GB2545015A

GB2545015A - Water dispensing system for providing drinkable heated water

Info

Publication number: GB2545015A
Application number: GB1521415.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Holland Joseph
Original assignee: Redring Xpelair Group Ltd
Current assignee: Redring Xpelair Group Ltd
Priority date: 2015-12-04
Filing date: 2015-12-04
Publication date: 2017-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-04
Also published as: GB201521415D0; GB2545015B

Abstract

A potable water dispensing system 1, comprising: a water boiler 4. A tap 2 is connected to a cold water supply 3a for dispensing cold water and, separately, to the water boiler 4 for dispensing heated water from the boiler. The dispensing system comprises a control unit 5 having temperature selection means 7 for selecting the temperature of the water from the water boiler to be dispensed by the tap. The control unit, in response to the selection of a specified water temperature and the opening of the tap, directs the introduction of cold water from the cold water supply into the water boiler. The faucet can be connected to a second hot water supply 3b and may comprise a thermal sensor. The system may further comprise a mixing valve.

Description

Water dispensing system for providing drinkable heated water Field of invention

This disclosure relates to a water dispensing system and particularly to a water dispensing system for providing drinkabie heated water.

Background art

Potable water boilers and water heaters are well known to provide drinkable boiling water, as opposed to hot water provided by conventional water heaters that may be unsuitable for drinking. Examples of this latter form of water heater include electric shower heaters and the like which provide a source of hot water for washing but are not intended to be a source of drinking water. In contrast to non-potabie water heaters, known potable water boilers typically comprise a water container into which cold water is introduced and then heated using a heating element. The heated water may be then dispensed by a tap. It is also known to provide point of use potable water boilers to provide a source of boiling water at a sink located where the boiling water is required, possibly beside a conventional faucet offering hot and cold water.

Known potable water boilers may provide boiling water that is at a temperature close to 100 degrees Celsius (°C). However it will be appreciated that depending on the beverage it may not be necessary to provide the heated water at a boiling temperature. For example the water temperature for brewing coffee may not be as hot as the water temperature needed to make tea. The user of a water boiler may thus need to wait for the boiling water to cool down or add cold water to the boiling water to reach approximatively a desired temperature, which may be time consuming and frustrating for the user, and not accurate.

There therefore continues to exist a need for improved water boilers.

Summary of the Invention

These and other needs are achieved by a potable water dispensing system in accordance with the present teaching. Such a potable water dispensing system is detailed in claim 1. Advantageous features are provided in the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the water dispensing system of the present invention provides water at a selected water temperature directly and instantly at the tap for the convenience of the user.

Brief description of drawings A specific implementation of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a potable water dispensing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a schematic view of a potable water dispensing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiment of the invention

Referring to Figure 1, a potable water dispensing system 1 is provided for dispensing heated water by a tap 2. As shown in the Figure, the tap 2 is connected at least to a cold water supply 3a and is in fluid communication with a water boiler 4. The water boiler 4 may comprise a water container 4a and a heating element 10 for heating the water In the water container 4a, Preferably the tap 2 is also connected to a hot water supply 3b which may provide a source of non-pofable heated water. As shown, the tap 2 is also arranged to dispense water at an outlet or spout 6 of the tap 2. The water dispensing system 1 is shown stored under a counter 100 at which the tap 2 dispenses water, possibly at a sink 101. However it is understood that the water dispensing system 1 may be stored for example above the counter or otherwise, without departing from the invention.

It is understood that the hot and cold water supply 3a, 3b may be conventional water supply. The water from hot water supply 3b may be heated by a conventional water heater at a hot water temperature generally comprised between 55°C and 60°C and may not be suitable for drinking, notably due to the risk of bacterial contamination. On the contrary the water boiler 4 may heat water from the cold water supply at a higher temperature than a conventional heater to obtain drinkable boiling water. For example the water boiler may heat water at a temperature of at least 70°C, and preferably at least 90°C. It will be understood that, unless otherwise stated, the expression “boiling water” refers herein to water heated by the water boiler 4, as opposed to the water heated by a conventional water heater, and thus not necessarily at the boiling point of water.

