WO2023187242A1

WO2023187242A1 - Hydraulic device and assembly equipped with the device

Info

Publication number: WO2023187242A1
Application number: PCT/ES2023/070208
Authority: WO
Inventors: Juan Luis Pintiado Pibernat
Original assignee: Atlas Engion S.L.U.
Priority date: 2022-03-29
Filing date: 2023-03-29
Publication date: 2023-10-05
Also published as: ES1295713U; ES1295713Y

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hydraulic device (D), in the casing (C) of which there is a mixing assembly (1), a motor (M) for actuating the mixing valve, a hot water inlet (11), a dispensing assembly equipped with a solenoid valve (21), a water inlet (22) and at least one water outlet (O1) for dispensing water to a user, the water inlet (22) being connected to the water outlet (13) of the mixing assembly (1), a controller (µ) and a bypass assembly (3) of a connection segment (C3) equipped with a solenoid valve (V3) in which there is a temperature sensor (S3). The invention further relates to an assembly equipped with the device (D) and a preinstallation box (H).

Description

DESCRIPTION

HYDRAULIC DEVICE AND ASSEMBLY SUPPLIED WITH THE DEVICE

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention refers to a hydraulic device intended to be embedded in a wall or located in a register adjacent to a point of domestic hot water consumption and provided with an interface within reach of a user and is intended primarily to manage said point of water consumption, to avoid the waste of water, otherwise wasted while the user waits for the arrival of hot water, to save energy for heating the water, and to increase the comfort of the user so that they have access to water at all times. the temperature you want and from the start of the water supply.

BACKGROUND

In domestic hot water installations, it is inevitable that the heater (electric or fuel-based) is at a certain distance from the point of consumption, a distance that can be high.

Therefore, when a user wants to use hot water, it will be inevitable that once the hot water tap is opened, the volume of water in the section of hot water pipe that goes from the heater to the point of consumption will come out cold. .

This represents a waste of water and discomfort for the user.

On the other hand, both the consumption points and the heater are connected to the running water supply, so the cold water inlet of a heater and the cold water inlet to any consumption point are hydraulically connected.

This circumstance has been used to control the temperature in water conduits. In particular, documents ES 1 136 008 U or ES 1 136 010 U describe systems that allow the recirculation of water from the hot water pipe through the cold water conduits, with the purpose of moving the hot water to a certain point of consumption in order to avoid the proliferation of bacteria.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

To solve the problems of water waste and discomfort mentioned above, the present invention proposes a hydraulic device, which comprises a housing and, housed in the housing:

- a hot and cold water mixing assembly provided with a mixing valve, a mixing valve driving motor, a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and a water outlet;

- a dispensing assembly provided with a solenoid valve, a water inlet and at least one water outlet for dispensing to a user, the water inlet being connected to the water outlet of the mixing assembly;

- a controller;

- the mixing assembly, the dispensing assembly being connected to the controller, and comprising a bypass assembly provided with:

- an external hot water inlet and an external cold water inlet;

- a hot water outlet connected to the hot water inlet of the mixing assembly and a cold water outlet connected to the cold water inlet of the mixing assembly;

- a first connection section between the external hot water inlet and the hot water outlet, a second connection section between the external cold water inlet and the cold water outlet and a third connection section between the first connection sections and second, the third connection section being provided with a solenoid valve;

- a temperature sensor arranged in the hydraulic section that connects the external hot water inlet and the external cold water inlet passing through the third connection section.

This advantageously and in a known manner allows the cold water conduit to be used as a recirculation route for the water coming from the hot water pipe that has not yet arrived hot at the point of consumption.

Furthermore, the internal structure of the device through the four main units consisting of the mixing assembly, the dispensing assembly, the bypass assembly and the controller, all of which are commercially available elements, allow the device according to the invention to be manufactured at competitive costs. In some embodiments, the device comprises a user interface connected to the controller. The user interface could consist of a touch screen or in its simplest version, a button panel.

In some embodiments, the controller comprises means for generating a Circulator Module on and off control signal, the means being wired or wireless, preferably via Wi-Fi.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to operate in a warm-up mode in which it may open or close the bypass assembly solenoid valve based on a signal provided by the bypass assembly temperature sensor.

In some embodiments, the controller is configured to open or close the solenoid valve of the dispensing assembly based on a signal provided by the temperature sensor of the bypass assembly.

