Device for preparing water with a collection device

Abstract

The present document proposes a device for preparing water, comprising a water heating device with a supply pipe and, connected thereto, a first feed pipe for conveying hot and / or boiling-hot water and a second feed pipe for conveying cold and / or carbonated water, wherein the first and second feed pipes discharge, via a connection point, into a common delivery pipe which ends in a water outlet, this device, after delivery of hot water, preventing drips and additionally providing protection from scalding in the event of subsequent delivery of cold water. In addition, in the event of a rapid change from hot water delivery to cold water delivery, a user will demand that cold water be delivered immediately, without the need to discard any hot water remaining in the pipe. According to the invention, this is achieved by providing, in the first feed pipe or in the supply pipe, a collection device for draining the delivery pipe when the flow of water in the first feed pipe is stopped, and the collection device can be filled with the water from the delivery pipe.

Description

"Device for preparing water with a collection device" The invention relates to a device for preparing water as claimed in the preamble of claim 1. Prior art: The requirements for fixtures and fittings in housings or apartments are becoming increasingly high, and multifunctionality is increasingly prioritized. This trend does not stop with kitchens and the built-in modules thereof. Water systems which are able to deliver prepared water of very different types are installed in many modern kitchens: from filtered, extra-chilled water up to and including boiling water. Occasionally, carbonation systems are also installed so that carbonated water may be drawn off directly from the faucet. The faucets used in this case often have only a single water outlet with a common pipe for the water which has been prepared in different ways. Normal mains water which has not been filtered or prepared is generally conducted to the outlet through a separate pipe. Previous systems with a common pipe for chilled and hot or boiling water have an increased risk of scalding since hot water remains in the common delivery pipe after a delivery of hot water, which on the one hand may lead to drips and on the other hand the hot water is delivered first out of the pipe with a subsequent delivery of cold water. Additionally, in the event of a rapid change from a hot water delivery to a cold water delivery, the user will demand that cold water be delivered immediately and not the hot or virtually boiling water standing in the pipe which, on the one hand, as mentioned above may result in scalding and, on the other hand, has to be discarded, whereby unnecessary water wastage is generated. Object and advantages of the invention: The object of the invention is accordingly to propose a device for preparing water which, on the one hand, after a delivery of hot water prevents drips and provides an additional protection from scalding in the event of a subsequent delivery of cold water. Proceeding from a device for preparing water of the type mentioned in the introduction, this object is achieved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention are made possible by means of the measures mentioned in the subclaims. Accordingly, a device for preparing water according to the invention is characterized in that a collection device is provided in the first feed pipe or in the supply pipe for draining the delivery pipe when a flow of water in the first feed pipe is stopped, and the collection device can be filled with the water from the delivery pipe and optionally also with water which is still standing in the first feed pipe. After a stoppage in the delivery and a stoppage in the water flow associated therewith, the water generally remaining in the delivery pipe may be at least partially removed from the delivery pipe by means of such a collection device, such that dripping is prevented, since the water column is spatially removed from the outlet opening. According to the invention, a risk of scalding may be lowered by reducing the remaining water quantity in the delivery pipe, up to and including the complete emptying of the delivery pipe. The less water remaining in the delivery pipe, the lower the risk of scalding after a delivery of hot water since the water cools more rapidly over time. In principle, a differentiation is made between so-called closed systems or boiler systems when a valve for shutting off the pipe is placed in the first feed pipe in the direction of the water outlet. In the case of open systems, the valve has to be in the supply pipe and not in the first feed pipe in the direction of the faucet, i.e. with an open system generally steam or hot water droplets may escape. The device according to the invention, however, is characterized in that in principle it is applicable to open and closed systems. In particular in an open system, two variants of the invention are conceivable, namely a variant with a collection device in the first feed pipe, as in the closed system, or with a collection device in the supply pipe which leads to the water heating device. In the last- mentioned case, the water flowing back may also be collected from the delivery pipe via the water heating device, wherein the water flowing back may flow initially into the water heating device before it passes into the collection device. The delivery of chilled water and / or carbonated water is also possible via a second feed pipe. Moreover, according to the invention a collection device may be arranged in the second feed pipe. After a supply of cold water, cold water is removed from the delivery pipe, whereby with a subsequent hot water delivery, less water has to be discarded before water is able to be taken at the desired high temperature, whereby the water consumption is reduced and as a result resources, costs and the environment are conserved. After the process of drawing off carbonated water, in principle the pipe may be flushed briefly with cold water so that no more carbonated water remains in the delivery pipe. This means that only cold water passes into the collection device. It is particularly advantageous if the collection device is configured such that at least the water volume of the delivery pipe may be collected therein. As a result, all of the water may be taken from the delivery pipe, whereby the discarding of water is reduced to a minimum before the water 1s delivered at the desired