AU737776B2 - Toilet system with vacuum extraction - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet system with vacuum suction, in which an insert (1) is placed in a toilet bowl (10). This insert has a stench trap (6) at the bottom end, and is connected at the top edge to a flushing pipe with flushing nozzles (7) which can be connected to a pressurized water pipe (2). The stench trap (6) is connected via a suction conduit (3) to a suction unit which can be emptied via a floor drain into a collecting basin or into the sewerage system.

Description

la TOILET SYSTEM WITH VACUUM EXTRACTION The invention relates to a toilet system with vacuum suction.

In conventional toilet systems, water is used as the transport means for the faeces. There is no separation of the water from the faeces. A large quantity of water is required, this being undesired for ecological and economic reasons.

Vacuum toilets have been used. DE 41 36 931 Al describes a system for use in vehicles in which an extraction basin is evacuated. Thereafter, pipes are opened and closed by means of valves in order to convey the faeces into the collecting tank by means of compressed air. Even though, compared with the drain system according to DE-OS 39 32 893, this system has the advantage that only a relatively small extraction basin needs Sto be put under vacuum. However, it has the disadvantage that all pipe connections and the valves must be vacuum-tight and, consequently, only a complex technical realisation is possible.

e DE 296 04 512 U1 describes a method by which there is a pressure equalization in the extraction basin after each extraction. Emptying the extraction basin into a faeces 20 collecting tank is to be realized at zero pressure. The aforementioned publication describes the method and its advantages at length, but does not contain technical solutions for the implementation of the described method. According to the description, the system is designed for use in large buildings. The required individual extraction of the toilets is technically in contradiction with said field of application. A further contradiction is seen, on the one hand, in realizing a permanent stench extraction and, on the other hand, in emptying the extraction basin after each extraction after pressure equalization.

W:,MaryO\Davin\Speca-81097-98.doc lb The above discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like is included in this specification solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia before the priority date of each claim of this application.

It would be desirable to permit by simple means a conversion of a conventional toilet bowl to suction extraction.

According to the present invention, there is provided a toilet system with vacuum extraction, wherein an insert is placeable into a toilet bowl, said insert having a stench trap at the bottom end and being connected at the top edge to a flushing pipe with flushing nozzles, said flushing pipe being connectable to a pressurized water pipe, wherein the stench trap is connected via an extraction conduit to an extraction unit, said extraction unit being adapted to be emptied via a floor drain into a collecting tank or into the sewerage system.

W:\MaryO\Davin\Speci18097-98.doc A conversion to extraction, with the advantage of a saving water, can be made in that a conventional toilet bowl, usually a flush-down bowl, is provided with an insert connected to a extraction device. Conversion can preferably be carried out on existing toilet bowls, but it is also possible to convert toilet systems to be newly installed.

It is also possible for two or more toilet bowls to be connected to the extraction unit.

However, it is always the case that each toilet bowl is extracted individually.

Therefore, the size of the extraction unit can be kept small.

i" oSince a fan is required for the operation of the extraction unit and since, in addition, an electrical connection is required for the control, it is obvious to provide the toilet bowl with conveniences such as heating, lighting, music etc.

Mae*The toilet system according to the invention is preferably for use in vehicles, e.g. in mobile homes and caravans/trailer homes. The system can, however, also be used in oI S"stationary facilities such as in one- and two-family houses.

l A special advantage of the system according to the invention consists in that neither the pipe connections nor the valves need to be vacuum-tight.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined in the subclaims.

It is particularly of advantage if the extraction unit is used also for stench extraction, the extraction conduit required for faeces extraction also being used for stench extraction.

Hereinbelow, the invention is described in greater detail with reference to embodiments schematically represented in the drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a toilet bowl with insert; %>ryO\Da.nXSPeCAZ1097-98.dOC FiU WO 98/55706 PCT/EP98/03298 -3- Fig. 2 shows a toilet system with two toilet bowls connected to an extraction unit; Fig. 3 shows the extraction unit; Fig. 4 shows a valve for the connection of a stench extraction conduit; Fig. 5 shows a section through a mechanically operating stench trap; Fig. 6 shows the subject matter presented in Fig. 5 in a section perpendicular thereto; Fig. 7 shows a cross section of the hose used for the hose valve disposed at the bottom end of the extraction unit; and Fig. 8 shows a side view of the object represented in Fig. 7.

