EP2818598B1

EP2818598B1 - Comfort shower

Info

Publication number: EP2818598B1
Application number: EP13174038.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: René Henri Betgem
Original assignee: Betgem Holding BV
Current assignee: Betgem Holding BV
Priority date: 2013-06-27
Filing date: 2013-06-27
Publication date: 2016-07-27
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-27
Also published as: WO2014206685A1; DK2818598T3; US20160153180A1; ES2592553T3; EP2818598A1

Description

The present invention relates to a method for operating a shower device for recirculating shower water, and to an assembly to be used in a shower device, that are defined by the appended claims.
Such a method, assembly and shower device are known from DE-4124605 which assembly comprises a catchment basin for collecting water and a support area for supporting a person taking a shower, wherein the support area extends at a support area level and the catchment basin is arranged below the support area level for collecting water. The assembly also comprises a drain at a bottom level of the catchment basin, a water intake for taking in water from the catchment basin, which intake is arranged between the bottom level of the catchment basin and the support area level, and a pump arranged above the support area level, wherein the water intake is fluidly coupled with the pump for taking in circulating water from the catchment basin. At the start of the circulation fresh shower water collected in the catchment basin is supplied through the water intake to the pump. The catchment basin is provided with a sensor to provide a signal starting the pump.
Further, a pump may alternatively be located outside of a shower stall and attached to a wall, hung or suspended from existing hardware, or otherwise integrated into a supply stem of a fresh hot water source, however in such alternative location of a pump it is unclear if and how this may function. The known water circulation system has a disadvantage in that it is not as efficient as desired. It is even doubtful if this known water circulation system can even compete with a standard eco shower since the entire floor acts as catchment area and therefore a considerable volume of water is buffered. This huge volume and outer surface of the mass of water undermines efficiency and causes considerable heat loss. In addition, as a consequence performance with respect to hygiene is poor because the person taking a shower stands with his feet in the water to be circulated. Moreover, a person taking a shower may disturb the caught water in the catchment area and therefore harm the continuity of the recycling water flow.
The invention aims to provide a method for operating a shower device which method consumes less water and energy and still meets demands concerning hygiene and enjoys acceptance by users. Another object of the invention is to provide an alternative method for operating a shower device.
Thereto the method and assembly according to the invention have the features of claims 1 and 4 respectively.
The filling of the small catchment basin with fresh water through the pump provides the possibility of improved control of the volume of the circulating shower flow also because of the separation of the support area and the catchment basin. This separate catchment basin also enables improved control of the volume and facilitates isolation of the caught water. In addition, it ensures a better controlled start of the circulating shower flow in that the drawing in of water by the pump is improved because the supply conduit to the pump from the catchment basin is already filled with water. In addition, the method allows for complete drainage of the shower device once showering is finished. This avoids still water being present in the shower device which still water would undermine hygiene and requires drastic cleaning like e.g. with overheated water. This complete drainage of the shower device importantly includes complete drainage of the pump. Known systems do maintain water in the pump and even require to maintain water in the pump in view of starting a recycling flow.
The pump is arranged above the support area level for allowing drainage of the pump. The pump is preferably entirely arranged above the support area level.
Preferably, the catchment basin is completely filled from a fresh water supply through the pump and the water intake until a desired showering water volume is in the catchment basin. However, it is conceivable that the catchment basin is partly filled otherwise, like with a conventional shower head.
In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step, after finishing showering, draining the entire shower device via the drain at the bottom level of the catchment basin for preventing any still water left behind.
In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the step refreshing the circulating shower flow with a refreshment flow at a flow rate of about half a litre per minute for controlling water temperature of the circulating shower flow and total refreshment of the circulating shower flow every 4 to 6 minutes.
In the assembly according to the invention this arrangement of the water intake provides the possibility for complete drainage of the shower device, in particular a pump fluidly coupled with the water intake, once showering is finished. This avoids still water being present in the shower device which still water would undermine hygiene.
The catchment basin being below the support area level for collecting water importantly ensures that the person standing on the support area and taking a shower needs not standing in water of the circulated water flow because a separate catchment basin is provided. Standing in own water to be circulated is found to be perceived as unhygienic and found to be a barrier for enjoying a circulated shower flow. Furthermore the separate catchment basin ensures that a person standing on the support area can move or walk while taking a shower without disturbing water intake to the pump which would undermine continuity of the circulating shower flow.
In an embodiment of the assembly, the support area extends at an angle with respect to the horizontal for dewatering in the catchment basin. This promotes a prompt dewatering of water towards the catchment basin which enables to have a small volume catchment basin and facilitates maintaining water temperature of the circulating shower flow.
In an embodiment of the assembly, the catchment basin and support area are mutually arranged such that water caught in the catchment basin is visible from point of view of a person supported by the support area for taking a shower. This reassures the person taking a shower in that he or she receives direct visual feedback concerning the freshness of the circulating shower flow and cleanliness of the catchment basin.
In an embodiment, the assembly comprises an overflow outlet for determining a basin water level and which overflow outlet is therefore aligned with the support area. This even more assures a separation of the support area and the catchment basin.
In an embodiment of the assembly, the catchment basin is isolated to prevent loss of heat. This promotes efficiency even more. This isolation is facilitated by the catchment basin having a relatively low volume. Preferably the support area is isolated as well to promote efficiency even more.
The invention will be further elucidated referring to a (first) preferred embodiment shown in the drawing wherein shown in:

Fig. 1 a schematic side view of a shower device according to the invention;
fig.2 a schematic perspective view of not claimed further embodiment of a shower device,
fig. 3 a perspective view of an assembly of a support area and a catchment basin of the shower device;
fig. 4 schematic side view of an assembly of a support area and a catchment basin of the shower device; and
fig. 5 and 6 graphs of estimated savings of the shower device according to the invention.

In the figures a shower device 1 according to the invention is shown as well as an assembly 2 of a support area 14 and a catchment basin 10. The invention will now be described referring to the embodiments in fig. 1 and 2 referring to all figures.
The first embodiment shown in fig. 1 is a shower device 1 which is shown in a schematic way. The shower device 1 comprises a support area 14 at a support area level for supporting a person 30 taking a shower. The support area extends at an angle α with respect to the horizontal for dewatering in the catchment basin 10. The support area 14 is suitable for supporting a person taking a shower. Both the support area 14 and the catchment basin 10 are isolated by an isolation layer 32 to prevent heat losses.
The shower device 1 comprises a catchment basin 10. The catchment basin 10 extends below the support area level for collecting water from the support area 14. The catchment basin 10 and support area 14 are mutually arranged such that water caught in the catchment basin 10 is visible and easy cleanable from point of view of a person supported by the support area 14 for taking a shower. Here, the volume of the shown catchment basin 10 is about 1,8 litre, the catchment basin being dimensioned circa 4 cm in depth, 90 cm in length, and 5 cm in width. This small volume of the catchment basin 10 facilitates isolation of the basin by isolating material 32 known per se.
The catchment basin 10 has an overflow outlet 11 which determines the basin water level 31. Surplus of water is drained via the overflow outlet 11 which enables to refresh the circulating shower flow at a desired rate and also aids in control of the volume of the circulating shower flow, and assures a strict separation of support area 14 and catchment basin 10. The overflow outlet 11 is therefore aligned with the support area 14. Surplus of water is drained via the overflow outlet 11 and the outlet pipe 18 into the sewer 19.
The shower device 1 comprises a drain 12 at a bottom level of the catchment basin 10. The drain 12 may be a conventional type of drain which can be manually closed off, however it is conceivable for the drain 12 to be equipped with a valve (not shown) which can be closed automatically once the circulating shower flow starts. The drain 12 debouches in a sewer 19.
The shower device 1 comprises a pump 7 for pumping a circulating shower flow. Here, the pump 7 has a pump housing 8. In this case, the pump 7 is arranged entirely above the support area level. Important is that the pump 7 is arranged above the drain 12 such that the pump 7 may drain completely. Thus, arranged "entirely above" here means that the pump 7 is able to completely drain in the catchment basin 10.
The shower device 1 comprises a water intake 13 which is fluidly coupled with the pump 7 for circulating the circulating shower flow between the catchment basin 10 and the shower head 3. The intake 13 is arranged with respect to the catchment basin 10 such that is takes in water between the bottom level 34 of the catchment basin 10 and the support area level 35. The water intake 13 here is arranged a few millimetres from the bottom of the catchment basin 10. The water intake opening 36 of the water intake 13 faces downwards towards the bottom of the catchment basin 10 for taking in water in a substantial vertical upward direction.
The shower device comprises a course filter (not shown and not claimed) arranged at the water intake 13 for preventing ingress of dirt towards the pump 7. In particular the course filter comprises a replaceable filter element (not shown) which is easily replaceable by a person 30 (partly shown) taking a shower.
The shower device comprises a thermostatic mixer tab 4 with a control means 6 for manually setting the temperature and volume of the circulating shower flow. The thermostatic mixer tab 4 is coupled with a fresh hot water supply 9 via a hot water input of the thermostatic mixer tab 4. The thermostatic mixer tab 4 is coupled with the pump for taking in a circulating shower flow at the cold water input of the thermostatic mixer tab 4. Between the pump 7 and the thermostatic mixer tab 4, a course pump filter 22 is arranged upstream with respect to the thermostatic mixer tab 4 for filtering the circulating flow before entering the mixer tab 4. The mixer tab 4 is accommodated in a mixer tab housing 5.
The shower device 1 comprises a relief valve (not shown and not claimed) for allowing the entire shower device 1 to drain at the bottom level of the catchment basin 10 for preventing any still water left behind in the shower device 1. Therefore any check valve normally present in the mixer tab 4 has been removed for allowing the shower device 1 to drain such that circulated water is not present anymore in the shower device 1. Thus, the thermostatic mixer tab 4 is modified in that the not-return valve, also check valve, is removed such that the shower system 1 is able to drain entirely.
