NL2017516B1

NL2017516B1 - Recirculation shower system

Info

Publication number: NL2017516B1
Application number: NL2017516A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Etiene Van Kralingen Michel; Ho-Wan Lau Eddie; Wilhelmus Bastiaan Van De Mortel Jurgen; Reiling Helmer; Niels Hekel Wouter; De Jong Reitse; Van Duin Eric; Van Hal Roel; Willem Jan Greidanus Coen; Lysia Teijgeler Eefje
Original assignee: Hamwells Holding Bv
Priority date: 2016-09-22
Filing date: 2016-09-22
Publication date: 2018-03-29
Also published as: WO2018056815A1

Abstract

A computer-controlled shower system is described wherein the shower system comprises: a water collection reservoir arranged to collect water dispensed by a shower 5 head; a first pump for circulating water from the water collection reservoir to the shower head via a recirculation line; one or more fresh water taps, preferably one or more cold and hot fresh water taps, for supplying fresh water to the water collection reservoir; a cleaning liquid dispenser for dispensing a cleaning liquid into the water collection reservoir and/or recirculation line; and, a computer system arranged to execute one or more cleaning processes of the shower system by controlling at least the first pump, the one or more fresh water taps and the cleaning dispenser.

Description

Recirculation shower system Field of the invention

The invention relates to recirculation showering, and, in particular, though not exclusively, to a recirculation shower system, a computer-controlled recirculation shower system and a network-controlled shower system comprising a plurality of recirculation shower systems.

Background of the invention

Recirculation showers are mainly used as wellness showers. With a limited amount of water, a much higher water flow rate can be dispensed via the shower head. Usually, the wellness showers also comprise a conventional shower, so a user may first wash himself and then, after the used soapy water has been rinsed away, the user can switch over to the recirculation shower for enjoying the comfort of a wellness shower. An example of such a wellness shower is disclosed in WO 2014/206685. A user may want to mix the recirculated water with fresh water, for example to keep the water at a comfortable temperature. Mixing in fresh water should not result in frothing and inclusion of air in the recycled water. Also, official regulations exist requiring constructional measures to avoid contamination of fresh water supply by used, recycled water.

Additionally, the use of recycled water may increase the risk of contamination and/or clogging of filters that are used in such shower system. Hence, care is required in order to keep the shower system clean and free of contaminants. Especially, in use cases involving a large amount of shower systems (e.g. in a hotel or a hospital), a part of the showers may not be active during a substantial time period so that under certain conditions the risk of legionella contamination may be considerable. Hence, from the above it follows that there is a need in the art for improved recirculation showers.

Summary of the invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recirculation shower system that is capable of cleaning interior parts of the recirculation shower after usages of the recirculation shower. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a recirculation shower system that complies with official regulations for avoiding contamination of water supply lines and recirculation lines of the shower system.

In an aspect, the invention may relate to a recirculation shower system comprising: a water collection reservoir arranged to collect water dispensed by a shower head; a first pump for circulating water from the water collection reservoir to the shower head via a recirculation line; one or more fresh water taps, preferably one or more cold and hot fresh water taps, for supplying fresh water to the water collection reservoir; and, a computer system arranged to execute one or more cleaning processes of the shower system by controlling at least the first pump and the one or more fresh water taps. Hence, the recirculation shower is connected to a computer systems that controls the shower, in particular the recirculation pump and the fresh water tap so that the shower, in particular the supply lines of the fresh water taps and/or the recirculation line can be cleaned with fresh water.

In an embodiment the shower system may further comprise: one or more flow sensors and/or temperature sensors in the recirculation line and/or in the supply lines of the one or more fresh water taps. In an embodiment, the computer system may use sensor information generated by the one or more flow sensors and/or temperature sensors for executing the one or more cleaning processes. Hence, the computer may use the input of sensors. Such sensors may include temperature sensors in the lines, e.g. fresh water lines and/or circulation line, or a temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature. For example, if the temperate of water in the supply lines of the fresh water tap is above a certain temperature, the computer may start a clean process that includes flushing the supply lines in order to avoid legionella contamination.

