Grey water recycling system, control method and rail vehicle

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of railway vehicles, and provides a grey water recycling system, a control method and a railway vehicle, the grey water recycling system comprises a water supplementing pipeline, a washstand, a filtering device, a waste water temporary storage tank, a grey water recycling device and a toilet stool; the grey water recycling device comprises a reclaimed water temporary storage tank, the water supplementing pipeline is used for supplementing clear water to the reclaimed water temporary storage tank, washing water of the washstand is temporarily stored in the waste water temporary storage tank after passing through the filtering device, and the waste water temporary storage tank is used for supplementing reclaimed water to the reclaimed water temporary storage tank. Liquid in the reclaimed water temporary storage tank is used for flushing the toilet stool; the reclaimed water temporary storage tank has a clear water replenishing mode and a reclaimed water replenishing mode, and the reclaimed water temporary storage tank preferentially uses the reclaimed water replenishing mode. The system is used for guaranteeing flushing water when existing washing wastewater is insufficient, normal flushing of the toilet stool is guaranteed, and train environmental sanitation and passenger use experience are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rail vehicle technology, and in particular to a grey water reuse system, control method, and rail vehicle. Background Technology

[0002] In the railway transportation sector, especially in passenger vehicles such as bullet trains and high-speed trains, toilet flushing consumes a large amount of clean water, while the washbasins and handwashing stations on board generate a large amount of grey water after use. In response to the development needs of energy conservation, environmental protection, and water resource recycling, grey water reuse technology is gradually being applied to railway vehicle toilet flushing scenarios, aiming to reduce clean water consumption and lower the load on the vehicle's water supply system by recycling washwater.

[0003] However, existing greywater reuse systems have a limited functional design, only able to reuse handwashing wastewater for toilet flushing. When handwashing wastewater is scarce, the existing system cannot provide a stable water supply for toilet flushing, which can easily lead to problems such as toilets not being able to flush properly due to water shortage, seriously affecting passenger experience and vehicle hygiene management. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This invention provides a greywater reuse system, control method, and rail vehicle to solve the problem of ensuring flushing water supply when existing washroom wastewater is insufficient, ensuring normal flushing of toilets, and improving train environmental hygiene and passenger experience.

[0005] This invention provides a greywater reuse system, comprising: a water supply pipeline, a washbasin, a filter device, a wastewater storage tank, a greywater reuse device, and a toilet. The greywater reuse device includes a greywater storage tank, the water supply pipeline is used to replenish clean water to the greywater storage tank, the washing water of the washbasin is temporarily stored in the wastewater storage tank after passing through the filtration device, the wastewater storage tank is used to replenish greywater to the greywater storage tank, and the liquid in the greywater storage tank is used to flush the toilet. The greywater storage tank has a fresh water replenishment mode and a greywater replenishment mode, and the greywater storage tank preferentially uses the greywater replenishment mode.

[0006] According to the present invention, a greywater reuse system is provided, wherein the wastewater storage tank includes a first chamber and a second chamber, and a filter structure is provided between the first chamber and the second chamber.

[0007] According to the present invention, a greywater reuse system is provided, wherein the filtration device includes a multi-stage filtration structure; and the greywater storage tank is equipped with a sterilization structure.

[0008] The present invention also provides a control method for the above-mentioned greywater reuse system, comprising: When it is determined that the greywater storage tank meets the clean water replenishment conditions, the clean water replenishment mode is triggered. The clean water replenishment conditions include: when the greywater reuse system is powered on for the first time, the liquid level in the greywater storage tank is lower than the low liquid level; when the greywater reuse device malfunctions and a toilet flushing command is executed. When it is determined that the greywater temporary storage tank meets the greywater replenishment conditions, the greywater replenishment mode is triggered.

[0009] According to a control method for a greywater reuse system provided by the present invention, the greywater replenishment conditions include: the liquid level of the greywater storage tank is lower than the low liquid level; the wastewater storage tank is connected at the high liquid level and the liquid level of the greywater storage tank is lower than the high liquid level.

[0010] The control method for a greywater reuse system provided by the present invention further includes: The liquid level in the greywater storage tank is detected. When the liquid level is lower than the low level, the clean water solenoid valve is opened to replenish water. After a first preset water replenishment period, the level of the medium water storage tank is checked to see if it has reached the low level. If it has not reached the low level, the clean water solenoid valve is closed. Each time the toilet is flushed, the solenoid valve for the clean water is opened for a second preset time. After a preset number of consecutive flushes, if the level in the greywater storage tank does not reach the low level, a fault alarm for low level in the greywater storage tank is issued.

[0011] The control method for a greywater reuse system provided by the present invention further includes: If the level of the greywater storage tank is detected to be higher than the low level, the toilet will be flushed. The flushing will be repeated for a preset number of times. If the level of the greywater storage tank is still higher than the low level, a low level fault alarm will be triggered. If the greywater storage tank is replenished during the flushing process, the count will be reset to zero.

[0012] According to a control method for a greywater reuse system provided by the present invention, a pneumatic pump is provided on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank and the greywater storage tank, and the control method further includes: The liquid level in the wastewater storage tank is detected as follows: low liquid level means no conductivity, high liquid level means conductivity. Control the pneumatic pump to start; The liquid level of the wastewater storage tank is detected. When the level changes from low level (no trigger) to low level (triggering) or from low level (triggering) and high level (no trigger) to high level (triggering), the wastewater storage tank is determined to be at a low level and an alarm is issued.

