Water supply system for supplying water into flush tank

Abstract

A water supply system (1) comprising: a body (2) provided with an air intake port (4); a first conduit (10) connected to the water supply network; a second duct (20) in communication with the first duct through an opening (27) and comprising a lumen (24) positioned in vertical alignment with the air intake port (4); a shutter (32) capable of closing the opening (27); a shutter (50) movable between a low position, in which the shutter rests on the lumen, and a high position, in which the shutter closes the air intake port; a flow modifying device (40) downstream of the lumen, the flow modifying device creating a back pressure. The shutter has a density greater than 1.4, thereby preventing the shutter from floating. The shutter is moved toward its high position by back pressure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for supplying water to a flushing tank. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, such a system includes a pipe connected to a water supply network and extending into the tank. A valve allows or blocks the flow of water into the tank according to the height of the water in the tank.

[0003] It is necessary to prevent the water from flowing back into the supply network, which may typically occur when there is a negative pressure in the network. For this purpose, it is known to provide an air intake port at the upper part of the water supply system.

[0004] In operation, when the valve is open, water flows into the pipe. To prevent water droplets from escaping through the air intake port, the water supply system is typically provided with a movable baffle that rises by buoyancy once the water level reaches the movable baffle. Thus, the baffle very quickly closes the air intake port, thereby preventing splashing. In doing so, the air present in the system is trapped. This air mixes with the water, thereby generating bubbles that produce an unpleasant noise. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to remedy this drawback, that is, to reduce or eliminate the cavitation noise after the valve is opened.

[0006] For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the present invention relates to a system for supplying water to a flushing tank, which in an installation position includes:

[0007] - A body that includes an air intake port in its upper part;

[0008] - A first pipe disposed in the body, the first pipe being configured to be connected to a water supply network at an upstream end of the first pipe;

[0009] - A second pipe that is at least partially disposed in the body, the second pipe having an upstream end and a downstream end, the upstream end being in fluid communication with the first pipe through an opening, the downstream end being positioned lower than the upstream end, the second pipe including a lumen that is positioned substantially vertically aligned with the air intake port, and a support surface being defined by a peripheral edge of the lumen;

[0010] - A valve mounted on the body, and the valve can be in a closed state or an open state according to the height of the water in the tank. In the closed state, the valve seals the opening in a sealed manner, and in the open state, the opening is released;

[0011] - A baffle that is capable of moving between the following positions:

[0012] --Low position, in the low position, the blocking member is resting on the support surface, thereby providing a communication space between the interior and the exterior of the second pipe in the lumen, and the air intake port is unobstructed;

[0013] --And a high position, in the high position, the blocking member closes the air intake port.

[0014] According to the general definition of the present invention, the water supply system further includes a flow modifying device that is fastened downstream of the lumen to the second pipe, and the flow modifying device generates a back pressure when water flows through the system towards the water tank. Additionally, the blocking member has a density greater than 1.4, thereby preventing the blocking member from floating. Thus, starting from the non-activated state of the system in which the baffle is in the closed position and the blocking member is in the low position, the opening of the valve and the resulting flow of water into the second pipe cause the blocking member to move to the high position of the blocking member under the action of the back pressure generated by the flow modifying device.

[0015] With this arrangement, in order for the blocking member to be able to move to its high position, it is not sufficient for the water level to reach the blocking member as in the case where the blocking member is designed to float in the prior art. In the system according to the present invention, since the blocking member has a density that prevents it from floating, an additional force must be applied to the blocking member in order to be able to raise the blocking member. This occurs when the back pressure generated by the flow modifying device - that is, the pressure opposite to the flow of the fluid - is sufficient to raise the blocking member. Therefore, compared to the case of movement by simple floating in the prior art, the movement of the blocking member of the system of the present invention to its high position occurs with a time deviation. Therefore, this allows more time for the air in the body to escape through the air intake port before the air intake port is closed. Therefore, the amount of air bubbles in the water flowing through the water supply system is significantly reduced, resulting in a significant reduction in the noise generated when the valve is opened.

[0016] According to a possible embodiment, the blocking member has a density greater than 2.

[0017] The blocking member can be made of a material belonging to the group including the following: stainless steel, glass, aluminum, polyoxymethylene (POM), materials filled with plastics (for example, having mineral fillers or glass fibers or carbon fibers), such as especially filled polyamide. More generally, the blocking member can be made of any material that cannot float and is waterproof for a long time.

