invention, the minimum temperature of the tap water is 25 ° C.

A particular embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the tap water collected in the intermediate tank a consumer, for. B. a toilet cistern is supplied.

According to the filling level in the sub-tank is monitored by a level sensor.

A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that when filling the intermediate tank after emptying the toilet cistern this done with the stored water from the intermediate tank by pumping by means of a pump.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention is characterized in that tap water is fed from the inlet cold water into the toilet cistern when falling below a lower level in the subtank and concurrently emptied toilet cistern.

A microprocessor control with LCD display controls according to the invention all functions of the inflow of tap water. According to the invention, the control of the functions in the microprocessor control can be intervened manually.

The invention also provides an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention, characterized by a water pipe, which is provided with a flow sensor and a temperature sensor, which conducts the tap water in the water outlet or in an inflow into an intermediate tank, the temperature sensor, the microprocessor control with measurement data pressurized and, when a minimum temperature is exceeded, directs the flow of water from the inflow into the sub-tank to the water outlet.

According to the invention, the device comprises controllable valves and a valve by the microprocessor control. In the intermediate tank a pump for conveying the water from the intermediate tank is arranged in the toilet cistern.

A further preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that a fill level sensor for controlling a water flow entering the WC cistern from the intermediate tank is provided in the intermediate tank.

According to the invention, a filling level sensor is provided in the intermediate tank, which activates a control for the inflow of tap water to the intermediate tank when the intermediate tank is empty.

The microprocessor control for controlling the functions is also manually operable. In addition to a microprocessor control for controlling the functions, any other known to the expert other control can be used.

The microprocessor control with LCD display also allows numerous monitoring functions, controls and manual settings, for example, from which temperature the water is fed into the faucet. A great advantage of the invention is that it can be retrofitted in conventional sinks and cisterns. The water is filled automatically at the latest after you wash your hands after using the toilet. The electronics constantly monitors the current status and gives alarm in the event of flooding, frost or technical problems.

The water-saving invention thus saves water, even the environment and saves cash money.

The present invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments.

1 shows a schematic representation of a plant for the use of tap water.

That through the water pipe three incoming hot water passes through the flow sensor 4 and the temperature sensor 5 , If the flowing tap water has not yet reached the minimum temperature, the temperature sensor activates 5 the controller is such that the valve 6 , the water pipe three the to the water outlet 8th leads, closed and at the same time the valve 6 , the water pipe three the to the sub-tank 10 leads open. The water flows into the sub-tank 10 , Once the tap water, the minimum temperature of z. B. has reached 25 ° C, activates the temperature sensor 5 the controller is such that the valve 6 the water pipe three the to the sub-tank 10 leads, closed and at the same time the valve 6 the water pipe three to the water outlet 8th leads, is opened.

Thus, now the hot water 9 at the water outlet 8th escape.

That in the sub-tank 10 collected tap water can now be a consumer, z. B. a toilet cistern 15 be forwarded. The level in the intermediate tank 10 is through a level sensor 11 supervised. After emptying the toilet cistern 15 this is with the stored water from the sub-tank 10 filled. This is the valve 6 the pipe leading to the toilet cistern 15 leads open while the valve 6 the water pipe three of the cold water inlet 14 remains closed.

This process can also be done by pumping with the help of a pump 13 respectively.

In the event of falling below a lower level in the subtank 10 at simultaneously emptied toilet cistern 15 is the tap water from the feed cold water 14 in the toilet cistern 15 fed. This is the valve 6 the pipe leading to the toilet cistern 15 leads closed and at the same time the valve 6 the water pipe three of inlet cold water 14 open.

The exemplary microprocessor control with LCD display allows numerous monitoring functions, controls and manual settings.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Water hammer reducer

2

Inlet hot water

3

water pipe

4

Flow Sensor

5

Temperature Sensor

6

Valve

7

fitting

8th

water outlet

9

Outlet hot water

10

intermediate tank

11

Level sensor

12

Water level in the intermediate tank

13

pump

14

Inlet cold water

15

Toilet cistern

16

swimmer

17

Water level in the cistern

18

Drain cistern

19

Water flow to WC

20

Water hammer reducer

Claims (17)

Method for using tap water intended for discharge, characterized in that the rising temperature of the tap water is controlled by a temperature sensor ( 5 ) is measured and the flowing tap water initially via an inflow into an intermediate tank ( 10 ) and the water outlet ( 8th ) is opened for tap water ( 9 ), as soon as the flowing tap water has reached a minimum temperature and the inflow to the intermediate tank ( 10 ) through a valve ( 6 ) is interrupted. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the minimum temperature of the tap water is 25 ° C. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the intermediate tank ( 10 ) is distributed to a consumer tap water. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that in the intermediate tank ( 10 ) collected tap water a toilet cistern ( 15 ). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the level in the intermediate tank ( 10 ) by a level sensor ( 11 ) is monitored. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that when filling the intermediate tank ( 10 ) after emptying the toilet cistern ( 15 ) this with the stored water from the sub-tank ( 10 ) is filled. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the filling of the emptied toilet cistern ( 15 ) with the stored water from the sub-tank ( 10 ) by means of a pump. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when falling below a lower level in the intermediate tank ( 10 ) and at the same time emptied toilet cistern ( 15 ) Tap water from the feed cold water ( 14 ) in the toilet cistern ( 15 ) is fed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that microprocessor control with LCD display controls all functions of the inflow of tap water centrally. A method according to claim 9, characterized in that in the microprocessor control for controlling the functions can be intervened manually. Apparatus for the use of tap water intended for drainage for carrying out a method according to one of claims 1 to 10 with a hot water inlet ( 2 ) for a water outlet ( 8th ), characterized by a water pipe ( three ) with a flow sensor ( 4 ) and a temperature sensor ( 5 ) which supplies the tap water to the water outlet ( 8th ) or in an intermediate tank ( 10 ), whereby the temperature sensor ( 5 ) the microprocessor control is supplied with measured values and, when a minimum temperature is exceeded, the water flow from the inflow into the intermediate tank ( 10 ) on the water outlet ( 8th ). Device according to claim 11, characterized in that it can be controlled by the microprocessor control valves ( 6 ) and a fitting ( 7 ). Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that in the intermediate tank ( 10 ) a pump ( 13 ) for conveying the water from the intermediate tank ( 10 ) in the toilet cistern ( 15 ) is arranged. Device according to one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that in the intermediate tank ( 10 ) a level sensor ( 11 ) for controlling one from the intermediate tank ( 10 ) in the toilet cistern ( 15 ) entering water flow is provided. Device according to one of claims 11 to 14, characterized in that in the intermediate tank ( 10 ) a level sensor ( 11 ) is provided, in the case of an empty intermediate tank ( 10 ) a control for the inflow of tap water to the toilet cistern ( 15 ) is activated. Device according to one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the microprocessor control for controlling the functions is manually operated. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that for displaying the switching positions of the valves ( 6 ) LEDs are provided.

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