FR2678968A1 - Flush device intended to equip a tank (reservoir) in order to control the at least partial draining thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a flush device intended to equip a tank (1) in order to control the at least partial draining thereof, which comprises a movable contrivance (8) which is composed: . of an annular valve whose wall (9) closes off the draining orifice (3), . of a rigid rod (10), which is in particular tubular and called an overflow, a bottom end (10a) of the ends (10a, 10b) of which carries the aforementioned valve (9) and, in particular, the other end (10b) of which defines in the tank, . of a means for supporting the said movable contrivance during the discharge of the water from the tank through the draining orifice (3). Moreover, in order for the valve (9) to come back so as to bear on its seat (9a) before the water in the tank reaches a minimum level (H3), the device comprises a means (12) acting in the manner of ballast. This device is characterised in that the means (12) which enables the valve (9) to come back early to its seat (9a) consists of: - a container (13) which, open at its upper part (14), bears on the movable contrivance (8) at a height which, when the valve (9) rests on its seat (9a), lies between the minimum level (H3) and the maximum level (H2), and - a means (14) for the purpose of allowing the fluid contained in the container (13) to flow to the tank (1) with a controlled flow rate.

Description

 The invention relates to a flushing device intended to equip a tank for controlling at least partial emptying thereof, for example in a toilet bowl.

 Flushing devices are the source of significant overconsumption of water.

 The evacuation of these bowls of all the materials they contain is ensured whatever the consistency by the flow of the same volume of water, which volume is relatively large and in particular of the order of ten liters.

 At least in the case where the materials to be discharged are liquid, this volume of water is much greater than the volume of water required.

 To limit water consumption, flushing devices have been designed which, in order to limit water consumption, allow only partial emptying of the tank.

 Conventionally (FR-A-2,576,620), the flushing devices are placed in a tank which, in its lower part, is provided with a drainage orifice communicating, on the one hand, with a pipe leading to the water in the bowl and, on the other hand, with the interior of the flushing device.

This flushing device includes:
- A tubular casing which is fixed at least indirectly above the drain orifice, this tubular casing being, at its base, perforated to allow the passage of water from the tank towards the interior of the casing then l '' drain opening,
- a mobile assembly which, housed at least partially in the tubular envelope, consists
a tubular valve whose wall ensures the closure of the passage at the drain orifice,
an overflow tube, the lower end of which is connected to the valve and the other end of which defines a maximum level in the tank, above which water escapes through this overflow tube and the valve,
a means of support for the mobile assembly during the evacuation of the water contained in the tank.

 The support means can be of dynamic type, that is to say formed by a means slowing the flow of water inside the valve or overflow tube, but it can also be a float supporting the valve.

 In conventional devices, when the evacuation is controlled by lifting the valve from its seat, the support means keeps the valve released from the seat until the tank is almost empty, that is to say until the tank water reaches a minimum level.

To control emptying according to two different volumes, devices are known implementing two methods:
- the first method consists in controlling the water level in the tank to bring the valve back to its seat early, as soon as it reaches an intermediate level in the tank,
- the second method consists in controlling the speed of descent of the valve at least independently of the water level in the tank.

 The invention relates to a device applying the first method.

 In the further presented device, so that the valve returns to rest on its seat before the water reaches the minimum level, this valve cooperates with a ballast which, at least when it is active and the water reaches a predetermined level, exerts on it a force which, at least, compensates for that produced by the support means and, while then counteracting the action of this support means, brings the valve back early on its seat.

 In this example, an existing device provides a ballast associated with a magnet which cooperates with a ferro-magnetic element carried by the overflow tube itself carrying the valve.

 This ferro-magnetic element extends over a range limited in height so that in the empty reservoir position, the magnet then being located opposite this ferro-magnetic element, the ballast then being magnetically associated with the excess tube. full.

 During the flushing operation, by means of an operating rod associated with the overflow tube, the said overflow tube is pulled to raise the valve to a predetermined height from its seat where the magnet then comes to bear on a fixed stop relative to the reservoir.

 If, at this instant, the user releases the moving element, the ballast always associated with the tube causes the valve to descend early as soon as the water level reaches a threshold of non-buoyancy of said moving element, which threshold is determined as a function of the force developed by the support.

 On the other hand, if at the aforementioned instant, the magnet being immobilized by the stop, the user continues to exert a traction, the ferro-magnetic element of the tube will move relative to this magnet until it is no longer subject to its action and which, by detaching itself, will lighten the moving equipment.

 Because of this relief, the force exerted by the support means then remains sufficient to maintain the valve above its seat to the minimum level.

 To adjust the flow rate, the user must therefore stop pulling as soon as the magnet comes to a stop.

 Depending on the action exerted by the magnet, the arrival at the stop will be more or less sensitive.

 This arrival in abutment is therefore not always easy to perceive and therefore it frequently happens that one involuntarily passes beyond this position and that one controls the flush of too large a volume of water.

 In addition, the action exerted by the magnet varies over time, for example because of wear and rust which, when created, modify the air gap.

 In devices of the second type (EP-139.952), the valve is supported by a float housed in a bowl in which are provided orifices allowing the fluid supporting the float to flow at a predetermined speed.

 Depending on the size of the orifices, which can be adjustable, the valve can descend to its seat before the water in the tank has reached the minimum level.

 The size of these orifices is only adjusted when the device is put in place.

 It is therefore very clear that this is an adjustment of the speed of descent of the valve which is not necessarily directly dependent neither on the water level in the tank, nor on the desired flow.

 One of the results that the invention aims to obtain is a flushing device which, while allowing the choice of flushing a large or a small volume of water is reliable and does not require for its operation to complicated device.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device of the aforementioned type, in particular characterized in that the means which allows the valve to return early to its seat consists of:
- a container which, open in particular in its upper part, bears on the mobile assembly at a height which, when the valve rests on its seat, is between the minimum level and the maximum level and,
a means for authorizing the passage at a controlled flow rate of the fluid contained in the container towards the reservoir.

The invention will be clearly understood with the aid of the description below given by way of nonlimiting example with regard to the attached drawing which schematically represents:
FIG. 1: the device of the invention seen in section on a substantially vertical plane,
FIGS. 2A, 2B, 3A, 3B: the device of the invention seen in section and in different operating phases,
- Figures 4 and 5: two alternative embodiments of the device according to the invention.

 Referring to the drawing, it can be seen that the reservoir 1, intended to supply water E to a toilet bowl (not shown) is provided in its lower part 2 with an orifice 3 opening at least indirectly into the bowl.

 This drain orifice 3 is surmounted by a flushing device 4 placed in the tank 1.

 For its water supply E, the tank 1 is equipped with a supply valve 5 controlled by a float 6 which, in one of its extreme positions, stops the supply substantially as soon as the water reaches the level 1 in the tank top H1 says operating.

Conventionally, the flushing device 4 comprises:
- A tubular casing 7 which is fixed at least indirectly above the drain orifice 3, this tubular casing 7 being perforated at least at its base to allow the passage of the water contained in the tank 1 towards the interior of the tubular casing 7 then the drain orifice,
- A moving assembly 8 which, housed at least partially in the tubular casing 7, is composed. an annular valve, the wall 9 of which blocks the orifice 3 for emptying,
a rigid rod 10 in particular tubular, called overflow, one of which, low 10a, of the ends 10a, 10b carries the aforementioned valve 9 and of which in particular the other end 10b defines in the tank, when the valve 9 is resting on its seat 9a, a maximum level H2 above which water will escape through the overflow rod 10 and the valve 9 through a channel 10c,
a means 11 for supporting said movable assembly during the evacuation of the water from the tank through the orifice 3 for emptying.

 The overflow rod 10 is associated with an actuating means 10d such as a gripping member 10d.

 Preferably, the support means is housed in the tubular casing 7 but this is not limiting for the invention.

 Recall that the support means 11 is intended to allow the substantially complete variation of the tank.

In addition, so that the valve 9 comes to rest on its seat 9a before the water in the tank reaches a minimum level H3, it comprises means 12 acting in the manner of a ballast, which
- when it is active and, at least when the water reaches the reservoir, a predetermined intermediate level H4 (FIG. 3A), exerts on the valve a force which at least compensates for that produced by the supporting means and which, by counteracting the action of the latter means, it brings the valve 9 back early on to bear on its seat and,
- when it is not active (FIGS. 2B, 3B), allows the tank to be emptied until the water reaches a low level F13 said to be minimum.

According to an essential characteristic of the invention, the means 12 which allows the valve 9 to return early to its seat 9a consists of
a container 13 which, open in its upper part 13a, bears on the mobile assembly 8 at a height which, when the valve 9 rests on its seat 9a, is located between the minimum level H3 and the operating level H1 and ,
a means 14 for authorizing the passage at a controlled flow rate of the fluid contained in the container 13 towards the reservoir 1.

 The bottom of the container 13b, for example, is located, when the valve 9 is supported on its seat, substantially at the same level as the intermediate level H4.

 In a preferred embodiment, the container is a bowl 13, for example of annular shape, the bottom 13b of which is pierced by at least one orifice 14a covered by a controlled shutter 14b.

 To this end, the shutter 14b is connected to an actuating means 15 such as an operating rod 15 accessible from the outside of the tank 1.

 Preferably, the shutter 14b is a disc housed in the container 13 which has, for its part, on the one hand, means 16 for guiding in translation along the rod 10 called overflow and, on the other hand , stop means 17 limiting upward the operating stroke of the shutter relative to one of the parts that are the container and the so-called overflow rod.

 Thus, when it is desired to carry out the complete emptying of the reservoir, firstly, by pulling on the operating rod, the shutter is moved so that there is communication between the container and the reservoir through the orifices 14a. .

 At this instant, the valve 9 is still resting on its seat 9a.

 After the shutter 14b (FIG. 2B) has reached the end of its travel, while continuing to exert traction on the operating rod, the overflow rod 10 is driven with it and the valve 9 is released from its seat.

 Because the container 13 is in communication with the reservoir 1, the latter empties at the same time as the reservoir (even if the action on the operating rod is maintained) and when the water reaches the intermediate level H4 (Figure 3B), the container 13 is empty.

 Its weight is of course provided to be compensated by the means 11 of lift, the valve will not go down until the water has reached the minimum level.

 If on the contrary (FIG. 2A), the so-called overflow rod is operated directly without, of course, releasing the shutter 14b from the orifices 14a, as long as the water level in the reservoir remains above the intermediate level H4, the action of support means compensates for the action of the ballast constituted by the water remaining in the container, but as soon as this level is reached (FIG. 3A), the ballast will lower the valve early.

 To make the stop means 17, in one embodiment, there are at least one stop which, carried by the container 13 in particular at its upper edge, locally limits the section of the container so that this section is less than the shutter section.

 In another embodiment of the stop means 17 (FIG. 4), these are at least one stop carried by the overflow rod 10 which limits the travel of the shutter and in particular of its guide means 16, which consists at least one ring which slides along the overflow rod 10.

 In an advantageous embodiment (FIG. 4), the shutter 14b directly forms the bottom of the container and one or other of the parts that are the shutter and the side wall 19 of the container 13 can be operated one by relation to each other so that they can be separated or brought closer to each other.

 Instead of a substantially rigid container provided with orifices and a maneuverable shutter, on the one hand, the container is flexible and, on the other hand, it is associated with a means 20, such as rigid operating rods, allowing to reverse its concavity (figure 5).

 It will be noted that the proportions of some of the constituent elements of the device and the functional clearances have been greatly exaggerated in order to facilitate understanding.

 Although this is not shown, there is provided a means of locking the shutter and the overflow rod therebetween so as to selectively suppress the economical flushing option or allow this option.

Claims (8)

 1. Flushing device intended to equip a tank (1) to control the at least partial emptying which comprises  - a tubular casing (7) which is fixed at least indirectly above the drain orifice (3), this tubular casing (7) being perforated at least at its base to allow the passage of the water (E) contained in the tank (1) towards the inside of the tubular casing (7) then the drain orifice,  - a movable assembly (8) which, housed at least partially in the tubular envelope (7), is composed  an annular valve the wall (9) of which closes the drain orifice (3),  a rigid rod (10), in particular tubular, called an overflow rod, one of which, low (10a), of the ends (10a, 10b) carries the aforementioned valve (9) and in particular whose other end (10b) defines in the reservoir, when the valve (9) is resting on its seat (9a), the maximum level above which water will escape through the rod (10) called overflow and the valve (9),  means (11) for supporting said movable assembly during the evacuation of water from the tank through the orifice (3) for emptying,  in addition, so that the valve (9) comes to rest on its seat (9a) before the water in the tank reaches a minimum level (H3), it comprises means (12) acting in the manner of a ballast, which:  - When it is active and at least when the water reaches a predetermined intermediate level (H4) in the tank, exerts on the valve a force which at least compensates for that produced by the support means (11) and which, by upsetting the action of the latter means (11), brings the valve 9 back early and bears on its seat and,  - when it is not active, allows the tank to be emptied until the water reaches the minimum level (H3),  this device being CHARACTERIZED in that the means (12) which allows the valve (9) to return early to its seat (9a) consists of  - a container (13) which, open in its upper part (14), bears on the movable assembly (8) at a height which, when the valve (9) rests on its seat (9a), is located between the minimum level (H3) and operating level (H1) and,  - A means (14) for authorizing the passage at a controlled flow rate of the fluid contained in the container (13) towards the reservoir (1).  2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the container is a bowl (13) whose bottom (13a) is pierced with at least one orifice (14a) covered by a shutter (14b) controlled.  3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the shutter (14b) is a disc housed in the container (13) which has, for its part, on the one hand, means (16) for guiding in translation along the overflow rod (10) and, on the other hand, stop means (17) limiting upward the operating stroke of the shutter relative to one of the parts that are the container and the rod (10 called overflow.  4. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that they are at least an abutment which, carried by the container (13) in particular at its upper edge, locally limits the section of the container so that this section is less than the section of the shutter.  5. Device according to claim 3 characterized in that these are at least one stop carried by the rod (10) of overflow which limits the stroke of the shutter and in particular of its guide means (16), which consists in minus a ring which slides along the overflow rod (10).  6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the shutter directly forms the bottom (13) of the container and one or other of the parts that are the shutter (14b) and the wall lateral (19) of the container (13) are maneuverable with respect to each other so that they can be moved apart or brought closer to each other.  7. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that on the one hand, the container is flexible and, on the other hand, it is associated with a means (20) making it possible to reverse its concavity.  8. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it comprises a means of locking between them the shutter and the overflow rod so> selectively suppress the economic flush option allow this option.