As shown in Figure 1, the water dispensing system 1 may further comprise a control unit 5 having temperature selection means 7 for selecting a temperature of the water dispensed by the tap 2. The temperature selection means 7 may comprise a dial set 8 to various pre-set predetermined temperatures to enable a user to select a temperature of the dispensed water from a plurality of predetermined temperatures. The diai set 8 may comprise a handle or a knob rotatable for selecting a desired water temperature. Alternatively the temperature selection means 7 may have a user settable indicator configured to be set by a user to a desired temperature, for example, but not limited to, a numeric keypad for numeric entry of desired temperature, a display with buttons or a touch screen for selecting a desired water temperature. The skilled person will understand that other temperature selection means 7 may be applied as weli, without departing from the invention.

Advantageously the temperature selection means 7 of the water dispensing system 1 according to the invention thus allows the user to select, from a plurality of predetermined temperatures, a desired water temperature adapted to his needs. Preferably, the temperature selection means 7 enables the user to select conventional hot water from the hot water supply 3b or boiling water from the water boiler 4. For example, the predetermined temperatures of the dial set 8 of the temperature selection means 7 may be set to a plurality of temperatures such as: 55°C (conventional non drinkable hot water); 65°C (drinkable hot water); 70° (drinkable hot water for brewing coffee); 93°C (drinkable hot water for making black tea), etc.

The temperature selection means 7 may comprise safety means for preventing accidental use of hot water. For example in the case of the dial set 8 having a rotatable handle, such means may be an interlock to prevent the rotation of the handle or knob in the direction to select higher temperatures, for example higher than 40°C or 45°C, or to switch from the conventional hot water to the hot water. For example a second action may be required by the user to select higher water temperatures. Such an action may be, in the case of the dial set 8 having a rotatable handle, to rotate the handle back and the override the interlock. The skilled person wili be aware of many different ways of implementing such means for preventing accidental use of hot water without departing from the invention.

According to the present invention, the control unit 5 is arranged, in response to a selection of a water temperature by the temperature selection means 7, to control the introduction of cold water from the cold water supply 3 in the water boiler 4 and provide water at the selected temperature at the tap outlet 6.

St will be understood that the cold water introduced in the water boiler 4 expels approximatively the same amount of boiling water out of the water boiler 4. Specifically in operation, when the tap 2 is opened, cold water is introduced in the water container 4a and directed on the heating element 10 which is activated to heat the water. The heating of the water subsequently causes the pressure in the water container 4a to rise. Both the introduction of water in the water container 4a and the rising of the pressure open an outlet 11 of the water boiler 4 to dispense boiling water at the tap 2 via a pipe 15 connecting the outlet 11 to the tap 2. The control unit 5 is therefore arranged to provide hot drinkable water flowing from the water boiler 4 at the tap outlet 6 when a predetermined hot water temperature is selected on the temperature selection means 7. Thus, a user obtains instantaneous heated or hot water by simply opening the tap 2.

Preferably, the control unit 5 is further arranged, in response to the selection of a water temperature, to divert from the hot water of the hot water supply 3b to water heated by the water boiler 4 and flowing in the pipe 15. in that case, the user may obtain hot water from the hot water supply 3b at lower temperatures, for example under 55°C, and boiling from the water boiler 4 at higher temperatures, that is above 55°C in that example. A diverting valve 16 may be used to divert from the hot water flow of the hot water supply 3b to the flow of water heated by the water boiler 4,

The water dispensing system 1 may further comprise a thermal sensor 9 for measuring the temperature of the water upstream of the tap outlet 6 and the control unit 5 is arranged to adjust the temperature of the water dispensed by the tap 2 according to the water temperature measured by the thermal sensor 9, which thereby provides a temperature feedback to the control unit 5. Preferably the thermal sensor 6 is a thermistor located in the flow of water.

As shown in Figure 1, a safety vaive 14 of the water boiler 4 may be connected to the sink 101 to evacuate in the sink 101 steam and water produced in the water container 4a when water is heated in the water container 4a.

