DE202012103128U1 - Arrangement for carrying out a hygiene flush in a water installation - Google Patents

Abstract

Water fitting for carrying out a hygiene flush in a water installation containing
(a) a port for connecting the water fitting to a fresh water supply;
(b) a shut-off for interrupting the supply of fresh water from the fresh water supply;
(c) a drain assembly for communicating with a drain over which water is drained from the water installation;
marked by
(d) a control unit for controlling the shut-off, and
(e) signal processing means powered by the flow measuring means for detecting unwanted flow conditions in the water installation and controlling the shutoff such that the shutoff opens for a limited purge period when the flow is below a threshold over a selected stagnation period.

Description

Technical area

• (a) einen Anschluss zum Anschließen der Wasserarmatur an eine Frischwasserversorgung;
• (b) eine Absperrung zum Unterbrechen der Frischwasserzufuhr aus der Frischwasserversorgung;
• (c) eine Ablaufanordnung zum Verbinden mit einem Abfluss, über welchen Wasser aus der Wasserinstallation abführbar ist.

The invention relates to a water fitting for carrying out a hygiene flush in a water installation containing

• (a) a port for connecting the water fitting to a fresh water supply;
• (b) a shut-off for interrupting the supply of fresh water from the fresh water supply;
• (c) a drain assembly for communicating with a drain over which water is drained from the water installation.

The invention further relates to a water installation with such a water fitting.

A water installation is, for example, a drinking water supply. If no water is tapped for a long time, the water stagnates. Then germs can form. This is an undesirable flow state. It is therefore known to provide a provided with a barrier connection to a drain in the water installation. Within a predetermined period of time, about a week, this barrier is opened regularly. Then, an amount of water is passed into the drain, which is sufficient to flush the water installation completely.

In any case, this sanitary purging is carried out in known arrangements, irrespective of whether or not water has been tapped. So water is consumed even if there is no stagnation at all.

State of the art

Leakage protection arrangements are known which are installed alone or in combination with pressure reducers and / or filters on the domestic water inlet for the drinking water supply. Depending on the consumption habits at the taps, maximum flow rates are set.

Disclosure of the invention

• (d) ein Steuergerät zum Steuern der Absperrung, und
• (e) mit einer von den Signalen strömungsmessender Mittel beaufschlagten Signalverarbeitungseinrichtung zum Ermitteln unerwünschter Strömungsverhältnisse in der Wasserinstallation und zum Steuern der Absperrung derart, dass die Absperrung für einen begrenzten Spülzeitraum öffnet, wenn der Volumenstrom über einen ausgewählten Stagnationszeitraum unterhalb eines Schwellwerts liegt.

It is an object of the invention to reduce the water consumption by hygiene flushing. This is achieved with a water fitting of the type mentioned, which is characterized by

• (d) a control unit for controlling the shut-off, and
• (e) signal processing means powered by the flow measuring means for detecting unwanted flow conditions in the water installation and controlling the shutoff such that the shutoff opens for a limited purge period when the flow is below a threshold over a selected stagnation period.

In such a water fitting, a hygiene flush is always carried out when over a longer period of time, for example 72 hours, no or too little water has flowed through the water installation. The flow conditions are detected by flow-measuring means.

These flow-measuring means can be arranged in the water fitting itself. However, it can also be provided that the signal processing device has a communication unit which receives a wireless signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation. Then flow-measuring means can be used in other fittings, such as leakage protection fittings. The valve is particularly simple and inexpensive in this case.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a reed contact fixed to the housing and a turbine interacting with a reed contact or another suitable flow-measuring means are provided for generating a signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation. Such turbines are known and are regularly used for example in leakage protection arrangements of the applicant.

The barrier may be formed by a motor-operated ball valve. The motor can then be controlled by the control unit. A manual intervention is usually not required.

In the water fitting a drainage arrangement is provided, which usually consists of a system-side, upper drainage body and an outlet funnel arranged thereunder. The drain body is a downwardly open hollow body with side openings, which is to be connected to a drain pipe of the water fitting. Water to be drained flows into the drain body, the interior of which is under atmospheric pressure through the side openings. Below the drain body, a drain funnel is provided which communicates with a drain line. The drain line communicates with sewers. To avoid odor, a siphon is therefore usually provided in the sewer, which forms an odor trap. Of course, it must also be prevented that, for example, rising wastewater can escape from the discharge funnel.

• (a) einen Ablauftrichter, der mit der Abwasserleitung verbunden ist;
• (b) einen mit dem Ablauftrichter fluchtenden, mit diesem verbundenen Ablaufkörper zum Verbinden des Ablauftrichters mit der Wasserarmatur, wobei der Ablaufkörper Stege aufweist, zwischen denen Öffnungen zur Atmosphäre gebildet sind; und
• (c) ein zwischen Ablaufkörper und Ablauftrichter angeordnetes, in Richtung des Ablauftrichters öffnendes Ventil; wobei
• (d) die Stege in dem Ablaufkörper in radialer Richtung versetzt zueinander angeordnet sind und den gesamten Winkelbereich abdecken.

However, there are also systems without siphon. In such systems, an odor trap is provided in the form of a valve in the manner of a backflow preventer. Known drain arrangements of this type are complicated and expensive. In the present invention, therefore, it is preferably provided that the drainage arrangement contains:

• (a) a drainage funnel connected to the sewer pipe;
• (b) a drain body aligned with the drain body connected thereto for connecting the drain funnel with the water fitting, wherein the drain body webs, between which openings are formed to the atmosphere; and
• (c) a valve disposed between drain body and drain funnel, opening in the direction of the drain funnel; in which
• (D) the webs in the drain body are arranged offset in the radial direction to each other and cover the entire angular range.

The webs may be arranged in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in the drain body at intervals along two or three concentric rings. The angular ranges covered by adjacent lands may preferably overlap. A portion of the webs may be interconnected by radially extending bridges. As a result, leakage of back-splashed water is reliably avoided.

The water fitting according to the invention can be used in a water installation, which contains a leakage protection arrangement with a built before one or more taps fittings part with a flow meter and a controller with a signal acted upon by the signals of the flow-measuring means signal processing means for determining the flow conditions in the water installation. In this case, the control device of the leakage protection arrangement may have a communication unit, with which a communication of the control devices with each other and / or with a central server can be produced. The water fitting thus receives the signals of a leakage protection arrangement, which is equipped with a flow meter.

It can further be provided that the communication units of the control units are identical in construction and are connected via the Internet or another suitable network wirelessly with a common, central server, on which required for the evaluation of the signals obtained from the fitting part and the control of the fitting part Software is provided. Communication can be via Bluetooth, infrared, WLAN, the Internet or other suitable means of communication. The implementation of a hygiene flush can not only be triggered, but also documented for later detection.

Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. An embodiment is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

1 is an overview of a modular kit consisting of various fittings parts for a water installation and a control part that is the same for all fittings.

2 schematically shows an example of the use of different fittings parts in a multi-family house.

3 is a cross section through a fitting part for leakage protection for installation in a pipeline.

4 is a cross section through a fitting part to prevent stagnation in a pipe section of a water installation.

Description of the embodiment

1 shows an overview of various components of a modular kit for water installations. One for all other modules the same control unit is with 10 designated. The control unit 10 is with a clip 12 on one of the fitting parts 14 . 16 . 18 or 20 attached. Accordingly, the fitting parts 14 . 16 . 18 and 20 an associated connection 22 on.

The various valve parts are intended for various applications. The fitting part 14 is a leak proof adapter part that is installed in a vertical water supply line of a multi-storey building at the connection in front of the water meter. The water meter can then on the fitting part 14 be connected.

The fitting part 16 is a cost-effective, simply constructed fitting part also for leakage protection, which is used in a straight pipeline. The fitting part 18 is intended for a hygiene flush and has a drain. It is installed under a sink and connects the water supply to the drain. Normally, the connection is blocked with a barrier. However, if no water has been tapped for a long time, the barrier is opened and a hygiene flush is carried out.

The fitting part 20 is intended for versatile use, such as leakage protection, descaling etc. and has a connection flange 24 on. Further fittings can be flanged to this connection flange. For example, a filter, a pressure reducer, or a pressure reducer-filter combination may be attached to the flange 24 be flanged. Such additional fittings are required only at the house entrance and not in the individual apartments of a building. Accordingly, the more complex and expensive fitting 20 generally only used at the house entrance connection with the drinking water supply.

The fitting part 16 is exemplary in 3 shown in detail. A multi-part housing consists of an upper housing part 100 and a lower housing part 102 , The upper housing part 100 has an inlet 104 and a coaxial outlet 106 on. Behind the inlet 104 is a ball valve 107 arranged. At the top is a connection 22 provided for the controller. The water flows from the inlet 104 through the ball 107 , a backflow preventer 108 and a turbine 110 , From there, the water flows through a chamber 112 to the outlet 106 , Further, a pressure sensor 114 at the lower end of the lower housing part 102 intended. The signals detected by a reed contact of a magnet on the turbine 110 be in a known manner to the controller 10 managed and evaluated there or in a central server.

The control unit 10 is also used to control a fitting part for the hygiene flush. Such a fitting part is in 4 shown and with 18 designated. It has a drain port instead of a turbine and a pressure sensor 116 on. A multi-part housing with an upper housing part 118 and a lower housing part 120 has an inlet at the top 122 on. The inlet 122 is of a tubular connecting part 124 formed that into an inlet nozzle 126 on the upper housing part 118 is screwed. The inlet 122 is connected to a water supply of a washbasin. At the top of the upper part of the housing 118 is a connection as in the valve parts already described 22 for a control unit 10 intended.

Behind the inlet is a conventional ball valve 128 arranged. The ball valve 128 Like the ball valve already described above, this is done by the engine in the control unit 10 actuated. Below the ball valve is the lower housing part 120 in the upper housing part 118 screwed. At the lower housing part 120 is a drain assembly with the connection to the drain 116 arranged. The sequence 116 is connected to a sewer and usually contains a siphon as an odor trap.

The drain arrangement comprises an upper drain body 121 and a funnel attached below 123 , The drain body 121 and the funnel 123 are easily detachable connected by a clip closure. An additional return valve 125 in the form of a downwardly opening valve should, if in the drain line no siphon is installed, interrupt the connection to the sewer and thus avoid odor nuisance. It should also be avoided that wastewater in the drain line 116 rise and escape via the drainage arrangement.

Above the valve has the drain body 121 Ribs extending along three concentric rings. Between the ribs openings are formed. The ribs are arranged so that the openings of one ring are formed in the angular range of the ribs of the adjacent rings. Furthermore, a part of the ribs are connected in the radial direction via bridges with adjacent rings. This construction avoids that water can splash out of the openings to the outside.

The fitting part 18 does not have its own flow measuring function. This is taken from one of the other fitting parts. If no or too little water is withdrawn over an extended period, for example 72 hours, this is detected by one of the flow-measuring valve parts. Then get the fitting part 18 via the control unit 10 a control command to open the normally closed ball valve. Water flows from the inlet 122 the end 116 , In this way, water flows through all piping in front of this valve. The piping installation is flushed and the formation of germs by stagnant water is avoided. After a certain period or a predetermined amount of flushing water, the ball valve 128 closed again. Flushing therefore only takes place when the flow conditions detected with another valve require it.

The fitting part 18 Can be installed anywhere where a water supply pipe and a drain are close together. A particularly suitable place is below sink. The inlet 122 is connected to the water supply.

Each of the fittings described above 14 . 16 . 18 and 20 has a connection 22 for the control unit 10 on. A bolt for actuating the ball of the ball valve is provided at the upper end with a profile. The control unit 10 with the motor attacks on this profile. The connection between control unit 10 and fitting part is made non-rotatable and with defined ball position. The Connection is made with a breakthrough bracket 12 secured.

The control unit 10 is equipped with a transceiver, which connects to the Internet via a mobile network or a WLAN. Via the Internet, a connection to a central server can be established. 2 schematically illustrates how the various components described above can be used for a leakage protection arrangement in an apartment building. It is understood that this is only an example and larger or smaller units are also conceivable.

This in 2 illustrated house 200 has a house entrance for drinking water 202 on. Hydraulically behind the house entrance is a fitting part 20 with control unit 10 and pressure reducer filter combination 204 Installed. Additional filters or pressure reducers are therefore no longer required in the building. In the other places simpler, cheaper devices are possible. Each apartment or each apartment complex is also individually with a fitting part 14 or 16 and an associated controller 10 fitted. A fitting part 18 with control unit 10 is also installed in every apartment or apartment complex below a sink.

To install an assembly, the fitting part is first connected to the pipeline. Otherwise, the control unit receives no values. Subsequently, the control unit 10 connected to a power supply. The internet connection of the control unit 10 is made directly by means of a separate SIM card via a mobile network or via a WLAN. For this purpose, a display and an input device in the form of a keyboard is provided. The temporary IP address of the controller 10 is independently transmitted to a central server. Furthermore, the homeowner or his installer registers the device via an Internet portal. For this purpose, a code or an identification mark is visibly attached to the device. The server now manages all relevant data. The management software resides on the server and can be easily maintained and improved by the manufacturer. The control unit 10 requires no further installation steps or maintenance. This makes it possible to perform the installation by the often inexperienced in IT matters installer without having to consult an IT specialist. The hardware effort is low.

The installer or the homeowner can independently enter the parameters suitable for the application via their own Internet portal. The parameters include switching the holiday mode on and off, setting the threshold values for volume flow, flow rate per time, maximum duration of a flow rate and pressure drop. These data are backed up to the server even if a controller 10 is no longer functional. This makes it particularly easy to change to another, identical device. The manufacturer can statistically evaluate the various operating parameters and other data. This allows the manufacturing process to be optimized. If the parameters are directly on the control unit 10 are entered, these new data are also transmitted to the server.

Since there is a separate leakage monitoring for each apartment or apartment complex, a holiday circuit can also be set up there. The tolerances can be chosen smaller, so that the damage can be kept low in case of leakage. If a particularly large amount is tapped, checks the controller 10 at the entrance to the building, whether the flow comes from an apartment or from different apartments. In the latter case, there may be no leakage and shut-off is avoided. Leakage can be better localized by the use of a variety of leakage protection valves and therefore found faster. The remaining parts of the building remain unaffected, as the shut-off is local.

If a leakage valve does not detect a flow over a longer period of time, say 72 hours, a sanitary flush is automatically triggered. For this purpose, a control signal is sent directly from the control unit 14 the leakage fitting or via the server to the control unit 10 a hygiene fitting 18 sent. The control unit 10 opens the ball valve with the engine 128 , Then water flows through the pipes to the drain of the washbasin under the tap 18 is installed. In this way, stagnation and the associated possible nucleation are avoided. The type and timing and duration of the hygiene flush can be documented and saved.

The embodiment described above has been concretely described. It is understood that the transmission paths - wireless or wired - can be chosen arbitrarily. Also, it is not mandatory for the implementation of the invention to set up a central server. Rather, this function can also be taken for example by one of the control units. The grouping of the taps is arbitrary and depends on the application. So it may make sense to monitor each tap individually, while in other applications, a group of apartments are monitored with multiple taps.

Depending on the hydraulic situation, the valves are installed in both hot and cold pipes. This is particularly useful in a central hot water supply. In addition to the pressure sensors, temperature sensors may be provided in the fittings. The temperature sensors allow the monitoring of the lower temperature limit, for example, 55 degrees for hot water and upper temperature limits of, for example, 25 degrees Celsius to prevent the formation of Legionella or similar germs and microorganisms.

Claims (11)

Water fitting for carrying out a hygiene flush in a water installation containing (a) a port for connecting the water fitting to a fresh water supply; (b) a shut-off for interrupting the supply of fresh water from the fresh water supply; (c) a drain assembly for communicating with a drain over which water is drained from the water installation; marked by (d) a control unit for controlling the shut-off, and (e) signal processing means powered by the flow measuring means for detecting unwanted flow conditions in the water installation and controlling the shutoff such that the shutoff opens for a limited purge period when the flow is below a threshold over a selected stagnation period. Water fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal processing means comprises a communication unit which receives a wireless signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation . Water fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that a housing-fixed reed contact and a cooperating with a reed contact turbine or other suitable, flow-measuring means for generating a one the flow conditions in the water installation representing signal is provided. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the barrier is formed by a motor-operated ball valve. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drainage arrangement comprises: (a) a drainage funnel connected to the sewer pipe; (b) a drain body aligned with the drain body connected thereto for connecting the drain funnel with the water fitting, wherein the drain body webs, between which openings are formed to the atmosphere; and (c) a valve arranged between the drain body and the drain funnel and opening in the direction of the drain funnel; wherein (d) the webs are arranged in the drain body offset in the radial direction to each other and cover the entire angular range. Water fitting according to claim 6, characterized in that the webs are arranged in the drain body at intervals along two or three concentric rings. Water fitting according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the angle ranges covered by adjacent webs overlap. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a part of the webs is connected by radially extending bridges. Containing water installation (A) a leakage protection arrangement with a built-in front of one or more taps fittings part with a flow meter and a controller with a signal acted upon by the signals of the flow-measuring means signal processing means for determining the flow conditions in the water installation; and (b) a water fitting according to any one of the preceding claims. Water installation according to claim 8, characterized in that the control device of the leakage protection arrangement comprises a communication unit, with which a communication of the control devices with each other and / or with a central server can be produced. Water installation according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the communication units of the control units are identical and are connected via the Internet or other suitable network wirelessly with a common, central server, on which the signals received for the evaluation of the fitting part and the Control of the fitting part required software is provided.

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