EP1979522A2 - Electronic greywater reusing washing machine - Google Patents
Electronic greywater reusing washing machineInfo
- Publication number
- EP1979522A2 EP1979522A2 EP07705403A EP07705403A EP1979522A2 EP 1979522 A2 EP1979522 A2 EP 1979522A2 EP 07705403 A EP07705403 A EP 07705403A EP 07705403 A EP07705403 A EP 07705403A EP 1979522 A2 EP1979522 A2 EP 1979522A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- greywater
- electronic
- flushing
- freshwater
- ecu
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
- 239000010797 grey water Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 98
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 29
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 78
- 238000011010 flushing procedure Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 53
- 239000013505 freshwater Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 44
- 238000004064 recycling Methods 0.000 claims abstract 7
- 238000004422 calculation algorithm Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000000249 desinfective effect Effects 0.000 description 4
- 239000002351 wastewater Substances 0.000 description 4
- 239000010866 blackwater Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000004659 sterilization and disinfection Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000002699 waste material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000012206 bottled water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000001680 brushing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003599 detergent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000003651 drinking water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007613 environmental effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003344 environmental pollutant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000003550 marker Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000010338 mechanical breakdown Methods 0.000 description 1
- 231100000719 pollutant Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 238000001556 precipitation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005086 pumping Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000008399 tap water Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000020679 tap water Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
- E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F33/00—Control of operations performed in washing machines or washer-dryers
- D06F33/30—Control of washing machines characterised by the purpose or target of the control
- D06F33/46—Control of the energy or water consumption
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/006—Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water
-
- D—TEXTILES; PAPER
- D06—TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- D06F—LAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
- D06F39/00—Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00
- D06F39/20—Arrangements for water recovery
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
- E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
- E03B1/042—Details thereof, e.g. valves or pumps
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
- E03B7/07—Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03C—DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER; SINKS
- E03C1/00—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks
- E03C1/01—Domestic plumbing installations for fresh water or waste water; Sinks for combinations of baths, showers, sinks, wash-basins, closets, urinals, or the like
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
- E03D5/003—Grey water flushing systems
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
- E03B1/00—Methods or layout of installations for water supply
- E03B1/04—Methods or layout of installations for water supply for domestic or like local supply
- E03B1/041—Greywater supply systems
- E03B2001/045—Greywater supply systems using household water
Definitions
- Graywater is untreated waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater includes waste water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs, or an equivalent discharge as approved by the Administrative Authority. It does not include waste water fi'om kitchen sinks, photo lab sinks, dishwashers, or laundry water fi'om soiled diapers.
- a "lighter type” of greywater is rainwater which is allowed to be used for watering food plants. Washing water, the “darker” type of greywater, can not be used for watering food plants. Greywater from washing can be used only to water ornamental (non-food) plants, if it contains non-bio-degradable detergents.
- Grey-water contains about one ninth of the contaminants than those contained in black-water. Greywater is not allowed to contain solid contaminants therefore it must be filtered. Untreated greywater (without filtration and disinfection) should not be stored in the household for more than 24 hours. It is an important and basic environmental protection principle that the wastewater (or any other waste) produced should be recycled or reused the closest possible to its production in place and time. Accordingly, the aim is to reuse the greywater within the same household where it is produced, in the simplest and quickest possible way, by applying one single greywater tank, in cases where the greywater tank is located at a somewhat higher place than the place where the greywater is produced.
- the vertical movements of the floater regulates the volume of water flowing into the tank: if the water flows down from under the floater the floater sinks towards the bottom of the tank and the actuator shaft connecting the floater to the freshwater inlet valve - indicating the vertical movement - opens the freshwater inlet valve letting tapwater into the tank.
- the freshwater inlet pipe-end is mounted above the water level and said floater is connected to the freshwater inlet valve with a rod functioning as an actuating shaft.
- the downward movement of the buoy opens the inlet valve, whereas the upward movement of the buoy closes the inlet valve.
- PCT/ ⁇ B2004/004066 (P0304016, WO2005/056935) the greywater tank incorporates a smaller freshwater tank which enables secondary freshwater flushing the volume of which can be adjusted even to zero.
