TR2022016049A2 - ECO-FRIENDLY COMPACT BATH SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Nowadays, the importance of environment and energy efficiency is increasing day by day, and difficulties are increasing around the world, especially in accessing clean water. While the invention contributes to reducing the occupied residential areas by reducing the area of bathrooms so that the earth's soil is allocated to agriculture and green nature, it can have a positive impact on the environment by utilizing gray water. The innovation brought by the compact bathroom is that the toilet, sink, storage units and standard size shower tray fit into the floor area (120 cm * 122 cm) without losing comfort and aesthetics, occupying 44% less space than the smallest bathroom area in the literature, shower and sink. waste water is evaluated and used in areas where gray water will be used, such as toilet cisterns and flower watering. The solution of the compact bathroom in a small area was achieved by rotating the sink (1) around a vertical shaft at the desired angle, allowing the use of the shower tray and the toilet when necessary. In order for the clean and waste water installation to function without being damaged while the sink rotates, the sink (1) (tub (1.1), upper box and frame (1.2), intervention cover (1.3), lower box (1.4), fixed outlet waste water pipe) It consists of five parts, namely (1.5), and gets its mobility from the support of the vertical installation shaft (2) and the clamp (2.1) on the shaft. Rotation of the sink at undesirable angles is ensured by the stopper on the clamp, allowing easy intervention or dismantling of the sink and installation when necessary. Both the detachable connection on the clamp and the intervention covers and openings are left in the clamp. Thus, ease of use is brought to the fore by considering the most adverse conditions. Under the shower tray used in the compact bathroom, there is a gray water tank, the volume of which is calculated according to international consumption standards. The tank is placed to prevent damage from the human weight on it. It is statically reinforced with profiles. There are strip gaps on the tank to collect the water flowing during the shower from many points and a plate with a cover that allows the inside to be cleaned. In order for the wastewater from the sink to come into the tank, a flow gap was opened at the top and inside the vertical shaft. The water accumulated in the tank of the sink and shower described above can be sent to the toilet cistern and to different needs through the control tap, with a silent mini submersible pump with filter and float placed inside the tank. Since the submersible pump only works during filling and the filling time takes a maximum of 90 seconds, there is no significant energy consumption. Both the rotating sink with its shaft and the shower tray with gray water tank are the basic elements that make up the compact bathroom, and they are innovations that can be produced and used independently of the compact bathroom or each other. The inventions can be produced as new and environmentally friendly products by prefabricated building manufacturers, especially in the industry producing sanitary ware and sanitary products, and will shed light on the products of the future.

Description

DESCRIPTION ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY COMPACT BATHROOM SYSTEM Technical Field The invention incorporates innovation in plumbing with its environmentally friendly structure through the movement, assembly, and efficiency features of bathroom hardware, which saves space by minimizing bathroom space without compromising comfort. The compact bathroom includes the sink's mobility and the appropriate plumbing system, as well as the invention of a shower tray that can utilize wastewater and can be installed independently anywhere. Known State of the Art There is no similar technique currently in use or produced. The invention was designed by us within the scope of the project conducted within the scope of the "Tiny House" graduation thesis in the Master of Applied Sciences program at Hochschule Macromedia University in Germany. The thesis work began in April 2020 and was shared with the thesis advisor, and the thesis, including all visuals, was submitted on August 3, 2020. During the patent search process, two patents were found that were similar to the invention, albeit different. The patent, titled "Compact-type integrated bathroom with a square meter area," with publication number CN104164979A, uses a metal riser similar to the invention. However, this riser incorporates both a toilet and a sink as separate levels. Furthermore, the patented invention lacks a fixed connection between the fittings and the main wastewater pipe. Therefore, its practicality and uninterrupted water flow are questionable. The patent, titled "Swivel Sink," with publication number CN105275059A, designs a sink connected to a rotating shaft. Unlike our invention, the sink's movement is up and down. No details are provided regarding the plumbing connection in the patented invention. Purpose of the Invention: Shelter