[0018] According to a possible embodiment, the blocking member is a spherical member.

[0019] In this case, the lumen provided in the second pipe can be rectangular or substantially elliptical in order to leave a communication space between the interior and the exterior of the second pipe when the spherical member is in the low position. This allows air to enter the interior of the second pipe through the air intake port when the spherical member is in the low position.

[0020] For example, the distance that the blocking member travels between the low position and the high position is greater than half of the height of the blocking member, preferably greater than the height of the blocking member. This distance is relatively large and greater than the distance in the prior art. It takes a certain amount of time for the blocking member to move to its high position, during which time air can be discharged through the air intake port. Therefore, such dimensional characteristics enable further improvement in the performance of the system according to the present invention.

[0021] According to a possible embodiment, the blocking member is positioned in a housing provided in the body. The housing has the shape of a bell converging upward and has a lower opening and an upper opening. The lower opening is positioned near the lumen provided in the second duct, and the upper opening is positioned near or forms the air intake port. This housing - which can be installed in the cylindrical portion of the body - enables guiding the blocking member toward its high position and guiding air.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the second duct includes a substantially horizontal first portion provided with a lumen, and a substantially vertical and descending second portion extends from this first portion. The lumen is preferably positioned near the junction between the first portion and the second portion. With this arrangement, the blocking member is directly subjected to back pressure because the blocking member is positioned substantially aligned with the substantially vertical second portion of the second duct.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the support surface defined by the lumen extends substantially in a plane that is inclined downstream by an angle in the range of 4° to 8° with respect to the horizontal plane. Additionally, the rectangular or substantially oval lumen has a large dimension oriented substantially parallel to the axis of the first portion of the second duct (by the above-mentioned inclination). In this way, in the low position, the blocking member can be repeatedly positioned at the downstream end of the lumen due to gravity. The upstream portion of the lumen is unobstructed, thereby allowing more efficient air discharge.

[0024] The water supply system may further include a cover that is mounted on the body above the air intake port. The cover includes a passage that has a hole positioned opposite the air intake port and is exposed outside the body, such that at the installation position of the system, droplets ejected from the inside of the body via the air intake port can enter the passage and be guided in the passage until the droplets fall back into the tank. Compared with the prior art, the fact that the closing of the air intake port is delayed may cause droplets to leave through this port, which is not desirable. The cover enables restricting the ejection of droplets. With this arrangement, the present invention enables reducing the noise generated when controlling splashing. Of course, the cover does not prevent air from entering through the air intake port, and air can enter via the passage of the cover.

[0025] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a toilet bowl, which includes a basin-shaped member, a flushing tank, and a system for supplying water into the tank as described above.

[0026] According to a first embodiment, the flow modifying device includes a tip fastened to the downstream end of the second pipe, the tip having a converging section and configured to form part of a device for suction by the Venturi effect. In this case, the restriction of the water passage section generates a back pressure. With this arrangement, the toilet bowl can include a flushing system, which includes:

[0027] - The water supply system as described above;

[0028] - A vertically rising injection pipe mounted on the tip, the upstream end of the injection pipe being positioned opposite the downstream end of the tip, and at least one port being provided between the tip and the injection pipe to allow the water contained in the tank to be suctioned through the Venturi effect;

[0029] - A discharge pipe mounted at the downstream end of the injection pipe for guiding water towards the basin-shaped member.

[0030] The flushing tank can be positioned at approximately the same height as the basin-shaped member because the water supply achieves the Venturi effect, which does not require gravity to operate. The toilet bowl can also include a system for filling the flushing tank that is separate from the flushing system.

[0031] According to a second embodiment, the flow modifying device includes a sleeve installed inside the second pipe, the sleeve including a set of spherical members through which water can flow, and the sleeve forms a muffler, thereby allowing the noise generated by the flow to be reduced. In this case, the fact of forcing water to pass between the spherical members generates a back pressure. With this arrangement, the water supply system forms a system for filling the flushing tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Now, with reference to the drawings, several possible embodiments of the invention are described by way of non-limiting examples:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic vertical cross-section in the plane P1 of a system for supplying water into a flushing tank according to the invention, the system including a flow modifying device and a shielding member, the shielding member being in a low position;

[0034] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a partial perspective view of the system taken along a vertical plane P2 orthogonal to the plane P1;

