EP2921596A1 - Drain valve - Google Patents

Abstract

A drain valve (1) for a cistern (2), in particular a concealed cistern, comprises a housing (3), a in the housing (3) along a longitudinal axis (L) movable overflow pipe (4) with a sealing element (5) and one with the Housing (3) in connection connecting element (6) for connecting the housing (3) with the cistern (2), which connecting element (6) has a valve seat (7), with which the sealing element cooperates, wherein the overflow pipe (4) of a Closing position, in which the sealing element (5) rests against the valve seat (7), in a scavenging position, in which the sealing element (5) spaced from the valve seat (7) is movable. Further, the connecting element (6) along and / or about the longitudinal axis (L) from a use position in a mounting position relative to the housing (3) is displaceable, wherein in the mounting position, the total length (X) of the housing (3) from an upper edge (8) of the housing (3) up to a top edge (8) opposite lower edge (9) of the connecting element (6) relative to the use position is reduced.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a drain valve for a cistern according to the preamble of claim 1 and a cistern with the drain valve according to claim 14.

STATE OF THE ART

When installing drain valves in a concealed cistern, the problem is that the space in the cistern is usually very tight. Typically, such flush-mounted cisterns are mounted behind a tile-covered pretext. Both in the concealed cistern and in the pretext an inspection opening is provided, via which the drain valve can be inserted into the cistern or can be removed from the cistern.

The tight space results on the one hand from the small depth of a cistern and on the other hand from the desire to keep the inspection opening, which is then also in the pretext, as small as possible.

From the EP 2 149 644 a drain valve has become known, which takes this fact into account. The drain valve comprises two housing parts, which are pivotally connected to each other. As a result, the outer shape of the drain valve can vary, whereby the drain valve is installed in cisterns with tight spaces.

A disadvantage of the drain valve EP 2 149 644 However, that is additional parts, namely the joint, are used, which makes the drain valve more complex and expensive. In addition, the drain valve is prone to failure and complicated to assemble.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Based on this prior art, the present invention has for its object to provide a drain valve, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a drain valve is to be specified, which can be installed in cisterns with tight spaces, with any temporary manipulation required for the installation on the drain valve should not affect the function of the same.

Accordingly, a drain valve for a cistern, in particular a concealed cistern, a housing, a housing movable along a longitudinal axis overflow pipe with a sealing element and a standing in connection with the housing connecting element for connecting the housing with the Cistern, which connecting element comprises a valve seat with which the sealing element cooperates. The overflow tube is movable from a closure position, in which the sealing element bears against the valve seat, into a scavenging position, in which the sealing element lies at a distance from the valve seat. Due to the distance between the sealing element and the valve seat flushing water can flow out of the cistern through the connecting element. The connecting element is displaceable along the longitudinal axis and / or about the longitudinal axis from a use position to a mounting position relative to the housing. In the installation position, the drain valve can be inserted through an inspection opening in the cistern in the same. In the use position, the drain valve can be connected to the cistern. In the mounting position, the total length of the housing is reduced from an upper edge of the housing to a lower edge of the connecting element opposite the upper edge in relation to the use position.

By reducing the total length has the advantage that the outer dimensions of the purge valve, which for the insertion or removal of the Drain valve in the cistern are relevant to be downsized, whereby the drain valve is easier to use or removable. In other words, the drain valve in the mounting position is less bulky and can be easily inserted into the cistern.

Due to the displacement of the connecting element along and / or about the longitudinal axis relative to the housing, no elements of the drain valve are moved out of the longitudinal axis, for example via an articulated movement, which has the advantage that an alignment of the elements with respect to the longitudinal axis is omitted after assembly. In addition, no relevant parts are deflected from the longitudinal axis for the seal of the drain valve, whereby the permanent sealing effect can be ensured.

In addition, the provision of a joint between the connecting element and the housing, which could break, for example, in case of excessive force application, not necessary. Further, it is an advantage that, apart from the longitudinal displacement and rotational displacement between the connecting element and the housing, no additional parts which would not otherwise be movable to each other anyway, must be provided with movable properties.

