Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a level sensor unit for water level measurements in a flushing tank of a sanitary appliance.

As is known, a flushing tank of a sanitary appliance contains a certain amount of water, which reaches a certain level in the tank; when the water contained in the tank is flushed, by means of a suitable flushing valve, the water level is restored by feeding water into the tank through a feeding device connected to the water mains. When the preset level is reached, the filling device, for example operated by a float, stops the water supply.

Especially in order to avoid waste and reduce water consumption, there is a need to carefully check the amount of water in the tank, so as to detect any leaks, monitor consumption, etc..

In general, the known flushing tanks are not equipped with water level measuring devices.

On the other hand, placing level sensors inside a flushing tank poses major problems.

In particular, there are problems of installation and accessibility, also for maintenance and inspection, since the inside of the flushing tanks is normally not very accessible; problems in supplying the sensors; problems in transmitting the data detected by the sensors outside the tank.

Moreover, it is extremely difficult to equip an already installed flushing tank, in particular a flushing tank embedded in a wall, with a level sensor device.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus for measuring level of a process fluid in a container. The apparatus includes a remote seal configured to be inserted into the container through an opening and configured to receive a pressure related to the level of process fluid in the container. A capillary tube filled with a fill fluid extends from the remote seal to the opening and is configured to convey the pressure therebetween. A pressure sensor coupled to the capillary tube senses the pressure from the capillary tube and responsively determines the level of the process fluid in the container. In an embodiment, a single differential pressure sensor is used, while in another example embodiment, two separate pressure sensors are employed and the difference between their two outputs is used in determining level of process fluid; the level measurement device is powered by wires and can communicates information wirelessly.

The present invention aims to solve the above mentioned problems, particularly by providing a simple, effective and reliable level sensor unit for flushing tanks of sanitary appliances, which can easily be placed in a flushing tank, even if already installed (and even if embedded in a wall), and allows accurate and reliable level data to be transmitted, so that such data can be used for remote monitoring of the volumes of water discharged, management of water consumption, etc..

Therefore, the present invention relates to a level sensor unit for level measurements in a flushing tank, as defined essentially in the appended claim <NUM> and, in its additional features, in the dependent claims.

The level sensor unit according to the invention is an integrated self-powered unit provided with a wireless transmitter for transmitting the detected level data to an external receiver, without requiring any kind of cable connections, neither for data transmission nor for powering the components of the device.

The unit is removable and retrofittable and incorporates a battery powered by a turbine power supply unit, operated by a flow of water taken from the water mains, so as to be energy self-sufficient.

The unit of the invention can also easily be installed on flushing tanks already in use and even embedded in a wall, thus allowing the adaptation thereof without requiring physical changes to the system or construction or demolition works.

The invention allows information on the state of a flushing tank to be acquired in a simple and effective way: the unit of the invention does not require connections to an external power supply (since the unit is fully self-powered and low-consumption) and is able to communicate the detected data wirelessly, with low power consumption.

The unit of the invention can communicate data to an external unit, for example, for monitoring the current and past states of the flushing tank. For example, the data detected by the unit is transmitted to a server which logs the tank's operating data: the unit detects the discharge volume of the tank, provides detection of any leaks and other malfunctions, and communicates the data to an online platform which then provides various analysis functions such as predictive maintenance and life cycle monitoring, water usage logging and analysis, automatic maintenance alerts, etc..

Advantageously, the unit of the invention employs pressure sensors, which detect the atmospheric pressure and the pressure of the water column to determine the water level inside the tank.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a flushing tank <NUM> of a sanitary appliance, in particular of the built-in type, equipped with a level sensor unit <NUM> for measuring the water level in the tank <NUM>.

The tank <NUM> may be of any known type.

In general, the tank <NUM> comprises a reservoir <NUM> having an inspection opening <NUM> and housing a filling valve <NUM>, connected to a supply fitting <NUM> for connection to a water mains network, and a flushing valve <NUM>, which can be operated by a user by means of an actuator device <NUM>.

Also with reference to <FIG>, the sensor unit <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM>, provided with a pair of joints <NUM>, <NUM> connected to an inlet pipe <NUM> and an outlet pipe <NUM>, respectively; a sensor-holder bar <NUM>, projecting from and hinged to the casing <NUM>; a bottom sensor 17a, positioned at a free lower end <NUM> of the bar <NUM> opposite to the casing <NUM>; and a top sensor 17b, positioned on the casing <NUM> at an upper end <NUM> of the casing <NUM>.

The casing <NUM>, for example, is formed by a pair of coupled shells 11a, 11b defining an internal cavity <NUM>, which houses an electric power supply group <NUM> and a control unit <NUM>.

