Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
  • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
  • E03B7/04—Domestic or like local pipe systems
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
  • E03B11/00—Arrangements or adaptations of tanks for water supply
  • E03B11/02—Arrangements or adaptations of tanks for water supply for domestic or like local water supply
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03B—INSTALLATIONS OR METHODS FOR OBTAINING, COLLECTING, OR DISTRIBUTING WATER
  • E03B7/00—Water main or service pipe systems
  • E03B7/07—Arrangement of devices, e.g. filters, flow controls, measuring devices, siphons or valves, in the pipe systems
  • E03B7/078—Combined units with different devices; Arrangement of different devices with respect to each other

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a sanitary installation for providing hot water, in particular potable hot water, for at least one tap point, and to a potable water supply station suitable for use in such a sanitary installation.
• cold and hot water are typically supplied via separate lines to different taps.
• the supplied hot water can be either potable water or process water from an external heat source, which is not directly suitable for drinking.
• the cold water, especially potable cold water, and the hot water are mixed directly at the tap, typically by a mixing valve, to achieve the desired temperature of the dispensed water.
• Sanitary installations of the type described above have a number of disadvantages.
• the aforementioned approach requires an extensive pipe network and the provision of mixing valves for each tap.
• there is a risk of scalding if the hot water is supplied at a high temperature and dispensed unmixed or mixed in an incorrect ratio.
• contamination of cold drinking water with potentially unsuitable hot water is possible.
• the subject of the disclosure includes, among other things, a sanitary installation.
• the sanitary installation comprises a hot water component for providing hot water, in particular potable hot water, for at least one tap, at least one tap connected to the hot water component, at least one remote control unit for requesting a target temperature and/or a target flow rate for the at least one tap, and at least one control device, structurally separate from and coupled to the remote control unit, for setting an actual temperature and/or an actual flow rate from the hot water component to the at least one tap based on the requested target temperature and/or the requested target flow rate.
• hot water in particular potable hot water
• a control device separate from the actual tap.
• the control device is located in close proximity to the hot water component, the number and length of the required pipes are significantly reduced.
• Pipelines leading to taps can be designed without pressure. Therefore, only a relatively simple remote control unit, such as a wireless electronic remote control integrated into the system, is required at each tap.
• the remote control unit can be designed and installed independently of the actual tap. This allows for significantly greater design flexibility, particularly when creating aesthetically pleasing fixtures or bathroom fittings. Additionally, the corresponding functional units can be designed to be particularly robust and thus vandal-proof, if required, for example, for installations in public spaces.
• At least one control device is integrated into or coupled to the hot water component.
• the hot water component only provides hot water when requested by at least one remote control unit.
• the hot water component can be configured to provide hot water at the requested set temperature.
• cold water, in particular potable cold water is provided at the at least one tap if no hot water is requested by the at least one remote control unit.
• Such regulations can reduce the primary energy input for hot water supply.
• it is not necessary to keep hot water at a fixed set temperature regardless of consumption or to circulate it through a circulation line.
• hot water is preferably supplied by the hot water component only when this is required. This ensures that water is actually requested at at least one connected tap. This can increase the overall energy efficiency of the plumbing system.
• the sanitary installation includes multiple taps connected to the hot water component, multiple remote control units for requesting a target temperature and/or flow rate for each of the multiple taps, and multiple control devices for setting an actual temperature and/or flow rate from the hot water component to each of the multiple taps, based on a target temperature and/or flow rate requested for the respective tap.
• the hot water component is configured to supply drinking water at the highest requested target temperature.
• Hot water is generated and supplied centrally or collectively for multiple taps, it is both possible and practical to regulate the temperature of the supplied hot water according to the highest current demand. Hot water for the remaining taps can then be lowered in temperature by mixing in cold drinking water, for example, to prevent scalding.