Other sensors include flow sensors for measuring the flow in the fresh water lines and/or circulation line. For example, the computer may determine that the flow in the recirculation line is decreasing over time. This information may be an indication that the filter in the pump is clogging so that the computer may start a cleaning process by filling the reservoir, the pump and the recirculation line with a cleaning liquid that is suitable for cleaning the filters.

In an embodiment, the shower system may further comprise a cleaning liquid dispenser for dispensing a cleaning liquid into the water collection reservoir and/or recirculation line .

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged to execute one or more cleaning processes of the shower system by controlling at least the first pump, the one or more fresh water taps and the cleaning liquid dispenser.

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged to: dispense a predetermined amount of fresh water and cleaning liquid into the water collection reservoir.

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged instruct the pump to pump water comprising the cleaning liquid into the recirculation line for cleaning the recirculation line.

In an embodiment, the cleaning liquid may be arranged to decalcify the water collection reservoir, pump parts and/or the recirculation line.

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged to: control the temperature of the dispensed amount of fresh water by mixing cold and hot fresh water by controlling the fresh water taps and measuring the temperature using a temperature sensor. Hence, during the cleaning process, water of elevated temperatures may be used in order to accelerate the cleaning process.

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged to: monitor the use of the shower and the temperature of water in the supply lines of the one or more fresh water taps

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged to flush the supply lines with fresh water if the shower has not been used for a predetermined period and the temperature of the water in the supply lines is above a predetermined temperature.

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged to: receive a user signal from a user interface, preferably a graphical user interface, the user signal triggering at least one cleaning process of the one or more cleaning processes.

In an embodiment, the computer system may be further arranged to: receive a server signal from network server, the server signal triggering at least one cleaning process of the one or more cleaning processes.

In an embodiment, the one or more fresh water taps is arranged above a predetermined height above the maximum water level of the water collection reservoir.

In another aspect, the invention may relate to a shower system comprising: a water collection reservoir arranged to collect water dispensed by a shower head; a first pump for circulating water from the water collection reservoir to the shower head via a recirculation line; one or more fresh water taps, preferably one or more cold and hot fresh water taps, for supplying fresh water to the water collection reservoir; and, a cleaning liquid dispenser for dispensing a cleaning liquid into the water collection reservoir and/or recirculation line.

In a further aspect, the invention may relate to a network-controlled shower system comprising: a network server communicatively connected to a plurality of computer-controlled shower systems as described above, wherein the network server may comprise a server application configured to: monitor sensor information and/or usage information of each of the computer-controlled shower systems; and, on the basis of the sensor information and/or usage information instructing one or more computer-controlled shower systems to start one of the one or more cleaning processes.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1 schematically depicts a shower system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2A and 2B show at least part of a shower system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3A and 3B depict flow diagrams of cleaning processes according to various embodiments of the invention;

Fig. 4 depicts a schematic of a plurality of computer controlled shower systems connected to a server according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system that may be used in as described in this disclosure .

Detailed description

Fig. 1 shows a computer-controlled shower system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The shower system may include a recirculation shower 102 and a separate conventional shower 104, both having shower heads 106, 108 arranged above a water collection reservoir 110. The water collection reservoir 110 is provided with an overflow outlet (not shown). A recirculation line 112 fluidly connects the water collection reservoir 110 to the shower head 108 of the recirculation shower. A first pump 114 (a recirculation pump) may be arranged in the recirculation line 112 to circulate water from the water collection reservoir 110 to the shower head 108 of the recirculation shower.

The shower system 100 may comprise a computer controlled hot and cold water mixing tap 126 connected to a supply line 118 for hot tap water and a supply line 120 for cold tap water. Proportional valves 122,124 in the supply lines 118, 120 are configured to regulate the flows in the supply lines to obtain tap water of a desired temperature. To that end, the hot and cold water supply lines may include temperature and flow sensors 119. The cold and hot water taps 126 of the supply lines may have an outlet comprising an airgap of at least a predetermined height, preferably at least 2 cm, above the highest possible water level in the water collection reservoir 110 (e.g. the water level in the water collection reservoir when the drains 116 would be clogged). The airgap prevents possible backflow of contaminated water into the fresh water supply lines.

Although not shown in Fig. 1, the tap may be hidden from view, e.g., by a front panel. The front panel may comprise a user interface 127, e.g. a graphical user interface, for user control of the shower. Processes for controlling the shower system will be described hereunder in more detail.

