EP2895659A1

EP2895659A1 - Assembly for carrying out the hygienic flushing of a water installation

Info

Publication number: EP2895659A1
Application number: EP13750562.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Willi Hecking
Original assignee: Hans Sasserath GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Hans Sasserath GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2012-08-20
Filing date: 2013-08-16
Publication date: 2015-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2033-08-16
Also published as: EP2960384A1; WO2014040823A1; ES2896965T3; PL2895659T3; EP2895659B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a water fitting for carrying out the hygienic flushing of a water installation, comprising a connection for connecting the water fitting to a fresh water supply, a shut-off (107, 128, 276, 326, 354) for interrupting the fresh water feed from the fresh water supply and a drainage assembly, by means of which water can be drained off from the water installation. The fitting also has a control device (10, 210, 310) for controlling the shut-off, said device co-operating with a signal processing device which is supplied with the signals of means (110, 280, 358) that measure the flow, in order to determine undesirable flow conditions in the water installation. The control device controls the shut-off in such a way that said shut-off opens for a limited flushing period if the volumetric flow lies below a predetermined threshold value for a selected stagnation period.

Description

Arrangement for carrying out a hygiene flush in a water installation Technical field

The invention relates to a water fitting for carrying out a hygiene flush in a water installation containing

(a) a port for connecting the water fitting to a fresh water supply;

(b) a shut-off for interrupting the supply of fresh water from the fresh water supply; and

(C) a drain assembly over which water from the water installation can be discharged.

The invention further relates to a water installation with such

Water fitting.

A water installation is, for example, a drinking water supply. If no water is tapped for a long time, the water stagnates. Then germs can form. This is an undesirable flow state. It is therefore known to provide a provided with a barrier connection to a drain in the water installation. Within a predetermined period of time, about a week, this barrier is opened regularly. Then, an amount of water is passed into the drain, which is sufficient to flush the water installation completely.

In any case, this sanitary purging is carried out in known arrangements, irrespective of whether or not water has been tapped. So water is consumed even if there is no stagnation at all.

State of the art

Leakage protection arrangements are known which are installed alone or in combination with pressure reducers and / or filters on the house water inlet for drinking water supply. Depending on the consumption habits at the taps, maximum flow rates are set.

DE 20 2005 002 415 U1 discloses a component set for the modular construction of such a drainage arrangement described above. In the arrangement, the lower edge of the upper drain body is releasably connectable to the upper edge of the lower drain funnel. The component set comprises a return device designed as a closed component. The return safety device comprises a valve which opens in the down direction and closes in the opposite direction. The lower discharge funnel forms a receptacle, in which the return valve is optionally used sealingly. The valve prevents odors from the wastewater from escaping upwards through the upper drain body into the atmosphere. The upper drain body forms a connecting part with webs, between which openings or openings are formed to the atmosphere. As water flows through the drain assembly, it impacts the valve and a portion sprays upwardly and out through the openings in the upper drain body. That is undesirable.

Disclosure of the invention

It is an object of the invention to reduce the water consumption by hygiene flushing. This is achieved with a water fitting of the type mentioned, which is characterized by

(d) a control unit for controlling the shut-off, and

(e) signal processing means powered by the flow measuring means for detecting unwanted flow conditions in the water installation and controlling the shutoff such that the shutoff opens for a limited purge period when the flow is below a threshold over a selected stagnation period.

In such a water fitting, a hygiene flush is always performed when over a longer period of time, for example, 48, 72 or 240 hours, no or too little water has flowed through the water installation. The flow conditions are detected by flow-measuring means.

These flow-measuring means can be arranged in the water fitting itself. However, it can also be provided that the signal processing device has a communication unit which receives a signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation. The signal can be received wirelessly, for example. Then flow-measuring means can be used in other fittings, such as leakage protection fittings. The valve is particularly simple and inexpensive in this case.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention is a housing-fixed reed contact and cooperating with a reed contact turbine or other suitable flow-measuring means for generating a the one Flow conditions in the water installation representing signal provided. Such turbines are known and are regularly used for example in leakage protection arrangements of the applicant.

The barrier may be formed by a motor-operated ball valve. The motor can then be controlled by the control unit. A manual intervention is usually not required.

In the water fitting a drainage arrangement is provided, which usually consists of a system-side, upper drainage body and an outlet funnel arranged thereunder. The drain body is a downwardly open hollow body with side openings, which is to be connected to a drain pipe of the water fitting. Water to be drained flows into the drain body, the interior of which is under atmospheric pressure through the side openings. Below the drain body, a drain funnel is provided which communicates with a drain line. The drain line communicates with sewers. To avoid odor, a siphon is usually provided in the sewer, which forms an odor trap. Of course, it must also be prevented that, for example, rising wastewater can escape from the discharge funnel.