In the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the heating element 10 of the water boiler 4 is configured to be activated by the introduction of cold water in the water boiler 4. The water boiler 4 is thus arranged to heat the water as soon as cold water is flowing through the water container 4a of the water boiler 4. Preferably the activation of the heating element is further controlled by the control unit 5 according to the water temperature measured by the thermal sensor 9. The water boiler 4 is thus arranged to be switch on or off to provide water at the selected temperature.

In operation of the first embodiment, when a user selects a temperature at the temperature selecting means 7 for preparing a beverage using boiling water, cold water from the cold water supply 3a is introduced in the water container 4a of the water boiler 4, as controlled by the control unit 5. The heating element 10 is then activated by the introduction of the water in the water container 4a to heat the water. The introduction of water in the water container 4a also causes boiling water to flow from the outlet 11 to the pipe 15 leading to the tap 2.

The temperature of the water flowing from the outlet 11 of the water boiler 4 may be measured by the thermal sensor 9, and the control unit 5 may switch off or keep on the water boiler 4 accordingly. If the water flowing from the outlet 11 is warmer than the temperature selected at the temperature selecting means 7, the control unit 5 is configured to switch the heating element 10 off to stop heating the water in the water boiler 4. If the water flowing from the outlet 11 is colder than the temperature selected at the temperature selecting means 7, the heating element 10 further heats the water in the water boiler 4. Hence the water heater 10 can be pulsed to achieve the selected water temperature.

At the tap 2, the control unit 5 may divert the water flow from the hot water supply 3b to the boiling water heated by the water boiier 4. in this embodiment, the diverting vaive 16 may be connected to the water boiier 4 via the pipe 15 and to the hot water supply 3b and the control unit 5 may divert from the hot water to the boiling water by actuating the diverting valve 16 so as to provide the boiling water at the tap 2.

Preferably the beating element 10 is an instant water heater with 10 to 12KW input to achieve a fast beating of the water and rapidiy provide water at the selected temperature.

Figure 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the water dispensing system 21 of the invention. It should be noted that the same numerical references are used for the same elements as those in Figure 1.

In the second embodiment illustrated in Figure 2, the control unit 5 of the water dispensing system 21 is arranged to mix cold water from the cold water supply 3a with boiling wafer heated by the water boiler 4 to provide the water at the selected temperature. More specifically the control unit 5 is arranged to mix the cold water and the boiling water according to the water temperature measured by the thermal sensor 9 upstream of the tap outlet 6, that is the temperature of the water after the mixing.

Preferably the water dispensing system 21 further comprises a mixing valve 12 coupled to the cold water supply 3a and to the water boiler 4 for mixing cold water from the cold water supply 3a and boiling water from the water boiler 4, and controlled by the control unit 5. The mixing valve 12 is adapted to control the amount of boiling water and cold water to flow so as to maintain a flow of water with a constant temperature corresponding to the selected temperature. The mixing valve 12 may also be coupled to the hot water supply 3b to mix conventional hot and cold water. In that case the mixing vaive 12 may be located downstream of the diverting vaive 16.

The water dispensing system 21 may also comprise a stepper motor 13 to controi the mixing valve 12, the stepper motor 13 being controlled by the control unit 5.

In the second embodiment, the water boiler 4 may be arranged to store water at a predetermined temperature, preferably comprised in the range 90 to 95 °C, preferably In the range 92 to 93°C. The water boiler 4 may have a thermostat for adjusting the temperature of the water in the water container 4a with an accuracy of 0.5°C to 3°C.

In operation of the second embodiment, when a user selects a temperature at the temperature selecting means 7, cold water is introduced in the water boiler, as controlled by the control unit 5. The heating element 10 may then be activated to heat the water. Preferably, the heating element 10 of the water boiler 4 is configured to be activated by the introduction of cold water in the water boiler 4. The introduction of water in the water container 4a causes boiling water to flow from the outlet 11 to the pipe 15 ieading to the tap 2. The control unit 5 then diverts from the hot water of the hot water supply 3b to water heated by the water boiler 4, for example by actuating the diverting valve 16, to allow the mixing of the boiling water with cold water. The water flowing from the outlet 11 is thus mixed, for example by the mixing valve 12, with cold water from the cold water supply 3a.