The conventional shower 104 may be operatively connected to the public water supply network with hot and cold water supply lines 128,130 which are strictly separated from the recirculation flow. A (motorized) thermostat 132 allows a user to maintain the shower water at a desired temperature selected via a user interface at the front panel.

The user interface communicates with a control unit allowing a user to switch between a circulation flow via the recirculation shower 102 and a drained shower flow via the conventional shower 104.

The wellness shower system further comprises a drain 116 comprising a controllable drain valve for selectively closing or opening the drain (not shown). When using the conventional shower 104, the drain valve activated to open the drain 116. The user can wash himself with soap and the spent soapy water is drained via the open drain 116. The water temperature of the conventional shower can be monitored using first temperature sensor 134. Further, the water flow of the conventional shower can be controlled using a first valve 136.

When using the recirculation shower 102 the drain valve is closed mixing tap 126 is open. Water is collected in the water collection reservoir 110 until a level sensor in the water collection reservoir (not shown) detects that the water lever in the water collection reservoir has reached a desired minimum level. At that moment the pump 114 is activated and the circulation flow starts directly. The flow rate through the recirculation line may be controlled by second valve 140, which may be controlled via the user interface so that a user can set a desired flow rate.

The user can select and set the water temperature via the user interface. During circulation flow the recirculated water tends to cool down. To maintain the water temperature at the selected level, the water taps 126 are adapted to mix hot water into the water collected in the water collection reservoir 110, e.g., continuously or intermittently. A temperature sensor and a flow sensor 138 may be provided in the recirculation line 112. The flow rate and/or temperature of the water from the tap 126 may be adjusted in response to signals from the flow rate and/or temperature sensor 138.

During circulation flow, excess water is discharged from the water collection reservoir via the overflow outlet (not shown) with a flow rate approximately corresponding to the flow rate of the tap 126. A replaceable filter 146 in the water collection reservoir and positioned at the inlet of the pump may filter water entering the inlet of the pump 114. A proximity sensor 148 may detect if the filter is correctly installed before the pump inlet. A UV-source 142 is integrated in the circulation line 112 to clean the circulated water from contaminates, e.g. microorganisms.

All the sensors, the valves, the UV source and the user interface of the shower system may be connected to a computer system 150 that is configured to receive sensor signals (temperature, flow rates, pressure, valve settings, etc.), store the sensor signals in a memory 152. The memory may comprise one or more executable computer programs comprising executable program code that can be executed by a processor 153 in the computer system. The computer programs may be configured to control the recirculation process.

For example, in case, a user interacts with the user interface to set the water temperature of the recirculation shower at a predetermined temperature, the processor may receive the user temperature from the user interface 127. Based on these temperature settings, the processor may adjust the flow rate and/or temperature of the water from the tap 126 until the temperature sensor 138 in the recirculation line indicates that the desired temperature has been reached.

The shower system may further comprise a cleaning system that is configured to clean the shower system or parts thereof. The cleaning system may include a container 154 for containing a cleaning liquid. A second pump 156 (a dispensing pump) in a cleaning liquid supply line 158 that is connected to the container may be arranged to controllably dispense predetermined amount of a cleaning liquid into water collection reservoir and/or the recirculation line. The second pump may be connected to the computer system so that it can be controlled during a cleaning process.

In an embodiment, the computer system may execute a cleaning process which may include the steps of: filling the water collection reservoir 110 with water of a predetermined temperature by controlling the water taps 126; dispensing a predetermined amount of a cleaning liquid to the water in the water collection reservoir by controlling the second pump; and, filling the recirculation line 112 with the cleaning liquid containing water by controlling the recirculation pump 114. This way, the recirculation line 112 and the filter 146 can be cleaned by the cleaning action of the cleaning liquid, the temperature and/or by pumping cleaning liquid containing water in and out of the recirculation line.

In another cleaning process, the computer may execute the steps of: filling the water collection reservoir 110 with water of a predetermined temperature by controlling the water taps 126, filling the recirculation line 112 with the cleaning liquid containing water by controlling the recirculation pump 114; releasing the water from the recirculation line and, optionally, repeating the filling and the release of the water into and out of the recirculation line a predetermined number of times. This way, the shower may flush the reservoir, pump and recirculation line with fresh water.

