WO2017068267A1

WO2017068267A1 - Device for monitoring the water consumption of a water dispenser

Info

Publication number: WO2017068267A1
Application number: PCT/FR2016/052672
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christian LOZANO
Original assignee: Lozano Christian
Priority date: 2015-10-20
Filing date: 2016-10-17
Publication date: 2017-04-27
Also published as: FR3042516A1; FR3042516B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device (10) for monitoring the consumption of a water dispenser (13), said monitoring device being connected between a water supply (12) and said water dispenser (13), said device comprising: - a water flow valve (15), - a means (16) for measuring the water flow rate, - a control unit (14) capable of: • controlling the closing of the valve (15) when the amount of water (Ve) consumed during a use of said water dispenser and determined from a flow rate value transmitted in real time by said means (16) for measuring the flow rate to said control unit (14), is greater than or equal to a threshold amount value (Vs), and/or when the usage time (t₁) of the water dispenser (3) is greater than or equal to a threshold time (t_s1), and • controlling the opening of said valve (15) once the time (t₂) elapsed since the closure of said valve is greater than or equal to a second threshold time (t_s ₂).

Description

DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE WATER CONSUMPTION OF A

WATER DISPENSER

[Technical field of the invention!

The invention relates to a control device for a water dispenser.

The invention relates more particularly to a device for controlling the water consumption of a water dispenser according to several preset parameters, such as the duration of use and / or the volume of water used.

Such a device can be applied to any type of water dispenser, such as a tap, a shower system, a garden hose or an irrigation system for example.

[Prior art]

In a context where energy savings have become paramount, the preservation of water is a central issue. It is therefore necessary to reduce the waste of water when using water distribution systems, for irrigation or watering of land or plants, or for shower for example.

In the case where the water dispenser is a shower system for example, and particularly in the case of large families, the amount of water used for everyone to take a shower is considerable, and the total time of Shower for all family members is too. In the same way, for watering gardens or irrigating crops, it is essential to have reasonable water consumption and to avoid any waste. Saving water is not only an environmental and economic issue, but also requires a collective awareness, from daily habits, to large industrial projects.

The EP 1653014 document limits the water consumption during a shower by providing a control device connected to a shower system whose maximum shower time is configurable, the water being cut when the latter is achieved. On the other hand, the device described does not make it possible to limit the consumption of water by imposing a maximum volume of water that the user can not exceed. Thus, a large or excessive volume of water can be used in the time allotted when the flow is high.

WO 2012/160330 proposes a solution to the above problem and describes a shower water distribution control device for which the user can adjust the maximum amount of water to be used and the maximum use time by means of a digital control system, in particular according to a "parental control" option. On the other hand, when the maximum volume or the maximum time are exceeded during a first shower, the user can immediately take a second shower by reopening the water outlet, or he can not take a shower at all. less than an external intervention by a person authorized to modify the parameters of the device. In the first case, no saving of water is realized because everything happens as if no maximum value of volume of water or time was imposed. In the second case, the use of the system is highly restrictive.

[0008] GB2 516 770 discloses an apparatus and a method for reducing water wastage due to leaks or breaks in pipes. The process involves connecting the appliance to a water supply in a residential or commercial dwelling. The apparatus is therefore not intended to be connected to a water supply of a water dispenser such as a tap for example. This apparatus makes it possible to stop the arrival of water when a leak is detected, that is to say when a predetermined duration of water flow is reached or a predetermined volume of water has been reached. expired. The restart of the water supply is performed manually, by the user, by actuating a push button, after repair of the pipe. This device does not allow consumers to consume reasonable water at the tap and avoid any waste of water.

The document US 201 1/155269 describes a device for controlling the flow of water consumed to limit consumption in residential and commercial homes to contribute to the preservation of water. The device is placed on the water taps. It includes a mechanism equipped with a timer housed in a transparent receptacle allowing the user to see the mechanism. The user can adjust the water consumption time. This device does not allow to control water consumption by controlling the volume of water consumed. The user activates the timer when the tap is opened and when the time is exceeded, the mechanism cuts off the water supply to the tap. If the duration imparted by the timer is not sufficient, the user can turn the knob again to restart a new sequence. However, in this case, the water saving remains low. The mechanism may also include a timer to block the restart of a new sequence for a predetermined time. At the end of this time, the user can turn the knob again to restart a new sequence.