is one of humankind's most basic needs, and the increasing prevalence of housing due to income inequality worldwide makes it even more difficult for the homeless to find living space. However, resources have become insufficient to meet the growing population's demand. To maintain a greener soil, maintain agricultural lands capable of feeding a growing population, and increase energy efficiency, a culture of smaller housing with more efficient spatial utilization is needed. Based on this reality, the "tiny house" (living spaces up to 37 m²) has emerged as a solution. However, as space shrinks in such a solution, bathroom spaces, a basic necessity, must also shrink. This leads to extremely cramped and uncomfortable use. Our invention aims to provide a comfortable, recyclable, and economical bathroom experience in a small space. Although the initial starting point for the invention was bathroom design for tiny houses, the resulting comfort and space efficiency make compact bathrooms easily installable even in tourist buildings and existing homes, with only floor-mounted plumbing, eliminating the need for wall work. In residences where ample surface area is preferred, examples of bathrooms reaching nearly the size of a small room are increasingly common. The image below shows the interior dimensions of bathrooms occupying minimal space. As can be seen, if the shower, WC, and toilet are placed in the most compact position, a minimum of 2.6 m² of interior space is required. H 1--~-+_ü i : 5 1& 3 . . haa-@ili i K % https://deltacrp.ru/tr/optimal-size-of-the-combined-bathroom-dimensions-of-standard-bathtubs.html No matter how large, a bathroom has three essential elements: a toilet, a sink, and a shower/tub. Currently, bathroom fixtures are fixed to the wall or floor, leaving sufficient space between them. The invention focuses on the rotating sink system, which, at 1.46 m², occupies 44% less space than the smallest standard bathroom. Furthermore, the shower tray functions as a wastewater collector, serving both the toilet cistern and garden irrigation needs with its simple purification system. It's estimated that approximately 40% of a home's clean water comes from the bathroom (https://WWW.tiski.gov.tr/icerik/detay.aspX? Id=42). Considering that 12 liters of water are consumed per minute during a shower, this amount (20,000 liters) can be calculated to be equivalent to 60 glasses of water. Therefore, recycling this amount of water with each shower is crucial. The invention includes three distinct innovations that contribute to efficiency and the environment without compromising comfort in terms of square meter usage, water consumption, material cost, and quantity. These include a space-saving sink and its accessories, a wastewater recycling shower tray, and a portable, compact bath that incorporates all of these features. Explanation of figures Figure 1: Perspective view of the sink in the right position Figure 2: Top view of the sink on the right Figure 3: Perspective view of the sink in the middle Figure 4: Top view of the sink in the middle Figure 5: Perspective view of the sink in the left position Figure 6: Top view of the sink on the right Figure 7: Perspective view of the sink as a whole Figure 8: Perspective view of the sink's detachable parts Figure 9: Perspective view of the sink's upper and lower box Figure 10: Perspective view of the clampless/clamped installation shaft Figure 11: Perspective view of the sink clamp Figure 12: Top view of the clampless/clamped installation shaft Figure 13: Bottom perspective view of the shaft with its plumbing connections Figure 14: Perspective view of the shower tray/grey water tank with its accessories Figure 15: Top view of the shower tray/grey water tank 16: Perspective view of shower tray/grey water tank static and coating parts Figure 17: View of shower tray/grey water tank cleaning cover in open position Figure 18: Grey water installation diagram Figure 19: Perspective view of compact bathroom from outside Explanation of the references in the figures 1: Sink 1.1: Sink tray 1.2: Upper installation box 1.3: Sink installation intervention cover 1.4: Lower installation box 1.5: Waste water pipe 2: Plumbing shaft 2.1: Sink clamp 3: Shower tray with grey water tank 3.1. Separator 3.2. Step with drawer 4. Wall-hung WC-concealed cistern set. Shelf cabinet 6. Bathroom cabin Description of the invention The placement of the tank units (cm) and the ability to rotate the sink around the vertical axis. The sink (1) is the most important part of the compact bathroom, allowing it to be reduced in size without compromising comfort, and can be considered the heart of the invention. Another focal point is the utilization of greywater with the shower tray cistern. Both the rotating sink (1) with its plumbing shaft and the recyclable shower tray (3) are inventions that can be produced and used independently of the compact bathroom (6). The sink (1) can rotate 180 degrees around a cylinder (2) that serves as a conduit for the plumbing pipes. This allows the sink (1) to be positioned with a simple hand movement, either toward the shower tray (3) when the toilet (4) is