DRINKING WATER ECONOMIZER

Abstract

The invention relates to an economizer device having an expansion vessel provided with a pressure sensor Cp, a temperature sensor CT on a hot-water intake Ec, four valves, a non-return valve preventing the water from the cold-water intake EF from entering the expansion vessel, and an electronic board connected to the sensors and to the valves. The economizer device stores the cooled water coming from the hot-water intake in the expansion vessel until the water reaches a set temperature that is sufficient for supplying a point of use of a domestic installation using hot water. When the expansion vessel fills, the stored cooled water is preferably used as cold water to supply either the point of use with cold water or else another domestic installation provided to use cold water.

Claims

1. A drinking water economizer device adapted to supply at least one usage point having a hot water outlet S.sub.C and a cold water outlet S.sub.F comprising: a storage container VE having a first storage zone for cold water and a second pressurized zone separated from the first storage container by a membrane; a pressure sensor C.sub.P adapted to measure a water pressure in the first zone of the storage container VE; a temperature sensor C.sub.T adapted to measure a temperature of water coming from a hot water intake E.sub.C; a first valve V.sub.1 located between the hot-water intake E.sub.C and the hot-water outlet S.sub.C; a second valve V.sub.2 located between the hot-water intake E.sub.C and the first zone of the storage container VE; a third valve V.sub.3 located between a cold-water intake E.sub.F and the cold-water outlet S.sub.F; a fourth valve V.sub.4 located downstream of the cold-water intake E.sub.F; a non-return device provided between the first zone of the storage container VE and the cold-water intake E.sub.F, the non-return device adapted to prevent water from the cold-water intake E.sub.F from entering the storage container VE; and an electronic board operatively connected to the temperature sensor C.sub.T, to the pressure sensor C.sub.P, and to each of the the first valve V.sub.1, the second valve V.sub.2, the third valve V.sub.3, and the fourth valve V.sub.4, the electronic board adapted to control each of the first valve V.sub.1, the second valve V.sub.2, the third valve V.sub.3, and the fourth valve V.sub.4 as a function of the temperature measured by the temperature sensor C.sub.T and as a function of the pressure measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P.

2. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one usage point comprises at least a second usage point, and wherein the device further includes a coupling provided between the third valve V.sub.3 and the fourth valve V.sub.4, wherein the coupling is adapted to connect the storage container VE to at least the second usage point.

3. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein the second valve V.sub.2 is closed while the first valve V.sub.1 and the third valve V.sub.3 are open when the temperature of the water measured by the temperature sensor C.sub.T is above a set temperature stored in the electronic board, and wherein the second valve V.sub.2 is open and the first valve V.sub.1 and the third valve V.sub.3 are closed when the measured temperature is below the set temperature.

4. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein the fourth valve V.sub.4 is closed when the water pressure inside the first zone of the storage container VE measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P is positive or above a threshold value stored in the electronic board, and wherein the fourth valve V.sub.4 is open when the measured water pressure is one of nil, below the threshold value, and equal to the threshold value.

5. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein the first valve V.sub.1 and the second valve V.sub.2 are replaced by a three-way valve V.sub.12.

6. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein the third valve V.sub.3 and the fourth valve V.sub.4 are replaced by a three-way valve V.sub.34.

7. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first valve V.sub.1, the second valve V.sub.2, the third valve V.sub.3, and the fourth valve V.sub.4 comprise solenoid valves controlled electrically.

8. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein a pressure of the second pressurized zone of the storage container VE is between 0.1 and 6 bars.

9. The economizer device according to claim 3, wherein the set temperature is between 20 C. and 40 C.

10. The economizer device according to claim 4, wherein the threshold value is between 0 and 2 bars.

11. The economizer device according to claim 1, wherein each of the first valve V.sub.1, the third valve V.sub.3, and the fourth valve V.sub.4 are a normally open valve, and wherein the second valve V.sub.2 is a valve of the type normally closed valve.

12. A shower column comprising the economizer device according to claim 1.

13. The economizer device according to claim 8, wherein the pressure of the second pressurized zone of the storage container VE is between 0.2 and 3 bars.

