EP2895659B1 - Assembly for carrying out the hygienic flushing of a water installation - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to a water fitting for carrying out a hygienic flush in a water installation with the features of claim 1.

A water installation is, for example, a drinking water supply. If no water is tapped for a long period of time, the water will stagnate. Then germs can form. This is an undesirable flow condition. It is therefore known to provide a connection provided with a barrier to a drain in the water installation. This barrier is opened regularly within a specified period of time, about a week. A quantity of water is then fed into the drain that is sufficient to completely flush the water installation.

In known arrangements, this hygienic flush is carried out in any case, regardless of whether water has been drawn off or not. So water is consumed even when 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 at the domestic water inlet for the drinking water supply. Maximum flow rates are set depending on the consumption habits at the tapping points.

DE 20 2005 002 415 U1 discloses a component set for the modular creation of such a sequence arrangement described at the outset. In the arrangement, the lower edge of the upper drain body can be detachably connected to the upper edge of the lower drain funnel. The component set includes a backflow protection designed as a closed component. The backflow protection comprises a valve that opens in the direction of flow and blocks in the opposite direction. The lower drainage funnel forms a receptacle in which the backflow protection can optionally be inserted in a sealing manner. The valve prevents odors from the wastewater from escaping up through the upper drain body into the atmosphere. The upper drain body forms a connecting part with webs, between which openings or breakthroughs to the atmosphere are formed. As water flows through the drain assembly, it hits the valve and some of it splashes up and out through the openings in the upper drain body. That is undesirable.

DE 20 2008 002 822 U1 discloses a flush valve that operates either with a fixed flush cycle or variable based on the signals of a temperature sensor or the Volume flow. By appropriately distributing the flushing valves and flow sensors or temperature sensors, flushing of the pipeline system in certain areas can also be arranged.

EP 2 466 019 A2 discloses a flush that is triggered automatically as a function of the volume flow through the supply lines and as a function of the temperature. The volume is measured at the beginning of the supply line. If there are several taps, there is therefore the risk that a front tap will be drawn and stagnation will continue to develop behind it. Cold and hot water lines are explicitly equipped with their own valves.

DE 20 2011 105 696 U1 discloses an automatic flush that is triggered after a time interval when a flow sensor detects no flow. The water is let into the cistern of a toilet, so that no separate drain is required.

The known arrangements work with a large number of separate valves, sensors and controls which have to be installed individually.
US 2008/0112843 A1 and GB2482754A disclose a water mixer with which a hygienic flush can also be carried out.

It is the object of the invention to reduce the water consumption by hygienic flushes and to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art. According to the invention, this is achieved with a water fitting with the features of claim 1.

With such a water fitting, a hygienic flush is always carried out if no or too little water has flowed through the water installation over a longer period of time, for example 48, 72 or 240 hours. The flow conditions are recorded with 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. Flow-measuring means can then be used in other fittings, for example leakage protection fittings. In this case, the fitting is particularly simple and inexpensive.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is a reed contact fixed to the housing and a turbine or other turbine interacting with a reed contact suitable flow-measuring means for generating a signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation is provided. Turbines of this type are known and are regularly used, for example, in the applicant's leakage protection arrangements.

According to the invention, the barrier is formed by a motor-operated ball valve. The motor can then be controlled by the control unit. Manual intervention is usually not necessary.

In the case of the water fitting, a drain arrangement is provided, which usually consists of an upper drain body on the system side and a drain funnel arranged below it. The drain body is a downwardly open hollow body with lateral openings, which is to be connected to a drain connection of the water fitting. Water to be drained off flows into the drain body, the interior of which is under atmospheric pressure through the side openings. A drain funnel, which is connected to a drain line, is provided under the drain body. The drain pipe is connected to sewers. To avoid unpleasant odors, a siphon is usually provided in the sewer pipe, which forms an odor trap. It must of course also be prevented that any rising wastewater can escape from the discharge funnel.

1. (a) einen Ablauftrichter, der mit der Abwasserleitung verbunden ist;
2. (b) einen mit dem Ablauftrichter fluchtenden, mit diesem verbundenen Ablaufkörper zum Verbinden des Ablauftrichters mit der Wasserarmatur, wobei der Ablaufkörper Stege aufweist, zwischen denen Öffnungen zur Atmosphäre gebildet sind; und
3. (c) ein zwischen Ablaufkörper und Ablauftrichter angeordnetes, in Richtung des Ablauftrichters öffnendes Ventil; wobei
4. (d) die Stege in dem Ablaufkörper in radialer Richtung versetzt zueinander angeordnet sind und den gesamten Winkelbereich abdecken.

