EP3577282B1 - Cold water recovery device for a shower - Google Patents

Description

Technical area

The present invention relates to cold water recovery devices for showers and to showers equipped with such devices.

Such a cold water recovery device makes it possible to temporarily store the cold water located in the hot water circuit in order to reinject it later when the desired temperature is reached. This helps to avoid wasting water.

The term “shower” mainly covers showers as such, equipped with a shower head, a hand shower and / or nozzles that massage the body. However, this term “shower” also covers bathtubs which are equipped with hand showers or hydro-massaging nozzles for the body, or even any other sanitary installation in the bathroom, kitchen or other which can be equipped with such a waste recovery device. Cold water.

The invention aims to optimize the implementation and performance of the cold water recovery device.

State of the art

Cold water recovery devices for showers are known to those skilled in the art. These include the titles published under the following numbers: WO 2016007926 A1 ; CN 203022068 U ; CN 202767568 U ; US 2012 118 414 A1 ; CA 2625559 A1 ; WO 2016058069 A1 ; KR 20150072053 A ; JP 2002275966 A .

In WO 2016007926 A1 , the cold water recovery device comprises valves and temperature sensors arranged between the cold water and hot water circuits and a tank, as well as a controller managing the control of the valves according to the measured temperatures. The cold water present in the hot water circuit is stored in a tank when the tap is opened. Once hot water circulates in said circuit, the shower head is supplied with a mixture of hot and cold water stored in the tank, until said tank is exhausted where the water in the circuit d cold water also feeds said shower head to be mixed with the hot water.

CN 203022068 U also describes a temporary storage tank for cold water located in the hot water circuit, which is then reinjected into the cold water circuit.

CN 202767568 U describes a shower thermostat which makes it possible to save water and which notably incorporates an electronic device for supplying the temperature. This also provides for mixing cold water and hot water in a tank before allowing it to flow through the shower duct.

US 2012 118 414 A1 , which comes from the patent application US 2009 293 961 A1 , describes a water recovery device which incorporates a particular valve and a manifold making it possible to divert cold water into a reservoir before then reintroducing it into the hot water circuit.

CA 2625559 A1 describes a water recovery device with a lever actuation system and a Venturi system making it possible to reinject water from the reservoir into the shower duct. The water collection device is designed to be attached to the outlet of the shower duct, just before the shower head.

WO 2016058069 A1 describes a water recovery device providing two valves respectively on the hot water and cold water conduits upstream of a mixing valve, a tank being mounted between these two valves.

KR 20150072053 A describes a device for recovering the cold water present in the hot water circuit, making it possible to store it in a tank and to reinject it into the cold shower water circuit by a Venturi principle. The device comprises thermostatic valves arranged on the hot water circuit at the outlet of the tap, to direct the water either towards the tank before reaching a threshold temperature or towards the shower duct once the threshold temperature has been reached. .

JP 2002275966 A describes the principle of recovering the cold water present in the hot water pipe to store it in a tank and then reintroduce it into the hot water pipe, once the threshold temperature has been reached. The recovery device provides for heating this water stored in the tank before reinjecting it into the hot water pipe.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to optimize the design of the cold water recovery device in order to simplify it and to obtain water at the temperature desired by the user as soon as it leaves, which avoids wasting water.

To this end, the invention relates to a device for recovering cold water for a shower making it possible to deliver water heated to a setpoint temperature set by the user, without wasting the cold water initially located in the duct. domestic hot water when the shower is not used for a long time. The cold water recovery device comprises a mixing valve which comprises a thermostatic cartridge provided with a system for adjusting a first temperature setpoint T1 and a first lever making it possible to act on said adjustment system.

The mixer comprises a cold inlet connected to a cold water supply duct, a hot inlet and an outlet connected to a shower duct, which can lead to a shower head, a hand shower and / or a handrail. massage nozzles, a control system making it possible to switch to one or other of the three aforementioned functions.

The mixing valve draws water from the hot inlet until this water has reached the temperature set point T1, then said mixing valve draws water from the hot inlet and that from the cold inlet and mixes them in order to distribute an outlet water at the temperature set point value T1. When the temperature set point T1 is low, for example ten degrees Celsius, the mixing valve can draw water directly from the cold inlet, without drawing water from the hot inlet.

The aforementioned characteristics of such a mixer are already well known on traditional shower, washbasin or bathtub fittings.

The cold water recovery device also comprises a reservoir for the temporary storage of cold water circulating in a hot water supply pipe.

The cold water recovery device comprises a system for opening / closing the flow of water which is activated by the user when he wishes to start showering or, on the contrary, to stop showering.

The recovery device also includes a Venturi system configured to suck cold water temporarily stored in the tank and reinject it into the circuit when the water flows out of the shower duct.

