EP0201435A1 - Water-closet installation with a device for cleaning the seat of the closet bowl, and closet bowl for the use of said installation - Google Patents

Abstract

1. A W.C. installation with a device for cleaning the flap-seats of the W.C. pan, of the type in which there is provided behind and above the W.C. pan (1), a casing (3) having, in addition to a cistern (41) for flushing the W.C. installation and a reservoir (42) for disinfectant and cleaning product, a mechanism for removing the flap-seat (2) which has just been used and replacing it with a clean and disinfected seat, the mechanism essentially comprising two endless chains (15) or the like, to each of which each flap-seat (2, 12) is connected by its rear edge, means (30, 31) for guiding the flap-seats along their path of travel in the casing, means for automatically controlling the opening of an exit (5) allowing the flap-seats to pass therethrough and means for washing each flap-seat brought within the casing including in particular a spraying frame (34) disposed within the casing, the means for washing each flapseat (2, 12) including a vertically movable cleaning carriage (35) characterised in that the carriage is adapted, when it moves upwardly, to clean the two sides of the flap-seat (12) located in the cleaning position and to wipe them when it descends, and in that the carriage (35) includes two brushes (38) having horizontal parallel axes (38a) having a width greater than that of a flap-seat (2, 12) and adapted to clean the two faces of the flap-seat when the carriage moves upwardly and in that an upper portion thereof above the brushes (38) has the shape of a gulley (39) having a V-shaped transverse section in which are located lips (40) of rubber or the like adapted to wipe the two faces of the flap-seat when the carriage descends.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a toilet installation with a device for cleaning the flaps of the toilet bowl, that is to say an installation in which each flap is replaced by a flap that is cleaned and disinfected after each use, and a toilet designed for such an installation.

This installation is of the type in which there is provided at the rear and above the toilet bowl, a box comprising in addition to a water tank for flushing the toilet installation and a reservoir of disinfectant product and cleaning, a mechanism for removing the flap which has just been used, and replacing it with a clean and disinfected flap, this mechanism essentially comprising two endless chains or the like to each of which each flap is linked by its rear edge, means for guiding the flaps along their route in the box, means automatically controlling the opening of a door allowing the flaps to pass and means for washing each flap brought inside the box including in particular a spraying ramp arranged inside the box.

In most installations of this type already known, such as that of French patent 83.05270, the washing and drying operations are carried out using two different devices, which requires the use of three flaps: one flap in the washing position, a flap in the drying position and a flap in the use position, as well as a device for transferring from one workstation (washing) to another (drying).

In the installation of this patent, the triggering of the various operations is also controlled by a camshaft of complicated construction and the box containing cleaning mechanisms is relatively bulky since it must permanently contain two flaps.

The object of the present invention is to provide an installation of the aforementioned type, which has a reduced bulk, in which the control of the various operations of the cleaning cycle is simplified and which also makes it possible to save the cleaning liquid.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, in that the washing means of each flap comprise a vertically displaceable cleaning carriage which is capable of cleaning both sides of the flap when the flap is placed in the cleaning position and wipe it down.

Advantageously, the cleaning carriage is able to control, by its ascent, the release of the flush in the bowl and by its descent, the stopping of the flush. It is also able to control by its descent the evacuation of the cleaning liquid, mixed with the water, coming from the cleaning of a flap, in a part of the flushing circuit so as to be driven by that -here in the bowl, and to participate in the cleaning thereof, during the next operation of the flush.

These provisions simplify the ordering of the different stages of the cleaning cycle and also make it possible to recover the cleaning liquid.

• Figure 1 en est une vue en coupe selon I-I de figure 2 ;
• Figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon II-II de figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon III-III de figure 2.

In any case, the invention will be well understood and other characteristics will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing illustrating by way of nonlimiting example a preferred embodiment of this installation d 'ease

• Figure 1 is a sectional view along II of Figure 2;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of Figure 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the toilet installation according to the invention essentially comprises a toilet bowl (1) forming a seat and provided with a flap (2), and a box (3) located at the rear (left in Figure 1) and above the bowl (1) and essentially divided into two parts (3a, 3b) by a vertical wall (3c).

The bowl (1) is also provided at its rear part, downstream of the inlet (1 b) of the flush inside this bowl, with a chamber (1a) forming a reservoir, which communicates with each of the parts (3a, 3b) of the box by openings respectively (51,43) and whose role will be explained below.

The box (3) is formed by a U-shaped body (4), closed at its upper part and at its front part by a cover (5). The cover (5) is articulated at (6) at the upper end of the rear wall of the body (4). The opening and closing of this cover (5) is controlled using a geared motor (8) whose output shaft (9) is connected by means of a connecting rod (10) and a crank - (11) to this cover (5). In this way each rotation, by a half-turn, of the geared motor (8), causes the vertical displacement, alternately up or down, of the crank (11) and therefore the opening or closing of the hood - (5) by pivoting around its articulation (6).