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

1. (a) a drainage funnel connected to the sewer line;
2. (b) a drain body aligned with the drain funnel and connected thereto for connecting the drain funnel to the water fitting, the drain body having webs between which openings to the atmosphere are formed; and
3. (c) a valve which is arranged between the drain body and the drain funnel and opens in the direction of the drain funnel; whereby
4. (d) the webs in the drain body are arranged offset from one another in the radial direction and cover the entire angular range.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the webs can be arranged in the drain body at intervals along two or three concentric rings be. The angular areas covered by adjacent webs can preferably overlap. Some of the webs can be connected to one another by radially extending bridges. This reliably prevents the water splashing back from escaping.

In the invention, the flow measuring means are arranged upstream of the shut-off and the flow is passed through the flow measuring means during the hygienic flush.

Then the water flowing during the rinsing and its volume flow can be determined quantitatively with the flow measuring means. If there is a lot of water flowing, a short rinse is sufficient. If, on the other hand, there is only weak water pressure, less water will flow. The flushing period can then be extended until it is ensured that all of the stagnant water has been removed.

1. (a) die Absperrung von einem Kugelhahn in einem Armaturengehäuse gebildet ist, das mit einem mit der Ablaufanordnung verbundenen Ablauf und zwei Einlassanschlüssen versehen ist;
2. (b) der Kugelhahn in einer Absperrstellung die Verbindung zwischen beiden Einlassanschlüssen und dem Ablauf absperrt,
3. (c) der Kugelhahn in einer ersten Spülstellung die Verbindung zwischen einem ersten Einlassanschluss und dem Ablauf öffnet, und
4. (d) der Kugelhahn in einer zweiten Spülstellung die Verbindung zwischen einem zweiten Einlassanschluss und dem Ablauf öffnet.

The invention provides that

1. (a) the shut-off is formed by a ball valve in a fitting housing which is provided with a drain connected to the drain arrangement and two inlet connections;
2. (b) the ball valve in a shut-off position shuts off the connection between the two inlet connections and the drain,
3. (c) the ball valve opens the connection between a first inlet connection and the drain in a first flushing position, and
4. (d) the ball valve opens the connection between a second inlet connection and the drain in a second flushing position.

Such an arrangement enables the connection of two water installations, such as a cold water installation and a hot water installation. In front of each of the two inlet connections, flow measuring means can be arranged, the signals of which are applied to the signal processing device. Two flow measuring devices are used, one for each of the installations. However, only one control unit and one signal processing device and only one sequence arrangement are required. This reduces manufacturing and set-up costs. The hygienic flush is carried out separately for each of the two water installations as required. Of course, the arrangement can also be used with just one water installation. Then one of the two inlet ports is tightly closed with a cap.

In a further, optional embodiment of the invention, a water sensor is provided in the drain arrangement, the signals of which are applied to the signal processing device. The water sensor can be used to determine whether water rises from the drain. If this is the case, a sanitary flush will not be performed. In this way, it is avoided that flushing water escapes to the outside in an undesired manner from the arrangement.

To prevent water from flowing out of one water installation into the other water installation, a backflow preventer opening in the direction of the shut-off is arranged in the flow between the flow-measuring means and the shut-off.

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 interventions are usually not required, so that a concealed 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 fitting part installed in front of one or more tapping points with a flow meter and a control device with a signal processing device acted on by the signals of the flow measuring means for determining the flow conditions in the water installation. The control device of the leakage protection arrangement can have a communication unit with which communication between the control devices and / or with a central server can be established. The water fitting thus receives the signals from a leakage protection arrangement, which is equipped with a flow meter.

It can also be provided that the communication units of the control devices are identical in construction and are connected wirelessly or via a cable connection to a common, central server via the Internet or another suitable network, on which the signals received from the fitting part and the Control of the valve part required software is provided. Communication can take place via cable, Bluetooth, infrared, WLAN, the Internet or other suitable communication channels. The execution of a hygienic flush can not only be triggered, but also documented for later evidence.