[Technical problem]

The invention therefore aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing an improved device for controlling the consumption of a water dispenser by limiting the amount of water consumed during the use of the dispenser of water, the duration of use of the dispenser and limiting or even preventing the repetition of successive uses of the water dispenser.

[Brief description of the invention]

[001 1] For this purpose, the invention relates to a device for controlling the consumption of a water dispenser, said control device being connected between a water supply and said water dispenser, said device being characterized in that it comprises:

a water circulation valve connected to the supply (12) with water,

a means for measuring the flow of water,

- a control unit suitable for:

On the one hand, to control the closure of the valve when the quantity of water consumed during use of said water dispenser and determined from a flow rate value communicated in real time by said measuring means flow rate to said control unit, is greater than or equal to a threshold quantity value, and / or when the duration of use of the water dispenser is greater than or equal to a threshold duration and

On the other hand, to control the opening of said valve as long as the time elapsed since the closure of said valve is greater than or equal to a second blocking threshold duration, said valve thus being closed by the unit control during this blocking time between two successive uses of the water dispenser and then opened by said control unit when this time has elapsed. 2] According to other optional features of the device:

- It further comprises a storage means integrated with or in communication with the control unit, in which the different threshold values are recorded;

it further comprises a human-machine interface, said interface enabling a user to communicate with the control unit to record said threshold values and / or to display information relating to the use of the distributor;

the human-machine interface is in the form of a touch screen;

the human-machine interface is integrated into the device or remote;

- When the human-machine interface is deported, the device and the interface each comprise a communication module, compatible with each other, to allow the device to communicate with the interface. This communication module can for example be chosen from modules using the Bluetooth communication standard, Wi-Fi communication modules, or modules using radiofrequency or infrared waves;

- The man-machine interface may further comprise a control means allowing a user authorized to force the opening and / or closing of the water valve;

- The water circulation valve is closed progressively, so as to allow a gradual reduction of the water flow when the duration of use reaches a value from which the valve begins to close and until the complete closing of the valve when the duration of use reaches the threshold duration of use _; the water dispenser is a faucet, a mixer, a garden hose shower or irrigation system; the device comprises a battery for power supply;

the device may further comprise a temperature sensor capable of transmitting a temperature measurement, carried out in real time, to the control unit;

the device comprises a locking system, operable via the man-machine interface and making it possible to restrict access to the threshold values to one or more authorized persons,

the water circulation valve is arranged on a hot water supply so that only the hot water is cut off when one of the threshold values for the duration of use or the quantity of water is reached,

- The device is integrated in a water supply source of the water dispenser, for example in a tap.

The invention also relates to a method for controlling the consumption of a water dispenser implemented by the device described above, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- open the water supply valve,

to measure in real time the flow of water consumed during the use of the water dispenser, and to measure the duration of use of said dispenser,

- from the measured flow value, determine the quantity of water consumed,

compare the quantity of water consumed previously determined to a threshold quantity,

- compare the duration of use of the water dispenser with a duration of use,

when at least one of the two threshold values of water quantity and / or duration of use is reached, order the closing of the valve and keep it in the closed position for a second blocking period, and

- when the blocking time is reached, open the valve, and reset a blocking time counter; said valve thus being closed during said blocking time between two successive uses of said water dispenser.

According to other optional features of the method:

it further comprises a step according to which when, during the use of the water dispenser, the measured water flow becomes zero, a third duration is incremented and compared with a third threshold duration so that, as soon as the third threshold time is reached, the control unit controls the closing of the valve and the holding in the closed position during said second duration;

the closure of the valve is progressive and the flow of water is progressively reduced until it becomes zero, since the duration of use of the water dispenser is between a value of the beginning of closing of said valve and said threshold value of use time where the valve is then completely closed.

Other advantages and features of the invention will appear on reading the following description given by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the figures below, which represent:

FIG. 1, a diagram of the control device according to the invention,

FIG. 2, a functional flow diagram of the various steps of the control method according to the invention.

[Detailed description of the invention]

In the description, we speak indifferently of "duration" or "time" or "time counter" to designate the measurement of a time interval.

The device according to the invention for controlling the water consumption of a water dispenser is shown diagrammatically, under the reference 10, in FIG. 1. For the sake of simplification, FIG. 2, which represents a functional flowchart of the steps implemented by the device, is described simultaneously in FIG.

