EP1149955A1

EP1149955A1 - Equipment for ventilating a water-closed

Info

Publication number: EP1149955A1
Application number: EP00108997A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Previato; Lucio Giovanni Renesto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-28
Filing date: 2000-04-28
Publication date: 2001-10-31

Abstract

An equipment for ventilating a water-closet comprises a water-closet bowl (1) with a cavity (2) and a siphon (3) connected to the discharging system of the building; a flushing duct (4) sends the water to the water-closet bowl (1) through bores (5); a duct (9) of suction with a section of inlet (10) for the suction bores (11) for the gases which come in the duct (9); a ventilator (12) connected to an end of the duct (9) presents a delivery duct (13) connected to two discharging ducts (14,15); a two-way valve (16a, 16b) connects duct (13) to duct (14) or to duct (15); a check valve (17) allows the flow of the gases from the discharging duct (14) to the siphon (3) and prevents the reflow; a overflow sensor (66) is used for obtaining a signal to be sent to a suitable switch (21) intercepting the ventilator (12) feeding and closes an on-off valve (31) when the signal indicates a clogging of the bowl (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a ventilation equipment capable of sucking the gases and vapours from the cavity of a water-closet bowl for preventing said gaseous substances from being diffused in the bathroom; therefore, the equipment is capable of discharging the gases in a room separated from the bathroom.
The equipment is particularly suitable for rigging a water-closet bowl already installed, but it is also capable of being mounted in a new or in a water-closet bowl to be installed.

PRIOR ART

An equipment for the purification of gases coming from sanitary fittings is known; this equipment essentially comprises a ventilating device connected to the room who said fittings are found by means of a manifold, into which the single suction ducts, coming from the single rooms, flow. The ventilating device is used for sending the mixture of gases to a system of purification filters, from which the purified gases are expelled to the atmosphere.
This equipment is exclusively used in very large and roomy structures suitable for its use; in fact, it can be installed in hotels, hospitals and the like, since the ventilating device absorbs a high quantity of power and needs apposite and complex supporting structures; the system of purification filters is used for making breathable the gases and, therefore, it has to be opportunely planed for this need; at last the purified gases are expelled to the atmosphere; therefore, in case of failure of the system of purification filters, it is necessary that said system is immediately replaced for preventing the saturation of the toilets by the gases.
At the time no document of prior art presents an equipment comprising a low powered ventilator connected to the cavity of the water-closet bowl for sucking the gases and vapours through a suction duct starting from at least one suction bore which is located in the cavity; also the suction duct of the equipment communicating with a discharging outlet for the gases and vapours insulated from the bathroom is a solution unknown in the prior art; in particular the solution consisting of a duct fitted with a drainage pipe flowing into the drainage pipe of the water-closet downstream of the siphon is new and original.
In addition, the prior art does not present a "WC" seat fitted with pushing elements capable of being elastically recessed, said pushing elements assuring the adherence of the seat to the edge of the water-closet bowl when the seat is weighted by an external load; the adhering seat and the outline of the person using the water-closet cause a throttling in the passage between the bathroom and the cavity of the water-closet bowl; the throttling increasing the suction effect of the ventilator; therefore, the equipment can be fitted with a low powered ventilator and assure an efficient ventilation.

AIM OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to remedy these defects. The invention, as claimed, solves the problem of creating an equipment for ventilating a water-closet.
By means of the present invention a quick and complete purification of the organic gases and vapours is directly reached from its emission source, i.e. from the internal part of the water-closet bowl rather than from the bathroom, without using a filter or other purification device; therefore, the effect of making breathable the air of the bathroom is obtained by means of a ventilator the inlet of which is connected, through a suction duct, to at least one suction bore located in the cavity of the water-closet bowl, the outlet of the ventilator is connected to a discharging duct which delivers the gases and vapours from the suction duct to a room insulated from the bathroom.
Preferably, the room insulated from the bathroom is the drain canalisation of the water-closet bowl downstream of the siphon.
The equipment is purchased and installed with low cost and it is also easily adaptable to any already installed and non prearranged water-closet bowl; thank to the pushing elements capable of being elastically recessed applied to the seat maximising the suction effect and to the possibility of utilising of the already existing flushing channel also as suction channel.
The equipment is also characterised for a high reliability and for its ease use.

