Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water in hammams, public showers and the like

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for managing and controlling the distribution of water in traditional hammams, public showers, or any facilities comprising showers for collective use. The aim of the invention is to promote responsible and rational use of water by assigning each user a limited allowance of water that they cannot exceed, using wireless communication technologies to identify, monitor and control water consumption. This will yield beneficial effects in terms of preserving water and forest resources (firewood for traditional hammams) and in terms of reducing energy bills and CO2 emissions.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: DEVICE FOR MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF THE

[0003] WATER DISTRIBUTION IN HAMMAMS, PUBLIC SHOWERS, AND OTHERS

[0004] I. Technical domain

[0005] The present invention belongs to the technical field of water resource management, and in particular the management of water demand and the establishment of water efficiency in traditional hammams, public showers, or other facilities containing showers.

[0006] II. General framework

[0007] Water, a fundamental resource for human life and activities, is now facing increasing pressures on a global scale. Faced with this worrying situation, saving water is no longer an option, but an imperative necessity, particularly in spaces such as traditional hammams, showers, wellness centers, and other spaces where water consumption is generally based on an entry fee rather than on billing by volume consumed or a limit on the volume of water to be consumed.

[0008] In Morocco, as in the MENA region, Turkey and Iran, traditional hammams are deeply rooted in the culture and provide a place of relaxation and purification for users.

[0009] For example, in Morocco there are approximately 12,000 traditional hammams; According to data from the Ministry of Equipment and Water, a man consumes 150 liters of water and a woman 250 liters when they take their bath in the hammam; Generating a daily consumption per hammam which varies between 60 m 3 and 120 m 3of water and 1.5 tons of wood. In a traditional Moroccan hammam, there are three rooms: a first warm, a second hot, and a third warmer. Each room is equipped with at least two taps: one for cold water and another for hot water, which all users share during their bath. The user takes his bath following a ritual in several stages distributed among the three rooms. For each stage, he uses several buckets of water that he fills from the different available taps. Once a bucket is used up, he can refill it from the same tap or from another, thus requiring total freedom of movement between all the water points of the hammam. Therefore, it is necessary to guarantee this freedom of movement for the user without any constraints, while ensuring that his water balance is always updated and without exceeding his allocation limit.

[0010] III. Description

[0011] The present invention is a device for managing and controlling water consumption, such that each user has a water allocation limit that they cannot exceed, using wireless communication technologies. These technologies are used for identifying users, monitoring and controlling their consumption.

[0012] Hammams, showers, and wellness centers are examples, other facilities including showers for collective use can benefit from the invention in a manner consistent with its spirit.

[0013] There are several wireless communication technologies on the market. Here are some of them:

[0014] • Barcodes: Barcodes are patterns printed on products, usually in the form of parallel lines. They are scanned using an optical reader to retrieve product information.

[0015] OR (Quick Response) Codes: QR codes are square patterns that can be scanned using a smartphone or a specific reader. They can contain various types of information, such as website links, contact information, or tracking instructions.

[0016] • Bluetooth: is a telecommunications standard that allows two-way data exchange over short distances using UHF radio waves. Its goal is to simplify connections between nearby electronic devices by eliminating wired links.

[0017] • RF ID (Radio Frequency Identification): as its name suggests, it is a radio frequency identification technology. It generally consists of two elements: an RFID tag, and an RFID reader.

[0018] > The RFID label, also called a tag or transponder, contains an electronic chip and an antenna that allow communication with the RFID reader. It can be supported by: a card / badge, or a bracelet and other...

[0019] > An RFID reader is a device that emits radio waves and receives signals from nearby RFID tags. When an RFID reader emits a signal, the RFID tag within range responds by sending back the information stored in its chip. This information may include a unique identifier for the object, tracking data, or other specific details.

