EP1866486A1

EP1866486A1 - Water-lock

Info

Publication number: EP1866486A1
Application number: EP06717134A
Authority: EP
Inventors: David SÖDERGREN; Tore MÖLLER; Olle Jakobsson
Original assignee: Setra Tralyftet AB
Current assignee: Setra Tralyftet AB
Priority date: 2005-03-31
Filing date: 2006-03-30
Publication date: 2007-12-19
Also published as: SE528504C2; SE0500702L; NO338256B1; WO2006104457A1; NO20074931L

Abstract

Water lock comprising at least one chamber (21) for liquid, which water lock (9) is designed for systems (12) comprising pipe assemblies (17) for taking the said liquid from a plurality of bathrooms/shower rooms (3) in multi-storey buildings (1), in which the respective bathrooms/shower rooms (3) comprise a floor drain arrangement (7). The water lock (9) is designed to be connected to at least two bathrooms/shower rooms (3), and to be at a distance from the floor drain arrangements (7).

Description

Water lock

BACKGROUND ART

The present invention relates to a water lock in accordance with the preamble to Claim 1. The invention can be used in multi-storey buildings and also for heating, water and sanitation installations and systems for air- conditioning.

There are currently various types of water lock that are used in the floor drains of bathrooms. The problem with these is that the water lock in the bathroom can become blocked by hair, dust and rubbish, whereupon flooding can take place in the bathroom with high repair costs as a consequence. There is also the risk of mould damage. The problem with known water locks is also that when the owner of the flat has not used his bathroom for a long time, smells from the waste water system can enter the bathroom and any pollutants from the waste water system can be conveyed into the flat, due to the fact that the water standing in the water lock has evaporated away and as a result the water lock has ceased to function.

There are various types of water lock, see, for example, US 6581336 and WO 96/10117 that show how a shared water lock is provided with a tight- sealing cover and the actual floor drain in the bathroom is eliminated. The problem with such a solution is that the bathroom must have the addition of an extracted air system and separate floor drains or gutters, or an air vent in the bathroom ceiling, which as a result means that the floor of the bathroom does not dry as efficiently. The problem that the design described in WO 96/10117 attempts to solve is how a bulky water lock in different plumbing fixtures in a bathroom can be eliminated in order to save space. The design described in US 6581336 attempts to solve the problem of how water locks with S-bends can be eliminated, as these take up a lot of space in a bathroom. The solution is that the water lock that is described in US

6581336 is arranged so that it is shared between the different plumbing fixtures that discharge waste water in the bathroom, thereby making the different plumbing fixtures in the bathroom take up less space.

The problem with known water locks is that the cost of service and installation in a multi-storey building is high. In addition, an additional outlet is required in the bathroom for extracted air, which makes the multistorey building more expensive to build.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the abovementioned problem and to improve known systems comprising water locks and make them more cost-effective.

The object is also to prevent smells entering into bathrooms in multi-storey buildings by means of the present invention.

The object is also to reduce the risk of flooding in bathrooms.

The object is also to reduce the risk of blowback through the water lock due to flushing through connected pipes (pipes from, for example, a bath) or as a result of pressure variations in the flat.

The object is also to achieve a central water lock, that can be cleaned without it needing to be opened.

The object is also to achieve a water lock incorporating a safety function in order to eliminate the risk of the water lock not working properly on account of a leakage at the outlet. The object is also to eliminate the need for an air vent in the bathroom, and to reduce the free accumulations of water on the floor of the bathroom as quickly as possible and thereby reduce the humidity in the bathroom.

The object is also to improve hygiene in the bathroom.

For these objects, the water lock described in the introduction is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing part of Claim 1. As described here, the bath water (and also shower water) can flow unobstructed through the bathroom floor drain arrangement, such as a gutter, due to the fact that the water lock is located below all the floor drain arrangements in the multi-storey building that are connected to the water lock, whereby the risk of blocking is reduced in the respective bathroom and the risk of flooding in the flat is reduced. Due to the fact that the floor drain also suitably functions as a gutter, water that has been left on the bathroom floor can run down to the shared water lock that is provided for all the bathrooms in the multi-storey building. One or more central water locks, each intended for several flats, are suitably provided in the multi-storey building.

Alternatively, the chamber is connected to at least one outlet opening and inlet assembly, that can each be connected to the respective floor drain arrangement, via the said pipe assembly.