The device 10 is advantageously in the form of a sealed housing. It comprises a water circulation valve 15, a water flow measuring system 16, also called a flowmeter, a man-machine interface 17, and a control unit 14 able to control and / or communicate with the elements. precedents. In addition, a battery 19 makes it possible to supply the various elements of the device 10 with electrical energy. According to an alternative embodiment, such a battery can for example take the form of a mini-generator equipped with a brightness sensor, and able to be recharged permanently thanks to the brightness captured.

The control device 10 is connected between a water supply 12 and the water dispenser 13. More particularly the water circulation valve 15 of the device 10 is connected to a supply 12 of water. This water supply 12 is preferably in the form of one or two water inlet pipes for supplying the water dispenser 13. When the water supply comprises two pipes, corresponding to the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe, the device may comprise a second water circulation valve 15 and a second flow meter 16. The second valve is however not essential. In this case, in fact, the water circulation valve can advantageously be arranged on the hot water circuit. In this case, the device is used to turn off the hot water when the water consumption and / or the duration of use has reached its threshold value, and to let the cold water flow so that a shower user for example , not paying attention to these two parameters, can finish rinsing under cold water. According to an alternative embodiment, the water supply 12 may also be in the form of a tap 20 for example.

The water dispenser 13, meanwhile, may be in the form of a shower system comprising a valve 18 connected to a shower head 21 via a pipe for example. The valve 18 may in particular be a mixing valve or any equivalent system for maintaining substantially constant the temperature of the water output of the water dispenser 13.

In a variant, especially when the water supply 12 is in the form of a valve 20 on which the device 10 is connected, the distributor 13 may be in the form of a pipe, equipped or not a tip type shower head 21 for example. In the latter case, a mixer 18 can be provided, optionally, between the device 10 and the pipe, in order to maintain the temperature of the water substantially constant.

The control unit 14 may be in the form of a suitably programmed microprocessor. For this, a set of software instructions allows the microprocessor to perform various operations, or steps of control method implemented by the device 10 and schematized on the flowchart of Figure 2. The control unit 14 comprises several clocks, more known in the English terminology of "timer" for incrementing different timings. The device 10 may further comprise a storage means 11, such as a RAM type memory for example, for the storage of functional parameters detailed below. This storage means 11 can be integrated in the control unit 14 or not.

The control of the water consumption by the device 10 according to the invention is based on the comparison, in real time, of several values to maximum values. The control unit 14 makes it possible, from the results of the various comparisons, to automatically control the closing or opening of the water circulation valve.

The duration ti as referenced in Figure 2 is defined as the duration of use of the water dispenser 13. The duration t ₂ is defined as the blocking time, by the control unit 14, of the valve 15 in the closed position between two successive uses of the water dispenser 13. Finally, the duration t3 is defined as the duration of cutoff water by the user, by closing a valve connected upstream or downstream of the device 10. The volume Ve is defined as the amount of water consumed during the use of the water dispenser 13. It is calculated from flow measurements, addressed in real time by the (s) flow meter 16 to the control unit 14, in the form of a signal SM-

The values of water consumption Ve and durations t1, t2, t3 are compared in real time by the control unit 14 to the following threshold values: the quantity (volume) V _s of maximum water for use , the maximum duration t _S i of use, the maximum duration t _S 2 for blocking the water circulation valve 15 in the closed position between two successive uses of the water dispenser 13, the maximum duration t _S 3 of closure a water supply valve disposed upstream and downstream of the device 10 when the user himself cuts the flow of water before at least one of the threshold values V _s or t _S i is reached.

These threshold values can be recorded directly in the processor at the time of the design of the device 10. However, in a preferred embodiment, they are recorded and modifiable by the user via the interface. man-machine 17 in the storage means 1 1 of the device 10 such as a volatile memory type RAM.

In a first step, prior to any new use of the water dispenser 13, the control unit 14 of the control device 10 resets the water volume counter Ve and the delays t ₁ and t ₃ ( steps 1 10, 1 1 1, and 1 12 of the flowchart). In the next step 1 15, the control unit 14 then sends a request signal Sr to the water circulation valve 15 to know its open or closed state. The valve 15 then returns a status signal Se indicating the closed or open position in which it is located.

When the valve is open, then the control unit 14 goes directly to step 1 19.

