CN109629647B

CN109629647B - Drainage fitting

Info

Publication number: CN109629647B
Application number: CN201811156018.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 阿尔佛雷德·马勒
Original assignee: Geberit International AG
Current assignee: Geberit International AG
Priority date: 2017-10-05
Filing date: 2018-09-30
Publication date: 2021-03-05
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-30
Also published as: AU2018236847A1; CN109629647A; EP3467215B1; PL3467215T3; DK3467215T3; AU2018236847B2; EP3467215A1; PT3467215T

Abstract

A drain fitting for a flush tank includes a housing having a housing wall and a valve body movably mounted in the housing and having a float movable along a central axis between an inoperative position and a flush position; the float can move in the float chamber and works hydraulically; the float chamber including a control passage through which air enters the float chamber from outside the float chamber upon the level of flush water around the drain fitting falling to the level of the control passage, such that the pressure ratio inside and outside the float chamber equilibrates, whereby the float moves from the flush position to the inoperative position; the drain fitting further comprises a control unit with a closing weight, the height of which is adjustable for controlling the second flush volume; during the start of the second flushing quantity, the closing weight generates a closing force on the valve body; the closing weight is movably arranged on the outer side of the shell and can move relative to the surface; the drain fitting also includes an actuator for lifting the valve body from the inoperative position to the flush position, disposed laterally of the surface.

Description

Drainage fitting

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a drain fitting for a flush tank.

Background

Drainage fittings for flush tanks are known from the prior art. For example, EP 0890680 discloses a drain fitting operated by a pneumatic lifting device.

Disclosure of Invention

Starting from the prior art, it is a preferred object of the invention to provide a drain fitting for partial volume flushing by operation of a fluid-operated or electrically operated actuator, having as large an adjustment range as possible and still being of compact design.

A drain fitting for a flush tank includes a housing having a housing wall with a surface on an outside and a valve body movably mounted in the housing, wherein the valve body is movable along a central axis from an inoperative position to a flush position and from the flush position to the inoperative position. The float is movable along a central axis inside a float chamber defined by the housing and works hydraulically together with the float chamber. The float chamber comprises at least one control channel for controlling the first flushing quantity, through which air can enter the float chamber from a region outside the float chamber as soon as the flushing water level around the drain fitting drops to the level of the control channel, so that the pressure ratio between the float chamber and the region outside the float chamber can be balanced, wherein the float can be moved from the flushing position to the non-operating position as a result of the balancing of the pressure ratio. The drain fitting further comprises a control unit with a closing weight for controlling the second flush volume, wherein the closing weight generates a closing force on the valve body during the start of the second flush volume, and wherein the closing weight is arranged outside the housing, laterally movable with respect to the surface. The closing weight is designed to be adjustable in its height position. Because of this adjustment, the amount of the second flush can be set. Furthermore, the drain fitting comprises a fluid-operated or electrically-operated actuator by means of which the valve body can be lifted from the inoperative position into the flushing position. The actuator is arranged surface-laterally and opposite, with respect to the central axis, to a closing weight arranged outside the housing.

In other words, this means that the elements located outside the housing, i.e. the actuator and the closing weight, are opposite to each other with respect to the central axis. In this case, the closure weight is located on one side of the housing and the actuator is located on the other side of the housing. Thereby, an effect is achieved that the height position of the closed weight can be adjusted without colliding with the actuator. Thus increasing the range of adjustment of the closure weight upwards.

The actuator and the closure weight are preferably diametrically opposite each other or opposite each other with respect to the central axis or the housing.

The function of the closure weight is defined as the effect that the buoyancy of the closure weight in the water is omitted when the water level falls below the closure weight and the total weight acts on the valve body. In this case, during the respective operation, the closure weight is connected with the valve body so that the gravitational force can be transmitted to the valve body. The closure weight can preferably be temporarily connected to the valve body.

It is particularly preferred that the surface in the region of the actuator has a slight recess, so that the compactness can be further increased.

