EP1580338B1 - Flush valve for a flushing cistern - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drain fitting for a cistern for selectively triggering a partial flush or full flush, with a valve body for opening and closing a drain, with a held in a float housing to an overflow pipe first float and arranged under the first float in the float housing second float, whose buoyancy is limited, according to the preamble of claim 1.

From the DE 195 01 355 a drain fitting for a cistern is known in which a full flush or a partial flush can be effected via various actuating means. For this purpose, two separate floats are provided, with a lower float is held by a locking mechanism. An unlocking element for releasing the bolt can be actuated via a driver. This construction for a drain fitting is complicated and expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, there is the disadvantage that the multiplicity of mechanical components is susceptible to soiling and to wear.

From the DE 297 23 618 is another drain fitting a cistern known in which instead of a complex mechanism magnets are used to two Couple floats together when needed. For a partial flush, the magnetic connection is released and only one float is effective, while in a full flush both swimmers provide buoyancy. However, the use of magnets is expensive to manufacture and also prone to malfunction.

The EP-A-0 727 533 discloses a drain fitting for a cistern for selectively triggering a partial flush or full flush, with a valve body for opening and closing a drain. The valve body is mounted at the lower end of a raisable and lowerable overflow tube, which is arranged between two vertical, rod-shaped supports. At the overflow pipe, a first float is held, under which a second float (auxiliary float) is arranged, the buoyancy is limited and surrounding the overflow pipe annular. The drain fitting has a two-part push button, the two parts are independently and together movable. The lower end of the push button engages a piston rod, which is received vertically displaceable in a housing. At the lower end of the piston rod, a projection is provided with. a lever interacts. The latter is pivotally mounted on a bar or yoke connecting the rod-shaped supports. The lever is connected to a pull wire or a pull chain whose other end is fixed to the upper edge of the overflow pipe. On the inner circumference of the lower second float flexible, wedge-shaped latching connection elements are mounted, which engage in a full flush in a circumferential annular groove formed in the outer circumference of the overflow pipe. Of the constructive structure of this drain assembly, in particular the lower float, which has two separate semi-cylindrical floating body is relatively complicated. In addition, the waste set is prone to malfunction, since the flexible latching connection elements wear on the lower float due to the rubbing movement of the overflow pipe and thereby lose their locking function.

The present invention has for its object to provide a drain set for cisterns, which is simple in construction and reliably allows the optional triggering of a partial or full flush.

This object is achieved by a pop-up waste with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention presses in a full flush the overflow pipe via support means on a rotatably mounted lever and the lever on the maximum buoyancy lower second float, wherein the float housing a stop for the lower second float is formed, which limits the buoyancy of the second float, and wherein the support means by a formed on a first jack support edge, by means of which the lever is pivotable upwards and which can be placed on the lever, or by a resilient tab which can be placed on the lever, are formed. Consequently, neither a separate locking mechanism is required, which would considerably complicate the structure of the mechanism, nor are magnets required.

The interposition of a lever allows particularly easy to implement such a mechanism, which on the one hand holds the upper float in the raised position and on the other hand allows a pivoting of the lever, a release of the mechanism for lowering the upper float. The lever can also a filled cistern Form stop for the lower second float.

According to the invention, for a partial flush by means of a second lifter, the first upper float and the overflow pipe can be raised. However, for a partial flushing not that part of the mechanism is operated, which serves to support the first upper float and the overflow pipe in a raised position. As a result, can be achieved by the separate operation of the first lifter or the second lifter either a full flush or a partial flush.

Preferably, the means for supporting the first upper float and the overflow tube are formed by a resilient tab which can be placed on the lever. The lever then releases the resilient tab when pivoting, so that the resilient tab, together with the overflow tube and the upper float, can sink downwards if the water level reaches a corresponding height.

Alternatively, the means for supporting the first upper float and the overflow tube are formed by a support edge, by means of which the lever is pivotable upwards. The support edge can thus be moved past by pivoting the lever up to this, the lever can then swing back to the starting position and the support edge is supported on the lever. Only when the lower float releases the lever can the bearing edge be guided past the lever again.

Preferably, the second lower float is loosely guided between overflow pipe and float housing, so that it can fall or rise as needed, without jamming is to be feared.

For a simple design of the mechanism, the lever is preferably rotatably mounted on the float housing. Furthermore, a stop on the float housing be provided to limit the movement of the lower float upwards.

