EP2394003A1 - System for exploiting natural resources for buildings - Google Patents

System for exploiting natural resources for buildings

Info

Publication number
EP2394003A1
EP2394003A1 EP09805951A EP09805951A EP2394003A1 EP 2394003 A1 EP2394003 A1 EP 2394003A1 EP 09805951 A EP09805951 A EP 09805951A EP 09805951 A EP09805951 A EP 09805951A EP 2394003 A1 EP2394003 A1 EP 2394003A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
building
collector device
unit
connection unit
electric
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Withdrawn
Application number
EP09805951A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Dino Bongini
Giancarlo Mattioni
Pier Andrea Pracchi
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Original Assignee
Indesit Co SpA
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Indesit Co SpA filed Critical Indesit Co SpA
Publication of EP2394003A1 publication Critical patent/EP2394003A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04DROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
    • E04D13/00Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage; Sky-lights
    • E04D13/04Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the like
    • E04D13/08Down pipes; Special clamping means therefor
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03BINSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B3/00Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water
    • E03B3/02Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water from rain-water
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03BINSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
    • E03B3/00Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water
    • E03B3/02Methods or installations for obtaining or collecting drinking water or tap water from rain-water
    • E03B3/03Special vessels for collecting or storing rain-water for use in the household, e.g. water-butts
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04DROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
    • E04D13/00Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage; Sky-lights
    • E04D13/04Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the like
    • E04D13/08Down pipes; Special clamping means therefor
    • E04D2013/0873Rain water reservoirs integrated in down pipes
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • Y02A20/108Rainwater harvesting

