DE102013221616B4 - Actuating unit for triggering a flushing process in a cistern of a toilet - Google Patents

Abstract

Actuating unit for triggering a flushing process in a cistern (14) of a toilet with an actuating plate (2) which can be placed in front of a wall opening (4), comprising at least one flush button for triggering a flush, a transmission element for transmitting a force exerted on the flush button to a Flushing valve arranged in the cistern, and a collecting basket (30) for receiving a water treatment agent, this also comprising an intermediate holder (8) arranged between the cistern and the actuating plate (2), and movable connecting means being provided between the intermediate holder and the actuating plate (2), via which the actuating plate (2) can be transferred from an installation position closing the wall opening (4) into an open position releasing the wall opening (4) for equipping the collecting basket (30), CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the connecting means (16) are at least one sliding and Rotating rod (16) are formed and that the actuation splatter (2), starting from the installation position closing a wall opening (4), is pulled forwards from the intermediate holder (8) via the push and turn rod (16) and around the push and turn rod (16) upwards or downwards into the open position is turned.

Description

The invention relates to an actuation unit for triggering a flushing process in a toilet cistern with an actuation plate that can be placed in front of a wall opening with the features of the preamble of claim 1. The catch basket is used to hold a water treatment agent that releases its active ingredients into the surrounding flushing water.

The actuating plate comprises one or more actuating units, preferably buttons for triggering a flushing process, according to the newer prior art, preferably for a large and a small flush volume. The wall opening or the actuating plate used in this defines an assembly plane with a coordinate system which, in the context of this invention, is specified as (x, y) coordinates. The z-axis of this coordinate system is perpendicular to this assembly level.

Such a device is, for example, from EP 2 226 438 A2 known. The device disclosed in this document comprises an actuating plate for a toilet that is fastened to the wall at the lower end via a hinge and can be folded forward, so that opening a wall opening is uncovered, into which the water treatment agent designed as a toilet tab can be inserted into an insertion chute in the Rinse water tank can be thrown in. In the solution according to EP 2 226 438 A2 access is completely covered by the flush plate and is therefore not visible. However, the opening is only possible by performing a pivoting movement. The disadvantage of this is that flush plates built into the wall do not work with this solution. In the case of small, very flat actuating plates in particular, there is not enough space for such a complicated mechanism.

The one in the DE 299 04 649 U1 disclosed non-generic solution comprises a float chamber that can be suspended in a cistern, into which a water treatment agent designed as a cleaning liquid can be filled and which also releases this water treatment agent into the flushing water with every regular operation of the toilet. In the device according to the DE 299 04 649 U1 a flap, a lid or a plug is required to access the cistern. However, this contradicts today's design requirements for a modern bathroom. On the one hand, access should be easy and, on the other hand, it should be as inconspicuous as possible.

Out DE 10 2008 025 904 A1 discloses a cistern with an actuation unit for triggering a flushing process in a cistern with an actuation plate that can be placed in front of a wall opening, which includes an intermediate holder arranged between the cistern and the actuation plate, the actuation plate moving from an installation position closing the wall opening to an open position exposing the wall opening Equipping a collecting basket can be transferred.

DE 70 33 127 U discloses a concealed cistern with a detachable connection between the actuating plate and its intermediate bracket.

These known solutions have the disadvantage that access to the cistern is relatively complicated and yet only possible to a limited extent. Furthermore, at least some of these solutions are relatively maintenance-prone.

Proceeding from the prior art, the object of the invention is to at least partially avoid these disadvantages and to provide a toilet operating unit that is stable and simple in construction and also allows improved access to the insertion shaft for the grass catcher.

According to the invention, this object is achieved in a toilet operating unit of the type mentioned by the features of the main claim. Advantageous further developments are laid down in the dependent claims.

In the simplest embodiment, the object is already achieved in that it comprises an intermediate holder which is arranged between the cistern and the actuating plate and on which the actuating plate can be detachably fixed by means of connecting means. These connecting means are designed according to the invention in order to move the actuating plate from a closed position, which closes the wall opening, into an open position, which releases the wall opening, for equipping the collecting basket. Thus, in the open position, the entire wall opening is open, which means that access and operability are significantly improved compared to the prior art. To open, the flush plate simply has to be pulled forward and swiveled up or down, which can be done without tools.