The temperature of the mixed water is preferably measured by the thermal sensor 9 after the water mixing. The control unit 5 may thus adjust the respective flows of cold and heated water accordingly to reach the selected temperature, if the mixed water is warmer than the temperature selected at the temperature selecting means 7, the control unit 5 is configured to increase the flow of cold water and accordingly reduce the flow of heated water from the water boiler 4. On the contrary if the mixed water is colder than the temperature selected at the temperature selecting means 7, the control unit 5 is configured to increase the flow of heated water from the water boiler 4 and accordingly reduce the flow of cold water.

According to the invention, the water dispensing system therefore enables a user to select a water temperature and provides water at the selected water temperature. Advantageously the water dispensing system allows the user to obtain water heated at the selected temperature almost instantaneously without having to wait for the water to cool down or to have to dilute boiling water with cold water to reach the desired temperature.

Changes to the water dispensing system can be made in light of the above detailed description. For example the skilled person will understand that elements described here above in relation to the first, respectively second, embodiment may be integrated in the second, respectively first embodiment. For example the water dispensing system 1 of the first embodiment may further comprise a mixing valve coupled to the cold water supply and to the water boiler for mixing cold water from the cold water and boiling water from the water boiler and controlled by the control unit, so as to further adjust the water temperature dispensed by the tap.

In general, in the following claims, the terms used should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should be construed to include all water dispensing systems in accordance with the appended claims.

Claims

1. A potable water dispensing system, comprising: a water boiler configured to heat water; a tap connected to a cold water supply for dispensing cold water and to the water boiler for dispensing heated wafer from the boiler; and a control unit having temperature selection means for selecting a water temperature of heated water from the water boiler to be dispensed by the tap; the control unit being arranged, in response to a selection of a water temperature and an opening of the tap, to control introduction of cold water from the cold water supply into the water boiler to initiate a heating of the water within the boiler and effect a subsequent dispensing of water from the boiler to an outlet of the tap.

2. The potable water dispensing system of claim 1, wherein the tap is further connected to a hot water supply and the water dispensing system is configured to selectively provide water from each of hot water supply, the cold water supply and water heated by the water boiler at the outlet of the tap.

3. The potable water dispensing system of claim 2, wherein the water dispensing system is configured to selectively mix water from each of the hot water supply, the cold water supply and the water heated by the boiler at the outlet of the tap.

4. The potable water dispensing system of any preceding claim, further comprising a thermal sensor for measuring the temperature of the water upstream of the tap outlet and wherein the control unit is further arranged to adjust the temperature of the water dispensed by the tap according to the water temperature measured by the thermal sensor.

5. The potable water dispensing system of any preceding claim, wherein the water boiier comprises a heating element configured to be activated by the introduction of cold water in the water boiler.

6. The potable water dispensing system of claim 5 when depending on claim 4, wherein the activation of the heating element is further controlled by the control unit according to the water temperature measured by the thermal sensor.

7. The potable water dispensing system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control unit is arranged to mix water from the coid water supply with water heated by the water boiler to provide water at the selected temperature.

8. The potable water dispensing system of claim 7 when depending on claim 4, wherein the controi unit is further arranged to mix coid and heated water according to the water temperature measured by the thermal sensor.

9. The potable water dispensing system of claim 7 or 8, further comprising a mixing valve coupled to the coid water supply and to the water boiler and controlled by the control unit.

10. The potable water dispensing system of claims 9. further comprising a stepper motor to control the mixing valve.

11. The potable water dispensing system of any one of ciaims 7 to 10, wherein the water boiler is further arranged to store water at a predetermined temperature comprised preferably in the range 90 to 95 degrees Celsius, preferably in the range 92 to 93 degrees Celsius.

12. The potable water dispensing system of any one of ciaims 1 to 12, wherein the temperature selection means comprises a diai set to select the temperature of the dispensed water from a plurality of predetermined temperatures.

13. The potable water dispensing system of any one of ciaims 1 to 12, wherein the temperature selection means comprises a user settable indicator to select a desired temperature of the dispensed water.

14. The potable water dispensing system of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the water boiler is stored under a counter at which the tap dispenses water.

15. A potable water dispensing system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.