Drinking water refilling station

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drinking water refilling station (1), comprising: - an extractor (2) for extracting water from moisture in the air; - a tank (3) for storing condensed water; - a purification unit (4); - a water dispenser (5); - a photovoltaic unit (6) for producing electrical energy; and - a structure (7) for holding and containing the aforementioned elements.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Drinking water refilling station

[0003] Object of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a drinking water refill station that is capable of obtaining water from air humidity without external energy consumption.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] In tourist destinations in the European Union, the cost of drinking water often far exceeds its real value. This is not only an economic problem. Indeed, climate change is generating conditions of less rainfall and, consequently, a general shortage of drinking water, as well as population growth, turning water into a limited resource under increasing stress.

[0007] People (residents or tourists) who visit and live in these places where water is an expensive and / or scarce commodity have the right to access drinking water at a more affordable price, which is solved with the invented station.

[0008] Description of the invention The drinking water refill station of the invention comprises:

[0009] -a water extractor from the humidity in the air (an air cooler, with an evaporator where temperatures below the dew point of the air are reached, and with a condensate water collector),

[0010] -a storage tank for the condensed water collected by the collector, -a water treatment unit,

[0011] -a water dispenser,

[0012] -a photovoltaic unit for producing electrical energy to feed the rest of the station's elements, and

[0013] -a structure for supporting and containing the aforementioned elements. Thus, the invention allows for the generation of high-quality drinking water suitable for human consumption in any location, without the need for electrical connections or water supply networks. It also provides ecological benefits that promote sustainability and environmental preservation, including:

[0014] * Reducing the consumption of plastic bottles.

[0015] * Saving natural resources.

[0016] * Lower greenhouse gas emissions. * Boosting environmental awareness.

[0017] Water is a vital resource for everyone; consuming it sustainably is innovation.

[0018] Brief Description of Cough Drawings

[0019] Figures 1 and 2.- Show respectively a front and side view of the drinking water refill station of the invention.

[0020] Figure 3.- Shows a detail of a door of the enclosure of the drinking water refill station of the invention.

[0021] Figure 4.- Shows a sectional view of the drinking water refill station of the invention. Figure 5.- Shows a top view of the water storage tank.

[0022] Figure 6.- Detail of the water revitalizer.

[0023] Figure 7.- Shows a schematic diagram of part of the recharging station of the invention, from the water extractor evaporator to the dispenser.

[0024] Figure 8.- Shows a detail of a grille with the water extractor condenser fan. Figure 9.- Shows a detail of the bottle dispenser and storage. Description of the Preferred Embodiment

[0025] The drinking water refill station (1) of the invention comprises (see figs. 1, 2, 4 and 7): - an extractor (2) of water from the humidity of the air (that is, an air cooler, with an evaporator (20) where temperatures below the dew point of the air are reached, the corresponding condenser (25) and compressor, not shown, and with a collector (21) of the condensed water),

[0026] -a tank (3) for storing the condensed water (for example 500 lt), where the water collected by the collector (21) is conducted, in this case with the cooperation of a first pump (33) (see fig 7,) -a water treatment unit (4),

[0027] -a water dispenser (5),

[0028] -a photovoltaic unit (6) for producing electrical energy to feed the rest of the station elements, with its corresponding photovoltaic panels (60), inverter (61), and wattmeter (62) in case it is desired to measure the energy generated by the panels (60) and the energy consumed), and

[0029] - a structure (7) for holding and containing the above elements. Very preferably, the structure (7) comprises a closed lower casing (70) and an upper frame (71) for holding the photovoltaic panels (60); the rest of the station elements are arranged inside the casing (70), resulting in a compact assembly where the different elements are protected. The frame (71) comprises a front area (711) of greater height and a rear area (712) of lower height, which allows the panels to be placed at an optimal inclination towards the sun.

