ES2996346B2 - Thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

THERMOSTATIC SHOWER FAUCET WITH COLD WATER MANAGEMENT

WASTED

This specification refers to a thermostatic shower faucet with a conventional appearance, use, and installation, but with a different water management mode. This incorporates the novelty of a device prior to the mixing cartridge, which manages the water contained in the hot water supply line. This device, being part of the product block, is designed to divert water from the hot water supply circuit while it is cold to an alternative route for its utilization and reuse, preventing, in combination with the shower mixing cartridge itself, this water from the hot and also the cold circuit from being wasted by exiting the shower until the hot water is close to or at the temperature desired by the user.

From now on, if we refer to a thermostatic faucet, without further clarification, it is understood that we are referring to a thermostatic shower faucet.

Background of the invention

Concern about saving water for domestic use has been a major concern among consumers in recent years. Some background information has been found in the state of the art, as outlined below.

Document ES1073773U describes a water-saving system for use in a domestic water installation, comprising a thermosensitive valve connected to the hot water pipe so that, when the tap is opened, the water reaches the aforementioned valve, and if it is not sufficiently hot, it is diverted. When the water reaches the desired temperature, the valve closes, and the water is directed to a tap separate from the water-saving system and from there, to the shower or sink outlet. This document only describes the management of the water circulating through the hot water path; there is no mention of water circulating through the cold water path, and therefore of interaction with the tap.

Document US6032687A discloses a domestic installation for providing hot and cold water to a shower, bathtub, or similar, comprising a water supply pipe that branches into two branches, one of which leads to a water heater and the other to the rest of the sanitary appliances that use it, including the shower faucet. A flow control element is located in the heater outlet branch, which is a thermostatically controlled valve. If the water temperature is not adequate, it is diverted to an auxiliary tank, and when it reaches the desired temperature, it is redirected through the hot water inlet pipe to the shower faucet, which is independent of the hot water flow control installation.

Finally, document US2020284000A1 refers to a water-saving system consisting of a bypass valve with three inlet/outlet points, connected on one side to the installation's water inlet and to two other water outlets; one leads to a water outlet for domestic use and the other to an auxiliary tank. The valve includes a thermostatic element that, depending on the set temperature, allows water to flow either to the domestic outlet or to the auxiliary tank until it reaches the desired temperature.

All of them describe devices connected to a waterway and diverting, always in a system external and independent of the shower faucet, the still-cold water to an auxiliary reuse tank until the water reaches the desired temperature. However, none of them considers the possibility of this water management device being incorporated into the faucet and being part of a thermostatic shower or bathtub faucet block, integrated into the block's operation, as is the case here. Consequently, this faucet also incorporates a cold water outlet for connection to a utilization circuit. This invention, described below, represents a novelty and an important advance in the management and utilization of domestic water.

Description of the invention

The device presented below is a conventional thermostatic shower faucet with a novel internal configuration: a water management device has been incorporated prior to the shower water temperature control cartridge, which is programmed and controlled by the user at their comfort temperature. This new water management device, incorporated into the thermostatic shower faucet, aims to prevent water from being wasted in each shower while waiting for the water to reach a temperature that is comfortable for the user. The amount of water wasted in each shower due to this is a minimum of 5 to 7 liters.

To understand the nature of this invention, the following paragraph describes the operation of a conventional thermostatic shower faucet. The reason for this is that this invention adds and complements the operation of a cartridge commonly used in temperature control. It is a completely new device for managing opening, closing, and temperature detection processes, unprecedented, incorporated into thermostatic faucets, for the use of wasted water before starting a shower without modifying the appearance, use, or installation of the product. It incorporates an additional water outlet so that the user has the option of using water that is usually wasted. This water can be sent to a circuit, a tank, or for direct use at the user's discretion or as required by local regulations. The recovered water exits at mains pressure; it does not exit without pressure like gray water. This difference means that the water recovered by our system can be sent to any point in the home, even at high altitudes, and can be stored in pressure tanks, taking advantage of their own pressure.

A conventional thermostatic shower faucet consists of a temperature-control cartridge that acts as a mixer for hot and cold water, which the user programs to a specific temperature. Following this cartridge is a selector with water shut-off functions, which closes and, if necessary, depending on the shower faucet installed, diverts the water to one or more outlets, usually to a showerhead and/or a handheld shower. Conventional thermostatic shower faucets are connected to two water inlets, one cold and one hot, which are directed directly to the shower water temperature control cartridge, through a system of filters and backflow preventers. These filters and backflow preventers are important because the temperature-control cartridge mechanism only mixes water, and by mixing, it also connects the cold and hot water pressure, which are usually not the same. Therefore, backflow preventers prevent mixing in the water supply circuits.

When you turn on the shower, and because the ambient temperature is typically lower than the desired water temperature, the temperature control cartridge only allows hot water that is still cold to pass through. Thus, the cartridge's main function is to regulate the shower water temperature, retaining the water from the cold circuit and allowing the water entering through the hot water line, still cold, to pass through until it reaches a temperature hot enough to mix with the cold water. This is the waiting period before showering, when water waste occurs. The mixing process begins when it detects that the hot water is rising and requires cold water to reach the temperature selected by the user. It is at this point that the mixture of hot and cold water has reached the programmed temperature, and this mixture is controlled by the cartridge. From this moment on, the user can begin showering. It is important to emphasize that for the water to reach the desired temperature, a minimum of 5 to 7 liters of water are wasted per shower.

In this invention, the opening, closing and distribution system after the cartridge is eliminated from a conventional thermostatic faucet such as the one described in the previous paragraph, since the opening and closing location in this new faucet is prior to this shower water temperature control cartridge programmed by the user, this being a mechanism for opening and closing the inlets of hot and cold water simultaneously. The faucet block is also equipped with a hot water discriminator in charge of managing the hot water that enters cold at the time of opening and also an outlet channel for this water, such that these new elements, together with the shower water temperature control cartridge, configure an assembly that is the water management device prior to the shower water temperature control cartridge.

Thus, the thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water, object of this invention, is configured as a single block, just like a traditional faucet in appearance and installation, and this single block consists of these connections;

- a connection to a hot water line,

- a connection to a cold water line,

- a connection to a water pipe, to be reused, directed to the point that the user in the installation requires for its use.

- at least one outlet connection or, in the case of multiple outlets, to a diverter or water outlet selector system that may be integrated into the tap block itself, as is usual.

And this single block consists of devices connected to each other by waterways that allow the circulation of cold and hot water separately, manage their reuse, or mix them at the temperature selected by the user. These devices are:

- a mechanism for opening and closing hot and cold water simultaneously prior to the hot water discriminator

- a hot water discriminator responsible for managing the hot water and diverting the still cold water to a recycling circuit,

- a shower water temperature control cartridge, which regulates the temperature selected by the user,

- a water outlet selector system,

- a flow indicator may be incorporated to somehow communicate to the user that the water is circulating towards the water outlet connected to a utilization circuit.

The hot water management device, a new addition to a traditional thermostatic faucet block, works as follows. This device incorporates a mechanism for simultaneously and independently opening the cold and hot water channels. When this simultaneous opening mechanism is activated and the flow of hot and cold water is opened, the cold water flows directly to the shower water temperature control cartridge, where it is retained until hot water arrives, as occurs in a traditional faucet. On the other hand, the water entering through the hot water channel is directed to an internal mechanism of the water management device called a discriminator. This hot water discriminator has a temperature discrimination control or selector, which can be adjusted by the user or even prevented from being activated. While the hot water is cold, the outlet channel to the shower water temperature control cartridge is closed, and the water is diverted to the water outlet channel for use in another circuit or for simple reuse, recirculation, or any other use permitted by the installation or decided by the user. When the water reaches the selected temperature, the water outlet opens toward the shower water temperature control cartridge, directing the hot water there and closing the water outlet to the reuse circuit. This is achieved thanks to a thermosensitive element, which expands when the water is hot, and thanks to a spring, returns to a smaller size when the water is cold. This thermosensitive element can be the one commonly used in a multitude of thermostatic applications and devices.

As the water reaching the shower water temperature control cartridge is already hot or in the process of continuing to rise in temperature, it also begins to open the passage of cold water, mixing it and in this way the water that comes out of the sprinkler or hand shower is at the temperature chosen by the user without having to wait for the process for the water to reach the temperature chosen by the user and the waste of water that this entails. During the water management process described above, the user perceives that, although they have opened or activated the faucet for use, no water comes out and when it starts to come out, it is already at the temperature selected by them, because the shower water temperature control cartridge has also blocked the cold water.

The hot water management device could incorporate an "on" indicator or running indicator to inform the user that the device is working and that the hot water has not reached the selected temperature and is flowing toward its utilization channel, even if no water is coming out of the tap. This indicator can be of various types. This running indicator can be a minimum trickle of water to warn that water is reaching the tap and is managing the hot water while still cold. It can also be a light and, in this case, has a current generator to activate any type of warning that is activated when water passes toward the reused water outlet. The importance of this status indicator, whether it is a minimal trickle of water, a LED light, an acoustic signal, or any other solution that indicates correct operation, is because while the hot water is still cold and in the process of heating, it is diverted to the outlet to be reused, thus avoiding a perception by the user that could lead them to think that something is not working because despite having "turned on the tap" the water does not come out of the sprinkler or the hand shower because the cold water is retained by the temperature control cartridge awaiting the arrival of hot water.

Another feature of this invention is that the faucet block can be built into the wall or exterior, both with an appearance, structure, and installation practically identical to that of conventional faucets. The first, called built-in faucet, has three levers that protrude from the outside: a push-button lever for simultaneous opening and closing that has an access or hole for accessing the hot water discriminator temperature regulator, a lever for regulating the water outlet temperature, and a lever for managing the multiple water outlets. In the case of free-standing faucets, there is a simultaneous opening and closing lever with an access or hole for accessing the hot water discriminator temperature regulator, which can be actuated as a push-button, a lever for regulating the outlet temperature, and a selector for the water outlets to the hand shower or sprinkler. The only difference from a shower column is the hidden or visible outlet for conveying reusable water to a tank or any other location for which the installation is designed to be connected to the faucet. The handles on both built-in and wall-mounted faucets can have an LED-type light fixture that is clearly visible to the user.

Particularly in the case of freestanding faucets, it is possible not to connect this outlet anywhere and simply allow the cold water to flow into the shower or drain or sewer line. For one reason: since there are no flow-limiting elements such as shower heads or sprinklers, the cold water is drained much faster, reducing the waiting time for showering to an instant. While this is not the ultimate goal of this invention, and assuming the usual water waste, this system, while eliminating the concept of sustainability, would provide this innovative feature, which is also inventive: faster access to the shower because the cold water is drained from the hot water circuit much faster.

All information relating to examples or embodiments forms part of the description of the invention.

Description of the figures

In order to better understand the object of the present invention, the attached drawings have represented a preferred practical embodiment thereof.

Figure 1.- Shows a front view of the block (1a) of a built-in thermostatic faucet.

Figure 2a.- Shows a front view of the block (1b) of a wall-mounted thermostatic shower faucet.

Figure 2b.- Shows a top view of the block (1b) of a wall-mounted thermostatic shower faucet.

Figure 3.- Shows a section of the hot water discriminator (11) with the cold water outlet (17) open and the hot water outlet (18) closed.

Figure 4.- Shows a section of the hot water discriminator (11) with the cold water outlet (17) closed and the hot water outlet (18) open.

Figure 5.- Shows the complete built-in thermostatic faucet.

Figure 6.- Shows the shower faucet on the wall.

Preferred embodiment of the invention

The device object of the present invention shows in figure 1 the block (1a) of the built-in wall thermostatic faucet. On the left of the figure is the water management device (2) prior to the shower water temperature control cartridge (3) which is located in the center of the figure and both are connected by a cold water path (10) and a hot water path (14). The water management device (2) consists of a hot water inlet connection (5), a cold water inlet connection (6) and a water outlet connection (7) to a reuse circuit. In addition to these water inlets and outlets, this water management device (2) has a mechanism for simultaneous opening and closing (8) of cold and hot water that works as a push button in this representation that at the same time opens the passage of cold water to the cold water path (10) up to the shower water temperature control cartridge (3) where, as described, it is retained and the hot water enters the block (1a) through the hot water path (9) that directs it to the hot water discriminator (11).

The hot water discriminator (11) is a vitally important component for the water management device to fulfill its function, since it is responsible for diverting the cold water from the path (9) through the outlet path (13) so that this water can be managed by the user for reuse. On its way through the outlet path (13) the cold water activates an electric generator connected to a light indicator in this representation, or acoustic or any other type of indicator (12) that informs the user that everything is working correctly. When hot water begins to enter through the hot water inlet, the hot water discriminator (11) diverts the water through the hot water path (14) towards the temperature control cartridge (3) where the cold water is retained.

The shower water temperature control cartridge (3), upon receiving hot water, opens the cold water path, mixes it to the temperature selected by the user and directs it through a mixed water path (15) to a water outlet selector device (4) that directs it to one of the multiple shower outlets (16a, 16b, 16c).

The device object of the present invention shows in figure 2a the block (1b) the version of an outdoor thermostatic faucet on wall. The design of this type of faucet is more compact and this has as a consequence that the essential components described in the previous figure show in this block (1b) another arrangement without affecting the essential operating characteristics of this thermostatic faucet with management of wasted cold water. The block (1b) has a connection to a cold water path (6) and a connection to a hot water path (5) that are on the rear face and are represented in figure 2b and the water outlet connection (7) to be connected if the user considers it, to a utilization circuit.

A simultaneous opening mechanism (8) allows the entry of cold and hot water into the block (1b). The cold water is directed directly through the cold water path (10) to the temperature control cartridge (3) where it is retained while the water circulating through the hot water path (9) is directed to the hot water discriminator (11). If this water is cold, the discriminator diverts it to the water outlet path (13) which activates a current generator to activate any type of warning. When the hot water enters the hot water discriminator (11) diverts it through the hot water path (14) towards the temperature control cartridge (3). The temperature control cartridge (3) mixes the cold and hot water at the temperature selected by the user and this water through the mixed water path (15) is directed to the shower outlet selector (4) (16a, 16b).

The device, object of the present invention, shows in figure 2 the actual position of the connection to a cold water path (6) and a connection to a hot water path (5) in the rear part of the block (1b)

The device, object of the present invention, shows in figure 3 how the hot water discriminator (11) works. While it receives cold water inside through the hot water path (9), it keeps a hot water outlet (18) closed thanks to the spring (28) and opens a cold water outlet (17) which through an internal cold water path (19) is directed to the water outlet path (13).

The device object of the present invention shows in figure 4 how the hot water discriminator (11) works. Said hot water discriminator (11) when it receives hot water through the hot water path (9) inside it, thanks to the expansion of the thermosensitive element (29) it opens the hot water outlet (18) and closes the cold water outlet (17). The water, through an internal hot water path (20) is directed to the hot water outlet path (14) to the temperature control cartridge (3).

The device, object of the present invention in figure 5 illustrates how the appearance of the built-in faucet is very similar to that of a conventional built-in thermostatic faucet without a water management device (2). A connection to a cold water path (6) and a connection to a hot water path (5) and the connection to a water pipe (7) can be clearly seen so that the user, if he considers it, can connect it to a water use circuit. The simultaneous opening handle (21a) that activates the mechanism for simultaneous opening and closing of cold and hot water (8) in this representation as a push button that shows on its front face an access or hole (24) that allows access to a temperature regulator of the discriminator (11). The central handle (22a), to regulate the water outlet temperature and the selector handle (23) to direct the water to one of the shower outlets (16a, 16c).

The device, object of the present invention, in figure 6 illustrates what the appearance of the wall-mounted faucet is like, very similar in appearance to a conventional thermostatic faucet without a water management device (2). The compact block (1b) has two handles, the simultaneous opening handle (21b) that shows on its front face an access or hole (24) that allows access to a temperature regulator of the hot water discriminator (11) and the handle (22b), to regulate the water outlet temperature. A selector (25) to direct the water to one of the outlets; hand shower (26), or to a sprinkler (27).

The person skilled in the art will readily understand that he or she may combine features of different embodiments with features of other possible embodiments, provided that such a combination is technically possible.

Claims (1)

1 - Thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water comprising a block (1a, 1b) consisting of; -a connection to a hot water line (5), -a connection to a cold water line (6), -at least one water outlet connection for use with a shower (16), -a shower water temperature control cartridge (3), programmed by the user, -a shower water outlet selector system (4), characterized in that it incorporates into said block (1a, 1b) a hot water management device (2), prior to the temperature control cartridge (3), responsible for diverting the still cold water to a utilization circuit and which in turn comprises; -a mechanism for simultaneously opening and closing (8) the cold water inlet and the hot water inlet, -a hot water discriminator (11) with a temperature programmer that diverts the water that enters through the hot water path (9) when it is cold, to a water outlet path (13) and when it enters hot, it diverts it to a hot water path (14) to the temperature control cartridge (3), - a gear indicator (12), -a connection to a water pipe (7) for its use. 2 - Thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water, according to claim 1, characterized in that the simultaneous opening and closing mechanism (8) is activated by pressure. 3 - Thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water, according to claim 1, characterized in that the power indicator (12) is a LED light point powered by a current generator that is activated by the passage of water through the outlet channel (13). 4 - Thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water, according to claim 1, 3 characterized in that the operation indicator (12) is an acoustic signal powered by a current generator that is activated by the passage of water through the outlet path (13). 5 - Thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water, according to claims 1, 3 and 4, characterized in that the operation indicator (12) is a thread of water that comes out through one of the water outlets (16). 6 - Thermostatic shower faucet with management of wasted cold water, according to previous claims, characterized in that the simultaneous opening handle (21a, 21b) that activates the simultaneous opening and closing mechanism (8) has a hole (24) that allows access to the temperature programmer of the hot water discriminator (11).