However, there are also systems without siphon. In such systems, an odor trap is provided in the form of a valve in the manner of a backflow preventer. Known drain arrangements of this type are complicated and expensive. In the present invention, therefore, it is preferably provided that the drainage arrangement contains:

(a) a drainage funnel connected to the sewer pipe;

(B) an aligned with the drain hopper, associated with this drain body for connecting the drain hopper with the water fitting, wherein the

Drain body webs, between which openings are formed to the atmosphere; and

(c) a valve disposed between drain body and drain funnel, opening in the direction of the drain funnel; in which

(D) the webs in the drain body are arranged offset in the radial direction to each other and cover the entire angular range.

The webs can in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in the drain body at intervals along two or three concentric rings be arranged. The angular ranges covered by adjacent lands may preferably overlap. A portion of the webs may be interconnected by radially extending bridges. As a result, leakage of back-splashed water is reliably avoided.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the flow measuring

Means upstream of the barrier arranged and the flow is passed during the hygiene flushing by the flow-measuring means.

Then, the water flowing during the flushing and its volume flow can be determined quantitatively with the flow-measuring means. If a lot of water flows, a short flush is enough. However, if there is only a weak water pressure, less water flows. Then, the rinse period can be extended until it is ensured that all stagnant water is removed.

In one embodiment of the invention, it is provided that

(A) the barrier is formed by a ball valve in a fitting housing, which has a connected to the drain assembly drain and two

Inlet ports is provided;

(b) the ball valve shuts off the connection between both inlet ports and the drain in a shut-off position,

(c) the ball valve opens the connection between a first inlet port and the outlet in a first flushing position, and

(D) the ball valve in a second flushing position opens the connection between a second inlet port and the drain.

Such an arrangement allows the connection of two water installations, such as a cold water installation and a hot water installation. Flow-measuring means may be arranged in front of each of the two inlet connections, the signals of which are applied to the signal processing device. It can be used two flow-measuring means, one for each of the installations. However, it is only a control device and a signal processing device, and only a drain assembly required. This reduces the manufacturing and installation costs. The hygiene flushing is carried out separately as required for each of the two water installations. Of course, the arrangement can also be used with only one water installation. Then one of the two inlet connections is firmly closed with a cap. In a further, optional embodiment of the invention, a water sensor is provided in the flow arrangement, with the signals of which the signal processing device is acted upon. With the water sensor can be detected whether water from the drain rises. If this is the case, no hygiene flush will be performed. In this way it is avoided that rinse water undesirably escapes from the arrangement to the outside.

To avoid that water from a water installation in the other water installation exceeds, it is provided that in each case one in the direction of the shut-off opening backflow preventer is arranged in the flow between the flow-measuring means and the barrier.

In a further embodiment of the invention, it is provided that a housing is provided, with which the arrangement can be installed under plaster. Manual intervention is usually not required, so that a sub-plaster installation is possible.

The water fitting according to the invention can be used in a water installation, which contains a leakage protection arrangement with a built before one or more taps fittings part with a flow meter and a controller with a signal acted upon by the signals of the flow-measuring means signal processing means for determining the flow conditions in the water installation. In this case, the control device of the leakage protection arrangement may have a communication unit, with which a communication of the control devices with each other and / or with a central server can be produced. The water fitting thus receives the signals of a leakage protection arrangement, which is equipped with a flow meter.

It may further be provided that the communication units of

Control units are identical and are connected via the Internet or other suitable network wirelessly or via a cable connection to a common, central server on which the required for the evaluation of the signals obtained from the fitting part and the control of the fitting part software is provided. Communication can be via cable, Bluetooth, infrared, WLAN, the Internet or other suitable means of communication. The implementation of a hygiene flush can not only be triggered, but also documented for later detection. Embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims. An embodiment is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 is an overview of a modular kit of various

Valve parts for a water installation and one for all

Valve parts same control part.

Fig. 2 shows schematically an example of the use of the various

Valve parts in an apartment building.

3 is a cross section through a fitting part for leakage protection

Installation in a pipeline.

4 is a cross section through a fitting part to prevent stagnation in a pipe section of a water installation without its own

Flow meter.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a fitting to be connected to a sewer line to prevent stagnation in a pipe section of a water installation with its own flowmeter and wall mount.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a faucet fitting attachable to a sewer network to prevent stagnation in a pipe section of a water installation having a dedicated flow meter.

7 is a cross section through the arrangement of Figure 5 in the operating position.

FIG. 8 is a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 5 along the FIG

Section plane D-D in Figure 7.

9 shows the arrangement of Figure 7 in Spülstellung.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of the arrangement of FIG. 5. FIG.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a water fitting for performing a sanitary flush for two water installations.

