WO2009141518A2

WO2009141518A2 - Device for detecting leaks and cutting off the water supply to the cistern of a toilet

Info

Publication number: WO2009141518A2
Application number: PCT/FR2009/000512
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hubert Nicolas Magar
Original assignee: Hubert Nicolas Magar
Priority date: 2008-05-05
Filing date: 2009-04-29
Publication date: 2009-11-26
Also published as: FR2930791B1; WO2009141518A3; FR2930791A1

Abstract

A vessel 4 for collecting water leaking from the valve 6 comprises a small float 12 capable of closing the valve 6 by means of the control lever 13. A regulating chamber 3 is supplied with water up to the level of the overflow 10. A regulating column 1 and an intake column 2 meet at the point 9 connected to a spray nozzle 8 which is subjected to a pressure drop by the incoming water. In the event of a small leak, there is no pressure drop and the water collected in the vessel 4 raises the small float 12, which in turn closes the valve 6.

Description

Device for detecting leaks and cutting the arrival of water in the toilet flush tank

The present invention relates to a device for detecting leaks and at the same time cutting the water supply into the toilet flush tank. With reference to the original patent application FR0513054; here is a more elaborate and clearly simplified device to avoid noise on the suction and thereby significantly reduce the noise transmitted by the pipes, to meet the standards. It also eliminates the mechanical transmission, with an impact at the level of industrialization. It is therefore much more reliable than all currently deposited devices, for example using locking mechanisms that reset each time the toilet flush, always allowing some water wastage. A leak can in some cases go unnoticed, it fades and stopping after a certain time, as the level of the flush tank drops, the user is led to flush the flush a second time for proper flushing.

The replacement of the defective part depends at this time on the goodwill of the user, and as he deems necessary replacement, aware or not waste. This waste of water may seem derisory for a single user, but represents a huge waste on a global scale; knowing moreover that water will become increasingly scarce in the future, not to mention the energy needed for pumping and treatment; largely from a source that is still polluting today. With regard to electrical devices using electronics, these are not reliable in their complexity. The new leak detection device proposed has the advantage of detecting any leak, to warn the user as soon as it appears, allowing him to make his arrangements, because he is at the same time obliged to restart the float valve if necessary, such a forced march. Since this maneuver is restrictive, this one for a few seconds, it will prompt him to replace the defective part as soon as possible. It also has the advantage of detecting large leaks due to a blockage of the flush mechanism; the latter being more and more compact with more moving parts for double hunts, hence more risks.

Although these are tested and proven and blockages are rare, it is better to avoid this kind of inconvenience representing a cost for the user and a huge waste of water; even for a short time. The device according to the invention overcomes these disadvantages. The invention relates to a device for detecting leaks and to cut the water supply in the toilet flushing cisterns, in which the water inlet is controlled by a valve whose closure is provided by a lever of water. control, said valve supplying the flush tank via a filler tube, a main float pivoting said control lever when the flush tank is filled, characterized in that it comprises: • a chamber of regulator communicating with said filling tube through an opening defining an overflow, and comprising a control column, A recovery tank in which is disposed a small float connected to said control lever, and comprising a suction column,

A nozzle opening at the top of said filling tube, the flow of water from said valve creating a depression in said nozzle,

Said regulating and suction columns coming together at a junction point in communication with said nozzle,

Said valve comprising an exhaust orifice allowing the water to pass to said recovery vessel, in which, in case of operation without anomaly, the flow of the feed water into the filling tube ensures: the filling of the control chamber up to the level of the overflow, on the other hand the depression of said nozzle, which causes the suction of the water, the control chamber by the control column, and of the recovery tank by the suction column,

• said control and suction columns communicating with said junction point to maintain the water level in said recovery vessel at the overflow. Advantageously, in case of a small leak, the water passing through the exhaust port fills the recovery vessel and raises the small float to control, through the control lever, closing said valve. Preferably, the device further comprises at the foot of the filling tube, a discharge orifice of the filling tube and a container provided at its lower part with a calibrated orifice ensuring, in the case of large leak where the hunting tank remains empty, the progressive emptying of said container.

Advantageously, the device comprises a channel connecting said filling tube to the upper part of said collection vessel, and a guillotine secured to a mini-float disposed in said container, so that during the progressive emptying of said container, the mini-float float ensures the descent of the guillotine until closure of said discharge port, the filling water then filling the filling tube and, through said channel, the recovery vessel, causing the closing of the valve by the control lever under the action of the little float. According to another embodiment, the device comprises a tube having one end in the vicinity of said junction point and the other end in said container, so that, during the progressive emptying of said container, said tube ensures the setting. air from said junction point, and the fallout of said control and suction columns, the water from the exhaust port then filling the recovery vessel, and lifting the small float to control, through the control lever, closing said valve.

