EP1916343B1 - Dual flush valve - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a drain valve for a cistern, with a housing which is provided with a valve opening defining an outlet opening, an overflow pipe which is provided at its lower end with a cooperating with the valve seat seal, a relative to the overflow tube height adjustable upper float, a lower float, which is pivotally mounted on the housing, and with a trigger device for selectively triggering a partial flush or full flush, wherein the lower float is provided with a stop on which the overflow pipe in a raised, a full flush associated position provided by a at the overflow pipe Head start.

To save water, drainage valves have been developed for toilet cisterns that allow the user to optionally flush with two different amounts of water.

Drain valves of the two-volume flushing technique generally have a housing with a vertically raisable and lowerable overflow pipe, wherein the lower end of the overflow pipe is provided with a seal with which an outlet opening is closed. The lifting of the overflow pipe by means of at least one actuating element, for example in the form of a push button. Furthermore, these two-volume drain valves have one bottom float for full flush and an upper float for partial flush (small flush) on. By adjusting the height of the upper float, the amount of flushing water for the partial flush can be adjusted.

Numerous designs have been proposed for these drain valves, which mainly relate to the transmission of power from the respective actuators to the overflow pipe as well as the interaction between the floats and the overflow pipe. The prior art may be exemplified by the publications EP 1 354 100 B1 . EP 1 672 130 A1 . DE 101 13 115 A1 and DE 297 23 618 U1 to be named. The known two-flow drain valves are not completely satisfactory in terms of their operation, in particular with regard to the required effort required to trigger the full flush.

In the from the EP 1 354 100 B1 known drain valve, the overflow pipe on a lateral shoulder which cooperates with a lever which is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the overflow pipe axis of rotation, wherein the lever is actuated by a guided in a tubular shell, pressure-loaded cable having one end to the Lever and the other end is attached to a slider. On the slider engage two pushers, which are displaceable against the force of a spring to different lengths paths, the slider is displaceable by a shorter path of triggering a partial flush, while the displaceable by a longer way pusher serves to trigger a full flush. For the triggering of the full flush is thus the displacement of the associated pusher along a relatively long in this drain valve Displacement and thus a relatively high effort required.

That from the EP 1 672 130 A1 known drain valve is provided with a two-volume actuator, which is formed of buttons and pushers and engages a pull rod on serving as a closure body overflow pipe. For the partial flushing, a two-armed lever of the drawbar is pivoted by a smaller angle than in the case of a full flush. Also in this known drain valve thus the release of the full flush the displacement of the associated pusher along a relatively long displacement and thus a correspondingly high expenditure of force is required.

From the DE 297 23 618 U1 a drain fitting for a cistern with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known. It has a drain valve which can be actuated for a partial flush or a full flush by means of a valve body. The drain fitting comprises a first buoyant body disposed in a float housing within the cistern, which is prevented from buoying during the partial flush, and a second buoyant body disposed above the first buoyant body and individually adjustable by axial adjustment. The lower (first) buoyant body is displaceably guided on the valve body between its stationary held lower and its upper body supporting the valve body. When a full flush is triggered by a driver, the lower (first) buoyancy body holds the valve body via a contact washer. When triggering a partial flush by another driver, the lower (first) buoyancy body is held by the holding force of magnetic parts stationary in the float housing. Also in this known drain valve a correspondingly high force is required for the triggering of the full flush.

The present invention has for its object to provide a two-volume drain valve of the type mentioned, which allows a particularly comfortable triggering a partial flush and full flush with minimal effort.

This object is achieved by a drain valve having the features of claim 1.

The drain valve according to the invention is characterized in that the upper float is fixed by means of a height adjustment on the overflow pipe and is dimensioned so that he in the dipped state after briefly raising the overflow pipe from the closed position of the overflow pipe by its buoyancy either in a partial flush or full flush assigned Raising position on its own. The upper float retains both a partial flush as even with a full flush a set position relative to the overflow pipe at.

In addition, the drain valve according to the invention is characterized in that the lower float is suspended via a pivotally mounted on the housing boom in a housing formed in the housing (control chamber) having at least one upper inlet opening and at least one lower drain opening, wherein the drain opening with an adjustment for Variation of the opening size is provided, wherein on the outside of the overflow pipe extending in the axial direction of the overflow pipe guide rib for guiding the boom is formed.

