EP2166159B1 - Drinking water supply system for conservation of drinking water quality and method for operating such supply system - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drinking water pipe system with at least one cold water line, which is designed in the form of a series line or ring line and has at least one serving as a sampling tap nozzle and an outlet, wherein the outlet is connected to a cistern or a toilet or Urinalspülung triggering valve is arranged and wherein in one embodiment of the cold water line is arranged as a series line cistern or a toilet or urinal flush valve triggering at the end of the cold water line or in a design of the cold water line as a ring line cistern or a toilet or urinal flush valve in a the middle of the Ring line comprehensive range, which extends over a line length of 30%, preferably 20% of the loop length is arranged. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating such a drinking water pipe system.

In drinking water piping systems there is a risk of hygienic germ contamination if the stagnation of the drinking water inside it lasts longer. Particularly affected are drinking water supply systems with rarely used exit points, such as in several days unoccupied hotel rooms, in non-rented apartments or in guest bathrooms. It has already been proposed a variety of measures to maintain drinking water hygiene, in particular a periodic flushing of the vulnerable lines by appropriate water withdrawal.

In full flushing, not only the stagnant water, but the entire volume of water in a drinking water installation is replaced from the house connection to the removal point farthest from the house connection. By contrast, the partial flushing used in complex drinking water systems involves a partial flow through sections, wherein not only the stagnant water but also the water volume of the respective section is completely replaced. However, both the full rinses and the partial rinses do not meet today's requirements for an ecological handling of drinking water. Nor do strictly periodically fixed rinses meet the economic, proper use of drinking water.

From the EP 1 887 150 A2 a drinking water system and a method are known, which have the features of the preamble of claim 1 and claim 9. The known system has at least one floor or riser pipe as well as several in the extension direction of the strand successively arranged and each leading to a removal point ring lines. The branch or the mouth of the respective loop on the strand are designed such that in a drinking water removal at a connected to the strand sampling point by a flow in the strand between the branch and the mouth upstream in the flow direction of the sampling ring loops of the strand Pressure difference is generated by which in the or the upstream ring lines a purge flow is generated. Each ring line opens for this purpose in a on the strand in the manner of a throttle (nozzle) trained Ringleitungsspülarmatur. This throttle causes additional pressure loss in the associated drinking water system (overall system). The Ringleitungsspülarmatur requires the desired Spülströmung a minimum flow rate, which is in larger drinking water systems, such as those of hotels, where many water tapping points are often not used for a long period of time, sometimes only achieved when the nozzles in the few occupied rooms for a relatively long time full be opened, which however hardly corresponds to the usual user habits.

The installation of ring pipes to prevent water stagnation is a well-known and proven measure for maintaining drinking water quality. However, this measure is usually associated with relatively high material and assembly costs due to the required compared to a single line return line.

The present invention has for its object to provide a drinking water pipe system or a method for operating a drinking water pipe system, which provides a high level of security for the maintenance of the required drinking water hygiene and does not cause unnecessarily high water consumption.

This object is achieved by a drinking water conduit system having the features of claim 1 or by a method having the features of claim 9. Further preferred and advantageous embodiments of the drinking water supply system according to the invention and the method for its operation are specified in the appended subclaims.

The drinking water supply system according to the invention comprises at least one cold water line, which is designed in the form of a series line or loop and at least one serving as a sampling point dispensing valve and outlet has connected to the outlet cistern or a toilet or Urinalspülung triggering valve is arranged, and wherein in an embodiment of the cold water line as a series line cistern or a toilet or urinal flushing valve is arranged at the end of the cold water line or in a design of the cold water line as a ring line cistern or a toilet or urinal flushing valve in a center of the loop comprehensive Range, which extends over a line length of 30%, preferably 20% of the loop length, is arranged. The dispensing valve may be, for example, an outlet fitting of a washstand, a bathtub, a shower or a bidet. According to the drinking water supply system is provided with an electronic control, which is provided with a time measuring device and detected by a sensor drinking water removal from the cold water line, the sensor activates the time measuring device in a drinking water removal from the cold water line, and wherein the electronic control when exceeding a predetermined or predeterminable time interval since the last drinking water removal the valve or an actuator to trigger a toilet or urinal flushing.