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a system for exploiting natural resources for buildings, of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1.
  • a system of the indicated type is known from FR-A-2.545.864, which describes a roof ridge element, having a bearing structure configured to collect rain water, with the two longitudinal sides inclined and a bottom, connected to pipes in fluid communication with one or more storage tanks, arranged at a remote position with respect to the ridge element.
  • the inclined sides of the structure may be covered with photovoltaic panels, so as to allow exploiting solar energy.
  • the solution provided for in the abovementioned prior art document does not suitably meet the needs of modern residential building.
  • the device according to FR-A-2.545.864 is, for example, complex and expensive, in that it requires a building having a specifically made roof.
  • the prior art system is difficult to apply to a pre-existing building, unless the roof is subjected to significant modifications, leading to the entailed costs.
  • such prior art system is not flexible, in case it is required to serve only one apartment in a flat.
  • the prior solution is not suitable for use in buildings not provided with a pitch roof.
  • the present invention proposes to overcome one or more of the abovementioned drawbacks of the mentioned prior art, and provide a system for exploiting natural resources for buildings comprising a device for collecting rain water and solar energy that is easy to make and inexpensive, easy to install, advantageous to use also in small buildings or separate flat apartments, particularly for residential use.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 are schematic representations of a particularly advantageous embodiment of a system for exploiting natural resources according to the invention, comprising a collector device, a connection unit and a household appliance;
  • FIG. 3 and 4 are, respectively, a front elevational view and a plan view of the collector device of figures 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic section according to line V-V of figure 3;
  • FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the rear of a front part of the connection unit of figures 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 9 and 10 are respectively a front elevational view and a perspective view of the part of figure 8;
  • figure 11 is a perspective schematic view of a connection part of the household appliance of figure 1 and 2;
  • FIG. 12 and 13 are schematic perspective views of the household appliance and of the connection unit of figures 1 and 2, respectively at a decoupled condition and coupled condition;
  • figure 14 is a partial and schematics section of the system according to the abovementioned particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the condition of figure 13;
  • FIG. 15 is a detail of figure 14 in enlarged scale; - figures 16 and 17 are schematic representations similar to those of figure
  • a household room of a general residential building which includes walls 2a, 2b and a floor 3 is indicated with 1 in figures 1-2.
  • a collector device Fixed outside an external side wall 2b of the building, particularly a substantially vertical wall facing south, is a collector device, indicated in its entirety with 50, belonging to a system for exploiting natural resources according to the invention.
  • a connection unit prearranged to be operatively connected to the collector device 50, and a general household appliance 10, configured for connection with the unit 20.
  • the device 50 which forms the specific object of the present invention, is illustrated, in various views, in figures 3-7.
  • the device 50 has a bearing structure
  • the structure 51 for example made of plastic material, configured to be fixed to the external surface of the wall 2b, through per se known means (not represented).
  • the structure 51 has a rear wall 51a substantially flat and vertical, provided with an opening 51b for the passage of pipes and electric cables.
  • a photovoltaic solar panel Associated at the front part of the structure 51 is a photovoltaic solar panel
  • the panel 52 is mounted adjustable on the structure 51, in the direction indicated by arrow A in figure 5, for example through a per se known guides system, not represented, in order to allow adjusting the position of the panel when installing the device 50 depending on the type of solar exposure of the wall 2b.
  • the panel 52 which is substantially quadrangular-shaped generally curved, may be made according to any prior art technology; in an embodiment, for example, the tapping surface of the panel 52 is made of plastic material of the type described in WO 2006/072181 which, exploiting nanotechnology, converts the solar and infrared rays into electricity, advantageously offering the possibility of producing energy even under cloudy weather conditions.
  • a container or tank for accumulating rain water is at least partly accommodated inside the structure 51, particularly at the upper part thereof.
  • the tank 53 has a front wall 53a generally curved, or having a shape similar to that of the panel 52, intended to remain at least partly exposed by the structure 51.
  • a system of partition walls or septa 53b (figure 5), configured to divide the interior of the tank into at least two communicating chambers, one of which is internal and the other peripheral, the latter being delimited at least partly by the abovementioned exposed wall 53a; a passage 53c is provided for in one of the septa 53b which defines the interior chamber at the lower part.
  • Indicated with 54 is an inlet connection of the device 50, intended to be connected to a branch of a drain channel coming from a gutter of the building, such branch being indicated with DC in figure 2.
  • the connection 54 is in fluid communication both with an inlet of the tank, indicated with 53d in figure 5, for filling thereof, and with a bypass pipe, indicated with 55 for example in figures 3, 6 and 7.
  • a diverter device for such purpose, provided for in the embodiment exemplified in the f ⁇ gures, is a diverter device, indicated with 56 in figures 3, 5, 6 and 7, located at a top region of the tank 53, between the connection 54, the inlet 53d and the pipe 55.
  • the device 56 is substantially made up of a diverter valve, made in a per se known manner, switchable between a first position and a second position wherein, respectively, the rain water coming from the connection 54 is diverted towards the inlet 53d of the tank or into the pipe 55, switching between the first and second position occurring when the water inside the tank 53 reaches a determined level.
  • the diverter device 56 may be of the electric type, for example controlled through a solenoid, in such case provided for inside the tank 53 being a level sensor, or provided for on the inlet 53d of the tank is a volumetric sensor, for example of the impeller type; such sensor means may be of any known type suitable for the purpose.
  • the diverter device 56 is of the mechanical type, for example comprising a diverter flap actuated through a float system mounted inside the tank 53: as long as the content of the tank is below a predetermined level, the flap diverts the flow flowing in from the connection 54 into the tank 53, while upon reaching the abovementioned level, the flap is switched by the raising of the float in the position wherein the flow of water is conveyed into the pipe 55.
  • the system for filling the tank 53 is of the overflow type, i.e. with the connection 54 communicating directly with the interior of the tank 53 and with an overflow wall which defines the maximum filling level of the tank itself: upon reaching such level, water spills from the overflow wall into the pipe 55.
  • an overflow system not represented, of the per se known type, for example in fluid communication with the pipe 55.
  • the tank 53 also has at least one outlet, indicated schematically with 53e in figure 5, associated to which is an outlet pipe 57.
  • the lower end of the pipe 55 is connected with a second branch of the rain water drainage channel DC (figure 2).
  • a sensor for detecting the temperature of the rain water content, of per se known type is provided for inside the tank 53, preferably within the outermost chamber thereof.
  • the body of the tank 53 is also configured in such a manner to have an axial central passage, indicated with
  • 53f defined by a cylindrical part of the body itself, useable for possible evacuation of an aeriform substance form the household environment 1, as described hereinafter.
  • a second container or tank indicated in its entirety with 58, for a sewage coming from inside the building; such tank, also generally closed-shaped and made for example of plastic material, is in fluid communication with an evacuation pipe 59, which is substantially parallel to the pipe 55, on the opposite side of the device 50.
  • the tank 58 is provided with an overflow passage, in the zone indicated with 58a in figure 7, which puts the interior of the tank itself in communication with the pipe 59, in an intermediate zone of the latter.
  • the tank 58 may be connected at its lowermost point to the pipe 59, for example through an electrically controlled valve.
  • the lower end of the pipe 59 is configured as an outlet connection 60, for connection with a pipe - not represented - in fluid communication with a point for collection the so-called "sewerage"; the upper end of the pipe 59, in this embodiment, may also be closed through a special plug, not represented.
  • the tank 58 has an inlet, indicated with 58b in figure 5, associated to which is a respective filling pipe 61, provided with a curve 61a serving as a siphon, so as to avoid reflux of odours towards the household environment.
  • a further controllable bypass device operatively interposed between the tanks 53 and 58 is a further controllable bypass device, indicated with 62.
  • the device 62 may for example comprise an electrically controlled valve which, in a respective open condition, puts the tank 53 in communication with the underlying tank 58; for such purpose, the device 62 has an upper inlet 62a (figure 6) in fluid communication with an outlet (not shown) of the tank 53, and an outlet (not shown) in communication with an upper inlet 58c of the tank 58 (figure 6).
  • bypass device 62 shall be merely deemed optional, presence thereof being recommended in case of provision of the function of partial or total emptying of the contents of the tank 53 without using the pipe 57.
  • the body of the tank 58 is configured in such a manner to have an axial central recess, indicated with 58d in figures 3, 6 and 7, defined by a substantially half-cylindrical wall of the body itself, useable for possible evacuation of an aeriform substance from the household environment 1 , as described hereinafter; the recess 58d is axially aligned to the passage 53f of the overlying tank 53.
  • an electric module 63 comprising at least one storage battery, intended to store the electric power generated through the solar panel 52, to allow deferred use thereof by electric loads present in the household environment 1, as described hereinafter.
  • the abovementioned storage battery is preferably made up - in a known manner - of monoblocs or single elements specifically designed for deep and cyclic charges and discharges.
  • the electric module 63 may possibly incorporate one from among a charge regulator, intended to stabilise the collected electric power and manage it inside the system, and an inverter, intended to convert the direct voltage coming from the panel 52 (for example 12 or 24 V DC) into a higher alternating voltage (for example 110 or 220 V AC).
  • a charge regulator intended to stabilise the collected electric power and manage it inside the system
  • an inverter intended to convert the direct voltage coming from the panel 52 (for example 12 or 24 V DC) into a higher alternating voltage (for example 110 or 220 V AC).
  • the abovementioned charge regulator preferably meets at least the following functionalities: - disconnection of the panel 52 from the respective storage battery, in case the voltage generated by the panel is lower than that required by the battery, such as for example after sunset;
  • the charge regulator, and the possible inverter may also be accommodated in the connection unit 20, instead of inside the electric module 63 housed in the structure 51.
  • indicated with 64 is an electrical cable, for transferring the voltage stored in the battery of the module 62 to the connection unit 20, provided for in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention.
  • Indicated with 65 is an electrical cable enclosing the conductors regarding possible electric valves and/or possible sensor means associated to the tanks 53 and/or 58 and/or to the bypass device 62.
  • 6 and 7 is a first tubular body, intended to be embedded in the wall 2b of the building, at the installation zone of the collector device 50, and particularly at the opening 51b of figure 5, through which the pipes
  • connection unit 20 Indicated with 67 is a second tubular body, similar to the body 66, which also puts the interior of the unit 20 in communication with the interior of the structure 51 of the device 50; also the body 67 is intended to be embedded in the wall 2b of the building, particularly at the top of the recess 58d of the tank 58 (see figures 7).
  • the connection unit 20 associated to the collector device 50 is the connection unit 20, which is configured to allow the taking, within the household environment 1, of the resources collected by means of the device 50 (i.e. rain water and electric power), as well as possible drainage of sewage.
  • the unit 20 has a bearing structure 21 prearranged to be mounted at a fixed position of the room, substantially configured as a box intended to be at least partly recessed in the same wall 2b outside which the collector device 50 is installed, and it is provided with an accessible front panel 21a; the structure 21 may be naturally configured to be mounted outside the wall, i.e. without necessarily requiring to be embedded in a wall.
  • the collector device 50 is operatively connected to the unit 20 through pipes 57, 61 and cables 64, 65.
  • the rear part of the front panel 21a associated to which is a first compartment or section 21b accommodated in which is a control system of the unit, preferably of the microcontroller type and provided with non-volatile memory means.
  • a control system of the unit preferably of the microcontroller type and provided with non-volatile memory means.
  • Such compartment is reached by the cable 64, which carries the energy stored in the battery of the module 63, as well as the cable 65, for the conductors of the sensor means and of the electric means associated to the device 50, as described previously.
  • control system accommodated in the section 21b includes the abovementioned charge regulator, through which the electric power generated in the device 50 and stored in the respective battery is directed, when required, to a section 21c, provided in which are electric interconnection means, described hereinafter.
  • the unit 20 is also connected to a household power supply system, represented by the cable indicated with 68 in figure 8, with the control system of the unit 20 being prearranged to provide the power supply voltage to the electric interconnection means of the section 21c, alternatively to that generated by means of the device 50.