Through this chamber, the lowering of the lower float can be delayed with respect to the decrease in the water level in the cistern, the time delay can be adjusted with the adjusting element associated with the discharge opening. In this way, the time can be shifted at a full flush at which the overflow tube with its projection disengaged from the trained on the lower float stop, and thus adjust the flowing in a full flush in the toilet bowl flushing.

The drain valve according to the invention is characterized by a particularly smooth and comfortable operation. Because after the user has raised the overflow pipe from the closed position by a relatively small stroke, the further stroke movement of the overflow pipe in the partial flush or full flush associated position is independent by the buoyancy of the upper float. The buoyancy of the upper float is used both in the triggering of a partial flush and in the triggering of a full flush to minimize the force applied by the user.

The drain valve according to the invention makes it possible to considerably reduce the necessary displacement of a push button for triggering a full flush. This results in new interesting design options for actuator plates in the two-volume flushing technology.

An advantageous embodiment of the drain valve according to the invention is that the height adjustment element for the upper float has a rod-shaped portion, wherein at the overflow pipe at least one locking element is formed, on which the rod-shaped portion of the height adjustment is einknüpfbar. For this purpose, a groove extending in the longitudinal direction of the overflow pipe with integrally formed latching elements, in which the height adjustment element is inserted in a form-fitting manner, is preferably formed in the jacket surface of the overflow pipe. The upper floats can be so reliably in different heights at Attach overflow pipe releasably, the corresponding components and their installation can be realized inexpensively.

The chamber in which the lower float is suspended is preferably formed by the housing and a partition wall disposed within the housing.

With regard to the production of the drain valve according to the invention and for the assembly of its components, it is advantageous if, according to a further embodiment, the lower float is detachably connected to the pivotable arm.

Another advantageous embodiment of the drain valve according to the invention is that at the upper end of the overflow pipe attack elements for lifting the overflow pipe are formed, wherein the triggering device for selectively triggering a partial flush or full flush the attack elements associated lever comprises, which are pivotally mounted in a holder which as Attachment on the drain valve housing is positively pushed. The holder with the levers forms a unit that can be quickly and easily assembled and disassembled.

In a further embodiment of the drain valve according to the invention, it is proposed that the levers in the holder comprise two mutually independently pivotable levers with receptacles for connecting Bowden cables, of which one lever is connected to a lever for triggering a partial flush, while the other lever with a lever connected to trigger a full flush. The Bowden cables allow a very flexible arrangement and design of the drain valve associated actuator plate. In addition, designed to train Bowden cables are much more reliable than pressure-loaded cable according to the DE 101 13 115 A1 , which tend to buckling in principle and insofar are prone to failure. In particular, can be designed to train designed Bowden cables more flexible than pressure-loaded cable according to the DE 101 13 115 A1 ,

The respective Bowden cable is preferably provided at its end associated with the actuating plate with a force transducer which converts a force exerted by a push button of the actuating plate compressive force into a tensile force.

Further preferred and advantageous embodiments of the drain valve according to the invention are specified in the appended subclaims.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungs- gemäßen Ablaufventils für Spülkästen in Schließ- stellung, mit einem vertikal geschnitten dargestellten Gehäuse;

Fig. 2

eine Seitenansicht des Ablaufventils der Fig. 1, ebenfalls in Schließstellung;

Fig. 3

eine Seitenansicht des Ablaufventils der Fig. 1 mit geschnitten dargestelltem Gehäuse und geschnitten dargestellter Auslassöffnung, zu Beginn einer Vollspülung;

Fig. 4

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht des geschnitten dargestellten Ventilgehäuses der Fig. 1;

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Draufsicht des Gehäuses des Ablaufventils der Fig. 1;

Fig. 6

eine perspektivische Seitenansicht des Ablauf- ventils der Fig. 1 am Ende einer Vollspülung;

Fig.

