WO1996016234A1

WO1996016234A1 - Inlet valve for cisterns

Info

Publication number: WO1996016234A1
Application number: PCT/AU1995/000776
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Dowley Beattie
Original assignee: Dfcu Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 1994-11-23
Filing date: 1995-11-23
Publication date: 1996-05-30
Also published as: AUPM962594A0

Abstract

An inlet valve for a cistern characterised in that it comprises an inlet (13) for receiving a flushing fluid from a supply, an outlet (15) for delivery of the fluid into the storage reservoir within the cistern, a valve mechanism including a valve element (29) positioned between the inlet and the outlet (15) for controlling fluid flow therebetween, the valve mechanism further including a pivot arm (41) and support means (43) supporting the pivot arm (41) intermediate the ends thereof for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the length thereof, the support means (43) comprising a sleeve (45) of resiliently compressible material surrounding the pivot arm (41) and means (47) for compressibly confining the sleeve thereby causing it to snugly engage and support the pivot arm (41) for pivotal movement.

Description

TITLE

INLET VALVE FOR CISTERNS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

THIS INVENTION relates to an inlet valve for a flushing cistern particularly of the type commonly used as a toilet cistern. The invention also relates to a support for a pivot arm which is primarily for use with the inlet valve but which could well have other applications. Additionally, the invention relates to a float chamber which is primarily for use with a float forming part of the inlet valve but which also could well have other applications.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART

A problem with conventional inlet valves for cisterns is that they are noisy during flushing operations. The noise can generally be attributed to two factors, one of which is a slow rate at which the valve closes as the level of fluid in the cistern progressively rises. The closing action of the inlet valve is controlled by a float arm having a float which rises with the level of fluid in the cistern. As the float progressively rises, the valve progressively closes. This progressive closing of the valve has a choking affect on the fluid flow with the result that a squealing noise is generated. The choking affect on the fluid flow also reduces the flow rate, with the result that the filling operation and the associated noise is prolonged.

The second factor to which the noise can be attributed is the fact that the outlet of the valve is located in the upper region of the cistern, the effect of which is that fluid enters the cistern at a level which is above the fluid level at any time and so the incoming fluid generates a noise as it cascades onto fluid already within the cistern. The present invention seeks to provide an inlet valve which is less noisy in operation in comparison to the conventional inlet valves described above. The present invention preferably also seeks to provide an inlet valve which allows a more rapid filling operation than conventional inlet valves described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an inlet valve for a cistern characterised in that it comprises an inlet for receiving a flushing fluid from a supply, an outlet for delivery of the fluid into the storage reservoir within the cistern, a valve mechanism including a valve element positioned between the inlet and the outlet for controlling fluid flow therebetween, the valve mechanism further including a pivot arm and support means supporting the pivot arm intermediate the ends thereof for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the Iength thereof, the support means comprising a sleeve of resiliently compressible material surrounding the pivot arm and means for compressibly confining the sleeve thereby causing it to snugly engage and support the pivot arm for pivotal movement.

The sleeve may comprise a body of soft plastics material.

The valve may include a housing having a recess for receiving the sleeve, the recess having a pair of opposed walls between which the sleeve is compressed. The recess may also have a peripheral wall extending between the opposed walls, the sleeve expanding to engage against the peripheral wall when compressed between the opposed walls. One of the opposed walls is preferably removable to provide access to the interior of the recess for insertion of the sleeve.

One end of the pivot arm is operatively connected to a float whereby the arm is caused to pivot upon rise and fall of the float. Preferably there is a link between the float and the arm, the link being pivotally connected to the arm. The other end of the pivot arm is operatively connected to a control member guided for movement towards and away from the valve element on pivotal movement of the pivot arm.

The valve preferably includes a float chamber in which the float is accommodated. The float chamber has an inlet means for receiving fluid from the reservoir of the cistern once the fluid attains a prescribed upper level within the reservoir. The float chamber may have an open top and the inlet means may comprise the open top.

The float may be guided by the side walls of the float chamber for rising and falling movement within the float chamber.

The float chamber may have an outlet means for discharging fluid from the float chamber upon fluid in the cistern falling below a prescribed lower level. The outlet means may comprise a syphon flow passage arranged to evacuate fluid from the float chamber by syphonic action upon the fluid in the reservoir of the cistern falling below the prescribed lower level.