The relative movement between connecting element and housing is preferably exclusively a movement along the longitudinal axis or exclusively a combination of a movement along the longitudinal axis and about the longitudinal axis or exclusively a movement along the longitudinal axis and a separate movement about the longitudinal axis. It can also be spoken of a telescopic movement.

The connecting element is in the use position as well as in the mounting position with the housing in connection. A separation between the housing and connecting element between the mounting position and use position is not provided.

Preferably, the overflow pipe projects further out of the housing in the mounting position than in the use position. In particular, the overflow tube with the end, which is connectable to an actuator element, out of the housing. Further points the overflow pipe with respect to the protruding from the housing portion in the transverse direction to the longitudinal axis seen a much smaller extent than the housing. A substantially smaller extent is understood to mean that the extent of the overflow pipe is smaller, for example by at least a factor of 2 or 1.5, than the extent of the housing.

Preferably, the overflow pipe extends beyond the upper edge of the housing in the mounting position. Thus, the overflow tube protrudes with the end, with which it is connectable to an actuator element, such as a pull rod of an actuating button, out of the housing.

The length of the overflow tube remains constant, regardless of the position in the mounting position or the position of use or is not changed. The same can be said for the housing, which is not reduced in size. The change in length is achieved by moving the connecting element in the direction of the longitudinal axis relative to the housing.

Particularly preferably, the housing and / or the overflow pipe have a substantially annular cross-section.

The connecting element comprises a receiving portion for receiving the housing, wherein the receiving portion is formed in cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis of a circular cylinder and wherein the housing with the region which protrudes into the receiving portion, also circular cylindrical, is formed. In other words, the shape of the receiving portion is substantially complementary to the shape of the part of the housing which projects into the receiving portion.

Particularly preferably, the receiving section is adjoined by a tubular storage section with a seal arranged on the outside, wherein the storage section further comprises the said valve seat. The storage section with the seal is connected in the installed state with the drain opening of the cistern. The seal seals the gap between the outside and the wall of the drain opening.

Preferably, the storage section is connected via webs to the receiving portion in connection, wherein between two adjacent webs in each case an opening for the water inlet into the connecting element.

Preferably, the housing projects into the receiving portion and is displaceable from the use position into the mounting position into the receiving portion. Thus, the housing protrudes into the receiving portion of the connecting element both in the position of use and in the mounting position.

Preferably, the connecting element has at least one guideway and the housing has at least one cooperating with the guideway elevation, which protrudes into the guideway or protrudes through the guideway. The guideway is particularly preferably part of the receiving section. Alternatively, the guide track can also be arranged on the housing and the elevation on the connecting element.

Particularly preferably, the guide track is an opening passing through a wall in the receiving section or projecting into the wall.

Preferably, the guideway comprises a first end region in which the elevation comes to lie in the use position, and a second end region in which the elevation comes to lie in the mounting position, wherein in at least one of the end regions or in both of the end regions a locking means, in particular a detent, is arranged, which cooperates with the survey and provides a stop against the movement from the respective position. The attack can be overcome well by applying a corresponding force.

Particularly preferably, the guide track has a first section extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and a second section running in the direction of the longitudinal axis, which adjoins the first section. The two sections are preferably perpendicular to each other.

In an alternative embodiment, the guideway is helical, whereby the connecting element to the housing can be rotated and thus the said movement in the direction of the longitudinal axis and about the longitudinal axis can be provided.

Particularly preferably, controls are arranged in and / or on the housing, which cooperate with the overflow pipe. The controls hold the overflow pipe with the sealing element in the flushing position until a water level relevant for the desired flushing has been reached.

A cistern for a toilet or urinal includes a drain valve as described above.

