IT201800002579A1 - MULTIFUNCTION DEVICE FOR REGULATING WATER DELIVERY AND OTHER ACCESSORY FUNCTIONS - Google Patents

Description

TITLE

MULTIFUNCTIONAL DEVICE FOR REGULATION

WATER DELIVERY AND OTHER FUNCTIONS

ACCESSORIES

DESCRIPTION

The present patent relates to showers, bathtubs and sinks and in particular concerns a new multifunction device for regulating water supply.

The regulation of the water supplied, in showers as in bathtubs and sinks, can be adjusted using various devices.

A device for regulating the flow of water is the tap. A tap is used to regulate the flow of cold water and a tap to regulate the flow of hot water. The two regulated flows of hot and cold water are then conveyed to the manual or fixed dispenser.

Separate taps for hot and cold water are inexpensive but inconvenient, as both need to be adjusted to get the amount of water delivered to the desired temperature.

Another device for regulating the flow of water is constituted by the mixer taps.

These mixing cocks comprise an internal mixing cartridge and an external control lever. The water quantity is adjusted by lifting the control lever, while the temperature is adjusted by turning the same control lever sideways.

The mixer taps allow you to adjust the quantity and temperature of the water with a single command, but still require various temperature adjustments, especially in cases where hot water is not immediately or constantly available at the mixer tap inlet.

Thermostatic mixers are known, comprising a knob for regulating the quantity of water and a knob for regulating the water temperature. A thermostatic valve inside the mixer, controlled by said knob for adjusting the water temperature, continuously adjusts the flow of cold and hot water in order to keep the outlet water temperature constant according to what set by said temperature knob.

Although thermostatic mixers are very practical for regulating the flow and temperature of the water, they have various drawbacks. Replacement parts for thermostatic mixing valves are expensive.

Thermostatic mixers take up more space than normal taps and lever mixer taps. The user can hit the thermostatic mixer and injure himself.

All connections of the thermostatic mixer must be prepared.

Both the taps, both the lever mixers and the thermostatic mixers have the disadvantage that the user, moving, can touch the taps or mixers by varying the flow and / or the temperature of the water.

Both the taps, both the lever mixers and the thermostatic mixers have the disadvantage that the user adjusts the water flow and temperature almost empirically: the user must adjust the temperature and flow rate adjustments. water until the desired temperature and inflow settings are found.

Both taps, lever mixers and thermostatic mixers have the disadvantage that the user can move away from the shower or sink or in any case from the water dispenser, leaving the water open. If the user does not close the taps or the mixer, the water continues to flow with a considerable waste of water and energy used for heating the water that flows unnecessarily.

To obviate all the aforementioned drawbacks, a new multifunction device has been studied and implemented for regulating the water supply and other accessory functions.

One purpose of the new device is to regulate the inflow and temperature of the water as set by the user.

One purpose of the new device is to keep the inflow and temperature of the water regulated as set by the user.

Another purpose of the new device is to interrupt the flow of water when the user leaves the shower or moves away from the sink or in any case from the water dispenser.

Another purpose of the new device is not to take up any space, inside the shower or on the sink surface.

These and other direct and complementary purposes are achieved by the new multifunction device for regulating the water supply and other accessory functions comprising at least one control and management circuit, at least one control device, at least one screen, at least two solenoid valves. , at least one temperature sensor, one or more connecting means between the various parts.

The control device comprises a thin touch-sensitive element adapted to detect when and where the user touches or places his finger in proximity to said thin touch-sensitive element.

It is preferable that said control device consists of a so-called touch foil, consisting of a thin transparent acrylic sheet which is capacitively sensitive. This touch foil is applied to a surface accessible by the user near the water dispenser, for example on the external surface of the shower glass.

The screen may consist of an LCD screen, a holographic screen, an OLED screen or other device capable of displaying images.

Said screen is applied to the rear of said touch foil control device, for example placed on the external surface of the shower glass and aligned with said control device.

The control device and the screen can consist of a single object having both the ability and function of displaying images, and the ability and function of detecting the user's touch.

The solenoid valves consist of electrically controlled hydraulic valves with progressive adjustment. Each solenoid valve is adapted to be applied to the hot or cold water inflow duct and to regulate the quantity of water directed towards the dispenser.

The water coming from each solenoid valve flows into a single duct leading to the dispenser.

For each dispenser there is a pair of solenoid valves designed to regulate the flow of cold water and hot water to the single dispenser.

Instead of two separate solenoid valves, it is possible to provide a single mixing solenoid valve which receives the flow of hot water and the flow of cold water at the inlet and supplies mixed water at the desired temperature and flow rate at the outlet.

Each temperature sensor consists of a sensor suitable for detecting the temperature of the water coming from said solenoid valves and directed towards the dispenser.

The connecting means between the various parts consist of any combination of suitable and suitable means for connecting and communicating between the various parts.

These connection means can be constituted by electric wires and / or by optical fiber cables and / or by radio adapters of the Bluetooth type and / or by radio adapters of the WiFi type and / or other adapters.

The control and management circuit consists of a circuit designed to receive information and communicate with all the other parts of the new device. In particular, the control and management circuit:

- receives communication from the various sensors on their status and their detection,

- receives communication from the solenoid valves on their status,

- commands the total or partial opening or closing of the solenoid valves, - commands the display of images, notifications, messages on the screen,

- detects the pressure or touch of the user on the control device. This control and management circuit can be constituted by a computer in which specific programs are executed, it can be constituted by a programmable multifunction board such as Raspberry or Arduino, or it can be constituted by a dedicated programmable board.

Said control and management circuit detects the commands given by the user via the control device, detects the temperature of the water arriving at the dispenser via the temperature sensor and consequently commands the relative opening or closing of each solenoid valve.

It is possible to foresee that the new device for regulating the water supply may also include:

- proximity sensors,

- humidity sensors,

- flow switch.

The proximity sensors can be, for example, optical sensors and / or ultrasonic sensors and / or inductive sensors and / or electromechanical sensors and are able to detect the correct closing of the shower door and / or the presence of a person inside the shower and / or the presence of a person near the sink or in any case near the water dispenser.

Depending on the detection of said proximity sensors, the control and management circuit opens or closes the water flow to the dispenser: if the user moves away from the water dispenser, the control and management circuit interrupts the water flow to the dispenser.

The flow switch is able to detect and signal to the control and management circuit the real flow of water flowing into the dispenser.

Each temperature sensor constantly monitors the temperature of the water flowing towards the dispenser. If the water temperature reaches or exceeds a warning level, the mixing valve is automatically activated which regulates the mixing of cold and hot water or completely stops the water supply.

The new multifunction device for regulating water supply and other accessory functions is suitable for use with thermo-hydraulic domotic devices in household, industrial and work environments, such as hotels, offices, restaurants.

The new multifunction device for regulating water supply and other accessory functions is suitable for use with washbasins, showers, bathtubs and swimming pools in homes and in environments such as hotels, restaurants and any commercial and industrial environment.

The new multifunction device can be applied and used to control the water supply in a shower.

The management of the shower water supply through manual devices is replaced by the new device.

The control device consists of a so-called touch foil, consisting of a thin transparent acrylic sheet which is capacitively sensitive. The screen may consist of an LCD screen, a holographic screen, an OLED screen or other device capable of displaying images.

Said touch foil and said screen consist of a single object having both the ability and function of displaying images, and the ability and function of detecting the user's touch, and is placed on the external surface of the shower glass.

If the shower is positioned outside, for example in the garden, the touch screen display can be positioned, for example, on the column supporting the water dispenser, and can be fixed, removable and / or rotatable.

The proximity sensors detect the correct closing of the shower door and / or the presence of a person inside the shower.

Depending on the detection of said proximity sensors, the control and management circuit opens or closes the flow of water to the shower if the shower door itself is closed correctly or is open, and if there is a person inside the shower.

The control and management circuit detects the commands given by the user via the control device, detects the temperature of the water arriving at the shower via the temperature sensor and consequently commands the relative opening or closing of each solenoid valve.

If the user leaves the shower, the presence sensor detects this event and the new adjustment device stops the flow of water to the shower.

