EP1967111A2 - Dampening device - Google Patents

Abstract

A damping device comprises a damper with a first section and a second section rotatable relative to the first section, a housing for the damper and a transition element rotatably joined to the first or second section and joined to the seat (3) or cover (2) of a WC seat (3).The housing forms a bearing for the transition element. An independent claim is included for a WC seat.

Description

The invention relates to a damping device for the seat and / or the lid of a toilet. The invention is particularly directed to a damping device which can be used as a separate unit for damping a toilet seat.

A damping device is for example from the DE 20 2004 013 255 U1 known. The known damping device has a stationary housing which can be fixed via a spigot portion to a toilet bowl. The damping device further has a horizontal axis portion on which the toilet seat is pivotally mounted. The axle section ensures a damping of the seat and / or the lid.

The known damping device has proven itself in principle. In particular, the overall arrangement of the damping device is dimensioned such that the diameter of the axle section is chosen sufficiently large to easily absorb the forces acting on the toilet seat.

More recently, toilet seats are increasingly equipped with dampers, which are already offered as purchased parts in relatively small sizes. These dampers are mass-produced and, to that extent, relatively inexpensive.

Starting from the known state of the art, the invention has for its object to provide a preferably formed as a separate entity damping device in which a standard damper comes as a separate element for use and ensures a long life.

The object is inventively solved by a damping device with a damper having a first portion and a rotatable relative to the first portion of the second section, a housing in which the damper is received, and with a transition member connected to the first or the second section is rotatably connected, wherein the transition element with the seat or the lid of a toilet seat is rotatably connected, and wherein the housing forms a bearing for the transition element.

The invention is based on the finding that a bearing of the toilet seat directly on the rotatable portion - the journal portion of the damper - means a significant burden on the journal portion. The critical loads are loads that act radially to the axis of rotation. Such loads lead to premature wear of the damper. There is not only the risk that damping fluid escapes from the damper, but that the damper is mechanically destroyed. This is where the invention starts.

According to the invention a transition element is provided which is rotatably connected to the first or the second portion of the damper. The axis of rotation of the damper is thus not directly connected itself to the seat or the lid, but the transition element. It has been found to be particularly advantageous that the housing forms a bearing for the transition element. By this arrangement, the damper can be kept in the radial direction substantially free of stress, since the transition element is supported on the housing. As a result, the invention provides a damping device which can be produced inexpensively using standard dampers and at the same time has a long service life.

In practice, one will always dampen both the seat and the lid. Preferably, each damper is received in a separate housing.

The bearing for the transition element can be designed differently. At least one preferably circumferential bearing section in the housing is considered to be advantageous, which cooperates in each case with a preferably likewise circumferential bearing section of the transition element. The width of the bearing sections will be chosen so that the overall arrangement takes no damage despite the radial loads occurring. Also encompassed by the inventive idea is a multi-stage bearing section in the axial direction.

At this point, it should be noted that the bearing portion of the housing can also be formed by a separate component - for example, a ring - which is then also considered as part of the housing, so that insofar as the housing forms the bearing for the transition element.

Advantageously, the transition element is mounted in the housing at least twice. The two bearing sections are expediently spaced from each other. Due to the distance, the transition element can absorb tilting moments in an advantageous manner. At the same time a rotation of the transition element is guaranteed.

In a further development of the invention it is proposed that the transition element has at least two preferably circumferential bearing portions, wherein the first bearing portion cooperates with an end-side bearing portion of the housing and the second bearing portion thereof is arranged spaced therefrom. Preferably, the second bearing portion is formed by an end portion of the transition element received in the housing. Such an arrangement provides a compact construction with maximum stability of the composite between the transition element and the housing.

For the assembly of the damping device according to the invention, the damper is possibly already inserted together with the transition element in the housing. In this context, it is considered to be particularly advantageous if the transition element is clipped into the housing. On the one hand, this prevents the transition element from accidentally falling out of the housing, and, on the other hand, such an arrangement allows a simple mounting of the damping device. For this purpose, the individual components are merely inserted into one another. The dimensions of the individual components such as the diameter of the transition element or the distance between the bearing sections are made so that on the one hand in operation occurring radial forces can be absorbed, on the other hand, the transition element is rotatable in the housing.

