ES2386445T3 - Drain accessory for a cistern - Google Patents

Abstract

Drain accessory for a cistern for the selective activation of a partial discharge or a complete discharge, with a valve body (3) for the opening and closing of a drain (8), with a first float (2) held in a float housing (20) on an overflow tube (1) and a second float (6) disposed below the first float (2) in the float housing (20) whose vertical thrust is limited, in which for the first discharge the first float ( 2) upper, the overflow tube (1) and support means for the support of the first upper float (2) and the overflow tube (1) can be raised to an elevated position with the drain (8) opened by a first elevator (12), and in which for a partial discharge the first upper float (2) and the overflow tube (1) can be lifted by a second elevator (17), characterized in that in a complete discharge, the overflow tube ( 1) press on a lever (9) rotatably mounted through the The support means and on the lower second float (6) located in the maximum vertical thrust through the lever (9), a stop (90) being configured in the float housing (20) for the second lower float (6) that it limits the vertical thrust of the second float (6), and the support means being formed by a support edge (14) configured in the first elevator (12), whereby the lever (9) can be pivoted upwards and can be pivoted place on the lever (9), or by an elastic flange (25) that can be placed on the lever (9).

Description

Drain accessory for a cistern.

The invention relates to a drain fitting for a cistern for the selective activation of a partial discharge or a complete discharge, with a valve body for opening and closing a drain, with a first float attached to a float housing on an overflow tube and a second float disposed below the first float in the float housing, the vertical thrust of which is limited, according to the preamble of claim 1.

From DE 195 01 355 a drain accessory for a tank is known, in which a complete discharge or a partial discharge can be operated through different actuating means. To this end, two separate floats are provided, a lower float being attached through an interlocking mechanism. An unlocking element for releasing the pin can be activated through a pusher. This construction for a drain fitting is complicated and expensive in manufacturing. In addition, there is the disadvantage that the multiplicity of mechanical components is prone to wear and soiling.

From DE 297 23 618, another drain fitting of a cistern is known in which magnets are used instead of expensive mechanics in order to couple two floats to each other if necessary. For a partial discharge the magnetic junction is separated and only one float is operative, while in a complete discharge the two floats contribute in the vertical thrust. However, the use of magnets is expensive in manufacturing and also prone to malfunctions.

EP-A-0 727 533 discloses a drain fitting for a cistern for the selective activation of a partial discharge or a complete discharge, with a valve body for the opening and closing of a drain. The valve body is mounted on the lower end of an overflow tube that can be raised and lowered and disposed between two vertical bar-shaped supports. A first float is attached to the overflow tube below which a second float (auxiliary float) is arranged, the vertical thrust of which is limited and which surrounds the overflow tube annularly. The drain fitting has a push button composed of two parts, the two parts being able to move independently of each other as well as together. The lower end of the push button engages in a piston rod that is vertically movable in a housing. At the lower end of the piston rod there is a projection that cooperates with a lever. The latter is pivotally mounted on a stirrup or yoke that joins the bar-shaped supports. The lever is connected with a traction wire or a traction chain, the other end of which is fixed at the upper edge of the overflow tube. In the inner contour of the second lower float, flexible wedge-shaped retention elements are mounted, which during a complete discharge engage in a peripheral annular ring that is configured in the outer contour of the overflow tube. The construction cost of this drain fitting, in particular of the lower float, which has two separate semi-cylindrical floats, is relatively complicated. In addition, the drain fitting is prone to malfunction since the flexible retaining elements in the lower float wear out due to the friction movement with the overflow tube and thus can lose their retention function.

The present invention aims to create a tank drain fitting that is constructed in a simple and reliable manner that allows selective activation of a complete discharge or a partial discharge.

This objective is achieved by a drain fitting with the characteristics of claim 1.

In a complete discharge, the overflow tube presses according to the invention on a lever mounted rotatably through support means and on the second lower float located at the maximum vertical thrust through the lever, being configured in the float housing a stop for the second lower float that limits the vertical thrust of the second float, and the support means being formed by a support edge configured in the first elevator, whereby the lever can be pivoted upwards and can be placed on the lever, or by an elastic flange that can be placed on the lever. Therefore, a special locking mechanism that would significantly complicate the structure of the mechanics is not necessary, nor are the magnets necessary.

The interleaving of a lever allows in a particularly simple way the realization of a similar mechanic that holds, on the one hand, the upper float in the raised position and allows, on the other hand, a separation of the mechanics for lowering the upper float with lever pivot. In this case, the lever can also configure a stop for the second lower float in the case of a full tank.