If the user does not close the shower door properly, or if someone opens the shower door, the new water regulator will stop the flow of water to the shower.

The new multifunction device can be applied and used to control the water supply in a bathtub.

The management of the water supply of the bathtub through manual devices is replaced by a touch-screen display and by automatic mixing valves connected to it.

The water supply to the bathtub is controlled by said touch-screen display placed on one side of the bathtub itself.

It is envisaged that said touch-screen display can be removed from its seat and can be rotated at will.

The user, acting on said touch-screen display, manages the flow of water supplied, selects the fixed or mobile dispenser to use, manages the water temperature.

The new multifunction device can be applied and used to control the water supply in a washbasin.

The management of the water supply of the washbasin by means of manual devices is replaced by a touch-screen display and by automatic mixing valves connected to it.

The water supply to the basin is controlled by said touchscreen display which is positioned at the side of a single basin, between two basins in the case of a double basin, or in another suitable position in the case of multiple basins.

The proximity sensors are placed under the tap and in the immediate vicinity of the sink.

The proximity sensors placed in the immediate vicinity of the sink activate the switching on of the display and the water supply, while the sensors placed under the tap activate or deactivate the continuous or timed water supply.

The timed water supply allows energy and water savings, eliminating waste due to the time of soaping of the hands. Also in this case the temperature sensors are able to detect a water temperature higher than a parameter set and harmful to the user by controlling, through the control and management circuit, the closing or adjustment of the solenoid valves.

It is possible to provide that the new multifunction device for regulating the water supply can be set and / or programmable for the needs of each individual person, starting the water supply at the desired personal flow rate and temperature.

The new multifunction device for regulating the water supply can be adapted to perform additional accessory functions.

Through said touch-screen display, the user can control and manage additional functions of the new multifunction device, such as turning on, turning off, adjusting aromatherapy devices, turning on, turning off, adjusting chromotherapy devices.

It is also envisaged that through said touch-screen display the user can control and manage other additional functions of the new multifunction device, such as interacting with their own devices connected through the wifi and / or bluetooth association, to play music. , receive and initiate voice calls, receive, view and send messages.

The new multifunction device can be connected, via cable or wirelessly, with the home automation management devices such as lights, video surveillance.

It is possible to provide that the new device for regulating the water supply can be connected, by means of said connection means, with devices external to the new regulating device, such as for example emitters for aromatherapy, emitters for chromotherapy. In this way it is possible to integrate the shower function with aromatherapy sessions, chromotherapy sessions, listening to music, answering incoming telephone calls, viewing incoming messages

In the attached table, a practical embodiment of the invention is presented by way of non-limiting example.

Figure 1 schematically shows the new multifunction device for regulating the water supply comprising a control and management circuit (1), a control device (5), a screen (4), a mixing solenoid valve (2), a temperature sensor (3), a flow switch (8), a presence sensor (6), a proximity sensor (7), one or more connecting means between the various parts.

The mixing solenoid valve (2) receives the hot water flow (Ac) and the cold water flow (Af) at the inlet and supplies mixed water at the desired temperature and flow rate at the outlet.

The temperature sensor (3) and the flow switch (9) are located on the outlet duct (Ad) of said mixing valve (2), which monitor the temperature and flow of the water leaving said mixing valve (2) and sent towards the dispenser.

Both the mixing solenoid valve (2), the temperature sensor (3) and the flow switch (9) are connected to said control and management circuit (1). This control and management circuit (1) is also connected with the control device (5), with the screen (4), with the presence sensor (6) and with the proximity sensor (7).

The control device (5) is constituted, in this example, by a touch foil, consisting of a thin transparent acrylic sheet which is capacitively sensitive. This touch foil is applied to a surface accessible by the user near the water dispenser, for example on the external surface of the shower glass.

Said screen (4) is coupled to said touch foil, in this example consisting of an LCD screen.

The screen (4) displays images, figures, written on indications of the control and management circuit (1), while the control device (5) is able to detect when and where the user touches, directly or at a short distance, the area of said control device (5) and sends this information to said control and management circuit (1).