Preferably, the housing has a projection which limits the insertion depth of the transition element. The transition element can only be inserted so far into the housing of the damping device until it comes to rest on the projection. This prevents the transition element from contacting the stationary portion of the damper, which would have negative effects on the rotatability of the transition element.

The damper is suitably accommodated completely in the housing. It can be provided that the housing has a damper receiving portion, wherein advantageously the bearing portion (for supporting the transition element) at least the same diameter as the damper receiving portion, preferably the same diameter.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the housing has a circumferential undercut, engage in the hook elements of the transition element. The hook elements are expediently distributed over the circumference of the transition element and engage radially in the undercut, which may be formed by a groove.

A compact and stable construction results from the fact that the hook elements between two bearing points (or the bearing portions) of the transition element are arranged. In this case, the one bearing portion may be formed as an end-side closure of the housing. Alternatively, a cap is placed over the transition element, which is the transition element holds in the housing and preferably connected to the housing, in particular clipped or screwed into the housing.

The transition element forms an extension of the rotatable portion of the damper. To transmit the torque to the rotatable portion of the damper advantageously both the rotatable portion of the damper (usually the pivot) and the end portion of the transition element profiled. In this context, it has proved to be particularly advantageous if the transition element has a preferably sleeve-like approach, which at least partially surrounds the first or the second portion of the damper. In this case, the outer contour of the sleeve-like projection form the preferably circumferential shoulder of the transition element, which is mounted in the housing. The sleeve-like approach will include the pivot pin as a rule completely. Alternatively it can be provided that the approach is formed only by, for example, two web-like projections, which are flattened on its inner side and include the also flattened on both sides pivot.

For transmitting the torque from the seat or the cover, the transition element advantageously also has a profile section which can be brought into engagement with the seat and / or the lid. Suitably, this area is formed complementary to the profile section.

In an essential development of the invention, it is proposed that the second section of the damper be held in a rotationally fixed manner in the housing. The second portion will usually be the housing portion of the damper, while the first portion of the damper forms the pivot. It should be noted, however, that arrangements are conceivable in which the first section is the housing and the second section of the pivot.

An advantageous development of the invention is characterized in that the housing has a profiling in the interior of the housing, which cooperates with a profiling of the second portion of the damper. Commercially available dampers as purchased parts create the profiling of the otherwise cylindrical housing by a flattening in the end of the damper housing. Preferably, the housing also has flattened inner walls to create the rotationally fixed connection in partial areas. In this way, the second portion is held stationary in the housing of the damping device while the first portion is rotatable.

The attachment of the damping device is usually carried out via a fastening arrangement, via which the damping device can be fixed to a toilet bowl. It has proved to be particularly advantageous if the damping device is detachably connectable to the toilet bowl. As a result, the entire toilet seat can be removed, for example for cleaning purposes, from the toilet bowl, without having to dismantle the entire arrangement.

Advantageously, the damping device has a receiving portion for receiving a pin end portion of the fastening arrangement. The attachment assembly remains stationary after attachment to the toilet bowl to the toilet bowl. The receiving section, which is preferably formed integrally with the housing of the damping device, is placed on the pin end section for attachment to the toilet bowl and fixed. To remove the toilet seat, the fixation is released, so that the entire seat can be removed.

The fastening arrangement furthermore has a fastening section, which can be designed, for example, as a threaded rod and by means of which the fastening arrangement is fastened to the toilet bowl. Advantageously, the fastening portion of the fastening arrangement and the pin portion are offset from one another. Such an arrangement makes the damping device with regard to different toilet bowl models universally applicable within wide limits, since the distance between the damping devices is individually adjustable.

To fix the damping device is proposed in a further development of the invention that in the receiving portion, a locking element is received and that the locking element engages in the locked state in a groove formed in the journal portion. Preferably, the locking element is a screw which is screwed into the receiving portion.

By means of the invention it is possible to use standard dampers as separate elements, whereby a long service life of the damping device is ensured by the transition element. At the same time, the invention provides a particularly simple construction. As stated previously, the damper is possibly already inserted into the housing together with the transition element in the housing. An essential development of the invention is characterized in that the housing can be closed by the transition element. The transition element is frontally inserted into the housing, and advantageously from the outside.