If the valve is closed (VA OFF), the control unit 14 then compares, in step 1 17, the value of the duration t ₂ , which is incremented since the closure of the valve 15, to the threshold time t _S 2 for blocking the valve in the closed position. The timer t _{2 is} incremented (step 1 16) as long as this threshold time t _s2 is not reached. As soon as the blocking threshold time t _s2 is reached, the control unit 14 then controls the opening of the valve 15 by the control signal Se (step 1 18). The counter of the duration t ₂ of blocking is then reset (step 1 19).

The valve 15 for circulating water may for example be a solenoid valve. Such a solenoid valve generally works in all or nothing.

Alternatively, the valve 15 may be selected so as to close gradually, so that the flow rate of water is reduced gradually during the closing of the valve, before total cutoff of the water supply. This last mode of operation of the valve will be described with regard to steps 124 to 125.

The valve 15 of the device 10 being open, the water dispenser 13 can be used at any time. In order to be able to increase the duration of use t i of the water dispenser 13 and to compare it with the maximum duration of use t _s i, however, the control device 10 must be able to detect when a user starts using the water dispenser 13. 13. For this purpose, the control unit 14, which receives the flow measurements Qe in real time from the flow meter 16, via a measurement signal SM, can compare the flow rate Qe to the value 0. As soon as the flow rate Qe is greater than 0 (step 120), this means that a user has opened a supply valve 20, 18 of the distributor 13 disposed upstream or downstream of the device 10. From this moment, the control unit 14 controls the incrementation of the duration counter ti of use (step 121).

If the water supply of the water dispenser 13 has remained open, for example a valve 20 or 18 disposed upstream or downstream of the device 10, while the water circulation valve 15 of the device 10 has was closed during a previous use, it is not necessary that, when opening the valve 15 at the expiration of the duration t _s2 , the water begins to flow. Therefore, the device 10, and more particularly the man-machine interface 17 of the device, advantageously comprises a control means, such as a switch for example, which makes it possible to force the blocking of the valve 15 in the closed position. , even if the duration ts2 has elapsed and which makes it possible to force its opening when the duration t _s2 has elapsed and a user wishes to use the water dispenser 13.

From the Qe flow measurements it receives, the control unit 14 calculates in real time the amount of water consumed Ve (that is to say the volume of water) during the use of the dispenser 13 (step 122: Ve = Ve + (Qe ^* ti)).

In steps 123 and 126, the control unit 14 compares the values of the calculated amount of water Ve and the duration ti of use of the distributor 13 to their respective threshold values Vs and t _s i. These comparisons can be done simultaneously or one after the other. In Figure 2, the amount of water value is compared to its threshold value Vs and it is the duration ti which is compared with these two comparisons can be made in the reverse order without changing the heart of the invention.

If no threshold value Vs or t _s i is reached, then the valve 15 remains in the open position and the use of the water dispenser 13 can be continued, the duration ti is incremented during use (step 121) and the amount of water is constantly calculated in real time (step 122).

When at least one of the threshold values Vs or t _s i is reached, the control unit 14 controls the closing of the water circulation valve 15 (step 127: VA OFF). In this case, the water supply of the water dispenser 13 is cut off. The time delay t ₂ is then incremented (step 128) until reaching the threshold time t _s2 for which the valve 15 can be unlocked and opened again (steps 1 17 to 1 18). The values of the volume of water consumed Ve, the duration of use ti, and the duration t ₃ of temporary water cutoff are then reset (steps 1 10 to 1 12) until the next use of the dispenser. water 13.

