IP Library Granted Patent US 11,332,912
Granted Patent B2
US 11,332,912 · App. 16/485,659 · Granted May 17, 2022

Device for dispensing hot water

Inventors: Heinz Vetterli (Wangen, CH); Andreas Ruegg (Hildisrieden, CH)
Assignee: KWC AG
E03C1/0411E03C1/044F24D19/1051F24H1/121F24H9/2028G05D23/1931F24D2220/0271F24D2220/042F24D2220/209
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,332,912
App. No.
16/485,659
Granted
May 17, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Dispensing of hot water having an adjustable temperature by way of a water outlet fitting that can be installed on a sink. This is achieved by a continuous flow heater and a measured value sensor arranged in a water inlet of the water outlet fitting as the hot water heater. The measured value sensor detects a measurement variable with regard to water flowing through the continuous flow heater ( 10 ). The water dispensing device has a control unit, which is designed to regulate a flow rate through the continuous flow heater as a function of measured values of the measured value sensor in order to adjust the temperature of the hot water.

Claims (19)

1. A water-dispensing device for dispensing hot water, the water-dispensing device comprising:

a water outflow fixture ( 20 ) which is configured to be installed on a sink ( 25 ),

a hot water preparation device arranged in a water inflow ( 30 ) of the water outflow fixture ( 20 ), the hot water preparation device comprises a continuous flow heater ( 10 ),

at least one measurement transducer arranged in the water inflow ( 30 ) of the water outflow fixture ( 20 ), which determines a measurement variable with respect to water flowing through the continuous flow heater ( 10 ),

a water pump ( 11 ) arranged in the water inflow ( 30 ) of the water outflow fixture ( 20 ) on the inflow side of the continuous flow heater ( 10 ),

a controller ( 50 ) configured to regulate, in a manner dependent on measurement values of the measurement transducer ( 12 ), a throughflow rate of water through the continuous flow heater ( 10 ) in order to set the temperature of the hot water delivered to a hot water line ( 22 ) in a definable temperature range, and the controller ( 50 ) is further configured to regulate a pump power of the water pump ( 11 ) in order to vary the throughflow rate in a continuously adjustable manner such that if an increase in the temperature of the hot water from the hot water line is required, the throughflow rate is reduced, and if a reduction in the temperature of the hot water from the hot water line is required, the throughflow rate is increased.

2. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the controller ( 50 ) is further configured to set an electrical heating power of the continuous flow heater ( 10 ).

3. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one measurement transducer comprises a throughflow meter ( 12 ) which determines an actual throughflow rate, and the controller ( 50 ) is configured to regulate a target throughflow rate through the continuous flow heater ( 10 ) in a manner dependent on said actual rate of throughflow.

4. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one measurement transducer comprises a first temperature sensor ( 18 ), which is arranged downstream of the continuous flow heater ( 10 ) in the flow direction and is arranged to determine an actual temperature of the hot water.

5. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the at least one measurement transducer comprises a second temperature sensor ( 17 ), which is arranged upstream of the continuous flow heater in the flow direction and is arranged to determine an inflow temperature.

6. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a first directional valve ( 16 ) arranged between the continuous flow heater ( 10 ) and the water outflow fixture ( 20 ), via which a water flow coming from the continuous flow heater is dischargeable directly into a drain.

7. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a decalcification system ( 40 ) for automatically decalcifying the continuous flow heater ( 10 ), the decalcification system ( 40 ) comprises a mixing container ( 41 ) for mixing of a decalcifying agent solution, a receiving chamber for a storage container ( 42 ) for liquid decalcifier concentrate, and a dosing pump ( 43 ) configured to deliver decalcifier concentrate from the storage container ( 42 ) into the mixing container ( 41 ) in a dosed manner, the decalcifying agent solution being adapted to be mixed from decalcifier concentrate and water in said mixing container.

8. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising a water pump ( 11 ) arranged in the water inflow ( 30 ) of the water outflow fixture ( 20 ) and which, on a suction side, is connectable to an extraction line ( 46 ) of the mixing container ( 41 ) in a switchable manner via a second directional valve ( 44 ) in order, in a switched valve position of the second directional valve ( 44 ), for the decalcifying agent solution to be delivered from the mixing container ( 41 ) to the hot water preparation device ( 10 ).

9. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the water pump ( 11 ) which is arranged in the water inflow ( 30 ) of the water outflow fixture ( 20 ) is, on a pressure side, connectable to a filling line ( 47 ) of the mixing container ( 41 ) in a switchable manner via a third directional valve ( 45 ) in order, in a switched valve position of the third directional valve ( 45 ), for water to be delivered to the mixing container ( 41 ).

10. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the controller ( 50 ) is configured to infer a calcification state of the continuous flow heater ( 10 ) from meter values of a throughflow meter and, when a predefined value is reached, generates a message that an automatic decalcification process is required.

11. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 9 , wherein the controller ( 50 ) is configured such that, for carrying out an automatic decalcification process, the controller actuates a dosing pump ( 43 ) in order for a predetermined quantity of decalcifier concentrate to be delivered from the storage container ( 42 ) into the mixing container ( 41 ), switches the third directional valve ( 45 ) in order to connect the water pump ( 11 ) to the filling line ( 47 ) of the mixing container ( 41 ), and actuates the water pump ( 11 ) in order for a predefinable quantity of water to be delivered into the mixing container ( 41 ), and is further configured to switch the second directional valve ( 44 ) in order to connect the water pump ( 11 ) to the mixing container ( 41 ) on the suction side and for the decalcifying agent solution to be delivered from the mixing container ( 41 ) to the continuous flow heater ( 10 ).

12. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a hot water boiler ( 60 ) is arranged upstream of the continuous flow heater ( 10 ).

13. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the water outflow fixture ( 20 ) includes the hot water line ( 22 ) which is integrated into a water outflow pipe ( 21 ) and which is comprised of a plastic that is suitable for drinking water and temperature-resistant.

14. The water-dispensing device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the definable temperature range is between 70° and 98° C.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jun 14, 2022
From: FRANKE WATER SYSTEMS AG
To: KWC GROUP AG
Reel/Frame 062255/0281 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: KWC AG
To: FRANKE WATER SYSTEMS AG
Reel/Frame 059734/0314 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 9, 2021
From: FRANKE TECHNOLOGY AND TRADEMARK LTD
To: KWC AG
Reel/Frame 055872/0738 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 19, 2019
From: FRANKE WATER SYSTEMS AG
To: FRANKE TECHNOLOGY AND TRADEMARK LTD
Reel/Frame 050428/0342 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2019
From: VETTERLI, HEINZ; RUEGG, ANDREAS
To: FRANKE WATER SYSTEMS AG
Reel/Frame 050040/0584 →
Priority Claims (1)
DE 102017102956.7 · Feb 14, 2017 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190360183A1 · Nov 28, 2019
Cited By (1)
US 12,392,525