WO2008078121A1 - Bassin à remous - Google Patents

Bassin à remous Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008078121A1
WO2008078121A1 PCT/GB2007/050789 GB2007050789W WO2008078121A1 WO 2008078121 A1 WO2008078121 A1 WO 2008078121A1 GB 2007050789 W GB2007050789 W GB 2007050789W WO 2008078121 A1 WO2008078121 A1 WO 2008078121A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
bathing
control unit
bathing pool
water
motor
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2007/050789
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Nabeel Ahmed Shirazee
Praveen Choudhary
Original Assignee
Electronica Products Limited
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GB0625571A external-priority patent/GB0625571D0/en
Application filed by Electronica Products Limited filed Critical Electronica Products Limited
Publication of WO2008078121A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008078121A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/005—Electrical circuits therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/005—Electrical circuits therefor
    • A61H2033/0058—Electrical circuits therefor controlled by the user
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/01—Constructive details
    • A61H2201/0173—Means for preventing injuries
    • A61H2201/0176—By stopping operation
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/12—Driving means
    • A61H2201/1207—Driving means with electric or magnetic drive
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H2201/00—Characteristics of apparatus not provided for in the preceding codes
    • A61H2201/50—Control means thereof
    • A61H2201/5023—Interfaces to the user
    • A61H2201/5035—Several programs selectable
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/0087—Therapeutic baths with agitated or circulated water
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
    • A61H33/601—Inlet to the bath
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61H—PHYSICAL THERAPY APPARATUS, e.g. DEVICES FOR LOCATING OR STIMULATING REFLEX POINTS IN THE BODY; ARTIFICIAL RESPIRATION; MASSAGE; BATHING DEVICES FOR SPECIAL THERAPEUTIC OR HYGIENIC PURPOSES OR SPECIFIC PARTS OF THE BODY
    • A61H33/00—Bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes
    • A61H33/60—Components specifically designed for the therapeutic baths of groups A61H33/00
    • A61H33/6068—Outlet from the bath