The actuator and the closing weight are preferably located only between two limiting planes parallel to each other, which extend parallel to the central axis and through the maximum extent of the surface defining the float chamber. In other words, considering the drain fitting as seen from the top in the direction of the central axis, it defines two straight lines spaced apart and oriented at right angles to the central axis, and extending through the maximum extent of the surface defining the float chamber, with the actuator and the closure weight located only between the two straight lines.

Therefore, a drain fitting that is easily fitted into the flush water tank can be provided. That is, the element without the drain fitting extends beyond a dimension predetermined by the maximum extent of the float chamber, relative to the width of the flush tank.

The actuator is preferably specifically designed for lifting the valve body, but not for holding the valve body in the flushing position, wherein the valve body is held in the flushing position because of the hydraulic equilibrium in said float chamber. The movement from the flushing position to the closed position can be effected by the entry of air into the float chamber or by the action of a control unit with a closure weight.

The advantage thus arises that the movement of the actuator does not have to be controlled in time, but the actuator is operated at the start of the flushing and can then be returned to the inoperative position, or even in the event of failure of the actuator, the drain fitting can be moved from the flushing position into the closed position. Furthermore, the advantage results that the drain fitting can be operated in this way, that is to say even without an actuator. In this connection, the drain fitting particularly preferably has a pulling element, for example a pulling yoke on the valve body and/or on the control unit, by means of which the valve body can be lifted.

For the first flushing quantity, the actuator preferably acts directly on the valve body, which can be lifted directly by the actuator. For the second flushing quantity, the actuator then acts indirectly via the control unit on the valve body, which can be raised indirectly via the control unit by the actuator. Due to the lifting of the control unit, the valve body and the closure weight are lifted simultaneously.

During operation, the closure weight is movable from the inoperative position in the direction of the central axis along the surface, preferably within a range of motion, to a flushing position, wherein the range of movement of the closure weight preferably extends to a height position, such that the closure weight is movable to the height position in which the actuator is located.

Thus, the range of movement extends up to the height position of the actuator. Such an arrangement according to the invention is particularly advantageous in this respect, since collisions with the actuator may occur.

The closing weight is preferably designed such that its height can be adjusted within a certain adjustment range, wherein the adjustment range of the closing weight preferably extends to the height position of the actuator such that the closing weight can be displaced to the height position of the actuator. The arrangement according to the invention is also advantageous in this respect, since the adjustment range is very large and also extends in particular to the height at which the actuator is situated. The higher the position of the closure weight, the less water is extracted from the flushing cistern. The adjustment range preferably extends down along the surface up to the level of the float chamber, in particular at least up to the level region in which the uppermost control channel is located.

The control unit preferably further comprises a strut arranged outside the housing, wherein the closure weight is fixedly mounted on the bearing rod or adjustably mounted with respect to the bearing rod. The bearing rod preferably extends from an elevation position in which the actuator is directed downwards in the direction of the float chamber, in particular an elevation position below the uppermost control channel. The strut is located on the same side as the closing weight, in particular radially opposite or opposite to said actuator with respect to the central axis.

The closing weight can preferably be mechanically connected to the valve body by means of a switching element, wherein the switching element automatically enters a latching connection with the valve body during the lifting of the control unit. When the water level provided for the second flush volume is reached, the closure weight provides a closing force on the valve body, which closing force is applied to the valve body by switching to the valve body via the switching element.

The switching element is preferably mounted on the strut.

The strut is preferably lifted by the actuator, while it acts on the valve body by means of the drive and also lifts the valve body.

The actuator preferably has a first actuator rod and a second actuator rod, wherein the first actuator rod acts on the valve body and wherein the second actuator rod acts on the control unit, in particular on the strut.

The stroke of the first actuator rod is preferably different from the stroke of the second actuator rod.

The respective connections between the actuator rod and the valve body and the control unit preferably enable the valve body and the control unit to be lifted separately even without operating the actuator rod. Particularly preferably, the valve body or the control unit (in particular the strut) has in some cases a respective shoulder on which the respective actuator rod acts from the bottom.

The actuator is preferably a pneumatic actuator having two pistons (in particular reciprocating pistons), one arranged on the other; or at least one bellows. Each piston is preferably in contact with a respective one of the actuator rods.

