DEVICE FOR TREATING THE FILLING WATER OF SWIMMING POOLS

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for the treatment of the filling water of a swimming pool or pool.

[0002] A swimming pool filled with water, especially an outdoor pool, cannot simply be left unattended for extended periods. Contaminants such as dust, algae spores, and other particles from the environment enter the water. Bathers unintentionally introduce further pollutants and microorganisms into the water. Therefore, the pool water must be constantly cleaned and disinfected by circulating it in a closed loop, so that only the evaporated water needs to be replaced with fresh water.

[0003] Filtration plays a major role in water treatment; it is a mechanical cleaning process that captures impurities and adsorbs them in a filter medium. A loaded filter can either be cleaned by backwashing or the filter medium can simply be replaced.

[0004] Sand filter systems are frequently used. These essentially consist of a filter tank or vessel and an electric circulation pump. Fine quartz sand serves as the filter medium, or alternatively, practical filter balls made of fibers that can be easily washed by hand. Every drop of pool water should pass through the filter tank two to three times a day.

[0005] Chlorine, which has a high germicidal effect, is very often used to disinfect pool water. At the same time, as a strong oxidizing agent, chlorine breaks down oxidizable organic contaminants dissolved in the water, which are difficult to remove by other means. However, chlorine in swimming pool water also has its drawbacks: precisely because it is a strong oxidizing agent, it irritates the skin and is particularly poorly tolerated by people with sensitive skin. Therefore, the correct chlorine dosage is a challenge: too much chlorine is poorly tolerated, while too little free chlorine in the water leads to an excess of nitrogenous compounds. Pool water that supposedly smells of chlorine and strongly irritates the eyes does not contain too much, but too little chlorine, which must be corrected by a short-term overdose of free, unbound chlorine – a so-called shock chlorination.

[0006] Solid chlorine products are available as chlorinating agents, both in granular and tablet form. These stabilized chlorine products have the advantage of being formulated to dissolve quickly or slowly, and their storage and handling are virtually risk-free. Therefore, solid chlorine products, especially chlorine tablets, are particularly well-suited and popular for private swimming pools.

[0007] There are several methods for adding chlorine tablets to pool water. For example, you can fill a floating dispenser with the chlorine tablets, which then floats on the water's surface, allowing the chlorine bound in the tablets to be gradually released. The disadvantage of this method is that the chlorine from the dissolving tablets is distributed relatively unevenly throughout the water.

[0008] A second option is to add the chlorine tablets directly to the fill water via a surface skimmer.

[0009] The chlorine-enriched water then flows back into the pool via the return jets. The problem with this method, however, is that the chlorine tablets dissolve even when the pool filter isn't running, meaning the water remaining in the skimmer is heavily exposed to the aggressive chlorine.

[0010] The best method for dissolving chlorine tablets and continuously adding free chlorine to the pool water is a chlorine dosing system. However, such a dosing system must be integrated into the filter system, which naturally involves greater construction effort and higher costs.

[0011] Document US 5,234,588 A discloses a device for treating the water used to fill a swimming pool, comprising a filter vessel with a filter chamber for the filter medium, an openable lid, an inlet for raw water, and an outlet for treated water; furthermore, a disinfection chamber arranged within the filter vessel for receiving solid, water-soluble disinfectant, in particular tablets, wherein a portion of the raw water flows through this disinfection chamber. The round tablet receptacle is basket-shaped and has narrow longitudinal slots. A basket-shaped closing element is arranged concentrically around the round tablet receptacle, which is rotatable and can partially close the slots of the receptacle. By rotating the closing element relative to the receptacle, the amount of disinfectant flushed out of the receptacle can be varied.Adjusting the chlorination rate by twisting the sealing element against the collection container is impractical and inaccurate. Controlled flow through the tablet container does not occur. To change the setting, the filter container lid must be removed to access the sealing element.

[0012] Document US 2005 / 211613 A1 discloses a method and a system for liquid treatment, wherein the liquid treatment system has a container for receiving a liquid treatment material and the device can be effectively positioned in different transition areas in the liquid system to provide an improved dispersion rate in response to increased activity in the water.

