EP0520114A1 - Interruptable flushing mechanism with garanteed minimum flush - Google Patents

Abstract

Interruptible flushing mechanism, with guaranteed minimum flush, of the type comprising: - a valve (3) which can move in axial translation and is intended to be applied on the edge (8) of the emptying orifice (C) provided in the bottom (7) of the water flushing tank; - a float (2) integral in axial translation with the said valve (3) and intended to keep the latter at a distance from its seat (8), during the flushing or water discharging process; - a control device with a push-button (17); - and a transmission and lifting system for the valve (22-23) actuated by the said push-button (17), characterised in that it includes a buoyancy chamber (12) fitted in the upper part of the mechanism and in which the said float (2) is housed, this buoyancy chamber (12) being complemented by means for rapid emptying comprising at least one member (26) controlled by the push-button, and at least one orifice (14) located in the bottom or near the bottom of the said chamber, these means being placed in the operating position when the push-button (17) is pushed and in the non-operating position when the latter is no longer pushed. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a "interruptable" flushing mechanism, with minimum guaranteed flow, for a toilet flush tank, the "interruptable" neologism meaning: whose action can be interrupted.

Hunting mechanisms are known (EP-A-0.124.458, EP-A-0.128.847, FR-A-2.591.250, FR-A-2.580.694) comprising a valve movable in axial translation and intended for s '' apply to the edge of the drain orifice provided in the bottom of the flush tank, this valve being mounted at the end or at the bottom of a tubular rod itself secured to a float the function is to keep said valve away from its seat, during the water evacuation or flushing process; these flushing mechanisms further comprising a push button control device and a system for transmitting or lifting the valve actuated by said push button.

According to these mechanisms, when the control push button has been pressed and the flushing process has started, this process cannot be interrupted any more and the valve does not fall back into its seat until the tank has been completely emptied. Such an often desirable result can also constitute a drawback when an amount of water substantially less than the capacity of the tank is sufficient to obtain a good rinsing of the bowl. This therefore results in the use of excessive amounts of water which is regrettable both for the user and for the community.

Attempts have been made (FR-A-2,548,328) to overcome this drawback by a device for actuating the flow valve, comprising a push-button for control integral with a thrust member that can slide axially and connected, by means of a hinge, to a thrust head that can pivot laterally in a limited manner, on either side of its sliding axis, so as to act on one or the other of the two arms of a tilting lever, one of the arms of this lever being attached, by means of remote transmission members, to the flow valve, so that according to the pivoting push head presses on one or the other of the arms of the pivoting lever, an upward pulling action is exerted causing the raising of said valve or a downward pushing action causing the lowering of the latter in the direction of his seat.

This device has the particular disadvantage of not transmitting axial forces to the tube equipped with the flow valve, so that the longitudinal translation of the tube-flow valve assembly is not perfect, which, of on the one hand, increases the importance of the forces necessary for the displacement of said assembly, especially in the upward direction and, on the other hand, can lead, in the long run, to a misalignment of the movable element of the flushing mechanism and a poor application the valve on its seat promoting the appearance of a leak.

Another major drawback of this device is that it makes it possible to interrupt the flushing process at any time after having started it, so that the flow of water can be stopped before the bowl is completely cleaned, and that ineffective quantities of water evacuated are wasted, the use of such a device does not, moreover, offer the guarantees of desirable cleanliness and hygiene.

An object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the aforementioned drawbacks and, more particularly, the shortcoming indicated last.

According to the invention, this object is achieved thanks to a flushing mechanism comprising a lift chamber arranged in the upper part of said mechanism and in which is housed the float secured in axial translation to the shutter valve of the drain orifice, this lift chamber being supplemented by rapid emptying means comprising at least one member subject to the push button and at least one orifice placed in the bottom or near the bottom of said chamber, these means being placed in the operative position during pressing the push button, and inoperative position when you stop pressing it.

Thanks to this mechanism, it is possible to interrupt the flow of water in the direction of the bowl, but this interruption can only be obtained after the evacuation of several liters of water. In this way, we benefit from the possibility of interrupting the hunting process and saving water, but the guaranteed flow of an effective "minimal" volume of water is a guarantee of hygiene.