[0030] It is preferred that the envelope (70) comprises (see fig. 2) a reticular framework of horizontal rings (72) and vertical rings (73) of greater amplitude in the central zone and smaller in the extreme zones, configuring a spheroid, provided with blind elements (74) to close the free spaces of the framework. In this way the spheroid provides the advantages of increased interior volume to contain the elements, better distribution of loads due to the weight and action of the wind on the panels, better aerodynamic shape in any wind direction and better aesthetic shape. In addition, the arrangement in the envelope (70) of a front vertical portico (76) has been planned (see fig. 1), perpendicular to the vertical rings (72, 7'3), which on the one hand improves the resistance in the front part, which receives a greater component of aerodynamic load from the photovoltaic panels (wing effect) and on the other hand offers a vertical flat face for the arrangement of the dispenser (8).indicate that the blind closing elements (74) may comprise breathing grilles (740). In addition, fans (111) may be arranged near the grilles (740) to force better renewal of the interior air, which will improve the interior psychrometric conditions for the extractor (entry of new air with humidity and at a lower temperature, and exit of the already dried and hot air). Specifically, in figs. 4 and 8 it can be seen how the fan (111) forms part of the condenser (28) of the air humidity water extractor, which has a double use, channeling the air towards the condenser, and renewing the interior air by the depression it creates inside the sphere, which causes the entry of exterior air through other grilles (740).

[0031] It is preferred that the structure (7) be made by CNC. CMC (Computer Numerical Control) is a manufacturing process in which a set of operations are performed to manufacture the parts by extracting material from a block. These operations are carried out on Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machines, which, based on 3D data and a CAM machining program, perform the programmed tasks automatically. Due to their flexibility, precision and versatility, they help reduce manufacturing times by minimizing errors. The parts are manufactured from a wide range of technical materials, both plastics and metals. Likewise, the enclosure (70) will comprise at least one access door (77) on at least one of its sides (see fig.3), whose frame is formed by the vertical ring (73) at the extreme side of that side, in such a way that access for maintenance is guaranteed without weakening the structure and aesthetically integrating the door. For its part, it is preferred that the water treatment unit (4) comprises (see fig. 7) a filter (40), a mineralizer (41) and a water treater (42). Ideally, the filter (40) comprises a sediment pre-filter (400), an activated carbon filter (401), an ultrafiltration filter (402), a zeolite filter (403) and a mineralization filter (404). These filters protect against lead and leglonella, and the contactless operation protects against germs, so that clean and even chilled water is obtained in the dispenser, reducing single-use plastic and promoting sustainability. As for the water treater (42), in this example it comprises an ultraviolet lamp.

[0032] It is also preferred that the tank include symbols, not represented, based on studies by Masare Emoto, who states: "Human thought, words, music, labels on containers, influence water and it changes absolutely for the better."

[0033] Additionally, the possible arrangement of a water revitalizer (8) in the tank (3) has been foreseen, which comprises (see figs. 5 and 6) a body (80) with information water (88), provided with internal conduits (81) for the passage of water to be revitalized, open to the interior of the tank (3). The revitalization of the water stored in the tank is carried out through the transfer of information from the information water to the stored water, as it circulates through the interior of the revitalizer. Through this process, the water is restored to its original structure, the water recovers its initial vitality, strength and power. That is, the water to be revitalized enters with a disordered molecular structure and exits with its ordered structure (living water) due to the interaction with the information water, which has its ordered structure.For proper functioning of the revitalizer (8), a buoy (81) has been provided to which the body (80) is fixed, the buoy (81) comprising lateral guides (810), and comprising on the inside of the tank (3) vertical guides (30) with lower travel stops (31), where the guides (810) run. In this way, the body (80) manages to be constantly submerged within the water storage tank without touching its bottom at any time, which are essential conditions for its proper functioning. To supply the water to the consumer, a pipe (9) has been provided (return to fig.9), which is connected to the tank (3) with the dispenser (5), and a second drive pump (90) inserted in said pipe (9) to drive the water from the tank to the dispenser. It is preferred to include a cooler (SO) of already stored, treated and revitalized water, which is ideally arranged in the water dispenser (5).

