IL116612A

IL116612A - Flushing mechanism of a flushing cistern

Info

Publication number: IL116612A
Application number: IL11661295A
Authority: IL
Original assignee: Friatec Keramik Kunststoff
Priority date: 1995-01-18
Filing date: 1995-12-29
Publication date: 1998-12-06
Also published as: DE19501355A1; FI960248A0; IL116612A0; DE19501355C2; NO960206D0; CZ5496A3; PL312351A1; EP0723050A1; SK5096A3; NO960206L; FI960248A

Description

FLUSHING MECHANISM OF A FLUSHING CISTERN na'D© ί 'η^ na>DO nmDn Flushing mechanism of a flushing cistern The invention relates to a flushing mechanism of a flushing cistern for two-volume flushing according to the features as defined in the preamble of claim 1.

From the German Utility Pattern DE 84 36 155 Ul there is known such a flushing mechanism whereby, selectively, a full or partial flush can be carried out. The flushing mechanism comprises a bottom valve, a valve tube and two floats on which the valve tube can be supported. Within a lid of the flushing cistern, there are provided levers for locking and unlocking, which levers can be actuated from the outside by means of keys or the like and act upon push rods in the flushing cistern. The push rods are acted upon by pressure forces and as long as an effective connection exists with the associated lever, the corresponding float is restrained. By releasing the upper float, the buoyancy of the latter causes a lifting of the valve tube and the opening of the bottom valve for a partial flush. If, however, both floats are released, the buoyancy of both floats become effective and the bottom valve is opened for full flushing. At least the push rod for the lower float is of considerable length and must be of a sturdy design to be able to transmit the pressure forces reliably, calling for a substantial total weight, which must be taken up by the lower and thus large, float. The flushing mechanism is dimensioned for a given total height of the flushing cistern and for use in another, e.g., higher, flushing cistern, not inconsiderable changes are required. Opening of the bottom valve is effected by the buoyancy of the released floats, and direct actuation of the valve tube is not possible. Particularly in view of scale formation or other dirt deposition, the possibility can not be excluded in practice that the valve tube will no longer be able to freely ascend in the required manner. In such a case, proper function is not easily reestablished from the outside by actuation of the keys.

Further known, from DE 36 18 671 C2, is a flushing mechanism with a weight body that, when a partial flush is triggered, is raised together with a valve tube and a valve body. The weight body weighs down on the raised valve body and, against the buoyant force of a float arrangement, presses the latter downwards onto a valve seat. On the other hand, triggering a full flushing will raise only the valve tube, while the weight body remains in a predetermined position and is not raised together with the tube. Thus without the added load of the weight body, the valve tube gains the valve seat only after the complete emptying of the flushing cistern. There is need for a special triggering and retaining arrangement for the weight body, resulting in additional expenses. A full or partial flush, if demanded, is triggered by means of one of two separate keys which are coupled with the triggering device via appropriate levers.

Proceeding from this, it is one object of the invention to further develop a flushing mechanism of the above type in such a way that a well-defined two-volume flushing can be realized at low manufacturing and assembly cost. Mounting of the flushing mechanism in a flushing cistern and possibly required cleaning or servicing tasks should be effectible in a simple manner .Material costs and/or number of components should be reduced to a minimum. Finally, the flushing mechanism should exhibit high functional reliability and long service life.

This object is achieved in accordance with the characterizing features of claim 1.

The proposed flushing mechanism is distinguished by a functionally reliable design and does not require costly or trouble-prone components. The flushing mechanism comprises two floats, one of which can be arrested relative to the damper vessel by means of a locking unit, so that only the upper float is effective and a partial water volume can exit the cistern for a partial flush. For full flushing, the other, lower, float, too, is released by means of the unlocking unit. Partial flushing is triggered by the raising of a first actuating member, while the above-mentioned locking is maintained. By raising a second actuating member, the unlocking unit can be actuated, if required, in order, on the one hand, to release the locking unit of the first float and, on the other, to lift the valve tube. When triggering the partial flush or the full flush, the valve tube is lifted directly by means of the actuating members, without the need to float upwards via, and together with, the floats.

