EP0139962B1 - Trigger device for cisterns - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A trigger device for a flushing cistern (1), e.g. of a water closet, comprising a siphon flushing means consisting of an overflow pipe (4) with a bottom valve (15, 16) disposed at its lower end and a siphon bell (7) that overlaps the upper end of the overflow pipe (4) leaving a phasage free for the flushing medium, is connected with the overflow pipe (4) via webs (8) and extends over only part of the length of the overflow pipe, and an activating means for the trigger device which, upon one activation, effects the complete discharge of the flushing medium and, upon another activation, only effects a partial discharge of the flushing medium, characterized in that the siphon bell (7) is supported via spacers (8a) on a float ring (10) disposed in a float bowl (11) that surrounds the overflow pipe (9), is stationary with respect to the movement of the overflow pipe (9) end siphon bell (7) and has outlets (14) in its bottom.

Description

The invention relates to a trigger device for a cistern z. B. a water closet with a siphon, consisting of an overflow pipe with a bottom valve arranged at its lower end and one overlapping the upper end of the upper pipe leaving an opening for the flushing medium, connected to the overflow pipe via webs and only over part of the length of the overflow pipe extending lifter bell, and with an actuating device for the triggering device which, when actuated, causes the full discharge of the flushing medium and when actuated only a partial discharge of the flushing medium.

Such a device is known from DE-B-11 56 714. The actuating device there consists of two optionally actuatable actuators, one of which is connected to a braking device which delays the return of this actuating member, which is only positively coupled to the lifting device during actuation, into the rest position.

The purpose of this arrangement is to cause the entire cistern contents to flow out once and only part of it when the other actuating device is actuated.

It is thus possible to limit the amount of flushing medium used during the flushing process if the entire quantity of flushing medium is not required. This is a more important advantage in water closets, where water can be saved considerably.

The known trigger device requires two actuators and is therefore cumbersome to handle, i. H. a selection of the two actuators must be made.

The object of the invention is to simplify the triggering device and also to design such that a certain minimum amount of flushing medium, which should be approximately half of the cistern content, expires even in the event of a rapid interruption.

This object is achieved in that the lifter bell is connected via spacers to a float ring which is arranged in a float cup which surrounds the overflow pipe and is stationary with respect to the movement of the upper runner pipe and lifter bell and which has outlet holes in its base.

With such an arrangement it is achieved that on the one hand the float valve for refilling the cistern opens and on the other hand the consumption point, for example a toilet, a minimum amount of flushing medium is supplied for the most complete replacement of the sealing water of the odor trap.

The lifter bell preferably has a lateral, open-ended connecting piece that starts from the bell arch and is variable in length.

With this arrangement, it is possible to change the subset of the flushing medium by shortening or lengthening this side nozzle accordingly. This arrangement also greatly reduces the gurgling noise which is present in lifting devices of this type and which is caused by the air inlet at the end of the upper lifting.

However, it is also possible to provide the lifter bell with lateral holes, the arrangement of which can be variable in height, as a result of which the overlap is also ended by air inlet and the gurgling noise is substantially reduced. The freely selectable height of the holes above the lower edge of the lifter bell defines the minimum amount of flushing water for the small flush.

The overflow pipe can have a constriction to accelerate the outflow of the flushing medium. In addition, the overflow pipe can be provided at its lower end with a conically tapering constriction projecting beyond the bottom valve in order to favor the flow profile. It is also possible to provide a funnel-shaped widening at the upper end of the overflow pipe. An expansion in the upper area of the bell can serve to avoid a cross-sectional constriction that occurs when the upper end of the overflow pipe is expanded in a funnel shape.

Another possibility to change the amount of the flushing medium flowing out is to design the spacers between the overflow pipe and the lifting bell to be height-adjustable in their distance from the float.

The actuating device preferably consists of a rocker arm which is pivotally mounted on the cistern and is connected to the lifting bell via a lever arm.