Fig. 1 shows a conventional toilet bowl 10 in the form of a flush-down bowl. Placed in the toilet bowl 10 for conversion to extraction is an insert 1 which is adapted in its dimensions to the dimensions of the toilet bowl 10. The insert 1, which is provided with a non-adhesive coating, rests via flanges on the top edge of the toilet bowl Located near to the top edge of the insert are flushing nozzles 7 which are connected via a flushing pipe 2 to a flushing valve 3. The flushing valve 3 is subjected to pressurized water. If the system is used in a building, the pressurized water comes from the water main; otherwise it comes from a water tank with connected pressure generator.

Located at the bottom end of the insert 1 is a stench trap 6 which is here in the form of the siphon trap usually used for this purpose. The extraction-side end of the siphon trap is connected to an extraction conduit 6, the other end of which is connected to an extraction unit 14 still to be described (Fig. The extraction unit 14 comprises a WO 98/55706 PCT/EP98/03298 -4floor drain 15 through which the extraction unit 14 can be emptied into a collecting tank 12.

The converted toilet bowl 10 is also provided with means for stench extraction.

Stench extraction is accomplished via a stench extraction conduit 9, one end of which is connected to the top end of the insert 1 and the other end of which is connected to the extraction conduit of the stench trap 6.

The various units and valves are operated by a control 13 which goes into operation through moving an operating element 8.

Fig. 2 shows that two toilet bowls 10 are connected to an extraction unit 14. For this configuration, the extraction conduit 5 is branched via a control valve 11 in such a manner that only one toilet bowl 10 is evacuated at a time.

Fig. 3 shows schematically the construction of an extraction unit 14. Said suction unit 14 has an extraction basin 16, at the top end of which a fan 17 is arranged, the suction side of which is connected to the extraction basin 16 into which the extraction conduit joins.

Located at the bottom end of the extraction basin 16 is a floor drain 15 which can be closed by a hose valve 19.

The hose valve 19 is closed in that the pressure side of the fan 17 is connected to two outgoing air pipes 18, the mouths of which, (opposing each other) are directed radially to the hose 23 forming the hose valve 19. The hose 23 is slightly deformable in the radial direction and is pressed together by the outgoing air stream, escaping from the outgoing air pipes 18, in conjunction with the vacuum in the extraction basin 16, with the result that the hose valve 19 is closed. The floor drain 15 is normally open.

Fig. 4 shows a valve 4 which ensures that, at low suction power of the fan 17, a connection is established between the extraction conduit 5 and the stench extraction 0 F I c' WO 98/55706 PCT/EP98/03298 conduit 9, while, at high suction power, namely when the toilet contents are being extracted, said valve 4 is closed. Provided for this purpose in a housing 21 is a closing body 22 which, at low suction power, is slightly raised and thereby connects the stench extraction conduit 9 to the extraction conduit 5, while, at high suction power, the closing body 22 is in its top closing position, with the result that there is no stench extraction while the insert 1 is being evacuated.

Fig. 5 and 6 show a mechanically acting stench trap which can be used as an alternative to a siphon trap. This stench trap comprises a housing 24 which is inserted into the extraction conduit 5 and is additionally connected to the stench extraction conduit 9. Through rotation of a rotary disk valve 25 provided with a recess 27, either the extraction conduit 5 can be opened or the suction-side of the extraction conduit can be actively connected to the stench extraction conduit 9. In a third position, both the extraction conduit 5 and also the stench extraction conduit 9 are closed. The rotary disk valve 25 is held in the housing 24 and can be operated by a control element, such operation being initiated by the control 13.

