Assembly device for a toilet fitting

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly device for the assembly of a fitting on a toilet bowl body in a manner rotatable about an axis of rotation, having a first fastening device with a pin section, which can be arranged in a receiving recess of a pin seat of the fitting and can be prevented from falling out in the direction of the axis of rotation by means of a form-fit element, wherein the pin section has a first form-fit element on an outwardly radially oriented peripheral surface, which can be connected in a form-fit manner with a second form-fit element, characterized in that the second form-fit element is formed integrally with an inwardly radially oriented inner peripheral surface, and the receiving recess is designed as a blind hole.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly device for detachably assembling accessories onto a toilet body. Background Technology

[0002] A toilet (flush toilet) has a toilet body, usually made of ceramic, and a toilet bowl (WC-Schüssel). In addition, it usually includes a toilet seat and a toilet lid. The toilet seat is the toilet bowl seat, which can be partially circular (i.e., interrupted by a gap) and is used for the user to sit on. The toilet seat can usually be folded up around a horizontal axis in the rear area of ​​the toilet. This also applies to the toilet lid, which is also usually provided to close the toilet bowl, and in this case, the toilet lid usually covers the bowl as well. However, in certain special applications, it may be more advantageous to only have a toilet seat, such as to improve the toilet experience for a specific user group. This is common in kindergartens, hospitals, nursing homes serving people with disabilities, and public toilet facilities.

[0003] In the following text, the components of the toilet seat and toilet lid are collectively referred to as "accessories," which can be objects assembled onto the toilet body. Furthermore, the toilet seat and toilet lid can also be combined together to form such an assembly, i.e., a complete set of toilet accessories.

[0004] Clearly, in the aforementioned applications, toilets are frequently used and subject to corresponding risks of contamination, and may even be damaged by human intervention. Therefore, it is well known that toilets used in the described applications must be easy to clean while still maintaining sufficient stability. Of particular importance here is that the components used to secure the fittings to the toilet body are permanently and reliably connected to each other.

[0005] DE 11 2016 003 371 B4 proposes a hinge assembly with a locking element, wherein the locking element is intended to prevent the rotational dampers (Drehdämpfers) arranged in the pin seat of the fitting from falling off. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an assembly device that is improved in terms of practicality, and is particularly convenient for cleaning parts.

[0007] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by an assembly device for assembling fittings onto a toilet body in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis using complementary form-fitting elements. As will be described in detail below, the form-fitting elements are specifically constructed and arranged to prevent the first fastening device from dislodging from the pin seat. Furthermore, the fitting is designed with receiving recesses therein, which are designed as blind holes, for accommodating the fitting, a design that facilitates cleaning of the fitting.

[0008] Preferred design solutions are given in the full disclosure, where, when showcasing features, there is not always a specific distinction made between equipment, method, or application; it is implied that the disclosure should be interpreted in conjunction with all categories. For example, when describing the advantages of an assembly for a certain purpose or application, this can also be considered a disclosure of that purpose.

[0009] The assembly device mentioned in this application has a first fastening device with a pin section. The pin section (Zapfenabschnitt) is configured to complement the receiving groove of the pin seat of the fitting and is rotatably received in a second fastening device in such a way that the fitting can rotate about a rotation axis relative to the second fastening device. Therefore, the fitting can pivot about the rotation axis, thereby moving between a flat (i.e., horizontal) position and an open or flipped-up (i.e., nearly vertical) position on the toilet body.

[0010] The pin section has a radially outward (i.e., radially away from the axis of rotation) oriented outer peripheral surface, on which a first shaped-fit element is arranged. The outer peripheral surface is columnar in at least certain sections; that is, the outer peripheral surface has at least segmented arcuate portions in a cross-section of the pin section orthogonal to the axis of rotation. In short, the pin section is composed of one or more, preferably concentric, columnar side surfaces, however, these columnar side surfaces are interrupted in some locations by segments of different geometries (especially flat shapes). A first shaped-fit element is arranged on at least one of these outer peripheral surfaces, and this first shaped-fit element can be shaped-fittedly connected to a second shaped-fit element formed on a radially inwardly oriented inner peripheral surface that receives a groove, thereby preventing the first fastening device from dislodging from the pin seat. The second shaped-fit element is integrally formed with the radially inwardly oriented inner peripheral surface, i.e., integrally, preferably together with the pin seat in one or more consecutive machining steps.