Accordingly, the inventive method for operating a drinking water supply system of the type mentioned is essentially characterized in that a drinking water extraction from the cold water line is detected by a sensor, wherein in a drinking water extraction from the cold water line by a signal emitted by the sensor, a time measuring device is activated, and if the valve or an actuating device for triggering a toilet or urinal flushing is actuated when a predetermined or predefinable time interval has been exceeded since the last withdrawal of drinking water from the cold water line.

The solution according to the invention avoids critical water stagnation by ensuring the intended operation of the drinking water pipeline system over any length of time periods, i. The drinking water withdrawals are essentially as planned according to the original design. The intended operation is ensured by the electronic control (including the sensor and the time measuring device) with time-based and demand-controlled flushing, wherein the electronic control can be arranged decentralized.

The invention is based on the recognition that in a cold water line of a drinking water system with at least one tapping point, for example a washbasin inlet fitting, and a valve for triggering a toilet or urinal flushing, usually with each toilet or urinal flush Sufficient rinsing of the cold water strand takes place, so that no too long water stagnation occurs with the risk of a critically important germ multiplication, when the cistern or the valve, viewed downstream of the tapping point, is arranged at the end of the cold water strand. It has a favorable effect on the maintenance of drinking water quality in the cold water pipe that toilet or Urinalspülungen are usually triggered several times a day or week and with each rinse a relatively large volume of water of the cold water strand is replaced.

However, if the toilet or the urinal over a longer period of time or rarely used, which may be the case, for example, in non-occupied or rarely occupied hotel rooms, the solution according to the invention detects a lack of drinking water and the intended operation, i. a proper rinsing ensured to avoid stagnation caused by microbial contamination.

The time interval after the electronic control override controls the actuator or the valve to trigger a toilet or urinal flush can be set or adjusted so that always in good time before a time from a lack of drinking water removal with a critical health germ multiplication the cold water line is to be expected, a corresponding control and thus a water exchange takes place in the cold water line. The invention thus proposes that a rinse at too long a period lack of drinking water takes place according to freely parameterizable time windows.

The solution according to the invention basically does not require a loop to maintain drinking water quality and thus offers a corresponding material cost and installation cost advantage over solutions based on the installation of ring lines. However, it is also possible to apply the invention in a loop. Further, in one embodiment of the cold water line as row line, if appropriate, one or more ring lines can be provided in a drinking water pipe system according to the invention.

The sensor for detecting a drinking water removal or a lack of drinking water from the cold water line can be arranged at different points of the cold water line. For example, the sensor can be arranged on the dispensing valve and / or be integrated in the same. It is particularly within the scope of the invention that the drinking water removal or lack of drinking water withdrawal is indirectly monitored by the sensor detects a position and / or movement of a valve body of the dispensing valve. A further preferred embodiment of the drinking water supply system according to the invention is that a flow or volume flow meter is used as a sensor for detecting a drinking water removal or a lack of drinking water removal from the cold water line. The sensor can be attached to the same or integrated in the same at the end of the cold water strand, but also at the beginning of the cold water strand.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a release of a toilet or urinal flush by means of the sensor is detected as drinking water removal from the cold water line.

For this purpose, the sensor is preferably integrated in an actuating plate serving to trigger the toilet or urinal flushing. Alternatively, the sensor may also be arranged / integrated in a water inlet valve of the toilet or urinal and / or in a cistern associated with the toilet or urinal. As a result, a high degree of prefabrication is achieved, so that the assembly of the system components is simplified on site.

