ES2688730A1 - Economizer of sanitary water consumption (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Sanitary current water consumption controller. Consisting of an elongated hermetical box crossed by a tube with two holes and a projection that supports a spring connected to a piston with O-ring and conical terminations, a detector locates the situation of the piston. The output connects to a shutter moved by a relay. An electronic circuit controls the mechanism. The electronic circuit connects to the faucets of the house through detectors. In the outer zone of the urn is a turbine moved by the pressure of the water connected to a current generator to the mechanism. (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Economizer of sanitary water consumption.

The present invention relates to a device capable of controlling the excessive consumption of water in homes, premises or industrial facilities by means of a simple electronically controlled mechanism that cuts off the water flow once the programmed use time has elapsed.

The mechanism avoids excess consumption in the case of poorly regulated tanks, taps 10 open without control, closing the flow after a reasonable time of water circulation.

This mechanism is regulated by the user himself, programming the cutting time depending on the circumstances of each one, giving more time when he is at home and less the case that it is closed.

The present invention has its field of application in the sanitary water installations industry and, in particular, in the auxiliary industry of safety mechanisms applied to plumbing. twenty

Some model is known in this sector of the industry that does not bring to the state of the art the novel features proposed by the present invention. Thus, the document with publication number 2332 495 presents to the state of the art a water leakage protection system based on the performance of a flow detector, a magnetic detector in the interior of a plunger, a reed switch sensor of proximity, a flowmeter, a pressure detector, a temperature meter, all connected to an electronic circuit, and operated with batteries or connected to the mains.

This documented model, presents the following 30 drawbacks against the proposed invention: It incorporates a large number of mechanical and electronic elements connected to an electronic circuit, which makes it uncompetitive in the market, since it costs too much due to the large number of components that also requires a lot of workmanship in their manufacture and calibration.

 35

The programming of the electronic circuit is complicated. All these elements pose a great risk of failure and need a high degree of maintenance. The fact of working only with a battery means a daily change of the battery, there being the possibility of forgetting and leaving the mechanism without operation. When the batteries are at medium charge, they do not respond with the proper voltage, as this drops considerably, thus preventing the proper functioning of the mechanism. The network connection in a necessarily humid environment carries an added danger.

In view of these described drawbacks, the present invention provides the state of the art with novel, simple and easy-to-execute solutions that result in the following advantages:

It incorporates very few elements, which makes it more competitive in the market, reducing costs due to the savings in components, low labor for its assembly, and the zero need for calibration. fifty

The electronic circuit programming is very simple thus reducing system failures and breakdowns with a very low maintenance level. The mechanism proposed herein

The invention works autonomously, providing energy with the pressure of the water that passes through it.

There is no risk of forgetting battery changes and the mechanism always works at the proper voltage, eliminating risks of malfunction. As it is not connected to the power grid, there is no added personal risk.

All these conjugated elements give rise to a final result in which significant differentiating characteristics are provided compared to the current state of the art.

 10

Thus, the invention is constituted from an elongated hermetic urn of hard plastic or similar material, crossed longitudinally by a tube protruding from said urn by both ends, one to connect to the water inlet and another to the water outlet. , fixed both end solidarity and tightly to the urn. In the area of the tube that runs inside the urn, there is at least one through hole near the entrance and another through hole 15 near the exit. At the outlet end of the tube, inside, between the through hole and the end of the tube, there is a projection on which it supports one end of an understanding spring, calculated so that it does not yield in the case of small pressures, such as the one that can exert a small water leak. The other end of the spring is connected to a piston that slides inside the tube with the help of at least one O-ring. The two 20 piston heads have a conical shape so that the water pressure does not hinder their movement. When said spring is in a state of rest, it seals the through hole located at the inlet end of the tube. An optical, inductive, magnetic or other detector is located at the inlet end of the tube, marking the position of the piston that slides inside the tube. 25

The outlet end of the tube connects with a shutter moved by a two-stroke relay for direct current that opens and closes the shutter giving way to the water to the interior network of the house in the open position.

