P183127 1 TITLE
FILLING VALVE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an arrangement according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 13. PRIOR ART
Filling valves for cisterns have been made public through prior art.
For example, a filling valve is disclosed in EP 3 263 782. Such filling valves are typically controlled by a float.
As the water level in the cistern drops during a flush, the float weight becomes effective when a predetermined water level is reached and thus acts on the flush valve.
Depending on the float setting, this can also occur during a flush, i.e. when the flush valve is open.
However, for certain applications it is desirable for the filling valve to remain closed during the flushing process.
This is particularly the case when the flushing process is carried out using line pressure, as in the flushing system described in US 2017/0254058. Opening the filling valve during a flushing process has the disadvantage that the flushing process can be negatively affected by the pressure drop in the supply line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.
Specifically, it is an object to provide an arrangement with a filling valve that can be controlled more flexibly.
This object is achieved with the arrangement according to claim 1. The arrangement comprises a cistern, a flush valve and a filling valve, wherein the second control element is actuated by a control criterion specified by the flush valve.
The filling valve for filling the
P183127 2 cistern comprises a valve housing, a water-conducting channel arranged in the valve housing with an inlet and an outlet, a first control element, and an inflow valve arranged in the water-conducting channel.
The first control element is operatively connected to the inflow valve in such a way that the inflow valve can be activated for actuation.
The filling valve further comprises a second control element which is arranged in addition to the first control element.
The second control element is also operatively connected to the inflow valve in such a way that the inflow valve can be activated for actuation.
This filling valve allows for more flexible filling of a cistern.
In particular, the filling valve can be used in a flushing system that is operated with a complex flushing and filling process.
It is therefore possible to control the filling valve or the inflow valve via two control elements, which enables control via a logic system or a sequential system in a specified flushing system.
The inflow valve is actuated by the first and/or second control element, it is moved from a closed position, in which the water channel is blocked, to an open position, in which the water channel is open.
Preferably, the first control element and the second control element are designed in such a way that the inflow valve can only be actuated when the first control element and the second control element provide an actuation command.
The actuation command can be an opening command and/or a closing command.
The actuation command from the two control elements is therefore linked via a logical AND-
— link.
This means that the command from the first control element and the command from the second control element must be present for the inflow valve to be actuated.
Preferably, the first control element and the second control element are designed in such a way that the inflow valve can be actuated when the first control element or the second control element provides an actuation command.
The actuation command can be an opening command and/or a closing command.
The actuation command from the two control elements is therefore linked via a logical OR- operation.
This means that the command from the first control element OR the command from the second control element must be present for the inflow valve to be actuated.
P183127 3 In a further embodiment, for example, it is possible for the first control element and the second control element to be designed in such a way that the inflow valve is opened when the first control element and the second control element provide the opening command, and that the inflow valve is closed when the first control element or the second control element provide the closing command.
In another embodiment, it is possible, for example, that the first control element and the second control element are designed such that the inflow valve is opened when the first control element or the second control element provide the opening command, and that the inflow valve is closed when the first control element and the second control element provide the closing command.
The terms opening and closing command can be understood to mean a physical, in particular a mechanical or fluidic, action of the respective control element.
However, it is — also possible that the opening or closing command is carried out via a control signal, in particular an electrical control signal.
Preferably, the first control element and/or the second control element is a float that acts on the inflow valve.
The float can act directly or indirectly on the inflow valve.
In the case of indirect action, the float can act on the inflow valve, for example, via the control valve mentioned below.
The float is preferably mounted on a longitudinal guide which extends in a vertical direction inthe installed position.
The longitudinal guide is connected to the housing.
The float rises when the water level rises and lowers when the water level sinks.
Preferably, or alternatively, the first control element and/or the second control element is a water pressure acting on the inflow valve.
The water pressure can act on the inflow valve directly or indirectly.
In the case of indirect action, the water pressure can act on the inflow valve, for example, via the control valve mentioned below.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inflow valve has a valve chamber, a valve bore
P183127 4 that forms part of the water flow channel, and a valve tappet.
The valve tappet extends from the valve chamber into the valve bore and can be moved from a closed position into a flow position.
A membrane element extends from the valve tappet to the wall of the valve chamber and divides the valve chamber into a first chamber area and a second chamber area.
The membrane element is firmly attached to the valve tappet.
The first chamber area is part of the water channel and the valve bore connects to the first chamber area.