  • Figure 8 still shows how the pipes 57 and 61 coming from the device 50 are connected to a connection section, indicated with 2 Id, connected to section 21c, also provided with fluidic interconnection means, described hereinafter.
  • Also connected to such section are further pipes, indicated with 69 and 70, respectively belonging to a system for supplying clean water and to a sewage or drainage system, both part of the household hydro-sanitary installation.
  • Figures 9 and 10 wherein the front part of the of the panel 21a is observable, show how the section 21c defines an accessible seat, where the abovementioned electric and fiuidic interconnection means are found, particularly for drawing water and electric power provided through the device 50, or provided through the household systems 68 and 69; in an advantageous embodiment the abovementioned interconnection means are used for connecting, in a releasable manner, a household appliance to the source or sources of external resources which may be managed through the unit 20.
  • the electric interconnection means preferably comprise a quick coupling system of the plug-socket type.
  • the connector system for supplying power has a part 23b, for example a female part, on the panel 21a of the unit 20; in the example the coupling is of the three-pole type (phase, neutral and earth).
  • the connector system for transmitting control signals has a part 23b', for example a female part, on the panel 21a of the unit 20; in the example, the coupling is of the multipolar type.
  • the fiuidic interconnection means comprise a quick coupling system, also provided with a female part 24b on the panel 21a.
  • the part 24b is connected to the section 21d (figure 8) to receive water from the household water supply system 69 or from the pipe 57 coming from the external device 50.
  • further fiuidic interconnection means which include a part 25b, for example female, on the panel 21a; the part 25b is connectable, through the section 2 Id, to the sewage pipe 70 of the household hydro-sanitary installation or to the pipe 61 connected to the collector device 50.
  • Figures 9 and 10 still show how, in a preferred embodiment, the unit 20 is provided with user interface means 22, which comprise manual control means, such as keys and/or buttons and/or selectors 22a, and means for displaying information, such as a display 22b, associated to the panel 21a.
  • the abovementioned user interface 22 is configured to allow the management of various functionalities associated to the external device 50, particularly for drawing, through the unit 20, electric power from the battery of the device 50 or from the household supply system 68, for drawing water from the tank 53 of the device 50 or from the household supply system 69, for draining liquids in the tank 58 of the external device 50 or in the household hydro-sanitary installation system 70.
  • the control system of the unit 20 is also configured to allow displaying, on the respective display, information regarding the operation of the device 50 such as, for example, the battery charge level, the respective available voltage, the temperature of the water present in the peripheral chamber of the tank 53, the amount of liquid available in the same (as mentioned, a level sensor and a temperature sensor may be associated to the tank 53), etcetera.
  • solenoid valves made in a per se known manner, configured to allow, on one hand, drawing clean water or rain water, through a pipe 69 of the household system or through the pipe 57 connected to the device 50, respectively, and on the other hand drainage of the sewage water in the pipe 61 connected to the device 50 or in the pipe 70 of the household drainage system.
  • the system for exploiting natural resources subject of the invention comprises one or more dedicated household appliances, i.e.
  • control system of the connection unit 20 may be operating instructions or programs required by one or more of the abovementioned dedicated household appliances, such as for example the one indicated with 10, for executing the respective functions or treatment cycles selectable by a user.
  • the control system of the unit 20 is prearranged to send control signals to said household appliance 10, according to the respective function or program selected by the user, where the entirety of such control signals for example determines the execution of a treatment cycle, in particular by supplying electric loads of the household appliance 10, as well as according to the information possibly obtained through sensor means.
  • the user interface means 22 of the unit 20 may thus also be used for setting functions and/or treatment cycles executable by the dedicated household appliance or appliances: as observable, in such manner, the abovementioned household appliances may be obtained in a more simplified manner, in that the respective user interface is transferred onto the unit 20.
  • the household appliance 10 is prearranged to be connected to at least one source of external resource which may be supplied by the unit 20: in the represented example, the household appliance 10 is a laundry washing machine, prearranged to be connected both to a source of power supply, and to a source of water supply, as well as a system for draining or discharging the water used for washing.
  • the practical manufacturing of the machine 10 is independent from the purposes of the present invention, and thus only the connection structure of the machine of particularly advantageous use in combination with the collector device 50 shall be described hereinafter.
  • the machine has a bearing structure 11 , comprising a cabinet 12, for example made of metal or plastic sheet.
  • the structure 11 is of the moveable type and it is provided - for such purpose - with wheels 13 or other rolling means, associated to the lower part of the cabinet 12; in order to facilitate the movements of the machine 10, the cabinet 12 is also provided with a front handgrip 12a.
  • a treatment tub Accommodated inside the cabinet 12 is a treatment tub, in turn, accommodated therein being laundry basket, partly observable in figure 14.
  • the machine 10 is a top loading machine, with the abovementioned basket rotating around a substantially vertical axis: thus, hinged to the cabinet 12 is an upper door or porthole 16, for access to the tub, and thus to the basket.
  • the basket is rotated by means of an electric motor, not represented.
  • the machine 10 comprises a plurality of electric loads and one or more sensors, inside the cabinet 12, required to execute a treatment cycle.
  • the abovementioned loads preferably comprise, alongside the abovementioned motor, at least one door-lock device actuated electrically, a discharge pump with electric motor, an electric resistor for heating the washing liquid and a washing agent dispenser
  • the sensor means preferably comprise at least one sensor for detecting the level of the liquid present in the tub and a liquid temperature sensor and, optionally, a sensor for weighing the contents of the basket and a sensor for detecting the chemical/physical characteristics of the liquid.
  • the abovementioned electric loads and sensor means are not represented in the figures in that conceived according to a per se known manner.
  • the machine 10 is suitable to operate according to operating instructions; preferably, the machine 10 is suitable to execute at least one treatment cycle, and preferably a plurality of possible laundry treatment cycles, such as for example a cycle for washing coloured clothes, a cycle for washing synthetic clothes, a "strong" cycle for washing resistant and/or very dirty clothes, a rapid cycle for washing slightly dirty clothes and a rinsing cycle for eliminating residual detergent from pre-treated clothes, for example treated by hand.
  • each function or each cycle executable by the machine is executed according to operating instructions, for example part of a respective program, which may be selected by a user.
  • encoded in the control system of the connection unit 20 are operating instructions or programs required by the machine 10 to execute its functions or treatment cycles selectable by a user, such activity being manageable through the user interface 22.
  • the machine 10 is provided with interconnection means, particularly of the quick coupling type, intended to be coupled with those provided for at the front part of the structure 21 of the unit 20, within the section 21c (figure 9-10), for connecting the machine 10 in a releasable manner to the source or sources of external resources and/or for putting the control system of the unit 20 in signal communication with that of the machine 10;
  • the machine 10 and the unit 20 may be further provided with mechanical coupling means, configured for mechanically coupling the respective structures 11 and 21 in a separable manner, for example with a button or snap-releasable engagement, of the per se known type.
  • the interconnection means for supplying power to the machine 10 comprise a part 23 a, for example a male part, on the structure 11 of the machine 10, intended to coupled with the part 23b of the unit 20 (figure 9).
  • the interconnection system for transmitting control signals between the unit 20 and the machine 10 has a part 23a', for example a male part, on the structure 11 of the machine 10, intended to be coupled to the part 23b' of the unit 20 (figure 9).
  • the fluidic interconnection means for supplying water comprise a quick coupling system, also including for example a male part 24a on the structure 11 of the machine 10, with the respective female part 24b on the unit 20 (figure 9), operative between the two parts 24a, 24b being seal means, not represented, such as for example one or more elastomer gaskets, of the per se known type; the male part 24a is connected, through a pipe, not shown, to the tub of the machine 10.
  • the machine 10 is suitable to drain water and provided for such purpose is a quick coupling system, which includes a part 25 a, for example male, on the structure 11 of the machine 10, intended to be coupled to the part 25b of the unit 20 (figure 9), also operative between the two parts 25a, 25b being seal means, of per se known type, not represented, such as for example one or more elastomer gaskets; part 25a is connected - through the drainage pipe of the machine 10, indicated with 18 in figures 14 and 15, and the discharge pipe of the machine (not represented) - to the lower part of the tub of the machine itself.
  • a quick coupling system which includes a part 25 a, for example male, on the structure 11 of the machine 10, intended to be coupled to the part 25b of the unit 20 (figure 9), also operative between the two parts 25a, 25b being seal means, of per se known type, not represented, such as for example one or more elastomer gaskets; part 25a is connected - through the drainage pipe of the machine 10, indicated with
  • the interconnection means 23a-23b, 23a'-23b', 24a-24b and 25a-25b are prearranged to be mutually coupled substantially simultaneously, when the machine 10 is coupled to the unit 20, for example as observable in figures 13- 15.
  • the machine 10 and the unit 20 thus substantially comprise a respective multifunction connector device, the one of the machine 10 being indicated in its entirety with 27a in figures 11 and 15, and that of the unit 20 being substantially represented by the accessible front part of the section 21c (figure 9, 10 and 15).
  • the geometric configuration of the abovementioned connector devices 27a, 21c could be modified with respect to the outlined illustration, and also possibly include respective parts of means for mechanically coupling the structure 11 of the machine to the structure 21 of the unit 20.
  • the connection unit 20 may include, as mentioned, actuator means, and possibly sensor means, that the control system of the unit itself controls or uses for executing a function or an operating cycle executable by the machine 10.
  • the control system may be prearranged for controlling, for example, the valves of the section 2 Id, when water is required to be filled into the tub of the machine 10 (from the household system 69 or from the collector device 50) or drain liquid from the room 1 (to the household system 70 or to the collector device 50).
  • the operation of the collector device 50 which as mentioned represents the specific object of the invention, is very simple.
  • the device 50 is installed on an external wall 2b of the building, preferably facing south.
  • the photovoltaic elements of the panel 52 provide for tapping solar energy and converting it into electric power, which is stored in the battery of the module 63.
  • the photovoltaic generator is managed through methods per se known in the filed, for example through the previously mentioned charge regulator, located in the module 63 or in the unit 20.
  • the rain water is accumulated in the tank 53 in case of rain.
  • part of the rain water is directed from the roof of the building to a respective collection gutter, per se known, before dropping along the channel DC (figure 2), and thus either reaching the tank 53 or the pipe 55, as used previously, depending on the operative status of the diverter device 56 and the filling level of the tank 53 (as explained, with the diverter device 56 being controlled electrically, the tank 53 is also provided with a level sensor).
  • At least part of the tank 53 is exposed outside the bearing structure 51 of the device 50, in the front part of the latter: in particular, the front wall 53a of the tank is exposed to the sun, and in this manner the contents of the tank 53, and specifically the rain water contained in the peripheral or external chamber, may be partly heated by means of the sun, depending on the weather conditions.
  • the temperature of such water may be detected, as mentioned, by means of a sensor.
  • the use of the electric power obtained through the collector device 50 is managed, as mentioned, by the unit 20, positioned within the household environment 1 on the display 22b of the unit various operative parameters - such as the charge level of the battery, the connection/disconnection status between the panel 52 and battery in case the voltage is lower than that required, the filling level of the tank 53 and/or 58, the temperature of the water present in the tank 53, etcetera - may be identified. Water drawing and drainage operations are also managed through the system for controlling the unit 20, by means of the valves of the section 2 Id.
  • the electric power released by the battery of the collector device 50 may be used for various purposes. Though the attached figures show a particular configuration of the electric interconnection means, which is functional to the embodiment wherein a household appliance is intended to be coupled to the unit 20, it shall be observed that such means may also be obtained differently. Strictly for exemplification purposes, part 23b may be configured as a common standard current socket, and be used for supplying, for example, a common battery charger of a small household appliance or of a telephone, or for supplying a household appliance different from the one indicated with 10, for example a common vacuum cleaner.
