EP4153819A1

EP4153819A1 - Water closet

Info

Publication number: EP4153819A1
Application number: EP21809193.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bo Mattsson
Original assignee: Impulser AB
Current assignee: Impulser AB
Priority date: 2020-05-22
Filing date: 2021-05-06
Publication date: 2023-03-29
Also published as: SE2000095A1; WO2021235992A1; SE543659C2

Abstract

A water closet arranged to save water comprises two traps (1,2) with a chamber (4) between them, arranged at decreasing height from the water closet. The chamber (4) is preferably twice as large as the first trap (1) and the second trap (2) is larger than the first trap. The water closet also comprises vacuum means (5) arranged to create on flushing a momentary underpressure in the chamber, which is strong enough that the contents of both traps are moved to the chamber. When the pressure is restored the content in the chamber is moved through the second trap to a sewer network. The vacuum means can comprise a compressed vacuum bellows (5) which when expanding generates an underpressure and which is compressed by an expanding water bellows (28) arranged to expand when it is filled with water and compressed by compression means when it is emptied.

Description

Water closet

Technical Field

[001] The present invention relates to a water closet, in particular a water closet that requires a small amount of water for flushing.

Background

[002] Currently, a number of well-functioning conventional water closets are available in the marketplace. In recent years, product development in this field has focused on reducing the amount of water required for flushing, for reasons of environment protection and sustainability.

[003] The main developments that have taken place within this field involve generally reducing the amount of water for each flushing and, for example, offering a choice of how much water to use when flushing. The latter is suitable because most flushings mainly involve fluids. Because of this, there are examples in the marketplace offering a choice of 2 or 4 litres for flushing in an otherwise conventional water closet. There is a risk in such cases that flushing may have to be repeated several times for an acceptable result.

[004] Vacuum toilets are also available, which require an extremely small amount of water. Vacuum toilet systems have in common that a vacuum is applied to the outlet, which is directly connected to the trap that holds the matter to be discarded, whereby the content is sucked directly from the trap to a tank or other device. This often requires the use of electrical components, and involves additional costs for forwarding the content to the desired destination.

[005] The purpose of the following invention is to provide a water closet intended for simple connection to a conventional sewage system without electric components Summary of the invention

[006] The invention relates to a water closet which in its outlet has a first and a second trap, in fluid connection with each other through a space and a chamber, which together have a larger volume than the first trap, the second trap being positioned lower than the chamber when the water closet is in use, the volume of the second trap being equal to or larger than the volume of the first trap, the water closet comprising a water tank arranged to supply water to the first trap when a flushing is activated and activation means for activating the flushing. The water closet further comprises vacuum means arranged to create an underpressure in the chamber when the flushing is activated causing the contents of the traps to be moved to the chamber and thereafter to restore the pressure so that the content of the chamber is moved to the second trap and from there out from the water closet. A portion of the outlet volume will remain in the second trap as is common.

[007] Because the traps and the chamber are arranged at sequentially lower heights, the chamber being arranged lower than the first trap and the second trap being arranged lower than the chamber, together with the underpressure generated in the chamber being strong enough to move the contents of both traps to the chamber, an efficient flushing is achieved with a very small amount of water.

[008] According to the invention, therefore, the object is achieved by means of a vacuum impulse caused by the pressure in the water supply pipe. The amount of water needed for a fully satisfactory result with only one flushing is reduced compared to conventional water closets. Tests have shown that approximately 1.8 litre of water may be sufficient for all flushing, thus substantially reducing the need for high-quality water to toilets.

[009] The construction of this water and vacuum toilet according to preferred embodiments involves the conversion of the energy in the pressure and water flow of the water supply to a movement of a vacuum bellows, by means of a water bellows and its movement in mechanical cooperation with the vacuum bellows and an accumulated expansion means. Said movement of the vacuum bellows causes the required underpressure. The mechanical effect by the water bellows on the vacuum bellows can be applied with or without a geared ratio.

[010] Hence, according to preferred embodiments, the invention relates to a water closet having in its outlet a first and a second trap in fluid connection through a chamber to which a vacuum means is connected, the vacuum means comprising a vacuum bellows which obtains the required force and movement for this in contact with an expanding water bellows connected to the water supply through a valve. The water volume used for transmitting the power and movement to the vacuum bellows is thereafter transported to the water tank to be used in flushing in the conventional way, in which water is transported to the first trap.

[Oil] According to preferred embodiments, therefore, the vacuum means comprise a vacuum bellows connected to the chamber via a pipe, holding means arranged to hold the vacuum bellows in the compressed state when no force is acting upon the vacuum bellows and expansion means arranged, when the flushing is activated, to cause the vacuum bellows to expand, thereby causing the underpressure in the chamber.