• La figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un premier mode d'exécution du mécanisme de chasse selon l'invention, montré installé dans un réservoir de chasse d'eau dont on a seulement et partiellement représenté le fond et le couvercle, ledit mécanisme se trouvant en position de repos.
• La figure 2 est une vue analogue à la figure 1 et représente le bouton-poussoir après son enfoncement ayant entraîné la montée de l'équipage mobile et l'ouverture de l'orifice de vidange.
• La figure 3 est une vue quasi identique à la figure 2 et montrant la position du dispositif de commande, après relâchement du bouton-poussoir, durant la vidange.
• La figure 4 est une vue analogue aux précédentes et montrant l'interruption volontaire de l'écoulement de l'eau, au cours du processus de vidange du réservoir, par enfoncement du bouton-poussoir.
• La figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale et à plus grande échelle, suivant la ligne 5-5 de la figure 4.
• La figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale et à plus grande échelle, selon la ligne 6-6 de la figure 4.
• La figure 7 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un deuxième mode d'exécution du mécanisme de chasse selon l'invention, représenté en position de repos.

The aims, characteristics and advantages above, and others still, will emerge more clearly from the description which follows and from the appended drawings in which:

• Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a first embodiment of the flushing mechanism according to the invention, shown installed in a flushing tank of which only the bottom and the cover have been shown, said mechanism in the rest position.
• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 and shows the push button after it is pressed having caused the moving equipment to rise and the drain opening to open.
• Figure 3 is a view almost identical to Figure 2 and showing the position of the control device, after releasing the push button, during emptying.
• Figure 4 is a view similar to the previous ones and showing the voluntary interruption of the flow of water, during the emptying process of the tank, by pressing the push button.
• FIG. 5 is a view in cross section and on a larger scale, along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.
• FIG. 6 is a view in cross section and on a larger scale, along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.
• Figure 7 is an axial sectional view of a second embodiment of the flushing mechanism according to the invention, shown in the rest position.

Reference is made to said drawings to describe two interesting, although not limiting, embodiments of the interruptible flushing mechanism, with minimum guaranteed flow, according to the invention.

• une enveloppe extérieure 1 de forme générale cylindrique ;
• un flotteur 2 logé avec une aptitude de déplacement vertical dans ladite enveloppe et solidaire, en translation axiale, du clapet 3 d'obturation de l'orifice de vidange du réservoir ;
• un tube de surverse 4 comportant un orifice supérieur A et un orifice inférieur B, de manière à permettre une décharge automatique d'un éventuel trop plein qui pourrait résulter de la fermeture défectueuse du robinet commandant l'admission d'eau dans le réservoir ;
• un système de commande à bouton-poussoir permettant le soulèvement du clapet ;
• un culot désigné, dans son ensemble, par la référence 5, et destiné à être installé fixement dans l'orifice 6 que présente le fond 7 du réservoir (partiellement représenté aux figures 1 à 4).

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6, this mechanism notably comprises:

• an outer casing 1 of generally cylindrical shape;
• a float 2 housed with an aptitude for vertical movement in said envelope and integral, in axial translation, with the valve 3 for closing the tank emptying orifice;
• an overflow tube 4 comprising an upper orifice A and a lower orifice B, so as to allow automatic discharge of any overflow which could result from the defective closing of the valve controlling the admission of water into the tank;
• a push button control system allowing the valve to be raised;
• a base designated, as a whole, by the reference 5, and intended to be fixedly installed in the orifice 6 presented by the bottom 7 of the tank (partially shown in Figures 1 to 4).

The base 5 has a central orifice C whose upper circular edge 8 constitutes the seat of the valve 3.

When the flushing mechanism is positioned inside a flushing tank itself fixed on a toilet bowl, the base 5 is fixedly installed, by means of a nut (not shown) screwed onto the threaded lower cylindrical portion 5a of said base, in the orifice 6.

In this way, the central orifice C of the base 5 constitutes the emptying orifice of said tank. The seal between the bottom 7 of the reservoir and the seat or bearing face of the base 5 is produced by means of an intermediate annular seal 9 made of rubber or other suitable material.

The base of the outer envelope 1 and the base 5 are arranged in a complementary manner or provided with complementary joining means allowing them to be rigidly assembled, in a separable manner, while allowing the passage of water between said base and said base. The base 5 is, for example, provided with three locking forks 10 spaced 120 degrees and between the branches of which can be engaged and retained the base of the casing 1. Between the locking forks are thus formed large openings 11 , for the passage of water.

According to the invention, the upper part of the envelope 1 is arranged so as to constitute an auxiliary tank 12.

The upper part 1a of the envelope 1 constitutes the side wall of this tank, the bottom of which is formed, according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, by a circular wall or partition 13. In the vicinity of the bottom 13, the side wall 1a of the tank 12 is provided with discharge orifices 14 distributed over the periphery of said wall, these orifices being placed above said bottom according to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 6.