  • connection 24b may be used for drawing the rain water, whether cold or partly heated through solar radiation, for various uses; for example for washing the floor, watering flowers and plants, etcetera; in this case, the unit 20 may be provided with a pipe or accessory connection, to be coupled to the part 24b, configured to facilitate drawing water.
  • connection 25b may be used for such purpose ; also in this case the unit 20 may be provided with a pipe or accessory connection, to be coupled when required to the part 25b, configured to facilitate draining water.
  • the system is however preferably configured in such a manner that, should the battery not have enough energy or the tank 53 be empty, the respective drawing occurs through the household systems 68 and 69, respectively.
  • the system for controlling the unit 20 is supplied through the household power supply system 68, so as to always ensure operation thereof, regardless of the charge status of the battery of the device 50.
  • the machine 10 When not being used, the machine 10 may be kept away in a utility room by the user, such as a store room. When required for washing, the user moves the machine from the abovementioned utility room to the room 1 , wherein the unit 20 is installed. The machine 10 is thus moved against the wall 2b provided with the unit 20 and the two components of the system are coupled to each other, by simply pushing the machine 10 towards the unit 20. As mentioned, such operation also allows simultaneous coupling of the respective parts of the interconnection means 23a-23b, 23a'-23b', 24a-24b and 25a-25b, such parts being positioned and configured geometrically for such purpose. Such condition is illustrated in figures 13-15.
  • the user may switch the unit 20 ON through the button 22c, select a desired function or a desired program for the machine 10 and start the execution of such function or program.
  • the selection and start operations are executed through the user interface 22, in a per se known manner, with display of the possible functions or programs and associated options on the display 22b and selection through manual control means represented by the buttons 22a.
  • control system of the unit 20 controls both the power actuators present in the same unit (section 21c), the control system of the machine 10, which in turn controls the power actuators. Execution of the washing cycle occurs according to per se known methods.
  • control system of the unit 20 may preliminarily verify the charge status of the battery of the collector device 50, the filling level of the tank 53 and the temperature of the liquid present in such tank.
  • the control system of the unit 20 controls the control system of the machine so that the latter determines the actuation of the door-lock device; subsequently, the control system of the unit 20 commands the opening of the solenoid valve for filling water from the pipe 57 of the device 50 or from the household system 69.
  • Selection of the source of water supply may for example be operated automatically by the control system, depending on the amount of water available in the tank 53 and/or the temperature thereof, as well as depending on the washing step to be executed (for example, rain water may be used for a step of prewashing very dirty clothes or complete washing of dust-cloths).
  • sources of power supply between the system 68 and the battery of the device 50, which the control system of the unit 20 shall select both depending on the type of electric load of the machine to be actuated (for example the motor), and depending on the level of electric power available in said battery.
  • the control system of the unit 20 controls, through the control system of the machine 10, the power supply to the motor, to actuate the basket, according to the methods provided for by the program (speed of rotation, alternating rotation and pause phases, inversion of the direction of rotation, etcetera).
  • the control system of the unit 20 causes the closure of the filling solenoid valve and controls, still through the control system of the machine 10, the supply of power to the resistor for heating the machine itself and the actuation of the dispenser device, to dispense the detergent.
  • the control system of the unit 20 may switch the drawing of electric voltage from the battery of the device 50 to the electric power supply system 68.
  • the machine 10 may thus be moved again to the utility room or, more generally, wherever the user desires to position it.
  • the system according to the present invention may possibly comprise several dedicated household appliances, of different type or use with respect to each other, but made according to the principles described previously, and where each of such household appliances is selectively couplable for use thereof to the connection unit 20.
  • the system may comprise a laundry washing machine, like the one indicated with 10 and a dishwasher, which shall be provided with a respective mechanical/electric/fluidic connection system, located with respect to the bearing structure of the dishwasher at a position geometrically suitable for coupling with the unit 20, according to methods exemplified previously with reference to the machine 10.
  • a respective mechanical/electric/fluidic connection system located with respect to the bearing structure of the dishwasher at a position geometrically suitable for coupling with the unit 20, according to methods exemplified previously with reference to the machine 10.
  • the control system of the unit 20 is conveniently prearranged to include in its memory means the operating instructions or programs required to execute the functions or treatment cycles executable by each dedicated household appliance.
  • control logic of a plurality of different household appliances is incorporated in the same control device, represented by the unit 20.
  • various types of household appliances couplable from time to time to the unit 20, may be controlled through one user interface, such as the one indicated with 22.
  • the electric loads inside the dishwasher shall be different from those of the laundry washing machine (for example, the motor which drives the basket shall be replaced by a washing pump).
  • the electric interconnection means and the control system shall still be prearranged, through methods clear to a man skilled in the art, to allow the unit 20 to control the operation of the various household appliances of the system.
  • the control system of the unit 20 In order to manage the operation of different household appliances, the control system of the unit 20 must establish the identity, i.e. the type, of the dedicated household appliance currently coupled to the unit 20. In a possible embodiment, it is the same user who feeds such information to the control system of the unit 20, through the user interface 22, for example through a selector; in another example, by starting the unit 20, the control system commands the display, on the display 22b, of a list of possible connectable household appliances, with the user being required to indicate the household appliance of interest; after such selection, the control system shall command the representation, on the display 22b, of the list of functions or programs available for the selected household appliance, with the possible selectable associated options (e.g. maximum temperature, exclusion, centrifuge, etcetera).
  • the possible selectable associated options e.g. maximum temperature, exclusion, centrifuge, etcetera
  • each dedicated household appliance is provided with identification means and the control system of the unit 20 is configured to cooperate or interact with the abovementioned identification means, so as to independently establish the identity of the household appliance currently coupled to the unit 20.
  • the practical implementation of the means that allow the control system of the unit 20 to identify the type of household appliance may be of any known type.
  • control system of the unit 20 and the dedicated household appliances are configured for such purpose; for example, after switching the unit 20 ON, the system for controlling the unit 20 interrogates - through the signal connection 23a'-23b' - the control system of the household appliance, wherein the respective identity information shall be contained, or it is the same control system of the household appliance that cyclically declares its identity to the control system of the unit 20, following supply of electrical power.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described previously with reference to a system that includes two washing machines, and in particular a laundry washing machine and a dishwasher, but the concepts of the invention may obviously be extended to other household appliances.
  • another household appliance of the system subject of the invention may be a laundry dryer, for example of the "expulsion" type.
  • a tubular body 67 (figure 3-4 and 6-7), which allows discharging moist air within the structure 51 of the collector device 50, i.e. outside the room 1, and from the structure 51, through the pipes 53f and/or 58d (see for example figure 3 or 7) into the environment outside the building.
  • the unit 20 and the dryer shall be provided with fluidic interconnection means for discharging aeriform substances from the machine.
  • a further household appliance to which the invention may be applied is an air conditioner or dehumidif ⁇ er with discharge of air.
  • the household appliance side shall not strictly require providing interconnection means 24a-24b and 25a-25b, or the fittings 24a and 25 a shall still be provided for, but occluded or plugged.
  • the system could be prearranged to allow connection to the unit 20 of a household oven.
  • an interconnection system suitably insulated for discharging an aeriform substance i.e. cooking fumes
  • the unit 20 could provide for a separable interconnection system to a gas supply system.
  • the unit 20 is provided with one bearing structure 21, where the interior of such structure is preferably provided with separate sections or compartments, for example through internal containers and/or suitable walls and/or seal means, with independent components for the electronic control system and its connections to the power supply or to the battery of the device 50 accommodated in a section (such as the container 21c of figure 8) suitably insulated with respect to the section or sections where the connections between fluidic interconnection means of the unit 20 and the systems 69, 70 and the pipes 57, 61 (such as the container 21d of figure 8) are found.
  • a section such as the container 21c of figure 8
  • the unit 20 may comprise several modules distinct and insulated with respect to each other, for example configured as built-in or wall fixed boxes separated from each other, with a module intended to hold/support components of the control system, interface means, electric interconnection means and for connection to the power supply or to the battery, and at least another module intended to accommodate the connections to the fluidic systems, with the respective interconnection means, and the possible actuators and sensors associated.
  • the electric interconnection means provided for between the unit 20 and the apparatus connectable thereto, with the aim of supplying electrical power to the latter could possibly comprise a pinless power coupling system, particularly based on the transmission of power by induction, for example according to the technique described in WO 2008/093334 and/or WO 2008/114268.
  • the user interface 22, or the control 22a and display 22b means are incorporated in a single display means of the touch-screen type.
  • the control system of the unit 20 may also comprise a remote control system.
  • the previously described collector device 50 is structured to form a module combinable with one or more further devices 50.
  • An example of implementation of this type is schematically illustrated in figures 16 and 17, wherein the household environment 1 is served by a plurality of devices 50 interconnected to each other.
  • the household environment 1 is served by a plurality of devices 50 interconnected to each other.
  • the example associated to a household environment of a building floor (the one provided with the floor indicated with 3) are three collector devices 50.
  • the composition of the modular devices 50 is executed by fitting the lower end of the pipe 55 of the device 50 above the connection 54 of the underlying device 50, and fitting the connection 60 of the upper device 50 on the upper end of the pipe 59 of the underlying device 50, and so on and so forth for possible further devices 50 (thus with a series connection of pipes 55, 59).
  • the pipe for draining sewage 61 shall be connected to the tank 58 of the last device 50 of the series, while the tanks 53 of the various devices 50 may be provided with respective pipes 57, converging towards one sleeve inside the unit 20, connected to the section 21d (figure 8), and thus with a substantially parallel connection.
  • the total volume of rain water drawable through the unit 20 shall obviously be given by the sum of the contents of the various tanks 53.
  • a respective solenoid valve may also be associated to the pipe 57 of each device 50, for example upstream of the section 2 Id, in such a manner to allow selectively controlling the emptying of each tank 53.
  • the pipe 57 of a device 50 found above the one installed at the level of the unit 20 may be passed through the passages 53f and/or 58d (figure 3 or 7); same case applies to electric cables 64 and 65: therefore, referring to the example illustrated in figures 16-17, pipes and cables of the first device 50 from above may pass through the passage 58d of the same device, pass through the passages 53f and 58d of the second device 50, i.e. the one at the intermediate position, and lastly pass through the passage 53f of the third device, at the level of the unit 20, before reaching inside the unit 20 through the tubular body 66; obviously, in such case, the first and the second device 50 do not require respective tubular bodies 66 and 67.
  • the devices 50 may be conf ⁇ gured with the aim of providing a series connection of the tanks 53, according to methods clear to a man skilled in the art.
  • tank 58 inside the device 50 shall be deemed optional, given that pipe 61 could be directly connected to pipe 59.
  • the tank 58 could be provided with a further outlet controllable, for example through a solenoid valve, to allow conveying the respective content into drawing point accessible by a user.
  • Such variant may be useful in case one also wants to make the water discharged through the device 50 and the unit 20 available for use (for example, the water used for rinsing - for example last rinse - by a laundry washing machine may be used for washing dust-cloths by hand, or for washing floors, etcetera).
  • the device 50 provided for according to the invention allows:
  • sewage drainage system possibly storing sewage, intended to be conveyed to a sewage drainage system, or household hydro-sanitary installations drainage systems, or different collection points;
  • connection unit 20 support one or more electric power batteries, in such a manner to release such power, managed by the connection unit 20, upon request for various possible uses;
  • the collector device 50 particularly in case of the modular type of manufacture - may have overall dimensions measuring about 1 m x Im x 40 cm (height x width x depth), with the tank 53 having a capacity of about 100 litres.