The membrane element has a through-opening which allows the second chamber area to be filled with flushing water from the first chamber area.
The water in the second chamber area can be referred to as control water.
The second chamber area has a control valve with a
— valve body and a control bore, which control valve can be activated by at least one of the two control elements or by both control elements to operate the inflow valve.
When the control valve is open, the membrane element with the valve tappet can be moved from a closed position to a flow position in the direction of the second chamber area due to the water pressure in the first chamber area.
When the control valve opens, the valve body is moved from a starting position to a release position.
When the control valve opens, the counterpressure of the control water in the second chamber area drops, creating a pressure difference between the first chamber area and the second chamber area, which causes the membrane element and the valve tappet to move towards the second chamber area.
The pressure in the first chamber area is provided by the line pressure.
After actuation, the control valve is closed again by the valve tappet, whereupon the second chamber area is refilled with water through the through-opening.
Since the surface of the membrane element on the side of the second chamber area is larger than on the side of the first chamber area, the valve tappet will return to the closed position.
The valve body is preferably mounted in a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is part of a lever controlled by the first control element, and wherein the valve body can be controlled in the receptacle by the second control element.
Preferably, the valve body is pushed away from the control bore by the movement of the lever and the valve body is pushed against the control bore by the second control element, wherein the valve body is only movable into the release position when activated by the
P183127 second control element.
The second control element preferably holds the valve body in the closed position by means of a water pressure, and the valve body can be moved into the release position by means
5 of a spring element when the water pressure is released.
Preferably, the water-conducting channel experiences an upward deflection after the inflow valve in the installed position, followed by a horizontal deflection and finally a downward deflection.
Alternatively, the water channel experiences a downward deflection after the inflow valve.
Furthermore, the flush valve is connected to the second control element via a control line,
wherein when the flush valve is open, water pressure can be made available as a control criterion to the second control element via the control line, such that the second control element prevents the inflow valve from opening, and wherein when the flushing valve is closed, the water pressure on the second control element is eliminated, such that the second control element allows the inflow valve to open.
Preferably, the flush valve has a flush valve inlet which can be connected to a building-side — pipe network in such a way that the flush valve is supplied with flushing water under line pressure, the flushing valve being connected to a jet pump, the jet pump being subjected to line pressure in such a way that flushing water can be sucked out of the cistern.
The performance of the jet pump is largely dependent on the water pressure.
It is therefore advantageous to operate the jet pump under constant pressure conditions.
In this case, the advantage of controlling the filling valve via the flush valve is that the filling valve remains closed when the flush valve is open.
This helps to prevent an unwanted pressure drop in the supply system.
This can occur when both the filling valve and the flush valve are open.
The jet pump preferably has a Venturi nozzle with an intake opening that is open towards the cistern, wherein, when the flush valve is open, water under line pressure can be fed via a first section of a flush line into the Venturi nozzle, such that water from the cistern can be fed from the venturi nozzle via the intake opening into a second section of the flush line leading to the sanitary appliance, with the control line preferably being branched off from the first section.
P183127 6 The suction opening is preferably arranged in the base of the cistern. Further embodiments of the invention are laid down in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the following with reference to the drawings, which are for the purpose of illustrating the present preferred embodiments of the invention and not for the purpose of limiting the same. In the drawings,
Fig. 1 shows a perspective and partially sectional view of a filling valve with two control elements according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the filling valve shown in Figure 1;
Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the cross-section according to Figure 1, with the filling valve closed;
Fig. 4 a detailed view of the sectional view according to Figure 1, with the first of the control elements actuated;
Fig. 5 a detailed view of the sectional view according to Figure 1, with the second of the control elements actuated; and
Fig. 6 an arrangement with a sanitary appliance and a filling valve according to the preceding figures. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures 1 to 5 show afilling valve 1 for filling a cistern 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 shows an arrangement with the filling valve 1 according to Figures 1 to 5 and a cistern 2. The cistern 2 is here part of a sanitary appliance 28. However, the cistem 2 can also be a cistern 2 that is separate from the sanitary appliance 2 The filling valve 1 comprises a valve housing 3, a water-conducting channel 4 arranged in the valve housing 3 and having an inlet 5 and an outlet 6, a first control element 7 and an inflow valve 8 arranged in the water-conducting channel 4. The inlet 5 can be connected to asupply line and the outlet 6 is arranged such that the flushing water flowing from the supply line flows into the cistern 2.
