WO2006081836A1

WO2006081836A1 - Sanitary unit

Info

Publication number: WO2006081836A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/001201
Authority: WO
Inventors: Antonio Cavaleri
Original assignee: Billon, Michel
Priority date: 2005-02-07
Filing date: 2005-02-07
Publication date: 2006-08-10

Abstract

The invention concerns a sanitary unit consisting of a cabinet (11) wherein is mounted a water-saving system for dispensing water for flushing a toilet bowl. The water-saving system comprises a backflow pump (8) connected to receive sanitary sewage recovered from the discharge outlet of a bath tub or any other sanitary equipment and for channeling same to a tank (13) wherein it is discharged through a filter (22). A flushing system (15) located in the tank is used to flush the wastewater to flush the bowl (12). A controlled stop valve (25) temporarily introduces into the tank a certain amount of fresh water only when the wastewater reserve contained in the tank is less than a predetermined minimum amount. A rinsing valve (27) controlled by a programming unit (29) temporarily and periodically actuates the flushing system (15) to provide special automatic rinsing in accordance with an adjustable pre-established programme or after a long period of use of the toilet.

Description

Sanitary unit

The present invention relates to a sanitary unit for the management of the water distribution for the evacuation sweep of a water closet bowl.

In homes, residences and hotels, or more generally in any real estate complex, the sanitary facilities consume a large amount of running water taken directly from the water supply network. In urban areas, the amount of running water used and thus discharged to the sewers amounts to millions of liters, of which about 80% is consumed by the sanitary installations, half of which is used for sweeping the troughs. water closets. This consumption of running water is accompanied by an increasingly high price for consumers because running water has become an excessively expensive product.

Regardless of its high cost, water supply is sometimes critical in some inhabited areas or seasonal residential areas. In addition, there are parts of the world that do not have large reserves of natural water. Even in countries normally rich in aquifers, there are regular water supply problems during long periods of drought. Climatologists already anticipate that this situation is likely to become more and more frequent and critical in the coming decades.

It is therefore essential to be able to distribute water rationally and especially to be able to consume it in a reasonable way, if not with economy. On the other hand, it is important for this purpose that dwellings, residences, hotel complexes and other similar places can be arranged or redeveloped according to a rational design that saves water. In general, sanitary water is discharged directly into a common collection pipe and discharged to a sewer system. Not only does this discharge of sanitary water represent a high consumption of water from the distribution network, but the water thus discharged also contains many residual products that pollute the environment. In addition to the amount of running water used for personal hygiene, a large amount of running water is also used in flushing toilets in water closets. Significant savings in water can be achieved by using for the flushing of toilet bowls the waste water recovered from other sanitary equipment in the dwelling or a residential or hotel complex and not using the toilet bowls of the toilet. running water only when no more waste water is available.

It is already known to recover waste water to perform the sweeping of a water closet bowl. The waste water is collected in a storage tank that is connected to the usual flush tank fitted to the water closets. A system of this type imposes often expensive plumbing works and the installation of pipes often troublesome. No solution has so far been proposed to ensure a rational and optimized management of the water supply for the evacuation of a water closet by integrating waste water recycling into a sanitary unit. for toilets and taking into account problems of reliability and safety.

The invention aims to provide a rational and effective solution to the general problem of the distribution and use of water for toilets in a house or building.

An object of the invention is to provide a sanitary unit that optimizes the distribution of water intended to perform the evacuation sweep of a water closet bowl by a rational integration of a water saving system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary unit that automatically maintains a perfect sanitary facilities and effectively preserves the environment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary unit for toilets whose operation and maintenance can be programmed according to the requirements of the user or the use of the toilet. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary unit for toilets that incorporates a water saving system and can be easily installed in a living room or a room of common dimensions.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sanitary unit for toilets which incorporates a water saving system and which can be easily fitted in a living room or a room of an existing building without requiring plumbing work. important and expensive.

These aims are obtained with a sanitary unit consisting of a column cabinet in which is mounted a water saving system arranged to optimally manage the distribution of water for the evacuation of a water closet drain .

