FR2663970A1 - Float device for controlling the filling of a flushing cistern - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for controlling the filling of a flushing cistern. The device comprises a valve (3) which is controlled by the said float (5) and controls the passage of water, via a conduit (14C) provided in the valve, between a supply conduit (10) and a discharge pipe (4) which is at least approximately vertical, the upper end of the said pipe being connected to the said valve, while its lower end is directed towards the bottom of the said cistern (2). According to the invention, the said conduit (14C), permitting the passage of the water from the said supply conduit into the said pipe, is designed to merge tangentially into the inner wall (4C) of the said discharge pipe (4).

Description

The present invention relates to a float device for controlling the filling of a flush tank.

Float devices are already known which equip tanks with water closets and which make it possible to obtain rapid filling of the flushing tank and to guarantee, in use, reliable operation.

For example, document CH-505,948 teaches a float device of this type. For this, it includes a valve controlled by the float via a mechanical transmission and capable of controlling the passage of water through a conduit provided in the valve, between a water supply pipe and a flow tube. The latter, arranged vertically, is connected by its upper end to the valve conduit, while its lower end is directed towards the bottom of the tank.

Thus, when the tank is empty, following the actuation of the evacuation mechanism, the float housed in a housing is in the low position, so that under the action of mechanical transmission the movable element of the valve opens the conduit, allowing the passage of battens from the supply line to the flow tube. As the tank is filled, the float moves to its high position entrainner, via the transmission, the movable element which seals the duct with sealing.

Although giving satisfactory results, these float devices have a major drawback in terms of the noise which is generated during their operation and which is mainly caused by the passage of the batten from the pipe from the valve to the flow tube. In fact, when the valve is open, the pressurized water from the supply line pours directly and in a turbulent and agitated manner into the flow tube, thereby creating significant noises.

The present invention aims in particular to remedy this drawback and relates to a float device for filling a flush tank, which makes it possible to considerably reduce the noises generated during the flow of water in the tank.

To this end, the float device for controlling the filling of a flush tank, of the type comprising a valve controlled by said float and controlling the passage of water, through a conduit provided in the valve, between a supply line and an at least approximately vertical flow tube, the upper end of said tube being connected to said valve while its lower end is directed towards the bottom of said tank, is remarkable, according to the invention, in that said conduit, allowing the passage of water from said supply conduit into said tube, is arranged to open tangentially to the internal wall of said flow tube.

Thus, during filling of the tank, the water passes through the conduit of the valve then open to open tangentially at the upper end of the tube, flowing helically along the inner wall of the tube, from its upper end. towards its lower end. Consequently, thanks to the invention, the filling of the reservoir is carried out silently without agitation since the water is "guided" in the form of a vortex along the internal wall of the tube.

Furthermore, said float can be housed in a casing advantageously associated with said flow tube, said float being capable of occupying a first high position in the casing, when the tank is full, the valve being closed, and, a second position low in the casing, when the tank is empty, the valve then being open causing the passage of 1 water in the flow tube via said conduit.

Preferably, said valve comprises a body connecting said supply pipe to said flow tube via said pipe, and a movable element provided in said body and capable of opening or closing the passage of water in the duct according to the position of said float controlling the movable element.

More particularly, the valve body ends in first and second cylindrical end portions, the first of which can be connected to the supply line and the second of which receives the upper end of the flow tube. , said duct opening tangentially to the internal periphery of the second cylindrical part, and, said valve comprises a water intake nozzle, associated with the first cylindrical part and provided with a through channel, said movable element being capable of apply tightly against the nozzle by closing said channel.

Advantageously, the first and second cylindrical end parts of said body are orthogonal to each other, the second cylindrical part, with which said tube cooperates, being substantially vertical.

In addition, the valve body has a longitudinal plane of symmetry, so that the device can indifferently be mounted, by turning it over, on any of the side walls of the tank depending on the arrival of the water supply duct. .

Preferably, said float is connected to the valve by mechanical connection means.

In a preferred embodiment, said mechanical connection means comprise a set of two links hinged to each other about an axis by one of their ends, the opposite end of one of the links being pivotally mounted about an axis linked to said float, while the opposite end of the other link is pivotally mounted about an axis linked to the body of the valve, being capable of acting against said displaceable element.

Furthermore, said casing advantageously has, along one of its side walls, a recess in which is likely to engage said flow tube. Also, a flange provided with a seal protrudes externally from the bottom of said housing, in the extension of said recess, a clamping ring, screwed on the flange and traversed by said tube, thus ensuring the maintenance in position of said housing by compared to the tube.

In addition, the bottom of the housing is provided with an opening in which is capable of moving axially a shutter valve of said bottom. Thus, when filling the tank, the water does not fill the casing until its level reaches the upper edge of the casing, opposite the bottom.

In addition, a hollow threaded rod passes through an orifice provided in one of the side walls of the tank, for sealingly connecting, via nuts, the supply line to said valve.

The figures of the appended drawing will make it clear how the invention can be implemented. In these figures, identical references designate similar elements.