FIG. 12 is a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 11.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the water fitting of Fig. 11 with only one water installation. FIG. 14 is a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 13.

Fig. 15 is a detailed view of the water fitting of Fig. 11, in which the flow measuring means are shown in detail in cross-section.

FIG. 16 is a detail view of the water fitting of FIG. 11, in which FIG

Valve body with a ball valve are shown in detail in cross section.

Fig. 17 is an external perspective view of a drain assembly with valve and splash guard inserted.

FIG. 18 is a longitudinal section through the drainage arrangement of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of the arrangement of FIG. 17.

Fig. 20 is an exploded view of the valve for the drain assembly

FIG. 17.

Fig. 21 is a cross section taken along the section line D-D in Fig. 18.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a cutaway upper one

Drain body from below with the ribs and openings.

Description of the embodiments

1.Ausführungsbeispiel

FIG. 1 shows an overview of various components of a modular construction kit for water installations. One for all other modules the same controller is designated 10. The control unit 10 is fastened with a clamp 12 to one of the fitting parts 14, 16, 18, 20, 226 or 228. Correspondingly, the fitting parts 14, 16, 18, 20, 226 or 228 have an associated connection 22.

The various fitting parts 14, 16, 18, 20, 226 or 228 are provided for various applications. The fitting part 14 is a leakage protection adapter part which is located in a vertical water supply line of a Multi-storey building is installed at the connection in front of the water meter. The water meter can then be connected to the fitting part 14.

The fitting part 16 is a cost-effective, simply constructed fitting part also for leakage protection, which is used in a straight pipeline. The fitting parts 18, 226 and 228 are provided for a hygiene flush and have a drain. Valve parts 18 and 226 are installed under a sink and connect the water supply to the drain. Normally, the connection is blocked with a barrier. However, if no water has been tapped for a long time, the barrier is opened and a hygiene flush is carried out. Faucet part 228 works in principle as the fitting part 226. In this fitting part 228, however, no firm connection to a sink drain is provided. Rather, the fitting part can be arranged with the drain above a collecting tank or funnel connected to the sewage network.

The fitting part 20 is intended for versatile use, such as leakage protection, descaling, etc., and has a connection flange 24. Further fittings can be flanged to this connection flange. For example, a filter, a pressure reducer or a pressure reducer-filter combination can be flanged to the flange 24. Such additional fittings are required only at the house entrance and not in the individual apartments of a building. Accordingly, the somewhat more complex and expensive fitting 20 is generally used only at the house entrance connection with the drinking water supply.

The fitting part 16 is shown by way of example in Figure 3 in detail. A multi-part housing consists of an upper housing part 100 and a lower housing part 102. The upper housing part 100 has an inlet 104 and a coaxial outlet 106. Behind the inlet 104, a ball valve 107 is arranged. At the top of a terminal 22 is provided for the controller. The water flows from the inlet 104 through the ball 107, a non-return valve 108 and a turbine 110. From there, the water flows through a chamber 112 to the outlet 106. Further, a pressure sensor 114 at the lower end of the lower housing part 102 is provided. The detected with a reed contact signals of a magnet on the turbine 110 are passed in a known manner to the controller 10 and evaluated there or in a central server. The control unit 10 is also used to control the fitting parts 18, 226 and 228 for the hygiene flushing. Examples of the fitting parts are shown in FIGS. 4 to 10 and designated by 18, 226 and 228, respectively. The fitting part 18 in FIG. 4 has a drain connection 116. In this simple design no turbine and no pressure sensor is provided. A multi-part housing with an upper housing part 118 and a lower housing part 120 has an inlet 122 at the upper end. The inlet 122 is formed by a tubular connection part 124, which is screwed into an inlet connection 126 on the upper housing part 118. The inlet 122 is connected to a water supply of a wash basin. At the top of the upper housing part 118, a connection 22 for a control unit 10 is provided as in the previously described fittings parts.

Behind the inlet, a conventional ball valve 128 is arranged. The ball valve 128 is like the ball valve already described above operated by the engine in the control unit 10. Below the ball valve, the lower housing part 120 is screwed into the upper housing part 118. At the lower housing part 120, a drain assembly with the connection to the drain 116 is arranged. The drain 116 is connected to a sewer and usually contains a siphon trap.

In particular, if there is no siphon, a drainage arrangement is provided, as shown in Figures 17-22. There is designated 410 an upper drain body. The drain body 410 has a substantially cylindrical basic shape. At the upper end of the drain body 410 is connected via a fastening nut 412 and a clamping ring 414 with a (not shown) drain pipe of a water fitting. Coaxially below the drain body 410, a lower discharge funnel 416 is arranged. The drain funnel 416 is connected via a fastening nut 418 and a clamping ring 420 with a (not shown) drain line.