The casing <NUM> is provided with a fastening device <NUM> for fastening the unit <NUM> inside the reservoir <NUM>. For example, as shown in greater detail in <FIG>, the fastening device <NUM> comprises a hook <NUM> extending from a side wall <NUM> of the casing <NUM>, parallel to the side wall <NUM> of the casing <NUM> and spaced therefrom so as to engage a corresponding seat (not shown) formed inside the reservoir <NUM>. Preferably, the hook <NUM> is provided with a snap-locking tooth <NUM> for securing the hook <NUM> in the respective seat.

According to the present invention, the electric power supply group <NUM> comprises a hydroelectric generation unit <NUM> located along a hydraulic circuit <NUM>, and the control unit <NUM> incorporating rechargeable batteries <NUM>.

However, by way of example, the electric power supply group <NUM> can be of another type. For example, the group <NUM> may comprise an AC power supply connectable to the electricity network via a cable; and/or batteries rechargeable via a cable connectable to an external charger; and/or replaceable non-rechargeable batteries; etc..

The circuit <NUM>, possibly formed by several pieces of piping and/or joints, extends between the joints <NUM>, <NUM> and connects the joints <NUM>, <NUM> so as to circulate a flow of water through the hydroelectric generation unit <NUM>.

The hydroelectric generation unit <NUM> comprises a hollow body inside which (not shown) there are a turbine, driven by the flow of water circulating in the hydraulic circuit, and a current generator driven by the turbine and connected to the control unit <NUM> to recharge the batteries <NUM>.

Advantageously, the circuit <NUM> is internally provided with a flow regulator <NUM>, for example located downstream of the hydroelectric generation unit <NUM> in the direction of circulation of the water flow in the circuit <NUM> and for example at the outlet of the hydroelectric generation unit <NUM>.

The control unit <NUM>, for example a printed circuit electronic board, is connected to the hydroelectric generation unit <NUM>, the batteries <NUM>, the sensor 17a and the sensor 17b, so as to control the operation of the unit <NUM>, as described below. The control unit <NUM> is advantageously sealed in a fluid-tight manner inside the casing or in a special waterproof sheath (not shown). The control unit <NUM> is provided with a wireless transmitter for transmitting data to the outside.

The sensor-holder bar <NUM> extends from a lower edge of the casing along a substantially rectilinear, longitudinal axis A between an upper end <NUM>, hinged to the bar <NUM>, and the free lower end <NUM>, provided with the sensor 17a.

The bar <NUM> is hinged to the casing <NUM> by a hinge <NUM> so as to rotate with respect to the bar <NUM> about a rotation axis R, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the bar <NUM>.

For example, the hinge <NUM> is formed by a pin <NUM> (possibly divided into several pin portions) defining the rotation axis R and by one or more teeth <NUM> which engage the pin <NUM> (or respective pin portions), carried by the casing <NUM> and the bar <NUM>, respectively, or vice versa.

In the non-limiting example shown, the pin <NUM> is carried by a support <NUM> projecting from the edge <NUM> of the casing <NUM>; the bar <NUM> has a pair of teeth <NUM>, which project from the end <NUM> of the bar <NUM> and have respective rotation seats <NUM>, which are substantially C-shaped and engage the pin <NUM>.

The hinge <NUM> optionally comprises a stop member <NUM> which limits the rotation of the bar <NUM> with respect to the casing <NUM>; for example, the stop member <NUM> projects from the edge <NUM> beyond the pin <NUM> and engages an abutment <NUM> formed at the end <NUM> of the bar <NUM>.

The stop member <NUM> is shaped so as to allow the rotation of the bar <NUM> with respect to the casing <NUM> about the axis R in one direction of rotation, and to prevent the rotation in the opposite direction.

The sensor 17a is located at the end <NUM> of the bar <NUM> and is connected to the control unit <NUM>, for example, by a wire <NUM>. The sensor 17b is located at the upper end <NUM> of the casing <NUM>, for example integrated in the control unit <NUM>, i.e., forming part of the same printed circuit electronic board, or connected thereto.

The wire <NUM> is preferably housed (<FIG>) in a longitudinal cavity <NUM> of the bar <NUM>, for example open on one side of the bar <NUM> and is retained by a plurality of stops <NUM> located along the bar <NUM> and shaped so as to snap-engage the wire <NUM>. The wire <NUM> protrudes from the cavity <NUM> at the end <NUM> of the bar <NUM>, for example through a slot <NUM>, and enters the casing <NUM>, where it is fixed, for example, by a further stop <NUM> (<FIG>).

Each of the sensors 17a, 17b is a pressure sensor, configured to detect the pressure acting on the sensor 17a, 17b. In particular, each sensor 17a, 17b has a flexible membrane sensitive to pressure changes acting on the membrane, and an integrated microprocessor, which detects membrane displacements due to the pressure changes and translates them into signals which are sent to the control unit <NUM>. In use, the bottom sensor 17a is immersed in the water contained in the tank <NUM> and its membrane is therefore exposed to the water column contained in the tank <NUM>; whereas the top sensor 17b is located above the water filling level of the tank <NUM> and therefore its membrane is exposed to atmospheric air.