[0035] Figure 3 is Figure 1Partial perspective view of the system taken along plane P1;

[0036] Figure 4 is a detailed view of the cross-section of the water supply system in plane P1 when the shielding member is in the high position;

[0037] Figure 5 is a detailed view of the cross-section in plane P2 when the shielding member is in the high position;

[0038] Figure 6 is a perspective view of the flushing system, which includes the water supply system according to the first embodiment;

[0039] Figure 7 includes Figure 6 perspective view of a toilet with a flushing system;

[0040] Figure 8 is Figure 6 detailed view of the flushing system in a vertical cross-section, which shows the flow rate modifying device;

[0041] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the water supply system according to the second embodiment, which forms a system for filling the flushing tank;

[0042] Figure 10 is Figure 9 detailed view of the flow rate modifying device of the system. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0043] Figure 1 represents a water supply system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Such a water supply system 1 can supply water to a flushing tank 101 belonging to a toilet 100, and the toilet 100 is illustrated as, for example, the toilet 100 in the example shown in Figure 7 below.

[0044] The water supply system 1 in its installed position will be described below.

[0045] The water supply system 1 includes a body 2. A first pipe 10 is provided in the body 2. The first pipe 10 has an upstream end 11 configured to be connected to a water supply network. The first pipe 10 also has a downstream end extending into a chamber 12.

[0046] A second pipe 20 is at least partially provided in the body 2. The second pipe 20 has an upstream end 25 and a downstream end 26. The upstream end 25 is in fluid communication with the chamber 12 through an opening 27 and is thus in fluid communication with the first pipe 10. The downstream end 26 is positioned lower than the upstream end 25.

[0047] According to a possible embodiment, the second conduit 20 includes a substantially horizontal first portion 21 provided in the body 2 starting from the opening 27, and a substantially vertical and descending second portion 22 extends from the first portion 21. The second portion 22 may also be provided in the body 2. The second conduit 20 may further include a vertical and descending third portion 23, and the third portion 23 is assembled to the body 2 in a sealed manner and extends from the second portion 22 to the outside of the body until the downstream end 26. The first portion 21 has an axis A21, and the second portion 22 has an axis A22.

[0048] The water supply system 1 further includes a valve 30 mounted on the body 2. On the one hand, the valve 30 may include a housing 31 that defines an internal volume and has an opening facing the second conduit 20, and on the other hand, the valve 30 may include a closing element 32 mounted in the opening of the housing 31.

[0049] The closing element 32 may include a head 33 engaged in the second conduit 20. The head 33 defines an annular groove at its base, and a flexible membrane 34 is mounted in the annular groove. The membrane 34 can be applied to the opening 27. In addition, the housing 31 includes a small-sized port 39 opposite to the closing element 32.

[0050] According to the height of the water in the tank 101, the valve 30 may be in a closed state or an open state. In the closed state, the valve 30 closes the opening 27 in a sealed manner, thereby preventing water from flowing into the second conduit 20. In the open state, the opening 27 is unobstructed, thereby allowing water to flow into the second conduit 20.

[0051] More particularly, the rod-shaped member 35 is pivotally mounted on the body 2 about an axis A35, and the axis A35 is substantially horizontal and parallel to the opening 27 here. The rod-shaped member 35 is provided with a sealing portion 36 positioned opposite to the port 39 and is connected to the float 37, for example, via a rod-shaped member 38. Therefore, the vertical movement of the float 37 causes the rod-shaped member 35 to pivot and causes the sealing portion 36 to move, thereby closing or releasing the port 29. According to the pressure balance, the membrane 34 is pressed against the opening 27 in a sealed manner, which corresponds to the closed state of the valve 30, or the membrane 34 is separated from the opening 27, which corresponds to the open state of the valve 30.

[0052] The body 2 includes an air intake port 4 in its upper portion. The air intake port 4 preferably extends in a substantially horizontal plane and is preferably provided in the highest portion of the body 2. For example, as Figure 1As shown, the body 2 may include a cylindrical portion 3 having a vertical axis. The cylindrical portion 3 projects upward and is positioned higher than the first pipe 10 and the second pipe 20. The cylindrical portion 3 is open at its upper end, and the opening or a part of the opening forms an air intake port 4. The air intake port 4 may have a generally vertical axis A4. The axis A4 may be substantially coincident with the axis A22 of the second portion 22 of the second pipe 20.