Refinements of the invention are the subject of the subclaims. An exemplary embodiment is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

is an overview of a modular kit made up of various fitting parts for a water installation and a control unit that is the same for all fitting parts.

Fig. 2

shows a schematic example of the use of the various fittings in an apartment building.

Fig. 3

is a cross-section through a fitting part for leak protection for installation in a pipeline.

Fig. 4

is a cross section through a fitting part to avoid stagnation in a pipe section of a water installation without its own flow meter.

Fig. 5

is a perspective view of a fitting part that can be connected to a sewer pipe to avoid stagnation in a pipe section of a water installation with its own flow meter and wall bracket.

Fig. 6

is a perspective view of a fitting part that can be fitted over a collecting basin connected to the sewage network in order to avoid stagnation in a pipe section of a water installation with its own flow measuring device.

Fig. 7

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the arrangement from FIG Figure 5 in operating position.

Fig. 8

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the arrangement from FIG Figure 5 along the section plane DD in Figure 7 .

Fig. 9

shows the arrangement Figure 7 in rinsing position.

Fig. 10

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the assembly from FIG Figure 5 .

Fig. 11

is a perspective view of a water fitting for performing a hygienic flush for two water installations.

Fig. 12

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the arrangement from FIG Figure 11 .

Fig. 13

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the water fitting from FIG Figure 11 with only one water installation.

Fig. 14

FIG. 3 is a cross-section through the arrangement from FIG Figure 13 .

Fig.15

is a detailed representation of the water fitting Figure 11 , in which the flow measuring means are shown in detail in cross section.

Fig. 16

is a detailed representation of the water fitting Figure 11 , in which the valve body with a ball valve are shown in detail in cross section.

Fig. 17

Figure 3 is an exterior perspective view of a drain assembly with the valve and splash guard in place.

Fig. 18

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the drain assembly from FIG Figure 17 .

Fig. 19

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the assembly from FIG Figure 17 .

Fig. 20

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the valve for the drain assembly of FIG Figure 17 .

Fig. 21

FIG. 13 is a cross section along the line DD in FIG Figure 18 .

Fig. 22

is a perspective view of a cut open upper drain body from below with the ribs and openings.

Description of the exemplary embodiments 1. Exemplary embodiment to illustrate partial aspects of the invention

Figure 1 shows an overview of the various components of a modular kit for water installations. A control device that is the same for all other modules is denoted by 10. The control unit 10 is fastened to one of the fitting parts 14, 16, 18, 20, 226 or 228 with a clamp 12. 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 intended for different applications. The fitting part 14 is an adapter part for leakage protection, which is in a vertical water supply line 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 an inexpensive, simply constructed fitting part, also for leak protection, which is inserted into a straight pipeline. The fitting parts 18, 226 and 228 are intended for hygienic flushing and have a drain. Faucet parts 18 and 226 are installed under a sink and connect the water supply to the drain. Usually the connection is blocked with a barrier. If, however, no water has been drawn off for a long time, the shut-off is opened and a hygienic flush is carried out. Fitting part 228 works in principle like fitting part 226. In this fitting part 228, however, no fixed connection to a wash basin drain is provided. Rather, the fitting part can be arranged with the drain above a collecting basin or funnel connected to the sewage network.

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

The fitting part 16 is exemplified in Figure 3 shown 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. A ball valve 107 is arranged behind the inlet 104. A connection 22 for the control device is provided on the top. The water flows from the inlet 104 through the ball 107, a backflow preventer 108 and a turbine 110. From there the water flows through a chamber 112 to the outlet 106. Furthermore, a pressure sensor 114 is provided at the lower end of the lower housing part 102. The signals of a magnet on the turbine 110 detected with a reed contact are passed in a known manner to the control device 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 hygienic flushing. Examples of the valve parts are in the Figures 4 to 10 and labeled 18, 226 and 228, respectively. The fitting part 18 in Figure 4 has a drain connection 116. In this simple design, no turbine and no pressure sensor are 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 connecting part 124 that 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 device 10 is provided, as in the case of the fitting parts already described.

A conventional ball valve 128 is arranged behind the inlet. The ball valve 128, like the ball valve already described above, is actuated by the motor in the control unit 10. The lower housing part 120 is screwed into the upper housing part 118 below the ball valve. A drain arrangement with the connection to the drain 116 is arranged on the lower housing part 120. The drain 116 is connected to a sewer and usually contains a siphon as an odor trap.