14. The economizer device according to claim 13, wherein the pressure of the second pressurized zone of the storage container VE is between 0.3 and 1 bar.

15. The economizer device according to claim 9, wherein the set temperature is between 25 C. and 35 C.

16. The economizer device according to claim 15, wherein the set temperature is between 28 C. and 32 C.

17. The economizer device according to claim 10, wherein the threshold value is between 0 and 1 bar.

18. The economizer device according to claim 17, wherein the threshold value is between 0 and 0.5 bars.

19. The shower column according to claim 12, further comprising a mixer having inlets operatively connected to the hot-water outlet S.sub.C and to the cold-water outlet S.sub.F and an outlet operatively connected to a head shower and, via a hose, to a shower head.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be seen more clearly from the following description, provided with reference to the appended drawings, provided by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the economizer device according to an embodiment of the invention in which it equips a shower column and returns cooled water to it in cold water form;

[0052] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the economizer device according to the invention in which the hidden elements appear in ghost lines;

[0053] FIG. 3 is a front view of the economizer device according to the invention in which the hidden elements appear in ghost lines;

[0054] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shower column equipped with an economizer device according to the invention;

[0055] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but in which the hidden elements appear in ghost lines;

[0056] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the economizer device according to an embodiment of the invention in which it equips a shower column and a washbasin, with a storage container shared by both installations, and returns cooled water to them in cold water form;

[0057] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the economizer device according to an embodiment of the invention in which it equips a shower column and where the cooled water can be used in another household or sanitary installation;

[0058] FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the economizer device according to an embodiment of the invention in which it equips a shower column and where the cooled water is only used in another household or sanitary installation;

[0059] FIG. 9 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 7, but in which two first valves have been replaced by a three-way valve and two other valves have been replaced by a four-way valve;

[0060] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the economizer device according to the invention shown alone; and

[0061] FIG. 11 is a schematic view similar to FIG. 10, but in which two first valves have been replaced by a three-way valve and two other valves have been replaced by a three-way valve.

EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

[0062] The structurally and functionally identical elements shown in several different figures are assigned the same numerical or alphanumerical reference.

[0063] The economizer device (1) according to the present invention is intended to equip the hot drinking water usage point (2) of a household installation, for example a shower column (3), a sink, a washbasin or any other similar usage point jointly using a hot-water intake and a cold-water intake, said usage point (2) typically being equipped with a mixer (4) or any other similar means for mixing hot and cold water.

[0064] Such a mixer (4) is preferably a mixer (4) with thermostatic operation.

[0065] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the economizer device (1) equips a hot drinking water usage point (2) coupled with a mixer (4) with electronic operation. The latter allows electronic management of the adjustment of the temperature, flow rates and any other configurable and programmable functions on the latter.

[0066] According to this example, the economizer device (1) may have a control interface in common with the mixer (4) and its actuation can be done directly from the latter.

[0067] In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, said usage point (2) is a shower column (3) in which the mixer (4) is simultaneously connected to a head shower and a shower head (5) by a hose (6). In this example, a shower column (3) can be marketed pre-equipped with an economizer device (1) according to the invention in the form of a single functional unit ready to be connected on the hot water circuit, on the cold water circuit and on the domestic supply water outlet system (see FIGS. 4 and 5).

[0068] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the mixer (4) can be actuated by two buttons (4) accessible for the user of the shower (3).

[0069] The economizer device (1) is intended to be installed between a hot water source and its usage point (2), for example between the water heater and the mixer (4) of a household installation, and preferably as close as possible to the mixer (4).

[0070] The operating principle of the economizer device (1) according to the present invention consists of temporarily storing the water cooled in the pipes connecting the hot water source and its usage point (2) in order to reuse it later as cold water at said usage point (2) or elsewhere, for example for another installation using cold water.

[0071] Cooled water refers to the normally hot water coming from the hot water source, but which naturally tends to cool in the pipes when it stagnates. It therefore involves hot water that is at a temperature lower than that of the hot water initially supplied by the hot water source.

[0072] According to a embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 1, the economizer device (1) is intended to store the cooled water temporarily in the pipes in order to reuse it later as cold water at the mixer (4).