[0053] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, a plane P2 is defined as a vertical plane that is orthogonal to the first pipe 10 and includes the axis A4. A plane P1 is also defined as a vertical plane that is orthogonal to the plane P2 and includes the axis A4.

[0054] The second pipe 20 includes a lumen 24 that is positioned to be generally vertically aligned with the air intake port 4. In other words, the air intake port 4 is generally positioned above the lumen 24. The lumen 24 may be provided in the first portion 21 of the second pipe 20, preferably near the junction between the first portion 21 and the second portion 22 of the second pipe 20.

[0055] The lumen 24 has a peripheral edge 28 that defines a support surface. The lumen 24 may be rectangular; thus, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be seen, the width of the lumen in a plane P1, for example, is greater than the width in the plane P2. The lumen 24 may have a generally vertical axis A24. The axis A4 of the air intake port 4 and the axis A24 of the lumen 24 may be substantially the same or very close to each other.

[0056] The water supply system 1 further includes Figure 1 the flow modification device 40 schematically shown. The device 40 is fastened to the second pipe 20 downstream of the lumen 24. Due to the structure of the device 40, the device 40 creates a back pressure when water flows in the system 1 towards the tank 101. Preferably, the device 40 is positioned downstream of the body 2, for example, in the third portion 23 of the second pipe 20 as Figure 1 shown, or even downstream of the downstream end 26 of the second pipe 20, as will be described with reference to Figures 6 to 8 below.

[0057] The water supply system 1 further includes a shield 50 whose function is to close the air intake port 4 when the valve 30 is opened to limit splashing. The shield 50 is capable of moving between the following positions:

[0058] - A low position ( Figures 1 to 3) In the low position, the blocking member 50 rests on the support surface 28 while providing a communication space 29 between the interior and the exterior of the second conduit 20 within the lumen 24, with the air intake port 4 being unobstructed at this time;

[0059] - and a high position ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) In the high position, the blocking member 50 closes the air intake port 4.

[0060] According to the present invention, the blocking member 50 has a density greater than 1.4. The density of an object is defined as the ratio of the mass of the object to the mass of water of the same volume, or in other words, by reference, the density of an object is defined as the ratio of the mass density of the object to the mass density of water. Thus, the blocking member 50 cannot float on water but instead sinks in water. Under these conditions, the movement of the blocking member 50 from its low position to its high position is not due to floating on the water flowing in the water supply system 1 but rather due to the thrust generated by the back pressure produced by the flow rate modifying device 40, that is to say, the pressure opposite to the flow of water.

[0061] The blocking member 50 can be made of stainless steel with a density in the range of 7 to 8 or made of glass with a density in the range of 2.4 to 2.8.

[0062] The blocking member 50 can be a spherical member.

[0063] For example, a stainless steel spherical member with a mass of 1.5 g to 2.5 g can be used.

[0064] As Figure 4 can be seen, it can be set that the support surface defined by the lumen 24 extends substantially in a plane that is inclined downstream by an angle α in the range of 4° to 8° with respect to the horizontal plane. With a rectangular lumen 24 - whose large dimension is oriented substantially parallel to the axis A21 of the first part 21 of the second conduit 20 (by the above-mentioned inclination), a particularly interesting arrangement is obtained. In fact, in this way, in the low position, the blocking member 50 can be repeatedly positioned at the downstream end of the lumen 24 due to gravity. Additionally, the upstream part of the lumen 24 is unobstructed, thus allowing for more effective air discharge.

[0065] In Figure 1 the illustrated example, the blocking member 50 is positioned within the cylindrical portion 3 of the body 2. According to a possible embodiment, a housing 5 is provided within the cylindrical portion 3 to receive the blocking member 50. The housing 5 is mounted in a sealed manner inside the cylindrical portion 3 and extends over substantially the entire height of the cylindrical portion 3.

[0066] The housing 5 has the shape of an upwardly converging bell. The housing 5 has a lower opening 6 which is positioned in the vicinity of the lumen 24 provided in the second conduit 20, and the housing 5 has an inner collar 7 at its upper part, the inner collar 7 defining a generally inverted circular central opening having a vertical axis, and this central opening forms the air intake port 4. Thus, the air intake port 4 is provided in a generally horizontal wall.

[0067] The operation of the water supply system 1 is as follows.

