WO1987000879A1

WO1987000879A1 - Ventilation apparatus for flush toilet

Info

Publication number: WO1987000879A1
Application number: PCT/FI1986/000082
Authority: WO
Inventors: Guy-Christer LÖNNGREN
Original assignee: Oy Guy Design Ab
Priority date: 1985-07-31
Filing date: 1986-07-10
Publication date: 1987-02-12
Also published as: FI76158B; FI852960A0; FI76158C; EP0231308A1; FI852960L; AU6191786A

Abstract

Ventilation arrangement for a flush toilet and a corresponding ventilation apparatus. As taught by the invention, a ventilating means (3) has been disposed inside the seat part (b) of the flush toilet. To the ventilating means (3) has been connected a flexible passage (4) which has been carried through the drain trap and further into the drain. A seat switch (2) has been arranged when the seat ring is pressed down to activate the ventilating means (3).

Description

Ventilation apparatus for flush toilet

The present invention concerns a ventilation arrangement on a flush toilet.

The invention also concerns a ventilation apparatus for a flush toilet.

Previously known, through DE-Patents No. 941.060, 873.828 and 906.800 and through CH-Patent No. 524.022, are flush toilet ventilation arrangements which have separate ventilation ducts from the seat portion either to the drain pipe or to a separate exhaust pipe. Also previously known are apparatus designs in which a separate suction fan has been arranged to operate with a switch actuated by the seat pressing upon said switch.

The drawback of the apparatus designs of prior art can be seen in the complexity of their construction. Separate duct systems are needed, and therefore the apparatus has to be specifically designed in each case for the ventilation arrangement of the particular seat.

in the apparatus design of the invention, the high price and complesdty of known apparatus designs are successfully avoided and it has been understood to implement a ventilating means design which can be installed on conventional flush toilets having no separate ventilation. In the apparatus of the invention, the apparatus comprises a battery or transformer, a ventilating means, and a switch. The ventilating means is placed close inside the seat of the flush toilet and has been disposed to draw air through a flexible exhaust tube. The exhaust tube has further been disposed to pass specifically through the drain trap into the drain passage. In order that the atmosphere in the drain passage might not be admitted out from the drain through said flexible tube, the tube has been provided with a check valve permitting air flow only in the direction towards the drain pipe.

The ventilation arrangement for a flush toilet according to the invention is mainly characterized in that a ventilating means has been placed inside the flush toilet seat, and that a duct has been carried from said ventilating means through the drain trap of the flush toilet into the drain passage.

The ventilation apparatus of the invention is mainly characterized in that the apparatus comprises an exhaust duct which has been connected to the ventilating means.

The invention is described in the following with reference to the figures that have been attached.

In Fig. 1 is shown, in cross-sectional presentation, a flush toilet ventilation arrangement according to the invention.

In Fig. 2 is shown, in axonometric perspective, the flush toilet ventilation apparatus used in the ventilation arrangement of Fig. 1.

In Fig. 3 is shown, in axonometric perspective and partly cut open, another advantageous eiαbodiment of the ventilation apparatus of the invention.

In Fig. 4 is similarly shown a third advantageous embodiment of the ventilation apparatus of the invention.

In Fig. 5 is depicted a flush toilet ventilation apparatus according to the invention, and the projection shows the valve arrangement inserted in the passage carried through the drain trap to the purpose of preventing drain atmosphere from passing through the passage 4 into room space or equivalent. In Fig. 1 is depicted, in cross-sectional projection, a flush toilet ventilation arrangement according to the invention. The flush toilet ventilation apparatus 1 has been disposed so that the seat switch actuating the ventilating means, or flow activator, 3 has been disposed upon the border of the seat part of the flush toilet. Current is switched an when a person sitting down depresses the seat ring a and the switch 2 is pushed into its lowermost position. The ventilating means 3 has been placed inside the seat portion of the flush toilet and has been arranged to draw air through the flexible passage 4. The flexible passage 4 has been disposed in direct attachment to the ventilating means 3. The flexible passage 4 has been specifically disposed to pass through the drain trap ciinto the drain passage e. The flexible passage 4 contains a check valve 5, which prevents drain air from passing through the tube 4 to the ventilating means 3 and further out from the apparatus.

