FR2732054A1 - Remote control appts. for flushing mechanism of toilet - Google Patents

Abstract

The remote flushing control has a valve (2) connected to pipe (3) delivering fluid under pressure (4). A control (5) receives fluid from the valve. The control has a chamber (23) separated into two volumes by an internal mobile membrane (24). The membrane co-operates with a rod (25) that can move between a first position blocking entry (29) of fluid into the chamber, and a second position where the rod is pushed clear of the inlet by pressure of the incoming fluid. The valve may be manually controlled or may be a solenoid valve. The manual version is controlled by a button (6) that has an internal annular magnet (15) moving between an inactive and an active position. The magnet co-operates with a moving part (12) in the valve to open or close the valve depending on the position of the button.

Description

DEVICE FOR REMOTE CONTROL OF AN APHLRHIL
TIL THAT A 8 CHASSIE D'EAU
The present invention relates to a device for the remote control of an appliance, a household water distribution installation, sanitary installation or the like, such as for example a toilet flush.

In the field of the distribution of sanitary water, in particular applied to toilets, numerous devices are known making it possible to actuate a flush, by means of a push button, the depression of which triggers or causes the overflow of flushing, by emptying a flush tank for example, or by connecting the bowl to a pressurized water supply (flush). Releasing the button then stops the flushing water supply.

 I1 is particularly advantageous to cause this triggering remotely, using simple construction, handling and maintenance devices, and also of reduced bulk allowing operation in accordance with flow standards or other hygiene standards.

In this context, the invention relates to a device capable of meeting the above requirements.

To this end, according to the invention, the device for the remote control of a sanitary appliance, such as a flush, comprising - a tap connected to an upstream inlet pipe of
pressurized fluid and a downstream pipe - a control member connected to the downstream pipe and
comprising a bedroom separated into two volumes by a
inner membrane movable and cooperating with a
push button translatable between a first position
reentry closing the access of the fluid to the chamber, and a
second position where the pusher is pushed back under
the effect of the pressure of the fluid in said chamber,
the volume of the chamber between the membrane and the inlet
fluid being connected to the atmosphere; - a push button comprising a movable magnet between
an inactive position and an active position (push)
and trained with him; and - a mobile element arranged in the tap and cooperating
with said magnet so as to seal / open said
tap depending on the position of the push button.

Advantageously, the control member comprises a return spring for the membrane / pusher assembly towards a position for blocking the arrival of water in the chamber.

Preferably, the magnet has an annular shape.

According to one embodiment, said valve consists of a solenoid valve.

The invention will be clearly understood in the light of the following description relating to a nonlimiting illustrative example of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which - Figure 1 is a partial sectional view of
the whole device in an inactive position
(cut off water supply); and - Figure 2 shows the device of Figure 1 in
active position (water supply).

With reference to FIG. 1, the device comprises a tap in the form of a solenoid valve and bearing the general reference 1. The solenoid valve comprises a main body 2 connected to an upstream pipe 3, itself connected to a pressurized water supply, not shown, and a downstream pipe 4. The latter is in turn connected to a control member carrying the general reference 5. The arrows shown diagrammatically inside the pipes, symbolize the direction of water flow.

The solenoid valve comprises, in addition to the body 2, a push-button assembly 6, connected to the body 2 and comprising a cylindrical tube 7 surmounted by a part 8 with a U-shaped section and whose diameter is greater than that of the tube 7, the upper face of the part 8 being open.

The lower opening (on the side of the body 2 of the solenoid valve) of the tube 7 is closed by a plug 9 comprising a cylindrical finger 10 and coaxial with the elements 7 and 8 of the push-button assembly 6.

The finger 10 and the plug 9 are of shape and dimension such that they delimit a lower annular space referenced 11. Inside the tube 7 and the upper neck 8, is liable to move, the push button assembly 6 composed of - a longitudinal rod 12 coaxial with the cylinder 7 - a top cap or cover 13 disposed at the end
of said rod 12 and of substantially diameter
equivalent to the inside diameter of the upper neck 8 - a block 14 forming a stop and of general shape
cylindrical - a magnet in the shape of an annular cylinder, coaxial with the
rod 12 and fixed to the base of the stop block 14.

The internal diameter of the central passage provided in the magnet 15 is substantially equivalent to or slightly greater than the diameter of the finger 10.

Inside the finger 10 is disposed a mass of metallic material (not shown) and capable of reacting magnetically with the magnet 15.

The upper cover 13 is in the shape of a cone or dome, and comprises, in the inner concave part, means 16 for locking and securing with the rod 12.

The upper neck 8 comprises at its base, and substantially at the level of the upper part of the cylindrical tube 7, a central hub 17, of generally cylindrical shape and forming a sliding path for the rod 12 and the push-button assembly.

A compression spring 18 is provided inside the upper neck 8, coaxial with the rod 12 and bearing at the top on the inside of the dome 13, and at its bottom on the bottom 19 of the bottom of the neck 8 and connected to the central hub 17.

An opening 20 is provided at the base of the neck 8 so as to connect the interior volume formed by the neck 8 and the dome 13 to the atmosphere.

The control member 5, located downstream, is composed of two upstream 21 and downstream half-shells 22 defining an interior volume 23 separated into two parts by a flexible membrane 24, preferably circular in shape, the membrane 24 being held by its peripheral edge by pinching between the two half-shells 21 and 22.

Inside the volume 23, a movable rod 25 which is cylindrical and which protrudes by one of its ends from the half-shell 22 opposite the downstream pipe 4, and the other end 25B of which is in the form of a plate, can move. circular, and against which the central part of the membrane 24 rests.

