EP2937479B1 - Sanitary drain device for draining the water from a shower - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a sanitary installation comprising an evacuation device, in particular for the evacuation of washing water coming from a shower.

The washing water from a shower is wastewater loaded with solids (example: hair) and difficult to pump.

The invention is particularly useful in its application to the evacuation of washing water coming from a shower with a lowered water receiving tank, called an “extra-flat” shower, or from a shower completely integrated into the ground called " Italian shower ".

Many devices are known for emptying or evacuating sanitary appliances, in particular a sanitary appliance such as a shower tray or a bathtub.

In the event that the gravity flow is insufficient, the installation, under the level of the drain grid of the shower or the bathtub, of a device for draining water by pumping is a known and easy practice. to implement.

In the case of draining water from a walk-in shower, the use of a conventional centrifugal pump is impossible if the drain pump is placed above the level of the shower base or of the lowered tray. from the shower. In fact, in this type of pump, the turbine must remain submerged in order to be able to suck and discharge.

We know from the document GB 2 276 541 a device for evacuating water from a shower that uses a self-priming pump to evacuate this water. However, this document does not describe a particular device configuration suitable for such an application.

We know documents EP 0 323 384 and EP 2,037,125 pump configurations which, however, are not suitable for the intended application.

An object of the invention is to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art, in particular for an application for evacuating water to an extra-flat shower or to a walk-in shower, by providing a new sanitary evacuation device by pumping particularly suitable for the evacuation of washing water coming from a shower with a lowered tub or a walk-in shower.

The subject of the invention is a sanitary installation according to claim 1.

Aligning the axis around which the venturi passage is centered with the axis of the engine makes it possible to have a rectilinear, horizontal arrangement of the venturi-engine block assembly. This in-line arrangement makes it possible to recover with great efficiency / efficiency the energy of the motive water which enters the venturi passage and thus to bring it in the axis of the engine and therefore of the turbine associated with the engine (the turbine is mounted on the motor shaft and placed between the motor and the venturi unit).

The suction effect which is created at the outlet of the venturi passage is therefore particularly effective in sucking the discharge water arriving through the inlet of the venturi block.

The in-line arrangement generates very little pressure drop and thus makes it possible to use a relatively low-power motor (low noise and compact). On the contrary, the pumps of the prior art generally impose strongly sinuous paths on the water with elbows and channels which are highly creators of turbulence and therefore of pressure drop, thus requiring high power motors (eg: higher at 1kW), therefore bulky and noisy. Such pumps are therefore not at all suitable for discharging waste water from a shower, unlike the device according to the invention.

The electric motor driving the pump comprises a rotor-stator assembly which is included in an oil bath contained in a sealed body, so as to homogenize the temperature distributions inside the sealed body. The operating noise of the motor is reduced, which is particularly suitable for domestic use of the device (eg when the device is placed in a dwelling).

The sealed body for example made of plastic and containing the rotor-stator assembly immersed in the oil bath is housed in a sealed envelope containing the assembly of the pump, the venturi unit and the electric motor inside his body ; said envelope being filled with evacuation water when the device is in service, so as to prime the pump. The device according to the invention is therefore particularly compact and suitable for such use.