7 eine perspektivische Draufsicht des unteren Schwimmers des Ablaufventils der Fig. 1;

Fig. 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Halterung zur Anbringung an einem Gehäusedeckel des Ablauf- ventils der Fig. 1, mit mehreren daran schwenkbar gelagerten Hebeln zur Auslösung einer Teil- oder Vollspülung;

Fig. 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Ablaufventils der Fig. 1 in Schließstellung mit der daran montierten Halterung gemäß Fig. 8;

Fig. 10

eine weitere perspektivische Darstellung des Ablaufventils der Fig. 9, wobei die rechte Hälfte des Gehäuses und der Auslassöffnung weggeschnitten ist und sich das Überlaufrohr mit einer daran befestigten Dichtung in einer angehobenen Stellung befindet, die einer Vollspülung entspricht;

Fig. 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Ablauf- ventils der Fig. 9, wobei die rechte Hälfte des Gehäuses und der Auslassöffnung wiederum wegge- schnitten ist und sich das Überlaufrohr mit der daran befestigten Dichtung in einer angehobenen Stellung befindet, die einer Teilspülung entspricht;

Fig. 12

zwei Kraftwandler in voneinander getrennten, gehäuseartigen Halterungen, die jeweils eine Druckkraft in eine Zugkraft umwandeln, und Abschnitte damit gekoppelter Bowdenzüge, in perspektivischer Ansicht;

Fig. 13

eine Seitenansicht des vorderen Kraftwandlers der Fig. 12, wobei zur besseren Veranschaulichung eine Gehäusehälfte weggelassen ist;

Fig. 14

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Ablauf- ventils gemäß einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel, mit geschnitten dargestelltem Gehäuse und geschnitten dargestelltem Auslass, zu Beginn einer Vollspülung; und

Fig. 15

eine Seitenansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Ablauf- ventils gemäß einem dritten Ausführungsbeispiel, mit geschnitten dargestelltem Gehäuse und geschnitten dargestelltem Auslass, in Schließ- stellung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating several embodiments. Show it:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an inventive drain valve for cisterns in the closed position, with a housing shown vertically cut;

Fig. 2

a side view of the drain valve of Fig. 1 , also in closed position;

Fig. 3

a side view of the drain valve of Fig. 1 with cut shown housing and cut outlet shown, at the beginning of a full flush;

Fig. 4

a side perspective view of the cut valve housing shown Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5

a perspective top view of the housing of the drain valve of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 6

a perspective side view of the drain valve of Fig. 1 at the end of a full flush;

FIG.

7 is a top perspective view of the lower float of the drain valve of FIG Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a holder for attachment to a housing cover of the drain valve of Fig. 1 with several pivoted levers for triggering a partial or full flush;

Fig. 9

a perspective view of the drain valve of Fig. 1 in the closed position with the mounted bracket according to Fig. 8 ;

Fig. 10

another perspective view of the drain valve of Fig. 9 wherein the right half of the housing and the outlet opening is cut away and the overflow pipe with a seal attached thereto is in a raised position corresponding to a full flush;

Fig. 11

a perspective view of the drain valve of Fig. 9 wherein the right half of the housing and the outlet opening is again cut away and the overflow pipe with the seal attached thereto is in a raised position corresponding to a partial flush;

Fig. 12

two force transducers in separate, housing-like holders, each converting a compressive force into a tensile force, and sections of Bowden cables coupled thereto, in perspective view;

Fig. 13

a side view of the front force transducer of Fig. 12 with a housing half omitted for better illustration;

Fig. 14

a side view of a drain valve according to the invention according to a second embodiment, with cut shown housing and cut represented outlet, at the beginning of a full flush; and

Fig. 15

a side view of a drain valve according to the invention according to a third embodiment, shown with cut housing and cut outlet shown in the closed position.

The drain valve according to Fig. 1 is designed as a two-flow drain valve with which both a full flush and a small flush (partial flush) can be triggered. The drain valve has a container-like housing part 1, of which in Fig. 1 a resulting by a vertical section half is shown. In the lower region of the housing part 1, a recessed base 1.1 is formed, on which an annular, with the outside of the housing part 1 is substantially flush final housing part 1.2 by latching or otherwise fastened. To the lower housing part 1.2 is formed via vertical, angular spacers a pipe socket 1.3, which defines an outlet opening with a valve seat 1.4 and in a pipe socket of a cistern (not shown) is used (see. FIGS. 1 and 3 ).

The drain valve further comprises a closure body in the form of an overflow tube 2, which is provided at its lower end with a cooperating with the valve seat 1.4 seal. The seal 3 is annular disk-shaped and made for example of rubber or the like. It is held positively in a trained on the overflow pipe 2 annular groove. The outer diameter of the overflow tube 2 is substantially smaller than the outer diameter of the valve seat 1.4 and, accordingly, much smaller than the outer diameter of the seal 3. The seal 3 thus has a relatively large pressure surface 3.1 for the water column.

