Water flow management system

Abstract

A water flow management system (1) comprising a valve (22) adapted to communicate with at least one water flow detector (24) for detecting a flow of water to the group of water products (40) and a group of water products (40), where the valve comprises a processor (205) adapted to process the flow of water to the group of water products (40). And a processor (205) for determining an operating state of the group of water products (40), a water flow state of the water flow detector (24), and whether a change to the water flow to the group of water products (40) is required based on the operating state and the water flow state, where the processor (205) is adapted to operate the valve (40) to achieve the required change.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of July 10, 2019, application number 201980045759.2, and invention name “Water Flow Management System”. Technical Field

[0002] The invention relates to a water flow management system. Background Art

[0003] Typically, water-using products are products that are used with water and can control at least one operating parameter associated with the water (e.g., temperature, flow, pressure, etc.). Water-using products can be connected to a water source to enable those products to operate as designed. These water-using products can be, for example, "end-of-pipe" plumbing fixtures such as faucets, urinals, tanks, showers, toilets, and "in-pipe" plumbing fixtures such as flow control valves, thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs), and water circulation pumps.

[0004] For example, water-using products can be used in one or more environments or areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, restrooms, toilets, etc. For example, these water-using products can be bathroom or kitchen products, etc., including, for example, urinals, wash basins, shower heads, faucets, and toilets. As another example, water-using products can be plumbing fixtures, etc. As yet another example, water-using products can be other types of equipment in which water is used, such as water reticulation systems, water storage units, sprinklers, hoses, and outdoor faucets.

[0005] Water-using products can be installed in various locations in bathroom facilities where excessive water use is required and therefore its supply may be limited. For this reason, low-water-using products can be used. However, in the event that a water-using product or a pipe associated with the water-using product may have a malfunction such as a leak, a large amount of water may be wasted before such a leak is detected and corrected. In addition to wasting water, the longer a leak goes undetected and unnoticed, the more damage to the facility will increase.

[0006] In medium to large buildings, there are often multiple bathroom facilities. Monitoring and controlling water use for the large number of water products in each bathroom facility can be problematic and time consuming, as individuals must move from facility to facility and from equipment to equipment to assess any issues and monitor water products. This problem is further exacerbated when a building manager is responsible for multiple buildings.

[0007] While it is known that certain products can determine "abnormal" water use behavior and cause a water flow shutoff, the definition and determination of "abnormal" behavior may result in a lack of confidence in the decisions made by known products. For example, certain devices may consider it unusual to use a large amount of water for a shower at night when the user was planning to use it and cause a shutoff. Thus, a problem with known devices is that they cannot distinguish between unusual and unexpected use of water-using products.

[0008] Monitoring large volumes of water products at a building scale may also preclude the ability to manage water products individually. For example, a urinal requires a minimum flow rate of approximately 18 L min. -1 , to ensure that waste is flushed through the S-bend included in most commercial urinals. If the water flow rate falls below this minimum flow rate, urine salts can form and accumulate in the S-bend, reducing the performance of the urinal, or eventually causing a blockage.

[0009] Similarly, water flow restrictors are often used to limit the flow of water to a shower head to limit the flow of water through the shower head to comply with water reduction regulations. However, indiscriminate reduction of flow can result in less than necessary water pressure, or indeed less than necessary water flow at the shower head. Summary of the invention

[0010] It is an object of the present invention to at least substantially overcome one or more of the above disadvantages, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the arrangements described above.

[0011] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a valve assembly adapted to communicate with at least one water flow detector and a set of water-using products,

[0012] The water flow detector is used to detect the water flow of the water product in the group.

[0013] The valve assembly includes a processor configured to determine:

[0014] The operating status of the water products of the group,

[0015] the water flow state of the water flow detector, and

[0016] Based on the operating status and the water flow status, whether it is necessary to change the water flow to the group water product,

[0017] The processor is adapted to operate the valve assembly to effect the desired change.

[0018] Preferably, the change is stopping water flow in response to the occurrence of a leak, wherein the processor determines whether a water leak has occurred based on determining that the water flow status indicates that water is flowing through the water flow detector and the operating status indicates that water is not currently being used by the group of water-using products.