The draining of the shower device 1 beneficially cleans the not claimed course pump filter 22 and the pump 7. The course pump filter 22 and the pump 7 may also be actively washed with water directly from the fresh water supply 9 without a circulating shower flow being present. When actively washed, the course pump filter 22 and the pump 7 may drain via the catchment basin 10 and the drain 12. However as shown as an option the course pump filter 22 and the pump 7 may drain may drain via respective pipes 15, 16 to the sewer 19.
The shower device 1 comprises a controllable valve (not shown and not claimed) arranged for closing the drain 12 at the bottom level of the catchment basin 10. The controllable valve is operationally coupled with the pump 7 for closing the valve in connection with activating of the pump 7.
During use of the shower device 1 the following steps are taken. Initially, the catchment basin 10 is filled from a fresh water supply 9 through the pump 7 and the water intake 13 until a desired showering water volume is in the catchment basin 10. During filling of the catchment basin 10, the pump 7 is idle. Subsequently the pump 7 is activated and water is taken in at the water intake 13. Then, the taken in water is pumped towards the shower head 3 for circulating a circulating shower flow between the catchment basin 10 and the shower head 3 which dispenses at the support area 14. Finally, after finishing showering, water from the entire shower device 1 is drained via the drain 12 at the bottom level of the catchment basin 10 for preventing any still water left behind. During use it is experienced that the shower device according to the invention consumes up to between 50% and 90% less water and energy compared with known circulating shower systems.
The second embodiment shown in fig. 2 is a shower device 1 which is shown in a schematic way. In general only differences compared with the first embodiment are elucidated. The shower device 1 comprises here a not claimed conventional shower system 17. The conventional shower system 17 is separate from the recycling shower system. The person may use a conventional shower system 17 for soaping and rinsing and a recycling shower system for enjoying a comfort shower. A comfort shower is regarded here as a shower which is not necessarily from hygienic point of view. In practice it has been experienced that the recycling shower system according to the invention only uses 10% of water and 10% of energy compared with the conventional shower system 17 while offering 10 times more water/minute.
The conventional shower system 17 uses a thermostatic mixer tab 23 well known per se. The mixer tab 23 is coupled with a hot 25 and cold 24 fresh water supply. Here, the initial filling of the catchment basin 10 is done by reversing the mixed flow from the mixer tab 23 towards the pump 7 which is then still idle.
Here, the circulating shower flow passes a thermostatic safety valve 21 which valve provides safety in that water above a set temperature may not contact the person taking a shower.
In this case, the circulating shower flow passes a not claimed uv-filter device 28 for filtering the circulating shower flow.
Additional safety may be provided by a safety valve 26, like a electromagnetic valve, which valve prevents leakage of so called grey water to fresh water.
The shower device 1 comprises a water intake 13 which is fluidly coupled with the pump 7 via water intake pipe 20 for circulating the circulating shower flow between the catchment basin 10 and the shower head 3. The water intake 13 here is arranged a few millimetres from the bottom of the catchment basin 10. The water intake opening faces downwards towards the bottom of the catchment basin 10 for taking in water in a substantial vertical upward direction. This is also shown in fig. 4. The low water intake 13 guarantees complete drainage of the pump 7 once comfort showering is finished, and guarantees a stable intake of water at all conditions of movement of persons on the support area 14 or even water movement in catchment basin 3.
The shower device 1 comprises a not claimed relief valve 37 for allowing the entire shower device 1 to drain at the bottom level of the catchment basin 10 for preventing any still water left behind in the shower device 1.
The shower device 1 comprises a not claimed controllable valve (not shown) arranged for closing the drain 12 at the bottom level of the catchment basin 10. The controllable valve is operationally coupled with the pump 7 for closing the valve in connection with activating of the pump 7.
During use of the shower device 1 the following steps are taken. Initially, the catchment basin 10 is filled from a fresh water supply 9 through the pump 7 and the water intake 13 until a desired showering water volume is in the catchment basin 10. Subsequently the pump 7 is activated and water is taken in at the water intake 13. Then, the taken in water is pumped towards the shower head 3 for circulating a circulating shower flow between the catchment basin 10 and the shower head 3 which dispenses at the support area 14. Finally, after finishing showering, water from the entire shower device 1 is drained via the drain 12 at the bottom level of the catchment basin 10 for preventing any still water left behind.
Fig. 5 and 6 graphs of estimated savings of the shower device 1 according to the invention. The total saving is shown versus years. The saving is the difference between the cost of a shower device according to the invention (thin line) and the cost of a commonly used shower (bold line). Fig. 5 shows the saving for a 4 person household using a walk in shower consuming 10 litres per minute with an average shower duration of 10 minutes. Fig. 6 shows the saving for a 4 person household using a shower with a shower curtain, the shower consuming 12 litres per minute with an average shower duration of 12,5 minutes.