At the upper end of the overflow pipe 2, two attack elements (attack points) 2.1 are formed for lifting the overflow pipe. The attack elements 2.1 are formed as radially projecting from the outside of the overflow pipe 2 pins.

The drain valve is provided with an upper float 4 and a lower float 5. The upper float 4 is attached to an adjustment 6, by means of which the float 4 adjustable in height on the overflow pipe 2 can be fixed. For this purpose, the overflow pipe 2 has an undercut groove 2.2 which extends in the axial direction and into which a rod-shaped section 6.1 of the height adjustment element 6 is inserted in a form-fitting manner. At the upper end of the rod-shaped portion 6.1 is an angle section 6.2 designed as a handle. Along the groove 2.2 more serving as a detent element depressions (notches) 2.3 are formed. At the longitudinal edges of the rod-shaped portion 6.1 of the height adjustment element projections 6.3 are formed, with which the height adjustment element 6 at the recesses 2.3 einknüpfbar (latched). In the bar-shaped section 6.1, two slot-shaped, mutually parallel openings 6.4 are recessed in addition to the projections 6.3, which allow a resilient depression of the projections 6.3 during the displacement of the height adjustment element 6 along the vertical groove 2.2.

The upper float 4 is located in the filled cistern below the water level W (see. Fig. 3 ). The upper float 4 is dimensioned so that it is in the submerged state after briefly raising the overflow pipe 2 from the closed position according to the FIGS. 1 . 2 and 9 by its buoyancy force the drain valve opens independently, that raises the overflow pipe 2 either in a part of a flushing or full flush associated position. The float 4 retains the position set by means of the height adjustment element 6 relative to the overflow pipe 2, both in the case of a partial flush and in the case of a full flush.

The upper float 4 is laterally provided with vertically extending guide ribs 4.1, which are guided on vertically extending guide ribs 1.5 on the inside of the container-like housing part 1. The guide ribs 4.1, 1.5 are formed on two opposite sides of the float 4 and the housing part 1 (see. Figures 2 . 4 and 5 ).

In the bottom of the container-like housing part 1, an opening 1.6 is recessed, which penetrates the overflow pipe 2 with play (see Figures 3 and 5 ).

The lower float 5 is pivotally mounted in the housing 1 and provided with a stop 7.1 on which the overflow pipe 2 is seated in a raised, a full flush position by a provided on the overflow pipe 2 projection (notch) 2.4.

The lower float 5 is releasably attached to a boom 7. The boom 7 has a substantially U-shaped section 7.2 with two angled legs 7.3 (see. Fig. 6 ). At the ends of the legs 7.3 connectable to the housing 1 pivot elements 7.4 are formed. The swivel elements 7.4 consist of pivot pins which engage in mutually aligned holes 1.7 of the housing 1. The axis of rotation of the boom 7 and the float 5 is substantially perpendicular to the vertical longitudinal axis of the overflow pipe second

On the outside of the overflow pipe 2 axially extending guide ribs 2.5 are formed to guide the boom 7. The guide ribs 2.5 are arranged diametrically. The opening 1.6 in the bottom of the housing part 1 accordingly has two diametrically opposite indentations (extensions) 1.61, 1.62, in which the guide ribs 2.5 of the overflow pipe 2 are accommodated.

On at least one of the legs 7.3 of the boom 7, a control edge is formed 7.5, which slides during a partial flush along the guide rib 2.5. The Control edge 7.5 is formed on a projection of the leg 7.3 (see. Figures 2 and 3 ).

The nose-shaped projection 2.4, with which the overflow pipe 2 is seated in a full flush on the stop 7.1 of the boom 7, is integrally formed on the guide rib 2.5 and the lower float 5 faces.

The lower float 5 is suspended in a chamber (control chamber) 8. The chamber 8 is formed by the outer wall and the bottom of the housing 1 and a partition wall 1.8 arranged inside the housing. The chamber 8 has an upper inlet opening 8.1 and a lower outlet opening 8.2 (see. FIGS. 4 and 5 ). The discharge opening 8.2 is provided with an adjustment member (not shown) for changing the opening size. The adjustment may for example consist of a rotary or sliding closure, a flap or a plug.