The orifices 14 are disposed approximately in the middle part of the height of the casing 1 and of the flushing mechanism, and at a level which is very clearly below the level where the orifice above the overflow tube is placed. 4, for example about halfway up the latter.

The float 2 of the flushing mechanism is housed inside the lift chamber 12. This float is advantageously constituted by a bell open at its base and closed at its top and this bell is rigidly secured to a spacer tube 15 by means of which it is connected to the valve 3. The latter is, for example, constituted by a seal in the form of a circular crown, made of rubber or other similar material, and it is installed in a peripheral groove which has a rigid frame 16 constituting the lower end of the spacer tube 15.

• un bouton-poussoir 17, mobile axialement et verticalement, ce bouton-poussoir étant logé dans une coupelle 18 appelée à être installée fixement dans le trou 19 que présente le couvercle 20 des réservoirs de chasse pour le passage de la tige des dispositifs de commande ; cette coupelle 18 est, par exemple, solidaire d'une tige tubulaire 18a dotée d'un filetage extérieur par l'intermédiaire duquel elle est vissée dans l'écrou 32 constitué par le chapeau 1b formant le sommet de l'enveloppe extérieure 1 ;
• un ressort 21 agissant en compression et tendant à repousser le bouton-poussoir 17, vers l'extérieur, c'est-à-dire vers le haut ; ce ressort étant par exemple calé, par l'intermédiaire de ses extrémités opposées, d'une part, contre la face inférieure dudit bouton-poussoir et, d'autre part, contre le fond de la coupelle 18 ;
• une tige axiale de transmission 22 solidaire en translation axiale du bouton-poussoir 17 et qui peut être reliée à celui-ci par l'intermédiaire de son extrémité supérieure ; cette tige de transmission traversant longitudinalement l'équipage mobile 2-15-3 ;
• et un organe de soulèvement 23 monté avec une aptitude de pivotement à l'extrémité inférieure de la tige de transmission 22 et disposé au-dessous du clapet 3 ; cet organe est, par exemple, constitué par une came ou par un petit levier du premier type dont l'axe d'oscillation est porté par une traverse 24 disposée fixement à travers l'orifice d'évacuation du culot 5, au-dessous du siège du clapet.

Very interestingly, the push button control system is of the type described and illustrated in document FR-A-2,591,250. This control system allowing the valve 3 to be raised, comprises:

• a push button 17, axially and vertically movable, this push button being housed in a cup 18 which is to be fixedly installed in the hole 19 presented by the cover 20 of the flush tanks for the passage of the rod of the ordered ; this cup 18 is, for example, integral with a tubular rod 18a provided with an external thread by means of which it is screwed into the nut 32 constituted by the cap 1b forming the top of the external envelope 1;
• a spring 21 acting in compression and tending to push the push button 17 outward, that is to say upward; this spring being for example wedged, by means of its opposite ends, on the one hand, against the underside of said push button and, on the other hand, against the bottom of the cup 18;
• an axial transmission rod 22 secured in axial translation to the push-button 17 and which can be connected to the latter via its upper end; this transmission rod passing longitudinally through the moving assembly 2-15-3;
• and a lifting member 23 mounted with a pivotability at the lower end of the transmission rod 22 and arranged below the valve 3; this member is, for example, constituted by a cam or by a small lever of the first type, the oscillation axis of which is carried by a cross-member 24 fixedly disposed through the evacuation orifice of the base 5, below the valve seat.

The mechanism according to the invention further comprises means allowing rapid emptying of the lift chamber 12. According to the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 6, these means comprise, in addition to the orifices 14 previously described, a shutter constituted by the cylindrical side wall 26 of an auxiliary tank 25 of annular shape, disposed, with an axial displacement capacity, around the spacer tube 15. This auxiliary tank 25 is open at its upper part and, its side wall 26 comprises, near from the bottom 25a of said tank orifices 27 whose shape, number and distribution correspond to the shape, number and distribution of the orifices 14, opposite which they can be placed. The side wall 2a of the float 2 is housed in the annular auxiliary tank 25, the height of this wall being substantially equal to the height of the internal cylindrical wall 25b of said tank. On the other hand, the external side wall 26 of the annular auxiliary tank 25 has a height substantially greater than that of the internal wall 25b of said tank.

When the wall 1a is placed in front of the orifices 27, the latter are closed off, in a manner that is not strictly sealed, by said wall.