[0011] Furthermore, the receiving groove is designed as a blind hole in the pin seat, meaning that the receiving groove does not completely penetrate the pin seat in the axial direction (i.e., viewed along the axis of rotation). More precisely, the receiving groove is designed so that it essentially only has an opening for receiving the first fastening device or its pin section; however, after the first fastening device is assembled, this opening (viewed along the axis of rotation) is essentially covered or filled by the pin section of the first fastening device. Of course, without departing from the subject matter of the invention, the receiving groove can also be connected to the outside of the fitting via one or more (ventilation) holes extending outward from the axis of rotation, provided that the diameter of these holes is less than one-tenth of the inner diameter of the receiving groove.

[0012] By integrating the second shape-fitting element with the inner circumferential surface of the pin seat, a separate locking element can be eliminated, and preferably, no such locking element is required. Therefore, it is particularly possible to directly (i.e., without additional intermediate elements) arrange the first fastening device in the receiving groove, and prevent the first fastening device from falling off by the shape fit between the first and second shape-fitting elements.

[0013] In the applications described, toilets are typically more susceptible to contamination, therefore the components used must be easy to clean. Furthermore, it is particularly advantageous in applications involving young children (sometimes unsupervised) to avoid the inclusion of separate, removable, or even potentially swallowable small parts. Designing the receiving recess as a blind hole and arranging the first fastening device within this blind hole, without the need for additional fastening elements extending outside the fitting, facilitates cleaning and reduces the risk to children from removable small parts. In particular, eliminating (as is common in the prior art) additional baffles or covers simplifies toilet cleaning and thus significantly improves hygiene and safety in the applications described.

[0014] As described above, the pin section of the first fastening device has a plurality of at least segmented cylindrical surfaces. Similarly, the inner circumferential surface complementing these surfaces, which accommodates the groove, also has corresponding cylindrical segments. The first shaped-fit element is preferably recessed relative to these cylindrical outer or inner circumferential surfaces, while the second shaped-fit element is preferably protruding. Specifically, the first shaped-fit element is preferably recessed radially relative to the nearest cylindrical surface, i.e., directly adjacent to it, thereby forming a notch relative to that (nearest) surface. Complementarily, the second shaped-fit element is preferably protruding radially relative to its nearest cylindrical inner circumferential surface to ensure a sufficient shaped fit between the first and second shaped-fit elements in the assembled state.

[0015] A complementary arrangement of the first and second shape-fitting elements, either as grooves or notches (first shape-fitting element) or as material deposits or protrusions (second shape-fitting element), can be achieved. The first or second shape-fitting element is manufactured together with the pin section or receiving groove in a single processing step, thereby improving the overall manufacturability of these parts. Furthermore, designing the second shape-fitting element as a material deposit allows for demolding using a manufacturing mold designed as a slider, which, under the application of a certain demolding force, allows the part, preferably still retaining residual heat from processing, to be demolded.

[0016] In another preferred design, the first shaped-fit element is recessed relative to the nearest columnar outer peripheral surface by a first distance, wherein this first distance is at most 1.5 mm, preferably 1.0 mm, 0.9 mm, 0.8 mm, 0.7 mm, 0.6 mm, 0.5 mm, or 0.4 mm, and independently at least 0.2 mm. Here, the first distance is defined as the maximum distance in a cross-section along the axis of rotation of the pin section between the nearest columnar outer peripheral surface of the first shaped-fit element in the pin section (with the first shaped-fit element) and the bottom of the first shaped-fit element (i.e., the point at the deepest point when viewed radially). Complementarily, the second shaped-fit element protrudes relative to the nearest columnar inner peripheral surface of the receiving groove by a second distance, wherein the second distance is at most 0.4 mm, preferably at most 0.2 mm, but at least 0.1 mm.

[0017] In this technical field, plastic parts (especially injection-molded parts) are common and preferred. Such components possess inherent elasticity due to the material, and this inherent elasticity, especially when combined with the aforementioned design of the form-fitting element, enables: on the one hand, the first fastening device to be assembled into the receiving groove under a certain assembly force; on the other hand, it prevents detachment through the form fit (and the associated retaining force). In short, this inherent elasticity enables: firstly, the form fit to be overcome during the assembly of the first fastening device, and secondly, the axial fixation of the first fastening device to be achieved using the form fit after assembly.

[0018] By designing an assembly device with the aforementioned first and second distances and advantageous inherent elasticity, the assembly force and holding force can be influenced, enabling the first fastening device to be easily assembled while still being securely held.