[0013] According to a control method for a greywater reuse system provided by the present invention, a pneumatic pump is provided on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank and the greywater storage tank, and the control method further includes: Control the pneumatic pump to start for a preset duration; The liquid levels of the greywater storage tank and the wastewater storage tank are detected. If the liquid level of the greywater storage tank does not rise and the liquid level of the wastewater storage tank does not drop, the pneumatic pump is determined to be faulty and an alarm is issued.

[0014] According to a control method for a greywater reuse system provided by the present invention, a pneumatic pump is provided on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank and the greywater storage tank, and the control method further includes: Determine whether the liquid level in the wastewater storage tank meets the preset conditions. If the preset conditions are met, control the wastewater storage tank to be emptied. The preset conditions include: the liquid level of the wastewater storage tank is higher than the high liquid level, and the water in the secondary water storage tank is replenished to the high liquid level and then stopped, and after a preset interval, the wastewater storage tank is still at the high liquid level, or the secondary water storage tank is at the high liquid level.

[0015] The present invention also provides a rail vehicle including the grey water reuse system described above.

[0016] The grey water reuse system, control method, and rail vehicle provided by this invention prioritize the use of grey water replenishment mode, only activating the fresh water replenishment mode when grey water is insufficient or in the event of a system malfunction. This design maximizes the reuse potential of grey water, triggering fresh water replenishment only in specific necessary scenarios, ensuring the full utilization of grey water while minimizing fresh water consumption, reducing the load on the train's fresh water storage system, and thus lowering water resource costs.

[0017] The system features two water replenishment modes: clean water and grey water, with grey water mode taking priority, forming a complementary dual water supply guarantee. When the grey water in the wastewater storage tank is insufficient or grey water replenishment fails, it automatically switches to clean water replenishment mode to ensure normal flushing operation. This solves the problem of toilets failing to flush due to water shortage in existing technologies, ensuring passenger experience and maintaining train hygiene management order. The flexible switching between grey water and clean water adapts to different wastewater generation and flushing needs in various scenarios, avoiding the limitations of a single replenishment mode. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure and working principle of the greywater reuse system provided by the present invention; Figure 2This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the grey water recycling device provided by the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the wastewater temporary storage tank provided by the present invention; Figure 4 This is one of the flowcharts illustrating the control method for a greywater reuse system provided by the present invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the alarm control logic for a low liquid level non-conductivity fault in a greywater storage tank provided by the present invention. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the fault alarm control logic for the low liquid level continuous disconnection of the greywater storage tank provided by the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the low liquid level fault alarm control logic of the wastewater temporary storage tank provided by the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic pump fault alarm control logic provided by the present invention.

[0020] Figure label: 10. Water supply pipeline; 11. Wastewater storage tank; 111. First chamber; 112. Second chamber; 113. Filter screen; 114. Overflow valve; 12. Toilet; 13. Washbasin; 14. Faucet; 15. Pneumatic pump; 16. Water booster device; 17. Flushing button; 18. Electrical control unit; 19. Filtration device; 20. Grey water recycling device; 21. Grey water storage tank; 22. Low level switch; 23. High level switch; 24. Clean water inlet; 25. Grey water inlet; 26. Inlet solenoid valve; 27. Sterilization structure; 28. Water outlet; 29. ​​Junction box; 30. Under-vehicle water tank; 31. Waste transfer tank; 32. Under-vehicle waste tank; 33. Pneumatic control panel. Detailed Implementation

[0021] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0022] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this invention.

[0023] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0024] In this invention, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the first feature "on" or "below" the second feature may be in direct contact with the first and second features, or indirect contact through an intermediate medium. In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0025] like Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a greywater reuse system, including: a water supply pipeline 10, a wastewater storage tank 11, a greywater reuse device 20, and a toilet 12. The greywater reuse device 20 includes a greywater storage tank 21. Both the greywater storage tank 21 and the wastewater storage tank 11 are equipped with liquid level detection elements. The water supply pipeline 10 is used to replenish clean water to the greywater storage tank 21, and the wastewater storage tank 11 is used to replenish greywater to the greywater storage tank 21. The liquid in the greywater storage tank 21 is used to flush the toilet 12.

[0026] The grey water reuse system of this invention can be applied to rail vehicles such as high-speed trains, conventional passenger trains, and intercity / regional trains. (See reference...) Figure 1 and Figure 2The train is equipped with, for example, an undercarriage water tank 30, which is connected to the clean water inlet 24 of the grey water storage tank 21 via a water replenishment pipe 10, for replenishing the grey water storage tank 21 with clean water under specific circumstances. The grey water reuse system also includes a washbasin 13, with a faucet 14 above it. The faucet 14 is connected to the undercarriage water tank 30 via a pipe, providing washing water for passengers. The washwater wastewater generated by passengers is treated and flows into the wastewater storage tank 11, which is connected to the grey water inlet 25 of the grey water storage tank 21 via a pipe. The grey water reuse system also includes a pneumatic pump 15, which is turned on to pump grey water into the grey water storage tank 21 when grey water needs to be replenished. The greywater reuse system also includes a water pressurization device 16. The toilet 12 is equipped with a flush button 17. The outlet 28 of the greywater storage tank 21 is connected to the water pressurization device 16. Liquid in the greywater storage tank 21 is treated before entering the water pressurization device 16. When the flush button 17 is pressed, the toilet 12 is flushed. One toilet 12 or multiple toilets can be installed side-by-side, such as... Figure 1 The system includes a squat toilet 12 and a seated toilet 12, each equipped with a water pressurization device 16 and a flush button 17. Both the greywater storage tank 21 and the wastewater storage tank 11 are equipped with low-level and high-level detection elements to achieve low and high level detection. The detection elements can be selected as needed, such as float-type level switches, probe-type level switches, or capacitive level sensors; no specific limitation is made here.