In Fig. 2, the flush toilet ventilating means has been separately depicted. Interrupted lines indicate the top rim d of the flush toilet seat b, around which the saddle part 6 with seat switch 2 can be placed. The saddle part 6 is a mounting component, made of an elastic material, for the means. On one side wing of the saddle part 6 has been disposed a battery or transformer 7, or an equivalent means, supplying current to the ventilating means 3. The leads 8 have been carried along the underside of the flexible saddle part 6 or between the cuter surfaces 6a,6b of said saddle part, appropriately a saddle part of plastic, 6.

A flexible plastic tube 4 has been attached to the output end of the ventilating means 3. In the flexible plastic tube 4 has been placed a check valve 5, which prevents drain air from coming into contact with the ventilating means and further out therefrom, particularly at those times when the ventilating means is not switched on and draws no air as indicated by the arrow L. The check valve 5 may also have been positioned in conjunction with the ventilating means 3. In Fig. 3 is presented another advantageous embodiment of the ventilating means 30, or air flew activator, according to the invention. New, the ventilation means 30 consists of an ejector means, known in itself in the art, where a nozzle 31 has been disposed in the interior of the ventilation means 30 and, advantageously, in its central region. Pressurized liquid is introduced from the water mains 90 through a connector 91 in the duct 80a, this liquid being arranged to pass through the switch 20 into the duct 80b and further to the nozzle 31. When the cover a presses the switch 20 down, a flew path is opened from the connector 80a to the connector 80b and further to the nozzle 31, through which the water is jetted in the form of droplets into the passage 4. The injector 30 entrains, as indicated with arrows, air from within the flush toilet seat and removes it through the drain trap c into the drain passage, as was described in the preceding embodiment already.

There may be one nozzle 31 or several, and they discharge a carrier air jet which induces air to be exhausted along with it, and air exhaustion takes place through the passage 4 into the drain passage.

The valve 5 consists in the embodiment of Fig. 3, advantageously, of a water column 51 which has been disposed to be present in the passage 4. The water 53 in the drain trap has been arranged to pass into the passage 4 through an aperture 52 or thrαuφ. a plurality of apertures. When the blower 30, or the flew activator, is in operation, the air flew from the blower 30 pushes the water column 51 out of its way and admits, as indicated with the arrow L, the air to be exhausted into the drain passage.

In the embodiment of Fig. 3, the switch 20 opens and closes the communication with the water passage 90. The connector 91 is advantageously disposed to run protected by the saddle part 60, and advantageously a quicik coupling. The passages 80a and 80b are advantageously disposed to run protected by the saddle part 60, and advantageously between the outer surfaces 60a and 60b of the saddle part 60. The saddle part 60 is advantageously disposed to be seated on the porcelain border d, and the seat ring a is arranged when a person sits down an the ring to press the switch 20 into a position such that a water flew is admitted through the connector 80a to the ccnnector 80b and further to the flew activation means 30.

In Fig. 4 is presented a third advantageous embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, compressed air is conducted through the ducts 800a and 800b to the flow activator 300, which operates again as an ejector means. The nozzle 310 producing a carrier air jet has once again been disposed to be located in the centre of the flew activator. In the present embodiment a carrier air jet, denoted with D, is discharged through a nozzle 310. This carrier air jet induces air that has to be exhausted to go along with it, and the air is removed as indicated, by the arrow L, along the passage 4 and through the valve 50. The valve 50 consists advantageously, again, of water that has been able to flow into the substantially U-shaped conduit section of the passage 4 extending into the drain trap 7. The air indicated with arrow L blows the water column 51 out ot its way, and the air is enabled to pass through the valve 51 into the drain passage. The pressurized air is conveyed ftαm an air compressor means 700, comprising a pump means 710 producing the air flow and a current source 720 rotating said pump. The pump means 710 comprises means for producing a flew, for instance an impeller or vanes, and an electric motor part proper, which derives its energy frcm a storage battery means 720 or from the mains. In Fig. 4 is indicated by interrupted lines 820 the connection to the electric mains 830. When the switch 200 is pressed preferably downwards, the compressor pump 710 is switched cn and pressurized air is conducted through the passages 800a and 800b to the flew activator 300. The switch breaks and closes the electric circuit 810a,810b of the drive motor of the pump means either directly or indirectly. Such an embodiment is also feasible in which the pressure is sensed in the passage 800 and the circuit of the drive motor of the pump means 710 is accordingly opened or closed. The passages 800a and 800b are advantageously carried so that they run between the top and bottom surfaces 600a,600b of the saddle part 600, but such an embodiment is equally feasible in which the passage sections are carried upon the saddle part. The pump compressor 710 is activated, to become operative, with a switch 200, advantageously arranged in its open position to transmit a signal along the signal path 801 to the operating switch 801 of the pump compressor 710.