[012] Further, the water closet preferably comprises a water bellows in fluid connection with a water supply through a pressure valve and arranged to be expanded by water from the water supply and to let out water through a valve, whereby the water closet further comprises compression means for compressing the water bellows when letting out water through the valve. A fluid connection is preferably arranged from the water bellows to the water tank through the valve such that the water tank can be refilled with water that has been used to expand the water bellows. In preferred embodiments, the same water that is used to expand the water bellows and thereby compresses the vacuum bellows, as flushing water from the water tank.

[013] According to a preferred embodiment, the water bellows and the vacuum bellows are arranged coaxially in such a way that a volume change in the water bellows can affect the compression of the vacuum bellows. This enables a simple construction of the water closet. Alternatively, the water bellows and the vacuum bellows are arranged with a geared ratio to each other, where they are affected by lever arm portions which are connected to each other to simultaneously counteract each other through a breakpoint item. This embodiment provides a construction that is easily adjustable.

[014] Preferably, the activation means is arranged together with transmission means to activate flushing and at the same time release the vacuum bellows which is thereby allowed to expand.

Brief description of drawings

[015] The invention will be described in more detail in the following, by way of examples and with reference to the appended drawings.

Figures 1 and 3 illustrate a first embodiment in two different positions and Figures 2 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment in two different positions.

Detailed description of embodiments

[016] The disclosed embodiments have in common that the water closet has a first and a second trap 1 and 2, in fluid connection with each other, the first trap 1 being positioned in the toilet in a conventional way and the second trap 2 being positioned in connection with an outlet conduit 3. The second trap 2 can alternatively be comprised of another type of device suitable for short-term sealing of the outlet flow, which is required to generate a vacuum. A space 7 leads water from the first trap 1 to a chamber 4 arranged between the traps 1 and 2. The space 7 and the chamber 4 together form a unit that is air-tight between the traps 1, 2 when the toilet is in use and the traps are filled. The chamber 4 is centrally located between the two traps 1,2 and its volume is greater than that of the first trap 1, preferably at least twice as large. The chamber is connected to a vacuum generating device 5 arranged to convey a short term underpressure to the chamber 4 and the space 7 through a pipe 6 and a centrally located connection 8. In preferred embodiments the combined volume of the chamber 4 and the space 7 is twice the volume of the first trap 1. [017] The chamber 4 is located lower than the first trap 1, and the second trap 2 is located lower than the chamber, when the toilet is mounted for use.

[018] The second trap 2 should have the same or a greater volume than the first trap 1 to function satisfactorily. The water closet also includes a pressureless water tank 10 storing water to be used for flushing, in the way that is common for water closets. The water closet is arranged when flushing to create a strong enough underpressure in the chamber 4 for the contents of the traps 1, 2 to be simultaneously sucked into the chamber 4. When the underpressure stops, the content of the chamber will be transported out through the second trap 2, typically to an outlet conduit in the conventional way. Figures 1 - 4 illustrate two preferred embodiments for achieving this.

[019] In the embodiments shown in the drawings the arrangement for generating the underpressure includes a vacuum bellows 5 connected to the chamber 4 through a pipe 6 by a connector 8, for creating a vacuum in the chamber 4 when flushing occurs. Because of this vacuum the contents of both traps 1, 2 are sucked into the chamber 4 and transported away through the second trap 2. The water closet also includes a water bellows 28, connected to an input water pipe 12 to receive water and lead it to the water tank so that it can be used for flushing. The water bellows is arranged to be compressed when it is emptied of water and expand when it is filled with water and to influence the volume of the vacuum bellows 5 in such a way that an expansion of the water bellows 28 causes a compression of the vacuum bellows.

[020] Between flushings, the vacuum bellows 5 is compressed by means of a latch 14 mounted around a pivot 15. The latch 14 is kept in place by a first springy element 16. A second springy element 19 works to expand the vacuum bellows 5. A support structure 20 is arranged to hold several of the components.

[021] A handle 9 is arranged to activate a flushing sequence by a user pulling the handle, which then, through a transmission element 29 activates a flushing from the water tank 10 in the conventional way. At the same time, a water valve 11 is opened to pressurized water from the water supply pipe 12 to a start cylinder 13 including a rod 30. The rod 30 of the start cylinder 13 frees the latch 14, causing the vacuum bellows to expand, under the influence of the second springy element 19.