In Fig. 3 the drain valve is shown at the beginning of the full flush. The cistern is still filled. The water level W is above the fixed to the overflow pipe 2 float 4. After triggering the full flush of the float 4 has the overflow pipe 2 with the seal 3 raised by its buoyancy. The valve seat 1.4 is free. The water flows from the cistern through the pipe socket 1.3 in the connected toilet bowl.

The nose-shaped projection (locking point) 2.4 of the overflow pipe 2 is now on the stop 7.1 at the control edge 7.5 of the pivotally mounted boom 7. The boom 7 is by the lower float 5 (control float) in the upper position according to Fig. 3 held.

In Fig. 6 the drain valve is shown at the end of the full flush. The water level (water level) W in the cistern and in the container-like housing part 1 of the drain valve has dropped, while in the chamber (control chamber) 8 initially a higher water level (water level) W _{k is} present. Only after a dependent on the opening size of the discharge opening 8.2 emptying time of the lower float (control float) 5 loses its buoyancy and are about the boom 7 with the control edge 7.5, the overflow pipe with 2 the nose-shaped projection 2.4 free. The overflow pipe 2 with the seal 3 attached thereto can now fall down onto the valve seat 1.4 and close the outlet opening.

The flush volume for the full flush can thus - within certain limits - regardless of the water level in the cistern or drain valve housing 1 can be set.

In Fig. 7 the lower float 5 is shown separated from the pivotable boom. The lower float 5 is provided with at least one open-topped chamber (pocket) 5.1, which is filled with water during operation. If the control chamber 8 formed in the drain housing 1 is filled with water, then the lower float 5 buoyancy, wherein the water-filled bag is 5.1 neutral in effect. Only after dropping the water level in the control chamber 8, the water-filled bag acts as a weight 5.1 and causes the float 5 tilts the boom 7 with the control edge 7.5 away from the overflow pipe 2 to the side, so that the overflow pipe 2 is released (see. Fig. 6 ).

At the top of the lower float 5, a pin-shaped connecting element 5.2 having a diameter-enlarged head is integrally formed or fastened, which can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into a fork-shaped, elastically spreadable leg of the extension arm 7.

The optional triggering of a full flush or partial flush can be carried out in the two-volume drain valve according to the invention in particular via a Bowden cable drive.

A preferred embodiment of such a triggering device will now be with reference to the FIGS. 8 to 13 explained.

In Fig. 8 a designed as a top bracket 9 is shown, which is mounted on a latched with the housing part 1 housing cover 1.9 (see. Fig. 9 ). On the underside of the cover 1.9, a stepped, insertable into the housing part 1 collar 1.91 is formed, the resilient portions or tongues 1.92 comprises, on the outside of which projections are formed, which are latched in recesses 1.10 of the housing 1. The cover 1.9 also has a breakthrough 1.93 for the overflow pipe 2.

The retractable on the cover 1.9 mount 9 is formed substantially U-shaped. It has two substantially vertically and parallel to each other extending wall sections 9.1, 9.2, which are integrally connected to a transverse wall 9.3. On the inner sides of the wall sections 9.1, 9.2 are mutually parallel web sections 9.4 as connecting elements formed, which cooperate with integrally formed on the housing cover 1.9 angle elements and form a releasable, positive and non-positive connection. In addition to the web sections, clip elements are preferably provided on the mount 9 and / or the cover 1.9 in order to simplify the functionally correct positioning of the mount 9 relative to the overflow pipe 2.

Upper web sections 9.5 merge into a bottom section 9.6, which has an arcuate indentation 9.7 adapted to the overflow pipe. At the bottom portion 9.6 and the transverse wall 9.3 two vertically and mutually parallel webs are formed 9.8.

In the wall sections 9.1, 9.2 and webs 9.8 aligned openings 9.9 are formed in which one or two rod-shaped axes are added. On the axis or the axes lever 10.1, 10.2 are mounted independently pivotable. The levers 10.1, 10.2 have at their end facing away from the axis end in each case a slot and a receptacle for connecting a pull wire head piece of a Bowden cable 11.1, 11.2 (see. FIGS. 8 and 9 ).

At the upper portion of the transverse wall, a shoulder is formed on the outside 9.31, in which openings for the passage of the pull wires of the Bowden cables 11.1, 11.2 are formed. The respective breakthrough has a shoulder on which a sleeve connected to the tubular sheath of the Bowden cable 11.1, 11.2 rests positively.

