Device integrating drinking and washing functions for railway vehicle

Abstract

The invention provides a device integrating water drinking and washing functions for a railway vehicle. The device comprises a controller, a filtering system, a water drinking system and a washing system. The filtering system comprises a water source control electromagnetic valve, a PP cotton filtering device and a reverse osmosis device which are connected in sequence; the drinking water system comprises a cold water tank and a hot water tank which are connected with a purified water outlet of the reverse osmosis device through a purified water supply electromagnetic valve, the cold water tank is provided with a direct drinking water outlet electromagnetic valve, and the hot water tank is provided with a heating pipe and a hot water tank water outlet electromagnetic valve; the washing system comprises a washing water tank connected with a wastewater outlet of the reverse osmosis device and a washing water heating tank connected with an outlet of the washing water tank; the washing water heating tank is tightly attached to one side wall of the hot water tank through a heat conduction structure; and an outlet of the washing water heating tank is connected to an induction faucet through a washing water tank drainage electromagnetic valve. Functional integration and space saving are achieved, water resources are efficiently utilized, energy is saved, and cost is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of on-board equipment technology for rail vehicles, and in particular relates to a device that integrates drinking water and handwashing functions for rail vehicles. Background Technology

[0002] In existing rail vehicles (such as trains and high-speed trains), passengers' drinking water and washing needs are usually met by two separate systems: electric water heaters and washrooms.

[0003] Electric water heaters boil water using an internal heating element to provide hot water for passengers, but their function is limited. Providing drinking water typically requires a complex purification system, which generates wastewater and wastes water resources, especially given the limited availability of onboard water. On the other hand, restrooms usually have independent warm water tanks that heat water to a suitable temperature for washing. Maintaining this temperature requires intermittent heating, consuming electricity. Furthermore, additional overheat protection devices are needed to prevent overheating, leading to more components, increased costs, system complexity, and a higher failure rate.

[0004] In addition, these two systems need to be installed separately in the vehicle, which takes up a lot of space and is not conducive to the optimal layout of the vehicle space.

[0005] Therefore, existing technologies suffer from problems such as water waste, high energy consumption, complex system configuration, large space occupation, and high overall cost. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention aims to solve the problems of the prior art mentioned above, thereby providing a device for integrating drinking water and washing functions in rail vehicles. Through integrated design, the drinking water and washing functions are unified, improving the utilization efficiency of water resources and energy, simplifying the system structure, and reducing costs and failure rates.

[0007] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides a device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles, including a controller, a filtration system, a drinking water system, and a handwashing system.

[0008] The filtration system includes a water source control solenoid valve, a PP cotton filter device, and a reverse osmosis device connected in sequence.

[0009] The drinking water system includes a cold water tank and a hot water tank connected to the purified water outlet of the reverse osmosis device via a purified water supply solenoid valve. The cold water tank is equipped with a direct drinking water outlet solenoid valve, and the hot water tank is equipped with a heating element and a hot water outlet solenoid valve.

[0010] The washing system includes a wash water tank connected to the wastewater outlet of the reverse osmosis device, and a wash water heating tank connected to the outlet of the wash water tank; the wash water heating tank is tightly fitted to one side wall of the hot water tank through a heat-conducting structure for passively heating the wash water through heat conduction; the outlet of the wash water heating tank is connected to a sensor faucet through a wash water tank drain solenoid valve.

[0011] Furthermore, the hot water tank is equipped with a hot water tank level sensor and a temperature sensor, wherein the hot water tank level sensor is a reed switch level gauge with high, medium and low level detection.

[0012] The controller is configured to: control the heating element to work when the hot water tank level sensor detects a liquid level of 1 or above and the temperature sensor detects a water temperature lower than the set temperature; and stop heating when the water temperature reaches the set temperature.

[0013] Furthermore, a condenser is connected to the top of the hot water tank via a pipe, which is used to condense the steam generated during heating and boiling into liquid water and discharge it.

[0014] Furthermore, the washing water heating box is a flat rectangular stainless steel box, which is tightly fitted to the side wall of the hot water tank by means of cold-proof material.

[0015] Furthermore, the cold water tank is equipped with a cold water tank level sensor and a TDS water quality detector;

[0016] The controller is configured to: when the cold water tank level sensor detects a low level, control the opening of the water source control solenoid valve and the purified water supply solenoid valve to replenish water.