The cistern essentially comprises an inspection opening and with respect to the inspection opening a rear wall, wherein the inspection opening has a cross section and / or the rear wall is so to the inspection opening that the drain valve is completely feasible only in the mounting position through the inspection opening.

Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Explosionsdarstellung eines erfindungsgemässen Ablaufventils;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Ablaufventils nach Figur 1 in der Gebrauchsposition;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Ansicht des Ablaufventils nach Figur 1 in der Montagestellung;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittdarstellung durch den Spülkasten mit einem Ablaufventil nach den vorhergehenden Figuren in der Gebrauchsposition; und

Fig. 5

eine Schnittdarstellung durch den Spülkasten mit einem Ablaufventil nach den vorhergehenden Figuren in der Montageposition.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be interpreted as limiting. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1

an exploded perspective view of an inventive drain valve;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of the drain valve after FIG. 1 in the use position;

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the drain valve after FIG. 1 in the mounting position;

Fig. 4

a sectional view through the cistern with a drain valve according to the preceding figures in the use position; and

Fig. 5

a sectional view through the cistern with a drain valve according to the preceding figures in the mounting position.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the FIG. 1 an embodiment of an inventive drain valve 1 for a cistern, especially a concealed cistern is shown. In the FIGS. 4 and 5 is a cistern 2, in which the drain valve is installed, shown schematically.

The drain valve 1 comprises a housing 3, a overflow pipe 4 movable in the housing 3 along a longitudinal axis L, having a sealing element 5 and a connecting element 6 communicating with the housing 3 for connecting the housing 3 to the cistern 2 FIG. 1 the connecting element 6 is shown separately from the housing 2. It is a kind of pre-assembly position.

The housing 2 essentially serves to support the overflow pipe 4 and to mount control elements which control the movement of the overflow pipe 4 in the interior of the housing 2.

The connecting element 6 can be connected to the cistern, as will be explained below, accordingly, whereby the housing 3 is connected to the cistern.

The connecting element 6 further comprises a valve seat 7, with which the sealing element 5 of the overflow pipe 4 cooperates. The overflow pipe 4 is movable from a closed position in which the sealing element 5 bears against the valve seat 7 into a scavenging position in which the sealing element 5 is at a distance from the valve seat 7. In the rinse water can drain from the cistern 2 and is supplied to a toilet or urinal.

In the FIG. 2 the connecting element 6 is shown connected to the housing 3 state. The connecting element 6 is relative to the housing 3 along the longitudinal axis L and / or about the longitudinal axis L of a use position in one Mounting position relative to the stationary housing 3 slidably. In the present embodiment, the connecting element 6 is displaceable along the longitudinal axis L and about the longitudinal axis L relative to the housing 3.

In the FIG. 2 the connecting element 6 is shown in the use position. The use position is the position in which the drain valve 1 is installed in the cistern. With the drain valve 1 can then control the removal of rinse water from the cistern. In the use position, the sealing element 5 and the overflow pipe 4 can be lifted off the valve seat.

In the FIG. 3 the mounting position is shown. The mounting position is the position in which the drain valve 1 is inserted into the cistern 2 or in the case of revision of the cistern 2 is removable. In the mounting position, the connecting element 6 is displaced to the housing 3 such that the total length X of the housing 3 is reduced from an upper edge 8 of the housing 3 to a lower edge 9 of the connecting element 6 opposite the upper edge 8 with respect to the use position. In other words, the distance between the lower edge 9 of the connecting element 6 and the upper edge 8 of the housing 3 between the use position and the mounting position is changed so that the total length of the housing 3 decreases with the connecting element 6. The total length X is to be considered along the longitudinal axis L.

In the use position, the movement of the sealing element 5 due to the movement of the connecting element 6 with the valve seat 7 in the direction of the housing 3 is partially or completely restricted.

In the FIGS. 2 and 3 This change can be well recognized. In the FIG. 2 , which shows the use position, the total length Y is registered, which extends from the lower edge 9 of the connecting element 6 up to the upper edge 8 of the housing 3. In the FIG. 3 , in which the mounting position is shown, the total length X is entered. The total length Y, when the connecting element 6 is in the use position, is greater than the total length X, when the connecting element 6 is in the mounting position.