Accordingly, the chamber of the central water lock can be designed to be larger than traditional water locks intended for bathrooms, which means that the water lock is safer (more efficient) due to the fact that the chamber of the water lock can hold a larger volume of water. As several flats are connected to the water lock, the function of the lock is not affected if an owner of a flat is away for a long time, which reduces the risk of odours arising in the bathroom of the flat owner in question. - A - The lower parts of the inlet assemblies are suitably located at a lower level than the lower part of the outlet opening. The water lock extends principally in a horizontal direction when mounted, in order to function in a satisfactory way.

In this way, the risk is reduced of the water lock not working properly on account of a leakage at the outlet.

The lower parts are preferably located in line with each other and in line with a rinsing arrangement.

By this means, the end of the water lock opposite to the end where the outlet opening is arranged can be provided with the rinsing arrangement (for example a permanent nipple that can be connected to a mains water supply system). The rinsing arrangement suitably directs a jet of water that rinses the lower parts of the inlet assemblies that are in line with each other, whereby any deposits of hair (and other unwanted deposits) are removed and flushed out through the outlet opening.

Alternatively, the pipe assembly is arranged to be connected directly between the respective floor drain arrangement and the inlet assemblies.

In this way, any deposits from the bath water can leave the respective bathroom floor drain arrangement (for example, a simple funnel-shaped bowl with an opening at the bottom) and be taken to the chamber of the water lock in a very reliable way.

The chamber suitably comprises at least one barrier provided between the chamber's outlet opening and inlet assemblies.

By this means, it is ensured that there can be a large volume of water (liquid) in the part of the chamber in which the inlet assemblies are located. The inlet assemblies (for example, individual pipes, each connected to the respective bathroom) can thereby be submerged in the liquid in the chamber, forming an efficient lock. If two barriers are installed instead of one barrier, the functional reliability is increased. If a leakage should arise at one barrier, the other will still function.

The barrier is preferably inclined, so that rinsing of the said chamber can be carried out in such a way that the flow of the rinsed liquid is guided over the said barrier.

In this way, a direct rinsing away of deposits over the barrier to the outlet opening is ensured.

Alternatively, the pipe assembly has, at a branching point, at least one branching pipe assembly (for example a T-connection) that can be connected to an extracted air system arranged in the multi-storey building.

By this means, a negative pressure can be achieved in the waste water pipe (the pipe assembly corresponding to the part that connects the floor drain and the branching assembly), as the floor drain arrangement does not comprise any separate water lock, which means that air from the bathroom can be extracted from the bathroom. As the floor drain arrangement is located in the floor of the bathroom, water that has accumulated on the floor dries up quickly, which quickly reduces the humidity in the bathroom and hygiene is improved. Any smells in the waste water pipe are prevented from entering the bathroom by means of the extraction of air through the floor drain arrangement.

The extracted air system suitably comprises equipment for extracting the heat content from the respective bathroom via the said pipe assembly and floor drain arrangement. The extracted air system is suitably connected to a cooling battery (heat exchanger) that recovers the heat energy before the air from the flat passes out from the multi-storey building as exhaust air. As the heat content and humidity are greatest in the flat's bathroom/shower room (the humidity increases the heat content), the highest degree of efficiency can be obtained.

The branching pipe assembly is preferably designed in such a way that the extracted air system can be caused to create an extracted air flow of 7-17 litres per second, preferably 10-15 litres per second. The floor drain arrangement and pipe assembly are suitably designed in such a way that a flow of air can be extracted without the negative pressure in the flat becoming too great, while at the same time good air hygiene is achieved. Hygiene is improved by means of the negative pressure in the waste water system, as air pollutants from the waste water are removed with the extracted air. The risk that smells, gases and bacteria can enter the bathroom is reduced, as the only means of communication is a relatively long (3-20 metres) wastewater pipe that is sealed by means of the water lock.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows schematically a multi-storey building comprising water locks according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 shows the water lock in Figure 1 schematically and in greater detail;

Figure 3 shows the water lock in Figure 2 schematically and from the side; Figure 4a shows schematically a modular system according to a second embodiment; Figure 4b shows schematically a water lock according to a third embodiment;

