JPH0585698B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a vacuum operated flush latrine waste disposal system specifically designed for use in passenger transport aircraft.

The use of vacuum pressure to assist or perform flushing operations on waste disposal equipment in vehicles such as buses, trains and aircraft is well known in the prior art and is currently available in vacuum-operated flushing toilets. The device is already used on commercial aircraft.

For example, U.S. Patent Publications No. 3995328 and 3922730
As disclosed in US Pat. A vacuum-powered toilet waste transfer device is adopted. Vacuum pressure for operating these devices at low altitudes or low altitudes is provided by a vacuum generator, while during high altitude flight the vacuum pressure is maintained by venting the device to the outside air.

The prior art devices described above have a number of drawbacks. That is, these systems are complex systems requiring numerous pumps, valves, filtration systems, and devices for deodorizing and cleaning the liquid waste used to circulate the cleaning fluid. As a result of this complexity, prior art devices such as those described above, although improved over gravity drainage devices,
However, they are still relatively heavy and require a high degree of maintenance without significantly improving the overall reliability of the equipment. Obvious disadvantages include the fact that filters and valves in waste holding tanks tend to become clogged with pulped paper waste, which reduces the efficiency and reliability of the equipment, and that wash water circulation pumps and flushing equipment are prone to clogging with pulped waste. the tendency for mineral deposits to build up; the recycling of waste materials and associated sanitary problems; and the leakage of waste materials into the cabin
For example, there is a risk of corrosion of aircraft frame elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a non-circulating vacuum operated flush toilet waste treatment system for use in aircraft and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum operated flush toilet waste disposal device which operates without the use of gravity, thereby allowing the toilet device and the waste containment device to be installed at any desired location. It is in.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum operated flush toilet waste treatment apparatus in which the entire flushing operation is electrically controlled without the use of a motor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum operated flush toilet system that requires no more than about 230 cc of water for clean and sterile flushing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum-operated flush toilet system that can utilize a drain line that is narrower than the drain line used in conventional gravity systems.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum-operated flush toilet that has low manufacturing costs, easy maintenance, and allows for greater flexibility and reliability in device design and equipment since each component is unitized. The goal is to provide equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vacuum operated flush toilet system having a simply designed flush control valve system operated by a vacuum system.

Another object of the present invention is to open the flushing control valve device and use a vacuum operation that utilizes the differential pressure between the inside and outside of the aircraft when flying at a high altitude to suck the waste into the storage tank. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a flush toilet device.

Another object of the invention is that the vacuum section of the device is equipped with a sufficiently large vacuum accumulator so that there is sufficient vacuum power to fully operate the vacuum-operated parts. The purpose is to provide toilet equipment.

Another object of the invention is that in the event of a fire, said flush control valve device is protected by metal, and whether or not parts of the device made of plastic material are destroyed or deformed when said valve device is in the closed position. The object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum-operated flush toilet device with a fire safety device that continues to function.

Another object of the invention is to be reliable in operation;
Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a vacuum-operated flush toilet device that can continue to work for long periods of time without adjustment or repair.

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a non-circulating vacuum-operated flushing waste treatment device for an aircraft having a toilet, comprising: a toilet for receiving waste; a device for supplying flush water to the toilet; , a waste storage tank with a vacuum inside and separated from the washing water supply device; a toilet drainage pipe connecting the toilet and the waste storage tank; and a drainage pipe installed in the drainage pipe. a flexible valve element movable between an open position for opening and a closed position for closing; in the open position, waste in the toilet bowl is sucked and disposed of through the drain line; a flush valve that applies a vacuum to the toilet bowl so as to transfer the waste to the waste storage tank; a connection part to the aircraft cabin pressure and a connection part to the vacuum in the waste storage tank and connected to the flush valve; a passageway; and a valve arrangement disposed in the passageway, the valve arrangement being configured to close the aircraft cabin pressure connection and open the vacuum connection to the flexible valve element of the flush valve. applying a vacuum to open the flush valve, or applying aircraft cabin pressure to the flexible valve element of the flush valve by opening the aircraft cabin pressure connection and closing the vacuum connection; and a flush valve control device operable to close the flush valve when the flush valve is closed.