The drain device can also be actuated by means of a simple pull button or a hydraulically or magnetically influenced device or by means of another device.

Float rings, which are arranged in a float cup, per se belong to the prior art, as can be seen, for example, from DE-A-25 20 760. There, however, the problem of partially or completely emptying the cistern is solved in that two float arrangements are provided.

Rocker arms for actuating the water drain valve in cisterns are also part of the prior art, as is evident, for example, from DE-U-82 23 943. There, however, the problem of completely or partially emptying the cistern is solved in that the outflow of the flushing medium through the second actuation directly by closing any Drainage possibility is interrupted.

In some areas of application, e.g. B. Clinics, public toilet facilities, etc., hygienic concerns must have absolute priority over the possibility of saving water. It is therefore proposed to design the axis of the rocker arm so that it can be easily moved into the provided recesses outside the operating field of the button, so that an interruption of the flushing process is no longer possible and can only be flushed with the full amount of water.

The arrangement of outlet openings in a float cup is also state of the art according to DE-C-639 760. The aim is to ensure that the overflow pipe with the bottom valve can only close when the total amount of flushing water from the cistern has run out, possibly to a certain desired amount of residual water.

This amount of residual water can be influenced by a variable opening cross section of the outlet openings, so that it is possible, depending on the magnitude of the amount of water remaining in the box after the flushing process, to reduce or increase the amount of flushing water.

The principle of the invention also works when the siphon bell is omitted and instead the overflow pipe is extended and bent downward in a U-shape, the end of this bent part being where the lower end of the siphon bell would otherwise be. In a further embodiment of the invention, this U-shaped overflow pipe can have a constriction in the ascending part. The rising part can also have a curvature against the axis of the valve, so that the bent part of the overflow pipe is symmetrical with respect to this axis.

Also in this design of the lifting system, a length, which can be changed in length if necessary, can be used, the end of which, turned away from the open end, opens out of the latter in the vicinity of the apex of the U-shaped bent overflow pipe.

• Fig. 1 eine teilweise im Schnitt gezeichnete Vorderansicht eines Spülkastens;
• Fig. 2 einen Schnitt längs der Linie 11-11 der Fig. 1, wobei mit I-I die Schnittebene der Fig. 1 angegeben ist;
• Fig. 3 eine Einzeldarstellung der Anordnung aus Überlaufrohr und Heberglocke gemäß einer bevorzugten Ausführungsform;
• Fig. 4 eine abgeänderte Ausführungsform des Hebersystems; und in
• Fig. 5 eine weitere abgeänderte Ausführungsform des Hebersystems;
• Fig. 6 eine Ausführungsform des Schwimmerbechers mit variablem Wasseraustrittsquerschnitt.

The drawing shows in

• Figure 1 is a partially sectioned front view of a cistern.
• FIG. 2 shows a section along the line 11-11 of FIG. 1, II being the section plane of FIG. 1;
• 3 shows an individual illustration of the arrangement of overflow pipe and siphon bell according to a preferred embodiment;
• 4 shows a modified embodiment of the lifting system; and in
• 5 shows a further modified embodiment of the lifting system;
• Fig. 6 shows an embodiment of the float cup with variable water outlet cross section.

In the drawing, 1 denotes the cistern, which is closed by a cistern cover 2. The trigger button 3 is arranged in the cistern cover 2. It can be actuated in two positions, namely "actuation" and "stop", as indicated in FIG. 1.

An axis arranged in the fulcrum 3a enables a rocker-like actuation of the trigger button 3. This rocker-like actuation is excluded by simply moving this axis into further holes 3b. This means that the trigger button can only be used to trigger the rinsing process, but no longer to interrupt it.

This trigger button 3 is connected to a lever arm 5, the end of which is hooked into a bracket 6, which rises on the bell bottom 4 of a lifting bell 7. The lifter bell 7 is connected to the overflow pipe 9 via spacers 8, wherein the spacers can optionally also be height-adjustable, as indicated at 8a on the left-hand side of FIG. 2. However, you can also go completely from bottom to top within the lifting bell 7.