In some embodiments, the solenoid valve of the dispensing assembly is either an all-or-nothing type or a proportional type.

In some embodiments, the dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of water outlets for dispensing to a user.

In some embodiments, the controller may activate the heating mode when a user requests water with a certain temperature.

In some embodiments, the controller may activate the warm-up mode when a predetermined minimum time has passed since the last use.

The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a device according to any of the previous inventive variants and a pre-installation box, the device being housed in the pre-installation box.

In some embodiments, the assembly comprises a Circulator Module intended to be arranged in a circuit formed by a hot water pipe, a cold water and a heater.

Modular embodiments of the invention are described below.

In these modular type embodiments, the mixing assembly and the dispensing assembly are grouped in a module, the inputs of which are the hot water inlet and the cold water inlet and which comprises the water outlet.

In some embodiments, the device comprises a plurality of modules, the bypass assembly being provided with a hot water outlet and a cold water outlet for each module.

Preferably, in the case where there are a plurality of modules, each of them is provided with a controller.

In some embodiments, the device comprises a positioning and fixing element disposed between each pair of modules. Preferably, closing and fixing end plates can also be provided, preferably provided with through holes for tightening by stud.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, in accordance with some examples of practical implementation of the invention, a set of figures is attached as an integral part of the description in which, with Illustrative and non-limiting in nature, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the different components of the device of the invention.

Figure 2 shows the installation context of the device according to the invention.

Figures 3 to 6 illustrate the operation of the device according to the invention.

Figure 7 illustrates the operation of the device delivering hot water at the point of consumption once it has arrived.

Figures 8 and 9 show the two flowchart parts that constitute an embodiment of the operating algorithm of the device according to the invention, the algorithm constituting an invention in itself.

Figures 10 and 11 show embodiments of the system according to the invention in which the interface is arranged within reach of the user, while the other components of the device are arranged elsewhere, such as for example a false ceiling.

Figure 12 shows a diagram of a modular embodiment of the invention.

Figure 13 shows a dispensing module for a point of consumption, in the modular embodiment.

Figure 14 shows a bypass assembly for a modular embodiment comprising a single module.

Figure 15 shows the components of figures 13 and 14, assembled.

Figure 16 shows a bypass assembly for a modular embodiment comprising two dispensing modules.

Figure 17 shows the components of figures 13 and 16, assembled.

Figure 18 shows a bypass assembly intended for a modular embodiment comprising three dispensing modules.

Figure 19 shows a bypass assembly for a device provided with four modules and the four modules, assembled and provided with positioning and fixing elements between each pair of modules.

Figures 20 and 21 are two perspective views of an embodiment of the positioning and fixing element, which in this case comprises holes for the passage of tightening studs. Figure 22 shows two modules and a positioning and fixing element between them, assembled.

Figures 23 and 24 are two perspective views of a locking and securing end plate.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In the description of the possible preferred embodiments of the invention, numerous details need to be given to promote a better understanding of the invention. Even so, it will be apparent to the person skilled in the art that the invention can be implemented without these specific details. On the other hand, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description.

In the present description, when it is indicated that a valve is open, it means that it allows water to pass and closed means that it does not allow water to pass, that is, the terms open and closed are not used in the sense given to them in electrical circuits.

As shown in Figure 1, the invention relates to a hydraulic device D, comprising a housing C.

The following components are housed in housing C:

A set of 1 hot and cold water mixer. This assembly 1, which may consist of a commercially available progressive ceramic cartridge, comprises a mixing valve, a valve drive motor, a hot water inlet 11, a cold water inlet 12 and a water outlet 13. usually mixed;

A dispensing assembly 2 that is provided with a solenoid valve 21, a water inlet 22 and at least one water outlet 01 for dispensing to a user, the water inlet 22 being connected to the mixed water outlet 13 of the mixing assembly. 1 ; a controller p.

Mixer assembly 1, dispensing assembly 2 are connected to controller p. The wiring has not been represented in Figure 1.

Device D also comprises a bypass assembly 3 provided with:

- an external hot water inlet IC and an external cold water inlet IF;

- a hot water outlet 31 connected to the hot water inlet 11 of the mixing assembly 1 and a cold water outlet 32 connected to the cold water inlet 12 of the mixing assembly 1;

- a first connection section C1 between the external hot water inlet IC and the hot water outlet 31, a second connection section C2 between the external cold water inlet IF and the cold water outlet 32 and a third connection section C3 between the first connection sections C1 and second C2, the third connection section C3 being provided with a solenoid valve V3;

- a temperature sensor S3 arranged in the partial part of the hydraulic section C3 included between the solenoid valve V3 and the connection section C1.