Optionally, steps 129 to 131 may be implemented depending on the application for which the device 10 control is intended. Thus, in an example where the water dispenser 13 is a shower system, the user may have finished taking a shower before the values Ve of water consumption or duration of use have reached their threshold values. In this case, the control unit 14 of the device controls the closing of the valve 15 in order to be able to reset the values Ve and ti to zero, so that the next user will have the same duration t _s i and the same volume of maximum water Vs to consume. However, it is possible that the user wants to stop the flow of water, during use of the water dispenser 13, especially while it is soaping, in order to limit consumption. But, the fact of cutting the water at the tap 18, should not be interpreted by the control unit 14 as the end of the use of the shower which would cause a blockage of the valve 15 in the closed position. Therefore, in use of the dispenser, the control unit 14 compares the measured flow rate value sent to it by the flowmeter 16 to the zero value (step 129). When a zero flow is detected, a timer t _{3 is} incremented (step 130). This time delay t ₃ is compared with a threshold time t _s3 (step 131) previously set by the user or at the time of device design. This threshold time t _s3 corresponds to the maximum time after which the control unit 14 can consider that the user has finished using the dispenser and will not reopen the water supply. As soon as this threshold value t _s3 is reached, the control unit 14 controls the closing of the valve 15 (step 127: VA OFF). In this case, the water supply of the water dispenser 13 is cut off. The time delay t ₂ is then incremented (step 128) until the threshold time t _s2 for which the valve 15 can be unlocked and opened again (steps 1 17 to 1 18). The values of volume of water consumed Ve, duration of use ti and duration t ₃ of temporary water cutoff are then reset (steps 1 10 to 1 12) until the next use of the dispenser. water 13. Optionally, in the case where a valve 15 is used with progressive closure and the maximum quantity Vs of water consumed has not yet been reached, the control unit 14 can compare the value of ti. to another predetermined fixed value t _F marking the beginning of the closure of the valve (step 124). This value t _F can be determined by the closing time of the valve which is known and can be indicated by the manufacturer. The closing time of the valve then corresponds to the time interval between the maximum operating time threshold value t _s i and the threshold value t _F from which the valve begins to close. The value t _F can be stored in the memory 1 1 of the device 10 by an authorized person or at the time of designing the device. As soon as this duration t _F is reached, then the control unit 14 controls the progressive closing of the valve 15, thereby causing a gradual decrease in the flow Qe (step 125). This option allows the user of the water dispenser to be notified of the impending water cutoff and to have time to complete its use before the valve 15 is fully closed. This option is particularly useful when the water dispenser is a shower system, so that the user can have time to rinse the soap on the body before undergoing the water cutoff.

Optionally, this reduction may also be accompanied by a buzzer for example, which will emit an audible alarm for the duration of the closure between t _F and

According to yet another embodiment, when the device 10 is connected directly to two water inlet pipe, corresponding to the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe, it is preferably comprises two flow meters 16 for measuring the flow rates of cold water and hot water which are then used to calculate the amount of water consumed during the use of the water dispenser. The device may comprise two valves 15, one on each water circuit. However, for a shower system for example, the device may have only one valve 15 disposed on the hot water circuit. Thus, when one of the threshold values of duration t _s i use or maximum amount of water Vs is reached, the control unit 14 of the device controls the closing of the valve 15 in order to cut off the circulation hot water. The user of the shower system always has cold water, so he can finish to rinse if there is still soap on the body. The resulting overconsumption of water will generally not be high, a cold shower is generally not very popular with users. However, we can add another threshold value corresponding to this amount of cold water not to exceed. It will also be possible to control the temperature of the cold water, for example 12 ° C., by means of a temperature control system and a temperature sensor arranged in the device and making it possible to address in real time to the control unit 14 measures water temperature.

The man-machine interface 17 of the device 10 allows the user to interact with the control unit 14 by user input signals SUE and user output Sus- It allows on the one hand, d in the storage means 1 1, register the threshold values Vs, t _s i, t _s2 , t _s3 and secondly, send a request to the control unit 14 to be able to display information relating to the Use of the water dispenser 13. This usage information, which the user may wish to display, is for example selected from at least one of the following: the amount of water remaining and / or the remaining time before the blocking of the valve 15 in the closed position, the date, the level of charge of the battery, the quantity of water consumed over a given period, the number of uses of the water dispenser over a given period, the time remaining before you can use the dispenser again, that is, before the valve 15 is unlocked in the open position, or the temperature of the water. In the latter case, the device will advantageously comprise a temperature sensor which will transmit the temperature measurement, carried out in real time, to the control unit 14.

The device of the invention may further comprise, optionally, a radio system and / or music, or any other system contributing to the comfort of the user.

The human-machine interface 17 may be integrated in the device 10 or remote. In the case where it is remote from the device, it can be for example in the form of a laptop, a tablet, a mobile phone with a dedicated application, or any other appropriate means of dialogue. In this case, the man-machine interface 17 and the control device 10 each comprise a data communication module, compatible with each other. the other, to ensure the dialogue between the interface 17 and the control device 10. The communication modules can for example be chosen from modules using the Bluetooth communication standard, Wi-Fi communication modules, or modules using radiofrequency or infrared waves.