The locking unit facilitates simple attachment, within the flushing cistern, to the damper vessel, with the upwards leading actuating members serving for transmitting pulling forces only and being, therefore, of a slender design. The locking unit comprises catches or the like, which facilitate positive coupling with the damper vessel of the first float. The damper vessel comprises at least one coupling element with which the locking unit, especially its catch, is adapted to engage. The coupling element according to the invention is in the form of a projection, a hook, an opening, a groove, or the like. The flushing mechanism proposed is of a simple, functional design and, without problems, facilitates triggering either a partial or a full flush. Triggering is effected selectively by actuation of one of the two actuating members, with malfunctions not appearing even when the two actuating members are operated simultaneously, especially if raised simultaneously. The damper vessel is advantageously provided with an opening the free water-exit cross section of which can be preset. This purpose is especially served by a damper slide assigned to the above-mentioned opening, which slide permits this opening to be enlarged or reduced to a greater or lesser degree.

Further developments and particular details of the invention are specified in the subclaims as well as in the description of a specific embodiment.

In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with the aid of the embodiment represented in the drawings, in which, partly in an elevational view, and partly in an axial cross section, there is seen in Fig. 1 the flushing mechanism in its position of rest; Fig. 2 the flushing mechanism upon actuation of a partial flush; Fig. 3 the flushing mechanism upon conclusion of the partial flush; Fig. 4 the flushing mechanism upon triggering of the full flush, and Fig. 5 the flushing mechanism upon conclusion of the full flush.

The flushing mechanism represented in Fig. 1 comprises a bottom valve 2 which, in a per se known manner, is connected with a flushing cistern 4 only partly indicated. By way of example, bottom valve 2 can be screwed or plugged into flushing cistern 4, with provision of appropriate seals, or it can be integral with the housing of cistern 4. Bottom valve 2 extends as an annular member upwardly in direction of longitudinal axis 6 and caries a damper vessel 8, in which is disposed a first float 10, advantageously made of Styrofoam. Float 10 is appropriately of an annular shape and is adapted to move in direction of longitudinal axis 6 in damper vessel 8, in accordance with the water level in flushing cistern 4. Bottom valve 2 and damper vessel 8, preferably detachably connected with the latter, surround a valve tube preferably consisting of a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 14. The valve tube is advisably designed as an overflow tube and , in the following, is designated as such. Bottom valve 2 has a valve seat 16 which is associated with a valve body 18 connected with the overflow tube or its lower portion 12. Valve body 18 has the shape of a disk-shaped seal made of an elastomer. The annular portion of bottom valve 2 disposed within flushing cistern 4 is provided with webs 20 distributed over its circumference. With raised overflow tube and valve body 18, water from the interior of flushing cistern 4 can flow between webs 20 via an outlet socket 5 and a pipe attached thereto into a toilet bowl.

As already mentioned, the valve - or overflow tube is divided into a lower portion 12 and an upper portion 14, which are connected to one another via a seal 26 and a screw thread 28. By provision of the pertinent dimensions and, if need be, exchange of the upper portion 14 of the overflow tube, the flushing mechanism is easily adapted to the maximum flushing-water level of, preferably, 9 liters of any particular flushing cistern. The dashed line 30, for instance, marks the 9 - liter flushing-water level of a particular flushing cistern. If in another flushing cistern the distance between the maximum flushing- water level to the bottom of the flushing cistern is larger, all that is needed is to increase the length of upper portion 14. Analogously, a shorter upper portion 14 must be provided for a lower maximum flushing-water level in another flushing cistern. Due to the two-part design of the overflow pipe, adaptation to whatever cistern is used, can be performed reliably and without problems.

Damper vessel 8 comprises an opening 32 penetrating the outer wall, through which water from the inner space 34 of the damper vessel 8 can flow out. Opening 32 is associated with a slide 36 which can be actuated from the upper edge of the flushing cistern via an upwards leading rod 38. By means of slide 36, opening 32 can be enlarged or reduced to a greater or lesser degree, thereby adjusting the flow cross section for the water flowing out from the inner space 34. The velocity of the water discharging from damper vessel 8 can thus be regulated, facilitating a stepless setting of the full flush between two predetermined limit values, especially between flushing quantities of 6 and 9 liters. As rod 38 projects upwardly, As against this, first float 10 is blocked in damper vessel 8 by a locking unit 48 and prevented from floating up. Locking unit 48 is directly assigned to damper vessel 8, in which float 10 is blockable. Cover hood 45 surrounds with its preferably widened lower portion 49, locking unit 48 as well as catches, guide bodies and other mechanical components to be explained further below, which are thus reliably protected against damage from the outside, ensuring hi gher quality. Locking unit 48 is advantageously assigned to the upper region of damper vessel 8 and comprises a projection 50 against which float 10 abuts. In the position shown, float 10 is arrested by locking unit 48 in such a way that its buoyancy will not affect valve tube 12, 14.

