FR2715178A1 - Two-position cistern flushing mechanism for toilet etc. - Google Patents

Abstract

A two-position control member (3) actuates a mechanism (4) controlling flushing from a liquid tank (2) in cooperation with a valve (5) which selectively closes the tank outlet opening (6B). The flushing mechanism is enclosed in a casing (8) to form a modular unit capable of installation within the tank. The flushing mechanism includes two pushing members (10,11) which are displaceable in opposite directions to each other, the first pushing member being connected to the control member and the second to the valve. First and second floats (12,13) are located within the casing, connected to the pushing members by two intermediate links (14,15).

Description

The present invention relates to an evacuation device to allow partial or total emptying of a liquid contained in a tank.

More particularly, although not exclusively, such a device is intended to equip flushing tanks for water closet installations. Indeed, these evacuation devices with two emptying, partial or total, are developing more and more because of the savings they provide, in terms of water consumption and in financial terms, thanks to their use. rational use of the water contained in the tank.

The devices known up to now generally comprise a control member having two possible displacement strokes, respectively for triggering partial and total emptying, and a mechanism connected to said member and allowing partial or total emptying of the reservoir according to the chosen stroke of said member . A valve is, moreover, associated at the end of said mechanism and is intended to seal, in a leaktight manner, a drainage orifice provided in the bottom of said tank.

Although they give encouraging results, these devices nevertheless have drawbacks. The mechanisms, which authorize these emptying, are composed of multiple parts (tubes, floats, levers, rods, etc.), which can cause malfunctions during use and which occupy a large space and somewhat clutter in the tank. In addition, they require careful assembly and careful adjustments during installation.

In addition, these mechanisms are generally provided to adapt to specific types of hunting tanks.

The aim of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and relates to a partial or total emptying evacuation device, the design of which in particular ensures easy installation and maximum operating reliability and which can be adapted to different types of cisterns, whatever their dimensions.

To this end, the evacuation device allowing the partial or total emptying of the liquid contained in a reservoir, of the type described above, is remarkable, according to the invention, in that said mechanism forms a module fixed by a housing to the interior of said tank, and in that said mechanism comprises - a movable assembly with two mechanically linked pushers and
movable in opposition to each other, the first
pusher cooperating with said control member and the
second pusher carrying said valve - first and second floats housed in said housing
different levels to allow respectively
partial and total evacuation of said liquid; and - two intermediate transmissions connecting said second
pusher to the two floats, respectively, and acting
one or the other depending on the chosen course of said
body, on the first or second float to allow
be the partial or total evacuation of the liquid by
the drain opening.

Thus, thanks to its realization in the form of a module, the mechanism offers an appreciable compactness reducing its size in the tank and having a clean external appearance. This module thus forms a unit in which the various elements of the mechanism are initially mounted and adjusted, and which is connected directly to the control member and to the valve. In addition, the maintenance of the mechanism is greatly facilitated since it suffices to intervene on the module by removing said housing from the tank.

Advantageously, the two pushers are parallel to each other and arranged substantially vertically in said tank. According to an exemplary embodiment, the two pushers displaceable in opposition to one another are mechanically linked by means of racks provided respectively on said pushers and of a pinion cooperating with said racks. The design of the moving element in the form of respective rack pushers connected by a pinion therefore guarantees reliable operation of the mechanism.

Said pinion is then rotatably mounted on an axis carried by the housing of said module and orthogonal to the movements of said pushers, and it has, in particular, a first toothed sector of small radius, with which the mesh of said first pushrod cooperates, and a second large radius toothed sector, with which the rack of said second pusher cooperates. Thus, a short movement of movement of the control member makes it possible to move the valve effectively away from said drain orifice, due to the reduction ratio between the two toothed sectors.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the two pushers displaceable in opposition to each other are mechanically linked by means of a rack, mounted on said first pushbutton, of a crank carried by an axis on the housing and provided with a toothed sector which cooperates with said rack, and with a plate, projecting relative to said second pusher and capable of being driven by a stud provided on said crank.

According to another characteristic of the mechanism, said first pusher is axially adjustable in position. In this case, the rack, provided on said first pusher, is removably mounted around it, by means of releasable locking means. The mechanism can then be easily adapted as a function of the height dimension of the various reservoirs by bringing the first movable pusher against the control member, then by locking it in the chosen position. For example, said releasable locking means may comprise a puller operable from outside the housing of said module and carried by said housing, said puller passing through said rack and being provided with notches cooperating with notches formed on said first pusher to lock in position the latter, while, when the zipper is moved, the notches disengage from those of said pusher, keeping said rack in place and releasing said first pusher.