[0068] When the tank 101 is filled, the float 37 is in the high position and then the water supply system 1 is in the non-enabled state, in which the baffle 32 is in the closed position and the blocker 50 is in the low position ( Figures 1 to 3 ).

[0069] Starting from this non-enabled state of the system 1, when the water level in the tank 101 drops, typically after the flushing system has been actuated, the float 37 drops, causing the rod-like member 35 to pivot and the baffle 32 to open. Then, water from the water supply network can flow into the second conduit 20. This flow itself does not allow the blocker 50 to move to its high position because the blocker 50 is too dense to float. Instead, the water flowing into the flow modifying device 40 creates a backpressure. The increase in pressure downstream of the flow modifying device 40 exerts sufficient force on the blocker 50 to cause the blocker 50 to move to its high position ( Figure 4 and Figure 5 ).

[0070] Since the upward movement of the blocker 50 does not occur immediately due to the floating phenomenon but occurs with a time lag when the backpressure is generated, the air present in the body 2 and particularly in the housing 5 can be discharged through the air intake port 4 which does not close immediately.

[0071] The converging shape of the housing 5 allows the movement of the blocker 50 to be guided. This makes it possible to avoid jamming of the blocker 50, particularly when the blocker 50 is not exactly vertically aligned with the air intake port 4, as can be seen from the example in Figure 1 . The converging shape of the housing 5 also allows the air to be directed towards the air intake port 4.

[0072] In order to further increase the time required to close the air intake port 4 to allow more air to be discharged, it can be provided that the distance d traveled by the blocker 50 between the low position and the high position is relatively large. Thus, this distance d can be greater than half of the height h of the blocker 50 (that is, the diameter of the blocker when the blocker is a spherical member), and preferably greater than the height h. For example, the distance d can be in the range of 1.25 x h. According to one embodiment, for example, the distance d can be included between 10 mm and 15 mm.

[0073] Since the air intake port 4 is not immediately closed when water starts to flow into the second pipe 20, droplets may pass through the port, which is not desirable. To limit splashing, a lid 52 may be provided, which is mounted on the body 2 above the air intake port 4. The lid 52 may include a skirt portion 53, a transverse wall 54, and a channel 55. The skirt portion 53 is, for example, screwed or clamped onto the cylindrical portion 3 of the body 2. The channel 55 is positioned above the transverse wall 54 and extends, for example, substantially parallel to the transverse wall 54. The channel 55 has a hole positioned opposite the air intake port 4 and is exposed outside the body 2 through the hole 56. Thus, droplets ejected from inside the body via the air intake port 4 can enter the channel 55, while being ejected onto the upper wall of the channel 55 and then always falling back into the channel 55. The droplets are guided in the channel 55 to the hole 56 to finally fall back into the tank 101 in which the water supply system 1 is installed.

[0074] Of course, air can also enter the air intake port 4 via the channel 55.

[0075] In addition, a deflector 60 may be installed above the lid 52 (see Figure 4 and Figure 5 ) such that splashing is made as little visible and as little audible as possible.

[0076] This water supply system 1 is intended to be part of a toilet 100, which also includes a flushing tank 101 and a bowl 102. The system 1 is generally accommodated in the tank 101. The water supply system 1 can be used in different ways, as will be seen below.

[0077] We refer to Figures 6 to 8 , Figures 6 to 8 which illustrates a first embodiment.

[0078] In this case, the flow rate modifying device 40 includes a tip 41, which is fastened to the downstream end 26 of the second pipe 20. More specifically, as schematically illustrated in Figure 8 , the downstream end 26 of the second pipe 20 may be positioned near the bottom wall 103 of the tank 101, and the tip 41 may be fastened to the downstream end 26 of the second pipe 20 via an intermediate pipe 15. The intermediate pipe 15 may have an angled shape, thus allowing the water flow to change from a generally vertically downward direction to a generally vertically upward direction. Thus, the upward flowing water passes through the tip 41. The inlet 16 of the intermediate pipe 15 directly fastened to the downstream end 26 of the second pipe 20 and the outlet 17 of the intermediate pipe 15 may be positioned at substantially the same height.

[0079] The tip portion 41 has a converging section. The tip portion 41 may include a generally cylindrical upstream section, from which a generally truncated downstream section extends.