Accordingly, a further preferred embodiment of the drinking water supply system according to the invention provides that the electronic control is arranged in and / or on a toilet or Urinalspülkasten. This also simplifies the assembly of system components on site.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention provides that the electronic control comprises an adjustable timer, with which the duration of the activation of the actuating device or the opening duration of the valve (purge valve) can be predetermined. As a result, the amount of flushing water required to avoid a critical water stagnation can be optimally adapted to the length or the line volume of the relevant cold water line, so that only as much water is exchanged during the flushing of the cold water line as to avoid a health risk critical microbial contamination is required. The water volume to be exchanged in the absence of drinking water removal can be set smaller than the volume of water consumed, for example, in the case of a toilet flush triggered by a user. However, it can be set larger if necessary. Preferably, the volume of water is flexibly adjustable, wherein the adjustment of the volume of water to be exchanged preferably takes place as a function of the electronically monitored drinking water removal.

Another preferred embodiment of the drinking water supply system according to the invention is that the electronic control with an input device for specifying a desired rinse water volume flow measurement device for determining the dispensed during a toilet or urinal flushing actual water quantity and a comparator, the dispensed rinse water actual amount the rinse water setpoint is compared, is provided, the comparator on reaching or exceeding the desired rinse water through the actual amount of flushing water emits a signal to the electronic control, so that the latter deactivates the valve (flush valve) or the actuator. This refinement also makes it possible to optimally set the rinsing water volume necessary for avoiding microbial contamination in the wiring harness, so that no unnecessarily increased water consumption takes place.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the electronic control with a data memory for storing time data of the respective Drinking water collection and provided by drinking water dispensing volume data. This embodiment enables a comfortable collection of the named data for evaluation purposes, in particular for determining a suitable time interval to be predetermined (time window) for triggering the flushing valve in the absence of drinking water removal and / or for determining the above-mentioned desired flushing water quantity.

In this regard, a further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the electronic control is provided with a processor, wherein in the processor and / or in the data memory, a statistical function for determining the temporal distribution of drinking water withdrawals from the cold water line is programmed. With the integrated statistics function, all important flushing parameters of the drinking water supply system according to the invention can be evaluated.

In addition, the electronic control can also have an interface via which it can be connected to a central building control system and / or a data transmission system, in particular a BUS system.

The drinking water supply system according to the invention is thus characterized by the following advantages:
When used, there is no unnecessarily increased water consumption. The intended flushing takes place according to freely programmable time windows and corresponds exclusively to the necessary volume of the installation section to be flushed. The system does not require a loop and can also be used in conjunction with apartment water meters.

Fig. 1

einen Plan einer Trinkwasser-Installationsanlage für ein mehrgeschossiges Gebäude mit einer Vielzahl von Badezimmern, in vertikaler Schnittansicht;

Fig. 2

eine vergrößerte Detaildarstellung eines Badezimmers aus dem Installationsplan der Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

einen Grundriss des Badezimmers der Fig. 2;

Figuren

4 und 5 zwei Unterputzspülkästen, die jeweils mit einer zeit- und bedarfsgesteuerten Spülelektronik ausgestattet sind, in perspektivischer Darstellung; und

Fig. 6

eine elektronische Betätigungsvorrichtung für einen Unterputz-Spülkasten, in Explosionsdarstellung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating several embodiments. In a schematic representation:

Fig. 1

a plan of a drinking water installation system for a multi-storey building with a plurality of bathrooms, in vertical sectional view;

Fig. 2

an enlarged detail of a bathroom from the installation plan of the Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3

a floor plan of the bathroom Fig. 2 ;

characters

4 and 5 two concealed cisterns, each equipped with a time and demand-controlled flushing electronics, in perspective view; and

Fig. 6

an electronic actuator for a concealed cistern, in exploded view.

In Fig. 1 is a drinking water system (drinking water installation system) for a multi-storey building 1 with a variety of bathrooms or wet rooms 2.1, 2.2 ... 2.n shown. The building 1 may be, for example, a larger residential unit, a hotel, a hospital or a nursing home.

The drinking water supply system has a transfer point (house connection) 3, via which the drinking water supply system to a drinking water supply network or a Drinking water source is connected. The transfer point 3 comprises a water meter, several shut-off valves and a water filter, which is provided with a device for adjusting the water pressure (operating pressure).