[0017] Furthermore, it also includes a child lock button, a hot water dispensing button, and a direct drinking water dispensing button located on the water dispensing panel;

[0018] The controller is configured such that the child lock button must be pressed to activate the unlock state before hot water can be supplied by pressing the hot water outlet button within a set time window.

[0019] Furthermore, the hot water tank is equipped with an over-temperature protector, which is a disposable thermal fuse installed on the outer wall of the tank where the heating tube is located. When an over-temperature is detected, the fuse melts to cut off the heating tube circuit.

[0020] Furthermore, the washbasin tank is equipped with a washbasin tank level sensor;

[0021] The controller is configured to: when the liquid level sensor of the wash water tank detects a low liquid level, execute a forced water replenishment program, control the opening of the water source control solenoid valve and close the purified water supply solenoid valve, so that all the incoming water cleans the filter element of the reverse osmosis device and is then discharged into the wash water tank as wastewater.

[0022] Furthermore, it also includes a vent valve connected between the water source control solenoid valve and the PP cotton filter device, used to blow compressed air into the filter system to discharge stored water during antifreeze venting.

[0023] Furthermore, the hot water tank is equipped with a hot water tank drain solenoid valve, and the cold water tank is equipped with a cold water tank drain solenoid valve;

[0024] The controller is configured to: upon receiving a venting command, close the water source control solenoid valve and sequentially open the hot water tank drain solenoid valve, the cold water tank drain solenoid valve, and the wash water tank drain solenoid valve, while simultaneously opening the vent valve to introduce compressed air for system venting.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages:

[0026] Functional integration and space saving: Integrating the electric water heater and the warm water function of the washroom into one device significantly reduces the space occupied by the equipment in the vehicle.

[0027] Efficient water resource utilization: Wastewater generated by reverse osmosis filtration is collected and used for washing, avoiding waste of water resources and reducing the total demand for onboard water.

[0028] Energy recovery and energy saving: The innovative use of the hot water tank's thermal radiation to heat the washing water recovers the originally dissipated heat energy, eliminates the need for a separate heating device for the washing water and its energy consumption, and achieves energy saving.

[0029] Extend the lifespan and filtration efficiency of the filter: By combining the replenishment of washing water with the cleaning of the reverse osmosis filter element, the filter element is cleaned while replenishing water, thus extending the service life and filtration efficiency of the filter element.

[0030] Simplified structure and reduced cost: The elimination of components such as heating elements and over-temperature protectors in the hot water tank simplifies the system structure and reduces manufacturing, procurement, and maintenance costs.

[0031] High safety and reliability: Since there are no electrical heating elements in the wash water heating box, the safety risks such as overheating and dry burning caused by washing water heating are fundamentally eliminated. The failure rate is low and the maintenance requirements are minimal throughout the entire life cycle. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions into rail vehicles according to the present invention;

[0033] The components include: 1. Controller; 2. Water source control solenoid valve; 3. Vent valve; 4. PP cotton filter device; 5. Reverse osmosis device; 6. Purified water supply solenoid valve; 7. Direct drinking water outlet solenoid valve; 8. Cold water tank; 9. Cold water tank level sensor; 10. Condenser; 11. Hot water tank; 12. Hot water tank level sensor; 13. Temperature sensor; 14. Heating element; 15. Over-temperature protector; 16. Hot water tank outlet solenoid valve; 17. Hot water tank drain solenoid valve; 18. Cold water tank drain solenoid valve; 19. Washbasin water tank; 20. Washbasin water tank level sensor; 21. Washbasin water heating tank; 22. Washbasin water tank drain solenoid valve; 23. Sensor faucet; 24. TDS water quality detector; 25. Child lock button; 26. Hot water outlet button; 27. Direct drinking water outlet button; 28. Indicator light. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To better understand the purpose, structure, and function of this invention, the following detailed description of a device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is provided.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 An external water supply pipe is connected to the inlet of the PP cotton filter device 4 via a water source control solenoid valve 2, and the outlet of the PP cotton filter device 4 is connected to the inlet of the reverse osmosis device 5. The PP cotton filter device 4 is used to filter out large particles of impurities such as silt and rust from the water. The water source control solenoid valve 2 controls the water supply between the water source and the filter device. The water source is pressurized; when the water source control solenoid valve is open, water is supplied, and when it is closed, water supply is stopped. An air vent valve 3 is connected between the water source control solenoid valve 2 and the PP cotton filter device 4, and is used to blow air into the filter device during antifreeze venting to allow the liquid inside the filter device to drain. The PP cotton filter device 4 is used for primary filtration of the supplied water.

