NL1026868C2 - Toilet with flushing device in the toilet bowl, as well as device for maintaining a liquid reservoir at a desired pressure. - Google Patents

Abstract

A toilet 1 has a toilet pot 3 provided with a flushing bowl 5, a drainage pipe 7 and a flushing device 9, which is provided with a cistern 11 to which a water pipeline 15 and a flushing pipe 19 are connected. The water pipeline 15 can be closed by a first magnetic valve 21. There are two level switches 23 and 25 in the cistern 11. The top-level switch 25 is connected to the first magnetic valve 21 and closes the water pipeline if the water level in the cistern has reached this level. The flushing pipe 19 is closed by a movable closing device 29, which works together with a pressure chamber 31, which is connected to a chamber 37, consisting of two spaces 39 and 41, which contains a water drainage opening 43 as well as an air opening 47, which is connected to the cistern 11. The first level switch 23 is connected to a second magnetic valve 53, which when powered opens the water drainage opening 43 and closes the air opening 49. An operating switch 55 can open the first magnetic valve 21 and power the second magnetic valve 53.

Description

Toilet with flushing device in the toilet bowl, as well as device for maintaining a liquid reservoir at a desired pressure.

5 DESCRIPTION:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a toilet comprising a toilet bowl, provided with a flushing space and a drain pipe connected to the flushing space, as well as a flushing device.

State of the art.

Such a toilet is known from the American patent US 5,046,201. With this known toilet, the flushing device is built into the toilet bowl. Relatively speaking, the flushing device is quite complex.

Summary of the invention.

20

An object of the invention is to provide a toilet of the type described in the preamble in which the flushing device is simpler than that of the known toilet. To this end, the toilet according to the invention is characterized in that the flushing device comprises the following components: - a reservoir provided with a water supply opening for connection to a water pipe, as well as a water discharge opening which is connected via a flushing housing to the flushing space, a first valve connecting the water supply opening can close or release, a first level switch that is activated if the water level in the reservoir reaches a first level, a second level switch which is coupled to the first valve and which is activated if the water level in the reservoir reaches a second level 1026868 2 which is higher than the first level and which upon activation brings the first valve to a position in which the water supply opening is closed, a closing body which can close and release the flushing housing, a pressure chamber which cooperates with the closing body and which at a first pressure holds the closing body in a closed position and that with a tweed the pressure lower than the first pressure releases the closing body, which pressure chamber is provided with a water supply opening which is connected to the reservoir at a level lower than the second level switch, and a water discharge opening, a chamber provided with a water discharge opening for connection to a sewer , As well as a water supply opening which is connected to the water discharge opening of the pressure chamber, and an air supply and discharge opening which is connected to the space in the reservoir above the second level switch, the upper side of the chamber being present at a higher level than the second level switch and the underside are present at a lower level than the second level switch, a second valve which in a first position closes the water discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge opening, and in a second position releases the water discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge openings, the first level switch being coupled to the tweed the valve and upon activation the second valve brings into the first position, an operating switch which upon activation opens the first valve and brings the second valve into the second position.

The toilet according to the invention has the advantage that there are hardly any moving parts and the chance of a malfunction is therefore minimal. With the exception of the moving parts in the valves and possibly in the level switches, there are no moving parts in the toilet. Since such generally known and long-used valves and level switches have already proved themselves sufficiently in practice, the chance of malfunction is therefore minimal.

An embodiment of the toilet according to the invention is characterized in that the first valve is formed by a first solenoid valve, wherein the second level switch is coupled to the first solenoid valve and outputs a signal for closing the water supply opening when the water level in the reservoir reaches the second level, and wherein the control switch opens the first solenoid valve 1026868 3 upon activation.

A further embodiment of the toilet according to the invention is characterized in that the second valve is formed by a second solenoid valve which, in the non-energized state, closes the water discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge opening 5, and which upon activation releases the water discharge opening and releases the air closes the inlet and outlet opening, the first level switch being connected to the second solenoid valve and releasing the second solenoid valve upon activation, and the operating switch energizing the second solenoid valve upon activation.

