EP4255842B1

EP4255842B1 - A berverage dispenser arrangement providing an anti-gravitational illusion

Info

Publication number: EP4255842B1
Application number: EP21848281.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Endre TRIZNA
Original assignee: Timedrips Kft
Current assignee: Timedrips Kft
Priority date: 2020-10-30
Filing date: 2021-10-29
Publication date: 2025-02-19
Anticipated expiration: 2041-10-29
Also published as: EP4255842A1; WO2022090753A1; EP4255842C0

Description

The invention relates to a fluid supply arrangement creating an antigravity sight, comprising a fluid source, at least one flow control unit comprising a fluid inlet connected to the fluid source by a medium conduit, a fluid outlet connected to a fluid outlet of the fluid control unit through a medium conduit, an illuminating unit comprising one or several light-emitting diode(s) intermittently illuminating the fluid flow exiting the fluid outlet, an electrical control unit determining the frequency of intermittent light emitted by the illuminating unit, the illuminating unit is connected to the output of the electrical control unit. The arrangement can have the effect of allowing an observer to see the fluid flowing out of the fluid supply unit as if it were floating in the air in the form of droplets or moving backwards in adjustable slow motion or in a direction corresponding to gravity.
US5,165,580 discloses a device creating a visual or optical illusion other than objective reality, comprising as fluid source, a reloadable container, pumps creating a chopped or oscillating water flow as a flow control unit comprising a fluid inlet connected via a fluid medium conduit, a fluid spout connected to their fluid outlets by a fluid medium conduit and, furthermore, a manually adjustable illuminating unit illuminating the fluid flow exiting the fluid spout in a chopped way. By switching the device on, water pumped from the water container in a sectioned or oscillating way flows out and back to the water container through an outlet, while the illuminating unit on the device illuminates the water flow by chopped light via an adjustable controller unit, and by changing the frequency of the interruptions, the effect of undulating water or water droplets floating in the air or moving backwards or moving downwards in the direction corresponding to gravity can be created. The portable device completely fulfils its original purpose of creating an illusion, but its "self-serving" use requires filling it separately with water; the desired sight can be set by the operating means of its control unit after switch-on, and the water outflow can even be touched or tapped, but in such case the water container quickly runs out of water that has to be replaced to a next run after the device is switched off. Therefore, the device cannot be part of everyday life; due to the necessary preparations and operating constraints, its use is increasingly relegated into the background, and creating a visual illusion is lacking. Theoretically, by a minor conversion causing no problem to those skilled in the art, this known device would also be suitable for everyday use, e.g. to take water, but because of the pumps, its yield would not be sufficient and its use could not be called water-saving either.
A further example of an an optical illusion fluid display device is given by document US 2014/0226309 . In particular, an improved magical illusion fluid display device that produces an ideal, pleasing, nearly flawless and natural view of a very stable rising, falling, levitating and dancing droplets and/or solid stream of fluid with undulations and other magical illusion display patterns.
The invention aims at creating a fluid supply arrangement that exerts such visual effect on the user during each use without special preparations and measures as if the fluid flowing out in a water-saving way flew backwards in the form of droplets, or floated in one place in the air or moved in slow motion in the direction of gravity.
The invention is based on the recognition that the incoming fluid flow is chopped keeping in mind the properties of human vision and perception, allowing to achieve substantially bigger fluid-saving than e.g. with aerators used in water taps, in a way that implies no disadvantage to the user who does not perceive it as a restriction.
The object is achieved by a fluid supply arrangement according to claim 1.
According to preferred embodiments of the arrangement the fluid source can be a water source constituted by the utility water network, or a wine or soft drink container.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement in case of using two closing means for the mains cold water source and hot water source, the outlet of the closing means connected to an angle valve connected to the mains cold water source with its inlet, and the outlet of the closing means connected to an angle valve connected to the mains hot water source with its inlet are connected to the inlet of the flow control unit through a flow combiner.
According to further preferred embodiments of the arrangement the sensors directly detecting the status of the closing means are micro-switches mounted on the closing means, and the sensors indirectly detecting the status of the closing means are pressure sensors sensing the water flow created in the open position of the closing means.
In an also preferred embodiment of the arrangement the operating means determining the frequency of the pulse sequence produced by the generator stage is a potentiometer in electrical connection with the generator stage.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement a through channel is formed in the valve unit adjustably influencing the flow of the fluid flow coming from the fluid source, said through channel is in communicating relationship with the rotatably embedded valve body provided with a through channel, and the valve body is connected through a flexible connecting means to the axis of the electric motor used as drive unit, connected to the output of the electrical control unit.
In a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement a pressure control valve and/or a water hammer arrestor are/is fitted in flow direction in front of the fluid inlet of the flow control unit.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the arrangement the illuminating unit is arranged in the head part of the fluid outlet and can be provided with variable-colour light emitting diodes.
In the following, the arrangement according to the invention is described in more detail with the help of an exemplary embodiment, with reference to the enclosed drawings where

