Operating unit

Abstract

An operating unit for operating a flush valve, the operating unit comprising: a support plate; at least one operating element which can be moved relative to the support plate and which has a front face and a rear face and at least one active surface which is oriented at an angle to the front face and / or the rear face at an angle; and at least one restoring element, which acts on the operating element via an active surface, by means of which the at least one operating element can be moved back to a starting position after actuation, the at least one operating element being pivotally connected to the support plate via at least one hinge, the restoring element having a bearing section and a spring section, the bearing plate has a bearing receptacle on the rear side, in which the restoring element is fixedly mounted by means of a bearing section, and wherein the spring section protrudes from the bearing plate by means of an active region at an angle to the rear side and acts on an active surface of the actuating element.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to an operating unit for operating a flush valve according to claim 1 . Background Art

[0002] Operating devices for flushing tanks of toilets or urinals are known in the prior art. For example, EP 2 476 808 discloses an operating device for an outlet valve of a flushing tank. The operating device comprises an operating plate in which at least one operating button for triggering flushing is arranged. The operating button is reset via a spring element in the form of a leaf spring. The leaf spring acts on the rear side of the operating button.

[0003] The leaf spring according to EP 2 476 808 ensures a rapid and safe resetting. However, the leaf spring takes up a large installation space due to its structure. Summary of the invention

[0004] On the basis of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an operating unit for operating a flush valve, which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a preferred object of the present invention is to provide an operating unit for operating a flush valve, which is constructed in a more compact manner with respect to the reset part. Another object is to provide an operating unit for operating a flush valve, which has an alternative reset part.

[0005] The above and other objects are achieved according to the subject matter of claim 1. Thus, an operating unit for operating a flush valve comprises a support plate; at least one operating element, which can be moved relative to the support plate, the operating element having a front and a rear side and having at least one active surface, which is oriented at an angle (α) to the front side and / or the rear side; and at least one reset element, which acts on the operating element via the active surface, with which the at least one operating element can be moved back to the starting position after being operated. At least one operating element is pivotably connected to the support plate via at least one hinge. Thus, at least one operating element can be pivoted relative to the support plate. The reset element has a support section and a spring section. The support plate has a support receptacle on its rear side, in which the reset element is fixedly supported with the support section. The spring section protrudes from the support plate with an active area at an angle (β) to the rear side and acts on the active surface of the operating element.

[0006] The advantage of this configuration is that the elements for resetting can be arranged in a compact manner. In particular, the required volume can be reduced compared to leaf springs known in the prior art.

[0007] Preferably, the active region bears flat against the active surface. Preferably, there is no fixed connection between the active region and the active surface. Preferably, the reset element is made of spring steel.

[0008] Preferably, the spring section adjoins the bearing section with a transition region. The effective region adjoins the transition region, wherein the transition region is preferably designed in a rounded manner with a rounding.

[0009] The spring element is preferably designed in one piece.

[0010] The transition region forms the transition between the active region and the bearing section. Depending on the design of the active region and the active surface, during operation, the elastic deformation essentially occurs in the transition region.

[0011] Preferably, the spring section is designed as a spring lug, which bends during actuation. This bending takes place in a spring-elastic manner, wherein the spring section moves back into position again after the force effect caused by the actuation has been eliminated. The term "spring lug" refers to a structure with a small thickness. The spring lug can also be referred to as a spring blade.

[0012] Preferably, the support plate has at least one through hole which is bounded by a plate edge. At least one operating element is located in the at least one through hole. During operation, the operating element can be pivoted out of the through hole on one side of the rear side. The spring section at least partially extends from the plate edge into the clear width of the through hole.

[0013] The rear side of the support plate is formed by the plate edge.

[0014] Preferably, the bearing section and the spring section extend at an angle (δ) to one another. The angle (δ) is preferably 60° to 120°, in particular 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, and particularly preferably 90°.

[0015] Preferably, the bearing section has a bearing surface, which extends parallel to the rear face. The active region has a contact surface, which is located on the active face, wherein the bearing surface extends obliquely to the contact surface at an angle (δ). The angle (δ) is preferably 60° to 120°, in particular 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, and particularly preferably 90°.

[0016] Preferably, when the operating element is operated, the angle (δ) becomes smaller or larger than the initial position. After resetting, the angle returns to the original angle value.

[0017] Preferably, the bearing section is fixedly connected to the bearing receptacle in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or materially bonding manner.

[0018] Preferably, the bearing receptacle has a receiving space in which the bearing section is fixedly supported.

[0019] It is particularly preferred that the bearing section can be inserted into the receiving space.

[0020] Particularly preferably, the receiving space is formed in a front and rear open form, wherein the support section can be inserted into the receiving space from the front side and extend from the receiving space via the rear side. Preferably, a stop extends away from the rear side, and the support section stops at the stop.