• the temperature of the supplied hot water can be dynamically regulated according to the requirements of each individual tap. In the common practical scenario where only one of several taps is in use at a time, it is always possible to adjust the drinking water to the temperature of the currently used tap, thus ensuring that the aforementioned energy-saving advantages are also realized. This is achieved in an installation with several centrally supplied taps.
• the hot water component is connected to each of the at least one tap via a single pipe.
• a direct, depressurized line can be used from one of the control devices assigned to each tap to the tap itself. This eliminates the need for separate cold and hot water pipes. Furthermore, the risk of water damage is reduced because the water supply is shut off at a common distribution point, such as within the apartment, rather than at the individual tap. For example, if a hazard is detected, all taps can be centrally shut off, thus depressurizing all pipes. Finally, this configuration eliminates the need for any shut-off devices at the taps themselves, further increasing the possibilities for aesthetic design.
• the hot water component and at least one control device can be structurally integrated into a decentralized drinking water supply station, in particular an apartment station connected between a central building installation and an internal sanitary installation.
• a decentralized drinking water supply station in particular an apartment station connected between a central building installation and an internal sanitary installation.
• all components of the sanitary installation with the exception of the individual taps and their supply lines, can be integrated into a single, compact unit.
• At least one remote control unit and at least one control device are coupled via a wireless radio connection and/or a bus connection, in particular an RS485-MODBUS connection.
• a wireless radio connection and/or a bus connection in particular an RS485-MODBUS connection.
• Such connections can be easily implemented using radio or an existing building installation bus, thus enabling the integration of the sanitary installation into other components of an intelligent building installation in the sense of a so-called smart home.
• At least one tap and at least one remote control unit are located in a wet room, particularly a shower cubicle.
• This has the additional advantage of avoiding bulky installations within the wet room.
• it can also potentially prevent problems caused by the placement of hot water pipes and mixing valves within the wet room, especially regarding limescale buildup.
• the disclosure further relates to an improved drinking water supply station, which is particularly suitable for use in a sanitary installation of the type mentioned above.
• the drinking water supply station comprises a hot water component for providing hot drinking water for at least one tap, and at least one drinking water connection for connecting the Drinking water supply station with one tap, at least one interface for receiving a request signal from a remote control unit structurally separate from the drinking water supply station, and at least one control device for setting an actual temperature and/or an actual flow rate for the at least one drinking water connection based on the request signal.
• Such a drinking water supply station includes all essential components for the remote-controlled provision of hot drinking water for one or more taps, for example in a residential installation.
• a secondary drinking water installation can be completely hydraulically separated from a primary heat source. This makes it possible, for example, to separate a
• the system utilizes hot water generated by a heat pump or solar thermal system, which does not meet the hygienic requirements for drinking water, to produce domestic hot water.
• the control component and flow regulator allow for easy control of the desired target temperature for the prepared hot water.
• the hot water component also includes an electric auxiliary heating unit.
• the control component is designed to control the flow regulator and the electric auxiliary heating unit based on the demand signal, ensuring that hot water at the requested setpoint temperature is supplied to at least one drinking water connection.
• Providing an additional electric auxiliary heating unit is particularly advantageous when the requested setpoint temperature at the respective taps is regularly higher than the flow temperature of the external heat source. For example, it can be beneficial to integrate an electric instantaneous water heater into the drinking water supply station to provide hot water at a temperature of 40 to 60 °C if the plumbing system is supplied by a heat pump with a flow temperature of, for example, only 35 to 45 °C.
• the electric auxiliary heating unit is hydraulically connected between the external heat source and the water-to-water heat exchanger.
• the control component is configured to activate the electric auxiliary heating unit only when the flow temperature of the external heat source is insufficient to supply domestic hot water at the required setpoint temperature to at least one domestic hot water connection.
• control component is configured to control the flow regulator and, optionally, an electric reheating unit in such a way that the water-to-water heat exchanger is briefly heated, particularly at regular intervals, to a predetermined temperature, especially a temperature of at least 60 °C.
• a control system enables automatic disinfection of the drinking water supply station, for example, to counteract contamination with Legionella bacteria.
