NL2028832B1

NL2028832B1 - A water tap detector arranged for detecting the use of a water tap, a water tap detector assembly and a method of operating a water tap detector.

Info

Publication number: NL2028832B1
Application number: NL2028832A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Stemerdink Clemens
Original assignee: Nijstae Groep B V
Priority date: 2021-07-23
Filing date: 2021-07-23
Publication date: 2023-01-30

Abstract

A water tap detector arranged for detecting the use of a water tap, wherein said water tap detector is arranged to be mounted to a water tap such that, when said water tap is activated, water flows through said water tap detector, said water tap detector comprising: - a generator arranged for inducing electrical energy by said water flowing through said water tap detector, when said water tap is activated; - a battery or a capacitor arranged for storing said induced electrical energy; - a wireless communication module, connected to said battery, and arranged for wirelessly communicating data with respect to the use of said water tap.

Description

Title

A water tap detector arranged for detecting the use of a water tap, a water tap detector assembly and a method of operating a water tap detector.

Background

In the context of water safety, it may be important to prevent bacterial growth in (drinking) water, for example directed to legionella. European legislation exists that is based on Dutch legislation to regulate this. In the Netherlands, the

Drinking Water Act applies with respect to this, by which everyone has the obligation to supply proper water. Proper water means that people can not get sick from drinking water, but also from breathing water damp or even by getting polluted water on the skin.

In addition to the duty of care, there are additional rules for a group of companies and institutions. These companies often have a lodging function. This includes hotels, hospitals, healthcare institutions, campsites, but also swimming pools and saunas.

Multiple tasks in the context of legionella prevention may be of importance.

First, unused taps may be rinsed frequently so that the concentration of bacteria is reduced. Alternatively, when using a copper-silver ionization device, that period may be fourteen days, depending on the country.

Second, the water temperature may be measured at certain points to see whether the cold water is being heated up undesirably. Bacteria may grow extra fast in warm water.

According to Dutch and European legislation, temperature measurements are made in a room because the water takes on the temperature of the room and at water tap points where both cold and hot water is measured. For cold water, this may concern the starting temperature as soon as the tap is opened, the highest temperature, the end temperature and the time to end temperature. The time to the final temperature is determined at a temperature that remains stable for a period of a plurality of seconds, for example ten seconds.

For hot water, this may concern the final temperature after even more seconds, for example twenty to thirty-five seconds, the final temperature and the time to final temperature.

The time to the final temperature may be determined at a temperature that remains stable for a period of ten seconds. The temperature after 20 seconds may be of importance for hot water circulation systems, i.e. hot water directly at the water tap, and that temperature should be 60 degrees Celsius after 20 seconds.

The temperature after 35 seconds may be important for instantaneous water heaters, i.e. like geysers or heat exchangers for district heating, and that temperature should be 55 degrees Celsius after 35 seconds. The extra 15 seconds is also known as the device waiting time.

Various manufacturers supply taps that must be connected to the

Alternating Current, AC, main supply that detect the use of the water tap. If no use is detected in a certain period, a valve in the tap opens and the tap flushes out old, or remaining, water. The costs of such taps are extensive. Such taps can only be used in new construction situations. In existing buildings, this may not be possible due to the installation of a power supply and the removal of tiling.

In some sports halls, gymnasiums and changing rooms of sports clubs, an automatic flushing system may be connected to the showers. Such a flushing system only flushes the showers and not the other water taps in the building.

Following the above, there is a need for providing a system that is able to keep track of the usage of water taps in a building.

Summary

In accordance with the present disclosure, it would be advantageous to achieve a water tap detector that is able to detect the use of a water tap. It would further be advantageous to achieve a water tap detector assembly as well as a corresponding method.

In a first aspect, there is provided a water tap detector arranged for detecting the use of a water tap, wherein said water tap detector is arranged to be mounted to a water tap such that, when said water tap is activated, water flows through said water tap detector, said water tap detector comprising:

- a generator arranged for inducing electrical energy by said water flowing through said water tap detector, when said water tap is activated; - a battery or capacitor arranged for storing said induced electrical energy; - a wireless communication module, connected to said battery, and arranged for wirelessly communicating data with respect to the use of said water tap.

The above mentioned generator is thus placed inside the water tap detector such that the generator is present in the flow of water passing through the water tap detector. The generator is able to convert the kinetic energy of the water into electrical energy that is to be consumed by the water tap detector. In order to do so, the generator may comprise a rotary machine that converts kinetic energy and potential energy of water into mechanical work.