The spacers 8 and 8a sit on a float ring 10, which is housed in a float cup 11 and can slide on the cylindrical inner wall 12 thereof. The outer wall of the float cup merges into the base part 13, in which outlet openings 14 are provided. In addition or as an alternative to these simple outlet openings 14, an opening 14a with an adjustable cross section can also be present in the base part 13 or on the circumference of the float cup 11, as shown in FIG. 6. At the lower end of the overflow pipe 9 is the bottom valve, the valve plate 15 of which can rest on the valve seat 16 in the cistern 1.

Instead of a lever arm, a button 3 'can also be engaged on the bracket 6, which is pulled up to trigger the washing process, as a result of which the entire amount of washing water flows off. If the button 3 'is pressed down again immediately after lifting, then the lifting system comes into effect and only the intended part of the rinse water flows off.

3 shows a modified embodiment. The lifter bell 7 has a lateral, open at the bottom nozzle 17, the free end of 18 shortened in any way z. B. can be cut off in order to be able to set the desired partial discharge amount of the flushing medium. If necessary, this shortening option can also consist in that a partial connector is inserted into the connector 17 and is fixed there, for example by means of a thread, so that it is possible to screw this partial connector more or less far into the interior of the connector 17.

Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 3 that holes 17a can be arranged laterally on the circumference of the lifting bell 7, which enable premature ventilation of the lifting bell. These Holes 17a can be effective either in connection with the connector 17 or alternatively, with the latter option the connector 17 can be omitted. It is also possible to only draw these holes 17a and to drill them only when necessary to reduce the volume of the small flush.

3 also shows a constriction 19, a funnel-shaped enlargement 20 at the upper end and a funnel-shaped narrowing 21 at the lower end, as a result of which the flow through this overflow pipe 9 can be favorably influenced.

In the fig. 4 and 5 show two embodiments in which no siphon bell is used. Instead, the overflow pipe 9 is bent in a U-shape, the bent part 23 ending where, in the embodiment according to FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower edge of the lifting bell is located. The mode of operation is the same as in the embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 3.

4, a bend 26 is provided, which makes the formation of the overflow pipe 9 in the U-shaped part substantially symmetrical to the axis X-X of the outlet valve, consisting of the valve plate 15 and the valve seat 16.

Such a curvature is not provided in the embodiment according to FIG. 5. Here there is a constriction 25 similar to the constriction 19 according to FIG. 3 with the same effect.

In both embodiments, a nozzle 28 opens out at the apex 27 of the U-shaped tube part, the end 29 of which can be shortened or lengthened if necessary. The connecting piece 28 corresponds to the connecting piece 17 with the end 18 according to FIG. 3.

The arrangement works as follows.

The contents of the cistern 1 can be brought to a complete stop by pressing the trigger button 3 in the “actuation” direction. If after pressing the trigger button 3 on the part of the trigger button 3 labeled "Stop", the rinsing process is interrupted, but only to the extent specified by the setting of the lifting bell 7. In any case, it is ensured that a certain minimum flushing medium quantity, which should be approximately half of the cistern contents, is ensured even in the event of a rapid interruption by pressing the trigger button 3 in the “stop” direction.

If the axis 3a is displaced into the bore 3b, there is no possibility of interrupting the flushing process, so that flushing can then only be carried out with the full flushing quantity.

