Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
  • E03D1/00—Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
  • E03D1/02—High-level flushing systems
  • E03D1/14—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves
  • E03D1/142—Cisterns discharging variable quantities of water also cisterns with bell siphons in combination with flushing valves in cisterns with flushing valves

Definitions

• This invention relates to a dual flush valve for emptying or partly emptying cisterns and is particularly, although not exclusively applicable to being used for flushing domestic toilets.
• the present invention proposes a dual flush valve for enabling high or optimum performance to be achieved for almost any cistern or W.C. in which it is incorporated: providing easy independent setting of partial and full flush levels / volumes for meeting both national and international regulation requirements, with in addition there being provision for operation with cisterns filled to, or approaching maximum permitted filling levels. Moreover with this flexibility, the invention is well placed to meet any future requirements for further reductions in flushing volumes and achievement of related water saving initiatives.
• a dual flush valve for immersion in a fluid in a cistern, the valve comprising: a main valve assembly, an outlet having a valve seat for the main valve assembly, a guide structure for positioning and guiding the main valve assembly relative to the outlet for movement between a lowered position in which the main valve assembly locates on the valve seat to seal the outlet to prevent immersion fluid flowing from the cistern through the outlet and a raised position in which the outlet is not sealed; an operating system actuable in response to an input to raise the main valve assembly off its seat so that on raising the main valve assembly the main valve assembly is subjected to an upwards force by immersion fluid entering the outlet, thereby causing it to rise to permit full flow of immersion fluid through the outlet, the operating system having a mechanism for subsequently exerting a downward force
• the downward forces exerted on the main valve assembly by the operating system will be sufficient to exceed any buoyancy forces and water level dependent flow reaction and pressure forces acting upwards on the surfaces underneath the main valve assembly in order to achieve the desired respective reseating for a partial or full flush.
• the full flush level need not result in a complete or substantially complete emptying of the cistern but can be set at an intermediate level between the partial flush and empty.
• the surface below the valve seat is preferably frusto-conical tapering towards the outlet and is also preferably of concave configuration.
• the guide structure may be a housing within which the main valve assembly is movable between lowered and raised positions, the housing having a lower housing portion in which the valve seat is provided, a wall of the lower housing portion having openings through which immersion fluid can flow to the outlet when the main valve assembly is raised off the valve seat.
• the housing has an upper portion separated from the lower portion by a partition plate to define upper and lower chambers, the valve including a first vent means through which fluid may pass between the upper and lower chambers, a second vent means within the upper chamber between the main valve assembly and a wall of the upper housing portion through which fluid may flow from one end of the upper chamber to the other, a third vent means towards the upper end of the upper housing portion through which immersion fluid can flow between the upper chamber and the surrounding cistern, the main valve assembly including a central stem which projects upwardly beyond the upper end of the housing for co-operation with the operating system.
• the central upwardly extending stem is preferably a hollow stem protruding above the normal full level setting of the water in the cistern and so provides a convenient and efficient discharge route to the outlet in the event of water rising above the normal lull level setting.
• the invention is more specifically described below with reference to a hollow stem, although it will be appreciated that this is not essential.
• the first vent means may be a restrictive passage or one or more non restrictive flow apertures between the upper and lower chambers - with generally the restricted passage only being necessary for any applications where the cistern is emptied, to restrict the flow from the upper chamber to the lower chamber during the final stages of emptying.
• a second vent means is provided, which conveniently may be an annular gap between the main valve assembly and the upper housing wall.
• the requirement and function of the second vent means may be significantly reduced, since water ejected from the top of the upper chamber through the third vent means by the rising main valve assembly is balanced by water readily flowing from the lower chamber into the bottom of the upper housing via the first vent means.