According to Fig. 7 and 8, the hose 23, which is disposed in the floor drain 15 and forms the hose valve 19, is provided with longitudinal stiffening ribs 26. The desired slight deformability in the radial direction is not affected by said ribs.

The operation, accomplished by the control 13, of the hereinbefore described device is as follows: When the operating element 8 is operated, the fan 17 sucks air from the extraction basin 16 and the extraction conduit 5. The thereby resulting outgoing air stream is directed via the outgoing air conduits 18 in the radial direction from two sides onto the hose valve 19. Said outgoing air stream and the vacuum produced by the sucking of the air from the extraction basin 16 cause the hose valve 19 to be closed. There then follows the stench extraction at reduced speed of the fan 17. The reduced speed can be changed by a component in the control 13 and can be adapted to the length of the extraction conduit 5 and to the system configuration. After a time programmed in the P U WO 98/55706 PCT/EP98/03298 -6control 13 or after renewed operation of the operating element 8, the speed of the fan 17 is increased to the full speed with a soft start circuit. The contents of the insert 1 are now sucked into the extraction basin 16 after the valve 4 has been closed. The gas separator 20 ensures that the extracted matter does not get into the fan 17. The control pulse for increasing the speed of the fan 17 simultaneously causes the opening of the flushing valve 3 in order to flush the insert 1. The water from the existing pressurized water main passes through the flushing valve 3 into the flushing nozzles 7 and is sprayed by said nozzles 7 into the insert 1 in order to clean the latter. The duration of the extraction process is controlled by the control 13 and can be adapted at installation to the system configuration. The duration of the flushing process is likewise controlled by the control 13. After the fan 17 has been switched off, the pressurized flushing valve remains open for a short time in order to ensure that the stench trap 6, e.g. the siphon trap, is again filled with water. After the automatic opening of the hose valve 19 in the floor drain 15, the extracted matter in the extraction basin 16 can flow into a collecting tank 12 or into the sewerage system.

Claims (9)

1. A toilet system with vacuum extraction, wherein an insert is placeable into a toilet bowl, said insert having a stench trap at the bottom end and being connected at the top edge to a flushing pipe with flushing nozzles, said flushing pipe being connectable to a pressurized water pipe, wherein the stench trap is connected via an extraction conduit to an extraction unit, said extraction unit being adapted to be emptied via a floor drain into a collecting tank or into the sewerage system.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein a control is provided, by means of which with the start of extraction a flushing valve is opened for subjecting the flushing nozzles. Is

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the control ensures that, after the o end of extraction, the flushing valve remains open for a short time.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insert is provided on the inside with a non-adhesive coating.

5. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the extraction unit includes an extraction basin, being connected to the vacuum side of a fan.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein the pressure side of the fan is connected to two outgoing air pipes, the mouths of which are directed on opposite sides onto a hose valve, forming the floor drain and being slightly deformable in radial direction.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein the hose forming the hose valve is provided with longitudinally extending stiffening ribs.

8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein if more than one toilet bowl is fitted in the extraction conduit, a control valve is provided in order k to connect one toilet bowl at a time to the extraction unit. W:\MaryO\Davin\Speclk81097-98.doc 8 8. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein if more than one toilet bowl is fitted in the extraction conduit, a control valve is provided in order to connect one toilet bowl at a time to the extraction unit.

9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the insert is provided with at least one opening for stench extraction, said opening being connected via a stench extraction conduit to the extraction conduit, wherein disposed in the stench extraction conduit is a valve which permits a functional separation of the stench extraction conduit from the extraction conduit. A system according to claim 9, wherein stench extraction takes place at a reduced speed of the fan and extraction of the contents of the insert takes place at an increased speed of the fan. 5 11. A system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the stench trap is formed by a rotary disk valve into the housing of which join the section of the extraction conduit leading to the extraction unit; the section of the extraction conduit leading to the insert; and the stench extraction conduit. o* 20 12. A system according to any one of the embodiments substantially as o herein described and illustrated. °•oDATED: 20 June 2001 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: VACUTECH GmbH