DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CONDITIONING WATER IN A TANK

Abstract

A device is provided for metering at least one water-quality chemical in a water tank (1). The device comprises a metering duct (14) with an outlet port (16), a metering unit (13) for metering the water-quality chemical through the metering duct (14) and a control unit (12) which is connected to the water-quality sensor (10) and controls the metering unit (13), wherein the metering unit (13) and the control unit (12) are received in a housing (19) and a supply (17) is receivable in the housing (19) or connectable thereto and a carrier (9a; 9b; 24), to which a water-quality sensor (10) and an outlet port (16) of the metering duct (14) are fixed, is designed for insertion into the water tank (1), such that the outlet port (16) of the metering duct (14) is located downstream of the water-quality sensor (10).

Claims

1. A portable device for conditioning water in a whirlpool tub comprising a pool region and an outlet region separated therefrom by an overflow wall through which outlet region water from the pool region flows in a recirculation circuit, the device comprising: at least one water-quality sensor configured to output a water quality signal, at least one metering duct with an outlet port at least one controllable metering valve comprising a valve inlet for a water-quality chemical and a valve outlet which is in fluid connection with the metering duct, at least one processor configured to receive the water quality signal and to control the metering valve based on the water quality signal, a portable housing in which the metering valve and processor are received and which comprises either a tank for the water-quality chemical or a connection port for fluidic connection of the tank, a portable carrier to which the water-quality sensor and the outlet port of the metering duct are fixed and which is designed for detachable insertion into the outlet region, such that the outlet port of the metering duct is located downstream of the water-quality sensor.

2. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable carrier includes a tubular portion with an inlet and an outlet, wherein the water-quality sensor and the outlet port are located between the inlet and outlet.

3. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable carrier has a hook for suspending on the overflow wall.

4. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable carrier comprises a magnet for fixing the carrier to the overflow wall.

5. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable carrier comprises a hook and loop connection for fixing the carrier to the overflow wall.

6. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable carrier has a suction cup for fixing the carrier to the overflow wall.

7. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable carrier has a pin for fixing the carrier to the overflow wall.

8. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable carrier comprises a buoyancy body and is designed for buoyant insertion into the outlet region.

9. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the water-quality sensor comprises an electrical connection line and the device further comprises a hybrid line combining the metering duct and the electrical connection line.

10. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable housing comprises a plug connection for the metering duct leading to the portable carrier.

11. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable housing comprises a battery or a power connection line for supplying power to the portable device.

12. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable housing comprises a display and an input device, in particular a start button.

13. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a transmitting and receiving circuit for radio communication with an external processor in order to specify values or value ranges to be set and/or to monitor actual values.

14. The portable device according to claim 1, wherein the portable comprises a carrying handle and a base for placing the housing.

15. A method for conditioning water in a whirlpool tub including a pool region and an outlet region separated therefrom by an overflow wall through which outlet region water from the pool area region flows in a recirculation circuit, the method comprising the steps of: providing a portable device which comprises: at least one water-quality sensor configured to output a water quality signal, at least one metering duct with a length and an outlet port, at least one controllable metering valve comprising a valve inlet for a water-quality chemical and a valve outlet which is in fluid connection with the metering duct, at least one processor configured to receive the water quality signal and to control the metering valve based on the water quality signal, a portable housing in which the metering valve and processor are received and which comprises either a tank for the water-quality chemical or a connection port for fluidic connection of the tank, a portable carrier to which the water-quality sensor and the outlet port of the metering duct are fixed, arranging the portable housing on the whirlpool tub and at a distance from the outlet region that is less than the length of the metering duct, inserting the carrier in the outlet region, such that the outlet port of the metering duct is located downstream of the water-quality sensor, activating the processor to measure a water quality and metering in the water-quality chemical for condition the water.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the inserting step comprises hooking the portable carrier to the overflow wall.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the inserting step comprises fixing the portable carrier to the overflow wall by means of magnetic force.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein the inserting step comprises fixing the portable carrier to the overflow wall by means of a hook and loop closure.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein the inserting step comprises fixing the portable carrier to the overflow wall by means of a suction cup.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the inserting step comprises fixing the portable carrier to the overflow wall by means of a mechanical locking or clamping means.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the portable carrier is provided with a buoyancy body and is buoyantly inserted into the outlet region.

22. The method according to claim 15, further comprising the step of: generating and outputting a conditioning completion signal by means of the processor and subsequently removing the portable carrier from the outlet region and the portable housing from the whirlpool tub.

Description

[0027] In the following, the invention is explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. There is shown in:

[0028] FIG. 1 a recirculation process in a water tank according to the state of the art,

[0029] FIG. 2 a scheme of the device,

[0030] FIG. 3 a possibility of fixing a carrier formed as a flow pipe of the device to an overflow wall of the water tank,

[0031] FIG. 4 the flow pipe designed straight, and

[0032] FIG. 5 the carrier designed as a holder.

[0033] FIG. 1 shows schematically a circulation process in a water tank 1. The water tank 1 holds water. Water in a suction region 2 is separated by an overflow wall 3 from water in a main part 4. This suction region is connected to a pump 7 via a suction opening 5 and a line system 6. Outlet nozzles 8, in turn, connect the line system 6 with the main part 4 of the water tank 1.

[0034] When the water tank 1 is operating fully, the pump 7 is switched on. Accordingly, the pump 7 circulates all the water in a relatively short time, e.g. within one minute from the suction opening 5 to the outlet nozzles 8. When activated, the pump 7 causes the water to flow over the overflow wall 3 and into the suction region 2. From the suction region 2 the pump 7 sucks the water through the suction opening 5 into the line system 6. From there, the pump 7 pumps the water through the outlet nozzles 8 back into the main part 4 to the remaining water. It should be noted that the design of water tank 1 is merely exemplary. The pump 7 pumps water out of the suction region 2 for circulation. Details of feeding the water to the suction region 2, in particular the division into main part 4 and suction region 2 by the overflow wall 3, are optional.

[0035] In FIG. 2 the suction region 2 and the overflow wall 3 are shown enlarged, with a schematic representation of a device for metering a water-quality chemical. An angled flow pipe 9a is detachably fixed to the overflow wall 3. The angled flow pipe 9a acts as a carrier for at least one water-quality sensor 10, which is received in the pipe and connected to a control unit 12 via an electrical line 11 or wireless. This water-quality sensor measures at least one specific water parameter (pH value, chlorine content, nitrate content, phosphate content, . . . ) in order to transmit demand for at least one water-quality chemical to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 controls a metering unit 13. Further, a metering duct 14 connected to the metering unit 13 extends through the angled flow pipe 9a, which metering duct is fixed to the angled flow pipe 9a by a fixation 15 so that an outlet port 16 of the metering duct 14 is at a fixed distance from the water-quality sensor 10. The metering duct 14 is connected to the metering unit 13, which is connected by an unspecified electrical line (without reference numeral in the figure) or wirelessly to the control unit 12 and by a fluid line (without reference numeral in the figure) to a supply tank 17 holding the individual water-quality chemicals. Control unit 12, metering unit 13, supply tank 17 holding the water-quality chemicals and a rechargeable battery 18 are confined in a housing 19. In addition, on the housing there is provided a display 20 and an input device, in particular comprising a start button 21, or alternatively a wireless connection to an external data device, e.g. a mobile phone or tablet.

[0036] In the circulation process, water also flows through the angled flow pipe 9a, thus coming into contact with the water-quality sensor 10 located in the pipe. The water washes around the water-quality sensor 10 and the sensor transmits measured water parameters via the electrical line 11 to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 controls in closed-loop fashion the metering unit 13 to feed water quality chemicals via the metering duct 14 and out of the outlet port 16 located downstream of the water-quality sensor 10. The power supply of the control unit and the metering unit is ensured by rechargeable battery 18 or by connection to power line. The device is portable; control unit 12, metering unit 13 and rechargeable battery 18 (if present) are located in a housing 19. The housing is connected to the angled flow pipe 9a, optionally via a plug connection to be detached later. The display 20 and the input device with start button 21 enable the user to actively intervene in the process.