The present invention is superior to any vacuum-operated flush toilet known to the applicant and is a unique device in all respects, as well as in the construction and operation of each step and part accomplished. Includes combination supplements and auxiliary parts. In particular, the present invention provides a unitized system in which a relatively small amount of wash water and a vacuum created by the aircraft's fresh air or an auxiliary vacuum pump serve as the power to transfer the waste to a unitized holding tank system. Provide vacuum-operated flush toilets.

The advantages of the flush toilet waste treatment device of the present invention over conventional devices are as follows. In other words, most of the components are designed as several complete units to reduce the operating burden of the entire device, and the mounting shape is versatile to fit unique equipment and is compatible with existing aircraft. It has the versatility of being able to be installed without any inconvenience. Additionally, unitization in design of many components simplifies maintenance of the aircraft, and the miniaturization of many components increases overall system reliability.

The vacuum-operated flush toilet waste treatment system of the present invention comprises two basic complete systems: a complete toilet system and an also complete waste storage system. The toilet system is disassembled into four basic units that are unitized for ease of maintenance and simplicity of operation. These are the toilet device, the flush control valve device, the water supply control device, and the electrical control device. On the other hand, a waste storage device consists of one vacuum waste storage tank and the equipment necessary to operate it, that is, a vacuum pump,
Equipped with an electrical control panel and drain valve.
It is located either very close to the toilet device or at some distance.

The full vacuum operated flush toilet waste disposal operation is automatic and only requires manual operation of a handle or button by the user to initiate the flush cycle. This starting operation causes the electric control device to suitably follow the flushing operation to the water supply control device and to open the toilet device to the waste storage tank via the flush control valve device. Then, after a defined period of time, the wash cycle is completed and preparation is made for the next water wash operation.

Only fresh water is used in the operation of the present invention. As a result, there is no need for circulation pumps, valves, filtration mechanisms, or the use of toilet deodorization and hygiene chemicals. One of the unique aspects of the present invention is
Unlike the circulation system, which requires about 1 liter of cleaning fluid, this one requires at most about 230 cc of water to clean thoroughly. This makes it possible to provide a very large number of flushing cycles per amount of water loaded, which ultimately reduces the overall weight of the device.

In another embodiment of the invention in which the toilet bowl device is equipped with an ultrasonic transducer to enhance the flushing action of the water, the transducer action in the absence of flushing water allows for a clean dry flush. However, in many installations, small amounts of water are utilized for psychological effects.

Further objects, aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the more detailed description of embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, the toilet device is comprised of four devices shown framed by dash-dotted lines. These four devices are a toilet device 10, an electrical control device 11, a water supply control device 12,
And the flush control device 13 (flush valve 26 + flush valve control devices 28 to 35). The initiation of this toilet flush cycle is controlled by a control button (or handle) 11a located in place.
Once the flush cycle is activated by pressing the control button 11a, the electrical control device 11
All necessary operations of the invention follow, including sending a signal to the remotely operated vacuum generator 14a if the degree of vacuum in the waste storage tank 14 is below a predetermined value. Also shown in FIG. 1 is a water supply pipe 15 extending from a removable and portable water supply tank 15a as a source of water under pressure. This water supply pipe 15 has a stop valve 16 and an electromagnetic valve 17 through which water flows. The solenoid valve 17 is
It has a solenoid 17a that is excited by an electrical control device 11 via a conductive wire (or cable) 17b. The bow-shaped valve 17c is urged against the valve seat by a weak spring 17d, and closes the water supply pipe 15 in the illustrated position. In order to prevent any water from leaking into the toilet bowl, the water supply pressure acting on the lower side of the chimney-shaped valve 17c increases the pressure applied to the valve seat.

