WO2002073041A1

WO2002073041A1 - Pump unit for rainwater recycling systems

Info

Publication number: WO2002073041A1
Application number: PCT/EP2002/000265
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ulrich Ehlert
Original assignee: Gep Umwelttechnik Gmbh
Priority date: 2001-03-14
Filing date: 2002-01-14
Publication date: 2002-09-19
Also published as: DE50211140D1; EP1399680A1; EP1399680B1; DE10112626A1; ATE377153T1

Abstract

The invention relates to a pump unit for rainwater recycling systems. Said unit comprises a housing that surrounds a pump, a drinking water storage device and conduit means and/or control means as functional elements. According to the invention, the housing has at least one moulded body consisting of a foamed plastic, the moulded body has recesses, into which the functional elements are inserted and the functional elements are interconnected via the electric conduction means or the via the conduit means.

Description

Pump unit for rainwater drainage systems

The present invention relates to a pump unit for rainwater harvesting systems with a housing, the functional elements being a pump, a

Drinking water feed device as well as piping means and control means surrounds.

Pump units of this type are known from practice. They are used to control rainwater utilization systems in which rainwater is sucked in from a cistern and fed under pressure into a water pipe system for use in toilet flushes, washing machines, garden irrigation and similar consumption points. The drinking water feed device is activated when the water level in the cistern is low in order to supply drinking water to the consumption points if required. The control is for the consumption-dependent and water level-dependent control of valves and pump motor provided.

The known pump units are composed of individual components which are attached to a rear wall or directly to a wall bracket. The components are covered with a housing made of non-foamed plastic or sheet metal. The housing elements have no essential supporting function. In particular, transport locks and shock protections must be provided for the transport of the pump unit. When assembling and starting up the pump unit for the first time, the housing parts must be removed to gain access to the functional elements. Finally, the noise damping of the housing elements of known pump units is not particularly good.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new type of pump unit for rainwater harvesting systems, in which there is better noise reduction and the necessary work steps during transport, assembly and commissioning are reduced.

This object is achieved by a pump unit with the features of claim 1.

Because the housing has at least one molded body made of a foamed plastic, the molded body has recesses into which the functional elements are inserted and the functional elements are connected to one another via electrical conductors or pipe means, the functional elements can already be inserted into the molded body at the factory. The molded body can then already serve as a transport lock and shock protection. He can when assembling the The pump unit remains on the functional elements and effectively dampens the noises that occur during operation.

If at least one channel through which air can flow is also formed in the housing, air can be guided to one or more functional elements. The air can be supplied specifically to the required locations, while in the known non-foamed housings the entire interior is filled with air without specifically supplying this air to a component.

Particular advantages result if the channel is designed for the removal of condensed water from the housing or for the targeted supply of cooling air to the pump, if it is air-cooled. A particularly simple mechanical structure results if the

Drinking water feed device is set up mechanically on the one hand for mounting on a building wall and on the other hand for carrying the pump. As a result, a vibration-absorbing component in the form of the drinking water feed device between the pump and the building wall is switched on. The

Drinking water feed device is preferably used essentially without an air gap in the molded body. As a result, when cold drinking water is applied, condensation of atmospheric moisture on the outside of the drinking water supply device can be completely avoided. It can also be provided that the drinking water feed device is surrounded by a channel which guides the cooling air in the direction of the air flow downstream of the pump, at least along the parts to which drinking water is applied. Such air routing of the cooling air already heated by the pump accelerates the drying of any condensation.

The molded body is advantageously formed in two parts with a front part and a rear part facing the building wall, a division being oriented essentially parallel to the building wall. A reduction in the production costs for the housing can be achieved if the front part is not or only partially covered by a non-foamed covering hood during operation. The foamed molded body can be directly provided with decorative elements in its area visible during operation, which make further cladding unnecessary.

The control is preferably provided with operating elements assigned to the front part, which are accessible during operation. The controls can then be arranged for initial start-up so that they are accessible without dismantling the housing or the front of the molded body. This ensures that the pump unit does not have to be opened either during assembly or during commissioning.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below with reference to the drawing.

Show it:

Figure 1: A pump unit according to the invention in a perspective exploded view;

FIG. 2: the pump unit according to FIG. 1 with the front part removed; Figure 3: the rear molded body of a

Pump unit in a perspective view from the front;

Figure 4: the pump unit of Figure 1 in a schematic representation from the right;

Figure 5: the pump unit according to Figure 4 in a schematic representation from the left;

Figure 6: the pump unit according to Figures 4 and 5 in a plan view;

Figure 7: the pump unit according to Figures 4-6 from below; such as

Figure 8: the pump unit according to Figures 4-7 from its rear.

Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of a pump unit according to the invention seen obliquely from below. The pump unit comprises a rear part 1 and a front part 2, which together form a molded body made of a foamed plastic. The back part 1 and the front part 2 can be separated along a parting line 3.