By designing the valves as solenoid valves that are electrically energized, the toilet can be completely electronically controlled. The operating switch can for instance be a contactless proximity switch, as a result of which the toilet can be operated hygienically.

A still further embodiment of the toilet according to the invention is characterized in that the chamber comprises a first space which is provided with the water discharge opening, the water supply opening and an air supply and discharge opening, as well as a second space which is present at a higher level than the first space and which is connected to the first space, the top side of the first space being present at substantially the same level as the second level switch. By dividing the chamber into two spaces, it is easier to use existing solenoid valves.

Yet another embodiment of the toilet according to the invention is characterized in that the water supply opening in the pressure chamber is formed by an opening in the closing body on the side of the flushing housing which, when the closing body is in the closing position, is in communication with the reservoir . As a result, no separate opening in the pressure chamber and pipe connected thereto is required, making the construction even simpler.

The invention also relates to a device for maintaining a liquid reservoir at a desired pressure, provided with a liquid supply opening for connection to a liquid supply line, as well as a liquid discharge opening. With regard to the device, the invention is characterized in that the device comprises the following components: a first level switch that outputs a signal if the liquid level in a reservoir reaches a first level, a second level switch that outputs a signal if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches a second level that is higher than the first level, a closing body that can close and release the liquid supply line, - a pressure chamber which cooperates with the closing body and which holds the closing body in a closing position at a first pressure and which at a second position pressure lower than the first pressure releases the closing body, which pressure chamber is provided with a liquid supply opening which, during operation, is connected to the reservoir at a level lower than the second level switch, as well as a liquid discharge opening, a chamber provided with a liquid discharge opening, and a liquid supply opening that is aa enclosed on the fluid discharge opening of the pressure chamber, and an air supply and discharge opening which, during operation, communicates with the space in the reservoir above the second level switch, wherein, during operation, the upper side of the chamber is on a higher level is present than the second level switch and the underside is present at a lower level than the second level switch, at least one valve which in a first position closes the liquid discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge opening, and in a second position the releases fluid discharge port and closes the air supply and discharge port, wherein the first level switch is coupled to the valve and, upon activation, moves the valve to the second position, and wherein the second level switch is also coupled to the valve and, upon activation, the valve to the first brings about.

An embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the valve is formed by a solenoid valve which in the non-energized state closes the liquid discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge opening, and in the energized state releases the liquid discharge opening and supplies the air and closes the discharge opening, the first level switch energizing the solenoid valve upon activation and the second level switch canceling the actuation of the solenoid valve upon activation. A further embodiment of the device according to the invention is characterized in that the chamber comprises a first space which is provided with the liquid discharge opening, the liquid supply opening and an air supply and discharge opening, as well as a second space which is present at a higher level then the first space and which is in communication with the first space, the top side of the first space being present at substantially the same level as the second level switch.

5 Brief description of the drawings.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to an exemplary embodiment of the toilet and the device according to the invention shown in the drawings. Herein: Figure 1 shows a section of an embodiment of the toilet according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows the toilet in top view;

Figure 3 shows the toilet in rear view;

Figure 4 shows a detail of the flushing device of the toilet; and Figure 5 shows an embodiment of the device for maintaining a reservoir at the desired pressure.

Detailed description of the drawings.

Figures 1, 2 and 3 show an embodiment of the toilet according to the invention in cross-section, top view and rear view. The toilet 1 has a toilet bowl 3 provided with a flushing space 5 and a drain pipe 7 connected to the flushing space 7. A flushing device 9 is built into the toilet bowl 3.

Figure 4 shows the flushing device 9 in detail. The flushing device 25 has a reservoir 11 provided with a water supply opening 13 to which a water pipe 15 is connected and a water discharge opening 17 which is connected to the flushing space 5 via a flushing housing 19.

The flushing device 9 further has a first valve which is designed as a first solenoid valve 21 which can close off or release the water pipe 15.

In the reservoir 11 there are two level switches 23 and 25 which are designed as reed contacts which are energized by a magnetic float 27. The level switch 25 at the highest level is coupled to the first solenoid valve 1026868 6 21. If the water level in the reservoir rises up to this level, by supplying water via the water pipe 15, the first solenoid valve 21 is switched off, whereby the water pipe 15 is shut off.