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a bathing pool, such as a swimming pool or spa bath.
  • spa baths or so-called aerated spas, hot-tub spas, Jacuzzi spas, Whirlpool spas, Whirlpool baths, hot-tub baths or Jacuzzi baths are becoming increasingly popular in dwellings, hotels, health clubs, leisure centres and the like.
  • spa baths comprise a self-contained body of warm water and are designed for sitting rather than swimming. The water temperature is kept between 30 and 40 deg. C and hydro- jets inside the spa direct water around the user.
  • Larger spa baths or so-called swim spas are known which comprise water jets that produce a flow against which a person can swim without moving.
  • a typical spa bath comprises a plurality of recirculating pumps arranged to pump respective jets of water into the bathing area of the bath when the latter is activated by the user.
  • Each pump comprises a single-phase induction motor.
  • one of the pumps comprises a two speed single-phase induction motor, which can periodically be activated at low speed in order to provide a periodic filtering facility.
  • Single-phase induction motors require starting capacitors.
  • one type of spa bath has been produced in which the dual speed pump is replaced by two pumps, one for driving the jet and one for providing the periodic filtering facility.
  • Legionnaires disease is a potentially fatal form of pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria.
  • Legionellosis There are several pneumonia-like diseases caused by different types of Legionella bacteria, known as Legionellosis. The bacteria can survive at low temperatures, although will not multiply. However, at 20 - 45 deg. C they thrive and readily multiply.
  • Legionellos disease There have been several outbreaks of Legionnaires disease with the causes traced back to a spa bath. Not only can people be exposed whilst using a spa bath, but also by being close enough to breath in the fine spray created by the jets and bubbles.
  • the aerated water forms aerosols and sprays, via which the bacteria can be breathed in.
  • Another proposal is to use a pump which runs continuously to circulate the water (at a very low speed) throughout the day. Such pumps are much quieter than dual speed pumps.
  • the low speed pump there might also be a dual speed pump incorporated into the system and having a high speed for jets and low speed for filter cycles, as mentioned above.
  • the introduction of the low speed pump is however an added precaution against the growth of Legionella.
  • a bathing pool comprising a bathing area for containing a volume of bathing water, a water outlet coupled to the bathing area, a water inlet in the form of a jet directed into the bathing area, a pump connected between said outlet and inlet via a flow duct, a variable speed electric motor for driving the pump, a filter connected in series with the duct, and a control unit for connecting to a power source, the control unit being arranged: in a first mode, to continuously operate the pump motor at a low speed to gently circulate water in the bathing area; in a second mode, to periodically operate the pump motor at a higher speed to agitate water in the bathing area; and in a third mode, to selectively operate the pump motor at a yet higher speed to vigorously pump water into the bathing area.
  • a typical bathing pool in accordance with this invention comprises only one pump having a variable speed motor, which runs continuously (when the pool is connected to the supply) at low speed to circulate water through the bathing area at a rate of approximately 50 litres a minute, in order to prevent stagnation of the water and hence alleviate the risk of legionella contamination.
  • the low level continuous pumping does not significantly agitate the water and hence contamination may occur in settled areas.
  • the pump then periodically circulates water through the bath at a rate of approximately 100 litres a minute, which agitates the whole volume of water and ensures that it completely filtered.
  • the pump can be run at higher speeds of approximately 200 litres a minute or more for vigorously driving the or each of the water jets.
  • the pump thus performs the function of 3 pumps and the cost and complexity of the bathing pool is significantly reduced. Furthermore, the present invention enables a significant reduction in pipe work and ducting, thereby helping avoid the risk of legionella breeding in the pipe work. Indeed, a recent European Directive has indicated that a reduction in pipe work in spa baths is needed.
  • variable speed motor comprises a 3-phase induction motor
  • the electronic control means comprising an inverter having a single phase input for connecting to the mains supply and a 3-phase output for connecting to respective windings of the 3-phase motor, and means for varying the output of the inverter to control the speed of said 3-phase induction motor.
  • 3-Phase induction motors are more efficient than single phase induction motors and thus have lower running costs. Furthermore, 3-phase induction motors have a longer life than single phase induction motors and do not require capacitor starting.
  • variable speed motor comprises a permanent magnet brushless motor.
  • the motor may comprise a winding divided into a plurality of sections and switch means for selectively connecting the sections of the winding in one of a plurality of different configurations, wherein each section is connected in series and/or parallel with all other sections of the winding.
  • Variable speed motors are more efficient and save the cube of the energy value as the speed is reduced.
  • the switch means can then be used to change magnetic gears, by changing the configuration of the coil segments in series, parallel or a combination of both, which are connected to the supply.
  • magnetic gearing because it utilises the control of the induced back electromagnetic force (back emf) to control the speed by selectively altering the winding configuration which are connected to the supply. This alters the torque with changing speed of the motor.
  • back emf induced back electromagnetic force
  • control unit is further arranged, in a fourth mode, to selectively operate the pump motor at a yet higher speed of say 275 litres a minute, in order to pump water even more vigorously through the water jet for a limited duration.
