RU2275835C1 - Recirculation shower apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: sanitary-and-hygienic equipment which may be used in individual and group shower apparatuses.

SUBSTANCE: recirculation shower apparatus has discharge branch pipe positioned above shower pan and equipped with shower attachment, and mixer connected to cold and hot water pipes. Shower pan is made in the form of shallow bath provided with heat insulating layer and positioned with slight inclination toward drain opening provided with detachable stopper. Lower side part of shower pan opposed to drain opening is equipped with recirculation branch pipe which is connected through filter to inlet end of recirculation water pump. Pipeline is additionally attached to inlet end of recirculation water pump at site downstream of filter, said pipeline being connected through lock valve to tank containing disinfecting solution.

EFFECT: improved quality of washing and reduced consumption of pure cold and hot water.

1 dwg

Description

The invention relates to sanitary equipment and can be used in individual and group (collective) shower units. So, a recirculating shower unit (RDU) can be used in the presence of cold and hot water supply systems (cold water and hot water) in individual apartments, cottages, household plots, industrial buildings, hotels, resorts, bathhouses, summer camps, for equipping beaches and in temporary camps, etc.

The invention solves the problem of saving fresh water (cold and hot) and heat with local heating of hot water.

Known recirculation device [1], containing a source of a medicinal product and an air bath, combined into a single recirculation system by pipelines and recirculation pumps (blowers).

However, the known technical recirculation device [1] is used only for medical purposes and is not adapted to save fresh water and energy resources in the form of heat (hot water).

It is known to perform a recirculation system of water in the bathroom using water-jet devices (pumps), for example: [2], [3], [4] and [5].

In these devices [2], [3], [4] and [5], the water in the bathroom is recycled for the purpose of hydromassage, and at the same time, fresh warm water from the bath mixer should be replenished (to ensure the operation of the water-jet apparatus). The task posed by the invention, these analogues do not solve.

It is known to increase the economic efficiency of taking (holding) baths by ensuring the reuse of a healing solution, for example [6]. The device comprises a thermostatically controlled reservoir with liquid, connected via a pipeline to a bathtub and a recirculation pump by pipelines.

The known device [6] is specific, solves narrow healing (medical) problems and cannot be used to reduce the consumption of fresh water and energy in the conditions where the proposed invention can be applied.

Also known is a recirculation device in the form of a filtering ladder for a pool bath, including a dummy body with filter elements installed in it and a recirculating water pump [7]. This device [7] solves the problem of filtering water in a pool and cannot be used to save clean water and energy in a shower unit.

The prototype of the proposed invention is a shower unit [8], containing a spout with a shower nozzle, a mixer and a means for periodically supplying water to the mixer connected via a lever system with a floor platform.

The prototype solves the problem of saving clean water and energy resources (heat and hot water needed for heating) only by a short-term supply of warm shower water, which naturally causes certain inconveniences, namely:

- cooling of the human body with the soul turned off;

- when warm water is not supplied, high-quality washing is impossible (for example, when a person uses the bathtub from constant contact with warm water, the soil is "soaked", which is then easily washed off);

- constant switching on (by exposure to the floor) will result in excessive washing of clean cold and hot water during long-term washing (significantly more than when taking a bath).

These shortcomings set the task of ensuring high-quality long-term washing in a shower unit (DU) with a minimum expenditure of clean cold and hot water. This task can be accomplished by adding a recirculation circuit with a collapsible filter (for quick flushing) and a water recirculation pump and shut-off valve, the outlet of which is connected to the outlet of the mixer, in a shower unit with a shower tray. This creates the possibility of warm water from the shower tray through a collapsible filter with a water recirculation pump (it is possible with a small recharge of fresh hot water) to send back to the shower head. This (as in the bathroom) achieves the “soaking” mode, after which a high-quality washing takes place.

Thus, the essence of the proposed invention lies in the fact that the recirculating shower unit (RDU), containing a spout with a shower head located above the shower tray, the mixer connected to the pipelines of hot and cold water, is made so that the shower tray is made in the form of shallow bath with a layer of thermal insulation and installed with a slight bias towards the drain hole, equipped with a removable plug, the lower side of the shower tray, opposite the location of the drain hole, is equipped with a circulation pipe, which is connected through a collapsible filter to the inlet of the recirculation water pump, the output of which through the shut-off valve is connected to the output of the mixer, while in addition to the recirculation pump inlet, after the collapsible filter, a pipe is connected which is connected through the shut-off valve to the disinfectant solution tank.

