Well for drinking water collection

Abstract

A well for drinking water extraction has a supply device (12) for the drinking water, a withdrawal area (22) for the drinking water, and an outlet device (24) for unextracted water. The supply device (12) is equipped with a nozzle (15) for transferring the drinking water into the withdrawal area (22). The nozzle (15) is cylindrical and has a substantially vertical axis. The nozzle (15) is fixedly connected to a housing (10) of the well. A sleeve (20) or cap is provided, which is arranged concentrically to the nozzle (15) and is axially displaceable relative to it.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a well for drinking water extraction with a supply device for the drinking water with a withdrawal area for the drinking water and with an outlet device for water not drawn off.

[0002] Wells for drinking water have long been known. They also exist outside buildings in public areas.

[0003] For example, a water dispenser is known from the rather old German patent document DE 579 107 C. This document mentions a drinking water dispenser that was particularly common 100 years ago. The unused water bubbling from a supply pipe was collected in a basin. This basin has a significant tendency to become dirty. To solve this undesirable problem, German patent document DE 579 107 C proposes a complicated arrangement of drain pipes at specific heights, which avoids the need for a basin.

[0004] Modern drinking water wells must meet the increasingly stringent drinking water hygiene requirements. At the very least, they should comply with the Drinking Water Ordinance.

[0005] There are various requirements and wishes of consumers and professionals, such as trade associations, regarding the usability of such wells, drinking water hygiene and other aspects, whereby these different requirements tend to contradict each other.

[0006] A particularly popular option recently has been a curved outlet for the drinking water stream from the bottom of the fountain to the top. The water is thus directed upwards from the bottom of the fountain and then flows out of a curved outlet. This curved outlet allows a passerby to bend over and drink directly without any additional aids. This means the user does not have to bend over or exert any other physical effort to enjoy the drinking water stream.

[0007] However, this great advantage is offset by a problem it causes. The outlet of the drinking water stream forms a nozzle that is prone to being affected by contamination from above, for example, from contact with other consumers who have previously enjoyed the drinking water, or from birds or other animals also enjoying the drinking water.

[0008] Drinking water hygiene is therefore facing a problem here.

[0009] This problem is further exacerbated if, for example, the fountain is placed under shaded trees to enhance the cooling effect of the drinking water in such a facility. Trees and falling leaves further increase the risk of contamination of the drinking water fountain's outlet.

[0010] Various options for ensuring drinking water hygiene or drinking water quality with such a "bottom-up curved" water stream include, for example, continuously flushing the outlet. While this improves drinking water hygiene, it also has the significant disadvantage of high drinking water consumption, with corresponding environmental pollution and costs. This concept would be unsustainable.

[0011] If continuous flushing is avoided and instead interval flushing is attempted within the facility in a hidden manner, the consumption of drinking water is reduced, but there is an additional risk that a possible malfunction will not be noticed at all and, moreover, that section of the well from an actuating valve for the interval flushing to the nozzle at the outlet will not be flushed.

[0012] If one attempts to improve this by implementing an intermittent flushing system via the nozzle in the spout, the flushing can be visually perceived by outsiders and interpreted as a waste of water. This reduces the acceptance of the drinking water fountain among users and other passersby. Furthermore, there is actually an increase in drinking water consumption in such a fountain.

[0013] The object of the invention is therefore to improve a generic well for drinking water extraction and to avoid the discussed problems as far as possible.

[0014] This object is achieved by means of a well according to the invention for drinking water extraction in that the supply device is equipped with a nozzle for transferring the drinking water into the extraction area, that the nozzle is cylindrical and has a substantially vertically arranged axis, that the nozzle is non-displaceably connected to a housing of the well, and that a sleeve is provided which is arranged concentrically to the nozzle and is displaceable relative to it in the axial direction.

[0015] In short, the solution is to equip the fountain for drinking water extraction with an additional element near the outlet and the nozzle located there. This additional element has a sleeve or cap. The nozzle is protected and concealed within this sleeve or cap and is only released when a dispenser is activated. When the dispenser is activated, the sleeve or cap, which is horizontally flush with the body of the housing, extends vertically. After a specified time, it automatically retracts.

[0016] The drinking water-carrying areas of the spout, including the nozzle outlet, are permanently located in a protected area, especially during top-down dispensing and to protect against contact. Drinking comfort and drinking water hygiene are thus maintained.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the nozzle is pressurized simultaneously with the extension of the sleeve and cap. The drinking water in the remaining line up to the nozzle is automatically directed into the designated flushing chamber and from there internally drained.

[0018] This water in the remaining strand is therefore not available for drinking.

[0019] In this way, the problems discussed in the prior art during interval flushing in the device or via the outlet and nozzle are avoided.

[0020] The desired shape of the drinking water jet, a water jet directed roughly from bottom to top, can be achieved in one embodiment by slightly tilting the essentially vertical axis of the nozzle relative to a vertical orientation. This inclination then causes the drinking water jet to be discharged in an arc in the dispensing area. The sleeve, arranged concentrically to the nozzle, then also moves in this direction, slightly deviating from the vertical.

[0021] However, a preferred embodiment provides for a different concept. In this case, the nozzle is aligned vertically or almost vertically. However, it is designed as a multi-part nozzle unit. An element arranged immediately in front of the drinking water outlet from the outlet nozzle is in turn designed as a rotatable and pivoting spherical nozzle, which is embedded in the nozzle at an angle to the vertical. The initially vertically rising water jet inside the nozzle and the sleeve or cap that also concentrically surrounds the nozzle is thus slightly deflected shortly before the outlet, creating the desired arc-shaped drinking water jet. In this embodiment, too, gravity deflects the escaping drinking water jet in an arc.

[0022] In a further preferred embodiment, the rotatable and pivoting ball nozzle also provides individual adjustability, allowing the desired direction of the drinking water jet to be set in terms of angle, height, and width, in conjunction with the regulation of the drinking water flow per unit time via a throttle. This also makes it possible, for example, to adjust the drinking water jet so that it does not contact the opening or the elongated hole in the hood or cap. This is also beneficial for drinking water hygiene.

[0023] The adjustability can also be set up so that the water jet is only released from the rinsing chamber when the hood or cap is lifted via the opening in this hood.

[0024] The movement of the sleeve or cap can preferably be carried out hydraulically in an energy-independent manner using the system pressure of the drinking water.

[0025] In this case, no additional energy source is required, which in the case of a drinking water well could be electrical or pneumatic.

[0026] As a further advantage of the invention, it is also possible to omit the attachment of an additional protective device such as a plug or another cap to the outlet area of ​​the nozzle after the well facility has been taken out of operation.

[0027] In particular, the inlet device or supply device includes an inlet line that is also equipped with an outlet flow regulator. This can be achieved via a pressure-reduced inlet line or supply device that is blocked by a valve via an adjustable orifice. A solenoid valve is preferably provided for this purpose.

[0028] To activate the well, the user presses a button located inside the well's casing from the outside. This button opens the valve, invisible to the user, thus releasing the riser and a control line to a three-way / two-way valve.

[0029] At the same time, the incoming flow of drinking water into the supply device causes a spring-loaded hydraulic cylinder to extend a sleeve or cap. This sleeve or cap is concentric with the nozzle and extends parallel to the axis, i.e., essentially vertically.

[0030] At the same time, the drinking water flows from the nozzle, which is permanently and immovably connected to the fountain housing, into the flushing chamber. This unused drinking water exiting the flushing chamber is drained internally. After the sleeve or cap is fully extended, the fresh drinking water is released outward through the nozzle and enters the extraction area as a water jet.

[0031] In order to create the desired curved water jet, a bent outlet from the nozzle is provided.

[0032] Preferably, the supply of fresh drinking water ends after a predetermined time to avoid users having to press the existing button or another button again, which they may then neglect to do. This predetermined time can be conveniently set via an electronic control system that closes the solenoid valve. This stops the flow of further fresh drinking water and reverses the three-way / two-way valve, allowing the hydraulic cylinder with the sleeve or cap to automatically retract. This, in turn, provides protection.

[0033] In preferred embodiments, it is provided that by appropriately designing the cross sections of the nozzles and caps in conjunction with the spring return, any risk of injury due to clamping or crushing is prevented even in the event of incorrect operation.

[0034] Further preferred features of the invention are set out in the subclaims and the description of the figures given below.

[0035] In the following, embodiments of the invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawing.

[0036] They show: Figure 1 Side view of a drinking water fountain according to the invention, seen from the drinking water position of a user, in a schematic representation, still without a drinking water jet; Figure 2 the representation from Figure 1 in section seen from the side; Figure 3 the representation from Figure 1 , additionally with an indicated drinking water jet; Figure 4 the representation from Figure 3 on average; Figure 5 the representation from Figure 4 with partially removed housing; Figure 6 the representation from Figure 5 , rotated 90 degrees; Figure 7 a detail from Figure 4 in enlarged view; Figure 8a representation of parts of the Figure 7 omitting the drinking water jet and parts of the housing; Figure 9 a side view of a detail from Figure 8 in enlarged view; and Figure 10 the representation from Figure 9 on average.

[0037] One in Figure 1 The drinking water fountain shown has a housing 10 and is not visible on the side in Figure 1 a button 11 for the user, which, when pressed by the user, makes drinking water available to the user. In preferred embodiments, the housing 10 is approximately 1 to 2 m high.

[0038] Inside the housing 10 there is a supply device 12 for the drinking water with a riser pipe 13. Both are, for example, in the Figure 2clearly visible. A three / two-way valve 14 is also provided in the riser pipe 13. After the user presses the button 11, a drinking water jet 23 emerges from the top of the housing 10, which is Figure 1 moves towards the user while in the Figure 2 from the highest point of the housing 10, which can be seen there in section, to the left via an outlet device 24, the excess and unused water is drained away.

[0039] The drinking water jet 23 can be used especially in the Figure 3 clearly see where its highest point is indicated as it widens towards the bottom.

[0040] In the Figure 4 The same housing 10 with the drinking water jet 23 can be seen in cross-section. This also provides a side view of the supply device 12 with the riser pipe 13 and the three / two-way valve 14.

[0041] In the upper area, it can already be seen that there is a cylindrical nozzle 15 through which the drinking water rises. A sleeve 20 or cap is arranged around the cylindrical nozzle 15, which is movable relative to the nozzle 15. To enable this mobility, a combination with a hydraulic cylinder with a spring return 21 is indicated.

[0042] At the top of the Figure 4 The drinking water emerges in a water jet 23 into the drinking water extraction area 22, whereby the relatively movable elements nozzle 15 and sleeve 20 ensure that the drinking water within the nozzle remains hygienic and clean when the drinking water fountain is not in use.

[0043] The construction is in the Figure 5 can be seen a little better, in which further parts of the housing 10 are omitted, as well as the drinking water jet 23 itself.

[0044] In the Figure 6A view of the same situation rotated by 90 degrees is shown, which also shows that the Figure 5 The situation shown is a cut from the Figure 6 situation described.

[0045] In the Figure 7 is an enlarged section of the Figure 4 , where the drinking water jet 23 is particularly clearly visible. Here, it is also already indicated that the drinking water jet 23 is directed upwards at an angle relative to the vertical axis of the riser 13 and the nozzle 15. It is also easier to see that the nozzle 15 and the sleeve 20 are movable relative to each other, with the nozzle 15 being stationary and the sleeve 20 being movable.

[0046] In the Figure 8 are the elements from the Figure 7shown again in a further enlarged scale, here again omitting the housing 10 and the drinking water jet 23, but clearly highlighting the spring return in the hydraulic cylinder 21.

[0047] In the Figure 9 you can see an enlarged view of the area from which the drinking water jet 23 emerges.

[0048] Well you can do that in the Figure 10 where one can see that a ball nozzle 16 with a throttle 17 is integrated in the upper area of ​​the nozzle 15 and releases the amount of water flowing vertically upwards through the nozzle 15 at an angle upwards, so that it is guided in an arc shape as a drinking water jet 23 to the outlet device 24. List of reference symbols

[0049] 10Fountain casing 11User button on the casing 12Drinking water supply device 13Riser for the drinking water in the casing 14Three / two-way valve 15Cylindrical nozzle 16Ball nozzle 17Throttle 20Sleeve or cap 21Hydraulic cylinder with spring return 22Drinking water withdrawal area 23Water jet 24Outlet device

Claims

1. Well for drinking water extraction, with a supply device (12) for the drinking water, with a withdrawal area (22) for the drinking water, and with an outlet device (24) for water not extracted, characterized by that the supply device (12) is equipped with a nozzle (15) for transferring the drinking water into the withdrawal area (22), that the nozzle (15) is cylindrical and has a substantially vertically arranged axis, that the nozzle (15) is non-displaceably connected to a housing (10) of the well, and that a sleeve (20) or cap is provided which is arranged concentrically to the nozzle (15) and is displaceable relative thereto in the axial direction.

2. Well according to claim 1, characterized by that the nozzle (15) is designed in its end region so that thatthe drinking water is discharged in a direction diagonally upwards and thus runs in an arc shape through the withdrawal area (22).

3. Well according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that a ball nozzle (16) is embedded in the nozzle (15) adjacent to the withdrawal area (22), which ball nozzle is arranged and constructed in such a way that it causes a deflection of the direction of the drinking water flowing through it.

4. Well according to claim 3, characterized by that the ball nozzle (16) is rotatable and / or pivotable and thus enables adjustment of the jet direction of the escaping drinking water.

5. Well according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a throttle (17) is provided in the supply device (12), which allows a regulation of the quantity of the flowing drinking water.

6. Well according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatthe sleeve (20) or cap can be hydraulically lifted by means of a spring load with the system pressure of the drinking water.

7. Well according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a rinsing chamber is provided into which, during a lifting operation of the sleeve (20) or cap, the drinking water located in the nozzle (15) is introduced at the beginning of a lifting operation of the sleeve (20) or cap and from there is fed to the outlet device (24).

8. Well according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the supply device (12) is equipped with a supply line or riser line (13) and can be actuated by an externally operable button (11) in such a way that the supply of drinking water is released or stopped.

9. Well according to claim 8, characterized by that The button (11) can also be used to regulate the discharge quantity.

10. A method for extracting drinking water from a well, in which drinking water is supplied (12), in which drinking water is extracted (22), and in which non-extracted water is discharged (24), characterized by that the drinking water is supplied and transferred by means of a nozzle (15) into the area (22) from which the drinking water is taken (22), that a cylindrical nozzle (15) with a substantially vertically arranged axis is provided, that the nozzle (15) is non-displaceably connected to a housing (10) of the well, and that a sleeve (20) or cap arranged concentrically to the nozzle (15) is displaced relative to the axial direction.

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