[0019] Preferably, said change is an increase in the pressure of the water flow to said group of water products.

[0020] Preferably, said change is a reduction in the pressure of the water flow to said group of water products.

[0021] Preferably, the changing is controlling the water flow to the group water to a predetermined water flow rate.

[0022] Preferably, the predetermined water flow rate is a minimum flow rate to the urinal.

[0023] Preferably, the predetermined water flow rate is a maximum flow rate to the shower.

[0024] Preferably, the valve assembly comprises a communication module adapted to communicate with the processor and the user device, such that the processor is able to send a performance signal to the user device confirming the performance of the set of water use products.

[0025] Preferably, the performance signal is an alarm signal based on said operating status and said water flow status.

[0026] Preferably, the performance signal includes confirmation that the water-using product is properly installed.

[0027] Preferably, the water flow detector is a component of the valve assembly.

[0028] Preferably, the water flow detector is a water flow intelligent meter.

[0029] Preferably, the group of water products includes at least one water product which is a toilet product.

[0030] Preferably, the bathroom products include faucets, toilets, urinals, showers, bathtubs and / or bidets.

[0031] Preferably, the set of water products is arranged in a defined area to provide water services to the defined area.

[0032] Preferably, the operating status is indicative of a most recently operated first water product and wherein the change is an increase in water flow to a second water product known to be operated subsequent to the operation of the first water product. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings:

[0034] Figure 1A and 1B Together they form a schematic block diagram representation of an embedded electronic device upon which the described arrangements may be practiced.

[0035] Figure 2is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a water flow management system according to the present invention for use with a set of water-using products.

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic flow chart of the operation of the water flow management system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The water flow management system 1 and / or the method for managing water flow can be implemented in dedicated hardware, such as one or more integrated circuits that perform the functions or sub-functions of water management. Such dedicated hardware may include a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or one or more microprocessors and associated memory.

[0038] Figure 1A and Figure 1B Together they form a schematic block diagram of a generic electronic device 201 including embedded components on which it is desirable to practice a water flow management system and / or a method for managing water flow. The embedded electronic device 201 may be, for example, a mobile phone, a tablet device, a smart watch, a personal digital assistant type device, or any other embedded electronic device with limited processing resources. However, the systems and / or methods to be described may also be performed on higher level devices such as desktop computers, server computers, and other such devices with significantly greater processing resources.

[0039] like Figure 1A As shown, the electronic device 201 includes an embedded controller 202. Therefore, the electronic device 201 can be referred to as an "embedded device". In this example, the controller 202 has a processing unit (or processor) 205 bidirectionally coupled to an internal storage module 209. Figure 1B As shown, the storage module 209 may be formed of a nonvolatile semiconductor read only memory (ROM) 260 and a semiconductor random access memory (RAM) 270. The RAM 270 may be volatile, nonvolatile, or a combination of volatile and nonvolatile memories.

[0040] The electronic device 201 includes a display controller 207 connected to a video display 214, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, etc. The display controller 207 is configured to display graphic images on the video display 214 according to instructions received from the embedded controller 202 to which the display controller 207 is connected.

[0041] The electronic device 201 also includes a user input device 213, which is typically formed of keys, a keypad, or similar controls. In some embodiments, the user input device 213 may include a touch-sensitive panel physically associated with the display 214 to form a touch screen. Thus, in contrast to the prompt or menu-driven GUIs typically used with a keyboard-display combination, such a touch screen may operate as a form of a graphical user interface (GUI). Other forms of user input devices may also be used, such as a microphone (not shown) for voice commands or a joystick / thumb wheel (not shown) for easy navigation of menus.

[0042] like Figure 1A As shown, the electronic device 201 also includes a portable memory interface 206, which is coupled to the processor 205 via a connection 219. The portable memory interface 206 allows a complementary portable memory device 225 to be coupled to the electronic device 201 to act as a source or destination for data or to supplement the internal storage module 209. Examples of such an interface allow coupling with portable memory devices such as Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory devices, Secure Digital (SD) cards, Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMIA) cards, optical and magnetic disks.