in use or toward the toilet (4) when the shower tray (3) is in use. In Figure 1, the shower tray (3) and sink (1) are in use on the right side of the sink (1). In Figure 5, the toilet (4) and sink (1) are in use to the left of the sink (1). To ensure that the clean water and wastewater systems maintain their functions and are not damaged by the rotation of the sink (1), a free movement space is created in the installation shaft (2) to which the upper installation box (1.2) and lower installation box (1.4) are connected, and in the shower tray (3) where the sink wastewater is discharged. Furthermore, flexible spiral pipes are intended for the faucet and sink wastewater pipe. As seen in Figure 2, Figure 4, and Figure 6, the 180-degree rotation of the sink (1) is resolved without causing any problems with the plumbing connections. Water flow between the fixed hot and cold water pipes located within the plumbing shaft (2) and the sink faucet via flexible connections to the sink top box (1.2) continues smoothly, unaffected by the position of the sink (1). Similarly, regardless of the sink (1)'s operating range, the discharge of the fixed-outlet wastewater pipe (1.5), located above the shower tray (3), and whose circular movement is shown with arrows in Figure 15, remains within the boundaries of the semicircular opening opening into the gray water reservoir under the shower tray (Figure 13). The sink (1) is a fixture composed of five separate parts (Figure 8) assembled (Figure 7). (1.1) is the sink's washbasin and sits on the frame of the sink top box (1.2). The sink's upper installation box (1.2) is also where the fresh water pipes and the flexible faucet pipes are located (Figure 9). The faucet valves here can be accessed by opening the sink installation access cover (1.3). The upper section of the sink's upper installation box (1.2) houses the faucet and liquid soap dispenser. Because the faucet is located in the center of the bathroom, it serves both the sink (1) and the shower section (3) with its attached shower head. The lower installation box (1.4) is a 12 cm high box (Figure 9) to which the fixed outlet wastewater pipe (1.5) is connected. The drain strainer, connected to the lower installation box (1.4), is a circular, arc-shaped device. The 50 mm diameter wastewater pipe is fitted into a drilled hole and secured at the appropriate angle. Water flowing from the strainer tank flows into the drain pipe (1.5), which then flows into the shower tray (3). The upper (1.2) and lower installation boxes (1.4) have circular couplings that allow the installation shaft (2) to rotate at its center (Figure 9). These couplings are supported by the sink clamp (2.1) on the installation shaft (2). This allows the sink (1) to maintain its vertical position. Installation shaft (2) is a cylindrical shaft that conceals the clean and waste water connections at the same height as the bathroom. Because the installation is housed within the multifunctional installation shaft (2), which functions as a carrier, concealer, and limiter, the need for the installation to traverse all wall surfaces, as in conventional bathrooms, is eliminated. An opening is left at the rear of the cylinder for access to the installation when necessary (Figure 12). Half of the shaft (2) is positioned around the semicircular opening in the shower tray (3). The installation shaft (2) is welded to all horizontal and vertical surfaces in contact with the shower tray (3). Furthermore, the quarter-circular section of the shaft (2) that extends beyond the shower tray (3) is extended to the floor to provide a static floor support. A space for installation connections and movement is provided on the installation shaft (2) at the level of the upper sink installation box (1.2) and the lower sink installation box (1.4), limited by the sink clamp (2.1) (Figure 10). The sink clamp (2.1) is secured to the installation shaft (2) with its upper and lower rings. There are two removable vertical holders, positioned between the rings, with space to allow rotation of the circular couplings of the upper installation box (1.2) and the lower installation box (1.4), and a vertical stopper at the rear to limit the movement of the sink (1) to 180 degrees (Figure 11). The removable connection allows the upper installation box (1.2) and lower installation box (1.4) to be removed when necessary; the stopper prevents the sink (1) from turning to undesirable angles (backwards). Since the sink upper (1.2) and lower installation boxes (1.4) maintain their vertical position with the clamp, the sink box materials are designed to be lightweight (low density) and resistant to water and impacts, to avoid excessive loads on both the clamp and the chimney. Therefore, the sink boxes are currently made of ABS, a special plastic, and the sink tray is made of transparent, lightweight, and durable polycarbonate. However, new technological materials with equivalent physical properties can also be used. Since wastewater from sink (1) and shower (3) use will be collected in the gray water tank beneath the shower tray, the ideal tank size/volume was calculated. The number of users