In an embodiment, the cleaning action may be enhanced by increasing the temperature of the water and/or by activating the UV source during the cleaning process.

Various cleaning programs may be executed by the computer system. The computer system may start a cleaning process in response to a signal of a user. For example, when a user is finished, he may turn of the shower by interacting with the user interface. In response to the user signal to stop the shower session, the computer system may start a cleaning program, wherein (parts of) the shower system, such as the recirculation line 112 is flushed with fresh water, water comprising a cleaning liquid or a cleaning liquid.

Alternatively, a clean process may start in response to a sensor signal and/or an externa signal received by the computer system. For example, the computer system may monitor the use of the shower system. In case it signals and/or the shower has not be used for a predetermined time and the temperature of the cold water tap is over a predetermined temperature, the computer system may start flushing the cold water tap with fresh water and, optionally, to flush the recirculation line with a cleaning liquid in order to avoid legionella contamination.

In an embodiment, the computer system 150 may be communicatively connected to the network, e.g. a network server. The computer system of the shower system may transmit sensor information and/or usage information to the server which may monitor and store the sensor and/or usage information. Further, the computer system may be arranged to receive instructions from the server. For example, a server application that is running on the server may instruct the computer system of the shower system to start a cleaning process. The server application may determine to start such cleaning process on the basis of the monitored information.

Fig. 2A and 2B show at least part of a shower system according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, Fig. 2A and 2B illustrate a cross-sectional front-view and cross-sectional side view of at least part of a shower system as for example described with reference to Fig. 1. The recirculation shower comprises a shower head (not shown) and a water collection reservoir 210 arranged to collect water dispensed by the shower head. The water collection reservoir 210 has an upper edge 211 defining a maximum water level. A pump 214 (see Fig. 2B) circulates water from the water collection reservoir to the shower head via a recirculation line 212. To mixing of the recycled water flow with fresh water, the recirculation shower is provided with cold and hot water taps 226i,2, for supplying hot and cold fresh water respectively .

Water flowing from the taps flows via a funnel 213 into a chamber 233 with an open side. The chamber 233 has an outlet opening 235 below the maximum water level of the water collection reservoir 210. The chamber 233 has an inclined bottom 237, inclining downward towards the outlet opening 235 in order to guide the water flow gently into the water collection reservoir 3 without frothing.

The chamber 233 may be part of a removable filter housing 245 comprising a filter 246 crossing a flow between the water collection reservoir 210 and the recirculation pump 214. In the shown embodiment, the filter 246 may form a horizontal bottom side of the filter housing, attached to the rest of the filter housing by means of a magnet (not shown). The filter is spaced from the bottom of the water collection reservoir in order to allow water to flow via the filter to an opening 247 in the backside of the filter housing, which may form the input of the recirculation pump 214.

The filter housing 246 is removable, so it can easily be cleaned. To allow easy removal and replacing the filter housing is provided with a handle 260.

As shown in Fig. 2A and 2B, the shower may further a cleaning system including a container 254 for containing a cleaning liquid 255. A second pump 256 in a cleaning liquid supply line 258i,2 that is connected to the container may be arranged to controllably dispense a cleaning liquid into the lines of the shower system. The cleaning liquid supply line may dispense the cleaning liquid into the funnel 213 together with water from the cold and hot water taps 235i,2 so that the cleaning liquid is well mixed with the water before it is released into the water collection reservoir 210.

Fig. 3A and 3B depict flow diagrams of cleaning processes according to various embodiments of the invention. Fig. 3A depicts a flow diagram wherein in a first step 302 the computer system of the shower system receives a trigger signal for starting a cleaning process. The trigger signal may be a user signal, e.g. a signal associated with the user interacting with a user interface of the shower system. The user interface may be a graphical user interface including a touch screen that is integrated in the housing of the shower and connected to the computer system of the shower system. Alternatively, the user interface may be a graphical user interface on a mobile phone or an electronic tablet that is connected to the computer system of the shower using a known wireless protocol including e.g. Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

If for example, the user interacts with the user interface in order to stop the shower session, the computer system may automatically start a short cleaning cycle.

