EP1967659B1 - Water transfer system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a water transfer system,
with a first pipeline for cold water and with a second pipeline for hot water,
wherein in each pipeline in each case a closure member and a respective water meter are arranged.

Such a water transfer system has become known by the DE 201 07 038 U1 ,

In water installation networks, especially domestic water networks, water treatment devices are often used to improve the water quality. For example, softeners are used to reduce lime deposits in the downstream part of the water network. Also, water protection devices have become known which shut off a supply line to a downstream part of a water network when a leak has been detected in this downstream part of the water network.

Water treatment devices and water damage protection devices are referred to below as water function devices.

In order to use a water function device efficiently, such is preferably arranged in a central supply line of a water network. In domestic water networks, a water utility is typically located at the building entrance, i. at the place where the water supplier opens with its connection in the building, arranged. Thus, the entire domestic water network of the building can use the water function device. The building entrance of the water utility is typically located in the basement of the building.

The DE 102 59 664 B4 describes a device arrangement for a domestic installation, with a cold water treatment can be done at the building entrance. The device assembly is designed as an assembly that can be assembled as a whole.

In some buildings, however, the use of water function devices for the entire domestic water network is undesirable or not possible. For example, the wishes of the dwellers of multi-family dwellings regarding the mineral content or the water hardness may vary from dwelling to dwelling. In this case, in an apartment (or other subunit a building) in which a certain water quality or a water damage protection is required, local water function devices are installed.

If a water treatment device is designed as a regenerable softener, this has a drain for wastewater.

Typically, an apartment (or other sub-unit of a building) with two strands, namely a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe, connected to the domestic water network. As a rule, cold and hot water pipes in dwellings are not provided with suitable connection technology in order to connect water function devices locally.

Object of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to provide a simple way to use water function devices locally for an apartment (or other sub-unit of a building).

Brief description of the invention

This object is achieved in a surprisingly simple, but effective manner by a water transfer system according to claim 1.

The enclosure around the assembly prevents water that is not from the water treatment equipment from being disposed of in the drain connection, which protects the water softener from contamination.

According to the invention, the assembly comprises a drain connection, which is suitable exclusively for receiving wastewater or rinse water from the water treatment devices. The drain connection is from all Used water treatment equipment, so that the installation cost is particularly low.

The water transfer system according to the invention allows the water treatment and optionally also a water damage protection for the cold water and the hot water supply of a dwelling or other subunit of a building. In each pipeline, water function devices can be conveniently connected and used. The water function devices are, for example, installed directly in the respective pipeline, or also connected via a connecting piece to the respective pipeline.

By means of the water transfer system according to the invention, a compact and simple connection technology for water functional devices is created. In addition, in practice important additional functions, namely a shut-off and a water meter, provided for each pipeline. These additional functions then no longer need to be realized by individual installations. This can also be achieved a gain in space.

The water delivery system consists essentially of a single assembly that can be assembled as a whole. The sub-elements of the assembly, which are in particular the piping, the closure members, the water meter and the water function devices are mechanically connected to each other, wherein the mechanical connection is made directly through the assembly itself (ie not just about a building wall on which the sub-elements are attached ). The inventive summary of sub-elements to the assembly facilitates the installation of the water transfer system in the building quite considerably. The assembly of the module can be done both at the completion of the building, or subsequently.

The water transfer system according to the invention is installed at the central supply lines for cold and hot water of the apartment or the subunit of the building.

Preferred embodiments

A particularly preferred embodiment of the water transfer system according to the invention provides that the at least one water treatment device of the first pipeline is similar to the at least one water treatment device of the second pipeline. In other words, similar water treatment devices are provided in pairs for cold water treatment and hot water treatment. For example, a filter and a water damage protection device may be provided in each of the pipelines. In this embodiment, a same water quality and reliability can be achieved for both pipes. The control and maintenance of each similar water treatment equipment in both pipes can be standardized or summarized, whereby the structural complexity and costs can be reduced.

Also preferred is an embodiment in which a mounting frame is provided, via which the pipes and the water treatment devices are connected to each other, in particular wherein the mounting frame has a frame, plate or housing structure. With the mounting frame, the mechanical connection of the sub-elements of the assembly can be made in a simple manner; the mounting frame is then also part of the module.

