SCALABLE SYSTEM AND METHODS FOR MONITORING AND CONTROLLING A SANITARY FACILITY USING DISTRIBUTED CONNECTED DEVICES

• US 20170346651A1
• Filed: 01/18/2016
• Published: 11/30/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Manager, Sarl
• Original Assignee: Water Manager, Sarl
• Inventors: SOMAJINI, Claude
• Granted Patent: US 10,461,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/30 using a wired architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/40 using a wireless architecture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/60 for transmitting utility meters data, i.e. transmission of data from the reader of the utility meter
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2209/823 where the data is sent when the measured values exceed a threshold, e.g. sending an alarm
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 9/00 Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom

Abstract

A system to control and to monitor the entirety of a sanitary facility by using various specialized connected devices that are distributed throughout the sanitary facility, communicating with one another and over the internet network. Each one of these connected devices carries out its function or functions by using the information communicated by the other connected devices. Each one of these connected devices carries out its function or some of its functions independently in the event of a breakdown in the communication with the other connected devices. From the mobile or fixed apparatuses such as a Smartphone, touchscreen tablet, computer, server, etc. that are connected to the Internet, the user or users can interact with the connected devices, can be alerted in real time to malfunctions, and can receive information regarding the condition of the sanitary facility.

Claims

1. A scalable home automation system for monitoring, managing and controlling a sanitary facility and the elements that comprise said sanitary facility by one or several connected devices that communicate with one another through a system network, said system network able to be physically divided into several sub-networks comprising one or more of:

a wireless network, the wireless network using a wireless protocol comprising one or more of Zigbee, WIFI, or 6LoWPAN;

a wired network, the wired network using a wired protocol comprising one or more of Ethernet, or HomePlug;

or

a mobile network, the mobile network using a mobile protocol comprising one or more of GPRS, UMTS, or LTE.

2. System according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said connected devices comprises the hardware and software in order to establish a connection over the internet network through the system network.

3. System according to claim 2 wherein each one of said connected devices comprises an electronic interface that comprises:

a logic processing unit that executes a software that allows it to carry out its function or functions;

hardware and software in order to communicate with all of the other connected devices of said system through the system network;

if necessary, hardware and software in order to ensure the function of a repeater in order to extend the range of the signal over the transmission support of the system network in order to provide the interconnection of all of the connected devices;

if necessary, hardware and software in order to ensure the function of a gateway in order to interconnect two sub-system networks each using a different protocol;

hardware and software in order to communicate with the remote terminals that are connected to the Internet, the remote terminals comprising one or more of Smartphones, touchscreen tablets, computers, or servers;

hardware and software in order to carry out its function or functions by using the information communicated by other connected devices;

hardware and software in order to carry out its function or functions by using the information or the commands communicated by the remote terminals that are connected to the Internet;

hardware and software in order to transmit alert messages or information to the remote terminals.

4. System according to claim 3 comprising a connected device called “

sensor-actuator”

comprising;

a water inlet fitting at one end and a water outlet fitting at the other end which allows for the connection of said “

sensor-actuator”

connected device on a pipe of the sanitary facility;

an electric valve that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating in the pipe whereon said “

sensor-actuator”

connected device is mounted;

a flow rate sensor supplying an electric signal, said electric signal having at least one characteristic variable according to the flow rate circulating in the pipe whereon said connected device called “

sensor-actuator”

is mounted.

5. System according to claim 4 wherein the connected device called “

sensor-actuator”

comprises a pressure sensor that supplies another electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the pressure of the water at the water inlet of said connected device called “

sensor-actuator”

.

6. System according to claim 3 comprising a connected device called “

single cut-off sanitary collector”

, which comprises a plurality of circuit outlets and a single valve and comprising;

a water inlet fitting at each one of the two ends of said “

single cut-off sanitary collector”

connected device in order to connect the primary pipe and/or another sanitary collector;

a fitting for each water outlet on the side of said “

single cut-off sanitary collector”

connected device that allows for the connecting of the secondary pipes and that makes it possible to install said “

single cut-off sanitary collector”

connected device instead of a conventional sanitary collector;

an electric valve that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating to all of the water outlets of said “

single cut-off sanitary collector”

connected device; and

a flow rate sensor for each water outlet supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the flow rate circulating to the water outlet whereon the sensor is connected.

7. System according to claim 6, comprising a connected device called “

multi cut-off modular sanitary collector”

, which comprises a plurality of circuit outlets and a plurality of valves at the water outlet and comprising;

a water inlet fitting at each one of the two ends of said “

multi cut-off sanitary collector”

connected device in order to connect the primary pipe and/or another sanitary collector;

a fitting for each water outlet on the side of said “

single cut-off sanitary collector”

connected device that allows for the connecting of the secondary pipes and that makes it possible to install said “

single cut-off sanitary collector”

connected device;

an electric valve for each water outlet that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating to the water outlet whereon the electric valve is connected; and

a flow rate sensor for each water outlet supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the flow rate circulating to the water outlet whereon the sensor is connected.