Advantageously a drop of a few millimeters in the water level in the flush tank is sufficient to ensure the opening of the orifice exhaust without the valve being openly open and provides a vacuum at the nozzle, the water escaping through the exhaust opening to fill the recovery vessel and ensuring the closing of the valve through the small float and control lever.

Advantageously, after closure of the valve via the small float and the control lever, the operation of the flush is provided by the flush control mechanism which acts on the control lever to cause open frankness of the valve, ensuring the vacuum at the nozzle, which causes the emptying of the recovery vessel by the suction column. According to one embodiment, after closure of the valve via the small float and the control lever, the recovery control is provided by means of an angled arm whose one end is controlled from outside the tank flushing device for translational movement in a groove passing through the orifice of the reservoir to the right of the supply connection, and the other end of which in the reservoir presses on a pin to pivot the control lever and ensure the opening of the valve. The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention.

Figure 1 shows in section an embodiment of the device of the invention.

- Figure 2 shows a sectional variant of this device. Figures 1 and 2 illustrate by way of non-limiting examples one embodiment of a float valve detector small and large leaks and their successive phases of operation. With reference to these drawings; in the case of operation without anomalies, the device for detecting the small leak has two columns

(1) and (2), the control column (1) opening at the base of the control chamber (3), and the suction column (2) opening at the base of the recovery vessel (4). The stream of water from the exhaust port (5) of the valve (6) is recovered by the recovery vessel (4); at the same time the water filling the flushing cistern, circulating at the periphery and along the nozzle (8) creates a vacuum in the same nozzle (8) and then flows along the filling tube (7) coming embedding the control chamber (3), the depression created by the nozzle (8) sucking the water through the control column (1) and the suction column (2). The two columns (1) and (2) meet at point (9) giving rise at the same time to the communicating silt phenomenon, thereby maintaining the level of water in the recovery vessel (4) at the same level as that the regulating chamber (3), the reference level being the overflow (10), the suction column (2) thus remaining constantly embedded the time of a filling. Once the predefined water level reaches; the main float (11) raises the control lever which cuts off the supply of water by the columns (1) and (2).

In the case of a small leak, the level in the flush tank decreases slowly, causes the slow down of the main float (11) and the control lever (13), gradually releasing the exhaust port ( 5) of the valve (6) on a margin of a few millimeters of drop in the water level in the tank. Valve does not open, water does not it does not yet circulate around the nozzle (8), and therefore there is no vacuum in the nozzle (8) and on the two control columns (1) and suction (2). The water flowing from the exhaust port (5) of the valve (6) is recovered by the recovery vessel (4), and no longer being sucked up, thus raises the water level in the recovery tank (4) and thereby the small float (12), actuating the control lever (13) in turn obstructing the exhaust port (5) of the valve (6), cutting the water supply and putting the float valve in safety.

For the case of large leakage preventing the filling of the flush tank, the device comprises a guillotine (14) integral with a mini float (15), immersed in a container (16), which is pierced at its base with a hole calibrated (17) so as to sufficiently delay its emptying in the case of a flush draw, so as not to compromise the device. In the case of operation without anomalies; the mini float (15) remaining immersed, the container (16) having no time to drain, the guillotine (14) remains in the open position, leaving free passage at the discharge port (18). ) of the filling tube (7).

In the event of an accidental blockage of the flushing mechanism giving rise to a major leak; the empty tank remains empty, the container (16) draining through the calibrated orifice (17) causes its level drop and at the same time the descent of the mini float

(15) integral with the guillotine (14). The latter is obstructing the discharge orifice (18) of the filling tube (7); bringing the water up in the tube of filling (7). The water following the channel (19), discharges at the orifice (20) in the recovery vessel (4), raising the water level in the latter and thereby the small float ( 12), which goes up, actuates the control lever (13), obstructing the exhaust port (5) of the valve (6), finally cutting the water supply and putting the float valve safe.

In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the high point (9) of the two control columns (1) and suction (2) is connected to a tube (21), which is immersed in the container (16); a calibrated orifice (17) at its base allowing the delay of the latter.

