WO2007139371A1

WO2007139371A1 - Valve apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007139371A1
Application number: PCT/MY2007/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ooi Loon Goh
Original assignee: Ooi Loon Goh
Priority date: 2006-05-26
Filing date: 2007-05-23
Publication date: 2007-12-06
Also published as: CN101454516A

Abstract

A multi discharge apparatus for selectively discharging a partial flush or a full flush of liquid from a reservoir, characterized in that the said discharge apparatus includes: actuator means (2) capable of selectively moving a sealing means (12) to either a partial flush or a full flush position, sealing means (12) pivotable between a closed position, partial flush position and full flush position, and having a cantilever arm (16) engageable with push rod (10), an extension rod (11) co-axially housed by push rod (10) and capable sildably adjusted to desire length relative to a connecting arm (8) and actuator means (2); and a liquid outlet (18) which is sealed by the sealing means (12) to prevent flow of liquid out of the reservoir when the sealing means (12) is in closed position and which allows flow of liquid discharge from reservoir when said sealing means (12) is in partial flush or full flush position; said actuator means (2) co-operates with connecting arm (8) and transfers linear downward motion of the actuator means (2) to extension and push rods (11) and (10), actuating the cantilever arm (8) of sealing means (12) and selectively moves the sealing means (12) to said partial or full position; and for partial flush, said sealing means (12) reverts to closed position when the actuator means is deactivated whereas for full flush, said sealing means (12) remains in full flush position until the liquid from reservoir is fully discharged and subsequently reverts to closed position.

Description

VALVE APPARATUS

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to valves apparatus, more particularly to improvements in flush outlet valves used in cisterns for controlling flow of liquid.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Environmental concerns about the excessive use of water have lead to numerous domestic and commercial practices aimed at reducing water wastage. One such practice involves the use of more water-efficient toilet flushing systems, in particular cisterns which allow the user the option of flushing a full volume of water or a reduced volume.

For water conservation reasons considerable interest has been centered on designing flushing systems and mechanisms that use a short duration flush for liquid wastes and a longer duration flush for solid wastes. A wide variety of dual-flush cistern outlet valves have been proposed and used. Examples of prior art dual-flush mechanism, which afford a degree of user control over the amount of water used per flush are U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,742,194 B2 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,829,787 Bl. Many of these comprise standard type of apparatus having a cistern tank and a bowl in which means are provided to effect a partial flush of liquid wastes in the bowl as well as to the usual full flush. The prior art is plentiful in this field and shows many attempts at inventing ways to economize the flush system. Some of the popular ways that the problem has been addressed are to utilize means to limit the amount of water used by causing the flush cycle to terminate early and thereby save water. Other methods utilize water displacement system where water containers within the water-closet reduce the amount of useable water per flush. Still others use two valves located at different levels within the water-closet thereby providing selective dual-flush mode.

Some dual-flush systems utilize two separate reservoirs each having separate outlet valves wherein when a half flush is required, one of the outlet valves is opened so that one of the reservoir is emptied. When a full flush is required, both valves are opened so that both reservoirs are emptied. These and many other dual-flush apparatus generally require two separate actuating systems to open the two valves. In addition, in some prior art models, it is not possible to effect a half flush immediately after effecting a half flush. One has to wait for the water to reach a certain level in the cistern tank before the next flush can be effected. It is also desirable to reduce the number of separately manufactured parts and provide a much simpler mechanism for a flush outlet valve to permit any desired reduced flushing volume, either a full flush or a partial flush.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a flush outlet valve apparatus for selectively discharging a partial flush or a full flush of liquid from a reservoir, said apparatus includes an actuator means capable of selectively moving a sealing means to either a partial flush or a full flush position; a sealing means pivotable between a closed position, partial flush position and full flush position, and having a cantilever arm engageable with push rod; an extension rod co-axially housed by push rod and capable sildably adjusted to desire length relative to the connecting arm and the actuator means; and a liquid outlet which is sealed by sealing means to prevent flow of liquid out of the reservoir when the sealing means is in closed position and which allows flow of liquid discharge from the reservoir when said sealing means is in partial flush or full flush position.