The molded body has a large number of recesses, some of which are designated by the reference number 4. The recesses 4 are designed in such a way that they can accommodate a drinking water feed device 5, a pump 6, pipe means 7 and control means (not shown in FIG. 1) in such a way that the molded body can be closed when the functional elements are inserted and essentially completely encloses the functional elements. The pump 6 and the drinking water feed device 5 are connected to one another via the pipe means 7. The pump 6 is also directly attached to the screwed-on silent blocks

Drinking water feed device 5 and is attached to it via tensioning straps. The invisible control is also directly connected to the pump 6, so that all functional elements form a self-supporting unit, which does not require a separate holder in the rear part 1 or the front part 2 of the molded body.

The drinking water feed device 5 comprises a drinking water connection 10, a feed valve 11 which feeds into a drinking water supply 13 via a drop section 12, and an emergency overflow 14 which can be connected to a drain via a siphon which is covered by the pump 6 in the illustration according to FIG. 1. The housing walls of these components are made in one piece from a plastic material and, because of their size, their wall thickness and the material used, offer a high degree of inherent stability.

The drinking water feed device 5 also has undercut areas 15 which can interact with correspondingly adapted latching lugs of the rear part 1, so that the back part 1 snaps into the drinking water feed device 5 in a form-fitting manner. If the functional elements are inserted into the back part 1 and are locked with it, the drop section 12, which is necessary and prescribed for separating the municipal tap water system from the used water and waste water, is arranged at a distance from the right outer housing wall of the back part 1. Forms between the reservoir 13 and the wall of the back part 1 then there is an overflow channel which opens downwards into the open in the region of an opening 16.

When the front part 2 is attached, the entire pump unit is closed. The drinking water connection 10, the emergency overflow 14 and a suction line 17 for sucking in rainwater from a cistern are then accessible from the outside. Furthermore, the front part 2 bears a total of three cutouts on the front side, of which a rectangular cutout 18 gives access to control elements of the control, a round cutout 19 provides a view of a pressure measuring device for displaying the pressure in the pressure line not visible in the illustration in FIG. as well as a likewise round cutout 20, which makes a push button accessible for commissioning.

When closed, there are no sensitive components protruding outward from the molded body. The molded body is held stable and firmly by latching on the drinking water feed device 5. The molded body is therefore suitable as shock protection without further measures and with a simple outer packaging as transport packaging.

FIG. 2 shows a pump unit according to FIG. 1 with the front part removed and the back part attached. The back part 1 surrounds the functional elements in the manner already described. The pump 6 is operated by a drive motor 22 which carries a controller 23. The drive motor 22 is air-cooled and draws in the cooling air during operation via a side opening 24 in the rear part 1. The cooling air is guided in such a way that the drive motor 22 is first flowed around by the cooling air, which heats up in the process. The following will the cooling air through suitable design of the recesses

4 in the interior of the molded body around the base body of the drinking water feed device 5 and then flows out of the molded body in the area of the suction line 17.

FIG. 3 alone shows the rear part 1 in a representation according to FIG. 1. In this representation, locking lugs 25 are visible, which serve to hold the rear part 1 on the drinking water feed device 5. The locking lugs 25 are formed in one piece with the back part 1 and engage behind the undercuts 15 when the functional elements are inserted, in order to ensure a secure connection between the back part 1 and the functional elements without requiring separate fastening elements.

FIG. 3 shows how the drinking water feed device 5 is inserted into the rear part 1. The recesses 4 on the right side of the rear part 1 hold the feed valve 11 and the drinking water reservoir 13, from which the pump 6 possibly draws drinking water. The siphon-like emergency overflow, which is denoted by 14 in FIG. 1, runs below the drinking water storage container 13 to the left, then upwards and again around 180 ° downwards, a projection 26 being enclosed. The emergency overflow 14 goes downward from the projection 26 in order to emerge in the region of a housing opening 27.

The area above the drinking water feeder

5 is closed by a flap or a slide 28. By opening the slider 28 is later in Operation of the drinking water feed valve 11 is accessible for maintenance purposes without having to open the housing.

FIG. 4 shows the pump unit according to FIG. 1 in the closed state in a side view from the right. It can be seen that the pump unit on its right side is completely closed except for the tap water connection 10.

Figure 5 shows according to Figure 4, the pump unit in the closed state in a side view from the left. The opening 24 for cooling air of the drive motor 22 can be seen in this side view. Furthermore, a vent valve 30 is provided in the center of the parting line 3, which serves to vent the pump when it is started up for the first time. Since the vent valve 30 is accessible from the outside, the pump unit does not have to be opened for commissioning.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of the pump unit of FIGS. 4 and 5. A pressure connection 35 is accessible from the top and is used to connect the pump unit to a line network to be fed with rainwater. A pressure gauge 36 is connected directly to the pressure port 35 and can be observed by the user through the opening 19 shown in FIG. 1.