In this embodiment, the temperature sensor S3 is specifically arranged in the partial hydraulic section C3 between the solenoid valve V3 and the connection section C1, that is, to the left of the valve V3 in the figure. This arrangement is preferred because temperature sensing will be independent of proper valve operation.

Therefore, the device includes the necessary elements to act as a bypass for the water that arrives through the hot water pipe TAC and for it to be recirculated to the heater through the cold water pipe TAF, as shown in the sequence Illustrated in Figures 3 to 6. Figure 2 highlights the presence of a non-return valve arranged at the arrival of the mains water supply in accordance with regulations and which guarantees the correct functioning and safety of the system.

Initially, the user enters an order to supply water at a certain temperature in the H/M user interface. At that moment, with the bypass valve open and the user dispensing valve closed, the Circulator Module is activated.

In this configuration, the user remains waiting, since the device does not have still hot water. The hot water advances through the hot water pipe, which has been represented in the figures by thick lines. The advance of hot water causes the displacement of cold water from the cold water pipe, but in the direction of the heater. In this way, during the waiting time for the arrival of hot water, the cold water is not lost but is recirculated.

Once the hot water reaches the device, the bypass valve V3 closes and the Circulator Module MC is deactivated thanks to the signal provided by the temperature sensor S3 of the bypass assembly 3, and the hot water already enters the mixing assembly 1 . At that moment, the dispensing valve 21 is already opened, and mixed water is supplied to the user at the preset set temperature.

As illustrated in Figure 10, the device D of the illustrated embodiments is arranged in the same location as the H/M user interface, this being the access point thereto. However, another installation arrangement is provided for the device D separate from the H/M user interface at any other point accessible for maintenance and repair near the water supply point, be it false ceiling, under the sink, under the bathtub, etc.

This second arrangement allows for a modular D-device installation system allowing the assembly of numerous D-devices with their respective H/M user interfaces to service multiple water outlets simultaneously and independently, as illustrated in Figure 11. , even if they are different service points, that is, different showers, sinks, etc. In addition, this arrangement greatly simplifies device D by eliminating assembly 2 since, as detailed in this point, each device D independently manages each water outlet both the opening and closing using the progressive ceramic cartridge of the mixing assembly. 1 and the temperature regulation using the same progressive ceramic cartridge of the mixing assembly 1. Additionally, at the water inlet 22 the possibility of assembling a flow regulator module is provided for regulating the flow of the service point since both the controller p and the H/M User Interface are provided for connection and interaction with this element.

The solenoid valve 21 of the dispensing assembly 2 is of the all-or-none type or of the proportional type. The dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of water outlets 01, 02, 03 for dispensing to a user.

It is also envisaged that the p-controller may deactivate the heating mode when a predetermined minimum time has passed since the last use.

The invention also relates to a device assembly D according to any of the variants set out above and a pre-installation box H, the device D being housed in the pre-installation box H. The assembly preferably comprises a Circulator Module intended to be arranged in series in a circuit formed by a hot water pipe TAC, a cold water pipe TAF and a heater Q.

Until now, an embodiment of the device has been described based on the arrangement of the elements in a pre-installation box.

Next, another embodiment of the invention will be described, of a modular type, which can dispense with a pre-installation box, as the modular components themselves are provided with their CM 12, CM3 housings.

Figure 13 shows a module M12 that groups the mixing assembly 1 and the dispensing assembly 2. As can be seen, externally this module has the hot water inlet 11 and the cold water inlet 12 and also the water outlet 01. As its name indicates, this module allows you to both mix and dispense water at the temperature indicated by the user. Each of these modules is designed to serve a point of consumption, so each one is provided with a controller p.

This module can be combined with a bypass assembly 3 such as that of Figure 14 intended to receive a single mixing and dispensing module, as shown in Figure 15.

The modular concept applied to the invention is illustrated in Figures 16 to 19, where devices composed of a plurality of M12 modules are shown, preferably all identical. In this case, as shown in Figures 16 or 18, the bypass assembly 3 is provided with a hot water outlet 31 and a cold water outlet 32 for each module M12. Obviously, although it serves several M12 modules, the bypass 3 have a single bypass valve.