A booster pump, activated automatically when sanitary waste water is available at the outlet of a bathtub or other sanitary equipment, sends the wastewater into a tank equipped with a flush connected to the toilet. sweeping inlet duct of a toilet bowl. When they enter the tank, these wastewater is cleaned in a filter that removes the soap and washed away they dragged. The tank thus normally contains sanitary wastewater and as long as this reserve of wastewater is sufficient, it is these wastewater that are used for the evacuation sweep of the toilet bowl. A detector continuously monitors the level of wastewater contained in the tank and when a predetermined minimum level is reached, it automatically controls the temporary opening of a normally closed, controlled shutoff valve so as to introduce into the tank a certain amount of fresh water taken from a distribution network. The tank has a capacity which allows to constitute a reserve of waste water sufficient to perform a large number of evacuation scans of a toilet bowl without using the expensive running water of the distribution network. It is only when the residual water supply in the tank is insufficient that the evacuation sweep of the toilet bowl temporarily uses fresh water. As soon as the residual water supply becomes sufficient, the shut-off valve is automatically closed. This results in a considerable reduction in the costly water consumption and a significant saving for the user. A controlled flush valve is connected to the flush valve to actuate it in response to a control signal to flush a predetermined amount of water and perform a special rinsing of the toilet bowl. The control signal for the opening of the flushing valve is generated automatically and periodically by a programmable controller according to a pre-established program adjustable according to the actual needs in each individual case.

The control device also continuously monitors the state of the system and manages the operation thereof in order to avoid or overcome any failure and maintain a perfect cleanliness and sanitation of the toilet bowl as and when measuring its use and / or after a predetermined period of non-use while ensuring minimal energy consumption.

In the event of a momentary standstill of the pump or in the event of a possible obstruction of the waste water supply, the control and control device ensures the opening of the water supply valve so that the tank or, depending on the needs, supplied with water taken from the distribution network of running water. This ensures a high reliability of operation of the installation. As soon as waste water is available, the control and control device automatically restores operation in normal mode, that is to say in water saver mode so as to ensure economical use. This ensures optimal, reliable and economical operation of the installation.

The sanitary unit according to the invention is a compact unit that facilitates and simplifies the connections and the installation of water pipes in a building, as well as the layout of the premises. In addition, it incorporates an integrated water saving system, which does not require large and expensive plumbing work.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, accompanied by drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a sanitary unit according to the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show, on a larger scale, an example of internal layout for the sanitary unit of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a general block diagram of the control system and management of the water distribution in the sanitary unit according to the invention; FIG. 5 represents, on an enlarged scale, an example of a header box for collecting the wastewater from a shower in order to supply a sanitary unit according to the invention.

Description of an embodiment of the invention

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown schematically an embodiment of a sanitary unit according to the invention with a suspended water closet. The sanitary unit 11 consists of a column cabinet, of parallelepipedal general shape, in which is mounted the assembly of a water-saving system to ensure the control of the water distribution for the evacuation sweep. the toilet bowl 12. It is understood that the shape and presentation of the column cabinet and the toilet bowl are not limited to the example shown.

The interior of the cabinet 11 is shown on a larger scale in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal structure of the cabinet comprises a frame 31 to which are attached braces 32 forming a support for a reservoir 13. This may have any shape and size. The brace 32 visible in Figure 2 also serves for fixing the suspended toilet bowl, the conduit 14 for supplying water for the evacuation sweep of the bowl and the conduit 30 for discharging wastewater from the bowl. The duct 14 for supplying water for flushing the cuvette is connected to the outlet of a flushing mechanism 15 housed in the bottom of the tank. The reference sign 16 in FIG. 3 denotes the control rod of the flush, which is actuated from a pushbutton accessible on the front face of the column. In the lower part of the column is mounted a discharge pump 18 for supplying the reservoir 13 with sanitary water recovered at the waste water discharge port of at least one outdoor sanitary equipment.

A general block diagram of the distribution and water saving system included in the sanitary unit according to the invention is shown in Figure 4. The water inlet of the pump 18 is connected to a pipe 17 for the supply of wastewater recovered at the discharge outlet of a or more sanitary equipment such as bath and shower. The recovery of sanitary wastewater is done in a header to regulate the flow and the supply line of these waters advantageously consists of a bundle of parallel tubes to ensure a laminar flow, particularly when the pump must receive evacuated water when draining a bathtub.

The pump 18 is normally at rest. It is started in response to a signal emitted by a detector (not shown) which detects the availability of wastewater at the inlet of the sanitary water supply line.

The waste water delivered by the pump 18 is directed towards the top of the tank 13 by a pipe 19. This is advantageously also constituted by a bundle of tubes or parallel channels so as to make the flow of sanitary water laminar and regular . The capacity of the tank 13 is chosen to be able to contain the amount of water normally collected during the emptying of a bath. A sensor 21 measures the flow of wastewater to the tank.

In the top of the tank 13, the wastewater is discharged into a filter 22 to ensure primary treatment of these wastewater, neutralize the soap and retain the various residues entrained by these collected water. The filter may for example be an interchangeable cartridge biological filter (known per se) or a self-cleaning filter. In the top of the tank 13 is provided an outlet 23 for discharging the eventual overflow in an evacuation pipe to the sewers. A removable panel is provided in the top of the tank to allow access to the filter. The reservoir 13 also has an orifice to allow the evacuation of air when the reservoir fills with water.

Inside the tank 13 also penetrates a tube 24 for a supply of fresh water. This feed tube 24 is connected to the outlet of a controlled stop valve 25 having its inlet connected by a pipe 26 to a point of arrival of running water of the water distribution network. The valve 25 is normally closed. It opens when the amount of water contained in the tank 13 is insufficient. The reservoir 13 thus normally contains wastewater conveyed via the pump 18 and it is these wastewaters which are normally used for the evacuation sweep of the toilet bowl 12, without consuming expensive dispensing water. On the other hand, when the level of the waste water recovered in the tank 13 is insufficient to ensure that the bowl 12 is correctly swept, the controlled shut-off valve 25 opens temporarily and automatically introduces a quantity of running tap water.

The water level in the tank 13 is continuously monitored by a water level detector 28. This may consist of any device: optical device, magnetic, mechanical or any other suitable device. The stop valve 25 opens automatically in response to a control signal 101 produced when the level of the water reserve in the tank 13 is below a predetermined level.

It is therefore only when the quantity of waste water contained in the reservoir is insufficient to ensure an evacuation sweep of the bowl 12 that the shut-off valve opens temporarily and allows the introduction of a quantity of water. In the remaining time, when the sanitary water reserve is sufficient, the valve 25 is kept closed. The control of the opening of the stop valve 25 is controlled by the water level detector 28. According to its embodiment, the water level detector produces a control signal which is applied to the control input of the shut-off valve or it acts directly and mechanically on the shut-off valve.

The capacity of the tank is chosen large enough to be able to receive the amount of sanitary water discharged normally by a bathtub. Such a waste water reserve allows for many sweeps of the W-C pan, which leads to a considerable reduction in expensive water consumption and appreciable financial savings for the users.

In addition, the filtration of the waste water in the filter 22 provides a primary water purification before use for the W-C bowl and their discharge to the sewers, which contributes to the preservation of the environment.

In the filter 22 can be introduced periodically a product selected for disinfect the installation and / or prevent the deposit of scale. Such a product can be distributed in the filter automatically with a periodicity determined according to the flow of wastewater discharged into the reservoir 13, that is to say as and when the use of sanitary water. Manual point distribution may also be provided for special circumstances.

According to another feature of the invention, a flushing control valve 27 is associated with the flushing mechanism 15 housed in the tank 13 to control a special flushing operation. This valve opens temporarily in response to a control signal 102 as will be described later. When the valve 27 opens, it introduces into the flush a predetermined amount of water to perform a special sweep of the W-C pan. This possibility is particularly interesting after a long period of non-use of the toilet. This allows to maintain a state of cleanliness and salubrity regardless of the degree of use of the toilet. The control signal for the flushing valve 27 is produced by a control and control device 29 which may advantageously be arranged to produce this signal periodically according to an adjustable pre-set program.

The control and control device 29 permanently monitors the state of the system and manages its operation in order to avoid or overcome any failure and maintain a perfect health of the installation while ensuring minimal energy consumption. Such a device may consist of any programmable controller arranged and connected appropriately to perform the required functions. Such an automaton is usually equipped with various indicator lamps indicating the state of the monitored organs.

This programmable controller can be programmed to periodically control the above-mentioned rinse valve 27 to perform a special rinse operation as indicated above. It may also, when this option is provided, automatically control the introduction of a sanitizer or anti-scale, for example, in the waste water discharged into the filter 19. A dose of product is then introduced by a distributor depending on the flow of wastewater to the tank. The aforementioned sensor 21 sends to the controller a signal 103 representing the measured flow rate and in response to this signal, the controller can control the distribution of the appropriate product dose,

In addition, the controller 29 may be arranged to continuously receive control signals from the wastewater detectors (not shown), the pump 18 and the shut-off and flushing valves 27 in order to detect any failure or malfunction in the waste water supply system and at any time maintain at least a minimum reserve of running water to ensure a drain evacuation of the bowl.

On the other hand, the programmable controller can advantageously be arranged to control an automatic deodorizing operation of the toilet in order to evacuate stale odors. When a human presence detector is provided, and produces a signal indicating a physical presence in the toilet, in response to this signal from the detector, the controller 29 then starts any suitable aeration device to drive or draw the odors to the outside or evacuate them through the exhaust pipe of the toilet bowl 12.