Figure 5 shows schematically a water lock according to a fourth embodiment; and Figure 6 shows schematically a floor drain arrangement and an upper part of a pipe assembly.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The invention will now be described in the form of embodiments. For the sake of clarity, components that are not of significance for the invention have been omitted in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows a multi-storey building 1 with several storeys A, B, C comprising several flats, each flat comprising a bathroom 3 (shower room) comprising bath 5 and floor drain arrangement 7, such as a funnel-shaped floor drain 8 (see also Figure 6). A water lock 9 according to a first embodiment is located in the cellar 11 of the multi-storey building 1 and is connected to the general waste water system 13. A heat exchanger 15 connected downstream of the water lock 9 recovers the heat content of the waste water. The water lock 9 is designed for a system 12 for taking waste water (liquid) away from the respective bathroom 3. The water lock 9 is also connected to a pipe assembly 17, such as a plastic pipe 19 with an internal diameter of 48 mm (external diameter 50 mm), which plastic pipe 19 is also connected to the floor drain 8 of the respective bathroom 3. The water lock 9 is located at a distance from and essentially below the floor drains 8 and is common to several of the flats in the multi-storey building 1. The waste water (liquid) from the bathroom 3 collects in the chamber 21 of the water lock 9, that is common to the floor drains 8, (see Figure 2). By this means, the water lock 9 is made more efficient than traditional water locks, as a plurality of flats can be connected to the water lock 9, whereby the volume of waste water v in the chamber 21 can be made larger. Figure 2 shows the water lock 9 in Figure 1 in greater detail. The chamber 21 of the water lock 9 is connected to an outlet opening 23 that is connected to the waste water system 13. The chamber 21 is also connected to inlet assemblies 25 (in the form of metal pipe stubs 26), which in turn are connected to the respective floor drain 8 via separate plastic pipes 19. The plastic pipe 19 between the floor drain 8 and the water lock 9 that is arranged for the first storey A is 3 metres long and the plastic pipe 19 to the top storey C is 12 metres long. Each pipe assembly 17 is intended to be connected directly between the respective floor drain 8 and the pipe stubs 26. That is, the pipe assembly 17 is arranged not to obstruct a flow of liquid between the floor drain 8 and the water lock 9. In operation, the lower part 27 of each pipe stub 26 is submerged in the accumulated waste water v, whereby the water locking effect is achieved. The level Ll of the surface of the water (and hence the locking effect of the water lock 9) is determined by the height h of a barrier 29 that is provided in the chamber 21 between the inlet assemblies 25 and the outlet opening 23. When waste water enters the chamber 21 from any one of the inlet assemblies 25, the level Ll rises and waste water flows over the upper edge 31 of the barrier 29 and out through the outlet opening 23. The locking effect is achieved by means of the distance y between the lower parts 27 and the water level Ll . The distance y, and hence the efficiency of the lock, can be adjusted in a simple way. In the water lock 9, at the opposite end 33 to the outlet opening 23, there is a rinsing arrangement 35, such as a spray nozzle (not shown) connected to the mains water supply system (not shown). The lower parts 27 of the inlet assemblies 25 are on the same level and in line with each other and in line with the spray nozzle. The spray nozzle is activated as required (or is activated by automatic control in suitable cycles by opening and closing of a valve) (not shown). The jet of water (not shown) produced by the spray nozzle rinses the inlet assemblies 25 clean of any hair and other deposits and flushes these towards the inclined barrier 29 whereupon the substances that have been flushed away are carried over the upper edge 31 of the barrier and out through the outlet opening 23 to a purifying plant (not shown) connected to the waste water system 13. That is, rinsing of the chamber 21 is carried out, and the flow of rinsing water is caused to pass over the barrier 29.

If leakage takes place at the barrier 29, a locking effect will still be achieved in the water lock 9 in spite of this, as the lower parts 27 of the inlet assemblies 25 are located at a lower level than the lower part 37 of the outlet opening 23. In such a case, the surface of the water would be as shown by the line L2. The locking effect is achieved as a result of the distance z between the lower parts 27 and the water level L2. The flow of liquid into the water lock 9 is shown by arrows a. The flow of liquid out of the water lock 9 is shown by the arrow b.

Figure 3 shows the outlet end 39 of the water lock 9 in Figure 2. This shows clearly that the lower part 37 of the outlet pipe 23 and the upper edge 31 of the barrier 29 are located at a higher level than the lower parts 27 of the inlet assemblies 25.

Figure 4a shows that the water lock 9 can be constructed of a modular system M, whereby the number of inlet assemblies 25 can be increased if additional flats are to be connected to the water lock 9. The water lock 9 in

Figure 4a has double barriers 29, 29' for reasons of safety in order to maintain the locking effect in the event of any leakage at any one of the barriers 29, 29'. Figure 4b shows a water lock 9 without any barrier, but where the lower part 37 of the outlet opening 23 is located higher than the lower parts 27 of the inlet assemblies 25. Figure 5 shows the outlet end 39 of a water lock 9 comprising three outlet openings 23 that can be connected to the general waste water system 13, where an outlet opening can be changed on the basis of the required use or for cleaning, while maintaining the function of the water lock 9. The figure also shows that the inlet assemblies

25 are inclined outwards and are mounted in pairs in order to save space in the water lock's chamber 21. An inspection hatch 41 is provided between the inlet assemblies 25 to enable visual inspection of the chamber 21.