As shown in Figures 20 to 24, the modular embodiment is completed with positioning and fixing elements S12 arranged between each pair of modules M12 and, when necessary, closing and fixing end plates TE, preferably provided with through holes. for tightening by stud.

Below, a possible mode of operation of the device will be described in detail with the help of the flow charts in Figures 8 and 9. Note that between the two they constitute a closed, that is, complete, control algorithm.

First of all, by default the device is in “Deep-Standby” state.

When detecting presence and/or movement, the device goes into an active Standby state, optionally displaying a welcome message through the interface.

When the touch interface detects a touch anywhere on its surface, the device is activated.

The user, through contact with the interface, selects a set temperature and selects which water outlet through which he or she wishes to start the process of using the service point. This last situation will only occur in those cases in which the service point have more than one type of water outlet such as, for example, showers or bathtubs.

If the set temperature is equal to or lower than 20°C, the service point is activated directly in standard mode without previously activating the “warm-up” system. Obviously another threshold temperature could be selected.

If the set temperature is higher than 20°C, the system automatically checks the time elapsed since the last use of the service point as well as the water supply temperature.

- If this is greater than 15', the “warm-up” system is activated directly, as it can assume that the water in the connecting pipe to the heater has cooled;

- if this is less than 15' but greater than 5', the system checks the signal from the temperature probe (S3); That is, it is an intermediate zone in which it could be decided to activate the “warm-up” mechanism or not.

- if the temperature reading of S3 is 4 ^or lower or more than the set temperature (this being at least >20°), the “warm-up” system is activated.

- if the temperature reading of S3 is not at least 3.9° lower than the set temperature (this being at least >20°), the service point is activated directly in standard mode without previously activating the system " “warm-up.”

- if this is less than 5' and the temperature of the last use was >20°, the service point is activated directly in standard mode without previously activating the "warm-up" system.

When the “Warm-up” system is activated, the controller (p) generates a signal to activate the Circulator Module (MC) or recirculation pump and the signal from the temperature probe (S3) is automatically checked.

When the temperature reading of the probe (S3) reaches or exceeds the set temperature within a period of time not exceeding 5', the “Warm-up” process ends and a signal to deactivate the probe (S3) is automatically issued through the controller. MC) and simultaneously the water supply of the service point is activated, consequently delivering it at the previously selected setpoint temperature.

If when the “Warm-up” system is activated and after 5' and 1” the reading of the temperature probe (S3) has not reached the setpoint temperature or higher, the “Warm-up” system " will turn off, returning the device to Standby mode and displaying an ERROR message on the interface.

To end the use of the service point, the user, by means of a contact on the interface, deactivates the device, returning it to Standby mode.

After 5 minutes without detection of presence and/or movement, the device enters Deep-Standby mode.

When the service point is activated (it is the equivalent of a faucet, any type of faucet) in standard mode, it behaves, as its name indicates, like a faucet. conventional electronic, with all its operational functionalities through direct interaction through its interface, these functionalities are: opening and closing water flow, selection of temperature and flow, pause and selection of the different water outlet options.

In summary, the operating modes are as follows:

1) System or “Warm-up” mode. Automatic process that allows the device that manages a water service point to supply water at the desired water temperature, whether hot or tempered, from the first moment it begins to flow through its water outlet.

2) Standard Mode: Conventional operating mode of electronic faucets that does not include the functionality of the “Warm-up” system.

3) In all cases, once the “Warm-up” process is completed, the device goes to Standard mode.

4) All temperature and time values reflected in this document and in the flow chart that heads it are susceptible to variation depending on needs, that is, the specific values have been offered as a realistic example.

Legends of figures 8 and 9

8.1 Standby

8.2 Power (On) and Start using Service Point

8.3 The user selects the desired set temperature

8.4 Upper set temperature 20°

8.5 Check time elapsed since last use

8.6 Condition Time greater than 15 seconds

8.7 Time less than 15 seconds and more than 5 seconds

8.8 Time less than 5 seconds

8.9 Check temperature sensor S3

8.10 Start of standard operation without “warm-up" (the system works like a conventional faucet)

8.11 Temperature sensor (S3) reading is 4 ^or less or more than the set temperature

9.1 “Warm Up” System Start 9.2 Check temperature sensor S3

9.3 Temperature sensor S3 detects that the water temperature has reached the set temperature in less than 5 seconds

9.4 Stop of the “Warm Up" process and the water supply is opened. The water temperature corresponds to the selected setpoint temperature

9.5 Shutdown and termination of use of the service point

9.6 System lockout, alarm release: “Lack of hot water”

9.7 Reassembly In view of this description and figures, the person skilled in the art will be able to understand that the invention has been described according to some preferred embodiments thereof, but that multiple variations can be introduced in said preferred embodiments, without leaving the object of the invention. invention as claimed. In this text, the term “comprehends” and its derivations (such as “understanding”, etc.) should not be understood in an exclusive sense. That is, these terms should not be interpreted as excluding the possibility that what is described and defined may include more elements, stages, etc.

Claims

1.- Hydraulic device (D), which comprises a housing (C) and, housed in the housing (C):

- a hot and cold water mixing assembly (1) provided with a mixing valve, a motor (M) to drive the mixing valve, a hot water inlet (11), a cold water inlet (12) and a water outlet (13);

- a dispensing assembly (2) provided with a solenoid valve (21), a water inlet (22) and at least one water outlet (01) for dispensing to a user, the water inlet (22) being connected to the water outlet (13) of the mixing assembly (1);

- at least one controller (p);

- the mixing assembly (1), the dispensing assembly (2) being connected to the controller (p), characterized in that it comprises a bypass assembly (3) provided with:

- an external hot water inlet (IC) and an external cold water inlet (IF);

- a hot water outlet (31) connected to the hot water inlet (11) of the mixing assembly (1) and a cold water outlet (32) connected to the cold water inlet (12) of the mixing assembly (1) ;

- a first connection section (C1) between the external hot water inlet (IC) and the hot water outlet (31), a second connection section (C2) between the external cold water inlet (IF) and the outlet of cold water (32) and a third connection section (C3) between the first (C1) and second connection sections (C2), the third connection section (C3) being provided with a solenoid valve (V3);

- a temperature sensor (S3) arranged in the hydraulic section (C3) that joins the external hot water inlet (IC) and the external cold water inlet (IF) passing through the third connection section (C3).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the solenoid valve (21) of the dispensing assembly (2) is of the all-or-none type or of the proportional type.

3. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispensing assembly comprises a plurality of water outlets (01, 02, 03) for dispensing to a user.

4.- Device according to claim 1, in which the mixing assembly (1) and the dispensing assembly (2) are grouped in a module (M12), whose inputs are the input of hot water (11) and the cold water inlet (12) and comprising the water outlet (01).

5. Device according to claim 4, comprising a plurality of modules (M12), the bypass assembly (3) being provided with a hot water outlet (31) and a cold water outlet (32) for each module ( M12).

6. Device according to any of claims 4 or 5, in which each module (M12) is provided with a controller (p).

7.- Device according to any of claims 5 to 6, which comprises a positioning and fixing element (S12) arranged between each pair of modules (M12).

8. Device according to any of claims 4 to 7, comprising closing and fixing end plates (TE), preferably provided with through holes for tightening by stud.

9.- Device according to any of the previous claims, comprising a user interface (H/M) connected to the controller (p).

10.- Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the controller (p) comprises means for generating an on and off control signal of a circulator module (MC), the means being wired or wireless, preferably via Wi-Fi.

11. - Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the controller (p) is configured to operate with a heating mode in which it can open or close the solenoid valve (V3) of the bypass assembly (3) depending on a signal provided by the temperature sensor (S3) of the bypass assembly (3).

12. - Device according to any of the previous claims, wherein the controller (p) is configured to open or close the solenoid valve (21) of the dispensing assembly (2) based on a signal provided by the temperature sensor (S3). ) of the bypass assembly (3).

13.- Device according to claim 9 or any that depends on it, in which the controller (p) can deactivate the heating mode when a user requests water with a certain temperature.

14.- Device according to claim 9 or any that depends on it, wherein the controller (p) can deactivate the heating mode when a minimum predetermined time has passed since the last use.

15.- Device according to any of the previous claims, in which the temperature sensor (S3) is arranged in the partial hydraulic section (C3) included between the solenoid valve (V3) and the connection section (C1).

16.- Assembly of device (D) according to any of the previous claims and pre-installation box (H), the device (D) being housed in the pre-installation box (H).

17.- Assembly according to claim 16, comprising a circulator module (MC) or recirculation pump intended to be arranged in series in a circuit formed by a hot water pipe (TAC), a cold water pipe (TAF) and a heater (Q).