- the 4 freshwater inlet valve inside the 1 greywater tank is operated by the 15 actuating shaft connected to the 6 floating buoy.
- the C4 freshwater inlet valve is connected to the B6 floating buoy with the B 15 actuating shaft.
- the patent application Nos. PCT/HU0200164 (P0204328) and PCT/IB2004/004066 (P0304016, WO2005/056935) contain the description of the way and mechanism of how the greywater goes to flush the toilet.
- the technical solution of the present invention aims at replacing the mechanical parts of the above mentioned structures consisting of floating buoys letting fresh water into the tank enough for one flushing by electronic parts and mechanisms in order that the system should not contain moving mechanical parts which may loosen and go wrong due to the vibration and jerking of the washing machine.
- Sl, S2, S3, ... Sn water sensors mounted within the greywater tank indicating scaled water quantities which water sensors send signals to the Electronic Control Unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU), and on basis of these signals the ECU is capable to carry out multiple tasks: 1.)
- the Sl lowest electronic water sensor detects if the water level is below the level indicated by the No.
- the problem to be solved is to ensure the storage, treating and feeding of larger quantities of greywater, and not only to ensure that there be a minimum water quantity enough for one flushing. To ensure the minimum water quantity for one flushing is only one of the "sine qua non " prerequisites of the invention to ensure its continuous automatic operation.
- the Sn water sensor mounted at the highest point is an emergency sensor, a security element.
- the mechanical tanks are provided with overflow orifice and overflow pipes the diameter of which is larger than that of the greywater inlet pipe-end.
- the Sn emergency sensor is mounted above the overflow orifice, and should the overflow orifice or the filtering and disinfecting get clogged, the emergency sensor detects any eventual plugging and sends the adequate signal to the ECU. On basis of this emergency signal the ECU sends a signal to the B7 flushing valve to open it to drain the greywater tank completely and sends out warning signals to activate the light and sound emitting alarm device to warn for the checking of the filtering and disinfecting unit and to the draining of the tank. 3.
- the Sl 5 S2, S3, ... Sn greywater sensors mounted in the greywater tank are sending continuously signals to the ECU as the rising or descending greywater reaches them. On basis of these signals received from the sensors the ECU can do calculations about the water quantities used for toilet flushing.
- Sl 5 S2, S3, ... Sn water sensor mounted in the 1 greywater tank which sensors are connected to the ECU of the washing machine.
- the B4 freshwater inlet valve is connected to the ECU of the washer.
- the ECU emits signals to command the B4 electronic freshwater inlet valve to open and to close.
- the Sl, S2, S3, ... Sn electronic water sensors are connected to the ECU of the washing machine.
- the ECU is preprogrammed with adequate programme enabling it to measure and calculate the water use and greywater use. On basis of the signals received from the water sensors the ECU continuously calculates the quantities of water consumption and the quantities of greywater reuse.
- the washing machine has a numeric (digital) display unit which is connected to the ECU and which display unit has control knobs with the help of which the calculated values of water consumption and the calculated values of reused greywater quantities can be displayed.
- the electronic solution of the present invention enables the fully electronic functioning of the greywater reusing washer by replacing and/or completing the mechanically operating mechanism in the 1 greywater tank and Bl freshwater tank serving the purpose of toilet flushing.
- a further advantage of the present invention is that the joint and parallel use of mechanical and electronic mechanisms can work together, completing each other. Leaving in place the mechanical parts as per the above mentioned inventions [patent application Nos. PCT/HU0200164 (P0204328) and PCT/IB2004/004066 (P0304016, WO2005/056935)] means that their advantages can be kept, as well, namely, that they can operate in a possible power cut, or when some electronic parts of the washing machine breaks down.
- the ECU of the greywater reusing washer can be the same type of electronic circuit generally used for controlling a washing machine, which can be any preprogrammed electronic control circuit, microcontroller, EPROM or ROM, or any other chip, microchip or driver card used in that field, such as a 24-relay output control card, which can use any programme the script of which can be made on a PC in Assembler or any other programming language used for ECUs, and which programme can be burnt or loaded into the ECU.