With this arrangement, the float is isolated from the fluid in the reservoir of the cistern until such time as the fluid attains the prescribed upper level whereupon fluid flows into the float chamber to have an influence on the float. Because of the initial isolation of the float from the fluid in the reservoir, the cistern can fill to the prescribed upper level before fluid commences to have an influence on the float to cause it to rise and so effect operation of the valve mechanism. If the volume of the float chamber is small in comparison to that of the cistern, the float chamber can fill quickly and so cause the float to rise and operate the valve mechanism at a rapid rate. The feature whereby the float mechanism operates to close the valve element at a rapid rate contributes to quiet operation of the inlet valve. The outlet means may open into the region of the cistern in close proximity to the bottom of the reservoir thereof.

This feature also assists in quiet operation of the cistern. The arrangement ensures that the incoming fluid does not cascade onto fluid already in the cistern throughout the filling operation thereby eliminating one of the factors which contribute to the noisy filling operations of conventional cisterns.

In another form the invention resides in a support for mounting a pivot arm for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the Iength thereof, characterised in that the support comprises a sleeve of resiliently compressible material on the pivot arm and means for compressibly confining the sleeve thereby causing it to snugly engage and support the pivot arm for pivotal movement.

The sleeve may comprise a body of soft plastics material.

The support may be accommodated in a recess, the recess having a pair of opposed walls between which the sleeve is compressed. The recess may also have a peripheral wall extending between the opposed walls, the sleeve expanding to engage against the peripheral wall upon compression between the opposed end walls. One of the opposed end walls may be removable to provide access to the interior of the recess for insertion of the sleeve therein.

In another form the invention resides in a float chamber for accommodating a float, characterised in that the float chamber has an inlet for receiving fluid when a body of such fluid attains a prescribed upper level in relation to the float chamber, and an outlet for discharging fluid from the float chamber upon the level of the body of fluid falling below a prescribed lower level.

The float chamber may have an open top and the inlet may comprise the open top. The float is preferably guided by side walls of the float chamber for rising and falling movement within the float chamber.

The outlet may comprise a syphon flow passage arranged to evacuate fluid from within the float chamber by a syphonic action upon the body of fluid falling below the prescribed lower level.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of two specific embodiments thereof as shown in the accompanying drawings in which:-

Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the inlet valve according to a first embodiment, with the valve shown in a position in which a filling operation can proceed;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 with the exception that the valve is shown in a position in which it is closed against the filling operation;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view showing a valve mechanism within the inlet valve;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view illustrating a float chamber which forms part of the inlet valve and a float accommodated within the float chamber, the float being shown in a lower position;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with the exception that the float is shown in an upper position in the float chamber;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the float chamber and the float accommodated therein, with the float being shown in the upper position;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 with the exception that the float is shown in the lower position; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary view illustrating a float chamber of an inlet valve in accordance with a first embodiment, the float being shown in a lower position; Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the float chamber of Fig. 8 showing the float in an upper position; and

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the float chamber of Fig. 8 showing the float in the lower position.

DESCRIPTION

The embodiments shown in the drawings are directed to an inlet valve for a flushing cistern for toilets. The inlet valve according to the embodiment can function as a replacement for conventional ball cock valves in existing cisterns or as original equipment in new cisterns.

The inlet valve comprises a body 10 having an inlet 13 adapted for connection to a water supply line and an outlet 15. The outlet 15 includes a tube portion 17 having an open end 19.

The inlet valve is intended to be installed in the water storage reservoir in a cistern with the outlet opening 19 of the outlet 15 in close proximity to the bottom of the reservoir. While not shown in the drawings, a flexible extension tube can be fitted to the tube portion 17. The extension tube can extend to and rest sideways against the bottom of the cistern so as to deliver the water directly into the bottom region of the cistern.

The body includes an upper part 11 and a lower part 12. The upper part 11 is removably mounted on the lower part 12 and includes a male clamping portion 14 adapted for threaded engagement with a corresponding female portion 16 formed in the lower part.

A chamber 21 is provided within the body 10 and is defined between the upper and lower parts. The inlet 13 and the outlet 15 both communicate with the chamber; in this way, the chamber provides a flow path between the inlet and the outlet. An annular portion 23 is provided within the chamber 21 to define a valve seat 25. The annular portion also defines a flow passage 26 which extends between the chamber 21 and the tube portion 17 of the outlet 15.

The inlet valve is provided with a valve mechanism which includes a valve element 29 movable into and out of sealing engagement with the valve seat 25. The valve element 29 is secured at its outer periphery to the body 10. More particularly, the outer periphery of the valve element is clampingly engaged between the upper and lower parts 11 and 12 of the body. The valve element 29 divides the chamber 21 into an upper sub-chamber 21a and a lower sub-chamber 21b.