The associated with the Bowden cables 11.1, 11.2, arranged between the vertical webs 9.8 levers 10.1, 10.2 are each acting as a trigger element Release lever 10.3 or 10.4 torsionally rigid connected. The release levers 10.3, 10.4 are arranged between the vertical wall section 9.1 or 9.2 and the adjacent vertical web 9.8.

The left lever 10.3 is associated with a two-armed, angle-shaped lever (control lever) 10.5, which is also pivotally mounted on the bracket 9. As in the Figures 9 and 10 can be seen, the lever is 10.5 with an arm 10.51 on the associated release lever 10.3 touching and slides on the trigger lever 10.3 when it is pivoted. The second arm 10.52 of the lever 10.5 is used when triggering a partial flush as a stop for the overflow pipe 2 integrally formed attack element 2.1.

The holder 9 is provided with a return spring, which moves the respective lever 10.1 or 10.2 and thus rotationally rigidly connected release lever 10.3 or 10.4 back to a starting position. The connected to the lever 10.1 or 10.2 Bowden cable 11.1 or 11.2 is charged only to train.

The triggering device is connected to an actuating device (not shown) which consists of an actuating plate with two actuating buttons (pushbuttons) displaceably or pivotally mounted thereon. The operation keys are usually designed differently sized, wherein the larger of the two operation keys is used to trigger a full flush, while the smaller operation key is associated with the small flush (partial flush).

As power transmission members two highly flexible Bowden cables 11.1 and 11.2 are used. Between the Actuating button and the respective Bowden cable, a force transducer 12 is arranged, which converts a force exerted by the actuating button pressing force into a tensile force (see FIGS. 12 and 13 ).

The force transducer 12 is provided with a holder 13, which has tongue-shaped clip elements (locking elements) 13.6 and is releasably clipped on the back of the actuator plate. As in the FIGS. 12 and 13 can be seen, the force transducer 12 has a first lever 12.1 and a torsionally rigid connected second lever 12.2, which are pivotally mounted on a common pin 14 of the bracket 13. At the first lever 12.1 of the actuating button associated plunger 12.3 is hinged. The lever has a 12.1 arc-shaped joint shell which engages around a cylinder formed on the plunger 12.3 with more than 180 °, for example about 220 °. At the cylindrical head of the plunger 12.3, a rod-shaped section connects. At the other end of the lever 12.1 a bush-shaped joint eye is formed, which is pushed onto the pivot pin 14 of the holder 13. The lever 12.1 is connected via its hinge eye in the region of a hinge eye of the second lever 12.2 with the latter form-fitting and torsionally rigid.

The second lever 12.2 is provided at its end opposite the hinge eye with a receptacle 12.21 for connecting the pull wire of the Bowden cable 11.1 or 11.2. The puller wire has at its ends - as known per se - cast-on or crimped head pieces which can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into the receptacle 12.21 or the receptacle of the lever 10.1 or 10.2 arranged on the drain valve.

The holder 13 of the force transducer 12 is formed from two detachably connectable housing halves 13.4 and 13.5. The shell-shaped housing half 13.4 has on its inner side the pivot pin 14, while the other shell-shaped housing half 13.5 has an aligned with the pivot pin 14 opening 13.51, which penetrates the sleeve-shaped hinge eye of the lever 12.1 arranged outside with radial play. The second lever 12.2 is thus pivotally mounted in the holder 13 and encapsulated. In the holder 13 is a lever 12.2 biasing in an initial position return spring 15 is arranged.

The housing halves 13.4, 13.5 form an opening 13.52 for the passage of the Bowden cable 11.2. The breakthrough 13.52 has a shoulder on which a connected to the tubular sheath of the Bowden cable 11.2 sleeve rests positively (see. Fig. 13 ).

The Bowden cables 11.1, 11.2 associated force transducer 12 are mounted on separate brackets (housings) 13.1, 13.2, so that they can be clipped independently of each other at different locations of the actuator plates at differently shaped actuator plates.

In the FIGS. 9 to 11 the attachment 9 is pushed onto the housing cover 1.9 and locked releasably with this. The levers 10.1, 10.2 with the Bowdenzugaufnahmen are rotatably mounted in the article 9 and positively connected to the levers 10.3 and 10.4 to trigger a full or partial flush. To release a full flush is the two-armed, angular Control lever 10.5, which communicates with the release lever 10.3.