Figure 1 shows a plan section of a particular embodiment of the float device according to the invention fitted to a flush tank.

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the device according to line II-II of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a plan view of the body of the control valve.

FIG. 4 is a section of the valve body along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the device 1, intended for controlling the filling of a flush tank 2, mainly comprises, in this embodiment, a valve 3, a flow tube 4 and a float 5, arranged in a casing 6 and connected to the valve 3 by connecting means 7. The casing 6 is advantageously associated with the flow tube 4, as will be seen later. In known manner, the float 5 is capable of occupying a first high position in the casing 6, when the tank 2 is full, the valve 3 being closed, and, a second low position in the casing (shown in FIG. 1) , when the tank is empty. In this case, the valve controlled by the float is open and allows the passage of water in the flow tube 4.

The device 1 is fixed to one of the side walls 2A of the tank 2 which is partially shown. For this, a hollow threaded rod 8 passes, in a known manner, an orifice 2B formed in the side wall 2A of the tank. One end of the rod 8, located inside the tank, is then connected by a nut 9 to the valve 3, while the other end of the rod, outside the tank, is tightly connected to a pipe. water supply 10 by a nut 11 schematically shown. Nuts 12 secure the hollow threaded rod 8 to the wall 2A of the reservoir 2.

The valve 3 comprises a body 14 which ends, in this embodiment, by first and second cylindrical end portions, respectively 14A and 14B, having an annular section. A conduit 14C, formed in the body and more particularly visible in Figures 2 and 4, then connects the two parts 14A and 14B.

The nut 9, ensuring the tight connection of the hollow rod 8 to the valve 3, then cooperates with a peripheral thread 1 4D formed on the first cylindrical part 14A of the body, while the upper end 4A of the flow tube 4 engages in the second cylindrical part 14B of the body to come into abutment against an internal annular shoulder 14E provided therein. Note in Figure 1 that the geometric axes of the first and second cylindrical end parts of the body are orthogonal to each other, the axis of the second part 14B being arranged vertically so that the flow tube 4 is directed in this direction towards the bottom 2C of the tank 2, the lower end 4B of the tube being close to said bottom 2C.

According to the invention, the duct 14C, formed in the body 14, opens tangentially to the internal periphery of the second cylindrical end part 14B, as shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 4.

More particularly, the duct 14C opens tangentially to the internal annular shoulder 14E, thus being close to the upper end 4A of the flow tube 4.

Thus, the water passing through the valve 3, when the latter is open, leaves the conduit 14C tangentially to the tube to then flow, helically and silently, along the internal wall 4C of the tube 4.

Referring more particularly to FIG. 1, the valve 3 also comprises an inlet nozzle 15 disposed between the hollow rod 8 and the first cylindrical part 14A of the body 14, being held in position by the nut 9. The nozzle 15 is arranged coaxially with the rod 8 and it is provided with a central through channel 15A. Furthermore, the valve 3 comprises a displaceable element 16 which is housed in a sliding and sealed manner in a bore 14G, provided in the body 14, and which is capable of being controlled by the float 5 via the connection means 7. This displaceable element 16, arranged coaxially with the channel 15A of the nozzle, is provided with a seal 16A which is intended to be applied against the end face 15B of the nozzle, thereby closing off the through channel 15A. is in communication with the duct 14C of the body by an internal chamber 14H delimited by the end part 14A and the nozzle 15.

The movable element 16 is controlled by the float 5 by means of the mechanical connection means 7. The latter comprise, in this example, a set of two links 7A and 7B hinged together by one of their ends around a axis 7C. The other end of the link 7A is pivotally mounted around an axis 7D linked to the float 5. Similarly, the other end of the link 7B is pivotally mounted around an axis 7E linked to the body 14 of the valve. The movable member is then connected, by any appropriate mechanical means, to the end 7F of the link 7B to ensure its sliding relative to the bore. This mechanical means can be formed by an arcuate lumen 7G, which is provided in the end 7F of the link and in which is mounted a pin 16B linked to the movable member 16.

In addition, a plug 17 is mounted by screwing on the second cylindrical end portion 2B of the body, on the side opposite to said tube, and it has a central passage 17A plunging into the upper end of the tube. This passage ensures the free circulation of air in the tank via the tube.

As for the casing 6, it is associated with the external wall 4D of the tube 4, by virtue of a recess 6A of approximately semi-circular section provided along one of its side walls 6B, as shown in FIG. 2. Also, a flange 6C provided with an internal seal 6D projects from the bottom 6E of the casing 6, in the extension of said recess. A clamping ring 6F, traversed by the tube 4, cooperates by screwing with the flange 6C, thereby ensuring that said casing 6 is held in position relative to the tube 4 and the seal by crushing the seal. There is also provided in the bottom 6E of the housing an opening 6G which is capable of being closed by a valve 18 movable axially and connected to the bottom.