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

The drain line is connected to a sewer and usually contains a siphon as an odor trap. The drain body 410 and the drain funnel 416 are easily detachably connected to one another by a clip fastener. With a backstop 422 is referred to, which is also shown in Figure 20 is shown again in detail. If no siphon is installed in the drainage line, this should interrupt the connection to the sewer and thus avoid unpleasant odors. It should it is also avoided that wastewater can rise in the drainage line and exit via the drainage arrangement.

The drain body 410 has a nozzle-like upper section 424. A ring 426 is connected to section 424 by 428 and 430. The webs 428 and 430 delimit lateral openings 432 and 434. These openings 432 and 434 ensure that the drain connection is directly connected to the atmosphere and is under atmospheric pressure when a drain valve on the fitting is opened.

The ring 426 of the drain body 410 engages via a collar 440 on the upper edge of the drain funnel 416. This collar 440 has two diametrically opposed, upwardly extending projections 442 and 444. The ring 426 is clipped onto these projections 442 and 444 with an inwardly protruding edge. The result is a clip fastener which allows quick assembly and disassembly of the drain body 410 and the drain funnel 416.

In this way, the drain body 410 and the drain funnel 416 can be installed alone, i.e. without a backflow protection, especially if a siphon is built into the drain line as an odor trap.

Such a backflow protection 422 can, however, conveniently be installed on site or retrospectively if this is necessary.

For this purpose, a cylindrical section 456 is provided on the inner wall of the drainage funnel adjacent to the upper edge. The portion 456 can also comprise the inner wall of the collar 440. A step 458 adjoins the cylindrical section 456. The section 456 and the step 458 form a receptacle for the backflow preventer 422 in the discharge funnel 416. The backflow preventer has a bowl-shaped insert 460. The insert part 460 is held radially in the cylindrical section 456 and sits with an edge 462 on the step 458. An annular groove 464, in which a sealing ring 466 is seated, is formed on the outer jacket surface of the insert part 460. The return stop 422 can thus be inserted tightly into the cylindrical section 456.

The backflow protection 422 forms a closed component. The insert part 460 then has the edge 462 with a conically tapering outer wall and overall an inner wall correspondingly conically tapering downwards. The insert 460 is essentially open at the bottom. The bottom 468 forms two sector-shaped openings 470 and 472, which each extend over almost 180 °. the Openings 470 and 472 form a web 474 between them. The web 474 carries a central guide ring 476. A plunger 478 is pushed through the guide ring 476 from below. At its lower end, the plunger 478 is a disk 480 which is firmly connected to the plunger 478. A flexible rubber washer of a slightly larger diameter rests on the disk 480. The rubber washer covers the openings 470 and 472 from below and normally rests on the lower end face 82 of the insert part 460. The rubber disk forms a valve disk 484. The tappet 478 is provided with a thread 486 at its upper end. The plunger 478 is surrounded by a relatively weak helical spring 488. The helical 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 hole. The helical spring 488 thus pulls the disk 480 and thus the valve disk 484 upwards via the tappet 478. In this way the valve is normally kept tightly closed. Odors cannot escape from the drain pipe. Wastewater that rises via the drainage pipe also presses the valve shut and cannot escape via the drainage arrangement.

When water escapes from the water installation via the drainage connection, this water collects in the bowl-shaped insert part 460. The weight of this water presses the valve 484 open, overcoming the weak helical spring 488. The water can drain away.

In particular, if large amounts of water run off, water can splash back. The shape and arrangement of the webs 428 and 430 prevents the water from escaping from the openings 432 and 434. This is in the Figures 21 and 22nd shown again in detail. Figure 21 FIG. 11 shows a cross section along the section line DD in FIG Figure 18 . It can be seen that the webs are arranged on three imaginary, concentric rings 492, 494 and 496. The rings are arranged at a distance from one another.

On the outermost ring 492, 6 webs 498 are arranged equally spaced from one another. Openings 500 are formed between the webs 498. 6 webs 502 are arranged on the middle ring 494. Openings 504 are formed between the webs 502. 6 webs 506 are arranged on the innermost ring 96. Openings 508 are formed between the webs 506. All webs 498, 502 and 506 are curved and extend over their width along the circumference of the respective imaginary rings 492, 494 and 496.