[0013] Document US 2018 / 372235 A1 discloses a multi-position valve arrangement, in particular a rotary backwash valve arrangement with multiple positions.

[0014] Document US 6,287,462 B1 discloses a disinfection device comprising a cylindrical cartridge for holding a disinfectant, for example, a silver bacterium. The disinfectant is inserted into an existing filter in the normal filter flow path, enabling filtration and backwashing. The cartridge is a full-flow cartridge and can consist of either a packed bed or a loose packing to liquefy under filter conditions.

[0015] The invention is based on the technical problem of providing a simple and cost-effective device, especially for small to medium-sized swimming pools and private pools, which not only filters the filling water but also reliably disinfects it, in particular through continuous and finely dosable chlorination.

[0016] The problem is solved by the combination of features specified in claim 1.

[0017] The device according to the invention for treating the filling water of swimming pools comprises – in a manner known per se – a filter container with a filter chamber for receiving a filter medium, for example, sand or filter balls; furthermore, an openable lid for filling and emptying the filter container, an inlet for the raw water to be treated, and an outlet for the treated water. The device also includes a disinfection chamber arranged within the filter container for receiving solid, water-soluble disinfectant, preferably in the form of chlorine tablets. The disinfection chamber is designed such that a portion of the raw water flows through it. According to the invention, the device further comprises a distribution valve for distributing the incoming raw water into a first partial flow that flows through the disinfection chamber and a second partial flow that flows directly into the filter chamber.

[0018] The first portion of the raw water, which is directed from the distribution valve into the disinfection chamber, comes into contact with the solid disinfectant stored there and gradually dissolves it. The raw water, thus enriched with disinfectant, then enters the filter chamber, where it mixes with the second portion of the raw water, which is directed directly into the filter chamber by the distribution valve. The distribution valve determines the mixing ratio, similar to a blending device in a water softening system.

[0019] The mixing ratio between the two partial flows can be advantageously adjusted by means of a movable shut-off element of the distribution valve. This shut-off element is designed as a hollow shut-off tube, which has an inlet opening for the incoming raw water, a first outlet opening for the first partial flow, which flows into the disinfection chamber, and a second outlet opening for the second partial flow, which flows directly into the filter chamber.

[0020] In the processing device according to the invention, the shut-off tube is rotatably mounted in a coaxial sealing tube. The inner wall of the sealing tube and the outer wall of the shut-off tube form sliding sealing surfaces which, when rotated relative to each other, more or less close the two outlet openings in the shut-off tube in order to regulate the mixing ratio between the two partial flows. Optionally, the sealing tube can have an axial groove in which a seal is seated.

[0021] The sealing tube, in which the shut-off tube is located, is positioned on the inside of the lid, preferably molded in one piece, and projects downwards into the disinfection chamber. The shut-off tube, rotatably mounted within the sealing tube, extends upwards beyond the lid of the filter vessel. This results in a space-saving and cost-effective design that can be manufactured cost-effectively using plastic injection molding.

[0022] The disinfection chamber is conveniently located on the inside of the lid. This positions the disinfection chamber as high as possible within the filter container, thus maximizing its distance from the filter medium in the filter container's intake space. If the lid has a closable inlet opening above the disinfection chamber, the disinfectant, such as chlorine tablets, can be easily inserted. Mechanical emptying of the disinfection chamber is unnecessary with this design, as the solid, water-soluble disinfectant dissolves gradually.

[0023] Advantageously, the disinfection chamber has a cylindrical wall and a circular base. The disinfection chamber is sealed at the top by the inside of the filter container's lid. The cylindrical wall conveniently features a number of openings through which the raw water enriched with disinfectant flows from the disinfection chamber into the filter chamber.

[0024] If the water level in the filter container drops below the level of the bottom of the disinfection chamber, the disinfectant stored therein will dry out. To prevent unintentional local concentration of disinfectant, a small drain hole can be incorporated into the bottom to prevent a pool of wet disinfectant from forming.

[0025] According to the invention, the mixing ratio between the two partial flows is determined by the distribution valve. This mixing ratio is ultimately crucial for the correct dosage of the disinfectant.

[0026] The distribution valve also has a manually operated lever connected to the upper end of the shut-off pipe, which allows the distribution ratio to be adjusted for fine-tuning the dosage of disinfectant. The filter container lid conveniently features an embossed or printed scale on its upper surface. The position of the manually operated lever relative to the scale visually indicates the disinfectant dosage or the chlorine dosage.

[0027] An embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1: A device for treating the filling water of swimming pools, in a perspective view from an oblique angle above; Figure 2: The device of Fig. 1 , in a side view; Figure 3 the device of Fig. 1 , in a vertical section; Figure 4 a view into the open disinfection chamber of the device according to Fig. 1 , perspective; Figure 5 the shut-off body of the distribution valve of the device according to Fig. 1 , from a perspective.

[0028] The in the Figuren 1 , 2 and 3The device, shown in various views, comprises a filter vessel 10 in the form of a round vessel. The housing 11 is made of plastic in one piece and has a flattened bottom that serves as a base. The housing 11 has a round lid 13, which is removable to allow complete access to the filter vessel. The lid 13 is secured with a clamping ring. This provides access to the filter chamber 14 for filling it with filter balls 15 as the filter medium.

[0029] The lid 13 incorporates an inlet 16 for the raw water to be treated. The lower part of the housing 11 contains an outlet 17 for the treated water. Inside the container (see...) Fig. 3 A collecting pipe 18 is located, ending just above the base 12 and opening into the outlet 17. An axially upward-projecting vent nozzle 18a is mounted on the collecting pipe 18.

[0030] In operation, the inlet 16 is connected to a circulation pump (not shown) which draws the raw water to be treated from the swimming pool and pushes it into the filter tank 10. A return line (not shown) can be connected to the outlet 17 to return the treated water to the swimming pool. With the lid 13 closed, the filter tank is sealed watertight and pressure-tight.

[0031] As shown in the cross-sectional view of the Fig. 3 As can be seen, a disinfection chamber 20 is arranged inside the filter container 10, specifically on the inside of the lid 13. The disinfection chamber 20 has a U-shaped cross-section, formed by a cylindrical wall 21 and a circular base 22. A small drain opening 23 is provided in the base 22 at its lowest point. The wall 21 has a number of recesses 24 in the area of ​​its upper edge, through which water can pass into the filter chamber 14.

[0032] During operation, the disinfection chamber 20 is filled with disinfectant in the form of chlorine tablets 25. These can be poured into the disinfection chamber 20 from above through a filling opening 26 with screw cap 27 via the closed lid 13 of the filter container 10.

[0033] A distribution valve 30 with a shut-off element in the form of a hollow shut-off tube 31 is located in the lid 13, or partially within the disinfection chamber 20. The shut-off element is axially rotatable within a coaxial sealing tube 32. The sealing tube 32 is integrally formed with the lid 13 and projects downwards into the disinfection chamber 20.

[0034] Figur 4 shows the view from above into the disinfection chamber 20. A round receptacle 22a is formed on the floor 22, which receives the lower end of the shut-off pipe 31 (cf. Fig.3 ).

[0035] Fig. 5 The design of the shut-off pipe 31 can be seen in detail.

[0036] The shut-off pipe 31 has an inlet opening 33 at its upper end, which is connected to the inlet 16 for raw water. Approximately at the midpoint of its axial length, the shut-off pipe 31 has a first outlet opening 34, which, depending on the angular position of the shut-off pipe 31 relative to the sealing pipe 32, is closed, partially open, or fully open to direct a smaller or larger portion of the incoming raw water into the disinfection chamber 20. At the lower end of the shut-off pipe 31 is a second outlet opening 35, which extends approximately half the circumference of the wall of the sealing pipe 32. Through this second outlet opening 35, the remaining portion of the raw water flows directly into the filter chamber 14 of the filter vessel 10. The shut-off pipe 31 functions as a shut-off device, similar to a valve.

[0037] The shut-off pipe 31, which is rotatably mounted in the sealing pipe 32, projects upwards beyond the lid 13 of the filter tank 10 (see figure). Fig. 3 A pivot lever 36 is connected to the upper end of the shut-off tube 31, allowing the shut-off tube 31 to be rotated by hand. In this way, the mixing ratio between the first partial flow, which flows through the disinfection chamber 20, and the second partial flow, which flows directly into the filter chamber 14, can be continuously adjusted.

[0038] On the outside of the lid 13 a scale 19 is embossed, which corresponds to a marking 37 on the pivot lever 36 ( Fig. 1The addition of chlorine can be adjusted between 0 and 100 using this scale 19. A value of 0 corresponds to a complete shut-off of the raw water flow into the disinfection chamber, i.e., no chlorine added, and a value of 100 corresponds to a maximum flow through the disinfection chamber with a chlorination of approximately 35%, based on the total raw water flowing into the filter container 10.

[0039] Once the chlorine tablets 25 in the disinfection chamber 20 have completely dissolved, new chlorine tablets 25 can simply be inserted through the filling opening 26. If the supply of raw water to the filter tank 10 is interrupted, for example, due to the switching off of the circulation pump, the water level inside the filter tank 10 drops below the base 22 of the disinfection chamber 20, depending on the position of the filter tank 10 and / or the water level in the pool. The water can then drain downwards from the disinfection chamber through the drain opening 23 in the base 22, thus preventing an uncontrolled release of chlorine from the chlorine tablets 25. This prevents a harmful or even dangerous build-up of free chlorine inside the filter tank 10. Reference sign

[0040] 10 Filter container 11 Housing 12 Base 13 Lid 14 Filter chamber 15 Filter balls 16 Inlet (raw water) 17 Outlet 18 Collector pipe 18a Vent pipe (collector pipe) 19 Scale (lid) 20 Disinfection chamber 21 Wall 22 Bottom 22a Receptacle (bottom) 23 Drip opening (bottom) 24 Recesses (wall) 25 Chlorine tablets 26 Filling opening 27 Screw cap 30 Distributor valve 31 Shut-off pipe 32 Sealing pipe 33 Inlet opening (shut-off pipe) 34 First outlet opening (shut-off pipe) 35 Second outlet opening (shut-off pipe) 36 Swivel lever 37 Marking (swivel lever)

Claims

1. Device for treating the fill water of swimming pools, comprising a filter container (10) with a filter chamber (14) for a filter medium, an openable lid (13), an inlet (16) for the raw water to be treated, and an outlet (17) for the treated water; a disinfection chamber (20) arranged inside the filter container (10) for receiving solid water-soluble disinfectant, wherein the disinfection chamber can be flowed through by a portion of the raw water; characterized by a distribution valve (30) for distributing the inflowing raw water into a first partial flow that flows through the disinfection chamber (20), and a second partial flow that flows directly into the filter chamber (14), wherein the raw water of the first partial flow enriched in this way with disinfectant subsequently passes into the filter chamber (14), where it mixes with the second raw-water partial flow, wherein the distribution valve (30) has a movable shut-off body in order to adjust the ratio between the two partial flows, wherein the shut-off body is designed as a hollow shut-off tube (31) which has an inlet opening (33) for the raw water, a first outlet opening (34) for the first partial flow, and a second outlet opening (35) for the second partial flow, wherein the shut-off tube (31) is rotatably mounted in a coaxial sealing tube (32), wherein the inner wall of the sealing tube (32) and the outer wall of the shut-off tube (31) form sliding sealing surfaces which, upon mutual rotation, more or less close the two outlet openings (34, 35) in the shut-off tube (31) in order to regulate the mixing ratio between the two partial flows, wherein the sealing tube (32) is arranged on the inner side of the lid (13) and projects into the disinfection chamber (20), wherein the shut-off tube (31), which is rotatably mounted in the sealing tube (32), projects upward beyond the lid (13) of the filter container (10), and wherein a pivot lever (36) is connected to the upper end of the shut-off tube (31), by means of which the shut-off tube (31) can be rotated manually to adjust the distribution ratio.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the disinfection chamber (20) is arranged on the inner side of the lid (13).

3. Device according to claim 2, wherein the lid (13) has a closable filling opening (26) for introducing disinfectant into the disinfection chamber (20).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the disinfection chamber (20) has a cylindrical wall (21) and a circular base (22).

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein the wall has a number of recesses (24).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (22) of the disinfection chamber (20) has a drip opening (23).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the disinfection chamber (20) is designed to receive chlorine tablets (25).