Abstract

A system for exploiting natural resources for a building, comprises a collector device (50) having a bearing structure (51), configured to be mounted outside the building and having associated at least one solar panel (52) and one container for accumulating rain water (53). The bearing structure (51) is configured to be mounted on a side wall of the building. The collector device (50) has a first inlet (54) for connection to a first branch of a drainage channel of a gutter of a building. The accumulation container (53) has a respective inlet, in fluid communication with said first inlet (54), and at least one respective outlet, configured for connection to a supply pipe (57) for supplying rain water into the building.

Description

"System for exploiting natural resources for buildings"
DESCRIPTION
Field of the invention The present invention refers to a system for exploiting natural resources for buildings, of the type indicated in the preamble of claim 1.
Description of the prior art
A system of the indicated type is known from FR-A-2.545.864, which describes a roof ridge element, having a bearing structure configured to collect rain water, with the two longitudinal sides inclined and a bottom, connected to pipes in fluid communication with one or more storage tanks, arranged at a remote position with respect to the ridge element. The inclined sides of the structure may be covered with photovoltaic panels, so as to allow exploiting solar energy.
Generally, the solution provided for in the abovementioned prior art document does not suitably meet the needs of modern residential building. The device according to FR-A-2.545.864 is, for example, complex and expensive, in that it requires a building having a specifically made roof. Furthermore, the prior art system is difficult to apply to a pre-existing building, unless the roof is subjected to significant modifications, leading to the entailed costs. Furthermore, such prior art system is not flexible, in case it is required to serve only one apartment in a flat. Furthermore, the prior solution is not suitable for use in buildings not provided with a pitch roof.
Object and summary of the invention
Generally, the present invention proposes to overcome one or more of the abovementioned drawbacks of the mentioned prior art, and provide a system for exploiting natural resources for buildings comprising a device for collecting rain water and solar energy that is easy to make and inexpensive, easy to install, advantageous to use also in small buildings or separate flat apartments, particularly for residential use. These objects are attained, according to the invention, by a system for exploiting natural resources for buildings having the characteristics of the attached claims, which form an integral part of the technical teaching provided herein in relation to the invention.
Brief description of the invention
Further objects, characteristics and advantages of the invention shall be clear from the description that follows, provided for exemplifying and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:
- figures 1 and 2 are schematic representations of a particularly advantageous embodiment of a system for exploiting natural resources according to the invention, comprising a collector device, a connection unit and a household appliance;
- figures 3 and 4 are, respectively, a front elevational view and a plan view of the collector device of figures 1 and 2;
- figure 5 is a schematic section according to line V-V of figure 3;
- figure 6 is an exploded view of the collector device of figures 3-5; - figure 7 is a schematic perspective view of the collector device of figures
3-6, without a respective bearing structure;
- figure 8 is a partial perspective view of the rear of a front part of the connection unit of figures 1 and 2;
- figures 9 and 10 are respectively a front elevational view and a perspective view of the part of figure 8;
- figure 11 is a perspective schematic view of a connection part of the household appliance of figure 1 and 2;
- figures 12 and 13 are schematic perspective views of the household appliance and of the connection unit of figures 1 and 2, respectively at a decoupled condition and coupled condition;
- figure 14 is a partial and schematics section of the system according to the abovementioned particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, in the condition of figure 13;
- figure 15 is a detail of figure 14 in enlarged scale; - figures 16 and 17 are schematic representations similar to those of figure
1 and 2, regarding another particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention.
Detailed description of embodiments of the invention
A household room of a general residential building, which includes walls 2a, 2b and a floor 3 is indicated with 1 in figures 1-2. Fixed outside an external side wall 2b of the building, particularly a substantially vertical wall facing south, is a collector device, indicated in its entirety with 50, belonging to a system for exploiting natural resources according to the invention. Furthermore, indicated with 20 in figures 1 and 2 is a connection unit, prearranged to be operatively connected to the collector device 50, and a general household appliance 10, configured for connection with the unit 20. The device 50, which forms the specific object of the present invention, is illustrated, in various views, in figures 3-7. The device 50 has a bearing structure
51, for example made of plastic material, configured to be fixed to the external surface of the wall 2b, through per se known means (not represented). For such purpose, as observable in figure 5, the structure 51 has a rear wall 51a substantially flat and vertical, provided with an opening 51b for the passage of pipes and electric cables.
Associated at the front part of the structure 51 is a photovoltaic solar panel
52. The panel 52 is mounted adjustable on the structure 51, in the direction indicated by arrow A in figure 5, for example through a per se known guides system, not represented, in order to allow adjusting the position of the panel when installing the device 50 depending on the type of solar exposure of the wall 2b. The panel 52, which is substantially quadrangular-shaped generally curved, may be made according to any prior art technology; in an embodiment, for example, the tapping surface of the panel 52 is made of plastic material of the type described in WO 2006/072181 which, exploiting nanotechnology, converts the solar and infrared rays into electricity, advantageously offering the possibility of producing energy even under cloudy weather conditions.
A container or tank for accumulating rain water, generally closed-shaped, indicated in its entirety with 53, for example made of plastic material, is at least partly accommodated inside the structure 51, particularly at the upper part thereof. As observable for example in figures 5-7, the tank 53 has a front wall 53a generally curved, or having a shape similar to that of the panel 52, intended to remain at least partly exposed by the structure 51. Preferably provided for inside tank 53 is a system of partition walls or septa 53b (figure 5), configured to divide the interior of the tank into at least two communicating chambers, one of which is internal and the other peripheral, the latter being delimited at least partly by the abovementioned exposed wall 53a; a passage 53c is provided for in one of the septa 53b which defines the interior chamber at the lower part. Indicated with 54 is an inlet connection of the device 50, intended to be connected to a branch of a drain channel coming from a gutter of the building, such branch being indicated with DC in figure 2. The connection 54 is in fluid communication both with an inlet of the tank, indicated with 53d in figure 5, for filling thereof, and with a bypass pipe, indicated with 55 for example in figures 3, 6 and 7. For such purpose, provided for in the embodiment exemplified in the fϊgures, is a diverter device, indicated with 56 in figures 3, 5, 6 and 7, located at a top region of the tank 53, between the connection 54, the inlet 53d and the pipe 55. The device 56 is substantially made up of a diverter valve, made in a per se known manner, switchable between a first position and a second position wherein, respectively, the rain water coming from the connection 54 is diverted towards the inlet 53d of the tank or into the pipe 55, switching between the first and second position occurring when the water inside the tank 53 reaches a determined level. The diverter device 56 may be of the electric type, for example controlled through a solenoid, in such case provided for inside the tank 53 being a level sensor, or provided for on the inlet 53d of the tank is a volumetric sensor, for example of the impeller type; such sensor means may be of any known type suitable for the purpose. In another possible embodiment, the diverter device 56 is of the mechanical type, for example comprising a diverter flap actuated through a float system mounted inside the tank 53: as long as the content of the tank is below a predetermined level, the flap diverts the flow flowing in from the connection 54 into the tank 53, while upon reaching the abovementioned level, the flap is switched by the raising of the float in the position wherein the flow of water is conveyed into the pipe 55. In a further possible implementation, the system for filling the tank 53 is of the overflow type, i.e. with the connection 54 communicating directly with the interior of the tank 53 and with an overflow wall which defines the maximum filling level of the tank itself: upon reaching such level, water spills from the overflow wall into the pipe 55. It should also be observed that, even in case of presence of the device 56 (whether controlled electrically or through the float) preferably provided for in the tank 53 is an overflow system, not represented, of the per se known type, for example in fluid communication with the pipe 55. The tank 53 also has at least one outlet, indicated schematically with 53e in figure 5, associated to which is an outlet pipe 57. The lower end of the pipe 55 is connected with a second branch of the rain water drainage channel DC (figure 2). In a particularly advantageous embodiment, provided for inside the tank 53, preferably within the outermost chamber thereof, is a sensor for detecting the temperature of the rain water content, of per se known type.
In the embodiment exemplified in the figures, the body of the tank 53 is also configured in such a manner to have an axial central passage, indicated with
53f, defined by a cylindrical part of the body itself, useable for possible evacuation of an aeriform substance form the household environment 1, as described hereinafter.
In a preferred embodiment, provided for the structure 51 of the collector device 50 according to the invention is a second container or tank, indicated in its entirety with 58, for a sewage coming from inside the building; such tank, also generally closed-shaped and made for example of plastic material, is in fluid communication with an evacuation pipe 59, which is substantially parallel to the pipe 55, on the opposite side of the device 50. In the illustrated embodiment, the tank 58 is provided with an overflow passage, in the zone indicated with 58a in figure 7, which puts the interior of the tank itself in communication with the pipe 59, in an intermediate zone of the latter. In a possible alternative embodiment, the tank 58 may be connected at its lowermost point to the pipe 59, for example through an electrically controlled valve. The lower end of the pipe 59 is configured as an outlet connection 60, for connection with a pipe - not represented - in fluid communication with a point for collection the so-called "sewerage"; the upper end of the pipe 59, in this embodiment, may also be closed through a special plug, not represented. The tank 58 has an inlet, indicated with 58b in figure 5, associated to which is a respective filling pipe 61, provided with a curve 61a serving as a siphon, so as to avoid reflux of odours towards the household environment.
In the embodiment exemplified in the figures, operatively interposed between the tanks 53 and 58 is a further controllable bypass device, indicated with 62. The device 62 may for example comprise an electrically controlled valve which, in a respective open condition, puts the tank 53 in communication with the underlying tank 58; for such purpose, the device 62 has an upper inlet 62a (figure 6) in fluid communication with an outlet (not shown) of the tank 53, and an outlet (not shown) in communication with an upper inlet 58c of the tank 58 (figure 6).
Providing the bypass device 62 shall be merely deemed optional, presence thereof being recommended in case of provision of the function of partial or total emptying of the contents of the tank 53 without using the pipe 57.
The body of the tank 58 is configured in such a manner to have an axial central recess, indicated with 58d in figures 3, 6 and 7, defined by a substantially half-cylindrical wall of the body itself, useable for possible evacuation of an aeriform substance from the household environment 1 , as described hereinafter; the recess 58d is axially aligned to the passage 53f of the overlying tank 53.
Still referring to the illustrated non-limiting example, accommodated inside the structure 51 of the device 50 is an electric module 63, comprising at least one storage battery, intended to store the electric power generated through the solar panel 52, to allow deferred use thereof by electric loads present in the household environment 1, as described hereinafter. The abovementioned storage battery is preferably made up - in a known manner - of monoblocs or single elements specifically designed for deep and cyclic charges and discharges.
The electric module 63 may possibly incorporate one from among a charge regulator, intended to stabilise the collected electric power and manage it inside the system, and an inverter, intended to convert the direct voltage coming from the panel 52 (for example 12 or 24 V DC) into a higher alternating voltage (for example 110 or 220 V AC). It should be observed that, should the collector device 50 be intended to provide total or partial power supply to electric loads that may be supplied through direct current, for example 12 or 24 V, the presence of the abovementioned inverter is not required. The abovementioned charge regulator preferably meets at least the following functionalities: - disconnection of the panel 52 from the respective storage battery, in case the voltage generated by the panel is lower than that required by the battery, such as for example after sunset;
- disconnection of the panel 52 from the respective storage battery, once the latter is fully charged; - disconnection of electric loads connected to the storage battery in case of deep discharge of the latter.
The charge regulator, and the possible inverter, may also be accommodated in the connection unit 20, instead of inside the electric module 63 housed in the structure 51. Still with reference to figures 3-7, indicated with 64 is an electrical cable, for transferring the voltage stored in the battery of the module 62 to the connection unit 20, provided for in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention. Indicated with 65 is an electrical cable enclosing the conductors regarding possible electric valves and/or possible sensor means associated to the tanks 53 and/or 58 and/or to the bypass device 62.
Indicated with 66 in figures 4, 6 and 7 is a first tubular body, intended to be embedded in the wall 2b of the building, at the installation zone of the collector device 50, and particularly at the opening 51b of figure 5, through which the pipes
57, 61 and cables 64, 65 may reach into the connection unit 20 (also see figures 14-15). Indicated with 67 is a second tubular body, similar to the body 66, which also puts the interior of the unit 20 in communication with the interior of the structure 51 of the device 50; also the body 67 is intended to be embedded in the wall 2b of the building, particularly at the top of the recess 58d of the tank 58 (see figures 7). As mentioned, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, associated to the collector device 50 is the connection unit 20, which is configured to allow the taking, within the household environment 1, of the resources collected by means of the device 50 (i.e. rain water and electric power), as well as possible drainage of sewage. In the illustrated example (see for example figure 13-15) the unit 20 has a bearing structure 21 prearranged to be mounted at a fixed position of the room, substantially configured as a box intended to be at least partly recessed in the same wall 2b outside which the collector device 50 is installed, and it is provided with an accessible front panel 21a; the structure 21 may be naturally configured to be mounted outside the wall, i.e. without necessarily requiring to be embedded in a wall.
The collector device 50 is operatively connected to the unit 20 through pipes 57, 61 and cables 64, 65. For such purpose, observable in figure 8 is the rear part of the front panel 21a, associated to which is a first compartment or section 21b accommodated in which is a control system of the unit, preferably of the microcontroller type and provided with non-volatile memory means. Such compartment is reached by the cable 64, which carries the energy stored in the battery of the module 63, as well as the cable 65, for the conductors of the sensor means and of the electric means associated to the device 50, as described previously. In the considered example, the control system accommodated in the section 21b includes the abovementioned charge regulator, through which the electric power generated in the device 50 and stored in the respective battery is directed, when required, to a section 21c, provided in which are electric interconnection means, described hereinafter.
In the case represented in the figures, the unit 20 is also connected to a household power supply system, represented by the cable indicated with 68 in figure 8, with the control system of the unit 20 being prearranged to provide the power supply voltage to the electric interconnection means of the section 21c, alternatively to that generated by means of the device 50. Figure 8 still shows how the pipes 57 and 61 coming from the device 50 are connected to a connection section, indicated with 2 Id, connected to section 21c, also provided with fluidic interconnection means, described hereinafter. Also connected to such section are further pipes, indicated with 69 and 70, respectively belonging to a system for supplying clean water and to a sewage or drainage system, both part of the household hydro-sanitary installation. The connections between the collector device 50 and the connection unit