In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, it is provided that the pipes are connected via sliding fasteners to the mounting frame. This facilitates the installation of the water transfer system.

Also preferred is an embodiment in which the housing has an opening or a door or a removable cover. As a result, the implementation of assembly, maintenance, repair or cleaning or refilling of supplies is made possible or facilitated. Note that the enclosure may or may not be firmly connected to the assembly.

Also advantageous is an embodiment in which the water transfer system for attachment to or under plaster or is formed. Alternatively, in another embodiment, the water delivery system is configured as a pre-wall installation. The arrangements on plaster or as a wall installation are particularly inexpensive and also easy to install later. The arrangement under plaster is particularly space-saving and visually inconspicuous.

In a further development of these two embodiments, the assembly is accessible under plaster or as a wall installation via a removable lid or a door to be opened. This in turn facilitates the assembly, maintenance, repair and cleaning as well as the refilling of consumables.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the water treatment devices further comprise a filter, a Kalkschutzanlage and / or a dosing. These embodiments are proven in practice. Regenerative water treatment devices are particularly preferred.

Furthermore, an embodiment is preferred in which the water meters are designed as calibrated water meters or as volumetric flow meters. The calibrated water meters are typically used to determine the total amount of water withdrawn within a billing period (approximately one year). The volumetric flow meters are used to determine the instantaneous flow of water through the pipeline, especially as part of a Water damage protection device. For example, in case of detection of a very high flow, which indicates a water pipe break, or a small but constant flow, which indicates an accidentally not closed tap at a tapping point or a leak, precautionary measures can be taken, in particular a shut-off of the associated pipe. The volumetric flow meter is preferably designed to communicate the flow rate by means of electrical signals, for example to an electronic controller. Within the scope of the invention, a calibrated water meter and a volumetric flow meter can also be provided in a pipeline.

An embodiment which provides that the assembly comprises at least one electronic control device is also preferred. The control device is connected to water function devices and / or closure devices and / or water meters. This enables automatic safety measures or automatic regeneration (eg with backwash filters). There may be a control device for both pipes, or also a respective control device for each pipeline.

In a preferred embodiment of this embodiment, the control device for detecting malfunction of the water transfer system and for triggering measures to eliminate such malfunctions is formed accordingly.

Also advantageous is a development in which the module has a signal transmitter which is designed to emit an acoustic signal and / or an optical signal and / or a radio signal upon detection of malfunctions by the electronic control device. The signaler alerts inhabitants of the building to the automatically detected malfunction so that repair or maintenance measures can be initiated.

Particularly preferred is an embodiment in which the assembly comprises a servomotor, by which the closure members can be closed or opened. This allows an automatic blocking of the pipes. The operable with servomotor closure organs can then be used in particular as part of a water damage protection device. Preferably, the two closure members by the same servomotor, but independently operable; Alternatively, in each case a servomotor can be provided for each closure member.

Another advantageous embodiment of the water transfer system according to the invention provides that the module has at least one power supply, in particular a mains supply or a local voltage source such as a battery, for the supply of the water function devices. In particular, a mains supply with additional emergency power supply can be set up via a local voltage source.

Also preferred is an embodiment in which the pipes have insulation. According to the invention, the insulation, for example in the form of a foam envelope, may also be limited to the pipeline for hot water. Through the insulation heating energy can be saved or inadvertent heating of the cold water can be prevented.

Another embodiment provides that the two pipes are each connected to a branch element. A branching element connects a pipeline with lines to the individual water consumers within the apartment or subunit of the building.

The scope of the present invention also includes a use of a water transfer system according to the invention, wherein the first pipe is connected to a cold water pipe and the second pipe to a hot water pipe. The cold water pipe and the hot water pipe typically run in a building. With the invention Water transfer system, these two lines can be made easily usable for an apartment or other subunit of the building.

Also preferred is a use of a water transfer system according to the invention, wherein the water transfer system is connected to floor ducts for cold water and hot water.

A further advantage is the use of a water transfer system according to the invention for installation at a housing entrance. As a result, water functional equipment for the entire associated apartment can be used.

Also preferred is the use of a water transfer system according to the invention for installation in a bath.

Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description and the drawings. The embodiments shown and described are not to be understood as exhaustive enumeration, but rather have exemplary character for the description of the invention.