Cover hood 45 is connected to damper vessel 8. To this end, it is provided with an advantageously radially outward directed ring 51 or the like. Cover hood 45 facilitates a liquid - tight connection with damper vessel 8, whereby no water can enter from above, in spite of the fact that, at its upper side, vessel 8 is provided with openings through which protrude projection or projections 50 of unlocking unit 48 . Cover hood 45, especially its lower portion 49, is with its lower end preferably detachably connected with said ring 51. Within cover hood 45, more precisely in the lower portion 49 thereof, are arranged locking unit 48, the unlocking unit to be explained further below, and the at least one coupling element of the damper vessel, thereby being reliably protected against interference from the outside or damage, particularly during mounting or servicing operations.

Fig. 3 represents the flushing mechanism upon conclusion of the partial or small flush. Part of the water has flown off through bottom valve 2 and the upper water level has assumed a position according to line 52, which, for example, corresponds to a water volume of 6 liters. Starting from water line 30, corresponding to a water volume of 9 liters, the small flush has thus consumed 3 liters. Due to the lowering of the water line, the buoyant rise of second float 44 has been interrupted, with overflow tube 12, 14 also descending, and bottom valve 2 being shut by sealing ring 18. This concludes the flushing process for the partial flush.

Triggering of the full flush, initiated by lifting a second actuating member 54 in direction of arrow 56, is explained with the aid of Fig. 4. Second actuation member 54 is connected either with lower portion 12 of the overflow tube or, preferably, with an unlocking unit 58, thereby facilitating the release of locking unit 48 and, consequently, of first float 10. Locking unit 48 comprises, preferably on a carrier member 59, at least one catch 60. Carrier member 59 is preferably plate - shaped, with, on its underside, there being arranged the above - mentioned projection 50 which protrudes from above into damper vessel 8. Furthermore, on carrier member 59 there is mounted the at least one catch 60, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis. Along the periphery of locking unit 48 and/or plate - shaped carrier unit 59 there are advantageously distributed several such catches 60. Although a pivot mounting of the catches has proved to be particularly practical, it would be within the scope of the invention to have the catch or catches mounted on carrier member 59 in a different way, for example, by means of a sloping guide arrangement. It is good practice to arrange at least two, preferably three such catches uniformly distributed along the periphery.

Locking unit 48 having been released by unlocking unit 58, first float 10 was now able to float up. When pulled up, unlocking unit 58 acts on locking unit 48 to the effect of releasing float 10. In the embodiment shown, catch 60 is provided at its upper end with a small lever 62 which can be acted upon by unlocking unit 58. The latter, which is provided with a pulling tube 63, comprises at the lower end of that tube a disk 64 with slot-like openings 66 with which are associated levers 62 of catches 60. Lever 62 is angled and forms an inclined plane, so that when unlocking unit 58 is lifted, catch 60 is swung outwards, into the position shown. Catch 60 is provided with a nose 67 which interacts with a hook-like projection of coupling element 68 of damper vessel 8. According to the invention, as long as catch 60 is in engagement with coupling element 68 of damper vessel 8, first float 10 is blocked.

By lifting of the second actuating member 54, the coupling, illustrated in the preceding Figures, between damper vessel 8 and locking unit 48 has been severed, so that first float 10 is now free to ascend. The overflow tube, more precisely, upper portion 14, is provided with an abutment body 70, preferably in the shape of an annular collar, with which unlocking unit 58 cooperates as well. Pulling tube 63 of unlocking unit 58 engages with its upper edge 69 annular collar 70 of the overflow tube. Pulling up of second actuating member 54 causes at the same time also the overflow tube to be lifted up, as unlocking unit 58 abuts on the lower edge of the abutment body or annular collar 70 of the overflow tube. During the opening of bottom valve 2, there exists thus a direct frictional and/or positive coupling between actuating member 54 and the valve or overflow tube. Thus, opening of the valve is effected not by the buoyant force of the float, but directly by pulling up actuating member 54.

If, after the opening of bottom valve 2, the water level and thus also the valve tube supported primarily by the upper, first, float 44, has sunk down to some degree, the distance previously existing, according to Fig. 4, between unlocking unit 58 or rather its disk 64 and the locking unit or rather its carrier member 59, drops towards zero. Between the first, lower, float 10 and valve tube 12, 14, there is effective now, via locking unit 48, more particularly, its projection 50 and carrier member 59, and furthermore via unlocking unit 58, i.e., its disk 64 and pulling tube 63 as well as annular collar 70, a force - maintained coupling, so that the valve tube is now supported by the two floats 10 and 44. Consequently, during a full flush, the valve tube is raised due to the buoyancy of floats 10, 44, and the water can exit below, through bottom valve 2.

