EP1069249A1 - Method and device for dispensing carbonized drinking water through a tap - Google Patents

Abstract

Method for delivering carbonated drinking water from a tap (1') comprises subjecting mains water to a carbonating stage (5'). The carbonated water is then allowed to attain atmospheric pressure without control of its speed of flow. An Independent claim is included for a device for carrying out the above process in which a choke device (9') is positioned between the carbonating device and the tap flow control (3') to allow the carbonated water to attain atmospheric pressure.

Description

The invention relates to a method for dispensing carbonated drinking water a faucet fitting, the faucet fitting applying tap water which is in a carbonization stage upstream of the faucet fitting if necessary enriched with carbon dioxide, and a device to carry out the procedure.

In many households, drinking water is now enriched with carbon dioxide An alternative to mineral water. The advantage of carbonated drinking water there is especially that no mineral water boxes are dragged into the apartment have to be available because the tap water is already available in the apartment stands. Conventional is usually taken from the tap Drinking water filled in a special drinking water treatment device and there with Carbon dioxide enriched from a carbon dioxide bottle There are already procedures become known in which the taken from the tap water network Drinking water immediately before dispensing via the tap by loosening one Carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide bottle is enriched with carbon dioxide (e.g. DE 196 14 754, WO 99/09264).

The direct delivery of carbonized tap water via the tap fitting might be the most convenient way to make a carbonated drink practical to provide unlimited quantities at any time in the household. All so far Known variants of this method have in common that the tap water network drawn drinking water at least at the tap water network pressure (approx. 4 to approx. 6 bar) with which carbon dioxide is added and the pressure is reduced to ambient pressure (0 bar) by the usual flow rate control in the faucet fitting. In this way, however, no controlled pressure reduction is possible, so that it depends amount of drinking water released to more or less strong outgassing of Carbon dioxide is coming. As a result, there is a fluctuation in the throughput and overall unsatisfactorily low carbon dioxide concentration in the released Drinking water.

The present invention has for its object a method and a Device for dispensing carbonized drinking water via a tap fitting to provide with which the outgassing of carbon dioxide is strong can be reduced.

This object is achieved on the procedural side in that the Tap water enriched with carbon dioxide after passing through the carbonization stage is relaxed to ambient pressure without flow control.

The main idea of the invention is therefore the pressure reduction and Separate flow control. Because the pressure reduction is independent by the flow rate control, it can be carried out in a controlled manner, so that there is no outgassing even with different water flow rates comes from carbon dioxide.

The separation of flow rate control and pressure reduction is expediently carried out by bypassing the tap water enriched with carbon dioxide the flow rate control in the faucet fitting directly to consumers In practice, this can be done, for example, that tap water enriched with carbon dioxide and not with carbon dioxide enriched tap water can be dispensed via separate taps. But it is also possible that the enriched with carbon dioxide and the non-enriched To deliver tap water through a common tap, the Tap water not enriched with carbon dioxide via the flow rate control is conducted while the tap water enriched with carbon dioxide bypassing the flow rate control directly to the outlet of the faucet fitting to be led.

The tap water is preferably supplied before entering the tap relaxed to ambient pressure. This has the advantage that the faucet fitting need not be changed, which can reduce investment costs. In addition, there is enough space outside the tap, around the device intended for pressure reduction, e.g. a throttle device, dimension in the desired way. An integration in the faucet tap is also possible in principle, but due to the limited space more difficult to implement. With such an integration, however care should also be taken to ensure that the pressure reduction occurs before the flow rate control in the faucet tap.

In practice, the variant is preferred in which the tap water by means of a the water supply to the faucet valve arranged throttle device Ambient pressure is relaxed. When installing the tap in a kitchen The advantage of this variant is that all of them are enriched with carbon dioxide related facilities housed in the kitchen sink can be placed on the kitchen sink Faucet tap remains unaffected.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the tap water the faucet tap in the main stream, the carbon dioxide if necessary is entered directly into this main stream. In contrast to variants, at where the carbon dioxide is fed into a side stream of tap water, which is branched off from the main stream results in this embodiment of Advantage that the tap water for cold running directly through the carbonation stage flows and already cools down. In addition, it has an advantageous effect that bypass water not warmed up when the carbon dioxide supply is switched on, which is always in the sidestream are flushed out of the sidestream must, but cold water can be used immediately.

To the advantages of the direct supply of the faucet described to be able to reach the main stream without accepting other disadvantages further suggested that at times when the tap water was not using Carbon dioxide is enriched in the tap water before carrying out the flow rate control is not relaxed in the tap. To do this expediently set the throttle device so that the inflow of not Tap water enriched with carbon dioxide to the tap tap without restriction is possible. When designing the throttle device as in the feed line arranged throttle cone is used, for example, for dispensing non-carbonized Water the throttle cone shifted so that no cross-sectional narrowing of the There is more supply. In this way the faucet tap can also can be used without restrictions for the delivery of non-carbonated water. Flow restrictions by the throttle device can be prevented.

There are various ways of enriching tap water with carbon dioxide Methods conceivable. A preferred option is carbon dioxide using a static mixer in the tap water. To do this expediently immediately before the tap water enters the static Mix the carbon dioxide in the tap water at a water pressure of about 4 to approx. 6 bar entered. The carbon dioxide is then in the subsequent static mixer mixed into the tap water and dissolved.

According to another embodiment, the tap water is in the carbonization stage enriched with the carbon dioxide by means of a vent nozzle. Such The method is e.g. known from DE 196 14 754.

It is also conceivable to tap the tap water in the carbonation stage enrich the dynamic mixer with the carbon dioxide.

The invention further relates to a device for at least temporarily dispensing carbonized drinking water via a faucet fitting, the faucet fitting is connected to a carbonization device via a feed line, which in turn is connected to the tap water network and to a carbon dioxide source connected.

On the device side, the object is achieved in that the Carbonization device a throttle device for reducing pressure to ambient pressure is connected downstream, and between the carbonization device and the No flow control device outlet of faucet fitting is interposed.

In practice, this can be achieved in that the carbonization device incoming supply line is divided into at least two branch lines, wherein the one branch line with a flow control unit of the faucet fitting is connected, while bypassing the other branch line Flow control unit led directly to the outlet of the faucet fitting is. The branch lines can be on separate taps or on one shared water tap. In the latter case, the for carbonized tap water provided branch line, for example by means of a through the tap fitting bypassing the in the faucet fitting arranged flow control unit to which the another branch line for non-carbonated tap water is connected directly be led to the outlet of the tap.

The throttle device is expediently designed as a throttle cone and outside the tap, preferably in the supply line to the tap housed. But it is also possible to place the throttle device in the tap to integrate. Due to the limited space within the Faucet fitting, which is already covered with numerous internals, is this Variant, however, involves a higher technical outlay.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the faucet fitting is in the main flow connected to the tap water network. The in this case in the main water pipe accommodated throttle device is expediently adjustable in such a way that the inflow of tap water to the tap is not restricted. When the throttle device is designed as a throttle cone, it can be displaced in this way trained that after moving the throttle cone no cross-sectional constriction there is more of the supply line.

The carbonization device is used to dissolve the carbon dioxide in the tap water advantageously equipped with a static mixer. Another possibility is that the carbonization device has a Venturi nozzle. Also the The use of a dynamic mixer in the carbonization device is conceivable.

The invention is suitable for use with all possible faucet fittings, being no redesign of the faucet fitting to provide carbonized drinking water is necessary. The invention can therefore also be used for retrofitting existing installations can be used. It only has to be in the Inlet to the faucet faucet one Corbonisierungstufe, e.g. a static or dynamic mixer or a Venturi nozzle and a throttle device interposed become. For kitchen installations, the conversion is limited to drinking water supply lines located below the table top of the kitchen sink. Regardless of this, however, it is also possible, especially in terms of use to use tap fittings adapted from carbonized drinking water.

However, the main advantage remains in all conceivable variants of the application of the invention obtained that due to the decoupling of the pressure reduction function from the flow rate control function controlled pressure reduction in the tap is made possible without outgassing of carbon dioxide. This way, only a sufficient concentration of carbon dioxide in the one taken from the tap Drinking water with space-saving carbon dioxide enrichment facilities, e.g. small-sized static mixers housed in the kitchen sink can be achieved.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures.

Figur 1 eine Wasserhahnarmatur mit angeschlossener Carbonisierungseinrichtung, wobei der Druckabbau durch herkömmliche Durchflußmengensteuerung in der Wasserhahnarmatur erfolgt.

Figur 2 eine Wasserhahnarmatur mit angeschlossener Carbonisierungseinrichtung, wobei der Druckabbau in einer der Wasserhahnarmatur vorgeschalteten Drosseleinrichtung erfolgt.

Figur 3 eine Drosseleinrichtung mit verschiebbarem Drosselkegel.

Figur 4 eine Detailansicht einer für das Zapfen von carbonisiertem und nicht carbonisiertem Leitungswasser vorgesehenen Wasserhahnarmatur.

Figur 5 eine Anordnung mit getrennten Wasserhähnen für carbonisiertes und nicht carbonisiertes Leitungswasser.

Show it

1 shows a faucet fitting with a connected carbonization device, the pressure being reduced by conventional flow control in the faucet fitting.

2 shows a faucet fitting with a connected carbonization device, the pressure reduction taking place in a throttle device upstream of the faucet fitting.

3 shows a throttle device with a displaceable throttle cone.

FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of a tap fitting intended for tapping carbonized and non-carbonized tap water.

Figure 5 shows an arrangement with separate taps for carbonized and non-carbonized tap water.

In Figure 1, a conventional arrangement is shown in which a faucet fitting 1 is placed on a table top 8 of a kitchen sink. The faucet tap 1 is connected to a carbonization device 5 via a feed line 4, which is connected to the tap water network via line 7. about a feed 6 carbon dioxide is introduced into the feed line 7 and in the subsequent one Carbonization device 5 dissolved in tap water. The carbonization device 5 can for example be designed as a mixing container. According to the state technology is not a separate throttle device for reducing the pressure of the carbonized Tap water provided. The pressure reduction from the water pressure of the tap water network from approx. 4 to approx. 6 bar to ambient pressure (0 bar) at the tap outlet 2 is done by conventional throughput control 3 in the faucet fitting 1. Due to the coupling of the pressure reduction with the flow rate control no controlled pressure reduction at all flow rates possible. As a result, it comes to outgas carbon dioxide, so that the tap at the tap 2 drinking water withdrawn has an insufficient carbon dioxide concentration having.

In contrast, in the variant according to the invention shown in FIG. 2, one of the Flow control of the faucet fitting 1 'independent throttle device 9 'provided, which is installed in the inlet 4' to the faucet fitting 1 '. The throttle device 9 'is designed and provides as a conventional throttle cone for the fact that the pressure of the carbonized water from the mains pressure in the amount of approx. 4 to approx. 6 bar to ambient pressure (0 bar) before entering the tap 1 'is dismantled. A carbonization device 5 'is connected to the feed line 4' connected, which is preferably designed as a static mixer. The carbonization device 5 'is connected to the tap water network via a pipe 7'. Via a feed line 6 'carbon dioxide is e.g. from a carbon dioxide bottle Tap water added and in the carbonization device 5 'in tap water solved. By separating the flow control function and the pressure relief function controlled pressure reduction without outgassing of carbon dioxide is possible. It is only thereby achieved that even when using small-volume carbonization devices, e.g. short static mixer with a length of approx. 0.2 to approx. 1 m a sufficient carbon dioxide concentration in that removed from the water tap 2 ' Water is obtained.

Figure 3 relates to a throttle device with a throttle cone 2, which is in a feed line 1.4 is installed for the tap. The lead 1.4 is in the main stream to the Tap water network connected. The throttle cone 2 is between that in the figure not shown carbonization device and also not shown Faucet tap arranged. If the delivery of carbonated water over the faucet fitting is desired, carbon dioxide from the carbonation device fed and dissolved there in tap water. For controlled pressure reduction from tap water network pressure (approx. 4 to approx. 6 bar) to ambient pressure (0 bar) the throttle cone 2 is moved so far in the direction of the tap water supply 1, that due to the cross-sectional narrowing of the water inflow the desired Throttle function is achieved. On the other hand, should conventional, not carbonized Tap water are released through the tap fitting, so the supply switched off by carbon dioxide and the throttle cone 2 so far in the direction of tap water drainage 4 postponed that no cross-sectional narrowing of the water inflow is present, i.e. the cross sections A in the tap water supply 1 and Tap water drainage 4 with the space between the Throttle cone 2 and the throttle housing 3 resulting overall cross section matches. In this way it is achieved that in times when no carbonized water is desired, conventional tap water without Restriction can be tapped.

In Figure 4 is a variant of the flow rate control independent Throttling shown. That in the carbonization device 5 'with carbon dioxide Tap water is enriched by the throttle cone Throttle device 9 'relaxed to ambient pressure. Then it arrives Tap water into the faucet fitting 1 ', which is divided into two Branch lines 10 'and 11' takes place. The branch line 10 'is via a shut-off device 12 ', which does not allow flow control, by the Run the tap through to the tap 2 '. On the other hand, the Branch line 11 'via a flow control 3' separated from the Branch line 10 'led into the tap.

When operating the device are used to tap carbonized tap water the valve 13 'for taking tap water from the tap water network and the Valve 14 'opened to supply carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide bottle. The Throttle cone 9 'is set so that a pressure reduction to ambient pressure takes place. In addition, the flow rate control 3 'is closed while the shut-off device 12 'is opened. In this way flows in the carbonization device 5 'Carbonized tap water at ambient pressure relaxes in the faucet fitting 1 'and is turned on without being influenced by the flow rate control 3' the water tap 2 'given to the consumer.

To carry out the carbonized tap water through the tap, a Hose used which connects the feed 4 'directly to the water tap 2'. This ensures that the carbonized tap water is unimpeded and without generating turbulence, for example on built-in faucet fittings 1 'could arise up to the water tap 2' can flow. Owing to Turbulence could lead to outgassing of carbon dioxide, so that the tap water drawn from the tap is no longer the desired one Would have carbon dioxide content.

On the other hand, the valve 14 'is used to draw non-carbonized tap water Shutoff of the carbon dioxide supply closed while the throttle cone 9 'so far is postponed that there is no further throttling. The shut-off device 12 ' closed and the flow control open. This way it doesn't flow carbonized tap water via the flow control into the tap and can be removed at the water tap 2 '.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment in which carbonized and not carbonized tap water separate taps B and A are provided. The the principle of operation corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, device parts having the same function are provided with the same reference number.

Of course, an additional hot water pipe can also be attached to the tap fittings be connected, the hot water usually not is carbonized. For the sake of clarity, such a hot water pipe is in the figures are not taken into account.

Claims (26)

Method for dispensing carbonated water via a faucet apparatus (1 '), said faucet apparatus (1' is supplied with tap water), which is enhanced with the carbon dioxide in one of the faucet apparatus (1 ') upstream of carbonization (5'), characterized that the carbon dioxide-enriched tap water after passing through the carbonization step (5 ') and without flow rate control (3') is expanded to ambient pressure. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that with carbon dioxide enriched tap water bypassing the flow rate control (3 ') is delivered directly to consumers in the faucet fitting. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that with carbon dioxide tap water enriched and that not enriched with carbon dioxide Tap water should be released through separate taps (B, A). A method according to claim 2, characterized in that with carbon dioxide tap water enriched and that not enriched with carbon dioxide Tap water is dispensed via a common tap (1 '), the tap water not enriched with carbon dioxide via the flow rate control (3 ') is carried out while the carbon dioxide-enriched Tap water bypassing the flow control (3 ') directly to the outlet (2 ') of the faucet fitting. Method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the tap water enriched with carbon dioxide before entering the tap (1 ') is relaxed to ambient pressure. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the tap water enriched with carbon dioxide by means of a in the water supply to the faucet fitting (1 ') arranged throttle device (9) Ambient pressure is relaxed. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the Tap water is supplied to the faucet fitting (1 ') in the main stream, with the carbon dioxide is fed directly into this main stream if necessary. Method according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in Times when the tap water is not enriched with carbon dioxide, the Tap water not before performing the flow control (3 ') is relaxed. A method according to claim 8, characterized in that the Throttle device is set according to claim 6 such that the inflow of tap water not enriched with carbon dioxide to the tap (1 ') is not restricted. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Tap water in the carbonization stage (5 ') using a static mixer is enriched with carbon dioxide. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the carbon dioxide before Power water enters the static mixer at a water pressure from about 4 to about 6 bar in the tap water. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Tap water in the carbonation stage using a Venturi nozzle with carbon dioxide is enriched. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the Tap water in the carbonization stage (5 ') by means of a dynamic Mixer is enriched with carbon dioxide. Device for at least temporarily dispensing carbonized drinking water via a tap fitting (1 '), the tap fitting (1') being connected via a feed line (4 ') to a carbonation device (5') which in turn is connected to the tap water network (7 ') in Connection is established and connected to a carbon dioxide source (6 '), characterized in that the carbonization device (5') is followed by a throttle device (9) for reducing pressure to ambient pressure, and between the carbonization device (5 ') and the outlet (2') the faucet fitting (1 ') has no flow control device (3') interposed Device according to claim 14, characterized in that the supply line (4 ') is divided into at least two branch lines (10 ', 11'), one branch line (11 ') with a flow control unit (3') of the faucet fitting (1 ') is connected while the other branch line (10') is bypassed the flow control unit (3 ') directly to the outlet (2') of the faucet fitting (1 ') is performed. Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the branch lines (10 ', 11') are connected to separate taps (B, A). Device according to claim 15, characterized in that the branch lines (10 ', 11') are connected to a common water tap (1 '). Device according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the throttle device (9) is arranged outside the faucet fitting (1 '). Device according to one of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that the throttle device (9) is integrated in the faucet fitting (1 '). Device according to one of claims 14 to 19, characterized in that the throttle device (9) as a throttle cone built into the feed line (4 ') is trained. Device according to one of claims 14 to 20, characterized in that the faucet fitting (1 ') in the main stream is connected to the tap water network is. Device according to one of claims 14 to 21, characterized in that the throttle device (9) is adjustable such that the inflow of tap water to the faucet fitting (1 ') is not restricted. Apparatus according to claim 22, characterized in that when the Throttle device (9) as a throttle cone according to claim 20, the throttle cone in the Supply line is displaceable so that after moving the throttle cone there is no narrowing of the cross-section of the supply line. Device according to one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that the carbonization device (5 ') has a static mixer. Device according to one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that the carbonization device (5 ') has a Venturi nozzle. Device according to one of claims 14 to 23, characterized in that the carbonization device (5 ') has a dynamic mixer.

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