Actuator means co-operates with connecting arm and transfers linear downward motion of the actuator means to the extension rod and the push rod. The actuator means is engageable to an upper position and made contact at one side of the connecting arm. Other side of the connecting arm is mounted an extension rod. The push rod and extension rod are preferably furnished with plurality of apertures. Said apertures are spaced apart of predetermined intervals along the axis of the push rod and extension rod. The extension rod co-axially housed by push rod and capable sildably adjusted to desire length relative to a connecting arm and actuator means. The push rod further includes a locking pin to lock the extension rod into position. The actuator means includes a first selection means and a second selection means enable the user for selecting either the partial flush or the full flush. The first selection means adapted to move sealing means from closed position to partial flush position, and the second selection means adapted to move sealing means from closed position to full flush position. The first and second selection means are selectively pressable buttons in the actuator means.

Sealing means is a flapper valve with the cantilever arm pivotable between closed, partial flush and full plush positions. For partial flush, first selection means is pressed. Said first selection means will acts onto connecting arm and transfer linear downward motion to hinge point of the push rod where surface of push rod contacts actuating end of cantilever arm. The linear motion of first selection means travel distance Li and causes pivoted cantilever arm to raise sealing means distance G₁. The sealing means will revert to closed position when the first selection means is deactivated. The user can press and hold the partial flush button over again for next partial flush cycle immediately for light wastes removal. The first selection means will react to its normal position and water will stop flowing as the user release the first selection means.

For full flush, second selection means is pressed. The second selection means moves connecting arm that relative to extension rod and push rod by distance L₂, which is grater than distance L₁. This causes cantilever arm to raise sealing means distance θ₂. The transition from the closed position to the full flush position will generally only take a fraction of seconds, being the time it takes for a user to fully pressed the second selection means. The sealing means includes a float to hold said sealing means in the full flush position while there is liquid is surrounding said float. The second selection means then retracts to its normal position until the liquid from reservoir has been emptied by full flush.

The present invention will now be described in more details with reference to a preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompany drawings. The description will refer to a preferred form of invention when utilized in a toilet cistern. It is to be understood that the drawing and the following description relate to preferred embodiment only, and are not to limit the generality of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of separate parts of an outlet valve apparatus made in accordance with present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side elevation of an outlet valve apparatus of the present invention in closed position. FIG. 3 shows a side elevation of an outlet valve apparatus of the present invention in partial flush position.

FIG. 4 shows a side elevation of an outlet valve apparatus of the present invention in full flush position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an activator means (2) which collectively comprises partial flush button (4), full flush button (6), connecting arm (8) and push rod (10). Sealing means (12) collectively comprises float seal (14) and cantilever arm (16). Liquid outlet (18) is disposed at apparatus body (20).

The partial flush button (4) and the full flush button (6) are engageable at an upper position and configured to made contact at one side of the connecting arm (8). Other side of the connecting arm (8) is mounted an extension rod (11). The partial and full flush buttons (4) and (6) do not apply any force to the head of push rod (10) unless it is being pressed by the user. The partial flush button (4) and the full flush button (6) are preferably mounted on the cover (not shown) of cistern, and are exposed and visible to the user. The remaining parts of the apparatus are most suitably housed within the cistern and may be submerged under water when the cistern is full as is conventional in the art. The extension rod (11) is co-axially housed by the push rod (10) and capable of being adjusted up or down along its longitudinal axis. Accordingly the length of extension rod (11) may be varied as desired so that the distance between connecting arm (8) and cantilever arm (16) can be selected and determined by the degree to which the extension rod (11) has been extended. Preferably the push rod (10) and the extension rod (11) are furnished with plurality of apertures (22). The apertures (22) spaced apart at predetermined intervals along the axis of the push and extension rods (10) and (11). The push rod (10) also preferably includes a locking pin (not shown) to ensure that once the extension rod (11) has been extended to a desired length, it is locked into position. Alternatively, locking pin can be locked to a selected position so that extension rod (11) can be adjusted to an optimal position relative to connecting arm (8) and partial and full flush buttons (4) and (6) by insertion of said locking pin through the apertures. The push rod (10) and the extension rod (11) may pass through a first guide (26) and a second guide (28) respectively so as to keep their motion substantially linear when they activated by either of the flush buttons.