The drain pipe is connected to a sewer and usually contains a siphon as an odor trap. The drain body 410 and the drain funnel 416 are connected to each other by a Klipsverschluss easily detachable. With 422 a return valve is designated, which is also shown in Figure 20 again in detail. This should then, if no siphon is installed in the drain line, interrupt the connection to the sewer and thus odor nuisance avoid. It should also be avoided that wastewater can rise in the drain line and escape via the drainage arrangement.

The drain body 410 has a nozzle-like upper portion 424. A ring 426 is connected to section 424 through 428 and 430. The webs 428 and 430 define lateral openings 432 and 434. These openings 432 and 434 ensure that the outlet nozzle is directly connected to the atmosphere when opening a fitting-side drain valve and is at atmospheric pressure.

The ring 426 of the drain body 410 engages a collar 440 at the upper edge of the downcomer 416. This collar 440 has two diametrically opposed, upwardly extending projections 442 and 444. On these projections 442 and 444 of the ring 426 is clipped with an inwardly projecting edge. This results in a clip closure that allows rapid assembly and disassembly of the drain body 410 and the drain funnel 416.

In this way, drain body 410 and drain funnel 416 alone, i. be mounted without backflow preventer, especially if a siphon is installed as an odor trap in the drain line.

However, such a backstop 422 can be conveniently installed on site or retrofitted, if necessary.

For this purpose, a cylindrical portion 456 is provided on the inner wall of the discharge funnel subsequent to the upper edge. The portion 456 may also include the inner wall of the collar 440. The cylindrical portion 456 is followed by a step 458. The portion 456 and the step 458 form a receptacle for the backflow preventer 422 in the discharge funnel 416. The return safety device has a cup-shaped insert part 460. The insert member 460 is radially held in the cylindrical portion 456 and is seated with a rim 462 on the step 458. On the outer circumferential surface of the insert part 460, an annular groove 464 is formed, in which a sealing ring 466 sits Thus, the backflow preventer 422 is tightly inserted into the cylindrical portion 456.

The return protection 422 forms a closed component. The insert 460 then has at the edge 462 with a conically tapered outer wall and a total downwardly conically tapered inner wall. At the bottom, the insert 460 is substantially open. The bottom 468 forms two sector-shaped openings 470 and 472, each extending over almost 180 °. The Openings 470 and 472 form between them a web 474. The web 474 carries a central guide ring 476. Through the guide ring 476, a plunger 478 is inserted from below. The plunger 478 is at its lower end a disc 480 which is fixedly connected to the plunger 478. On the disc 480 is a flexible rubber disc of slightly larger diameter. The rubber disc covers the openings 470 and 472 from below and is normally at the lower end face 82 of the insert part 460 at. The rubber disc forms a valve plate 484. The plunger 478 is provided at its upper end with a thread 486. The plunger 478 is surrounded by a relatively weak coil spring 488. The coil spring 488 is supported on the guide ring 476 and acts on a head 490. The head 490 is screwed onto the thread 486 with a threaded bore. The coil spring 488 thus pulls over the plunger 478, the disc 480 and thus the valve plate 484 upwards. In this way, the valve is normally kept tightly closed. Odors can not escape from the drainpipe. Also about about the drain pipe rising waste water press the valve and can not escape through the drain assembly.

When water exits the water installation via the drain neck, this water collects in the bowl-shaped insert part 460. Due to the weight of this water, the valve 484 is pressed by overcoming the weak coil spring 488. The water can drain.

In particular, when larger amounts of water drain, water can splash back. Leakage of the water from the openings 432 and 434 is avoided by the shape and arrangement of the lands 428 and 430. This is shown again in detail in FIGS. 21 and 22. FIG. 21 shows a cross section along the section line D - D in FIG. 18. It can be seen that the webs are arranged on three imaginary, concentric rings 492, 494 and 496. The rings are spaced from each other.

On the outermost ring 492 6 webs 498 are evenly spaced from each other. Between the webs 498 openings 500 are formed. On the middle ring 494 6 webs 502 are arranged. Between the webs 502 openings 504 are formed. On the innermost ring 96 6 webs 506 are arranged. Between the webs 506 openings 508 are formed. All bars 498, 502 and 506 are curved and extend across their width along the circumference of the respective imaginary rings 492, 494 and 496th

The webs 498 on the outermost ring 492 are connected to the webs 502 on the middle ring 494 via radially extending bridges 510. In this case, the bridge 510 respectively connects the clockwise front end of the web 502 with the clockwise rear end of the web 498 of the outer ring 492. The covered by a web 498 on the outer ring 492 angle range covers that of the opening 504 in the middle ring 494th covered angle range and protrudes slightly beyond. The angle range covered by the webs 506 on the innermost ring 496, in turn, approximately corresponds to the angular range of the associated web 498 on the outermost ring 492.