[0027] The greywater reuse device 20 includes a greywater storage tank 21, a level switch, an inlet solenoid valve 26, an inlet, an outlet 28, a junction box 29, etc. The volume of the low level switch 22 is 1.3L, and the volume of the high level switch 23 is 2.4L (the volume is set according to actual needs). The inlet solenoid valve 26 includes, for example, a clean water solenoid valve and a greywater solenoid valve. The two can be controlled by the same solenoid valve or can be set separately.

[0028] Furthermore, the grey water reuse system includes an electrical control unit 18, which, through linkage with liquid level detection elements, solenoid valves, pumps, and other actuators, achieves automated and intelligent operation of the entire grey water reuse process, ensuring the system's water-saving efficiency and flushing reliability. Based on preset logic, the system analyzes the collected signals to accurately determine and trigger the corresponding water replenishment mode: when the system is first powered on and the level in the grey water storage tank 21 is below the low level, or when the grey water reuse device 20 malfunctions and a flushing command is received, the system immediately triggers the clean water replenishment mode, sending an opening command to the clean water solenoid valve in the replenishment pipeline 10 to control the replenishment duration and amount, ensuring that the level in the grey water storage tank 21 meets the standard; when the system detects that there is usable grey water in the wastewater storage tank 11, the grey water reuse device 20 is operating normally, and the level in the grey water storage tank 21 is not at the high level, the system prioritizes triggering the grey water replenishment mode, controlling the wastewater storage tank 11 to deliver grey water to the grey water storage tank 21, maximizing the utilization of recycled wastewater and reducing clean water consumption.

[0029] The water replenishment method can be adopted by using clean water. Figure 1 Medium-pressure water supply (driven by a water pump) can also be achieved through gravity-based water supply, such as by installing a high-level clean water tank on the top of the train carriage, which utilizes the gravitational potential energy formed by the water level difference to achieve natural water transport without the need for an additional booster pump.

[0030] like Figure 4 As shown, the present invention also provides a control method for a greywater reuse system, comprising: Step 110: When it is determined that the greywater storage tank 21 meets the clean water replenishment conditions, the clean water replenishment mode is triggered. The clean water replenishment conditions include: when the greywater reuse system is powered on for the first time, the liquid level of the greywater storage tank 21 is lower than the low liquid level; when the greywater reuse device 20 malfunctions and the toilet 12 is executed as a flushing command.

[0031] Specifically, the clean water replenishment conditions include the two types of conditions mentioned above. For the first type, when the grey water reuse system is powered on for the first time, the electrical control unit 18 automatically reads the feedback signal from the low liquid level detection element of the grey water storage tank 21. If the signal shows that the liquid level is lower than the low liquid level threshold, it immediately sends an opening command to the clean water solenoid valve and performs the water replenishment operation according to the preset duration or replenishment amount. During the water replenishment process, the liquid level is monitored in real time. When the low liquid level threshold is reached, the clean water solenoid valve is immediately closed and the water replenishment is stopped.

[0032] For the second scenario, when the grey water recycling device 20 malfunctions and the electrical control unit 18 receives a flushing command for the toilet 12 from the DTC (Digital Toilet Controller), it triggers the clean water replenishment mode; it controls the clean water solenoid valve to open for a preset flushing and replenishment time to ensure that there is sufficient water in the grey water storage tank 21 to complete the flushing action of the toilet 12. After the flushing is completed, the solenoid valve is closed, and it waits for the next command.

[0033] Step 120: When it is determined that the greywater storage tank 21 meets the greywater replenishment conditions, the greywater replenishment mode is triggered.

[0034] Specifically, the conditions for replenishing the greywater include, for example, the liquid level in the greywater storage tank 21 being lower than the low liquid level; the wastewater storage tank 11 being connected at the high liquid level and the liquid level in the greywater storage tank 21 being lower than the high liquid level.

[0035] Understandably, except for the initial power-on of the system, the greywater reuse device 20 operates normally without fault signals at other stages, and the level of the greywater storage tank 21 is below the low level threshold, so the greywater replenishment mode can be activated when there is a need for water replenishment. Alternatively, the greywater replenishment mode can also be activated when the wastewater storage tank 11 is full and the level of the greywater storage tank 21 is below the high level threshold. Specifically, the electrical control unit 18 sends an opening command to the transfer pump and greywater solenoid valve between the wastewater storage tank 11 and the greywater storage tank 21, transferring the treated greywater from the wastewater storage tank 11 to the greywater storage tank 21; during the replenishment process, the level data of the greywater storage tank 21 is collected in real time, and when the level reaches the high level threshold, the transfer pump and solenoid valve are immediately shut off to stop the replenishment; if a flushing command is received from the toilet 12 during the replenishment process, the replenishment rhythm can be dynamically adjusted according to the level, prioritizing the flushing water demand.