Such an embodiment is likewise feasible in which the pressure is derived directly from a compressed airline or from a pressure accumulator, in that case the switch 200 may directly open and close the compressed air passage 800.

In Fig. 5 has more closely been presented the design of the directional valve 50. The directional valve 50 consists of water 51 that has been caused to flew into the passage 4 and arranged to be blown out from the passage 4 along with the exhaust air. When the flew activator 3,30,300 is not in use, the passage 4 fills at the location of the drain trap c through an aperture 52 or through a plurality of apertures 52 with water entering the passage 4, which as it fills the passage 4 prevents mixing of drain air with the room air through the passage 4.

Claims

1. Ventilation arrangement for a flush toilet, comprising a ventilating means (3,30,300) disposed in conjunction with the flush toilet, characterized in that from said ventilating means (3,30, 300) a passage (4) has been carried through the drain trap (c) of the flush toilet into the drain passage (e).

2. Ventilation arrangement in a flush toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that upon the tcp border (d) of the flush toilet's seat part has been disposed a seat switch (2,20,200), this switch (2,20,200) being arranged to switch the ventilating means (3,30, 300) to be operative when a person sits down on the seat ring (a) of the flush toilet.

3. Ventilation arrangement in a flush toilet accoirding to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the ventilating means (3,30,300) has been placed to be on the inside of the flush toilet seat (b).

4. Ventilation arrangement in a flush toilet according to claim 1,2 or 3, characterized in that the passage (4) carried through the drain trap (c) of the flush toilet into the drain passage (e) is flexible.

5. Ventilation apparatus (1) employed in a ventilation arrangement of a flush toilet according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that the apparatus (1) comprises an air exhaust passage (4) which has been connected to a ventilating means (3,30,300).

e. Ventilation apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the means comprises a flexible saddle part (6) on one end of which the ventilating means (3) has been attached and on the other end of which has been attached a battery or transformer (7).

7. ventilation apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the seat switch has been disposed in the saddle part (6) in its central area between the ventilating means (3) and the battery or transformer (7).

8. Ventilation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5-7, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a check valve (5,50) which has been arranged to prevent the drain air from by-passing the drain trap (c) by the passage (4) to the ventilating means (3,30,300) and further out therefrom, particularly when the ventilating means (3,30,300) is not in operation.

9. Ventilation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5-8, characterized in that the flexible saddle part (6) consists of plastic, whereby the saddle part (6) can be disposed against the top border of the rim (d) of the seat part (b), the ventilating means (3) remaining inside the seat part proper (b) and the battery or transformer (7) remaining outside the seat part (b) against the rim part of the seat part (b).

10. Ventilation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5-9, characterized in that the passage (4) is flexible.

11. Ventilation apparatus employed in a flush toilet ventilation arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that as ventilating means (30) serves an ejector which has been disposed with its carrier air flew (D) to induce air (L) along with it.

12. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that water is jetted thrαuφ a nozzle (31), or through a plurality of nozzles, in the ventilating means (30).

13. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the water has been arranged to be brought from the water mains (90) and it has been arranged to go to the ventilating means (30) to the nozzle (31), or plurality of nozzles, thereof through a switch (20) provided on the saddle part (60), said switch being arranged to open and close the connection of pressurized water with the ventilating means (30).

14. Ventilation apparatus employed in a flush toilet ventilation arrangement according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that as ventilating means (300) serves an ejector means, to its nozzle (310), or plurality of nozzles, having been arranged conduction of compressed air for producing a carrier air jet (D) for the air flew (L) that has to be removed.

15. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that there is an air compressor (700) from which the pressurized ciir is derived.

16. Ventilation apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims 5-15, characterized in that the valve arrangement (50) closing and opening the passage. (4) has been implemented by means of a water column (51) introduced in the passage (4) and which has been arranged to escape from the passage (4) when the means (3,30, 300) is activated to blow action.

17. Apparatus according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the water column (51) introduced in the passage (4) has been arranged to be formed by water (53) in the drain trap (c) of the flush toilet, which has been arranged to enter the passage (4) through at least one aperture (52).