• the sanitary installations and drinking water supply stations described above enable a variety of novel application scenarios in the area of hot water supply for a building or part of a building, in particular for a self-contained apartment.
• water whether cold drinking water or hot drinking water, can only be supplied or pumped to a specific tap when a user actually requests it. This can be done, for example, by activating an electronic request element, such as a push button, at the tap. As explained above, this allows for a pressureless design of the supply lines. It also makes it possible to centrally control the water supply to all taps connected to the hot water system and to shut it off if necessary, thus eliminating the need for mixing valves and/or shut-off valves at individual taps.
• the water is only heated when explicitly requested.
• the demand-based provision of hot water, especially domestic hot water, preferably at a specific desired temperature significantly increases the energy efficiency of the entire installation, for example by 10% compared to an installation where hot water is always kept at a maximum required temperature in a circulation line.
• a highly flexible overall system can be built. This allows, for example, the consideration of profiles for individual dispensing points, which can be adjusted to a specific temperature or flow rate range tailored to the respective dispensing point. Limit the amount of water used. This can reduce water consumption and also minimize the risk of scalding.
• the total volume of hot water stored in the plumbing system can be significantly reduced. This makes it possible, in particular, to reduce the total volume to hygienically prescribed limits, such as three liters, thus reducing the risk of bacterial contamination in the plumbing system and the overall effort required for disinfection.
• the demand-based provision of drinking water enables easy integration with various heat sources, especially highly efficient alternative heat sources such as heat pumps or solar thermal systems with low flow temperatures.
• Figure 1 schematically shows a sanitary installation 1 with multiple taps 2.
• the sanitary installation is located within a typical apartment, for instance, with a bathroom and a kitchen.
• the first tap 2a could be a kitchen sink faucet.
• the other taps 2b to 2e could be different taps in the bathroom area, such as a hand basin faucet, a bathtub faucet, and two different shower faucets in a shower cubicle 4.
• a corresponding remote control unit 3 is located near each tap 2.
• the remote control units 3 are functionally coupled to a drinking water supply station 10, for example, via radio, a dedicated cable connection, or a shared communication bus.
• the taps 2 are also hydraulically coupled to the drinking water supply station 10 via pipelines 5. A direct connection between the individual taps 2 and the remote control units 3 does not usually exist.
• the first three taps, 2a to 2c have a direct connection between them and three corresponding remote control units, 3a to 3c.
• the remaining two taps, 2d and 2e, located in the shower cubicle 4 do not have such a direct connection. Instead, they are controlled by a shared, fourth remote control unit, 3d.
• Drinking water supply station 10 forms an interface between supply lines 7 to 9 of a system located in the Figure 1
• the depicted apartment installation leads to the taps 2. Therefore, it is also referred to below as the heat interface unit or, in English, as the Heat Interface Unit (HIU).
• the drinking water supply station 10 represents a central component within the apartment's internal sanitary installation 1, in particular for all of the taps 2, and a decentralized component with respect to the building installation or a central heat source.
• the primary function of the heat interface unit is to hydraulically separate a building-side hot water installation from an apartment-side drinking water installation.
• the heat interface unit comprises, as described in detail later, a [component/element/etc.] located in the [location/context missing].
• Figure 1 Water-to-water heat exchanger (not shown), by means of which heat energy can be transferred from the building installation to the apartment installation.
• the drinking water supply station 10 On the inlet or building side, the drinking water supply station 10 is connected to a corresponding external heat source of the building via a supply line 7 and a return line 8. Additionally, the drinking water supply station 10 is connected to a drinking water source via a drinking water line 9.
• the drinking water supply station 10 provides four connections for connecting taps 2a to 2e.
• a dedicated pipe 5 is provided between the drinking water supply station 10 and the corresponding taps 2a to 2c.
• a common pipe 5 runs to the shower cubicle 4 and is then split there via a branch 6 to the two taps 2d and 2e.
• switching between the two dispensing points 2d and 2e via the branch 6 can be effected, for example, by a mechanical control element such as a two-way valve.