With view on FIGS. 4 and 5 the effect of changing the overall length of the housing 3 and the connector 6 is further illustrated. A cistern 2 is behind a pretext 25. In the cistern 8, an inspection opening 24 is arranged, through which the drain valve 1 can be inserted into the cistern. Furthermore, the pretext 25 also includes an inspection opening 26 with the same cross-section as the inspection opening 24 of the cistern 2. The drain valve 1 is to be inserted into the cistern 2 via the inspection opening 24 and via the inspection opening 26 or removed again.

In the in the FIG. 4 shown situation, the connecting element 6 is in the position of use. The housing 3 together with the connecting element 6 extends over the entire length Y. Of the FIG. 4 can be well recognized that an insertion of the drain valve 1 in the cistern is not possible because the connecting element 6 is present at the access opening 26 and on the pretext 25 accordingly.

In the FIG. 5 the drain valve 1 is shown in the mounting position. The housing 3 and the connecting element 6 in this case have the total length X, which is shorter than that in the FIG. 4 Due to this shortening, the drain valve 1 in the region of the housing 3 and the connecting element 6 is made more compact and the drain valve 1 can be inserted through the inspection opening 24 and 26 in the cistern 2. As soon as the drain valve 1 is completely in the cistern 1, the installer can move the connecting element 6 from the mounting position back to the use position and the drain valve 1 can be connected to the drain opening 27 of the cistern.

In the case of revision dismantling is exactly the opposite. First, the connecting element 6 is separated from the cistern 2 and then brought into the mounting position, wherein the drain valve 2 is then removable from the cistern.

In summary, the displaceability of the connecting element 6 relative to the housing 3 has the advantage that the outer dimension of the housing 3 together with the Connecting element 6 can be reduced, which allows insertion into or removal from cisterns with small access openings and tight spaces.

Based on FIGS. 2 and 3 the preferred embodiment of the drain valve will be further described.

Due to the displacement of the connecting element 6 and the valve seat 7 from the use position to the mounting position, the overflow pipe 4, which cooperates with the sealing element with the valve seat 7, is displaced relative to the housing 3 in the preferred embodiment. In the FIG. 3 can be well recognized that the overflow pipe 4 further protrudes in the mounting position of the housing 3 as in the use position. With respect to the expansion transverse to the longitudinal axis L, the overflow pipe 4 with respect to the protruding from the housing 3 section 28 has a smaller extent than the housing 3 seen in the same direction. In other words, the diameter of the overflow pipe 4 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 3rd

The length from the lower edge 9 of the connecting element 6 to the actuator section 29 on the overflow tube 4, which marks the distal end with respect to the lower edge 9, typically does not change between the use position and the mounting position. Due to the different dimensions in the transverse direction to the longitudinal axis L, this is during assembly, as in the FIGS. 4 and 5 shown, but no obstacle, because the housing 3 are more compact together with the connecting element 6 in the mounting position.

In the assembled position, the overflow pipe 6 preferably extends beyond the upper edge 8 of the housing 3. Typically, the actuator section 29 is always outside the housing 3, that is, both in the mounting position and in the position of use.

The connecting element 6 comprises a receiving portion 12 for receiving the housing 3. The receiving portion 12 is formed as seen in cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis L circular cylindrical and is bounded by a circumferential axis L around the wall 23. The housing 3 is connected to the area which in the Receiving portion 12 protrudes, also formed circular cylindrical. Generally speaking, this means that the housing 3 is formed with the portion which projects into the receiving portion 12, complementary to the receiving portion 12.