Figure 1: is a principle scheme of a possible embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention;
Figure 2: shows a section of a detail of the fluid spout applied in the embodiment outlined in Figure 1, with discharge channels and light sources of the illuminating unit;
Figure 3: shows the electromechanical flow-chopper unit of the flow control unit applied in the embodiment outlined in Figure 1, in perspective;
Figure 4: shows the design of the valve housing used in the electromechanical flow chopper unit outlined in Figure 3;
Figure 5: is a schematic perspective view of the valve body fitting into the valve housing presented in Figure 4;
Figure 6: shows a valve body in a position allowing the fluid to flow, installed in the valve housing presented in Figure 4;
Figure 7: shows the block diagram of a possible embodiment of the electrical control unit applied in the embodiment outlined in Figure 1, and
Figure 8: shows a further possible design of the electrical control unit applied in the embodiment outlined in Figure 1.

The fluid supply arrangement according to the invention, presented here merely as one preferred embodiment of a water-taking arrangement, is used with a washbasin 1, where a fluid source 2 forms the water supply, to which a corner valve 3 mounted at the cold water outlet of the water supply and a corner valve 4 mounted at the hot water outlet of the water supply is connected in the usual and known way. The corner valve 3 is connected to closing means 6 via a fluid medium conduit 5 and the corner valve 4 is connected to closing means 8 via a fluid medium conduit 7. The arrangement comprises a fluid outlet 9 of a design to be presented in detail below. Unlike usual water-taking arrangements, the closing means 6, 8 determining the cold water flow, the hot water flow and their mixing are not connected to the "water tap", i.e. a fluid outlet 8, but they are connected through a fluid medium conduit 10 and a fluid medium conduit 11 to an input of a flow combiner 12. In the presented embodiment, the outlet of the flow combiner 12 is connected to the inlet of a pressure control valve 14 via a fluid medium conduit 13 and the outlet of the pressure control valve 14 is connected via a fluid medium conduit 15 to the inlet of a water hammer arrestor 16, and the outlet of the latter is tied to a fluid inlet 37 of a water control unit 18 via a fluid medium conduit 17, and a fluid outlet 38 of the water control unit 18 is connected to a fluid outlet 9 via a fluid medium conduit 19. As it is clear for a skilled person the mentioned fluid medium conduits are pressure resistant. In the sketch in Figure 1 a fluid channel 20 is indicated with dense dashed line, said fluid channel 20 is connected to the fluid outlet 9 and divided in the present example at the outflow, i.e. head part 9a of the fluid outlet 9 into three fluid branches 20a that, according to our experience, provides more preferable fluid exit property than the exit of the fluid from fluid outlet 9 through a single channel.
Both closing means 6 and closing means 8 are associated with a respective micro-switch 21, 22 directly sensing the status of the closing means 6, 8 each, e.g. connected to their respective actuator means 6a, 8a, e.g. their knob or lever. Micro-switches 21, 22 mechanically sense the operation of the closing means 6, 8 necessary for the water-taking, and said micro-switches 21, 22 are connected through respective electrical wires 23 and 24 to signal inputs 25a, 25b of an electrical control unit 25 connected to a fluid control unit 18. The outlet 25c of control unit 25, to be presented in more detail, is connected in the present example through an electrical wire 26 - its section extending in the water outlet 9 is indicated in rare dashed line - to the inlet of an illuminating unit 27 installed in an edge range of the discharge of the fluid outlet 9. Figure 1 indicates symbolically also operating means 28, 29 designed to influence the operation of the control unit 25.
Most parts named in the description of Figure 1 can be selected by those skilled in the art, if the utilisation requirements and circumstances ever are known, and they are commercially available. The arrangement can be operationally implemented also without a pressure control valve 14 and a water hammer arrestor 16 referred to in the example, but their use is advisable to ensure lasting, reliable and maintenance-free operation.
Figure 2 shows the discharge range of fluid outlet 9, partly in section. One can observe the fluid channel 20 extending in the interior of the fluid outlet 9, divided into three branches 20a in its head part 9a mounted at the outflow of the fluid discharge 9, and the illuminating unit 27 realised with light-emitting diodes30 arranged in a ring around them.