The battery or capacitor is arranged to store energy that is induced by the generator. Any type of battery or capacitor may be used for this purpose, for example Silver oxide and alkaline cells, Zinc air cells, a chargeable capacitor, as well as Lithium-ion batteries. Other solutions may include gold-capacitors, electrolytical capacitors, ceramic capacitors, etc.

In addition to the above, a power converter may be present in the water tap detector to convert the power from the generator to a Direct Current, DC, output that is matched to the battery for storing purposes. The power converter is, for example, a DC-DC converter.

The wireless communication module is arranged to wirelessly communicate data with respect to the use of the water tap. The advantage of the present disclosure is that the wireless communication module is not powered by an

AC mains, but is powered from the battery and thus, indirectly, by the generator.

The above allows the water tap detector to be placed at a water tap location without the use of an AC mains supply voltage.

The wireless communication module may be equipped to use Zigbee,

Bluetooth, or any other type of communication protocol. The communication protocol may be based on a mesh communication protocol.

In accordance with the present disclosure, a water tap is a point where water can be retrieved from the pipeline network.

In an example, said tap detector is an aerator arranged to be mounted to a faucet head of said water tap. Such an aerator may be construed with female M22x1 or male threading M24x1. Bathtub spouts often have a bigger diameter with a male M28x1 thread. The United Slates may use different thread sizes: 15/16"-27 for mals and 55/64" 27 for threads. This assures that the aerator may be screwed on to the water tap.

Thus, the aerator may comprise a screw thread for screwing said aerator to said faucet head of said water tap.

In a further example, the wireless communication module is arranged for detecting deactivation of said water tap by sensing a drop in said induced electrical energy by said generator.

The wireless communication module may, for example sense the amount of current with which said battery is being charged. Any drop in the current may resemble deactivation of the water tap. The drop may be instantaneous to zero, or close to zero, but may also reduce slowly to zero. In any case, in the end, no water should further flow indicating that the water tap is closed.

It is noted that the integrated amount of current that is induced by the generator is a measure for the total water volume that has flown through the water tap detector.

It is noted that the above described sensing may also be used for sensing a leakage in the water tap. The leakage may be sensed by detecting that a current is flowing to the battery at a moment in time when it wasn't expected.

Another option is that the measured temperature changes. This may also be an indication that a leakage in the water tap occurs. Yet another option is that a rotating part in the generator may function as a switch, wherein the “ON” state of the switch may indicate leakage in the water tap.

Further, the data that is sent by the wireless communication module may be triggered by the detecting of the deactivating of the water tap. As such, it may be clear to any device that receives that data, that that also was the moment in time that the corresponding water tap was used for the last time.

In an example, the data with respect to the use of said water tap comprises at least one of: - a moment in time when said water tap is deactivated; - a unique identification of said water tap detector;

- a temperature of said water flowing through said water tap detector; - a temperature of said environment; - an amount of water flowing through said water tap detector; 5 - atime duration that said water tap was activated.

In an example, the water tap detector comprises screw threads at both ends of said water tap detector such that said detector can be mounted as an in- line device.

Such a water tap detector may, for example, be mounted between the shower head and the valve or between the shower mixer and the hose. This assures that the water tap detector may also be used for detecting when a shower head is used for the last time. The water tap detector may thus be an in-line device.

In addition to the above, a sensor may be provided for detecting the presence of people in the vicinity of the water tap detector, of may be used for determining an occupancy rate.

In another example, the generator is a water dynamo generator.

In a further example, the water tap detector comprises: - alight module comprising at least one Light Emitting Diode, LED, for emitting light, wherein said light module is arranged to control said at least one

LED such that a colour of said emitted light is based on a time duration that said water tap is deactivated.

The light emitted by the water tap detector may thus visualize whether the water tap detector is to be flushed or not. No emitted light might indicate that the water tap is safe to be used. Light emitted by the LED, for example a blinking light, might indicate that the water tap needs to be flushed before intended use.

In a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a water tap detector assembly arranged for detecting the use of a water tap, said water tap detector assembly comprising a water tap detector in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein said water tap detector assembly further comprises: - a gateway arranged for communicating with said wireless communication module comprised by said water tap detector.

It is noted that the advantageous as explained with respect to the first aspect of the present disclosure are also applicable to the second aspect of the present disclosure, being the water tap detector assembly.