It can be seen that water that splashes back from the insert part 460 of the valve strikes one of the webs 498, 502 or 506 in each angular range. Additional security is provided by the 510 bridges, which retain multiple splashed water. The arrangement ensures that there are sufficient openings to maintain atmospheric pressure, but leakage through splash water is reliably prevented.

The fitting part 18 in FIG. 4 does not have its own flow measuring function. This is taken from one of the other fitting parts. If no or too little water is withdrawn over an extended period of time, for example 48, 72 or 240 hours, this is detected by one of the flow-measuring fitting parts. Then the fitting part 18 receives via the control unit 10 a control command to open the normally closed ball valve 128. Water flows from the inlet 122 to the drain 116. In this way, water flows through all piping in front of this fitting. The piping installation is flushed and the formation of germs by stagnant water is avoided. After a certain period of time or a predetermined amount of flushing water the ball valve 128 is closed again. Flushing therefore only takes place when the flow conditions detected with another valve require it.

The fitting part 18 can be installed wherever a water supply pipe and a drain are close to each other. A particularly suitable place is below sink. The inlet 122 is connected to the water supply. Each of the fitting parts 14, 16, 18, 20, 226 and 228 described above has a connection 22 for the control unit 10. A bolt for actuating the ball of the ball valve 128 is provided at the upper end with a profile. The control unit 10 with the motor acts on this profile. The connection between the control unit 10 and the fitting part is made non-rotatable and with a defined ball position. The connection is secured with a penetrating bracket 12.

The control unit 10 is equipped with a transceiver, which establishes a connection to the Internet via a mobile radio network, a cable connection for the Internet or a WLAN. Via the Internet, a connection to a central server can be established. FIG. 2 schematically illustrates how the various components described above can be used for a leakage protection arrangement in an apartment building. It is understood that this is only an example and larger or smaller units are also conceivable.

The house 200 shown in Figure 2 has a house entrance for drinking water 202. Hydraulically behind the house entrance a fitting part 20 with control unit 10 and pressure reducer filter combination 204 is installed. Additional filters or pressure reducers are therefore no longer required in the building. In the other places simpler, cheaper devices are possible. Each apartment or each housing complex is also individually equipped with a fitting part 14 or 16 and an associated control unit 10. A fitting part 18, 226 or 228 with control unit 10 is also installed in each apartment or in each apartment complex below a sink. In the present embodiment, only fittings parts 18 are shown. However, it is understood that depending on the application and installation conditions, the fitting parts 226 and 228 can be installed with flow measurement function.

To install an assembly, the fitting part is first connected to the pipeline. Otherwise, the control unit receives no values. Subsequently, the controller 10 is connected to a power supply. The Internet connection of the control unit 10 is made directly by means of a separate SIM card via a mobile network, via a cable connection or via a WLAN. When using WLAN, a display and an input device in the form of a keyboard for the access code is provided. The temporary IP address of the control unit 10 is automatically transmitted to a central server (not shown). Farther the homeowner, the administrator or his installer registers the device via an internet portal. For this purpose, a code or an identification mark is visibly attached to the device. The server now manages all relevant data. The management software resides on the server and can be easily maintained and improved by the manufacturer. The control unit 10 requires no further installation steps or maintenance. This makes it possible to perform the installation by the often inexperienced in IT affairs installer without having to consult an IT specialist. The hardware effort is low.

The installer, administrator or the homeowner can independently enter the parameters suitable for the application via their own Internet portal. The parameters include the period of time after which a hygiene flush is to be carried out, the switching on and off of the holiday mode, setting of the threshold values for volume flow, volume flow per time, maximum duration of a volume flow and pressure drop. This data is saved on the server even if a control unit 10 is no longer functional. This makes it particularly easy to change to another, identical device. The manufacturer can statistically evaluate the various operating parameters and other data. This allows the manufacturing process to be optimized. If the parameters are entered directly at the control unit 10, these new data are also transmitted to the server.

As for each apartment or apartment complex its own

Leakage monitoring takes place, there can be set up a holiday circuit. The tolerances can be chosen smaller, so that the damage can be kept low in case of leakage. If a particularly large amount is tapped, checks the control unit 10 at the building initially, whether the flow comes from an apartment or from different apartments. In the latter case, there may be no leakage and shut-off is avoided. Leakage can be better localized by the use of a variety of leakage protection valves and therefore found faster. The remaining parts of the building remain unaffected, as the shut-off is local.

If a leakage fitting or the flow measuring device of the

Hygienic fittings 226 or 228 over a longer period of time, about 48, 72 or 240 hours, no volume flow detected, a hygiene flush is automatically triggered. Upon detection of the period with a leakage fitting will be a control signal sent directly from the control unit 14 of the leakage fitting or via the server to the control unit 10 of a hygiene fitting 18. The controller 10 opens the ball valve 128 with the motor. Then, water flows through the piping to the drain of the sink under which the armature 18 is installed. In this way, stagnation and the associated possible nucleation are avoided. The type and timing and duration of the hygiene flush can be documented and saved.