On the other hand, in the example with two racks, that provided on the second pusher is an integral part of it. In the other example, the plate is integral with said second pusher.

Preferably, said first and second floats are mounted in series, said first float detecting the partial emptying of said tank and said second float, located below the first, detecting the total emptying of the tank. For example, said first float may have a bell shape connected to said corresponding transmission by a rod associated with said bell in an adjustable manner. And said second float advantageously has a spherical shape in synthetic material, connected directly to said corresponding transmission and capable of being applied against the edge of a circular opening provided in the bottom of the housing of said module, close to the bottom of said tank.

Furthermore, said transmissions may each consist of a cam, provided on the second pusher, and by a lever, rotatably mounted on an axis carried by the housing of said module and orthogonal to said plungers.

In particular, the two cams of said transmissions are located at different levels on said second pusher and are offset from one another, and the two levers are respectively driven in rotation and hooked in position when the cams pass over them. ci, depending on the chosen stroke of said control member, to move the corresponding float.

In addition, said control member consists of a base fixed to said tank, and two buttons capable of moving said mobile assembly according to respective strokes.

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, in longitudinal section, an embodiment of the evacuation device according to the invention, in an inactive position for which the tank is full.

Figures 2 and 3 show, in longitudinal section, the device in a first active position corresponding to the partial emptying of said tank.

Figures 4 and 5 show, in longitudinal section, the device in a second active position corresponding to the total emptying of said tank.

Figures 6 and 7 are cross sections along lines VI-VI and VII-VII of Figure 1, showing the respective section of said pushers and the location of said cams.

Figures 8 and 9 show in section along the lines
VIII-VIII and IX-IX of Figures 1 and 8, the means for adjusting the position of said first pusher of the moving assembly.

Figure 10 is a partial top view of the housing comprising said mechanism.

The figure there represents, partially, another example of connection between the two pushers of the mechanism.

The evacuation device 1 with partial or total emptying of liquid, shown in FIG. 1, is mounted in its preferred application, in a flush tank 2 for water closet. It comprises a control member 3 with two displacement strokes, a mechanism 4 for partially or completely discharging the liquid L, such as water, contained in the tank, and a closing valve 5.

More particularly, the control member 3 is provided with an elongated hollow base 3A which is arranged on the top or the cover 2A of the tank and which is held against the latter by a tightening nut 3B internal to the tank and s' applying under the top 2A. In this elongated hollow base, two movable buttons 3C and 3D are mounted which can be actuated from the outside and which are capable of sliding towards the inside of the tank according to two separate strokes to act on the mechanism 4. A return spring 3E is provided between the two buttons 3C and 3D and the base 3 to recall them to the initial position after actuation. For example, the lower end 3D1 of the 3D button is threaded and provided with a preferably knurled nut 3F, which comes into contact with the mechanism 4. On the other hand, the lower end 3Cl of the button 3C, which is disposed at the inside the 3D button then hollow, is set back a few millimeters from the face 3F1 of said nut, in contact with the mechanism. Consequently, pressing the button 3C will result, for the mechanism 4, in a displacement stroke C1 less than the displacement stroke C2 when the 3D button is actuated since it is directly in contact, by the nut 3F, with the mechanism. Thus, the button 3C controls the partial emptying of the water contained in the tank, while the 3D button controls the total emptying, as will be seen later.

The valve 5 is associated with the mechanism 4 and it is applied, in FIG. 1, with sealing on the edge 6A forming a seat, of an annular cylindrical ring 6. This passes through a hole 2C formed in the bottom 2B of the tank and it is tightly fixed to said bottom. The internal passage 6B of the annular ring 6 then defines the emptying orifice through which the water can be evacuated from the reservoir towards the bowl of the installation.

According to the invention, the mechanism 4 of the discharge device 1 forms a module 7 which is fixed inside the tank and which comprises two parts 8A, 8B of housing 8. These are fixedly attached, by interlocking or the like , one against the other and support the entire mechanism, as shown in Figures 1, 8 and 10. This housing 8 can be fixed to the overflow tube of the flush mechanism integral with the ring 6, not shown in the figures, by radial hooking lugs 22 integral with said tube. A screw or the like could also be used.

