Water Flow Delivery System

Abstract

A system for supplying water to a user at a wash basin from a main water line, the system including a splitter having a main water intake, a high flow output port and a lower flow output port. The high flow port is coupled to a high flow water line and a high flow outlet while the low flow port is coupled to a low flow water line and a low flow water outlet. First and second electrically controlled valves control the flow of water out of the high flow and low flow ports, respectively. A control unit is coupled to the first and second valves. The control unit is further configured to close both valves and to switch which of the valves is open and which of the valves is closed so that only one valve is open at a time.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to automatically controlled showers and sinks

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

We all use water for many purposes, but many of us do not realize how much water we actually utilize out of the running water from the tap or shower head in the wash basin. If we define the optimum use of water is the full direct contact between the user and the water, then we can really see how much water we do really waste out of the quantity we think that we are using. In order to realize this point more, let us consider that a person is drinking water from a glass or bottle. In this case all the water is 100% in contact with the body (the mouth) and we can say that this person is utilizing 100% of the water he is using (drinking in this case).

Another opposite example is to consider that a person washing his face using a bar of soap. He opens the tap, wets his face, and starts foaming by rubbing the soap bar between his hands first and then applying it onto his face. Then after some time, he goes back to the running water and starts rinsing his face with many handfuls of water before he shuts off the tap. The question is: does this person utilize all the water running out of the tap for which he/she pays money for? Obviously, the answer is no. In fact, a majority of the water running out of the tap is actually not used because it does not contact the user.

Similarly when a person takes a shower and opens the water through any and all existing shower heads, he wets himself first and then steps away from underneath the shower path and starts soaping and/or shampooing. Finally he comes back underneath the shower flow to rinse off his body. The soaping and shampooing time could reach to up to 60% or more of the shower time. In both examples the running water during soaping and shampooing is a waste of both water and energy. One cannot realize how much water he wastes until he watches himself closely when using water as in the above three examples.

A majority of existing taps in public places such as malls and airports can be automatically switched to either open or closed, but those automatic “open/close” taps are not suitable and comfortable in many applications like showers, kitchens and in private home wash rooms. Also shutting of the water is not acceptable in many applications, especially in showers because we still need to use some water while we soap and shampoo. Similarly, in kitchens and other places, where water is still needed during scrubbing and/or soaping, automatic “open/close” taps are not practical in many applications.

We may realize that most of the water is just flown without using it as intended. The water that is being in full contact with the body or any item that is being washed is 100% utilized, but the rest of water that is not in full direct contact with the body or item is a waste of both water and energy. When we talk about water consumption or saving, we talk about energy as well, as energy is always associated with water. Besides the direct energy to heat the water we use, energy is used in many stages of water process before we receive it in that small tab. Energy is used to pump water to treatment facilities, within the treatment facilities, and after treatment where it is used to pump water until it reaches its final outlet location. Also energy is used in the other cycle of water, which is called waste water treatment, as a result of our use. In other words, most people do not realize energy consumption related to used water where more energy is used to treat waste water, and that is why the water provider companies bill us for double of the water meter readings. So if we waste water, we actually waste both energy and water, and when we save it, we do save both of them. An improved device or system for delivering water to a wash basin which maximizes the efficient use of the water would therefore save both energy and water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water flow delivery system for delivering wash water to a person at a wash basin in such a way that only the minimum required amount of water is delivered. The water flow deliver system includes a main water supply line and a branch joint for dividing the main water supply line into a low flow water line and a high flow water line. The high flow water line is coupled to a high flow water outlet and the low flow water line coupled to a low flow water outlet, both at the wash basin. A first electrically operated valve is coupled to the high flow water line between the high flow water outlet and the branch joint, the first electrically operated valve switchable between an off state wherein water is prevented from flowing through the high flow water line and an on state wherein the water is permitted to flow through the high flow water line. A second electrically operated valve is coupled to the low flow water line between the low flow water outlet and the branch joint, the second electrically operated valve switchable between an off state wherein water is prevented from flowing through the low flow water line and an on state wherein the water is permitted to flow through the low flow water line. The system also includes a control unit for selectively activating the first and second electrically operated valves, the control unit configured to switch between a fully off state wherein both the first and second electric control valves are in the off state, a high flow state wherein the first electric valve is in the on state and the second electric valve is in the off state and a low flow state wherein the first electric valve is in the off state and the second electric valve is in the on state.