The gateway may be used to provide mechanism for extracting the data towards a public network, for example the internet. A cloud platform may be realized, connected to the gateway, for maintaining all data received from the water tap detectors.

The cloud platform may determine which water tap detectors need flushing, or anything alike. The cloud platform may, for example, provide a floor map having provided thereon the water tap detectors that need to be flushed before actual use thereof. Another option is that the cloud platform pushes such data to a user device, for example a smartphone, such that a user is able to know which water taps need to be flushed before intended use. Such data may, for example, be useful for maintenance personnel.

In an example, the gateway comprises a mains power connector for connecting said gateway to a mains power connection.

The mains power connection is, for example, a power outlet like a 230V Alternating Current, AC, power outlet.

In another example, the water tap detector assembly comprises a plurality of water tap detectors in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein each of said water tap detectors are arranged for communicating with said gateway.

This particular example may be beneficial as for many water tap detectors, only one gateway may be utilized.

In a third aspect, there is provided a method of operating a water tap detector in accordance with any of the previous examples, wherein said method comprises the steps of: - inducing, by said generator, electrical energy by said water flowing through said water tap detector, when said water tap detector is activated; - storing, by said battery, said induced electrical energy; - wirelessly communicating, by said wireless communication module, said data with respect to the use of said water tap.

In an example, the method comprises the steps of:

- obtaining, by said wireless communication module, said data by sensing that said water flows through said water tap detector.

In a further example, the method further comprises the step of: - detecting, by said wireless communication module, deactivation of said water tap by sensing a drop in said induced electrical energy by said generator, and wherein said step of wirelessly communicating is triggered by said detection.

These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiment(s) described hereinafter.

Brief description of the Drawings

Figure 1 discloses an aerator in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 2 discloses a water tap detector that is to be mounted as an in-line device, in accordance with the present disclosure;

Figure 3 discloses a method in accordance with the present disclosure.

Detailed description

Figure 1 discloses an aerator in accordance with the present disclosure.

The aerator is indicated with reference numeral 1 and comprises a ring 2 that is screwable onto a mounting head 4. The mounting head comprises screw thread 5 for receiving the ring.

The electronics is provided in the middle part as indicated with reference numeral 3.

That is, the middle part 3 comprises a generator which is arranged for inducting electrical energy by water flowing through the water tap detector, when the water tap is activated. Further, a battery is provided which is arranged for storing the induced electrical energy. Even further, a wireless communication module is provided,

which is connected to the battery, and is arranged for wirelessly communicating data with respect to the use of the water tap.

The aerator in accordance with the present disclosure may be arranged for registering the use of water at a water tap. Such registration may include information whether the water tap has been used, for what period of time, how much water has been used, the temperature during that use, CO2 registration, CO registration, humidity registration, amount of light, occupancy, etc. When not in use, only the temperature may be measured. The latter actually indicates the room temperature.

The water flowing through the aerator will activate a generator, for example a dynamo, which induces electrical energy that may be used for communicating data to the outside world.

The data may be communicated to a gateway that is connected to the public network. Data that is communicated between the aerator and the gateway may be based on a low power communication protocol, for example Bluetooth Low Energy or Zigbee or anything alike.

The gateway may relay the received data to a platform using, for example, an internet connection or a 4G/5G communication module.

In addition to the aerator, other sensors may be connected to the gateway. This includes, but is not limited, to sensors for carbon dioxide measurements, humidity measurements, ON / OFF status, air quality parameters, occupancy, amount of lumen and/or airflow measurements.

Preferably, the data costs of the gateway is to be kept to a minimum.

In the example below, the gateway is fully integrated and can be plugged directly into a wall outlet, WCD. These are located on walls, cable trays and above ceilings.

The disadvantage of WCDs on walls is that they are easy to remove.

In order to save costs, it may be advisable to have a version that is powered with a standard USB cable, whereby the gateway is clicked onto the wall by means of a holder. In this way, the user is more flexible to choose a different location for the gateway than the WCD itself and the direction of the antenna can be adjusted.

If necessary, it is also possible to mount an external antenna for improving the range of the gateway.

The gateway may also function as a beacon such that it can be used for indoor navigation purposes. In such a case, a floorplan of the corresponding may be utilized to guide a user effectively to certain points.