Drawing and detailed description of the invention

Fig. 1

ein Aufbauschema eines Wasserübergabesystems zum besseren Verständnis der Erfindung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a construction diagram of a water transfer system for a better understanding of the invention.

The FIG. 1 shows a piping scheme of a water delivery system, which is installed in a building and the entire water supply of a single apartment (or other part of the building) organized with hot and cold water.

The water transfer system comprises an assembly 6 and a (not shown) housing, which completely accommodates the assembly 6. The parts of the water transfer system, which belong to the assembly 6 are within the dashed border of the assembly 6 in Fig. 1 located. The separately manageable housing may for example be walled into a building wall, and the assembly 6 is inserted through a housing opening, which is closable with a removable lid, as a whole in the housing. Alternatively, the housing may also belong to module 6 and be able to be handled together with module 6, for example as a pre-wall installation.

The water transfer system comprises two parallel pipes 1, 2, wherein the first pipe 1 is connected at a connection 11a to a floor pipe 11, which carries cold water, and the second pipe 2 at a connection 12a to a floor pipe 12, which carries hot water. The connections 11a, 12a can be designed, for example, with flange connections. The water in the floor pipe 11 for cold water is unheated (or alternatively actively cooled, for example to about 10 ° C), while the water is preheated in the floor pipe 12 for hot water to a temperature of for example about 60 ° C, for example by a central boiler in the basement of the building.

In each pipe 1, 2 is in the direction of flow of water (in Fig. 1 from right to left, see arrows) directly behind the terminals 11 a, 12 a respectively a closure member 3 a, 3 b provided. The closure members 3a, 3b are formed, for example, as ball valves; but it can also be provided other valve types. The closure members 3a, 3b are electrically actuated via a common servomotor M; By a correspondingly switchable transmission (not shown) while the closure member 3 a can be opened or closed independently of the closing member 3 b motor and vice versa.

In the pipes 1, 2 follow on the closure members 3a, 3b respectively in series water meter 4a, 4b, which are designed as volumetric flow meters. The water meter 4a, 4b transmit via electrical lines signals concerning the instantaneous flow of cold water in pipe 1 and hot water in pipe 2 to an electronic control device 7. Should the electronic control device 7 by evaluating the signals a malfunction in one of the pipes 1, 2 or in one of the downstream lines 21, 22, it triggers a shut-off of the associated closure member 3a, 3b, to prevent water damage. For this purpose, the connected servomotor M and possibly the associated transmission is controlled. For example, a malfunction can be detected by an excessively high flow rate (indicating a line break), or by an unaltered flow over an extended period of time (this indicates an unsealed tap or a leak in the line). The water meter 4a, 4b and the closure members 3a, 3b thus form together with the electronic control device 7 and the servomotor M including gear for each pipe 1, 2 a similar water damage protection device.

The electronic control device 7 and the servomotor M are supplied by a voltage source 8 with operating current. In the simplest case, that is Voltage source 8 a connection to the building network, typically with 50-60 Hz, 110-240 V AC. Alternatively or additionally, it is also possible to use local energy sources such as batteries, rechargeable batteries and capacitors, also as emergency power sources.

In the pipes 1, 2, water treatment devices 5a, 5b are connected in series after the water meters 4a, 4b. In the present case, the water treatment devices 5a, 5b are each designed as similar, backwashable filters. According to the invention, the pipelines 1, 2 each comprise at least one regenerable softener (not shown). The water treatment devices 5a, 5b are connected via discharge lines 15a, 15b to a common discharge connection 9 or open into the latter. During a regeneration of the water treatment devices 5a, 5b (here during a backwashing of the filter) contaminated water (here water, which dissipates the filter residues) can be conveniently introduced into the drain port 9, without any local intermediate storage (such as the filters) or a own sequence for each water treatment device 5 a, 5 b required. The regeneration of the water treatment devices 5a, 5b can be controlled locally by the respective water treatment devices 5a, 5b, or the control device 7 organizes the regenerations.

The pipes 1, 2 are connected behind the water treatment devices 5a, 5b with terminals 21a, 22a to a downstream cold water pipe 21 and a downstream hot water pipe 22 of the apartment. From the downstream lines 21, 22 go from all Wasserzapfstellen the apartment. The connections 21a, 22a can in turn be designed as flange connections.