Figure 3 shows a possible structure of an electromechanical flow-chopper unit 31 arranged in flow control unit 18. The flow-chopper unit 31 is expediently assembled of a valve unit 33 and a drive unit 34 in operating relationship with it, mounted on a mounting plate 32 constituted by the cover of the flow-control unit 18, not represented in the drawing separately. The valve unit 33 presented in more detail and separately in Figure 4 is made of corrosion-resistant material, in the presented embodiment of copper, and it comprises two channels 35 and 36 extending perpendicularly to one another. The channel 35 connects a fluid inlet 37 and a fluid outlet 38 of the valve unit 37, and its interior is open to the interior of channel 36. In channel 36, in ready-mounted condition, a cylindrical valve body 39 shown in Figure 5 is embedded rotatably and sealed against the fluid flow. A channel 40 is formed in the valve body 39, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, which coincides in the correct angular position of the valve body 39 properly installed in channel 36 with the channel 35 and provides for the unobstructed flow through it of the introduced fluid, and in the present case in a position of the valve body 39 turned off by 90° completely closes the channel 35, preventing thereby the flow of the fluid directed there. The valve body 39 is arranged by its rotation axis 41 in bearings 42 in the two extreme seats 36a of the channel 36 in the range of the two ends of channel 36 in a sealed manner, of material and design ensuring the compliance of valve unit 33 with the safety requirements applicable to the fluid concerned, for potable water, for example, the forthcoming European regulations on substances in contact with drinking water. Axis end 41a of the valve body 39 extending from the valve unit 33 of the valve body 39 towards drive unit 34 is connected with an axis of a 12 V DCelectric motor 44 applied in the present example as drive unit 34. Fluid inlet 37 and fluid outlet 38 comprise the known, usual internally threaded, connecting section, and boreholes 46 receiving screws 45 for mounting are formed in the corner ranges of valve unit 33.
An electrical control unit 25, a possible embodiment of which is shown in the block diagram of Figure 7, is also placed in the flow-chopper unit 31. The control unit 25 seemingly plays a role similar to similar controls in the known solutions, but its function is not merely the stroboscope-like illumination of the fluid flowing out of fluid outlet 9, but also the promotion of fluid-saving - in the case of water, water-saving - operation through the appropriate operation of the motor constituting drive unit 34.
The flow-control unit 18 of the arrangement according to the invention presented here functions, logically, if the user operates, i.e., opens the closing means 6 if there is one kind of fluid or one or both of closing means 6 and 8 if there are two kinds of fluids, e.g. cold and hot water. If so, the electrically default open state(s) of micro-switch 21 and/or micro-switch 22 assigned to them and mounted in the usual way by a person skilled in the art changes, and it gets closed. This change of state is detected by an electrical trigger stage 47 connected to signal inputs 25a and 25b of the control unit 25 outlined in Figure 7, the output of which is connected to the input of a generator stage 48 determining frequency. The trigger stage 47 and the generator stage 48 can, for example, be constructed by the well-known integrated circuit of type NE555. One output of the generator stage 48 is connected via the already mentioned wire 26 to the illuminating unit 27, and an additional output is connected to the input of an impulse-width adjusting stage 49. The impulse-width adjusting stage 49 is also a commercially available circuit well-known for those skilled in the art, for example a circuit of the type designated as "Motor fordulatszám szabályozó PWM 1803B" (source: https://hobbielektronikabolt.hu/Motor-fordulatszam-szabalyozo-PWM-1803B-DC-1-8V-3V-5V-6V-12V-2A). The output of the impulse-width adjusting stage 49 constitutes in the present example, with the insertion of an amplifier stage 50, a output 25d of the control unit 25, to which the motor forming drive unit 34 is electrically connected. Figure 7 symbolically indicates a power supply unit 51 used, in the known and usual way, to supply the individual electrical stages, units. In the presented embodiment, power supply unit 51 provides, for safety reasons, 12 V DC, and its capacity is such as can properly provide for the supply of the motor constituting the drive unit 34 and the light emitting diodes 30 used in the illuminating unit 27. Otherwise, the power supply of control unit 25, illuminating unit 27 and the motor can also be realised by a proper external power supply unit 51 connected to some constant power source 52, e.g. the mains, and its output is 53 is connected by a wire 54c to an electrical terminal block 54 of the flow control unit 18. Power supply can be made simpler by the design according to another embodiment, where batteries or accumulators in the control unit 25 itself or connected to it provide for the input supply voltage for the power supply unit 51.
In a further possible embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention, light-emitting diodes 30 used in illuminating unit 27 are elements capable of producing a changeable colour. The colour ever is determined by the electronics of illuminating unit 27, e.g. based on it being in wireless connection with a remote controller serving specifically this purpose. Such products are commercially available in ready-for-use status e.g. from the web source https://www.emag.hu/wifis-rgb-led-szalag-20m-allo-20-rgb/pd/DJ7ZY0MBM/. In a further possible embodiment, light emitted by light-emitting diodes 30 may depend on the strength and/or temperature of the fluid flow transmitted to fluid outlet 9, where the strength and/or temperature of the fluid flow is detected by an appropriate sensor, e.g. pressure sensor or temperature sensor connected to the fluid medium conduit 13 after the flow combiner 12 in the way known to those skilled in the art, which indirectly also detects the opening/closing of closing means 6, 8, and its output is connected to a dedicated input of the illuminating unit 27 by a wire that is not shown in the drawing.