  • control unit is arranged to activate the pump motor in said second mode at least once during a 24 hour period, the period of activation in said second mode preferably having a minimum duration of say 1 hour.
  • control unit comprises an actuator for stopping the pump motor in the event of an emergency or other situation.
  • control unit is arranged to restart the motor in at least said first mode, once a predetermined period has elapsed following actuation of the actuator. In this way, the water in the pool cannot stagnate after the motor was stopped.
  • means are provided for indicating that the motor is about to restart: this may be in the form of a countdown timer.
  • control unit comprises an actuator for selecting the third and/or fourth modes of pump motor operation.
  • control unit comprises a memory enabling the third and/or fourth modes of pump motor operation to be programmed.
  • control unit comprises a display screen, such as an LCD or TFT screen, which can show the mode of operation and/or a menu enabling parameters of operation, such as timing to be programmed or selected.
  • the screen can also be programmed to display operational, technical or other messages such as advertisements.
  • the display screen is arranged to display the mode of operation and/or the menu in a range of selectable languages.
  • control unit comprises means for connecting it to a remote station, so that it can be programmed remotely and/or so that remote fault diagnosis and maintenance can be carried out.
  • connection means may comprise a wired or wireless link, for example using a telephone line, cable or GPRS.
  • control unit comprises a terminal for connecting it to a computer for local fault diagnosis or maintenance.
  • control unit comprises means for fault diagnosis of the pool.
  • a common fault with bathing pools is that actuators for selecting modes of operation have a tendency to fail.
  • control unit is preferably arranged to prompt the user to actuate a particular actuator, the unit being able to determine whether the actuator has been actuated.
  • the pool comprises an audio output device such as a loudspeaker, the control unit being arranged to drive the device to play warning and/or advertising messages.
  • an audio output device such as a loudspeaker
  • a heater is connected in series with the duct, the heater comprising one or more magnets for conditioning the water to prevent the accumulation of lime scale on the heating element or matrix.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a spa bath in accordance with this invention.
  • FIG. 1 is perspective view of the control panel of the spa bath of Figure 1.
  • a spa bath in accordance with this invention comprises a large container in the form of a liner 10, which is filled with water to define a bathing area 11 for one or more persons.
  • a first outlet 12 is mounted on a side wall of the liner 10 at a position which is substantially level with the top surface of the water.
  • a second outlet 13 is mounted on a bottom wall of the liner 10.
  • the outlets 12,13 are connected via pipes to a filter 14.
  • the other side of the filter 14 is connected to a heater 15 incorporating an electric heating element and water conditioning magnets.
  • a flow sensor 18 is also mounted on the heater 15.
  • the outlet of the heater 15 is connected to a first pump 16 which is driven by a variable speed permanent magnet brushless dc motor 17.
  • the outlet of the first pump 16 is connected to one or more inlets in the form of jets 19 mounted on the side and/or bottom walls of the liner 10.
  • the outlet of the heater 15 may also be connected to a second pump 20 which is driven by another variable speed permanent magnet brushless dc motor 21.
  • the outlet of second pump 20 is connected to further inlets in the form of jets 22 mounted on the side and/or bottom walls of the liner 10.
  • the or each pump motor 17,21 are electrically connected to a control unit 23.
  • the control unit 23 is connected to the mains supply 24.
  • the control unit 23 is also connected to the heating element of the heater 15 via a mechanical thermal cut-out 31 and to the flow sensor 18 by respective cables.
  • the control unit 23 comprises a remotely mounted control panel 25 which may be positioned on the top wall of the liner, conveniently within reach of persons in the spa bath.
  • the control panel 25 is provided with a display 26 and a plurality of control buttons e.g. 27 and indicator lights e.g. 28.
  • control unit 23 drives the motor 17 of the first pump 16 continuously to circulate approximately 50 litres of water a minute through the bath. This action helps to prevent stagnation of the water in the bathing area 1 1 and the pipe work.
  • the control unit 23 is programmed to increase the speed of the motor 17 for at least an hour every day, so that approximately 100 litres of water a minute are circulated through the bath. This agitates the water in the bathing area and ensures that settled matter is brought into suspension and carried to the filter 14.
  • the MENU button on the control panel 25 can be actuated to select a mode allowing the length of the period to be increased from 1 hour and also to select the time(s) of day at which the or each period occurs.
  • the user can press the STOP button to completely stop the motor 17.
  • the motor 17 automatically restarts after a predetermined time period: the length of time remaining is indicated on the display 26.
  • the motor 17 can be started by pressing the DECREASE button several times to reduce the time remaining to zero.
  • the control unit 23 comprises an aerial 29 for remotely connecting the unit to a service centre via a GPRS link and the Internet.
  • a connector 30 is also provided on the unit for connecting the control unit 23 to a local computer, so that a technician can perform fault diagnosis and change settings.
  • a spa bath in accordance with this invention is simple to use, yet does not suffer from the problem of overheating of the pump motor or Legionnaires disease.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Pain & Pain Management (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Rehabilitation Therapy (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Percussion Or Vibration Massage (AREA)