For example, any sensors provided on the water tap detector may detect the presence as well as the time of presence of people. The corresponding information may be provided to a platform, via the gateway. The platform may comprise a map having the different rooms of the corresponding building, wherein the map indicates any of the water taps, the occupancy rate, the intensity, or anything alike.

Figure 2 discloses a water tap detector that is to be mounted as an in-line device, in accordance with the present disclosure.

In figure 2, a shower device 21 is shown, comprising a control device 23 for controlling the amount of water as well as the temperature of the water.

The shower head comprises a conduit 22 that is connected to the head 27 itself. The water tap detector 24 is placed between the conduit 22 and the head 27. The water tap detector comprises the generator 25, the battery 26 and the wireless communication module 28.

Figure 3 discloses a method 31 in accordance with the present disclosure.

The method comprises the steps of: - inducing 32, by said generator, electrical energy by said water flowing through said water tap detector, when said water tap detector is activated; - Storing 33, by said battery, said induced electrical energy; - wirelessly communicating 34, by said wireless communication module, said data with respect to the use of said water tap.

Other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. In the claims, the word “Comprising” does not exclude other elements or steps, and the indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope thereof.

Claims

CONCLUSIESCONCLUSIONS

1. Een waterkraandetector die is ingericht voor het detecteren van het gebruik van een waterkraan, waarbij de waterkraandetector is ingericht om te worden gemonteerd op een waterkraan, zodat, wanneer de waterkraan wordt geactiveerd, water door de waterkraandetector stroomt, de waterkraandetector bestaande uit: - een generator die is ingericht voor het opwekken van elektrische energie door het water dat door de waterkraandetector stroomt, wanneer de waterkraan wordt geactiveerd; - een batterij of een condensator ingericht voor het opslaan van genoemde geïnduceerde elektrische energie; - een draadloze communicatiemodule, aangesloten op de batterij en ingericht voor het draadloos communiceren van gegevens met betrekking tot het gebruik van de waterkraan.1. A water tap detector adapted to detect the use of a water tap, the water tap detector being adapted to be mounted on a water tap so that when the water tap is activated, water flows through the water tap detector, the water tap detector comprising:- a generator adapted to generate electrical energy from the water flowing through the water tap detector when the water tap is activated; - a battery or a capacitor adapted to store said induced electrical energy; - a wireless communication module, connected to the battery and adapted to wirelessly communicate data relating to the use of the water tap.

2. Waterkraandetector volgens conclusie 1, met het kenmerk, dat de kraandetector een beluchter is die is aangebracht om te worden gemonteerd op een kraankop van de waterkraan.A water tap detector according to claim 1, characterized in that the tap detector is an aerator arranged to be mounted on a tap head of the water tap.

3. Waterkraandetector volgens conclusie 2, met het kenmerk, dat de beluchter een schroefdraad omvat om de beluchter op de kraankop van de waterkraan te schroeven.Water tap detector according to claim 2, characterized in that the aerator comprises a screw thread for screwing the aerator onto the tap head of the water tap.

4. Waterkraandetector volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de draadloze communicatiemodule is ingericht voor het detecteren van deactivering van de waterkraan door het waarnemen van een daling van de geïnduceerde elektrische energie door de generator.A water tap detector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the wireless communication module is adapted to detect deactivation of the water tap by sensing a drop in the induced electrical energy by the generator.

5. Waterkraandetector volgens conclusie 4, met het kenmerk, dat de draadloze communicatiemodule is ingericht voor het draadloos communiceren van de gegevens die worden geactiveerd door het detecteren van de deactivering van de waterkraan.Water tap detector according to claim 4, characterized in that the wireless communication module is adapted to wirelessly communicate the data activated by detecting the deactivation of the water tap.

6. Waterkraandetector volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de gegevens met betrekking tot het gebruik van de waterkraan ten minste één omvatten van: - een moment waarop de genoemde waterkraan wordt gedeactiveerd; - een unieke identificatie van de waterkraandetector;Water tap detector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the data related to the use of the water tap comprises at least one of: - a time when said water tap is deactivated; - a unique identification of the water tap detector;

- een temperatuur van het water dat door de waterkraandetector stroomt; - een temperatuur van genoemde omgeving; - een hoeveelheid water die door de waterkraandetector stroomt; - een tijdsduur dat de genoemde waterkraan is geactiveerd.- a temperature of the water flowing through the tap detector; - a temperature of said environment; - an amount of water flowing through the water tap detector; - a period of time that said water tap is activated.