In FIG. 3, it can be seen that the body 14 of the valve has a longitudinal plane of symmetry XX which makes it possible to present it in the most appropriate position and thus authorize its mounting on one or the other of the side walls. opposite 2A of the tank according to the arrangement of the supply line. Figure 4, which illustrates a section of the body 14 passing through the plane of symmetry, clearly highlights the conduit 14C which opens tangentially to the internal periphery of the cylindrical part 14B of the body and by which the flow of water in the tube runs silently helically.

The operation of the device 1 takes place as follows. It is assumed, first of all, that the evacuation mechanism (not shown) of the water from the tank has been actuated, so that the latter is empty. The device 1 is therefore in the position illustrated in FIG. 1. Consequently, the float 5 occupies the low position in the casing 6, so that the valve 3 is opened by means of the set of links which acts on the 'movable element 16. This is thus entralée by the rod, the seal 16A is then removed from the face 15B of the nozzle by discovering the channel 15A.

It is therefore understood that the batten, circulating in the supply line 10 and in the hollow rod 8, leaves the channel to arrive in the internal chamber 14H and go into the body pipe 14C. As the latter opens tangentially to the internal periphery of the shoulder 14E, the water flows in the form of a vortex along the internal wall 4C of the tube 4, from its upper end 4A to its lower end 4B, to reach the bottom 2C of the reservoir 2. Thus, from its exit from the conduit 14C to its arrival in the reservoir, via the tube 4, the flow of water takes place silently.

During the flow of water, symbolized by arrows, an air column advantageously forms in the central part of the tube, then as the tank is filled, an air cone.

When the water level rises in the tank 2 to reach the valve 18, the latter, initially open, seals the opening 6G of the housing 6, so as to prevent the entry of water into the housing . Water enters the casing only as soon as its level reaches the upper edge of the casing, opposite the bottom. At this time, the float 5 rises gradually to reach its high position for which the set of rods acts on the movable element 16 which then applies, by its seal 16A, against the face 15B nozzle 15 by closing the water supply to the valve

Claims (12)

 CLAIMS 1 - Float device for controlling the filling of a flush tank, of the type comprising a valve (3) controlled by said float (5) and controlling the passage of water, through a conduit ( 14C) provided in the valve, between a supply line (10) and a flow tube (4) at least approximately vertical, the upper end of said tube being connected to said valve while its lower end is directed towards the bottom of said tank (2), characterized in that said conduit (14C), allowing the passage of water from said supply line into said tube, is arranged to open tangentially to the internal wall (4C) of said tube flow (4). 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said float (5) is housed in a casing (6) associated with said flow tube (4), said float being capable of occupying a first high position in the casing, when the tank (2) is full, the valve (3) being closed, and, a second low position in the casing, when the tank is empty, the valve (3) being then open allowing the passage of water in the flow tube (4) via said conduit (14C). 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said valve (3) comprises a body (14), connecting said supply line (10) to said flow tube (4) via of said conduit (14C), and a movable element (16) provided in said body and capable of opening or closing the passage of water in the conduit (14C) according to the position of said float controlling the movable element. 4 - Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the body (14) of the valve ends in first (14A) and second (14B) cylindrical end parts, of which the first (14A) is capable of being connected to the supply pipe and the second (14B) of which receives the upper end (4A) of the flow tube (4), said pipe (14C) opening tangentially to the internal periphery of the second cylindrical part, and in that said valve (3) comprises a water intake nozzle (15), associated with the first cylindrical part (14A) and provided with a through channel (15A), said displaceable element (16) being capable of apply tightly against the nozzle (15) by closing said channel. 5 - Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the first (14A) and second (14B) cylindrical end parts of said body are orthogonal to each other, the second cylindrical part (14B), with which cooperates said tube, being substantially vertical. 6 - Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the body (14) of the valve (3) has a longitudinal plane of symmetry. 7 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said float (5) is connected to the valve (3) by mechanical connection means (7). 8 - Device according to claim 7, characterized in that said mechanical connecting means (7) comprise a set of two links (7A, 7B) articulated to each other around an axis (7C) by one of their ends, the opposite end of one (7A) of the rods being pivotally mounted about an axis (7D) linked to said float (5), while the opposite end of the other rod (7B) is mounted pivoting about an axis (7E) linked to the valve body, being capable of acting against said movable element (16). 9 - Device according to one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that said housing (6) has, along one of its side walls (6B), a recess (6A) in which is capable of engaging said flow tube (4). 10 - Device according to claim 9, characterized in that a flange (6C) provided with a seal protrudes externally from the bottom (6E) of said housing, in the extension of said recess, a clamping ring (6F) , screwed onto the flange and traversed by said tube, ensuring that said casing (6) is held in position relative to the tube (4). 11 - Device according to one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that the bottom (6E) of the housing (6) is provided with an opening (6G) in which is capable of moving axially a shutter valve ( 18) of said bottom. 12 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a hollow threaded rod (8) passes through an orifice (2B) provided in one of the side walls (2A) of the tank, for connecting, so sealed, by means of nuts, the supply line (10) to said valve (3).