SANITARY FACILITIES, ESPECIALLY SHOWER

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sanitary installation which is particularly designed as a shower.

[0002] To improve energy efficiency, systems with heat recovery from wastewater are increasingly being used in building services. Heat recovery from, for example, shower wastewater can significantly reduce the energy demand for hot water. If heat exchangers are placed below the shower level in the floor structure, only a relatively small portion of the waste heat can be recovered, as the heat exchanger must be dimensioned accordingly.

[0003] To keep the construction on the same floor, the heat exchangers are placed to the side of the shower rather than below the shower tray, allowing them to be dimensioned accordingly. However, these systems require a lift pump (hereinafter referred to as the "pump") to pump the warm shower wastewater to the heat exchanger, thus preheating the cold fresh water.

[0004] WO 2018 / 169 394 A1 describes a shower system in which wastewater is applied to the coils of a heat exchanger pipe to preheat the incoming cold water. A pump is provided for this purpose, which conveys the wastewater, with the pump speed being electronically controlled depending on the water flow.

[0005] It also describes a control of the wastewater volume to be pumped, in which the pump operates at a fixed flow rate. In this embodiment, a bypass is installed, which leads back to the shower tray via a T-piece between the pump and the heat exchanger. The bypass has a level-controlled valve that keeps the bypass open as long as too little wastewater has been collected and closes the bypass when there is sufficient wastewater. Due to the discontinuous on-and-off control, the pumped wastewater volume reaching the heat exchanger fluctuates, reducing the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

[0006] In the prior art according to WO 2018 / 169394 A1, (a) either the speed or rotational speed of the pump that pumps the wastewater to the heat exchanger is electronically controlled depending on the water volume, or (b) the speed or rotational speed of the pump is kept constant and the flow rate is constantly redirected, thereby varying the pumped wastewater volume. Furthermore, this prior art uses a diaphragm pump, which can also pump an air / liquid mixture. However, this pump type is complex to manufacture and maintain.

[0007] Utility model DE 20 2006 001 996 U1 relates to a device for recovering heat from wastewater from a shower and / or bathing facility. A wastewater volume flow, which is pumped to the heat exchanger by a pump, is varied using a valve. The valve is controlled by a float. The valve is located in the pressure line and thus downstream of the pump. The wastewater reservoir in the device shown must be relatively deep so that the pump head can fill with water automatically. This, in turn, results in a relatively high floor structure.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a sanitary installation, in particular a shower, which can be operated as energy-efficiently as possible while being simple to manufacture and requiring little maintenance.

[0009] This object is achieved by the features of the independent claim. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0010] The invention thus shows a sanitary facility. The sanitary facility is designed in particular as a shower and will usually be explained in more detail below using this example. However, the invention shown here can also be applied to other sanitary facilities in the private or commercial sector. The wastewater used for heat recovery can, for example, come from one or more sinks, a washing machine or a dishwasher instead of one or more showers. Furthermore, it is usually described below that the used wastewater is used for heat recovery within the same sanitary facility; for example, the wastewater from the shower(s) is reused to heat the fresh water of the same shower(s). However, it is also generally envisaged that the wastewater from one sanitary facility can be used to heat the fresh water of another sanitary facility.

[0011] The sanitary installation according to the invention features a collecting device with a drain opening. The drain opening is located at the bottom of the collecting device. The top of the collecting device is preferably closed with a water-permeable cover, in particular a mesh cover.

[0012] The collection device is designed, in particular, as a basin positioned so that wastewater from a shower tray flows into the collection device. If there is no shower tray (for example, the wastewater drains onto a tiled or concrete shower floor), the collection device can be positioned accordingly so that the water flows from the shower floor into the collection device.

[0013] Furthermore, the sanitary facility comprises a heat exchanger with a fresh water inlet. The heat exchanger is positioned in particular next to and not below the collecting device. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the heat exchanger is positioned above the collecting device; i.e., that at least part of the heat exchanger is arranged higher than the collecting device. This enables the use of a correspondingly large heat exchanger. In particular, it is provided that the heat exchanger has a fresh water outlet next to the fresh water inlet. The supplied cold fresh water flows through the heat exchanger, in particular along a spiral pipe, from the fresh water inlet to the fresh water outlet. The fresh water outlet is preferably connected to a water outlet. This water outlet, in turn, is designed in particular for connecting a shower head.As will be described in more detail, there may be other components, such as a water heater and / or a fitting, between the fresh water drain of the heat exchanger and the water outlet.