The control member 5 is fixed, in the embodiment described, to a partition 26 by means of a clamping ring 26 A known in itself.

An opening 27, of reduced shape and size, is provided in the half-shell 21 on the side of the downstream pipe 4, to connect to the atmosphere the part of the chamber 23 disposed between the membrane 24 and said half-shell.

A compression spring 28 is provided, coaxial with the movable rod 25, and one end of which is supported on the plate 25B, and the other end is supported on the bottom of the half-shell 22 (affixed to the downstream pipe 4 ). I1 is also provided with an opening 29 through which the water from the downstream pipe 4 may flow.

Finally, a small diameter hole 30 is also provided for connecting the part of the chamber 23 disposed between the membrane 24 and the downstream half-shell 22 to the atmosphere.

The operation of the device of the invention is as follows.

Starting from the position shown in FIG. 1, the push-button assembly 12, 13, 14, 15 is in the high position, namely that the dome 13 is in the upper part and is flush with the upper part of the neck 8; in this position of the push-button assembly, the magnet 15 is disposed slightly above or barely surrounds the upper end of the finger 10.

Thus, the magnet is disposed at a sufficient distance from the metal counterweight disposed inside the finger 10, to have no effect on the latter. As a result, the solenoid valve 1 is closed and the water does not flow into the pipe 4.

It follows that, under the effect of the spring 28, disposed in the control member 5, the plate 25B of the movable rod 25 pushes the membrane against the opening 29 provided in the upper part of the upstream half-shell 21, thus closing the passage of water which is at atmospheric pressure or equivalent in the pipe 4. The force of the spring 28 is calculated so that it can push back the membrane 24 when the solenoid valve 1 is closed.

In the position shown in Figure 1, the device is waiting for use.

When the user presses on the dome 13 of the push button, against the compression spring 18, the rod 12 moves, bringing with it the stop block 14 and the magnet 15. The lowering movement of the assembly 12 , 13, 14, 15, is continued until the stop 14 comes into abutment through its lower part in the bottom of the plug 9. In this position, shown in FIG. 2, the magnet 15 surrounds the finger 18, especially by its lower part.

As a result, the metal counterweight disposed inside the finger 10 is attracted by the magnet in the upper part. This causes the opening of the solenoid valve 1 which thus gives passage to the pressurized water from the inlet pipe 3 to the downstream pipe 4.

The pressure of the water in the downstream pipe 4 is then transmitted to the control member 5. More specifically, the water opening into the opening 29 of the upstream half-shell 21 exerts a force on the end plate 25B of the movable rod 25, against the compression spring 28, calibrated so as to fade and compress before said water pressure. I1 results in the displacement of the movable rod 25, and therefore of the membrane 24, to the position shown in FIG. 2 where the plate 25B abuts against the bottom of the downstream half-shell 22. The membrane 24 is then also pushed back taking into account the pressure prevailing in the chamber 23. The arrow F shows the displacement of the movable rod 25. The latter can be associated with any command or trigger mechanism, such as a flush, a zipper or any other mechanism related to the water supply, sanitary or other, of an assembly or installation.

Also, the control member can be directly connected to a water outlet, in the absence of a movable element for supplying, for example, a sanitary installation, such as a urinal for example.

The water supply or trigger position shown in FIG. 2 is maintained as long as the user maintains pressure on the push button 13.

When the user releases the pressure he exerts on the dome 13, the compression spring 18 then tends to relax and push back the button 13, rod 12, stop block 14 and magnet 15 assembly upwards, this that is to say towards its position remote from the solenoid valve 1 (shown in FIG. 1). This translational movement causes the displacement of the magnet 15 which then moves away from the finger 10 and therefore from the internal counterweight. This distance causes a loss of influence in the magnetic sense on the counterweight, until the magnet no longer has influence on said counterweight. This, under the effect of its own weight, falls back and then causes the solenoid valve 1 to close.

We find the position shown in Figure 1, where the water supply to the downstream pipe 4 is stopped and the pressure in this latter fall. It also results in a pressure drop in the chamber 23 (Figure 2), which then allows the extension of the spring 28 which pushes the plate 25 B and the membrane towards the upstream half-shell 21 (on the side of the downstream pipe 4), to the position shown in FIG. 1 where the membrane 24 closes the opening 29.

The water contained in the chamber 23 is evacuated, during this movement back from the movable rod 25 and from the plate 25B, through the opening 27 provided on the upstream half-shell 21.

The movable rod 25 therefore returns to its starting position (Figure 1).

Claims (4)

1 - Device for the remote control of a device,  such as a sanitary appliance, flush type,  including  - a tap (2) connected to an upstream pipe  inlet (3) of pressurized fluid and a  downstream pipeline (4)  - a control member (5) connected to the pipeline  downstream (4) and comprising a chamber (23) separated by  two volumes by an inner membrane (24)  mobile and cooperating with a pusher (25)  translatable between a first retracted position  closing the access (29) of the fluid to the chamber (23),  and a second position where the pusher (25) is  pushed back under the effect of the fluid pressure in  said chamber (23).  position of the push button (13).  close / open said valve (2) according to the  cooperating with said magnet (15) so as to  - a mobile element arranged in the tap (2) and  an active position (push) and trained with it;  movable magnet (15) between an inactive position and  - a push button assembly (6) comprising a 2 - Device according to claim 1, characterized in  that the control member (5) includes a spring  return (28) of the membrane / pusher assembly  (24-25) towards a closing position of the arrival  of water in the chamber (23). 3 - Device according to one of claims 1 or 2,  characterized in that said magnet (15) is shaped  annular. 4 - Device according to one of claims 1 to 3,  characterized in that the tap (2) consists  of a solenoid valve.