The implementation of the shower tray in the form of a shallow bath is necessary to collect warm water, which will subsequently be sent to the recirculation loop.

The implementation of a shower tray with a layer of thermal insulation (or, in other words, the implementation of a shower tray thermally insulated) is necessary so that the collected water in the shower tray cools less (cooled), that is, to save energy.

The installation of a shower tray (or the insulation layer of a shower tray) with a slight bias towards the drain hole is necessary in order to ensure maximum drainage of liquid from the shower tray (after washing) into the sewage system, as well as in the bathroom. Performing a slope of "small" is necessary to save water for the washing and disinfection modes of the recirculation shower unit (for a minimum water level).

The equipment of the shower tray with a removable stopper is necessary for the collection of warm water in the shower tray, which is subsequently sent to the recirculation circuit, as well as for the collection of the solution for disinfection and its pumping by the recirculation water pump along the recirculation circuit.

The supply of the lower lateral part of the shower tray, opposite the location of the drain hole, with a recirculation pipe is necessary for the selection of warm water without impurities that are heavier than water (these impurities will be washed off along the inclined (inner) surface of the shower tray to its drain hole).

Supply of the recirculation shower unit with a collapsible filter is necessary in order to prevent clogging of the recirculation water pump, recirculation valve, spout with shower nozzle from dirt (small suspended particles, hair, etc.).

The implementation of a collapsible filter is necessary for its quick cleaning and washing after each washing (in the rinsing mode of a person and RDU).

The introduction of a recirculation water pump into the shower unit is necessary to ensure the recirculation of warm water from the shower tray to the spout and shower head to save clean cold and hot water.

The introduction of a recirculation shutoff valve (installed after the recirculation water pump) is necessary to start the recirculation water pump, turn on and control the recirculation mode and turn it off.

The introduction of a tank with a disinfecting solution into the recirculation plant and with its own shut-off valve is necessary to disinfect the recirculation circuit of the shower unit after washing.

The drawing shows a recirculating shower unit (RDU).

The recirculating shower unit contains a shower tray 2 with a heat-insulating coating installed on the floor 1. The bottom of the heat-insulating cover of the shower tray 3 is made with a slope 4 to the drain hole of the shower tray 2 connected to the sewer pipe 5. The drain hole of the shower tray 2 is equipped with a removable plug 6. Shower the tray 2 in the lower side part opposite the location of the drain hole is equipped with a recirculation pipe 7. The recirculating shower unit contains evuyu nozzle 8 mounted on izlivnom conduit 9 which is connected to the output of mixer valves 10 cold and hot water 11. To the mixer are connected supply pipes 12 with cold and hot water supply system 13. The recirculation pipe 7 through a collapsible filter 14 is connected to the input of the recirculation water pump 15, the output of which through the shut-off (recirculation) valve 16 is connected to the output of the mixer. The recirculating shower unit is equipped with a tank 17 with a disinfecting solution, which is connected via a shut-off valve 18 to the inlet of the recirculating water pump 15 through a shut-off valve 18. Pure water, like the recirculation water, is poured out of the shower head by a stream 19 into the shower tray 2.

The operating modes of the RDU, their duration and condition of the equipment (elements) are summarized in table 1.

Pre-rinse mode {1}: The taps of the mixer 10 and 11 are opened and pre-rinsed under the shower head 8. Water from the shower tray 2 is drained through the drain hole into the sewer pipe. Gates 16 and 18 are closed. The recirculation water pump 15 is turned off.

Water recirculation mode {2}: Go from mode {1}, while closing the drain hole of the shower tray 2 (the person is under a warm stream of water 19) with a removable stopper and draw warm water into the shower tray 2 to the level at which the recirculation hole branch pipe 7 will not be completely covered by water. Gates 16 and 18 are closed. The recirculation water pump 15 is turned off.

The mode of "soaking" and washing - recirculation mode {3}: Switch from mode {2}, while closing the valves of the mixer 10 and 11, turn on the recirculation water pump 15 and open (open) the valve 16, which can adjust the power of the jet from the shower head 8. Valve 18 is closed.

