Method for automatically filling a swimming pool with recovery water

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically filling a swimming pool basin (1) comprising, in the case where a water level in the swimming pool basin (1) is lower than a first filling threshold, a step of measuring a water level of the recovery tank (9), and - if the water level of the recovery tank (9) is higher than a minimum threshold, then said method comprises a step of activating a filling pump (8) to fill the swimming pool basin (1) with water from the recovery tank (9), and - if the water level of the recovery tank (9) is lower than the minimum threshold, then said method comprises a step of activating a filling solenoid valve (6) to fill the swimming pool basin (1) with water from a city water network.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a method for automatically filling a swimming pool basin from recovered water.

[0002] Filtration units are known comprising a filtration tank containing at least one filter intended to filter the swimming pool water. A pump that can be associated with a flow multiplier makes it possible to create a flow of water inside the swimming pool and the filtration unit. In order to cope with the environmental changes and the energy transition that our society is currently experiencing, the applicant proposes a system for recovering water from the swimming pool overflow into a recovery tank of several thousand liters, for example of the order of 5000L.

[0003] There is therefore a need to be able to automatically fill the swimming pool basin depending on the water level available in the recovery tank.

[0004] The invention aims to effectively meet this need by proposing a method for automatically filling a swimming pool associated with a recovery tank intended to recover overflow water comprising: a step of measuring a water level in the swimming pool basin, and if the water level in the swimming pool basin is lower than a first filling threshold then the method further comprises: a step of measuring a water level inside the recovery tank, a step of comparing the water level of the recovery tank with a minimum threshold, and if the water level of the recovery tank is higher than the minimum threshold then said method comprises a step of activating a filling pump to fill the swimming pool basin with water from the recovery tank, and if the water level of the recovery tank is lower than the minimum threshold, then said method comprises a step of activating a filling solenoid valve to fill the swimming pool basin with water from a city water network.

[0005] The invention thus allows automatic filling of the basin in all circumstances even if the water level in the recovery tank is insufficient.

[0006] According to one implementation of the invention, the step of measuring the water level in the swimming pool basin is carried out by means of a water level sensor arranged in the swimming pool basin or in a filtration tank.

[0007] According to one implementation of the invention, the step of measuring the water level in the recovery tank is carried out by means of a water level sensor arranged in the recovery tank.

[0008] According to one implementation of the invention, the water from the recovery tank is injected into the swimming pool via a filtration tank.

[0009] According to one implementation of the invention, the water from the recovery tank is injected upstream of a filter contained in the filtration tank.

[0010] According to one implementation of the invention, the filling pump having been previously activated, when the water level in the swimming pool exceeds a second filling threshold, then said method comprises a step of stopping the filling pump.

[0011] According to one implementation of the invention, the filling solenoid valve having previously been activated, when the water level in the swimming pool exceeds a second filling threshold, then said method comprises a step of deactivating the filling solenoid valve.

[0012] The invention also relates to a system for implementing the method as previously defined, comprising: a home automation box, a first water level sensor intended to be arranged in a swimming pool or in an associated filtration tank, a second water level sensor intended to be arranged in a recovery tank, a filling pump comprising an inlet intended to be in fluid communication with the recovery tank and an outlet intended to be in fluid communication with the swimming pool, a filling solenoid valve capable of selectively putting a city water network into communication with the swimming pool or of isolating the city water network from the swimming pool, said home automation box being capable of receiving data from the first water level sensor and the second water level sensor and of controlling the filling pump and the filling solenoid valve according to said data.

[0013] The invention further relates to an assembly comprising a system as previously defined, a swimming pool basin and a recovery tank.

[0014] According to one embodiment of the invention, the swimming pool is associated with a filtration tank for filtering the water of the swimming pool, said filtration tank having a connection arranged upstream of a filter and through which water from the recovery tank is capable of being injected into the swimming pool.

[0015] The invention will be better understood by reading the following description and examining the accompanying figures. These figures are given only for illustrative purposes but in no way limit the invention. [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1 is a schematic representation of a swimming pool associated with a recovery tank and a home automation system making it possible to implement the automatic filling method according to the present invention; [ Fig. 2 ] There figure 2 is a diagram of the different stages of the process for automatically filling a swimming pool according to the invention.

[0016] There figure 1 shows a swimming pool 1 associated with a filtration tank 2 equipped with a recovery pipe (called a "skimmer" in English) opening into the swimming pool 1. The filtration tank 2 contains at least one filter, in particular a first filter ensuring coarse filtration allowing particles smaller than a fraction of a millimeter to pass through on a screen filter principle, and a second filter ensuring fine filtration. The second filter may for example have a hollow cylindrical shape.

[0017] A filtration pump (not shown) is used to create various water circulation currents inside the swimming pool 1. The pump may be associated with a flow multiplier, preferably of the Venturi type. The pump may include a variable speed, multi-speed electric motor, in order to vary the intensity of the water flow inside the pool, or alternatively at a fixed speed.