temperature. Resources, costs and the environment may thus be efficiently conserved. According to the invention, the collection device has a return device by which the water is able to be returned into the pipe system, in particular the supply pipe, the first or the second feed pipe, i.e. not permanently stored or even discarded. Water which has been previously taken from the delivery pipe is thus actively used and does not necessarily have to be discarded unused. According to the invention this return device comprises a Venturi nozzle. If water is conveyed via the supply pipe or the first feed pipe or second feed pipe through the Venturi nozzle, a vacuum 1s generated in a reservoir which is connected to the pipe, the water stored in the reservoir being suctioned out by said vacuum and being supplied to the water flow in the first feed pipe or second feed pipe or the supply pipe. Such a return device acts positively on the consumption, and the saving of resources and costs and the environmental friendliness of the system. Moreover, a passive emptying from the diaphragm expansion tank may be facilitated so that no active mechanism has to be supplied with energy. In a particularly preferred development of the invention, the collection device comprises a diaphragm expansion tank which in combination with the Venturi nozzle represents the corresponding reservoir from which the temporarily stored water may be returned. Such a diaphragm expansion tank 1s a component which is structurally compact and which is relatively advantageous in comparison with other solutions by which the invention may be implemented. The collection volume in a diaphragm expansion tank 1s at least partially defined by a diaphragm. Water remaining in the delivery pipe as far as the first feed pipe forms, in particular, a water column, the pressure thereof acting on the diaphragm and the volume in the diaphragm expansion tank increasing so that the remaining water may be at least partially collected therein. Generally the water in the pipe presses against the diaphragm, wherein only the ambient air pressure prevails on the other side of the diaphragm. Advantageously, the volume which is provided in the diaphragm expansion tank for collection is additionally adapted to the water quantity remaining in the delivery pipe or first feed pipe. The more water remaining in the delivery pipe or first feed pipe, the higher the pressure and the more volume provided by the expansion of the diaphragm. It is also advantageous if the collection device is coupled to the pipe in which the collected water is to be returned via a return device, which is configured as a Venturi nozzle and which is arranged in the first feed pipe or even the supply pipe, or which is connected to the first feed pipe or supply pipe. In principle, an arrangement of the Venturi nozzle in the second feed pipe is also correspondingly possible, provided the collection device is to be connected thereto. If water flows in such an arrangement through a Venturi nozzle, a vacuum is produced so that the water is conveyed out of the collection device into the pipe in which the Venturi nozzle is arranged, and is carried with the water flowing therein to the water outlet via the delivery pipe. A return of the collected water may thus take place immediately with the next conveyance of water through the first feed pipe or supply pipe. The collection device is thus emptied and prepared for refilling after the water flow 1s stopped. Such an embodiment reduces the water consumption and conserves resources, costs and the environment since, for example, a pump which requires a separate power supply may also be dispensed with. The return device may additionally be operated practically without any maintenance. In an advantageous embodiment, the collection device is arranged in the vertical direction below or in the same plane as the connection point, wherein the delivery pipe and the water outlet are located in the vertical direction above the connection point, so that a return flow of the water from the delivery pipe may be created by the force of gravity. In this case, the higher the water outlet 1s located relative to the collection device, the more powerfully the force of gravity causes a return flow of the water. A passive emptying from the diaphragm expansion tank may be facilitated by such an arrangement, so that no active mechanism has to be supplied with energy. Preferably, the second feed pipe is arranged on a water cooling system in order to convey chilled water via the feed pipe and the delivery pipe. Advantageously, the supply pipe or the first feed pipe or the second feed pipe has a valve, in particular a solenoid valve, so that the flow of hot water and cold water may be controlled; the system is closed or otherwise open depending on whether the first feed pipe may be closed with a valve, so that the delivery pipe may be disconnected from the water heating device. Relative to the water heating device which, depending on the embodiment, may also deliver hot water up to 100°C (namely for preparing tea and other hot beverages), this shut-off option in a closed system ensures that boiling water, steam or the like accidentally passes into the delivery pipe. Preferably, a carbonator for supplying carbonated water is provided on the second feed pipe with a valve, in particular a solenoid valve, in order to be able to improve the multifunctionality of the device further. An arrangement in which the valve, in particular a solenoid valve, is arranged upstream of the collection device in the direction of flow is advantageous, since in this sequence it may be ensured that the water may be collected by the collection device from the delivery pipe or first feed pipe after the water flow is stopped by closing the valve. The water heating device, as already set forth above, may be configured as an open or closed system. In principle, the water heating device may be fed via a supply pipe. A corresponding pipe may also be used in order to connect a pressure relief valve so that in the event of overpressure prevailing in the water heating device this overpressure may be reduced, by steam being able to be discharged to the environment or into a dedicated tank or a dedicated pipe. However, closed systems which provide a corresponding expansion volume may also be used. Exemplary embodiments: Exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are described hereinafter in more detail with reference to the figures. In detail: figure 1 shows a schematic construction of a water preparation