According to the invention, these connecting means are designed in such a way that they enable the transfer from the closed to the open position by means of a simple pulling/rotating movement, particularly preferably without tools. In the embodiment according to the invention, the connecting means comprise a push and turn rod, which is arranged between the actuating holder and the intermediate holder and extends in the z-direction to the mounting plane, around which the actuating plate can be rotated is, and preferably a fixing element for fixing the actuating plate in the closed position.

The intermediate bracket is sufficiently stable to hold the actuator plate in movement from the closed to the open position and vice versa. Preferably, the intermediate holder is inherently rigid, i.e. cannot be twisted or bent by the forces that occur or the weight of the actuating plate, which is either due to a suitable choice of material, e.g. by being made of metal, by the geometric design, preferably in the form of a closed profile frame or intermediate frame, particularly preferably in the form of a closed angle profile, or by a combination of the choice of material and the geometric design.

The intermediate bracket may be secured in the surrounding wall opening by fasteners such as screws or clips. However, because of the easier accessibility, it is particularly preferably fastened via spacer elements on a splash guard of the flushing water tank, ie a closure plate for closing an opening in the flushing tank. The function of the splash guard is to close off the cistern from the outside, i.e. to prevent water from splashing out when filling. The detachable attachment of the splash guard to the flush tank is usually done using screw caps.

In the coordinate system of the invention, the intermediate holder and the splash guard thus extend in the z-direction parallel to the rear offset to the x, y coordinates of the assembly plane.

The connecting means and the fixing element between the front actuating plate in the installed position and the intermediate bracket arranged between the splash guard and this actuating plate preferably comprise a longer push and turn rod and a somewhat shorter fixing rod, these two rods preferably being attached at opposite ends to the rear of the actuating plate and can be used detachably in the intermediate frame.

The intermediate frame is preferably attached to the splash guard by means of fastening screws, particularly preferably by means of so-called knurled screws, ie long screws which are preferably made of plastic. These knurled screws tighten the intermediate bracket in the installation position or against the wall. This attachment is advantageous over the alternative attachment of the intermediate frame to the wall by means of brackets or screws because replacement and maintenance is relatively easy. The knurled screws are also standard components, so that standard toilet technology components can be used.

The holes in the existing / existing splash guard can be used, so that you can continue to use standard components. As a rule, however, the actuating unit proposed by the invention or an installation kit comprising this will comprise a splash guard, the intermediate holder and an actuating plate. At least the splash guard should have a first turning hole for receiving the push and turn rod and a further fixing hole for inserting the fixing element or the fixing rod.

It is clear to the person skilled in the art that the term 'wall' does not necessarily mean just a brick wall. Rather, this term also includes, e.g.

On the basis of the disadvantages of the prior art mentioned at the outset and the object resulting therefrom, the invention also relates to a retrofit kit comprising an actuation unit as described above.

• 1 eine schematische Seitenansicht der WC-Betätigungseinheit eingebaut in eine Wand vor einem Unterputzspülkasten;
• 2 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht der WC-Betätigungseinheit ohne Wand- und Unterputzspülkasten;
• 3 eine perspektivische Vorderansicht der WC- Betätigungseinheit;
• 4 eine Rückansicht der WC-Betätigungseinheit;
• 5 eine perspektivische Seitenansicht der WC-Betätigungseinheit mit aufgesetzter Betätigungsplatte;
• 6 eine Vorderansicht der WC-Betätigungseinheit eingebaut in einen Spülkasten und abgedrehter Betätigungsplatte; und
• 7 eine Explosionsdarstellungen der WC-Betätigungseinheit mit ihren Bauteilen.

Further details, advantages and features of the invention can be found in the following part of the description, in which an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings. Show it:

• 1 a schematic side view of the toilet operating unit installed in a wall in front of a concealed cistern;
• 2 a perspective side view of the toilet operating unit without wall and concealed cistern;
• 3 a perspective front view of the toilet actuator unit;
• 4 a rear view of the toilet actuation unit;
• 5 a perspective side view of the toilet actuator unit with attached actuator plate;
• 6 a front view of the toilet operating unit installed in a flushing cistern and turned operating plate; and
• 7 an exploded view of the toilet operating unit with its components.

Identical or identically functioning parts are provided with the same reference symbols.

According to 1 the toilet operating unit essentially consists of a front-side operating panel 2, an intermediate frame 8 which is arranged in the installed position behind the operating panel 2 in a wall opening 4 of a wall 6 or curtain wall, which is attached to a splash guard 12 via two horizontally spaced fixing rods 10, with which an access opening in the front of a concealed cistern 14 can be closed. In the present case, the wall opening 4 has the dimensions of approx. 30×15 cm and is provided approx. 50 cm above the upper edge of a toilet pan attached to the wall 6 at the rear.

In the representation according to 2 the actuating plate 2 and the intermediate frame 8 can be seen more clearly. The actuating plate 2 consists of a frame-like profile of essentially rectangular shape for insertion into a standard opening above a toilet and includes a peripheral support flange which rests on the edge of the opening 4 in the wall 6 at the front in the installed position.

The actuating plate 2 also includes two circular receptacles of different sizes for relatively movable accommodation of actuating buttons for triggering different flushing processes with large and small flush volumes. The front side of the actuating plate 2 is also secured by an in 1 schematically illustrated and freely configurable cover plate closed, through which the in 5 push through the buttons shown to operate the cistern.

On its rear side, i.e. extending in the z-direction, the actuating plate 2 comprises a push and turn rod 16 with a length of about 20 cm, which in the installed position can be rotated and longitudinally displaced into an insertion opening 18 provided on the intermediate frame 8 at the lower end of a one-piece on a first short leg of the intermediate frame 8 and extends parallel to the mounting plane side plate 19. In the longitudinal direction of the actuating plate 2 at a distance from the push/rotation rod 16, this includes a fixing pin 20, which also protrudes in the z-direction and which, in the installed position, fits into a fixing opening 22 engages in a corner plate 21 at the upper end of the intermediate frame 8 on the left-hand side. The distance from the push/rotation rod 16 and the fixing pin 20 effectively prevents a rotary movement in the pushed-in position. To open, the flush plate simply has to be pulled forward and swiveled down, which can be done without tools.

The splash guard 12 is designed as a closure plate with which an opening in the front of the concealed cistern 14 can be closed and which, in the installed position, rests with the peripheral flange on the front of this opening and can be rotated by means of two longitudinally spaced apart and rotatable at the lower end of the splash guard 12 the fixing screws 24, 26 used can be releasably fixed in the desired position on the concealed cistern 14.

Below the fixing opening 22, the splash guard 12 has a closure flap 28 which is pivotably articulated on the splash guard at the lower end and which in the 2 in the open position and in the 3 is shown in the closed position, and via which an access opening for a collecting basket 30 for receiving a toilet pill can be released, which is also pivotably attached to the back of the splash guard 12 or can be suspended.

the 5 shows the actuating plate 2 pivoted from the closed to the open position by pulling it forwards and rotating it 90 degrees downwards around the push and turn rod 16 is.

The intermediate frame 8, which is designed as a metal frame in the present case, is adapted to the size of the respective wall opening and has two longitudinal limbs that extend parallel to one another and define the long sides, which are continuously connected by transverse limbs that also extend parallel to one another and define the short sides to form a closed rectangular profile are, to form a closed profile frame. In order to achieve the necessary inherent rigidity, the intermediate frame 8 is formed from an L-profile that is closed all the way around and has a central through-opening for the passage of the transmission elements of the key movement to the flushing set.

The intermediate frame 8 is fastened to the splash guard 12 via two knurled screws 32, 34 extending in the z-direction, which consist of a cylindrical central rod, along the longitudinal direction of which equidistantly spaced annular, radially projecting discs are formed, which has a predefined threaded opening for insertion or Screwing in these knurled screws 32, 34 has. Thus, by screwing in the knurled screws 32, 34, the intermediate frame 8 can be adjusted as needed and precisely in its target position in relation to the splash guard 12 and the cover plate 2 by inserting the knurled screws into the splash guard and turning them in place by 90°. Different plaster or tile thicknesses can be compensated for. The intermediate frame is then screwed to the knurled screws with screws. A transverse offset to the mounting level can also be compensated.

The figure shows the cross-section through a pre-wall behind a toilet ceramic, not shown, which is attached below the through-opening on a flush pipe of a flush-water tank built into the wall.

A flushing valve, not shown in detail, is arranged inside the cistern, which can be actuated via a pivoting lever arrangement. To actuate this pivoted lever arrangement during a flushing process, a depressible actuating button provided in the actuating plate is pressed and the actuating force is thus transmitted to the flushing valve via the pivoted lever construction, preferably by lifting the flushing valve.

The front of the cistern has an access opening through which the cistern is accessible for maintenance and which can be covered by a splash guard, ie a plate-like cover which is screwed on or snapped in place.

The intermediate frame according to the invention is placed on the outer edge of the through-opening, which encloses the through-opening like a frame and is designed here as a cross-sectional Z-profile, i.e. as a profile frame, which has a front flange that can be placed on the front wall, a horizontal flange that extends from this front flange to the rear, and again has a rear flange which extends upward parallel to the front flange, the through-opening being defined on the inside within the profile frame.

In the present embodiment, this profile frame is placed on the front edge of the wall directly behind the actuating plate. On its rear side in the installed position, the actuating plate has two rods which are horizontally spaced apart from one another in the installed position and which can absorb tensile or rotational forces. One of these two horizontally aligned rods is designed as a push and turn rod, so that the actuating plate can be easily pulled off to the front and then rotated or swiveled away upwards or downwards around this push and turn rod for access to the insertion chute. When the actuating plate is turned away, the water treatment agent, preferably a type of flushing plug or the like, can be thrown through the through-opening in the profile frame after removing the splash guard into the insertion chute, which is preferably rotatably articulated on the splash guard. Then the actuating plate is pivoted back into the rest position or installation position to the - push and turn rod.

Reference List

2

flush plate

4

wall opening

6

Wall

8th

intermediate frame

10

fixation rods

12

splash guard

14

concealed cistern

16

push/turn rod

18

insertion opening

19

side plate

20

fixing pin

21

corner panel

22

fixing hole

24

fixing screw

28

fixing screw

28

closure flap

30

catch basket

32

knurled screw

34

knurled screw

Claims (6)

Actuating unit for triggering a flushing process in a cistern (14) of a toilet with an actuating plate (2) which can be placed in front of a wall opening (4), comprising at least one flush button for triggering a flush, a transmission element for transmitting a force exerted on the flush button to a Flushing valve arranged in the cistern, and a collecting basket (30) for receiving a water treatment agent, this also comprising an intermediate holder (8) arranged between the cistern and the actuating plate (2), and movable connecting means being provided between the intermediate holder and the actuating plate (2), via which the actuating plate (2) can be transferred from an installation position closing the wall opening (4) into an open position releasing the wall opening (4) for equipping the collecting basket (30), CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the connecting means (16) are at least one push and Rotating rod (16) are formed and that the Actuating plate (2), starting from the installation position closing a wall opening (4), is pulled forwards from the intermediate bracket (8) via the push and turn rod (16) and around the push and turn rod (16) upwards or downwards into the open position is turned. operating unit claim 1 , CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the at least one push and turn rod (16) is provided on the back of the actuating plate (2) and can be inserted into the intermediate holder (8). Actuating unit according to one of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED IN that the intermediate holder (8) is designed as a closed intermediate frame which defines a through opening. operating unit claim 3 , CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the intermediate frame (8) is designed as a profile frame. operating unit claim 4 or 5 , CHARACTERIZED IN THAT the intermediate frame (8) is designed as a metal frame. Retrofit kit comprising an actuating unit according to any one of the preceding claims.

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