From the domestic connection 3, the drinking water line extends to a T-shaped connecting piece, of which a branch to a heating device 4, e.g. a gas-fired boiler with attached hot water storage tank leads to which a several branches comprehensive hot water line 5 and a similarly branched return line (hot water circulation line) 6 is connected. At the other branch of the T-shaped connector a cold water pipe 7 is connected, which is branched into several strand sections.

The hot water pipe 5, the hot water circulation pipe 6 and the cold water pipe 7 are partially parallel to each other. They form so far parallel floor and riser strands.

Of the floor or riser branches branch to each apartment or wet room 2.1, 2.2 ... 2.n a cold water line 7.1, 7.2 ... 7.n and a hot water line 5.1, 5.2 ... 5.n, respectively are provided with a shut-off valve 8, 9. The cold water pipe 7.1, 7.2 ... 7.n assigned to the respective wet cell 2.1, 2.2... 2.n is in each case designed in the form of a series pipe (cf. Fig. 2 ). Similarly, the respective wet cell 2.1, 2.2 ... 2.n associated hot water line 5.1, 5.2 ... 5.n executed in the form of a series line, ie the extraction points 10.1, 10.2, 10.3 of the respective wet cell 2.1, 2.2 ... 2.n are installed by means of a so-called "looped" cable routing with eg double wall panels, mounting units and / or wall-mounted T-pieces from valve connection to valve connection. The routing is preferably carried out so that a rather seldom used tapping point (tapping point) of a contrast more frequently used outlet fitting (tapping point) is arranged upstream in the flow direction.

In the in Fig. 2 illustrated embodiment of running as a series line hot water 5.1 leads first to the fitting connection of a washstand 11, from where he is guided over the fitting connection of a bathtub 12 to the fitting connection of a shower 13. This wiring is beneficial for drinking water hygiene, since the shower 13 is usually used more often than the bath 12, and because when showering usually more hot water is consumed than when using the basin mixer 10.1. According to the hot water 5.1 is also the cold water 7.1 of the wet cell 2.1 of the washbasin fitting 10.1 on the bathtub fitting 10.2 led to shower fitting 10.3; However, at the end of the cold water line 7.1 a cistern 14 a toilet 24 is connected or arranged a valve for triggering a toilet flush. The valve is provided with an electric lifting unit or designed as an electromagnetically actuated valve.

The cold water line 7.1 of the wet cell is provided with an electronic control 15 via a sensor (not shown) a drinking water removal from the Cold water line 7.1 recorded. Preferably, the sensor detects a release of a toilet flush as drinking water. When a drinking water removal from the cold water line 7.1 or a toilet flushing the sensor emits a corresponding signal, whereby an integrated in the electronic control 15 time measuring device (not shown) is activated. The signal transmission takes place via a signal or control line.

When a predetermined or variably predeterminable time interval is exceeded since the last drinking water removal, the electronic control 15 then controls the valve arranged in the cistern 14 or an actuating device 16, 17 associated with the cistern 14 for triggering a flushing process. Thus, bidirectional communication takes place between the electronic control 15 and the flushing device defined by the cistern 14 or the valve.

The actuator associated with the cistern 14 is preferably an electrical actuator, e.g. in the form of a push-button 16 and / or an electric lifting unit 18. In addition to an electric actuator, the cistern 14 may also be equipped with a mechanical actuator 17 for triggering a toilet flush.

The in the FIGS. 1 to 3 indicated concealed cistern can eg as in 4 or FIG. 5 be executed.

At the in Fig. 4 illustrated concealed cistern 14, the toilet flushing can be triggered via an electric push-button 16. In the cistern 14, a low-voltage lifting unit 18 is arranged, which is connected via a power cable 19 with a 230V transformer 20, which can be accommodated, for example, in the concealed cistern 14 receiving pretext 21. In the cistern next to the low-voltage lifting unit 18 and the above-mentioned electronic control 15 is arranged.