• a mechanical control element such as a two-way valve.
• an electronically controlled switching valve via the corresponding remote control unit 3d.
• it is also possible to operate the valve differently than in the Figure 1 The diagram shows that two separate pipelines 5 are to be provided between the drinking water supply station 10 and the taps 2d and 2e, as will be shown later by the Figures 2 and 3B is described.
• each of the in Figure 1 The depicted taps 2 are connected to the drinking water supply station 10 only by a single pipe 5.
• the connection diagram shown does not include circulation lines, especially for the circulation of hot water, nor separate cold and hot water lines to the individual taps.
• taps 2 can optionally be implemented as simple outlet fittings without a hydraulic shut-off function. While it is generally possible to implement taps 2a and 2b as conventional fittings, for example, this is not always the case. To equip faucets with appropriate shut-off valves, however, this is not necessary for the function of the sanitary installation 1, as shown below. Figure 2 executed.
• FIG 1 schematically shows the internal structure of the drinking water supply station 10.
• the drinking water supply station 10 comprises a water-to-water heat exchanger 11, or heat exchanger (HX), which hydraulically divides the station 10 into a primary heating zone 12 and a secondary drinking water zone 13. There is no water exchange between the primary heating zone 12 and the secondary drinking water zone 13. Therefore, the source of the hot water flowing through the primary heating zone 12 in the supply line 7 is irrelevant to the quality of the water supplied at the taps 2a to 2e.
• HX heat exchanger
• the primary heating section 12 there is a primary flow regulator 14 and an optional auxiliary heater 15.
• the auxiliary heater 15 can, for example, be an electric instantaneous water heater.
• two control devices 16a and 16b are arranged in the exemplary embodiment, which, for example, control the remote control units 3a and 3d according to Figure 1 are assigned. Of course, further control devices may be present in the secondary drinking water area 13, for example for the remote control units 3b and 3c. These are shown in the diagram for the sake of simplicity. Figure 2 However, this is not shown.
• the first control unit 16a is a control unit for a single dispensing point, for example dispensing point 2a.
• the second control unit 16b is a control unit for connecting two taps 2, such as taps 2d and 2e of the shower cubicle 4.
• all active components of the drinking water supply station 10 are integrated into a housing 20 or arranged on a common mounting frame.
• the active components are controlled by a central electronic control unit 17 (ECU).
• the remote control units 3 are coupled to the ECU directly or indirectly via a radio link, for example, via a base station connected to the drinking water supply station 10.
• a remote control unit 3 can also be integrated into the ECU.
• Figure 2 A wired interface not shown may be provided.
• the exchange of control signals can also take place from the individual control devices 16 to the control device 17 and not, as in the Figure 2 shown in the opposite direction.
• the drinking water supply station 10 includes a first connection 21 for connection to the flow line 7 of the building installation.
• the drinking water supply station 10 can be connected to a hot water supply line of a heat pump with a flow temperature of 38 to 45 °C.
• a quantity of the hot water supplied to the water-to-water heat exchanger 11 via the first connection 21 is distributed via the The primary flow regulator 14 is controlled by the control device 17 using suitable control signals. The more heat energy is required in the secondary domestic hot water zone 13, the further the primary flow regulator 14 opens. If no hot water is drawn from the secondary side, the control device 17 usually closes the primary flow regulator 14 completely.
• a hot water flow on the secondary side of 15 °C (flow regulator 14 closed) to 40 °C (flow regulator 14 fully open) can be achieved by regulating the primary hot water flow through the heat exchanger 11.
• the electronic control device 17 additionally activates the auxiliary heater 15. With simultaneous activation of the auxiliary heater 15 and full opening of the flow regulator 14, a secondary-side hot water flow of, for example, 60°C can be achieved at the heat exchanger.
• the auxiliary heater 15 is arranged downstream of the flow regulator 14 in the primary heating circuit. Therefore, it is not necessary for the auxiliary heater 15 to meet the stringent requirements of the Drinking Water Ordinance or similar legal requirements.