The flushing tube 19 is closed by a movable closing body 29 which cooperates with a pressure chamber 31 which holds the closing body 29 in a closing position at a first pressure and which releases the closing body at a second pressure lower than the first pressure. The pressure chamber 31 is provided with a water supply opening 33 which is connected to the reservoir 11 at a level lower than the second level switch. This water supply opening 33 is formed by an opening in the closing body 29 on the side of the flushing tube 19 which, if the closing body is in the closing position, is in communication with the reservoir 11. The pressure chamber 31 is furthermore provided with a water discharge opening 35.

The flushing device 9 is furthermore provided with a chamber 37 which comprises a first space 39, as well as a second space 41 which is present at a higher level than the first space and which is in communication with the first space. The top of the first space 39 is at the same level as the second level switch 25. This first space 39 is provided with a water discharge opening 43 which is connected to the sewer, as well as a water supply opening 45 which is connected to the water discharge opening 35 of the pressure chamber 31. The first space 39 is furthermore provided with an air inlet and outlet opening 47 which is connected via an air line 49 to an air-filled space 51 in the reservoir 11 above the second level switch 25.

Furthermore, the flushing device 9 has a second valve which is formed by a second solenoid valve 53 which, in the non-energized state, closes off the water discharge opening 43 and releases the air line 49, and which, upon activation, releases the water discharge opening 43 and closes off the air line 49. The first level switch 23 is connected to the second solenoid valve 53 and releases the second solenoid valve upon activation.

For operating the flushing device 9, an operating switch 55 is provided which, upon activation, switches on the first solenoid valve 21, the water pipe 15 being opened, and energizing the second solenoid valve 53.

The operation of the toilet is as follows. The reservoir 11 is filled by means of the solenoid valve 21, as is also used with washing machines, until the magnetic float 27 energizes the second level switch 25 and the solenoid valve 1 026868 7 21 switches off. In addition, water has flowed through the water supply opening 33 into the closing body 29 into the pressure chamber 31 (pressure chamber 31 and reservoir 11 form communicating vessels) and has reached the same level as the water in the reservoir 11.

The air in the space 41 is hereby compressed. The rest of the air present in the space 39 has flowed via the air opening 47 to the reservoir 11. The toilet is now ready for use.

If now the flushing device is actuated by the user of the toilet by means of the operating switch (for example a proximity switch placed on or near the toilet) energizes the second solenoid valve 53, as a result of which the water discharge opening 43 is opened and the air line 49 is also closed. The water in the space 39 is forced through the water discharge opening 43 by the air pressure in the space 41.

As soon as the water has left the space 39, the two spaces 39 and 41 are pressureless and the water which is present in the pressure chamber 31 and which caused the closing body 29 to close off the coil housing 19 can escape via space 39 and water discharge opening 43 with As a result, the closing body 29 is pushed away by the pressure in the reservoir 11, whereby the flushing housing 19 is opened and the toilet is flushed.

When the user of the toilet operates the operating switch 55, the first solenoid valve 21 is also operated, as a result of which an additional amount of water is available for the flush during the flushing period of the toilet.

Due to the disappearing water during the rinsing, the water level in the reservoir 11 drops until control switch 23 is energized by the float 27. This has the consequence that the second solenoid valve 53 is de-energized and the air line opens and the water discharge opening 43 is closed. As a result, the pressure in the pressure chamber 31 behind the closing body 29 becomes equal to the pressure in the reservoir 11.

The first solenoid valve 21 is still energized, so that the reservoir 11 fills again until the magnet float 27 operates the second operating switch 25 and the first solenoid valve 21 closes. The toilet is then ready for use again.

With the toilet according to the embodiment, the pressure in the reservoir 11 is precisely kept on arrow. This is realized by the design of the space 39 with air opening 47 and water discharge opening 43 in combination with the space 41. The starting point 1026868 8 here is the fact that compressed air takes up a smaller volume than pressureless or less compressed air.

As an example we take a desired pressure in the reservoir 11 of 1 bar. We assume that this pressure is present at the moment and the toilet is ready for use.