As in Fig. 5 shown, a wireless triggering of the toilet flushing operation by transmitting a radio signal is possible. For this purpose, a provided with a low-voltage battery or a corresponding battery radio signal transmitter 22 is used. In the cistern 14, the electronic control 15 is arranged, which is provided with said sensor, the time measuring device and a radio signal receiving unit. The rinsing process can also be triggered via the actuator plate 17 in this embodiment.

The electronic control 15 has an adjustable timer with which the duration of the activation of the lifting unit 18 or the opening duration of the valve (flushing valve / Spülkastenventils) can be specified.

Alternatively or additionally, the electronic control 15 comprises an input device 23, for example in the form of a remote control for setting a desired rinse water volume, a volumetric flow meter for determining the actual amount of flushing water dispensed during a toilet flushing operation, and a comparator which records the dispensed rinse water actual quantity compared with the desired rinse water volume. Upon reaching or exceeding the desired amount of flushing water through the actual amount of flushing water, the comparator sends a signal to the electronic control 15, whereupon the controller 15 closes the valve or deactivates the actuating device (eg, the lifting unit 18).

Furthermore, the electronic controller 15 is preferably provided with a data memory and a processor. The data memory is used to store time data on drinking water taken as well as drinking water dispensing volume data. In the processor or the data memory, a statistical function is programmed with which the temporal distribution of drinking water withdrawals from the cold water line 7.1 can be determined or is determined automatically. By means of this integrated statistics function, all important purging parameters of the drinking water supply system are evaluated and, if necessary, the time interval for the automatic triggering of a purging process to prevent microbial contamination of the drinking water pipeline is adjusted accordingly.

The drinking water supply system according to the invention can be advantageously realized in particular in wet rooms or washrooms of hospitals, nursing homes and nursing homes, medical practices, hotels, schools, gymnasiums, barracks and larger dormitories.

In the case of a hotel, a cistern 14, a urinal flush or a Spülbox be installed decentralized in the wet room 2.1, 2.2 ... 2.n each hotel room, the respective cistern 14 and the respective urinal flush or Spülbox with the said electronic control 15, the associated sensor for detecting a drinking water removal and the time measuring device is provided. By means of the drinking water supply system according to the invention, a periodic flushing of the cold water line 7.1, 7.2... 7.n is ensured when the hotel room is not occupied. If, however, the wet cell 2.1, 2.2... 2.n of the hotel room is used and drinking water is taken from one of the extraction points 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, then the automatic flushing according to the invention is dispensed with until no too long stagnation time is detected.

In the Fig. 6 shown actuating device 17 'comprises a revision opening defining mounting frame 17.1. In the mounting frame 17.1 a frame-shaped bracket 17.2 can be used. The bracket 17.2 has a plurality of latching elements 17.3, which are associated with recesses 17.4 formed in the mounting frame 17.1, so that the bracket 17.2 can be releasably secured to the mounting frame 17.1. The bracket 17.2 carries on its front side an actuating plate 17.5, which is preferably made of glass or plastic and is provided with sensitive key switches 17.6, 17.7 for triggering a full or partial flush. The key switches can be glued, for example, on the back of the actuator plate 17.5. In the holder 17.2, an electronic control 15 is received, which may be attached to the bracket 17.2 or the actuator plate 17.5. The controller 15 of Fig. 6 corresponds to the above with respect to the FIGS. 4 and 5 described controller 15.

The embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, numerous variants are possible, which make use of the idea of the invention given in the appended claims even with fundamentally different design. Thus, the wet cell 2.1, 2.2 ... 2.n except possibly with the sanitary objects 11, 12, 13 and 24 shown in the embodiment may also be equipped with a urinal. In this case, the sensor may optionally detect a Urinalspülvorgang and / or trigger the electronic control 15 Urinalspülvorgang time and demand controlled to avoid too long water stagnation and thus a critical germ multiplication in the cold water line 7.1, 7.2 ... 7.n.