The spacer tube 15 comprises a tubular extension 15a, the upper orifice D of which is placed substantially at the level where the orifice A of the overflow tube 4 is located, when the device is at rest, and preferably slightly at below this level.

The side wall 26 of the auxiliary tank 25 is rigidly secured to two columns or connecting rods 28 oriented upwards and diametrically opposite. A horizontal drive bar 29, arranged perpendicular to the rods 28, rigidly connects the upper part of the latter. Springs 30 acting in compression are arranged around the upper part of the rods 28. These springs are wedged, on the one hand, against the underside of the bar 29 and, on the other hand, against a circular shoulder 1c of the outer casing 1.

It will be appreciated that the springs 30 tend to push the drive bar 29 upward and therefore maintain the shutter 26 and the auxiliary tank 25 in the high position.

The transmission rod 22 is provided with a thrust member making it possible to lower the assembly: shutter 26-auxiliary reservoir 25, when the push-button 17 is pressed. This thrust member is, for example, constituted by a ring 31 wedged on the rod 22 and disposed above the bar 29, and, preferably, in contact with the latter.

The overflow tube 4 of the flushing mechanism is disposed outside of the casing 1. Its lower orifice B is connected to the base 5 by a conduit 32 opening into said base, below the seat 8 of the valve 3.

The operation of this embodiment of the flushing mechanism according to the invention is described below.

During the filling or inactivity period (Figure 1), the moving part 2-15-3 is in the low position, the valve 3 rests on its seat 8 and closes the drain orifice C. On the other hand, the push button 17 and the push ring 31 are in the high position, as well as the shutter 26 and the auxiliary tank 25; in this position, the orifices 27 of the auxiliary tank 25 are placed above the level where the orifices 14 of the wall 1a are located and are therefore closed by the latter. At the end of filling, the level N of the water contained in the tank is generally a little below the location where the upper ends of the overflow tube 4 and the tubular extension 15a of the spacer tube 15 are located, so that said overflow tube can fulfill its function in the event of a faulty closing of the supply valve. Water also fills the lift chamber 12 and the auxiliary tank 25, housed therein.

By pressing the push button 17, the transmission rod 22 is lowered and the lever 23 swings ensuring the lifting of the valve 3 and the moving part 2-15-3. The water flows towards the drain orifice C, through the openings 11 formed between the base of the casing 1 and the upper surface of the base 5, and the float 2 communicates an additional upward movement to the mobile assembly 2 -15-3 (Figure 2) whose upward movement is stopped by an internal shoulder 1d of the casing 1 against which abuts the top of the float 2. It is observed that the descent of the rod 22 has also caused, by l action of the thrust ring 31, the descent of the auxiliary reservoir 25 and of the shutter 26, the orifices 27 of which are placed opposite the orifices 14 of the side wall 1a. This, however, has no consequence due to the fact that there is water both inside and outside of the envelope 1.

When the push button 17 is released, it goes up under the action of the spring 21, causing a corresponding upward movement of the transmission rod 22 and of the push ring 31, while the rocking lever 23 resumes its initial position (figure 3). Simultaneously, the shutter 26 and the auxiliary tank 25 go up under the action of the springs 30.

During a complete emptying of the tank, the moving part 2-15-3 remains in the raised position as long as the buoyancy of the float remains ensured. The level of the water contained in the flushing tank decreases gradually and rapidly, while the level of the water contained in the lift chamber 12 and more precisely in the auxiliary tank 25 also drops but much more slowly due to the fact that the orifices 27 formed near the bottom of the latter are closed in leaktight manner by the cylindrical obturating wall 26. The movable assembly 2-15-3 naturally falls back into its position rest and shutter of the drain orifice C (Figure 1) when there is no more water in the auxiliary tank 25 and the lift of the float 2 is no longer ensured.

It is possible to interrupt the emptying, but not before the falling level of the water contained in the flushing tank has reached the orifices 14, that is to say not before a certain volume of water has not been drained.

Indeed, if the push-button 17 is pressed while the level N 'of the water contained in the flush tank is located above the orifices 14, the descent of the shutter assembly 26-auxiliary tank 25 and the matching of the orifices 14 and 27 will not allow rapid evacuation of the water contained in said auxiliary tank, for the reason previously expressed, the lift of the float 2 remaining ensured.

On the other hand, if the push-button 17 is pressed while the falling level N '' of the water contained in the flushing tank, has reached or exceeded the orifices 14, the matching of said orifices 14 and of the orifices 27, allows the rapid evacuation of the auxiliary tank and the descent of the mobile assembly 2-15-3 (FIG. 4), the emptying being interrupted as soon as said push-button is released allowing the valve 3 to drop onto its seat 8.