Space 39 is filled with water and space 41 is filled with compressed air of 1 bar and the air opening 47 is opened and the water discharge opening is closed. The volumes of both spaces 39 and 41 should then be approximately the same size. In the space 41 there is now an amount of air which, in the uncompressed state, would have a volume equal to that of the spaces 39 and 41 together.

When flushing is now started, air line 49 is closed and water discharge opening 43 is opened. The compressed air in the space 41 is just sufficient to force the water in the space 39 through the water discharge opening 43. This space 41 is then pressureless and the air fills the spaces 39 and 41 in an uncompressed state. Therefore, no air needs to be supplied or discharged to keep both spaces filled with air. The water that is pressed from the pressure chamber 31 to space 39 during flushing can escape unhindered through water discharge opening 43 because this opening is spacious enough to allow this water to pass through unhindered and also has sufficient space to allow air into or out of space 39 if necessary. to flow.

If rinsing is now terminated because the water level in the reservoir 11 has fallen to such an extent that the magnetic float 27 actuates the operating switch 23 and thereby de-energizes the magnetic valve 53, the air line 49 is released again and the water discharge opening 43 is closed.

As a result, air escapes from the reservoir 11 and the spaces 39 and 41 fill with compressed air until the pressure therein is equal to the pressure in the reservoir 11. During refilling of the reservoir 11 with new water, flows as as a result of the law of communicating vessels, also water in space 39 until it is full. The air that was in the space 39 is expelled to the space 41 and to the reservoir 11, whereby the same amount of air that escaped from the reservoir 11 to the space 39, at the end of the flushing, is returned to the reservoir 11.

If the desired pressure in the reservoir 11 now decreases for whatever reason, the following happens. Filling the spaces 39 and 41 from the reservoir 11 after flushing requires less air because the pressure in the reservoir 11 is lower and therefore also the air present there is less compressed and has a smaller pressureless volume. Less air is therefore used to empty space 39, which is therefore not entirely successful. However, the remainder has enough time and space to walk out of space 39 by itself, after which this space fills up again with air from water inlet opening 43. However, this amount of air is, depending on the pressure in the reservoir 11, a few cubic centimeters more as the amount lost and thereby causes a pressure increase in the reservoir 11 with each flush, until the desired pressure of 1 bar is restored and the system is back in equilibrium.

When the pressure in the reservoir 11 is increased, the reverse of the above process occurs.

This concept of keeping the reservoir at the desired pressure can, with a small modification of the device 61, as shown in Figure 5, also be used for keeping a different reservoir 63 of pressure. The operation thereof is equal to that of the toilet, all parts that are the same as those of the toilet described above are hereby designated with the same reference numerals.

If the water in the reservoir 63, which is partially filled with air and with water (the ratio depends on the desired pressure) drops, a float magnet 27 will activate a first level switch 23 and energize the solenoid valve 53. As a result, new water is admitted into the reservoir 63 until a second level switch 25 switches the solenoid valve 53 off again upon reaching a certain level (and thus pressure).

The only thing that differs from the flushing device 9 of the toilet 1 is the following. The water necessary to keep the line 19 closed does not enter the pressure chamber 31 via an opening in the closing body 29, but from the reservoir 63 via a line 65 which is present at an opening 33 in the pressure chamber 31.

Although in the foregoing the invention has been elucidated with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that the invention is by no means limited to the embodiments shown in the drawings. The invention also extends to all embodiments deviating from the embodiments shown in the drawings within the scope defined by the claims. The lower, first level switch can thus be omitted, whereby after activation of the operating switch the two solenoid valves are activated after a certain time (this is the rinsing time to be set).