[0036] In the greywater replenishment mode, when the greywater storage tank 21 is below the low level and the wastewater storage tank 11 is above the low level, the pneumatic pump 15 is started to replenish water to the high level of the greywater storage tank 21. Alternatively, the replenishment process may start 10 seconds after the low level of the wastewater storage tank 11 disappears (replenishment time from the low level of the wastewater storage tank 11 to the empty tank, replenishment volume > 1.3L), or the pneumatic pump 15 may run continuously for 14 seconds (replenishment time from the high level of the wastewater storage tank 11 to the empty tank, replenishment volume > 2.4L) and then stop (dry run protection). If the high level of the greywater storage tank 21 is detected normally, the replenishment of the greywater storage tank 21 is determined to be complete through the above methods.

[0037] The electrical control unit 18 of the present invention also has fault diagnosis and alarm functions, such as liquid level fault alarm and component fault alarm. It can generate corresponding fault codes for different fault types and send alarm signals to the train control system or maintenance terminal to facilitate fault location and troubleshooting, and respond to faults in a timely manner to execute fault emergency strategies. For example, when the grey water reuse device 20 fails, it automatically switches to clean water replenishment mode to ensure that the flushing function of the toilet 12 is not interrupted.

[0038] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the greywater reuse system control method further includes: The liquid level of the temporary storage tank 21 is detected. When the liquid level is lower than the low liquid level, the clean water solenoid valve is opened to replenish water. After a first preset water replenishment period, the level of the medium water storage tank 21 is checked to see if it has reached the low level. If it has not reached the low level, the clean water solenoid valve is closed. Each time the toilet 12 is flushed, the solenoid valve for the clean water is opened for a second preset time. After a preset number of consecutive flushes, if the liquid level in the greywater storage tank 21 does not reach the low level, a fault alarm is issued for the greywater storage tank 21 not triggering a low liquid level.

[0039] refer to Figure 5 In the clean water replenishment mode, after the clean water solenoid valve is opened, the system timer enters the first preset time period (e.g., 6 seconds, which is the time for the grey water storage tank 21 to replenish clean water from an empty tank to a low liquid level, with a replenishment volume > 1.3L). If the liquid level detection element reports that the liquid level has reached the low liquid level within 6 seconds, it is determined that the replenishment is normal, the clean water solenoid valve is closed, and the replenishment process ends. If the liquid level still has not reached the low liquid level after 6 seconds, it is determined that there is a replenishment abnormality (e.g., insufficient opening of the solenoid valve, pipeline blockage, or detection element failure), the clean water solenoid valve is immediately closed, and the replenishment is stopped. Each time the DTC performs a flush, the clean water solenoid valve is simultaneously opened for a second preset time (e.g., 3 seconds, which is the time for one flush of toilet 12 to replenish clean water, with a replenishment volume > 0.5L), to replenish the water required for a single flush. After each flush and water replenishment is completed, the electrical control unit 18 will check whether the liquid level in the greywater storage tank 21 has risen back to the low liquid level threshold. If the liquid level still has not reached the low liquid level after four consecutive flush and water replenishment cycles, the electrical control unit 18 will immediately generate and send an alarm signal for a low liquid level failure (or a low liquid level non-conductivity failure) in the greywater storage tank 21. Subsequently, each time the DTC performs a flush, the clean water solenoid valve opens to replenish water for 3 seconds (the time for one flush of toilet 12 to replenish clean water, with a replenishment volume > 0.5L).

[0040] This control method improves the accuracy of fault diagnosis by using two levels of judgment: single-time overdue water replenishment and cumulative water replenishment after multiple flushes. The clear fault classification makes it easier for maintenance personnel to quickly distinguish fault types, shorten troubleshooting time, and reduce system maintenance costs. Each time toilet 12 is flushed, the second preset time of the clean water solenoid valve is opened simultaneously to accurately replenish the water required for a single flush, ensuring the immediate water demand for flushing. At the same time, the level of the greywater storage tank 21 is checked after each water replenishment, which not only ensures the water sufficiency of a single flush but also accumulates data for subsequent fault diagnosis, avoiding the problem of incomplete flushing of toilet 12 due to water shortage, and improving the passenger user experience.

[0041] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the greywater reuse system control method further includes: If the liquid level in the greywater storage tank 21 is detected to be higher than the low liquid level, the toilet 12 is flushed, and a preset number of consecutive flushes are accumulated. If the liquid level in the greywater storage tank 21 is still higher than the low liquid level, a fault alarm for continuous low liquid level in the greywater storage tank 21 is issued. If it is determined that the greywater storage tank 21 is replenished during the flushing process, the accumulated number of flushes is reset to zero.

[0042] refer to Figure 6In the clean water replenishment mode, the low level trigger of the grey water storage tank 21 is triggered, while the high level trigger is not. If the grey water storage tank 21 remains above the low level after six consecutive flushes without any replenishment, the electrical control unit 18 determines that the low level detection element of the grey water storage tank 21 has an abnormal conduction fault. It then generates and sends an alarm signal indicating a continuous low level trigger fault (or a continuous low level trigger fault) for the grey water storage tank 21, alerting maintenance personnel to check for sensor malfunctions. Subsequently, each time the DTC performs a flush, the clean water solenoid valve opens to replenish water for 3 seconds (the time for one flush of toilet 12, with a replenishment volume > 0.5L). Abnormal conduction of the low level detection element can cause the system to mistakenly believe that the tank always has water, and even after multiple flushes, replenishment may not be triggered, potentially leading to water shortage problems in subsequent flushes. This type of fault alarm can prevent problems such as water replenishment logic failure and toilet flushing water shortage caused by sensor signal distortion, thus avoiding the escalation of the fault and affecting train operation, and improving the safety redundancy of the system.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic pump 15 is provided on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank 11 and the greywater storage tank 21, and the control method further includes: The liquid level of the wastewater temporary storage tank 11 is detected as follows: low liquid level means no conduction, high liquid level means conduction. Control the pneumatic pump 15 to start; When the liquid level of the wastewater storage tank 21 is detected, and the trigger changes from low liquid level (no trigger) to low liquid level (triggering), or from low liquid level (triggering) and high liquid level (no trigger) to high liquid level (triggering), the wastewater storage tank 11 is determined to be in a low liquid level fault and an alarm is issued.