The pistons are preferably movable along a common piston axis, wherein the piston axis extends parallel to the central axis. The piston axis is preferably as close as possible to the central axis, that is to say the distance is small, so that the overall dimensions are reduced.

The surface preferably has at least one receiving element and the actuator has at least one latching element, wherein the latching element engages in the receiving element such that the actuator can be connected to the housing by a latching connection. The receiving element is preferably integrally formed on the surface. The containment element is preferably located above the float chamber.

The actuator is preferably located only above the float chamber or above the uppermost control channel. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that below the actuator, the cross-section of the float chamber can extend into the area below the actuator, as seen transversely to the central axis.

Preferably, the first flush is a total flush and the second flush is a partial flush; or the first flush is a partial volume flush and the second flush is a total volume flush.

The plurality of control channels are preferably arranged at different height positions, wherein the drain fitting further comprises at least one closing element by means of which one of the control channels can be opened and another of the control channels can be closed.

The height adjustment range of the closure weight preferably extends at least below the uppermost control channel.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustration purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drain fitting according to an embodiment of the invention with an actuator broken away.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the drain fitting according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the drain fitting according to FIG. 1 with an actuator connected;

FIG. 4/5 shows a side view of a drain fitting according to the previous figures during a partial volume flush initiation; and

fig. 6/7 shows a side view of a drain fitting according to the previous figures during a total flush initiation.

Detailed Description

The figure shows a drain fitting 1 for a flush tank. The general structure of the drain fitting 1 is explained in more detail with reference to fig. 1 to 3. The principle of operation of the drain fitting 1 is then further explained with reference to fig. 4 to 7.

The drain fitting 1 comprises a housing 2, the housing 2 having a housing wall 3, the housing wall 3 having a surface 4 on the outside; and a valve body 5 movably mounted in the housing 2. The surface 4 defines the housing wall 3 on the outside and forms the outer surface of the housing wall 3.

The valve body 5 comprises a float 6 and is movable along the central axis M from a non-operative position to a flushing position and from the flushing position to the non-operative position. The valve body also comprises a sealing element 21 working in conjunction with a valve seat 22. In the rest position, the sealing element 21 rests on the valve seat 22 so that no water flows out of the flush tank. In the flushing position, the sealing element 21 is at a distance from the valve seat 22 and water can flow out of the flush tank. In this case, the valve seat 22 is part of a retaining element 28, in which retaining element 28 the housing 2 is mounted and can be connected, in particular inserted, into a drain opening of the flush tank.

The float 6 is movable within a float chamber 7 defined by the housing 2. In this case, the float 6 moves along the central axis M. The float 6 also works hydraulically together with the float chamber 7. The float chamber 7 is generally designed as a chamber closed towards the top, and during movement from the inoperative position to the flushing position, a hydraulic equilibrium is created between the float 6 and the float chamber 7, wherein the valve body 5 is then held in the flushing position as a result of this equilibrium.

The float chamber 7 includes at least one control passage 8. In the embodiment shown, a plurality of control channels 8 are provided at different height positions. If the water level S around the drain fitting 1 falls to the level of the respective control channel 8, air from a region 9 outside the float chamber 7 can enter the float chamber 7 through at least one control channel 8. Due to the air intake, the pressure ratio between the float chamber and the region 9 outside the float chamber 7 is balanced and thus disturbs the hydraulic balance within the float chamber 7, and in balance of the pressure ratio the float 6 and the valve body 5 move from the flushing position to the non-operating position. Thus, the first flush volume can be controlled.

The drain fitting 1 further comprises a control unit 10 with a closing weight 12, the height position of which can be adjusted. The control unit 10 is used to control the second flush volume. During the start of the second flushing quantity, the closing weight 12 generates a closing force on the valve body 5. That is, the closure weight 12 is temporarily mechanically connected to the valve body, so that the weight force of the closure weight 12 can be transmitted to the valve body 5. In the embodiment shown, the closing weight 12 is movably arranged outside the housing 2, transversely to the surface 4 and opposite said surface 4. By operation of the control unit 10, the closure weight 12 is lifted and connected to the valve body 5.