In Fig. 9 the drain valve is closed. In Fig. 10 on the other hand, the drain valve is shown during the full flush. By pulling on the Bowden cable 11.1, the lever 10.1 and the release lever 10.3 are pivoted together upward, wherein the lever 10.3 raises the overflow pipe 2 on the engagement element 2.1. The lever 10.3 also releases the lever 10.5, which slides with its projection along the underside of the lever 10.3. The float 4 connected to the overflow pipe 2 can now lift the overflow pipe 2 into an open position assigned to the full flush. The integrally formed on the overflow pipe 2 attack element 2.1 does not abut the lever 10.5.

In Fig. 11 the drain valve of the partial flush can be seen. The levers 10.1 and 10.3 are in this case unconfirmed. By pulling on the Bowden cable 11.2 the lever 10.2 is pivoted on the lever 10.2, which presses from below against the engagement element 2.1 of the overflow pipe 2 and the overflow pipe 2 raises something. The float 4 connected to the overflow pipe 2 drives the overflow pipe upwards. Because the lever 10.5 is not released but is blocked by the lever 10.3, the pin-shaped engagement element 2.1 of the overflow tube 2 comes under the stop 10.5 formed on the lever 10.5. The overflow pipe 2 is prevented from floating into the open position associated with a full flush. If the water level in the cistern has dropped below a certain level and the float 4 no longer has enough buoyancy, the drain valve closes after the partial flush. The amount of water of the partial flush can by means of of the displaceable Höhenverstellelements 6 are set in a certain range.

At the in Fig. 14 illustrated embodiment, the lower float 5 and the associated boom 7 is provided with a lever 16. By pressing the boom 7 rigidly mounted lever 16, the stop, 7.1 on which the projection 2.4 of the overflow pipe 2 is seated in the associated with a full flush position, the seated projection 2.4 withdrawn. In this way, a full flush can be prematurely terminated. This in Fig. 14 illustrated embodiment corresponds to the so-called rinse-stop technique. The operation of the lever 16 can in turn be done by means of a Bowden cable.

Instead of a Bowdenzugauslösung other trigger mechanisms can be used in the drain valve according to the invention. It is essential that the overflow pipe 2 for the full flush is freely raised, while for the partial flush the floating height of the overflow pipe 2 is limited.

In Fig. 15 is a further embodiment of a drain valve according to the invention shown. There, the upper float 4 is dimensioned so that its buoyancy is greater than the closing force of the overflow pipe 2. The water column presses in this case on the seal 3. The float 4 is provided with a magnet 17, which is a fixed to the housing of the drain valve electric coil 18 is assigned. A minimal lifting of the fixed at the overflow pipe 2 float 4 separates magnet 17 and electric coil 18, so that the drain valve opens automatically.

On the housing 1 of the two-volume drain valve, an unlockable lock (not shown) is mounted, by means of which a caused by the upper float 4 upward movement of the overflow pipe 2 can be limited. In a partial flush the overflow pipe 2 of the drain valve pushes against the unlockable lock in the upward movement. For the full flush the lock is unlocked.

Another way of triggering the drain valve is to apply a small, harmless electrical voltage to the electric coil 18, thereby establishing an opposing field to the magnet 17 and thus to reduce the magnetic holding force or dissolve. Depending on the structure of the required electrical control, the unlockable lock for partial flushing is switched on or off.

The execution of the drain valve according to the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Rather, numerous variants are conceivable that make use of the concept of the invention contained in the claims even if they differ in design. For example, a combination of mechanical and electrical tripping is possible. Here, the electrical release can be controlled for example via radio or a button, which is in toilets for disabled people, especially in the so-called barrier-free area of advantage. The mechanical release in this case is then a practical supplement to the electrical release.