[0021] Preferably, at least one hinge has at least one first joint part and at least one second joint part, wherein the joint parts are pivotably coupled to one another, wherein the first joint part is arranged on the support plate and the second joint part is arranged on the operating element.

[0022] The first hinge part is preferably a pin receiving part, and the second hinge part is preferably a hinge pin, wherein the hinge pin engages in the pin receiving part. Alternatively, the first hinge part is preferably a hinge pin, and the second hinge part is preferably a pin receiving part, wherein the hinge pin engages in the pin receiving part.

[0023] Preferably, the bearing receptacle is located between the rear side of the bearing plate and the first hinge part.

[0024] Preferably, a restoring element is arranged at each hinge, wherein each restoring element is assigned to a corresponding hinge.

[0025] Preferably, the bearing receptacle is arranged at a distance from the at least one hinge.

[0026] Preferably, the active surface is provided by an active section. The active section is provided at least partially by a side edge which completely or partially surrounds the operating element, wherein the side edge preferably extends substantially at right angles to the front and / or rear face, or wherein the active section protrudes from the rear face of the operating element.

[0027] Preferably, the side edges extend from the front to the rear.

[0028] Preferably, the engagement section projects rearwardly with a subsection away from the rear face, wherein at least one supporting rib is arranged in the region in which the restoring element acts on the engagement section and supports the subsection projecting rearwardly away from the rear face toward the rear.

[0029] Preferably, the support plate has a fastening structure on its rear side, with which the support plate can be fastened to a fastening element, in particular a fastening frame.

[0030] A device comprises a flushing tank with a flushing valve and an actuator, wherein at least one operating element acts on the actuator and operates the actuator. The actuator can be, for example, a push rod that acts directly or indirectly on the flushing valve. Alternatively, the actuator can also be an electromechanical actuator (e.g., an electric motor).

[0031] Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are only used for explanation and should not be interpreted as limiting. In the accompanying drawings:

[0033] Figure 1 It shows a perspective exploded view of an operating unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 2 Shown according to Figure 1 Another exploded perspective view of the operating unit;

[0035] Figure 3 shows a perspective view of an assembled operating unit according to the above figures;

[0036] Figure 4a shows a sectional view through an operating unit with a non-operated (ie non-pivoted) operating element;

[0037] Figure 4b Shows Figure 4a Detailed view of

[0038] Figure 5a shows a section through an operating unit with an operated, ie pivoted, operating element; and

[0039] Figure 5b Shows Figure 5a Detailed view of the . DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] The drawing shows an embodiment of an operating unit 1 according to the invention. The operating unit 1 serves to operate a flushing valve arranged in a flushing tank.

[0041] The operating unit 1 comprises a support plate 2; at least one operating element 3, which can be moved relative to the support plate 2; and at least one resetting element 7. The operating element 3 is pivotally connected to the support plate 2 via at least one hinge 8. In the embodiment shown, two operating elements 3 are arranged in different sizes. The larger operating element 3 is used to trigger a complete flush, and the smaller operating element 3 is used to trigger a partial flush. In other embodiments, only a single operating element 3 may also be arranged.

[0042] Figure 1 At least one operating element 3 and at least one reset element 7 are shown before being mounted on the support plate 2. Figure 2 In the illustrated embodiment, the reset element 7 is connected to the support plate 2 and starting from the position shown, the operating element 3 can be connected to the support plate 2 . Figure 3 The assembled operating unit 1 is shown.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the support plate 2 comprises at least one through-hole 16 , here two through-holes 16 , in which the operating element 3 is located. The through-hole 16 is surrounded by a plate edge 17 .

[0044] Reference Figures 4a to 5b , the at least one resetting element 7 and its function will now be described. In the embodiment shown, two resetting elements 7 are arranged for each operating element 3 .

[0045] At least one operating element 3 has a front face 4 and a rear face 5. Furthermore, the operating element 3 comprises at least one active surface 6, via which a reset element 7 exerts a reset force on the operating element 3. The reset element 7 acts on the operating element 3 via the active surface 6, and after an operation the operating element 3 moves back to the starting position. The active surface 6 is oriented at an angle α to the front face 4 and / or the rear face 5. In the embodiment shown, the angle α is 90°.

[0046] At least one reset element 7 has a bearing section 9 and a spring section 10. Preferably, the reset element 7 is made of spring steel, in particular by a stamping process and a forming process. At least one reset element 7 is fixedly supported on the support plate 2. The support plate 2 has a bearing receptacle 12 on its rear side 11, in which the bearing section 9 is fixedly supported. The spring section 10 protrudes from the support plate 2 with an effective area 13 at an angle β to the rear side 11. The spring section 10 acts on the effective surface 6 of the operating element 3 with the effective area 13. Figure 4b As shown, in the starting position, the angle β is approximately 90°. Figure 5b As shown, the angle β changes when the operating element 3 is actuated. The angle β decreases.