- a washing machine can be any preprogrammed electronic control circuit, microcontroller, EPROM or ROM, or any other chip, microchip or driver card used in that field, such as a 24-relay output control card, which can use any programme the script of which can be made on a PC in Assembler or any other programming language used for ECUs, and which programme can be burnt or loaded into the ECU.
- the primary task of the ECU remains to run the washer programmes that a regular automatic washing machine does (washing, rinsing, spin drying, etc.) but besides these traditional operations, its functions can be extended and heightened to include the additional tasks of flushing the toilet with greywater and secondary freshwater load, which includes the processing of signals received from the water sensors on basis of predetermined algorithms and the regulation of the electronic water valves, accordingly. It is not the purpose of the present patent application to modify any washer ECU on hardware level and the software consisting of the many types of programmes which will be created to control the greywater operation of washing machines will be as varied as the ECU programmes of the presently existing washing machines are different.
- This B4 valve remains open until it the Sl lowest water sensor detects again that the water level reaches the 20 water mark and sends again a signal to the ECU about sensing water again. On basis of that signal from the water sensor the ECU sends a control signal to the B4 water inlet valve to shut off.
- the other S2, S3, etc. graywater sensors which are mounted in the tank at scaled heights indicating exact water quantities detect the presence or absence of greywater when they get in touch with it and send electronic signals to the ECU of the washer accordingly. On basis of these signals the ECU of the washer due to its programme stored in its registers can measure and calculate continuously the exact quantities of reused greywater.
- the Fl lowest electronic water sensor detects the absence of water and sends a signal to the ECU of the washer.
- the ECU sends a signal to the D4 electromagnetic water inlet valve to open it.
- the Fl water sensor detects the presence of water again - as the water is rising - it sends another signal to the ECU which on its turn sends a signal to the D4 water inlet valve to shut off.
- the control knob pertaining to it When operating the 7 flushing valve the control knob pertaining to it sends a signal to the ECU of the washer and according to a predetermined programme on basis of the quantity stipulated by the user, the ECU sends a signal to shut off the 7 flushing valve.
- the same actuating knob also sends opening and closing control signals to the B8 secondary flushing valve to flush with freshwater according to predetermined timing. Due to the B7 mechanical greywater flushing valve the user can operate greywater flushing manually and mechanically and the user can keep the greywater flush running as long as it is considered necessary. The greywater tank can be drained and completely emptied with the B7 mechanical greywater flushing valve.
- the Sn electronic greywater sensor is mounted at the highest level in the 1 greywater tank above the overflow orifice and when it detects the presence of water it means that either the overflow tube is plugged or the filtering and disinfecting unit is clogged. In that case the Sn electronic water sensor sends an emergency signal to the ECU. On basis of this emergency signal the ECU sends a signal to the 7 flushing valve to open it to drain the greywater tank completely and sends out alert signals to warn for the draining of the tank and to activate the light and sound emitting alarm device to check the filtering and disinfecting unit. (The washer is equipped with those light and sound emitting alarm devices as per the above mentioned invention, patent application No. PCT/IB2004/004066 [P0304016, WO2005/056935])
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
- Control Of Washing Machine And Dryer (AREA)
Abstract
The subject of the invention is a fully electronic grey water reusing washing machine recycling the greywater produced in the household for toilet flushing, which replaces the mechanical technical solution using mechanically moving parts as floating buoys (6, B6) provided with actuating shafts (15, B15) by a completely electronically functioning technical solution, wherein the electronic control unit of the washing machine carries out the tasks of storing, treating and feeding the greywater to flush the toilet by commanding electronic water valves (B4, D4, 7, B8) on basis of the signals received from the electronic water sensors (Sl, S2, S3, ... Sn / Fl, F2, F3, ...Fn) mounted in the greywater and freshwater tanks respectively, while using one single greywater tank on the washer.