1026868

Claims (8)

A toilet comprising a toilet bowl, provided with a flushing space and a drain pipe connected to the flushing space, as well as a flushing device, characterized in that the flushing device comprises the following components: 5. a reservoir provided with a water supply opening for connection to a water pipe, and a water discharge opening which is connected via a flushing housing to the flushing space, a first valve which can close or release the water supply opening, a first level switch which is activated when the water level in the reservoir reaches a first level, a second level switch which is coupled to the first valve and which is activated if the water level in the reservoir reaches a second level that is higher than the first level, and which upon activation brings the first valve to a position in which the water supply opening is closed, 15. a closing body which can close the flushing housing and releasing, a pressure chamber that cooperates with the sealing member and which, at a first pressure, holds the closing body in a closing position and which releases the closing body at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, which pressure chamber is provided with a water supply opening which is connected to a level lower than the second level switch. the reservoir, as well as a water discharge opening, a chamber provided with a water discharge opening for connection to a sewer, as well as a water supply opening which is connected to the water discharge opening of the pressure chamber, and an air supply and discharge opening which is connected to the space in the reservoir above the second level switch, wherein the top of the chamber is present at a higher level than the second level switch and the bottom is present at a lower level than the second level switch, a second valve which closes the water discharge opening in a first position and supplies the air releases a drain opening, and in a second position releases the water drain opening and the closes air supply and discharge opening, the first level switch being coupled to the second valve and, upon activation, bringing the second valve into the first position, an operating switch which upon activation opens the first valve and brings the second valve 1026868 into the second position. 2. Toilet as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first valve is formed by a first solenoid valve, the second level switch being coupled to the first solenoid valve and outputs a signal for closing the water supply opening when the water level in the reservoir second level, and where the control switch opens the first solenoid valve upon activation. 3. Toilet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the second valve is formed by a second solenoid valve which, in the non-energized state, closes the water discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge opening, and which upon activation activates the water discharge opening and the closes air supply and exhaust opening, the first level switch being connected to the second solenoid valve and releasing the second solenoid valve upon activation, and the operating switch energizing the second solenoid valve upon activation. 4. Toilet as claimed in claim 1,2 or 3, characterized in that the chamber comprises a first space which is provided with the water discharge opening, the water supply opening and an air supply and discharge opening, as well as a second space present at a higher level is then the first space and which is in communication with the first space, the top side of the first space being present at substantially the same level as the second level switch. A toilet according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water supply opening in the pressure chamber is formed by an opening in the closing body on the side of the flushing housing which, when the closing body is in the closing position, communicates with the reservoir . 6. Device for maintaining a liquid reservoir at a desired pressure, provided with a liquid supply opening for connection to a liquid supply line, as well as a liquid discharge opening, characterized in that the device comprises the following components: a first level switch which outputs a signal if it liquid level in a reservoir reaches a first level, 30. a second level switch that outputs a signal if the liquid level in the reservoir reaches a second level that is higher than the first level, a shut-off body capable of closing and releasing the liquid supply line, 1026868 a pressure chamber cooperates with the shut-off body and which, at a first pressure, holds the shut-off body in a shut-off position and which releases the shut-off body at a second pressure lower than the first pressure, which pressure chamber is provided with a liquid supply opening which, during operation, at a level lower than the second 5 level switch i s connected to the reservoir, as well as a liquid discharge opening, a chamber provided with a liquid discharge opening, as well as a liquid supply opening which is connected to the liquid discharge opening of the pressure chamber, and an air supply and discharge opening which, during operation, is connected to the space in the reservoir above the second level switch, wherein, during operation, the top of the chamber is present at a higher level than the second level switch and the bottom is present at a lower level than the second level switch, at least one valve which is in a first position closes the liquid discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge opening, and in a second position releases the liquid discharge opening and closes the air supply and discharge opening, the first level switch being coupled to the valve and bringing the valve to the second position upon activation, and wherein the second level switch is also coupled to the valve and upon activation brings the valve to the first position. Device as claimed in claim 6, characterized in that the valve is formed by a solenoid valve which in the non-energized state closes the liquid discharge opening and releases the air supply and discharge opening, and in the energized state releases the liquid discharge opening and the air supply and discharge opening terminates, the first level switch energizing the solenoid valve upon activation and the second level switch canceling the actuation of the solenoid valve upon activation. Device as claimed in claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the chamber comprises a first space which is provided with the liquid discharge opening, the liquid supply opening and an air supply and discharge opening, as well as a second space which is present at a higher level than the first space and which is connected to the first space, the top side of the first space being present at substantially the same level as the second level switch. 1026868