[0020] • NFC (Near Field Communication): NFC is a short-range wireless communication technology that allows the exchange of data between compatible devices. In reality, NFC is a subset of RFID, specifically RFID-HF (High Frequency, 13.56 MHz spectrum), and the communication range is one of the main significant differences between these two technologies. It is often used for mobile payments, information sharing between smartphones or contactless access to secure areas. NB: In the rest of the document, “Card” and “RFID” are respectively examples of media and wireless communication technology allowing the identification of each user and the monitoring of their available water balance at the various draw-off points in an up-to-date manner. Other media (badge, bracelet, or others) and other wireless communication technologies (NFC, Bluetooth, QR code, bar code or others...) may be used in a manner consistent with the spirit of the invention.

[0021] In one embodiment of the invention, it comprises:

[0022] 1) A first device(s) having the following functions, but not limited to:

[0023] • Check the initial balance of the cards at the start of the transaction;

[0024] • Reset card balances after each use so they can be used again later;

[0025] • Collect water consumption data at the end of each use;

[0026] • Archive individual consumption data for each user daily, in addition to the total user census and the overall volume of water consumed. Data archiving can be done on storage media, on the cloud, etc.

[0027] This device is located at the entrance with the reception agent, including:

[0028] • An ON / OFF button to start and turn off the device;

[0029] • An RFID reader module;

[0030] • A display screen: to display the balance of the card presented;

[0031] • A card balance reset button so that it can be used by another user;

[0032] • Power Supply: A source of electrical energy to power the device. This can be provided by batteries, a mains supply, or others. ) Cards (2): for each user a card will be assigned. This card contains an identifier and a water allocation that the user cannot exceed. The relationship between the balance, the allocation limit, and the volume consumed is as follows:

[0033] Balance = Limit allocation - Volume consumed The three quantities are in Liters.

[0034] V The balance = 0 when the volume consumed = Limit allocation. Kw start of consumption, volume consumed = 0 hence

[0035] The balance = Limit allocation.

[0036] Users are classified into four categories: Men, Women, Boys, and Girls. Each category has its own map. The water allocation for each category will be determined by the competent authorities, taking into account the needs of each category (the bathing water needs of women and girls are greater than those of men and boys).

[0037] These cards are designed to withstand shocks and the harsh environmental conditions of hammams: humidity and high temperatures.

[0038] The cards will be designed to meet the needs of the establishments.

[0039] It is possible to create cards for additional consumption but with high prices.

[0040] For example, if the predefined allocation for men is 100 L for $2; we can add cards to use if necessary, the allocation of which is 20 L for $1. ) A second device (3) which ensures the identification of users, and the control of their water consumption. This device is installed for each draw-off point on the distribution pipe and connected to the tap. It includes:

[0041] • An RFID reader module to identify each user with a card;

[0042] • A flow meter to measure the volume of water consumed by users;

[0043] The flow meter is an example of a means for measuring water volume. Other devices for measuring water volume may be used in a manner consistent with the spirit of the invention.

[0044] • A microcontroller designed to manage sensor inputs and outputs and to execute control algorithms;

[0045] • A solenoid valve designed to open in the presence of an authorized card and as long as the volume consumed remains below the limit allocation. Otherwise, the solenoid valve closes;

[0046] The solenoid valve is an example of an opening / closing mechanism that can be used to control the passage of water in a manner consistent with the spirit of the invention.

[0047] • A display screen, instantly showing useful data on water consumption and the available balance, for each user and at each use.

[0048] The display screen is an example of a data visualization interface. Other means of data visualization may be used in a manner consistent with the spirit of the invention.

[0049] • A power supply: A source of energy to power the device via batteries, mains power, or other.

[0050] The device (3) is designed so that:

[0051] It does not allow access to any card outside its database. For the men's part of the hammam, shower, etc., only cards in the Men's and Boys' categories are authorized. • Also for the women's part, only cards in the Women's and Girls' categories are authorized.

[0052] • All electrical and electronic components comply with safety standards, particularly in humid and wet environments, guaranteeing an IP68 protection class.