In FIG. 2, the outlet valve apparatus is shown in the closed position. This position correlates to situation where the cistern is filled with water to the desired level and is ready to be activated to provide either a partial flush or a full flush. Connecting arm (8) transfers linear downward motion of the actuator means (2) to hinge point (30) of push rod (10) where surface body (32) of push rod (10) contacts actuating end (34) of cantilever arm (16). Desirably, cantilever arm (16) is hinged about pivot (36) on the body (20). Seal end of cantilever arm (16) has pivotally mounted thereon a float seal (14) which consists of sealing gasket (38) and float (40) which can be clearly see in FIG.l. Float seal (14) has a sufficient weight to weigh down the seal end of cantilever arm (16) to cause sealing gasket (38) to fall and come into contact with annular outlet rim (42) after the cistern has been emptied by full flush. Seal end of cantilever arm (16) may include a lip (44) adapted to bear upon upper surface of sealing gasket (38) to assist in sealing liquid outlet (18). When cistern is full of water, downward force of water acting on the upper surface of sealing gasket (38) is sufficient to overcome any buoyant forces acting on the float (40). Body (20) is hollow and incorporates internal overflow passage (46) which extends from overflow inlet (48) to outlet (50). It will be appreciated that outlet (50) communicates with toilet pan (not shown) such that water flushed from cistern flows into the toilet pan, and water flowing down the overflow passage (46) will also flow into pan. Overflow passage (46) includes telescopic extension sleeve (52) co-axial with the overflow passage (46) and capable of being adjusted up or down along the longitudinal axis of overflow passage (46). Accordingly, the height of overflow inlet (48) can be varied as desired so that level reached by water in the cistern can be selected and determined by the degree to which the telescopic extension sleeve (52) has been extended. Telescopic extension sleeve (52) may include adjustment track (53) to enable extension sleeve (52) to be adjusted in steps. There is provided a locking clip (56) to ensure that once the extension sleeve (52) has been extended to a desired height, it is locked into adjustment track (53). Telescopic extension sleeve (52) also includes O-ring seal (54) (FIG. 1) to ensure water does not flow from the cistern through any gap between the overflow passage (46) and the extension sleeve (52). There is provided first guide (26) connected to peripheral rim of the body (20) to keep the motion of push rod (10) linear, whereas second guide (28) connected to and extends from the peripheral rim of the telescopic extension sleeve (52) to keep the motion of extension rod (11) linear.

The apparatus may further include one or more additional overflow passage (58) (FIG. 1) in parallel with the overflow passage (46) previously described. The additional overflow passage (58) may be connected in a modular mode to chamber (60). Similarly to the primary overflow passage (46), the additional overflow passage (58) may have telescopic extension sleeve (not shown) allowing adjustment of the height of the respective overflow inlet (62) or alternatively the additional overflow passage (58) may be of fixed length. The additional overflow passage (58) may be provided to give further protection against overflow of the cistern if the cistern filling valve should fail and water continues to enter the cistern despite reaching the selected filling level. When in closed position and when the cistern is full, the weight of water acting on the upper surface of the sealing gasket (38) will hold the sealing gasket (38) against the annular outlet rim (42) of the liquid outlet (18). This will cause the actuating end (34) of cantilever arm (16) to act upon surface body (32) of hinge point (30) of push rod (10) so as to keep push rod (10) in an upper position.

Turning to FIG. 3, this figure illustrates the configuration of the apparatus when a partial flush has been initiated by the user and the water level in the cistern is reducing from full level. The partial flush position is initiated by the user pressing down the partial flush button (4). When the partial flush button (4) is pressed fully, it presses upon the connecting arm (8) relative to extension and push rods (11) and (10) which travel distance L₁ and causes pivoted cantilever arm (16) to raise float seal (14) distance G₁. Once in the partial flush position, water will evacuate from the cistern through the liquid outlet (18) as the seal between sealing gasket (38) and annular outlet rim (42) will have been broken. Accordingly, the level of water in the cistern will begin to drop. The outflow of water around the seal end and sealing gasket (38) and out of the liquid outlet (18) will result in a net downward force acting on upper surface of the seal means (12). Additionally it is considered that there will also be a significant venturi effect caused by flow of water out of the liquid outlet (18). This effect added to the other downward forces will urge sealing gasket (38) towards the closed position. Therefore, the transition from the closed position to partial flush position will generally require the user to fully press and hold the partial flush button (4) so as to enable desired minimum volume of water to clean liquid and tissue waste only. The partial flush button (4) will return to its normal position and water will stop flowing as the user releases the partial flush button (4). The user can press and hold the partial flush button (4) over again for next partial flush cycle immediately for light waste removal. Thus, fulfilling immediate needs of next flushing without waiting for the water to reach a certain level in the cistern tank before the next flush can be effected.