• Le dispositif comporte une arrivée d'eau d'évacuation à laquelle est directement raccordé le bloc venturi, ledit bloc venturi comportant un passage qui met directement en communication l'arrivée d'eau d'évacuation avec une zone dudit bloc située en aval du passage venturi. Plus particulièrement, le bloc venturi est raccordé à l'arrivée d'eau (ex : tubulure d'admission) de telle manière que l'eau pénétrant dans le bloc est contrainte à emprunter le passage qui s'étend de ladite arrivée à la zone aval du bloc, c'est-à-dire en aval de la sortie du passage venturi. De cette manière, l'eau pénétrant dans le bloc ne peut communiquer directement avec l'entrée du passage venturi.
• Le bloc venturi comporte une partie supérieure qui est excentrée vers le haut par rapport à l'axe du moteur et qui est raccordée à l'arrivée d'eau d'évacuation. On notera que cette partie excentrée peut alternativement être agencée vers le bas par rapport à l'axe du moteur, voire latéralement par rapport à l'axe du moteur, c'est-à-dire au même niveau que l'axe.
• Le bloc venturi comporte une buse d'entrée formant le passage venturi et, en aval, un cône de diffusion positionné sensiblement coaxialement à l'axe du moteur électrique. Ainsi, la buse et le cône de diffusion sont alignés l'un avec l'autre et avec l'axe du moteur.
• La buse d'entrée comprend un orifice de sortie qui présente un diamètre compris entre 5 et 12 mm.
• Le dispositif comporte une chambre dans laquelle est disposé le bloc venturi raccordé à l'arrivée d'eau d'évacuation, le passage venturi ayant un orifice d'entrée en communication avec ladite chambre afin de recevoir uniquement de l'eau présente dans ladite chambre. L'orifice d'entrée du passage venturi ne communique pas avec l'arrivée d'eau. Le bloc venturi ne comporte en effet que deux entrées d'eau, l'une qui est raccordée à l'arrivée d'eau à évacuer (provenant d'un receveur de douche) dans le dispositif et l'autre qui est celle formée par l'orifice d'entrée du passage venturi et qui reçoit l'eau mise en circulation dans la chambre par la pompe (notamment par la turbine).
• La pompe auto-amorçante comporte une turbine de surpression comprenant deux flasques reliées par des aubes conférant à l'eau aspirée un mouvement centrifuge apte à créer une surpression et à évacuer l'eau de lavage, la turbine étant montée sur l'axe du moteur ; la turbine est ainsi apte à imprimer à l'eau de lavage un relevage relativement faible, c'est-à-dire un relevage inférieur ou égal à 1 mètre de hauteur d'eau.
• Le corps étanche contenant l'ensemble rotor-stator plongé dans le bain d'huile est de préférence réalisé en matière électriquement isolante, par exemple en matière plastique. Ceci permet, avec en plus l'isolation du rotor par surmoulage, d'utiliser le voltage du secteur, par exemple compris entre 220 et 240 V alternatif.
• Le moteur électrique d'entraînement de la pompe est dimensionné pour que la pompe dispose d'une capacité de relevage inférieure ou égale à 1 mètre de hauteur d'eau. Le moteur ayant une puissance relativement faible, il est moins bruyant que des moteurs à plus forte puissance. Le moteur de puissance relativement faible est donc également d'un encombrement réduit, ce qui convient particulièrement pour une utilisation domestique du dispositif (ex : lorsque le dispositif est placé dans une habitation). Par ailleurs, cette relativement faible puissance de moteur est suffisante compte tenu de l'alignement du passage venturi sur l'axe du moteur (alignement horizontal) et donc d'une très bonne efficacité/rendement dans le fonctionnement par rapport à des agencements non alignés, voire qui comportent un trajet hydraulique sinueux créateur de perte de charge.
• Le moteur électrique a une puissance nominale inférieure à 500W qui est suffisante pour que la pompe ait une capacité de relevage inférieure ou égale à 1 mètre de hauteur d'eau.

According to other possible characteristics of the invention taken alone or in combination with one another:

• The device comprises a discharge water inlet to which the venturi unit is directly connected, said venturi unit comprising a passage which places the discharge water supply directly in communication with an area of said block located downstream of the passage. venturi. More particularly, the venturi unit is connected to the water inlet (eg: intake manifold) in such a way that the water entering the unit is forced to take the passage which extends from said inlet to the area. downstream of the block, that is to say downstream of the outlet of the venturi passage. In this way, the water entering the block cannot communicate directly with the inlet of the venturi passage.
• The venturi unit has an upper part which is eccentric upwards relative to the axis of the engine and which is connected to the discharge water inlet. It will be noted that this eccentric part can alternatively be arranged downwards with respect to the axis of the engine, or even laterally with respect to the axis of the engine, that is to say at the same level as the axis.
• The venturi unit comprises an inlet nozzle forming the venturi passage and, downstream, a diffusion cone positioned substantially coaxially with the axis of the electric motor. Thus, the nozzle and the diffusion cone are aligned with each other and with the axis of the motor.
• The inlet nozzle has an outlet orifice which has a diameter of between 5 and 12 mm.
• The device comprises a chamber in which is arranged the venturi unit connected to the discharge water inlet, the venturi passage having an inlet orifice in communication with said chamber in order to receive only water present in said chamber. . The inlet of the venturi passage does not communicate with the water inlet. The venturi unit in fact only has two water inlets, one which is connected to the water inlet to be evacuated (coming from a shower tray) in the device and the other which is the one formed by the inlet orifice of the venturi passage and which receives the water circulated in the chamber by the pump (in particular by the turbine).
• The self-priming pump comprises a pressure turbine comprising two flanges connected by vanes giving the sucked water a centrifugal movement capable of creating an overpressure and of discharging the washing water, the turbine being mounted on the motor shaft. ; the turbine is thus able to give the washing water a relatively low lift, that is to say a lift less than or equal to 1 meter in water height.
• The sealed body containing the rotor-stator assembly immersed in the oil bath is preferably made of an electrically insulating material, for example of plastic. This makes it possible, with the additional insulation of the rotor by overmolding, to use the mains voltage, for example between 220 and 240 V AC.
• The electric motor driving the pump is dimensioned so that the pump has a lifting capacity less than or equal to 1 meter in water height. As the motor has relatively low power, it is quieter than higher power motors. The relatively low power motor is therefore also of reduced bulk, which is particularly suitable for domestic use of the device (eg when the device is placed in a dwelling). Furthermore, this relatively low engine power is sufficient given the alignment of the venturi passage on the axis of the motor (horizontal alignment) and therefore of very good efficiency / performance in operation compared to non-aligned arrangements, or even which include a sinuous hydraulic path which creates a pressure drop.
• The electric motor has a nominal power of less than 500W which is sufficient for the pump to have a lifting capacity less than or equal to 1 meter of water height.

The subject of the invention is also a sanitary installation which comprises a shower tray and a sanitary drainage device for the evacuation of the washing water collected by the shower tray and as briefly explained above.

This sanitary evacuation device is in particular disposed substantially above the level of a floor of the shower tray and for example at a distance from the tray, more particularly at 1 or more meters depending on the configuration of the installation and the locations. .

• La figure 1 représente schématiquement une vue en coupe d'un dispositif selon l'invention, associé à une douche à l'italienne.
• La figure 2 représente schématiquement une vue en perspective avec coupe par un plan médian vertical d'un dispositif selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood thanks to the description which will follow given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

• The figure 1 schematically shows a sectional view of a device according to the invention, associated with a walk-in shower.
• The figure 2 schematically shows a perspective view with section through a vertical median plane of a device according to the invention.

With reference to the figure 1 , a device according to the invention is designated as a whole by the reference 1.

The device 1 is connected to a duct 2 mounted on a siphon 3 for example of a walk-in shower. The siphon 3 of the walk-in shower is protected by a grid 4 flush with the tiled floor 5 of the shower tray. The assembly formed by the shower tray, the siphon 3, the duct 2 and the device 1 constitutes a sanitary installation.

Thus, the washing water flowing through the grid 4 in the siphon 3 and in the evacuation duct 2 is sucked by the device 1 to be evacuated through the outlet duct 6 to an evacuation collector, not shown. .

With reference to the figure 2 , the device 1 has an intake pipe 2a mounted in a sealed manner on a casing 7 delimiting a closed reservoir containing the moving parts and the driving parts of the device.

The reservoir defined by the casing 7 is intended to be filled with water when the device is started up through the filling inlet 8.

This filling inlet 8 is closed by a plug when the tank is completely filled when the device is put into service.

The water contained in the reservoir surrounds not only the pump, but also a body 9 containing an oil bath.