As shown in Figure 2, the side of the toilet bowl is provided with an integral flow regulator 18 and a non-suck valve 20 to prevent backflow through the water supply pipe 15 to prevent inadvertent contamination. ing. Flow rate regulator 18
has a member 19 suitably molded in advance from silicone rubber and a variable orifice 19a that is deformed by a drop in water pressure. When the water pressure in the water supply pipe 15 changes, the member 19 moves accordingly, and the size of its orifice 19a also changes to cut and adjust the amount of water to the toilet bowl 22 regardless of the water pressure. Further, the non-water intake valve 20 employs a jet type sanitary water breaking mechanism in which no parts move, thereby preventing unexpected contamination of the portable water supply tank 15a. Also, air can enter the water supply system so that it can be drained when water supply pressure is no longer present. A water drop structure integrated with the valve body returns severe splashing and backflow water to the toilet bowl. Cleaning water is supplied to the toilet bowl 22 from a combination of a flow rate regulator 18 and a non-water suction valve 20 having a vacuum breaking function.
The water is sent to the ejection ring 21 installed at the top of the pipe. A drain pipe 24 with a gooseneck 25 having a flush valve 26 located downstream of the toilet bowl 22 extends downstream of the toilet bowl.

The gooseneck 25 is formed by metal casting and is designed to prevent the entry of large, soft or solid foreign objects that would not pass through the downstream drain pipe. In this embodiment of the invention, the minimum diameter of gooseneck 25 is approximately
It was 3.8 cm, near the exit of the toilet, just past the first curve in Goosenetsk. From there, the diameter increases gradually to approximately 4.5 cm in the area of the flush valve 26, and from there it extends downwardly towards the waste storage tank 14 to approximately 5.1 cm.
It will have a diameter of .

The gooseneck on the downstream side of the flush valve 26 includes:
A vacuum line 28 having a bimetallic fire safety valve 90 and a check valve 29 leading to the vacuum accumulation chamber 30 is connected. The solenoid valve 31 has a solenoid 32 connected to the electrical control device 11 by an electric wire 32a and is energized via the solenoid. A passage 33 communicating with the interior of the aircraft is provided on the opposite side of the vacuum passage 28b. When the bow valve 34 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, the control chamber 35 of the flush valve 26 is in communication with the pressure within the aircraft cabin. At this time, the flush valve 26 is in a position to block the drain pipe 24. When the solenoid 32 is energized, the bow valve 34 moves to an upper position where it closes the passage 33 and opens the vacuum passage 28b to the control chamber 35. As a result, the suction effect of the vacuum acts to move the flush valve 26 to the open position.

Although not necessary in many cases, numeral 40 designates a vibrating element which imparts vibrations to the toilet bowl to assist in disposing of the waste within the toilet bowl. This vibrating element 40 is controlled via a wire 40a extending to the electrical control device 11.

Before explaining the details of the structure and operation of the flush control valve device 13, a general explanation of the overall operation of the device of the present invention will be given.

The flush cycle of vacuum-operated toilets is controlled by control button 1.
It is started by actuating the electric control device 11 which starts the subsequent operation of the flushing cycle by pressing 1a, first the solenoid valve 17 is actuated and the spring 17 is activated.
By moving the chimney-shaped valve 17c downward against the action of d and the water pressure, the valve 17c is opened. As a result, the water supply pipe 15 is opened, and flush water under pressure flows into the toilet device 10. Typically, wash water is supplied into the equipment at a pressure of 15 to 30 pounds.
The flush water flows through the flow regulator 18 and non-fill valve 20 to the spout ring 21, from where it is discharged onto the inner surface of the toilet bowl.

