EP3830351A1

EP3830351A1 - Flushing system having integrated metering device for additives

Info

Publication number: EP3830351A1
Application number: EP19746434.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thorsten Kostrzewa; Stefan Hägner
Original assignee: Grohe AG
Current assignee: Grohe AG
Priority date: 2018-07-30
Filing date: 2019-07-10
Publication date: 2021-06-09
Also published as: WO2020025159A1; DE102018118389A1

Abstract

Toilet cistern (1) having a water feed (2), a flush valve (3) and a water continuation channel (4), including at least one storage container (5) arranged in the cistern (1), the storage container (5) including a metering device (6) which is connected to a mixing device (7). The mixing device (7) is designed and intended to mix a liquid with water so as to obtain a mixture and introduce same into the water continuation channel (4). The invention also relates to a method for erecting a sanitary facility including a toilet cistern (1) and a toilet bowl, wherein at least one storage container (5) having at least one metering device (6) and at least one mixing device (7) is inserted into or already provided in the cistern (1). The invention furthermore relates to a method for introducing a liquid into a toilet bowl.

Description

Flushing system with integrated dosing device for additives

The invention relates to a toilet cistern with a water supply, a drain valve and a water continuation, comprising at least one storage container arranged in the cistern, wherein the at least one storage container is designed and provided with at least one metering device and this with a mixing device. to mix a liquid with a lot of water to obtain a mixture and to introduce the mixture into the water continuation of the cistern. The invention further relates to a method for erecting a sanitary device comprising i) providing a toilet cistern with a water supply, a drain valve and a water continuation; ii) providing a toilet bowl; iii) fluidly connecting the toilet cistern and the toilet bowl; iv) inserting at least one storage container with at least one metering device and at least one mixing device into the cistern; v) Fluid-conducting connection of the mixing device upstream to the water supply and the metering device, and downstream to the water continuation of the cistern. In a modification, a toilet cistern with a water supply, a drain valve and a water continuation, as well as at least one storage container provided in the cistern, including a metering device and at least one mixing device, can be provided in step i). Then steps iii) to v) can be omitted. The invention further relates to a method for introducing a liquid into a toilet bowl and various uses.

An automatic supply of liquids such as cleaning agents, disinfectants, fragrances, prevent build-up of limescale, foaming agents, defoamers and / or viscosity modifiers usually takes place through simple storage containers with metering devices which are attached in the cistern. The metering device and at least part of the storage container are located below the water level in the filled state in order to enable the liquid to be dispensed to the rinsing water. The liquid is usually dispensed

CONFIRMATION COPY during or immediately after a rinse water supply to the rinse water in the cistern. The amount of liquid dispensed depends on the position of the storage tank, the amount of rinsing water and the rinsing and post-flow flow. When all of the liquid from the storage container has been used up, the user has to refill a pre-portioned amount of liquid into the storage container. To do this, he has to remove the cover from the toilet cistern and fill it into the storage container, which is at least partially under the water level. For a simple user, this can only be done with cisterns that are installed in front of a wall and are therefore easily accessible. In new installations and renovations of older sanitary facilities, however, toilet cisterns are almost exclusively built into the wall today. These are no longer easily accessible to the user, which is why such storage containers with dosing devices for supplying liquids such as cleaning agents, disinfectants, fragrances, lime inhibitors, foaming agents, defoamers and / or, viscosity modifiers in a toilet bowl, in particular a toilet bowl for wall installation - cisterns are unsuitable.

An object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome one or more of the disadvantages arising from the prior art.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for supplying liquids, such as cleaning agents, disinfectants, fragrances, lime inhibitors, foaming agents, defoamers and / or viscosity modifiers, to a toilet bowl in a precisely metered manner, irrespective of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for the precisely metered supply of liquids which is independent of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water and which is particularly suitable for wall-mounted cisterns. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for the precisely metered supply of liquids which is independent of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water and which can be retrofitted into already installed cisterns.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for the precisely metered supply of liquids, which is independent of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water, with which several can be introduced into a toilet bowl simultaneously, successively or independently of one another.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for the precisely metered supply of liquids which is independent of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water and in which concentrated liquids can be used.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for the precisely metered supply of liquids which is independent of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water and in which incorrect or overdosing is excluded.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for precisely metered, irrespective of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water supplying liquids which does not change the flushing flow of flushing water in the toilet bowl due to its arrangement in a sanitary facility.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for the precisely metered supply of liquids which is independent of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water, in which the treatment in the toilet bowl can be carried out automatically. It is a further object of the invention to provide a system for the precisely metered supply of liquids which is independent of the flushing flow and the amount of flushing water and in which it is seldom necessary to refill. The independent claims make a contribution to at least partial fulfillment of at least one of the aforementioned tasks. The dependent claims provide preferred embodiments that contribute to at least partially performing at least one of the tasks. A first aspect of the invention is a toilet cistern with a water supply, a drain valve and a water continuation, comprising at least one storage container arranged in the cistern, the at least one storage container including a metering device, the metering device being provided and designed, a quantity of a liquid dispense from the storage container into a mixing device, the mixing device being provided and designed to mix this liquid with a quantity of water to obtain a mixture and to introduce the mixture into the water continuation of the cistern, the mixing device being fluid-conducting upstream with the water supply of the cistern, the mixing device being connected in a fluid-conducting manner downstream to the water continuation of the cistern.

A liquid is understood to mean a liquid composition composed of one or more substances. In the case of several substances, these can be presented individually and mixed to form the liquid composition. It is also possible and customary to combine several pre-assembled compositions to form the liquid composition. Furthermore, it is possible and customary to add and mix one or more substances individually in succession or simultaneously to one or more pre-assembled compositions. These and other, not mentioned, procedures for producing a liquid are known to the person skilled in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the mixing device in the cistern is fluidly connected to an outlet of the drain valve. A fluid-conducting connection from the mixing device to an inlet in or below the drain valve is preferred. In another preferred embodiment, the fluid-conducting connection ends in an overflow of the drain valve or the cistern, for example in an overflow pipe. The fluid-conducting connections discussed in this invention can be carried out by directly joining the connected parts. The fluid-conducting connections can also be designed as a hose, pipe, etc., the ends of the fluid-conducting connections being connected to the components.

In a further preferred embodiment, the drain valve has an overflow pipe.

In a further preferred embodiment, the metering device is connected to an actuating device located outside the cistern. With such an actuating device, the introduction of a quantity of liquid present in a storage container can be triggered. The actuating device can be connected to the metering device mechanically, electrically or by a radio link.

In a further preferred embodiment, the metering device can be operated independently of the actuating device of the drain valve of the cistern.

In a further preferred embodiment, the metering device is actuated electrically. In this case, when the actuating device, for example a push button or a switch, is operated, an electrical signal is generated which is passed through a line to an actuator provided on the metering device to be operated. When an electrical signal is received, the actuator actuates the metering device. This takes a portion of liquid from a storage container connected to the metering device and delivers this portion to a mixing device. Furthermore, a programmable actuation direction should be provided. This can actuate the actuator according to the programming at specified times. Furthermore, a programmable actuation device can be connected to sensors which activate the actuation device by means of a signal. Mixed constellations, such as actuation initiated individually by a user of the cistern and the toilet on the one hand and program-controlled actuation on the other hand, are also preferred.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cistern has a revision access through which the cistern and the reservoir or containers are accessible. Furthermore, further internals arranged in the cistern, such as one or more metering devices, one or more mixing devices, fluid-conducting connections, etc., are accessible through the inspection flap.

In a further preferred embodiment, the storage container contains at least one of the following agents: a cleaning agent, a disinfectant, a fragrance, a limescale inhibitor, a foaming agent, a defoamer and / or a viscosity modifier, or a combination of at least two of these.

In a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of storage containers are arranged in the cistern. These are each connected to their own metering device or to several metering devices. The one or more metering devices can be fluidly connected to a common or more mixing devices. A plurality of storage containers are preferably arranged in the cistern, each of which is fluidly connected to a metering device, the metering devices being fluidly connected to a single, common mixing device. As before, this is then connected upstream with a water supply to the cistern and downstream with a water continuation of the cistern, in each case in a fluid-conducting manner either directly or via further internals. Instead of or in addition to a fluid-conducting connection with a water supply to the rinsing box, the mixing device can be connected upstream in a fluid-conducting manner to a device which is provided and designed to convey water present in the cistern to the mixing device. A further embodiment of the invention is a flush-mounted assembly which has a toilet cistern as described above and optionally, but preferably has one or more actuating devices. The flush-mounted assembly is preferably preassembled in a frame, for example a stand frame. It already has a connection to the water pipe and another connection for a toilet bowl. A flush-mounted assembly of this type is also referred to as an installation element or installation system. Previously described preferred embodiments of the cistern are also preferred forms of execution of the toilet cistern as part of the concealed assembly. The installation of a sanitary facility on the construction site is considerably simplified by using a flush-mounted assembly. The flush-mounted module is installed, the connections are connected and a wall is placed in front of the flush-mounted module. Then a toilet bowl is mounted in front of it. The connection of the flush-mounted assembly for the toilet bowl is preferably suitable for any toilet, in particular any wall-hung toilet bowl. The indication of the term "before" in connection with the flush-mounted assembly describes an arrangement from the perspective of a person looking at a completed sanitary facility, ie a toilet.

Another embodiment of the invention is a sanitary facility at least included

(A) a toilet cistern as previously described, or a concealed assembly as previously described; and

(B) A toilet bowl.

The toilet bowl can be standing or wall-mounted. A wall-hung toilet bowl is preferred. Preferred embodiments of the previously described The cistern and the concealed assembly are also preferred embodiments of the toilet cistern and the concealed assembly as part of the sanitary facility.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of storage containers are arranged in the cistern. These can each be connected to their own metering device, or several of them to a common metering device. The one or more metering devices can be fluidly connected to a common or more mixing devices. A plurality of storage containers are preferably arranged in the cistern, each of which is fluidly connected to a metering device, the metering devices being fluidly connected to a single, common mixing device. This is then, as before, connected upstream with a water supply to the cistern or with a device for conveying water from the cistern, and downstream with a water continuation of the cistern, either directly or via further internals. A pump whose outlet is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the mixing device, e.g. a hose. The inlet of the pump is directed into the interior of the cistern via a fluid-conducting connection, for example a hose, so that the pump can take water from a water supply in the cistern and supply it to the mixing device.

A further embodiment of the invention is a method for installing a sanitary device, comprising at least the following steps:

i) providing a toilet cistern with a water supply, a drain valve and a water continuation;

ii) providing a toilet bowl;

iii) fluidly connecting the toilet cistern and the toilet bowl;

iv) inserting at least one storage container including a metering device and at least one mixing device into the cistern; v) Fluid-conducting connection of the mixing device upstream to the water supply and the metering device, and downstream to the water continuation of the cistern.

Steps iv) and v) can be carried out in reverse order. Likewise, a sequence of steps i), iv), v), ii) and then iii) is preferred.

Preferred embodiments of the cistern described above are also preferred embodiments of the toilet cistern in this method for installing a sanitary facility. The toilet cistern can in particular be part of a concealed group.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, several Vorratsbe containers are arranged in the cistern. These can each be connected to one of their own or to several with a common metering device. The one or more metering devices can be fluidly connected to a common or more mixing devices. A plurality of storage containers are preferably arranged in the cistern, each of which is fluidly connected to a metering device, the metering devices being fluidly connected to a single, common mixing device. This is then, as before, connected upstream with a water supply to the cistern or with a device for conveying water from the cistern, and downstream with a water continuation of the cistern, either directly or via further internals.

(i) Provision of a toilet cistern with a water supply, a drain valve and a water continuation, as well as the following fittings:

a. at least one storage container containing a dosing device, b. at least one mixing device,

the mixing device being fluidly connected upstream to the water supply and the metering device, and downstream to the water continuation of the cistern. (ii) providing a toilet bowl;

(iii) Fluidly connecting the toilet cistern and the toilet bowl.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of storage containers are arranged in the cistern. These can each be connected to their own metering device, or several of them to a common metering device. The one or more metering devices can be fluidly connected to a common or more mixing devices. Preferably, several cisterns are arranged in the cistern, each of which is fluidly connected to a metering device, the metering devices being fluidly connected to a single, common mixing device. This is then, as before, connected upstream with a water supply to the cistern or with a device for conveying water from the cistern, and downstream with a water continuation of the cistern, either directly or via further internals.

A further embodiment of the invention is a method for retrofitting a sanitary device comprising a toilet cistern and a toilet bowl which are connected in a fluid-conducting manner, at least the following steps:

(I) inserting at least one storage container including a Dosiervor direction and at least one mixing device in the cistern; (II) Fluid-conducting connection of the mixing device upstream to the water supply and the metering device, and downstream to the water continuation of the cistern.

(III) connecting the dosing device to an actuating device.

Another embodiment of the invention is a method for introducing a liquid into a toilet bowl, comprising at least the following steps:

I) providing at least one first storage container containing a first liquid, the first storage container being arranged in a toilet cistern;

II) dispensing a first amount of the first liquid to a mixing device by means of a metering device;

III) mixing the first quantity of the first liquid with a quantity of water in the mixing device to obtain a mixture;

IV) Passing the mixture via a fluid-conducting connection into the toilet bowl.

Preferred embodiments of the cistern described above are also preferred embodiments of the toilet cistern in this method for introducing a liquid into a toilet bowl. The toilet cistern can in particular be part of a concealed group.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, a plurality of storage containers are arranged in the cistern. These can each be connected to one of their own or to several with a common metering device. The one or more metering devices can be fluidly connected to a common or more mixing devices. A plurality of storage containers are preferably arranged in the cistern, each of which is fluidly connected to a metering device, the metering devices being fluidly connected to a single, common mixing device. As before, this is then upstream with a water supply to the cistern or with a device which is formed for the removal of water from the cistern, and downstream with a continuation of water of the cistern, in each case directly or fluidly connected via additional internals. In a further preferred embodiment of this method, the introduction of the first liquid into the toilet bowl is triggered with an actuating device provided for this purpose. If there are several storage containers in the cistern, several actuation devices can be provided. Preferred configurations of the actuating devices and their connection to one or more metering devices have already been described and are also preferred here.

In a further preferred embodiment, the method can be carried out independently of a further actuating device which is used for at least partially emptying the water supply in the cistern.

In a further preferred embodiment, a plurality of storage containers each containing a liquid are arranged in the cistern. These storage containers can all be provided individually with their own metering device. Alternatively, part of the storage container can be provided with a common metering device. One, several or all of the storage containers can each be removed a quantity of the liquids present in the storage containers, these liquids being able to be transferred to at least one common mixing device. In the mixing device, the quantities of liquids removed are mixed with a quantity of water to obtain at least one mixture, and passed into the toilet bowl via at least one fluid-conducting connection.

In another embodiment, the arrangement of the storage containers is as before, the storage containers are connected to their own metering devices, and these are connected to their own mixing devices and can be operated individually as a whole. One, several or all at the same time or one after the other the storage containers can then be removed in each case a quantity of the liquids present in the storage containers. In the mixing devices, the quantities of liquids removed are then mixed with a quantity of water, and fed into the toilet bowl via fluid-conducting connections. The metering devices are each connected to an actuating device and can be actuated with this, as described above.

In a further preferred embodiment, at least part of the withdrawn amounts of liquids

Al) before or after the metering device, or

A2) before or after the mixing device,

united. As a result, the outlay on equipment can be reduced.

A further embodiment of the invention is the use of at least one of the previously objects or methods, or the embodiments relating thereto, for

A] accurate dosing of liquids in a toilet bowl (13);

B] Use of active ingredient concentrates in the care of toilet bowls (13);

C] Avoiding incorrect or overdosing when adding liquids to toilet bowls (13);

D] Automated dosing of a liquid addition in toilet bowls;

E] wetting toilet bowls with liquids regardless of a flushing process;

F] wetting toilet bowls with liquids independently after a flushing process;

G] extend refill cycles for dosing devices installed in cisterns; or a combination of two or more of the aforementioned features. The invention is illustrated below by way of example using figures. The figures are not to scale and are not intended to limit the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a toilet cistern 1.

FIG. 2 schematically shows several storage containers 5 containing several liquids. The storage containers are all arranged in a cistern 1.

FIG. 3 shows a further toilet cistern 1.

The toilet cistern 1 according to the invention in FIG. 1 has a drain valve 3 with an overflow pipe 8 which seals the water continuation 4 arranged at the bottom of the cistern 1. The cistern 1 also has a storage container 5 which is detachably arranged in the cistern 1 and is fastened to the cistern housing or to a cross member or cover plate (not shown here). A metering device 6 is connected in a fluid-conducting manner to the interior of the storage container 3. The dosing device 6 is activated by an actuating device 9. The metering device 6 then takes a quantity of the liquid from the storage container 5 via a fluid-conducting connection 14 designed as a flexible piece of hose and guides the liquid into a mixing device 7. The mixing device 7 is connected to the water supply 2 of the cistern 1 via a supply line 14 connected. In the mixing device 7, the liquid is mixed with water from the water supply and via a further fluid-conducting connection 14 into the overflow pipe 8 of the drain valve 3. Through the overflow pipe 8, the liquid passes directly into the basin via a further fluid-conducting connection 14, a discharge pipe Toilet bowl 13 (not shown). Depending on the desired procedure, the drain valve 3 can be opened at the same time to dispense the liquid, as a result of which the liquid mixes with the flushing water from the cistern 1 in the drain pipe. In this case, the flush trigger 16 of the cistern 1 and the actuating device 9 for the liquid are actuated practically simultaneously. Likewise, the liquid can be operated via the overflow pipe 8 without actuation. supply of the flushing water can be introduced into the toilet bowl 13. Then only the actuating device 9 for the liquid is actuated. To open the drain valve 3 in the cistern 1, the overflow pipe 8 can be connected to an actuating device 16, not shown, which optionally includes a servo motor 15 for opening and closing the drain valve 3 and / or is optionally controlled by a program control, not shown. In this way, precisely defined rinsing processes can be carried out, for example, exposure times for the liquid can be taken into account. The supply of the liquid can also be coordinated in terms of program technology with the actuation of the drain valve 3. In addition, the liquid can be added to the toilet bowl independently of, or also - manually operated or programmed automatically - after flushing the toilet.

A schematic arrangement of four storage containers 5 in a single cistern 1 is shown in FIG. Each of the storage containers 5 is filled with a liquid and provided with a metering device 6. The four metering devices 6 are connected to a mixing device 7. The mixing device is connected to the toilet bowl 13 in the direction of flow. Each dosing device 6 can be operated by a button 9. This is connected to an actuator 15 via an electrical line. The actuator 15 then actuates the metering device 6. FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the toilet cistern 1. In this cistern 1, the mixing device 7 is connected upstream to a pump 17. The pump 17 has a suction line 18 which leads into a water reservoir formed by the cistern 1. Thus, when the pump is activated, water can be conveyed to the mixing device 7. The further procedure is as described in FIG. 1. Reference list toilet cistern

water supply

drain valve

Water continuation

reservoir

metering

mixing device

Overflow pipe

actuator

revision access

sanitary facility

Flush assembly

toilet bowl

Fluid-conducting connection

Actuator, e.g. servomotor

Further actuation device

pump

suction

Claims

claims

1. A toilet cistern (1) with a water supply (2), a drain valve (3) and a water continuation (4), containing at least one storage container (5) arranged in the cistern (1),

wherein the at least one storage container (5) contains a dosing device (6), the dosing device (6) being provided and designed to dispense a quantity of a liquid from the storage container (5) into a mixing device (7), the mixing device (7) is provided and designed to mix this liquid with a quantity of water to obtain a mixture and to introduce the mixture into the water continuation (4) of the cistern (1),

wherein the mixing device (7) is connected in a fluid-conducting manner upstream to the water supply (2) of the cistern (1) or to a device which is designed to remove water from the cistern (1),

wherein the mixing device (7) downstream fluidly with the water continuation

(4) of the cistern (1) is connected.