Description
Electronic greywater reusing washing machine DESCRIPTION
In domestic water consumption the washing water from the bathroom and from the laundry account for about 50% while about 35% is wasted on flushing the toilet. Toilet flushing water need not be of potable water quality. No fresh water should be used to flush the toilet. The definition of greywater according the Californian graywater law [Revised Graywater Standards, APPENDIX G, GRAYWATER SYSTEMS, G 2 Definitions]: "Graywater is untreated waste water which has not come into contact with toilet waste. Graywater includes waste water from bathtubs, showers, bathroom wash basins, clothes washing machines, and laundry tubs, or an equivalent discharge as approved by the Administrative Authority. It does not include waste water fi'om kitchen sinks, photo lab sinks, dishwashers, or laundry water fi'om soiled diapers. " Due to brushing teeth, as well as to shaving, the used water from wash-basin contains certain solid pollutants, thus it is advisable to consider it as black water, for practical reasons. A "lighter type" of greywater is rainwater which is allowed to be used for watering food plants. Washing water, the "darker" type of greywater, can not be used for watering food plants. Greywater from washing can be used only to water ornamental (non-food) plants, if it contains non-bio-degradable detergents.
A number of countries which have a low level of precipitation, having extended semi arid or desert areas, including states of the USA and Australia, have their own greywater laws which stipulate the conditions for using greywater. These conditions stipulate that
greywater can be used only after filtration and disinfection. The term itself : greywater [UK], graywater [US] or Grauwasser in German is an internationally accepted and used technicus terminus, which terms are defined and used also in the wording of laws and regulations and which does not refer only to the colour of the used water but rather indicates the level of pollution, i.e. the quality of the used water. The used water leaving the toilet, kitchen sink, dish-washer, a laundry-works, the garage, a laboratory qualifies as black-water. Grey-water contains about one ninth of the contaminants than those contained in black-water. Greywater is not allowed to contain solid contaminants therefore it must be filtered. Untreated greywater (without filtration and disinfection) should not be stored in the household for more than 24 hours. It is an important and basic environmental protection principle that the wastewater (or any other waste) produced should be recycled or reused the closest possible to its production in place and time. Accordingly, the aim is to reuse the greywater within the same household where it is produced, in the simplest and quickest possible way, by applying one single greywater tank, in cases where the greywater tank is located at a somewhat higher place than the place where the greywater is produced.
In those cases the greywater is pumped into the greywater tank which may be on top of the washing machine, by a stronger than usual water pump of said washing machine, pumping the greywater from the washer and/or from the bath/shower to said greywater tank.
The present technology known: In case of the patent application Nos. PCT/HU0200164, (P0204328) the problem to be solved was : how to store, treat and feed a larger volume of greywater quantity, which can be even a hundred times more than necessary for one toilet flushing with the use of one single greywater tank. The above mentioned patent application solved this issue by increasing the dimensions of the greywater tank in width, depth but mainly in height, by limiting the plunger buoy to rise higher than a the level of water signifying the volume enough for one single toilet flushing. The water continues to exert on the floater an ascensional force, but because its floating upwards is limited, the floating buoy can not rise higher than the limiter and becomes an underwater plunger buoy. On the other hand, a larger volume of greywater can be poured above the floater without preventing it to carry out its basic role. In a traditional toilet tank the vertical movements of the floater regulates the volume of water flowing into the tank: if the water flows down from under the floater the floater sinks towards the bottom of the tank and the actuator shaft connecting the floater to the freshwater inlet valve - indicating the vertical movement - opens the freshwater inlet valve letting tapwater into the tank. In case when there is a larger volume of water column above the plunger buoy, the freshwater inlet pipe-end is mounted above the water level and said floater is connected to the freshwater inlet valve with a rod functioning as an actuating shaft. Thus the downward movement of the buoy opens the inlet valve, whereas the upward movement of the buoy closes the inlet valve.
In case of the patent application, No. PCT/ΪB2004/004066 (P0304016, WO2005/056935) the greywater tank incorporates a smaller freshwater tank which enables secondary freshwater flushing the volume of which can be adjusted even to zero. According to the technical solution of the greywater tank the 4 freshwater inlet valve inside the 1 greywater tank is operated by the 15 actuating shaft connected to the 6 floating buoy. In the smaller Bl freshwater tank inside the 1 greywater tank the C4 freshwater inlet valve is connected to the B6 floating buoy with the B 15 actuating shaft. The patent application Nos. PCT/HU0200164 (P0204328) and PCT/IB2004/004066 (P0304016, WO2005/056935) contain the description of the way and mechanism of how the greywater goes to flush the toilet.