[0036] The reverse osmosis unit 5 has two outlets: the purified water outlet is connected to the inlet of the cold water tank 8 and the hot water tank 11 respectively through the purified water supply solenoid valve 6; the wastewater outlet is connected to the inlet of the wash water tank 19.

[0037] A cold water tank level sensor 9 is installed in the middle of the side of the cold water tank 8. A TDS water quality detector 24 is immersed inside the tank. The tank has two outlets: one provides drinking water to passengers through a drinking water solenoid valve 7, and the other is equipped with a cold water tank drain solenoid valve 18. The cold water tank drain solenoid valve 18 is used to control the drainage of the cold water tank 8. When the controller 1 issues a drain command, the cold water tank drain solenoid valve 18 opens to drain water. When the clean water level in the cold water tank 8 is lower than the sensor position, it outputs a signal to the controller 1. The controller then controls the water source control solenoid valve 2 and the clean water supply solenoid valve 6 to open, replenishing water into the cold water tank 8.

[0038] The hot water tank 11 is made of stainless steel and has a hot water tank level sensor 12 (usually with high, medium, and low settings) installed on the top, using a reed switch level gauge. A temperature sensor 13 is inserted into the lower middle part of the tank's side wall, and a heating element 14 is located at the bottom of the tank. A mechanical over-temperature protector 15, a one-time thermal fuse, is installed on the outer wall of the tank, close to the area where the heating element 14 is located. The top of the hot water tank 11 is connected to the condenser 10 via a pipe, condensing the steam generated during heating and boiling into liquid water that returns to the tank, preventing steam escape and energy loss. One hot water outlet of the hot water tank 11 supplies hot water to passengers via a solenoid valve 16, while the other outlet is equipped with a hot water tank drain solenoid valve 17. The hot water tank drain solenoid valve 17 controls the drainage of the hot water tank 11; when the controller 1 issues a drain command, the hot water tank drain solenoid valve 17 opens to drain the water.

[0039] A water level sensor 20 is located at the bottom of the washbasin tank 19, and its outlet is connected to the washbasin heating tank 21 via a pipe. The washbasin heating tank 21 is a flat, rectangular stainless steel tank that is tightly fitted to a large side wall of the hot water tank 11 via a thermally conductive silicone pad, forming an efficient heat conduction interface. The outlet of the washbasin heating tank 21 is connected to the sensor faucet 23 via a washbasin drain solenoid valve 22.

[0040] The water dispensing panel is equipped with a child lock button 25, a hot water dispensing button 26, a drinking water dispensing button 27, and an indicator light 28. Child lock button 25: A self-locking button with LED indicator. Hot water dispensing button 26: A normally open, intermittent button. Drinking water dispensing button 27: A normally open, intermittent button. Indicator light 28: A combination indicator light module containing four LED indicators: "Power (solid green)," "Heating (solid yellow)," "Water shortage alarm (solid red)," and "TDS exceeding standard (solid red)."

[0041] All of the above-mentioned level sensors, temperature sensors, solenoid valves, sensor faucets, and components on the water inlet panel are electrically connected to controller 1.

[0042] The controller 1 is pre-installed with a control program, and its working logic is as follows:

[0043] Initial power-on and self-test

[0044] After the system is powered on, the "Power" indicator light 28 illuminates. Controller 1 reads the status of each level sensor and temperature sensor, etc. If any water tank is at a low level, controller 1 will attempt to initiate a water replenishment process. If a fault is detected during self-test (such as conflicting level signals, open circuit in the temperature sensor, etc.), controller 1 will enter fault mode and may indicate this by flashing a specific code on the indicator light.

[0045] Drinking water mode

[0046] Drinking water dispensing: Passengers directly press the drinking water dispensing button 27. Upon receiving the signal, controller 1 immediately opens solenoid valve 7, allowing purified water to flow from cold water tank 8. Releasing the button closes solenoid valve 7. This process does not involve liquid level detection.

[0047] Hot water dispenser and child lock:

[0048] Passengers must first press the child lock button 25, which will illuminate the LED indicator on controller 1 and open a 3-second timer window.

[0049] Within 3 seconds, the passenger presses the hot water outlet button 26, and the controller 1 opens the solenoid valve 16 to dispense hot water.