[0037] The metering duct 14 and the electrical line 11 from the water-quality sensor 10 to the control unit 12 are optionally combined to a hybrid line 22. The metering duct 14 including the outlet port 16 fixed to the angled flow pipe 9a ensures that output of the water-quality chemical always occurs downstream of the water-quality sensor 10. Due to spatial separation of outlet port 16 and water-quality sensor 10, which are fixed to the carrier being designed, in this embodiment, as a flow pipe, the metered-in water-quality chemicals cannot immediately come into contact with the part of the water that subsequently reaches the water-quality sensor 10. Otherwise the measurement values would be interfered with. Due to arrangement of the outlet port 16 downstream of the water-quality sensor 10 and increased flow velocity in the suction region 2, unbiased measurement data are continuously obtained and an improved water quality is achieved.

[0038] FIG. 3 shows the carrier in a further embodiment. Here, it is an angled flow pipe 9a suspended with a collar 23 over the overflow wall 3 dividing the water tank 1 from the suction region 2. The water flowing in the described circulation process bathes the the water-quality sensor 10, which is connected to the electrical line 11. The latter is optionally combined with the metering duct 14 in the hybrid line 22. The outlet port 16 of the metering duct is located downstream of the water-quality sensor 10. The position of the outlet port 16 downstream of the water-quality sensor 10 is secured by the fixation 15.

[0039] FIG. 3 also demonstrates the portability of the device. The carrier (e.g. in FIG. 3 the angled flow pipe 9a) is detachably fixed to be located in the suction region 2, e.g. As shown in FIG. 3, its collar 23 hangs over the overflow wall 3. This ensures easy installation and removal of the carrier and thus, for example, that the device can be used on several water tanks, or that it can only be installed at certain measurement intervals (once per week/month, etc.). Preferably, the carrier is installed only for water conditioning and not permanently. Other fixing means are also possible, e.g. magnet, suction cup, pin, hook and loop devices or mechanical locking.

[0040] In FIGS. 2 and 3 the carrier is realized as an angled flow pipe 9a. However, this is by no means mandatory. The carrier can also be realized differently, for example as a straight flow pipe 9b fixed to the overflow wall 3, as shown in FIG. 4. The water-quality sensor 10 is also here bathed in flowing water and sends the measured data via the electrical line 11 to the control unit 12. The metering duct 14 is fixed to the flow pipe 9, with its outlet port 16 downstream of the water-quality sensor 10. Metering duct 14 and electrical line 11 are advantageously combined in the combination line 22.

[0041] Whether the carrier is embodied angled as in FIGS. 2 and 3 or straight or in other geometries, does not change the other features of the device. The process occurs exactly as described in FIG. 2. There is also no change in the spatial relationships compared to an angled carrier embodiment.

[0042] In FIG. 5 the carrier is designed as rod- or plate-shaped holder 24. This holder 24 is suspended into the suction region 2 with the collar 23 extending over the overflow wall 3. Water flows around the water-quality sensor 10, which transmits its measured values via the electrical line 11. The metering duct 14 is fixed to the holder 24, wherein again the outlet port 16 is located downstream of the water-quality sensor 10. Metering duct 14 and electrical line 11 are combined in the combination line 22 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0043] FIG. 5 demonstrates that a flow pipe 9a; 9b is not necessarily required. A holder 24 is sufficient, which allows to insert water-quality sensor 10 into the flow and to fix outlet port 16 of metering duct 14 downstream the water-quality sensor 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the holder 24 can be fastened either by a flange 23, as shown in FIG. 5, or by magnet, suction cup, pin, a hook and loop device or by mechanical locking.

[0044] The suction region embodies an outlet region of the water tank 1, which can be a whirlpool tub. The control unit 12 particularly includes a processor which carries out the corresponding data processing and signal processing. The metering unit 13 particularly includes a controllable metering valve. It has a valve inlet where the water-quality chemical is supplied and a valve outlet which is in fluid connection with the metering duct. It is suitably controlled by the processor.

[0045] The portable housing has a carrying handle and a base that allows the housing to be placed near the whirlpool tub.

[0046] Overall, the device is designed portable, i.e. both the housing and the carrier are portable.