AND FLOW RATE INDICATION

Subject of the Invention

The invention relates to a faucet with ease of mounting which generates electric power from the flow energy of the water thanks to comprising a dynamo; thereby measures the temperature of the flowing water, flow rate and total amount of the water consumption; and comprises an electronic indicator on which said information can be seen.

Present State of the Art

The invention according to the application discloses a faucet with ease of mounting which generates electric power from the flow energy of the water thanks to comprising a dynamo; thereby measures the temperature of the flowing water, instantaneous flow rate and total amount of the water consumption; and comprises an electronic indicator on which said information can be seen.

Faucets with electronic indicator in the present state of the art are usually flush mounting applications, wherein in flush mounting applications electronic circuit board and sensors operate by being connected to the electric network by means of a cable as concealed.

In the present state of the art, instead of making a connection with electric network in order to obtain power in the flush mounting applications, battery can also be used to obtain power. In this case batteries are required to be replaced at certain intervals. Thus, faucets in which battery is used as energy source is not useful.

In case of any failure in the faucets installed with said flush mounting applications or in case maintenance is desired to be made, due to the flush mounting applications wall tile is broken and products such as electronic circuit board and sensor are reached. In this case, performing installation, repair and maintenance processes are complicated. Moreover, flow of the water and total amount of consumption are determined using flow and flow rate sensor in the products with electronic indicator in the present state of the art. In the invention according to the application energy generation is provided by means of dynamo and thus, electric power is generated from the flow energy of the water. Contrary to the present state of the art, no connection is made with the electric network and also battery is not used as energy source. Thanks to converting the energy obtained from the flow of the water into electric power, a separate energy source is not required as in the known applications, and the invention according to the application can generate power by itself. Materials such as electronic circuit board and sensor are placed in the inner section of the faucet. Therefore, the invention according to the application has a compact structure. This structure of the invention provides ease of mounting, in case of any failure or in case maintenance is desired to be made, intervention is made only to the faucet. As it is not a flush mounting application, no deformation occurs in the walls of the bath during mounting or when maintenance/repair is required.

Moreover, no sensor is used for the measurement of the flow rate of the water and the total amount of water consumption. Flow rate of the water and total amount of water consumption are measured according to the frequency value obtained as a result of the rotation of the dynamo rotor with the flow of water. Thanks to the present invention, users can monitor the flow rate of the water they consume during the use. Moreover, when faucet is closed and water flow is over, the total amount of water consumption can also be monitored. By this means, the invention is capable of raising awareness of users about unnecessary water consumption and thus making contribution to the environmental protection. Apart from the flow rate of the water, temperature of water can also be monitored by the users. After the faucet is opened and water flow starts, users can adjust the water at desired temperature value.

As seen, thanks to the faucet according to the application, requirement for extra energy source, difficulty in mounting, maintenance/repair, and use of devices such as flow sensor increasing the energy consumption in the present state of the art are eliminated. Therefore, it is obvious that the invention according to the application eliminates the problems in the present state of the art and has novelty criterion.

Object of the Invention

The object of the invention is to produce a faucet which measures the temperature of the flowing water, flow rate of water and total amount of water consumption by generating its own energy by itself without the use of an extra energy source; which provides the user to monitor the values measured by means of electronic indicator; which eliminates the difficulties occurring during mounting, maintenance/repair processes thanks to the compact structure thereof; and which is free of materials causing unnecessary energy consumption. References

1. dynamo

2. dynamo rotor

3. electronic circuit board

4. temperature sensor 5. temperature measurement section

6. LED-lighted indicator

7. cartridge

8. hot water inlet

9. cold water inlet 10. inner body

11. faucet arm

12. guide

13. guide water outlet

14. water outlet Description of the Figures

Figure 1: The view of the cross-section passing through the temperature sensor axis when looking at the faucet according to the application from the front

Figure 2: The view of the cross-section passing through the electronic indicator axis when looking at the faucet according to the application from the front Figure 3: The view of the cross-section parallel to the ground plane when looking at the faucet according to the application from the top

Figure 4: The top closed view of the faucet according to the application

Figure 5: The front view of the LED-lighted indicator of the faucet according to the application

Figure 6: The left side view of the faucet according to the application

Figure 7: The left side inner view of the faucet according to the application

Figure 8: The view of the cross-section perpendicular to the ground plane when looking at the faucet according to the application from the front Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention discloses a faucet with ease of mounting which generates electric power from the flow energy of the water thanks to comprising a dynamo (1); thereby measures the temperature of the flowing water, instantaneous flow rate and total amount of the water consumption; and comprises an electronic indicator on which said information can be seen. The invention according to the application comprises at least one dynamo (1) which converts the flow energy of the water into electric power; at least one dynamo rotor (2) which is provided in said dynamo (1) and rotates with the flow of water; at least one electronic circuit board (3) measuring the temperature and flow rate of the water, and the total amount of water consumption, for which said dynamo (1) supplies electric power; and at least one temperature sensor (4) operating together with the electronic circuit board (3) determining the temperature of the flowing water.