The problem to be solved: The technical solution of the present invention aims at replacing the mechanical parts of the above mentioned structures consisting of floating buoys letting fresh water into the tank enough for one flushing by electronic parts and mechanisms in order that the system should not contain moving mechanical parts which may loosen and go wrong due to the vibration and jerking of the washing machine. To accomplish this task there are Sl, S2, S3, ... Sn water sensors mounted within the greywater tank indicating scaled water quantities which water sensors send signals to the Electronic Control Unit (hereinafter referred to as ECU), and on basis of these signals the ECU is capable to carry out multiple tasks:
1.) The Sl lowest electronic water sensor detects if the water level is below the level indicated by the No. 20 in the grey water tank, which is the water level marking the minimum water quantity enough for one flushing. In that case Sl sends a signal through the ECU to the B4 freshwater inlet valve to open and the B4 freshwater valve will remain open until it receives an other signal to close. Remarque: since the greywater volume produced in the household is about twice as much as the water quantities needed for toilet flushing and in addition rainwater can also be directed into the greywater tank, it happens very rarely that the greywater tank holds less greywater than the volume for one flushing. It must be reminded that the aim of the inventions reusing greywater, i.e. "the problem to be solved" is to ensure the storage, treating and feeding of larger quantities of greywater, and not only to ensure that there be a minimum water quantity enough for one flushing. To ensure the minimum water quantity for one flushing is only one of the "sine qua non " prerequisites of the invention to ensure its continuous automatic operation.
2. The Sn water sensor mounted at the highest point is an emergency sensor, a security element. As per the above mentioned previous inventions the mechanical tanks are provided with overflow orifice and overflow pipes the diameter of which is larger than that of the greywater inlet pipe-end. The Sn emergency sensor is mounted above the overflow orifice, and should the overflow orifice or the filtering and disinfecting get clogged, the emergency sensor detects any eventual plugging and sends the adequate signal to the ECU. On basis of this emergency signal the ECU sends a
signal to the B7 flushing valve to open it to drain the greywater tank completely and sends out warning signals to activate the light and sound emitting alarm device to warn for the checking of the filtering and disinfecting unit and to the draining of the tank. 3. The Sl5 S2, S3, ... Sn greywater sensors mounted in the greywater tank are sending continuously signals to the ECU as the rising or descending greywater reaches them. On basis of these signals received from the sensors the ECU can do calculations about the water quantities used for toilet flushing.
Replacing the mechanically moving parts by an electronic mechanism thus serves the aim to create an eco-civilized modern-convenience which is working reliably and in security, providing information about water use, which is the advantage provided by that electronic device corresponding to the requirements of our modern age. In order to assure an even more reliable and safer operation, the mechanical water inlet device consisting of the 6 and B6 floating buoys connected by the 15 and B 15 actuating shafts to the mechanical water inlet valves can be left in place parallel to the mounting of the electronic device (consisting of electronic parts) and the B7 mechanical drain tap should also be left in place parallel to the 7, B 8 electronic flushing and draining valves.
At the height indicating the 20 water level enough for one flushing and for the purpose of indicating the greywater level so that it could be regulated there are Sl5 S2, S3, ... Sn water sensor mounted in the 1 greywater tank which sensors are connected to the ECU of the washing machine.
The B4 freshwater inlet valve is connected to the ECU of the washer. On basis of the signals sent by the Sl electronic water sensor to the ECU of the washer the ECU emits signals to command the B4 electronic freshwater inlet valve to open and to close. The Sl, S2, S3, ... Sn electronic water sensors are connected to the ECU of the washing machine.
The ECU is preprogrammed with adequate programme enabling it to measure and calculate the water use and greywater use. On basis of the signals received from the water sensors the ECU continuously calculates the quantities of water consumption and the quantities of greywater reuse. The washing machine has a numeric (digital) display unit which is connected to the ECU and which display unit has control knobs with the help of which the calculated values of water consumption and the calculated values of reused greywater quantities can be displayed. There are Fl, F2, F3, ... Fn water sensing units mounted in the Bl freshwater tank to indicate scaled water quantities which sensors are connected to the ECU of the washer in order to indicate the freshwater quantities and to enable the regulation of these quantities.