In a further possible embodiment of the arrangement according to the invention outlined in Figure 8, the output of the trigger stage 47 in the control unit 25 is connected also to the input of a timer stage 55. Timer stage 55 can also be realised by using the known integrated circuit NE555, and its timing determines the period of fluid supply, e.g. so that after the timer expires, e.g. after 5 minutes, by operating a two-states electric shut-off valve 56 inserted in the fluid medium conduit 13 of the flow combiner 12, not shown in Figure 1, the fluid flow will be shut off. This allows to avoid wasteful fluid supply if closing means 6, 8 are unintentionally left open. The timer stage 55 receives another impulse from the trigger stage 47 upon the next switch-on of the control unit 25, under the effect of which it resets the two-states shutter valve 56 again, so the fluid flow will be unobstructed.
In the arrangement according to the invention being presented here, the illuminating unit 27 is built into the head part 9a of the fluid output 9, but it can also be placed outside it, so that its light illuminates the fluid flow exiting fluid channel 20 or one or several of its branches 20a.
The arrangement according to the invention presented here functions so that, by opening the closing means 6 or 8, the integrated micro-switches 21, 22 trigger the generator stage 48 through the trigger stage 47 of the control unit 25, and this drives the illuminating unit 27 connected to its output and the impulse-width adjusting stage 49 that actuates, according to its setting, the motor used as drive unit 34 that operates the valve unit 33 of the flow-chopper unit 31. Depending on the position of the flow-through channel 40 of the valve body 39 in the former, the fluid being introduced in the latter flows through the channel 35 unobstructed, or its flow is completely blocked by the valve body 39. This is repeated in function of the rotation of valve body 39, the rotational speed of the motor connected to it, and results in that, instead of being continuous, the fluid flow exiting the fluid output 9 consists of short fluid sections, fluid droplets, following each other with a break, spaced, that are illuminated at the same frequency by the strobe-like flashes of the illuminating unit 27. If the rotational speed of the motor and of the valve body 39 connected to it is appropriately chosen, in default case, when the rotational speed of the valve body 39 and the flashing frequency of the light emitted by the illuminating unit 27 are synchronous, the user perceives the fluid droplets exiting the fluid outlet 9 as standing, floating, contrary to gravity. If the flashing frequency of the light emitted by the illuminating unit 27 is decreased, the fluid droplets apparently start to move slowly upwards; this sight is called anti-gravitation sight. If the flashing frequency of the light emitted by the illuminating unit 27 is increased, the fluid droplets apparently start to slowly move downwards, in the direction of gravity.
Basically, the rotational speed of the motor of the drive unit 34 and the flashing frequency of light emitted by the illuminating unit 27 are set via the generator stage 48 to a value between 51 and 120 Hz. Due to the identical mains frequency and to interference, the value of 50 Hz may have an unpleasant effect on the user: with values of less than 50 Hz, flashes may seem separate to the human eye, whereas for values exceeding 120 Hz, the virtual fluid droplets start to converge and the water droplet effect ceases. Although frequency can be adjusted in a broader range, our experiments suggest that it is more advantageous to retain a value resulting in a sufficient fluid flow, and slightly changing the flashing frequency of the illuminating unit 27, within the range of 0.2-0.8 Hz, for the apparent upward or downward movement of the separate fluid drops.
In the example presented here, the flashing frequency of light emitted by the illuminating unit 27 and the rotational speed of the motor of the drive unit 34 can be set by potentiometers 28, 29 used as operating means 28, 29 but, depending on the design and operation of the generator stage 48, push-buttons can also be used as operating means 28, 29. The control unit 25 can, of course, also be realised by a micro-controller and a programme written for it fulfilling the functions of the previously indicated units, stages.
Pressure controller 14 and water hammer arrestor 16 used in the exemplary embodiment ensures that "water-sectioning" with flow control unit 18 does not generate vibrations either in the individual elements of the arrangement, or backwards, towards the corner valves3, 4.
The proposed arrangement can be used with a washbasin, a kitchen sink faucet, or a shower panel, or any other known faucet. Its main advantages include that it can be used to realise a fluid supply, primarily water-taking, design creating an antigravity sight, and its operation is simple and easy. Another important advantage of the invention is that, thanks to fluid chopping and pressure control, fluid discharged through the fluid outlet 9 is of much smaller quantity than in the traditional faucets, i.e., it operates in water-saving mode. If the user reaches into the stream of water droplets with his/her hands, he/she will experience no difference relative to the operation of traditional faucets.

