RU2518923C2 - Mixer of water flows - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: construction.

SUBSTANCE: mixer of water flows comprises a water mixing unit with a cavity for mixing of water flows arriving along supply lines and having mostly different values of parameters and at least one stop and control device, hydraulically connected to the cavity and supply lines, variation of the position of which regulates flows arriving to the cavity and provides for values of such collecting reservoir parameters as water level and temperature. The water mixing unit is equipped with at least one contactless sensor to monitor at least one parameter in the collecting reservoir, and a control unit, which is connected to the sensor and is made as capable of generating a control signal for its transfer along a wireless communication channel to the stop and control device on the basis of a logic implemented in the control unit, providing for variation of the position of the stop and control device by signals from the sensor to the value that is adequate to the specified one. The stop and control device is adapted to receiving a signal from the control unit sent along the wireless communication channel.

EFFECT: expansion of functional capabilities of safe operation of water mixers, for instance, for baths due to organisation of control over the process of its filling and monitoring water temperature, and also automatic disconnection of water supply during occurrence of emergency situations.

3 cl, 3 dwg

Description

The invention relates to the sanitary-engineering industry and is intended for use mainly in medical and domestic bathtubs in order to automate the process of turning on / off the water supply to ensure their safe operation with predetermined characteristics according to the degree of filling and the temperature of the water.

A known installation of mixed water supply, including pipelines of cold and hot water, a mixing system controlled by electronics, a temperature sensor electronically connected to the controller, the output of which receives signals to control the solenoid valves (utility model patent RU No. 81975, 2008). The disadvantage of this installation is the lack of control over the water supply process, which can lead, for example, to overflow of the filled tank.

Closest to the claimed is a mixing valve with non-contact remote control, comprising a housing with a water mixing chamber and a switch, supply pipes, a discharge pipe with an output nozzle and a transmitter-receiver optical head, an autonomous control and measuring unit, electrically connected to the source and receiver of optical radiation and electromagnetic water supply valves (patent RU No. 22495968, 2003). The disadvantage of this water mixing crane is the lack of control over both the process of water supply and its temperature. This can lead, for example, to the occurrence of emergency situations related to filling containers to a dangerous level, boiling water, etc.

The technical result of the invention is to expand the functionality of safe operation of water mixers for domestic (medical) bathtubs by organizing control of the process of filling it and monitoring the temperature of the water, as well as automatically shutting off its supply in case of emergency.

This result is achieved in that the water flow mixer comprising a water-mixing unit with a cavity for mixing water flows coming along the supply lines and having mainly different parameter values, and at least one shut-off and control device hydraulically connected to the cavity and supply lines , the change of position of which regulates the flows entering the cavity and provides in the collecting tank the values of its parameters such as the level and temperature of the water, characterized in that the water-mixing green is equipped with at least one non-contact sensor for monitoring at least one parameter in the receiving capacitance, and a control unit that is connected to the sensor and is configured to generate a control signal for transmitting it wirelessly to a locking and regulating device according to the algorithm implemented in the control unit, which provides, according to the signals from the sensor, a change in the position of the locking and regulating device to an adequate specified value, while the locking and regulating device is adaptable EHO to receive the signal from the control unit transmitted over the wireless link.

The indicated result is also achieved by the fact that a shut-off and control device is installed in each of the supply lines, the water mixing unit is equipped with a non-contact level detection sensor and a temperature sensor, and the control unit contains algorithms for determining the filling level of the collecting tank with water and the water temperature and generates signals for changing the shut-off position -regulating devices.

The indicated result is also achieved by the fact that the control unit is installed in the remote control and has wireless communication channels with a water mixing and locking regulating nodes.

Fig. 1 shows a structural diagram of a water flow mixer with one locking and regulating device, in Fig. 2 - with two locking and regulating devices, and in Fig. 3 - a diagram with a remote control.

The water flow mixer contains two functional units in the form of shut-off and water-mixing units. Two flows of water (or other liquids) with different characteristics come to the input of the shut-off and control unit (Fig. 1) - cold water (X) and hot (G). In the water-mixing unit, these flows are mixed in the device 4 and enter the bath 11. The shut-off and control devices 2 and 3 are made, for example, in the form of ball valves, which are located on the same shaft with a reversible adjustable electric drive 1. When the electric drive shaft 1 rotates, the valves cross-section open / close. Power supply of electric drive 1 from the mains with voltage Uп. When installing the shut-off and control unit in the bath room, the explosion-proof electric drive.

A non-contact sensor 5 is built into the mixing unit, for example, in the form of an ultrasonic level gauge that provides measurement of an adjustable parameter - the level (depth) of the bath. The signal from the sensor 5 via physical communication lines (wires Fig. 1) or using wireless channels (Fig. 3) is transmitted to the input / output device 9 of the control unit (CU). The control unit also contains a microcontroller 8, a power supply 7 and a panel 10 for setting the desired characteristics of the mixer — for example, filling depth, water temperature, etc. Their required values are set using the keyboard or sliders on panel 10. The position of the taps 2 and 3 is controlled from the control unit wireless communication channel 6, for example, "emitter - receiver" of the radio signal. The radio signal enters the electronic drive unit.