The assembly 6 has a mounting frame (not shown) which has a substantially rigid mechanical connection to or between the other individual elements of the assembly 6 (in particular closure members 3a, 3b, water meters 4a, 4b, water treatment devices 5a, 5b, pipe sections of the pipelines 1 , 2 together with connections 11a, 12a, 21a, 22a, and drain connection 9) produces or causes. The entire assembly 6 can thus be handled on the mounting frame, in particular aligned and attached to a building wall. In a particular embodiment, the mounting frame can also serve as a housing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

first pipeline

2

second pipeline

3a, 3b

closing members

4a, 4b

water meter

5a, 5b

Water Treatment Equipment

6

module

7

electronic control device

8th

power supply

9

drain connection

11

Floor pipe for cold water

11a

Connection to floor management

12

Floor pipe for hot water

12a

Connection to floor management

15a, 15b

drain pipes

21

Cold water pipe of the apartment

21a

Connection for cold water pipe of the apartment

22

Hot water pipe of the apartment

22a

Connection for hot water pipe of the apartment

Claims (21)

1. Water transfer system,
   comprising a first pipe (1) for cold water and a second pipe (2) for hot water,
   wherein each pipe (1, 2) comprises a shut-off member (3a, 3b) and a water meter (4a, 4b),
   characterized in that
   each pipe (1, 2) comprises at least one water treatment device (5a, 5b) in the form of a regenerative softener,
   that the two pipes (1, 2) including shut-off members (3a, 3b), water meters (4a, 4b) and water treatment devices (5a, 5b) are combined to form an assembly group (6),
   and that the assembly group (6) comprises a drain connection (9) which is designed exclusively for receiving waste water or rinsing water from all water treatment devices (5a, 5b), wherein the overall assembly group (6) is accommodated in a housing.
2. Water transfer system according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one water treatment device (5a, 5b) of the first pipe (1) is similar to the at least one water treatment device (5a, 5b) of the second pipe (2).
3. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mounting frame is provided via which the pipes (1, 2) and the water treatment devices (5a, 5b) are connected to each other,
   in particular wherein the mounting frame has a frame structure, a plate structure or a housing structure.
4. Water transfer system according to claim 3, characterized in that the pipes (1, 2) are connected to the mounting frame via displaceable fastening elements.
5. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing has an opening or a door or a removable lid.
6. Water transfer system according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the water transfer system is designed to be mounted on or under plaster.
7. Water transfer system according to any one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the water transfer system is designed as a pre-wall installation.
8. Water transfer system according to one of the claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the assembly group (6) is, under plaster or as a pre-wall installation, accessible via a removable lid or a door that can be opened.
9. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water treatment devices (5a, 5b) furthermore comprise a filter, a limescale protection system and/or a dosing system.
10. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water meters (4a, 4b) are designed as calibrated water meters or as volume flow measuring devices.
11. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly group (6) comprises at least one electronic control device (7).
12. Water transfer system according to claim 11, characterized in that the control device (7) is designed to determine an operational malfunction of the water transfer system and to trigger measures for eliminating such an operational malfunction.
13. Water transfer system according to one of the claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the assembly group (6) has a signal transmitter which is designed to emit an acoustic signal and/or an optical signal and/or a radio signal when the electronic control device (6) has detected an operational malfunction.
14. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly group (6) comprises at least one servomotor (M) by means of which the shut-off members (3a, 3b) can be closed or opened.
15. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly group (6) comprises at least one voltage supply (8), in particular a mains supply or a local voltage source such as a battery, for supplying the water functional devices.
16. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipes (1, 2) comprise an insulation.
17. Water transfer system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the two pipes (1, 2) is connected to a branch-off component.
18. The use of a water transfer system according to any one of the claims 1 to 17, wherein the first pipe (1) is connected to a cold water pipe (21) and the second pipe (2) is connected to a hot water pipe (22).
19. The use of a water transfer system according to claim 18, characterized in that the water transfer system is connected to storey pipes for cold water (11) and hot water (12).
20. The use of a water transfer system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the water transfer system is mounted at the entrance of a flat.
21. The use of a water transfer system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the water transfer system is mounted in a bathroom.

Images