The webs 498 on the outermost ring 492 are connected to the webs 502 on the middle ring 494 via radially extending bridges 510. The bridge 510 connects the clockwise front end of the web 502 with the clockwise rear end of the web 498 of the outer ring 492 covered angular range and protrudes slightly beyond it. The angular range covered by the webs 506 on the innermost ring 496 in turn corresponds approximately 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 hits one of the webs 498, 502 or 506 in every angular range. The bridges 510, which hold back water that has been splashed several times, offer additional security. 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 Figure 4 does not have its own flow measurement function. This is taken over by one of the other parts of the fitting. If no or too little water is withdrawn over a longer period of time, for example 48, 72 or 240 hours, this is detected by one of the flow-measuring valve parts. The fitting part 18 then receives a control command via the control device 10 to open the normally closed ball valve 128. Water flows from inlet 122 to drain 116. In this way, water flows through all pipelines upstream of this fitting. The pipeline installation is flushed and the formation of germs from 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 only takes place if the flow conditions recorded with another valve require it.

The fitting part 18 can be installed wherever a water supply line and a drain are close together. A particularly suitable place is below the sink. 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 with a profile at the upper end. The control unit 10 with the motor engages this profile. The connection between control unit 10 and The valve part is manufactured in a non-rotatable manner and with a defined ball position. The connection is secured with a clamp 12 engaging in openings.

The control device 10 is equipped with a transceiver, which establishes a connection to the Internet via a cellular network, a cable connection for the Internet or a WLAN. In this way, a connection to a central server can be established via the Internet. Figure 2 illustrates schematically how the various components described above can be used for a leakage protection arrangement in an apartment building. It goes without saying that this is only an example and that larger or smaller units are also conceivable.

This in Figure 2 The house 200 shown has a house entrance for drinking water 202. A fitting part 20 with control unit 10 and pressure reducer-filter combination 204 is installed hydraulically behind the house entrance. Additional filters or pressure reducers are no longer required in the building. Simpler, more cost-effective devices are possible at the other points. Each apartment or apartment complex is also individually equipped with a fitting part 14 or 16 and an associated control device 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 wash basin. In the present exemplary embodiment, only fitting parts 18 are shown. It goes without saying, however, that, depending on the application and installation conditions, the fitting parts 226 and 228 with a flow measurement function can also be installed.

To install an arrangement, the fitting part is first connected to the pipeline. Otherwise the control unit does not receive any values. The control device 10 is then connected to a power supply. The internet connection of the control device 10 is established directly by means of its own SIM card via a cellular network, via a cable connection or via a WLAN. When using WLAN, a display and an input device in the form of a keyboard are provided for the access code. The temporary IP address of the control device 10 is automatically transmitted to a central server (not shown). Furthermore, the apartment owner, the manager or his installer registers the device via an internet portal. For this purpose, a code or an identification symbol is visibly attached to the device. The server now manages all relevant data. The management software is on the server and can be easily maintained and improved by the manufacturer. The control device 10 does not require any further installation steps or maintenance effort. This is how it becomes The installation can be carried out by the installer, who is often inexperienced in IT matters, without having to call in an IT specialist. The hardware effort is low.

The installer, manager or the apartment owner can enter the parameters suitable for the application themselves via their own internet portal. The parameters include the period after which a hygienic flush is to be carried out, switching the vacation mode on and off, setting the threshold values for volume flow, volume flow per time, maximum duration of a volume flow and pressure drop. These data are also saved on the server when a control device 10 is no longer functional. This makes it particularly easy to switch 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 on the control device 10, these new data are also transmitted to the server.

Since there is a separate leakage monitoring system for each apartment or apartment complex, a vacation circuit can also be set up there. The tolerances can be selected to be lower, so that the damage in the event of a leak can be kept lower. If a particularly large amount is tapped, the control device 10 at the entrance to the house first of all checks whether the volume flow comes from one apartment or from different apartments. In the latter case, there may be no leakage and shut-off will be avoided. Leakage can be localized better and therefore found more quickly by using a large number of leakage protection fittings. The other parts of the building remain unaffected, as the cordoning off is also carried out locally.

