FR2723120A1 - Water economiser for w.c. - Google Patents

Abstract

The economiser has a pneumatic commutator (6) having at least two positions. The commutator actuates a filling valve (4) which cuts the water supply and is controlled by a float. The commutator is itself controlled pneumatically via an elastic ring (15) at the level of the seat. The pneumatic control has at least one free air valve so that the presence of the user on the seat changes the volume of the air reserve.

Description

WATER-SAVING DEVICE
FOR WC FLUSHING
The present invention relates to a device allowing a significant saving on water consumption.

More particularly, the invention applies to waters closets (hereinafter designated in the text by the term "WC") whose flush consists of a tank capable of emptying quickly during use.

We also know of a plurality of systems, the most radical of which emanates from the same inventor (patent no. 9301869). .

We also know of another plurality of so-called dual control systems, in which there are two manual possibilities with two different amounts of water: pee or poop.

These systems appeal to the discipline of the users and will not be effective, in hotels, communities or if there are children in the family. Besides, they are relatively complex to build and cannot be added. to existing toilets.

The present invention aims to solve all these problems, and to do this will take account of two cases:
A) rejection of urine: sufficient dilution ensures a correct level of hygiene and comfort.

B) defecation: a sufficiently large movement of water must leave the toilet in an acceptable state.

Note that there are currently distributed flushes with reduced reserves (approx. 6 liters) which do not solve anything since it is too much for the pee and not enough for the poo. To satisfy all the conditions the present invention provides a very simple device, making it possible to solve all the problems posed.

In a flush, the water level is established by a tap, the closing of which is controlled by a float.

The invention provides two water levels (for example 4 liters and 9 liters), a pneumatic control means making it possible to switch from one to the other: it will be called a "switch. In addition, provision is made at the level of the seat, that is to say the area where the user sits, we will have a pneumatic device which will be called "pressure sensor". The said pressure sensor is connected by a hose to the switch via a pneumatic time delay. about 15 seconds.

The operation is as follows:
In the presence of a user on the seat, the switch actuated by the air pressure will control the passage from the reserve level from 4 liters to 9 liters after a time of approximately 15 seconds. This time being the estimated time a standard pee.

So in the absence of a user or in the event of a standing pee or in the presence of less than about 15 seconds on the seat, the quantity of water delivered will be 4 liters.

Beyond this time, the switch will control the filling to 9 liters and this independently of the will of the user, this one will share its normal behavior automatically adapted to the right water level.

Naturally the figures quoted are only for good understanding and can be adjustable.

In any case, the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the annexed diagrammatic drawings showing some forms of execution of this water-saving device, by way of nonlimiting example.

Fig 1 shows the usual arrangement of the elements controlling the filling of the flush, namely the float rep 1, a lever rep 2 actuating the closing of the water inlet rep 5 via a tap rep 4, the lever rep 2 being articulated on rep 3. Naturally this construction is only an example.

Different devices exist, among others floats with vertical displacement, this not calling into question the originality of the invention, which any person skilled in the art will easily understand.

Fig 2 shows the arrangement of the elements controlling the filling of the flush by specifying the three positions of the float, i.e. position l = empty flush; position 2 = intermediate reserve flush (pee 4 liters) and full flush for maximum efficiency, the same figure locating a possible location for the automatic level change control mechanism rep 6 which will be referred to below as "switch", the control lever rep 2 becoming rep 2a and rep 2b and including a cleat rep 9 retaining the rep cam 8; FIG. 3 symbolically represents a mode of construction of the rep switch 6 in the intermediate reserve position (or pee), FIG. 4 symbolically represents the same mode of construction of the rep switch 6 in the maximum reserve position.

FIG. 5 represents a symbolic diagram of the simplified pneumatic principle where the rep 15 is the elastic body on which the weight of the user creates an air compression which is transmitted to the pneumatic actuator rep 11 of the switch rep 6 via a time delay oriented rep 13, rep 14 being a vent valve to compensate for any air leaks.

Fig 6 shows a WC as provided in principle by the invention, that is to say with a pneumatic presence sensor rep 15 controlling the switch rep 6 via the time delay rep 13 so as to ensure the change of the quantity of water in the flush depending on the presence of the user on the seat.

The operation will therefore be as follows:
In the absence of a user, the float being raised by the water supply will be blocked by the cleat rep 9 with the so-called intermediate quantity (approximately 4 liters) see fig 3; the presence of a user on the seat has the effect to compress the elastic element rep 15, the air is transmitted to the receiver rep 11 via the time delay rep 13 by the pipe rep 7.

After a typical time of about fifteen seconds, the receiver rep 11 will have sufficiently raised the lever rep 12 to release the cleat rep 9, at this time the float rep 1 will take the position 3 of maximum reserve (see fig 2) .

It can therefore be seen that in the case of standing pee or seated pee with a presence time of less than fifteen seconds, the amount of water in the flush will be intermediate, ie around 4 liters, which will be more than sufficient.

In the event of defecation (time usually longer than fifteen seconds) the reserve will go to the maximum level and will be perfectly effective. When emptying, the float will come to position 1 (see fig 3), ie empty reserve and then resume with filling position 2, this same intermediate position being reached following a pee drain, and therefore being ready for the next user.

It is therefore easy to understand that the invention thus described in a non-limiting embodiment allows significant savings of water thanks to a simple device which can be added in the form of a kit on existing installations without connection to any energy sources therefore without operating costs, said operation being carried out without the knowledge of the user which is very important for installations for collective use.

Claims (1)

 l) water-saving device for WCs intended to provide water savings by the fact that it distinguishes the two quantities of water required according to the two types of elementary discharge (pee, poo), characterized in that it includes a pneumatic switch rep 6 having at least two positions, the said switch actuating a filling tap rep 4 cutting off the water supply rep 5 by being controlled by the float rep 1, the said switch itself being controlled by a pneumatic means via an elastic body rep 15 disposed at the seat where the user sits, said pneumatic means comprising at least one asymmetric time delay rep 13 and a vent valve rep 14 so that a time of presence on the seat rep 15 changes the water reserve from the intermediate position (pos 2) to a maximum position (pos 3) which is independent of the will of the user.  2) water-saving device for WC according to claim 1 characterized in that the amount of water in the flush depends on the time of presence of the user on the seat (rep 15).  3) water saving device for toilets according to claims 1 and 2 characterized in that the pneumatic control comprises at least one time delay (rep 13), a venting (rep 14).