[0073] According to this embodiment, the economizer device (1) is connected on the hot-water intake E.sub.C (7) and on the cold water intake E.sub.F (8) upstream from the drinking water usage point (2) of a household installation. It is also connected on the mixer (4) of said drinking water usage point (2), at a hot water outlet S.sub.C (9) and a cold water outlet S.sub.F (10), thus respectively making up a hot water supply and a cold water supply for this mixer (4).

[0074] The economizer device (1) is connected on the hot-water intake E.sub.C (7) by a pipe (11) on which a temperature sensor C.sub.T (12) is mounted that measures the temperature of the water coming from the hot water source. It is this water that typically cools, in particular when the usage point (2) is several meters away from the hot water source.

[0075] Of course, pipe here refers to any means making it possible to place elements in fluid communication. This may for example involve copper tubes, PVC tubes, hoses, or any other means known in the plumbing field.

[0076] At its other end, said pipe (11) connected on the hot-water intake E.sub.C (7) is also connected to a first T intersection (13), connecting it on the one hand to a first valve V.sub.1 (14) by a pipe (15) and on the other hand to a second valve V.sub.2 (16) by a pipe (17).

[0077] At its free end, the first valve V.sub.1 (14) is connected to the hot-water outlet S.sub.C (9) of the mixer (4) by a pipe (18).

[0078] At its free end, the second valve V.sub.2 (16) is in turn connected by a pipe (19) to a second T intersection (21), connecting it on the one hand to a storage container VE (21) by a pipe (22) and on the other hand to a non-return device (23) by a pipe (24).

[0079] The storage container VE (21) is preferably in the form of an expansion vessel, which comprises a membrane (25) compartmentalizing it into two tight zones relative to one another, namely a first zone (26) in which the pipe (22) emerges and a second pressurized zone (27). The first zone (26) is intended to serve as storage space for the cooled water, while the second zone (27) is pressurized in order to pressurize this stored cooled water over the course of the filling of the storage container VE (21).

[0080] The second zone (27) is preferably placed under a relative pressure of between 0.1 and 6 bars, preferably between 0.2 and 3 bars, and more preferably between 0.3 and 1 bar.

[0081] The sanitary expansion vessel can for example be pre-inflated in the factory to 0.8 bars in order to be slightly less than that of the hot water system.

[0082] This pressurization is for example done by injecting pressurized fluid in the second zone (27), for example by injecting compressed air.

[0083] The use of a storage container VE (21) in the form of an expansion vessel advantageously makes it possible to place the first zone (26), used for storage of the cooled water, automatically and progressively under pressure during filling thereof. Thus, the cold water can easily be reinjected into the system to be used for cold water by leaving from where it entered, namely through the pipe (22), by passing through the non-return device (23). The use of the same pipe (22) for the entry and exit of the cooled water in particular makes it possible to simplify the design of the economizer device (1), but also to minimize its bulk and cost, while guaranteeing a reliable operation.

[0084] The non-return device (23) is preferably in the form of a check valve. At its free end, the non-return device (23) is connected by a pipe (28) to a third T intersection (29), connecting it on one side to a third valve V.sub.3 (30) by a pipe (31) and on the other side to a fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) by a pipe (33).

[0085] A pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) is also intended to measure the water pressure in the first zone (26) of the storage container VE (21). This pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) can be provided directly on the storage container VE (21) or can be provided between the storage container VE (21) and the non-return device (23), upstream or downstream from the second T intersection (20).

[0086] At its free end, the third valve V.sub.3 (30) is connected to the cold-water outlet S.sub.F (10) by a pipe (35).

[0087] At its free end, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is in turn connected to the cold-water inlet E.sub.F (8) by a pipe (36).

[0088] It will be noted that the valves (14, 16, 30, 32) are preferably solenoid valves that can be controlled electrically. This can also involve any other type of valve whereof the opening and closing can be controlled, for example hydraulically or pneumatically.

[0089] The first, third and fourth valves (14, 30, 32) are valves of the type normally open, which allow water to pass when they are not controlled, while the second valve V.sub.2 (16) is a valve of the type normally closed, which does not allow water to pass when it is not controlled. Thus, in case of malfunction of the economizer device (1), for example in case of electric current outage, the household installation remains fully functional, as if the economizer device (1) was not present.