With the foregoing in view, and other advantages as will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates as this specification proceeds, the invention is herein described by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, which includes a description of the preferred typical embodiment of the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of a splitting device made in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the splitting device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the splitting device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the splitting device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5a is a section view of the splitting device of FIG. 4 taken along line A-A showing the splitting device in its high flow state.

FIG. 5b is a section view of the splitting device of FIG. 4 taken along line A-A showing the splitting device in its low flow state.

FIG. 6a is a detail view of part of FIG. 5a showing the second electrically controlled valve in its closed state.

FIG. 6b is a detail view of part of FIG. 5b showing the second electrically controlled valve in its open state.

FIG. 7a is a sectional view of the splitting device of FIG. 4 taken along line B-B showing the splitting device in its high flow state.

FIG. 7b is a sectional view of the splitting device of FIG. 4 taken along line B-B showing the splitting device in its low flow state.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of splitting device shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the system of the present invention as applied to a shower.

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of the system of the present invention as applied to a sink.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of an alternate embodiment of the system of the present invention.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the core of the present invention consists of a water flow splitter unit 10 which consists of a housing 12 having an intake port 14, a high flow outlet port 16 and a low flow outlet port 18. First electrically controlled valve 20 is positioned adjacent high flow outlet port 16 and controls the flow of water passing through the high flow outlet port. Second electrically controlled valve 22 is positioned adjacent low flow outlet port 18 and controls the flow of water passing through the low flow out let port. High flow outlet port 16 has an internal diameter 24 and low flow outlet port 18 has an internal diameter 26. Internal diameter 24 is made significantly greater than internal diameter 26 to ensure that port 16 has a much greater flow capacity relative to port 18. Preferably, internal diameter 24 is sufficiently greater than internal diameter 26 so that the flow of water through port 18 is much lower percentage (roughly 10% as an example) of the flow of water through port 16, while port 16 is capable of handling 100% of the flow capacity of intake port 14. It should be pointed out that if greater or lesser flow is required from outlet port 18, the dimensions of diameter 26 can be changed; however, the goal is to ensure that the flow out of port 18 is a small fraction of the flow out port 16. Housing 12 could be made of any material suitable for use in municipal water lines such as brass or high grade plastic. Each of ports 14, 16 and 18 are provided with standard plumbing fixtures to make their attachment to standard plumbing lines convenient. While housing 12 is illustrated as cylindrical, housing 12 could be any shape provided that ports 14, 16 and 18 are provided with standard plumbing fixtures. Furthermore, it is not strictly necessary to have port 18 at 90° to port 18 as housing 12 could be formed as a Y joint (or any other suitable configuration).

Referring now to FIGS. 5a through 7b, electrically controlled valves 20 and 22 each control the flow of water through their respective ports. Valve 20 has closure member 28 which can be positioned between a fully opened position as shown in FIGS. 5a and 7a wherein water is free to flow through port 16 and a fully closed position as shown in FIGS. 5b and 7b wherein water cannot flow through port 16. Likewise, valve 22 has closure member 30 which can be positioned between a fully opened position as shown in FIGS. 5b, 6b and 7b wherein water is free to flow through port 18 and a fully closed position as shown in FIGS. 5a, 6a and 7a wherein water cannot flow through port 18. Valves 20 and 22 may consist of selectively adjustable butterfly type valves as illustrated, or they may consist of solenoid type plunger valves. Butterfly type valves (and ball valves) can be set to any flow rate such as 100% (fully open), 75%, 50%, 25% etc. Solenoid valves are much less expensive, are highly reliable and can be switched between two states, namely fully opened and fully closed. Ball type valves may also be used. A variety of electrically operated butterfly and ball valves and a variety of solenoid type valves are easily available in the market.