The motor 10 with its windings, more particularly the rotor-stator assembly, is placed in the oil bath contained in the body 9, so as to homogenize the temperature distributions inside the sealed body 9 and thus avoid a local overheating detrimental to the windings of the motor 10. The motor also comprises, outside this body 9 and inside the casing 7, electrical / electronic components for the operation of the motor (eg: capacitor, etc.).

The motor 10 is supplied by a sealed feed-through 11 connected to an electrical plug 12 intended to be connected to the mains.

The rotor-stator assembly of the motor 10 immersed in its oil bath inside the sealed body 9 is doubly insulated, by its oil bath and by the overmolding of the shaft 10a, which allows the use from the mains supply to power the motor 10.

The motor 10 has a horizontal central axis 10a mounted on ball bearings and equipped with sealing rings.

The central shaft 10a mounted on bearings drives, by its end square, a centrifugal turbine 13.

The centrifugal turbine 13 mounted on the shaft 10a comprises two discs or flanges 13a, 13b secured and connected by vanes or blades 13c arranged vertically.

Thus, when the motor 10 drives the turbine 13 in rotation, this turbine imparts to the water present in the reservoir delimited by the casing 7 a centrifugal movement capable of creating an overpressure in the reservoir. Thus, the overpressure washing water in the tank is discharged through the upper pipe 6 to be discharged in the direction of a sanitary manifold.

The intake manifold 2a is directly connected to a venturi unit 14 which comprises an upper part 14a placed in the top of the casing 7.

The upper part 14a placed in the top of the casing 7 is eccentric relative to the axis 10a of the engine and to the axis of the turbine 13. This arrangement may however differ depending on the positioning of the pipe 2a relative to the 'axis 10a (below or at the same level but on the side ...).

In the example shown, the inlet pipe 2a passes through a sealed passage of a side cover 7a of the sealed casing 7, but the invention also extends to any other inlet location for the arrival of water, for example a side entrance.

The venturi unit 14 connected to the pipe 2a is arranged in a chamber which forms part of the reservoir delimited by the casing 7 and which also contains the turbine 13. The venturi unit 14 also comprises a venturi passage formed here by a nozzle of inlet 15 and, downstream, a diffusion cone 16 positioned coaxially with respect to the axis 10a of the electric motor 10 and to the axis of rotation of the turbine 13. The assembly of the inlet nozzle 15 and the cone diffusion 16 is aligned with the axis 10a (or on an axial extension of this axis).

The upper part 14a of the venturi block 14 defines a single water supply passage for the water coming from the pipe 2a and which leads this water to an area of the venturi block located downstream of the inlet nozzle 15 and which forms the diffusion cone 16. This water supply passage more particularly comprises a first rectilinear portion 14a1, here horizontal, eccentric with respect to the axis 10a, then a second vertical portion 14a2 which extends vertically in direction of the axis 10a (or of an axial extension of this axis) so as to form a third annular portion 14a3 around the inlet nozzle 15 and which opens out annularly downstream therefrom at the level of the 'inlet of diffusion cone 16.

It will be noted that the inlet nozzle 15 comprises an inlet orifice 15a and an outlet orifice 15b which is in communication with the water coming from the pipe 2a via the eccentric part 14a. The inlet port 15a, meanwhile, is in direct and unique communication with the chamber enclosing the venturi block 14 and not with the tubing 2a, thus preventing direct communication with the incoming water but only allowing communication with the. water present in the chamber and which has therefore been set in motion by the turbine. The arrangement of the different components of the device offers the water present in the chamber a direct path between the turbine and the inlet port 15a of the inlet nozzle 15, without passing through channels, bends or various intermediate deviations. likely to increase the pressure drops. A path that is too sinuous (with several deviations) for the flow of water between the turbine and the inlet of the inlet nozzle 15 would necessitate the use of a motor of greater power than that necessary for the device 1 in order to overcome the high pressure drops. This would result in higher level noise and increased clutter.