[0080] In addition, a vertically rising injection pipe 42 is mounted on the tip portion 41. For this purpose, the tip portion 41 may include a collar 43 at its downstream end, to which the upstream end of the injection pipe 42 is fastened, opposite to the tip portion 41. The collar 43 is provided with at least one port 44, and preferably also provided with reinforcing fins 45. Additionally, a discharge pipe 46 is mounted at the downstream end of the injection pipe 42.

[0081] When the baffle 32 is open and water circulates in the second pipe 20, the narrowing formed by the tip portion 41 causes an increase in the flow rate and a decrease in pressure of the water, so that the water contained in the tank 101 is sucked into the injection pipe 42 through the port 44. As Figure 8 illustrated, the tip portion 41 and the upstream portion of the injection pipe 42 thus form a device 106 for suction by the Venturi effect.

[0082] The discharge pipe 46 is configured to direct water towards the basin member 102. For this purpose, the discharge pipe 46 may be bent, and its downstream end may extend into or be opposite to the space 107 of the toilet, which space 107 communicates with an overflow port 108 present in the upper part of the basin member 102.

[0083] The water supply system 1, the injection pipe 42, and the discharge pipe 46 thus form a flushing system 105.

[0084] The operation of such a flushing system 105 - based on suction by the Venturi effect - does not involve gravity. Therefore, the flushing tank 101 does not need to be positioned at a high place. As Figure 7 can be seen, the tank 101 can be positioned at approximately the same height as the basin member 102, which makes it possible to obtain a very compact toilet 100.

[0085] In addition, the toilet 100 includes a system 109 for filling the flushing tank 101, which system 109 is separate from the flushing system 105.

[0086] We now refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , Figure 9 and Figure 10 which illustrate a second embodiment.

[0087] In this case, the flow rate modifying device 40 includes a sleeve 65 mounted inside the second pipe 20, preferably in the third part 23, as Figure 9It is schematically shown in [reference]. The sleeve 65 includes a set of spherical members 66 through which water can flow, and the sleeve 65 forms a muffler to reduce the noise generated by the flow. The sleeve 65 can be filled with spherical members 66 over at least 80% of its height. For example, the spherical members 66 can have a diameter in the range of 1 mm.

[0088] The passage of water between the spherical members 66 slows down the flow and thus creates a back pressure.

[0089] As Figure 10 As can be seen, the diameter of the sleeve 65 can be smaller than the diameter of the portion of the second pipe 20 into which the sleeve 65 is inserted, and the sleeve 65 is provided with an outer peripheral lip 67 to ensure maintenance and sealing relative to the inner surface of the second pipe. The sleeve 65 can have a main portion 68 containing the spherical members 66. The inlet 68a of the main portion 68 having a larger diameter is equipped with a filter element 69, and the outlet 68b of the main portion 68 having a smaller diameter forms a narrowed cross-section.

[0090] This water supply system 1 forms a system 110 for filling the flushing tank 101, and the system 110 is intended to be placed in such a tank 101.

[0091] Therefore, the present invention provides a decisive improvement to the system for supplying water to a flushing tank in the following manner: by allowing a significant reduction in the noise generated by water entering the tank, especially when the system is provided with a flow modification device that generates a back pressure during operation. Due to the possible presence of a lid, this acoustic advantage is not accompanied by the occurrence of unwanted splashing. In addition, such a system can find different applications, especially as a flushing system that realizes the Venturi effect or as a flushing tank filling system.

[0092] It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, but the present invention includes all technical equivalents and variations of the described means and their combinations.

Claims

1. A water supply system (1) for supplying water to a flushing tank (101), the water supply system at an installation position comprising: - a body (2), the body (2) including an air intake port (4) in an upper part of the body (2); - a first pipe (10), the first pipe (10) being provided in the body (2), the first pipe (10) being configured to be connected to a water supply network at an upstream end (11) of the first pipe (10); - a second pipe (20), the second pipe (20) being at least partially provided in the body (2), the second pipe (20) having an upstream end (25) and a downstream end (26), the upstream end (25) being in fluid communication with the first pipe (10) through an opening (27), the downstream end (26) being positioned lower than the upstream end (25), the second pipe (20) including a lumen (24), the lumen (24) being positioned substantially vertically aligned with the air intake port (4), a peripheral edge (28) of the lumen (24) defining a support surface; - a valve (30), the valve (30) being mounted on the body (2), and the valve (30) being able to be in a closed state or an open state according to the height of water in the tank (101), in the closed state, the valve (30) sealingly closes the opening (27), in the open state, the opening (27) being released; - a shutter (50), the shutter (50) being movable between the following positions: - a low position, in the low position, the shutter (50) rests on the support surface (28), while providing a communication space (29) between the interior and the exterior of the second pipe (20) in the lumen (24), the air intake port (4) being unobstructed; - and a high position, in the high position, the shutter (50) closes the air intake port (4); characterized in that the water supply system (1) further comprises a flow modification device (40), the flow modification device (40) being fastened downstream of the lumen (24) to the second pipe (20), and the flow modification device (40) generating a back pressure when water flows through the system towards the tank (101), and the shutter (50) having a density greater than 1.4, thereby preventing the shutter from floating, such that starting from a non - enabled state of the system where a baffle (32) is in a closed position and the shutter (50) is in the low position, the opening of the valve (30) and the resulting flow of water into the second pipe (20) cause the shutter (50) to move to the high position of the shutter (50) under the action of the back pressure generated by the flow modification device (40).