[0047] The support section 9 and the spring section 10 extend at an angle δ relative to each other. Here, the angle δ is equal to the angle β. Figure 4b As shown, in the starting position, the angle δ is about 90°. Figure 5b As shown, the angle δ changes when the operating element 3 is actuated. The angle δ decreases.

[0048] In the embodiment shown, the bearing section 9 rests with the bearing surface 18 on the rear side 5 of the bearing plate 2. The bearing surface 18 runs parallel to the rear side 5. The active region 13 rests with the contact surface 19 on the active surface 6. The bearing surface 18 is inclined at the above-mentioned angle δ to the contact surface 19.

[0049] Viewed from the transition region 14 , the bearing section 9 and the activation region 13 have approximately the same length. This means that the bearing section 9 and the activation region 13 extend away from the transition region 14 substantially over the same length.

[0050] In the embodiment shown, the spring section 10 has a transition region 14. The transition region 14 adjoins the bearing region 9 and the transition region 14 finally transitions into the effective region 13. The transition region 14 is rounded with a rounding 15. Figure 4b and Figure 5b It can be seen that the spring section 10 is deformed primarily in the transition region 14 . This means that the transition region 14 is elastically deformed during the displacement of the operating element 3 .

[0051] When the actuating element 3 is displaced, the effective region 13 of the spring portion 10 lies substantially flat on the effective surface 6 . Preferably, there is no fixed connection between the effective region 13 and the effective surface 6 .

[0052] As described above, the support plate 2 has at least one through hole 16. In the embodiment shown, the spring section 11 at least partially extends from the plate edge 17 into the clear width of the through hole 16. The support receptacle 12 is arranged at the plate edge 17 in the region of the through hole 16.

[0053] In the embodiment shown, the bearing section 9 is fixedly held in the bearing receptacle 12 via a form fit. In the embodiment shown, the bearing receptacle 12 has a receptacle space 20 in which the bearing section 9 is fixedly supported. Here, the receptacle space 20 is designed to be open at the front and rear. The bearing section 9 can be inserted into the receptacle space 20 from the front and can extend from the receptacle space 20 via the rear. The bearing section 9 has lateral clamping lugs 26, which protrude at right angles from the bearing section 9 and provide a clamping effect in the receptacle space 20. In the rear area, the receptacle space 20 has a stop 21, at which the bearing section 9 stops.

[0054] Other types of connections between the bearing section 9 and the bearing receptacle 12 are also conceivable, for example, the bearing section 9 can be fixedly connected to the bearing receptacle 12 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or materially fitting manner.

[0055] The active surface 6 is provided by an active section 22. In the embodiment shown, the active section 22 is provided at least partially by a side edge 23. The side edge 23 completely or partially surrounds the operating element 3 and extends essentially at right angles to the front face 4 and / or the rear face 5. However, the active section 22 can also protrude from the rear face 5 of the operating element 3.

[0056] Preferably, the engagement section 22 projects rearwardly with a subsection 24 away from the rear face 5 . In the region where the restoring element 7 acts on the engagement section 22 , at least one supporting rib 25 is arranged which supports the subsection 24 projecting rearwardly away from the rear face 5 towards the rear face 5 .

[0057] At least one hinge 8 has at least one first hinge part 27 and at least one second hinge part 28 between the support plate 2 and the operating element 3. The hinge parts 27 and 28 are pivotable relative to each other and engage with each other. The first hinge part 27 is arranged at the support plate 2, and the second hinge part 28 is arranged at the operating element 3. The first hinge part 27 is a hinge receiving portion, and the second hinge part 28 is a hinge pin. Alternatively, the first hinge part 27 can be a hinge pin, and the second hinge part 28 can be a hinge receiving portion.

[0058] In the embodiment shown, the bearing receptacle 12 is located between the rear side 11 of the bearing plate 2 and the first hinge part 27. This means that the bearing section 9 of the restoring element 7 extends below the first hinge part 27. A compact arrangement can thereby be created.

[0059] In the embodiment shown, a restoring element 7 is respectively arranged on each hinge 8 , wherein each restoring element 7 is associated with the respective hinge 8 .

[0060] However, the at least one restoring element 7 can also be arranged at another location independently of the hinge 8 . This means that the bearing receptacle 12 is arranged at a distance from the at least one hinge 8 .

[0061] Description of Reference Numerals

[0062] 1Operation unit

[0063] 2 Support plate

[0064] 3 Operating elements

[0065] 4Front

[0066] 5. Back

[0067] 6 Action surface

[0068] 7Reset element

[0069] 8 Hinge

[0070] 9 Support section

[0071] 10 Spring section

[0072] 11 Rear

[0073] 12 Support receiving portion

[0074] 13 Area of ​​effect

[0075] 14 Transition Zone

[0076] 15 Rounded part

[0077] 16 Through Holes

[0078] 17 Board edge

[0079] 18 Support surface

[0080] 19 Contact surface

[0081] 20 Accommodation Space

[0082] 21 Stopper

[0083] 22 Action section

[0084] 23 Side edge

[0085] 24 subsections

[0086] 25 Support ribs

[0087] 26 Clamping lug

[0088] 27 first hinge member

[0089] 28 Second hinge member

[0090] α angle

[0091] β angle

[0092] δ angle

Claims

1. An operating unit (1) for operating a flushing valve, the operating unit comprising: Support plate (2), at least one operating element (3) which is movable relative to the support plate (2), the at least one operating element having a front face (4) and a rear face (5) and at least one active surface (6) which is oriented obliquely at an angle (α) to the front face (4) and / or the rear face (5), and at least one resetting element (7) which acts on the operating element (3) via the active surface (6), with the aid of which the at least one resetting element (7) can be moved back to a starting position after being operated, wherein the at least one operating element (3) is pivotably connected to the support plate (2) via at least one hinge (8), The restoring element (7) comprises a bearing section (9) and a spring section (10). The support plate (2) has a support receptacle (12) on its rear side (11), in which the restoring element (7) is fixedly supported by the support section (9), and The spring section (10) projects with an effective region (13) from the support plate (2) at an angle (β) to the rear side (11) and acts on an effective surface (6) of the operating element (3).

2. The operating unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that The spring section (10) adjoins the bearing section (9) with a transition region (14), wherein the effective region (13) adjoins the transition region (14), wherein the transition region (14) is preferably designed in a rounded manner with a rounding (15).

3. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The spring section (10) is designed as a spring lug which bends during actuation.

4. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The support plate (2) has at least one through-hole (16) which is delimited by a plate edge (17), wherein the at least one operating element (3) is located in the at least one through-hole (16), and wherein the spring section (11) at least partially protrudes from the plate edge (17) into the clear width of the through-hole (16).

5. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bearing section (9) and the spring section (10) extend at an angle (δ) to one another, wherein the angle (δ) is 60° to 120°, in particular 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, particularly preferably 90°, and / or The bearing section (9) has a bearing surface (18) which extends parallel to the rear face (5), and the active region (13) has a contact surface (19) which is located on the active face (6), wherein the bearing surface (18) extends obliquely to the contact surface (19) at an angle (δ), wherein the angle (δ) is 60° to 120°, in particular 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, and particularly preferably 90°.

6. The operating unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that When the operating element is operated, the angle (δ) becomes smaller or larger compared to the initial position.

7. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bearing section (9) is fixedly connected to the bearing receptacle (12) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or materially bonding manner.

8. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The bearing receptacle (12) has a receiving space (20) in which the bearing section (9) is fixedly supported.

9. The operating unit (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that The bearing section (9) is insertable into the receiving space (20); and / or The accommodating space (20) is designed to be open on the front side and the rear side, wherein the supporting section (9) can be inserted into the accommodating space (20) from the front side and extend out of the accommodating space (20) via the rear side, wherein a stop member (21) preferably extends away from the rear side (11) and the supporting section (9) stops at the stop member (21).

10. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The at least one hinge (8) has at least one first hinge part (27) and at least one second hinge part (28), wherein the hinge parts (27, 28) are pivotably connected to each other, wherein the first hinge part (27) is arranged on the support plate (2) and the second hinge part (28) is arranged on the operating element (3).

11. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The support receiving portion (12) is located between the rear side (11) of the support plate (2) and the first hinge member (27).

12. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that A restoring element (7) is arranged on each hinge (8), wherein each restoring element (7) is assigned to a corresponding hinge (8).

13. The operating unit (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in that The bearing receptacle (12) is arranged at a distance from the at least one hinge (8).

14. The operating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that The active surface (6) is provided by an active section (22), wherein the active section (22) is at least partially provided by a side edge (23) which completely or partially surrounds the operating element (3), wherein the side edge (23) preferably extends substantially at right angles to the front face (4) and / or the rear face (5); or The engagement section (22) projects from the rear side (5) of the operating element (3).

15. The operating unit (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that The action section (22) projects rearwardly with a subsection (24) away from the rear face (5), wherein at least one supporting rib (25) is arranged in the area where the reset element (7) acts on the action section (22), and the at least one supporting rib supports the subsection (24) projecting rearwardly away from the rear face (5) toward the rear face (5).

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