EP2603643A1

EP2603643A1 - Ecoshower

Info

Publication number: EP2603643A1
Application number: EP11729304.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Vigneron; Jean-François MOUGET
Original assignee: DBJ Immo
Current assignee: DBJ Immo
Priority date: 2010-08-10
Filing date: 2011-07-01
Publication date: 2013-06-19
Also published as: WO2012019825A1; CA2806803A1; US20130205493A1

Abstract

Device for recirculating shower water: a mixing device is connected directly to the hot and cold water inlets, the cold water inlet is connected to a recirculation system; a pump is actuated while the cold water inlet is cut off. In such a device, the hot water flow rate is kept by the mixing device just high enough to compensate for the thermal losses of the water circulating through the system. Water losses are thus minimized to the strict requirement. Advantage: partial continual renewal of the shower water, unlike systems involving full recirculation.

Description

ECODOUCHE

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a water recirculation device for shower installation.

State of the art

For ecological reasons, it is increasingly necessary to reduce energy consumption both in terms of water in general, and drinking water in particular.

In this regard, the document FR2827147 describes a shower device for recirculating water from a shower device. This system comprises several mixers and a solenoid valve controlled by a desk. This system is complex and allows only a purely closed circuit operation.

WO2008 / 031139 describes a basic structure for a shower, this shower having a water recirculation circuit. This base comprises a substantially planar bottom and a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a first outlet for passing water to be used by the recirculation circuit, and a second outlet for passing the water to be discharged. In operation, when the passage of water to the drain is obstructed, the water coming into contact with the bottom flows into the tank where it accumulates to a sufficient height so as to substantially cover the first outlet .

Furthermore, WO / 2004/101902 discloses a water recycling system used in a shower installation comprising a switching device for moving from the state of water recycling to a state of no recycling to which water is drained from the installation through a drain for disposal. The switching device operates in the non-recycle state to allow water flowing to the drain to be disposed of, and in the recycle state to divert the water flows to the drain for discharge through an unloading port and decreases or stops the flow of water to the unloading port from the water supply.

However, these devices have the disadvantage of not allowing a partial and continuous renewal of the water.

Aims of the invention

The present invention aims to provide a recirculating water system for relaxing shower does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

In particular, the present invention aims to simplify existing devices, and to provide an operating mode for, during recirculation, a temperature control.

The advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly in the light of the description of the invention hereinafter.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a water recirculation device of a shower system comprising the following elements:

- a connection allowing the arrival of cold water;

a connection allowing the arrival of hot water; a 3-way valve whose inlet is connected to the cold water inlet, said 3-way valve for selecting a first outlet or a second outlet;

- A mixing device comprising a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet being connected to the hot water inlet and the second inlet to the first outlet of the 3-way valve;

- Spray means of the mixed water connected to the outlet of the mixing device;

a projected water collection tank, including an evacuation overflow and a recovery line;

pump means whose input is connected to the recovery line and the outlet is connected through a non-return device to the second inlet of the mixer device in parallel with the first outlet of the 3-way valve,

said pumping means being controlled by means of a pressure switch connected to the second output of the 3-way valve.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention, the recirculation device comprises at least one, or any suitable combination, of the following characteristics:

the device further comprises a micro ^¬ leak in the hydraulic circuit of the pressure switch, for reducing the pressure in this circuit, - the device further comprises a filtering device on the one of the water recirculation circuit,

the filtration device comprises a support and a consumable filter of the planar type, preferably the consumable filter being made of paper, fabrics or a polymer membrane having a controlled porosity,

the device further comprises a second pressure switch connected to the output of the pumping means, allowing the pump to stop when the mixer device is closed,

the mixing device is of the thermostatic type,

- The device comprises only a single mixer device,

the three-way valve is a direction reverser,

the inverter is controlled by a level gauge placed in the recovery tank.

The present invention also relates to a shower system comprising the device according to the invention. Brief description of the figures

Figure 1 shows schematically an example of a device according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates to a shower device for saving water and energy by recirculating part of the shower water. After a transient use during which the shower is operating in a conventional manner, a pump 8 is operated to recirculate the shower water. This initial transitional period allows to wash or relax and fill a transient tank 16, while the subsequent circulation allows a relaxing shower without to increase the consumption of hot water exaggerated.