FEATURES OF THE EQUIPMENT

The equipment for ventilating gasses and vapours coming from a water-closet bowl comprises a ventilator the suction duct of which starts from at least one suction bore located in a cavity of the water-closet bowl; the ventilator co-operating with the seat of the bowl for creating a vacuum in the cavity in order to obtain an air, gas and vapours flow coming from the cavity, the flow crosses the suction duct and a delivery duct of the ventilator; the delivery duct is connected to a room external to the bathroom through suitable drainage means.
Preferably, the drainage means consist of a drain duct flowing into a drainage pipe downstream of the siphon connected to the drainage system.
At least a part of the flushing duct of the water-closet bowl is connected to the inlet of the ventilator for creating said vacuum in the cavity; the flushing duct communicating with the cavity through at least a bore of discharging and suction.
First means are provided for defining the suction phase of the gases from the cavity of the water-closet bowl and second means for determine the flushing phase of the water-closet bowl.
The suction phase is contemporaneous to the flushing phase; said phases taking place by means of two separate pipes.
Means are provided for connecting said part of the flushing duct with the ventilator during the suction phase, and means are present for connecting said part to the flushing water feeding system of the water-closet during the flushing phase; therefore, in the suction phase, the bores are used for sucking the gases and vapours from the cavity of the bowl, vice versa, in the flushing phase, said bores are used for washing the bowl.
At the end of the delivery duct, which communicates with the discharging duct, a two-way valve is provided which allows, alternatively, the deviation of the gases and vapours flow in two ducts; the first duct flows into a room external to the bathroom, while the second duct into the flushing canalisation downstream of the siphon.
In the flushing duct of the water-closet a sensor of the water flow rate is provided; when the water is discharged in the cavity of t bowl the sensor co-operates with a switch for stopping the ventilator and with a cut-off valve for closing the part of the suction duct upstream of the ventilator.
The orifice of passage from the discharging duct to the flushing canalisation downstream of the siphon is controlled by a check valve allowing the passage of the gases and vapours from the discharging duct to the flushing canalisation and preventing the passage of the gases and vapours from said flushing canalisation downstream of the siphon to the discharging duct.
The suction bores are obteained in a seat of the bowl; therefore, inside of the seat a part of the suction duct is found, this part being suitable to be connected directly to the ventilator.
Means are further provided for increasing the adherence between the seat and the edge of the bowl when the seat is weighted by a external loads, in order to minimise the passage section which connects the cavity of the bowl to the bathroom and increase the vacuum in the cavity.
The ventilator, the sensor of the water flow, the water flow rate cut-off valve, and part of the suction and delivery ducts are found in the hopper.
The suction and delivery pipes are coaxial to the flushing canalisation and are preferably found inside of the flushing canalisation.
The means which increase the adherence between the seat and the edge of the water-closet bowl consist of at least one pushing element capable of being elastically recessed.
In case of clogging of the water-closet an overflow sensor co-operates with a switch for stopping the ventilator and closing the cut-off valve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages, features and aims of the invention, may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings, which concern preferred embodiments, in which:
Fig.1 shows a first embodiment of the equipment according to the present invention;
Fig.2 illustrates a second embodiment of the equipment;
Fig.3 represents a third embodiment of the equipment;
Fig.4 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the equipment;
Figs from 5 to 8 represent a constructive particular of the equipment in different scales.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE EQUIPMENT

