Patent AU-2009238777-B2 (AU)
Title: Temperature-controlled mixed water and cold/hot water supply system
Inventor: LEE YEONG-CHUN
IPC: F24D17/00
Filed: 2009-04-23
Granted: 2013-12-19
Abstract: The discharge of mixed hot and cold water by means of a manually operated tap handle or manual control valve is not convenient to get an optimum temperature as the temperature of discharge water varies from user to user, and because the temperature of discharge water changes while in use users have to reoperate the tap handle until an optimum temperature is reached, the temperature change occurring when the tap handle is open, making low-temperature hot water in a hot water pipe mix with cold water from a cold water pipe.  In case a user is not certain about how to operate a tap handle and shifts the handle towards the far left on hot water side, instant hot water or cold water comes out, which can scald or startle the user.  Moreover, the conventional system absolutely requires a separate tap handle or manual control valve for adjusting temperature or water flow of discharge water coming out via respective water spouts, and cold/hot water supply pipes for supplying cold/hot water, but the installation thereof involves complicated work for laying them in the wall and tap handles being installed do not necessarily make an attractive outside view.  Meanwhile, the temperature-controlled mixed water and cold/hot water supply system of the invention is designed to have start-up/stop control over a hot water boiler and the control over a circulation water pump (15) such that mixed water having a user-set temperature may be provided via respective water spouts (30) that are installed in a shared bathroom, a kitchen, a private bathroom and a laundry room, respectively, thereby discharging mixed water having a preset temperature ready for immediate use.  As a result, frequent changes in water temperature and discomfort therefrom can be avoided, users can be protected from scalding due to a sudden discharge of instant hot water, and the start-up control over the unnecessary circulation water pump allows water and energy saving.  Also, valve boxes formed in respective control zones are connected to one another via a flexible double pipe structure to which soft pipes such as a cold water pipe, a hot water pipe, a mixed water pipe, a circulation water pipe, etc., are inserted in a way to be able to get in/out of the inside of the valve boxes such that it becomes easier to replace and maintain the soft pipes.  Further, it is possible to shut off cold, hot/mixed water by means of each cold water/mixed water switching valve installed in each of the valve boxes, thereby making it easier to repair any broken water spout in each water discharge section, or any leakage in pipes installed in respective control zones (sink, toilet, bathtub, shower, sink water tap, laundry water tap, a water tap for other purposes such as hand washing, etc.).  Moreover, by installing one pipe line for a single hot/mixed water pipe or cold water pipe via which hot/mixed water or cold water is supplied, users are immediately provided with hot/mixed water and cold water and the reduction in the number of pipe straps secures stability of a floor slab structure.  Without the need to install a conventional integration type bidet being connectively installed on a toilet, a cleaning spray which has a lever (31) for shutting off further mixed water and for regulating a water flow and a metal hose is mounted on the right or left side of a toilet so as to receive, from each valve box (41), mixed water having a user-customized temperature to meet the needs of individual users, and the mixed water is then used not only for cleaning after a user relieves himself/herself, but also for cleaning a bathroom floor.