[0043] The electronic device 201 also has a communication interface 208 to allow the device 201 to be coupled to a computer or communication network 220 via a connection 221. The connection 221 can be wired or wireless. For example, the connection 221 can be radio frequency or optical. Examples of wired connections include Ethernet. In addition, examples of wireless connections include Bluetooth. TM Type local interconnect, Wi-Fi (including protocols based on IEEE802.11 family of standards), Infrared Data Association (IrDa), etc.

[0044] Typically, electronic device 201 is configured to perform certain special functions. An embedded controller 202 is provided, which may be combined with other special function components 210 to perform the special function. For example, when device 201 is a digital camera, component 210 can represent the lens, focus control and image sensor of the camera. Special function component 210 is connected to embedded controller 202. As another example, device 201 can be a mobile phone handset. In this case, component 210 can represent those components required for communication in a cellular phone environment. When device 201 is a portable device, special function component 210 can represent multiple encoder and decoder types, including Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG), (Moving Picture Experts Group) MPEG, MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3)) etc.

[0045] The embedded controller 202 may be used to implement various systems and / or methods described below, wherein Figure 3The processes may be implemented as one or more software applications 233 executable within the embedded controller 202 . Figure 1A The electronic device 201 implements the described system and / or method. In particular, reference Figure 1B , the steps of the described method are implemented by instructions in the software 233 executed in the controller 202. The software instructions can be formed into one or more code modules, each for performing one or more specific tasks. The software can also be divided into two separate parts, where the first part and the corresponding code modules perform the described method, and the second part and the corresponding code modules manage the user interface between the first part and the user.

[0046] The software 233 of the embedded controller 202 is typically stored in the non-volatile ROM 260 of the internal storage module 209. The software 233 stored in the ROM 260 can be updated from a computer-readable medium when necessary. The software 233 can be loaded into and executed by the processor 205. In some cases, the processor 205 can execute the software instructions located in the RAM 270. The processor 205 can load the software instructions into the RAM 270, which initializes a copy of one or more code modules from the ROM 260 into the RAM 270. Alternatively, the manufacturer can pre-install the software instructions of one or more code modules in the non-volatile area of ​​the RAM 270. After the one or more code modules are located in the RAM 270, the processor 205 can execute the software instructions of the one or more code modules.

[0047] Typically, the manufacturer will pre-install and store the application 233 in ROM 260 before distributing the electronic device 201. However, in some cases, the application 233 may be provided to the user, encoded on one or more CD-ROMs (not shown), and downloaded via a portable memory 225 prior to being stored in the internal storage module 209 or portable memory 225. Figure 1A201. The portable memory interface 206 of the device 201 may be read by the processor 205 from the network 220, or loaded into the controller 202 or the portable storage medium 225 from other computer-readable media. Computer-readable storage media refers to any non-transitory tangible storage medium that participates in providing instructions and / or data to the controller 202 for execution and / or processing. Examples of such storage media include floppy disks, magnetic tapes, CD-ROMs, hard disk drives, ROMs or integrated circuits, USB memories, magneto-optical disks, flash memories, or computer-readable cards, such as PCMCIA cards, etc., whether such devices are internal or external to the device 201. Examples of transient or non-tangible computer-readable transmission media that may also participate in providing software, applications, instructions and / or data to the device 201 include radio or infrared transmission channels and network connections to another computer or network device, as well as the Internet or intranet, including information recorded on email transmissions and websites, etc. A computer-readable medium having such software or computer programs recorded thereon is a computer program product.

[0048] The second part of the application 233 and the corresponding code module can be executed to implement one or more Figure 1A 214 of the device 201. By manipulating the user input device 213 (e.g., a keypad), the user of the device 201 and the application 233 can manipulate the interface in a functionally adaptive manner to provide control commands and / or input to the application associated with the GUI. Other forms of functionally adaptive user interfaces may also be implemented, such as an audio interface utilizing voice prompts output via a speaker (not shown) and user voice commands input via a microphone (not shown).