is the most important variable in calculating the tank volume. The tank height appropriate for the specified volume is limited by the shower tray's seating area, the required height between the shower tray and the ceiling, and the required height. The horizontal dimensions of the shower tray were taken in the commonly used standard (70 cm x 70 cm) to calculate the storage volume and tank height. According to international acceptances, the daily water consumption of a person is 57.6 liters in the shower, 9.2 liters in the sink, and 28.8 liters in the toilet flush (https://WWW.researchgate.net/figure/a-Breakdown-of-Water-use-in-residential-dwellings tbll 269203073). Accordingly, the daily water consumption per person that can be accumulated in the grey water tank is 66.8 liters, and this amount is enough for 2.5 days of toilet cistern usage. Although the tank volume in a compact bathroom is calculated for a maximum of two users, the tank volume and height will be lower in a single-user compact bathroom. The daily storage amount for a bathroom used by two people also shows the amount to be saved; 66.8*2= 133.6 liters. To determine the height corresponding to this figure, the equation (width*length*height=133.6) is 7 dm*7 dm*(h) dm=133.6 lt(dm3), resulting in h=2.7 dm=27 cm. However, this is the required height for net gray water. Taking into account the overflow pipe space and the tank profile height to drain excess water from the tank, the average tank height of 1.5 cm was calculated by adding unusable volume. Considering the 30 cm-high tank and the tray materials above it, a distance of 230 cm remains between the shower and the ceiling at normal floor height. This is quite sufficient to meet a person's shower needs. A step with drawers (3.2) has been installed to facilitate access to the shower tray, which will be located within the upper floor covering (Figure 14). The shower tray/tank (3) is statically reinforced with stainless steel profiles to support the user (Figure 16). The base and side surfaces of the profiles are covered with a slippery, water-resistant material. A panel with striped gaps and a cleaning cover is placed on the profiles to allow shower water to flow freely into the tank at various points (Figure 17). The panel is covered with a non-slip decorative coating material and a strainer that fits the gaps of the panel (Figure 16). The cleaning cover on the tank allows for the removal of dirty particles that may accumulate in the tank from greywater. A transparent separator (3.1) is used to reduce water splashing onto the toilet and floor during shower use. The greywater in the tank (3) can be used both in the toilet cistern and for garden irrigation at the location with the garden connection. The potential negative effects of pumping greywater into the cistern, such as energy costs and noise, have been investigated. The average head between the greywater outlet of the tank and the cistern installation inlet is 50 cm. The quiet, filtered mini submersible pump providing this pressure consumes as little as 4 watts of electricity by today's standards and has a flow rate of 4 liters per minute. The filling time of the cistern will be approximately 45-90 seconds, depending on the reservoir's discharge volume (3-6 liters). Considering that the pump will only operate for the duration of the cistern filling, electricity consumption is not significant. The flow diagram for utilizing greywater is shown in Figure 18. As seen in the diagram, a mini submersible pump (P) with a float switch (F) is positioned inside the tank (3). The float switch protects the submersible pump from running dry. A removable, cleanable fine particle filter is installed at the pump outlet to ensure cleaner water reaches the intended use. After the filter, there's a filling tap (M) for various uses, such as watering indoor plants. A direct fresh water connection is also provided to prevent the toilet cistern (R) from running dry in situations where the tank might be inactive, such as for cleaning, or when the pump is not operating. A check valve (Ç.V) is positioned before the common water inlet of the toilet cistern (R) to prevent clean water from flowing into the gray water tank. Similarly, a check valve (Ç.V) is also placed on the clean water line to prevent gray water from mixing with the clean water line in the event of a high submersible pump head. Because someone who showers daily will accumulate more water in their tank than the cistern needs, the excess water is connected to the tank drain line through the overflow opening. A control valve (V) is located at the beginning of the drain line for draining. A fine particle filter (F) will be placed on the drain line to transport particle-free water for garden irrigation through natural flow. In areas where gardens are not used, the drain line will be connected directly to the wastewater infrastructure line. The compact bathroom (6) includes a sink (1) and faucet, a clamped (2.1) plumbing shaft (2), a metal-footed concealed cistern set (4) to which a stepped (3.2) and step-controlled (3/6 liter) concealed cistern is connected, a shelf cabinet (5) with a sliding