The equipment schematically shown in Fig.1 essentially comprises a water-closet bowl 1 which houses a cavity 2 separated from a flushing pipe 121 through a siphon 3; the cavity 2 is found upstream, while the pipe 121 is located downstream of the siphon 3; in addition, the pipe 121 flows into the flushing system 120 of the building.
A flushing duct 4 delivers the water coming from a water pipe 51, controlled by a faucet 50, to the water-closet bowl 1 through a plurality of bores 5 located in the section 19 of the duct 4; this duct 4 is found in the internal perimeter of the supporting edge 6 of the water-closet bowl 1; the upper surface of the edge 6 supports a seat 60 fitted with a cover 8.
The duct 4 discharges the flushing water into the water-closet bowl 1 through the bores 5 when the user acts on the faucet 50.
A suction duct 9 presents a first section of inlet 10 extending inside of the cavity 2 parallel to the section 19 of the flushing duct 4; a plurality of bores of suction 11 in the section 10 is provided through which the gases of the cavity 2 come into the section of suction 10 and the duct 9 owing to a sucking action.
The sucking action is due to a ventilator 12 the inlet of which is connected to an end of the suction duct 9; the ventilator 12 is electrically feed by a electric network which comprises a switch for define the start and the end of the feeding of the ventilator 12; the outlet of which is jointed to a delivery duct 13 connected to two discharging ducts 14, 15; a two- way valve 16a, 16b, hand controlled or by means of a suitable known device, allows, according to the pre-selected way, to connect the delivery duct 13 to the duct 14 or to the duct 15.
In the first case the gases are sent to the flushing pipe 121 downstream of the siphon 3, while in the second case said gases are sent to a room external to the bathroom.
The ventilator 12 and all its components are found inside of the water-closet bowl 1.
A check valve 17 allows the flow of the gases and vapours from the discharging duct 14 to the flushing pipe 121 downstream of the siphon 3 and prevents the reflow of the gases and vapours from the flushing pipe 121 to the discharging duct 14.
A drain bore 18 is provided in the duct 9 in order to drain the condensate in the duct 9.
In the case of clogging sensed by an overflow sensor 66, a cut-off valve 31, controlled by the sensor 66, closes the duct 9; contemporaneously the feeding of the ventilator 12 is intercepted by a switch of the system controlled by the sensor 66 for preventing uncontrolled phenomena of backup due to the clogging of the flushing pipe 121 downstream of the siphon 3. Advantageously the overflow sensor 66 is located in the lower part of the internal perimeter of the supporting edge 6 of bowl 1.
A seat 60 fitted with a pushing element 33 capable of being elastically recessed and with a cover 8 is provided; said element 33 maintains the seat 60 at a determined height, higher than the edge 6, when no person sits on the seat 60, so that an air flow between the bathroom and the cavity 2 is obtained; when, on the contrary, one person sits on the seat 60 the adherence between the seat 60 and the edge 6 increases because of the setting of the element 33 due to the weight of the person; therefore the passage section which connects the seat 60 to the bathroom is minimised, the vacuum in the cavity 2 increases allowing to maximise the suction effect of the ventilator 12.
The structure and the way of functioning of the pushing element 33 will be better understood with reference to Figs 5 to 8.
Fig.2 shows a second embodiment of the equipment in which the ventilator 12 is located inside the hopper 20, i.e. outside the bowl 1; this solution allows to save encumbrance and hide the ventilator 12 which is connected to the electric network by means of not shown conductors and to a switch 21 intercepting the electrical feeding of the ventilator 12 and closes the cut-off valve 31 when a flow of water through the duct 26 occurs indicating the flushing phase of the water-closet bowl 1; a sensor 220 is used for sensing said flow.
The switch 21 intercepts the feeding of the ventilator and closes the cut-off valve 31 also when the overflow sensor 66 indicates a clogging of the siphon 3.
A duct 23 sends the flushing water from the hopper 20 to the bowl 1 through a plurality of flushing bores 24 located on the internal perimeter of the upper edge 6 of the bowl 1; the edge 6 supporting the seat 60 fitted of the cover 8.
The flushing duct 23 communicates with the internal of the hopper 20 through a entry duct 25, the inlet 26 of which, immersed in the hopper 20, houses a sensor 220 of the water flow rate, sensing the flushing phase owing to the manoeuvre of a flushing device of the hopper 20 (not shown).
Therefore, during the flushing phase, from the bores 24 of the duct 23 water comes out from the hopper 20 for washing the cavity 2. On the contrary, during the suction phase, the bores 24 are used for sucking the gases and vapours from the cavity 2 as consequence of the action of the ventilator 12.
A delivery canalisation 27 is connected to the ventilator 12 for creating a gas, vapours and air flow from the internal of the cavity 2 to an outlet end 28 of the canalisation 27. Therefore, when the ventilator 12 is working, gas, vapours and air flow coming from the bores 24 crosses the duct 23, the delivery canalisation 27 until to reach the outlet end 28.
Also in this case a two- way valve 16a, 16b is provided connecting the outlet 28 of the canalisation 27 to a duct 29 or a duct 30. In the first case the gases are sent to an external room, while in the second the case gases are sent to the siphon 3.