20 are also partly observable in figures 14 and 15, wherein the representation of the electric cables was omitted for the sake of better clarity thereof.
Figures 9 and 10, wherein the front part of the of the panel 21a is observable, show how the section 21c defines an accessible seat, where the abovementioned electric and fiuidic interconnection means are found, particularly for drawing water and electric power provided through the device 50, or provided through the household systems 68 and 69; in an advantageous embodiment the abovementioned interconnection means are used for connecting, in a releasable manner, a household appliance to the source or sources of external resources which may be managed through the unit 20.
The electric interconnection means preferably comprise a quick coupling system of the plug-socket type. Provided for in the illustrated example are two distinct electrical interconnection systems, one of which for supplying power and the other, provided for in an advantageous implementation described hereinafter, for transmitting control signals. The connector system for supplying power has a part 23b, for example a female part, on the panel 21a of the unit 20; in the example the coupling is of the three-pole type (phase, neutral and earth). Also the connector system for transmitting control signals has a part 23b', for example a female part, on the panel 21a of the unit 20; in the example, the coupling is of the multipolar type.
Still referring to figures 9-10, the fiuidic interconnection means comprise a quick coupling system, also provided with a female part 24b on the panel 21a. The part 24b is connected to the section 21d (figure 8) to receive water from the household water supply system 69 or from the pipe 57 coming from the external device 50. Provided for regarding the sewage water are further fiuidic interconnection means, which include a part 25b, for example female, on the panel 21a; the part 25b is connectable, through the section 2 Id, to the sewage pipe 70 of the household hydro-sanitary installation or to the pipe 61 connected to the collector device 50. Figures 9 and 10 still show how, in a preferred embodiment, the unit 20 is provided with user interface means 22, which comprise manual control means, such as keys and/or buttons and/or selectors 22a, and means for displaying information, such as a display 22b, associated to the panel 21a. The abovementioned user interface 22 is configured to allow the management of various functionalities associated to the external device 50, particularly for drawing, through the unit 20, electric power from the battery of the device 50 or from the household supply system 68, for drawing water from the tank 53 of the device 50 or from the household supply system 69, for draining liquids in the tank 58 of the external device 50 or in the household hydro-sanitary installation system 70. The control system of the unit 20 is also configured to allow displaying, on the respective display, information regarding the operation of the device 50 such as, for example, the battery charge level, the respective available voltage, the temperature of the water present in the peripheral chamber of the tank 53, the amount of liquid available in the same (as mentioned, a level sensor and a temperature sensor may be associated to the tank 53), etcetera.
Provided for inside the section 21d (figure 8) are solenoid valves, made in a per se known manner, configured to allow, on one hand, drawing clean water or rain water, through a pipe 69 of the household system or through the pipe 57 connected to the device 50, respectively, and on the other hand drainage of the sewage water in the pipe 61 connected to the device 50 or in the pipe 70 of the household drainage system. For example used for such purpose may be two solenoid valves with two inlets and an outlet; the two inlets of a first valve are openable alternately and in communication one with the pipe 57 and the other with the system 69, while the outlet is in fluid communication with the part 24b of the fluidic interconnection means; also the two inlets of a second valve are openable alternately and in communication one with the pipe 61 and the other with the drainage system 70, while the outlet is in fluid communication with the part 25b of the fluidic interconnection means. The operation of the abovementioned solenoid valves is managed by the control system of the unit 20. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the system for exploiting natural resources subject of the invention comprises one or more dedicated household appliances, i.e. specifically configured to cooperate with the collector device 50, particularly through the connection unit 20. For such purpose, encoded in the control system of the connection unit 20, and specifically in the memory means thereof, may be operating instructions or programs required by one or more of the abovementioned dedicated household appliances, such as for example the one indicated with 10, for executing the respective functions or treatment cycles selectable by a user. For such purpose, the control system of the unit 20 is prearranged to send control signals to said household appliance 10, according to the respective function or program selected by the user, where the entirety of such control signals for example determines the execution of a treatment cycle, in particular by supplying electric loads of the household appliance 10, as well as according to the information possibly obtained through sensor means.
Thus, possibly combined to the system for exploiting natural resources according to the invention may be household appliances having a simplified structure, in that relatively simple and inexpensive electronic control means may be mounted therein, instead accommodating the more complex and expensive components of the electronic control system of the household appliance in the unit 20, to which - as observable hereinafter - the household appliance 10 may be interfaced from time to time for use thereof. In such advantageous application the user interface means 22 of the unit 20 may thus also be used for setting functions and/or treatment cycles executable by the dedicated household appliance or appliances: as observable, in such manner, the abovementioned household appliances may be obtained in a more simplified manner, in that the respective user interface is transferred onto the unit 20.
The household appliance 10 is prearranged to be connected to at least one source of external resource which may be supplied by the unit 20: in the represented example, the household appliance 10 is a laundry washing machine, prearranged to be connected both to a source of power supply, and to a source of water supply, as well as a system for draining or discharging the water used for washing. The practical manufacturing of the machine 10 is independent from the purposes of the present invention, and thus only the connection structure of the machine of particularly advantageous use in combination with the collector device 50 shall be described hereinafter. In the example of figures 12 and 13 , the machine has a bearing structure 11 , comprising a cabinet 12, for example made of metal or plastic sheet. The structure 11 is of the moveable type and it is provided - for such purpose - with wheels 13 or other rolling means, associated to the lower part of the cabinet 12; in order to facilitate the movements of the machine 10, the cabinet 12 is also provided with a front handgrip 12a. Accommodated inside the cabinet 12 is a treatment tub, in turn, accommodated therein being laundry basket, partly observable in figure 14. In the illustrated non- limiting embodiment, the machine 10 is a top loading machine, with the abovementioned basket rotating around a substantially vertical axis: thus, hinged to the cabinet 12 is an upper door or porthole 16, for access to the tub, and thus to the basket. The basket is rotated by means of an electric motor, not represented.
The machine 10 comprises a plurality of electric loads and one or more sensors, inside the cabinet 12, required to execute a treatment cycle. In a possible embodiment, the abovementioned loads preferably comprise, alongside the abovementioned motor, at least one door-lock device actuated electrically, a discharge pump with electric motor, an electric resistor for heating the washing liquid and a washing agent dispenser, while the sensor means preferably comprise at least one sensor for detecting the level of the liquid present in the tub and a liquid temperature sensor and, optionally, a sensor for weighing the contents of the basket and a sensor for detecting the chemical/physical characteristics of the liquid. The abovementioned electric loads and sensor means are not represented in the figures in that conceived according to a per se known manner.
The machine 10 is suitable to operate according to operating instructions; preferably, the machine 10 is suitable to execute at least one treatment cycle, and preferably a plurality of possible laundry treatment cycles, such as for example a cycle for washing coloured clothes, a cycle for washing synthetic clothes, a "strong" cycle for washing resistant and/or very dirty clothes, a rapid cycle for washing slightly dirty clothes and a rinsing cycle for eliminating residual detergent from pre-treated clothes, for example treated by hand. According to per se known art, each function or each cycle executable by the machine is executed according to operating instructions, for example part of a respective program, which may be selected by a user.
As mentioned, in a possible advantageous implementation, encoded in the control system of the connection unit 20 are operating instructions or programs required by the machine 10 to execute its functions or treatment cycles selectable by a user, such activity being manageable through the user interface 22.
Still with reference to an advantageous embodiment, as illustrated in the figures, the machine 10 is provided with interconnection means, particularly of the quick coupling type, intended to be coupled with those provided for at the front part of the structure 21 of the unit 20, within the section 21c (figure 9-10), for connecting the machine 10 in a releasable manner to the source or sources of external resources and/or for putting the control system of the unit 20 in signal communication with that of the machine 10; the machine 10 and the unit 20 may be further provided with mechanical coupling means, configured for mechanically coupling the respective structures 11 and 21 in a separable manner, for example with a button or snap-releasable engagement, of the per se known type.
As observable in figure 11 , in the illustrated example the interconnection means for supplying power to the machine 10 comprise a part 23 a, for example a male part, on the structure 11 of the machine 10, intended to coupled with the part 23b of the unit 20 (figure 9). The interconnection system for transmitting control signals between the unit 20 and the machine 10 has a part 23a', for example a male part, on the structure 11 of the machine 10, intended to be coupled to the part 23b' of the unit 20 (figure 9). The fluidic interconnection means for supplying water comprise a quick coupling system, also including for example a male part 24a on the structure 11 of the machine 10, with the respective female part 24b on the unit 20 (figure 9), operative between the two parts 24a, 24b being seal means, not represented, such as for example one or more elastomer gaskets, of the per se known type; the male part 24a is connected, through a pipe, not shown, to the tub of the machine 10. The machine 10 is suitable to drain water and provided for such purpose is a quick coupling system, which includes a part 25 a, for example male, on the structure 11 of the machine 10, intended to be coupled to the part 25b of the unit 20 (figure 9), also operative between the two parts 25a, 25b being seal means, of per se known type, not represented, such as for example one or more elastomer gaskets; part 25a is connected - through the drainage pipe of the machine 10, indicated with 18 in figures 14 and 15, and the discharge pipe of the machine (not represented) - to the lower part of the tub of the machine itself.
Preferably, the interconnection means 23a-23b, 23a'-23b', 24a-24b and 25a-25b are prearranged to be mutually coupled substantially simultaneously, when the machine 10 is coupled to the unit 20, for example as observable in figures 13- 15. In the illustrated example, the machine 10 and the unit 20 thus substantially comprise a respective multifunction connector device, the one of the machine 10 being indicated in its entirety with 27a in figures 11 and 15, and that of the unit 20 being substantially represented by the accessible front part of the section 21c (figure 9, 10 and 15). Obviously, the geometric configuration of the abovementioned connector devices 27a, 21c could be modified with respect to the outlined illustration, and also possibly include respective parts of means for mechanically coupling the structure 11 of the machine to the structure 21 of the unit 20.
The connection unit 20 may include, as mentioned, actuator means, and possibly sensor means, that the control system of the unit itself controls or uses for executing a function or an operating cycle executable by the machine 10. For such purpose, the control system may be prearranged for controlling, for example, the valves of the section 2 Id, when water is required to be filled into the tub of the machine 10 (from the household system 69 or from the collector device 50) or drain liquid from the room 1 (to the household system 70 or to the collector device 50).
The operation of the collector device 50, which as mentioned represents the specific object of the invention, is very simple. The device 50 is installed on an external wall 2b of the building, preferably facing south. Under normal use, the photovoltaic elements of the panel 52 provide for tapping solar energy and converting it into electric power, which is stored in the battery of the module 63. The photovoltaic generator is managed through methods per se known in the filed, for example through the previously mentioned charge regulator, located in the module 63 or in the unit 20. The rain water is accumulated in the tank 53 in case of rain. In such condition, part of the rain water is directed from the roof of the building to a respective collection gutter, per se known, before dropping along the channel DC (figure 2), and thus either reaching the tank 53 or the pipe 55, as used previously, depending on the operative status of the diverter device 56 and the filling level of the tank 53 (as explained, with the diverter device 56 being controlled electrically, the tank 53 is also provided with a level sensor). At least part of the tank 53 is exposed outside the bearing structure 51 of the device 50, in the front part of the latter: in particular, the front wall 53a of the tank is exposed to the sun, and in this manner the contents of the tank 53, and specifically the rain water contained in the peripheral or external chamber, may be partly heated by means of the sun, depending on the weather conditions. The temperature of such water may be detected, as mentioned, by means of a sensor.
The use of the electric power obtained through the collector device 50 is managed, as mentioned, by the unit 20, positioned within the household environment 1 on the display 22b of the unit various operative parameters - such as the charge level of the battery, the connection/disconnection status between the panel 52 and battery in case the voltage is lower than that required, the filling level of the tank 53 and/or 58, the temperature of the water present in the tank 53, etcetera - may be identified. Water drawing and drainage operations are also managed through the system for controlling the unit 20, by means of the valves of the section 2 Id.
The electric power released by the battery of the collector device 50 may be used for various purposes. Though the attached figures show a particular configuration of the electric interconnection means, which is functional to the embodiment wherein a household appliance is intended to be coupled to the unit 20, it shall be observed that such means may also be obtained differently. Strictly for exemplification purposes, part 23b may be configured as a common standard current socket, and be used for supplying, for example, a common battery charger of a small household appliance or of a telephone, or for supplying a household appliance different from the one indicated with 10, for example a common vacuum cleaner.
The connection 24b, with a different configuration with respect to the one exemplified, may be used for drawing the rain water, whether cold or partly heated through solar radiation, for various uses; for example for washing the floor, watering flowers and plants, etcetera; in this case, the unit 20 may be provided with a pipe or accessory connection, to be coupled to the part 24b, configured to facilitate drawing water. Obviously, analogous considerations shall be taken into account regarding draining sewage from the environment, in case one does not want to use the sink or another collection point inside the household environment, for example for draining the water used for household cleaning; the connection 25b may be used for such purpose ; also in this case the unit 20 may be provided with a pipe or accessory connection, to be coupled when required to the part 25b, configured to facilitate draining water. As already mentioned, the system is however preferably configured in such a manner that, should the battery not have enough energy or the tank 53 be empty, the respective drawing occurs through the household systems 68 and 69, respectively.
