GB2570265A - Control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern, and a control unit for use with the same - Google Patents
Control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern, and a control unit for use with the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2570265A GB2570265A GB1707704.1A GB201707704A GB2570265A GB 2570265 A GB2570265 A GB 2570265A GB 201707704 A GB201707704 A GB 201707704A GB 2570265 A GB2570265 A GB 2570265A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- control system
- flushing
- valve
- switch
- pump
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
- E03D5/02—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor
- E03D5/024—Operated hydraulically or pneumatically
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
- E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
- E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
- E03D5/02—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Structures Of Non-Positive Displacement Pumps (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
Abstract
A control system for controlling a flushing operation of a flushing valve of a cistern by which water is discharged from the cistern, the control system comprising: at least one pump unit 3 for actuating the flushing valve; at least one switch for actuating the at least one pump unit; 11 a rechargeable a battery 15 for powering the at least one pump unit; and a microgenerator pipe fitting 19 which is fluidly connected to an infeed 21 of the cistern and electrically connected to the battery to charge the battery. Also disclosed is a control assembly for a control system, the control assembly comprising a housing defining an enclosed chamber and at least one air pump disclosed within the housing. The control system may further comprise first and second pump units, which actuate the flushing valve providing for respective first and second flushing operations.
Description
The present invention relates to a control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern, and a control unit for use with the same.
Various prior systems exist, such as disclosed in the inventor's earlier EP-A2082100.
The present inventor, however, has devised an improved control system, which generates sufficient power from previous flushing operations to enable continued operation without requiring an external power source or replacement of a battery power source.
In one aspect the present invention provides a control system for controlling a flushing operation of a flushing valve of a cistern by which water is discharged from the cistern, the control system comprising: at least one pump unit for actuating the flushing valve; at least one switch for actuating the at least one pump unit; a rechargeable a battery for powering the at least one pump unit; and a microgenerator pipe fitting which is fluidly connected to an infeed of the cistern and electrically connected to the battery to charge the battery.
In one embodiment the control system comprises: first and second pump units, which actuate the flushing valve to provide for respective ones of first and second flushing operations.
In another embodiment the control system comprises: a single pump unit, which is actuated for first and second durations to actuate the flushing valve to provide for first and second flushing operations.
• 2 In one embodiment the control system comprises: first and second switches for actuating the at least one pump unit.
In one embodiment the first switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a first flushing operation and the second switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a second flushing operation different to the first flushing operation.
In another embodiment the control system comprises: a single switch for actuating the at least one pump unit, which is actuated in first and second different ways to provide for first and second flushing operations.
In one embodiment the single switch is actuated for first and second durations to provide for first and second flushing operations.
In one embodiment the first duration represents a period less than a defined time and the second duration represents a period greater than a defined time.
In one embodiment the at least one switch is a contact switch, optionally a press switch.
In another embodiment the at least one switch is a contactless switch, optionally an infra-red sensor.
In one embodiment the microgenerator pipe fitting comprises a coupling which is connected to the infeed of the cistern and includes a flow path through which water flows following a flushing operation, an impeller which is movably disposed within the flow path and is driven by a water flow through the flow path, and a microgenerator which is connected to the impeller so as to be driven by the impeller and generate electricity.
In another aspect the present invention provides a control assembly for a control system for controlling a flushing operation of a flushing valve of a cistern by which water is discharged from the cistern, the control assembly comprising: a housing which defines an enclosed chamber which encloses a volume of air; and at least one pump unit which is disposed within the housing, wherein the at least one pump unit comprises a pump, an outlet which is fluidly connected to the pump from which air is pumped from the chamber to the flushing valve and returned from the flushing valve to the chamber, and a valve which is selectively openable to allow for air to be returned from the flushing valve to the chamber, the valve being closed when the pump is actuated to pump air from the chamber to the flushing valve, and opened to allow air to be returned from the flushing valve to the chamber.
In one embodiment the enclosed chamber is watertight.
~^n one embodiment the valve is closed with actuation of the pump, whereby air is pumped by the pump through the outlet.
In one embodiment the pump and the valve are electrically operated, optionally in parallel.
In one embodiment the valve is normally open, such that, on de-actuation of the pump, the valve is open and air is returned to the chamber from the flushing valve.
In one embodiment the pump comprises an electrical motor and an impeller which is driven by the motor to pump air.
In one embodiment the valve is a solenoid valve.
In one embodiment the control assembly further comprises: a rechargeable battery which is disposed within the housing.
In one embodiment the control assembly comprises: a single pump unit which comprises a single pump which is actuated for first and second durations to actuate the flushing valve to provide for first and second flushing operations.