In the case of operation without anomalies, the tube (21) remains immersed allowing sealing by avoiding the intake of air. In the case of a blocking of the flushing mechanism, the tank remaining empty, an air intake takes place, after emptying through the calibrated orifice (17) of the container (16), making fall the two columns (1 and 2) . There is no more suction in the recovery tank (4) which raises the water level in the latter, and the small float (12) which cuts the water supply and puts the tap float safely. According to a variant not illustrated; this one allows to obtain the same result of water, but working just mechanically. The recovery vessel for collecting water from the valve outlet port is provided at its base with an orifice provided with a valve. A mechanism allows during the recovery of the main float, the simultaneous closing of the exhaust port of the valve and the orifice at the base of the recovery vessel. The detection being done during a small leak; the orifice at the base of the recovery tank is kept closed by the valve by means of a spring over a margin of a few millimeters of drop of the level of the cistern. The exhaust port of the valve opens in the meantime and lets out the water. This recovered, allows to raise the small float in the recovery vessel. The small float closes the exhaust port of the valve, and at the same time maintains the closure of the orifice valve at the base of the recovery vessel.

In the drawings, the arrows indicate the direction of water flow. The water arrives through the valve 6, and goes down into the filling tube 7 passing around the nozzle 8, creating a vacuum in the axial duct of the nozzle 8 which is connected to the junction point 9 of the two control columns 1 and 2. Aspiration 2. As a non-limiting example, the axial channel of the nozzle 8 has a diameter of about 2 to 3 mm. The length of the nozzle 8 is about 40mm. The regulation and suction columns 2 may each be of circular or rectangular section. Their section has an area of between 15 and 30 mm ² approximately. Their length is between 35 and 40mm approximately.

The noisy regulation initially taking place thanks to the air, is currently obtained thanks to the water. The device comprises a control column opening at the base of the control chamber and a suction column opening at the base of the recovery tank, the water flowing along the periphery along the nozzle creates a vacuum in the latter, and sucks water through both columns. These are join at the high point giving rise at the same time to the phenomenon of communicating sludge, and thus maintain the level of water in the recovery vessel at the same level as that of the control chamber. The latter is fed by the water down along the filling tube; its overflow being the reference level; the suction column thus being constantly flooded, thus eliminating the noise at the suction. The new device also eliminates the mechanical transmission for the large leak. It comprises a guillotine secured to a mini float, the latter housed in a container provided with a calibrated orifice at its base giving rise to a time delay. In the case of an operation without anomalies, each flush draw the mini float remains immersed in the container, the latter having no time to drain, now the guillotine in the position of opening and allowing free passage to the discharge port of the filling tube.

In the case of an accidental blocking of the flushing mechanism, the tank remaining empty, the water level descending as the emptying of the container through the calibrated hole causes the descent of the mini float and the guillotine. This gradually obstructs the discharge orifice of the filling tube thereby causing the water to rise in the latter. The water coming through a channel pouring into the recovery tank allows the detection of the large leak by raising the water level and the small float. This activates the control lever obstructing the exhaust port of the valve, cutting finally the water supply and putting the float valve safely.

A second solution is to directly use the vacuum used for the small leak detector device.

The device, small and large leaks being thus combined, operates simultaneously on the same principle of depression and makes the valve even more reliable and less expensive. The high point of the two regulation and suction columns is connected to a tube which is immersed in the container initially provided for the device operating by guillotine.

The detection of the small leak in the case of a hydraulic valve, is obtained by recovering the water flowing from the exhaust port of the valve used to control the latter, from the beginning of its opening, on a small margin of a few millimeters of level drop of the cistern; the valve opening frankly thereafter.

Regarding the hydraulic valve, it can be replaced by a mechanical valve, the margin is almost identical to the hydraulic valve; the flow of water flowing along the periphery and along the nozzle being at that time determining, gradually creating a depression until beginning the emptying of the recovery vessel.

According to particular embodiments:

Here are three non-limiting examples to restart the float valve if necessary during its safety after a leak. In the case of a monobloc float valve with the flush mechanism; the mechanism of the latter is pressed directly on the control lever to cause the clear opening of the valve. The water that flows into the filler tube ensures the vacuum at the nozzle, which causes the emptying of the recovery vessel by the suction column. The position of the flushing mechanism must be maintained long enough for the small float to no longer cause the valve to close.

In the case of lateral mounting of the float valve, the latter being individual; the control enabling recovery can, for example, be obtained by means of an angled arm 22, one end 23 of which can be controlled from the outside of the flush tank for translational movement in a groove such as a keyway running through the orifice of the reservoir to the right of the power connection, and the other end 24, located in the flush tank can press a lug 25 to pivot the control lever 13 and ensure the clear opening of the valve 6 This results in a depression of the nozzle 8, which causes the emptying, by the suction column 2, the recovery vessel 4, and the return of the device to the initial operating conditions.