When first valve is in its open position at the same time that the second valve is in its closed position, then splitter 10 is said to be in its high flow state wherein water will flow entirely through high flow port 16 and not through port 18 (see FIGS. 5a and 7a. When first valve 20 is in its closed state and second valve 22 is in its open state then splitter 10 is in its low flow state wherein water flows entirely through low flow port 18 and not through port 16 (see FIGS. 5b and 7b).

As seen in FIG. 9, splitter 10 is used as part of a system which includes a control unit for controlling the flow of water to a wash basin. Splitter 10 is shown schematically in FIG. 9 as its constituent parts, namely ports 14, 16 and 18 and valves 20 and 22. Intake port 14 is coupled to main water line 32 by means known generally in the art. Valves 20 and 22 are coupled to control unit 42 via cables 48 and 50, respectively. Valves 20 and 22 are normally closed valves and switch into their open state only when activated by control unit 42. Control unit 42 consists of a control board having circuits for automatically activating valves 20 and 22. Preferably control unit 42 consists of a PLC (programmed logic controller) or a controller board including a combination of microcontroller and relays. It is possible to build control unit 42 out of any standard microcontroller—indeed, an Arduino™ or equivalent board in combination with a relay array could be used to construct control unit 42. Control unit 42 is supplied with electrical power via transformer 44 which is plugged into an AC power outlet. High flow water line 34 is coupled to outlet 16 by means known generally in the art. A high flow water outlet 36, such as a standard shower head, is coupled to an end of water line 34 opposite outlet 16. A low flow water outlet 40, such as a small shower sprinkler, is coupled to an end of low flow water line 38 opposite outlet 18. Low flow water outlet 40 is positioned a short distance away from high flow water outlet 36 (say by a foot or two). Proximity sensors 44 and 46 are coupled to control unit 42 by cables 52 and 54, respectively. Proximity sensor 44 is positioned adjacent outlet 36 and is oriented to sense the presence of objects in front of outlet 36 while proximity sensor 46 is positioned adjacent outlet 40 to sense the presence of objects in front of outlet 40. Proximity sensors 44 and 46 may comprise Infra red sensors or ultra sonic sensors. Proximity sensor 44 and control unit 42 are calibrated so that when a person stands in front of sensor 36, the sensor sends a signal to control unit 42 which in turn activates valve 20. Likewise, proximity sensor 46 and control unit 42 are calibrated so that when a person stands in front of sensor 46, the control unit activates valve 22. Hence, a user in a shower can switch control unit 42 from a high flow state to a low flow state by simply moving from a position directly in front of shower head 36 to a position away from shower head 36 and in front of outlet 40. The user can trigger control unit 42 into the high flow state by simply stepping back in front of shower head 36. A button or switch 56 can be coupled to control unit 42 by a cable 58 for switching control unit 42 into a closed state wherein the control unit de-activates (i.e. closes) valves 20 and 22. Control unit 42 is preferably configured such that activating button/switch 56 will place the control unit an active mode (either high flow or low flow) depending on the location of the person in the shower stall.

In this arrangement the main water flow enters the splitting device (10) at port 14. If a person is in a shower and stands underneath the main water flow shower stream, proximity sensor 44 will signal the control unit and activate the system to open the large electric valve 20 to let the normal flow goes through at outlet port 16, while the smaller flow electric valve 22 is closed. Once the person moves away from proximity sensor 44 (away from the normal flow), proximity sensor 46 signals the controller unit to close the normal flow valve 20 and opens the smaller flow valve 22 simultaneously, and the water will go through outlet 40 at 10% flow rate of the normal water flow (or at whatever percentage port 18 is configured to carry). This smaller flow outlet will be located away from the center where the normal flow path is. In this case the person who takes a shower can use this smaller flow at this convenient location to use or wet out while soaping and shampooing, provided that he does not stand in the main flow path. It is possible to obtain substantially the same result with only one proximity sensor; however, greater reliability and control cab be achieved using two proximity sensors. While infrared sensor eye detectors are used to activate the system in showers, a step on mat with proximity detectors can be used to activate the systems for both flows in showers as required by any specific application (as shown in FIG. 11).