In addition, the cold water recovery device according to the invention comprises a diverter valve which comprises a thermostatic cartridge provided with a system for adjusting a second temperature setpoint T2.

This diverter valve also comprises an inlet, a hot outlet and a cold outlet connected to an inlet of the tank, said diverter valve being configured so that the water entering through said inlet is directed towards the cold outlet as long as its temperature has not reached. reaches the second temperature setpoint T2, then is directed to the hot outlet once said second setpoint has been reached.

Furthermore, the cold water recovery device according to the invention comprises a first transmission system configured to simultaneously actuate said adjustment systems on the mixing valve and the diverter valve when the first lever is actuated, so as to simultaneously modify and proportionally the first temperature setpoint T1 and the second temperature setpoint T2.

The diverter valve may be of identical or slightly different design to that of the aforementioned traditional mixer, the essential difference being its inversion.

Different arrangements of the tank, the flow opening / closing system, the Venturi system, the diverter valve and the first transmission system on the water circuit of said device are possible depending on the configuration of said elements, such as this will become apparent on reading the following description.

According to a first design of the cold water recovery device which is the subject of the invention, the inlet of the diverter valve is connected to the hot water supply pipe, the hot outlet of the diverter valve is connected to the hot inlet of the mixing valve via a first intermediate conduit and the cold outlet of the diverter valve is connected to the inlet of the reservoir via a second intermediate conduit.

According to this arrangement of the diverter valve, when the system for opening / closing the flow of water on the shower is actuated, the water circulating in the hot water pipe enters the inlet of the diverter valve and is directed towards the cold outlet until its temperature has reached the value of the second set point (value T2), then filling the tank. This water is then directed to the hot outlet once the value of said second setpoint has been reached, then supplying the mixing valve. In this way, the cold water which may be initially in the hot water circuit, due for example to the prolonged non-use of the shower, is recovered in the tank.

According to this first design of the cold water recovery device, the Venturi system is configured to connect an outlet of the tank to the shower duct, downstream of the mixing valve, or on the first intermediate duct, upstream of the mixing valve, according to the various possible configurations falling within the scope of the invention.

Thus, the cold water possibly located in the domestic hot water supply pipe passes through the diverter valve which directs this water either towards the mixing valve if its temperature complies with the second temperature setpoint T2, said mixing valve then mixing this hot water with cold water coming from the cold water supply pipe to obtain water at the temperature set point T1, either to the tank which stores it temporarily until the water in the diverter valve reaches said second set point temperature T2. The water temporarily stored in the tank is then reinjected into the main circuit via the Venturi system, either on the first intermediate duct to enter through the hot inlet into the mixing valve or onto the shower duct at the outlet of said mixing valve.

According to a first embodiment of this first design of the cold water recovery device which is the subject of the invention, the inlet and the outlet of the reservoir are distinct. The outlet of the reservoir is positioned in the lower part of the reservoir, the inlet being able to be positioned in the upper or lower part. Furthermore, the Venturi system comprises a Venturi tube arranged on the shower duct, said outlet of the reservoir being connected to said Venturi tube by means of a third intermediate duct. Thus, when water at temperature T1 circulates in the shower duct, the Venturi tube generates a vacuum allowing cold water to be drawn from the tank until it is exhausted, depending on the quantity of cold water having transited in the tank and the duration of the shower. This cold water mixes in small doses with water at temperature T1 during the shower, which has an insignificant influence on the temperature of this water at the shower outlet.

According to a second embodiment of this first design of the cold water recovery device which is the subject of the invention, the inlet and the outlet of the reservoir are distinct, as for the aforementioned first embodiment. In addition, the Venturi system comprises a Venturi tube arranged on the first intermediate duct, said outlet of the reservoir being connected to said Venturi tube through a third intermediate duct. Thus, when water at temperature T2 circulates in the first intermediate duct, the Venturi tube generates a depression making it possible to draw cold water from the reservoir. This cold water mixes in small doses with water at temperature T2 during the shower, before entering the mixer, thus having no influence on the water temperature (at temperature T1) at the outlet of the mixer .

According to a third embodiment of this first design of the cold water recovery device which is the subject of the invention, the inlet and the outlet of the reservoir are common, that is to say constituted by one and the same mouthpiece arranged in the lower part. on the tank. In addition, the Venturi system includes a first Venturi tube arranged on the shower duct and a second Venturi tube arranged on the second intermediate duct between the cold outlet of the diverter valve and the inlet / outlet of the tank, the first Venturi tube. being connected to the second Venturi tube through a fourth intermediate duct. Thus, when water at temperature T1 circulates in the shower duct, the first Venturi tube generates a depression allowing cold water to be drawn from the tank by passing through the second Venturi tube, the water in the tank mixing with small dose with water at temperature T1 in the shower duct, until said reservoir is used up.