[0019] In another preferred design, at least one first shape-fitting element is arranged on at least one arcuate outer peripheral surface of the pin section, preferably on each arcuate outer peripheral surface.

[0020] In another preferred design, the at least one first shape-fitting element extends over at least 20%, preferably at least 50%, and particularly preferably at least 70% of the circumference of one of the arcuate segments of its outer peripheral surface. By advantageously extending the at least one first shape-fitting element over the circumference of at least one arcuate segment, the assembly force and holding force can be targeted, and the material load can be distributed over a larger area both during assembly and in the assembled state, thereby increasing the service life of the assembly device.

[0021] In another preferred design, the second form-fitting element, and particularly preferably the first form-fitting element, has an insertion bevel and / or a locating surface in a cross-section along the axis of rotation. The insertion bevel is a surface of the form-fitting element that needs to be overcome to form a form fit when the pin segment is inserted into the pin seat (i.e., during assembly), while the locating surface is a surface that prevents the pin segment from dislodging from the pin seat. The insertion bevel forms an insertion angle with respect to the axis of rotation, which is smaller than the locating angle with respect to the axis of rotation, and the locating surface forms the locating angle with the axis of rotation. An insertion angle smaller than the locating angle simplifies the insertion of the first fastening device into the pin seat (i.e., simplifies the assembly process). Conversely, a locating angle larger than the insertion angle ensures a reliable form fit and thus ensures proper securing of the first fastening device to prevent it from dislodging from the pin seat. In the presence of an arc-shaped insertion ramp or limiting surface, the insertion angle or limiting angle refers to an angle that is measured in a section of the corresponding surface along the axis of rotation, between the compensation line or regression line of the curved surface and the axis of rotation.

[0022] In another preferred design, the first fastening device has a connecting section that is rotatably accommodated in the second fastening device about a rotation axis. This allows for relative movement between the first and second fastening devices, and the first fastening device, along with the fittings disposed thereon, can pivot relative to the second fastening device about a rotation axis.

[0023] In another preferred design, the pin section is received in a receiving groove of the pin seat in a torsional manner, and the rotation of the first fastening device relative to the second fastening device is damped by a damping component in at least one rotational direction. With the torsional-resistant reception, torque can be transmitted between the fitting and the damping component, and damping of the fitting can be achieved during closing and / or opening, thereby preventing, for example, the fitting from forcefully or very loudly impacting the toilet body or the wall behind the toilet.

[0024] To assemble the fittings onto the toilet body, multiple assembly devices can be used. For example, only one assembly device may have the aforementioned anti-torsional properties and dampen the movement of the fittings by means of a damping component. Another assembly device may have the aforementioned (undamped) relative rotatability between the first and second fastening devices, thus not applying a damping effect. Alternatively (or in conjunction with this), the pin section may also have a certain degree of relative rotatability (about a rotation axis) within the receiving groove, which allows for undamped movement of at least a section of the fitting.

[0025] The present invention also relates to an accessory having the above-mentioned aspects of an assembly device.

[0026] In another preferred design, the fitting is made of a thermosetting material, preferably urea-formaldehyde resin, in the area of ​​the pin seat, preferably in the area directly adjacent to the receiving groove. This allows the advantageous form-fitting element to be integrally formed with the pin section or receiving groove while still possessing the aforementioned preferred inherent elasticity.

[0027] In the preferred design, the accessory is a toilet seat. This design simplifies operation in the aforementioned applications and also enables a particularly robust structure (especially in the pin area), thus achieving greater protection against vandalism and damage.

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the use of the assembly device according to the present invention for assembling accessories onto the toilet body.

[0029] Preferred applications involve assembly in kindergartens, hospitals, and / or public toilets using the assembly device according to the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0030] The attached diagram shows: Figure 1 A perspective view of an assembly device for mounting fittings onto a toilet body in a manner rotatable about a rotation axis is shown. Figure 2 Show Figure 1 An enlarged view of the 3D diagram shown; Figure 3 An enlarged sectional view of the fitting is shown, which shows the assembly device arranged in the fitting and the pin section according to the first design. Figure 4 An enlarged sectional view of the fitting is shown, which illustrates the assembly device arranged in the fitting and the pin section according to the second design. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Figure 1A perspective view is shown of an assembly device 1 for assembling the fitting 40 onto the toilet body 50 in a manner rotatable about a rotation axis X1. The fitting 40 is shown in a perpendicular section along the rotation axis X1 so that the assembly device 1 arranged in the fitting can be seen. The assembly device 1 has a first fastening device 10, which is arranged in a pin seat 43 of the fitting 40 (described here as an example of a toilet seat ring 41 with a lateral "wing-shaped" gripping surface).