[0090] According to a embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the first valve V.sub.1 (14) and the second valve V.sub.2 (16) can be replaced by a three-way valve V.sub.12 (37). Likewise, the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) can be replaced by a three-way valve V.sub.34 (38).

[0091] It will be noted that in FIG. 11, both the pair of the first and second valves (14, 16) and the pair of the third and fourth valves (30, 32) have each been replaced by a three-way valve (37, 38), although only one of these pairs of valves could have been replaced by a three-way valve.

[0092] In general, the first valve V.sub.1 (14) and the third valve V.sub.3 (30) are so-called safety valves, because their role is in particular to block the flow of water toward the outlets during the emptying phase of the hot water column that has cooled.

[0093] The second valve V.sub.2 (16) is a so-called bypass valve because its role is in particular to allow the bypass of the hot water circuit toward the storage container VE (21) while waiting for the hot water to have reached a satisfactory temperature to truly be able to be considered hot water and to be used as is at the usage point (2).

[0094] The fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is a so-called priority valve because its role is in particular to give priority to the water stored in the storage container VE (21) when cold water is requested at the usage point (2) by blocking the arrival of cold water coming from the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8), for example when a pressure greater than zero or than the threshold value is measured at the storage container VE (21).

[0095] The temperature sensor C.sub.T (12) and the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) are connected to an electronic board (39), which in turn is connected to the various valves (14, 16, 30, 32, 37, 38) of the economizer device (1) in order to control them, in particular as a function of the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor C.sub.T (12) and/or as a function of the pressure indicated by the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34).

[0096] Of course, the electronic board (39) controls the opening and closing of the first, second, third and fourth valves (14, 16, 30, 32), and it controls the switching of each of the three-way valves (37, 38).

[0097] The electronic board (39) is preferably connected to a first easily accessible button (42) intended to start or stop the economizer device (1).

[0098] The electronic board (39) can be intended to be controlled and/or configured remotely, for example by a computer or a smartphone.

[0099] It can also be connected to an on-off switch making it possible to activate or deactivate the economizer device (1). In deactivated mode, the economizer device (1) is completely transparent for the installation that it equips, such that the latter can be used conventionally. Thus, when the economizer device (1) is deactivated, the first, third and fourth valves V.sub.1, V.sub.3, V.sub.4 are open, while the second valve V.sub.2 is closed.

[0100] The electronic board (39) can also include a safety to prevent the storage container VE (21) from filling needlessly, in particular in case of failure of the hot water source (6).

[0101] It may for example involve a timer that deactivates the economizer device (1) when the temperature sensor C.sub.T (12) has not yet detected hot water after a determine length of time, for example after 2 minutes.

[0102] The economizer device (1) can also be intended to be deactivated, at least temporarily, when the storage container VE (21) is completely full.

[0103] The electronic board (39) can also include a clock, for example in order to actuate the economizer device (1) at a predetermined time, for example at 7 a.m., with the aim of storing the cold water toward the storage container VE (21) so that the user has hot water right away when he wishes to take a shower upon waking up.

[0104] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a watertight casing (40) can protect all or part of the various valves (14, 16, 30, 32, 37, 38) of the economizer device (1).

[0105] Likewise, another casing (41) can also protect the electronic board (39).

[0106] It will be noted that the compact nature of the economizer device (1) of the invention indeed appears in these figures.

[0107] According to one embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) can be a pressure gauge that measures the water pressure in the first zone (26) of the storage container VE (21) inside or outside the latter. In this case, the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) sends a precise measurement of the pressure to the electronic board (39).

[0108] According to this embodiment, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is closed when the pressure inside the first zone (26) of the storage container VE (21) measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) is above a threshold value adjusted and stored in the electronic board (39), while the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is open when said measured pressure is below or equal to said threshold value.

[0109] According to another embodiment of the invention, the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) can be a simple pressure-sensing switch or a pressure switch that transmits a signal to the electronic board (39) when it detects a pressure, according to a substantially binary operation.

[0110] According to this embodiment, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is closed when the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) detects a positive pressure inside the first zone (26) of the storage container VE (21), while the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is open when the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) no longer detects positive pressure.