Preferably, the housing, the transition element and the damper form a separate coherent unit. This unit is conveniently removable from the toilet bowl as described above.

Basically, in the context of the invention is essential to relieve the damper. However, it has been found that, from a constructional point of view, a damping device can be advantageous in which the first section or the second section of the damper extends into the transition element into a region outside the housing. This means that the damper (in particular the pivot of the damper) performs a certain support work. Nevertheless, the transition element prevents overloading of the damper. Such a construction has the significant advantage that the housing can be made very short and is substantially so large that it receives the stationary part of the damper (the damper housing) and forms a bearing for the transition element.

Figur 1

in einer teilgeschnittenen Darstellung den grundsätzlichen Aufbau eines WC-Sitzes mit zwei erfindungsgemäßen Dämpfungseinrichtungen;

Figur 2

das Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Dämpfungseinrichtung nach Figur 1 in einer vergrößerten auseinandergezogenen Darstellung;

Figur 3

in einer teilgeschnittenen Darstellung das Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 1 in zusammengesetztem Zustand;

Figur 4

in einer Schnittdarstellung das Ausführungsbeispiel nach Figur 1 in zusammengesetztem Zustand; und

Figur 5

in einer Schnittdarstellung ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer erfindungsgemäßen Dämpfungseinrichtung.

In the following the invention will be described in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the attached drawings. The drawing shows in:

FIG. 1

in a partially sectional view of the basic structure of a toilet seat with two damping devices according to the invention;

FIG. 2

the embodiment of the damping device according to the invention FIG. 1 in an enlarged exploded view;

FIG. 3

in a partially sectioned illustration of the embodiment FIG. 1 in assembled condition;

FIG. 4

in a sectional view of the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in assembled condition; and

FIG. 5

in a sectional view of a second embodiment of a damping device according to the invention.

In FIG. 1 a toilet seat 1 is shown. The toilet seat 1 has a lid 2 and a seat 3. The lid 2 and the seat 3 are shown partially cut at its rear end.

For damping the lid 2 and the seat 3 two damping devices 4, 5 according to the invention are provided, wherein the left-side damping device 4, the cover 2 and the right-side damping device dampens the seat 3. For this purpose, the damping device 4 has an axis of rotation 6 which engages over a profiled area 7 with the cover 2. The damping device 5 is connected via a profiled portion 8 of its axis of rotation 9 with the seat 3 into engagement. The damping devices 4, 5 according to the invention are provided as separate units, that is, the respective damping device is not integrated in the seat or cover of a toilet seat.

FIG. 2 shows in an exploded view of the damping device 10 according to the invention on an enlarged scale, denoted in the following by the reference numeral 10.

The damping device 10 comprises a damper 11 and a transition element 12, both of which can be inserted into a housing 13. The damper 11 is a commercially available damper having a first portion 14 and a second portion 15 rotatable with respect to the first portion 14. The first portion 14 forms the axis of rotation, while the second portion 15 forms the damper housing.

The transition element 12 is engageable with the first portion 14. To create a positive connection, the axis of rotation (first portion 14) is flattened on both sides, as indicated by the reference numeral 16. The transition element 12 is formed complementary in the region of the connection.

The damper 11 is also provided at its rear end with two flattened portions 17, which enter into a rotationally fixed connection with a complementary formed in the housing (not shown) portion.

The transition element 12 is clipped into the housing 13. For this purpose, the transition element 12 on hook elements 18 which engage in an opening formed in the housing 13 undercut 19, as in connection with FIG. 4 will be explained in more detail.

The damping device 10 is fixed via a mounting arrangement 20 to a (not shown) toilet bowl. The mounting arrangement is in the illustrated embodiment formed in several parts and includes a mounting portion 21 and a pin portion 22 to which the housing 13 via a receiving portion 23 can be plugged. It should be noted that the attachment portion and the pin portion may also be integrally formed. In the present case, however, it is considered advantageous that the attachment portion and the pin portion are offset from each other.