[022] When the latch 14 is released, the movement of the vacuum bellows caused by the mechanical force from the spring 19 translates to underpressure and air flow, whereby the capacity to momentarily displace the contents of trap 1 and trap 2 to the chamber 4 is obtained. The force of the loaded spring 19 acting on the vacuum bellows 5, which is released when the latch is released, in some embodiments amounts to approximately 600 N, working against the cross-sectional area of the vacuum bellows 5, which in some embodiments is approximately 600 cm². The start cylinder 13 at its input has an adjustable flow limiter 27 for optimizing the timing of the release of the latch 14 to release the momentaneous movement of the vacuum bellows relative to the time the water arrives in the first trap 1.

[023] Water valves 11, 22, 23 and 24 are arranged together in a unit with two regulators 25, 26 which are affected respectively by the latch 14 and a part 36 (Fig. 1) of a carrier 21 and by a lever part 17, and the latch 14 (Fig. 2) which upon their movement open and close said valves, except valve 11 which is opened manually but closed by regulator 25.

[024] Before the flushing sequence starts, the pressurized water valves 11 and 22 are closed, the opening valve 23 to the water bellows 28 is open and the water from it has moved through a pipe 38 down to the water tank 10, aided by the force from a biased spring 34 acting upon the water bellows, whereby the movement has stopped at a seal 35 contacting the support structure 20. Further, the opening valve 24 from the start cylinder 13 is closed. The water pipe 38 is provided with a separate valve 37 for the purpose of eliminating a siphoning function.

[025] When the flushing sequence starts, the opening valve 23 from the pressurized water bellows 28 is closed and the water valve 11 is closed, while the valve 24 and the pressurized water valve are opened, whereby the water bellows 28 is filled and the position of the carriers 21 is changed and the drum 33 that is provided with bearings rolls to the closed position of the latch 14, which is activated and fixed by the spring 16, which is not counteracted by the rod 30 of the cylinder 13 since the valve 24 is open at this point and the small amount of water can run to the water tank 10. When the latch has been fixed, the valves’ positions return to the situation before the flushing sequence was started and a new flushing can be initiated when the water from the water bellows 28 has run down to the water tank 10.

[026] In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the vacuum bellows 5 and the water bellows 28 are arranged in such a way that the water bellows 28 as it expands can apply pressure axially on the carrier 21 towards the vacuum bellows 5, which is thereby compressed and kept in the compressed position by means of an arm 17 arranged on the carrier 21 and a drum 33 with bearings.

[027] The accumulated energy that is generated for the required compression of the vacuum bellows 5 and its pressure spring 19 is achieved by the water bellows 28, which is provided with pressurized water through the pressurized water valve 22 and whose rod 39 directly influences the vacuum bellows 5. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 4, this effect is achieved by means of a lever arm portion 17 and a rod 18.

[028] Figure 3 shows the situation in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, just after the start of the flushing sequence, when the mechanically accumulated vacuum bellows movement has occurred and the water tank 10 has been emptied and the vacuum bellows 5, which has been maximally expanded by the springs 19, will be compressed from this position when water starts to fill up the water bellows 28 and the rod 39 is pressing axially against the vacuum bellows 5 via the carrier 21 until the latch 14, aided by the spring 16, can return to a position where it blocks the position of the carrier 21 via the arm 17 and the drum 33 and also affects the regulator 26 so that the pressurized water valve 22 is closed and the valve 23 is opened for the flow from the water bellows 5 to the water tank 10. The chamber 4, through the expansion of the vacuum bellows, and the resulting short-term vacuum impulse, has had an inflow of the content of the traps 1 and 2, which have been emptied. The combined sewage volume will then flow through the second trap 2. [029] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the vacuum bellows 5 and the water bellows 28 are functionally connected to each other by means of a lever with an upper lever arm portion 31 and a lower lever arm portion 17, which hold the vacuum bellows 5 in its compressed position. The force working against the compression of the vacuum bellows in this embodiment is applied by one or more springs 19, which are mounted between the support structure 20 of the arrangement and a carrier 21, which is fixated to the rod 18. The accumulated energy that is generated for the required compression of the vacuum bellows 5 and its pressure spring 19 is achieved by the water bellows 28 which is supplied with pressurized water through the pressurized water valve 22 and whose rod 39 affects the vacuum bellows through the upper lever arm portion 31 and the rod 18.