The faucet according to the invention further comprises at least one LED-lighted indicator (6), at least one hot water inlet (8), at least one cold water inlet (9), at least one cartridge (7), at least one faucet inner body (10), at least one guide (12), at least one guide water outlet (13), and at least one water outlet (14).

The water entering into the faucet through the hot water inlet (8) and the cold water inlet (9) reaches to the cartridge (7). When the faucet arm (11) is opened by the user, the cold and hot water reaching to the cartridge (7) is transferred to the dynamo (1) by passing through the faucet inner body (10) as only cold or only hot or as being mixed depending on the desire of the user. The water transferred to the dynamo (1) rotates the dynamo rotor (2). The water passing through the dynamo (1) by rotating the dynamo rotor (2) is then transferred to the temperature measurement section (5) where temperature sensor (4) is disposed. Temperature of the water coming from the cartridge (7) and rotating the dynamo rotor (2) by reaching to the dynamo (1) is measured in this section (5) by means of the temperature sensor (4) before exiting from the faucet. After temperature of the water is measured by the temperature sensor (4), water exists from the water outlet (14) to the outside.

Electric power is generated such that the water reaches to the cartridge (7) with the opening of the faucet arm (11) and is transferred to the dynamo (1) by passing through the faucet inner body (10) and rotates the dynamo rotor (2) and this electric power supplies energy to the electronic circuit board (3). While obtaining the temperature of the flowing water by means of the temperature sensor (4) contacting with the water, electronic circuit board (3) measures the flow rate (liter/minute) of the water by comparing the frequency value information, which is obtained when the water entering into the electronic circuit board (3) rotates the dynamo rotor while passing through the dynamo (1), with the frequency value recorded in the software in the electronic circuit board (3). Then, temperature and flow rate information of the water is transferred to the LED-lighted indicator (6).

As will be understood, while electric power is obtained from the flow energy of the water with the rotation of the dynamo rotor (2) in the dynamo (1), the frequency value obtained with the rotation of the dynamo rotor (2) is also measured. The frequency value obtained as a result of the rotation of the dynamo rotor (2) during the flow of water is entered into the electronic circuit board (3) as information. Electronic circuit board (3) compares this frequency value information received with the frequency value in the software previously installed to said electronic circuit board (3) and determines the amount of the flow rate (liter/minute) corresponding to the respective frequency value. Frequency values measured with the rotation of the dynamo rotor (2) in a stable water flow and even in a stable water pressure change at certain intervals. Unstable frequency value results in irregular flow rate and sudden increase and decrease of flow rate value. To solve this problem, arithmetic mean of the flow rates corresponding to the frequency values measured by the electronic circuit board (3) in short time intervals is taken and reflected on the indicator. By this means, the sudden increase and decrease of the value showing the flow rate of the water in the LED-lighted indicator (6) is prevented and thus, the flow rate of the water changes in a milder manner on the indicator.

After the faucet is closed and the water flow is cut, mean of the measured total flow rates is calculated and the total amount of water (liter) consumed is displayed on the LED-lighted indicator (6) for 5 seconds. The information of the total amount of water consumption is kept in the electronic circuit board (3) for 3 minutes. If the faucet is operated again within said 3 minutes, the total water consumption value continues to be measured from the resumed point. However, if the faucet stays closed for 3 minutes after being closed, the information of the total amount of water consumption is reset.

Even if the invention according to the application is used in the bathtub faucet in the preferred use indeed, it can also be used in other faucets. After the temperature of the water is measured by means of the temperature sensor (4) in the preferred use in bathtub faucet, said water reaches to the guide (12). In this stage the water is guided to the water outlet (14) end or to the hand shower which is usually connected to guide water outlet (13) according to the desire of the user. As the invention has a LED-lighted indicator and said LED lighting is white in the preferred use, the invention also provides an advantage in terms of design besides its other advantages.

In conclusion, thanks to the invention according to the application a faucet, which displays temperature and flow rate of the water and total amount of water consumption; thereby contributes to the more economical use of water by raising awareness of users; does not comprise a flush mounting application to the walls of the bathroom; and can be directly and easily mounted to the area where it is desired to be used thanks to having a compact structure, is obtained.