The journal portion 22 has a groove 24 into which a locking element 25 engages when the housing 13 is mounted, thus securing the housing to the journal portion 22, as will be explained in more detail below.

It will open FIG. 3 Reference is made showing a composite damping device with a partially cut housing 13. The attachment assembly 20 is partially omitted.

The damper 11 and the transition element 12 are fully inserted into the housing 13, wherein the transition element 12 is clipped with the hook elements 18 in the groove. Thus, the transition element is axially rotatably mounted in the housing 13 and secured against falling out or pulling.

The transition element 12 is connected to the pivot (first portion 14) of the damper 11 in a rotationally fixed engagement. The housing 15 of the damper 11 is held stationary in the housing 13 of the damping device according to the invention.

The transition element 12 can be brought into rotational engagement with a seat or a lid of a toilet seat. For this purpose, the transition element is provided in the front portion 26 with a profiling. The inner portion 27 is smooth educated. For a damping of both the lid and the seat of the toilet seat will provide a second damping device, in which the inner portion 27 is profiled and the outer portion 26 is formed smooth. The profiled section 27 then absorbs, for example, the seat (see right-side damping device 5 in FIG FIG. 1 where the profiled section 8 dampens the seat 3). On the other hand, one will arrange a damping device in which the profiled area sits outside and, for example, with the lid is engaged (see FIG. 1 where the profiled area 7 is in engagement with the lid 2). The seat then slides on the smooth section 27 (and / or possibly on the profiled section).

When damping the toilet seat considerable radial forces can occur. Such loads arise for example when folding down the lid or the seat. A load by the body weight of a user also stresses the overall arrangement in the radial direction. According to the invention, these radial forces are absorbed by the transition element 12 and discharged into the housing 13 of the damping device. The load-sensitive transition of the damper 11, namely the transition from the first portion 14 to the second portion 15 of the damper 11 remains substantially unloaded. For the derivation of the radial forces - while ensuring a good rotation of the transition element 12 - has the transition element at least one, preferably two bearing portions 28, 29, which are each mounted in a preferably likewise circumferential bearing portion of the housing 13.

The attachment portion 21 of the attachment assembly 20 according to FIG. 2 is in FIG. 3 omitted. The housing 13 is placed over the preferably integrally molded receiving portion 23 on the pin portion 22. To lock the screw formed as a locking element 25 is screwed into the receiving portion and engages in the groove 24 a. When the screw is released, the housing 13 can be removed from the pin end portion 22.

FIG. 4 shows the damping device according to the invention in a cross-sectional view. The damper 11 is inserted with its rear end into the housing 13 until it stops. Here he is on the case back.

The transition element 12 is also inserted into the housing 13, wherein it is engaged with the hook elements 28 in the undercut 19 and rotatably supported in the housing 13. In this case, the transition element 12 abuts against a stop 30 of the housing 13, which limits the insertion depth of the transition element, so that the transition element does not come into contact with the portion 15 of the damper. This would have a negative influence on the rotational behavior of the transition element.

Particularly advantageously, the peripheral bearing portions 28, 29 of the transition element cooperate with the corresponding bearing portions of the housing 13, which together form a kind of sliding bearing. The hook elements 18 are arranged between the bearing section 28 and the bearing section 29, resulting in a compact and at the same time stable overall construction of the damping device 10 according to the invention. The bearing 28 forms the closure of the housing 13th

The transition element 12 transmits the torque transmitted from the cover or the seat to the pivot of the damper, the housing of which is rotationally fixedly held in the housing 13 of the damping device. For this purpose, the transition element 12 engages around the first portion 14 of the damper with a sleeve-like approach, this approach advantageously forms the bearing portion 29 simultaneously. The bearing portion 28 and the bearing portion 29 are spaced from each other. It is therefore possible to absorb significant radial forces, it being ensured that the transition element rotates and the damper remains substantially unloaded.

FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment according to the invention in a sectional view. In this embodiment, the first portion 14 (pivot) of the damper 11 extends into the transition element, to such an extent that the first portion 14 is located outside of the housing 13. When installed, the first portion 14 thus extends into the (not shown here) receiving area of the seat and / or the lid. In the embodiment shown, the first section 14 also assumes a support function, it being noted that the construction can also be provided so that the section 14 is held free of stress. The embodiment shown is particularly advantageous insofar as the housing 13 can be kept short compared to other solutions, since the first portion 14 is not received within the housing 13. Nevertheless, the damper 11, the housing 13 and the transition element 12 in the assembled state form a coherent unit.

As in the first embodiment, the transition element 12 (preferably from the outside) in the housing 13 can be inserted and closes the housing end face. In an alternative embodiment, first the transition element 12 (from inside to outside) is inserted into the housing 13 and then the damper 11, wherein in a final step, the housing 13 is closed on the inside. Also in this alternative, the housing 11 is thus closed by the transition element.

Within the scope of the inventive concept, numerous modifications are possible. In the embodiment shown, the damper is shown in an orientation in which the transition element is in rotationally fixed connection with the pivot. The invention also includes an arrangement in which the transition element engages the housing, although the arrangement shown is considered to be particularly preferred. According to the invention it is provided that the housing forms a bearing for the transition element. Included in the spirit of the invention is an arrangement in which the bearing is formed by a separate component, for example by a ring, which forms as part of the housing, the bearing for the transition element.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

WC seat

2

Toilet seat

3

Seat

4

left side damper

5

right side damper

6

axis of rotation

7

profiled section of the pivot

8th

profiled section of the pivot

9

axis of rotation

10

attenuator

11

damper

12

Transition element

13

casing

14

first section

15

second part

16

flattened section (of the pivot)

17

flattened section (damper housing)

18

hook elements

19

undercut

20

mounting assembly

21

attachment section

22

journal section

23

receiving portion

24

groove

25

locking element

26

Front section (of the pivot)

27

Rear section (of the pivot)

28

bearing section

29

bearing section

30

attack

Claims (18)

Damping device (10) with a damper (11) having a first portion (14) and a second portion (15) rotatable with respect to the first portion, - A housing (13) in which the damper (11) is received, and with - A transition element (12) which is rotatably connected to the first portion (14) or the second portion (15), - Wherein the transition element (12) with the seat (3) or the lid (2) of a toilet seat rotatably connected, and - Wherein the housing (13) forms a bearing for the transition element (12). Damping device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transition element (12) at least one preferably having circumferential bearing portion (28, 29) which cooperates with a preferably also circumferential bearing portion of the housing (13). Damping device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the transition element (12) in the housing (13) is mounted at least twice. Damping device according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the transition element (12) at least two preferably circumferential bearing portions (28; 29), wherein the first bearing portion (28) cooperates with an end-side bearing portion of the housing and the second bearing portion (29 ) spaced therefrom and preferably formed by a in the housing (13) received end portion of the transition element. Damping device according to one of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the transition element (12) in the housing (13) can be clipped. Damping device according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that the housing (13) has a circumferential undercut (19), engage in the hook elements (18) of the transition element (12). Damping device according to claim 6, characterized in that the hook elements (18) between two bearing points (28; 29) of the transition element (12) are arranged. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transition element (12) has a preferably sleeve-like projection which at least partially surrounds the first portion (14) or the second portion (15) of the damper (11). Damping device according to claim 8, characterized in that the sleeve-like projection forms at least one bearing point (29) of the transition element (12). Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the transition element (12) has a profile section (26) which can be brought into engagement with preferably a complementary region of the seat or the lid. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second portion (15) of the damper rotatably in the housing (13) is held. Damping device according to claim 11, characterized in that the housing (13) in the housing interior has a profiling, which cooperates with a profiling (17) of the second portion (15) of the damper. Damping device according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the damper (11) is preferably flattened in its end region and that the housing for creating the rotationally fixed connection in partial regions also has flattened inner walls. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the damping device (10) is detachably connectable to a toilet bowl. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the housing (13) by the transition element (12) is closable. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the housing (13), the transition element (12) and the damper (11) form a separate coherent unit. Damping device according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the first portion (14) or the second portion (15) of the damper (11) hineinerstreckt into a region outside the housing (13) in the transition element (12). Toilet seat with at least one damping device according to one of claims 1 to 17.

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