8. System according to claim 6, the connected device called “

single cut-off modular sanitary collector”

comprising;

a connected device configured on the basis of the “

single cut-off sanitary collector” and

called “

single cut-off basic module”

comprising;

a water inlet fitting allowing for the connection of the primary pipe;

a primary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of a connected device called “

single cut-off additional module”

;

an electrical connector that makes it possible to connect the “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device to the wired system network supplied by said “

single cut-off basic module”

connected device by using if needed the gateway function;

a secondary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of a secondary pipe;

an electric valve that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating to the primary water outlet and to the secondary water outlet;

a flow rate sensor supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the flow rate circulating to the secondary water outlet;

as many connected devices configured on the basis of the “

single cut-off sanitary collector” and

called “

single cut-off additional modules”

as necessary in order to form a sanitary collector allowing for the connection of said “

single cut-off modular sanitary collector”

connected device instead of a conventional sanitary collector and wherein each one of said “

single cut-off additional modules”

connected devices comprises;

a water inlet fitting making it possible to connect said “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device to the “

single cut-off basic module”

connected device or to another “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device;

an electrical connector that makes it possible to connect said “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device to the wired system provides by the “

single cut-off basic module”

connected device or transmitted by another “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device;

a primary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of another “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device;

an electrical connector making it possible to connect another “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device to the system network supplied by the “

single cut-off basic module”

connected device and transmitted by said “

single cut-off additional module”

connected device;

a secondary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of a secondary pipe; and

a flow rate sensor supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the flow rate circulating to the secondary water outlet.

9. System according to claim 7, the connected device called “

multi cut-off modular sanitary collector”

comprising;

a connected device configured on the basis of the “

multi cut-off sanitary collector”

device and called “

multi cut-off basic module” and

comprising;

a water inlet fitting allowing for the connection of the primary pipe;

a primary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of a “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device;

an electrical connector making it possible to connect a “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device to the wired system network provide by said “

multi cut-off basic module”

connected device by using if needed the gateway function;

a secondary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of a secondary pipe;

an electric valve that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating to the secondary water outlet;

a flow rate sensor supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the flow rate circulating to the secondary water outlet;

as many connected devices configured on the basis of the “

multi cut-off sanitary collector” and

called “

multi cut-off additional modules”

as necessary in order to form a sanitary collector allowing for the connection of said “

multi cut-off modular sanitary collector”

connected device instead of a conventional sanitary collector and being characterised in that each one of said “

multi cut-off additional modules”

connected devices comprises;

a water inlet fitting making it possible to connect said “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device to the “

multi cut-off basic module”

connected device or to another “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device;

an electrical connector that makes it possible to connect said “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device to the wired system provided par the “

multi cut-off basic module”

connected device or transmitted by another “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device;

a primary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of another “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device;

an electrical connector that makes it possible to connect another “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device to the system network provides by the “

multi cut-off basic module”

connected device and transmitted by said “

multi cut-off additional module”

connected device;

a secondary water outlet fitting allowing for the connection of a secondary pipe;

an electric valve that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating to the secondary water outlet; and

a flow rate sensor supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the flow rate circulating to the secondary water outlet.

10. System according to claim 3 comprising a connected device called “

simple tap”

or “

two handles mixing tap”

or “

single handle mixing tap”

comprising;

a water inlet fitting for the “

simple tap”

or two water inlet fittings for the “

single handle mixing tap”

or “

two handles mixing tap”

.

11. System according to claim 10 comprising for each water inlet of said called “

simple tap”

or “

two handles mixing tap”

or “

single handle mixing tap”

connected device a flowmeter of the flow rate supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the flow rate circulating in the water inlet on which the sensor is connected.

12. System according to claim 10 comprising a sensor for the “

simple tap” and

the single handle mixing tap”

or two sensors for the “

two handles mixing tap”

, with each one of these sensors supplying an electric signal of which at least one of the characteristics varies according to the position of the mechanism of the tap that makes it possible to detect the opening of said tap.

13. System according to claim 12 comprising an electric valve configured to make it possible, by using an electric signal, to modify the flow rate circulating in said “

simple tap”

or “

two handles mixing tap”

or “

single handle mixing tap”

connected device.

