WO2004048707A1

WO2004048707A1 - Multi flush toilet cistern

Info

Publication number: WO2004048707A1
Application number: PCT/GB2003/005111
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Leslie Harris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-25
Filing date: 2003-11-24
Publication date: 2004-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2005-05-25
Also published as: AU2003302442A1

Abstract

A cistern for flushing a toilet is disclosed in which a water storage vessel (1) is provided by an elongate upright tube. A discharge port is provided in the base of the tube and is normally sealed closed by a float (7) retained in place by the pressure differential between the overlying column of water and the atmosphere. The discharge port is formed in a flushing control valve assembly (6) which includes a piston (12) operable to simultaneously displace the piston (12) from the discharge port and to reseal the discharge port. The float (7) then floats up until it engages a stop (5). The piston (12) is then operated to unseal the discharge port so that the column of water carries the float (7) down to reseal the discharge port. The cistern has the advantages of being quite and always filled with water and so very quick to cycle such that the cistern can flush quick succession. The height of the column of water produces a more powerful flushing effect than is possible with a conventional gravity fed cistern so reducing the volume of water required for flushing.

Description

MULTI FLUSH TOILET CISTERN

The invention relates to a toilet cistern which stores water for the purpose of flushing toilet pans. Cisterns that store water for the purpose of flushing toilet pans are well known, whether of the pressurised chamber type or open to atmosphere variety they designed to hold to hold one flush volume. They both require a water inlet valve to allow the volume required by law to properly flush the toilet pan.

Such valves can be float controlled or use anyone of a variety of electronically controlled valves to achiev the required volume in the cistern holdjhg chamber.

The means of flushing the toilet pan may be achieved in a variety ways, syphonic flush, valves that lift a sealing cap from an orifice in the bottom of the cistern that connects to the toilet pan,, all can be sequenced by lever, pneumatic or electronic button action

Once the contents have been emptied during flushing the cistern is inoperable until the water inlet valve has automatically refilled the cistern with the predetermined volume.

Public venues such as motorway services, sports stadia and theatres can at times, put a demand on the toih facilities, which can exceed their ability to cope. The noise pf a cistern refilling can be disturbing, particularly at night where young children are sleeping

Accordingly the invention provides a toilet cistern according to claim 1 that stores more than one flushing volume, is connected to either a mains water supply or a water storage tank typically found in domestic dwellings. No valve is required between the water supply and the cistern except a manual valve to provide a means of isolating the invention from the supply for the purpose of maintenance.

The invention provides a cistern that is always filled and is always able to flush the toilet pan when called upon. Brief Description of Drawings

Multi flush toilet cisterns embodying the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a sectional view through the cistern of a first embodiment,

Figure 2 is a part sectional view of the first embodiment, from one side, Figure 3 is a side view of a toilet seat actuated valve for controlling the cistern,

Figure 4 is an alternative toilet seat actuated valve for controlling the cistern,

Figure 5 is an enlarged sectional view through part of the cisterp, Figure 6 is a sectional view through a second embodiment of the invention, with the float not shown,

Figure 6A shows a float for use in the second embodiment, Figure 7 is a diagram of an hydraulic circuit of the second embodiment,

Figure 8 is a control circuit for controlling the flush volume of either embodiment.

The figures show a toilet cistern comprising a storage vessel having a water supply port and a flushing control valve assembly at the bottom of the storage vessel including a discharge port, and a piston (12), a float (7) freely movable within the storage vessel such that when the storage vessel is filled with water the float seals the discharge port and is held in place by the pressure differential between the overlying water and atmospheric pressure on the outside of the discharge port, said piston being operable to simultaneously displace the float (7) from the discharge port and to seal the port while the float floats up to engage a float level stop (5) and said piston being further operable to open the discharge port so that the water trapped between the float (7) and the discharge port is discharged through the port until the float carried by the discharging water reseais the discharge port. , • ^• The invention achieves its aims by its construction, the rectangular chamber of known devices is replaced by a long tube Storage vessel 1 .which is vertically mounted, as shown in FIG 1.

An End Cap 2 seals its upper end, which has a threaded Port 3 to which the water supply is connected. In the eventuality that the water supply is unable to replenish the Storage vessel 1 at the same rate as the water leaves the Storage Vessel 1 during the ^■• flushing cycle a Balance Pipe 24 (FIG.2) connection is provided in End Cap 2.

The Balance Pipe (optional fitting) has an outlet above the storage tank water level. End Cap 2 has a Socket 4 moulded into its inner face into which a Float Level Stop 5 is assembled.

The lower end of Storage Vessel I is assembled with the Flushing Control Valve Assembly 6 by inserting into a collar at the upper end of Flushing Control Valve Assembly 6 and fixed with an adhesive.

A Float 7 is contained within the Storage; Vessel 1 , it is able to travel between Float Level Stop 5 and Valve Plate 8 during operation, soft Silicon seals, 9 and 10 are bonded to both faces of Vah/e Plate 8.

Flushing Control Valve Assemble 6 has a Piston Chamber ii in which a Piston 12 moves during the flushing cycle. Piston 12 has a wiping Seal 22 to provide a seal between the piston and its chamber. A Flange 13 at its lower end provides a means for assembling End Plate 14 which has a threaded Port 15 to provide the means for supplying water to Actuating Chamber 19 that moves the Piston 12 to its outstroke position during the flushing cycle.

An Extension Spring 16 has one end connected by means of a Ringbolt 17 to the Piston 12. The other end of the Extension Spring 16 is counected to End Plate 14 by means of D Ring 18

On one side of the Piston Chamber 11 is a Socket 23 with a hole through the sidewall of the Piston Chamber 11. into which is assembled the Flush Connecting Tube 20.

The length of Flush Connecting Tube 20 will be adjusted to accommodate the distance between the toilet pan connection and Muiti Flush Cistern Assembly.

The Float 7 has a Spigot 21 at its lower end, which is contacted by the top of during the flushing cycle.

FIG 3 shows one means of initiating the flushing cycle. In this example there is a magnet 25 imbedded in the toilet seat. A reed switch is mounted on a plate 26, which forms part of the toilet seat/toilet seat lid hinge mechanism.

A 3 port solenoid valve is connected with port SV 1 to the threaded Port 15 of End Plate 14. Actuating Chamber 19 is vented via Port 15 through port SV 1 and SV 2 to drain. Mains water supply is connected to port SV 3. With this option a high intensity light source can be affixed to the top of End Cap 2 which when toilet seat lid is raised has the effect of lighting the Multi Flush Toilet

Cistern, similar in appearance to a low amperage neon tube, providing background lighting in darkened bathroom. FIG 4 shows an alternative means of providing the water to Actuating

Chamber 11.

Within the toilet seat lid hinge mechanism is constructed a one quarter turn valve 27.

In this variant mains Water is connected to Port QTA, Port QTC is connected by tube

28 to Actuating Chamber 19 by threaded Port 15. Port QTB vents Actuating Chamber 19 to drain. D represents pan level, the broken lines represent seat lid in lowered position.

Fig 5. Shows an alternative method of assembling Storage Vessel 1 to

Flushing Control Valve Assembly 6, In this variant the mating surfaces are now flanged with Valve Plate 8 sandwiched between I and 6/ The three components are bolted together which offers the facility of removing the Flushing Control Valve Assembly 6 without the need to drain down the system to effect a repair.

The flush cycle. The toilet seat lid is in closed position.

Once the installation has been completed the Multi Flush Cistern the Float 7 is at its lowest point of travel with bottom of the float resting against seal 9 occluding valve plate 8.

The Multi Flush Cistern is commissioned by opening isolator valve IV 1, water fills the Storage Vessel 1 , Air in the vessel will vent through the Balance Pipe 24 until the vessel is completely filled with water.

The Storage Vessel 1 is now fully charged and the weight of the water acting on the float provides an effective seal.

Piston 12 is in the retracted position, at the bottom of Actuating Chamber 19.

Upon entering the bathroom while lifting the toilet seat lid the Quarter turn valve rotates so that the water supply port QTA is connected to QTC.

Water is fed into actuating chamber 19, the chamber filling forces Piston 12 to outsiroke it comes to rest against valve plate seal 10. In so doing extension Spring 16 is extended. During the later stages of the piston travel the crown of the piston contacts spigot 21 on the base of float 7.

The float 7 is forced up into the storage vessel 1 allowing water under the' base of Float 7. Float 7 is now able to float up the Storage Vessel I and does so until it is stopped by the Float Level Stop 5. There is now one flush volume below the float and one above it. The piston 12 is now held against valve plate seal 10 occluding the hole- After use the toilet seat lid is lowered. Quarter turn is turn to its original position, ports QTC and QTB are now connected. The water in actuating chamber 19 vents to drain as Extension Spring 16 pulls Piston 12 to its rest position. The aperture in Valve Plate 8 is now open to Piston Chamber 11 and also the Flush Pipe 20. Both flush volumes in the Storage Vessel 1 now drop down the tube, their combined weight giving a greater flushing efficiency. Float 7 travels down the Storage Vessel 1 until it stopped by Valve Plate Seal 9. During this cycle water has replenished the Storage Vessel 1. The cycle can be repeated as often as required due to the short time the Float 7 takes to lift to the Float Level Stop 5 while the toilet is in use.

Referring to the second embodiment, figure 6 shows a cistern generally similar to that of figure 1 except in that an extended mains pipe connection 24A which extends sufficiently far down into the cistern from the top to provide float stop 5, (to comply with UK water regulations a hole 24C is made to stop back siphoning). At the same time this forms an air trap in the annular space 24B between the mains pipe connection 24A and the cistern wall. The mains pipe 24A is constantly open to the mains supply so that the cistern fills until the air trapped in the air trap reaches mains pressure. The flushing cycle can be controlled by the same mechanisms as have been described for the first embodiment above.

Figures δ and 7 show an alternative mechanism for actuating the flush cycle. This mechanism replaces the port 15 with a water supply port 15' and a water discharge port 15" coupled to an hydraulic circuit such as that shown in figure 7. The circuit provides a mains connection 1' to a solenoid valve 2' which communicates with an equal T" connector 3' when actuated. The connector 3' communicates with a check valve 4' and a hence to the delivery port 15'. Similarly the "T" connector 3' communicates pressure to control a quick exhaust valve 6'. Thus when the solenoid valve 2' opens mains pressure is applied through to check valve 4' to deliver water to the piston chamber 19 causing the piston 12 to outstroke and initiate the flush cycle as previously described. As the solenoid valve 2' closes the check valve closes and the relief of pressure on the quick exhaust valve allows water to discharge quickly from the piston chamber.

Figure 8 shows a preferred way of adjusting the flush volume to reduce water usage still further. Here the solenoid valve SV2, 2' or the quarter turn valve QTA are controlled by a sensor assembly which senses the height of the float 7 as it floats up. According to a manually selected discharge level either a low volume discharge, corresponding to a low float level causes the solenoid to actuate or a high volume discharge corresponding to a high float level. The discharge level can be selected by any convenient means such as the period of time a switch is pressed, a force sensitive switch with two levels of response or a simple two position switch.

The float level can be easily detected by placing a magnet M or ferromagnetic material in the float. Two level sensors LS1 and LS2 are mounted at two xlifferent appropriate heights on the vessel 1. According to the selection made one of the level sensors LS1 or LS2 are actuated so that as the float rises it responds to the magnet M to generate an electrical signal which drives the solenoid valve 2' via a suitable electrical circuit. The piston 12 is then urged down by the spring 16 causing the discharge and carrying the float down to seal the cistern. The skilled reader will appreciate that other systems of float level sensor may be used including, for example, optical sensors.

Claims

1. A toilet cistern comprising; a storage vessel having a water supply port and a flushing control valve assembly at the bottom of the storage vessel including a discharge port, and a piston (12), a float (7) freely movable within the storage vessel such that when the storage vessel is filled with water the float seals the discharge port and is held in place by the pressure differential between the overlying water and atmospheric pressure on the outside of the discharge port, said piston being operable to simultaneously displace the float (7) from the discharge port and to seal the port while the float floats up to a float level and said piston being further operable to open the discharge port when the float reaches the float level so that the water trapped between the float (7) and the discharge port is discharged through the port until the float carried by the discharging water reseais the discharge port.

2. A cistern according to claim 1 wherein the float level is set by a float level stop (5).

3. A cistern according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the storage vessel is an upright elongate tube.

4. A cistern according to claim 1 2 or 3 wherein the storage vessel has the capacity to contain at least twice the volume of water required to flush once.

5. A cistern according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the storage vessel is transparent.

6. A cistern according to claim 5 wherein a light source is affixed to the top of the vessel such that the vessel acts as a light guide and provides illumination.

7. A cistern according to claim 6 wherein an elongate transparent rod extends down into the storage vessel and the light source is luminally coupled to the top of the rod to enhance the distribution of light through the cistern.

8. A cistern according to claim 7 wherein the rod provides the float stop.

9. A cistern according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a balance pipe connection is provided at the top of the vessel.

10. A cistern according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein an air chamber is formed above the water supply port.

11. A cistern according to claim 9 wherein the cistern does not have an open balance pipe connection so that the water supply port can be directly coupled to a mains water supply.

12. A cistern according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the float level is sensed by a float height sensor assembly responsive to a manually actuated selection mechanism to select a low volume flush corresponding to a low float level and a high volume flush corresponding to a high float level, whereby as the float rises to the corresponding height it is sensed and the discharge device responds to discharge the cistern.

13. A cistern according to claim 12 where the height sensor assembly comprises first and second magnetically sensitive level sensors mounted at two heights on the vessel and a magnet or ferromagnetic material in the float.