Furthermore, by using a PLC (programmable logic controller) or some other sort of microcontroller based control unit, the system can be designed to further do more saving alternatives (programs) as required by each specific application. The following example programs are described: note, these programs are based on the assumption that an average shower time is 15 minutes, of which 10% is for wetout, 60% for soaping and shampooing and 30% is for rinsing. These programs include, but not limited to the following:

Saving Program 1:

A person starts his shower and stands underneath the normal flow path where the normal flow proximity sensor senses. The normal (high) flow valve 20 opens normally at full while the smaller flow (10% of the normal flow) valve (22) is closed. When the person steps away from the normal flow, the normal valve closes and the smaller valve opens in full until the person steps back underneath the normal flow where the rays from the normal flow infrared eye are broken again. Then the normal flow electrical valve opens and the smaller flow electrical valve closes and so on until the person closes the main tap. In this program, we can reduce 90% of the 60% of water being used during shower time. This means that we save 54% of the water and energy used during shower time.

Program 2:

Same as (1) above except to swing the smaller valve shaft between “open” and “close” positions (each one or two seconds for example) to further reduce the small flow by extra 5% of the normal flow, while the user will use it at 10% of the normal flow. In other words, if the smaller flow flows at continuous rate of 10% of the normal flow and we set the controller to open and close the smaller valve shaft (at each one or two seconds for example), then the flow will be in sort of pulses of water flows and the user will not miss the flow, since it will be back each 1 or 2 seconds. By doing this, we will reduce the flow during soaping and shampooing to only 5% of the normal flow, while the user is still getting the water to wet out at rate of 10% of the normal flow. This means we can reduce by an extra 3% the total water and energy consumed, for a total saving of about 57%.

Program 3:

When a person starts his shower and the normal flow valve 20 opens for wet out, we will set the controller is set so that valve 20 opens at 75% instead besides the saving in this program program (2) above. In this program, the will be a savings of 25% of the 10%, so the additional savings by this program is 2.5% and the total savings will be 59.5%.

Program 4:

Same as saving program (3) above, except valve 22 opens at 50% instead of 75% during wet out. In this program, there will be additional saving of 2.5% for a total saving of 62%.

Program 5:

All saving programs from 1 to 4, except that we set the controller so the normal (high) flow valve opens fully during the rinsing stage for certain time (1.5 minutes for example) and then closes to three quarters full until the end of rinsing time. In this program, and addition 5% is added for a total savings of 67%.

Program 6:

All saving programs from 1 to 5 except the normal flow valve shaft opens fully during the rinsing stage for certain time (1.5 minutes for example) then closes to three quarters full for same time (1.5 minutes), and then closes to 50% opening until the end of rinsing stage. In this program we add an additional 7.5% to the total savings, for a total of 74.5%.

Saving program 7:

All saving programs from 1 to 5, except the normal flow valve shaft opens fully during the rinsing stage for certain time (1.5 minutes for example), then closes to three quarters full for same time (1.5 minutes), then closes to 50% opening for 1.5 minutes only, and then the system closes and will not open until the person gets out of the bath and comes back again.

Saving program 8:

It is also possible to configure the controller to record the number of times the system is activated and send this information to any terminal to enable the management to control the water usage properly and efficiently. This program can be used in hotels, lodges, hospitals, rental units, multiple floors house, a single house, and any other application. Also in a hotel or any other application, we may include more than one program to choose from for each user (or client) in the same room. For example, one client will pay only for the basic which is one of the programs mentioned above or alike and only for one time shower during his stay, while other client wants to have two showers during his stay and so on. These choices can be added to each application mentioned above either in the main control room or by individual touch screen with printed boards (as explained below in “other uses”) and can be available in each shower room. This saving option will further increase the total savings of both water and energy for each end user and will allow each hotel for example to compete in their industries and add more savings if they want so. In general we can do any applicable saving program with our system that a certain application requires.