Claims (10)

1. Drinking water pipeline system comprising at least one cold water leg (7.1, 7.2,... 7.n) which is configured as a series pipeline or a closed circular pipeline and comprises at least one nozzle (10.1,10.2,10.3) acting as a withdrawal point, and a discharge outlet, a cistern (14) being connected to the discharge outlet or a valve which triggers a toilet or urinal flush being arranged at said discharge outlet, characterised in that, when the cold water leg is configured as a series pipeline, the cistern (14) or the valve triggering a toilet or urinal flush is arranged at the end of the cold water leg or, when the cold water leg is configured as a closed circular pipeline, the cistern (14) or the valve triggering a toilet or urinal flush is arranged in a region encompassing the centre of the closed circular pipeline, which region extends over a pipeline length of 30 %, preferably 20 %, of the closed circular pipeline length, and an electronic controller (15) being provided which is equipped with a time-measuring device and detects, by means of a sensor, withdrawal of drinking water from the cold water leg, the sensor activating the time-measuring device when drinking water is withdrawn from the cold water leg, and the electronic controller (15) actuating the valve or an actuator for triggering a toilet or urinal flush if a predefined or predefinable time interval since the last withdrawal of drinking water has been exceeded.
2. Drinking water pipeline system according to claim 1, characterised in that the electronic controller (15) detects via the sensor that a toilet or urinal flush has been triggered, the sensor activating the time-measuring device when a toilet or urinal flush is triggered, and the electronic controller (15) actuating the valve or the actuator for triggering a toilet or urinal flush if a predefined or predefinable time interval since a toilet or urinal flush was last triggered has been exceeded.
3. Drinking water pipeline system according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the electronic controller (15) is arranged in and/or on the cistern (14).
4. Drinking water pipeline system according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the electronic controller (15) comprises an adjustable timer by means of which the activation duration of the actuator (18) or the opening duration of the valve can be predefined.
5. Drinking water pipeline system according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the electronic controller (15) is provided with an input device (23) for predefining a desired amount of flushing water, with a volume flow measuring device for determining the actual amount of flushing water delivered during a toilet or urinal flush, and with a comparator which compares the actual amount of flushing water delivered with the desired amount of flushing water, the comparator emitting a signal to the electronic controller (15) if the actual amount of flushing water reaches or exceeds the desired amount of flushing water, so that said electronic controller deactivates the valve or the actuator (18).
6. Drinking water pipeline system according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the electronic controller (15) is provided with a data memory for storing time data for each withdrawal of drinking water and for storing drinking water delivery volume data.
7. Drinking water pipeline system according to claim 6, characterised in that the electronic controller (15) is provided with a processor, a statistical function for determining the temporal distribution of instances of drinking water withdrawal from the cold water leg being programmed in the processor and/or in the data memory.
8. Drinking water pipeline system according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the electronic controller (15) comprises an interface for connecting to a central building management system and/or a data transmission system, in particular a BUS system.
9. Method for operating a drinking water pipeline system comprising at least one cold water leg (7.1, 7.2,... 7.n) which is configured as a series pipeline or closed circular pipeline and comprises at least one nozzle (10.1, 10.2, 10.3) acting as a withdrawal point, and a discharge outlet, a cistern (14) being connected to the discharge outlet or a valve which triggers a toilet or urinal flush being arranged at said discharge outlet, characterised in that, when the cold water leg is configured as a series pipeline, the cistern (14) or the valve triggering a toilet or urinal flush is arranged at the end of the cold water leg or, when the cold water leg is configured as a closed circular pipeline, the cistern (14) or the valve triggering a toilet or urinal flush is arranged in a region encompassing the centre of the closed circular pipeline, which region extends over a pipeline length of 30 %, preferably 20 %, of the closed circular pipeline length, withdrawal of drinking water from the cold water leg being detected by means of a sensor, a time-measuring device being activated by a signal emitted by the sensor when drinking water is withdrawn from the cold water leg (7.1, 7.2,... 7.n), and the valve or an actuator (18) for triggering a toilet or urinal flush being actuated if a predefined or predefinable time interval since the last withdrawal of drinking water from the cold water leg has been exceeded.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterised in that triggering of a toilet or urinal flush is detected by the sensor as a withdrawal of drinking water from the cold water leg (7.1, 7.2,... 7.n).

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