The cleaning process may start with the computer system dispensing a predetermined amount of fresh water and cleaning liquid into the water collection reservoir while the drain of the water collection reservoir is closed (step 304). The cleaning liquid may e.g. include a cleaning vinegar for cleaning and decalcify lime scale in the water collection reservoir, the pump parts and the recirculation line. The computer system may use the cold and hot fresh water taps and a temperature sensor in order to fill the water collection reservoir with water of a predetermined temperature. For example, in order to accelerate the cleaning action of the cleaning liquid the computer system may fill the water collection reservoir with water of an elevated temperature.

Then, in the second step 304, the computer system may turn on the recirculation pump in order to fil the recirculation line with the cleaning liquid containing water. If the recirculation line is filled with the cleaning liquid, the pump may be turned off for a predetermined time in order to allow the cleaning liquid to clean and/or decalcify parts of the pump, the filter and the recirculation line. Thereafter, the recirculation line may be opened at the bottom side so that the cleaning liquid containing water can flow back into the water collection reservoir (step 306). The process of filling the recirculation line with the cleaning liquid and releasing it back into the water collection reservoir (a cleaning cycle) may be repeated a number of times until the desired cleaning action has been achieved.

The number of cleaning cycles may depend on externa parameters such as the temperature of the surroundings, the hardness of the water and user settings.

In an embodiment, during the flushing of the recirculation with the cleaning liquid containing water, the computer system may turn on the UV source in order to kill and/or pacify micro-organisms that may have entered the water .

Thereafter, the computer system may open the drain of the water collection reservoir in order to release the water with the cleaning liquid (step 308). Thereafter, the computer system may fill the water collection reservoir with fresh water in order to flush the recirculation line with fresh water by filling it with water using the recirculation pump, releasing it back into the water collection reservoir and open the drain of the water collection reservoir in order to remove the water (step 310).

Fig. 3B depicts another a flow diagram wherein in a first step 312 the computer system of the shower system may monitor the use of the shower system (e.g. the usage of the shower in predetermined time periods). The computer system may monitor the use on the basis of sensor information generated by flow and temperature sensors in the lines of the shower system (step 312). Furthermore, the computer system may monitor the temperature of the water in the supply lines of the freshwater taps (step 314).

In case the computer system determines that the shower has not be used for a predetermined time and/or the temperature of the cold water tap is higher than a predetermined temperature, the computer system may start flushing the fresh water supply lines with fresh water by opening the fresh water taps while the drain of the water collection reservoir is open (step 316).

Hence, this way the computer system eliminates or at least substantially reduces the risk that the water becomes contaminated with legionella. In an embodiment, the process described in Fig. 3B may be combined with the process in Fig. 3A.

Fig. 4 depicts a schematic of a plurality of computer controlled shower systems 402i-4 connected to a server system 406 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, a client application 404i-4 in the computer system of each of the shower systems may communicate with server application 408 that runs on the server system in the network 412. In an embodiment, the server application may be part of a hotel management system. The server system is configured to receive, monitor and store information, e.g. sensor information and usage information, from each shower system in a database 410. Based on this information the server application may control individual shower systems, e.g. initiate a cleaning process such as e.g. described with reference to Fig. 3A and 3B. This way, the server applications allows central control and monitoring of a large number of shower systems, e.g. in a hotel or a hospital. It is submitted that part of functionality of the computer system of a shower system as described e.g. with reference to Fig. 1 may implemented in the network, e.g. the functionality may be part of the server application 408.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer system that may be used in as described in this disclosure. Computer system 500 may include at least one processor 502 coupled to memory elements 504 through a system bus 506. As such, the computer system may store program code within memory elements 504. Further, processor 502 may execute the program code accessed from memory elements 504 via system bus 506. The computer system may be implemented as a computer that is suitable for storing and/or executing program code.

It should be appreciated, however, that computer system 500 may be implemented in the form of any system including a processor and memory that is capable of performing the functions described within this specification.

Memory elements 504 may include one or more physical memory devices such as, for example, local memory 508 and one or more bulk storage devices 510. Local memory may refer to random access memory or other non-persistent memory device(s) generally used during actual execution of the program code. A bulk storage device may be implemented as a hard drive or other persistent data storage device.

The computer system 500 may also include one or more cache memories (not shown) that provide temporary storage of at least some program code in order to reduce the number of times program code must be retrieved from bulk storage device 510 during execution.