Preferably, the man-machine interface 17 comprises a touch screen to facilitate the recording of the parameters and the input of the information that the user wishes to see displayed.

Advantageously, this man-machine interface 17 may also be secured by a locking system, such as a password system for example, in order to restrict the use of the control device 10 to a group. of authorized persons. The locking system may comprise several levels of security, in particular to restrict access to the memory 1 1 of the device 10, in particular to the threshold values recorded, to an authorized person.

Advantageously, the device which has just been described may further be completely integrated into a water supply source of a water dispenser, such as a tap for example.

Claims

1. Control device (10) for the consumption of a water dispenser (13), said control device being connected between a water supply (12) and said water dispenser (13), said device being characterized in that it comprises:

a valve (15) for circulating water connected to the supply (12) in water,

a means (16) for measuring the flow of water,

a control unit (14) suitable for:

On the one hand to control the closure of the valve (15) when the amount of water (Ve) consumed during use of said water dispenser and determined from a flow rate value communicated in real time by said flow measuring means (16) to said control unit (14), is greater than or equal to a threshold quantity value (Vs), and / or when the duration (ti) of use of the water dispenser (3) is greater than or equal to a threshold duration (t _S i); and

On the other hand to control the opening of said valve (15) since the duration (t ₂ ) elapsed since the closing of said valve is greater than or equal to a second threshold duration (t _S 2) of blocking, said valve being thus closed by the control unit (14) during this blocking time between two successive uses of the water dispenser (13) and then opened by said control unit (14) when this duration (t _S 2) s' has passed.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a storage means (1 1) integrated with or in communication with the control unit (14), in which the different threshold values are recorded. (Vs, t _S i, ts2, ts3) -

3. Device according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it further comprises a man-machine interface (17), said interface allowing a user to communicate with the control unit (14) to record said threshold values (Vs, t _S i, t _S 2, t _S 3) and / or to display information relating to the use of the distributor (13).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the human-machine interface (17) is in the form of a touch screen.

5. Device according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the human-machine interface (17) is integrated in the device (10) or remote.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (15) of water circulation is progressive closure, so as to allow a gradual reduction of the flow (Qe) of water when the duration of use (ti) reaches a value (t _F ) from which the valve (15) begins to close and until the valve (15) is fully closed when the service life (ti) reaches the threshold duration of use (t _S i).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve (15) for circulating water is arranged on a hot water supply so that only the hot water is cut when one of the threshold values duration (t _S i) of use or quantity of water (V _s ) is reached.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water dispenser (13) is a faucet, a mixer, a shower system or a garden hose or irrigation.

9. A method for controlling the consumption of a water dispenser (13) implemented by the device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- opening (1 18) the water supply valve (15),

measuring (120) in real time the flow rate (Qe) of water consumed during the use of the water dispenser (13), and time (121) the duration of use (ti) of said dispenser (13),

- from the measured flow rate (Qe), determine (122) the amount of water (Ve) consumed,

comparing (123) the quantity of water (Ve) consumed previously determined with a threshold quantity (Vs),

comparing (126) the duration of use ti of the water dispenser (13) with a threshold duration t _S i of use,

- when at least one of the two threshold values of water quantity (Vs) and / or of duration of use (t _S i) is reached, to command (127) the closing of the valve (15) and to maintain it in the closed position for a second duration (t _S 2) of blocking (128-1 15-1 16-1 17), and

- As soon as the duration (t _S 2) blocking is reached, open (1 18) the valve (15), and reset a blocking time counter (1 19); said valve being thus closed during said blocking time between two successive uses of said water dispenser (13).

10. The method of claim 9, characterized in that it further comprises a step according to which when, during the use of the water dispenser (13), the flow (Qe) of measured water becomes zero ( 129), a third duration (t ₃ ) is incremented (130) and compared (131) with a third threshold duration (t _S 3) so that, when the third threshold duration (t _S 3) is reached, control unit (14) pilot (127) closing the valve (15) and holding in closed position during said second period (t _S2 ) (128 - 1 15-1 16-1 17).

11. Method according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that the closure of the valve (15) is progressive and the water flow (Qe) is gradually reduced to zero, since the duration of use (ti) of the water dispenser (13) is between a value (t _F ) of the beginning of closing of said valve (15) and said threshold duration value (t _S i) of use where the valve is then completely closed.