Figure 6 shows a floor drain arrangement 7 mounted in the floor 43 in the bathroom 3 of the flat. The floor drain arrangement 7 comprises a funnel- shaped floor drain 8 without any obstacle to obstruct the flow of liquid 45 (waste water), with a grating 47 on a level with the floor 43 to prevent large objects from being carried down into the water lock 9. The grating 47 is designed in such a way that an airflow (air F) of 15 litres per second can be extracted through the floor drain 8. The branching pipe assembly 10 (see Figure 1) is designed in such a way that the extracted air system 50 (see Figure 1) can be controlled to create an extracted air flow of 7-17 litres per second, preferably 10-15 litres per second. The said control is carried out on the basis of the need for changes of air in the flat and is achieved by means of control technology. At the same time, the floor drain 8 acts as a gutter and a slight gradient to the surface 51 of the bathroom floor ensures that liquid 45 runs off down into the floor drain 8 and from there into the shared water lock 9. At a position lower down, the pipe assembly 17 (see Figure 1) is connected at a branching point 52 to the branching pipe assembly 10 (for example a T-pipe). The branching point 52 is situated essentially on the same storey where the actual floor drain 8 is arranged. At the T-pipe, a part 54 of the pipe assembly 17 is directed upwards in the direction towards the loft space 56 of the multi-storey building 1 where an extraction fan 58 and cooling battery 60 are arranged. Air F (extracted air) extracted from the bathroom 3 through the floor drain 8 has the greatest heat content of the air in the flat, and also has the highest humidity which increases the heat content. Exhaust air is discharged at the roof of the multi-storey building according to the arrow s (see Figure 1). Fresh air is taken into the building via air intakes and passes through the cooling battery 60 (heat exchanger) and is thus heated up by the extracted air before it is taken into the flats. In the flat on the top storey C, an extracted air pipe 62 (for example over a cooker in the kitchen) is illustrated, which is connected to the extracted air system 50.

The embodiment described above does not limit the scope of the protection provided by the present invention. There can also be combinations of the described embodiments within the framework of the present invention. The chamber of the water lock can be a different shape to that described, for example with a square cross-section, oval shape or with three or more inlet assemblies arranged alongside each other, and the modular system is constructed with rows of inlet assemblies in each module, which modules are joined together or added to as required. The water lock extends principally essentially horizontally when mounted, in order to function satisfactorily. The external diameter of the pipe assembly can be 75 mm.

Claims

1. Water lock comprising at least one chamber (21) for liquid, which water lock (9) is designed for a system (12) comprising pipe assemblies (17) for taking the said liquid from a plurality of bathrooms/shower rooms (3) in multi-storey buildings (1), which bathrooms/shower rooms (3) comprise a floor drain arrangement (7), characterized in that the said water lock (9) is designed to be connected to at least two bathrooms/shower rooms (3), and to be at a distance from their respective floor drain arrangements (7).

2. Water lock according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said chamber (21) is connected to at least one outlet opening (23) and inlet assemblies (25), each of which can be connected to the respective floor drain arrangement (7) via the said pipe assemblies (17).

3. Water lock according to Claim 2, characterized in that the lower parts (27) of the said inlet assemblies (25) are located at a lower level than the lower part (37) of the said outlet opening (23).

4. Water lock according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said lower parts (27) are located in line with each other and in line with a rinsing arrangement (35).

5. Water lock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said pipe assemblies (17) are arranged to be connected directly between the respective floor drain arrangement (7) and the inlet assemblies (25).

6. Water lock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said chamber (21) comprises at least one barrier (29, 29') provided between the outlet opening (23) of the chamber (21) and the inlet assemblies (25).

7. Water lock according to Claim 6, characterized in that the said barrier (29) is inclined, so that rinsing of the said chamber (21) can be carried out in such a way that the flow of rinsed liquid is caused to pass over the said barrier (29).

8. Water lock according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said pipe assemblies (17) have at least one branching pipe assembly (10) that can be connected at a branching point (52) to an extracted air system (50) arranged in the multi-storey building (1).

9. Water lock according to Claim 8, characterized in that the said extracted air system (50) comprises equipment for extracting the heat content from the respective bathrooms (3) via the said pipe assemblies (17).

10. Water lock according to any one of Claims 8-9, characterized in that the said branching pipe assembly (10) is designed in such a way that the extracted air system (50) can be caused to provide an extracted air flow of 7-17 litres per second, preferably 10-15 litres per second.