The valve element 29 is of the well-known pressure compensation type which includes a series of restricted flow passages (not shown) which provide for fluid communication between the two sub-chambers 21a and 21b to allow fluid pressure to equalise therebetween. The valve element 29 also includes a control flow passage 31 which provides fluid communication between the upper sub-chamber 21a and the flow passage 26. When the control passage 31 is closed against fluid flow as shown in Fig. 2, fluid pressure in the upper sub-chamber 21a ensures that the valve element is in sealing engagement with the valve seat thereby preventing flow between inlet and outlet 13. When the control passage is open for fluid flow, there is pressure reduction in the upper sub-chamber 21a thereby allowing the valve element to be lifted from the valve seat under the influence of fluid pressure for the inlet to permit fluid flow between the inlet and the outlet.

The control passage 31 is open and closed against fluid flow under the influence of a control member 33 which is mounted for sliding movement along a guide passage 35 formed within the body. The control member 33 has a face 37 for contacting portion of the valve element 29 surrounding the control passage 31.

The control member 33 is supported on one end of a pivot arm 41. The pivot arm 41 is mounted on a support 43 which functions as a fulcrum for pivotal movement of the pivot arm about an axis transverse to the length thereof. The support 43 comprises a sleeve 45 formed of resiliently compressible plastics material. The sleeve 45 has a central opening through which the pivot arm extends.

The sleeve 45 is accommodated within a cylindrical recess 47 formed within the upper part 11 of the body. The recess 47 includes a cylindrical side wall 49 and a pair of end walls 51 and 53 respectively. Each end wall has a central opening 54 through which the pivot arm extends, the size of the central opening being significantly larger than the cross-sectional size of the pivot arm to provide adequate clearance for pivotal movement of the pivot arm 41. The end wall 51 is defined by a shoulder 55. The end wall 52 is defined by an annular stub 57 formed on a detachable portion 61 which is adapted to releasably engage a fixed portion 63 of the body. The detachable portion 61 releasably engages the fixed portion 63 by way of a bayonet-type of connection 64 therebetween. When the detachably portion 61 is engaged with the fixed portion 63, the opposed walls 51 and 53 compress the sleeve 45 within the recess with a result that the sleeve 45 expands radially both in the outward direction and in the inward direction. The radial expansion of the sleeve 45 in the outward direction causes it to engage against the peripheral wall of the recess. The radial expansion of the sleeve in the inward direction causes it to snugly engage against the pivot arm. With this arrangement, the sleeve creates a fluid seal between the body and the pivot arm while at the same time providing support for the pivot arm. The resilient nature of the sleeve allows it to deform to accommodate pivotal movement of the pivot arm.

The outer end of the pivot arm 41 is pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 68, the lower end of which is supported on a float 65. The float 65 is accommodated within a float chamber 66 which forms part of the body 10. The float chamber 66 is carried on a sleeve 67 which frictionally engages the tubular portion 17 of the outlet 15. The float chamber 66 has a bottom wall 71 , four side walls 73 and an open top 75. The float 65 is configured to resemble the shape of the interior of the chamber so that the side walls 73 of the chamber 66 serve to guide movement of the float as it rises and falls within the chamber.

A syphon tube 81 (shown in outline in some of the drawings) is associated with the float chamber 66. The syphon tube 81 has an inlet 83 which opens onto the bottom of the float chamber and an outlet 85 which is positioned at a lower level than the inlet 83. With this arrangement, syphonic action can be created to evacuate water from the float chamber, as will be explained in more detail later.

The inlet valve is installed in the cistern in such a position that the open top of the float chamber corresponds to the water level in the cistern when the cistern is full.

During the installation procedure, the angular position of the upper part 11 and the float chamber 66 together with the float 65 and associated parts, can be varied with respect to the inlet 11 as is necessary in order to enable the inlet valve to be accommodated within the cistern. This is accomplished by rotating the upper part 11 with respect to the lower part 12 and by twisting the sleeve 67 on the outlet tube portion 17.

When the cistern is empty, the float 65 is in its lowermost position with the result that it causes the pivot arm 41 to pivot in a direction which moves the control member 33 away from the valve. This opens the control passage 31 to allow pressure reduction in the upper sub-chamber 21a. Consequently, water pressure on the inlet side causes the valve element 29 to lift from the valve seat 25, thus permitting fluid flow through the valve from the inlet 13 to the outlet 15. Water thus enters the fluid reservoir in the cistern and the cistern progressively fills. During the filling operation, the float 65 is maintained in an isolated condition with respect to the water in the cistern by virtue of the float chamber until such time as the water level reaches the top 75 of the float chamber 66. At this stage, water flows into the float chamber 66 through the open top 75 thereof with a result that the float 65 is caused to rise. The rising action of the float 65 pivots the pivot arm 41 in a direction which causes the control member 33 to move downwardly into engagement with the valve element 29. The contact face 37 of the control member 33 sealingly engages the valve element 29 around the control passage 31 with the result that fluid pressure develops in the upper sub- chamber 21a to cause the valve element 29 to move into sealing engagement with the valve seat 25 thereby closing the valve against fluid flow. In this way, the valve closing action is rapid and so there is little noise generated.