The electronic solution of the present invention enables the fully electronic functioning of the greywater reusing washer by replacing and/or completing the mechanically operating mechanism in the 1 greywater tank and Bl freshwater tank serving the purpose of toilet flushing.
This offer the advantage that mechanical breakdown of the flushing mechanisme can be eliminated and the complete greywater reusing system is under full control of one single ECU of the washer.
Consequently, the present technical solution simplifies the mechanism of the greywater reusing washer. It offers an other advantage, namely, that the user can continuously follow and regulate the freshwater consumption and the measure of greywater reuse.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the joint and parallel use of mechanical and electronic mechanisms can work together, completing each other. Leaving in place the mechanical parts as per the above mentioned inventions [patent application Nos. PCT/HU0200164 (P0204328) and PCT/IB2004/004066 (P0304016, WO2005/056935)] means that their advantages can be kept, as well, namely, that they can operate in a possible power cut, or when some electronic parts of the washing machine breaks down. The ECU of the greywater reusing washer can be the same type of electronic circuit generally used for controlling a washing machine, which can be any preprogrammed electronic control circuit, microcontroller, EPROM or ROM, or any other chip, microchip or driver card used in that field, such as a 24-relay output control card, which can use any programme the script of which can be made on a PC in Assembler or any other programming language used for ECUs, and which programme can be burnt or loaded into the ECU. The primary task of the ECU remains to run the washer programmes that a regular automatic washing machine does (washing, rinsing, spin drying, etc.) but besides these traditional operations, its functions can be extended and heightened to include the additional tasks of flushing the toilet with greywater and secondary freshwater load, which includes the processing of signals received from the
water sensors on basis of predetermined algorithms and the regulation of the electronic water valves, accordingly. It is not the purpose of the present patent application to modify any washer ECU on hardware level and the software consisting of the many types of programmes which will be created to control the greywater operation of washing machines will be as varied as the ECU programmes of the presently existing washing machines are different.
On figure 1/1 the 1 greywater tank is on top of the washing machine. Inside the 1 greywater tank is the smaller sized Bl freswater tank. In case of the previous technical solutions of mechanical functioning, as soon as the 20 water level marking the minimum quantity for one flushing descends, the 6 floater floats downward with the sinking water level and the 15 actuating shaft attached to it opens the 4 freshwater inlet valve. According to the present electronic solution, as soon as the water level sinks below the 20 level marker for minimum quantity of one flushing this change is detected by the Sl electronic water sensor and it sends a signal to the ECU of the washer which ECU, on its turn, sends a signal to the B4 electomagnetic freshwater inlet valve. This B4 valve remains open until it the Sl lowest water sensor detects again that the water level reaches the 20 water mark and sends again a signal to the ECU about sensing water again. On basis of that signal from the water sensor the ECU sends a control signal to the B4 water inlet valve to shut off.
The other S2, S3, etc. graywater sensors which are mounted in the tank at scaled heights indicating exact water quantities detect the presence or absence of greywater when they get in touch with it and send electronic signals to the ECU of the washer accordingly. On basis of these signals the ECU of the washer due to its programme stored in its registers can measure and calculate continuously the exact quantities of reused greywater.
In the case of secondary freshwater flushing, as soon as the water level sinks below the minimum level adjusted by the user for one secondary flushing the Fl lowest electronic water sensor detects the absence of water and sends a signal to the ECU of the washer. On basis of the signal received from the Fl water sensor the ECU sends a signal to the D4 electromagnetic water inlet valve to open it. As soon as the Fl water sensor detects the presence of water again - as the water is rising - it sends another signal to the ECU which on its turn sends a signal to the D4 water inlet valve to shut off. When operating the 7 flushing valve the control knob pertaining to it sends a signal to the ECU of the washer and according to a predetermined programme on basis of the quantity stipulated by the user, the ECU sends a signal to shut off the 7 flushing valve. The same actuating knob also sends opening and closing control signals to the B8 secondary flushing valve to flush with freshwater according to predetermined timing. Due to the B7 mechanical greywater flushing valve the user can operate greywater flushing manually and mechanically and the user can keep the greywater flush running as long as it is considered necessary. The greywater
tank can be drained and completely emptied with the B7 mechanical greywater flushing valve.