• the auxiliary heater 15 can also be used to heat the water exchanger 11 regularly and briefly. This allows, for example, an automatic disinfection program to prevent or reduce contamination. Legionella contamination of the sanitary installation 1 is implemented by the control device.
• the hot water After passing through the water-to-water heat exchanger 11, the hot water, which has been passed through by the primary flow regulator 14 and, if necessary, further heated by the auxiliary heater 15, flows back to the heat source via a second connection 22 for the return flow at a reduced temperature.
• Cold drinking water is supplied to the drinking water supply station 10 via a third connection 23 in the secondary drinking water area 13.
• the drinking water provided typically has a relatively low temperature, for example 15 °C.
• the drinking water supply station 10 has a plurality of drinking water connections 24a to 24c, which are connected, for example, to the taps 2a, 2d and 2e of the sanitary installation 1 according to Figure 1
• the drinking water connections 24 are hydraulically connected.
• the drinking water flows supplied via the drinking water connections 24 are regulated by the associated control devices 16 with regard to their temperature and/or volume flow rate. In the exemplary embodiment, regulation of both the flow rate and the temperature is possible. In other embodiments, it is also possible for only one of the two quantities to be regulated by the respective control device 16.
• the inlet valve 18 can be configured as a diverter or mixing valve. It serves, firstly, to selectively supply cold water directly from the third connection 23 or hot water from the heat exchanger 11 to the corresponding potable water connection 24. If the hot water temperature supplied by the heat exchanger 11 is above a desired setpoint temperature and the inlet valve 18 is configured as a mixing valve, the hot water supplied by the heat exchanger 11 can be cooled to the desired setpoint temperature by mixing in a corresponding amount of cold water. If only potable cold water or only unmixed potable hot water directly from the heat exchanger 11 is to be supplied to the corresponding potable water connection 24, the inlet valve 18 can be omitted.
• the outlet valve 19 is designed as an adjustable proportional valve or flow regulator. It serves in particular to set a desired flow rate or a desired quantity of water.
• an adjustable proportional valve it is also possible in other embodiments to provide a simple shut-off or solenoid valve. In this case, the flow to the corresponding tap can only be switched on and off by the outlet valve 19.
• the water pressure then essentially corresponds to the water pressure of the drinking water line 9, and the corresponding flow rate is determined by the shape of the outlet fitting or by pressure regulators installed in the line.
• Such a design is suitable, for example, for hand basins where a water flow with a predetermined temperature and flow rate can simply be switched on and off, or for a The predetermined time period after activation is to be provided, as is common practice in public restrooms, for example.
• a conventional control valve such as an integrated valve insert of a conventional faucet
• the outlet-side valve 19 can also be omitted.
• the primary flow regulator 14 and, optionally, the auxiliary heater 11, as well as the control devices 16, in particular their valves 18 and 19 in the exemplary embodiment, are shown, all intelligently controlled by the electronic control device 17.
• the control device 17 calculates an ideal, i.e., generally the lowest possible, setpoint temperature for the secondary outlet of the water-to-water heat exchanger 11 based on the water temperature of the supply line 7 and the desired setpoint temperatures of all remote control units 3, and controls the primary flow regulator 14 and, if necessary, the auxiliary heater 11 accordingly.
• the flow regulator 14 is opened only to the extent that this temperature, possibly plus any thermal losses through the pipes 5, is just reached at the secondary outlet of the water exchanger 11. Mixing the supplied hot water with cold water via the inlet valves 18 is not necessary in these cases. With variable flow rates, the opening degree of the primary flow regulator 14 also depends on the water flows through the individual outlet valves 19. If several hot water flows with different target temperatures are requested, the
• the water temperature at the secondary outlet of the water exchanger 11 is set so that tap 2 can be supplied with the highest required setpoint temperature without mixing.