2.Ausführungsbeispiel

The hygiene fitting 18 is only suitable for applications in which only one tapping point between the leakage fitting 16 and the hygiene fitting 18 is arranged. If several taps are used, a 226 or 228 sanitary fitting must be used to ensure that stagnation at each tapping point is avoided. Figures 5 to 10 show the sanitary fittings 226 and 228 in detail. The not recognizable in section flow arrangement with splash guard and odor trap is identical to the fitting 18 and will therefore not be described here.

The water enters the armature 226 (FIG. 5) through an inlet 272 and a central channel 270. A backflow preventer 274 is disposed in the channel 270. The channel 270 opens into a ball valve 276 which can be actuated by a motor in the control unit 210. The ball valve 276 is shown in Figure 7 and Figure 8 in Beriebsstellung in which no hygiene flushing takes place. In the position shown in Figure 9, the ball valve 276 is closed to the Strömungsmesseinrichung and opens to the drain 288th

In the vertical channel below the ball valve 276, a flow measuring arrangement with a backflow preventer 278 and a turbine 280 in a cup 284 is arranged. The signal of the turbine 280 is received via a reed contact and transmitted to the control unit 210. The flow measuring arrangement functions like the flow measuring arrangements used in the applicant's known leakage protection devices and is described in detail, for example, in DE 20 2008 003 055 U1. A detailed description is therefore not required here. It is understood that any other flow measuring arrangement is suitable for this purpose.

Behind the flow measuring arrangement, the water is directed in the operating position outside in the cup 284 upwards and flows over a lateral, horizontal extending connecting channel 286 in an annular channel 290. The annular channel 290 is disposed around the central input channel 270 around. Via a known flange 292, the annular channel 290 is connected to an outlet 294. Behind the outlet is the tapping point. When water is tapped in the operating position of the ball valve shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, this is registered by the flow measuring arrangement. If there is no flow for a long time, the ball of the ball valve is moved by the controller into the position shown in FIG. In this position, water is passed from the inlet through a small opening 296 in the ball 276 directly into a channel 298 (Fig.8) to the drain assembly 288.

Depending on the hydraulic situation, the valves are installed in both hot and cold pipes. This is particularly useful in a central hot water supply. In addition to the pressure sensors, temperature sensors may be provided in the fittings. The temperature sensors allow the monitoring of the lower temperature limit, for example, 55 degrees for hot water and upper temperature limits of, for example, 25 degrees Celsius to prevent the formation of Legionella or similar germs and microorganisms.

3rd embodiment

Figure 11 shows a controller, which is designated 310. The control unit 310 is fastened with a clamp to a fitting housing 314. Accordingly, the fitting part 314 has an associated connection.

The valve body 314 is provided for a hygiene flush and has a drain port 316. It is installed with a housing 312 under plaster and connects a water supply to the drain. Normally, the connection is blocked with a barrier. However, if no water has been tapped for a long time, the barrier is opened and a hygiene flush is carried out.

The valve housing 314 consists of an upper housing part 318 and a lower drain body 320. The upper housing part 318 has two coaxial inlet ports 322 and 324, which extend horizontally in the present embodiment. Between the inlet ports 322 and 324, a ball valve 326 is arranged. At the top of a connection for the control unit is provided. Of the

Drain port 316 extends vertically downwards. The ball valve 326 is shown in Figure 16 again in detail. The ball 328 of the ball valve 326 is provided with a kinking passage 330. Passage 330, in the first purge position shown in FIG. 16, connects inlet port 322 to drain 316. It is readily apparent that rotation of ball 328 about a horizontal axis 180 degrees results in closing inlet port 322. In this second flushing position, the inlet port 324 is connected to the drain 316. In an intermediate shut-off position, both inlet connections are closed. There is no water flowing from the inlet port to the drain. In the configuration shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a backflow preventer 332 and 334 is arranged upstream of both inlet connections. The backflow preventers 332 and 334 open in the direction of the ball valve 326.

The controller 310 is used to control the sanitary ball valve 326.

Below the ball valve, the drainage arrangement with the drain body 320 is screwed into the upper fitting housing 314. The drain 316 is connected to a sewer and contains a siphon trap. The drainage arrangement corresponds to the drainage arrangement described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 22 and therefore does not need to be described here any more.

In the lower region of the drain body 320, a humidity sensor 336 is arranged. The moisture sensor can be seen in FIG. The humidity sensor 336 determines whether water is jamming. Only if the water can flow away unhindered, a hygiene flushing is carried out. This avoids that water can escape from the drain body 320.