P183127 7
The inflow valve 8 can assume a closed position and a flow position.
In the closed position,
the water channel 4 is blocked, and in the flow position, the water channel 4 is open,
allowing water to flow into the cistern 2. From the inlet 5, the water channel 4 extends to the inflow valve 8. At the inflow valve 8, the water channel 4 is deflected by 180° and passes the inflow valve 8. Subsequently, the water channel 4 is deflected upwards in the installation position.
The water channel 4 then turns horizontally and then turns down again in the area of the outlet 6.
The filling valve 1 comprises a second control element 9 next to the first control element 7. The two control elements 7, 9 are operatively connected to the inflow valve 8. The operative connection is such that the inflow valve 8 can be controlled by the control elements 7, 9 so that the inflow valve 8 can be opened or closed.
Inthe embodiment shown, the two control elements 7, 9 are arranged and designed such that the inflow valve 8 only opens when the first control element 7 and the second control element 9 provide an opening command.
Accordingly, both control elements 7, 9 must act on the inflow valve 8 so that it opens.
Furthermore, the two control elements 7, 9 are arranged in such a way that the inflow valve 8 closes when the first control element 7 or the second control element 9 provide a closing command.
In other embodiments, which are not shown in the figures, it is also conceivable that the inflow valve 8 opens when the first control element 7 and/or the second control element 8 provide an opening command.
Furthermore, it is conceivable that the inflow valve 8 closes when the first control element 7 and/or the second control element 8 provide a closing command.
The first control element 7 is a float 10. The float 10 is moved by the rising and falling water level in the cistern 2. When the cistern 2 is at least partially empty after a flush, the weight ofthe float 10 comes into effect.
The weight of the float acts on a float rod 27 and on a lever 23, which is used to control the inlet valve 8 with an opening command.
When the cistern 2 is filled, the float 10 is lifted and the force on the lever 23 acts upwards.
The inlet valve 8 is thus controlled with a closing command.
The float 10 is movably mounted on a longitudinal guide 29. The lever 23 is mounted on the valve housing 3 so that it can swivel around a lever axis H.
P183127 8 In the embodiment shown, the second control element 9 is a water pressure acting on the inflow valve 8. The water pressure is provided by a control line 26. In the embodiment shown, the control line 26 is in fluidic contact with a flush valve 25. The flush valve 25 is used to control a flushing of the sanitary appliance 28. A preferred control can be designed as follows: When the flush valve 25 is open, water flows from the cistern 2 into the sanitary ware 28. Furthermore, a water pressure is provided in the control line 26, which acts on the inflow valve 8. This means that when the flush valve 25 is open, the inflow valve 8 remains closed.
Other controls are also conceivable.
The inflow valve 8 comprises a valve chamber 11, a valve bore 12 and a valve tappet 13. The valve bore 12 forms part of the water channel 4. Similarly, parts of the valve chamber 11 form part of the water channel 4 when the inflow valve 8 is open.
The valve tappet 13 extends into the valve bore 12 when viewed from the valve chamber 11. The valve tappet 13 is thereby moved from a closed position, in which the inflow valve 8 is closed, into a flow — position, in which the inflow valve 8 is open.
Furthermore, a membrane element 14 extends from the valve tappet 13 to the wall 15 of the valve chamber 11. The membrane element 14 divides the valve chamber 11 into a first chamber area 16 and a second chamber area 17. The first chamber area 16 is part of the water channel 4 and the valve bore 12 is connected to the first chamber area 16. The membrane element 14 also has a through-opening 18, — which allows the second chamber area 17 to be filled with flushing water from the first chamber area 16. The flushing water that flows from the first chamber area 16 to the second chamber area 17 can also be referred to as control water.
The second chamber area 17 has a control valve 19 with a valve body 20 and a control bore 21. In the embodiment shown, the inflow valve 8 is operatively connected to the two control elements 7, 9 via the control valve 19. To open the inflow valve 8 and start a filling process, the control valve 19 must be opened.
Due to the water pressure acting on the membrane element 14 from the inlet 5, the control water flows out through the control bore 21 when the control valve 19 is open.
The resistance provided by the control water on the membrane element 14 and the valve tappet 13 thus ceases and the valve tappet 13 is moved from the closed position to the flow position.
As soon as the desired filling level is reached in cistern 2, control elements 7, 9 act on control valve 19 again, causing it to close.
Via through-opening opening 18, the second chamber area 17 is refilled with control water.