The Sn electronic greywater sensor is mounted at the highest level in the 1 greywater tank above the overflow orifice and when it detects the presence of water it means that either the overflow tube is plugged or the filtering and disinfecting unit is clogged. In that case the Sn electronic water sensor sends an emergency signal to the ECU. On basis of this emergency signal the ECU sends a signal to the 7 flushing valve to open it to drain the greywater tank completely and sends out alert signals to warn for the draining of the tank and to activate the light and sound emitting alarm device to check the filtering and disinfecting unit. (The washer is equipped with those light and sound emitting alarm devices as per the above mentioned invention, patent application No. PCT/IB2004/004066 [P0304016, WO2005/056935])
Claims
1. Electronic grey water reusing washing machine recycling the greaywater for toilet flushing possessing electronic water sensors (Sl, S2, S3, ... Sn) mounted at determined scaled heights indicating exact water quantities in the grey water tank (1) capable to measure, treat and feed the greywater for toilet flushing, said greywater tank (1) is on top of the washing machine, said electronic water sensors are connected electronically to the Electronic Control Unit of the washer, said ECU is connected to the flushing valve (B 7) mounted on the greywater flushing conduit (8) and to the electronic freshwater inlet valve (B4) on the freshwater conduite (3), wherein the ECU is provided with a definite programme with predetermined algorithms to the processing of signals received from the water sensors and which programme contains the processes to interpret the received signals to enable emitting predefined reaction signals and control commands to open and shut off the freshwater inlet valve (B4) and the flushing valve (B7).
2. Electronic greywater reusing washing machine recycling the greaywater for toilet flushing according to claim 1, having a freshwater tank (Bl) inside the greywater tank (1) on top of the washing machine capable of storing, treating and feeding the graywater for toilet flushing, said freshwater tank is equipped with electronic water sensors (Fl, F2, F3, ... Fn) mounted at determined scaled heights marking exact freshwater quantities, said fresh water sensors are electronically connected to the ECU of the washer, said ECU is connected to the flushing valve (B8) mounted on the greywater flushing conduit (8A) and to the electronic freshwater inlet valve (D4) on the freshwater conduite (3), wherein the ECU is provided with a definite programme with predetermined algorithms to the processing of signals received from the water sensors (Fl5 F2, ... Fn) and which programme contains the processes to interpret the received signals to enable emitting predefined reaction signals and control commands to open and shut off the freshwater inlet valve (D4) and the flushing valve (B8).
3. Electronic greywater reusing washing machine recycling the greaywater for toilet flushing according to claim 1, wherein there is a electromagnetic drain valve (7) mounted on the flushing conduit (8) connecting the greywater tank (1) to the toilet bowl, said drain valve is connected to the ECU of the washer and is also connected through the ECU to the electronic water sensors (Sl5 S2, S3, ... Sn) mounted in the greywater tank (1).
4. Electronic greywater reusing washing machine recycling the greaywater for toilet flushing according to claim 1, wherein there is a electromagnetic flushing valve (B 8) mounted on the flushing conduit (8A) which flushing conduit connecting the freshwater tank (Bl) to the toilet bowl, said electronic flushing valve (B 8) is connected electronically to the ECU of the washer and through the ECU it is connected electronically to the electronic water sensors (Fl, F2, F3, ... Fn) mounted in the freshwater tank (Bl).
5. Electronic grey water reusing washing machine recycling the greaywater for toilet flushing according to claim 1, wherein there is an electromagnetic freshwater inlet valve (B4) mounted on the freshwater pipe (3) inside the washer, said electronic freshwater inlet valve (B4) is connected electronically to the ECU of the washer, and it is also connected through the washer to the electromagnetic flushing valve (7) mounted on the flushing conduit connecting the greywater tank (1) to the toilet bowl and said electronic freshwater valve (B4) is connected electronically through the ECU to the electronic water sensors (Sl, S2, F3, ... Sn) mounted in the greywater tank (1).