The electrical control device 11 subsequently activates the flush control valve device, lifting the flap valve 34 to its upper position by energizing the solenoid 32 of the solenoid valve 31 and opening the passage 33 leading to the pressure in the aircraft cabin. Obstruction. As a result, the pressure in the control room 35 is switched from aircraft cabin pressure to vacuum or external pressure, and the flush valve 26 is brought to the open position. When the flush valve 26 opens, the vacuum from the waste storage tank 14 is directed to the toilet bowl 22 via the drain pipe 24. This allows the drain pipe 24 with the gooseneck 25 to
The waste and flush water in the toilet bowl are sucked through the toilet bowl and discharged into the waste storage tank 14. The waste storage tank 14 is equipped with a vacuum generator 1 at low altitudes or lowlands.
4a and, at high altitudes, by the outside air.

The electric control device 11 includes both solenoids 1
Means are provided for reducing the voltage for operating the solenoid valves 17 and 31 to a low voltage approximately 0.5 seconds after 7a and 32 are energized by the high voltage. This produces a reliable high output operating voltage to move the chimney from the valve seat of each of the valves, followed by automatic power down to approximately 10 volts DC for the holding current. This is sufficient to keep both solenoids in their respective energized positions and greatly reduces heat generation.

FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal sectional view of gooseneck 25 and flush valve 26, which is one of the features of the invention and contributes to the successful operation of the invention as a whole.

The gooseneck 25 has an external mounting flange portion 51.
It has an opening 50 surrounded by. A flexible diaphragm valve element 52 connects the vacuum accumulation chamber 30.
It is attached and retained across the opening 50 by a bolted flange portion 53 of a vacuum storage chamber cover 55 forming a vacuum chamber cover 55 . The control chamber 35 is formed by a cylindrical chamber 57 having a cylindrical wall 58 with a bottom flange 59 extending radially outward and clamped between the two flanges 51 and 53. From this ceiling wall 60 a tubular extension 61 extends upwardly through the vaulted wall of the cladding 55 forming the vacuum storage chamber 30. In the control chamber 35 above the diaphragm valve element 52, a semi-cylindrical metal diaphragm coupling member 65 having a semicircular bottom surface is disposed, and the central part of this coupling member is connected to the diaphragm valve by a coupling element 66. It is connected to the central part of element 52. An extension rod 70 of a manual operating handle 69 is inserted into the tubular extension body 61 so as to extend downwardly in a slidable manner. This extension rod 7
0 has a cylindrical blind hole 71 in the center of the lower interior,
Slots 72 extending in the axial direction are provided on both sides of the slot so as to communicate therewith. Connected to the diaphragm coupling member is a rod 75 which is slidably inserted into the blind hole 71 and has transverse pins 76 at the top which project into slots 72 on both sides and serve as stops. An annular bush 77 that closes the lower end of the slot 72 is fixed to the lower end of the extension rod 70. The length of the blind hole 71 and slot 72 into which the rod 75 is loosely fitted is the length of the diaphragm valve element 52.
approximately corresponds to the distance traveled by the rod 75 as it moves between its open and closed positions. Therefore, the manual operating handle 69 does not move during normal flush valve operation. However, when manual operation is required, the manual operation handle 69 is released from the catch 78 and pulled up until the bush 77 engages with the horizontal pin 76. Then, by pulling the handle 69 further upward from this position, the rod 75 is pulled up. This moves the diaphragm valve element 52 to the open position. On the other hand, when the manual operation handle 69 is pushed down against the force of the spring 80, the flush valve 26 is closed.

As shown in FIG. 3, a vacuum passage 28 is connected to a gooseneck immediately downstream of the flush valve 26.
is the flange portion 5 in which the check valve 29 is arranged.
1 and extends through part of 59. Fourth
As shown in the enlarged view of the figure, check valve 29
moves between a closed position, shown in solid lines, and an open position, shown in dash-dotted lines, and its operation is as described above. The opening 29b provided in the flange 59 forms a part of the vacuum passage and is connected to the vacuum accumulation chamber 3.
Connects to 0.