mirror door and a shelf for personal care items positioned above the concealed cistern, and a floor drain for collecting ground water (Figure 1). All the above-mentioned fixtures are comfortably placed on a 1.2 m * 1.22 m floor area. Since the compact bathroom (6) will be positioned like a closet and no plumbing will be installed on its walls, thick walls were not deemed necessary. The walls and doors are 2 cm thick water/moisture-resistant composite panel panels. If the compact bathroom (6) is to be positioned independently outdoors, insulated composite walls will be used on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Sliding doors with a 61.5 cm passageway eliminate space loss. A 40 cm high and 120 cm long window is positioned above the doors to take advantage of daylight for energy efficiency (Figure 19). Ventilation of the bathroom (6) will be provided by an aspirator placed on the wall-ceiling or on the installation shaft (2), depending on its location. The bathroom is equipped with an electrical installation including lighting and sockets. Electricity and clean water needs will be met by the infrastructure (grid, generator, solar energy) at its location. The sink (l) can be used independently of wastewater recycling. A grey water tank (3) is not required for the discharge of wastewater from the sink (1). A semicircular discharge tank wide enough to not impede the vertical circular movement of the wastewater pipe (1.5), which the sink (1) returns with, is sufficient. The invention described in the description includes independent parts that can be produced and used independently, and the volume of the grey water tank (3) is flexible according to the number of users. Furthermore, no limitation is intended to be limited to the materials specified. The use of new technological materials possessing the specified physical and chemical properties (lightweight, durability, low-friction surface, etc.) in the production of the equipment is considered within the scope of the invention. Industrial Application of the Invention: The compact bathroom (6), which includes a sink (1) and a plumbing shaft (2) and a shower tray with a gray water tank, which can be manufactured independently, and which offers environmentally friendly features such as solving the problem of comfortable use in small spaces and recycling wastewater, is an invention open to development and can be used in all places where hygiene is required, such as tourism facilities, residences, prefabricated buildings, and camping areas, where space loss is desired to be reduced. Since the sink (1) and the plumbing shaft (2) that provides space savings are included, the rotating sink system can be manufactured separately from the compact bathroom and used independently in the areas mentioned above. Similarly, in line with the importance of energy efficiency and environmental awareness, the shower tray with a gray water tank (3) is a product that can be manufactured independently and used in a limited number of areas. Even without a swivel sink, it's possible to collect the water accumulated in the shower or any other source of gray water in a tank, allowing it to be used for purposes such as watering toilets, flowers, or gardens. Furthermore, the sink system (1,2), shower tray (3), or compact bath (6) is also extremely easy to install in existing buildings. The compact bath, with its wardrobe-like appearance, can even be installed within bedrooms in existing residences. The invention and its individual products can be produced as new and environmentally friendly products by prefabricated building manufacturers, especially those producing sanitary ware and sanitary products, and will shed light on future products. It will enable efficient space utilization in construction, minimize recessed plumbing problems, and reduce costs.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS . The invention is a sink that saves space and its features are; The installation shaft (2) in which the installation pipes are hidden, which allows it to rotate at the desired angle around the vertical axis, the clamp (2.1) that allows it to be fixed in the vertical position in the shaft, the washing chamber made of impact-resistant, smooth and light material, which fits on the frame of the upper installation box (1.2) and contains visual elements. (1.1), upper installation box made of impact-resistant, smooth and light material, on which the common faucet for the sink and shower and the liquid soap dispenser are placed, which contains the clean water pipes coming to the faucet and the valve control, which has circular couplings that enable the shaft to rotate on its axis and whose couplings fit into the clamp. (1.2), a removable intervention cover (1.3) on the upper installation box, made of the same material, through which clean water installations and valves can be intervened, and a removable intervention cover (1.3), mounted on the upper installation box, on the lower part with both the sink (1) and the shower head attached to it. (3) serving battery and liquid soap dispenser, waste water drain pipe (1.5) fixed to the filter outlet of the lower