According to a fourth embodiment of this first design of the cold water recovery device which is the subject of the invention, the inlet and the outlet of the reservoir are common, as for the aforementioned third embodiment. In addition, the Venturi system comprises a first Venturi tube arranged on the first intermediate duct and a second Venturi tube arranged on the second intermediate duct between the cold outlet of the diverter valve and the inlet / outlet of the reservoir, the first Venturi tube. being connected to the second Venturi tube through a fourth intermediate duct. Thus, when water at temperature T2 circulates in the first intermediate duct, the first Venturi tube generates a vacuum allowing cold water to be drawn from the reservoir by passing through the second Venturi tube, the water from the reservoir mixing with small dose with water at temperature T2 in the first intermediate duct before entering the mixing valve, until said reservoir is used up.

The advantage of the first and third aforementioned embodiments, compared to the second and fourth aforementioned embodiments, is to allow the purge in the intermediate duct or ducts connecting the first Venturi tube to the outlet of the tank, as well as in a part of the shower duct located downstream of said Venturi tube, the water descending by gravity into the reservoir placed in the lower part of said device. Another advantage of these variants is that they allow air to be injected into the shower duct once the tank has been emptied, which improves the quality of the water jet at the shower outlet.

According to one embodiment of this first design of the cold water recovery device, the water flow opening / closing system comprises a double two-way valve arranged upstream of the cold water and water supply conduits. hot, said system also comprising a second control lever for the double valve for the simultaneous opening of said supply conduits.

Variants of the water flow opening / closing system can still be envisaged for this first design of the cold water recovery device. By way of example, the opening / closing system can comprise a first two-way valve arranged at the outlet of the mixing valve, a second two-way valve arranged at the inlet of the diverter valve, a second handle and a second transmission system configured for simultaneously open or close the two two-way valves when this second lever is actuated.

Preferably, for this first design of the cold water recovery device, the first temperature set point T1 is less than or equal to the second temperature set point T2, which guarantees that water at the desired temperature is instantly obtained at the outlet of the mixing valve. . However, provision could be made for a first temperature set point T1 slightly higher than the second temperature set point T2, in which case the water would flow for a period of time at the temperature T2 at the outlet of the mixing valve before reaching the temperature T1.

According to a second design of the cold water recovery device which is the subject of the invention, the inlet of the diverter valve is connected to an upstream part of the shower duct, the hot outlet of the diverter valve is connected to a downstream part of the duct shower and the cold outlet of the diverter valve is connected to the inlet of the tank through a fifth intermediate pipe. In addition, the Venturi system comprises a Venturi tube arranged on said downstream part of the shower duct, an outlet of said tank being connected to said Venturi tube through a sixth intermediate duct. Furthermore, the thermostatic cartridge of the mixing valve and that of the diverter valve are adjusted so that the temperature set point T1 is greater than or equal to the temperature set point T2, preferably strictly higher, in order to guarantee that said diverter valve switches to the outlet. hot and does not remain on the cold outlet, which would have the effect of completely filling the tank and not delivering water at the shower outlet.

According to this second design of the cold water recovery device, when the water flow opening / closing system is actuated, the mixing valve draws water from the hot water supply pipe which is generally at a temperature below the values of the temperature setpoints T1 and T2. The water then circulates in the upstream part of the shower duct and enters the diverter valve which directs this water towards the tank due to its temperature below the temperature setpoint T2. When the water in the hot water supply duct and in the upstream part of the shower duct reaches the temperature setpoint T2, the diverter valve switches to the hot outlet and the water circulates throughout the shower duct. The Venturi tube then allows the cold water contained in the tank to be sucked in. Then the mixing valve mixes the water from the hot water supply pipe with that of the cold water supply pipe to deliver water at the temperature set point T1 in the shower pipe.

According to an embodiment of this second design of the cold water recovery device, the water flow opening / closing system comprises a two-way valve arranged at the outlet of the mixing valve or on the upstream part of the shower duct. In addition, said system comprises a second control lever for the two-way valve.

According to the various design variants mentioned above, or even for other variants, a temperature delta ΔT between zero degrees Celsius and four degrees Celsius (0 ° C ≤ ΔT ≤ 4 ° C) is set between the first temperature setpoint T1 and the second temperature setpoint T2. Preferably, this temperature delta ΔT will be of the order of two degrees (ΔT = 2 ° C).

According to one embodiment of the cold water recovery device, the first transmission system comprises a first set of gears arranged between a first pinion subject to a first axis of the mixing valve adjustment system and a second pinion subject to a second axis of the system. adjustment of the diverter valve, the first axis being driven in rotation by the first lever. In a preferred embodiment, this first set of gears is configured to transmit a ratio equal to one between the first axis and the second axis.

