AU2001100309B4 - Services controller - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION OF PATENT SERVICES CONTROLLER The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: -2tThe invention relates to a services controller that is effective to switch off a I service, such as the flow of hot water to a shower, at, in the case of hot water, a present time or volume, thereby limiting use of the service.

I Hot water is supplied in bathrooms in homes, hotels, public buildings and the like. Both the volume of water, and the units of electricity used in heating it, are I usually monitored and charged for. Their cost can be considerable when users are not inclined to exercise discipline and limit their access. A controller that I cuts the service at a predetermined level of usage is desirable.

0 It is known to provide timers that regulate the flow of water. Timers are common in garden watering systems. What these have in common is provision of a time setting mechanism by which the user is free to set the time over which I 15 watering will take place. However a timer that is designed with a mechanism enabling a user to set when the timer will effect a cut in the flow does not provide the sort of control that is needed when the object is to impose a cut-out that will not be circumvented.

It is an object of the invention to provide a controller that is initiated by a user I wanting access to a service, that switches on access to the service but that cuts access at the discretion of the supplier of the service in a way that the user I cannot over-ride.

I

25 The invention achieves its object in the provision of a controller including, an on/off actuator by which to selectively switch a service on and off, a delay device effecting a predetermined time-out and a user actionable initiator, user I 5 operation of the initiator, user operation of the initiator initialising the delay device and switching on the actuator, the delay switching off the actuator on reaching the predetermined time-out.

I

I

-3- 0 In a preferred form the controller may include several time settings that are preferably adjustable timers and including fixed relays, which are initiated by a single push button type switch, with neon indicators and which tell the operator that the device is working. In this preferred form a red indicator may show that I a hot water valve is functioned and that hot water is available at the shower and I the bath taps in the bathroom. A green indicator may show that power is available to an exhaust fan and a set of heat lamps, if required. An exhaust fan might be mounted in a ceiling, wall or window. By use of a single push button type switch as the initiator, the exhaust fan may be made to commence running Iat the same time that the hot water is available at the taps of bath and shower.

0 In the preferred embodiment above, where hot water and exhaust fan is to be controlled, there are two adjustable timers. A first adjustable timer affecting access to hot water might be set at a 4 or 5 minutes time, as predetermined by the service provider who is putting the controller into use. The time that is I required is typically stipulated and set at the time of purchase. The first adjustable timer turns on the hot water making it available to bath and shower I and off after the preset 4 or 5 minutes. The second adjustable timer affects the run time delay of the exhaust fan may be preset at 7 or 8 minutes delay, as I required by the service provider. Again it is stipulated and set at time of purchase. Recommended settings are 4 minutes for hot water and 7 minutes I for the exhaust fan or 5 minutes for hot water and 8 minutes for the exhaust fan.

These times allow enough additional fan time to clear a bathroom of steam if the room is fogged, keeping the room drier to reduce mildew and moulds. The exhaust fan might also incorporate heat lamps as is quite common in this style of bathroom fitting.

In the above described preferred embodiment it is best arrange that once the hot water time has operated, the pressing of the star button will not turn the hot water on again until the full cycle has been completed. That is the controller cannot be initiated a second time until the exhaust fan has turned off.

I

-4- V 5 In a particular preferred form of the controller provision may be made such that 0 0 additional fittings or devices could be added to the controller.

(N

As heat lamps would not be required in a bathroom during the summer months, an additional heat lamp switch can be fitted to the controller plate. By this means the heat lamps might be turned off. They can be turned on then only as needed. The controller might still control power to the heat lamp to maintain economic usage at all times.

The invention will now be described with reference to a preferred embodiment 0as described in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the basic components of an embodiment of the invention to control three services. They preferably hold power to their respective services via relay 1 with the device wired or organised in such a manner that the relay is latched or held on by timer 2. After timer 1 has stopped thus causing the delay in resetting. The advantage in this is that a new cycle in the operation of the device is not possible until timer 2 cuts out allowing the push button to reactivate the system. In a particular application service 1 turns on the hot water to the showers or bath and also powers the ceiling exhaust fan which runs for the full cycle thus clearing steam from the bathroom and reducing mould growth on ceiling and walls. Hot water is not available till the timer 2 cuts out. Users are therefore discouraged by having to wait for the delay time to finish before being able to restart the cycle.

The controller's operation can be as follows: press the start button, which will start the hot water to the shower and at the same time, the exhaust fan. A heat lamp may also start. The red and green lights on the control panel will light up.

The hot water will then automatically switch off at the preset time, at which time the red light will go off. In the case where a heat lamp is installed, the heat lamp will have a separate on/off switch so it can be switch off during the summer months.

I

0 A controller of the above-described kind can be used for controlling electrical equipment in a bathroom and the like with a range of advantages, affecting a number of savings as follows: 1 Energy is saved due to reduced consumption of hot water. Whatever o heating means is used, electricity, gas or even wood, clearly less energy Iis consumed when the quantity of hot water to be delivered is reduced.

S 2 Water is saved. A test carried out indicated that a typical mix of hot and I j7 cold water is used at a rate of approximately 13 litres per minute (8 litres of hot water and litres of cold water). Therefore a 4 minute shower uses I approximately 52 litres of water. A 6 minute shower would use 78 litres of water. With a family of 4, if they all stood under the shower for an I extra 5 minutes each that would amount to an extra 180 litres of hot water and an extra 100 litres of cold water and an extra 260 litres a day.

(These figures will vary in practice dependent on local factors such as water pressures and plumbing design).

I 10 3 Time is saved. Using the above figures a family of 4 people would use 208 litres of water (128 litres of hot water and 80 litres of cold water).

Therefore a family of 4 would take approximately 16 minutes to shower at 13 litres per minute. The overall time for a family of 4 would be 28 minutes taking account of the longer delay when it is set at 7 minutes.

I

4 Mould growth is limited. Because steam is not allowed to condense on ceiling and walls, mould growth is inhibited on these surfaces.

5 Money is saved. With energy and water saved over a period of time, considerable savings of money can result.

-6- Use of the controller of the invention answers the problem of getting children and teenagers out of the shower. Running out of hot water or having high energy bills or an excessive water rate bill can be avoided. Water and energy are fast becoming precious commodities. Saving water and energy helps in protecting the environment. Saving water is a particular issue for households operating on tank water, particularly in unexpected drought.