• the control devices 16 for all other taps 2 are then controlled so that appropriate quantities of cold water are mixed in via the inlet valves to achieve the desired setpoint temperature.
• connection-specific profile data can also be stored.
• the control device 16d is configured to recognize a drinking water connection 24 for a shower cubicle 4.
• a corresponding profile 25d is limited to a maximum hot water temperature of 40 °C.
• other parameters such as a minimum temperature, a preferred or start temperature, a minimum, preferred, or maximum flow rate, or the like, can also be stored in one of the tap-specific profiles 25a to 25d.
• This data can be preset either via the corresponding remote control unit 3a to 3d or via a central administration interface of the drinking water supply station 10 (not shown in the figures) and stored, for example, in the individual remote control units 3a to 3d or the electronic control device 17.
• the control devices 16 and/or the control device 17 can optionally be designed such that at an associated dispensing point 2, in particular a conventional fitting with a built-in mechanical outlet valve, Cold drinking water is provided as long as hot water is not actively requested by an associated remote control unit 3.
• the inlet valve 18 can establish a direct connection to the third connection 23 without a corresponding hot water request signal. If no inlet diverter or mixing valve 18 is provided in the control devices 16, cold water can be drawn at least as long as the primary flow regulator 14 is closed and thus no heat energy is transferred from the primary heating area 12 to the secondary drinking water area 13.
• the Figures 3A and 3B The diagrams show possible configurations of the remote control units 3a and 3d for installation near the respective dispensing points 2a and 2d and 2e, respectively.
• the diagrams in the Figure 3A The first remote control unit 3a shown is particularly suitable for installation at simple dispensing points, such as a tap in the area of a washbasin.
• the first remote control unit 3a comprises a first control element 31 for starting or stopping a water flow.
• the remote control unit 3a comprises a second control element 32 and a third control element 33 for increasing or decreasing the flow rate.
• the remote control unit 3a comprises a fourth control element 34 and a fifth control element 34 for increasing or decreasing the temperature of the supplied water.
• the alternative, second 3D remote control unit according to Figure 3B additionally features three selector switches 36 to 38, by means of which different output connections or Outlets 2d and 2e can be selected.
• a remote control unit 3d is suitable, for example, for shower cubicles 4 with multiple shower installations, such as a top-mounted shower head and an additional hand shower.
• either a first outlet 2d, a second outlet 2e, or a combination of both outlets 2d and 2e can be selected via the selector switches 36 to 38.
• other application scenarios are also possible, such as selecting one of three alternative outlets.
• the second remote control unit 30 includes a display unit 39, which can, for example, display the currently selected setpoint temperature.
• a display unit 39 can also be integrated into the first remote control unit 3a.
• the operating elements 31 to 38 in both remote control units 3a and 3d can be illuminated and/or designed as status indicators.
• the remote control units 3 described above provide purely digital control of the water flows supplied via the respective taps 2.
• a corresponding temperature or flow sensor in the vicinity of the taps 2 is not required.
• all sensors and actuators available for controlling the overall system can be integrated into the drinking water supply station 10.
• this includes, in addition to the actuators described above, in particular the inlet-side flow and Temperature sensors as well as output-side temperature and flow sensors integrated into the respective control devices 16a to 16d.
• further sensors can be provided in the reheater 15 and/or at the inlets and/or outlets of the water heat exchanger 11 to monitor the operation and actual water flows and temperatures within the drinking water supply station 10 and to control them as required.
• a sanitary installation can be fully integrated into a so-called smart home.
• the control system is completely shifted from a conventional, mechanical or hydraulic domain to an electronic one. Therefore, the described system is especially suitable for developing advanced application scenarios that are currently difficult to implement with conventional sanitary installations.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Domestic Hot-Water Supply Systems And Details Of Heating Systems (AREA)

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• 2024
  • 2024-04-23 DE DE102024111354.5A patent/DE102024111354A1/de active Pending
• 2025
  • 2025-04-17 EP EP25171141.2A patent/EP4640962A1/fr active Pending

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