• the third vent means may be one or more large apertures as this accommodates either a restricted or a non-restricted first vent means - with in the case of the restricted first vent means, the third vent means mainly providing a free communication at the top of the upper chamber with the surrounding cistern; whereas in the case of the non-restricted first vent means, the third vent means provides for ejection and replenishment of water in the upper chamber, displaced by the main valve assembly.
• the first, second and third vent means can be dispensed with and thus the upper housing chamber and partition plate is also not required and can be replaced by a simpler housing or other structure for guiding and locating the main valve assembly relative to the seat.
• the downward forces exerted separately by the first and second operating means may be applied by direct means, e.g. a catch mechanism or a latching device engaging with a detent, e.g. a flange or similar feature on the main valve assembly to apply the selected downward force to the raised main valve assembly via a spring or other force producing means - the force disengaging on or before re- seating of the valve assembly.
• Actuation of the first and second operating means may be via a single cable or similar type of control with two distinct positions and preferably have a single downward force producing means.
• the operating system may include first and second mechanisms for applying downward forces to the main valve assembly, movement of the operating system to a first position in response to the first actuation input causing the first mechanism for applying the first downward force to engage with the main valve assembly, whilst moving the operating system to a second position in response to the second actuation input causes the first mechanism to be disengaged or not to be selected and results in engagement of the second mechanism with the main valve assembly for applying the second downward force.
• the force producing means is adjustable to enable the first and second flush levels to be set independently to suit almost any cistern and typically the first mechanism, when operated will discharge water from the cistern causing the water level to fall from its set filling level to the first intermediate flush level for providing a partial flush and similarly the second mechanism, when operated will cause the water level to fall from the set filling level to the second intermediate flush level, which intentionally will be set to be substantially lower than the first intermediate level to enable a larger volume of water to be discharged from the cistern sufficient to provide a full flush.
• the first mechanism would be for providing the partial flush and thus the second mechanism means would be for providing the full flush.
• the second mechanism may be adjusted to enable the cistern to empty, whereby on nearing completion of the full flush operation the water level would fall until it was in the vicinity of the outlet.
• the operating system may comprise a sliding carrier movable from a lower, retracted position to first and second raised positions in response to the first and second actuation inputs respectively, the carrier being biased to the retracted position by a resilient member and carrying a lifting flange for contact with an abutment member on the main valve assembly to lilt the main valve assembly off its seat as the carrier is moved from the retracted position to either one of the first and second raised positions.
• the carrier may also comprise a catch moveable between an engagement position, in which the catch is able to contact the main valve assembly to apply a first downward force on the main valve assembly as the carrier descends towards the retracted position under the bias of the resilient member when the actuation input is removed, and at least one retracted position, in which the catch member is unable to contact the main valve assembly, the operating system including a first lug for contact with the catch to move the catch to the engagement position as the carrier moves from the retracted position to the first raised position, and a second lug for contact with the catch as the carrier approaches its retracted position from a raised position to move the catch to a retracted position.
• the second raised position is above the first raised position, the operating system having a third lug for contacting the catch as the carrier moves from the first raised position to the second raised position to move the catch to a retracted position.
• the second raised position is lower than the first raised position such that during movement of the carrier to the second raised position, the first lug is not operative on the catch which remains in a retracted position.
• the sliding carrier may have a further abutment for contact with the valve member to apply a downward force on the main valve assembly as the carrier descends towards the retracted position from the second raised position under the bias of the resilient member when the actuation input is removed.
• the operating system may be configured such that on descent of the sliding carrier from the first raised position on removal of the first actuation input, the catch engages the main valve assembly at a first intermediate position of the carrier and that on descent of the sliding carrier from the second raised position in response to removal of the second actuation input, the further abutment contacts the raised main valve assembly at second intermediate position of the carrier which is lower than the first intermediate position.
• the central stem may carry an abutment for contact with the catch when in the engaged position and the further abutment on the sliding carrier.
• the further abutment may be an adjustment screw and the resilient member may be a compression spring.