Due to the larger surface of the membrane element 14 on the side of the second chamber area 17 compared to the first chamber area 16, the membrane element 14 is pushed back in the direction of the first chamber area 16 and the valve tappet 13 retracts into the valve
P183127 9 bore 12 and finally reaches the closed position.
Figure 3 shows the closing position of the valve tappet 13. The valve tappet 13 extends into the valve bore 12, thereby closing the water guide channel 4. The control valve 19 is also closed.
This means that control water in the second chamber area 17 cannot escape from the second chamber area 17 and exerts a resistance on the valve tappet 13, thus holding it in the closed position.
Figure 4 shows the operation of the first control element 7. In the embodiment shown, the — valve body 20 of the control valve 19 is movably mounted in a receptacle 22 of a lever 23. The receptacle 22 is part of the lever 23 and is pivoted with the lever 23 about the lever axis H during the pivoting movement.
The first control element 7 acts on the lever 23, which can be seen in Figure 2. The lever 23 is pivoted by the action of the first control element 7. This pivoting action is shown in Figure 4 accordingly.
In the design shown, the second control element 9 also acts on the valve body 20. In the design shown, the water pressure from the control line 26 acts on the valve body 20 and pushes it against the control bore 21. The water pressure acts on the valve body 20 in the direction of the arrow W.
The actuation of the first control element 7 is therefore overridden by the second control element 9. The first control element 7 pivots the lever 23 together with the receiver 22 and the valve body 20. The water pressure acts on the valve body 20 against the pivoting movement and continues to press it against the control bore 21. Figure 5 shows the situation of the actuation of the first control element 7 and the second control element 9. When the second control element 9 is actuated, the water pressure on the valve body 20 is released and a spring element 24 pushes the valve body 20 away from the control bore 21. The valve body 20 comes to rest in the release position.
This opens the control valve 19 and the control water in the second chamber area 17 flows out through the control bore 21 due to the pressure from the first chamber area 16. The valve tappet 13 of the inflow valve 8 is thus moved into the release position and water can flow through the water channel 4. As soon as the cistern is full, the first control element 7 is no longer actuated because the lever 23 is swung back again by the float 20. This causes the valve tappet 13 to move from the release position to the initial position, thereby closing the control valve 19. The second chamber area 17 is refilled with control water and pressure is exerted on the membrane element 14, which moves the valve tappet 13 back to the closed position.
P183127 10 Figure 6 shows an arrangement comprising a filing valve 1 according to the above description and a cistern 2. The cistern is here part of a sanitary appliance 28, in this case a toilet bowl.
The arrangement also includes a flush valve 25. The receiving space 37 of a sanitary appliance can be flushed by means of the flush valve 25. The second control element 9 is activated by a control criterion specified by the flush valve 25. The flush valve 25 has a flush valve inlet 30 that can be connected to a building's pipe network in such a way that the flush valve 25 can be supplied with flushing water under — mains pressure.
The flush valve 25 is connected to a jet pump 32, whereby the jet pump 32 is pressurised with mains pressure in such a way that flush water can be sucked out of the cistern 2. The jet pump 32 preferably has a Venturi nozzle 33 with a intake opening 34 that is open towards the cistern 2, wherein, when the flush valve 25 is open, water under line pressure can be fed via a first section 35 of a flush line into the Venturi nozzle 33 in such a — way that water can be fed from cistern 2 via the intake opening 34 and the Venturi nozzle 33 into a second section 36 of the flushing line leading to the sanitary appliance 5, the control line 26 preferably being branched off from the first section 35. An annular gap 38 is present between the Venturi nozzle 33 and the second section 36, via which the flushing water can be sucked into the second section 36.
P183127 11
LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS 1 Filling valve 22 Receptacle 2 Cistern 23 Lever 3 Valve housing 24 Spring element 4 Water-conducting channel 25 Flush valve Inlet 26 Control line 6 Outlet 27 Float rod 7 First control element 28 Sanitary appliance 8 Inflow valve 29 Longitudinal guide 9 Second control element 30 Flush valve inlet Float 32 Jet pump 11 Valve chamber 33 Venturi nozzle 12 Valve bore 34 Intake opening 13 Valve tappet 35 First section 14 Membrane element 36 Second section Wall 37 Receiving space 16 First chamber area 38 Annular gap 17 Second chamber area 18 Through-opening H Lever axis 19 Control valve W Water pressure Valve body 21 Control bore