7. Waterkraandetector volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, met het kenmerk, dat de waterkraandetector aan beide uiteinden van de waterkraandetector schroefdraad omvat, zodat de detector als een in-line apparaat kan worden gemonteerd.A water tap detector according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water tap detector comprises screw threads at both ends of the water tap detector, so that the detector can be mounted as an in-line device.

8. Waterkraandetector volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de generator een waterdynamogenerator is.Water tap detector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the generator is a water dynamo generator.

9. Waterkraandetector volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij de waterkraandetector omvat: - een lichtmodule omvattende ten minste één Light Emitting Diode, LED, voor het uitstralen van licht, waarbij de genoemde lichtmodule is ingericht om de genoemde ten minste één LED zodanig te regelen dat een kleur van het genoemde uitgestraalde licht is gebaseerd op een tijdsduur dat de genoemde waterkraan is gedeactiveerd.9. Water tap detector according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the water tap detector comprises: - a light module comprising at least one Light Emitting Diode, LED, for emitting light, wherein said light module is adapted to control said at least one LED in such a way in that a color of said emitted light is based on a length of time that said water tap is deactivated.

10. Waterkraandetectorsamenstel ingericht voor het detecteren van het gebruik van een waterkraan, waarbij genoemd waterkraandetectorsamenstel een waterkraandetector omvat volgens een van de voorgaande conclusies, waarbij genoemd waterkraandetectorsamenstel verder omvat: - een gateway die is ingericht om te communiceren met de draadloze communicatiemodule die wordt gevormd door de waterkraandetector.A water tap detector assembly adapted to detect the use of a water tap, said water tap detector assembly comprising a water tap detector according to any one of the preceding claims, said water tap detector assembly further comprising: - a gateway arranged to communicate with the wireless communication module formed by the water tap detector.

11. Waterkraandetectorsamenstel volgens conclusie 10, met het kenmerk, dat de gateway een netvoedingsconnector omvat voor het aansluiten van de gateway op een netvoedingsaansluiting.Water tap detector assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that the gateway comprises a mains power connector for connecting the gateway to a mains power connection.

12. Waterkraandetectorsamenstel volgens een van de conclusies 10 - 11, waarbij het waterkraandetectorsamenstel een aantal waterkraandetectoren omvat volgens conclusies 1 - 9, waarbij elk van de waterkraandetectoren is ingericht om met elkaar te communiceren. met genoemde poort.A water tap detector assembly according to any one of claims 10 - 11, wherein the water tap detector assembly comprises a plurality of water tap detectors according to claims 1 - 9, each of the water tap detectors being arranged to communicate with each other. with said port.

13. Werkwijze voor het bedienen van een waterkraandetector volgens een van de conclusies 1 - 9, waarbij de werkwijze de stappen omvat van:A method of operating a water tap detector as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the steps of:

- het door genoemde generator opwekken van elektrische energie door genoemd water dat door genoemde waterkraandetector stroomt, wanneer genoemde waterkraandetector wordt geactiveerd; - het door genoemde batterij opslaan van genoemde geïnduceerde elektrische energie; - het draadloos communiceren, door genoemde draadloze communicatiemodule, van genoemde gegevens met betrekking tot het gebruik van genoemde waterkraan.generating electrical energy by said generator from said water flowing through said water tap detector when said water tap detector is activated; - storing said induced electrical energy by said battery; - communicating wirelessly, by said wireless communication module, said data relating to the use of said water tap.

14. Werkwijze volgens conclusie 13, waarbij de werkwijze de stappen omvat van: - het door de draadloze communicatiemodule verkrijgen van de gegevens door te voelen dat het water door de waterkraandetector stroomt.A method according to claim 13, wherein the method comprises the steps of: - the wireless communication module obtaining the data by sensing that the water is flowing through the water tap detector.

15. Werkwijze volgens een van de conclusies 13-14, waarbij de werkwijze verder de stap omvat van: - detecteren, door de draadloze communicatiemodule, van de deactivering van de waterkraan door het waarnemen van een daling van de geïnduceerde elektrische energie door de generator, en waarbij genoemde stap van draadloos communiceren wordt geactiveerd door genoemde detectie.A method according to any one of claims 13-14, wherein the method further comprises the step of: - detecting, by the wireless communication module, the deactivation of the water tap by sensing a decrease in the induced electrical energy by the generator, and wherein said step of wireless communication is triggered by said detection.