[0044] refer to Figure 7When it is determined that the wastewater storage tank 11 currently stores sufficient reclaimed water to meet the water source conditions for replenishing the reclaimed water storage tank 21, a start command is sent to the pneumatic pump 15 to drive the reclaimed water in the wastewater storage tank 11 to be transported to the reclaimed water storage tank 21. When the liquid level in the reclaimed water storage tank 21 rises from below the low liquid level to the low liquid level threshold or above, or when the liquid level in the reclaimed water storage tank 21 rises from between the low and high liquid levels to the high liquid level threshold, it can be known that the reclaimed water in the wastewater storage tank 11 has been transported to the reclaimed water storage tank 21. If the low liquid level detection element of the wastewater storage tank 11 remains in a non-conductive state, a fault can be determined. The electrical control unit 18 immediately generates and sends a low liquid level fault alarm signal for the wastewater storage tank 11. At the same time, according to the system's preset logic, it can control the pneumatic pump 15 to stop running to avoid the risk of the wastewater storage tank 11 becoming empty and dry due to continuous transport, thus ensuring equipment safety. If the low-level sensor in the wastewater storage tank 11 fails, the system will be unable to identify the actual water shortage status of the tank. Continuous operation of the pneumatic pump 15 will result in dry running, leading to problems such as pump overheating and accelerated wear. This logic can promptly shut down the pneumatic pump 15 after a fault is identified, avoiding the risk of dry running, extending equipment lifespan, and reducing system maintenance costs.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic pump 15 is provided on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank 11 and the greywater storage tank 21, and the control method further includes: Control the pneumatic pump 15 to start for a preset duration; The liquid levels of the greywater storage tank 21 and the wastewater storage tank 11 are detected. If the liquid level of the greywater storage tank 21 does not rise and the liquid level of the wastewater storage tank 11 does not drop, the pneumatic pump 15 is determined to be faulty and an alarm is issued.

[0046] refer to Figure 8 If the pneumatic pump 15 starts and runs continuously for 14 seconds (the time for the pneumatic pump 15 to replenish water from a high level in the wastewater storage tank 11 to an empty tank (dry run protection), replenishment volume > 2.4L), and the level in the greywater storage tank 21 does not rise and the level in the wastewater storage tank 11 does not drop, then the pneumatic pump 15 is judged to be faulty and an alarm is issued. Through dual-level correlation judgment, interference factors such as false alarms from a single water tank level sensor, media adhesion to the tank walls, and level fluctuations caused by train bumps are eliminated, avoiding false alarms and significantly improving the accuracy and reliability of fault judgment. The pneumatic pump 15 is the core power component connecting the wastewater storage tank 11 and the greywater storage tank 21, and its normal operation is crucial for achieving greywater reuse. This logic can trigger an alarm immediately upon the failure of the pneumatic pump 15, reminding maintenance personnel to handle the situation promptly, avoiding situations where the system is forced to rely entirely on clean water replenishment due to long-term undetected pump malfunctions, ensuring the stable water-saving efficiency of the greywater reuse system, and meeting the needs of green train operation.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a pneumatic pump 15 is provided on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank 11 and the greywater storage tank 21, and the control method further includes: Determine whether the liquid level of the wastewater temporary storage tank 11 meets the preset conditions. If the preset conditions are met, control the wastewater temporary storage tank 11 to be emptied. The preset conditions include: the liquid level of the wastewater storage tank 11 is higher than the high liquid level, and the water in the secondary water storage tank 21 is replenished to the high liquid level and then stopped, and after a preset time interval, the wastewater storage tank 11 is still at the high liquid level, or the secondary water storage tank 21 is at the high liquid level.

[0048] Specifically, when the wastewater storage tank 11 is above the high liquid level, the wastewater storage tank 11 can be emptied / removed when any of the following conditions are met. The timing and method of emptying are dynamically selected in combination with the liquid level status of the greywater storage tank 21, which maximizes the reuse of greywater and avoids the risk of overflow at high liquid levels.

[0049] (1) When the secondary water storage tank 21 is below the high level, the pneumatic pump 15 starts to replenish water until the secondary water storage tank 21 reaches the high level and then stops. If the wastewater storage tank 11 is still at the high level after DTC waits for 20 seconds, the wastewater storage tank 11 will be emptied.

[0050] (2) The water storage tank 21 is also at a high level, and the wastewater storage tank 11 is emptied immediately.