The receiving portion 12 of the connecting element 6 is followed by a tubular storage portion 10 with a through opening 32 at. The tubular bearing portion 10 has on its outer side 11 a sealing ring 33. The sealing ring 33 cooperates with the outflow opening 27 in the cistern 2, thereby sealing the gap between the storage section 10 and the discharge opening 27. The storage section 10 further comprises the said valve seat 7, which terminates the storage section 10 correspondingly on the end side. The storage section 10 is connected via webs 21 with the receiving portion 12 in connection. In the present embodiment, 4 webs 21 are arranged. Between two adjacent webs 21 each have an opening 22 is present. Via the opening 22, water can enter the tubular storage section 10 and thus the continuous opening 32 and the discharge opening 27 can be supplied.

The connecting element 6 has at least one, in the present embodiment, two guide tracks 13.

The housing 3 has at least one cooperating with the guide track 13 elevation 14. In the present embodiment, two elevations 14 are arranged. In each case, a survey 14 protrudes into the guideway 13 or through the guideway 13 therethrough. Through the cooperation between the guideway 13 and the elevation 14, a guide for the movement from the mounting position to the use position or from the use position to the mounting position can be provided. The guide track 13 is in the present embodiment, a passing through the wall 23 of the receiving portion 12 recess or opening. It is a kind of slot. Alternatively, the guideway 13 can also extend into the wall 23 and not completely break through the wall 23.

The guideway 13 shown in the figures comprises a first end region 15, in which the elevation 14 comes to rest in the use position, and a second end region 15

End region 16, in which the elevation 14 comes to lie in the mounting position.

Preferably, in each of the end regions 15, 16 in each case a latching means 17, in particular in the form of a latching nose, arranged. The locking means 17 cooperates with the survey 14. The locking means 17 provides a stop against the movement from the respective position. The locking means 17 is designed so that the resistance of hand is easily overcome.

The guideway 13 as such can be designed in various ways. In the present embodiment, the guide track comprises a first section 18 running transversely to the longitudinal axis L and a second section 19 running in the direction of the longitudinal axis L. The two sections are connected to one another. That is, the second section 19 joins the first section 18. In addition, the first end region 15 is arranged in the first section 18, and the second end region 16 is arranged in the second section 19. In a movement from the use position, as in the FIG. 2 is shown in the mounting position as shown in the FIG. 3 is shown, in a first step, the connecting element 6 is pivoted about the longitudinal axis L until the elevation 14 enters the transition between the first portion 18 and the second portion 19. As soon as the intermediate position is reached, the connecting element 6 can be moved along the longitudinal axis L, so that the elevation is moved via the second section 19 to the second end 16.

It is therefore a combined movement of the connecting element 2 about the longitudinal axis L and along the longitudinal axis.

In an alternative embodiment, the guideway may also be helical. In this case, the user then only has to perform a rotary movement.

Of the FIG. 1 can also be recognized that the connecting element 6 in the region of the receiving portion, here in the region of the first portion 18, a recess 30 has. The recess 30 extends from the end face 31 of the connecting element 6 up to the first portion 18 of the guide track 13. This recess serves as a guide element for the survey 14 in the connection between the housing 3 and the connecting element 6.

Further, the drain valve 1 comprises between the housing 2 and the overflow pipe in the figures not shown controls. The controls are preferably arranged in the housing 3. With the controls, the state of the overflow pipe is controlled. If now the overflow pipe 5 is raised from the closed position to the scavenging position, the controls hold the overflow pipe 4 in the scavenging position until the desired water level in the cistern is reached and the predetermined amount of scavenging water has flowed out of the flushing cistern via the outflow opening 27. When the water level is reached, the controls then allow the overflow pipe 4 to move in the direction of the valve seat, that is to say into the closed position.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 drain valve 31 front 2 cistern 32 through opening 3 casing 33 poetry 4 Overflow pipe L longitudinal axis 5 sealing element X Total length in mounting position 6 connecting element Y Total length in use position 7 valve seat 8th top edge 9 lower edge 10 storage section 11 outside 12 receiving portion 13 guideway 14 survey 15 first end area 16 second end area 17 latching means 18 first section 19 second part 20 rear wall 21 Stege 22 breakthrough 23 wall 24 inspection opening 25 pretext 26 inspection opening 27 Ablussöffnung 28 section 29 actuator portion 30 recess