Of course, a first transmission system of different design can be provided, by replacing the set of gears by other transmission means, according to the configurations of the adjustment systems on the mixing valve and on the diverter valve and according to the configuration of the first controller.

In one embodiment of the cold water recovery device, the reservoir has a capacity of three to five liters (3 liters to 5 liters), preferably four liters (4 liters). Other capacity values could be used, depending on the arrangement of the shower and the water heating system.

The invention also relates to a shower equipped with a cold water recovery device having the preceding characteristics, the shower duct opening onto a shower head and / or a hand shower and / or a ramp of massage nozzles. The term “shower” is understood to mean a shower as such, but also a bathtub or any other sanitary equipment in the bathroom, in the kitchen or the like which can accommodate such a device.

Brief description of the figures

• les figures 1 et 2 schématisent deux variantes non limitatives de mise en œuvre du dispositif récupérateur d'eau froide selon l'invention ;
• la figure 3 schématise un exemple non limitatif d'un système de transmission entre les systèmes de réglage de consigne de température du mitigeur et de la vanne déviatrice ;
• la figure 4 schématise une variante non limitative de système d'ouverture/fermeture de l'écoulement de l'eau ;
• la figure 5 schématise un premier tube Venturi mis en œuvre sur les dispositifs récupérateurs d'eau froide des figures 1, 2 et 7 (ci-après) ;
• la figure 6 schématise un second tube Venturi mis en œuvre sur le dispositif récupérateur d'eau froide de la figure 2.
• la figure 7 schématise une autre variante non limitative de conception du dispositif récupérateur d'eau froide objet de l'invention.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description based on figures, among which:

• the figures 1 and 2 show schematically two non-limiting variants of implementation of the cold water recovery device according to the invention;
• the figure 3 shows schematically a non-limiting example of a transmission system between the temperature setpoint adjustment systems of the mixing valve and of the diverter valve;
• the figure 4 shows schematically a non-limiting variant of the system for opening / closing the flow of water;
• the figure 5 shows schematically a first Venturi tube implemented on the cold water recovery devices of figures 1, 2 and 7 (below);
• the figure 6 shows schematically a second Venturi tube implemented on the cold water recovery device of the figure 2 .
• the figure 7 shows schematically another non-limiting variant of the design of the cold water recovery device which is the subject of the invention.

detailed description

In the following description, the same references are used to describe the identical or similar characteristics according to the various variant embodiments.

In the remainder of the description, the cold water recovery device will be referred to as device 1, without any indication to the contrary.

On the figures 1 and 2 , the device 1 comprises a mixer 2 which has the characteristics of a traditional mixer. This mixing valve 2 comprises a cold inlet 3 which is connected to the cold water supply pipe 4 and a hot inlet 5 which is connected to the downstream end 6a of a first intermediate pipe 6. The mixing valve 2 also comprises an outlet 7 which is connected to the upstream end 8a of a shower duct 8, said shower duct 8 opening at its downstream end 8b onto a shower head, a hand shower or onto a ramp of massage nozzles (not illustrated ). As shown in figure 3 , a first lever 9 makes it possible to act on an axis 10 of a system 11 for adjusting the temperature setpoint T1 on a thermostatic cartridge 12 of mixing valve 2, so that the water at outlet 7 is at temperature T1.

On the figures 1 and 2 , the device 1 comprises an opening / closing system 13 of the flow of water which comprises a double two-way valve 14 actuated by a second handle 15 that the user manipulates to start or stop the flow of water. water leaving the shower duct 8. Such a two-way double valve 14 is similar to two two-way valves arranged respectively on the cold water supply duct 4 and on the hot water supply duct 18, with a simultaneous control of the opening or closing of said two-way valves by means of the lever 15.

As shown on figures 1 and 2 , the device 1 comprises a diverter valve 16 which has characteristics similar to those of the mixing valve 2, the essential differences being its reverse mounting and the absence of the first handle 9. This diverter valve 16 comprises an inlet 17 which is connected to the domestic hot water supply duct 18, as well as a hot outlet 19 connected to the upstream end 6b of the first intermediate duct 6 and a cold outlet 20 connected to the upstream end 21a of a second intermediate duct 21.

As illustrated in figures 1 and 2 , the device 1 comprises a reservoir 22 making it possible to temporarily store the water coming from the cold outlet 20 of the diverter valve 16. The reservoir 22 is positioned in the lower part of said device 1. This reservoir 22 comprises an inlet 23 which is connected at the downstream end 21b of the second intermediate duct 21.