Abstract

Un bain à remous comprend une zone de bain pour contenir un volume d'eau de bain, une sortie d'eau couplée à la zone de bain, une entrée d'eau sous la forme d'un jet dirigé dans la zone de bain, une pompe raccordée entre la sortie et l'entrée par l'intermédiaire d'un conduit d'écoulement, un moteur électrique à vitesse variable pour entraîner la pompe, un filtre relié en série au conduit, et une unité de commande pour la connexion à une source d'alimentation, l'unité de commande comprenant un premier mode, dans lequel elle actionne en continu le moteur de pompe à une vitesse faible pour faire circuler doucement l'eau dans la zone de bain, un second mode dans lequel elle actionne périodiquement le moteur de pompe à une vitesse supérieure pour agiter l'eau dans la zone de baignade, et un troisième mode dans lequel elle actionne sélectivement le moteur de pompe à une vitesse encore supérieure pour pomper énergiquement l'eau dans la zone de bain. La pompe effectue la fonction de 3 pompes et le coût et la complexité du bain à remous sont significativement réduits. De plus, la présente invention permet une réduction importante de la tuyauterie et des conduits, aidant ainsi à éviter le risque que des Légionella se développent dans la tuyauterie.
PCT/GB2007/050789 2006-12-22 2007-12-24 Bassin à remous WO2008078121A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0625571A GB0625571D0 (en) 2006-12-22 2006-12-22 Bathing pool
GB0625571.5 2006-12-22
GB0722799A GB2445061B (en) 2006-12-22 2007-11-21 Bathing pool
GB0722799.4 2007-11-21

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2008078121A1 true WO2008078121A1 (fr) 2008-07-03

Family

ID=39203202

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2007/050789 WO2008078121A1 (fr) 2006-12-22 2007-12-24 Bassin à remous

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2008078121A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10046202B2 (en) 2015-07-02 2018-08-14 Digital Concepts Of Missouri, Inc. Incline trainer safety brake
US11959494B2 (en) 2020-11-04 2024-04-16 Gecko Alliance Group Inc. Water-cooled pump assembly for bathing unit system and pump assembly for bathing unit system with mounting brackets

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0376845A2 (fr) * 1988-12-29 1990-07-04 Toto Ltd. Bain tourbillonnant dont la pompe de circulation est contrôlée par un onduleur
EP0376844A2 (fr) * 1988-12-29 1990-07-04 Toto Ltd. Construction d'une buse d'évacuation pour faire varier automatiquement le volume d'eau à évacuer

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0376845A2 (fr) * 1988-12-29 1990-07-04 Toto Ltd. Bain tourbillonnant dont la pompe de circulation est contrôlée par un onduleur
EP0376844A2 (fr) * 1988-12-29 1990-07-04 Toto Ltd. Construction d'une buse d'évacuation pour faire varier automatiquement le volume d'eau à évacuer
US5457826A (en) * 1988-12-29 1995-10-17 Toto Ltd. Whirlpool bath with an inverter-controlled circulating pump

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US10046202B2 (en) 2015-07-02 2018-08-14 Digital Concepts Of Missouri, Inc. Incline trainer safety brake
US11959494B2 (en) 2020-11-04 2024-04-16 Gecko Alliance Group Inc. Water-cooled pump assembly for bathing unit system and pump assembly for bathing unit system with mounting brackets

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