These saving programs are just examples of what this system can do. In reality, we can do any and all saving programs the system can be set at. Also the times mentioned are just examples. For each application, we will design different program(s). Even though the (FIGS. 9 to 12) below show just one single network (shower, or sink), in larger applications with more than one networks (shower, sink, or alike) we will use one main controller and transformer to control all networks such as shower(s), kitchen(s), sink(s) and so on. For example in a hotel we will use only one control unit and one transformer to control all networks unless otherwise required.

Other Uses:

For other uses as in kitchens, sink faucets, and all similar applications, we can set up our system in any way to suit any specific application. Essentially the same system as illustrated in FIG. 9 and discussed above could be set up in a kitchen and bath room sink faucet arrangement as illustrated in FIG. 10 wherein a large (normal) flow outlet faucet 136 coupled to high flow water line 134 is coupled to port 16 of splitter 10 and a low flow outlet (faucet) 140 is coupled to a low flow water line 138 which is in turn coupled to port 18 of the splitter. Proximity sensors 144 and 146 are coupled to control unit 42 by cables 152 and 154, respectively. This arrangement would work as in the previous embodiment to permit the user to activate faucets 136 or 140 simply by positioning his/hands under the respective faucet so as to activate the appropriate proximity sensor. This mechanism can be repeated as many times as may be needed.

As best seen in FIG. 11 it is also possible to use a pressure sensitive mat 80 with embedded pressure switches in place of proximity sensors. The user can simply step on mat 80 to send a signal via cable 85 to control unit 42 which then activates the appropriate valves to cause water to flow to either taps 136 or 140 depending on where the user steps on the matt. As also illustrated in FIG. 12, it is also possible to replace the proximity sensors with a touch screen or control panel 90 having a plurality of buttons or touch keys 94 which are operatively coupled to control unit 42 via cable 92.

The system as illustrated in FIG. 12 can be set up with many saving options for sink applications with each button 94 activating a different preprogrammed sequence (saving programs) in control unit 42. These saving programs will be set up in different choices for the user to choose from. For example, we can use the touch screen to activate any program in our system, so the user can choose the desired flow by touching the labeled button. For example, we divide the touch screen into two vertical sections, one section for smaller flow (from tap 140) and the other one for the normal flow (from tap 136). In each section there could be any number of touch keys and each touch key could be set for certain valve openings. For example, let us assume that the smaller flow in our Splitting Device is designed to transport 20% of the normal flow, we can program the keys to control the following functions from the low flow tap (tap 140):

• • 1—First touch key opens the low flow valve fully to get 20% flow.
  • 2—Second touch key opens the low flow valve at 75% to get 15% of the normal flow.
  • 3—Third touch key opens the smaller flow valve at 50% to get 10% of normal flow.
  • 4—Fourth touch key opens the valve at 50% and swings the shaft between “close position” and “50% open position” each one or two seconds to get pulses of water at 10% of total water flow, but with saving of 95% of total normal flow.
  • 5—Fifth touch key opens the valve at 25% to get 5% flow of water with savings of 95% of the normal flow.
  • 6—Sixth touch key opens the valve at 25% and pulses the valve between “close position” and “25% opening position” for each one or two seconds, so we get pulses of water flow at 5% of normal flow for each one or two seconds at rate of 5%, and we save 97.5% of normal flow.