If a leakage fitting or the flow measuring device of the hygiene fittings 226 or 228 does not detect a volume flow for a longer period of time, for example 48, 72 or 240 hours, a hygiene flush is automatically triggered. When the period of time with a leakage fitting is recorded, a control signal is 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 control unit 10 opens the ball valve 128 with the motor. Water then flows through the pipes to the drain of the wash basin under which the fitting 18 is installed. This way, stagnation and that comes with it possibly associated nucleation avoided. The type and time and duration of the hygienic flush can be documented and saved.

2nd exemplary embodiment to illustrate partial aspects of the invention

The hygienic fitting 18 is only suitable for applications in which only one tapping point is arranged between the leakage fitting 16 and the hygienic fitting 18. If there are several draw-off points, a hygienic fitting 226 or 228 must be used to ensure that stagnation is avoided at each draw-off point. Figures 5 to 10 show the hygiene fittings 226 and 228 in detail. The drain arrangement with splash guard and odor trap, which cannot be seen in section, is identical to the fitting 18 and is therefore no longer described here.

The water enters the fitting 226 ( Fig. 5 ) through an inlet 272 and a central channel 270 into the fitting. A backflow preventer 274 is arranged 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 in Figure 7 and Figure 8 Shown in the operating position in which there is no hygienic flushing. In the in Figure 9 In the position shown, the ball valve 276 to the flow measuring device is closed and opens to the outlet 288.

A flow measuring arrangement with a backflow preventer 278 and a turbine 280 in a cup 284 is arranged in the vertical channel below the ball valve 276. The signal from the turbine 280 is picked up via a reed contact and transmitted to the control unit 210. The flow measuring arrangement functions like the flow measuring arrangements used in known leakage protection devices of the applicant and is for example in FIG DE 20 2008 003 055 U1 described in detail. A detailed description is therefore not required here. It goes without saying that any other flow measuring arrangement is also suitable for this purpose.

Behind the flow measuring arrangement, the water is directed upwards in the operating position outside in the cup 284 and flows via a lateral, horizontally running connecting channel 286 into an annular channel 290. The annular channel 290 is arranged around the central inlet channel 270. The annular channel 290 is connected to an outlet 294 via a known flange connection 292. The tap is located behind the outlet. If in the in Figure 7 and 8th shown If water is drawn off in the operating position of the ball valve, this is registered by the flow measuring arrangement. If there is no flow for a long time, the control unit transfers the ball valve to the in Figure 9 position shown moved. In this position, water is drawn from the inlet through a small opening 296 in the ball 276 directly into a channel 298 ( Fig. 8 ) to drain assembly 288.

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

3. Embodiment of the invention

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

The fitting housing 314 is provided for hygienic flushing and has a drain connection 316. It is installed under plaster with a housing 312 and connects a water supply to the drain. Usually the connection is blocked with a barrier. If, however, no water has been drawn off for a long time, the shut-off is opened and a hygienic flush is carried out.

The fitting housing 314 consists of an upper housing part 318 and a lower drain body 320. The upper housing part 318 has two coaxial inlet connections 322 and 324, which in the present exemplary embodiment run horizontally. A ball valve 326 is arranged between the inlet connections 322 and 324. A connection for the control unit is provided on the top. The drain port 316 extends vertically downward.

The ball valve 326 is in Figure 16 shown again in detail. The ball 328 of the ball valve 326 is provided with a kinking passage 330. The passage 330 connects in the in Figure 16 illustrated first flushing position the inlet connection 322 with the outlet 316. It is easy to see that a rotation of the ball 328 about a horizontal axis by 180 degrees leads to the inlet connection 322 is closed. In this second flushing position, the inlet connection 324 is connected to the outlet 316. In an intermediate shut-off position, both inlet connections are closed. No water flows from the inlet connection to the drain. In front of both inlet connections in the in Figure 11 and 12th A backflow preventer 332 and 334 are arranged in each case in the configuration shown. The backflow preventer 332 and 334 open in the direction of the ball valve 326.

The controller 310 is used to control the ball valve 326 for hygienic flushing.

Below the ball valve, the drain 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 as an odor trap. The sequence arrangement corresponds to that based on Figures 17 to 22 sequence arrangement described and therefore does not need to be described here.

A moisture sensor 336 is arranged in the lower region of the drain body 320. The humidity sensor is in Figure 12 to recognize. The moisture sensor 336 is used to determine whether water is accumulating. A hygienic rinse is only carried out if the water can flow away unhindered. This prevents water from being able to escape from the drain body 320.

Housing parts 338 and 340 are connected to the inlet connections 322 and 324. The housing parts 338 and 340 are identical. Therefore, only the housing part 340 will be described. The housing part 340 has a tubular, elongated housing connector 342. The housing connector 342 is connected to the inlet connection 322 by a nut 344. The housing connector 342 is connected to the housing 312 by means of a pipe clamp 364 and is held there. In the present exemplary embodiment, the backflow preventer 332 sits in the housing connector 342. It goes without saying that it can also be arranged in the inlet connection 322.

The housing part 340 opens down into a cup 346. This is in FIG Figure 15 clearly visible. At the upper end, the housing part 338 has an inlet connection 352 with a ball valve 354. An outlet connection 348 is molded onto the housing part 338 parallel to the inlet connection 352. The outlet connection 348 is also provided with a ball valve 350. The ball valves 350 and 354 are manually operated and enable shut-off of the housing part 340 for maintenance purposes and the like, for example when the cup 346 is to be removed.

A backflow preventer 356 with bypass and turbine 358 for flow measurement is arranged in the cup 346. 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 of a magnet on the turbine 358 detected with a reed contact 362 are known Way to the control unit 310 and evaluated there or in a central server. The flow measuring arrangement functions like the flow measuring arrangements used in known leakage protection devices of the applicant and is for example in FIG DE 20 2008 003 055 U1 described in detail. A detailed description is therefore not required here. It goes without saying that any other flow measuring arrangement is also suitable for this purpose.

On the one hand, as described, the chamber 360 is connected to the outlet connection 348. In addition, the housing connector 342 is connected to the chamber 360. Depending on the position of the ball 328, water can flow laterally through the fitting housing 314 to the drain 316 or to the outlet connection 348, which is connected to the following tapping points.

With the turbine 358, the arrangement has its own flow measurement function. The flow is recorded both when tapping water and when rinsing. If no or too little water is withdrawn over a longer period of time, for example 48, 72 or 240 hours, this is detected. Then the control unit 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 pipelines upstream of this fitting. The pipeline installation is flushed and the formation of germs from stagnant water is avoided.

After a predetermined amount of flushing water, the ball valve 326 is closed again. Flushing only takes place if the flow conditions recorded with another valve require it. Because the flow is also recorded during the rinsing process, a defined amount of rinsing water can be set. Only as much water is used as is absolutely necessary.

The fitting part can be installed wherever a water supply line and a drain are close together. One special A suitable place is under plaster in the area of the wash basin. The inlet port 352 is connected to the water supply.

The fitting housing 314 has a connection for the control device 310. A bolt for actuating the ball of ball valve 326 is profiled at the top. The control unit 310 with the motor acts on this profile. The connection between the control unit 310 and the fitting housing is made non-rotatable and with a defined ball position. The connection is secured with a clip that engages in openings.

The control device 310 can be set externally via a network connection, for example the Internet. The installer, manager or the apartment owner can enter the parameters suitable for the application themselves via their own internet portal. The parameters include the period of time after which a hygienic flush should be carried out and the amount of flush water required. These data are also saved on a server when a control device 310 is no longer functional. This makes it particularly easy to switch 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 on control device 310, these new data are also transmitted to the server.

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

Depending on the hydraulic situation, the fittings are installed in both hot and cold pipes. This is particularly useful with a central hot water supply. The embodiment described above shows a configuration in which the hot water installation is connected to one of the two inlet connections and the cold water installation is connected to the other of the two inlet connections. Monitoring and flushing the installations is then carried out separately from each other. However, only one control and only one sequence is required.

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

The embodiment described above has been specifically described. It goes without saying that the transmission paths on the control unit - wireless or wired - can be selected as desired. It is also not absolutely necessary for the implementation of the invention to set up a central server. Rather, this function can also be taken over by a control device, for example. The grouping of the tapping points is arbitrary and depends on the application. It can make sense to monitor each tap individually, while in other applications a group of apartments with several tapping points each is monitored.

The hygienic fittings can be fitted with a pressure sensor. Usually, a pressure reducer is connected to the fitting part 20 in the house entrance area, which is used to limit the pressure in order to save water. The pressure must also be sufficient for daily use at the highest point of the installation. If the pressure reducer is connected to a control device, as here, the signal from the pressure sensor can also be used to set the pressure on the pressure reducer to an optimal value. In this way, the estimate 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 pressure fluctuations in the supplier's network.

Claims (16)

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

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

   (b) a shut-off valve (107; 128; 276; 326; 354) for interrupting the fresh water feeding from the fresh water supply;

   (c) a drain assembly adapted to drain water from the water installation;

   (d) a control device (10; 210; 310) for controlling the shut-off valve (107: 128: 276; 326; 354) in such a way that the shut-off valve opens when there is a risk of stagnation, and

   (e) a signal processing unit for determining unwanted flow conditions in the water installation which receives the signals of flow measuring means (110; 280; 358) and for controlling the shut-off valve in such a way that the shut-off valve opens for a limited flushing duration if the flow volume in a selected stagnation interval is below a threshold, characterized in that

   (f) the shut-off valve is formed by a motor driven ball valve (326) in a fitting housing (314) which is provided with a drain (316) connected to the drain assembly (320) and two inlet connections (322, 324);

   (g) the ball valve (326) shuts off the connection between both inlet connections and the drain in a shut-off-position,

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

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

   (j) flow measuring means (358) are provided before each of the two inlet connections (322, 324) the signals of which are received by the signal processing unit.
2. Water fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the signal processing unit comprises a communication unit which recieves a signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation.
3. Water fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that there is provided a housing fixed Reed contact (362) and a turbine (358) cooperating with the Reed contact or any other suitable flow measuring means for generating a signal representing the flow conditions in the water installation.
4. Water fitting according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drain assembly comprises:

   (a) a drain funnel (416) adapted to be connected to a waste water pipe;

   (b) a drain body (410) aligned with the drain funnel (416) and connected thereto, the drain body as a connector between the drain funnel (416) and the water fitting, wherein the drain body is provided with webs (428, 430; 498, 502, 506) having openings therebetween towards the atmosphere; and

   (c) a valve positioned between the drain body (410) and the drain funnel (416), said valve opening in the direction of the drain funnel, wherein

   (d) the webs (498, 502, 506) in the drain body 410 are positioned offset with respect to each other and cover the entire angular range.
5. Water fitting according to claim 4, characterized in that the sebs (428, 430; 498, 502, 506) are positioned with distances along two or three concentric rings (492, 494, 496) in the drain body (410).
6. Water fitting according to any of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the angular ranges covered by adjacent webs (428, 430; 498, 502, 506) overlap.
7. Water fitting according to any of the preceding claims 4 to 6, characterized in that a portion of the webs is connected by radially extending bridges (510).
8. Water fitting according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flow measuring means (358) are positioned within the water fitting.
9. Water fitting according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that flow measuring means (358) are provided upstream of the shut-off valve (326) and the flow is guided through such flow measuring menas during a hygiene flushing.
10. Water fitting according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a water probe (336) is provided in the drain assembly (320) generating signals which are received by the signal processing unit.
11. Water fitting according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a backflow preventer (332, 334) opening in the direction of the shut-off valve is provided in each flow between the flow measuring means (358) and the shut-off valve.
12. Water fitting according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a housing (312) is provided enabling the assembly to be installed in a concealed manner.
13. Water installation comprising

    (a) a water fitting according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 12 and

    (b) a leakage protection assembly with a fitting portion installed before one or more taps, the fitting portion having a flow measuring means and a control device with a signal processing unit receiving the signals of the flow measuring means for determining the flow conditions in the water installation.
14. Water installation according to claim 13, characterized in that the control device of the leakage protection assembly is provided with a communication unit for a communication of the control devices of the leakage protection assembly and at least one water fitting amongs each other and/or with a central server.
15. Water installation according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the communication units of the control devices are the same and connected to a common, central server through the internet or any other suitable network, where the software is provided which is required for the processing of the signals received by the fitting portion and the control of the fitting portion.
16. Water installation according to any of the claims 13 to 14, characterized in that the water fitting is provided with a pressure sensor and a pressure reducer for controlling the pressure in the water installation by communicating through a control device with the control device of the water fitting and controlling the pressure in the water installation according to the pressure measured by the pressure sensor.

Images