device in the form of a closed system in which a collection device and a valve are arranged on the first feed pipe, figure 2 shows a schematic construction of a water preparation device in the form of an open system in which a collection device is arranged on the first feed pipe and a valve is arranged on the supply pipe and figure 3 shows a further schematic construction of a water preparation device in the form of an open system in which a collection device and a valve are arranged on the supply pipe. In figure 1 a water preparation device 1 is shown in the form of a closed system in which a first feed pipe 2 for conveying hot water and a second feed pipe 3 for conveying cold and / or carbonated water discharge, via a connection point 4, into a common delivery pipe 5 which ends in a water outlet 6. In this case, the connection point 4 and the water outlet 6 are oriented toward one another with a vertical height difference 7. A water heating device 8 is also arranged on the first feed pipe 2, sald water heating device being fed via a supply pipe 9 arranged thereon. A water cooling system 10 is arranged on the second feed pipe 3. A delivery of cold water may be controlled via a valve 11, in particular a solenoid valve, which is arranged in the second feed pipe 3. It is also conceivable to supply carbonated water by means of a carbonator 12 on the second feed pipe 3 which is controlled via a valve 13. The modules for supplying carbonated water are shown here in dashed lines. Different options are conceivable: for example only cold or only carbonated water may be supplied via the second feed pipe 3. However, both options may be installed together as alternative conveying options for the user. In the first feed pipe 2 the water heating device 8 may be disconnected from the delivery pipe 5 via a valve 14 in the first feed pipe 2 (closed system). Via a return device 15 in the form of a Venturi nozzle, a collection device 16 in the form of a diaphragm expansion tank is connected to the first feed pipe 2, said collection device being configured such that it is able to collect at least partially the water volume of the delivery pipe 5, preferably the entire water volume of the delivery pipe 5, preferably more than the water volume of the delivery pipe 5 (in particular in terms of volume, additionally the volume from the first feed pipe). An embodiment in which a return device is additionally arranged with a diaphragm expansion tank in the second feed pipe 3 for the cold and / or the carbonated water is not shown. A diaphragm expansion tank may also be provided for the carbonated water, and the water temporarily stored therein is subsequently flushed into the pipe, since generally after the process of drawing off carbonated water the pipe is in any case briefly flushed with cold water such that no more carbonated water stands in the delivery pipe. This means that only cold water passes into the collection device. If, with a delivery of hot water from the water outlet 6, the water flow is stopped by closing the valve 14, in the first moment hot water initially remains in the delivery pipe 5. By the pressure which the water column exerts in the delivery pipe 5 onto the diaphragm of the diaphragm expansion tank, this diaphragm is expanded such that water is collected in the diaphragm expansion tank and the diaphragm is expanded. This diaphragm expansion tank is configured such that it is able to collect the entire water volume of the delivery pipe 5 therein, such that subsequently no more water stands in the delivery pipe 5 above the connection point 4. As a result, with a subsequent delivery of cold water there is no risk that hot water comes out of the water outlet 6 as the first quantity of delivered water. With the next delivery of hot water, a vacuum is generated via the Venturi nozzle serving as the return device 15, the water inside the diaphragm expansion tank being suctioned by said vacuum back into the first feed pipe 2 and carried together with the water from the hot water tank to the water outlet. The diaphragm skin is generally very elastic and has little inherent tension for forcing water out of the volume. This takes place substantially via the Venturi effect. Since the valve 14 and the collection device 16 are located in the first feed pipe 2 between the water heating device 8 and the water outlet, in this case the faucet, when the water is stopped after a delivery of hot water, the water from the delivery pipe is only partially drawn back into the first feed pipe 2 and into the collection device 16. A water preparation device 1, which is constructed in the manner of the water preparation device 1 of figure 1, is shown as an open system in figure 2, wherein correspondingly a valve 14 is not arranged in the first feed pipe 2. A delivery of hot water from the water outlet 6 is controlled via a valve 14a which is arranged in the supply pipe 9. As in the water preparation device I of figure 1, if the water is stopped by closing the valve l4a after a delivery of hot water, the water from the delivery pipe is only partially collected in the first feed pipe 2 and in the collection device 16. A water preparation device 1, which is constructed in the manner of the water preparation device 1 of figure 2, is also shown as an open system in figure 3, wherein instead of being arranged in the first feed pipe 2 the collection device 16a and the return device 15a are arranged in the supply pipe 9, as is the valve 14a. Here the water volume of the delivery pipe 5 is collected in the collection device 16a via the first feed pipe 2 and the water heating device 8. In all of the figures : 3, a safety valve is arranged on the water preparation device 1, if an overpressure which is too great prevails in the tank when the water is heated. Generally in most embodiments, in the high pressure tank of a closed system there is generally a pressure safety device in the form of a pressure relief valve which is coupled directly to the drain. In the open system this is not necessary since it is indeed open, but in principle systems are also known in which a pressure relief valve is installed on the water heating device in the event that the outlet is closed (clogged or otherwise blocked). of reference numerals: Water preparation device First feed pipe Second feed pipe Connection point Delivery pipe Water outlet Vertical height difference Water heating device Supply pipe Water cooling system Valve Carbonator Valve Valve Valve Return device Return device Collection device Collection device Pressure relief valve