Inside the part (3a) of the box (3), which in fact constitutes the cleaning part proper of the installation, is another flap (12) identical to the flap (2). These flaps (2, 12) are similar to the flaps usually used to cover the toilet bowls. Each flap (2, 12) is crossed at its rear part by a pin (13) held integral in rotation with this flap and projecting on either side thereof. Of course the axis (13) could be replaced by pins projecting on either side of each flap. Each flap (2, 12) also has, on its rear edge, two pins (14) projecting perpendicular to the plane of its surface.

Each flap (2, 12) is capable of being driven into and out of the part (3a) of the box (3) by two endless chains (15) extending parallel to each other and each arranged along on one side of the box, the ends of the axis (13) of each flap (2, 12) each replacing an axis of an endless chain (15).

• -sur l'arbre de sortie du moto-réducteur (16) est monté un pignon (17) qui entraîne par l'intermédiaire d'une chaîne (18) un pignon (19) solidaire d'un axe (20) monté rotatif dans des paliers - (21) et s'étendant transversalement sur presque toute la longueur du caisson (3). L'axe (20) est muni à chaque extrémité d'un pignon (22) entraînant par l'intermédiaire d'une chaîne (23) un pignon double (25). Chaque chaîne (23) est tendue entre ce pignon (25) et un autre pignon (26) situé à l'extrémité inférieure du caisson (3).

The yokes (15), which are made of plastic, are driven by the geared motor group (16) via the following set of sprockets and chains:

• -on the output shaft of the gear motor (16) is mounted a pinion (17) which drives through a chain (18) a pinion (19) integral with an axis (20) mounted rotatably in bearings - (21) and extending transversely over almost the entire length of the box (3). The axis (20) is provided at each end with a pinion (22) driving through a chain (23) a double pinion (25). Each chain (23) is stretched between this pinion (25) and another pinion (26) located at the lower end of the box (3).

Two pairs of slides (30, 31) are provided inside the part (3a) of the box (3) near the front face of the latter. The slides (30, 31) of each pair are inclined relative to the vertical so as to delimit between them a gap (32) decreasing downwards. Each pair of slides cooperates with a lug (14) of each flap (2, 12) during its descent along these to bring it from a vertical position to an increasingly horizontal position until what happens in contact with the upper part of the toilet bowl - (1) (Cf. positions indicated in dashed lines of the flap (12) in Figure 1). This arrangement allows a secure installation of each flap (2, 12) on the bowl.

The cleaning device is essentially formed by a cleaning trolley (35) mounted inside the cleaning part (3a) of the box and by a horizontal spray bar (34) fixed to the upper part of the part ( 3a) of the box - (3).

The cleaning carriage (35) is mounted vertically movable along a screw (36) driven in rotation by a motor (37) on the outlet outlet from which it is fixed.

This cleaning trolley comprises two brushes (38) with parallel and horizontal axes (38a), extending over a width greater than that of a flap (2, 12) and capable of cleaning both sides of the flap during of the carriage rise. These brushes (38) are arranged tangentially to one another and so as to pass on either side of a flap ((12) in FIG. 1) placed vertically at the top of the box (3), in the cleaning position (see Figure 1, position in dashed lines of the carriage (35)).

The cleaning carriage (35) has in its upper part above the brushes (38) the shape of a chute (39) of V-shaped cross section in which are arranged lips (40) of rubber or similar suitable for wipe both sides of the flap when lowering the carriage. Inside the box (3) are also arranged, in the part (3b) · thereof, a water tank (41) for flushing and a tank of cleaning and disinfecting product (42) .

The disinfectant product reservoir (42) is connected to the water supply pipe of the sprinkler boom (34) downstream of a venturi (not shown in the drawing) located on this supply pipe, in the direction of water flow. Indeed, this venturi creates a vacuum which causes the suction of the cleaning product when the ramp is supplied with water. This arrangement allows the cleaning liquid to be dosed in a simple manner in the water of the spraying boom (34).

The flush tank (41) communicates by means of a hole (43), closed by a plug - (44), which is provided with a flexible membrane (45) sealing, with the part forming tank (1a) of the bowl (1). The drain (44) is mounted at one end of two bent rods (46) which are articulated by their other end around a fixed axis (47). The rotation of the rods - (46) around this axis (47), to the left in FIG. 1, causes the bung (44) to open, while their rotation in the opposite direction causes it to close.

A valve (50) ensures the closing of the opening (51) formed between the bottom of the part (3a) of the box (3) and the rear part (1a) of the bowl (1). This valve (50) is mounted on a rod (52) which is articulated at (49) on the rods (46) substantially at their articulation on the axis (47), and which is vertically movable.

