A method for measuring a water consumption from a water dispenser and a water dispenser operable by said method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for measuring a water consumption from a water dispenser and to a water dispenser operable by said method. The method comprises the steps of setting up a voltage and electric current supplied to the motor of the pump. The steps of setting up nominal water flow rate, a height of water raised in the water pump, and diameter of the water pipe are also performed allowing to measure actual electric current consumed by the electric motor of the water pump during its work. Resulting step of the method includes determining a dispensed volume of water from the dispenser based on the nominal voltage, the nominal water flow, the height of water raised, the diameter of the water pipe, and calculated delta electric current and measured time of operation of the electric motor of the water pump.

Description

A METHOD FOR MEASURING A WATER CONSUMPTION FROM A WATER DISPENSER AND A WATER DISPENSER OPERABLE BY SAID METHODDESCRIPTIONField of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a method for measuring a water consumption from a water dispenser and to a water dispenser operable by said method.Background of the invention

[0002] A water dispenser is a machine that dispenses and often also cools or heats up water. Water dispensers come in a variety of form factors, ranging from wall -mounted to bottle filler water dispenser combination units, to bi-level units and other formats. Water dispensers also comprises pump systems to transfer a water. In conjunction with pump systems, it is often necessary to know the momentary liquid flow and the liquid amount transferred over a given period. Flow data are needed for several purposes. Flow data allow supervision of the condition and operation of the pump and of the functionality of a water dispenser. In water dispensing processes, flow data are needed for controlling and monitoring a water consumption.

[0003] A typical water dispenser usually comprises a one or more electrically driven pumps. The electric drive consists of a suitable power supply circuit, an electric motor, and a control unit suitable for controlling and / or adjusting this. The pump operates as a load on the electric drive. The pump is actuated by an electric drive consisting of a power supply. The motor is usually connected to the pump with the rotation speed of the motor and the rotation speed of the pump being identical. The power supply comprises an alternating -current network. The water flow through the pump is measured in the dispenser by means of a separate flow meter including a flow sensor and a measurement unit equipped with a display. The flow sensor may be for example an ultrasonic sensor or a mechanical flow sensor. However, a "pressure - difference sensor" is used in most cases, this sensor measuring the pressure difference generated by the flow in the flow direction and in the direction opposite to the flow.

[0004] Canadian patent application publication No. CA2634028 discloses a beverage dispenser for dispensing a carbonated beverage from a beverage source into a receptacle. Thebeverage dispenser further includes a multi-nodal flow rate controller disposed within the within the dispenser.

[0005] US patent application publication No. US2007 / 093936 discloses a dispenser having a water valve for controlling a flow of water through the dispenser and a flowmeter for measuring the amount of water dispensed through the dispenser, and a controller operatively coupled to the water valve and the flowmeter.

[0006] However, the use of a separate flow meter involves several drawbacks. Very high precision is required from a sensor for determining pressure difference to achieve such a water flow measurement precision that is adequate for ordinary applications. The use of such sensors thus incurs considerable costs. In addition, the mounting of a separate flow meter causes work at the mounting site, and the suitable mounting site and arrangement for the flow meter will often have to be planned separately each time. The mounting site conditions may also vary, and hence flow meters of different types will have to be used depending on the mounting site conditions. These factors increase the overall design, assembly, and equipment cost.

[0007] The purpose of the invention is to provide a new method and a dispenser for measuring consumed water flow, wherein the invention allowing the prior art drawbacks mentioned above to be eliminated or reduced.Summary of the invention

[0008] The present invention is a method for measuring a water consumption from a water dispenser and to a water dispenser operable by said method.

[0009] Designed method is for measuring a water consumption from a water source to which the water dispenser is connected to. A water flow is generated through a water pipe by means of a water pump and the water pump is actuated by an electric motor. The method comprises steps for setting up certain parameters of the dispenser and then based on these set-up parameters and actually measured parameters determine a volume of dispensed water from the water dispenser.

[0010] The method comprises: (1) setting up a voltage supplied to the electric motor as a nominal voltage; (2) setting up an electric current supplied to the electric motor as a nominal electric current; (3) setting up a nominal water flow rate through the water pump under the nominal electric current and the nominal voltage; (4) setting up a height of water raised in the water pump; (5) setting up a diameter of the water pipe, through which the water is pumpedby means of the water pump; (6) measuring actual electric current consumed by the electric motor of the water pump during its work and calculating a delta electric current, which is difference between the nominal electric current and the actual electric current, (7) measuring a time of operation of the electric motor. In result a step for determining a dispensed volume of water from the dispenser is performed. Determination of the dispensed volume of water from the dispenser is based on the nominal voltage, the nominal water flow, the height of water raised, the diameter of the water pipe, and calculated delta electric current and measured time of operation of the electric motor of the water pump.

[0011] Aforementioned method allows to design dispenser for dispensing of water without pressure and water flow sensors. The developed method is based on previously known parameters, such as the height of water rise, the diameter of the inlet tube and the pump performance for given electrical parameters.

[0012] The developed method can be used with pumps having DC (direct current) motors an AC (alternate current) motors.Brief description of the drawings

[0013] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of electronic components for water supply and measurement of a dispensed volume of water from a water dispenser.

[0014] Fig. 2 illustrates a block diagram for setting a volume of water.

[0015] Fig. 3 illustrates a block diagram for determining consumed volume of water from a water source based on measured current during a work of an electric motor.

[0016] Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram for calculating pumped water based on an electric current consumption and a voltage of a motor.

[0017] Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of actions when a button of a dispenser is pressed.

[0018] Fig. 6 illustrates general block diagram of a water dispenser operation.