• Figure 1 shows a part sectional arrangement of a dual flush valve with a two position operating system for actuation of partial and full flush operation, the valve being in the closed position;
• Figure 2 shows a view on arrow 'A' of Figure 1, depicting the operating system of Figure 1 ;
• Figure 3 shows the relative system / catch positions for the operating system of Figure 1 , on opening the valve for partial flush operation;
• Figure 4 shows the relative system / catch positions for the operating system of Figure 1 , on opening the valve for full flush operation;
• Figure 5 shows the relative system / catch positions with an alternative catch arrangement for the operating system of Figure 1 , on opening the valve for partial flush operation;
• Figure 6 shows the relative system / catch positions with an alternative catch arrangement for the operating system of Figure 1 , on opening the valve for full flush operation.
• Figures 1 and 2 show a cistern outlet / dual flush valve generally as indicated at 1 , sealed and retained by a seal 3 and nut 4 into an outlet at the bottom of a cistern 15. The valve is immersed in water to a set filling level 27 and the valve is closed with a main seal 5 sealing onto outlet base 2 against seat 2 A in a lower part of the valve housing to prevent the ingress of water from the cistern.
• the valve housing 10 has an upper chamber 13 which is filled with water and is in free communication with the water in the cistern via aperture(s) 11 and to a lesser extent by annular passage / gap 9 and restrictive passage 8.
• the main valve assembly 34 which comprises float and lower hollow stem assembly 6 and upper hollow stem assembly 12, is kept in place mainly by the weight of the assembly and the marginal net downward force due to hydrostatic pressure on top of seal 5.
• the upper chamber 13 is defined between the interior of housing wall 1 OA, hollow central boss 37 at the top of the upper housing and the partition plate 7, with hollow boss 40 at the bottom of the housing.
• the main valve assembly 34 moves up and down inside the upper chamber and generally for the arrangement shown, water is displaced from the top of the chamber to the bottom of the chamber via annular gap / passage 9 for the main valve assembly moving upwards and displaced from bottom to top for the main valve assembly moving downwards. With the cistern filled to the set level 27, basic operation of the valve is achieved initially by lifting the main valve assembly 34 off its seat 5, 2 A.
• the means of applying the required downward force to the main valve assembly is achieved by the operating system 14 which includes a spring catch mechanism, whereby independently and in conjunction with each other, the partial and full flush proportions can be conveniently varied by adjustment screws or other means at the top of the valve.
• the sliding carrier 16 With the valve in the closed position, the sliding carrier 16 is held in the retracted position against mechanism mounting frame 18 by compression/control spring 1 7, the force being applied indirectly by shoulder 19A of adjustment screw / slide bar 19, through sliding carrier 16 to boss face 18A and also catch 21 is held in the retracted position by catch bosses 21 ⁇ and 21 C and frame lugs 1813 and 18E.
• Figure 3 shows the relative catch positions in relation to Figure 1 for partial flush operation, which commences with sliding carrier assembly 14A, comprising sliding carrier 16, catch 21 , pivot 20. outrigger arm 16C and adjustment screw 22 being raised by operation of the control cable and lift lever 25 applying upward movement to sliding carrier lug 16A.
• the flange 16B engages with the stem tang 12A to lift the main valve assembly off its seat 5, 2A and raise it so that it rises to the fully open position, at the top of the upper housing 10.
• catch boss 21 A comes into contact with frame lug 18C, which causes rotation of the catch about pivot 20 and for it to take up the engagement position 21(D).
• the force from the compressed control spring 17 causes the sliding carrier assembly to descend to take up the clearance between the raised stem tang position 12(B) and catch tip 21B in the extended and raised position 21 (D); the catch on engaging with the stem tang being constrained by catch stop 21 F (shown in Figure 1), holding the catch in the fully extended position against the sliding carrier and lowered to the position 21(E).
• the spring force is thus transmitted by the catch tip 21B to the top of the raised stem tang 12A, 12(B).