At the inlet ports 322 and 324 housing parts 338 and 340 are connected. The housing parts 338 and 340 are identical. Therefore, only the housing part 340 will be described. The housing part 340 has a tubular, elongate housing socket 342. The housing stub 342 is connected to the nut 324 with the inlet port 322. The housing socket 342 is connected by means of a pipe clamp 364 with the housing 312 and is held there. The non-return valve 332 sits in the present embodiment in the housing neck 342. It is understood that it can also be arranged in the inlet port 322. The housing part 340 opens down into a cup 346. This can be clearly seen in FIG. At the upper end, the housing part 338 has an inlet pipe 352 with a ball valve 354. Parallel to the inlet nozzle 352, an outlet 348 is integrally formed on the housing part 338. Also, the outlet port 348 is provided with a ball valve 350. The ball valves 350 and 354 are manually operated and allow the housing part 340 to be shut off for maintenance and the like, such as when the cup 346 is to be removed.

In the cup 346, a backflow preventer 356 with bypass and turbine 358 for flow measurement is arranged. The water flows from the inlet port 352 through the ball 354, the backflow preventer 356 and the turbine 358. From there, the water flows through a chamber 360 to the outlet port 348. The signals detected by a reed contact 362 of a magnet on the turbine 358 are known in the art Way passed to the controller 310 and evaluated there or in a central server. The flow measuring arrangement functions like the flow measuring arrangements used in the applicant's known leakage protection devices and is described in detail, for example, in DE 20 2008 003 055 U1. A detailed description is therefore not required here. It is understood that any other flow measuring arrangement is suitable for this purpose.

The chamber 360 is on the one hand, as described, connected to the outlet port 348. In addition, the housing stub 342 is connected to the chamber 360. Thus, depending on the ball position of the ball 328, water can flow laterally through the fitting housing 314 to the outlet 316 or to the outlet connection 348, which is connected to subsequent tapping points.

The arrangement has its own flow measuring function with the turbine 358. The flow is detected both when tapping water, as well as when rinsing. If no or too little water is withdrawn over a long period of time, for example 48, 72 or 240 hours, this is detected. Then, the controller 310 receives a control command to open the normally closed ball valve 326. Water flows from inlet port 352 to drain 316. In this way, water flows through all piping in front of this valve. The piping installation is flushed and the formation of germs by stagnant water is avoided.

After a predetermined amount of flushing water the ball valve 326 is closed again. The flushing is therefore only when the detected with another fitting Flow conditions require this. Because the flow is also detected during the flushing, a defined amount of flushing water can be set. It is consumed only as much water as absolutely necessary.

The fitting part can be installed anywhere where a water supply line and a drain are close together. A particularly suitable place is under plaster in the range of sinks. The inlet port 352 is connected to the water supply.

The fitting housing 314 has a connection for the control unit 310. A bolt for actuating the ball of the ball valve 326 is provided at the upper end with a profile. The control unit 310 with the motor acts on this profile. The connection between the control unit 310 and the valve body is made non-rotatable and with a defined ball position. The connection is secured with a breakthrough bracket.

The control unit 310 can be set externally via a network connection, for example the Internet. The installer, administrator or the homeowner can independently enter the parameters suitable for the application via their own Internet portal. The parameters include the period after which a hygiene rinse is to be carried out and the required rinse water volume. This data is saved on a server even if a control unit 310 is no longer functional. This makes it particularly easy to change to another, identical device. The manufacturer can statistically evaluate the various operating parameters and other data. This allows the manufacturing process to be optimized. If the parameters are entered directly at the control unit 310, these new data are also transmitted to the server.

If the flow measuring device 358 of the hygiene fittings does not detect a flow over a relatively long period of time, for example 48, 72 or 240 hours, a hygiene flush is automatically triggered. The control unit 310 opens the ball valve with the engine. Then water flows through the pipes to the drain. In this way, stagnation and the associated possible nucleation are avoided. The type and time and flushing volume of the hygiene flush can be documented and stored.

Depending on the hydraulic situation, the valves are installed in both hot and cold pipes. This is especially true for a central one Hot water supply makes sense. The embodiment described above shows a configuration in which the hot water installation is connected to one of the two inlet ports and the cold water installation is connected to the other of the two inlet ports. The monitoring and flushing of the installations is then carried out separately. But it is only one control and only one process required.

Figure 13 and Figure 14 show a configuration in which only one installation is monitored. Then, one of the two inlet ports is closed with a cap 370. All other functions and configurations are identical as described above.

The embodiment described above has been concretely described. It is understood that the transmission paths on the control unit - wireless or wired - can be chosen arbitrarily. Also, it is not mandatory for the implementation of the invention to set up a central server. Rather, this function can also be taken for example by a control unit. The grouping of the taps is arbitrary and depends on the application. So it may make sense to monitor each tap individually, while in other applications, a group of apartments are monitored with multiple taps.