Figuren 1 bis 7

verschiedene Ansichten einer ersten Ausführungsform ei- ner erfindungsgemäßen Ablaufarmatur in verschiedenen Positionen, und

Figuren 8 bis 14

verschiedene Ansichten eines zweiten Ausführungsbei- spiels einer erfindungsgemäßen Ablaufarmatur in verschie- denen Positionen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to two embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

FIGS. 1 to 7

various views of a first embodiment of an inventive drain fitting in different positions, and

FIGS. 8 to 14

different views of a second embodiment of a drain fitting according to the invention in different positions.

In FIG. 1 an inventive drain fitting is arranged in a cistern, not shown, which is not filled with water. At an overflow pipe 1, a first upper float 2 is fixed, which is mounted on a thread 5 and is infinitely adjustable in height to adjust the Teilspülmenge. The float 2 is arranged in a space 4 within a float housing 20, wherein overflow pipe 1 and float 2 can be raised via a lift 17.

In the lower region of the overflow pipe 1 designed as a seal 3 valve body is provided, which can open a drain 8 and close.

Within the float housing 20, a lower space 7 is provided, in which a second float 6 is arranged loosely between overflow pipe 1 and float housing 20. In the in FIG. 1 shown position, the overflow pipe 1 and the float 6 is in the lowered position due to gravity, since the floats 2 and 6 have no buoyancy.

In FIG. 2 the cistern was filled and due to the corresponding amount of water, the seal 3 is pressed against the outlet 8. This pressure is greater than the buoyancy of the float 2, which is fixed to the overflow pipe 1. Of the Float 6 has risen in the space 7 upwards and abuts against a stop 90, not shown, which prevents further rising of the float 6.

In FIG. 3 the introduction of a partial flush is shown. For this purpose, the lifter 17 is raised together with the overflow pipe 1 and the float 2, whereby the seal 3 is lifted off the drain 8 in the lower region. As a result, the same pressure prevails both on the underside of the seal 3 and on the upper side 3, so that the overflow pipe 1 remains in the raised position due to the buoyancy force of the float 2 until the water level has dropped to approximately the level 11. Then the seal 3 is again at the outlet 8 and due to the water pressure, this remains in the closed position and the cistern can be refilled.

In FIG. 4 the initiation of a full flush is shown. For this purpose, a second lifter 12 is pulled, wherein on the lifter 12, a support edge 14 is formed, which is arranged below the lever 9 and is then moved upward, whereby the lever 9 is pivoted upwards and allows a further upward movement of the lifter 12 , In this case, the lower float 6 remains in the lower position, since it is held by a stop 90 and can not be moved further up. With the lifter 12 is also recognized in the upward movement of an annular collar 13, by means of which then the overflow pipe 1 and the upper float 2 are also moved upwards.

In FIG. 5 the drain fitting is shown in a position during full flush. The overflow pipe 1 is in the raised position and the valve body 3 releases the drain 8. Due to the slowly sinking water level of the float 2 loses buoyancy and is pressed downwards due to gravity, the collar 13 acts on the lift 12, which in turn presses on the support edge 14 on the lever 9 and thus on the lower float 6, the initially buoyancy.

In FIG. 6 the water level has fallen so far in the full flush that the float 6 is slightly lowered and the lever 9 pivoted downwards. By the pivoting of the lever 9, the support edge 14 is released and can be further moved down. Due to the gravity of the lifter 12, the flushing pipe 1 and the float 2, the support edge 14 moves into an annular receptacle 19 formed in the float 6. The lever 9 rests on an upper edge of the float 6.

In FIG. 7 the drain fitting is shown in the starting position, with the line 15, the level is shown when the cistern is completely empty. In the full flush the box is not completely emptied, but the flushing rate only runs up to the level 16 until the support edge 14 is no longer held by the lower float 6. The flushing amount or the level 16 is adjustable.

In the FIGS. 8 to 14 a second embodiment of a drain fitting according to the invention is shown, wherein the same reference numerals have been used for functionally identical components.

In FIG. 8 the drain fitting with a float housing 20, a first lifter 12 for the full flush and a second lifter 17 for the partial flush is shown. In the lower area, the overflow pipe 1 with the sealing element 3 can be seen.

In the in FIG. 9 shown position, the drain fitting with the first lifter 12 and the second lifter 17 is shown rotated by 90 °. Furthermore, the sealing element 3 sits on a drain 8.