The mechanism 4 comprises a movable assembly 9 with two pushers 10 and it displaceable in opposition to each other and connecting respectively the control member 3 to the valve 5, the first 12 and second 13 floats and two intermediate transmissions 14 and 15 communicating the movement of the mobile assembly to the first or second corresponding float, according to the control button chosen.

More particularly, the two pushers 10 and li are arranged in parallel in the housing 8 to be substantially vertical when the module housing 7 is installed in the tank. The upper end 10A of the first pusher 10 is in contact with the 3D button of said member by means of the nut 3F, while the lower end liA of the second pusher 11 carries the valve 5.

Obviously, openings 8C are provided in the assembled parts 8A and 8B of the housing for guiding and passing the ends 10A and liA of the pushers. These are mechanically linked together so that the action of any of the buttons 3C, 3D causes the first pusher to descend and causes the second pusher to rise.

For this, in this exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, racks 16 and 17 are respectively provided on the first and second pushers 10 and 11, and a pinion 18 connects the two racks. This pinion 18 is rotatably mounted on an axis 19 carried by the parts of the housing and orthogonal to the pushers, that is to say, in our case, horizontal. Advantageously, the pinion 18 comprises a first toothed sector 18A, with which the 1st rack 16 of the first pusher 10 cooperates, and a second toothed sector 18B diametrically opposite to the first, with which the rack 17 cooperates and which has a radius greater than that of the toothed sector 18A. Thus, it is therefore understood that the descent of the first pusher 10 corresponding to one of the travel movements of the buttons, causes, by the action of the pinion with different toothed sectors, an amplified lifting of the valve 5 relative to the ring 6 .

As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the cross section of the pushers 10 and 11 has an H shape. In addition, the rack 17 is an integral part of the second pushbutton 11, for example, by molding. On the other hand, the rack 16 is removably mounted on the first pusher 10. This arrangement makes it possible to adjust the axial position of the first pusher as a function of the height of the tank to be equipped, so that the mechanism 4 can thus be adapted to all types of tanks. For this, as shown in FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, releasable locking means 20 make it possible to hold the rack 16 in place relative to the housing 8 and, therefore, to the pinion 18, when they are in the unlocked position, to authorize the sliding of the pusher 10 and bring its upper end 10A into contact with the control member 3. These means 20 comprise a pull tab 20A which passes radially through the rack 16 and the parts 8A, 8B of the housing.

This zipper 20A has notches 20B which cooperate with notches 10B formed along the pusher 10. In this way, the zipper 20A locks the pusher and the rack in the desired position, a lug 16A of the rack further cooperating with the notches 10B of the pusher to mark this position. To adjust the axial position of the pusher 10, the pull tab 20A is provided with a tongue 20C accessible externally from said housing 8 and, by moving it laterally, as illustrated in dotted lines, in FIG. 9, the notches 20B of the pull tab and the lug 16A of the rack disengages from the notches 10B of the pusher, the rack being held in place by the pull tab carried by the housing. In this way, the pusher 10 can be put in the desired position.

Furthermore, the first and second floats 12 and 13, corresponding respectively to the partial and total emptying of the tank, are mounted in series, vertically, in the housing 8 of the module. As shown in FIG. 1, the first float 12 has an inverted bell shape which is connected to the corresponding transmission 14 by an axial rod 21 immobilized by notching on the float 12.

The latter has a radial tongue 12A, accessible from the outside of the housing 8, which makes it possible to adjust its position along the rod 21 and, therefore, the partial emptying of the water. In this figure, the float 12 is in the high position, so that a minimum partial volume of water will be evacuated.

As for the second float 13, it is in the form of a sphere made of synthetic material, such as a ping-pong ball, and it is housed in a circular lower part 8D of the housing, coaxially with the first float.

The bottom 8E of this lower part has a circular opening 8F, against the edge 8G from which the second float 13 is likely to come. The latter is held in this lower part 8D by the corresponding transmission 15.

These transmissions 14 and 15 are constituted by cams 14A, 15A and tilting levers 14B, 15B. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the cams 14A and 15A are advantageously provided directly projecting in the vicinity of the lower end 11A of the second pusher 11 and are located at different levels along it and in planes offset from it. The levers 14B, 15B are mounted around respective axes 14C, 15C parallel to each other and to the axis 19 of the pinion. With respect to these axes in FIGS. 1 to 5, the left ends 14D, 15D of the levers are capable of being driven by the cams 14A, 15A, while their right ends 14E, 15E cooperate respectively with the rod 21 of the first float 12 and with the second float 13.