6. Electronic greywater reusing washing machine recycling the greaywater for toilet flushing according to claim 1, wherein there is an electromagnetic freshwater inlet valve (D4) mounted on the freshwater pipe (3) inside the washer which inlet valve (D4) is electronically connected to the ECU of the washer, and through the ECU it is connected electronically to the electromagnetic flushing valve (B8) mounted on the flushing conduit (A8) connecting the greywater tank (1) to the toilet bowl and said inlet valve (D4) is also connected electronically through the ECU to the electronic water sensors (Fl, F2, F3, ... Sn) mounted in the freshwater tank (Bl).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
HU0600039A HUP0600039A2 (en) | 2006-01-18 | 2006-01-18 | Greywater utilizing electronic automatic washing machine |
PCT/HU2007/000003 WO2007083172A2 (en) | 2006-01-18 | 2007-01-17 | Electronic greywater reusing washing machine |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1979522A2 true EP1979522A2 (en) | 2008-10-15 |
Family
ID=89986526
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP07705403A Withdrawn EP1979522A2 (en) | 2006-01-18 | 2007-01-17 | Electronic greywater reusing washing machine |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100126233A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1979522A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2009523935A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20080098027A (en) |
HU (1) | HUP0600039A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007083172A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
ES2338735B1 (en) * | 2008-03-12 | 2011-02-10 | Piscis System, S.L. | SYSTEM FOR WATER RECOVERY. |
WO2010124037A1 (en) * | 2009-04-23 | 2010-10-28 | Eckman Environmental Corporation | Grey water recycling apparatus and methods |
GB2470906B (en) * | 2009-06-08 | 2014-04-16 | Ove Arup & Partners Internat Ltd | Rainwater harvesting system |
CA2759407A1 (en) * | 2011-12-02 | 2013-06-02 | Marrett Alexander GREEN | Grey water recycling systems and valves |
EP2690015B1 (en) * | 2012-07-23 | 2017-01-18 | Airbus Operations GmbH | Combination of vacuum toilet and grey water system functions |
CN105133260A (en) * | 2012-12-13 | 2015-12-09 | 长乐市丽智产品设计有限公司 | Washing machine |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0295508A1 (en) * | 1987-06-19 | 1988-12-21 | Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung | Water system for a sanitary unit, in particular on board on aircraft |
JPH0649996B2 (en) * | 1988-10-19 | 1994-06-29 | 則夫 佐藤 | Water supply device in flush toilet |
DE29620887U1 (en) * | 1996-12-02 | 1997-02-20 | Peter, Gerhard August, 32108 Bad Salzuflen | Level indicator and control device for a rainwater tank |
AU3739199A (en) * | 1998-04-21 | 1999-11-08 | Kok Wing Lee | A system for reusing waste water |
US5975124A (en) * | 1998-04-30 | 1999-11-02 | Stevens, Ii; Clifford G. | Water temperature and level regulator |
JP2003239331A (en) * | 2002-02-18 | 2003-08-27 | Toto Ltd | Rainwater-bathtub water reusing device |
US20060144769A1 (en) * | 2002-12-23 | 2006-07-06 | Pal Okros | Greywater recycling system |
HUP0304016A2 (en) * | 2003-12-10 | 2008-11-28 | Pal Oekroes | Household greywater recycling system |
JP2005281975A (en) * | 2004-03-26 | 2005-10-13 | Kazuaki Honda | Drainage recycling device |
-
2006
- 2006-01-18 HU HU0600039A patent/HUP0600039A2/en unknown
-
2007
- 2007-01-17 KR KR1020087019596A patent/KR20080098027A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2007-01-17 US US12/161,257 patent/US20100126233A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2007-01-17 WO PCT/HU2007/000003 patent/WO2007083172A2/en active Application Filing
- 2007-01-17 JP JP2008550860A patent/JP2009523935A/en active Pending
- 2007-01-17 EP EP07705403A patent/EP1979522A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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See references of WO2007083172A2 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
HU0600039D0 (en) | 2006-03-28 |
WO2007083172B1 (en) | 2007-11-22 |
HUP0600039A2 (en) | 2007-07-30 |
KR20080098027A (en) | 2008-11-06 |
WO2007083172A3 (en) | 2007-09-07 |
JP2009523935A (en) | 2009-06-25 |
US20100126233A1 (en) | 2010-05-27 |
WO2007083172A2 (en) | 2007-07-26 |
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