Claims

Claims: Le A device (1) for preparing water, comprising a water heating device (8) with a supply pipe (9) for supplying the water heating device (8) with water and a first feed pipe (2) connected to the water heating device (8) for conveying hot water and a second feed pipe (3) for conveying cold and / or carbonated water, wherein the first and the second feed pipes (2, 3) discharge, via a connection point (4), into a common delivery pipe (5) which ends in a water outlet (6), wherein a collection device (16, 16a} is provided in the first feed pipe (2) or in the supply pipe (9) for draining the delivery pipe (5) when a flow of water in the first feed pipe (2) is stopped, and the collection device (16, 16a) can be filled with the water from the delivery pipe (5), characterized in that the collection device (16, 16a) has a return device (15, 15a) by which the water is able to be returned into the pipe system, in particular into the supply pipe (9) and / or into the first feed pipe (2) and / or the second feed pipe (3). Zw The device (1) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a further collection device (16) is arranged in the second feed pipe (3).

3. The device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collection device (16, 16a) is configured such that at least the water volume of the delivery pipe (5) may be collected therein. 4, The device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collection device (16, 16a) comprises a diaphragm expansion tank which comprises a diaphragm which may be expanded as a result of the pressure in the pipe system in order to increase the collection volume.

5. The device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collection device (16, 16a) and / or the return device (15, 15a) has a Venturi nozzle, » which is arranged in the first feed pipe (2) and / or is connected to the first feed pipe (2) and / or which 1s arranged in the second feed pipe (3) and / or is connected to the second feed pipe (3) and / or which is arranged in the supply pipe (9) and / or is connected to the supply pipe (9).

6. The device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collection device (16, 16a) 1s arranged in the vertical direction, in particular in the direction of the force of gravity, below or in the same plane as the connection point (4), wherein the delivery pipe (5) and the water outlet (6) are located in the vertical direction, in particular in the direction of the force of gravity, above the connection point (4) and a vertical height difference (7) is formed between the water outlet (6) and the connection point (4) so that a return flow of the water from the delivery pipe (5) may be formed by the force of gravity.

7. The device (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second feed pipe (3) is connected to a water cooling system (10) and / or a carbonator for supplying carbonated water.

8. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supply pipe and / or the first feed pipe and / or the second feed pipe has a valve, in particular a solenoid valve.

9. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that: the valve (14, 14a) is arranged so as to be connected upstream of the collection device (16, 16a) and / or the return device (15, 15a) in the direction of flow and / or the valve (14) is connected between the water heating device (8), on the one hand, and the collection device (16) and / or the return device (15), on the other hand, wherein in particular the valve (14) and the collection device (16) and / or the return device (15) are connected to the first feed pipe (2), and / or the valve (l4a), on the one hand, and the collection device (16) and / or the return device (15), on the other hand, are respectively connected in different pipes, in particular the valve (l4a) is connected in the supply pipe (9), on the one hand, and the collection device (16) and / or the return device (15) is connected in the first feed pipe (2), on the other hand, and / or the collection device (16a) and / or the return device (15a) is connected between the valve (l4a) and the water heating device (8), wherein in particular the valve (l4a) and the collection device (16a) and / or the return device (15a) are connected to the supply pipe (9).

10. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) is configured for preparing water and / or the water heating device is configured as an open or closed system.

11. The device as claimed in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection point is configured as a T-piece (4).

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