Claims

Method for operating a shower device (1) for recirculating shower water, the shower device (1) comprising;
- a support area (14) at a support area level (35) for supporting a person taking a shower,

- a catchment basin (10) below the support area level (31) for collecting water,

- a drain (12) at a bottom level of the catchment basin (10),

- a pump (7) arranged above the support area level (35),

- a water intake (13) fluidly coupled with the pump (7) and arranged for taking in water between the bottom level of the catchment basin (10) and the support area level (35), and wherein,
the method comprises the step of:
- activating the pump (7) and taking in water at the water intake (13) for circulating a circulating shower flow between the catchment basin (10) and a shower head (3) which dispenses at the support area (14).
the method being characterised by the step of:
- initial filling of the catchment basin (10) from a fresh hot water supply (9) through the pump (7), and the water intake (13) until a desired showering water volume is in the catchment basin (10).
Method according to claim 1, comprising the step, after finishing showering, draining the entire shower device (1) via the drain (12) at the bottom level of the catchment basin (10) for preventing any still water left behind.
Method according to claim 1, comprising refreshing the circulating shower flow with a refreshment flow at a flow rate of about half a litre per minute for controlling water temperature of the circulating shower flow and total refreshment of the circulating shower flow every 4 to 6 minutes.
Assembly (2) of a catchment basin (10) for collecting water and a support area (14) for supporting a person taking a shower, wherein the support area (14) extends at a support area level (35) and the catchment basin (10) is arranged below the support area level (35) for collecting water, the assembly (2) comprising;
- a drain (12) at a bottom level of the catchment basin (10),

- a water intake (13) for taking in water from the catchment basin (10), which intake (13) is arranged between the bottom level of the catchment basin (10) and the support area level (35), and

- a pump (7) arranged above the support area level (35), wherein the water intake (13) is fluidly coupled with the pump (7) for taking in circulating water from the catchment basin (10),
characterised in that the catchment basin (10):
is arranged for initially being filled with fresh water supplied through the pump (7) and the water intake (13) until a desired showering water volume is reached in the catchment basin (10).
Assembly (2) according to claim 4, wherein the support area (14) extends at an angle (α) with respect to the horizontal for dewatering of the catchment basin (10).
Assembly (2) according to a preceding claim 4-5, wherein the catchment basin (10) and support area (14) are mutually arranged such that water caught in the catchment basin (10) is visible from point of view of a person supported by the support area (14) for taking a shower.
Assembly (2) according to a preceding claim 4-6, comprising an overflow outlet (11) for determining a basin water level (31) and which overflow outlet (11) is therefore aligned with the support area (14).
Assembly (2) according to a preceding claim 4-7, wherein the catchment basin (10) is isolated by means of an isolation layer (32) to prevent loss of heat.
Assembly (2) according to a preceding claim 4-8, wherein the volume of the catchment basin (10) is between 2 to 5 litre.
Assembly (2) according to claim 9, wherein the volume of the catchment basin (10) is about 3 litre.
Shower device (1) for use in the method according to a preceding claim 1-3, the shower device comprising an assembly according to any one of the claims 4-10.