NZ746728A - Control device for sanitary impeller apparatus pump - Google Patents

Abstract

A control device for sanitary impeller apparatus pump has a capacitive sensor (1) adapted to detect a change in the capacity of contents of a tank (2) of the sanitary impeller apparatus, and a central processing unit (CPU) (3). The CPU is adapted to command actuation of a motor (4) of the sanitary impeller apparatus pump according to the registered capacity of the contents of the tank (2). The capacitive sensor (1) is arranged inside the material of a wall (2.1) of the tank (2). mpeller apparatus pump according to the registered capacity of the contents of the tank (2). The capacitive sensor (1) is arranged inside the material of a wall (2.1) of the tank (2).

Description

CONTROL DEVICE FOR SANITARY IMPELLER APPARATUS PUMP This application claims priority from Spanish utility model application U 201731125, filed 27 September 2017, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device suitable to effectively control the operation of the pump of sanitary impeller apparatuses, for example, crushers, evacuation pumps, etc, which are used for the extraction of wastewater and solid waste from the sanitary installations, for example, toilets, sinks, bidets, bathtubs, shower trays, etc, to the relevant drainage pipe or network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of sanitary impeller apparatuses are known, which, as their name implies, are used to process and drive the wastewater and the solid waste already crushed into the relevant drainage network. For example, those shown in utility model ES 1065122 and in the patent document ES 2246335 respectively.

For this purpose, these sanitary impeller apparatuses normally comprise a pump or turbine which is put into operation to drive the combined wastewater and crushed solid waste contained in a tank of the impeller apparatus, when said combined contents exceed a maximum level marked inside said tank. The pump motor keeps running until the contents of wastewater and crushed solid waste in the tank reach a minimum level also marked.

The scope of these limit levels that cause the actuation of the pump or not, for example, can be registered by air pressure, or by simple contact between a level sensor and the tank contents. However, these types of level sensors currently employed have measurement faults due to the place where they are arranged, which undergoes pressure variations (environment subject to temperature changes), or because such sensors deteriorate by direct contact with the tank contents, or, solid waste (e.g., shredded paper) can adhere to the level sensor when evacuating the tank contents, interfering in a subsequent measurement, giving rise to faulty readings which lead to a poor pump actuation.

Similarly, since the level sensors are in direct contact with the tank contents of the sanitary impeller apparatus, there is a risk of short-circuit.

For this reason, it is necessary to design, simply and economically, a device that allows to control the operation of the pump of a sanitary impeller apparatus that overcomes the drawbacks commented above.

In this specification where reference has been made to patent specifications, other external documents, or other sources of information, this is generally for the purpose of providing a context for discussing the features of the invention. Unless specifically stated otherwise, reference to such external documents or such sources of information is not to be construed as an admission that such documents or such sources of information, in any jurisdiction, are prior art or form part of the common general knowledge in the art.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is established and characterised in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe additional features thereof.

The object of the invention is a control device for a sanitary impeller pump. The technical problem to be solved is how to achieve reliable and efficient operation of the pump of the sanitary impeller apparatus.

The device essentially comprises: - a capacitive sensor adapted to detect a change in the capacity of the contents (e.g. wastewater and crushed solid waste) of the tank of the sanitary impeller apparatus, - a central processing unit (CPU) adapted to command actuation of a motor of the sanitary impeller pump according to the capacity of the tank contents registered by the capacitive sensor.

By using a capacitive sensor to measure the crusher tank contents, no part of the device is in direct contact with such contents. For example, the capacitive sensor may be arranged inside the material of a tank wall, for example, inside the plastic that makes up its casing.

Thus, the need of direct contact of the level sensors with the contents of the sanitary impeller tank is eliminated, something that occurs in the known solutions, that can lead to measurement faults that result in inefficient pump operation. The possibility of short- circuits is likewise eliminated, preventing the device from acting as the cause of any accident in this regard, maintaining at all times the user integrity.

In addition, since the device comprises no mechanical or moving parts, the useful life of the sanitary impeller apparatus is considerably increased. And by not needing to be in direct contact with the fluids, wastewater and solid waste tank, there are no problems of loss of pressure and water tightness in the sanitary impeller apparatus tank.

The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means ‘consisting at least in part of’. When interpreting statements in this specification and claims which include the term ‘comprising’, other features besides the features prefaced by this term in each statement can also be present. Related terms such as ‘comprise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be interpreted in a similar manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES This specification is supplemented with a drawing illustrating a preferred embodiment, which is never intended to limit the invention.

Figure 1 represents a diagram of the control device for a sanitary impeller apparatus pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a control device of a sanitary impeller apparatus pump, the latter sanitary impeller apparatus of the type used for the extraction of wastewater and solid waste from sanitary installations, for example, toilets, sinks, bidets, bathtubs, shower trays, etc, to the relevant drainage pipe or network.

As shown in figure 1, fundamentally, the device comprises: - a capacitive sensor (1) adapted to detect a change in the capacity of contents of a tank (2) of the sanitary impeller apparatus, and - a central processing unit (CPU) (3) adapted to command actuation of a motor (4) of the sanitary impeller apparatus pump according to the registered capacity of the contents of the tank (2).

In addition, the device may comprise an AC/DC power source (6), visual and acoustic indicator means (7) and/or a communication port (8), all in connection with the central processing unit (CPU) (3).

For example, the visual and acoustic indicator means (7) may be an LED bulb and a buzzer or electro-acoustic transducer (elements not shown in the figure). The LED bulb and the buzzer can be part of a panel that indicates the operating status or alarms on the sanitary impeller apparatus.

With regard to the communication port (8), it allows the device to communicate with the outside, either by wireless connection, or by wired connection (not shown in the figure).

As can be understood, the capacitive sensor (1) is responsible for the detection of the variation in the capacity the contents of the tank (2) to be controlled.

For example, a capacitive sensor of the type known as “touch sensor” may be used. And preferably it comprises an internal self-adjustment circuit (not shown in the figure) to avoid possible diagnostic errors and false positives. Thus, the device is immune to temperature changes, as well as, to dirt-related problems, for example, if solid waste adheres to the wall (2.1) of the tank (2), the capacitive sensor (1) will self-adjust and take this new situation as the starting point for the next reading of the capacity.

Likewise, preferably, the capacitive sensor (1) is not in direct contact with the contents of the tank (2) to be controlled, for example, arranged inside the material of the wall (2.1) of the tank (2).

For its part, the central processing unit (CPU) (3) preferably commands the actuation of the motor (4) of the sanitary impeller apparatus pump through a power and current control means (5).

Preferably, the power and current control means (5) comprise a triode for alternating current (TRIAC), an opto-coupler with galvanic isolation and a current sensor (not shown in the figure). It may be understood that the triode for alternating current (TRIAC) acts as a first electronic switch used to start up the motor (4) of the sanitary impeller apparatus pump, and the opto-coupler, is a second switch used by the central processing unit (CPU) (3) to actuate in a safe or isolated manner the first switch. With regard to the current sensor, it is non-invasive and is used by the central processing unit (CPU) (3) to control the consumption of the connected load.

Thus, if the capacity of the contents of the tank (2) registered is greater than a maximum reference value previously provided to the central processing unit (CPU) (3), the latter, acts safely on the triode for alternating current (TRIAC) through the opto-coupler with zero crossing detection, activating the pump motor (4) to evacuate the contents of the tank (2) of the sanitary impeller apparatus. Once the capacity registered is less than a minimum reference value, also previously provided to the central processing unit (CPU) (3), in the same way, the central processing unit (CPU) (3) will act on the triode for alternating current (TRIAC), this time, to stop operation of the motor (4).

Thus obtained is a device that efficiently and effectively activates the motor (4) of the impeller apparatus pump, with a sophisticated control system that additionally allows disconnecting the motor (4) in case of alarm or overexertion. The device makes the sanitary impeller apparatus more efficient energetically speaking, as it prevents sporadic activations present in the known sanitary impeller apparatuses, and causes activation of the pump motor (4) at the time of zero crossing, thus avoiding high currents in start-up and electromagnetic noise generation.

Claims (8)

1.–Control device for sanitary impeller apparatus pump, comprising: 5 - a capacitive sensor adapted to detect a change in the capacity of contents of a tank of the sanitary impeller apparatus, and - a central processing unit (CPU) adapted to command actuation of a motor of the sanitary impeller 10 apparatus pump according to the registered capacity of the contents of the tank; wherein the capacitive sensor is arranged inside the material of a wall of the tank. 15

2.-Device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitive sensor comprises an internal self-adjustment circuit.

3.-Device according to claim 1, wherein the central processing unit (CPU) commands the actuation of the motor 20 through a power and current control mean.

4.-Device according to claim 3, wherein the power and current control means comprise a triode for alternating current (TRIAC), an opto-coupler with galvanic isolation 25 and a current sensor.

5.-Device according to claim 1, comprising an AC/DC power source, in connection with the central processing unit (CPU).

6.-Device according to claim 1, comprising visual and acoustic indicator means, in connection with the central processing unit (CPU). 35

7.-Device according to claim 6, wherein the visual and acoustic indicator means are a LED bulb and a buzzer or electro-acoustic transducer.

8.-Device according to claim 1, which comprises a communication port, in connection with the central processing unit (CPU), that enables wireless or wired 5 connections.