The chi-shaped valve 34 is connected to the vacuum accumulation chamber 30 and the control chamber 3.
It is arranged above a partition wall 28a between both chambers, which has a vacuum passage 28b forming communication with the chamber 5.
When the solenoid 32 is energized, the chimney valve 34
is pulled upward to open the vacuum passage 28b, communicate the vacuum accumulation chamber 30 with the control chamber 35, and apply a vacuum to the control chamber 35 that lifts the diaphragm valve device 52 and its coupling member 65 to the upper position. The positions of each part in this case are shown in solid lines in FIG.

On the other hand, when the solenoid 32 is demagnetized and the bow valve 34 is pushed down to the position where it closes the vacuum passage 28b, the control chamber 35 is brought into communication with the cabin pressure through the passage 33. At this time, the pressure in the chamber pushes down the diaphragm valve element 52 and the coupling member 65 with the aid of the compression spring 80, and
The diaphragm valve element 52 is moved to the closed position shown by . The drain pipe 24 and gooseneck 25 are cut off. This dot-dash position of the diaphragm valve element is the normally closed position of the flush valve 26, in which it remains until actuated by the electronic control device 11.

Most of the devices of the present invention are constructed from lightweight plastic materials that are not fire resistant. In the unlikely event that a fire occurs,
If any part of the vacuum drainage system is destroyed or the flush valve is broken to open the drain pipe,
This creates a flow of air inside the aircraft that ignites the fire and rapidly expands the ring of fire. One of the basic features of the invention is the provision of a device to prevent air flow through the drainage system if any part of the toilet device is damaged.

Although the drain pipe section extending to the gooseneck 25 and the waste storage tank 14 is made of metal, the diaphragm valve element 52 is made of non-metallic material and will be destroyed if not protected. Therefore, in the present invention, a metal diaphragm coupling member 65 is arranged as shown in FIG.
It is constructed to match exactly.

Furthermore, as is clear from Fig. 4, the check valve 2
9 is provided with a bimetallic fire safety valve 90 having two layers of metal plates 91 and 92,
When heated, it straightens from the illustrated bent position to close vacuum passageway opening 29b, cutting off any air flow through opening 29b. In other words, the opening 29b
is closed off by metal elements, so that even if other parts are destroyed by fire or the like, there will be no air flow from this part.

As discussed above, the present invention includes many new aspects and advantages over toilet devices disclosed in the prior art. They are listed again as follows.

(a) Toilet equipment is formed into several independent units that can be separated and moved for low manufacturing costs and easy relocation and maintenance.

(b) Does not include any motors.

(c) The structure and new combinations are simple and highly reliable.

(d) Toilets are flushed using a small amount of water by means of a vacuum.

(e) The flow rate adjustment device for regulating the wash water does not have any moving parts.

(f) Non-suction valves do not have any moving parts.

(g) It has a simple structure, is reliable, and anyone can operate it.

(H) The flush valve is a simple vacuum operating device, and also has a manual operating mechanism.

(li) The unique shape of the goose net prevents clogging of the toilet drainage system.

(x) A control device governs both the watering and flushing operations of the toilet device, and is actuated by a simple push button.

(l) After the initial activation of the solenoid, it has a voltage drop device that works to reduce heat generation and avoid shock to the user.

(w) The vacuum created by atmospheric pressure controls the flow of water and the flush valve, while simultaneously sucking waste from the toilet bowl.