The basic principle of the invention is to connect a mixing device 3, preferably thermostatic, directly on the inflow of hot water 15 and cold water 1. In parallel with the hydraulic circuit of the distribution network d 1, the cold water inlet of the mixing device 3 is also connected to a recirculation system, pumping the water falling into a recovery tank 16 by means of a pump 8. In use in recirculation, the pump 8 is actuated, while the inlet of cold water 1 is cut off.

In such a device, the flow of hot water is maintained by the mixing device just enough to compensate for thermal losses of water flowing in the system. It minimizes the loss of water to the bare necessities. This extra hot water has the further advantage of having a partial partial renewal of the shower water, unlike total recirculation systems.

Preferably the recirculation circuit includes a non-return valve type device 6, so as to prevent any leakage by this circuit during the initial transient phase, or in general, when using according to the conventional mode. (without recirculation).

Preferably, the invention comprises means allowing, in use, to switch from conventional operation (without recirculation) to a recirculation operation. In particular, these means will simultaneously cut the cold water inlet and control the start of the pump 8. Preferably, these means will comprise a three-way valve 2, connecting the cold water network directly to the cold inlet of the mixing device (position 2a), ie the cold water network on a hydraulic control circuit (position 2b). The hydraulic control circuit then comprises a pressure switch 5 controlling the power supply of the pumping device 8.

[0019] Advantageously, the three-way valve 2 is of the inverter type, allowing two stable positions (2a, 2b).

The hydraulic control circuit preferably comprises a micro-leakage 14 to reduce the pressure quickly when the device is stopped (or when returning to the conventional mode). The output of this micro-leak 14 will preferably be connected to the recirculation circuit, by means of a connection 11 upstream of the pump 8.

Advantageously, the pressure switch 5 will supply a voltage converter (transformer) only when the pressure on the control circuit will be greater than a predetermined threshold. This voltage converter will then supply the pump 8 at low voltage, so as to reduce the risk of electrocution.

In the case of a shower device, the outlet of the mixing device is connected to a dispersion device 4 of the shower head type or spray boom.

The tank 16 will generally be simply a "tub" or shower tray which will have closed the discharge by means of an overflow pipe 13. The closure means will be for example a pipe of 5 cm of height equipped with a conical seal at its base, placed in the strainer of the container (bath or shower tray).

Optionally, the bottom of the tank may be covered with a grating or other device to elevate the feet of the user, without reducing the flow of water. Alternatively, during the installation or renovation of a shower tray an overflow strainer is placed more or less 10 cm high on one of the walls of the container and connected to the siphon. A suction orifice (small strainer) will advantageously be placed on the sidewall, near the bottom of the tank and connected to the suction of the pump 12V for pumping in closed circuit. This arrangement on the side of the tank makes it possible to avoid recirculating the heavier particles that sediment in the bottom of the tank. This makes it possible, if necessary, to reduce the clogging of the filter, and / or to reduce the wear of the pump by abrasive particles such as sand. A device will also empty the tank after recirculation for reasons of hygiene.

Under the level of overflow, a pipe 12 connected to the inlet of the pump allows the pumping of the recirculated water.

[0027] Preferably, the reciter circuit will include a filter device 10. Preferably, this device 10 will be disposed between the water collection 12 and the pump 8. Advantageously, this filtering device will include a disposable filter , filter paper type or microporous membrane and a "grid" type support.

Advantageously, a second pressure switch 9 will regulate the output pressure of the pump 8. In particular, this pressure switch will cut off the supply of the pump 8 during a momentary shutdown by closing the mixing device 3. This stop will be induced by a rise in pressure in the line during the momentary closing of the mixer.

The device of the invention allows significant water savings. Indeed, tests have shown that the consumption of a shower in conventional mode is about 11 liters per minute while in recirculation mode according to the invention, the same shower had a consumption of 0.7 liters per minute. These figures are illustrative, and of course depend on the parameters of the installation, such as hot and cold water temperatures. In addition, only 0.71 / min of hot water is used, the hot water being mixed with recirculated warm water (about 36 ° C against 10 ° C typically for the supply of cold water), which represents a substantial energy gain.

With a minimum footprint, the device of the invention is adaptable to existing equipment of the shower or bath without transformation.

Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention

According to a preferred form of the invention, is used for the control of the recirculation circuit, the hydraulic pressure (F, 1 cold water) of the distribution network, whether the drinking water distribution network or a hydrophobic group or any other hydraulic network with a minimum pressure of 0.5 bar.

Preferably, a direction reverser (three-way valve (in position 2b) cuts the main cold water inlet to the mixer 3 and sends it to a pressure switch 5 which actuates a relay allowing the passage of the power supply from a 12V transformer to a 12V 8 pump.

The hydraulic control 7 of the pressure switch is connected to the suction 12 of the pump via a connection 11 through a micro-leak in line 14. This micro-leakage 14 allows to release the pressure of the pressure switch to the pressure switch. when changing the position of the inverter (three-way valve 2 to position 2a) to return to the conventional operating mode (placing the arrival of the cold water supply circuit 1 directly to the inlet cold water mixer). In this position a check valve 6 in line prevents the pressure from arriving in the pump 8 and maintains the pressure in the conventional line.

The pumping water supply is a bathtub or a shower tray in which a minimum of water height is maintained, so that the suction pipe is immersed. The amount of water in this tank is limited to avoid having to consume too much water at operating temperature (36 °) in the initial transient phase.

A filter 10 filters the particles sucked by means of the pipe 12 by the pump 8 in a closed circuit. The filter consists of a stainless steel grid supporting a paper filter for optimum retention of particles. This paper filter is a recyclable consumable, for reasons of hygiene and ease, and the filter (grid) stainless steel is cleaned manually under a tap. The filtration area is 36 cm ² and the paper filter functions effectively before saturation for a period of at least 90 minutes with soap-free water and at least 60 minutes for a complete shower with soap.

When using a closed circuit there is a pressure switch 9 which cuts the 12V supply of the pump 8 at the time of cutting the water supply of the mixer to stop shower momentarily.

Preferably, the overflow 13 is a tube about 5 cm in height with conical rubber seal at its base and placed in the original exhaust strainer.

In a particular example, for a conventional shower of 10 minutes, a conventional shower will represent a consumption of 110 1, including about 55 1 of hot water. According to the invention, a shower of the same duration will for example include 1 minute in conventional mode (11 1, or 5.5 liters of water hot water and 5.5 liters of cold water) to fill the tank (until immersion of the suction pipe), 8 minutes in recirculation mode, ie 0.7 * 8 = 5.6 liters of hot water, followed by a rinse of 1 min in the conventional mode, or 11 1 of water. In total, according to this example, the invention has made it possible to reduce the consumption to 11 liters of cold water and 16.6 liters of hot water, a gain of 44 liters of cold water and of 38.4 liters of water. hot water, which represents a substantial gain.

Claims

1. Water recirculation device of a shower system comprising the following elements:

- a connection allowing the arrival of cold water (1);

a connection allowing the arrival of hot water (15);

a 3-way valve (2) whose input is connected to the cold water inlet (1), said valve

3 channels for selecting a first output (2a) or a second output (2b);

a mixing device (3) comprising a first inlet and a second inlet, the first inlet being connected to the hot water inlet (15) and the second inlet to the first outlet (2a) of the 3-way valve;

means for projecting the mixed water (4) connected to the outlet of the mixing device (3); - a projected water recovery tank

(16) comprising an exhaust overflow (13) and a recovery line (12);

pumping means (8) whose input is connected to the recovery line (12) and the output is connected through an anti ^¬ return device (6) to the second input of the mixer device (3) in parallel with the first output (2a) of the 3-way valve,

said pumping means (8) being controlled by means of a pressure switch (5) connected to the second output (2b) of the 3-way valve.

2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising a micro-leak (14) on the circuit hydraulic pressure switch (5), to reduce the pressure on this circuit.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a filter device (10) on the water recirculation circuit.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the filtering device (10) comprises a support and a consumable filter plane type.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the consumable filter is made of paper, fabric or a polymer membrane having a controlled porosity.

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second pressure switch (9) connected to the output of the pumping means (8), for stopping the pump (8) during closure of the mixing device .

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mixing device (3) is of the thermostatic type.

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising only a single mixing device (3).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the three-way valve (2) is a direction reverser.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the inverter is controlled by a level gauge placed in the recovery tank (17).

11. Shower system comprising the device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.