These operations of drawing electric current or water, as well as draining liquids, may be selected and controlled through the user interface 22, by means of the control system prearranged for such purpose, which shall suitably control the abovementioned charge regulator and the system of solenoid valves associated to the tank 53. For such purpose, the user shall switch the unit 20 ON, through a special button, indicated with 22c in figures 9 and 10, displaying the various operating parameters and possible functions on the display 22b and with the possibility to select through the manual control means represented by the buttons 22a.
Preferably, the system for controlling the unit 20 is supplied through the household power supply system 68, so as to always ensure operation thereof, regardless of the charge status of the battery of the device 50.
On the other hand, regarding the use of the collector device 50 combined with the dedicated household appliance 10, operation may be as follows.
When not being used, the machine 10 may be kept away in a utility room by the user, such as a store room. When required for washing, the user moves the machine from the abovementioned utility room to the room 1 , wherein the unit 20 is installed. The machine 10 is thus moved against the wall 2b provided with the unit 20 and the two components of the system are coupled to each other, by simply pushing the machine 10 towards the unit 20. As mentioned, such operation also allows simultaneous coupling of the respective parts of the interconnection means 23a-23b, 23a'-23b', 24a-24b and 25a-25b, such parts being positioned and configured geometrically for such purpose. Such condition is illustrated in figures 13-15. Upon obtaining such coupling, and after adding the detergent into the respective dispenser according to the required dose, the user may switch the unit 20 ON through the button 22c, select a desired function or a desired program for the machine 10 and start the execution of such function or program. The selection and start operations are executed through the user interface 22, in a per se known manner, with display of the possible functions or programs and associated options on the display 22b and selection through manual control means represented by the buttons 22a.
Upon starting the program, the control system of the unit 20 controls both the power actuators present in the same unit (section 21c), the control system of the machine 10, which in turn controls the power actuators. Execution of the washing cycle occurs according to per se known methods.
Strictly for exemplification purposes, the control system of the unit 20 may preliminarily verify the charge status of the battery of the collector device 50, the filling level of the tank 53 and the temperature of the liquid present in such tank. The control system of the unit 20 controls the control system of the machine so that the latter determines the actuation of the door-lock device; subsequently, the control system of the unit 20 commands the opening of the solenoid valve for filling water from the pipe 57 of the device 50 or from the household system 69. Selection of the source of water supply may for example be operated automatically by the control system, depending on the amount of water available in the tank 53 and/or the temperature thereof, as well as depending on the washing step to be executed (for example, rain water may be used for a step of prewashing very dirty clothes or complete washing of dust-cloths). Clearly, analogous considerations shall be taken into account regarding sources of power supply, between the system 68 and the battery of the device 50, which the control system of the unit 20 shall select both depending on the type of electric load of the machine to be actuated (for example the motor), and depending on the level of electric power available in said battery. While water is filled into the tub, the control system of the unit 20 controls, through the control system of the machine 10, the power supply to the motor, to actuate the basket, according to the methods provided for by the program (speed of rotation, alternating rotation and pause phases, inversion of the direction of rotation, etcetera). Once water has been filled to the desired amount, as detected by the level sensor inside the machine 10 or by the volumetric measuring device inside the unit 20, the control system of the unit 20 causes the closure of the filling solenoid valve and controls, still through the control system of the machine 10, the supply of power to the resistor for heating the machine itself and the actuation of the dispenser device, to dispense the detergent. Should the charge level of the battery not be sufficient to guarantee the actuation of the electric loads for the required period of time, the control system of the unit 20 may switch the drawing of electric voltage from the battery of the device 50 to the electric power supply system 68.
Upon reaching the water temperature set by the program, detected by the control system of the unit 20 through the temperature sensor inside the machine
10, power supply to the abovementioned resistor is cut off. At the end of the treatment cycle step, power supply to the motor is disabled and the control system of the unit 20 enables, still through the control system of the machine, power supply to the discharge pump, in such a manner that the used washing liquid is evacuated - through the pipe 61, in the tank 58 of the device 50 or in the household drainage system 70; also the selection of the drainage path may be executed by the control system of the unit 20, or set initially by the user. The cycle continues with a subsequent step, according to methods similar to the previous ones. Once through with the treatment cycle, the unit 20 may be switched OFF and the machine 10 disconnected from the system itself. As mentioned, for such purpose it is sufficient to exert tractions on the machine 10, for example through the handgrip 12a, moving it away from the unit 20. After unloading the clothes, the machine 10 may thus be moved again to the utility room or, more generally, wherever the user desires to position it. The system according to the present invention may possibly comprise several dedicated household appliances, of different type or use with respect to each other, but made according to the principles described previously, and where each of such household appliances is selectively couplable for use thereof to the connection unit 20. For example, the system may comprise a laundry washing machine, like the one indicated with 10 and a dishwasher, which shall be provided with a respective mechanical/electric/fluidic connection system, located with respect to the bearing structure of the dishwasher at a position geometrically suitable for coupling with the unit 20, according to methods exemplified previously with reference to the machine 10. In this manner, as observable, it is possible to obtain simplification of the household plants, and in particular the hydro-sanitary installation, given that only one point intended for connecting the dedicated household appliances, i.e. the unit 20, shall be required. In this embodiment, the control system of the unit 20 is conveniently prearranged to include in its memory means the operating instructions or programs required to execute the functions or treatment cycles executable by each dedicated household appliance. In other words, at least a substantial part of the control logic of a plurality of different household appliances is incorporated in the same control device, represented by the unit 20. Furthermore, very advantageously, various types of household appliances, couplable from time to time to the unit 20, may be controlled through one user interface, such as the one indicated with 22. Obviously, the electric loads inside the dishwasher shall be different from those of the laundry washing machine (for example, the motor which drives the basket shall be replaced by a washing pump). The electric interconnection means and the control system shall still be prearranged, through methods clear to a man skilled in the art, to allow the unit 20 to control the operation of the various household appliances of the system.
In order to manage the operation of different household appliances, the control system of the unit 20 must establish the identity, i.e. the type, of the dedicated household appliance currently coupled to the unit 20. In a possible embodiment, it is the same user who feeds such information to the control system of the unit 20, through the user interface 22, for example through a selector; in another example, by starting the unit 20, the control system commands the display, on the display 22b, of a list of possible connectable household appliances, with the user being required to indicate the household appliance of interest; after such selection, the control system shall command the representation, on the display 22b, of the list of functions or programs available for the selected household appliance, with the possible selectable associated options (e.g. maximum temperature, exclusion, centrifuge, etcetera). In another embodiment, each dedicated household appliance is provided with identification means and the control system of the unit 20 is configured to cooperate or interact with the abovementioned identification means, so as to independently establish the identity of the household appliance currently coupled to the unit 20. Also the practical implementation of the means that allow the control system of the unit 20 to identify the type of household appliance may be of any known type. In a possible embodiment, the control system of the unit 20 and the dedicated household appliances are configured for such purpose; for example, after switching the unit 20 ON, the system for controlling the unit 20 interrogates - through the signal connection 23a'-23b' - the control system of the household appliance, wherein the respective identity information shall be contained, or it is the same control system of the household appliance that cyclically declares its identity to the control system of the unit 20, following supply of electrical power.
A preferred embodiment of the invention has been described previously with reference to a system that includes two washing machines, and in particular a laundry washing machine and a dishwasher, but the concepts of the invention may obviously be extended to other household appliances. For example, another household appliance of the system subject of the invention may be a laundry dryer, for example of the "expulsion" type. Provided for in this case is a tubular body 67 (figure 3-4 and 6-7), which allows discharging moist air within the structure 51 of the collector device 50, i.e. outside the room 1, and from the structure 51, through the pipes 53f and/or 58d (see for example figure 3 or 7) into the environment outside the building. Hence, the unit 20 and the dryer shall be provided with fluidic interconnection means for discharging aeriform substances from the machine. A further household appliance to which the invention may be applied, substantially with the same criteria just described above regarding the dryer, is an air conditioner or dehumidifϊer with discharge of air. Obviously, in these two latter cases, the household appliance side shall not strictly require providing interconnection means 24a-24b and 25a-25b, or the fittings 24a and 25 a shall still be provided for, but occluded or plugged. It is clear that, according to the same concepts outlined above, the system could be prearranged to allow connection to the unit 20 of a household oven. In such case, alongside an interconnection system suitably insulated for discharging an aeriform substance (i.e. cooking fumes), the unit 20 could provide for a separable interconnection system to a gas supply system.
In the previously described non-limiting example, the unit 20 is provided with one bearing structure 21, where the interior of such structure is preferably provided with separate sections or compartments, for example through internal containers and/or suitable walls and/or seal means, with independent components for the electronic control system and its connections to the power supply or to the battery of the device 50 accommodated in a section (such as the container 21c of figure 8) suitably insulated with respect to the section or sections where the connections between fluidic interconnection means of the unit 20 and the systems 69, 70 and the pipes 57, 61 (such as the container 21d of figure 8) are found. In a possible variant, the unit 20 may comprise several modules distinct and insulated with respect to each other, for example configured as built-in or wall fixed boxes separated from each other, with a module intended to hold/support components of the control system, interface means, electric interconnection means and for connection to the power supply or to the battery, and at least another module intended to accommodate the connections to the fluidic systems, with the respective interconnection means, and the possible actuators and sensors associated. The electric interconnection means provided for between the unit 20 and the apparatus connectable thereto, with the aim of supplying electrical power to the latter, could possibly comprise a pinless power coupling system, particularly based on the transmission of power by induction, for example according to the technique described in WO 2008/093334 and/or WO 2008/114268. In a possible variant, the user interface 22, or the control 22a and display 22b means, are incorporated in a single display means of the touch-screen type. Alternatively or combined with the user interface 22, the control system of the unit 20 may also comprise a remote control system.
It should also be pointed out that, according to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the previously described collector device 50 is structured to form a module combinable with one or more further devices 50. An example of implementation of this type is schematically illustrated in figures 16 and 17, wherein the household environment 1 is served by a plurality of devices 50 interconnected to each other. In the example, associated to a household environment of a building floor (the one provided with the floor indicated with 3) are three collector devices 50.
For example referring to figure 3, the composition of the modular devices 50 is executed by fitting the lower end of the pipe 55 of the device 50 above the connection 54 of the underlying device 50, and fitting the connection 60 of the upper device 50 on the upper end of the pipe 59 of the underlying device 50, and so on and so forth for possible further devices 50 (thus with a series connection of pipes 55, 59). The pipe for draining sewage 61 shall be connected to the tank 58 of the last device 50 of the series, while the tanks 53 of the various devices 50 may be provided with respective pipes 57, converging towards one sleeve inside the unit 20, connected to the section 21d (figure 8), and thus with a substantially parallel connection. The total volume of rain water drawable through the unit 20 shall obviously be given by the sum of the contents of the various tanks 53. A respective solenoid valve may also be associated to the pipe 57 of each device 50, for example upstream of the section 2 Id, in such a manner to allow selectively controlling the emptying of each tank 53.
The pipe 57 of a device 50 found above the one installed at the level of the unit 20 may be passed through the passages 53f and/or 58d (figure 3 or 7); same case applies to electric cables 64 and 65: therefore, referring to the example illustrated in figures 16-17, pipes and cables of the first device 50 from above may pass through the passage 58d of the same device, pass through the passages 53f and 58d of the second device 50, i.e. the one at the intermediate position, and lastly pass through the passage 53f of the third device, at the level of the unit 20, before reaching inside the unit 20 through the tubular body 66; obviously, in such case, the first and the second device 50 do not require respective tubular bodies 66 and 67. It is clear that, in another possible embodiment, the devices 50 may be confϊgured with the aim of providing a series connection of the tanks 53, according to methods clear to a man skilled in the art.
The presence of the tank 58 inside the device 50 shall be deemed optional, given that pipe 61 could be directly connected to pipe 59. For such purpose, it should be observed that, in a possible variant, also the tank 58 could be provided with a further outlet controllable, for example through a solenoid valve, to allow conveying the respective content into drawing point accessible by a user. Such variant may be useful in case one also wants to make the water discharged through the device 50 and the unit 20 available for use (for example, the water used for rinsing - for example last rinse - by a laundry washing machine may be used for washing dust-cloths by hand, or for washing floors, etcetera).
Characteristics and advantages of the present invention, including the device being easy and inexpensive to manufacture, as well as the installation versatility of the same among others, are clear from the outlined description. The device 50 provided for according to the invention allows:
- storing rain water collected from the roof of the building, through connection to a common drainage channel of a gutter;
- possibly storing sewage, intended to be conveyed to a sewage drainage system, or household hydro-sanitary installations drainage systems, or different collection points;
- support a photovoltaic panel, suitable to convert solar energy into electric power and store it in a battery;
- support one or more electric power batteries, in such a manner to release such power, managed by the connection unit 20, upon request for various possible uses;
- heat - through solar Energye- by means of suitable geometry of the tank 53, partial amount of the load of rain water collected;
- interfacing, through pipes passing in the installation wall, with a point for collecting stored water and electric resources - such as the unit 20 - and or draining waste waters and/or aeriform substances, with the possibility of also connecting to household systems;
- providing a modular element for substantially vertical compositions, staggered for various floors of the building;
- serving architectonic furnishing functions in the building itself. Strictly for indicative purposes, the collector device 50 - particularly in case of the modular type of manufacture - may have overall dimensions measuring about 1 m x Im x 40 cm (height x width x depth), with the tank 53 having a capacity of about 100 litres.