For separate flow control when regulating the temperature of the water at the outlet of the mixer, which is measured by the sensor 12, the crane 2 uses the electric drive 1, and the crane 3 - the electric drive 14 (Fig. 2).

The control unit can be installed outside the bathtub (Fig. 3), forming a remote control of the mixer, and has wireless communication channels with water-mixing and locking-regulating nodes.

The functioning of the mixer is as follows. Its initial state: taps 2 and 3 are closed, the power supply is turned off.

For the mixer to work from the panel 10, the control unit is switched on (for example, using the on / off button). At the same time, the power of its devices is provided from the battery 7 built into the control unit and the mains power is connected to the electric drive 1. Manual taps for supplying water to the mixer 4 (not shown in the figure) are opened, which can also control the water temperature. When setting up the mixer, data are entered on the permissible level of filling the bath and the maximum permissible water temperature. From the panel 10 BU entered data about the required operating conditions of the mixer, for example, the depth of the bathtub for bathing the child. This signal is fed to the input / output device 9, namely, to its input 9a, from where it enters the controller 8, which generates a signal to the electronic input of the electric drive 1, transmitted from output 9c via a wireless communication channel 6. The electric drive 1 starts to rotate and open the cranes 2 and 3. The proximity sensor 5 measures the filling depth and transmits a signal to the input 9d of the control unit. Upon reaching the set water level in the bath, the controller generates a signal to shut off the water supply. This signal from the output 9V via a wireless communication channel 6 is supplied to the electric drive 1, which starts rotation to close the taps.

In the process of filling the bath, a special algorithm of the controller 8, regardless of the algorithm of its current filling, spends all the time monitoring the filling to achieve the maximum depth to prevent overflow of the bath. When the maximum value is reached, a signal is sent to stop feeding. If there is a controlled discharge of water from the bath, the controller gives a signal to turn it on.

The mixer also allows you to automatically control the temperature of the water entering the bathroom during its filling. To do this, a temperature sensor 12 is installed in the water stream at the outlet of the mixer, the signal from which is fed to the input 9e of the control unit, and taps 2 and 3 are equipped with their own electric drives: on tap 2, electric drive 1 is controlled via a wireless communication channel 6, and crane 3 - electric drive 14 with control over a wireless communication channel 13 (Fig. 2).

The temperature control of the water coming from the mixer into the bathroom is as follows. From panel 10, data on the desired temperature is entered. This signal is supplied to the input / output device 9, namely, to its input 9b, from where it enters the controller 8. The signal about the current temperature value is supplied from the sensor 12 to the input 9e of the control unit. When the temperature deviates from the set value, the controller 8 generates a signal to the electronic input of the electric drive 1 to open (close) the valve 2 and at the same time a second signal to close (open) the valve 3 by the electric drive 14. The signals to the electric drives 1 and 2 are transmitted from outputs 9c and 9g wirelessly communication channels 6 and 13, respectively. If the temperature limit is exceeded, the valve 3 closes at an increased speed.

After the work is completed, the control unit is turned off by a button on the panel 10. At the same time, the position of the cranes is checked - if they are open, they are closed and the power to the electric drives is turned off.

Thus, the mixer of water flows ensures that the bath is filled to the required level with a given water temperature. At the same time, control over the permissible values of these parameters is provided to prevent emergencies in the form of a bath overflow, water overheating, etc. The use of proximity sensors built into the mixer and wireless signal transmission technologies also increase operational safety. At the same time, installation / dismantling of the mixer is simplified, its cost is reduced, which, in general, increases the comfort of the bath.

Claims (3)

1. A water flow mixer comprising a water mixing unit with a cavity for mixing water flows coming through the supply lines and having predominantly different parameter values, and at least one shut-off and control device hydraulically connected to the cavity and supply lines, the change of position of which it regulates the flows entering the cavity and provides values of its parameters such as the level and temperature of the water in the collecting tank, characterized in that the water mixing unit is equipped with at least one an on-off sensor for monitoring at least one parameter in the receiving capacitance, and a control unit that is connected to the sensor and is configured to generate a control signal for transmitting it via a wireless communication channel to a locking-regulating device according to an algorithm implemented in the control unit that provides according to the signals from the sensor, the position of the locking and regulating device changes to an adequate set value, while the locking and regulating device is adapted to receive a signal from the control unit transmitted over a wireless communication channel. 2. The water flow mixer according to claim 1, characterized in that a shut-off and control device is installed in each of the supply lines, the water mixing unit is equipped with a non-contact level detection sensor and a temperature sensor, and the control unit contains algorithms for determining the filling level of the collecting tank with water and the water temperature and generates signals to change the position of locking and regulating devices. 3. The water flow mixer according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit is installed in the remote control and has wireless communication channels with a water mixing and locking regulating nodes.

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