When the cistern is flushed, the water level falls. When the water level falls below the outlet end 85 of the syphon tube 81 , a syphonic action is generated which causes the liquid contained within the float chamber 66 to be evacuated therefrom. This results in the float 65 falling which again causes the pivot arm 41 to pivot in the direction which moves the control member 33 away from the valve element 29 to allow fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet, as described earlier.

In Figs. 8 to 10 there is shown a float chamber 100 in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The float chamber 100 is generally circular and supported on a support flange 102 incorporating a collar 104 which, like sleeve 67, frictionally engages the tubular portion 17 of the outlet 15.

The float chamber 100 is defined in part by an outer wall 106 and the flange 102. A float 108 having a top 110, a depending circular wall 112 and a central depending tubular member 114. The member 114 extends lower than the wall 112 such that when the float chamber 100 is empty the float 108 rests on the flange 102 by way of the tubular member 114. The tubular member 114 has notches 116 provided in its lowermost end 118 to allow fluid communication between the float chamber 100 and the tubular member 114.

The float chamber 100 has an open top 120. The outer end of the pivot arm 41 is again pivotally connected to the upper end of the link 68 whereas its lower end is also again supported on the float 108 by way of its top 110. The tubular member 114 is located about an upstanding hollow member 122 whose height is shorter than the tubular member 114 such that when same is resting on the flange 102 fluid flow from the interior of the tubular member 114 into the hollow member 122 is possible, as shown in Fig. 10. The hollow member 122 defines an outlet 124 in the flange 102.

The operation of the float chamber 100 is substantially similar to that of float chamber 66. In Fig. 9 the float chamber 100 is shown filled and the cistern full. When flushed the water level falls. Upon the water level falling below the outlet 124 a syphonic action is generated causing the liquid contained within the float chamber 100 to be evacuated therefrom. This is achieved by fluid being able to pass from within and under the float 108 through the notches 116. The float 108 falls to the position shown in Fig. 10 and causes the pivot arm 41 to pivot in the direction which moves the control member 33 away from the valve element 29 to allow fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet, as described earlier.

From the foregoing, it is evident that the present invention provides a simple yet effective inlet valve for a flushing cistern. The inlet valve is relatively silent in operation owing to the feature that the outlet end (at least for most part of the filling operation) is below the level of water within the cistern. Additionally, the feature whereby the float is isolated from water entering the cistern during a flushing operation until such time as the cistern is almost full ensures that the inlet valve closes rapidly so as to avoid excessive noise.

It should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiment described. In particular, it should be appreciated that the support for the pivot arm and the arrangement of the float chamber may each have application in areas other than inlet valves for flushing cisterns.

Claims

1. An inlet valve for a cistern characterised in that it comprises an inlet for receiving a flushing fluid from a supply, an outlet for delivery of the fluid into the storage reservoir within the cistern, a valve mechanism including a valve element positioned between the inlet and the outlet for controlling fluid flow therebetween, the valve mechanism further including a pivot arm and support means supporting the pivot arm intermediate the ends thereof for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the Iength thereof, the support means comprising a sleeve of resiliently compressible material surrounding the pivot arm and means for compressibly confining the sleeve thereby causing it to snugly engage and support the pivot arm for pivotal movement.

2. An inlet valve according to claim 1, characterised in that the sleeve comprises a body of soft plastics material.

3. An inlet valve according to claim 1 or 2, characterised by the valve including a housing having a recess for receiving the sleeve, the recess having a pair of opposed walls between which the sleeve is compressed.

4. An inlet valve according to claim 3, characterised in that the recess also has a peripheral wall extending between the opposed walls, the sleeve expanding to engage against the peripheral wall when compressed between the opposed walls.

5. An inlet valve according to claims 3 or 4, characterised by one of the opposed walls being removable to provide access to an interior of the recess for insertion of the sleeve.

6. An inlet valve according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that one end of the pivot arm is operatively connected to a float whereby the arm is caused to pivot upon rise and fall of the float.

7. An inlet valve according to claim 6, characterised by a link being provided between the float and the arm, the link being pivotally connected to the arm.

8. An inlet valve according to claim 7, characterised in that another end of the pivot arm is operatively connected to a control member guided for movement towards and away from the valve element on pivotal movement of the pivot arm.