On the figure 1 , the reservoir 22 comprises an outlet 24 which is independent of the inlet 23, the outlet 24 being positioned at the bottom of the reservoir 22 while the inlet 23 can be placed higher. The outlet 24 is connected to the upstream end 25a of a third intermediate duct 25

On the figure 2 , the outlet 24 and the inlet 23 are merged and connected to the downstream end 21b of the second intermediate duct 21, at the bottom of the reservoir 22.

On the figure 1 , the device 1 comprises a first Venturi 26 illustrated in more detail in figure 5 . This first Venturi 26 comprises a Venturi tube 27 having a reduction in section 28 to which the downstream end 25b of the third intermediate duct 25 is connected.

On the figure 2 , the device 1 also comprises the first Venturi 26 and a second Venturi 29. As illustrated with regard to figures 2 , 5 and 6 , the second Venturi 29 also comprises a Venturi tube 30 having a reduction of section 31 to which is connected the upstream end 32a of a fourth intermediate duct 32, the downstream end 32b of said duct 32 being connected to the reduction in section 28 of the Venturi tube 27 (replacing the downstream end 25b of the third intermediate duct 25 on the figure 1 ).

As shown in figure 3 , the diverter valve 16 also comprises a thermostatic cartridge 33 provided with a system 34 for adjusting a temperature setpoint T2. The temperature setpoint T2 on the diverter valve 16 is adjusted by means of the first lever 9 via a first transmission system 35 which acts on an axis 36 of said adjustment system 34. Thus the adjustment of the temperature setpoint T2 on the diverter valve 16 is concomitant and proportional to the adjustment of the temperature setpoint T1 on the mixing valve 2, by simply acting on the first lever 9. This first transmission system 35 comprises a pinion 37 carried by the axis 10 on the mixing valve 2, a pinion 38 carried by the axis 36 on the diverter valve 16 and a gear set 39. On the figure 3 , the gear set 39 comprises three toothed wheels 40, 41 and 42, but this is not limiting, other variants being possible depending on the arrangement of the parts of the device 1.

One could consider variants to the opening / closing system 13 of the flow of water illustrated in figure 1 and 2 . By way of example, on the diagram in figure 4 , a second lever 43 makes it possible to act on a first axis 44 controlling a first two-way valve 45 arranged at the outlet 7 of the mixing valve 2 in order to supply the shower duct 8. In addition, a second two-way valve 46 is arranged in inlet 17 of the diverter valve 16. The second two-way valve 46 is controlled by means of the second lever 43 and a second transmission system 47 arranged between the first axis 44 and a second axis 48 controlling the second two-way valve 46. This second transmission system 47 comprises a pinion 49 carried by the first axis 44, a pinion 50 carried by the second axis 48 and a set of gears 51. On the figure 4 , the gear set 51 comprises three toothed wheels 52, 53 and 54, but this is not limiting, other variants being possible depending on the arrangement of the parts of the device 1. Preferably, the gear set 51 between the pinion 49 and the pinion 50 is dimensioned to ensure a transmission ratio R 'equal to one (R' = 1).

The general operating principle described below is carried out on the basis of the figure 1 , but it remains valid in the case of figure 2 or any other variant. When the shower is not used for a prolonged period (not shown), the water in the domestic hot water supply duct 18 is generally cooled to a temperature well below the temperature setpoint T2. The person about to wash first manipulates the first lever 9 to adjust the temperature setpoint T1 of the mixing valve 2, for example thirty-eight degrees Celsius (T1 = 38 ° C), if it is not already at the desired temperature. The action on the first lever 9 makes it possible to simultaneously and proportionally adjust the temperature setpoint T2 on the diverter valve 16 by means of the transmission system 35, for example at forty degrees Celsius (T2 = 40 ° C). The person then actuates the second lever 15 to open the double two-way valve 14 and turn on the water, or even actuates the lever 43 to simultaneously open the two two-way valves 45, 46, depending on the variants of the opening / closing system. 13 of the flow of water as mentioned above. The water from the hot water supply pipe 18 is then injected into the inlet 17 of the diverter valve 16 which, because of its temperature below the temperature setpoint T2, is directed towards the cold outlet 20 and fills the tank 22. In the meantime, the first intermediate pipe 6 not being supplied and cold water at a temperature below the temperature set point T1 circulating in the cold water supply pipe 4, the water is not not yet flowing at the outlet 7 of the mixing valve 2. Hot water then circulates in this hot supply duct 18; when its temperature reaches the temperature setpoint T2, the diverter valve 16 directs the hot water to the hot outlet 19, which supplies the first intermediate duct 6 and therefore the hot inlet 5 of the mixing valve 2, which then supplies its outlet 7 and the shower duct 8. The temperature of the hot water in the first intermediate duct 6 then being at the minimum temperature T2, the thermostatic cartridge 12 of the mixing valve 2 then plays its role by drawing water proportionally on the. cold inlet 3 and on hot inlet 5 to obtain a mixture of water at temperature T1 at outlet 7. The water circulating in the shower duct 8 allows the first Venturi 26 to create a vacuum which sucks in cold water in the third intermediate duct 25 and gradually empties the tank 22. The sections of said ducts 8 and 25 and those of the Venturi tube 27 will be sized so that the water from the tank 22 is injected in small doses into the shower duct 8 in order to 'Very little influence on the temperature of the water in said conduit 8 and not to modify the feeling. When the water continues to flow in the shower duct 8 and the reservoir 22 is empty, air circulates in the third intermediate duct 25 and comes to mix with the water in the shower duct 8, which improves the quality of the jet out of the shower.