Claims (19)

1. Drain valve for a cistern, comprising a housing (1), which is provided with a valve seat (1.4) defining an outlet opening, an overflow pipe (2), the lower end of which is provided with a seal (3) which cooperates with the valve seat, an upper float (4), which is adjustable in height relative to the overflow pipe, a lower float (5), and a trigger device for selectively triggering a partial flush or complete flush, the lower float (5) being provided with a stop (7.1) on which the overflow pipe (2) is placed in a raised position, associated with a complete flush, via a projection (2.4) provided on the overflow pipe, it being possible to fix the upper float (4) on the overflow pipe (2) by means of a height adjustment element (6), said upper float being dimensioned in such a way that when it is immersed, after brief raising of the overflow pipe from the closed position thereof, the buoyancy of said upper float automatically raises the overflow pipe (2) selectively into a position associated with a partial flush or complete flush, the upper float (4) maintaining a set position relative to the overflow pipe (2) both during a partial flush and during a complete flush,
   characterised in that the lower float (5) is pivotably mounted on the housing (1), and suspended, in a chamber (8) formed in the housing, via a bracket (7) pivotably mounted on the housing (1), said chamber comprising at least one upper inlet opening (8.1) and at least one lower discharge opening (8.2), the discharge opening being provided with an adjustment element for altering the opening size, and a guide rib (2.5) for guiding the bracket (7) being integrally formed on the outside of the overflow pipe (2) and extending in the axial direction of the overflow pipe.
2. Drain valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the height adjustment element (6) comprises a rod-shaped portion (6.1), at least one locking element (2.3), to which the rod-shaped portion (6.1) of the height adjustment element can be linked, being formed on the overflow pipe (2).
3. Drain valve according to either claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the overflow pipe (2) comprises a groove (2.2), which extends in the axial direction of the overflow pipe and into which the height adjustment element (6) is inserted in a positive fit.
4. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the chamber (8), in which the lower float (5) is suspended, is formed by the housing (1) and a partition wall (1.8) arranged inside the housing.
5. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the projection (2.4), via which the overflow pipe is placed on the stop in a raised position associated with a complete flush, is formed integrally on the guide rib (2.5) and faces towards the lower float (5).
6. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the bracket (7) comprises a substantially U-shaped portion (7.2) having two angled limbs (7.3), hinge elements (7.4) which can be connected to the housing (1) being formed on the ends of the limbs.
7. Drain valve according to claim 6, characterised in that a control edge (7.5) is formed on at least one of the limbs (7.3) and slides along the guide rib (2.5) during a partial flush.
8. Drain valve according to claim 7, characterised in that the control edge (7.5) is formed on a projection of the limb (7.3).
9. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the lower float (5) is releasably connected to the bracket (7).
10. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the lower float (5) comprises at least one upwardly open chamber (8).
11. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the upper float (4) comprises vertically extending guide ribs (4.1) which are guided on vertically extending guide ribs (1.5) on the inside of the housing (1).
12. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that engagement elements (2.1) for raising the overflow pipe are formed on the upper end of the overflow pipe (2).
13. Drain valve according to claim 12, characterised in that the trigger device for selectively triggering a partial flush or complete flush comprises levers (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) associated with the engagement elements (2.1).
14. Drain valve according to claim 13, characterised in that the levers (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) are pivotably mounted in a holder (9), which can be slid onto the housing (1) in a positive fit as an attachment.
15. Drain valve according to either claim 13 or claim 14, characterised in that the levers (10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4) comprise two mutually independently pivotable levers (10.1, 10.2) having recesses for connecting Bowden cables (11.1, 11.2), one (10.2) of said levers being connected to a lever (10.4) for triggering a partial flush, whilst the other (10.1) of said levers is connected to a lever (10.3) for triggering a complete flush.
16. Drain valve according to claim 15, characterised in that the lever (10.3) for triggering a complete flush cooperates with a two-armed, angular lever (10.5), which is pivotably mounted on the holder (9), and on one arm (10.51) of which the lever (10.3) for triggering a complete flush engages, and the other arm (10.52) of which comprises a stop for an engagement element (2.1) integrally formed on the overflow pipe (2), so as to restrict an upward movement of the overflow pipe (2) brought about by the upper float (4).
17. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 16, characterised in that the lower float (5) or a/the bracket (7) connected thereto is provided with a lever (16), and by activating said lever the stop (7.1), on which the projection (2.4) of the overflow pipe (2) is placed in the position associated with a complete flush, can be withdrawn from the placed projection (2.4).
18. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the upper float (4) is provided with a magnet (17), an electrical coil (18) which is fixed to the housing (1) being associated with the magnet (17).
19. Drain valve according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterised in that a releasable catch, which can limit an upward movement of the overflow pipe (2) brought about by the upper float (4), is attached to the housing (1).

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