Claims

1. System for exploiting natural resources for a building (1), comprising a collector device (50) having a bearing structure (51), configured for being installed on the outside of the building (1) and having associated thereto at least one solar panel (52) and an accumulation container (53) for accumulating rain-water, characterized in that
- the bearing structure (51) is configured for installation thereof on an external side wall (2b) of the building (1);
- the collector device (50) has a first inlet (54) for connection to a first branch of a drain channel (DC) of a gutter of the building (1); and
- the accumulation container (53) has a respective inlet (53 d), that is in fluid communication with said first inlet (54), and at least one respective outlet (53c), adapted to be connected to a supply conduit (57) for supplying rain-water to the inside of the building (1).
2. System according to claim 1, wherein the collector device (50) has at least one outlet (55), that is in fluid communication with at least one of said first inlet (54) and accumulation container (53), adapted for the connection to at least one of a second branch of a drain channel (DC) of said gutter and one said first inlet (54) of a further said collector device (50).
3. System according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the accumulation container
(53) has a body including a wall (53a) that is at least partially exposed outside the bearing structure (51) and adapted to be heated by solar radiation.
4. System according to claim 2, wherein the collector device (50) has at least one second outlet (60) in fluid communication with an evacuation conduit (61) for draining sewage from the inside of the building (1), the second outlet (60) being configured for connection to at least one of a sewage drain channel and a second inlet for sewage (59) of a further said collector device (50).
5. System according to claim 4, wherein a further accumulation container (58) is also associated to the bearing structure (51), for accumulating sewage, the further accumulation container (58) being operatively connected between said evacuation conduit (61) and said second outlet (60).
6. System according to claim 1, also comprising an electric module (63), being preferably housed within the bearing structure (51) of the collector device (50), including at least a battery for accumulating electric energy generated by means of said solar panel (52), the electric module (63) being connected to at least one supply cable (64) for supplying electric energy to the building (1).
7. System according to claim 1, also comprising a connection unit (20) having a fixed bearing structure (21), configured for being installed in a room of the building (1) and for being operatively connected to said collector device (50), the connection unit (20) being prearranged for allowing withdrawal, from the inside of said room of the building (1), of electric energy generated by means of said solar panel (52) and of rain-water collected within said accumulation container (53).
8. System according to claims 4 and 7, wherein the connection unit (20) is also configured for allowing draining, from the inside of said room of the building
(1), of sewage towards said second outlet (60) of the collector device (50).
9. System according to claim 7 and/or 8, wherein the connection unit (20) has a respective control system configured for managing delivery of electric energy generated by means of said solar panel (52) and of rain-water collected within said accumulation container (53), said control system including in particular at least one user interface (22) comprising at least one of selection means (22a) and display means (22b).
10. System according to at least one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the connection unit (20) is also configured for connection to at least one of an electric mains network of the building (68), a network for supplying clean water (69) belonging to a hydro-sanitary installation of the building, a network for draining sewage (70) belonging to a hydro-sanitary installation of the building, where in particular the connection unit (20) includes means (2Id) for controlling withdrawal of electric energy and/or withdrawal of water and/or drain of sewage alternatively from/to said collector device (50) or from/to a respective one said network (68,
69, 70).
11. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of actuator means, such as an electrically controlled valve, and sensor means, such as a level sensor and/or a temperature sensor, are associated to the accumulation container (53).
12. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the solar panel (52) is mounted on the bearing structure (51) of the collector device (50) such that position thereof can be adjusted.
13. System according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the collector device (50) has a substantially modular configuration, such that a plurality of collector devices (50) can be coupled to each other.
14. System according to claim 1, also comprising at least one household appliance (10) configured for being supplied with rain-water collected within said accumulation container (53) and/or with electric energy generated by means of said solar panel (52), the household appliance (10) being coupleable, for the purpose of operation thereof, to said collector device (50) by means of electric and fluidic interconnection means (23a-23b, 23a'-23b', 24a-24b, 25a-25b).
15. System according to claims 7 and 14, wherein the household appliance (10) is coupleable to the collector device (50) through said connection unit (20), where in particular the connection unit (20) comprises means (22) for setting operation of the household appliance (10) and the electric and fluidic interconnection means comprise:
- interconnection means for an electric supply line (23a-23b), comprising preferably quick coupling plug and socket type means arranged between the structures (11, 21) of said appliance (10) and said connection unit (20);
- fluidic interconnection means (24a-24b, 25a-25b), comprising preferably quick joint means arranged between the structures (11, 21) of said appliance (10) and said connection unit (20), and optionally;
- interconnection means for a signal communication line (23a'-23b'), comprising preferably quick coupling plug and socket type means arranged between the structures (11, 21) of said appliance (10) and said connection unit (20).
EP09805951A 2009-02-04 2009-12-29 System for exploiting natural resources for buildings Withdrawn EP2394003A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTO2009A000068A IT1392969B1 (en) 2009-02-04 2009-02-04 SYSTEM FOR THE EXPLOITATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR BUILDINGS
PCT/IB2009/055984 WO2010089636A1 (en) 2009-02-04 2009-12-29 System for exploiting natural resources for buildings

Publications (1)

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EP2394003A1 true EP2394003A1 (en) 2011-12-14

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EP09805951A Withdrawn EP2394003A1 (en) 2009-02-04 2009-12-29 System for exploiting natural resources for buildings

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EP (1) EP2394003A1 (en)
IT (1) IT1392969B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2010089636A1 (en)

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WO2012146760A1 (en) * 2011-04-29 2012-11-01 Enspire Renewable Technologies Limited A rain harvesting apparatus
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CN110331758A (en) * 2019-05-27 2019-10-15 贵州乌江水电开发有限责任公司沙沱发电厂 A kind of wall-mounted collecting apparatus for leakage water

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WO2004065701A1 (en) * 2003-01-23 2004-08-05 Nicholas John Trincas Rainwater filtration and collection system
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Publication number Publication date
ITTO20090068A1 (en) 2010-08-05
IT1392969B1 (en) 2012-04-02
WO2010089636A1 (en) 2010-08-12

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