The embodiment of the flushing mechanism illustrated in Figure 7 differs from that previously described, mainly by the fact that the lift chamber 12 does not contain an auxiliary tank and that the shutter 26 allowing to place orifices 14 or not provided in the side wall of the envelope 1, in relation to said chamber, is constituted by the movable bottom of the latter.

According to this embodiment, the mobile shutter 26 consists of a circular plate disposed around the spacer tube 15 and capable of sliding, in a non-leaktight manner, along the latter and the internal surface of the envelope 1. This plate 26 constituting the movable bottom of the chamber lift 12, is connected, by means of two vertical and parallel rods or columns 28, to a drive bar 29. Springs 30 tend to keep the assembly 26-28-29 in the high position, as indicated previously.

The flushing mechanism produced according to this embodiment also makes it possible to interrupt the emptying process by pressing the push button 17 a second time, but this interruption cannot take place as long as the falling level of the water does not has not reached holes 14.

Claims (10)

Interruptible flushing mechanism, with minimum guaranteed flow, of the type comprising: - a valve (3) movable in axial translation and intended to be applied to the edge (8) of the drain orifice (C) formed in the bottom ( 7) the flush tank; - A float (2) integral in axial translation with said valve (3) and intended to keep the latter away from its seat (8), during the process of evacuating water or flushing; - a push button control device (17); - And a valve transmission and lifting system (22-23) actuated by said push button (17), characterized in that it comprises a lift chamber (12) arranged in the upper part of the mechanism and in which said float (2) is housed, this lift chamber (12) being completed by rapid emptying means comprising at least one member (26) secured to the push button, and at least one orifice (14) disposed in the bottom or near the bottom of said chamber, these means being placed in the operating position when the push button (17) is pressed and in the inoperative position when the latter is no longer pressed. Interruptible flushing mechanism according to claim 1, comprising a base (5) provided with a central opening (C) intended to constitute the emptying orifice of the tank, this base (5) being intended to be fixedly installed on the opening bottom (6) of the reservoir (7), characterized in that the side wall of the lift chamber (12) consists of the side wall (1a) of a cylindrical outer casing (1) whose base is arranged to be able be fixedly assembled to said base (5). Interruptible flushing mechanism according to one of claims 1 or 2, the push-button control device (17) of which comprises a transmission rod (22), characterized in that the means for rapid emptying of the lift chamber comprise a movable shutter (26) actuated by said transmission rod (22). Interruptible flushing mechanism according to claim 3, characterized in that the side wall (1a) of the outer casing (1) is provided with discharge orifices (14) arranged near the bottom (13, 26) of the lift chamber (12) and which are placed in communication with the latter, when the push button (17) is pressed. Interruptible flushing mechanism according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the movable shutter (26) consists of the side wall of an auxiliary annular reservoir (25) housed in the lift chamber (12) and in which is arranged the side wall (2a) of the floating bell constituting the float (2); the side wall (26) of this auxiliary tank being provided with orifices (27) which are closed in leaktight manner by the side wall (1a) of the outer casing (1) when the push button (17) is in high rest position, and which are placed in communication with the orifices (14) of said envelope when said push button (17) is pressed. Interruptible flushing mechanism according to claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the movable shutter (26) consists of the movable bottom of the lift chamber (12), this bottom being placed above the orifices (14) of the wall lateral (1a) of the outer casing (1) when the push button (17) is in the high rest position, and below said orifices (14) when said push button (17) is pressed. Interruptible flushing mechanism according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the shutter (26) is subject to elastic means (30) tending to return it to the high position. Interruptible flushing mechanism according to any one of Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the shutter (26) is connected, by means of connecting columns (28) to a drive bar 29, and in that that the transmission rod (22) is provided with a thrust member (31) disposed above said strip (29), and preferably in contact with the latter. Interruptible flushing mechanism according to Claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the elastic return means of the shutter (26) in the high position comprise springs (30) arranged around the upper end of the connecting columns (28) and wedged, on the one hand, against the drive bar (29) and, on the other hand, against a shoulder (1c) of the outer casing (1). Interruptible flushing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the float (2) is integral with the upper part of a spacer tube (15) rigidly connecting it to the valve (3), and in that the transmission and lifting system of the valve (3) comprises a transmission rod (22) passing through said tube-spacer and a member (23) for lifting said valve, mounted with a pivotability at the lower end of this rod and arranged below the latter.

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