The drain fitting 1 further comprises a flowable or electrically operated actuator 11. By means of said actuator 11, the valve body 5 can be lifted from the inoperative position into the flushing position. In this case, both direct and/or indirect lifting is possible, as will be described in further detail below. The actuator 11 is arranged transversely to the surface 4 and, as seen with respect to the central axis M, the actuator 11 is opposite a closing weight 12 arranged outside the housing 2. That is, the actuator and the closing weight 12 are located radially opposite each other outside the surface 4, as seen with respect to the central axis M. With the movement of the closing weight 12 along the centre axis M no collision between the actuator 11 and the closing weight 12 occurs, since the actuators 11 are oppositely arranged. Thus, the closing weight 12 can be moved to a height position where the actuator 11 is arranged. In the embodiment shown, the surface 4 has a groove 30, the groove 30 reducing the cross section of the housing 2 so that the compactness can be increased.

Furthermore, the arrangement of the closing weight 12 diametrically opposite the actuator 11 has the particular advantage that the drain fitting can have a relatively compact design. This is particularly advantageous during installation of the drain fitting 1 into a flush tank.

The actuator 11 and the closing weight 12 are preferably located between two limiting planes Z parallel to each other. The limiting plane Z extends substantially parallel to the central axis M and is preferably in each case equidistant from the central axis M. In such a case, the distance is preferably chosen such that the limiting plane Z extends through the maximum extent of the surface 4 defining the float chamber 7. The maximum extent of the limiting plane and thus the location point of the limiting plane is marked with an X in fig. 3.

In the embodiment shown, the actuator 11 is designed so as to be dedicated to lifting the valve body 5. Thus, the valve body 5 is not held in the flushing position by the actuator 11, but rather by the interaction between the float 6 and the float chamber 7. That is, the valve body 5 is held in the flushing position due to the hydraulic equilibrium in the float chamber 7. The above-mentioned elements, i.e. the flow channel 8 and the closure weight 12, are used for movement from the flushing position to the inoperative position.

In the embodiment shown, the actuator 11 acts directly on the valve body 5 for the first flushing quantity. For this purpose, the actuator 11 has an actuator rod 15, which actuator rod 15 works together with an edge 23 on the valve body 5 and acts on the edge 23 from below counter to gravity and thus moves the valve body 5 from the inoperative position into the flushing position. Shown in fig. 6 is an initial position in which the actuator rod 15 is located at a distance from the edge 23. After operation, the actuator rod 15 travels upwards and in the process hits said edge 23 and lifts the valve body 5 by means of the edge 23. As shown in fig. 7.

In the embodiment shown, the actuator 11 also works in conjunction with the control unit 10 for a second flush volume. For this purpose, the actuator 11 has a second actuator rod 16, the second actuator rod 16 acting, in the embodiment shown, on a driver 24 extending from the control unit 10, in this case the driver 24 extending from the strut 13. Shown in fig. 4 and 5 is the interaction between the second actuator rod 16, the driver 24 and the edge 23. In the embodiment shown, the driver 24 projects through the valve body, transversely to the valve body 5, and into the effective range of the second actuator rod 16. In this case, the driver 24 is located below the edge 23. The initial position is shown in fig. 4, wherein in this case the second actuator rod 16 is in contact with the driver 24. During lifting of the driver 24 by the second actuator rod 16, the driver 24 strikes the edge 23 of the valve body 5 and thus lifts the valve body 5 from the inoperative position into the flushing position. As shown in fig. 5. The actuator 11 thus acts indirectly on the valve body via the control unit 10 via the second actuator rod 16.

In the embodiment shown, the control unit 10 further comprises a strut 13 arranged outside the housing 2. The strut 13 is primarily intended to carry the closure weight 12, in which case the closure weight 12 is formed on the strut 13 with the ability to adjust relative to the strut 13. That is, the height position of the closing weight 12 can be adjusted over the adjustment range E, and thus the flush volume extracted from the flush water tank can be adjusted. The higher the position of the closing weight 12, the smaller the amount of flushing extracted from the flushing water tank. The adjustment range E preferably extends in the height position up to a region opposite the actuator 11. That is, the closing weight 12 can be moved to a height position opposite the actuator 11. From this, another advantage of the radial relative arrangement between the closing weight 12 and the actuator 11 can be seen, since the adjustment range of the height position of the closing weight 12 can reach all the way to the height of the actuator 11, and thus the range of the flush volume during the second flush can be increased by the adjustment.