Damper vessel 8 is provided with upwards projecting guide bodies 72 for locking unit 48. Several such guide bodies 72 are preferably distributed in pairs along the circumference, in such a way that one of said catches 60 will be located between each two of guide bodies 72. Ease and smoothness of the upward and downward movement of locking unit 48 is in this way ensured, and skewing as well as jamming of locking unit 48 thus prevented. Unlocking unit 58, too, is guided by guide bodies 72 which, like levers 62, project through the slot - like openings 66. Due to this particular design, locking unit 48 as well as unlocking unit 58 are protected against rotation about longitudinal axis 6.

Finally, Fig. 5 shows the flushing mechanism after conclusion of a full flush. After the emptying of damper vessel 8, the buoyant rise of first float 10 is interrupted. Overflow tube 12,14 has consequently descended and the seal or valve body 18 now rests on valve seat 16, so that water can no longer flow out. Due to the descent of first float 10, locking unit 48 and unlocking unit 58, too, have descended. Catches 60, preferably pivotable about horizontal axes, again engage with their noses 67 their associated projections 68 of damper vessel 8. As can be seen, unlocking unit 58, that is, its disk 64, rests on the upper edge 74 of catch 60, the overall weight of unlocking unit 58 consequently ensuring a functionally secure engagement of catches 60 with projections 68 of damper vessel 8.

Slide 36 defines the effective outflow cross section of the water from inner space 34 through opening 32. Depending on the position of slide 36, the water level, starting from its maximum of 9 liters according to line 30, may descend only partially, that is, to line 76, in which case 3 liters of water remain in the cistern, or the latter can be totally emptied, as indicated by the dash - dotted line 78, corresponding to a residual water level.

Claims

10 116,612/2 WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A flushing mechanism of a flushing cistern, comprising a bottom valve actuatable for a partial flush or a full flush, a valve tube to which is rigidly connected an upwardly extending actuating member to be raised for triggering a flush, a first float arranged in a damper vessel, a second float, and a locking unit arranged in the region of the damper vessel and comprising at least one movable catch for arresting the first float relative to the damping vessel, wherein said valve tube is supportable on said second float, further comprising an unlocking unit for releasing of said first float upon the triggering of a full flush, wherein said locking unit of the first float is released by means of said unlocking unit; characterized in that said damper vessel comprises a coupling element which, during partial flush, is engaged by said catch, and from which said catch is disengageable when a full flush is triggered; that said catch is mounted on a carrier member of said locking unit; that said unlocking unit surrounds said valve tube and is provided with a pulling tube, to which a second, upward-leading actuating member, to be lifted for triggering a full flush, is connected in such a way that, upon a full flush being triggered, said unlocking unit is lifted, and that, by means of a disk of said unlocking device, the latter, when lifted, disengages said locking unit from the damping vessel.

2. The flushing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said locking unit is arranged in the region of the upper end of said damper vessel. 1 1 1 16,612/2

3. The flushing mechanism as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said unlocking unit is arranged in the region of the upper end of said damper vessel.

4. The flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said catch is mounted on the carrier member of said locking unit.

5. The flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said valve tube comprises a lower portion and an upper portion which are connected with one another by means of a screw thread, wherein, by changing and setting the length of said upper portion, adaptation to differently designed flushing cisterns is possible.

6. The flushing mechanism as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that, on said upper portion of said valve tube, a finger is arranged by means of which said valve tube is supportable on said second float, said finger being arranged in such a way as to be adjustable in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said valve tube.

7. The flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said unlocking unit, when lifted, engages with an abutment body of said valve tube for the lifting thereof.

8. The flushing mechanism as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that, after triggering of the full flush, said valve tube is supportable on said first float via the unlocking unit and the released locking unit. 12 1 16,612/2

9. The flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said damper vessel is provided with at least one guide body for the locking unit or the unlocking unit.

10. The flushing mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that said second float, said locking unit and said unlocking unit are arranged in a cover hood, and that said cover hood is connected with the damper vessel of said first float.

11. A flushing mechanism as claimed in claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings. for the Applicant: WOLFF, BREGMAN AND GOLLER