More particularly, the centrifugal movement of the water in the turbine is able to create an overpressure in the venturi unit (via the inlet nozzle 15 which receives the motive water set in motion by the turbine) which can thus, on leaving nozzle 15, suck and start pumping washing water (waste water) through the inlet passage 2a and the upper part 14a.

The discharge water entrained in the direction of the turbine 13 then passes through the diffusion cone 16 to the turbine 13.

It will be noted that the self-priming pump described here is a centrifugal pump, which is associated with a venturi unit creating, at the start, a suction and therefore the priming of the pump.

Preferably, the body 9 containing the oil bath and the rotor-stator assembly of the motor 10 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example a plastic material.

The casing 7 containing the assembly of the venturi unit 14, the turbine 13 and the sealed body 9 containing the rotor-stator assembly of the motor 10 is also made of an electrically insulating material, preferably a plastic material.

Making the body 9 containing the oil bath and the casing 7 in an electrically insulating material, preferably a plastic material, ensures good electrical insulation of the device, unlike commercial pumps where the motor is overhead and the casing is stainless steel to ensure the creation of high pressures, but where the electrical insulation is zero.

The low performance expected of the self-priming pump in terms of lifting (and therefore of the engine in terms of power) makes it possible to use plastic to make the device, which makes it particularly light.

The venturi unit 14 accelerates the drainage water from the shower and allows the discharge flow to be started. However, the level of acceleration of the water flow produced by the venturi block does not need to be high in this application (because the lift is not higher than 1 m of water height) , which makes it possible to design a device with an electric motor 10 of low power.

Further, since the power of the electric motor 10 is relatively small, generally less than 500W (power nominal) and for example of the order of 300 watts, the heat dissipation in the oil bath makes it possible to homogenize the temperature of the oil bath and to standardize the heat exchanges, so that the internal wall of the sealed body 9 is subjected to an operating temperature below 60 ° C.

As the body 9 is immersed in the evacuation water which is constantly renewed, the outer wall of the body 9 also acts as a heat exchanger, which prevents any internal overheating and any risk of damage to the motor windings. electric 10.

The venturi block 14 can be made of plastic, for example by injection.

In the case where the venturi unit 14 is produced by injection, it is necessary to make two separate parts and then to join them together, due to the impossibility of unmolding this venturi unit 14 in a single piece.

The water present inside the casing 7 delimiting the discharge water tank coming from the intake pipe 2a, is driven by the effect of the venturi passage 15 (motive water) providing a pulse of acceleration in the direction of the center of the turbine 13, thus creating the peripheral overpressure inside the reservoir, and is ejected by overpressure through the outlet 6.

It will be noted that the pump lift is relatively low, by construction, that is to say less than 1 meter in water height. This makes it possible to size a venturi having a larger orifice (therefore of lower efficiency) than that which would be necessary for a venturi mounted on a pump before, for example, raising the water from a well and putting this water under pressure for a domestic use (2 to 4 bars). This larger orifice is therefore particularly suitable for the suction of relatively loaded water such as shower water.

By way of example, the characteristics of the venturi block 14 may include a diameter of the inlet nozzle 15 (diameter of the outlet orifice 15b) of the order of 1 centimeter, while the half-angle of the cone of diffusion directing the flow towards the turbine 13 is preferably close to 10 ° of angle. In general, the inlet nozzle diameter 15 is at least equal to 5 mm (so that the suction force is not too high) and at most equal to 12 mm (beyond this value the force d suction will not be high enough to suck the water). Between the values of 5 and 12 mm, the inlet nozzle diameter is particularly suitable for shower water (waste water laden with solids). Below 5 mm, the risk of the inlet nozzle 15 being blocked by solids carried by the shower water increases considerably. For a diameter of the order of 2 to 3 mm, the risk of clogging is indeed very high.

These dimensions and characteristics can be adapted by the manufacturer according to the desired flow rate for the water evacuation of a particular installation (creation of a suitable range).

Generally, the installation of the device is carried out in the bathroom containing the extra-flat shower or the walk-in shower or the equivalent sanitary appliance, in general at a distance from the drain of less than 3 meters.

Due to the low lifting height, the power of the electric motor 10 is reduced, which avoids any risk of overheating and its double insulation allows its use in a humid atmosphere.

The starting of the electric motor 10 is preferably controlled by a signal from a pressure switch associated with the shower plug.

Thus, the evacuation of the sanitary water is carried out only when the water to be evacuated is present in sufficient quantity to avoid a risk of significant air entering inside the casing 7 of the device, this which avoids any risk of cavitation or deactivation of the pump.

In the event that the pump is deactivated, or in the event that the outer casing 7 is damaged, an electrical protection device for the electric motor 10 is provided to automatically stop the motor 10.

In the event of a short-term anomaly or an untimely cut-off, the protection of the electric motor 10, the rotor-stator assembly of which is immersed in its oil bath contained in the sealed body 9, guarantees constant electrical safety, and thus allows the 'supply by the mains voltage, generally between 220 volts and 240 volts alternating.

The invention described with reference to a particular embodiment is in no way limited to it, but on the contrary covers any modification of form and any variant embodiment within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (11)

1. A sanitary installation comprising a shower basin and a sanitary drain device for draining washing water collected by the shower basin (3-5), the device comprising a self-priming pump and an electric motor (10) driving the pump by means of an axis (10a), the self-priming pump being associated with a Venturi block (14) creating the suction of the drain water and the priming of this pump, the Venturi block (14) comprising a Venturi passage (15) positioned coaxially to the axis (10a) of the electric motor (10), the installation being characterized in that

   - the electric motor (10) for driving the pump comprises a rotor-stator assembly that is included in an oil bath contained in a tight body (9), so as to homogenize the temperature distributions inside the tight body (9),

   - the tight body (9) containing the rotor-stator assembly submerged in the oil bath is housed in a tight enclosure (7) containing the assembly of the pump, the Venturi block (14) and the electric motor (10), and

   - said tight enclosure (7), containing the assembly of the pump, the Venturi block (14) and the tight body (9) containing the rotor-stator assembly of the electric motor (10) is filled with water, when the device is in use.
2. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the device comprises a drain water inlet (2a) to which the Venturi block (14) is directly connected, said Venturi block comprising a passage that places the drain water inlet (2a) in direct communication with a zone of said block located downstream from the Venturi passage (15).
3. The sanitary installation according to claim 2, characterized in that the Venturi block (14) comprises an upper part (14a) that is upwardly off-centered relative to the axis (10a) of the motor (10) and that is connected to the drain water inlet (2a).
4. The sanitary installation according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the Venturi block (14) comprises an inlet nozzle (15) forming the Venturi passage and, downstream, a diffusion cone (16) positioned substantially coaxially to the axis (10a) of the electric motor (10).
5. The sanitary installation according to claim 4, characterized in that the inlet nozzle (15) comprises an outlet orifice (15b) that has a diameter of between 5 and 12 mm.
6. The sanitary installation according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a chamber in which the Venturi block is arranged connected to the drain water inlet (2a), the Venturi passage having an inlet orifice in communication with said chamber in order to receive only water present in said chamber.
7. The sanitary installation according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the self-priming pump comprises an overpressure turbine (13) comprising two flanges (13a, 13b) connected by blades (13c) imparting, to the suctioned water, a centrifugal movement able to create an overpressure and to drain the washing water, the turbine being mounted on the axis (10a) of the motor.
8. The sanitary installation according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the tight body (9) containing the rotor-stator assembly submerged in the oil bath is made from electrically insulating material, for example from plastic.
9. The sanitary installation according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the electric motor (10) for driving the pump is dimensioned so that the pump has a lift capacity less than or equal to 1 meter high of water.
10. The sanitary installation according to claim 9, characterized in that the electric motor (10) has a rated power of less than 500 W.
11. The sanitary installation according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sanitary drain device is arranged substantially above the level of a floor of the shower basin.

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