The closure weight 12 can be mechanically and temporarily connected to the valve body 5 by means of a switching element 14. The switching element 14 thus provides a temporary mechanical connection between the closing weight 12 and the valve body 5. In this case, the switching element 14 automatically enters into a latching connection with the valve body 5 during the lifting of the control unit 10. The switching element 14 is preferably mounted on the rod 13 in an articulated manner, and this switching element 14 is connected to the valve body 5 during movement of the control unit 10 (including the rod 13) from the rest position to the flushing position. By this connection, a force acts on the valve body 5.

In the embodiment shown, in this case, in the upper end region of the strut 13, the valve body 5 and the control unit 10 each comprise a

pull yoke

25, 26. By these pulling yokes, the drain fitting can be operated in situations where the actuator 11 is not available.

In the embodiment shown, the actuator 11 can be connected to the housing 2 by a latching connection. For this purpose, the surface 4 has a receptacle 19 in the upper region, and the actuator 11 has at least one blocking element 20 which engages in the receptacle 19. In this case, the latching element 20 is engaged in the receiving structure 19 in such a way that the actuator can be releasably connected to the housing 2. The receiving structure 19 is diametrically opposite the closure weight 12 with respect to the central axis M.

As shown in fig. 4 to 7, the actuator 11 is a pneumatic actuator having two pistons 17, 18, one of the two pistons 17, 18 being disposed on the other. The pistons 17, 18 are located on a common piston axis K and are supplied with air via an air line 29, so that a movement of the pistons 17, 18 can be achieved.

Fig. 4 and 5 show the beginning of a partial flush. In fig. 4, the valve body 5 is in its inoperative position, in which the sealing element 21 rests on the valve seat 22. In fig. 5, the valve body 5 is in its flushing position, in which the sealing element 21 is located at a distance from the valve seat 22. By operation of the actuator 11, the piston 18 is correspondingly extended and the control unit 10 is lifted by the second actuator rod 16. Furthermore, the valve body 5 is also lifted because of the actuator 24. The water can then flow out of the flush tank and the water level drops. Once the water level reaches the closure weight 12, the buoyancy of the closure weight 12 is eliminated and its gravity becomes effective and presses the valve body 5 downward.

With regard to the operation of the piston 18, it should be noted that this is a short duration operation and is primarily used to lift the valve body 5 into its flushing position. Once the flushing position is reached, the actuator 11 returns to its initial position together with the piston 18.

The beginning of the total flush is now shown in fig. 6 and 7. In this case the first piston 17 is operated and in this case the first actuator rod 15 acting directly on the edge 23 of the valve seat 22 is moved upwards. During this time, the valve body 5 remains in its flushing position. As soon as the water level drops to the level of the control channel, the hydraulic equilibrium in the float chamber 7 is broken and the valve body 5 moves from the flushing position back to the non-operating position.

In the embodiment shown, a plurality of control channels 8 are provided at different height positions. The drain fitting 1 further comprises a closure element 27, by means of which closure element 27 the control channel can be selectively covered.

List of reference marks

1 Drain 20 blocking element

2 housing 21 sealing element

3 housing wall 22 valve seat

4 surface 23 edge

5 valve body 24 actuator

6 float 25 pulling yoke

7 float chamber 26 pull yoke

8 control channel 27 closing element

9 float chamber outer region 28 holding element

10 control unit 29 air circuit

11 actuator 30 recess

12 closed weight

13 strut K piston axis

14 central axis of switching element M

15 first actuator rod

16 second actuator control rod B range of motion

17 first piston E adjustment range

18 second piston Z reference plane

19 points of reference plane Z of the containing element X

Claims

1. A drain fitting (1) for a flush tank, comprising

A housing (2) having a housing wall (3), which housing wall (3) has a surface (4) on the outside, and