In a further aspect the present invention provides a control system for controlling a flushing operation of a flushing valve of a cistern by which water is discharged from the cistern, the control system comprising: the abovedescribed control assembly; and at least one switch for actuating the at least one pump unit.
In one embodiment the control system further comprises: a rechargeable a battery for powering the at least one pump unit; and a microgenerator pipe fitting which is fluidly connected to an infeed of the cistern and electrically connected to the battery to charge the battery.
In one embodiment the microgenerator pipe fitting comprises a coupling which is connected to the infeed of the cistern and includes a flow path through which water flows following a flushing operation, an impeller which is movably disposed within the flow path and is driven by a water flow through the flow path, and a microgenerator which is connected to the impeller so as to be driven by the impeller and generate electricity.
In one embodiment the control system comprises: first and second switches for actuating the at least one pump unit.
In one embodiment the first switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a first flushing operation and the second switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a second flushing operation different to the first flushing operation.
In another embodiment the control system comprises: a single switch for actuating the at least one pump unit, which is actuated in first and second different ways to provide for first and second flushing operations.
In one embodiment the single switch is actuated for first and second durations to provide for first and second flushing operations.
In one embodiment the first duration represents a period less than a defined time and the second duration represents a period greater than a defined time.
In one embodiment the at least one switch is a contact switch, optionally a press switch.
In another embodiment the at least one switch is a contactless switch, optionally an infra-red sensor.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described hereinbelow by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates the microgenerator pipe fitting of the control system of Figure 1;
Figure 3 illustrates a control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and
Figures 4(a) and (b) illustrate the control assembly of the control system of Figure 3.
Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention
The control system comprises at least one pump unit 3 for pneumatically actuating a pneumatic flushing valve 5 of a cistern 7 in a flushing operation, at least one switch 11 for actuating the at least one pump unit 3, a rechargeable battery 15 for powering the at least one pump unit 3, and a microgenerator pipe fitting 19 which is fluidly connected to an infeed 21 of the cistern 7 and electrically connected to the battery 15 to charge the battery 15 following a flushing operation, in which the cistern 7 is filled with water.
In this embodiment the control system comprises first and second pump units 3a, b, which actuate the flushing valve 5 to provide for first and second flushing operations, here short and long flushes.
In an alternative embodiment the control system could comprise only a single pump unit 3, which can be actuated for first and second durations to provide for first and second flushing operations, here short and long flushes.
In this embodiment the control system comprises first and second switches Ila, b for actuating the at least one pump unit 3.
In this embodiment the first switch Ila actuates the at least one pump unit 3 to provide a first flushing operation, here a short flush, and the second switch 11b actuates the at least one pump unit 3 to provide a second flushing operation, here a long flush.
In an alternative embodiment the control system could comprise only a single switch 11 for actuating the at least one pump unit 3, which can be actuated for first and second durations to provide for first and second flushing operations, here short and long flushes. In one embodiment the first duration represents a period less than a defined time and the second duration represents a period greater than a defined time.
In this embodiment the at least one switch 11 is a contact switch, such as a press switch.
In an alternative embodiment the at least one switch 11 could be a contactless switch, such as an infra-red sensor.
In this embodiment the microgenerator pipe fitting 19 comprises a coupling 25 which is connected to the infeed 21 of the cistern 7 and includes a flow path 27 through which water flows following a flushing operation in filling the cistern 7, an impeller 29 which is rotatably disposed within the flow path 27 and is driven by a water flow, and a microgenerator 31 which is connected to the impeller 29 so as to be driven by the impeller 29 and generate electricity which is stored by the battery 15.
In this embodiment the power generated by the microgenerator 31 exceeds that required to maintain the battery 15 in a charged state.
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate a control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
The control system of this embodiment is quite similar to the control system of the above-described embodiment, and thus, in order to avoid unnecessary duplication of description, only the differences will be described in detail, with like parts being designated like reference signs.
In this embodiment the control system includes a control assembly 41 which incorporates the at least one pump unit 3 and the battery 15.
In this embodiment the control assembly 41 comprises a housing 43 which defines an enclosed chamber 45 which encloses a volume of air and houses the at least one pump unit 3 and the battery 15.
- 8 In this embodiment the enclosed chamber 45 is watertight.
In this embodiment the at least one pump unit 3 comprises a pump 49, an outlet 51 which is fluidly connected to the pump 49 from which air is pumped from the chamber 45 to the flushing valve 5 and returned from the flushing valve 5 to the chamber 45, and a valve 53 which is selectively openable to allow for air to be returned from the flushing valve 5 to the chamber 45.
In this embodiment the valve 53 is closed when the pump 49 is actuated to pump air from the chamber 45 to the flushing valve 5, and opened to allow air to be returned from the flushing valve 5 to the chamber 45.