List of reference signs:

1	washbasin	26	wire
2	fluid source	27	illuminating unit
3	corner valve	28	operating means
4	corner valve	29	operating means
5	fluid medium conduit	30	light-emitting diode
6	closing means	31	flow-chopper unit
6a	actuator
	32	mounting plate
7	fluid medium conduit	33	valve unit
8	closing means	34	drive unit
8a	actuator
	35	channel
9	fluid outlet	36	channel
9a	head part	36a	seat
10	fluid medium conduit	37	fluid inlet
11	fluid medium conduit	38	fluid outlet
12	flow combiner	39	valve body
13	fluid medium conduit	40	channel
14	pressure control valve	41	rotational axis
15	fluid medium conduit	41a	axis end
16	water hammer arrestor	42	bearing
17	fluid medium conduit	43	connecting means
18	flow control unit	44	axis
19	fluid medium conduit	45	screw
20	fluid channel	46	borehole
20a	branch
	47	trigger state
21	micro-switch	48	generator stage
22	micro-switch	49	impulse-width adjusting stage
23	wire	50	amplifier stage
24	wire	51	power supply unit
25	control unit	52	voltage source
25a	signal input		53	wire
25b	signal input	54	terminal block
25c	output
	55	timer stage
25d	output
	56	closing valve