Figure 7 shows the pump unit of Figures 4-6 from below. The overflow 16 of the drop section 12 can be seen, which is led openly downwards. Furthermore, the emergency overflow 14 of the drinking water storage container 13 can be seen, which is also led downwards out of the pump unit. This emergency overflow can be separated functionally and spatially from the drop section 12 is to be connected separately to a sewage pipe without endangering the required separation of sewage / process water and tap water. The otherwise required collecting funnel can be omitted.

On the underside there is also the suction nozzle 17 already described in connection with FIG. 1, which is to be connected to a suction line for sucking in rainwater from a cistern. Finally, a power plug 37 can be seen on the underside, which is stowed in a recess 38 of the rear part 1 for transport purposes.

Finally, FIG. 8 shows the pump unit of FIGS. 4-7 in a perspective view from behind. In this illustration, a wall bracket 40 can be seen, which is provided with through holes 41 for mounting on a building wall. The wall bracket 40 engages with a tab 42 on its top in a corresponding recess in the

Drinking water feed device 5 a. Furthermore, on the underside of the wall bracket 40 there is a section 43, which points approximately horizontally away from the building wall and engages in a corresponding slot 44 in the rear part 1. Two locking lugs 45, which are formed in one piece with the back part 1 and point into the slot 44, reach under the section 43 after the pump unit has been installed on the wall bracket 40, so that it cannot be accidentally raised upwards.

The pump unit described so far is characterized in that the functional elements, ie the drinking water feed device 5, the pump 6, the piping means 7, which are not described in more detail electrical connections and the controller 23 are firmly connected to one another, the drinking water feed device 5 forming the supporting base body. The molded body, formed from the back part 1 and the front part 2, is placed on the functional elements and essentially surrounds them in a form-fitting manner. The design of the inner recesses allows an air flow to be generated in such a way that fresh air is drawn in from the outside through the opening 24 and is used to cool the drive motor 22. The then heated cooling air can be directed around parts or the whole

Drinking water feed device 5 are guided around, so that any condensate that may be formed by contact with the cold drinking water is taken up and removed by the warm and therefore relatively dry air. This effectively counteracts the formation of condensate. Alternatively, the

Drinking water supply device 5 are so tightly enclosed by the rear part 2 and the front part 1 that no contact with the outside air is possible and consequently condensate formation is impossible at least in these areas.

The molded body encloses the functional elements on all sides, so that apart from an outer packaging, no further transport lock is required for shipping. The functional elements are held firmly in the molded body, so that there is no fear of mechanical stress on the functional elements due to relative movement to one another.

Finally, the structure of the molded body is such that all necessary for assembly and commissioning Elements of the pump unit are accessible from the outside. All connections can be reached without removing the front part. For wall mounting, only the wall bracket 40 is screwed onto a building wall and then the pump unit is placed on the wall bracket 40 from above, so that the upper tab 42 engages in the corresponding recess of the supporting drinking water feed device 5. The locking lugs 45 then reach under section 43 and secure the pump unit at its installation location. No further fastening measures are necessary.

Overall, this results in a pump unit that can be delivered largely prefabricated. The pump unit does not have to be opened for assembly and commissioning. The packaging effort is minimal. In addition, there are further advantages in terms of condensate formation and condensate drainage, and finally there is excellent noise insulation, both in terms of the airborne noise and the structure-borne noise.

The advantages mentioned arise not only in the embodiment described with an air-cooled drive motor. Even when using a water-cooled drive motor, a corresponding guidance of an air flow then operated by convection can be achieved, which ensures that the condensate is discharged. Alternatively, it is also possible in this embodiment that the molded body tightly encloses the drinking water feed device 5 on the surfaces to which cold water is applied, so that condensation does not even occur.

Claims

P a ten t an s r u che

1. Pump unit for rainwater utilization systems with a housing which surrounds a pump (6), a drinking water feed device (5) and / or control means (23) and piping means (7) as functional elements, wherein

- the housing has at least one molded body (1, 2) made of a foamed plastic,

- The molded body (1,2) has recesses (4) into which the functional elements are inserted, and

- The functional elements (5,6, 23) are interconnected via electrical conduction means or the pipe means (7).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one channel through which air can flow is formed in the housing.

3. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the channel for the removal of condensed water from the housing and / or the supply of cooling air to the pump (6) is formed.

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the drinking water feed device (5) is set up mechanically on the one hand for mounting on a building wall and on the other hand for carrying the pump (6).

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the

Drinking water feed device (5) is inserted into the molded body (1, 2) essentially without an air gap.

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the

Drinking water feed device (5) is surrounded by a channel which leads the cooling air downstream of the pump (6) at least along the parts to which drinking water is applied.

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the molded body (1, 2) is formed in two parts with a front part (2) and a rear part (1) facing the building wall, a division (3) being aligned essentially parallel to the building wall is.

Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front part (2) is not or only partially covered by a non-foamed cover during operation.

9. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the controller (23) with the front part (2) is provided with control elements which are accessible during operation.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that control elements (30) are provided for a first start-up, which are accessible without disassembly.