[0111] A pressure-sensing switch or a pressure switch is less expensive and more reliable than a pressure gauge, but it does not make it possible to indicate an exact pressure value to the electronic board (39) for a configurable control of the economizer device (1) as a function of the water pressure in the first zone (26) of the storage container VE (21) inside or outside the latter.

[0112] The operation of the economizer device (1) according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will now be described.

[0113] The cold water coming from the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8) passes through the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) to supply the usage point (2) with drinking water, at the cold-water outlet S.sub.F (10). This water circulation occurs owing to the water pressure of the cold water system.

[0114] At the third T intersection (29) located between the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32), this cold water does not move toward the second T intersection (20) in the direction of the storage container VE (21) due to the presence of the non-return device (23) provided here between the second T intersection (20) and the third T intersection (29).

[0115] The hot water coming from the hot-water intake E.sub.C (7) reaches the first T intersection (13), between the first valve V.sub.1 (14) and the second valve V.sub.2 (16). Its temperature is measured by the temperature sensor C.sub.T (12).

[0116] If this temperature is below a set temperature, for example adjusted and stored in the electronic board (39), this cooled water is considered to be cold water. The first valve V.sub.1 (14) leading to the drinking water usage point (2) is closed, the third valve V.sub.3 (30) is also closed, and the second valve V.sub.2 (16) is open, so that the cooled water is steered toward the storage container VE (21). This water circulation occurs owing to the water pressure of the hot water system. The third valve V.sub.3 (30) is closed such that no hot or cold water can be used at the drinking water usage point (2).

[0117] When the temperature of the hot water coming from the hot-water intake E.sub.C (7) is above the set temperature, this water is considered to be hot water. The first valve V.sub.1 (14) leading to the drinking water usage point (2) is open, as well as the third valve V.sub.3 (30), so that the hot water is steered toward the hot-water outlet S.sub.C (9) of the drinking water usage point (2) and the second valve V.sub.2 (16) is closed, so that the hot water does not enter the storage container VE (21). This water circulation occurs owing to the water pressure of the hot water system. The third valve V.sub.3 (30) is open, such that the drinking water usage point (2) can be used normally to consume hot water and/or cold water.

[0118] The set temperature is preferably chosen between 20 C. and 40 C., preferably between 25 C. and 35 C., and more preferably between 28 C. and 32 C. Of course, this set temperature depends on the user's needs and characteristics of the household installation.

[0119] When the pressure inside the storage container VE (21) is positive or reaches a threshold value, for example adjusted and stored in the electronic board (39), this cooled water passes through the non-return device (23) to serve as cold water at the drinking water usage point (2). In this case, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is closed so that the cooled water stored in the storage container VE (21) supplies the drinking water usage point (2), at the cold water outlet S.sub.F (10). This water circulation occurs owing to the pressure of the cooled water stored under pressure in the storage container (21).

[0120] When the pressure inside the storage container VE (21) is nil or falls below the threshold value, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is opened again so as to supply the cold drinking water usage point (2) with the cold water coming from the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8).

[0121] The threshold value is preferably chosen between 0 and 2 bars, preferably between 0 and 1 bar, and more preferably between 0 and 0.5 bars. Of course, this pressure threshold value depends on the user's needs and characteristics of the household installation.

[0122] The economizer device (1) preferably includes a wall fastening plate (44) for fastening it to the wall when it is mounted within a household installation.

[0123] The pipe (11) connected on the hot-water intake E.sub.C (7) and the pipe (35) connected on the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8) each preferably emerge on said plate (44) with connecting parts (44) suitable for being connected on said intakes (7, 8).

[0124] According to another embodiment of the invention, the economizer device (1) can also be embeddable in a wall.

[0125] The economizer device (1) of the invention is intended to equip a shower column (3), a sink, a washbasin or any other similar usage point jointly using a hot-water intake and a cold-water intake. As an example, in FIGS. 4 and 5, it is shown equipping a shower.

[0126] According to the embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 1, the economizer device (1) is intended to store the cooled water temporarily in the storage container VE (21) in order to reuse it later as cold water at the mixer (4) of a single shower column (3).