[0051] like Figure 1 As shown, the train is equipped with a waste transfer box 31 and an undercar waste box 32. A wastewater storage tank 11, waste transfer box 31, and undercar waste box 32 are connected in sequence. When the wastewater storage tank 11 meets the high-level trigger or needs to be emptied, its wastewater can be discharged into the waste transfer box 31. Specifically, the waste transfer box 31 establishes a vacuum under the action of the pneumatic control panel 33 and the vacuum generator. Under negative pressure, the grey water in the wastewater storage tank 11 enters the waste transfer box 31. Waste from the toilet 12 can be directly discharged into the waste transfer box 31. After the toilet 12 drain valve and the wastewater storage tank 11 drain valve have operated a total of 6 times, the waste and wastewater in the waste transfer box 31 will be discharged into the undercar waste box 32 for storage.

[0052] Wastewater storage tank 11 is equipped with an overflow valve 114. When the high liquid level detection element of wastewater storage tank 11 fails or the emptying control logic fails, and the liquid level of wastewater storage tank 11 rises to the overflow threshold, the overflow valve 114 automatically opens, and the excess wastewater is introduced into the waste transfer tank 31 through the preset overflow pipeline. This prevents wastewater from leaking or overflowing from the tank's sealed parts, prevents sewage from corroding electrical components and pipelines in the train's equipment compartment, and eliminates safety hazards such as equipment short circuits and compartment pollution caused by wastewater overflow.

[0053] Furthermore, the electrical control unit 18 also has an antifreeze emptying function. For example, in the original antifreeze emptying program of the vehicle, a command is added for the pneumatic pump 15 to work continuously to empty the water in the pipeline. After the water supply system is emptied for 15 minutes, the drainage and sanitation systems independently perform the emptying control: the waste transfer box 31 is automatically emptied once → the toilet 12 is flushed once → the wastewater storage box 11 is emptied once → the toilet 12 is flushed once → the wastewater storage box 11 is emptied once → the toilet 12 is flushed once → the wastewater storage box 11 is emptied once → the pneumatic pump 15 works for 1 minute → the toilet 12 is flushed 3 times → the waste transfer box 31 is automatically emptied 3 times to empty the water in the wastewater storage box 11, the toilet 12, the water booster device 16 and the auxiliary pipelines, and the waste transfer box 31. After 30 minutes, the electrical control unit 18 reports that the antifreeze emptying action has ended. Through multiple cycles of flushing and emptying, residual water in the system can be completely drained, preventing malfunctions such as pipe rupture, pump jamming, and cracking of the ceramic body of the toilet bowl 12 caused by the freezing and expansion of water in low-temperature environments. This significantly reduces the system's winter maintenance costs and the frequency of equipment replacement. The design can rely on the vehicle's original antifreeze emptying procedure, adding a command for the pneumatic pump 15 to continuously empty the water in the pipeline, without requiring large-scale modifications to the train's original control system. After the water supply system completes 15 minutes of emptying, the sanitary and grey water reuse systems independently execute their own dedicated emptying procedures. This ensures both the integrity of the train's antifreeze procedure and the precise emptying of the grey water reuse system, demonstrating strong compatibility and engineering feasibility.

[0054] The grey water reuse system provided by the present invention is described below, and can be referred to in conjunction with the grey water reuse system control method described above.

[0055] refer to Figures 1 to 3 The greywater reuse system includes: a water supply pipe 10, a washbasin 13, a filter device 19, a wastewater storage tank 11, a greywater reuse device 20, and a toilet 12. The greywater reuse device 20 includes a greywater storage tank 21. The water supply pipe 10 is used to replenish the greywater storage tank 21 with clean water. The washing water from the washbasin 13 is temporarily stored in the wastewater storage tank 11 after passing through the filter device 19. The wastewater storage tank 11 is used to replenish the greywater storage tank 21 with greywater. The liquid in the greywater storage tank 21 is used to flush the toilet 12. The greywater storage tank 21 has a clean water replenishment mode and a greywater replenishment mode, with the greywater replenishment mode being used preferentially. The filter device 19 is located below / downstream of the washbasin 13 and is used to filter the greywater, ensuring that the greywater flows into the wastewater storage tank 11 after primary filtration. The greywater reuse system also includes a pneumatic pump 15 (such as a pneumatic diaphragm pump), a water booster device 16, an electrical control unit 18, etc., as described above.

[0056] In some embodiments, the wastewater storage tank 11 includes a first chamber 111 and a second chamber 112, with a filter structure provided between the first chamber 111 and the second chamber 112.

[0057] like Figure 3 As shown, the wastewater storage tank 11 is equipped with a filter screen 113 (such as a stainless steel filter screen), dividing the tank into a first chamber 111 and a second chamber 112. The two chambers are connected only through the filter holes of the filter structure. The first chamber 111 is the grey water inlet, connected to the washbasin 13, and is used to receive the grey water discharged from the washbasin 13. The filter structure is vertically or horizontally positioned between the two chambers, and the pore size of the filter screen 113 is set according to actual needs. The second chamber 112 is the reuse liquid storage end, connected to the suction port of the pneumatic diaphragm pump, and stores only the clean grey water filtered by the filter screen 113, ensuring the cleanliness of the subsequently reused media.

[0058] When the grey water reuse system triggers the grey water replenishment mode, the grey water generated by the train first flows into the first chamber 111. Under the action of liquid level difference or the suction of pneumatic pump 15, the grey water passes through the filter structure in the forward direction, and the filtered clean grey water enters the second chamber 112. Subsequently, the pneumatic diaphragm pump draws clean water from the second chamber 112, pressurizes it and delivers it to the grey water storage tank 21 for flushing the toilet 12.