We can label the six touch keys as per specific application as it will be different from a kitchen sink faucet to bathroom's sink faucet and so on. The same (or similar) set of functions can be applied to the keys/buttons controlling the flow of water from the large flow tap 136. For example:

• • 1—First touch key opens the normal flow valve at full, so we get 100% of normal flow
  • 2—Second touch key opens the normal flow valve at 75% to get 75% of normal flow and save 25% of normal flow.
  • 3—Third touch key pulses the valve in (2) above between “closed position” and “75% open position” each one or two seconds, so we get pulses of flow at 75% of normal flow, and we save 62.5% of the normal flow.
  • 4—Fourth touch key opens the normal flow valve at 50%, so we get 50% flow and save 50% of the normal flow
  • 5—Fifth touch key pulses the valve as in (4) above between “closed position” and “50% opening” position at each one or two seconds, so we get pulses of water flow at 50% of normal flow each one or two seconds and we save 75% of normal flow.
  • 6—Sixth touch key opens the valve at 25% to get steady flow of 25% and save 75%
  • 7—Seventh touch key pulses the valve in (6) above between “closed position” and “25% open” position each one or two seconds, so we get pulses of water flow at 25% of the normal flow and we save 87.5% of normal flow.

We can also label these touch keys (for example) as following:

1-heavy rinsing

2-semi heavy rinsing

3-Economy rinsing

4-Medium rinsing

5-Light medium rinsing

6-Saving rinsing

7-ultra saving rinsing

On the same touch screen we can make another touch key and label it “Pause”

This “Pause” touch key can stop any active flow for a while. So if a user wants to shut off the water for a while, he just pushes this “Pause” touch key once and the system stops until he touches the same “Pause” key again, and the system will continue with the same previous touch key flow.

In this system, the user can go back and forth from one touch key to another by just touching any other touch key, either between same flow keys, or between smaller flow and normal flow keys. However, if the main manual tab is still valid and the user shuts it off the system will close and does not open until the main tap is turned on manually. However, if no manual valve (tap) is in the system, the “Pause” key will be the main turn “ON” and “OF”

These saving programs are just examples and we can program our system as we want and the specific application requires including, but not limited to the time setting, percentage of openings, closing time, and any and all applications and programs that can be set with our system. All these functions and programs that can be set up in our system are part of our patent.

Finally and even though it is not foreseen to be needed, our system can be upgraded to split water into more than two flows if required based on the same principles with additions of openings and electrically controlled valves. Also based on the multi flow functions in each flow, it may be downgraded to only one flow with programmed functions if required by specific application.

A specific embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed; however, several variations of the disclosed embodiment could be envisioned as within the scope of this invention. It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims

Claims

1. A water flow delivery system for delivering wash water to a person at a wash basin, the water flow deliver system comprising:

a. A main water supply line;

b. A branch joint for dividing the main water supply line into a low flow water line and a high flow water line, the high flow water line coupled to a high flow water outlet and the low flow water line coupled to a low flow water outlet;

c. A first electrically operated valve coupled to the high flow water line between the high flow water outlet and the branch joint, the first electrically operated valve switchable between an off state wherein water is prevented from flowing through the high flow water line and an on state wherein the water is permitted to flow through the high flow water line;

d. A second electrically operated valve coupled to the low flow water line between the low flow water outlet and the branch joint, the second electrically operated valve switchable between an off state wherein water is prevented from flowing through the low flow water line and an on state wherein the water is permitted to flow through the low flow water line;

e. A control unit for selectively activating the first and second electrically operated valves, the control unit configured to switch between a fully off state wherein both the first and second electric control valves are in the off state, a high flow state wherein the first electric valve is in the on state and the second electric valve is in the off state and a low flow state wherein the first electric valve is in the off state and the second electric valve is in the on state.

2. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 1 wherein the wash basin comprises a shower stall and the high flow water outlet comprises a shower head, the low flow water outlet being positioned in the shower stall at a distance from the shower head.

3. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 2 further comprising a position sensor coupled to the control unit, the position sensor switching the control unit between its low flow and high flow states by sensing the relative position of the person in the shower stall.

4. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 3 wherein the position sensor comprises first and second proximity sensors, the first proximity sensor oriented towards a first position in the shower stall and the second proximity sensor oriented towards a second position in the shower stall.

5. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a position sensor coupled to the control unit, the position sensor switching the control unit between its low flow and high flow states by sensing the relative position of the person at the wash basin.

6. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 3 wherein the position sensor comprises first and second proximity sensors, the first proximity sensor oriented towards a first position at the wash basin and the second proximity sensor oriented towards a second position at the wash basin.

7. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 1 wherein the high flow water line and the first electrically operated valve have a water flow capacity that is much greater than the low flow water line and second electrically operated valve.

8. A water flow deliver system as defined in claim 1 wherein the control unit is further configured to pulse the second electrically operated valve on and off every few seconds.

9. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second electrically operated valves are configured to be selectively placed between a fully open and a fully closed state and wherein the control unit is further configured to place the first and second valves at a plurality of different flow rates including a 100% flow state, a 75% flow state, a 50% flow state and a zero flow state.

10. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 9 wherein the control unit further comprises a timer circuit for selectively switching the first and second electrically controlled valves between states in a timed sequence.

11. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 1 wherein the branch joint, the first electrically operated valve and the second electrically operated valve are all combined into a single splitter unit, the splitter unit having an intake for attachment to the main water line, a high flow output for attachment to the high flow water line, a low flow output for attachment to the low flow water line, the first and second electrically operated valves positioned at the high flow and low flow outputs, respectively.

12. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 11 wherein the control unit is remote from the splitter unit.

13. A water flow delivery system for delivering wash water from a main water line to a high flow water line and a low flow water line at a wash basin, the water flow deliver system comprising:

a. A splitter unit comprising a housing, an intake for attachment to the main water line, a high flow outlet for attachment to the high flow water line and a low flow outlet for attachment to the low flow water line;

b. The splitter unit further comprising a first electrically operated valve for controlling the flow of water through the high flow outlet, the first electrically operated valve switchable between an off state wherein water is prevented from flowing through the high flow outlet and an on state wherein the water is permitted to flow through the high flow outlet;

c. The splitter unit further comprising a second electrically operated valve for controlling the flow of water through the low flow water outlet, the second electrically operated valve switchable between an off state wherein water is prevented from flowing through the low flow outlet and an on state wherein the water is permitted to flow through the low flow outlet;

d. A control unit for selectively activating the first and second electrically operated valves, the control unit configured to switch between a fully off state wherein both the first and second electric control valves are in the off state, a high flow state wherein the first electric valve is in the on state and the second electric valve is in the off state and a low flow state wherein the first electric valve is in the off state and the second electric valve is in the on state.

14. A water flow deliver system as defined in claim 13 wherein the control unit is further configured to selectively switching the states of the first and second electrically controlled valves in a programmed timed sequence.

15. A water flow deliver system as defined in claim 14 wherein the control unit is further configured to couple to a first proximity sensor positioned adjacent the wash basin, the first proximity sensor configured to send a first signal to the control unit when the position sensor is triggered, the control unit being further configured to start the programmed timed sequence when the first signal is received.

16. A water flow deliver system as defined in claim 14 wherein the control unit is coupled to first and second proximity sensors, the first proximity sensor positioned adjacent a high flow water outlet of the high flow water line at the wash basin, the second proximity sensor positioned adjacent a low flow water outlet of the low flow water line at the wash basin, the first and second proximity sensors configured to send first and second signals to the control unit, the control unit configured to enter the high flow state when the first signal is received, and the control unit being further configured to enter the low flow state when the second signal is received.

17. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a control panel coupled to the control unit, the control panel and control unit being configured such that the operation of the control unit is controlled by the control panel.

18. A water flow delivery system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a pressure sensitive matt operatively coupled to the control unit, the pressure sensitive matt configured to send positional information to the control unit, the control unit configured to control the activation of the first and second electrically operated valves dependant on the positional information received from the pressure sensitive matt.