The length of the rod (52) and the links (46) are calculated so that when the latter pivot to the left, by opening the opening (43), the valve (50) moves upwards and closes the opening (51 Conversely when the links - (46) pivot again to the right, from the opening position of the plug (44), the valve - (50) descends and releases the opening (51).

The stem (52) of the valve (50) extends at (53) beyond the latter, and a spring (55) is mounted between the bottom of the box (3) and a collar (54) provided at the end. of the rod (53). This spring (55) tends to push the collar (54) upwards and therefore to drive the valve (50) so that it closes the opening (51

An electrical circuit (56) for controlling the cleaning cycle is placed at the upper part of the box (3) at the same level as the various motors and geared motors, and controls the successive starting of these motors.

The cleaning cycle is controlled by the actuation of a push button (not shown in the drawing) located on the front face of the cover.

Different electrical contacts are associated with each upper and lower end position of the cleaning trolley, washing flaps and opening and closing the hood, in order to control the continuation of the cleaning cycle.

• L'actionnement du bouton poussoir commande la rotation sur un demi-tour du moto-réducteur (8) et par conséquent l'ouverture du capot (5) (en traits mixtes sur la figure 1). L'ouverture du capot, détectée par un contact électrique, commande la rotation du moto-réducteur (16) de façon à entraîner, par la rotation des chaînes (15), l'abattant - (2) jusqu'à la position de lavage (position verticale de l'abattant (12) dans la figure 1), l'abattant (12) étant entraîné et guidé par les glissières (30, 31) de la façon décrite précédemment jusqu'à venir sur la partie supérieure de la cuvette (1).

This cleaning cycle is carried out as follows:

• The actuation of the push button controls the rotation on a half-turn of the gear motor (8) and therefore the opening of the cover (5) (in phantom in Figure 1). The opening of the hood, detected by an electrical contact, controls the rotation of the gear motor (16) so as to drive, by the rotation of the chains (15), the flap - (2) to the washing position (vertical position of the flap (12) in Figure 1), the flap (12) being driven and guided by the slides (30, 31) in the manner described above until it comes to the upper part of the bowl (1).

The arrival in the washing position of the flap (2 or 12) as the case may be) causes, by actuating an end-of-travel contact, the closing of the cover (5) by rotation over a half-turn gear motor (8).

• -la montée du chariot de nettoyage (35) par actionnement du moteur (37), cette montée du chariot - (35) libère le ressort (55) du clapet (50) et provoque donc la montée de celui-ci et par conséquent la fermeture de l'ouverture (51) et la libération de la chasse d'eau à l'intérieur de la cuvette par ouverture de la bonde (44).
• -l'alimentation de la rampe d'arrosage (34), cette alimentation est provoquée par l'ouverture d'une électrovanne (non représentée sur le dessin) située entre le réseau d'alimentation en eau et la rampe d'arrosage, et l'ouverture de cette électrovanne est commandée par un relais temporisé réglable de façon à maintenir l'alimentation pendant la montée du chariot. La pression de l'eau du réseau entraîne par l'intermédiaire du venturi le produit de nettoyage jusqu'à la rampe d'arrosage.

Closing the cover (5) authorizes the continuation of the cycle, either simultaneously:

• -the rise of the cleaning carriage (35) by actuation of the motor (37), this rise of the carriage - (35) releases the spring (55) of the valve (50) and therefore causes the rise of the latter and consequently the closing the opening (51) and releasing the flush inside the bowl by opening the drain (44).
• -the supply to the spraying boom (34), this supply is caused by the opening of a solenoid valve (not shown in the drawing) located between the water supply network and the spraying ramp, and the opening of this solenoid valve is controlled by an adjustable time relay so as to maintain the supply during the ascent of the carriage. The network water pressure carries the cleaning product through the venturi to the sprinkler rail.

During this stage of the cycle, the carriage rises by cleaning with its brushes (38) the flap (2,12) placed between them.

When the carriage (35) is in the high position, a limit switch contact reverses the direction of rotation of the motor (37) and the carriage (35) descends to its low position, wiping the flap (2 , 12) using his lips (40).

When the carriage is in its low position, a limit switch stops the motor (37) and reverses the direction of rotation. Simultaneously, the carriage (35) moves the valve (50) downwards by compressing the spring (55), which has the effect of releasing the opening (51) between the cleaning part (3a) of the box (3 ) and the part (1a) of the bowl, to close the drain (44) and to cause, in a manner known per se, the filling of the flush tank.