[0059] When the liquid level in the wastewater storage tank 11 reaches the high liquid level threshold, triggering the emptying procedure, the grey water in the wastewater storage tank 11 is discharged into the waste transfer tank 31, and at the same time, the filter screen 113 in the wastewater storage tank 11 is backwashed. That is, the clean filtered water remaining in the second chamber 112 flows in reverse through the filter structure under the emptying power, washing away the impurities attached to the surface of the filter screen 113, realizing the online self-cleaning of the filter screen 113. The impurities washed off enter the first chamber 111 with the water flow, and then the wastewater containing impurities in the first chamber 111 is discharged into the waste transfer tank 31 through the emptying pipe, completing the entire emptying and filter screen 113 cleaning process.

[0060] This invention utilizes the reverse flushing process during the emptying phase to automatically flush the filter screen 113 with the clean water remaining in the tank, replacing the traditional manual disassembly and cleaning of the filter screen 113. This design not only avoids the decrease in water flow capacity caused by long-term clogging of the filter screen 113, but also eliminates the need for manual cleaning by maintenance personnel. It is particularly suitable for operational scenarios where trains cannot be stopped for maintenance at any time, and can improve the automation and intelligence level of the system.

[0061] In some embodiments, the filtration device 19 includes a multi-stage filtration structure, such as a three-stage filtration system. The first stage is a physical pre-filtration using a stainless steel filter screen with a filtration precision of 30 mesh (550 μm), which can intercept hair and larger particles in the greywater. The second stage is an activated carbon pre-filtration, which can reduce some odor and color indicators. The third stage is a stainless steel filter screen with a filtration precision of 100 mesh (150 μm). After three stages of filtration, the greywater enters the wastewater storage tank 11. The greywater that has undergone three stages of filtration has a significantly reduced content of solid impurities and odor substances. After entering the wastewater storage tank 11, it will not cause wear or blockage to the core components such as the filtration structure and the pneumatic pump 15 inside the tank, which helps to extend the service life of the components.

[0062] Furthermore, the greywater storage tank 21 is equipped with a sterilization structure 27, such as an ultraviolet sterilization device. Greywater enters the wastewater storage tank 11 after three-stage filtration, then passes through the filter screen 113 in the wastewater storage tank 11 before entering the greywater storage tank 21. After further sterilization, it enters the water pressurization device 16. When the flush button 17 is pressed, the toilet 12 is flushed. In this way, greywater is reused only after primary filtration, secondary filtration, and sterilization. While filtering impurities, it can kill pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in the water, eliminating the hygiene and safety risks when reusing greywater for flushing the toilet 12, avoiding cross-contamination caused by substandard water quality, ensuring the user experience and health and safety of passengers, and also helping to protect downstream equipment and extend the service life of the system.

[0063] In scenarios where ultraviolet lamps are used, when the system is powered on for the first time, the system will control the toilet 12 to automatically flush. The control method of the present invention may also include: controlling the ultraviolet lamp to turn on for a preset duration (such as 15 minutes), and turning off the ultraviolet lamp if there is no flushing signal.

[0064] After a long period of train downtime, the water remaining in the greywater storage tank 21 is prone to microbial growth. The automatic flushing and timed ultraviolet sterilization during the first power-on of the system can thoroughly disinfect the water remaining in the tank, ensuring that the greywater quality of the toilet 12 meets the standards during the first flush, avoiding the impact of microorganisms that grow during the downtime on passenger safety, and improving the operational reliability of the system during the startup phase.

[0065] In addition, the PHM (Prognostics and Health Management) interface of the electrical control unit 18 has a UV lamp replacement reminder function (e.g., based on 10,000 hours). By automatically recording the cumulative running time of the UV lamp, a replacement reminder is triggered when the preset lifespan threshold is reached, avoiding sterilization failure due to the lamp exceeding its service life and ensuring that the recycled water always meets the hygiene standards for toilet flushing 12.

[0066] In some embodiments, the electrical control unit 18 has a built-in timing module that is linked to the ultraviolet lamp power supply circuit. The control method of the present invention may further include: starting a timer and accumulating the running time when the ultraviolet lamp is turned on, and stopping the timer when the ultraviolet lamp is turned off; comparing the accumulated running time with a preset replacement threshold, and generating a visual replacement reminder for the ultraviolet lamp's lifespan expiration when the accumulated running time reaches the preset replacement threshold, while simultaneously outputting an audible and visual alarm signal. After the maintenance personnel complete the ultraviolet lamp replacement, they perform a replacement reset operation through the PHM interface. Upon receiving the reset command, the electrical control unit 18 clears the accumulated running time to zero, the timing module restarts to count the running time of the new lamp, and clears the replacement reminder and audible and visual alarm signal from the PHM interface.

[0067] Furthermore, when the ultraviolet lamp reaches the replacement threshold but has not yet been replaced, the electrical control unit 18 automatically switches the system to a clean water priority replenishment mode to reduce the use of unsterilized water; at the same time, it extends the duration of each ultraviolet lamp operation to ensure the sterilization effect.

[0068] The present invention also provides a rail vehicle including the above-described grey water reuse system.