2. The cistern (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the metering device (6) is connected to an actuating device (9) lying outside the cistern (1).

3. The cistern (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the Dosiervorrich device (6) independently of the actuating device (9) of the drain valve (3) of the cistern (1) can be operated.

4. The cistern (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein an actuation of the metering device (6) is actuated electrically.

5. The cistern (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cistern (1) has a revision access (10) through which the reservoir (5) is accessible.

6. A flush-mounted assembly comprising a cistern (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5.

7. At least including a sanitary facility (11)

(A) A toilet cistern (1) according to at least one of claims 1 to 5 or a concealed assembly (12) according to claim 6; and

(B) A toilet bowl (13).

8. Including a method of erecting a sanitary facility (11)

i) providing a toilet cistern (1) with a water supply (2), a drain valve (3) and a water continuation (4);

ii) providing a toilet bowl (13);

iii) fluidly connecting the toilet cistern (1) and the toilet bowl (13);

iv) inserting at least one storage container (5) including a metering device (6) and at least one mixing device (7) into the cistern (1);

v) Fluid-conducting connection of the mixing device (7) upstream to the water supply (2) or to a device which is designed to remove water from the cistern (1) and the metering device (6), and downstream to the water continuation (4) the cistern (1).

9. Including a method of installing a sanitary facility (11)

(i) Provision of a toilet cistern (1) with a water supply (2), a drain valve (3) and a water continuation (4), as well as the following fittings: a. at least one storage container (5) containing a metering device

(6)

b. at least one mixing device (7),

the mixing device (7) upstream with the water supply (2) or with a device designed to remove water from the cistern (1) and the metering device (6), and downstream with the water continuation (4) the cistern (1) is fluidly connected.

(ii) providing a toilet bowl (13);

(iii) Fluidly connecting the toilet cistern (1) and the toilet bowl

(13).

10. A method for retrofitting a sanitary facility comprising a toilet cistern and a toilet bowl which are connected in a fluid-conducting manner, at least the following steps:

(I) inserting at least one storage container including a metering device and at least one mixing device into the cistern;

(II) fluidly connecting the mixing device upstream to the water supply and the metering device or to a device which is designed to remove water from the cistern (1) and downstream to the water continuation (4) of the cistern;

(III) connecting the dosing device (6) to an actuating device (9).

11. A method for introducing a liquid into a toilet bowl (13), comprising at least the following steps:

I) providing at least one first storage container (5) containing a first liquid, the first storage container (5) being arranged in a toilet cistern (1); II) dispensing a first amount of the first liquid by means of a metering device (6) to a mixing device (7);

III) mixing the first amount of the first liquid with an amount of water in the mixing device (7) to obtain a mixture;

IV) guiding the mixture via a fluid-conducting connection (14) into the toilet bowl (13).

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the introduction of the first liquid into the toilet bowl (13) is triggered by an actuating device (9) provided therefor.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12,

wherein in the cistern (1) a plurality of storage containers (5) each containing a liquid are arranged,

wherein all storage containers (5) individually with their own metering device (6) or at least some of the storage containers (5) through a common Dosiervorrich device (6) each a quantity of the liquids present in the storage containers (5), and at least at a mixing device (7) is transferred, the quantities of liquids removed in the at least one mixing device (7) being mixed with a quantity of water to obtain at least one mixture, and

are led into the toilet bowl (13) via at least one fluid-conducting connection (14).

14. A use according to any one of the preceding claims

A] accurate dosing of liquids in a toilet bowl (13);

B] Use of active ingredient concentrates in the care of toilet bowls (13); C] Avoiding incorrect or overdosing when adding liquids to toilet bowls (13);

D] Automated dosing of a liquid addition in toilet bowls;

E] wetting toilet bowls with liquids regardless of a flushing process;

F] wetting toilet bowls with liquids independently after a flushing process;

G] extend refill cycles for dosing devices installed in cisterns; or a combination of two or more of the aforementioned features.