[0049] Figure 1B An embedded controller 202 having a processor 205 for executing application programs 233 and an internal memory 209 is shown in detail. The internal memory 209 includes a read-only memory (ROM) 260 and a random access memory (RAM) 270. The processor 205 is capable of executing application programs 233 stored in one or both of the connected memories 260 and 270. When the electronic device 201 is initially powered on, the system program resident in the ROM 260 is executed. The application programs 233 permanently stored in the ROM 260 are sometimes referred to as "firmware". The processor 205 executing the firmware can implement various functions, including processor management, memory management, device management, storage management, and user interface.

[0050] The processor 205 typically includes a plurality of functional modules, including a control unit (CU) 251, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) 252, a digital signal processor (DSP) 2153, and a local or internal memory including a set of registers 254, which typically contain atomic data elements 256, 257, and an internal buffer or cache memory 255. One or more internal buses 259 interconnect these functional modules. The processor 205 also typically has one or more interfaces 258 for communicating with external devices via a system bus 281 using a connection 261.

[0051] The application program 233 includes a sequence of instructions 262 to 263, which may include conditional branching and looping instructions. The program 233 may also include data used in the execution of the program 233. This data may be stored as part of the instructions, or in a separate location 264 within the ROM 260 or RAM 270.

[0052] Typically, a set of instructions is provided to the processor 205, which is executed therein. The set of instructions may be organized into blocks that perform specific tasks or handle specific events that occur in the electronic device 201. Typically, the application 233 waits for an event and then executes a code block associated with the event. As detected by the processor 205, the application 233 may respond to a request via Figure 1A The user input device 213 triggers an event from the user's input. Other sensors and interfaces in the electronic device 201 may also be responded to to trigger an event.

[0053] Execution of a set of instructions may require reading and modifying digital variables. Such digital variables are stored in RAM 270. The disclosed method uses input variables 271 stored in known locations 272, 273 in memory 270. Input variables 271 are processed to produce output variables 277, which are stored in known locations 278, 279 in memory 270. Intermediate variables 274 may be stored in additional memory locations in locations 275, 276 of memory 270. Alternatively, some intermediate variables may exist only in registers 254 of processor 205.

[0054] Execution of a sequence of instructions is implemented in the processor 205 by repeated application of fetch-execute cycles. The control unit 251 of the processor 205 maintains a register called a program counter, which contains the address of the next instruction to be executed in the ROM 260 or RAM 270. At the beginning of a fetch-execute cycle, the contents of the memory address indexed by the program counter are loaded into the control unit 251. The instruction so loaded controls the subsequent operation of the processor 205, for example, causing data to be loaded from the ROM memory 260 into the processor register 254, the contents of a register to be arithmetically combined with the contents of another register, the contents of a register to be written to a location to be stored in another register, and so on. At the end of the fetch-execute cycle, the program counter is updated to point to the next instruction in the system program code. Depending on the instruction just executed, this may involve incrementing the address contained in the program counter or loading a new address for the program counter to implement a branch operation.

[0055] Each step or sub-process in the process of the method described below is associated with one or more segments of the application 233 and is performed by repeatedly executing a fetch-execute cycle in the processor 205 or similar programmatic operations of other independent processor blocks in the electronic device 201.

[0056] like Figure 2 As shown, a preferred embodiment of a water flow management system 1 includes a valve assembly 10, which is inserted between a water source 30 and a plurality of water-using products 40. The valve assembly 10 includes a valve 22 and a water flow detector 24. In this embodiment, the valve 22 and the water flow detector 24 are integrated into the valve assembly 10. However, it should be understood that the water flow detector 24 and the valve 22 can be separate parts. It is further possible that multiple valves 22 and / or multiple water flow detectors 24 operate together.

[0057] The valve assembly 10 further comprises general electronics 201, which comprises a processor 205. The water flow detector 24 is adapted to communicate the operating status, more specifically the water flow rate, to the communication interface 208. In a preferred embodiment, the water flow detector 24 is a water flow smart meter.

[0058] exist Figure 2 In the example shown, the water-using products 40 are a urinal 42, a toilet 44, and a faucet 46. The water-using products 40 receive a supply of water from a water source 30 through a network of plumbing systems 50. Each water-using product 40 may have a second valve 26. The water supply from the water source 30 passes through the valve assembly 10 and also passes through the second valve 26.