[0018] A water level sensor 3 makes it possible to measure a water level inside the swimming pool basin 1. The water level sensor 3 is arranged inside the filtration tank 2. Alternatively, the water level sensor 3 can be arranged inside the swimming pool basin 1 or any other element containing a water level representative of the water level in the swimming pool basin 1.

[0019] A device 4 provides management of water treatment, heating, and pool accessories. Device 4 includes, in particular, electrical protection elements, in particular circuit breakers, fuses, and contactors, for pool equipment such as a filtration pump, a heat pump, a robot, a lighting system, a robot, or any other equipment that can be used with a pool. Device 4 may, for example, be located in the pool owner's garage.

[0020] A home automation box 5, in particular of the IMAGI-X type (registered trademark) manages the filtration of the water via the control of the filtration pump ensuring the circulation of various water currents, in particular a first water current circulating in a filtration assembly to suck up debris, leaves and other deposited on the surface of the swimming pool, and a second water current transmitted to a pool cleaning robot. The home automation box 5 can also manage a water heating function for the swimming pool basin 1. The home automation box 5 can also manage the lighting of the swimming pool, control a filling level of the swimming pool basin 1 as well as the pH level of the swimming pool water. The home automation box 5 can also control the electrolysis and / or product injection pumps to adapt the pH and chlorine level of the swimming pool to a target value.The control of the home automation box 5 can be carried out by a wireless communication device, such as a dedicated remote control or a portable electronic device such as for example a mobile phone or a digital tablet capable of communicating with the home automation system via a radio link, for example of the Wi-Fi or Bluetooth (registered trademark) type or any other radio link suitable for the application. The home automation box 5 comprises a computer such as a microprocessor and a memory storing software instructions for implementing the method for automatically filling the swimming pool 1 according to the invention described in more detail below.

[0021] A filling solenoid valve 6 allows the city water network to be connected to the swimming pool 1 when it is activated to ensure that the swimming pool 1 is filled with clean water and to isolate the city water network from the swimming pool 1 when it is deactivated.

[0022] A recovery tank 9 is used to store excess water from the swimming pool 1 following rain, for example, or excessive filling of the swimming pool 1. The recovered water contained in the tank 9 can also come from an external source, such as a roof or a terrace. The recovery tank 9 is connected to the filtration tank 2 via a pipe connected to the filtration tank 2 upstream of the filter. For this purpose, the filtration tank 2 has a connection 2.1 arranged upstream of the filter. Alternatively, the filtration tank 2 can be moved to a room near the swimming pool. The filtration tank 2 can also include a sand filter or any other filter suitable for the application.

[0023] A water level sensor 7 is arranged in the recovery tank 9. The water level sensor 7 makes it possible to measure a water level contained by the recovery tank 9. The water level sensor 7 is for example a level bulb type sensor.

[0024] A filling pump 8 makes it possible to reinject water from the recovery tank 9 into the swimming pool 1. For this purpose, the filling pump 8 has an inlet in fluid communication with the recovery tank 9 and an outlet in fluid communication with the swimming pool 1. The home automation box 5 is capable of controlling the filling pump 8 and the filling solenoid valve 6 according to data coming from the water level sensor 3 and the water level sensor 7.

[0025] An R1 overflow water recovery network is used to channel excess water from swimming pool 1 to recovery tank 9.

[0026] A recovery water filling network R2 is used to transport the water stored in the recovery tank 9 to the swimming pool 1 via the connection 2.1.

[0027] An R3 treatment and / or heating network allows the water from the pool to be transported to a treatment device, for example by electrolysis, and / or to a heat pump.

[0028] An R4 treatment and / or return heating network is used to transport water from the treatment device and / or the heat pump to swimming pool 1.

[0029] An R5 network with which the solenoid valve 6 is associated allows the filling of the swimming pool 1 with water from a city water network.

[0030] The home automation box 5 communicates with the water level sensor 3 of the swimming pool 1 via an E1 communication link.

[0031] The home automation box 5 communicates with the water level sensor 7 of the recovery tank 9 via a communication link E2.

[0032] The home automation box 5 communicates with the filling pump 8 to ensure its control via an E3 communication link.

[0033] The home automation box 5 communicates with the filling solenoid valve 6 via a communication link E4. The communication links E1, E2, E3, E4 can be wired links. Alternatively, the communication links can be wireless links, in particular of the radio frequency type.

[0034] The following is described, with reference to the figure 2 , the method for automatically filling the swimming pool basin 1 according to the invention.

[0035] In a step 100, the sensor 3 measures a low water level in the swimming pool 1, i.e. the water level in the swimming pool 1 is below a first filling threshold S1. The information is sent back to the home automation box 5 via the communication link E1 in a step 101.

[0036] In a step 102, the sensor 7 measures a water level inside the recovery tank 9. The information relating to the water level of the recovery tank 9 is sent to the home automation box 5 via the communication link E2. The water level of the recovery tank 9 is compared with a minimum threshold Smin.