The presence sensor (6) consists of an ultrasonic sensor, or an optical sensor able to detect the presence of a person in the area of the screen (4), in the area of the control device (5) and in the area of the dispenser (AND).

When using the new multifunction device for regulating water supply with a shower, said presence sensor (6) detects the presence or absence of a person inside the shower, while the proximity sensor ( 7) is suitable for detecting the correct closing or opening of the shower door. Both of these sensors (6, 7) signal to the control and management circuit (1) whether or not to interrupt the flow of water to the dispenser (E).

In case of use of the new multifunction device for regulating the water supply with a sink, said presence sensor (6) detects the presence or absence of the user's hands near the sink spout, while the proximity sensor (7) is able to detect the presence of a person near the sink. In this case the proximity sensor (7) signals to the control and management circuit (1) to activate the screen (4) and the control device (5), while the presence sensor (6) signals to the control circuit and management (1) to activate the mixing solenoid valve (2) to open and send the mixed water to the dispenser (E).

In the example illustrated, the connection between the various parts is schematized with an electric wire, but it can also be made with fiber optic connections and / or with radio connections.

In this example, the control and management circuit (1) is connected to a communication device (8), be it WiFi or Bluetooth, so as to interact with other devices such as cell phones, video surveillance systems, with aromatherapy devices, with chromotherapy devices, with multimedia players, with ambient light regulators, or with other home automation devices.

These are the schematic modalities sufficient for the skilled person to realize the invention, consequently, in concrete application there may be variations without prejudice to the substance of the innovative concept.

Therefore, with reference to the preceding description and to the attached table, the following claims are expressed.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS 1. Device for regulating water supply characterized by the fact of comprising: - mixing solenoid valves (2) designed to regulate the flow of hot water (Ac) and cold water (Af) to the dispenser (E), - at least one temperature sensor (3) designed to detect the temperature of the water flowing towards the dispenser (E), - at least one display device (4) suitable for displaying images, writings, messages, - at least one control device (5) adapted to detect the position or positions in which the user touches the image generated by said display device (4), said control device (5) being exactly superimposed on the generated image by said display device (4), - at least one control and management circuit (1) capable of being connected, detecting and controlling the other parts of the new device, and where said control and management circuit (1): - sends to the screen (4) images, writings, messages, - detects by means of said control device (5) the pressure or touch of the user, - commands the total or partial opening or closing of the solenoid valves (2), - by means of said temperature sensor (3) it detects the temperature of the water leaving the solenoid valves (2) and flowing towards the dispenser (E). 2. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that said control device (5) is constituted by a thin transparent acrylic sheet which is capacitively sensitive, so-called touch foil. 3. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that said display device (4) consists of a liquid crystal screen. 4. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that said display device (4) is constituted by a holographic projector adapted to project images. 5. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that said control device (5) and said display device (4) consist of a single object having the ability to display images and having the ability to detect the user's touch. 6. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor (7) suitable for detecting events such as the correct closing of the shower door or the presence of a person near the dispenser (E), and where said control and management circuit (1) is connected to said sensor (7) and commands the closing or opening of the solenoid valves (2) when the opening of the shower doors or the approach of the user to the dispenser (E) is detected . 7. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one sensor (6) suitable for detecting events such as the presence of a person inside the shower or how a person approaches the dispenser (E), and where said control and management circuit (1) is connected to said sensor (6) and commands the closing or opening of the solenoid valves (2) when the presence or absence inside the shower is detected or commands the activation of the device display (4) when it detects the approach of a person to the dispenser (E). 8. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one flow switch able to detect the delivery of water to the dispenser (E), and where said control and management circuit (1) is connected to said flow switch and controls the adjustment of the solenoid valves (2) according to the user's settings and to what is detected by said flow switch. 9. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that said solenoid valves (2) consist of a mixing valve designed to receive the flow of hot water (Ac) and the flow of cold water (Af) at the inlet and supply at the outlet water mixed at the desired temperature and at the desired flow rate. 10. Device as per claim 1, characterized in that it comprises radio transmitters / receivers (8) for the communication and control of other devices.