[0059] It should be understood that Figure 2In the example shown, the water product 40 is arranged in a defined area such as a bathroom to provide water service to the defined area. However, in a larger building, there may be multiple defined areas, or the defined area may be significantly larger. In these cases, it may be necessary to operate multiple valves 22 and / or multiple water flow detectors 24.

[0060] In the case of multiple defined zones, a single valve 22 can control the flow of water from the water source 30 to the water-using product 40 located in each defined zone. Each valve 22 is associated with one or more water flow detectors 24.

[0061] In the case of a larger defined area, such as a plurality of bathrooms on a floor of a building, it may be necessary to operate a plurality of valves 22 in the defined area to use the water product 40, rather than a single valve 22 for the defined area. Then, each valve 22 is associated with one or more water flow detectors 24.

[0062] The water use product 40 is provided with an electronic controller 60 adapted to monitor operating parameters of the water use product 40. Depending on the type of water use product, the operating parameters may include water flow, water temperature, an in-use indicator, frequency of use, a use counter, time since last use, and other similar parameters of interest in controlling and maintaining the performance of the water use product 40.

[0063] The electronic controller 60 is adapted to communicate with the communication interface 208. The communication interface 208 then allows the processor 205 to access information sent from the electronic controller 60. In a preferred embodiment, the communication is via Bluetooth TM However, it should be understood that other communication methods are also possible, such as wireless LAN, wired LAN or radio frequency (RF) communication. The communication interface 208 also allows the processor 205 to communicate with a user device 70 such as a personal handheld device 72 or a server 74.

[0064] The use of the water management system 1 will now be discussed.

[0065] like Figure 3 As shown, the water management system 1 can be used to detect water leaks. To this end, the electronic controller 60 measures the operating parameters of the water-using product 40 in step 101. Similarly, in step 103, the water flow detector 24 measures the water flow through the water flow detector 24. Both the water flow detector 24 and the electronic controller 60 transmit the water flow and operating parameters to the communication interface 208 of the processor 205.

[0066] At step 105, the processor 205 performs a determination based on the information communicated to the processor 205. If the water flow rate that the water flow detector 24 has communicated to the processor 205 indicates that water is flowing to the water-using product 40, and the operating parameters that the electronic controller 60 has communicated to the processor 205 indicate that no water-using product 40 is using water, the processor 205 determines that a leak has occurred, and at step 107, operates the valve 22 to prevent further water supply from the water source 30 to the water-using product 40. If the processor 205 determines that a leak has occurred at a particular water-using product 40, the processor 205 operates the second valve 26 associated with the water-using product 40 to prevent further water supply to the water-using product 40.

[0067] The processor 205 then outputs the alarm signal to the user device 70 , ie, the personal handheld device 72 and / or the server 74 using the communication interface 208 .

[0068] The water flow management system 1 can also be used to determine and correct insufficient water flow to the water product 40. To this end, the electronic controller 60 of the water product 40 measures the water flow at the water product 40 and transmits the water flow of the water product 40 to the processor 205. If the water flow of the water product 40 is lower than a predetermined minimum flow, the processor 205 operates the valve 22 and / or one or more second valves 26 to increase the water flow and / or water pressure to the water product 40. If the processor 205 cannot increase the water flow and / or water pressure to the water product 40, the processor 205 then outputs an alarm signal to the user device 70 using the communication interface 208.

[0069] Similarly, the water flow management system 1 can be used to determine and correct excessive water flow through the water product 40. To this end, the electronic controller 60 of the water product 40 measures the water flow of the water product 40 and transmits the water flow of the water product 40 to the processor 205. If the water flow of the water product 40 is higher than a predetermined maximum flow, the processor 205 operates the valve 22 and / or one or more second valves 26 to reduce the water flow and / or water pressure to the water product 40. If the processor 205 cannot reduce the water flow and / or water pressure to the water product 40, the processor 205 then outputs an alarm signal to the user device 70 using the communication interface 208.