Claims (16)

Drain valve (1) for a cistern (2), in particular a concealed cistern, comprising
a housing (3),
a in the housing (3) along a longitudinal axis (L) movable overflow pipe (4) with a sealing element (5) and
a connecting element (6) connected to the housing (3) for connecting the housing (3) to the cistern (2), which connecting element (6) comprises a valve seat (7) with which the sealing element cooperates,
the overflow pipe (4) being movable from a closing position in which the sealing element (5) bears against the valve seat (7) into a scavenging position in which the sealing element (5) is spaced from the valve seat (7),
characterized,
in that the connecting element (6) is displaceable along and / or about the longitudinal axis (L) from a position of use to a mounting position relative to the housing (3), wherein in the assembly position the total length (X) of the housing (3) is displaceable from an upper edge ( 8) of the housing (3) up to a lower edge (9) of the connecting element (6) opposite the upper edge (8) is reduced in relation to the use position. Drain valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the overflow pipe (4) in the mounting position further from the housing (3) protrudes than in the use position and that the overflow pipe (4) with respect to the out of the housing (3) projecting portion in Transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) seen a substantially smaller extent than the housing (3). Drain valve according to one of claims 2, characterized in that the overflow pipe (4) in the assembly position on the upper edge (8) extends out of the housing (3) addition. Drain valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the overflow pipe (4) remains constant or is not changed. Drain valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (6) comprises a receiving portion (12) for receiving the housing (3), wherein the receiving portion (12) in cross-section transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) is circular cylindrical and wherein the housing (3) with the region which projects into the receiving portion (12) is also circularly cylindrical. Drain valve (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiving portion (12) a tubular storage portion (10) with a on the outside (11) arranged seal (33) adjoins, wherein the storage portion (10) further said valve seat (10). 7). Drain valve according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the storage section (10) via webs (21) with the receiving portion (12) is in communication, wherein between two adjacent webs (21) in each case an opening (22) for the water inlet into the Connecting element (6) is located. Drain valve according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the housing (3) protrudes into the receiving portion (12) and from the use position into the mounting position in the receiving portion (12) is slidable. Drain valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (6) has at least one guide track (13) and that the housing (3) has at least one projection (14) cooperating with the guide track (13), which projects into the guideway (13) or protrudes through the guideway (13). Drain valve (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the guide track (13) passing through a wall (23) of the receiving portion (12) or in the wall (23) penetrating opening. Drainage valve according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the guide track has a first end region (15), in which the elevation (14) comes to lie in the use position, and a second end region (16), in which the elevation in the mounting position is located, wherein in at least one of the end regions (15, 16) or in both of the end regions (15, 16) a latching means (17), in particular a latching nose, is arranged, which cooperates with the survey (14) and a stop against the movement from the respective position. Drainage valve according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the guide track (13) has a transverse to the longitudinal axis (L) extending first portion (18) and in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) extending second portion (19), which is the first section (18) connects, or that the guideway is helical. Drain valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in and / or on the housing (3) controls are arranged, which cooperate with the overflow pipe (4). Cistern (2) for a toilet or urinal having a drain valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims. Cistern (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that the cistern (18) has a revision opening (19) and opposite the inspection opening (19) has a rear wall (20), wherein the inspection opening (19) has a cross-section and / or the rear wall (20) is so to the inspection opening (19) that the drain valve (1) only in the mounting position completely by the inspection opening (19) is feasible. A method for mounting a drain valve according to one of claims 1 to 14 in a cistern, wherein in a first step, the connecting element is moved to the mounting position, wherein in a second step, the drain valve with the Connecting element is inserted in the mounting position in the cistern and wherein in a third step, the connecting element is moved from the mounting position to the use position within the cistern.

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