FIG. 4 shows the apparatus in the full flush position. This position is adopted when the user presses the full flush button (6). The full flush button (6) moves connecting arm (8) that relative to extension and push rods (11) and (10) by distance L₂, which is greater than distance L₁. This causes cantilever arm (16) to raise float seal (14) distance θ₂. The transition from the closed position to the full flush position will generally only take a fraction of seconds, being the time it takes for a user to fully press the full flush button (6). Full flush button (6) then retracts to its normal position after the cistern has been emptied by full flush.

When in the full flush position, water will evacuate from the cistern through the liquid outlet (18) as the seal between sealing gasket (38) and annular outlet rim (42) will have been broken. The level of water in the cistern will drop. In the full flush position, although water will be flowing around the sealing gasket (38) and the end seal, sealing gasket (38) will be positioned such a distance away from the any venturi effect described above such that there is little if any such downward force upon it. Further, float (40) will have an upward acting buoyancy force acting upon its surface because float (40) will be surrounded with water, unlike the situation in the partial flush position. The net forces acting on the cantilever arm (16) in the full flush position while the water level is above the seal end and float (40) will cause it to remain in that position.

As the water level drops to a point where the float (40) no longer provides a dominant upward force, which will generally be when the water lever has dropped to the position of the float (40), the downward forces acting on the seal end will cause the cantilever arm (16) to move to the closed position. At such point, a full flush volume of water will have been discharged from the cistern. Float seal (14) itself will provide a mass to assist in moving the cantilever arm (16) to the closed position after the cistern has been emptied by full flush. As the water level rises to fill the cistern in preparation for a future flush, the mounting downward forces acting on the sealing gasket (38) will hold it in the closed position.

The apparatus may be made from any suitable materials by any suitable means. For example, various components of the apparatus may be made by injection molding of polymeric materials. The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the principle and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would obvious to one skilled in the art intended to be included within the scope of following claims.

Claims

1. A multi discharge apparatus for selectively discharging a partial flush or a full flush of liquid from a reservoir, characterized in that the said discharge apparatus includes: a) an actuator means (2) capable of selectively moving a sealing means (12) to either a partial flush or a full flush position;

b) a sealing means (12) pivotable between a closed position, partial flush position and full flush position, and having a cantilever arm (16) engageable with push rod (10);

c) an extension rod (11) co-axially housed by push rod (10) and capable sildably adjusted to desire length relative to a connecting arm (8) and actuator means (2);

d) a liquid outlet (18) is sealed by the sealing means (12) to prevent flow of liquid out of the reservoir when sealing means (12) is in closed position and which allows flow of liquid discharge from reservoir when said sealing means (12) is in partial flush or full flush position;

wherein the actuator means (2) co-operates with connecting arm (8) and transfers linear downward motion of the actuator means (2) to extension and push rods (11) and (10), actuating the cantilever arm (8) of sealing means (12) and selectively moves the sealing means (12) to the partial or full position; and wherein for partial flush, said sealing means (12) reverts to closed position when the actuator means is deactivated; and wherein for full flush, said sealing means (12) remains in full flush position until the liquid from reservoir is fully discharged and then reverts to closed position.

2. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the actuator means (2) includes means for selecting either the partial flush or the full flush.

3. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the actuator means (2) includes a first selection means adapted to move sealing means (12) from closed position to partial flush position, and a second selection means adapted to move sealing means (12) from closed position to full flush position.

4. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first and second selection means are pressable buttons in the actuator means (2).

5. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first selection means of actuator means (2) moves sealing means (12) to a distance less than the distance moved by the second selection means of actuator means (2) when it is pressed.

6. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing means (12) is a flapper valve with the cantilever arm (16) to pivot between closed, partial flush and full plush positions when actuator means acts on said valve.

7. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sealing means includes a float (40) to hold said sealing means (12) in the full flush position while there is liquid is surrounding said float (40).

8. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the push rod (10) and extension rod (11) are furnished with plurality of apertures (22).

9. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the apertures (22) are spaced apart of predetermined intervals along the axis of the push and extension rod (10) and (11).

10. A multi discharge apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the push rod (10) includes a locking pin for locking the extension rod (11) into adjustable desired length.