The hygiene fittings can be equipped with a pressure sensor. Usually, in the house entrance area, a pressure reducer is connected to the fitting part 20, which is used to limit the pressure to save water. The pressure must be sufficient even at the highest point of the installation for daily needs. If the pressure reducer is connected to a control unit, as here, the signal from the pressure sensor can also be used to set the pressure at the pressure reducer to an optimum value. In this way, the estimation or calculation made by the installer can be replaced by a measured value. In addition, the pressure set on the pressure reducer can be automatically adjusted at any time in the event of fluctuations in the supply network.

Claims

Patent claims

1. Water fitting for carrying out a hygiene flush in a water installation

(a) a connector for connecting the water fitting to a fresh water supply;

(b) a shutoff (107; 128; 276; 326; 354) for cutting off the supply of fresh water from the fresh water supply; and

(c) a drain arrangement via which water can be drained from the water installation;

marked by

(d) a control device (10; 210; 310) for controlling the barrier (107; 128; 276;

326; 354) in such a way that the barrier opens when there is a risk of stagnation, and

(e) with a signal processing device acted upon by the signals from flow measuring means (110; 280; 358) for determining undesirable flow conditions in the water installation and for controlling the shut-off in such a way that the shut-off opens for a limited flushing period if the volume flow is below a selected stagnation period of a threshold value.

2. Water fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal processing device has a communication unit which receives a signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation.

3. Water fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that a reed contact (362) fixed to the housing and a turbine (358) cooperating with a reed contact or another suitable flow-measuring means for generating a signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation is provided.

4. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shut-off is formed by a motor-operated ball valve (107; 128; 276; 326; 354).

5. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain arrangement contains: (a) a drain funnel (416) connected to the sewer line;

(b) a drain body (410) aligned with the drain funnel (416) and connected to it for connecting the drain funnel (416) to the water fitting, the drain body having webs (428, 430; 498, 502, 506), between which openings (432, 434) are formed to the atmosphere; and

(c) a valve (484) arranged between the drain body (410) and the drain funnel (416) and opening in the direction of the drain funnel; where

(d) the webs (498, 502, 506) in the drain body (410) are arranged offset from one another in the radial direction and cover the entire angular range.

Water fitting according to claim 6, characterized in that the webs (428, 430; 498, 502, 506) in the drain body (410) are arranged at intervals along two or three concentric rings (492, 494, 496).

Water fitting according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the angular areas covered by adjacent webs (428, 430; 498, 502, 506) overlap.

Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims 5 to 7, characterized in that some of the webs are connected to one another by radially extending bridges (510).

Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow measuring means (358) are arranged within the water fitting.

Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that flow-measuring means (358) are arranged upstream of the shut-off (326) and the flow is directed through the flow-measuring means during hygiene flushing.

Water fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that

(a) the shut-off is formed by a ball valve (326) in a fitting housing (314) which is provided with a drain (316) connected to the drain arrangement (320) and two inlet connections (322, 324); (b) the ball valve (326) in a shut-off position shuts off the connection between both inlet connections and the drain,

(c) the ball valve opens the connection between a first inlet connection and the drain in a first flushing position, and

(d) the ball valve opens the connection between a second inlet connection and the drain in a second flushing position.

12. Water fitting according to claim 11, characterized in that flow-measuring means (358) are arranged in front of each of the two inlet connections (322, 324), the signals of which are applied to the signal processing device.

13. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water sensor (336) is provided in the drain arrangement (320), whose signals are applied to the signal processing device.

14. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a backflow preventer (332, 334) opening in the direction of the shut-off is arranged in the flow between the flow-measuring means (358) and the shut-off (326).

15. Water fitting according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing (312) is provided with which the arrangement can be installed under plaster.

16. Water installation containing

(a) a leakage protection arrangement with a fitting part installed in front of one or more taps with a flow meter and a control device with a signal processing device acted upon by the signals from the flow measuring means for determining the flow conditions in the water installation; and

(b) a water fitting according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 15.

17. Water installation according to claim 16, characterized in that the control device of the leakage protection arrangement has a communication unit with which communication between the control devices with one another and / or with a central server can be established.

18. Water installation according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the communication units of the control devices are identical and via the Internet or another suitable network is wirelessly connected to a common, central server on which the software required for evaluating the signals received from the fitting part and controlling the fitting part is provided.

Water installation according to one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the water fitting is provided with a pressure sensor and a pressure reducer is arranged to regulate the pressure in the water installation, which communicates via a control device with the control device of the water fitting and adjusts the pressure in the water installation The pressure determined by the pressure sensor regulates.