In FIG. 10 the drain fitting is shown in section, wherein the surrounding cistern is filled with water. The float 6 abuts against a stop 90, which is designed as a lever and can also be supported on the housing via a projection 22. The upper float 2 is fixed to the overflow pipe 1 and provides some buoyancy, which, however, is less than the water pressure on the sealing element 3. Further, a lever 9 is provided, which is mounted pivotably about an axis 21 on the float housing 20. On the lever 9, a stop 23 is formed, so that the lever 9 can not be pivoted beyond the horizontal position upwards.

In the in FIG. 11 shown position, a partial purge is made. For this purpose, the lifter 17 is pulled in order to move the overflow pipe 1 and the float 2 upwards so that the sealing element 3 releases the drain 8. Once the water level has dropped to a level at which the float 2 has dropped so far that the sealing element 3 touches down on the drain 8, the flushing process is completed.

In FIG. 12 the initiation of a full flush is shown. For this purpose, the lifter 12 is pulled so that the lifter 12 moves the float 2 together with the overflow pipe 1 upwards, for which purpose a contact surface 24 is formed on the lifter 12. By raising the overflow pipe 1, the sealing element 3 releases the drain 8.

In a full flush not only the float 2 is moved over the lift 12 upwards, but on the lift 12 and means for supporting the first float 2 and the overflow pipe 1 are provided in a raised position. These are formed by a spring tab 25 which is integrally formed on an annular collar 26. The spring tab 25 is slightly obliquely radially out, wherein in an upward movement of the lifter 12, the spring tab 25 is guided past the lever 9 and after jumping the lever 9, the spring tab 25 protrudes outward, so that when lowering the lifter 12, the spring tab 25 rests on the lifter 9. In this raised position, the float 6 is effective, which supports the lever 9 from below.

In FIG. 13 is at the full flush of the float 6 due to a low water level dropped, whereby the lever 9 can pivot down. By pivoting the lever 9, the spring tab 25 is no longer supported on the lever 9, but can also be lowered down into a receptacle within the annular float 6. Due to gravity then moves the overflow pipe 1 with the float 2 down until the sealing element 3 closes the drain 8.

As in FIG. 14 can be seen, the spring tab 25 is again disposed within the float 6 and the lever 9 can not pivot further down due to a stop on the float housing 20. As soon as the water level in the cistern rises again, the float 6 lifts and moves the lever 9 back to the starting position, in which the lever 9 is arranged horizontally and the stop 23 rests against the float housing 20.

In the illustrated embodiment, the individual components are made of plastic, which can be used as a float foams or other suitable materials.

In the embodiments, only one lever is shown in each case, which is pivotably articulated to the float housing. It is of course possible to arrange two or more levers on the float housing. Similarly, a plurality of spring tabs 25 may be provided on the lifter 12.

Claims (4)

1. Outlet fitting for a cistern for selectively activating a partial flush or a full flush, comprising a valve body (3) for opening and closing a drain outlet (8), comprising a first float (2), which is held in a float housing (20) on an overflow pipe (1), and a second float (6), which is arranged beneath the first float (2) in the float housing (20) and of which the buoyancy is restricted, wherein, for a full flush, the first upper float (2), the overflow pipe (1) and support means for supporting the first upper float (2) and the overflow pipe (1) can be raised in a raised position with the drain outlet (8) open by means of a first lifter (12), and wherein, for a partial flush, the first upper float (2) and the overflow pipe (1) can be raised by means of a second lifter (17), characterised in that, in the event of a full flush, the overflow pipe (1) presses on a rotatably mounted lever (9) via the support means and on the lower second float (6), at maximum buoyancy, via the lever (9), a stop (90) for the lower second float (6) being formed on the float housing (20) to restrict the buoyancy of the second float (6), and the support means being formed by a contact edge (14), formed on the first lifter (12), by means of which the lever (9) can be pivoted upwards and which can be placed on the lever (9), or by a resilient plate (25), which can be placed on the lever (9).
2. Outlet fitting according to claim 1, characterised in that the second lower float (6) is guided loosely between the overflow pipe (1) and the float housing (20).
3. Outlet fitting according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the lever (9) is rotatably mounted on the float housing (20).
4. Outlet fitting according to claim 1, characterised in that the support means are formed by the resilient plate (25), the resilient plate being formed on an annular sleeve (26).

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