[0127] In the typical case where a residence has several hot drinking water usage points (2), an individual economizer device (1) can equip each of these usage points (2).

[0128] According to the embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 6, these individual economizer devices (1) can then include a shared storage container VE (21) to store the cooled water temporarily therein so as to reuse it later as cold water at the mixer (4) of the multiple hot drinking water usage points (2). The use of a shared storage container VE (21) allows savings on space and costs. This shared storage container VE (21) can be located at a distance from the other elements of each individual economizer device (1), since it is not intended to store hot water.

[0129] In the case where the stored water cannot be consumed, in particular for legislative reasons, the skilled person may, however, adopt this embodiment of the invention so that the water coming from the shared storage container VE (21) cannot for example be used at the tap of a sink or a wash basin (see FIG. 8).

[0130] In FIG. 6, only two individual economizer devices (1) are shown, but it is obvious for the skilled person that this number is not limiting, and that it suffices to adapt the capacity of the shared storage container VE (21) to the number of hot drinking water usage points (2) equipped with a device (1) according to the invention.

[0131] According to the embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 7, the economizer device (1) is intended to store the cooled water temporarily in the storage container VE (21) in order to reuse it later as cold water at least at one other household installation (45) intended to use cold water, for example the toilets (46), washing machines (47), dishwashers, a storage device (52) supplying other taps, such as watering, car washing, etc. According to this embodiment, the cooled water that has been stored in the storage container VE (21) can be reused at a hot drinking water storage point (2).

[0132] The operation of the economizer device (1) according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will now be described.

[0133] According to this embodiment, the hot part of the device is identical in operation to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in particular regarding the first valve V.sub.1 (14) and the second valve V.sub.2 (16). Thus, when the hot water is at a high enough temperature, it supplies the usage point (2) with hot water, and when this temperature is too low, the cooled water is stored in the storage container VE (21).

[0134] According to this embodiment, the cold part of the device is identical in operation to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in particular regarding the first valve V.sub.1 (14) and the second valve V.sub.2 (16). According to this embodiment, the economizer device (1) further has a coupling (48) provided between the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32), on which the storage container VE (21) is connected and on which the at least one other household installation (45) is connected. The coupling (48) is preferably provided at the third T intersection (29). The coupling (48) can be in the form of a closable connection part, which is closed when the economizer device (1) is used according to the embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 1, i.e., when the economizer device (1) is not intended to supply another household installation (45).

[0135] The cold water coming from the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8) supplies the drinking water usage point (2) by passing through the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32), at the cold-water outlet S.sub.F (10). When the pressure measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) is positive or it reaches the threshold value, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is closed such that the water stored in the storage container VE (21) supplies the at least one other household installation (45) with cold water. In this case, the third valve V.sub.3 (30) is preferably open such that the cold water can also be reused at the drinking water usage point (2). This water circulation occurs owing to the pressure present in the first zone (26) of the storage container VE (21).

[0136] When the pressure inside the storage container VE (21) measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) is nil or below the threshold value, the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) are open such that the cold water coming from the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8) can supply both the drinking water usage point (2) and the at least one other household installation (45). This water circulation occurs owing to the water pressure of the cold water system.

[0137] When the pressure inside the storage container VE (21) measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) is positive or reaches a threshold value adjusted and stored in the electronic board, the third valve V.sub.3 (30) is preferably open and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is preferably closed, such that the cooled water from the storage container VE (21) passes through the non-return device (23) to serve as cold water at the at least one other household installation (45), here a toilet (46) and a washing machine (47). This water circulation occurs owing to the pressure of the cooled water stored under pressure in the storage container VE (21).

[0138] According to the embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 8, the economizer device (1) is intended to store the cooled water temporarily in the storage container VE (21) in order to reuse it later as cold water at least at one other household installation (45) intended to use cold water, for example the toilets (46), washing machines (47), dishwashers, a storage device (52) supplying other taps, such as watering, car washing, etc. According to this embodiment, the cooled water that has been stored in the storage container VE (21) cannot be reused at the drinking water usage point (2), in particular when it involves a sink or a washbasin, in order to satisfy the sanitation standards that exist in certain countries, and which prohibit use as drinking water for water that has been stored.