Table 1 Equipment (elements) RDU RDU drain hole Valve 10 Valve 11 Valve 16 Valve 18 Water pump RDU Collapsible filter No. p / p Operating modes RDU Working hours one. Rinse Mode 1-3 ABOUT Etc Etc 3 3 Off 3 2. Recruitment Water Mode 1-2 3 Etc Etc 3 3 Off 3 3. Soak and Wash Mode - Recirculation Mode 20-60 Z-Pr 3 Z-Pr Pr-o 3 On 3 four. Rinse mode 3-5 ABOUT Etc Etc Etc 3 Off ABOUT-
Flushing 5. The mode of the set of water and disinfectant solution for disinfection of RDU 1-2 3 Etc 3-
Etc 3 Etc Off 3 6. Disinfection Mode RDU 3-10 3 3 3 Pr-o 3 On 3 7. Disinfectant solution 2-3 ABOUT 3 3 ABOUT 3 Off 3 8. Disinfectant flushing 2-3 ABOUT Etc Etc ABOUT 3 Off 3 Note (legend): 3 - closed; Oh - open; Pr - ajar; On - on; Off - off.

In the {3} mode, it is possible to open the valve 11 (hot water) of the mixer to maintain a predetermined temperature level of water in the RDU, which will gradually cool without replenishment with hot water. In any case, the consumption of hot water for make-up in the mode {3} is incomparably smaller than when the flow of hot water in the mode {1}. At the same time, there is also no consumption of fresh cold water.

Rinse mode {4}: Switch from the {3} mode, at the same time open the drain hole of the shower tray 2 (remove the removable plug 6), turn off the recirculation water pump 15, close the valve 16 (so that clean water flows slightly through the recirculation water pump 15, remove and washed under a stream of warm clean water 19, a collapsible filter 14 and collect it back.Then, under a stream of warm clean water 19, the shower is finally washed and rinsed (by a person) .In the {4} mode, all elements of the RDU are washed with clean water, and the final washing of a person occurs.

The mode of water intake for disinfection RDU {5}: Go from the mode {4}, while the person is no longer in the shower tray. The drain hole of the shower tray 2 is closed with a removable plug 6 and water (possibly cold) is opened by opening the valve 10 (and 11 optionally) into the shower tray to a level at which the opening of the recirculation pipe will be completely closed. Valves 10 and 11 are closed, valve 18 is opened (opened), and a disinfectant solution (a certain measure (portion), for example, according to tank level 17) is supplied to the inlet of the recirculation water pump (and the output of the collapsible filter 14). After that, the valve 18 is closed. Valve 16 is also closed.

Disinfection mode RDU {6}: Go from mode {5}, while turning on the recirculation water pump 15 and valve 16 regulate the flow of water through the shower head.

Disinfection of the disinfectant solution {7}: Switch from the {6} mode, while turning off the recirculation water pump 15 and open the drain hole of the shower tray 2 (remove the removable plug 6) and drain the water with the disinfectant solution into the sewage system.

Rinsing from a disinfectant solution {8}: Switch from the {7} mode, while briefly opening the valve 10 (and 11 optional) of the mixer and clean water through the shower head 8 and the ajar valve 16 (then through the recirculation water pump 15 and the demountable filter 14 in the opposite direction) rinsed the RDU. After washing, the water is drained into the sewage system.

Adding a recirculation loop to the shower unit allows (for example, in a residential building) to reduce the consumption of fresh water, water, heat, electricity for pumping water from sources of water and heat supply (from city water intake facilities and thermal power plants) to sewage treatment plants. In proportion to cost reduction, the inevitable losses of water and heat in direct and return pipelines are reduced.

In the proposed RDU, it is possible to reduce the specific flow rate g _st = G _sv / G _{days of} fresh water G _sv in the total water flow through the shower head G _days in the range from 0.01 (close to zero) to 1 (from 1 to 100%).

The ratio of p _EMR ^{RDO RDO} _EMR = P / P P values ^do _{EMR EMR} energomaterialnyh resources expended per unit volume of water consumed by the shower nozzle RDU and control, respectively, it depends on the specific consumption of _{communication} g of fresh water as follows:

where c _St , c _in , c _el - the cost of 1 m ^{3 of} fresh water, sanitation, 1 kilowatt of electricity, respectively,

where w _RC is the specific energy consumption per unit volume of water pumped along the recirculation loop, γ is the specific gravity of water, H _RC is the total pressure of the RDU water pump, η is the total efficiency of the RDU water pump. Heat cost RDO during operation in the heating system is accounted for in the value c _binding of one cubic meter of fresh (mixed) water. The ratio (1) takes place with the material balance: G _St = G _in .