As specified previously, the general operating principle remains the same on the figure 2 , the only differences being due to the modification of the connection between the cold outlet 20 of the diverter valve 16, the inlet / outlet 23, 24 of the tank 22 and the first Venturi 26. When the cold outlet 20 is supplied, the tank 22 is filled and the second Venturi 29 sucks air in the fourth intermediate duct 32 since the shower duct 8 is not supplied. On the contrary, when the shower duct 8 is supplied with power, the cold outlet 20 does not is more and the water in the tank 22 is sucked by the first Venturi 26 by circulating in a part of the second intermediate duct 21 located between the Venturi tube 30 and the inlet / outlet 23, 24 and in the fourth intermediate duct 32.

Other variants of the device 1 are possible. One can in particular design devices 1 incorporating all the characteristics of figures 1 and 2 by simply moving the first Venturi 26 to position it on the first intermediate duct 6 instead of the shower duct 8. In this case, the tank 22 will be emptied as soon as the hot outlet 19 on the diverter valve 16 is supplied with power and hot water circulates in said first intermediate duct 6.

The reservoir will preferably have a capacity of between three and five liters (3 liters to 5 liters), preferably four liters (4 liters). Of course, the capacity of the tank could be adjusted as best as possible according to the distance between the shower and the domestic hot water production system, conditioning the length of the hot water supply pipe 18 and, thus, the volume of cold water. filling the tank 22 before the arrival of hot water in the diverter valve 16. The Venturi systems 26 and 29 will also be sized so that the tank 22 is completely emptied during a shower, which lasts on average at least four minutes.

The temperature setpoint T1 on mixing valve 2 and that T2 on diverter valve 16 can be identical (T1 = T2). In this case, the thermostatic cartridge 12 of the mixing valve 2 is calibrated so that the first temperature setpoint T1 can vary between ten degrees Celsius and fifty degrees Celsius (10 ° C ≤ T1 ≤ 50 ° C), preferably. The same is therefore true for the thermostatic cartridge 33 of the diverter valve 16.

However, preferably, the thermostatic cartridges 12 and 33 will be calibrated together so that the temperature setpoint T1 is lower than the temperature setpoint T2, with a temperature delta ΔT between zero degrees Celsius and four degrees Celsius (0 ° C. ≤ ΔT ≤ 4 ° C) and, preferably, equal to two degrees Celsius (ΔT = 2 ° C).

In this case, the thermostatic cartridge 12 of the mixing valve 2 is calibrated to allow adjustment of the temperature setpoint T1 to a maximum value T1max between forty-six degrees Celsius and fifty degrees Celsius (46 ° C ≤ T1max ≤ 50 ° C) according to the aforementioned values of ΔT between T1 and T2. Preferably, this maximum value T1max is equal to forty-eight degrees Celcius (T1max = 48 ° C) when the ΔT is equal to two degrees Celsius (ΔT = 2 ° C), which fixes the temperature setpoint T2 at a value maximum T2max of fifty degrees Celsius (T2max = 50 ° C) in order to ensure that the diverter valve 16 will tilt on the hot outlet 19 before overfilling the tank 22. For example, the position of the stops (not shown) limiting the rotation of the axis 10 of the adjustment system 11 of the thermostatic cartridge 12 can be modified, see the position of the stops (not shown) limiting the rotation of the first lever 9.

For these variants of figures 1 and 2 , conversely, a temperature setpoint T1 could be provided on the mixing valve 2 slightly higher than the temperature setpoint T2 on the diverter valve, for example with a temperature delta below four degrees Celsius (ΔT≤4 ° C), preferably one or two degrees Celsius (ΔT of 1 ° C or 2 ° C). This implementation would have the effect of delivering water at the outlet of the shower duct 8 at a temperature below the set point T1 for a period of time.