a valve body (5) movably mounted in the housing (2) having a float (6), wherein the valve body (5) is movable along a central axis (M) from a non-operating position to a flushing position and from the flushing position to the non-operating position,

wherein the float (6) is movable along the central axis (M) inside a float chamber (7) defined by the housing (2) and works hydraulically with the float chamber (7),

wherein the float chamber (7) comprises at least one control channel (8) for controlling a first flushing amount, through which control channel (8) air can enter the float chamber (7) from a region (9) outside the float chamber (7) as soon as the flushing water level (S) around the drain fitting (1) drops to the level of the control channel (8), such that a pressure ratio between the float chamber (7) and the region (9) outside the float chamber (7) can be balanced, wherein the float (6) can be moved from the flushing position to the non-operating position as a result of the balancing of the pressure ratio,

wherein the drain fitting (1) further comprises a control unit (10) with a closure weight (12), which closure weight (12) can be adjusted in its height position to control a second flushing volume, wherein the closure weight (12) generates a closure force on the valve body (5) during the beginning of the second flushing volume, and wherein the closure weight (12) is arranged outside the housing (2) laterally movable with respect to the surface (4),

wherein the drain fitting (1) further comprises a fluid-operated or electrically-operated actuator (11), by means of which actuator (11) the valve body (5) can be lifted from a non-operating position into a flushing position, and

wherein the actuator (11) is arranged laterally of the surface (4) and opposite to a closing weight (12) arranged outside the housing (2) with respect to the central axis (M).

2. A drain fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (11) and the closing weight are located between two limiting planes (Z) parallel to each other, which limiting planes (Z) extend parallel to the central axis (M) and through the maximum extent of the surface defining the float chamber.

3. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator (11) is designed exclusively for lifting the valve body (5), but not for holding the valve body (5) in the flushing position; and the valve body (5) is held in the flushing position due to the hydraulic equilibrium in the float chamber.

4. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for a first flushing quantity the actuator (11) acts directly on the valve body (5), the valve body (5) being directly liftable by the actuator (11); and for a second flushing quantity, the actuator (11) acts indirectly on the valve body (5) via the control unit (10), the valve body (5) being able to be lifted indirectly via the control unit (10) by means of the actuator (11).

5. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing weight (12) is movable during operation along the surface (4) in the direction of the central axis (M) from a non-operational position to a flushing position within a range of motion (B), wherein the range of motion (B) of the closing weight (12) extends to a height position at which the actuator (11) is located, such that the closing weight (12) is movable to a height position at which the actuator (11) is located.

6. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the closing weight (12) is designed such that its height can be adjusted within an adjustment range (E), wherein the adjustment range (E) of the closing weight (12) extends to a height position at which the actuator (11) is present, such that the closing weight (12) can be displaced to a height position at which the actuator (11) is present.

7. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the control unit (10) further comprises a pole (13) arranged outside the housing (2), wherein the closing weight (12) is mounted on the pole (13) in a fixed or adjustable manner with respect to the pole (13).

8. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closing weight (12) can be switched to the valve body (5) via a switching element, wherein the switching element (14) automatically forms a latching connection with the valve body (5) during lifting of the closing weight (12).

9. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator (11) has a first actuator rod (15) and a second actuator rod (16), wherein the first actuator rod (15) acts on the valve body (5), and wherein the second actuator rod (16) acts on the control unit (10).

10. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the stroke of the first actuator rod (15) is different from the stroke of the second actuator rod (16).

11. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the connection between the first actuator rod (15) and the valve body (5) or the connection between the second actuator rod (16) and the control unit (10) is such that the valve body (5) or the control unit (10) can be lifted even without operating the first actuator rod (15) or the second actuator rod (16).

12. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuator (11) is a pneumatic actuator having an upper piston and a lower piston, the upper piston being arranged on the lower piston.

13. A drain fitting (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the surface (4) has at least one receiving element (19) and the actuator (11) has at least one latching element (20), wherein the latching element (20) engages in the receiving element (19) such that the actuator (11) can be connected to the housing (2).