Advantageously, the sensor 17a is sealed in a fluid-tight manner, with the membrane exposed to contact with water.

<FIG> shows the installation of the unit <NUM> in the flushing tank <NUM>.

The unit <NUM> is inserted in the tank <NUM> through the inspection opening <NUM>, also by exploiting the possibility, thanks to the hinge <NUM>, of rotating and therefore tilting the bar <NUM> (by rotating the bar <NUM> about the rotation axis R) with respect to the casing <NUM>.

Once the unit <NUM> is inside the reservoir <NUM> of the tank <NUM>, the unit <NUM> is fastened by means of the fastening device <NUM>, by inserting the hook <NUM> in the respective seat inside the reservoir <NUM>.

The bar <NUM> is returned to the vertical position, with the axis A parallel to the casing <NUM>.

The unit <NUM> and particularly the bar <NUM> are sized so that the sensor 17a, located at the end <NUM> of the bar <NUM>, in use is close to a bottom wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM>; and the sensor 17b, located at the upper end <NUM> of the casing <NUM>, is above the maximum water level in the tank <NUM>.

Advantageously, the casing <NUM> is made in a single, fixed-size version, and the bar <NUM> is made in two or more different dimensions (lengths), so that, by selecting the suitable bar <NUM>, the unit <NUM> can be adapted to different tanks <NUM>, with the sensor 17a still positioned close to the bottom wall <NUM> of the tank <NUM>.

The supply fitting <NUM> of the tank <NUM>, which is normally connected directly to the filling valve <NUM>, instead, is connected to the inlet pipe <NUM> of the unit <NUM> (<FIG>); the outlet pipe <NUM> is connected to the filling valve <NUM>.

As indicated by the arrows in <FIG>, therefore, the water coming from the water mains through the supply fitting <NUM> first flows into the unit <NUM>, operating in particular the hydroelectric generation unit <NUM>, and then reaches the filling valve <NUM> to fill the tank.

The sensors 17a, 17b are configured so as to calculate the water level in the tank <NUM> by means of differential pressure values detected by the bottom sensor 17a, immersed in water in the tank <NUM>, and the top sensor 17b, exposed to atmospheric pressure.

In particular, the sensors 17a, 17b read the pressure of the water column in the tank <NUM> and the atmospheric pressure, respectively, in order to determine the water level inside the tank <NUM> on the basis of the detected pressure difference, so as to also compensate for any changes in the atmospheric pressure. In particular, the sensor 17a detects changes in pressure due to changes in the water level in the tank <NUM>, both due to the discharge and filling cycles of the tank <NUM>, and due to any leaks or malfunctions. The microprocessors of the sensors 17a, 17b use the detected pressure data to determine the water level, possibly also associating a time stamp to the pressure readings to provide a data model that is communicated to the server. The sensor 17a and the sensor 17b transmit the detected data to the control unit <NUM>, which in turn transmits the data to the outside wirelessly.

In one embodiment of the invention, both sensors 17a, 17b are configured to detect not only the pressure but also the temperature, independently. The sensors 17a, 17b thus detect the temperature of the water in the tank <NUM> and of the surrounding air, respectively: the temperature data is used by the control unit <NUM> to correct mathematical deviations in the air and water properties that vary with the temperature, as well as to detect whether or not the unit <NUM> is in the correct operating conditions.

Claim 1:
A level sensor unit (<NUM>) for measuring the water level in a flushing tank (<NUM>) of a sanitary appliance, comprising a casing (<NUM>) provided with a pair of joints (<NUM>, <NUM>) connectable to an inlet pipe (<NUM>) and an outlet pipe (<NUM>) respectively; an electric power supply group (<NUM>) and a control unit (<NUM>) provided with a wireless transmitter, housed in the casing (<NUM>); a sensor-holder bar (<NUM>), projecting from the casing (<NUM>) along a longitudinal axis (A); a bottom sensor (17a), positioned at a free lower end (<NUM>) of the bar (<NUM>) opposite to the casing (<NUM>); and a top sensor (17b), positioned at an upper end (<NUM>) of the casing (<NUM>); wherein the sensors (17a, 17b) are pressure sensors configured so as to detect pressure changes and calculate the water level in the tank (<NUM>) by differential pressure values detected by the bottom sensor (17a), immersed in water in the tank (<NUM>), and the top sensor (17b), exposed to atmospheric pressure; and wherein the sensors (17a, 17b) are connected to the control unit (<NUM>) to transmit data detected by the sensors (17a, 17b) outside the tank (<NUM>); and wherein the electric power supply group (<NUM>) comprises a hydraulic circuit (<NUM>) extending between the joints (<NUM>, <NUM>), a hydroelectric generation unit (<NUM>), arranged along the circuit (<NUM>), and one or more rechargeable batteries (<NUM>); and the circuit (<NUM>) connects the joints (<NUM>, <NUM>) so as to circulate a water flow through the hydroelectric generation unit (<NUM>).