According to the invention for a partial discharge, the first upper float and the overflow tube can be lifted by a second elevator. However, for a partial discharge, that part of the mechanics used to support the first upper float and the overflow pipe is not activated in an elevated position. In this way, a complete discharge or partial discharge can be selectively achieved by the separate drive of the first elevator or the second elevator.

The means for supporting the first upper float and the overflow tube are preferably formed by

an elastic flange that can be placed on the lever. The lever then releases the elastic flange in a pivot, so that the elastic flange can lower down along with the overflow tube and the upper float if the water level reaches a corresponding height.

Alternatively, the means for the support of the first upper float and the overflow tube are formed by a support edge whereby the lever can be pivoted upwards. The support edge can therefore pass in front of the lever by pivoting the lever upwards, the lever being able to pivot again to the starting position and the support edge being supported on the lever. Only when the bottom float can release the lever can the support edge pass past the lever again.

The second lower float is preferably freely guided between the overflow tube and the float housing, so that it can descend or rise according to needs without having to fear a jam.

For a simple mechanical configuration, the lever is preferably rotatably mounted on the float housing. In addition, a stop on the float housing may be provided in order to limit the movement of the lower float upwards.

The invention will be explained in more detail below by means of two embodiments in reference to the attached drawings. They show:

Figures 1 to 7 different views of a first embodiment of a drain fitting according to the invention in different positions, and

Figures 8 to 14 different views of a second embodiment of a drain fitting according to the invention in different positions.

In figure 1 a drain fitting according to the invention is arranged in a tank not shown that is not filled with water. An upper first float 2 is mounted on an overflow tube 1 which is mounted on a thread 5 and can be adjusted in height continuously in order to regulate the volume of the partial discharge. In this case, the float 2 is arranged in a space 4 within a float housing 20, the overflow tube 1 and the float 2 being able to be lifted through an elevator 17.

In the lower area of the overflow tube 1, a valve body configured as a seal 3 is provided which can close and open a drain 8.

Inside the float housing 20 a lower space 7 is provided in which a second float 6 is freely disposed between the overflow tube 1 and the float housing 20. In the position shown in Figure 1 the overflow tube 1 and the float 6 is in the lowered position due to the force of gravity since the floats 2 and 6 do not have a vertical thrust.

In figure 2 the tank has been filled and due to the corresponding volume of water the sealing gasket 3 is pressed against the drain 8. This pressure is greater than the vertical thrust of the float 2 that is fixed on the overflow pipe 1. The Float 6 has ascended upward in space 7 and is in contact with the stop 90 not shown in more detail that prevents further ascension of the float 6.

Figure 3 shows the beginning of a partial discharge. For this, the elevator 17 is raised together with the overflow tube 1 and the float 2, whereby in the lower area the sealing gasket 3 is removed from the drain 8. Thus both on the lower side of the sealing gasket 3 as also on the upper side 3 the same pressure is applied, so that due to the vertical thrust force of the float 2, the overflow tube 1 remains in the elevated position until the water level has decreased approximately to level 11 Then the sealing gasket 3 is again in contact with the drain 8 and due to the water pressure it remains in the closed position and the tank can be filled again.

Figure 4 shows the beginning of a complete download. To this end, a second elevator 12 is pulled, a support edge 14 being configured under the lever 9 and then moved upwardly configured in the elevator 12, whereby the lever 9 is pivoted up and allows a further upward movement of the elevator 12. In this case the lower float 6 remains in the lower position since it is held by a stop 90 and cannot be moved further up. With the elevator 12 it is also joined in the upward movement with an annular collar 13 whereby the overflow tube 1 and the upper float 2 are also moved upwards.

Figure 5 shows the drain fitting in one position during complete discharge. The overflow tube 1 is in the raised position and the valve body 3 releases the drain 8. Because the water level slowly descends the float 2 loses the vertical thrust and is pressed down due to the force of gravity, the collar 13 acting on the elevator 12 which again presses through the support edge 14 on the lever 9 and therefore on the lower float 6 that still contributes first to the vertical thrust.

In figure 6 the water level has dropped during the complete discharge until the float 6 has dropped slightly and the lever 9 pivots down. By pivoting the lever 9, the support edge 14 is released and can be moved down. Due to the gravity force of the elevator 12, the discharge tube 1 and the float 2, the support edge 14 moves in an annular support 19 configured in the float 6. The lever 9 rests on an upper edge of the float 6 .

Figure 7 shows the drain fitting in the starting position, with line 15 showing the level when the tank has been completely emptied. However, during the complete discharge the tank is not completely emptied but the discharge volume only reaches level 16 until the support edge 14 is no longer maintained by the lower float 6. However, the download volume or level 16 can be adjusted.