[030] The water volume that is required to refill the trap 1 comes via the water bellows 28 to the water tank 10. The effective volumes of the vacuum bellows 5 and the water bellows 28 have a geared ratio relative to each other since they are affected by the lever arm portions 17 and 31 which are interconnected and work opposite each other in a breakpoint item 32. By moving the breakpoint item 32, thereby adjusting the lever arm relationship between the lever arm portions, the volumes of the vacuum bellows 5 and the water bellows 28, and thereby the flushing amount of the arrangement and the capacity of the vacuum bellows movement, can be adjusted without the need for any new components. The space for the water bellows 28 and the rod 39 to move may be adjusted by moving the fixatable sealing ring 35 on the rod 39, since the support structure 20 limits the movement of the sealing ring 35 and thereby also that of the rod 39.

[031] The static position shown in Figure 2 means that the water bellows has performed its function, which with the help of the water pressure and the rod 39 cause the lever arm portion 31 through the breakpoint item 32 to cause the lever arm portion 17 to compress the vacuum bellows 5 via the rod 18. By the force of the spring 34 it has then returned to its original position and, by means of the spring force and the valve 23 being open, the water could run to the water tank 10. Because of this, the lever arm portion 31 has no contact with the rod 39 and can move freely when the flushing sequence is initiated, and the fast bellows movement occurs when the latch 14 is released.

[032] Figure 4 shows the situation in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 just after the start of the flushing sequence, when the mechanically accumulated vacuum bellows movement has occurred and the water tank 10 has been emptied. The vacuum bellows 5 which has been maximally expanded by the spring 19 will then be compressed from this position when the water bellows 28 is starting to fill up and the rod through the lever arm portions 31 and 17 and the rod 18 and the carrier 21 has applied pressure on the vacuum bellows 5 until the latch 14, assisted by the spring 16, can return and lock the position of the carrier 21 via the arm 17 and the drum 33, and affect the regulator 26 so that the pressurized water valve 22 is closed and the valve 23 is opened for the flow of water from the water bellows 28 to the water tank 10. The chamber 4, through the expansion of the vacuum bellows and the resulting short-term vacuum impulse, has had an inflow of the content of the traps 1 and 2, which have been emptied. The combined sewage volume will then flow through the second trap 2, whereby a portion of the sewage volume will remain in the second trap in the conventional way.

Claims

1. A water closet having in its outlet a first (1) and a second (2) trap, in fluid connection with each other through a space (7) and a chamber (4), which together have a larger volume than the first trap, the second trap (2) being positioned lower than the chamber (4) when the water closet is in use, the volume of the second trap (2) being equal to or larger than the volume of the first trap (1), the water closet comprising a water tank (10) arranged to supply water to the first trap when a flushing is activated and activation means (9, 19) for activating the flushing, the water closet further comprising vacuum means (5,6) arranged to create an underpressure in the chamber (4) when the flushing is activated, causing the content of the traps (1,2) to be moved to the chamber (4) and thereafter to restore the pressure so that the content of the chamber is moved to the second trap (2) and from there out from the water closet, whereby the vacuum means comprises a vacuum bellows (5) connected to the chamber (4) via a pipe (6), holding means (33) arranged to hold the vacuum bellows in the compressed stage and expansion means (19) arranged, when the flushing is activated, to cause the vacuum bellows to expand, thereby causing the underpressure in the chamber (4), further comprising a water bellows (28) in fluid connection with a water supply through a pressure water valve (22), and arranged to be expanded by water from the water supply and to let out water through a valve (23), whereby the water closet further comprises compression means (34) for compressing the water bellows when letting out water through the valve (23) and the water bellows is arranged relative to the vacuum bellows in such a way that an expansion of the water bellows causes the compression of the vacuum bellows.

2. A water closet according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid connection from the water bellows (28) to the water tank (10), said fluid connection comprising the valve (23), whereby the same water volume used to expand the water bellows and thereby compressing the vacuum bellows, is used as flushing water from the water tank.

3. A water closet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water bellows (28) presses coaxially against the vacuum bellows (5) so that a volume change in the water bellows (28) can affect the compression of the vacuum bellows.

4. A water closet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water bellows (28) and the vacuum bellows (5) are arranged with a geared ratio to each other, where they are affected by lever arm portions (17, 31) which are connected to each other to simultaneously counteract each other through a breakpoint item (32) in such a way that an expansion of the water bellows (28) causes a pressing force on one of the lever arm portions (31) which via the breakpoint item (32) causes a pressing force from another one of the lever arm portions (17) against the vacuum bellows (5) which is thereby compressed.

5. A water closet according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the activation means comprises a manoeuvre means (9) for a user and a force transmission means (29) arranged to initiate flushing from the water tank and release the vacuum bellows which is thereby allowed to expand.