[0050] Release the hot water dispensing button 26 to stop the water flow. However, if you press the hot water dispensing button 26 again within the next 3 seconds, the water will continue to flow without having to operate the child lock button again. This design makes it easy to fill a cup with water.

[0051] If the child lock button 25 is pressed again or there is no operation within 3 seconds, the child lock status will be deactivated.

[0052] Automatic water replenishment and heating circulation

[0053] Cold water tank replenishment: When the cold water tank level sensor 9 detects that the cold water tank 8 level is lower than the set position, it sends a signal to the controller 1. The controller 1 then opens solenoid valves 2 and 6, and pressurized water, after filtration, replenishes the cold water tank 8. When the cold water tank 8 level recovers and the low level signal disappears, the controller 1 closes solenoid valves 2 and 6.

[0054] Hot water tank replenishment and heating:

[0055] Water replenishment conditions: When the "high" liquid level point of the hot water tank level sensor 12 is not triggered, the controller 1 will fill the cold water tank with water and then enter the hot water tank until the "high" liquid level point is triggered.

[0056] Heating conditions: This is a complex logic. Controller 1 will only supply power to heating element 14 when both of the following conditions are met simultaneously:

[0057] a) The "middle" level of the hot water tank level sensor 12 has been triggered (indicating sufficient water volume to prevent dry burning). b) The temperature sensor 13 has detected a water temperature below 95°C (e.g., 93°C).

[0058] Stop heating: When the temperature sensor 13 detects that the water temperature has reached 95°C, the controller 1 cuts off the power to the heating element 14.

[0059] Fault diagnosis: If the liquid level sensor 12 has been triggered at a high liquid level but not at a low liquid level, the controller 1 determines that the hot water tank liquid level sensor 12 is faulty, the "heating" indicator light flashes and heating and water replenishment are prohibited.

[0060] Washing water system operation

[0061] Wastewater collection: Wastewater generated during any water production process by the reverse osmosis unit 5 will automatically flow into the wash water tank 19.

[0062] Heating the wash water: This is a completely passive process. When the hot water tank 11 is working, its outer wall temperature is typically between 50-70℃. Through close-fitting heat conduction, the water inside the wash water heating tank 21 is continuously and slowly heated. Due to the low temperature of the heat source and the limited heat exchange area, the wash water eventually stabilizes within a safe temperature range (approximately 35-45℃), making it ideal for washing and eliminating any risk of overheating.

[0063] Water supply for washing: When a passenger places their hand under the sensor faucet 23, the sensor is triggered, and the controller 1 opens the solenoid valve of the sensor faucet 23, and warm water flows out.

[0064] Automatic wastewater replenishment: When the water level in the washbasin tank 19 is too low, the water level sensor 20 is triggered, and the controller 1 executes a special "forced water production / flushing" program: opening solenoid valve 2 and closing solenoid valve 6. At this time, all the incoming water flows through the reverse osmosis unit 5 and is discharged as wastewater, which quickly replenishes the water in the washbasin tank 19 and also flushes the RO membrane, which is beneficial to the membrane's lifespan. When the water level sensor 20 returns to normal, the program ends.

[0065] Safety and Protection Subsystem

[0066] Level 1 over-temperature protection: implemented by controller 1 and temperature sensor 13, with a set value of 95℃.

[0067] Level 2 Over-temperature Protection: Implemented by over-temperature protector 15, it is a hardware redundancy safety measure. When controller 1 fails, causing continuous heating and the local temperature of the water tank reaches 115℃, over-temperature protector 15 melts, permanently cutting off the main circuit of the heating element to ensure safety.

[0068] Water shortage protection: Controller 1 continuously monitors the liquid level signal. If the cold water tank level sensor 9 reports a low liquid level for more than 60 seconds, or the "low" liquid level point of the hot water tank level sensor 12 is not triggered for more than 60 seconds, the system is determined to be short of water, the "water shortage" alarm light is lit, and the heating element is disabled.

[0069] Water quality protection: The TDS water quality detector monitors the system 24 / 7. If the TDS value continues to exceed the set threshold (e.g., 30 ppm), it indicates that the RO membrane may be malfunctioning or the pretreatment is insufficient. Controller 1 will illuminate the "TDS Exceeds Standard" alarm light to indicate that maintenance is required, but the system will not shut down.