9. An inlet valve according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that a float chamber is provided to house the float.

10. An inlet valve according to claim 9, characterised by the float chamber having an inlet means for receiving fluid from the reservoir of the cistern once the fluid attains a prescribed upper level within the reservoir.

11. An inlet valve according to claim 10, characterised by the float chamber having an open top.

12. An inlet valve according to claim 11, characterised in that the open top of the float chamber constitutes the inlet means therefor.

13. An inlet valve according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the float is guided by side walls of the float chamber for rising and falling movement within the float chamber.

14. An inlet valve according to any one of claims 9 to 13, characterised in that the float chamber has an outlet means for discharging fluid from the float chamber upon fluid in the cistern falling below a prescribed lower level.

15. An inlet valve according to claim 14, characterised in that the outlet means comprises a syphon flow passage arranged to evacuate fluid from the float chamber by syphonic action upon the fluid in the reservoir of the cistern falling below the prescribed lower level.

16. An inlet valve according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterised in that the float is located about an upstanding hollow member projecting into the float chamber, the hollow member defining in part a syphon flow passage of an outlet means for discharging fluid from the float chamber upon fluid in the cistern falling below a prescribed lower level.

17. An inlet valve according to claim 16, characterised in that the float comprises an inverted cup portion at the top of which is provided an attachment for operative connection to the pivot arm. The inverted cup portion having a depending locating member located about the hollow member.

18. An inlet valve according to claim 17, characterised in that the locating member of the cup portion depends further than an outer depending wall of the cup portion such that upon the fluid in the cistern falling below a prescribed lower level fluid from the float chamber may be drawn through the hollow member constituting a syphon flow passage, the locating member having passages provided in a lowermost end thereof to allow passage of fluid therethrough.

19. An inlet valve according to anyone of claims 6 to 18, characterised in that the float is isolated from the fluid in the reservoir of the cistern until such time as the fluid attains the prescribed upper level whereupon fluid flows into the float chamber to have an influence on the float.

20. An inlet valve according to claim 19, characterised by the initial isolation of the float from the fluid in the reservoir allowing the cistern to fill to the prescribed upper level before fluid commences to have an influence on the float to cause it to rise and so effect operation of the valve mechanism.

21. An inlet valve according to claim 20, characterised whereby the volume of the float chamber is small in comparison to that of the cistern, the float chamber can fill quickly and so cause the float to rise and operate the valve mechanism at a rapid rate.

22. An inlet valve according to claim 21 , characterised whereby the float mechanism operates to close the valve element at a rapid rate and thereby contributes to quiet operation of the inlet valve.

23. An inlet valve according to anyone of claims 14 to 22, characterised in that the outlet means opens into a region of the cistern in close proximity to the bottom of the reservoir thereof such that the incoming fluid does not cascade onto fluid already in the cistern throughout the filling operation thereby eliminating one of the factors which contribute to the noisy filling operations of conventional cisterns.

24. A support for mounting a pivot arm for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the Iength thereof, characterised in that the support comprises a sleeve of resiliently compressible material on the pivot arm and means for compressibly confining the sleeve thereby causing it to snugly engage and support the pivot arm for pivotal movement.

25. A support according to claim 24, characterised in that the sleeve comprises a body of soft plastics material.

26. A support according to claim 24 or 25, characterised in that the support is accommodated in a recess, the recess having a pair of opposed walls between which the sleeve is compressed.

27. A support according to claim 26, characterised in that the recess also has a peripheral wall extending between the opposed walls, the sleeve expanding to engage against the peripheral wall upon compression between the opposed end walls.

28. A support according to claim 27, characterised I that one of the opposed end walls is removable to provide access to the interior of the recess for insertion of the sleeve therein.

29. A float chamber for accommodating a float, characterised by float chamber has an inlet for receiving fluid when a body of such fluid attains a prescribed upper level in relation to the float chamber, and an outlet for discharging fluid from the float chamber upon the level of the body of fluid falling below a prescribed lower level.

30. A float chamber according to claim 29, characterised in that such has an open top defining the inlet.

31. A float chamber according to claim 30, characterised in that the float is guided by side walls of the float chamber for rising and falling movement within the float chamber.

32. A float chamber according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , characterised in that the outlet comprises a syphon flow passage arranged to evacuate fluid from within the float chamber by a syphonic action upon the body of fluid falling below the prescribed lower level.

33. A float chamber according to any one of claims 29 to 31 , characterised in that the float is located about an upstanding hollow member projecting into the float chamber, the hollow member defining in part a syphon flow passage of the outlet for discharging fluid from the float chamber upon fluid in the cistern falling below the prescribed lower level.