[0053] The process of using the device, in one way of carrying out the invention in a traditional hammam or public shower as an example, is set out below:

[0054] • After the customer pays, the reception agent checks the card balance using the device (1) and assigns it to the customer (Each card is associated with a number corresponding to that of the locker housing his clothes);

[0055] • To obtain water, the user must present their card in front of the device (3) and open the tap;

[0056] • The device (3) checks that the card is authorized and that its balance is not zero,

[0057] • If the card is unauthorized or its balance is zero, the solenoid valve remains closed;

[0058] • Otherwise the device (3) displays the card balance on the display screen, and the solenoid valve opens, thus allowing the water supply;

[0059] • During distribution, the device (3) checks whether the volume consumed is less than the limit allocation and displays useful data on the screen for the user, including the volume consumed, the available balance, etc.;

[0060] • To suspend distribution, the user can remove their card or close the tap and then remove their card;

[0061] • The device (3) warns the user as soon as the balance is approaching exhaustion; • Once the volume consumed by the user reaches the limit allocation, the device (3) automatically closes the solenoid valve, thus preventing any additional withdrawals, and displays a message indicating that the balance is exhausted.

[0062] • On leaving, to collect their clothes, the user must present their card to the reception agent;

[0063] • The reception agent presents the card in front of the device (1) which displays the final balance and the volume consumed by the user on the screen and the agent presses a button to reset the balance for future use;

[0064] • The device (1) archives daily individual consumption data for each user, in addition to the total census of users and the overall volume of water consumed.

[0065] Prototype

[0066] A prototype of the invention in question was developed to ensure its proper functioning, while also allowing the identification of aspects requiring improvement. Relevant adjustments were thus made, thanks to the tests carried out. This development phase was essential to ensure that the final prototype achieved maximum levels of performance and reliability.

[0067] Description of figures

[0068] > Figure 1 shows the card balance reset device (1), it includes: a display screen (4), a reset button (5), an ON / OFF button (6), and a wireless communication technology reader module (7).

[0069] > Figure 2 shows the device (3) that monitors and controls users' water consumption. It includes: a water volume measuring device (8), a data visualization interface (9), a wireless communication technology reader module (10), an electronic card including a microcontroller (11), an opening / closing mechanism (12), the water inlet connected to the distribution pipe (13), and the water outlet connected to the tap (14).

Claims

CLAIMS 1- Water distribution management and control device comprising a balance reset device (1), an identification card (2), and a water distribution control device (3) mounted integrally with a draw-off point; characterized in that it allows the user to use all the draw-off points in the location to consume his water supply and without exceeding it using wireless communication technology. 2- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claim 1, is characterized in that the balance reset device (1) is based on wireless communication technology; 3- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claims 1 and 2, is characterized in that the balance reset device (1) has the main function of resetting the balances of the cards (2); 4- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claim 1, is characterized in that the identification card (2) is equipped with wireless communication technology allowing it to be linked to the two devices (1) and (3); 5- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claims 1 and 4, is characterized in that the identification cards (2) include an identifier and a predefined water volume allocation for each user which he cannot exceed; 6- Device for managing and controlling the water distribution object of claim 1, is characterized in that the water distribution control apparatus (3) comprises: — A wireless communication technology reader module (10) — A water volume measuring device (8) — An opening / closing mechanism (12) — A Data Visualization Interface (9) 7- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claim 1, 4, and 6, is characterized in that the distribution control device (3), is linked to the card (2) via the wireless communication technology reader (10); 8- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claims 1 and 6, is characterized in that the water volume measuring device (8) has the function of measuring the volume of water consumed by the user so that it does not exceed its limit allocation; 9- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claims 1 and 6, is characterized in that the opening / closing mechanism (12) only opens if the card (2) is authorized and as long as the volume consumed is less than the limit allocation; and closes if the volume consumed reaches the limit allocation; 10- Device for managing and controlling the distribution of water, the subject of claims 1 and 6, is characterized in that the data visualization interface (9) has the function of informing the user about his consumption, and his available balance in volume of water;

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