• outrigger arm 16C takes up the position 16(D) as indicated.
• the sliding carrier assembly With the valve opened and the partial flush cycle initiated, the sliding carrier assembly remains in the raised position until the water level has fallen and is approaching the partial flush level 31 , whereupon the upward forces on the main valve assembly are no longer sufficient to keep the valve open against the downward force applied by the sliding carrier assembly. At this point the force, mainly from the control spring causes the sliding carrier assembly to descend, carrying the main valve and hollow stem assembly with it and with additional force applied by the seal 5 intersecting the flow into the outlet the valve rapidly re-seats. On the sliding carrier assembly approaching the fully descended / retracted position, catch boss 21 A contacts frame lug 18E causing the tilted catch 21(E) to disengage from the top of the stem tang 12A and return to the retracted position 21.
• Figure 4 shows the relative catch positions in relation to Figure 1 for full flush operation, which generally consist s of a partial discharge to a second and lower intermediate water level in the cistern; again commencing with the sliding carrier assembly being raised by operating the control cable to cause lift lever 25 to apply upward movement to sliding carrier lug 16 A.
• flange 16B engages with stem tang 12A to lift the main valve and hollow stem assembly off its seat 5, 2 A and raise it so that it rises to the fully open position at the top of upper housing 10.
• catch boss 21 A comes into contact with the underside of frame lug 18C, which causes initial rotation of the catch about pivot 20 from retracted position 21 to tilted position 21 (D) as in Figure 3, at which point boss 21 A is clear of lug 18C.
• the sliding carrier with the catch in the tilted position 21 (D) is raised still further and catch boss 21 C comes into contact with frame lug 18D, causing the catch at the fully raised or second position of the sliding carrier, to rotate in the opposite direction to an initial retracted position 21 (F).
• catch boss 21 A may have come into contact with the top of frame lug 18C and continue retraction of the catch or the catch may even be further rotated to the fully retracted and clear position 21(G).
• the sliding carrier assembly With the valve open and the full flush cycle initiated, the sliding carrier assembly remains in the semi-raised position until the water level has fallen and in the vicinity of the full flush / intermediate level 32, whereupon the upward forces acting on the main valve assembly are no longer sufficient to keep the valve open against the downward force applied by the sliding carrier and thus the force, which is mainly, from the control spring causes the sliding carrier assembly to descend, carrying the main valve assembly with it and again with additional force applied by seal 5 intersecting the flow into the outlet, the valve rapidly re-seats.
• catch boss 21 C comes into contact with frame lug 18B, which causes the catch to rotate from its fully retracted to clear position 21 (G), to the normal retracted position 21 , with bosses 21 C and 21 A in contact with or adjacent to frame lugs 18B and 18E respectively.
• refilling commences; this being virtually the same as refilling following a partial flush, except that refilling is from a lower intermediate level 32 up to the cistern set water level 27.
• Figure 5 shows the relative catch positions of an alternative catch arrangement in relation to Figure 1 for partial flush operation, which commences with the sliding carrier assembly, comprising sliding carrier 16, catch 38, pivot 20, outrigger arm 16C and adjustment screw 22 being raised by the control cable and lift lever 25, applying upward movement to sliding carrier lug 16 A.
• This causes flange 16B to engage with the underside of stem tang 12A to lift the main valve assembly off its seat and raise it so that it rises to the fully open position.
• catch boss 38 A comes into contact with mechanism mounting frame lug 39B, which causes the catch to be rotated about pivot 20 from its retracted position 38 to the tilted or engagement position 38(C); this also being the fully raised position and higher of the two raised sliding carrier positions.
• the force from the compressed control spring causes the sliding carrier assembly to descend to take up the clearance between the raised stem tang position 12(B) and the tip of the catch in the extended and fully raised position 38(C); the catch on engaging with the stem tang being constrained in the extended and lower raised position 38(D) by a stop (not shown) on the carrier.