Finally, a cut-off valve 31 is provided, preferably located inside the hopper 20; the valve 31 being controlled by the switch 21 acted by the sensor 220 for intercepting the communication between the duct 23 and the ventilator 12 during the flushing phases of the bowl 1 (i.e. when the water comes out from the bores 24). Contemporaneously the switch 21 intercepts also the feeding of the ventilator 12.
Therefore, the duct 23 is used for sending the flushing water to the bowl 1, for sucking the gases of the cavity 2 of the bowl 1 through the suction and flushing bores 24. The duct 23 flows into the inlet of the ventilator 12 the outlet of which is connected to the delivery and flushing duct 27.
Advantageously, a part of the delivery canalisation 27 is coaxial to the delivery and flushing duct 23 and extends inside the same.
Also in this case is provided the pushing element 33.
The overflow sensor 66 is found in the low part of the internal perimeter of the edge of the supporting seat 60.
The embodiment of the equipment shown in the Fig.3 differs from that of Figs 1 and 2 only in the fact that the ventilator 12, the sensor 220 of the water flow rate and the cut-off valve 31 are found outside the hopper 20 and the bowl 1; the duct 23 presents an elbow 230 being at a height higher than the suction and flushing bores 24 in which the cut-off valve 31 is found; the cut-off valve 31 being controlled by a switch 210 receiving a signal of a sensor 220; the sensor 220 obtains the signal to be sent to the switch 210 for intercepting the feeding of the ventilator 12 and closing the valve 31 when the flushing water flows in the duct 23; in this way the flooding of the ventilator 12 in the flushing phase is prevented.
Also in this case the two- way valve 16a, 16b, the overflow sensor 66 located in the low part of the internal perimeter of the supporting edge of the seat 60, and the pushing element 33 are provided.
The seat 7, shown in Fig.4, is an alternative element of the seat 60 already shown in the embodiments of Fig.2 and Fig.3. For using the seat 7 the following partial changes of the described equipments are necessary.
As regards the equipment of Fig.2, the suction duct 9 is an independent duct as the delivery duct 13; the suction ducts 9 and the delivery duct 13 are coaxial to the flushing duct 4 and contained in said duct 4; since the equipment is capable of contemporaneously performing the flushing and the suction phases, it is no more necessary the sensor 220 of the water flow rate.
As regards the equipment of the Fig.3, the suction duct 9 is an independent duct directly connected with the suction elbow 230; since the equipment is capable of contemporaneously performing the of flushing suction phases, it is no more necessary the sensor 220 of the water flow rate
The seat 7 differs from the seat 60 only for the fact that in its internal perimeter are disposed the suction bores 24 and the inlet section 10 of the suction duct 9.
This solution facilities the installation of the invention on already existing equipments; in addition, it allows to totally purify the gases and vapours existing in the water-closet, since the equipment can contemporaneously perform the sucking and flushing phases.
Nevertheless, it is obvious that the seat 7 is also applicable to the embodiment of Fig 1 in the case it is necessary to increase the positions and the quantity of the suction bores 24, easily by connecting the discharging duct 9 of the seat 7 to the discharging duct 9 of the equipment of Fig.1.
Fig.5 schematically shows the bowl 1 on the upper edge 6 of which the seat 60 fitted of the cover 8 is leaned. A strip 32 of plastic material is located under the seat 60 for increasing the adherence to the edge 6 in case of external load; the strip 32 decrease the passage of the gases and vapours from the cavity 2 to the bathroom if a person sits on the seat 60, increasing the suction effect from the cavity 2.
When no external weight (no person sits on the seat 60) loads the seat 60, the seat 60 is apart from the edge 6 as in Fig.5 for allowing, with the active or non active equipment, a hygienic ventilation of the cavity 2.
In Fig.5 is provided a seat 60 with a strip of plastic material 32 located under the same and with a pushing element 33 controlled by a spring 34 capable of being elastically recessed, the spring 34 comes inside of the seat 60 through a groove guide 35 because of the effect of an external weight P.
When an external weight P (of a person siting) loads on the seat 60, exceeds the load of the spring 34, the seat 60 adhere to the edge 6 as shown in Fig.6 in order to occlude the passage of the gases and vapours from the cavity 2 to the bathroom and to increase the vacuum in the cavity 2.
The effectiveness of the suction of the ventilator 12 depends in inversely proportional way on the value of the passage section between the cavity 2 of the bowl 1 and the bathroom.
If a person uses the water-closet, siting on the seat 60, the passage section of the air coming from the bathroom decreases, since the body of the person siting on the seat 60 occludes a considerable part of the passage section existing in the internal perimeter of the seat 60; it is, therefore, very important and advantageous to minimise or cancel also the passage section existing between the bottom of the seat 60 and the edge 6 of the 1 by moving and maintaining the seat 60 in the position of Fig.6, in which the pushing element 33 is loaded by the weight of the siting person, said weight exceeding the load of the spring 34; therefore, a state of maximised suction effect from the cavity 2 of the bowl 1 is obtained.