2. The water supply system according to claim 1, characterized in that the shutter (50) is made of a material belonging to the group comprising: stainless steel, glass, aluminum, polyoxymethylene (POM), a material filled with plastic.

3. The water supply system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, the shielding member (50) is a spherical member.

4. The water supply system according to claim 3, characterized in that, the lumen (24) provided in the second pipe (20) is rectangular or substantially elliptical.

5. The water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, the distance (d) traveled by the shielding member (50) between the low position and the high position is greater than half of the height (h) of the shielding member (50), preferably greater than the height (h) of the shielding member (50).

6. The water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, the shielding member (50) is positioned in a housing (5) provided in the body (2), the housing (5) has the shape of a bell converging upward, and has a lower opening (6) and an upper opening, the lower opening (6) is positioned near the lumen (24) provided in the second pipe (20), and the upper opening is positioned near the air intake port (4) or forms the air intake port (4).

7. The water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, the second pipe (20) includes a substantially horizontal first portion (21) provided with the lumen (24), and a substantially vertical and descending second portion (22) extends from the first portion (21), and the lumen (24) is preferably positioned near the junction between the first portion (21) and the second portion (22).

8. The water supply system according to claims 7 and 4, characterized in that, the supporting surface defined by the lumen (24) extends substantially in a plane: the plane is inclined at an angle (α) in the range of 4° to 8° downstream relative to the horizontal plane, and the lumen (24) has a large dimension oriented substantially parallel to the axis (A21) of the first portion (21) of the second pipe (20).

9. The water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, the water supply system further includes a cover (52), the cover (52) is mounted on the body (2) above the air intake port (4), and the cover (52) includes a passage (55), the passage (55) has a hole positioned opposite to the air intake port (4) and is exposed outside the body (2), so that at the installation position of the system (1), droplets ejected from the inside of the body (2) via the air intake port (4) can enter the passage (52) and be guided in the passage (55) until the droplets fall back into the tank (101).

10. The water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The flow modifying device (40) includes a tip (41) fastened to the downstream end (26) of the second pipe (20), the tip (41) having a converging section and configured to form part of a device (106) for suction by the Venturi effect.

11. The water supply system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein, the flow modifying device (40) includes a sleeve (65) installed inside the second pipe (20), the sleeve (65) containing a set of spherical members (66) through which water can flow, and the sleeve (65) forms a muffler so as to allow reduction of the noise generated by the flow.

12. A toilet (100), the toilet (100) including a bowl member (102), a flush tank (101), and a water supply system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11 for supplying water to the tank.

13. The toilet according to claim 12, including a flushing system (105), the flushing system (105) including: - a water supply system (1) according to claim 9; - a vertically rising injection pipe (42) installed on the tip (41), an upstream end of the injection pipe (42) being arranged opposite a downstream end of the tip (41), and at least one port (44) being provided between the tip (41) and the injection pipe (42) to allow suction of the water contained in the tank (101) by the Venturi effect; - a discharge pipe (46) installed at a downstream end of the injection pipe (42) for guiding water towards the bowl member (102).

14. The toilet according to claim 13, wherein, the flush tank (101) is positioned at approximately the same height as the bowl member (102), and the toilet (100) further includes a system (109) for filling the flush tank, the system (109) being separate from the flushing system (105).

15. The toilet according to claim 12, wherein, the water supply system (1) is the water supply system according to claim 11, and the water supply system (1) forms a system (110) for filling the flush tank (101).

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