In this embodiment the pump 49 and the valve 53 are electrically operated, here in parallel, such that the valve 53 is closed with actuation of the pump 49, whereby air is pumped by the pump 49 through the outlet 51.
In this embodiment the valve 53 is normally open, such that, on de-actuation of the pump 49, the valve 53 is open and air is returned to the chamber 45 from the flushing valve 5 as a consequence of the reduced pressure in the chamber 45.
In this embodiment the pump 49 comprises an electrical motor 61 and an impeller 63 which is driven by the motor 61.
In this embodiment the valve 49 is a solenoid valve.
Finally, it will be understood that the present invention has been described in its preferred embodiments and can be modified in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (30)
1> A control system for controlling a flushing operation of a flushing valve of a cistern by which water is discharged from the cistern, the control system comprising:
at ieast one pump unit for actuating the flushing valve;
at least one switch for actuating the at least one pump unit;
a rechargeable a battery for powering the at least one pump unit; and a microgenerator pipe fitting which is fluidly connected to an infeed of the cistern and electrically connected to the battery to charge the battery.
2> The control system of claim 1, comprising:
first and second pump units, which actuate the flushing valve to provide for respective ones of first and second flushing operations.
3. The control system of claim 1. comprising:
a single pump unit, which is actuated for first and second durations to actuate the flushing valve to provide for first and second flushing operations.
4. The control system of any of claims 1 to 3, comprising:
first and second switches for actuating the at least one pump unit.
5. The control system of claim 4, wherein the first switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a first flushing operation and the second switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a second flushing operation different to the first flushing operation.
6. The control system of any of claims 1 to 3, comprising:
a single switch for actuating the at least one pump unit, which is actuated in first and second different ways to provide for first and second flushing operations.
7, The control system of claim 6, wherein the single switch is actuated for first and second durations to provide for first and second flushing operations.
8. The control system of claim 7, wherein the first duration represents a period less than a defined time and the second duration represents a period greater than a defined time.
9x The control system of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one switch is a contact switch, optionally a press switch.
10. The control system of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one switch is a contactless switch, optionally an infra-red sensor.
11. The control system of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the microgenerator pipe fitting comprises a coupling which is connected to the infeed of the cistern and includes a flow path through which water flows following a flushing operation, an impeller which is movably disposed within the flow path and is driven by a water flow through the flow path, and a microgenerator which is connected to the impeller so as to be driven by the impeller and generate electricity.
12. A control assembly for a control system for controlling a flushing operation of a flushing valve of a cistern by which water is discharged from the cistern, the control assembly comprising:
a housing which defines an enclosed chamber which encloses a volume of air; and at least one pump unit which is disposed within the housing, wherein the at least one pump unit comprises a pump, an outlet which is fluidly connected to the pump from which air is pumped from the chamber to the flushing valve and returned from the flushing valve to the chamber, and a valve which is selectively operable to allow for air to be returned
- 11 from the flushing valve to the chamber, the valve being closed when the pump Is actuated to pump air from the chamber to the flushing valve, and opened to allow air to be returned from the flushing valve to the chamber.
13. The control assembly of claim 12, wherein the enclosed chamber is watertight.
14. The control assembly of claim 12 or 13, wherein the valve is closed with actuation of the pump, whereby air is pumped by the pump through the outlet.
15. The control assembly of claim 14, wherein the pump and the valve are electrically operated, optionally in parallel.
16. The control assembly of claim 14 or 15, wherein the valve is normally open, such that, on de-actuation of the pump, the valve is open and air is returned to the chamber from the flushing valve.
17. The control assembly of any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the pump comprises an electrical motor and an impeller which is driven by the motor to pump air.
18. The control assembly of any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the valve is a solenoid valve.
19. The control assembly of any of claims 12 to IS, further comprising: a rechargeable battery which is disposed within the housing.
20. The control assembly of any of claims 12 to 19, comprising:
a single pump unit which comprises a single pump which is actuated for first and second durations to actuate the flushing valve to provide for first and second flushing operations.
21. A control system for controlling a flushing operation of a flushing valve of a cistern by which water is discharged from the cistern, the control system comprising:
the control assembly of any of claims 12 to 2.0; and at least one switch for actuating the at least one pump unit.
22. The control system of claim 21, further comprising:
a rechargeable a battery for powering the at least one pump unit; and a microgenerator pipe fitting which is fluidly connected to an infeed of the cistern and electrically connected to the battery to charge the battery.
23. The control system of claim 22, wherein the microgenerator pipe fitting comprises a coupling which is connected to the infeed of the cistern and includes a flow path through which water flows following a flushing operation, an impeller which is movably disposed within the flow path and is driven by a water flow through the flow path, and a microgenerator which is connected to the impeller so as to be driven by the impeller and generate electricity.