[0070] In addition, the water flow management product 1 can be used to confirm that the water product 40 is operating correctly. To this end, the valve assembly 10 can provide a series of different water flow rates and / or pressures to the water product 40. The electronic controller 60 measures one or more operating parameters of the water product 40 in response to the different water flow rates and / or pressures. The electronic controller 60 and the water flow detector 24 transmit the operating parameters and the water flow rate to the processor 205, respectively. The processor 205 then determines whether the performance of the water product 40 is within a predetermined acceptable range, as determined by checking the operating parameter data in response to the water flow rate. The processor 205 then communicates with the user device 70 using the communication interface 208 to confirm that the water product 40 has been properly installed.

[0071] The water flow management system 1 may also perform the diagnostic steps discussed above in connection with periodically determining proper operation to assess the status of the water use product 40 .

[0072] Finally, the water flow management system 1 can be used to adjust the water flow and / or water pressure to the water-using products 40 in response to the operating parameters measured on the different water-using products 40. For example, the operation of the toilet 44 is usually after the operation of the faucet 46. The electronic controller 60 of the toilet 44 determines that the toilet 44 has been operated and communicates the operating parameters to the processor 205. The processor 205 then operates the valve 22 and / or the second valve 26 of the other water-using products 40 to provide additional or sufficient water flow and / or water pressure to the faucet 46.

[0073] The advantages of the water flow management system 1 will now be discussed.

[0074] The water flow management system 1 is able to quickly respond to leaks occurring in the defined area served by each valve assembly 10 by controlling the water flow based on locally received signals and sending local control signals. Instead of communicating operating parameters to the building management system, the valve assembly 10 determines that a leak is occurring at the building management system and sends a control action back to the valve 22 to interrupt the flow of water from the water source 30. In the event of a large leak, a delay of a few seconds can result in substantial structural and economic losses. Therefore, the ability to reduce the time for the electronic controller 60 and the water flow detector 24 to communicate and to almost immediately stop the flow of water once a leak is detected is advantageous compared to the building management system.

[0075] The water treatment system 1 can also function on a product by product basis using the second valve 26 based on information communicated by the electronic controller 60. Thus, leaks occurring in a single water-using product 40 can be addressed without affecting the performance of other water-using products 40 in the same location.

[0076] The water flow management system 1 is integrated into the building management system by outputting an alarm signal to the user device. However, instead of communicating an error state, the water flow management system 1 is able to report that a leak has occurred and has been stopped. This means that no further measures need to be taken urgently and disruption to maintenance plans can be minimized.

[0077] The water flow management system 1 can determine and correct water flow to a water-using product 40 that would be harmful to the water-using product 40 or the user. For example, if the water flow measured by the electronic controller 60 of the urinal 42 is below a predetermined minimum water flow, the valve assembly 10 can increase the water flow and / or pressure to avoid the formation and / or accumulation of urine salts. For example, the processor 205 can operate the second valve 26 associated with the water-using product 40 that is not the urinal 42, thereby increasing the available water flow to the urinal 42 where the second valve 26 is not operated.

[0078] The water flow management system 1 is also able to accurately control the water flow to the water products 40 subject to water usage regulations. This avoids the use of a separate water flow restrictor device.

[0079] The water flow management system 1 can also confirm that the water use product 40 has been correctly installed shortly after installation. This avoids unnecessary travel to and from the installation site if an installation error is only identified when the water use product 40 is used later. The water flow management system 1 can also provide regular diagnostic testing of the water use product 40, which helps maintain an accurate record of the performance and maintenance requirements of the water use product 40.

[0080] Thus, the water flow management system 1 is able to identify unexpected water flow to the water-using product 40 by accessing data provided by the electronic controller 60. This provides the ability to deterministically determine whether a change in water flow is needed, rather than arbitrarily defining "normal" and "abnormal" water use patterns without determining the operating state of the water-using product 40. This results in the water flow management system 1 reducing unexpected shutdowns that result in maintenance costs and a poor user experience, and the water flow management system 1 better detecting unexpected water flow conditions, such as water leaks.

[0081] project:

[0082] 1. A water flow management system comprising a valve adapted to communicate with at least one water flow detector and a set of water-using products,

[0083] The water flow detector is used to detect the water flow of the water product in the group.

[0084] wherein the valve comprises a processor configured to determine:

[0085] The operating status of the water products of the group,

[0086] the water flow state of the water flow detector, and

[0087] Based on the operating status and the water flow status, whether it is necessary to change the water flow to the group water product,

[0088] Wherein the processor is adapted to operate the valve to effect the desired change.

[0089] 2. A water flow management system according to item 1, wherein the processor is adapted to operate a second valve to achieve the desired change, the second valve controlling the flow of water to one of the group of water products.

[0090] 3. A water flow management system according to item 1 or 2, wherein the change includes stopping the water flow in response to the occurrence of a water leakage, wherein the processor determines whether a water leakage has occurred based on a determination that the water flow status indicates that water is flowing through the water flow detector and the operating status indicates that the group of water-using products is not currently using water.

[0091] 4. A water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the change comprises an increase in water flow pressure to the group of water products.

[0092] 5. A water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the change comprises a reduction in water flow pressure to the group of water products.

[0093] 6. The water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the changing comprises controlling the water flow to the group of water products to a predetermined water flow rate.

[0094] 7. The water flow management system of item 6, wherein the predetermined water flow rate comprises a minimum flow rate to the urinal.

[0095] 8. A water flow management system according to item 6 or 7, wherein the predetermined water flow rate comprises a maximum flow rate to a shower.

[0096] 9. A water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 8, wherein the valve comprises:

[0097] a communication module adapted to communicate with the processor, the water-using product and a user device;

[0098] The processor is enabled to send a performance signal based on the performance of the group water use product to the user device.

[0099] 10. The water flow management system according to item 9, wherein the performance signal comprises an alarm signal based on the operating status and the water flow status.

[0100] 11. A water flow management system according to item 9 or 10, wherein the performance signal includes a confirmation that the water-using product is operating correctly.

[0101] 12. The water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 11, wherein the water flow detector and the valve are integrated into a single component.

[0102] 13. The water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 12, wherein the water flow detector comprises a water flow smart meter.

[0103] 14. The water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 13, wherein the set of water products includes at least one water product that is a toilet product.

[0104] 15. The water flow management system according to item 14, wherein the bathroom products include faucets, toilets, urinals, showers, bathtubs and / or bidets.

[0105] 16. The water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 15, wherein the set of water products is arranged in a defined area to provide water services to the defined area.

[0106] 17. A water flow management system according to any one of items 1 to 16, wherein the operating status includes an indication of a recent operation of a first water product, and wherein the change includes an increase in water flow to a second water product, the second water product being known to be operated after the operation of the first water product.

[0107] 18. A method of managing the flow of water to a group of water-using products, the method comprising the steps of:

[0108] Using a water flow detector to determine the water flow status of the water product used in the group;

[0109] determining an operating status of the group water product using an electronic controller associated with the group water product;

[0110] Determining whether it is necessary to change the water flow to the group water product based on the operating status and the water flow status; and

[0111] The valve is operated to accomplish the change.

[0112] 19. The method according to item 18, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

[0113] determining whether a water leak occurs based on determining that the water flow state indicates that water is flowing through the water flow detector and the operating state indicates that the group of water-using products is not currently using water; and

[0114] The changing includes stopping the water flow in response to the occurrence of a water leak.

[0115] 20. The method according to item 18 or 19, wherein the change comprises an increase in the pressure of the water flow to the group of water products.

[0116] 21. A method according to any one of items 18 to 20, wherein the change comprises a reduction in the pressure of a water flow to the group of water products.

[0117] 22. The method according to any one of items 18 to 21, wherein the changing comprises controlling the water flow to the group of water products to a predetermined water flow rate.

[0118] 23. The method of clause 22, wherein the predetermined water flow rate comprises a minimum flow rate to a urinal.

[0119] 24. A method according to item 22 or 23, wherein the predetermined water flow rate comprises a maximum flow rate to a shower.

[0120] 25. The method according to any one of items 18 to 24, wherein the method further comprises the following steps:

[0121] A performance signal based on the performance of the group of water use products is sent to a user device.

[0122] 26. The method according to item 25, wherein the performance signal includes an alarm signal based on the operating status and the water flow status.

[0123] 27. A method according to item 25 or 26, wherein the performance signal includes a confirmation that the water-using product is operating properly.

[0124] 28. The method according to any one of items 18 to 27, wherein the set of water products comprises at least one water product which is a toilet product.