[0034] Furthermore, the station comprises means of payment (51) associated with the water dispenser (5) (of any known type: EMV, contactless and MFC payments, as well as QR codes and prepaid cards with cashless card readers; once the payment is completed by the customer, the filling of the bottle is activated. Said dispenser (5) also comprises a selector (52) of the volume of water to be dispensed and a dispensing trunk (53) where the mouth of the pipe (9) is arranged.

[0035] Preferably. yes dispenser (5) can also comprise a warehouse (54) of bottles (100) (of different capacities), with means of delivery in a box (540) (for example steps (541) with Archimedean screws (542), arranged above the box (540), so that between the turns of the Archimedean screw the bottles are housed, and when turning, the one at the front end is released from the Archimedean screw and falls into the box). This allows to order an empty bottle, take it from the box, place it in the trunk and request its filling,

[0036] Additionally, the provision of one or more electric accumulators (S3) (lithium batteries) has been provided - see fig. 4 - associated with the photovoltaic unit (8) to store surplus production from the panels in periods of greater light and to feed the station in hours of deficit in photovoltaic energy production.

[0037] Notwithstanding the foregoing, and since the description provided corresponds only to an example of a preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that within its essence multiple variations of detail may be introduced, also protected, which may affect the shape, size or manufacturing materials of the assembly or its parts, without this implying any alteration of the invention as a whole, delimited only by the claims provided below.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. - Drinking water refill station (1), characterized in that it comprises: - an extractor (2) of water from the humidity in the air, -a tank (3) for storing condensed water, -a water treatment unit (4), -a water dispenser (5), -a photovoltaic unit (6) for producing electrical energy, and -a structure (7) for holding and containing the above elements. 2.- Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 1, where the structure (7) comprises a closed lower casing (70) and an upper frame (71) for holding the photovoltaic panels (60): the rest of the elements of the station are arranged inside the casing (70). 3 - Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 2, wherein the frame (71) comprises a front area (711) of greater height and a rear area (712) of lower height. 4.- Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 2 or 3, where the envelope (70) comprises a reticular framework of horizontal rings (72) and vertical rings (73) of greater width in the central area and smaller in the extreme areas, comprising blind elements (74) for closing the free spaces of the framework. 5.-Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 4, where the blind closing elements (74) comprise breathing grids (740). 6 - Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the casing (70) comprises a front vertical portico (78), perpendicular to the vertical rings (72, 73), 7. - Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the casing (70) comprises an access door (77) on at least one of its sides, the frame of which is formed by the vertical ring (73) at the end side of that side.

8. - Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the water treatment unit (4) comprises a filter (40), a mineralizer (41) and a water treater (42).

9. "Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 8, wherein the filter (40) comprises a sediment prefilter (400), an activated carbon filter (401), an ultrafiltration filter (402), a zeolite filter (403) and a mineralization filter (404).

10. -Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the water treater (42) comprises an ultraviolet lamp.

11. - Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a water revitalizer (8) arranged in the tank (3), comprising a body (80) with information water, provided with internal conduits (81) open to the interior of the tank (3).

12. ~Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 11, comprising a buoy (81) to which the body (80) is fixed, the buoy (81) comprising lateral guides (810), and comprising inside the tank (3) vertical guides (30) with lower travel stops (31), where the guides (810) run.

13. "Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a pipe (9) connecting the tank (3) with the dispenser (5), and a second drive pump (90) inserted in said pipe (9).

14. "Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a cooler (50) for already stored, treated and revitalized water, 15.-Drinking water refill station (1) according to claim 14, where the water cooler (50) is arranged in the water dispenser (5).

16. -Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means® (51) associated with the water dispenser (5).

17. - Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of claims 13 to 16, wherein the dispenser (5) comprises a selector (52) for the volume of water to be dispensed, and a dispensing trunk (S3) where the pipe outlet is located.

18. - Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the dispenser (5) comprises a warehouse (84) for bottles (100). with delivery means in a box (540), 19. -Drinking water refill station (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising one or more electric accumulators (63) associated with the photovoltaic unit (6).

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