[0014] As mentioned at the beginning, it is particularly intended that the described collecting device is located on the same sanitary facility, in particular the shower, from which the heated fresh water is discharged via the water outlet, so that the fresh water passing through the heat exchanger is collected in the collecting device as waste water.

[0015] Furthermore, it is particularly provided that the heat exchanger comprises a wastewater inlet and a wastewater outlet. The wastewater from the collection device can be introduced into the wastewater inlet of the heat exchanger. Inside the heat exchanger, the wastewater flows from the wastewater inlet to the wastewater outlet. The wastewater outlet of the heat exchanger is connected, in particular, to a wastewater discharge system (e.g., the building's sewer line).

[0016] In addition, the sanitary system includes a connecting line for conveying the wastewater from the drain opening of the collection device to the heat exchanger, i.e., in particular, into the heat exchanger's predefined wastewater inlet. This connecting line, in particular, includes hoses and / or pipes for conveying the wastewater accordingly.

[0017] A pump is located in the connecting line. This pump can also be referred to as a lift pump or sewage pump. It is specifically intended that the pump be positioned higher than the drain opening. In particular, the pump is not located below the collecting device, but next to it. The term "next to the collecting device" also includes a pump arrangement "to the side of the collecting device and higher than the collecting device." This results in a very flat floor structure for the sanitary facility. Only the collecting device determines the depth of the structure, since the other large components such as the pump and heat exchanger are located to the side.

[0018] In order to enable efficient heat recovery through constant wetting in the heat exchanger on the one hand and the use of simple pumps on the other, a regulating arrangement is provided within the framework of the sanitary system according to the invention. This regulating arrangement regulates the water level in the collecting device. This ensures that the pump can be operated at a constant speed and in particular without speed regulation and that air is not sucked in. For this purpose, the regulating arrangement is designed to change a flow cross-section depending on a water level in the collecting device. This flow cross-section is passed through by the wastewater flowing from the collecting device to the pump on the way between the collecting device and the pump. This is therefore a flow cross-section that is located between the collecting device and the pump.The regulating arrangement thus changes the flow cross-section in / on the suction line upstream of the pump. One of the advantages of regulating the arrangement in the suction line or at the beginning of the suction line is that the mechanical components used are more easily accessible—for example, for cleaning—than with an arrangement in the pressure line.

[0019] The "change in the flow cross-section" specifically describes a continuous or multi-stage change in the flow cross-section, whereby the flow cross-section can assume multiple values ​​greater than zero. In particular, it is not just a matter of opening and closing the flow cross-section.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the regulating arrangement comprises a closure element that is movable in the drain opening to change the flow cross-section; in particular, it is movable up and down in the vertical direction. In particular, the closure element is a plug that is inserted into the drain opening. Preferably, the closure element is movable upwards, i.e., out of the drain opening, to increase the flow cross-section, and downwards, i.e., into the drain opening, to decrease the flow cross-section.

[0021] Changing the flow cross-section by means of the closure element is particularly possible if the closure and / or the drain opening have a correspondingly tapered or widened cross-section. For example, at least one of the two elements can be conical, rounded, conical, or truncated cone-shaped.

[0022] It is preferably provided that the portion of the closure element which is inserted into the drain opening (also referred to as "protrusion") has a cross-section which decreases continuously or in sections downwards.

[0023] The closure element is preferably arranged axially aligned with the drain opening.

[0024] Preferably, the regulating arrangement is designed to regulate the flow cross-section in a range of at least 5 mm 2< to at most 1000 mm 2<.

[0025] The regulating arrangement preferably comprises a buoyancy body. This buoyancy body can also be referred to as a "float." The buoyancy body is arranged in the collection device to float on the wastewater. The buoyancy body is coupled to the closure element in such a way that the closure element can be moved with the buoyancy body.

[0026] The closure element is preferably arranged at the center of gravity of the buoyancy body.

[0027] In principle, the closure element can be firmly connected to the buoyancy body, or a one-piece design of the closure element and buoyancy body can be provided. In a preferred embodiment, however, the closure element is provided so that it can be displaced within the buoyancy body, abutting on one side. In particular, it is provided that the closure element itself does not float and thus sinks downwards into the drain opening without buoyancy from the buoyancy body. However, since the closure element is arranged in the buoyancy body so that it "abuts on one side," this ensures that the closure element can be lifted by the buoyancy body, but on the other hand, the buoyancy body can sink further once the closure element is seated in the drain opening.As a result, the buoyancy body always remains on the surface of the wastewater in the collection device, even at very low water levels, which in turn ensures that the surface of the wastewater is covered as much as possible and thus prevents air from being drawn in as far as possible.

[0028] A further advantage of the lowerable float is that, in combination with the switch described below, it can deactivate the pump via the integrated sensor only when the water level is very low. If the float could not sink any further with the water level, the pump would have to be deactivated before the closure element fully inserts into the drain opening. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the buoyancy body covers at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, more preferably at least 90%, of the water surface in the collection device. With such a large buoyancy body, the water surface in the collection device is largely covered, thereby preventing air from being drawn into the drain opening as far as possible.

[0029] The control arrangement preferably includes a switch for activating the pump. The switch can be switched depending on the water level in the collection device. In particular, the switch is designed such that it can only switch the pump on and off; otherwise, it cannot affect the pump's performance.

[0030] Particularly preferably, a sensor is arranged on the buoyancy body or on the closure element. The sensor is designed to activate the switch. The switch, or at least a part of the switch, is located on the collecting device or next to the collecting device, so that the buoyancy body, together with the sensor, can be moved past the switch as the water level changes.

[0031] The sensor, in particular, has a magnetic element. The magnetic element can be a permanent magnet or a magnetic material (e.g., iron). Accordingly, the switch is designed to detect the magnetic element. Alternatively, the sensor can also be a region of the buoyancy body or closure element that otherwise actuates a mechanical or optical switch.

[0032] The switch can basically be designed in such a way that when the sensor is detected, the condition for switching the pump on or off is met - whether the state of the pump is then actually changed can depend on a flow switch, which will be described later.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the switch has a detection range within which it can detect the presence of the sensor. The switch is preferably configured such that the condition for switching the pump on (or leaving it switched on) is met as long as the sensor is within the detection range. And the condition for switching the pump off (or leaving it switched off) is met as long as the sensor is not within the detection range.

[0034] Furthermore, a flow switch is preferably provided, which is arranged to detect a water flow of fresh water. For this purpose, the flow switch can be located, for example, upstream of the fresh water inlet of the heat exchanger or between the fresh water outlet of the heat exchanger and the water outlet. Particularly preferably, the switch on the collecting device and the flow switch are connected in series such that the pump only runs when the pump is switched on based on the states of both switches.

[0035] The flow switch is particularly designed to ensure that the condition for switching the pump on is met when the water flow exceeds a first threshold and for switching the pump off when the water flow falls below a second threshold. The two thresholds can generally be the same or different.

[0036] The advantage of the switch on the collection device in combination with the flow switch is particularly evident when the pump only runs when both switches are activated – i.e., the condition for switching on the pump is present at both switches. Otherwise, backflowing wastewater from the connecting line could raise the water level in the collection device after the shower. The pump would then be reactivated due to the switch on the collection device until the water level drops. When the pump is switched off, water would flow from the connecting line back into the collection tank, and the pump would be reactivated. This could lead to constant "oscillation." This oscillation can be avoided by the flow switch.

[0037] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the pump is designed as a centrifugal pump. Such centrifugal pumps are simple to manufacture and require very little maintenance. However, it should be noted that centrifugal pumps are not self-priming, as they cannot build up negative pressure on the suction side as long as there is no liquid in the pump housing. This problem can be solved, however, by filling the pump housing and the connecting line between the collecting device and the pump with fluid before initial commissioning. Alternatively, the pump could be installed below the water level of the collecting device, although this should preferably be avoided in order to keep the installation height as low as possible.

[0038] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the pump in the sanitary facility can only be operated at a constant speed, which means that the pump can only be switched on and off, but its speed cannot be varied. In particular, a pump is used which, due to its design, can only be operated at a constant speed. Alternatively, the electrical and / or electronic systems of the sanitary facility can be designed so simply that the pump - regardless of its design - can only be operated at a constant speed and can therefore only be switched on and off. This enables the use of pumps that are easy to manufacture and require very little maintenance. At the same time, this simplifies the structure of the electrical and / or electronic systems of the sanitary facility.

[0039] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the regulating arrangement is designed such that, regardless of the water level in the collecting device, a minimum flow cross-section remains. This minimum flow cross-section is greater than zero. In particular, this is achieved by the closure element not completely closing the drain opening in its lower position. This can be achieved by designing the geometry of the drain opening and / or the closure element accordingly to ensure the minimum flow cross-section when the closure element is seated in the drain opening.

[0040] Additionally or alternatively, a complete sinking of the closure element can be prevented, for example by the buoyancy body, so that the closure element does not sit in the drain opening.

[0041] In particular, it is provided that the closure element has / have at least one recess and / or the drain opening has / have at least one recess. This at least one recess is designed and positioned such that the minimum flow cross-section is ensured in the lowest position of the closure element.

[0042] The minimum flow cross-section is preferably at least 5 mm 2 , particularly preferably at least 10 mm 2 . The upper limit of the minimum flow cross-section is preferably at most 80 mm 2 , more preferably at most 50 mm 2 .

[0043] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the connecting line between the pump and the heat exchanger has a siphon. This siphon can also be referred to as a tubular siphon. The lowest point of the siphon is preferably below a minimum water level in the collecting device. This minimum water level in the collecting device is determined in particular by the pump being switched off from this minimum water level, whereby the minimum water level in the collecting device is maintained. As an alternative to defining the lowest point relative to the minimum water level, it is provided that the siphon is positioned such that its lowest point is below a base of the collecting device.

[0044] The siphon can also be described as a U-shaped section of the connecting pipe. Upstream of the siphon, the connecting pipe rises toward the pump. Downstream of the siphon, the connecting pipe rises toward the wastewater inlet of the heat exchanger.

[0045] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the connecting line has a riser section downstream of the pump, in particular between the pump and the siphon. From the pump, the connecting line thus rises in this riser section and then falls again to the siphon. This ensures that, after the system has been filled for the first time, the pump is always filled with water. Furthermore, the line section descending to the siphon is preferably designed such that air bubbles transported by the flow can be pushed out of the system against their buoyancy force.

[0046] The riser section forms a reservoir above the pump with a capacity defined as the "first volume." The connecting line has a corresponding capacity between the drain opening and the pump, defined as the "second volume." The first volume is preferably larger than the second volume. If water flows back from this second volume toward the collection device, there will always be enough water in the first volume to keep the pump completely filled.

[0047] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the sanitary system has a "return throttle" in the connecting line. This return throttle is designed to slow the water flowing back toward the collection device as much as possible as soon as the pump is deactivated. In particular, the return throttle is designed as a check valve. The return throttle is located, in particular, between the siphon and the wastewater inlet of the heat exchanger.

[0048] Preferably, the collection device has an overflow connected to the wastewater outlet. This prevents the collection device from overflowing, as excess wastewater can be discharged directly via the overflow.

[0049] According to a variant of the invention, the sanitary facility comprises only the described heat exchanger and no additional water heater. Rather, the sanitary facility is connected to the hot water pipe of a building. In particular, it is provided that the sanitary facility has a fitting for mixing the heated fresh water from the fresh water outlet of the heat exchanger with the incoming hot water. This fitting can be, for example, a conventional shower mixer.

[0050] In a further variant of the invention, the sanitary system comprises a water heater in addition to the heat exchanger. This water heater is particularly designed to heat water using electricity. Particularly preferably, the water heater operates as a heat pump and / or uses electrical energy directly, for example, via resistance heating, to heat the water. Alternatively, the water heater can be operated with fuel, in particular gas.

[0051] In particular, the water heater is designed to be located downstream of the fresh water outlet of the heat exchanger. The water heater thus further heats the water already preheated in the heat exchanger.

[0052] It is particularly preferred that the sanitary facility not have a hot water connection on the building's side. Only a cold water connection is provided, which leads to the fresh water supply of the heat exchanger.

[0053] Specifically, the heated water from the heat exchanger, i.e., downstream of the heat exchanger's fresh water outlet, is split into two lines. One line passes through the water heater and is thus further heated before flowing to the tap. The other line flows directly from the fresh water outlet to the tap. The two lines can then be mixed together in the tap, allowing the desired temperature of the water exiting the water outlet to be adjusted.

[0054] Furthermore, a return line is preferably provided, which branches off downstream of the water heater and leads to the fresh water inlet of the heat exchanger. Preferably, this return line contains another pump and / or another check valve. This return line can also be referred to as part of a preheating circuit. This has proven helpful when the water heater has a relatively low heating output, which is insufficient to bring the cold fresh water to the desired temperature without heat recovery in the heat exchanger. This can be particularly useful at the beginning of the shower cycle when the fresh water is not yet preheated.

[0055] In principle, the invention is not limited to a specific type of heat exchanger. However, it is preferably provided that the heat exchanger has a height, this height is the largest dimension of the heat exchanger, and the height is aligned vertically. This allows a substantial portion of the overall height of the sanitary facility, in particular the shower, to be used for the heat exchanger. In particular, it is provided that the heat exchanger has a further dimension perpendicular to its height—in particular width, length, or diameter. Preferably, the height is at least five times, in particular at least ten times, as large as the further dimension.

[0056] The heat exchanger is particularly preferably a double-pipe heat exchanger.

[0057] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the sanitary facility, as described above, is designed as a shower for pre-wall installation. For this pre-wall installation, the sanitary facility comprises a frame. At least the collecting device including the regulating arrangement, the heat exchanger, the pump, and the connecting line are arranged on this frame. In addition, the described water heater and / or the fitting and / or the water outlet and / or the return line can also be located on the frame. It is also preferably provided that all other elements, such as the lines between the fresh water drain of the heat exchanger and the water outlet, are arranged on the frame.

[0058] The frame, including all components within it, can be mounted in front of or on an existing wall of a building. This ensures that the essential components of the sanitary system described here are located directly in the correct position, ensuring the system's functionality.

[0059] Further details, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of an embodiment with reference to the drawings. It shows: Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of the sanitary installation according to an embodiment, Fig. 2 shows a schematic view of the sanitary installation according to the embodiment with additional components, Fig. 3 shows different examples of the geometric design of a regulating arrangement of the sanitary installation according to the invention according to the embodiment.

[0060] In the following, the Fig. 1 to 3a sanitary facility 1, designed as a shower, is described.

[0061] According to Fig. 1 The sanitary facility 1 has a water outlet 2 to which a shower head 23 is connected. The water from the shower head 23 flows via a shower tray into a collecting device 3 and is referred to below as wastewater.

[0062] The collection device 3 is closed by a cover 15, for example, designed as a grid cover. The wastewater collects inside the collection device 3.

[0063] At the bottom of the collection device is a drain opening 4. This is connected to a heat exchanger 6 via a connecting line G. The heat exchanger 6 has a fresh water inlet D and a wastewater outlet C on its underside. The fresh water inlet D can be connected to a cold water supply line A of a building. The wastewater outlet C leads to a wastewater outlet 7 of a building.

[0064] The collecting device 3 has an overflow 14 which leads to the wastewater discharge 7.

[0065] At the top of the heat exchanger 6 there is a wastewater inlet B and a freshwater outlet E. The connecting pipe G flows into the wastewater inlet B.

[0066] A pipe leads from the fresh water outlet E to a fitting 8. In this fitting 8, the fresh water coming from the heat exchanger 6 can be mixed with warm water from a hot water supply line 19 and then fed to the water outlet 2 or the shower head 23. The hot water supply line 19 can supply warm water from any building-side hot water supply.

[0067] A pump 5, designed as a constant-speed centrifugal pump, is located in the connecting line G. The pump 5 is positioned higher than a base of the collecting device 3. Above the pump 5, the connecting line G has a riser section 24, after which the connecting line G descends to a siphon 18. Downstream of the siphon 18, the connecting line G rises again and ends at the wastewater inlet B of the heat exchanger 6.

[0068] As explained in the general part of the description, a return throttle 17, in particular designed as a check valve, can be located in the connecting line G.

[0069] Furthermore, Fig. 1a regulating arrangement 30. This regulating arrangement 30 comprises a closure element 11 that projects into the drain opening 4. Furthermore, the regulating arrangement 30 comprises a buoyancy body 10. The closure element 11 is slidably inserted into the buoyancy body 10. At its upper end, the closure element 11 has a collar so that it can be displaced relative to the buoyancy body 10, striking it on one side. When the buoyancy body 10 floats upwards with the water level in the collecting device 3, the closure element 11 is also moved upwards. If the buoyancy body 10 sinks, the closure element 11, which is particularly designed to be non-floating, also sinks deeper into the drain opening 4.

[0070] Due to the geometric design of the closure element 11 and the drain opening 4, for example due to the Fig. 1shown conical design, the flow cross-section in the outlet opening 4 can be changed by moving the closure element 11 up and down, as explained in the general part of the description.

[0071] Furthermore, the regulating arrangement 30 comprises a switch 13 and a sensor 12. The switch 13 is located on the side of the collecting device 3. The sensor 12 is located on the buoyancy body 10. In the embodiment shown, the sensor 12 is designed as a permanent magnet, which can be detected by the switch 13, designed as a magnetic switch.

[0072] In the illustrated embodiment, the switch 13 is positioned so that the sensor 12 is within its detection range as long as the water level in the collection device 3 is high enough. If the sensor 12 is within the detection range of the switch 13, the corresponding condition for switching on the pump 5 is met.

[0073] In addition to switch 13, a flow switch 16 is provided, which is located upstream of the fresh water inlet D of the heat exchanger 6. If a sufficient flow rate of fresh water is detected at the flow switch 16, the condition for switching on the pump 5 is also present on the part of the flow switch 16. In particular, it is provided that the pump 5 is switched on if the corresponding condition for switching on the pump 5 is present at switch 13 and the flow switch 16. If the condition is no longer present at one of the two switches 13, 16, the pump 5 is switched off.

[0074] Fig. 2 corresponds Fig. 1 except for the differences discussed below. Fig. 2shows that instead of the hot water supply line 19 coming from the building, a water heater 9 can also be used within the sanitary facility 1. The functioning of the water heater 9 is explained in the general part of the description and also applies to the exemplary embodiment. As the schematic representation in Fig. 2 shows, the pipe coming from the fresh water drain E branches off and leads on the one hand directly to fitting 8 and on the other hand via the water heater 9 to fitting 8.

[0075] In addition to the water heater 9, a return line F can be used. This return line F branches off downstream of the water heater 9 and leads to the fresh water inlet D. Another pump and another check valve 21 can be used in the return line F.

[0076] Fig. 3illustrates the minimum flow cross-section in the area of ​​the drain opening 4. Accordingly, both the closure element 11 and the drain opening 4 can have a corresponding recess 22 with any geometry, so that even if the closure element 11 is located at the lowest point, the minimum flow cross-section is guaranteed. Example A in Fig. 3 illustrates that the recess 22 can be formed at the drain opening 4. Example B illustrates that several of these recesses 22 are also possible at the drain opening 4. Example C illustrates that the recess 22 can also be arranged on the closure element 11. According to Example D, several recesses 22 can be formed both at the drain opening 4 and on the closure element 11. List of reference symbols

[0077] 1Sanitary facility 2Water outlet 3Collection device 4Drain opening 5Pump 6Heat exchanger 7Wastewater discharge 8Fitting 9Hot water heater 10Floating body 11Closing element 12Sensor, in particular permanent magnet 13Switch, in particular magnetic switch 14Overflow 15Cover, in particular grid cover 16Flow switch 17Return throttle, in particular check valve 18Siphon, in particular tubular siphon 19Hot water supply line 20Additional pump (for preheating circuit) 21Additional check valve (for preheating circuit) 22Recesses 23Shower head 24Rising pipe area 30Regulating arrangement ACold water supply line BAwastewater inlet (of the heat exchanger) Cwastewater outlet (of the heat exchanger) Dfresh water inlet (of the heat exchanger) Efresh water outlet (of the heat exchanger) Freturn (for preheating circuit) GConnecting line

Claims

1. A sanitary installation (1), in particular a shower, comprising • a collecting device (3) with an outlet opening (4) for collecting waste water from the sanitary installation (1), • a heat exchanger (6) with a fresh water inlet (D), • a connecting line (G) for conducting the waste water from the outlet opening (4) of the collecting device (3) into the heat exchanger (6), and • a pump (5) in the connecting line (G), characterised in that the sanitary installation further comprises: • a regulating arrangement (30), which is designed, subject to a water level in the collecting device (3), to change a flow cross-section, through which the waste water can flow from the collecting device (3) to the pump (5).

2. The sanitary installation according to claim 1, wherein the regulating arrangement (30) comprises a closure element (11), which is movable in the outlet opening (4) for changing the flow cross-section.

3. The sanitary installation according to claim 2, wherein the regulating arrangement (30) comprises a floating body (10), which is arranged in the collecting device (3) to float on the waste water, wherein the floating body (10) is coupled to the closure element (11) for moving the closure element (11).

4. The sanitary installation according to claim 3, wherein the closure element (11) is movable in the floating body (10) stopably at one side, so that the closure element (11) can be lifted by the floating body (10) and the floating body (10) can sink further, when the closure element (11) comes to rest.

5. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the regulating arrangement comprises a switch (13) for actuating the pump (5), in particular for switching the pump (5) on and off, wherein the switch (13) is switchable subject to the water level in the collecting device (3).

6. The sanitary installation according to claim 5 and any of claims 3 or 4, comprising a transmitter (12), in particular a magnetic element, for switching the switch (13), wherein the transmitter (12) is coupled to the floating body (10), in particular is arranged at the floating body (10).

7. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump (5), in particular configured as a centrifugal pump, is drivable in the sanitary installation (1) only at constant rotation speed and is thus switchable only on and off.

8. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a flow switch (16) for detecting a water flow of fresh water, wherein the flow switch (16) actuates the pump (5) subject to the water flow.

9. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the regulating arrangement (30) is designed, so that a minimum flow cross-section remains regardless of the water level in the collecting device (3).

10. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting line (G) between the pump (5) and the heat exchanger (6) comprises a siphon (18), the lowest point of which is below a minimum water level in the collecting device (3).

11. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting line (G) downstream of the pump (5), in particular at a sanitary installation according to claim 10 between the pump (5) and the siphon (18), comprises a riser section (24); preferably wherein the riser section (24) holds a first volume and the connecting line (G) between the outlet opening (4) and the pump (5) holds a second volume, wherein the first volume is greater than the second volume.

12. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a return throttle (17), in particular designed as a non-return valve, in the connecting line (G).

13. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a fitting (8) for mixing the heated fresh water from a fresh water outlet (E) of the heat exchanger (6) with incoming hot water.

14. The sanitary installation according to any of the claims 1 to 12, comprising a water heater (9) downstream of a fresh water outlet (E) of the heat exchanger (6).

15. The sanitary installation according to claim 14, comprising a fitting (8) for mixing the fresh water from the water heater (9) with fresh water directly from the fresh water outlet (E) of the heat exchanger (6).

16. The sanitary installation according to claim 14 or 15, comprising a return line (F), which branches off downstream of the water heater (9) and leads to the fresh water inlet (D) of the heat exchanger (6); preferably with a further pump (20) and / or a further non-return valve (21) in the return line (F).

17. The sanitary installation according to any of the preceding claims, designed as a shower for front-wall installation, comprising a frame, at which are arranged: • the collecting device (3) together with regulating arrangement (30), • the heat exchanger (6) • the pump (5) • the connecting line (G) • and preferably the water heater (9) and / or the fitting (8) and / or the water outlet (2) and / or the return line (F).