According to (1) the parameter p _EMR ^RDU shows how many times RDU economical control and varies depending on the specific consumption of the controlled g of fresh water in _{communication} range of a half-open:

_EMR ^RDU P ∈ (a, 1), and _e = c · w _pq / (c + c _{during communication).}

A parametrically defined lower limit, and at maximum efficiency, the RDI corresponds when g _cv = 0. Such an extremely economical operating mode of the RDU is realized by filling the recirculation loop with fresh water one or more times and then recirculating this water without mixing fresh water for a sufficiently long time T, such that the flow ratio g _sv = G _sv / G _days for the time T becomes close to zero with acceptable accuracy. The numerical value of this efficiency limit is determined by the price and structural constants indicated on the right-hand sides of relations (1), (2). When reducing the flow rate in the recirculation loop to zero, the parameter g _St = 1.

In this case, the RDU consumes only fresh water, that is, it works in the remote control mode.

The values of the parameters a and p _EMR ^RDU - limiting and reducing the multiplicity of actual cash costs when replacing the controller at RDU.

The proposed device RDU can be performed with the system and automation. The complete set of the RDU with these devices can be very diverse depending on the operating conditions of the RDU: as individual or collective use units operated in stationary or temporary premises, depending on the level of comfort of buildings, etc.

Using the proposed device will significantly improve the efficiency of the shower installation.

Compliance with the criterion of "Novelty" follows from the hallmarks of the formula of the proposed invention, namely, that:

an existing shower unit containing a shower nozzle with a shower nozzle located above the shower tray, a mixer connected to the hot and cold water pipelines, an additional shower tray made in the form of a shallow bath with a layer of thermal insulation and installed with a slight slope to the drain hole equipped with removable stopper, the lower side of the shower tray, opposite the location of the drain hole, is equipped with a recirculation pipe, which through a collapsible filter is suction Inonii recirculated to the entrance of the water pump, the output of which through a check valve connected to the output of the mixer, the method further recycle to the input of the water pump, after the collapsible filter connected pipe which is connected through a check valve to the tank from a disinfectant solution.

The totality of these new features is not identified from the existing level of technology, which allows us to conclude that the claimed invention meets the criterion of "inventive step".

The execution (implementation) of the proposed method in accordance with the features of the claims does not present any technical and technological difficulties, since all the elements of the devices necessary for the implementation of the proposed method exist and are used in plumbing installations and equipment. This proves compliance with the Industrial Applicability criterion.

List of sources:

1. RF patent No. 2071755 of 01/20/1997, cl. A 61 H 33/06.

2. RF patent No. 2199302 of 02.27.2003, cl. A 61 H 33/00.

3. RF patent No. 2157439 dated 10.10.2000, cl. E 03 C 1/00, A 61 H 9/00, 37/00.

4. RF patent No. 2076679 dated 04/10/1997, cl. A 61 H 3/00, 37/00.

5. Copyright certificate of the USSR No. 1734744, cl. A 61 H 9/00, 1992

6. RF patent No. 2106850 of 03.20.1998, cl. A 61 H 33/00.

7. RF patent No. 2172379 from 08.20.1991, cl. E 04 H 4/14.

8. Prototype: RF patent No. 16000090 from 10.23.1990, class. A 47 K 3/22, Bull. 39.

Claims (1)

A recirculating shower unit containing a spout with a shower head located above the shower tray, a mixer connected to cold and hot water pipelines, characterized in that the shower tray is made in the form of a shallow bath with a layer of thermal insulation and is installed with a slight slope to the drain hole equipped with removable plug, the lower side of the shower tray, opposite the location of the drain hole, is equipped with a recirculation pipe, which is connected through a collapsible filter to the inlet of the recirculation water pump, the output of which through the shut-off valve is connected to the output of the mixer, while in addition to the inlet of the recirculation water pump after the collapsible filter, a pipeline is connected which is connected through the shut-off valve to the tank with the disinfectant solution.