• catch boss 38 ⁇ contacts frame boss 39A causing tilted catch 38(D) to disengage from the top of the stem tang and return to its fully retracted position 38. with boss 38A against frame lug 39 A; any further retraction or over travel being prevented by a stop (not shown) on the carrier.
• Figure 6 shows the relative catch positions of an alternative catch arrangement in relation to Figure 1 for full flush operation, which commences with the sliding carrier assembly being raised by operating the control cable and the lift lever applying an upward movement to sliding carrier lug 16A.
• Flange 16B engages with stem tang 12A to lift the main valve assembly off its seat and raise it so that it rises to the fully open position.
• catch boss 38A stops short of coming into contact with mechanism mounting frame lug 39B and thus with no rotation imparted to the catch, it remains in the fully retracted position.
• the force from the control spring causes the sliding carrier assembly to descend from its fully raised height and catch position 38(E) until adjustment screw tip 22 A on outrigger arm 16C comes into contact with the top of the raised stem tang 12(D) to transmit the downward force from the control spring to the main valve assembly, at which point the outrigger arm and catch take up the indicated relative positions 16(E) and 38(F) respectively.
• the sliding carrier assembly With the valve open and the full flush cycle initiated, the sliding carrier assembly remains in the semi-raised position until the water level has fallen and in the vicinity of the full flush / intermediate water level 32, at which point the downward force, mainly from the control spring exceeds the upward forces acting on the main valve assembly, causing the sliding carrier assembly to descend carrying the main valve and hollow stem assembly with it and with additional downward force applied by the valve seal intersecting with the flow into the outlet, the valve rapidly re-seats.
• catch boss 38A approaches mounting frame lug 39A but as the catch has not been operated during the full flush cycle and remained in its retracted / un-tilted state 38, boss 38A only comes into contact with lug 39 A when the sliding carrier assembly has fully descended.
• actuation inputs could be provided by two separate rods or cables and an alternative to the screw adjustments for the partial and flush levels could be a ratchet or other stepped or settable feature.
• the stroke increasing device on the valve could be eliminated and replaced by incorporating the stroke increase in the push button unit.
• Another alternative embodiment would consist o the main valve as in Figure
• An alternative catch arrangement for simplifying and achieving the same function as the catch arrangement shown in Figures 3 and 4 would consist primarily of a catch with a single boss, similar to the catch and mechanism mounting frame lugs arrangement shown in Figs. 5 and 6.
• the catch boss On raising the sliding carrier assembly to the lower of two positions, the catch boss would come into contact with the underside of the upper frame lug, causing the catch to rotate to its extended position and engage with the raised main valve assembly to apply the downward force for partial flush operation. On raising the sliding carrier assembly to its higher position, the catch boss would again come into contact with the underside of the mechanism mounting frame upper lug and the catch rotate to the extended position, beyond which with the catch fully extended and further upward movement, the catch boss and catch arm would be deflected against the lug to enable the boss to move upwards and over the upper lug from underneath to on top of it.
• the first, second and third vent means can be dispensed with and thus the upper housing chamber and partition plate are also not required and can be replaced by a simpler housing or other structure for guiding and locating the main valve assembly so that it can be raised off the outlet seat and re-seated by the operating system.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
• Mechanically-Actuated Valves (AREA)
• Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)
• Lift Valve (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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• 2009
  • 2009-09-29 GB GBGB0917000.2A patent/GB0917000D0/en not_active Ceased
• 2010
  • 2010-09-27 WO PCT/GB2010/051608 patent/WO2011039530A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-09-27 CN CN201080053952.XA patent/CN102933774B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2010-09-27 EP EP10766099A patent/EP2483483A1/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2010-09-27 BR BR112012006866A patent/BR112012006866A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2010-09-27 US US13/497,518 patent/US20120240320A1/en not_active Abandoned

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