14. System according to claim 10 comprising for each water inlet of said “

simple tap”

or “

two handles mixing tap”

or “

single handle mixing tap”

connected device an electric valve configured to make it possible, by using an electric signal, to modify the flow rate circulating in said water inlet of the “

simple tap”

or “

two handles mixing tap”

or “

single handle mixing tap”

connected device.

15. System according to claim 3 comprising a connected device called “

float valve”

comprising;

a water inlet fitting allowing for the connection of said “

float valve”

connected device on a pipe of the sanitary facility;

a water outlet allowing for the filling of the tank;

a float integral with a position sensor that makes it possible to measure the level of water in a tank; and

an electric valve that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating to the water outlet.

16. System according to claim 3 comprising a connected device called “

sanitary equipment”

that integrates an interface that allows it;

to transmit over the system network information on its operating state and on its use of water;

to modify its operation according to the information that it receives from the other connected devices; and

to be able to be controlled by remote terminals connected to the internet.

17. System according to claim 3 comprising a connected device called “

drainage plug”

comprising;

either an electric valve provided with a position sensor that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to control the flow rate of the water circulating from the water inlet to the outlet and as such to control the flow of the water in the drain;

or a mechanism comprising

a device that makes it possible, by using an electric signal, to modify the position of the manoeuvring rods so as to raise or lower the drainage plug and as such control the flow of the water in the drain;

a position sensor that makes it possible to control the proper opening and the proper closing of the drainage plug.

18. System according to claim 3 comprising a connected device called “

humidity detector”

comprising a humidity sensor.

19. Method of configuring flow rate sensors of the system according to claim 4, said method being characterised in that it comprises:

a step of creating a template with D=0 l/min ∀

t, D designating the flow rate and t designating the time;

a step of detecting the other devices connected to the system according to the invention;

a step making it possible to define the connected device that integrates the electric valve that supplies with water said flow rate sensor and allowing the logic processing unit to record this electric valve in a variable referred to as “

A”

;

a series of steps that make it possible to define the connected devices that are directly supplied with water by said flow rate sensor and allowing the logic processing unit to execute the following algorithm;

if the connected device integrates an electric valve the latter is recorded in a first list referred to as “

ov”

;

if the connected device integrates a flow rate sensor the latter is recorded in a second list referred to as “

od”

;

if the connected device integrates a humidity sensor it is recorded in a third list referred to as “

oh”

; and

a series of steps allowing the logic processing unit to develop the template that sets the operating limits for the water points that do not have a dedicated connected device integrating a flow rate sensor and of which the supply with water is directly controlled by said flow rate sensor configured by said method.

20. Method for monitoring flow rate sensors of the system according to claim 3, said method for monitoring comprises:

a step allowing the logic processing unit to react if one of the connected objects of which the electric valve is recorded in the list “

ov”

has sent a signal indicating that this electric valve does not close or if one of the connected objects recorded in the list referred to as “

oh”

has sent a signal indicating that it has detected humidity said reaction consisting in closing the electric valve “

A” and

in sending a “

closing”

alert over the system network;

a step of measuring the value D supplied by the flow rate sensor monitored by said method;

a step that makes it possible to verify D>

0 l/min, D designating the flow rate measured in the step and returning to the step otherwise;

a step that makes it possible to verify that the electric valve “

A”

is not closed which means that it is in fault and switch directly to the step in order to send a “

closing fault”

alert so as to alert the connected device that is supplying it and return to the step;

a series of looped steps that make it possible to calculate Dj=D−

Σ

Di, Dj designating the residual flow rate, D designating the flow rate measured in and Σ

Di designating the sum of the flow rates measured by the flow rate sensors recorded in the list “

od”

;

a step that makes it possible to verify that the residual flow rate Dj is greater than 0 and returning otherwise to the step; and

a step that uses the template developed during the configuration in order to determine if the residual flow rate Dj is not in the normal operating zone and therefore if the alert method must be called with as a parameter the residual flow rate Dj and returning in any case to the step.

21. Alert method of the flow rate sensors of the system according to claim 3, said alert method comprises:

a step that uses the template developed during the configuration in order to switch to the step if the residual flow rate is in the break alert zone or to switch to the step otherwise;

steps which make it possible to close the electric valve “

A” and

to transmit a “

break”

alert over the system network before ending the method;

a step that checks that no user instruction is in progress and which ends the method otherwise;

a step that checks that no alert has already been sent less than X seconds ago, with X representing a reasonable amount of time so that the user has the time to react and ending the method otherwise;

a step checking if 3 alerts have already been transmitted in order to switch to the step if such is the case or otherwise;

steps allowing the connected device to cut off the water at the outlet and to transmit a “

closing”

alert over the system network before ending the method; and

a step that makes it possible to transmit a “

leak”

alert over the system network before ending the method.