installation box, with a drain strainer on it, to which the fixed outlet waste water pipe (1.5) is connected, with circular couplings that enable the shaft to rotate on its axis, and lower installation box with the same material properties as the upper installation box, with couplings fitting into the clamp (1.4) contains a gray water connection tank that is suitable for the circular rotation of the drain pipe (1.5) and where the water discharged from this pipe will be discharged. . According to claim 1, it is a cylindrical installation shaft (2) that sits on the floor and inside which the installation pipes are hidden; There is a notch on the sink waste pipe in which it can rotate and can receive static support from the side surfaces connected to the reservoir, an opening of sufficient length and width on the back (invisible) part to intervene in the installation pipes it hides, at the levels of the sink upper installation box (1.2) and the sink lower installation box (1.4). In the next part, there is a notch recess that provides the movement space of the plumbing connections limited to the height between the bracelets of the sink clamp (2.1), which is fixed on the shaft with the lower and upper bracelets, by holding the grips of the upper installation box (1.2) and the lower installation box (1.4) between the bracelets, ensuring that the sink remains fixed in a vertical position and the boxes are fixed. It contains a sink clamp with a space to enable the circular clutches to rotate at the desired angle in a horizontal position (without getting stuck), two detachable vertical holders that enable the sink installation boxes to be removed when necessary, and a vertical stopper at the back that limits the movement of the sink (l) for unwanted rotation angles. 3. The invention is a shower tray (3) with gray water tank and its feature is; The gray water volume is determined depending on the number of users and the consumption values of the places of use in international standards, and according to this volume, the appropriate distance is left between the upper surface of the tank and the ceiling of the bathroom, at a determined height, with a skeleton of static stainless steel profiles, the base and side surfaces of the profiles are water-resistant, smooth/slippery. The tank, covered with material, with a discharge port in the upper corner of the side face, a discharge port in the lower corner, a pump-installation connection port between the two mouths, in a size suitable for the horizontal dimension of the tank, with a cover that covers the upper part of the tank by sitting on the profiles, allowing the inside of the tank to be cleaned. A high-strength plate with strip gaps, which has an inlet for the gray water to be transferred from external use points and allows the free passage of water flowing during showers to the tank from different points, a non-slip and decorative coating and strainer that is compatible with the dimensions of the plate on the tank and contains visual elements placed at intervals to preserve the strip gaps, The transparent separator (3.1) placed on the shower tray (3) on the side adjacent to the equipment in question, which allows to reduce water splashing on the floor and nearby equipment during shower use, the tank where the gray water will be evaluated is static, placed in the drawer tank which facilitates the exit to the shower tray and also serves as storage It contains a silent mini submersible pump with a strainer and a floater that provides pressurization of gray water to points of use above the water level (such as a toilet cistern, a tap for watering plants). . The invention is an environmentally friendly compact bathroom with an inner base size of (120 cm*122cm) and its features are; Consisting of a drain pipe (1.5) with a fixed outlet that can be moved at an angle of 180 degrees in a semicircle opening to the gray water tank (3), with a basin size of (40 cm * 44 cm) horizontally, the sink has the content specified in Request 3 and (3), ( A shower tray consisting of 3,1) and (3.2), with a semicircular opening at the top that allows the circular movement of the sink drain pipe inside the shaft, measuring horizontally (70 cm*70 cm) and the same horizontal dimension of 30 cm below the tray. height gray water tank, gray water installation including non-return valves, filters, cut-off valves, intermediate evaluation tap between the submersible pump that allows the evaluation of gray water and the toilet cistern to prevent the mixing of clean and gray water, garden irrigation system if desired (35.5 cm* A wall-hung toilet measuring 56 cm ), floor drain where ground water will be collected, 2 cm. Water/moisture resistant composite panel bathroom cabin with a thickness of at least 61.5 cm. Double sliding door with passage opening, 40 cm high and 120 cm long window positioned on the door that allows daylight to be used in terms of energy efficiency, electrical installation including aspirator, lighting and sockets on the surface suitable for the location, Thermal insulation in outdoor use, Exterior of the ceiling in outdoor use It contains a solar panel on its surface.