 30

An electronic circuit connects its control stage, commanded by a microcomputer and a variable timer, to the detector set at the inlet end of the tube and the power stage of the electronic circuit is connected to the relay that moves the shutter, actuating it according to the information received from the detector and the timer.

 35

An opening and closing detector is located in each of the taps of the house, connected by cable or wirelessly to the control stage of the electronic circuit, it starts its operation every time a tap of the house is opened, returning to the waiting position when all the taps are closed. A switch disconnects all the opening and closing detectors, leaving them out of operation at the moments of interest.

In the outer area of the urn, located at the inlet end of the tube, inside the tube, there is a turbine, moved by the pressure of the water entering the mechanism, connected to a current generator that in turn Charge a battery that supplies power to the mechanism.

The operation begins when the user opens a tap and water begins to circulate through the mechanism, at that time the water pushes the piston located inside the tube, compressing the spring and freeing the hole located at the entrance through which the water 50 inside the urn. The detector alerts the electronic circuit of the change of position of the piston, starting the previously programmed timer for the desired time. The water, once filled the urn passes to the shutter through the hole made in the outlet end of the tube and to the housing network. After the time programmed in the timer, the

power stage of the electronic circuit, sends power to the relay by closing the shutter, interrupting the water flow and turning the timer to zero until the tap is closed and the water circulation is opened again.

In a different embodiment, the electronic circuit is programmed so that when the water flow circulation is closed, it will be reopened in a few seconds and for a sufficient time so that the user can close and open the tap again and thus continue using the Water during another cycle.

Differently the urn and the tube that crosses it are in an upright position, thus eliminating the spring, the piston exerting its function by force of gravity.

In a different way outside the mechanism and independent of it at a convenient distance, there is a case with moisture protection that houses a rechargeable battery with or without a charging circuit connected with anti-humidity cable, thus eliminating the turbine and the generator.

Alternatively to the entrance of the mechanism, a replaceable filter that is easy to remove is fitted inside the tube.

 twenty

For a better understanding of this specification, some drawings are attached which, by way of non-limiting example, describe a preferred embodiment of the invention:

Figure 1.- Longitudinal section

 25

These figures include the following numbered elements:

1.- Airtight urn

2 - Tube 30

3. - Water inlet

4. - Water outlet

 35

5. - Through hole in the tube near the inlet

6.- Through hole in the tube near the exit

7 - Highlight inside the tube 40

8. - Compression spring

9. - Piston

 Four. Five

10 - O-ring

11.- Inductive detector

12. - Shutter 50

13. - Double acting relay

14. - Electronic circuit

15. - Variable timer

16.- Opening and closing detectors

17. - Housing taps 5

18. - Switch for opening and closing detectors

19. - Turbine

 10

20. - Electric generator

A preferred embodiment of the proposed invention is constituted from an elongated hermetic urn (1) of hard plastic, longitudinally traversed by a tube (2) protruding from said urn (1) at both ends, one to connect to the 15 water inlet (3) and another at the water outlet (4), both fixedly and tightly fixed to the urn (1). In the area of the tube (2) that runs inside the urn (1), there is a through hole near the inlet (5) and another through hole near the outlet (6). At the outlet end (4) of the tube (2), inside, between the through hole (6) and the end of the tube (2), there is a shoulder

(7) on which it supports one end of an understanding spring (8). The other end of the spring 20 is connected to a piston (9) that slides inside the tube (2) with the help of an O-ring (10). The two piston heads (9) have a conical shape so that the water pressure does not hinder their movement. When said spring (8) is in a state of rest, the through hole located at the inlet end (5) of the tube (2) is sealed. An inductive detector (11) is located at the inlet end (3) of the tube (2), marking the position of the piston (9) that slides inside the tube (2).