[0019] Fig. 7 illustrates a performance of a pump in one embodiment of the invention.Detailed description of the invention

[0020] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of electronic components for water supply and measurement of a dispensed volume of water from a water dispenser. The system comprises a central controller or MCU, a power source in a form of Li-ion battery, a battery charge and protection block, battery voltage measurement block, a voltage conversion block for a motorof a pump of the water dispenser, and an electric current and voltage measurement block, and a motor speed control block. The central controller or MCU controls all processes, takes readings from current and voltage sensors by means of the electric current and voltage measurement block, and also controls the motor speed. The battery charge and protection block is configured to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the battery and monitor the correctness of the battery charge schedule. This block functions as a separate device, without the participation of a central processor. The voltage measurement block is used to directly monitor the battery voltage by the central processor or MCU. This is necessary to make decisions about the motor operation depending on the charge level. The task of the voltage conversion block is to adjust the voltage supplied to the motor depending on the operating conditions of the water dispenser. The electric current and voltage measurement block is configured to control the operation of the motor - this block is responsible for measuring the electric current and voltage directly at the motor contacts for greater accuracy. Depending on the voltage level, the central processor or MCU decides which command to send to the voltage conversion block. Based on the electric current consumption of the motor, the processor or MCIU analyses the present state of the motor and pump. The motor speed control block changes the motor speed depending on the data received from the motor current and voltage measurement unit.

[0021] Fig. 2 illustrates the process of selecting a volume of water that the pump should pump in a given session. After starting the controller, a timer starts at the end of which the main operating cycle (water pumping) starts. If no volume value has been selected, the pump starts in the mode of constantly pumping water until stopped using same button. If the button is pressed when the timer has not yet finished counting, the first volume of water will be selected. If the user does not reset the timer again before it ends, the main work cycle will be started. If the user presses the button again, the next volume of water will be selected. When you press the button while the third (last) volume value of water is selected, the first volume value of water will be selected. This will happen until the user makes his / her choice and the timer counts down to the end. It also provided functionality without selecting the volume value of water - in this case, after starting the controller, the main cycle, which is water pumping, will be started immediately.

[0022] Fig.3 shows the main operating cycle of the pump. This cycle illustrates the case when the user has selected the required volume of pumped water. During operation, the voltage level on the motor required for the present mode is monitored. Electric current consumption of the motor, the battery charge level is also monitored, in result of which apumped volume is calculated. If continuous operation mode is selected, the pumped volume is not calculated and is not compared with the set value.

[0023] Fig 4. shows the calculation of the volume of pumped water depending on the electric current and voltage supplied to the moto. For the calculation, pumps with pre-known parameters are taken. Pre-known parameters are as follows: capacity in litres / minute at a certain operating electric current and voltage, as well as the height of water rise. These parameters are substituted into the function for calculating water flow. Real-time electric current and voltage measurements make it possible to evaluate present performance of the pump. Based on these data, the pumped volume of water per unit of time is calculated.

[0024] Fig 5. describes operation with the button. The button in the water dispenser is used as the only control unit. It is responsible for turning on the pump, selecting the volume and turning off the pump.

[0025] Fig. 6 shows the general structure and operating principle of the device - starting, checking basic parameters, and sending data about the pumped volume of water to the server.

[0026] Fig. 7 illustrates a graph on a performance of one of pump models. Depending on the height to which it is necessary to raise the water, a range of performance values is selected depending on the vacuum created. During operation, the rated operating voltage of the motor is maintained (an example for an operating voltage of 3 volts is shown in the graph). For example, if the range -5 - 10 kPa is selected, then this means that the current drawn by the pump should be in the range of 1030-1080 mA at a nominal voltage of 3V. In this case, the performance will be in the range of 0.9-0.93 litres per minute.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for measuring a water consumption from a water source to which the water dispenser is connected to, wherein a water flow is generated through a water pipe by means of a water pump and the water pump is actuated by an electric motor, wherein the method comprises:- setting up a voltage supplied to the electric motor as a nominal voltage,- setting up an electric current supplied to the electric motor as a nominal electric current;- setting up a nominal water flow rate through the water pump under the nominal electric current and the nominal voltage;- setting up a height of water raised in the water pump;- setting up a diameter of the water pipe, through which the water is pumped by means of the water pump;- measuring actual electric current consumed by the electric motor of the water pump during its work and calculating a delta electric current, which is difference between the nominal electric current and the actual electric current,- measuring a time of operation of the electric motor- determining a dispensed volume of water from the dispenser based on the nominal voltage, the nominal water flow, the height of water raised, the diameter of the water pipe, and calculated delta electric current and measured time of operation of the electric motor of the water pump.

2. The method according to Claim 1, wherein the water source is a water tank or a water pipe-3. A water dispenser comprising:- a water pump for generating a water flow from a water source,- an electric motor connected to the water pump and configured to actuate the water pump,- a microcontroller unit (MCU) configured to control the electric motor and determine dispensed volume of water,- a batery for a power supply of the water dispenser, wherein the batery is connected to the electric motor and the MCU, wherein the batery provides a nominal voltage and a nominal electrical current to the electric motor,- a batery charge and protection block connected to the batery and configured to prevent overcharging and overdischarging of the batery,- a voltage measurement block configured to measure a voltage supplied to the electric motor of the water pump,- a voltage conversion block configured to set up a nominal voltage in the electric motor of the pump under which the electric motor is operable,- a current and voltage measurement block configured to measure an electric current and a voltage supplied to the electric motor during its operation,- a motor speed control for controlling a rotation speed of the electric motor of the pump, and wherein the MCU is configured to determine a dispensed volume of water from the water dispenser based on the nominal voltage, the nominal water flow, the height of water raised, the diameter of the water pipe, and calculated delta electric current and measured time of operation of the electric motor of the water pump.

4. The water dispenser according to Claim 3, wherein the water source is a water tank or a water pipe.

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