When the valve (50) is opened, the water and the cleaning liquid coming from the spraying boom (34) fall into the part (1a) of the tank-forming bowl. This water-cleaning liquid mixture will be entrained in the bowl (1) during a new actuation of the flush and will therefore also be used for cleaning the latter.

Once the cycle is complete, the flap can be dried by natural convection or using a fan which can be placed at (60) at the upper end of the box (3).

Ventilation openings (61) are also provided at various points in the box to facilitate the drying of the flaps.

In an alternative embodiment of this installation, not shown in the drawing, the carriage drive means (35) can be constituted not by a worm screw 36 but by endless chains or belts driven by an electric motor similar to the motor 37 for driving the worm (36) in rotation and which, like it, has two directions of rotation with control of the reversal of its direction of rotation associated with the limit switches.

Claims (13)

1-lnstallation of toilets with device for cleaning the flaps of the toilet bowl, of the type in which it is provided, at the rear and above the toilet bowl (1), a box (3) comprising, in addition to a water tank (41) for flushing the toilet facility and a tank (42) of disinfectant and cleaning product, a mechanism for removing the flap (2) which has just been used and replacing it by a clean and disinfected flap (12), this mechanism essentially comprising two endless chains (15) or similar to each of which each flap (2,12) is linked by its rear edge, means of guide (30,31) of the flaps along their route in the box, means automatically controlling the opening of an outlet (5) allowing the passage of the flaps and means for washing each flap brought inside the box including in particular a watering ramp (34) arranged inside the box, charac terized in that the washing means of each flap (2,12) comprise a cleaning carriage (35) movable vertically which is capable of cleaning when it is mounted the two sides of the flap (12) placed in the cleaning position and wipe them down. 2-Installation according to claim 1, characterized in that the carriage (35) comprises two brushes - (38) of axes (38a) parallel and hotizontal extending over a width greater than that of a flap (2.12 ) and able to clean both sides of the flap when the carriage is mounted and in that it has at its upper part, above the brushes (38), the shape of a section trough (39) transverse V-shaped in which are arranged lips (40) of rubber or the like capable of wiping the two faces of the flap when the carriage is lowered. 3-lnstallation according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the cleaning carriage - (35) is capable of controlling by its ascent the release of the flush in the bowl (1) and by its descent stop flushing. 4-Installation according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cleaning carriage (35) is capable of controlling, by its descent, the evacuation of the cleaning liquid, mixed with water, coming from the cleaning of a flap (2,12) in a part (1a) of the flushing circuit so as to be driven by it in the bowl (1), and to participate in the cleaning thereof, during the next operation of flushing. 5-Installation according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the carriage (35) is capable of causing, during its descent, the opening of a valve (50) closing the opening (51) formed between the box (3) and the part (1a) of the flushing circuit and in that this valve is articulated at (49) on the end of at least one rod (46) which is provided at its other end of a drain (44) capable of ensuring the closing of the opening (43) between the tank (41) of the flush and the bowl (1), this rod (46) and the drain (44 ) being able to close the opening (43) when the valve (50) is open and to release the latter when the valve (50) is closed. 6-lnstallation according to claim 5, characterized in that each link (46) is rotatably mounted, near its end on which is hinged the valve (50), on a fixed axis (47) soidaire box (3). 7-lnstallation according to any one of claims 5 and 6, characterized in that a spring - (55) is mounted between the valve (50) and the box (3) and in that this spring biases the valve (50 ) in the direction of its closure. 8-lnstallation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the disinfectant product reservoir (42) is connected to the water supply pipe of the irrigation boom (34) downstream of a venturi located on this pipeline. 9-installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that limit switches are associated with each upper and lower end position of the cleaning trolley, washing flaps as well as opening and closing of the hood to control each stage of the cleaning cycle. 10-Installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water supply to the spraying boom (34) is controlled by a solenoid valve whose opening is controlled by an adjustable time relay. so as to maintain the water supply while the carriage is rising. 11-Toilet for toilet installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, at its rear part, downstream of the inlet (1b) of the flush inside the bowl, a chamber (1a) forming a reservoir and capable of collecting the liquid coming from the cleaning of a flap (2,12) and in that this chamber (1a) communicates, on the one hand, with the flush tank (41) by means of an opening (43), and, on the other hand, with the cleaning part (3a) of the box (3) by means of an opening (51) , these openings (43,51) being able to be alternately closed or opened by means of associated valves respectively (44,50). 12-installation according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carriage drive means (35) consist of an endless screw (36) engaged in a threaded hole in the carriage (35) and driven in rotation by an electric motor (37) with two directions of rotation and control of the reversal of its direction of rotation by means associated with limit switches. 13-Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the carriage drive means (35) are constituted by endless belts or chains driven by an electric motor (37) with two directions of rotation and controlling the reversal of its direction of rotation by means associated with the limit switches.

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