Input/output (I/O) devices depicted as input device 512 and output device 514 optionally can be coupled to the data processing system. Examples of input device may include, but are not limited to, for example, a keyboard, a pointing device such as a mouse, or the like. Examples of output device may include, but are not limited to, for example, a monitor or display, speakers, or the like. Input device and/or output device may be coupled to computer system either directly or through intervening I/O controllers. A network adapter 516 may also be coupled to computer system to enable it to become coupled to other systems, computer systems, remote network devices, and/or remote storage devices through intervening private or public networks. The network adapter may comprise a data receiver for receiving data that is transmitted by the systems, devices and/or networks to the data and a data transmitter for transmitting data to the systems, devices and/or networks. Modems, cable modems, and Ethernet cards are examples of different types of network adapter that may be used with data processing system 550.

As pictured in Fig. 5, memory elements 504 may store an application 518. It should be appreciated that computer system 500 may further execute an operating system (not shown) that can facilitate execution of the application. Application, being implemented in the form of executable program code, can be executed by data processing system 500, e.g., by processor 502. Responsive to executing application, the computer system may be configured to perform one or more operations to be described herein in further detail.

In one aspect, for example, computer system 500 may represent a client computer system. In that case, application 518 may represent a client application that, when executed, configures data processing system 500 to perform the various functions described herein with reference to a "client" or "a client device". Examples of a client (device) can include, but are not limited to, a personal computer, a portable computer, a mobile phone, or the like.

In another aspect, the computer system may represent a server. For example, data processing system may represent an (HTTP) server in which case application 518, when executed, may configure computer system to perform (HTTP) server operations. In another aspect, data processing system may represent a module, unit or function as referred to in this specification .

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

A recirculation shower system, comprising: a water collection tray for collecting water from a shower head; a first pump for circulating water from the water collector to the shower head via a recirculation line; one or more fresh water taps, preferably one or more cold and hot fresh water taps, for supplying fresh water to the water catcher; and, a computer system for performing one or more cleaning processes of the shower system by controlling at least the first pump and the one or more fresh water taps.

A shower system according to claim 1, wherein the shower system further comprises: one or more flow sensors and / or temperature sensors in the recirculation line and / or in the supply lines of the one or more fresh water taps, the computer system passing through the one or more flow sensors and / or temperature sensors generated sensor information used to perform the one or more cleaning processes.

A shower system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a cleaning fluid dispensing device for supplying a cleaning fluid into the water tray and / or recirculation line; wherein the computer system is further adapted to perform one or more cleaning processes of the shower system by controlling at least the first pump, the one or more fresh water taps, and the cleaning fluid dispenser.

The shower system of claim 3, wherein the computer system is further adapted to: feed a predetermined amount of fresh water and cleaning fluid into the water tray; and pumping the cleaning fluid containing water into the recirculation line to clean the recirculation line.

Shower system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the cleaning fluid is configured to descale the water collector, pump parts and / or the recirculation line.

The shower system of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the computer system is further adapted to: control the temperature of the fresh water supplied by mixing cold and hot fresh water by controlling the fresh water taps and measuring the fresh water taps temperature by using a temperature sensor.

Shower system as claimed in any of the claims 1-6, wherein the computer system is further adapted to: monitor the use of the shower and the water temperature in the supply pipes of the one or more fresh water taps; and, rinsing the supply lines with fresh water if the shower has not been used for a predetermined period and the water temperature in the supply lines is above a predetermined temperature.

A shower system according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein the computer system is further arranged to: receive a user signal from a user interface, preferably a graphical user interface, wherein the user signal activates at least one cleaning process of the one or more cleaning processes.

A shower system according to any of claims 1-8, wherein the computer system is further adapted to: receive a server signal from a network server, the server signal activating at least one cleaning process of the one or more cleaning processes.

The shower system of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the one or more fresh water taps are placed above a predetermined height above the maximum water level of the water catcher.

A network-controlled shower system, comprising: a network server that is communicatively connected to a plurality of recirculation shower systems according to any of claims 1-10, wherein the network server comprises a server application configured to: sensor information and / or usage information of computer-controlled monitor shower systems connected to the network server; and, on the basis of the sensor information and / or usage information, instructing one or more recirculation shower systems to start one or more cleaning processes.