Claims

Equipment for ventilating a water-closet characterised by the fact that it comprises a ventilator (12), the suction duct (9,23) of which starts from at least one suction bore (9,24) located in a cavity (2) of a water-closet bowl (1); the ventilator (12) co-operating with a seat (7,60) of the bowl (1) for creating a vacuum in the cavity (2) in order to obtain a flow rate of air, gas and vapours coming from the cavity (2), the flow rate crosses a suction duct (11,24) and a delivery duct (13,27) of the ventilator (12); the delivery duct (13,27) being connected to a room separated from the bathroom through suitable discharging means (14,15,29,30).
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the discharging means (14,30) consist of a discharging duct (14,30) flowing into a flushing pipe (121) downstream of the siphon (3) connected to the flushing system (120).
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein at least a part (10) of the flushing duct (9,23) of the bowl (1) is connected to the inlet of the ventilator (12) for creating said vacuum in the cavity (2); the flushing duct (9,23) communicates with the cavity (2) through at least one discharging and suction bore (24).
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein first means (21,210) are provided for defining the suction phase of the gases from the cavity (2) of the bowl (1), second means (50) being present for determining the flushing phase of the bowl (1).
Equipment as in claim 4, wherein means (31) are provided for connecting said part (10) of the flushing duct (9,23) to the ventilator (12) during the suction phase, means (50) being present for connecting said part (10,19) to the water pipe (51) of bowl (1) during the flushing phase; therefore, during the suction phase, the bores (24) are used for sucking the gases and the vapours from the cavity (2) of the bowl (1), vice versa, during the flushing phase, said bores (24) are used for washing the bowl (1).
Equipment as in claims 1 and 2, wherein the end (28) of the delivery duct (27) communicating with the flushing duct (120,121) is fitted with a two-way valve (16a,16b) capable of allowing, alternatively, the deviation of the flow of the gases and of the vapours in two ducts (13,14,29,30); the first duct (13,29) flowing into a room external to the bathroom, while the second duct (14,30) flows into the flushing duct (120,121) downstream of the siphon (3).
Equipment as in claim 4, wherein a sensor (220) of the water flow rate is provided in the flushing duct (9,23) of the bowl (1); when the water is discharged in the cavity (2) of the bowl (1), the sensor (220) co-operates with a switch (21,210) for stopping the ventilator (12) and with a cut-off valve (31) for closing the part (10) of the suction duct (4,23) upstream of the ventilator (12).
Equipment as in claim 2, wherein the orifice of passage from the discharging duct (14,30) to the flushing duct (120,121) downstream of the siphon (3) is controlled by a check valve (17) allowing the passage of the gases and vapours from the discharging duct (14,30) to the flushing duct (120,121) downstream of the siphon (3), and preventing the passage of the gases and of vapours from said flushing duct (120,121) downstream of the siphon (3) to the discharging duct (14,30).
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the suction bores (5) are obtained in a seat (7) of the bowl (1); therefore, inside the seat (7) is found a part (10) of the suction duct (9) capable of being directly connected to the ventilator (12).
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein pushing means (33) are further provided for increasing the adherence between the seat (7,60) and the edge (6) of the bowl (1) when the seat (7,60) is loaded by an external weight (P) in order to minimise the passage connecting the cavity (2) of the bowl (1) to the bathroom and increase the vacuum in cavity (2).
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the ventilator (12), the sensor (220) of the water flow rate, the cut-off valve (31) of the water flow rate, and a part of the suction ducts (23) and of the delivery ducts (27) are found in the hopper (20).
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein the suction duct (23) and the delivery duct (27) are coaxial to the flushing duct (23) and preferably are found inside the flushing duct (23).
Equipment as in claim 10, wherein the means (33) increasing the adherence between the seat (7,60) and the edge (6) of bowl (1) consist of at least a pushing element (33) capable of being elastically recessed.
Equipment as in claim 1, wherein an overflow sensor (66) co-operates with a switch for stopping the ventilator (12) and closing the cut-off valve (31) in case of clogging of the water-closet bowl (1).