[0032] Figure 2 Show Figure 1 An enlarged view of the perspective diagram shown. As shown, the first fastening device 10 has pin sections 11, 11' arranged in a receiving groove 44 of the pin seat 43 and having a columnar outer peripheral surface 15 oriented radially outward relative to the rotation axis X1, at least in some sections. However, this columnar outer peripheral surface 15 is interrupted by a support surface 17 that is flattened relative to it. A first form-fitting element 16 is formed in the columnar region of the outer peripheral surface 15, and the first form-fitting element is in form-fit with a second form-fitting element 46 arranged on the inner peripheral surface 45 of the receiving groove 44. The first fastening device 10 also has a connecting section 12 (in Figure 2 In the example shown, the connecting section is obscured and therefore only indicated by dashed lines. This connecting section is arranged in the second fastening device 20 in a manner rotatable about a rotation axis and thus capable of rotating relative to the second fastening device. The second fastening device 20 directly or (as...) Figure 1 (As shown in the example) It is connected to the toilet body 50 by the third fastening device 30 (see example). Figure 1 ).

[0033] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 and Figure 2 An enlarged view of the cross-sectional view of the pin seat 43 shown illustrates the assembly device 1 having a pin section 11 according to a first design. Here, the pin section 11 has a constant outer diameter along its length (i.e., along the axis of rotation X1) in the region of the cylindrical outer peripheral surface 15, which is interrupted only by a first form-fitting element 16. The first form-fitting element 16 forms a notch relative to the first cylindrical outer peripheral surface 15, which is complementary to a second form-fitting element 46 formed in a receiving groove 40. For this purpose, see... Figure 3 In the enlarged region, the second shape-fitting element 46 has an insertion bevel (having an insertion angle α, which is at most 50°, at least 0°, and particularly preferably 20°) and a limiting surface (having a limiting angle β, which is at most 90°, at least 20°, and particularly preferably 60°), wherein the insertion angle α is smaller than the limiting angle β.

[0034] exist Figure 3In the magnified area, it can also be seen that the first shape-fitting element 16 is recessed by a first distance D1 relative to the nearest cylindrical outer peripheral surface 15 of the pin section 11, which is 0.5 mm in the illustrated example. This first distance D1 is defined as the maximum radial distance between the nearest cylindrical outer peripheral surface 15 of the first shape-fitting element 16 and the bottom of the first shape-fitting element 16 (i.e., the deepest point or the point that is radially closest to the axis of rotation X1).

[0035] The second shape-fitting element 46 protrudes a second distance D2 relative to the nearest cylindrical inner circumferential surface 45 of the receiving groove 44, which is 0.2 mm in the illustrated example. The second distance D2 is defined as the maximum radial distance between the nearest cylindrical inner circumferential surface 45 of the second shape-fitting element 46 and the top tip of the second shape-fitting element 46 (i.e., the highest point or the point that is radially closest to the axis of rotation X1).

[0036] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the pin seat 43, showing the assembly device 1 having a pin section 11' according to a second design. Compared to the pin section 11 of the first design, the pin section of the second design has two cylindrical outer peripheral surfaces 15, 15' concentric about the rotation axis X1, which are separated by a first shape-fitting element 16.

[0037] For the first shape-fitting element 16, two nearest cylindrical outer peripheral surfaces 15, 15' are shown. As a reference variable for determining the first distance D1, the cylindrical outer peripheral surface of the nearest cylindrical outer peripheral surface 15, 15' is used (in general) that has a larger radius about the axis of rotation X1 (cylindrical outer peripheral surface 15 in this example).

[0038] List of reference numerals 1 Assembly device 10 First fastening device 11, 11' Sales Section 12 connecting sections 15 outer perimeter 16 First shape-fitting element 17 Support Surface 20 Second fastening device 30 Third fastening device 31 assembly pins 32 flange section 33 External Thread Section 34 locking elements 40 accessories 41 Toilet seat 42 Toilet seat cover 43 pins 44 Receiving Grooves 45 inner circumference 46 Second shape mating element 50 toilet body X1 Rotation Axis α insertion angle β limiting angle D1 First Distance D2 Second Distance.