[0139] According to this embodiment, the economizer device (1) has a configuration substantially identical to that of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7. According to this embodiment of the invention shown schematically in FIG. 8, the difference lies in the fact that the connection between the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is eliminated such that the cooled water that has been stored in the storage container VE (21) cannot reach the drinking water usage point (2). Thus, a connection directly connects the third valve V.sub.3 (30) to the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8).

[0140] According to this embodiment, the economizer device (1) further has a coupling (48) provided between the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) and the non-return device (23) on which the storage container VE (21) is connected and on which the at least one other household installation (45) is connected.

[0141] The cold water coming from the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8) directly supplies the drinking water usage point (2) at the cold-water outlet S.sub.F (10) while passing through the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and supplies the at least one other household installation (45) by passing through the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) and the coupling (48). This water circulation occurs owing to the water pressure of the cold water system.

[0142] When the pressure measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) is positive or it reaches the threshold value, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is closed such that the water stored in the storage container VE (21) supplies the at least one other household installation (45) with cold water by passing through the non-return device (23), then the coupling (48). This water circulation occurs owing to the pressure of the cooled water stored under pressure in the storage container (21).

[0143] When the pressure inside the storage container VE (21) measured by the pressure sensor C.sub.P (34) is nil or below the threshold value, the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) is open such that the cold water coming from the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8) can supply both the drinking water usage point (2) and the at least one other household installation (45). This water circulation occurs owing to the water pressure of the cold water system.

[0144] This configuration makes it possible to prioritize the water from the storage container VE (21) to supply the at least one other household installation (45) while prohibiting the use of the water stored in the storage container VE (21) as potable water at a sink or a washbasin.

[0145] It will be noted that the economizer device (1) of the invention comprises means that can be used in several ways, in particular depending on the configuration and the nature of the system to which it must be connected. These means are shown schematically in FIG. 10.

[0146] As previously mentioned and shown in FIG. 11, the first valve V.sub.1 (14) and the second valve V.sub.2 (16) can be replaced by a three-way valve V.sub.12 (37), like the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) can also be replaced by a three-way valve V.sub.34 (38).

[0147] When a coupling (48) is provided between the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) to supply at least one other household installation (45) intended to use cold water, the coupling (48), the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) can also be replaced by a four-way valve V.sub.34 (53).

[0148] Thus, as an example, FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the economizer device (1) of FIG. 7, but in which the first valve V.sub.1 (14) and the second valve V.sub.2 (16) are replaced by a three-way valve V.sub.12 (37), and in which coupling (48), the third valve V.sub.3 (30) and the fourth valve V.sub.4 (32) are replaced by a four-way valve V.sub.34 (53).

[0149] According to one embodiment of the invention, the economizer device (1) can also include a flow reducer (49) upstream or downstream from the mixer, but still upstream from the head shower and the shower head (5). This flow reducer (49) can be mounted on the casing (41). In FIGS. 2 and 3, the flow reducer (49) is provided upstream from the mixer, but ideally it is provided downstream from the mixer so as not to disrupt the function of the mixer, in particular when the flow rate is too low.

[0150] The flow reducer (49) is preferably provided in a branch (50), a valve (51) being intended to be able selectively to pass the water into the branch (50) equipped with the flow reducer (49) when it is closed or to make it pass normally when it is open. A second easily accessible button (43) can be intended to actuate the valve (51) in order to activate or deactivate a water saver operation, called ECO function, of the economizer device (1).

[0151] In general, a flow reducer (49) can be provided both between the cold-water intake E.sub.F (8) and the economizer device (1), and between the hot-water intake E.sub.C (7) of the economizer device (1).

[0152] It is obvious that this description is not limited to the examples explicitly described, but also includes other embodiments and/or implementations. Thus, one described technical characteristic can be replaced by an equivalent technical characteristic without going beyond the scope of the invention, and one described functional step of embodiment of the method can be replaced by an equivalent step without going beyond the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0153] For example, it will be obvious for the skilled person to adapt the economizer device (1) of the invention in the case of a household installation comprising several hot-water intakes E.sub.C (7) and/or several cold-water intakes E.sub.F (8).