We also note, in FIG. 10, the great compactness of the module 7, the mechanism 4 of which is neatly housed inside the housing 8.

The operation of the evacuation device according to the invention takes place as follows.

First of all, it is assumed that the device 1 occupies the initial, inactive position, represented in FIG. 1, for which the tank 2 is filled with water L. The first float 12, corresponding to the partial emptying, is initially set by sliding along the rod 21, for example as shown in this figure 1 and it tends to rotate the lever 14B around its axis 14C, in the senestrorsum direction, thus bringing the left end 14D of the lever, close of the second pusher 11 and above the cam 14A. Likewise, the second float 13, corresponding to total emptying and subjected to hydrostatic pressure, tends to rise by tilting the lever 15B around its axis 15C, in the senestrorsum direction, so that its left end 15D is close to the second pusher 11 and above the cam 15A.

To perform the partial emptying of the reservoir, the button 3C of the control member 3 is pressed and moves with the displacement stroke C1 relative to the face 3F1 of the nut, as shown in FIG. 2. Simultaneously, the first pusher 10 descends from this stroke and causes, via the toothed pinion 18 then rotatable about its axis 19, the rise of the second pusher 11, which distances the valve 5 from a distance D1 clearly greater than the stroke C1 , due to the two toothed sectors of different radii 18A, 18B of the pinion.

In this way, the cam 14A of the pusher 11 pushes the left end 14D of the lever 14B to then cross it and keep it hooked. On the other hand, the cam 15A, although being moved the same distance, always remains below the lever 15B. The water in the reservoir is then partially evacuated through the internal passage 6B of the annular ring 6, in the direction of the bowl.

Then, when the level NL of the water reaches the first bell-shaped float 12 which is somewhat lowered, the latter makes the lever 14B pivot in the dextrorsum direction, the end of which 14D moves away from the cam of the pusher.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 3, the tank is partially emptied, the button 3C is released, the moving element 9 returns to its initial position, and the valve 5 again closes the ring 6.

When the water, coming from a supply device not shown, fills the tank, the first float 12 returns to its initial position by bringing the left end of the lever close to the second pusher 11, ready to be hooked by the cam 14A.

To carry out the total emptying of the tank, the 3D button is actuated to move over a stroke C2, relative to the face 3F1 of the nut, a few millimeters greater than the stroke C1. This slight increase in the stroke is sufficient to result in a distance of the valve 5, via the moving element 9, from a distance D2 clearly greater than the distance D1. Thanks to this and as shown in FIG. 4, the cam 15A of the second pusher 11 passes over the left end 15D of the lever 15B while keeping it hooked in position. The cam 14A is, in turn, also passed over the end 14G of the lever.

The water L contained in the tank can then flow through the drain orifice 6B.

The second spherical float 13 comes into contact with the peripheral edge 8G of the opening 8F of the housing, and the level
NL of the water is then located near the bottom 2B of the tank, flush with the edge 6A of the ring 6. As shown in FIG. 5, the tank is completely emptied, the levers 14B and 15B are moved away from the cams by their pivoting in the dextrorsum direction, the floats which are no longer subjected to the pressure are lowered and, simultaneously, the 3D button and the 3C button are released and return by the spring to their initial position, as well as the moving assembly 9.

Filling the reservoir 2 with water then brings the two floats 12 and 13 back to their position illustrated in FIG. 1. The evacuation device 1 is then ready for a new cycle with partial or total emptying.

According to another exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 11, the mechanical connection between the two pushers 10 and 11 is different from a structural point of view, although identical from the functional point of view with regard to the partial or total emptying of the tank.

On the first pusher 10 of the mechanism is mounted a rack 16 'which is similar to the previous one and therefore removable relative to the pusher by the releasable locking means 20. This rack 16' cooperates with a toothed sector 25A formed on a crank 25 capable of pivoting about a horizontal axis 26, perpendicular to the movements of the pushers and carried by the housing 8. At the lower end of the crank 25, opposite its upper end shaped as a toothed sector, a radial stud 25B is provided which is likely to come to be applied under a plate 27 integral with the second pusher 11 and arranged perpendicular thereto, that is to say horizontally.

In the inactive position of the device, the crank 25 is substantially vertical, parallel to the pushers. It is therefore understood that, under the action of any of said buttons 3C, 3D, the descent of the first pusher 10 causes, by means of the rack 16 'and the toothed sector 25A, the rotation along the arrow R of the crank 25 around its axis 26. Simultaneously, the radial pin 25B is applied under the plate 27 and pushes it to cause the rise of the second pusher 11 and, thus, the distance of the valve 5 from said ring 6. The partial or total emptying of the tank is then carried out.

By this embodiment, a small displacement of the second pusher is obtained at the start of the race compared to that of the first pusher, which makes it possible to reduce the force to be exerted on the button in order to "take off" the valve, under load, from the ring and, at the end of the stroke, a significant displacement of the second plunger, when the valve no longer undergoes water pressure.

Claims (14)

1. Evacuation device allowing the partial or total emptying of the liquid contained in a reservoir (2), of the type comprising a control member (3) with two displacement strokes and a mechanism (4), connected to said member, for emptying partially or totally the reservoir according to the chosen stroke of said member, and which is associated with a valve (5) intended to seal, in a leaktight manner, a drain orifice (6B) provided in the bottom of said reservoir, characterized in that said mechanism forms a module (7) fixed by a housing (8) inside said tank, and in that said mechanism comprises - a movable assembly (9) with two mechanical pushers (10,11)  linked and moved in opposition to each other, the  first pusher cooperating with said control member  and the second pusher carrying said valve - first and second floats (12,13) housed in said  housing at different levels to allow respecti  vement partial and total evacuation of said liquid; and - two intermediate transmissions (14,15) connecting said  second pusher to the two floats, respectively, and  acting one or the other depending on the chosen race  of said member, on the first or second float for  allow partial or total evacuation of the liquid by  the drain opening. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the two pushers (10,11) are mutually parallel and arranged substantially vertically in said tank. 3. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the two pushers (10,11) movable in opposition to each other are mechanically linked by means of racks (16,17) provided respectively on said pushers and a pinion (18) cooperating with said racks. 4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that said pinion (18) is rotatably mounted on an axis (19) carried by the housing (8) of said module and orthogonal to the movements of said pushers, and in that it has a first toothed sector (18A) of small radius, with which the rack of said first pusher (10) cooperates, and a second toothed sector (18B) of large radius, with which the rack of said second pusher (11) cooperates. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the two pushers (10,11), movable in opposition to each other, are mechanically linked by means of a rack (16 '), mounted on said first pusher, a crank (25), carried by a pin (26) on the housing and provided with a toothed sector (25A) which cooperates with said rack, and with a plate (27 ), projecting from said second pusher and capable of being driven by a stud (25B) provided on said crank (25). 6. Device according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said first pusher (10) is axially adjustable in position, and in that the rack (16,16 ') provided on said first pusher (10) is removably mounted around the latter by means of releasable locking means (20). 7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that said releasable locking means (20) comprise a pull tab (20A) operable from outside the housing of said module and carried by said housing, said pull tab passing through said rack and being provided with notches (20B) cooperating with notches (10B) formed on said first pusher to lock in position the latter, while, when the pull tab is moved, the notches disengage from those of said pusher, by holding said rack in place and releasing said first pusher. 8. Device according to one of claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the rack (17) provided on the second pusher is an integral part thereof. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said first and second floats (12,13) are mounted in series, said first float detecting the partial emptying of said tank and said second float located below of the first, detecting the total emptying of the tank. 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said first float (12) has a bell shape connected to said corresponding transmission (14) by a rod (21) associated with said bell so adjustable. 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 10, characterized in that said second float (13) has a spherical shape in synthetic material, connected directly to said corresponding transmission (15) and capable of being applied against the edge of a circular opening (8F) provided in the bottom of the housing of said module, near the bottom of said tank. 12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said transmissions (14,15) each consist of a cam (14A, 15A), provided on the second pusher (11), and by a lever (14B, 15B), rotatably mounted on an axis (14C, 15C) carried by the housing of said module and orthogonal to said pushers. 13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the two cams (14A, 15A) of said transmissions are located at different levels on said second pusher (11) and are offset from each other, and in that the two levers (14B, 15B) are respectively driven in rotation and hung in position when the cams pass over them, according to the chosen stroke of said control member, to move the corresponding float. 14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 13, characterized in that said control member (3) consists of a base (3A) fixed to said tank and two buttons (3C, 3D) capable of moving said moving equipment according to respective races.