In the illustrated construction, the overflow pipe 9 with the lifting bell 7 is raised by pressing the trigger button 3, as a result of which the valve plate 15 also lifts off the valve seat 16. This allows the cistern contents to flow through the nozzle at the lower end of the cistern 1 into the line leading to the toilet. If the trigger button 3 is pressed on the "stop" side, then the overflow pipe lowers with the lifting bell 7 and the valve plate 15 sits on the valve seat 16, so that the water flow in this direction is interrupted. At this drain, a suction is created in the overflow pipe 9, which sucks the water from the cistern through the siphon bell 7 into the overflow pipe 9, so that this water can also flow through the lower end of the overflow pipe 9 into the toilet bowl. However, since the water inside the siphon bell 7 flows upwards to the upper end of the overflow pipe 9, the water outlet is continued, but only until the water level in the cistern reaches the lower edge of the siphon bell 7 or the lower edge of the side connector 17 at 18. So that air is sucked into the lifter bell 7 and there remains a residual amount in the cistern, which is determined by the height of the lower edge of the lifter bell 7 or by the end of the side nozzle 17.

If the flushing process, once initiated, is not interrupted by actuating the release button 3 by pressing in the "Stop" direction, the entire content flows out through the bottom valve. Here, the overflow pipe 9 with the lifting bell 7 is held above the spacers 8 by the float ring 19 until the water from the float cup 11 has run through the holes 14. Then the float ring 10 lowers and the bottom valve can close. However, this only happens when the entire contents of the cistern have run out.

The water drain from the float cup 11 can be accelerated by opening the regulating device 14 a further. As a result, the bottom valve 15 lowers even before the total cistern content has expired, and a residual water quantity that can be adjusted with the regulating device 14 a remains in the cistern, by which the total flush water quantity of the cistern is reduced.

Claims (15)

1. A trigger device for a flushing cistern (1), e.g. of a water closet, comprising a siphon flushing means consisting of an overflow pipe (4) with a bottom valve (15, 16) disposed at its lower end and a siphon bell (7) that overlaps the upper end of the overflow pipe (4) leaving a phasage free for the flushing medium, is connected with the overflow pipe (4) via webs (8) and extends over only part of the length of the overflow pipe, and an activating means for the trigger device which, upon one activation, effects the complete discharge of the flushing medium and, upon another activation, only effects a partial discharge of the flushing medium, characterized in that the siphon bell (7) is supported via spacers (8a) on a float ring (10) disposed in a float bowl (11) that surrounds the overflow pipe (9), is stationary with respect to the movement of the overflow pipe (9) end siphon bell (7) and has outlets (14) in its bottom.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the siphon bell (7) has a lateral connection piece (17) of variable length that issues from the bell bottom (4) and has an open mouth.

3. A device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the siphon bell (7) has openings on its lateral periphery.

4. A device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the overflow pipe (9) has a constricted portion (19).

5. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the overflow pipe (9) is provided at its lower end with a tapering narrowed portion (21) protruding beyond the bottom valve (15).

8. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the overflow pipe (9) has at its upper end a funnel-shaped flare (20).

7. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the spacers (8a) are vertically adjustable.

8. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the activating means consists of a release button (3) in the form of a tipping lever pivoted to the flushing cistern (1) and communicating via a lever arm (5) with the siphon bell (7).

9. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the axis of tilt of the release button (3) is optionally displaceable in the direction of the discharge valve.

10. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that the siphon bell (7) has a widened portion (22) in the area of transition to the bell bottom (4).

11. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that, omitting the siphon bell, the overflow pipe (9) is extended and bent downwardly in a U shape, the bent part (23) ending somewhat above the upper rim of the float bowl (11).

12. A device according to claim 11, characterized in that the U-shaped overflow pipe (9) has a constricted portion (25) in the ascending part.

13. A device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the ascending part of the overflow pipe has a bent off portion (28) toward the axis of the valve (15, 16).

14. A device according to one or more of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a lateral connection piece (28) that is open at the bottom (at 29) and optionally of variable length is attached in the vicinity of the apex (27) of the U-shaped overflow pipe (9).

15. A device according to one or more of the above claims, characterized in that an opening (14a) of adjustable cross-section is provided on the side or on the bottom of the float bowl (11).

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