In another design variant of the device 1, illustrated in figure 7 , the cold inlet 3 and the hot inlet 5 of the mixing valve 2 are directly connected respectively to the hot water supply pipe 4 and to the hot water supply pipe 18. The diverter valve 16 is arranged on the pipe shower 8, the inlet 17 of said valve 16 being connected to an upstream part 8c of the shower duct 8. The cold outlet 20 of the diverter valve 16 is connected to the inlet 23 of the reservoir 22 by a fifth intermediate duct 55 and the hot outlet 19 of said valve 16 is connected to a downstream part 8d of the shower duct 8.

On this figure 7 , as for figures 1 and 2 , the device 1 comprises a first Venturi 26 which comprises a Venturi tube 27 arranged on the downstream part 8d of the shower duct 8, said tube 27 comprising a reduction of section 28 to which is connected a sixth intermediate duct 56, as illustrated. the figure 5 .

As for figures 1 and 2 , on this figure 7 , simultaneous adjustment means are arranged between the thermostatic cartridge 12 of the mixing valve 2 and the thermostatic cartridge 33 of the diverter valve 16, said simultaneous adjustment means being implemented by the transmission system 35 and the first lever 9 illustrated in figure 3 . Thus, the adjustment of the temperature setpoint T2 on the diverter valve 16 is carried out instantaneously and proportionally to the adjustment of the temperature setpoint T1 on the mixing valve 2, by acting on the first lever 9.

On this figure 7 , it is however necessary that the temperature set point T1 on the mixing valve 2 is greater than or equal to the temperature set point on the diverter valve 16, in order to guarantee that said diverter valve can switch either on the cold outlet 20 when the water at outlet 7 of mixing valve 2 is at a temperature below setpoint T2, i.e. on hot outlet 19 when the water at outlet 7 of said mixing valve 2 reaches the temperature of setpoint T2, the water temperature then continuing to rise up to the temperature set point T1 set on said mixing valve 2. Preferably, the thermostatic cartridges 12 and 33 will be calibrated together so that the temperature set point T1 is greater than the temperature set point T2, with a temperature delta ΔT included between zero degrees Celsius and four degrees Celsius (0 ° C ≤ ΔT ≤ 4 ° C) and, preferably, equal to two degrees Celsius (ΔT = 2 ° C).

On the figure 7 , the device 1 comprises an opening / closing system 13 for the flow of water implemented by a two-way valve 57 arranged on the upstream part 8c of the shower duct 8, between the mixing valve 2 and the diverter valve 16. One could also arrange this two-way valve 57 on the outlet 7 of the mixing valve 2. The opening and closing of the two-way valve 57 is carried out by a lever 58 that the user controls during his shower in order to start the valve. water flow or stop it.

On the figure 7 , the device optionally comprises an arming button 59 arranged downstream of the Venturi 26 and making it possible to trigger the start of the flow of water at the outlet of the shower duct 8. This allows the user to start the shower on. time for him to undress, the water at temperature T1 then flowing as soon as he presses said cocking button 59.

Preferably, for the various variants described above, the gear set 39 between the pinion 37 on the mixing valve 2 and the pinion 38 on the diverter valve 16 is dimensioned to ensure a transmission ratio R equal to one between said pinions 37 and 38 (R = 1). However, it would be possible to envisage a ratio other than one and, preferably, less than one (R ≤ 1) so that, for example, when the temperature setpoint T1 is set at thirty-eight degrees Celsius (T1 = 38 ° C), the temperature set point T2 is identical (T2 = 38 ° C) and, when the temperature set point T1 is set at fifty degrees Celsius (T1 = 50 ° C), the temperature set point T2 is at forty-five degrees Celsius (T2 = 45 ° C), which will guarantee the tilting of the diverter valve 16 on the hot outlet 19 before the tank 22 is completely filled.

The foregoing description is in no way limiting, quite the contrary, other variants which may be envisaged within the framework of the invention, in particular as regards the design of the transmission system 35 between the mixing valve 2 and the diverter valve 16.

Claims (15)

1. Cold water recovery device (1) for a shower that comprises:

   - a mixing valve (2) comprising a thermostatic cartridge (12) with a control system (11) of a first temperature setpoint (T1), a first controller (9) configured to act on said control system, a cold inlet (3) connected to a cold water supply pipe (4), a hot inlet (5) wherein the water penetrates from a hot water supply pipe (18), and an outlet (7) connected on a shower pipe (8),

   - a reservoir (22) for the temporary storage of the cold water flowing in the hot water supply pipe (18),

   - an opening/closing system (13) of the flow of the water,

   - a divert valve (16) comprising a thermostatic cartridge (33) with a control system (34) of a second temperature setpoint (T2), an inlet (17), a hot outlet (19) and a cold outlet (20) connected on an inlet (23) of the reservoir (22), said valve (16) being configured so that the water penetrating through said inlet (17) is directed toward the cold outlet (20) while the temperature thereof has not reached the second temperature setpoint (T2), then is directed toward the hot outlet once said second setpoint has been reached, characterised in that said device comprises:

   - a Venturi system (26, 29) configured to suck the cold water in the reservoir and re-inject same into the circuit during the flow of the water at the outlet of the shower pipe (8),

   - a first transmission system (35) configured to actuate concomitantly said control systems (11, 34) on the mixing valve (2) and the divert valve (16) during the actuation of the first controller (9), so as to proportionally modify the first temperature setpoint (T1) and the second temperature setpoint (T2).
2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein:

   - the inlet (17) of the divert valve (16) is connected on the hot water supply pipe (18), the hot outlet (19) of said valve (16) is connected to the hot inlet (5) of the mixing valve (2) via a first intermediate pipe (6) and the cold outlet (20) of said valve (16) is connected on the inlet (23) of the reservoir (22) via a second intermediate pipe (21),

   - the Venturi system (26, 29) is configured to connect an outlet (24) of the reservoir (22) on the shower pipe (8) or on the first intermediate pipe (6).
3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inlet (23) and the outlet (24) of the reservoir (22) are distinct, the Venturi system (26) comprising a Venturi tube (27) arranged on the shower pipe (8), said outlet (24) being connected on said tube (27) via a third intermediate pipe (25).
4. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inlet (23) and the outlet (24) of the reservoir (22) are distinct, the Venturi system (26) comprising a Venturi tube (27) arranged on the first intermediate pipe (6), said outlet (24) being connected on said tube (27) via a third intermediate pipe (25).
5. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inlet (23) and the outlet (24) of the reservoir (22) are common, the Venturi system (26, 29) comprising a first Venturi tube (27) arranged on the shower pipe (8) and a second Venturi tube (30) arranged on the second intermediate pipe (21) between the cold outlet (20) of the divert valve (16) and the inlet/outlet (23, 24) of the reservoir (22), the first Venturi tube (27) being connected to the second Venturi tube (29) via a fourth intermediate pipe (32).
6. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the inlet (23) and the outlet (24) of the reservoir (22) are common, the Venturi system (26, 29) comprising a first Venturi tube (27) arranged on the first intermediate pipe (6) and a second Venturi tube (30) arranged on the second intermediate pipe (21) between the cold outlet (20) of the divert valve (16) and the inlet/outlet (23, 24) of the reservoir (22), the first Venturi tube (27) being connected to the second Venturi tube (30) via a fourth intermediate pipe (32).
7. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the opening/closing system (13) of the flow of the water comprises a double two-way valve (14) arranged upstream of the cold water supply pipe (4) and hot water supply pipe (18) and a second controller (15) for controlling the double valve for the simultaneous opening of said supply pipes (4, 18).
8. Device (1) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the first temperature setpoint (T1) is less than or equal to the second temperature setpoint (T2).
9. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the inlet (17) of the divert valve (16) is connected to an upstream portion (8c) of the shower pipe (8), the hot outlet (19) of said valve (16) is connected to a downstream portion (8d) of said pipe (8) and the cold outlet (20) is connected to the inlet (23) of the reservoir (22) via a fifth intermediate pipe (55), the Venturi system (26) comprising a Venturi tube (27) arranged on said downstream portion (8d) of the shower pipe (8), an outlet (24) of said reservoir (22) being connected on said tube (27) via a sixth intermediate pipe (56), the first temperature setpoint (T1) being greater than or equal to the second temperature setpoint (T2).
10. Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the opening/closure system (13) of the flow of the water comprises a two-way valve (57) arranged at the outlet (7) of the mixing valve (2) or on the upstream portion (8c) of the shower pipe (8) and a second controller (58) for controlling the two-way valve (57).
11. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a delta temperature (ΔT) between zero degrees Celsius and four degrees Celsius (0°C ≤ ΔT ≤ 4°C) is set between the first temperature setpoint (T1) and the second temperature setpoint (T2).
12. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmission system (35) comprises a set of gears (39) arranged between a first pinion (37) subjected to a first spindle (10) of the control system (11) of the mixing valve (2) and a second pinion (38) subjected to a second spindle (36) of the control system (34) of the divert valve (16), the first spindle (10) being rotated by the first controller (9).
13. Device (1) according to claim 12, wherein the set of gears (39) is configured to transmit a gear ratio equal to one (R=1) between the first spindle (10) and the second spindle (36).
14. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reservoir (22) has a capacity of three to five litres (3 litres to 5 litres), preferably of four litres (4 litres).
15. Shower equipped with a cold water recovery device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, the shower pipe (8) leading into a shower head and/or a hand shower and/or a boom of massage nozzles.

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