[0069] The grey water recycling system, control method, and rail vehicle provided by this invention address the shortcomings of existing technologies that lack effective water replenishment solutions when there is insufficient wastewater for handwashing. This control method provides a dual water replenishment mode. When the grey water recycling system is first powered on and the level in the grey water storage tank 21 is below the low level, clean water replenishment is triggered promptly to ensure sufficient flushing water from the initial state. When the grey water recycling device 20 malfunctions and cannot supply grey water, the clean water replenishment mode can also ensure normal flushing operation, solving the problem of toilets 12 failing to flush due to water shortage in existing technologies, thus ensuring passenger experience and train hygiene management. This control method, through flexible switching between grey water and clean water, can adapt to different wastewater generation and flushing needs in different scenarios, avoiding the limitations of a single water replenishment mode.

[0070] This control method prioritizes the use of recycled water for replenishment and only triggers fresh water replenishment in specific necessary scenarios, ensuring the full utilization of recycled water while minimizing the use of fresh water, reducing the load on the train's fresh water storage system, and thus reducing water resource costs.

[0071] The grey water reuse system and its control method provided by this invention have backwashing, fault alarm, antifreeze emptying and ultraviolet lamp preventive replacement reminder functions, which can achieve a water saving rate of ≥20%, reduce wastewater discharge, and extend the service life of the under-vehicle water tank 30 and the waste tank.

[0072] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A greywater reuse system, characterized in that, include: Water supply pipes, washbasins, filtration devices, wastewater storage tanks, greywater recycling devices, and toilets; The greywater reuse device includes a greywater storage tank, the water supply pipeline is used to replenish clean water to the greywater storage tank, the washing water of the washbasin is temporarily stored in the wastewater storage tank after passing through the filtration device, the wastewater storage tank is used to replenish greywater to the greywater storage tank, and the liquid in the greywater storage tank is used to flush the toilet. The greywater storage tank has a fresh water replenishment mode and a greywater replenishment mode, and the greywater storage tank preferentially uses the greywater replenishment mode.

2. The grey water reuse system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wastewater storage tank includes a first chamber and a second chamber, with a filtration structure between the first chamber and the second chamber.

3. The grey water reuse system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filtration device includes a multi-stage filtration structure; The greywater storage tank is equipped with a sterilization structure.

4. A control method for a greywater reuse system according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, include: When it is determined that the greywater storage tank meets the clean water replenishment conditions, the clean water replenishment mode is triggered. The clean water replenishment conditions include: when the greywater reuse system is powered on for the first time, the liquid level in the greywater storage tank is lower than the low liquid level; when the greywater reuse device malfunctions and a toilet flushing command is executed. When it is determined that the greywater temporary storage tank meets the greywater replenishment conditions, the greywater replenishment mode is triggered.

5. The control method for the grey water reuse system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The conditions for replenishing the greywater include: the liquid level in the greywater storage tank is lower than the low liquid level; the wastewater storage tank is connected at the high liquid level and the liquid level in the greywater storage tank is lower than the high liquid level.

6. The control method for the grey water reuse system according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: The liquid level in the greywater storage tank is detected. When the liquid level is lower than the low level, the clean water solenoid valve is opened to replenish water. After a first preset water replenishment period, the level of the medium water storage tank is checked to see if it has reached the low level. If it has not reached the low level, the clean water solenoid valve is closed. Each time the toilet is flushed, the solenoid valve for the clean water is opened for a second preset time. After a preset number of consecutive flushes, if the level in the greywater storage tank does not reach the low level, a fault alarm for low level in the greywater storage tank is issued.

7. The control method for the grey water reuse system according to claim 4, characterized in that, Also includes: If the level of the greywater storage tank is detected to be higher than the low level, the toilet will be flushed. The flushing will be repeated for a preset number of times. If the level of the greywater storage tank is still higher than the low level, a low level fault alarm will be triggered. If the greywater storage tank is replenished during the flushing process, the count will be reset to zero.

8. The control method for the grey water reuse system according to claim 4, characterized in that, A pneumatic pump is installed on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank and the greywater storage tank, and the control method further includes: The liquid level in the wastewater storage tank is detected as follows: low liquid level means no conductivity, high liquid level means conductivity. Control the pneumatic pump to start; The liquid level of the wastewater storage tank is detected. When the level changes from low level (no trigger) to low level (triggering) or from low level (triggering) and high level (no trigger) to high level (triggering), the wastewater storage tank is determined to be at a low level and an alarm is issued.

9. The control method for the grey water reuse system according to claim 4, characterized in that, A pneumatic pump is installed on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank and the greywater storage tank, and the control method further includes: Control the pneumatic pump to start for a preset duration; The liquid levels of the greywater storage tank and the wastewater storage tank are detected. If the liquid level of the greywater storage tank does not rise and the liquid level of the wastewater storage tank does not drop, the pneumatic pump is determined to be faulty and an alarm is issued.

10. The control method for a greywater reuse system according to any one of claims 4-9, characterized in that, A pneumatic pump is installed on the connecting pipeline between the wastewater storage tank and the greywater storage tank, and the control method further includes: Determine whether the liquid level in the wastewater storage tank meets the preset conditions. If the preset conditions are met, control the wastewater storage tank to be emptied. The preset conditions include: the liquid level of the wastewater storage tank is higher than the high liquid level, and the water in the secondary water storage tank is replenished to the high liquid level and then stopped, and after a preset interval, the wastewater storage tank is still at the high liquid level, or the secondary water storage tank is at the high liquid level.

11. A rail vehicle, characterized in that, The greywater reuse system includes any one of claims 1-3.

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