Claims

A fluid supply arrangement generating an anti-gravitational sight, comprising:
- a fluid source (2),

- at least one flow control unit (18) comprising a fluid inlet (37) connected to the fluid source (2) by a medium conduit (5, 7, 10, 11, 13, 15, 17),

- a fluid outlet (9) connected to a fluid outlet (38) of the fluid control unit (18) through a medium conduit (19),

- an illuminating unit (27) comprising one or several light-emitting diode(s) (30) intermittently illuminating the fluid flow exiting the fluid outlet (9),

- an electrical control unit (25) determining the frequency of intermittent light emitted by the illuminating unit (27), illuminating unit (27) being connected to the output of the electrical control unit (25),
characterised in that
- the flow control unit (18) is connected to the fluid source (2) through one or several closing means (6, 8) influencing the flow of the fluid flow reaching the fluid outlet (9),

- the flow control unit (18) comprises an electromechanical flow-chopper unit (31) adjustably influencing the flow of the fluid flow coming from the fluid source (2),

- the electromechanical flow-chopper unit (31) comprises a valve unit (33) comprising a rotatably embedded valve body (39) inserted in the flow path of the fluid flowing through it and opening and closing the flow path depending on its position,

the arrangement also comprises

respective sensors each detecting the status of the closing means (6, 8) influencing the flow of the fluid flow directly or indirectly, the outputs of which are connected to signal inputs (25a, 25b) of the electrical control unit (25),

where the electrical control unit (25) comprises a generator stage (48) of controllable start-up for generating a variable low-frequency pulse sequence, and the illuminating unit (27) and an electric motor forming a drive unit (34) operating the rotatably embedded valve body (39) are connected to outputs (25c, 25d) of the electrical control unit (25), and

the electrical control unit (25) comprises operating means (28) determining the frequency of the pulse sequence produced by the generator stage (48).
The arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the fluid source (2) is a water source constituted by the utility water network.
The arrangement according to claim 1 characterised in that the fluid source (2) is a wine or soft drink container.
The arrangement according to Claim 2, characterised in that in case of using two closing means (6, 8) for the mains cold water source and hot water source, the outlet of the closing means (6) connected to an angle valve (3) connected to the mains cold water source with its inlet, and the outlet of the closing means (8) connected to an angle valve (4) connected to the mains hot water source with its inlet are connected to the inlet of the flow control unit (18) through a flow combiner (12).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-4, characterised in that the sensors directly detecting the status of the closing means (6, 8) are micro-switches (21, 22) mounted on the closing means (6, 8).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-4, characterised in that the sensors indirectly detecting the status of the closing means (6, 8) are pressure sensors sensing the water flow created in the open position of the closing means (6, 8).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-6, characterised in that the operating means (28) determining the frequency of the pulse sequence produced by the generator stage (48) is a potentiometer in electrical connection with the generator stage (48).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-7, characterised in that a through channel (35) is formed in the valve unit (33) adjustably influencing the flow of the fluid flow coming from the fluid source (2), said through channel (35) is in communicating relationship with the rotatably embedded valve body (39) provided with a through channel (40), and the valve body (39) is connected through a flexible connecting means (43) to the axis (44) of the electric motor used asdrive unit (34), connected to the output (25c) of the electrical control unit (25).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-8, characterised in that a pressure control valve (14) is fitted in flow direction in front of the fluid inlet (37) of the flow control unit (18).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-9, characterised in that a water hammer
arrestor (16) is fitted in flow direction in front of the water inlet (37) of flow control unit (18).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-10, characterised in that the illuminating unit (27) is arranged in the head part (9a) of the fluid outlet (9).
The arrangement according to any of Claims 1-11, characterised in that the illuminating unit (27) comprises variable-colour light emitting diodes (30).