(W) Does not cause any contamination to the portable water tank.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall schematic diagram showing a preferred embodiment of the non-circulating vacuum operated flush toilet device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the assembled position of the toilet device, water supply device, and flush control valve device of the present invention, and FIG. , a partially cutaway vertical sectional view showing a vacuum-operated flushing valve provided in the middle, and a vacuum control device for the flushing valve; FIG. 4 is a bimetal fire safety valve that is part of the flushing valve control device; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cutaway view showing the check valve. 10... Toilet device, 11... Electrical control device,
12... Water supply control device, 13... Flush control valve device, 14a... Vacuum generator, 14... Waste storage tank, 15a... Water supply tank, 15... Water supply pipe, 22... Toilet bowl, 25... Goosenetsk, 26
...Washing valve, 30...Vacuum accumulation chamber, 35...Control room.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A non-circulating vacuum-operated flushing waste treatment device for an aircraft having a toilet, which comprises: a toilet that receives waste; a device that supplies flushing water to the toilet; and a flushing water supply device. a waste storage tank with a vacuum inside and separated from the toilet bowl; a toilet drainage pipe connecting the toilet bowl and the waste storage tank; and an opening position installed in the drainage pipe to open the drainage pipe. a flexible valve element movable between a closed position and an open position for suctioning waste in the toilet bowl and transferring it to a waste storage tank through the drain line; a flushing valve for applying vacuum pressure in the toilet bowl; a passageway connected to the flushing valve and having a connecting part to the aircraft cabin pressure and a connecting part to the vacuum in the waste storage tank; a valve arrangement disposed in the passageway, the valve arrangement applying a vacuum to the flexible valve element of the flush valve by closing the aircraft cabin pressure connection and opening the vacuum connection; the flush valve by opening the flush valve, or by opening the aircraft cabin pressure connection and closing the vacuum connection, thereby applying aircraft cabin pressure to the flexible valve element of the flush valve. and a flush valve control operable to close the vacuum operated flush waste treatment apparatus. 2. the flexible valve element comprising a flexible diaphragm device extending across a side opening in a wall of the drain line and movable into the drain line to close the drain line; A vacuum-operated water washing waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. The flushing valve control device is installed in a control room located on the back side of the flexible valve element, a passage connected to the control room and having the aircraft cabin pressure connection part and a vacuum connection part, and the passageway. 3. A vacuum-operated water washing waste treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the vacuum-operated water washing waste treatment apparatus is provided with the valve apparatus and an electric control apparatus for the valve apparatus. 4. A vacuum connection of the passageway is connected to the drain line downstream of the flush valve, thereby removing the vacuum from the waste storage tank to open the flush valve for flushing the waste in the toilet bowl. is supplied to the control chamber via the passageway, and the flexible valve element is moved and held in an open or closed position depending on whether a vacuum or aircraft cabin pressure is acting within the control chamber. , and the control room is normally supplied with aircraft cabin pressure so as to maintain the flush valve in a closed position. Material processing equipment. 5 a valve of a valve arrangement of said flush valve controller is actuated by a solenoid between an aircraft cabin pressure connection and a vacuum connection of said passage, said solenoid being energized so as to moving the valve to close the pressure connection; when the solenoid is demagnetized, the valve moves to close the vacuum connection by vacuum from the waste storage tank; The vacuum-operated flushing waste product according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the flushing valve is configured to automatically return to the closed position due to aircraft cabin pressure. Processing equipment. 6. The flush valve control device also includes a manual operating device engageable with a flexible valve element of the flush valve for aspirating waste from the toilet bowl and transferring them to the waste storage tank. , wherein the flush valve is configured to be manually moved to an open position so as to apply vacuum pressure within the toilet bowl. Vacuum operated water washing waste treatment equipment. 7. The passage with the aircraft cabin pressure connection and the vacuum connection comprises a vacuum accumulation chamber for accumulating the vacuum between the valve arrangement of the flush valve control device and the connection to the drain line. A vacuum-operated water washing waste treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that: 8. The device for supplying flush water to the toilet bowl includes a portable water supply tank and a device for supplying a predetermined amount of flush water from the water tank to the toilet bowl, and supplies the predetermined amount of flush water. a device to
a manually operated device for opening the flush valve to apply a vacuum pressure within the toilet bowl to draw waste and flush water from the toilet bowl and transfer it to the waste storage tank; A vacuum-operated water washing waste treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is equipped with an electric control device.