[0037] If the water level in the recovery tank 9 is higher than the minimum threshold Smin then the home automation box 5 activates, in a step 103, the filling pump 8 to fill the swimming pool 1 with water from the recovery tank 9. For this purpose, the home automation box 5 controls the pump via the communication link E3.

[0038] The water from the recovery tank 9 is injected into the swimming pool 1 via the filtration tank 2. Preferably, the water from the recovery tank 9 is injected, via the tapping 2.1, upstream of a filter contained in the filtration tank 2.

[0039] After a certain duration x, the sensor 3 detects, in a step 104, that the water level in the swimming pool 1 exceeds a second filling threshold S2. The filling threshold S2 may be identical to the filling threshold S1. However, in order to avoid untimely activations and deactivations of the filling pump 8, the filling threshold S2 is higher than the filling threshold S1. This creates a hysteresis operation of the system.

[0040] The information relating to the water level in the swimming pool 1 is sent back, in a step 105, via the communication link E1.

[0041] The home automation box 5 then controls, in a step 106, the stopping of the filling pump 8 via the communication link E3.

[0042] If the water level in the recovery tank 9 is below the minimum threshold Smin, then the home automation box 5 activates, in a step 107, the filling solenoid valve 6 to fill the swimming pool 1 with water from the city water network. The control of the filling solenoid valve 6 is carried out via the communication link E4. Thus, when the filling solenoid valve 6 is activated, it puts the city water network into fluid communication with the swimming pool 1 to allow it to be filled with clean water.

[0043] After a certain duration x', the sensor 3 detects, in a step 108, that the water level in the swimming pool 1 exceeds the second filling threshold S2. The duration x' can be the same or different from the duration x. This depends on the filling rates.

[0044] The information relating to the water level in the swimming pool 1 is sent back, in a step 109, via the communication link E1.

[0045] The home automation box 5 then controls, in a step 110, the deactivation of the filling valve 6 via the communication link E4.

[0046] The invention also relates to the combination of all the elements of the figure 1 .

[0047] Of course, the preceding description has been given by way of example only and does not limit the scope of the invention, which would not be exceeded by replacing the various elements with any other equivalents.

[0048] Furthermore, the various features, variations, and / or embodiments of the present invention may be combined with each other in various combinations, provided that they are not incompatible or mutually exclusive.

Claims

1. Method for automatically filling a swimming pool basin (1) associated with a recovery tank (9) intended to recover overflow water, characterized in thatit comprises: - a step of measuring a water level in the swimming pool basin (1), and - if the water level in the swimming pool basin (1) is lower than a first filling threshold (S1) then the method further comprises: - a step of measuring a water level inside the recovery tank (9), - a step of comparing the water level of the recovery tank (9) with a minimum threshold (Smin), and - if the water level of the recovery tank (9) is higher than the minimum threshold (Smin), then said method comprises a step of activating a filling pump (8) to fill the swimming pool basin (1) with water from the recovery tank (9), and - if the water level of the recovery tank (9) is lower than the minimum threshold (Smin), then said method comprises a step of activating a filling solenoid valve (6) to fill the swimming pool basin (1) with water from a city water network.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of measuring the water level in the swimming pool (1) is carried out by means of a water level sensor (3) arranged in the swimming pool (1) or in a filter tank (2).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step of measuring the water level in the recovery tank (9) is carried out by means of a water level sensor (7) arranged in the recovery tank (9).

4. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the water from the recovery tank (9) is injected into the swimming pool (1) via a filtration tank (2).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the water from the recovery tank (9) is injected upstream of a filter contained in the filtration tank (2).

6. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in thatthe filling pump (8) having been previously activated, when the water level in the swimming pool (1) exceeds a second filling threshold (S2), then said method comprises a step of stopping the filling pump (8).

7. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the filling solenoid valve (6) having previously been activated, when the water level in the swimming pool (1) exceeds a second filling threshold (S2), then said method comprises a step of deactivating the filling solenoid valve (6).

8. System for implementing the method as defined according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatit comprises: - a home automation box (5), - a first water level sensor (3) intended to be arranged in a swimming pool (1) or in an associated filtration tank (2), - a second water level sensor (7) intended to be arranged in a recovery tank (9), - a filling pump (8) comprising an inlet intended to be in fluid communication with the recovery tank (9) and an outlet intended to be in fluid communication with the swimming pool (1), - a filling solenoid valve (6) capable of selectively putting a city water network into communication with the swimming pool (1) or of isolating the city water network from the swimming pool (1), - said home automation box (5) being capable of receiving data from the first water level sensor (3) and the second water level sensor (7) and of controlling the filling pump (8) and the filling solenoid valve (6) as a function of said data.

9. Assembly comprising a system as defined according to claim 8, a swimming pool basin (1) and a recovery tank (9).

10. Assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that the swimming pool basin (1) is associated with a filtration tank (2) for filtering the water of the swimming pool basin, said filtration tank (2) having a connection (2.1) arranged upstream of a filter and through which water coming from the recovery tank (9) is capable of being injected into the swimming pool basin (1).

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