Depending on the operating conditions, and in response to control signals that it continuously receives from the system, the controller 29 is arranged and organized to automatically produce various control signals to ensure the correct operation of the system at all times.

In case of momentary stopping of the pump 18 or in the event of any obstruction of the waste water inlet, the control and control automat 29 thus ensures the opening of the stop valve 25 so that the reservoir 13 is, depending on the needs, supplied with water taken from the distribution network of running water. This ensures a high reliability of operation of the installation. As soon as wastewater is available, the control and control device automatically restores the normal mode operation, that is to say in the water saver mode in which the waste water is used for the sweeping. evacuation of the toilet bowl. This ensures optimal, reliable and economical operation of the installation. These controls and automatic controls provided in the sanitary assembly according to the invention ensure optimal economic operation of the installation with high reliability while maintaining optimal health of the sanitary installation.

In addition to the advantage of including an advantageous and reliable water saving system, the sanitary unit according to the invention has the advantage of being able to be realized in a compact unit easy to install and connect on site, without plumbing work. important and without having to provide special piping generally unattractive and often annoying.

As mentioned above, the sanitary unit according to the invention can be supplied with waste water collected at the outlet of a bathtub, shower enclosure or other sanitary equipment. Waste water is collected in a collecting box which ensures a steady flow. Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of collector box. The interior space of the header box 33 is divided by a wall into a collection compartment 35 and a buffer compartment 37 which communicate with each other through an orifice 36 formed in the wall separating the two compartments. The inlet 34 of the collection compartment 35 is connected to the outlet for discharging wastewater from sanitary equipment. The buffer compartment 37 is provided with a float which controls the level of the water contained in this compartment. The outlet 38 connects to the pipe which conveys the waste water to the pump 18. The outlet 39 serves for the evacuation of an overflow. Such a manifold can be easily fitted into the base of a shower enclosure or below the exhaust strainer of a shower room. To connect the inlet 34 of the manifold to the discharge port of a bath, it is advantageous to use a pipe arranged in a bundle of tubes or parallel channels so as to make the flow of bath water laminar and regular.

It is understood that the embodiment described in the foregoing and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is given by way of example. Various alternative embodiments may be made while enjoying the advantages of the invention. The envelope of the column may for example have one or the other storage compartment and / or panels or doors giving access to the technical devices of the distribution system and the PLC.

Claims

claims

1- Sanitary unit intended for the distribution of water for the evacuation sweep of a water closet bowl, characterized in that it consists of a column cabinet (11) in which is mounted a system economizer d water, which comprises a reservoir (13) for containing a water reserve, a flush mechanism (15) disposed in the reservoir (13) for supplying the flushing water to a toilet bowl ( 12), a filter (22) located at the top of the tank (13) and into which a first water inlet (19) opens, a pump (18) connected to said first water supply (19) for supplying the tank (13) with waste water from outdoor sanitary equipment, a water level detector (28) for monitoring the level of the waste water reservoir contained in the reservoir (13), a second arrival of water (24) opening into the reservoir, a controlled stop valve (25) for controlling said second ar water stream (24), said shut-off valve being normally closed and temporarily opening when the amount of water contained in the tank (13) is less than a predetermined quantity in order to introduce a predetermined quantity of water cool stock in said tank,

2- sanitary unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a controlled flushing valve (27) connected to the flush (15), said flushing valve opening temporarily in response to a control signal (102) for flushing a predetermined amount of water to perform a special rinse of the toilet bowl, and means (29) arranged to produce said control signal (102) to open said flush valve (27). ) when it has remained closed for a predetermined period of time.

3- sanitary unit according to claim 2, characterized in that said means (29) producing said control signal (102) comprises a scheduler device arranged to produce said control signal periodically according to a preset program. 4- sanitary unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reservoir (13) has a capacity sufficient to contain substantially at least the amount of waste water discharged by a bathtub.

5- Sanitary unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first water supply (19) to the reservoir (13) comprises a sensor (21) for producing a control signal (103) indicating the flow rate of water discharged into the tank.

6. Sanitary unit according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises means (29) corresponding to said control signal of the sensor (21) and arranged to control the introduction of a sanitizer into the water discharged into the tank (13).

Sanitary unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump (18) is started automatically when water is present at the inlet of the sewage supply line.

8- Sanitary unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (29) arranged to control the opening of the stop valve (25) when the waste water supply circuit is obstructed or faulty.

9. Sanitary unit according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises means (29) is arranged to respond to a human presence signal and produce a control signal to activate a deodorizing means of the bowl WC (12).