Claims

1. An assembly device (1) for assembling a fitting (40) rotatably onto a toilet body (50) about a rotation axis (X1), said assembly device having a first fastening device (10) with pin sections (11, 11'), said pin sections being arable in a receiving groove (44) of a pin seat (43) of said fitting (40) and being prevented from falling off in the direction of the rotation axis (X1) by form-fitting elements (16, 46), wherein, The pin section (11, 11') has a first shape-fitting element (16) on its radially outwardly oriented outer peripheral surface (15). The first shape-fitting element can be connected to a second shape-fitting element (46) in a shape-fitting manner. The second shape-fitting element (46) is integrally formed with the radially inwardly oriented inner peripheral surface (45) of the receiving groove (44), and the receiving groove (44) is designed as a blind hole. Its features are, At least one of the shape-fitting elements (16, 46) has an insertion bevel with an insertion angle (α) in a section along the axis of rotation (X1), which must be overcome when the pin segment (11, 11') is inserted into the pin seat (43) in order to form a shape fit. The insertion angle is smaller than the limiting angle (β) of the limiting surface of at least one of the shape-fitting elements (16, 46), which prevents the pin segment (11, 11') from falling off the pin seat (43).

2. The assembly device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The first shape-fitting element (16) is radially recessed relative to the nearest columnar outer peripheral surface (15) of the pin section (11, 11'), and the second shape-fitting element (46) is radially protruding relative to the nearest columnar inner peripheral surface (45) of the receiving groove (44).

3. The assembly device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The first shaped fitting element (16) is recessed by a first distance (D1), which is defined at the position of the first shaped fitting element (16) in the cross section of the pin section (11, 11') along the axis of rotation (X1) as the maximum radial distance between the nearest columnar outer peripheral surface (15) of the pin section (11, 11') and the bottom of the first shaped fitting element (16), wherein the first distance (D1) is at most 1.5 mm but at least 0.2 mm; and wherein the second shaped fitting element (46) protrudes by a second distance (D2), which is defined at the position of the second shaped fitting element (46) in the cross section of the pin seat (43) along the axis of rotation (X1) as the maximum radial distance between the nearest columnar inner peripheral surface (45) of the receiving groove (44) and the top of the second shaped fitting element (46), wherein the second distance (D2) is at most 0.4 mm but at least 0.1 mm.

4. The assembly apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The outer peripheral surface (15) of the pin section (11, 11') has at least one arc segment in the cross section of the pin section (11, 11') orthogonal to the axis of rotation (X1), at the position of the first shape-fitting element (16), and at least one first shape-fitting element (16) is arranged on one of the arc segments.

5. The assembly device (1) according to claim 4, wherein, At least one first shape-fitting element (16) is arranged on each arc segment.

6. The assembly apparatus (1) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein, The at least one first shape-fitting element (16) extends over at least 20% of the circumference of one of the arc segments of the outer peripheral surface (15).

7. The assembly apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first fastening device (10) has a connecting section (12) which is accommodated in the second fastening device (20) in a manner that allows it to rotate about the axis of rotation (X1).

8. The assembly apparatus (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The pin section (11, 11') can be accommodated in the receiving groove (44) of the pin seat (43) in a torsion-resistant manner; and wherein the rotation of the first fastening device (10) relative to the second fastening device (20) is damped by a damping component in at least one rotational direction.

9. The assembly apparatus (1) according to claim 6, wherein, The at least one first shape-fitting element (16) extends over at least 50% of the circumference of one of the arc segments of the outer peripheral surface (15).

10. The assembly apparatus (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The at least one first shape-fitting element (16) extends over at least 70% of the circumference of one of the arc segments of the outer peripheral surface (15).

11. An accessory (40) having an assembly device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. The accessory (40) according to claim 11, wherein the accessory is made of a thermosetting material in the pin seat (43).

13. The accessory (40) according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the accessory is a toilet seat ring (41).

14. The fitting (40) according to claim 12, wherein the fitting is made of a thermosetting material in the region of the pin seat (43) directly adjacent to the receiving groove (44).

15. The accessory (40) according to claim 12 or 14, wherein the thermosetting material is urea-formaldehyde resin.

16. The use of the assembly device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10 to assemble the fitting (40) onto the toilet body (50).

17. The use according to claim 16, wherein, The accessory (40) is assembled in a kindergarten, hospital and / or public toilet using the assembly device (1).

Images