A second embodiment of a drain fitting according to the invention is shown in Figures 8 to 14, the same references being used for functionally equal components.

Figure 8 shows the drain fitting with a float housing 20, a first elevator 12 for complete discharge and a second elevator 17 for partial discharge. In the lower area you can see the overflow tube 1 with the sealing element 3.

In the position shown in Figure 9, the drain fitting is shown with the first elevator 12 and the second elevator 17 rotated 90 °. In addition, the sealing element 3 rests on the drain 8.

Figure 10 shows the drain accessory in section, the surrounding cistern being filled with water. The float 6 is in contact with a stop 90 that is configured as a lever and can also be supported on the housing through a projection 22. The upper float 2 is fixed on the overflow tube 1 and contributes to a certain vertical thrust which, however, it is less than the water pressure on the sealing element 3. In addition, a lever 9 is provided which is pivotably mounted around an axis 21 on the float housing 20. On the lever 9 a stop is configured. 23 so that the lever cannot pivot upward beyond the horizontal position.

In the position shown in figure 11 a partial discharge is performed. For this purpose, the elevator 17 is pulled in order to move the overflow tube 1 and the float 2 upwards, so that the sealing element releases the drain 8. The discharge process is finished as soon as the water level has dropped to a level at which the float 2 has descended until the sealing element 3 rests on the drain 8.

Figure 12 shows the start of a complete download. For this purpose, the elevator 12 is pulled so that the elevator 12 moves the float 2 upwards together with the overflow tube 1, a contact surface 24 being configured for the elevator 12. The sealing element 3 releases the drain 8 thanks to the elevation of the overflow tube 1.

During a complete discharge not only the float 2 moves upwards through the elevator 12, but also in the elevator 12 means are provided for the support of the first float 2 and the overflow tube 1 in an elevated position. These are formed by an elastic flange 25 which is formed in an annular sleeve 26. The elastic flange 25 protrudes slightly radially inclined, passing the elastic flange 25 in front of the lever 9 in an upwardly oriented movement of the elevator 12 and protruding the elastic flange 25 after exceeding the lever 9, so that the Elastic flange 25 rests on lever 9 when lever 12 is lowered. In this raised position the float 6 that supports lever 9 from below is operative.

In figure 13 the float 6 has descended due to a low water level during the complete discharge, whereby the lever 9 can pivot downwards. By pivoting the lever 9 the elastic flange 25 no longer rests on the lever 9, but can also descend downwards in a housing inside the float 6. Due to the force of gravity the overflow tube 1 moves towards down with float 2 until the sealing element 3 closes the drain 8.

As can be seen in Figure 14, the elastic flange 25 is again disposed inside the float 6 and the lever 9 can no longer pivot down due to a stop in the float housing 20. As soon as the water level in the tank rises again the float, the float 6 is raised and the lever 9 is returned again to the starting position in which the lever 9 is arranged horizontally and the stop 23 is in contact with the float housing 20.

In the embodiment shown, the individual components are made of plastic, foams or other suitable materials can be used as floats.

In the embodiment examples, only one lever is shown which is pivotally articulated in the float housing. Naturally it is possible to arrange two or more levers on the float housing. Likewise, several elastic flanges 25 can be provided in the elevator 12.

Claims (3)

1.- Drain accessory for a cistern for the selective activation of a partial discharge or a complete discharge, with a valve body (3) for the opening and closing of a drain (8), with a first float (2) attached in a float housing (20) on an overflow tube (1) and a second float (6) disposed below the first float (2) in the float housing (20) whose vertical thrust is limited, in which for a complete discharge the first upper float (2), the overflow tube (1) and support means for the support of the first upper float (2) and the overflow tube (1) can be raised to an elevated position with the drain (8) opened by a first elevator (12), and in which for a partial discharge the first upper float (2) and the overflow tube (1) can be lifted by a second elevator (17), characterized in that in a complete discharge, the overflow tube 10 (1) presses on a lever (9) mounted rotatably it goes through the support means and on the second lower float (6) located at the maximum vertical thrust through the lever (9), a stop (90) being configured in the float housing (20) for the second lower float (6) that limits the vertical thrust of the second float (6), and the support means being formed by a support edge (14) configured in the first elevator (12), whereby the lever (9) is It can pivot upwards and can be placed on the lever (9), or by a flange (25) 15 elastic that can be placed on the lever (9). 2. Drain accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the second lower float (6) is freely guided between the overflow tube (1) and the float housing (20). 3. Drain accessory according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the lever (9) is rotatably mounted on the float housing (20). A drain accessory according to claim 1, characterized in that the support means are formed by the elastic flange (5), the elastic flange being formed in an annular sleeve (26).