[0070] System maintenance and antifreeze mode

[0071] When trains enter winter operation or need to be parked for a long time, maintenance personnel can trigger a purging command through the vehicle management system or locally.

[0072] Controller 1 first shuts off the water source control solenoid valve 2.

[0073] Then, open all the drain valves in sequence: hot water tank drain solenoid valve 17, cold water tank drain solenoid valve 18, and washbasin tank drain solenoid valve 22.

[0074] Finally, open the vent valve 3 to introduce compressed air from the vehicle into the water supply line, and purge the water in the PP cotton filter device 4, reverse osmosis device 5, and each connecting pipe in turn.

[0075] After purging is complete, the system closes all valves and enters a dormant state.

[0076] Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this invention should be included within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles, comprising a controller (1), a filtration system, a drinking water system, and a handwashing system, characterized in that: The filtration system includes a water source control solenoid valve (2), a PP cotton filter device (4), and a reverse osmosis device (5) connected in sequence; The drinking water system includes a cold water tank (8) and a hot water tank (11) connected to the purified water outlet of the reverse osmosis device (5) via a purified water supply solenoid valve (6). The cold water tank (8) is equipped with a direct drinking water outlet solenoid valve (7), and the hot water tank (11) is equipped with a heating tube (14) and a hot water outlet solenoid valve (16). The washing system includes a wash water tank (19) connected to the wastewater outlet of the reverse osmosis device (5), and a wash water heating tank (21) connected to the outlet of the wash water tank (19); the wash water heating tank (21) is tightly fitted to one side wall of the hot water tank (11) through a heat-conducting structure for passively heating the wash water through heat conduction; the outlet of the wash water heating tank (21) is connected to a sensor faucet (23) through a wash water tank drain solenoid valve (22).

2. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hot water tank (11) is equipped with a hot water tank level sensor (12) and a temperature sensor (13). The hot water tank level sensor (12) is a reed switch level gauge with high, medium and low level detection. The controller (1) is configured to: control the heating tube (14) to work when the hot water tank level sensor (12) detects the middle level or above and the temperature sensor (13) detects that the water temperature is lower than the set temperature; and stop heating when the water temperature reaches the set temperature.

3. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a condenser (10), which is connected to the top of the hot water tank (11) via a pipe to condense the steam generated during heating and boiling into liquid water and discharge it.

4. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The washing water heating box (21) is a flat rectangular stainless steel box, which is tightly attached to the side wall of the hot water box (11) by means of cold-proof material.

5. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cold water tank (8) is equipped with a cold water tank level sensor (9) and a TDS water quality detector (24); The controller (1) is configured to: when the cold water tank level sensor (9) detects a low level, control the opening of the water source control solenoid valve (2) and the purified water supply solenoid valve (6) to replenish water.

6. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a child lock button (25), a hot water outlet button (26), and a drinking water outlet button (27) located on the water receiving panel; The controller (1) is configured such that the child lock button (25) must be pressed first to activate the unlock state before the hot water tank outlet solenoid valve (16) can be opened to supply hot water within a set time window by pressing the hot water outlet button (26).

7. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hot water tank (11) is equipped with an overheat protector (15), which is a one-time thermal fuse installed on the outer wall of the tank where the heating tube (14) is located. When an overheat is detected, the fuse melts to cut off the heating tube circuit.

8. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wash tank (19) is equipped with a wash tank level sensor (20); The controller (1) is configured to: when the water level sensor (20) of the wash tank detects a low water level, execute a forced water replenishment program, control the opening of the water source control solenoid valve (2) and close the water purification supply solenoid valve (6), so that all the incoming water cleans the filter element of the reverse osmosis device (5) and is discharged into the wash tank (19) as wastewater.

9. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a vent valve (3), which is connected between the water source control solenoid valve (2) and the PP cotton filter device (4) to blow compressed air into the filter system to discharge the stored water when the system is evacuated to prevent freezing.

10. The device for integrating drinking water and handwashing functions in rail vehicles according to claim 1, characterized in that: The hot water tank (11) is equipped with a hot water tank drain solenoid valve (17), and the cold water tank (8) is equipped with a cold water tank drain solenoid valve (18). The controller (1) is configured to: upon receiving a venting command, control the water source control solenoid valve (2) to close, and sequentially open the hot water tank drain solenoid valve (17), the cold water tank drain solenoid valve (18), and the wash water tank drain solenoid valve (22), while simultaneously opening the vent valve (3) to introduce compressed air for system venting.

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