[0125] 29. The method according to item 28, wherein the bathroom products include faucets, toilets, urinals, showers, bathtubs and / or bidets.

[0126] 30. The method according to any one of items 18 to 29, wherein the operating status includes an indication of the most recent operation of the first water-using product, and the steps further include the following steps:

[0127] Changing the water flow to a second water product known to be operated after the first water product is operated, wherein the changing includes increasing the pressure of the water flow to the second water product.

[0128] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A water flow management system comprising a valve adapted to communicate with at least one water flow detector and a set of water-using products, in, The water flow detector is used to detect the water flow of the group of water-using products. Wherein the valve comprises a processor configured to determine: The operating status of the group of water-using products, the water flow state of the water flow detector, and Based on the operating state and the water flow state, whether it is necessary to change the water flow to the group of water-using products, Wherein, the processor is suitable for operating the valve to achieve the desired change, and wherein the change includes an increase or decrease in the water flow pressure to the group of water-using products, thereby adjusting the water flow pressure to the group of water-using products to a predetermined acceptable range to enable the group of water-using products to operate normally.

2. The water flow management system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The processor is further adapted to operate a second valve to effect the desired change, the second valve controlling water flow to one of the group of water-using products.

3. The water flow management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The processor is further adapted to operate the valve to stop water flow in response to the occurrence of a water leak, wherein the processor determines whether a water leak has occurred based on a determination that the water flow status indicates that water is flowing through the water flow detector and the operating status indicates that the group of water-using products is not currently using water.

4. The water flow management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The changing includes controlling the water flow to the group of water-using products to a predetermined water flow rate.

5. The water flow management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The predetermined water flow rate comprises a minimum flow rate to the urinal.

6. The water flow management system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The predetermined water flow rate comprises a maximum flow rate to the shower.

7. The water flow management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The valve comprises: A communication module is adapted to communicate with the processor, the water-using products and the user equipment, so that the processor can send a performance signal based on the performance of the group of water-using products to the user equipment.

8. The water flow management system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The performance signal includes an alarm signal based on the operating status and the water flow status.

9. The water flow management system according to claim 7, characterized in that: The performance signal includes confirmation that the water-using product is operating properly.

10. The water flow management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The water flow detector and the valve are integrated into a single component.

11. The water flow management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The water flow detector comprises a water flow intelligent meter.

12. The water flow management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The group of water-using products includes at least one water-using product that is a toilet product.

13. The water flow management system according to claim 12, characterized in that: The bathroom products include faucets, toilets, urinals, showers, bathtubs and / or bidets.

14. The water flow management system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The set of water-using products is arranged in a defined area to provide water services to the defined area.

15. A method of managing the flow of water to a group of water-using products, the method comprising the steps of: Using a water flow detector to determine the water flow status to the group of water-using products; determining an operating status of the group of water-using products using information from electronic controllers associated with individual water-using products of the group of water-using products; Based on the operating state and the water flow state, determining whether it is necessary to change the water flow to the group of water-using products, and wherein the change includes an increase or decrease in the water flow pressure to the group of water-using products, thereby adjusting the water flow pressure to the group of water-using products to a predetermined acceptable range, so that the group of water-using products can operate normally; and The valve is operated to accomplish the change.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The method further comprises the following steps: determining whether a water leak occurs based on determining that the water flow state indicates that water is flowing through the water flow detector and the operating state indicates that the group of water-using products is not currently using water; and In response to the occurrence of a water leak, the valve is operated to stop the water flow.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The changing includes controlling the water flow to the group of water-using products to a predetermined water flow rate.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The predetermined water flow rate comprises a minimum flow rate to the urinal.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that The predetermined water flow rate comprises a maximum flow rate to the shower.

20. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The method further comprises the following steps: A performance signal based on the performance of the set of water use products is sent to a user device.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The performance signal includes an alarm signal based on the operating status and the water flow status.

22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The performance signal includes confirmation that the water-using product is operating properly.

23. The method according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that The group of water-using products includes at least one water-using product that is a toilet product.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that The bathroom products include faucets, toilets, urinals, showers, bathtubs and / or bidets.

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