Regarding the individual assembly; the rearming may, for example, be obtained pneumatically, electrically or by means of a sheathed cable either through the flushing mechanism or individually, by acting on the control lever of the float valve.

The time of the container, in which is the mini float secured to the guillotine, can also be obtained pneumatically, the container being reversed such as a bell immersed in a bottom of water, and an air intake with a calibrated hole, allowing the slower descent of the water level. A float can be replaced, for example, by a container, which by filling with water provides the same result, acting for example by tilting on the control lever of the float valve, cutting the water supply. The vacuum can be obtained at the periphery of the nozzle when the supply of the float valve passes through it.

Regarding the initial device, a mini current generator, as currently used on hand crank torches coupled to a mini turbine powered by water, feeding the flush tank, the time of a filling would be enough to create enough energy, to power an alarm device, to prevent the user, or control allowing for example a rearming; this having the advantage of making the device autonomous and thereby more reliable.

The device according to the invention is particularly intended for the sanitary field.

Claims

claims

1. Apparatus for detecting leaks and shutting off the water supply in the toilet flushing cisterns, wherein the water supply is controlled by a valve (6) closed by a control lever ( 13), said valve (6) feeding the flush tank via a filler tube (7), a main float (11) pivoting said control lever (13) when the flush tank is filled characterized in that it comprises:

A control chamber (3) communicating with said filling tube (7) through an opening defining an overflow (10), and comprising a control column (1),

A recovery tank (4) in which is disposed a small float (12) connected to said control lever (13), and comprising a suction column (2),

• a nozzle (8) opening at the top of said filling tube (7), the flow of water from said valve (6) creating a vacuum in said nozzle (8),

Said regulating (1) and suction (2) columns joining at a junction point (9) in communication with said nozzle (8), said valve (6) having an exhaust orifice (5) leaving passing the water to said recovery vessel (4), in which, in case of operation without abnormality, the flow of the feed water into the filling tube (7) ensures: firstly the filling of the control chamber (3) up to the level of the overflow (10), on the other hand the depression of said nozzle (8), which causes the suction of the water, the control chamber (3) by the control column (1), and the vase recovery (4) by the suction column

(2)

• said control columns (1) and suction (2) communicating with said junction point (9) to maintain the water level in said recovery vessel (4) at the overflow (10).

2. Device according to claim 1 wherein, in case of small leakage, the water passing through the exhaust port (5) fills the recovery vessel (4) and raises the small float (12) to control, by via the control lever (13), closing said valve (6).

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises:

At the foot of the filling tube (7), a hole (18) for discharging the filling tube and a container (16) provided at its lower part with a calibrated orifice (17) ensuring, in the case of a large leak where the hunting tank remains empty, the progressive emptying of said container (16).

4. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises:

A channel (19) connecting said filling tube (7) to the upper part of said collection vessel (4), and

• a guillotine (14) secured to a mini-float (15) disposed in said container (16), so that "during the progressive emptying of said container (16), the mini-float (15) ensures the descent of the guillotine (14) until closing said discharge port (18), the filling water then filling the filling tube (7) and, by said channel (19), the recovery vessel (4), causing the closing the valve (6) by the control lever (13) under the action of the small float (12).

5 Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises: a tube (21) having one end in the vicinity of said junction point (9) and the other end in said container (16), so that when the progressive emptying of said container (16), said tube (21) ensures the venting of said junction point (9), and the fallout of said regulating (1) and suction columns

(2), water from the exhaust port

(5) then filling the recovery vessel (4), and lifting the small float (12) to control, by means of the control lever (13), closing said valve (6).

6 Device according to claim 2, wherein a drop of a few millimeters of the water level in the flush tank is sufficient to ensure opening of the exhaust port (5) without the valve (6) being openly open and providing a vacuum at the nozzle (8), the water escaping through the exhaust port ( 5) filling the recovery vessel (4) and closing the valve (6) via the small float (12) and the control lever (13). Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that after closing the valve

(6) via the small float (12) and the control lever (13), the operation of the flush is provided by the flush control mechanism which acts on the control lever (13) for cause the valve (6) to open bluntly, ensuring the vacuum at the nozzle (8), thus emptying the collection vessel (4) by the suction column (2). Device according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that after closing the valve

(6) via the small float (12) and the control lever (13), the recovery control is provided by means of an angled arm (22) whose one end (23) is controlled by outside of the flushing cistern for translational movement in a groove passing through the orifice of the tank to the right of the supply connection, and the other end (24) of which in the tank presses a pin (25) to make rotate the control lever (13) and open the valve (6).