The outlet end (4) of the tube (2) connects with a shutter (12) moved by a two-stroke relay (13) for direct current that opens and closes the shutter (12) giving way to the water to the inner network of the house in the open position. 30

An electronic circuit (14) connects its control stage, commanded by a microcomputer and a variable timer (15), to the detector (11) fixed at the inlet end (3) of the tube (2) and the circuit power stage electronic (14) is connected to the relay (13) that moves the shutter (12), activating it according to the information received from the detector (11) and the timer (15).

An opening and closing detector (16) is located in each of the taps of the house (17), connected by cable to the control stage of the electronic circuit (14), starting this action every time a tap is opened of the house (17), returning to the position of 40 wait when all the taps (17) are closed. A switch (18) disconnects all the opening and closing detectors (16), leaving them without operation at the moments of interest.

In the outer area of the urn (1), located at the inlet end (3) of the tube (2), inside the latter, there is a turbine (19), moved by the pressure of the water entering the mechanism, connected to a current generator (20) which in turn charges a battery that supplies current to the mechanism.

Claims (14)

1. Sanitary current water consumption controller constituted from an elongated hermetic urn of hard plastic or similar material characterized in that the urn is crossed longitudinally by a tube protruding from said urn by both ends 5, one to connect to the inlet of water and another at the exit of the water, fixed both end solidarity and tightly to the urn. In the area of the tube that runs inside the urn, there is at least one through hole near the entrance and another through hole near the exit.  10 2. Sanitary tap water consumption controller according to claim 1, characterized in that at the outlet end of the tube passing through the urn, inside, between the through hole and the end of the tube, there is a projection on which one end rests of an understanding spring, calculated so that it does not yield in the case of small pressures, such as that which may cause a small water leak. fifteen 3. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the other end of the spring is connected to a piston that slides inside the tube with the aid of at least one O-ring.  twenty 4. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two piston heads have a conical shape so that the water pressure does not hinder their movement. 5. Sanitary tap water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when said spring is in a state of rest it seals the through hole located at the inlet end of the tube. 6. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that an optical, inductive, magnetic or other detector is located at the inlet end of the tube, marking the position of the piston that slides through the tube inside. 7. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the outlet end of the tube connects to a shutter moved by a two-time relay for direct current that opens and closes the shutter giving way to the water towards the Interior network of the house in the open position. 8. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 7, characterized in that an electronic circuit connects its control stage, commanded by a microcomputer and a variable timer, to the detector set at the inlet end of the tube and the stage of Power of the electronic circuit is connected to the relay that moves the shutter, activating it based on the information received from the detector and the timer. 9. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 8, 45 characterized in that an opening and closing detector is located in each of the taps of the house, connected by cable or wirelessly to the control stage of the circuit electronic, this one beginning its performance every time a tap of the house is opened, returning to the waiting position when all the taps are closed. A switch disconnects all the opening and closing detectors, leaving these without operation in the 50 moments that interest. 10. Sanitary tap water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the outer area of the urn, located at the inlet end of the tube, Inside it, there is a turbine, driven by the pressure of the water entering the mechanism, connected to a current generator that in turn charges a battery that supplies current to the mechanism. 11. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 10, 5 characterized in that the electronic circuit is programmed so that when it closes the flow of water flow, it reopens it in a few seconds and for a sufficient time for the user You can close and open the tap again and continue using the water for another cycle.  10 12. Sanitary current water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the urn and the tube passing through it are in an upright position, thus eliminating the spring, the piston exerting its function by gravity. 13. Sanitary tap water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in a different embodiment outside the mechanism and independent of it at a convenient distance, there is a case with moisture protection housing a rechargeable battery with or no load circuit connected with anti-humidity cable, thus eliminating the turbine and the generator.  twenty 14. Domestic water consumption controller according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a replaceable filter that is easy to remove is fitted inside the tube inside the tube.