24. The control system of any of claims 21 to 23, comprising:
first and second switches for actuating the at least one pump unit
25. The control system of claim 24, wherein the first switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a first flushing operation and the second switch actuates the at least one pump unit to provide a second flushing operation different to the first flushing operation,
26. The control system of any of claims 21 to 23, comprising:
a single switch for actuating the at least one pump unit, which is actuated in first and second different ways to provide for first and second flushing operations.
27. The control system of claim 26, wherein the single switch is actuated for first and second durations to provide for first and second flushing operations.
28 The control system of claim 21, wherein the first duration represents a period less than a defined time and the second duration represents a period greater than a defined time.
29. The control system of any of claims 21 to 28, wherein the at least one switch is a contact switch, optionally a press switch.
30. The control system of any of claims 21 to 28, wherein the at least one switch is a contactless switch, optionally an infra-red sensor.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1707704.1A GB2570265A (en) | 2017-01-30 | 2017-05-12 | Control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern, and a control unit for use with the same |
| PCT/EP2018/051872 WO2018138215A2 (en) | 2017-01-30 | 2018-01-25 | Control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern, and a control unit for use with the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GBGB1701436.6A GB201701436D0 (en) | 2017-01-30 | 2017-01-30 | Control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern |
| GB1707704.1A GB2570265A (en) | 2017-01-30 | 2017-05-12 | Control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern, and a control unit for use with the same |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB201707704D0 GB201707704D0 (en) | 2017-06-28 |
| GB2570265A true GB2570265A (en) | 2019-07-24 |
Family
ID=61192877
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB1707704.1A Withdrawn GB2570265A (en) | 2017-01-30 | 2017-05-12 | Control system for controlling flushing of a flushing valve of a cistern, and a control unit for use with the same |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2570265A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2018138215A2 (en) |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS59217074A (en) * | 1983-05-07 | 1984-12-07 | Inax Corp | Automatic water feeder |
| DE10061615A1 (en) * | 2000-12-11 | 2002-06-13 | Grohedal Gmbh & Co Kg | Operating switch or control for a water closet cistern triggered by pump hydraulic action with water from cistern |
| JP2003278216A (en) * | 2002-03-25 | 2003-10-02 | Toto Ltd | Power source equipment for automatic water spout device |
| EP2082100A1 (en) * | 2006-10-25 | 2009-07-29 | Ahmet Ersal Mehmet | System for controlling flushing of a cistern |
| JP2011074618A (en) * | 2009-09-29 | 2011-04-14 | Toto Ltd | Automatic water supply apparatus |
| CN202108102U (en) * | 2011-06-11 | 2012-01-11 | 金国鑫 | Buoyancy force induction type urinal |
| CN102465561A (en) * | 2010-11-18 | 2012-05-23 | 银庆宇 | Non-transformer intelligent infrared induction washing method and device |
Family Cites Families (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2446148A (en) * | 2007-02-02 | 2008-08-06 | Ahmet Ersal Mehmet | Fluid flow driven turbine |
| WO2016079744A1 (en) * | 2014-11-20 | 2016-05-26 | Shai Finkman | Automatic fragrance dispensing |
-
2017
- 2017-05-12 GB GB1707704.1A patent/GB2570265A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2018
- 2018-01-25 WO PCT/EP2018/051872 patent/WO2018138215A2/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS59217074A (en) * | 1983-05-07 | 1984-12-07 | Inax Corp | Automatic water feeder |
| DE10061615A1 (en) * | 2000-12-11 | 2002-06-13 | Grohedal Gmbh & Co Kg | Operating switch or control for a water closet cistern triggered by pump hydraulic action with water from cistern |
| JP2003278216A (en) * | 2002-03-25 | 2003-10-02 | Toto Ltd | Power source equipment for automatic water spout device |
| EP2082100A1 (en) * | 2006-10-25 | 2009-07-29 | Ahmet Ersal Mehmet | System for controlling flushing of a cistern |
| JP2011074618A (en) * | 2009-09-29 | 2011-04-14 | Toto Ltd | Automatic water supply apparatus |
| CN102465561A (en) * | 2010-11-18 | 2012-05-23 | 银庆宇 | Non-transformer intelligent infrared induction washing method and device |
| CN202108102U (en) * | 2011-06-11 | 2012-01-11 | 金国鑫 | Buoyancy force induction type urinal |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2018138215A2 (en) | 2018-08-02 |
| WO2018138215A3 (en) | 2018-09-27 |
| GB201707704D0 (en) | 2017-06-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |