Hydraulic control flushing device

Abstract

The invention relates to a flushing device (dce) designed to be mounted in a water tank (e) which is arranged in a conventional manner above a toilet bowl and which is provided with an inlet for a water network. The device comprises a hydraulic micro-generator (a) mounted on a water inlet upstream of all other elements of the flushing device (dce), a dual solenoid valve (b) supplied with water via the hydraulic micro-generator (a) and connected to two pipes (b1) and (b.2), a control module (c) provided with a battery charged by the hydraulic micro-generator (a) controlling the dual solenoid valve (b), and a hydraulic control filling / emptying mechanism (d) similar to a double-acting double-rod cylinder.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the general field of toilets, typically represented by the letter WC, which corresponds to the first letter of the word "water closet." More specifically, this invention relates to a flushing device, also simply referred to as a flushing apparatus, designed to be installed in a toilet tank, which maximizes the efficiency of existing flushing devices, reduces daily water consumption, and detects, minimizes, and / or eliminates the risk of excessive water consumption due to potential leaks from the flushing device. Background Technology

[0002] Flushing devices known in the prior art are traditionally associated with toilet tanks and consist of the following: - A mechanical filling mechanism that allows the toilet tank to be filled with a predefined amount of water. - Mechanical venting mechanism.

[0003] Each of these two mechanisms operates completely independently of the other. Therefore, if the filling mechanism malfunctions, the tank continues to fill to the overflow level, and water wastes its way through. Similarly, if the draining mechanism malfunctions, water will continue to flow, and the filling mechanism will never reach the stop level.

[0004] Furthermore, the efficiency of these mechanisms is inconsistent and depends on the tank's fill level. When the tank is not fully filled, triggering the flush again will result in ineffective or partially effective water flow. Similarly, when demand is low, fully or partially activating the flush will result in excessively efficient water flow.

[0005] Furthermore, if the evacuation mechanism is equipped with partial evacuation control, its adjustment allows all or only a portion of the water reserve contained in the tank to be released during flushing. While some variations of the prior art help to relatively reduce water consumption by allowing flushing to be interrupted, they increase mechanical complexity without compensating for other drawbacks as much as possible. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Therefore, the object of this invention is to provide a flushing device designed for installation in a toilet tank, which can overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, namely: -Independent filling and emptying mechanism, - Excessive water consumption due to possible malfunction of the filling or emptying mechanism. - This can trigger excessive water consumption, ineffective flushing due to insufficient tank filling, or excessive effective flushing due to the minimum flush volume caused by triggering a full tank. - Unnecessary water consumption due to the water volume being neither adjustable nor suitable for different needs. - Lack of preventative and therapeutic maintenance, - Inefficiency is caused by adjusting the flushing trigger under a previously defined filling state of the water tank, and -The filling mechanism is known to have inherently slow filling and significant filling noise.

[0007] Therefore, according to the present invention, an arrangement is proposed for installation in a water tank, which is conventionally positioned above a toilet and has an inlet for a water network. Notably, this arrangement includes a hydraulic micro-generator mounted on the inlet upstream of all other components of the flushing device, a dual solenoid valve supplied with water via the hydraulic micro-generator and connected to two pipes, a control module equipped with a battery charged by the hydraulic micro-generator and ensuring control of the dual solenoid valves, and a hydraulically controlled filling / draining mechanism similar to a double-acting double-rod cylinder and including the following components: -The main body of the mechanism has a bottom terminating a rear chamber at the top and a nose terminating a front chamber at the bottom, wherein the bottom and nose of the rear and front chambers are respectively provided with channel openings. - A piston that moves within the body and is subjected to pressure applied to the rear chamber via a conduit, or to pressure applied to the front chamber via a conduit, and - A movable valve, positioned to obstruct water flow or to allow it to pass through a support base, thereby ensuring a seal at the bottom of the tank and directing water to the toilet during flushing, and having a rod integrated with the piston and valve and passing through corresponding passage openings at the bottom and nose of the rear and front chambers.

[0008] The control module advantageously features a user interface and connects to multiple level sensors.

[0009] The corresponding passage openings at the bottom and nose of the rear and anterior chambers are preferably without seals.

[0010] Advantageously, the rod is hollow and ensures overflow safety.

[0011] The filling / draining mechanism preferably includes a filling deflector integrated with the rod on the outside and above the main body of the mechanism.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the rinsing device can limit the corresponding water volume for each liquid level due to a timer system.

[0013] The present invention also relates to a so-called "intelligent" management method, that is, a method that regulates each of its functions and each of its operating states, the management method implementing the flushing device according to the present invention, notably comprising the following steps: s1) The flushing device exits standby mode after a predetermined inactivity period. s2) The flushing device controls the initial full level state via its control module using one of its level sensors, and optionally ensures the initial filling of the tank by activating the dual solenoid valves and filling / draining mechanism via the activation of the second outlet and associated piping. s3) Where applicable, the control module reports the detection of a leak on its user interface. s4) The flushing device triggers the opening of the flushing device by activating the dual solenoid valves and the filling / draining mechanism via its control module through the activation of the first outlet and associated piping. s5) The control module detects and controls the required flushing water release via its level sensor, or the user requests an interruption via the user interface, stopping the emptying process to refill the tank by disabling the first outlet of the dual solenoid valve and activating the second outlet. s6) The flushing device, via its control module, uses its sensors to detect when the water tank returns to full, or detects potential leaks in the flushing mechanism, and stops the filling process by disabling the second outlet of the dual solenoid valve. s7) If requested by the user, the flushing device triggers the cycle again in step s4) via its control module, or returns to standby mode according to step s1) to wait for a new user request. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description of one embodiment of the invention, with reference to the accompanying schematic diagrams, wherein: [ Figure 1 [This is a perspective view of a flushing device integrated into a transparently shown WC water tank according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.] [ Figure 2 ]for Figure 1 Side view of the rinsing device. [ Figure 3 ]for Figure 1 Exploded perspective view of the filling / draining mechanism of the flushing device. [ Figure 4 ]for Figure 3 The filling / draining mechanism is shown in the front view and vertical sectional view along the IV-IV' axis at the filling position. [ Figure 5 ]for Figure 3 The filling / draining mechanism is shown in the front view and vertical sectional view along the V-V' axis at the draining position, and... [ Figure 6 ]for Figure 1 A front view of the rinsing device. Detailed Implementation

[0015] refer to Figure 1 , 2According to the invention, the flushing device (dce) is shown as designed to be installed in a water tank (e), which is conventionally positioned above a toilet (not shown), and the water tank (e) is provided with an inlet (not shown) for a water network.

[0016] The flushing device (dce) according to the invention ensures that the water tank (e) is filled to its maximum capacity, thereby providing maximum water column height and optimal propulsion efficiency during its activation.

[0017] For this purpose, the flushing device (dce) includes at least one hydraulic generator (a), dual solenoid valves (b), a control module (c) provided with an internal battery (not shown) charged by the hydraulic micro-generator (a) and ensuring control of the dual solenoid valves (b), and a filling / draining mechanism (d).

[0018] It is perfectly understandable that the hydraulic generator (a) is compact in size so that it can be installed inside the water tank (e) along with the other components constituting the flushing device (dce). Therefore, the hydraulic generator (a), referred to below as the hydraulic micro-generator (a), is contained in a cube with a side length not exceeding ten centimeters.

[0019] Furthermore, the term "dual solenoid valve (b)" in this document refers to a valve comprising a single inlet (be.1) and two outlets (bs.1, bs.2), referred to below as the first outlet (bs.1) and the second outlet (bs.2) that can be activated independently.

[0020] Furthermore, "activated outlet" means that water that actually enters the dual solenoid valve (b) through the inlet (be.1) is discharged through the outlet.

[0021] A hydraulic micro-generator (a) is designed to connect to the inlet of the water network and ensure that the internal battery of the control module (c) is charged when one of the first or second outlets (bs.1, bs.2) of the dual solenoid valves (b) is activated. Therefore, during all phases of water consumption, this hydraulic micro-generator (a) ensures that the internal battery of the control module (c) of the flushing device (dce) according to the invention is charged, thereby ensuring the energy independence of the flushing device (dce) itself. Furthermore, the hydraulic micro-generator (a) is positioned upstream of all other components of the flushing device (dce) so that the internal battery of the control module (c) can be charged as soon as there is water flow at the inlet, regardless of the state of the other components.

[0022] As previously mentioned, the control module (c) operates using an internal battery. Furthermore, it advantageously features a user interface (c.1) and is connected to multiple level sensors (c.2). It ensures control of the dual solenoid valves (b) and provides global management of the flushing device (dce).

[0023] The dual solenoid valve (b) is supplied with water from the network via a hydraulic micro-generator (a) connected to its inlet (be.1). Furthermore, the dual solenoid valve (b) is controlled by a control module (c) and connected to a filling / draining mechanism (d) via two pipes (b.1, b.2), which are respectively connected to the first and second outlets (bs.1, b.2) of the dual solenoid valve (b).

[0024] refer to Figures 3 to 5 The filling / draining mechanism (d) is a hydraulically controlled mechanism, operating similarly to a double-acting double-rod cylinder. Therefore, the filling / draining mechanism (d) is connected via two pipes (b.1, b.2) to a dual solenoid valve (b), which itself is connected to a hydraulic microgenerator (a), which is connected to the inlet of the water network of the water tank (e). The dual solenoid valve (b) is controlled by a method for managing the device according to the invention, as described below. As detailed below, one of the first and second outlets (bs.1, b.2) of the dual solenoid valve (b) ensures the function of opening the flushing and emptying water tank (e), and the other of the first and second outlets (bs.1, b.2) ensures the function of closing the flushing and filling water tank (e).

[0025] Therefore, the filling / draining mechanism (d) includes at least one support base (d.1), a valve (d.2), a mechanism body (d.3), a piston (d.4), a rod (d.6) extending substantially vertically on either side of the piston (d.4), and advantageously includes a filling deflector (d.5).

[0026] The support base (d.1) allows the filling / draining mechanism (d) to be integrated into the bottom of the tank (e), thereby ensuring a low seal at the bottom of the tank (e) and directing water to the toilet during flushing.

[0027] The valve (d.2) forms the lower end of the rod (d.6), and its positioning either obstructs water flow or allows it to pass through the support base (d.1).

[0028] For assembly purposes, the filling / emptying mechanism (d) is advantageously constructed from a two-part body (d.3), forming the fixed portion of the filling / emptying mechanism (d) and resembling the body of a double-acting cylinder. The body (d.3) includes, at its top, a rear chamber (car) with a channel opening (do.31) terminating on which a rod (d.6) is disposed, and at its bottom, a front chamber (cav) with a channel opening (do.32) terminating on which a rod (d.6) is disposed, has a nose (d.32). Pipes (b1, b2) are connected to the front chamber (cav) and rear chamber (car) of the body (d.3) of the filling / emptying mechanism (d), respectively.

[0029] The corresponding channel openings (do.31, do.32) of the bottom (d.31) and nose (d.32) do not include seals to allow water to leak from the rear chamber (car) and front chamber (cav) between the channel openings (do.31, do.32) and the rod (d.6), which is essential for the operation of the flushing device (dce), as explained in more detail below.

[0030] Therefore, during the evacuation operation, the dual solenoid valve (b) hydraulically pressurizes the cav chamber via its first outlet (bs.1) and conduit (b.1), causing the piston (d.4) to be pushed upwards, that is, pushed towards the bottom (d.31). Thus, the passage opening (do.31) at the bottom (d.31) allows it to drain the water contained in the rear chamber (car) and allows the piston (d.4) to move upwards (see...). Figure 2 and 5 ).

[0031] Conversely, during the filling action, the dual solenoid valve (b) hydraulically pressurizes the rear chamber (car) via its second outlet (bs.2) and conduit (b.2), causing the piston (d.4) to be pushed downwards, that is, towards the nose (d.32). The passage opening (do.32) of the nose (d.32) releases the pressure from the rear chamber (car), allowing the piston (d.4) to move downwards and enabling it to perform the filling function of the water tank (e) in conjunction with the closing action of the valve (d.2) (see...). Figure 2 and 4 ).

[0032] In the operation of a double-acting cylinder, the piston (d.4) is located in the mechanism body (d.3) between the front chamber (cav) and the rear chamber (car), and can move along the longitudinal axis of the mechanism body (d.3) between the bottom (d.31) and the nose (d.32), subject to water pressure applied to the rear chamber (car) via pipe (b.2), or to water pressure applied to the front chamber (cav) via pipe (b.1) and piston (d.4). Since it is integral with the rod (d.6), the movement of the piston (d.4) causes the movement of the rod (d.6), and consequently, the movement of the valve (d.2).

[0033] Furthermore, according to an advantageous embodiment, the filling / draining mechanism (d) includes a filling deflector (d.5) integrally formed with the rod (d.6) on the outside and above (i.e., on the bottom side (d.31)) of the mechanism body (d.3). This filling deflector is vertically positioned above a channel opening (do.31) at the bottom (d.31) of the mechanism body (d.3) and is used to stop and redirect downwards protrusions generated by discharge from the rear chamber (car) and discharged through the channel opening (do.31). Furthermore, maintaining flow within the submerged portion of the tank, the inherent noise of the filling process is less than that of surface filling.

[0034] Finally, the filling / draining mechanism (d) includes a rod (d.6) integrated with the piston (d.4) and valve (d.2), which, together with the latter components, forms the movable portion of the flushing mechanism. According to a supplementary embodiment, the rod (d.6) of suitable length is hollow and also ensures an overflow safety function.

[0035] As previously mentioned, the control module (c) is connected to multiple level sensors (c.2).

[0036] According to the first embodiment, the number of liquid level sensors (c.2) is at least two and consists of the following: - A "full level" sensor allows the tank (e) to be filled to its maximum functional capacity, and - An "overflow" sensor enables it to detect potential leaks in the dual solenoid valve (b).

[0037] Using this configuration, the flushing device (dce) according to the invention ensures the filling of the water tank (e) only in the following two scenarios.

[0038] Scenario 1: After triggering flushing, to restore the optimal filling level of the water tank (e): During this filling process, if the "full level" is not reached within a predefined time, the control module (c) of the flushing device (dce) detects the error and stops the filling of the water tank (e). This function allows it to compensate for excessive water consumption caused by a malfunction of the filling / draining mechanism (d).

[0039] Scenario 2: After the user requests and / or exits the standby mode of the flushing device (dce): Therefore, the control module (c) of the flushing device (dce) ensures control of the "full level" and "overflow" sensors. Detection of "overflow" level will result in the detection of a malfunction in the filling / draining mechanism (d) and / or a possible leak at the dual solenoid valve (b), and no filling action will be performed. The "full level" detection will be interpreted as a normal waiting state. Failure to detect "full level" will result in the identification of a leak or a previous malfunction in the filling / draining mechanism (d), thereby generating a fault signal and resuming the filling action as described in the previous Scenario 1.

[0040] In addition to the two previous scenarios, the control module (c) of the flushing device (dce) according to the invention prohibits any filling action. Therefore, the flushing device (dce) according to the invention eliminates the risk of excessive water consumption in the event of a previous failure of the filling / draining mechanism (d) and prevents the risk of leakage from the dual solenoid valves (b).

[0041] According to the second embodiment, in addition to the two “full level” and “overflow” level sensors (c.2) described above, the control module (c) is also connected to a plurality of other level sensors (c.2), so that the flushing device (dce) and its control module (c) can trigger a plurality of flushing levels, each flushing level being characterized by a predefined water volume.

[0042] Therefore, the flushing device (dce) according to the invention allows it to define four liquid levels corresponding to, for example, the following four flushing water volumes: - The amount of flushing water used for rinsing - The amount of water used for rinsing to meet "male needs" - The amount of water used for rinsing to meet "female needs", and - "Full demand" flushing water volume.

[0043] Therefore, regardless of the requested flushing level, the flushing device (dce) according to the invention will only trigger flushing when the tank is pre-filled, so as to always benefit from the maximum water column height provided by the tank (e) and ensure the constant efficiency of the flushing device (dce).

[0044] Furthermore, at any time, the flushing device (dce) according to the invention allows for the cancellation or interruption of the flushing process, and thus the selection of the final amount of water used.

[0045] Finally, the flushing device (dce) according to the invention defines the corresponding water volume for each liquid level due to multiple liquid level sensors (c.2). However, as mentioned above, the flushing device (dce) may also define the corresponding water volume for each liquid level due to a timer system.

[0046] The present invention also relates to a so-called “intelligent” management method that regulates each of its functions and each of its operating states, the management method implementing the flushing device (dce) according to the present invention.

[0047] Therefore, when the user advantageously uses the control module (c) via its user interface (c.1), the flushing device (dce) then operates according to the following steps.

[0048] s1) The flushing device (dce) exits standby mode after a predetermined inactivity period. S2) The flushing device (DCE) controls the initial full level state via its control module (C) through one of its level sensors (C.2), and can ensure the initial filling of the water tank (E) by activating the dual solenoid valve (B) and the filling / draining mechanism (D) via the activation of the second outlet (B.2) and associated pipe (B.2). s3) If applicable, the control module (c) reports the detection of a leak on its user interface (c.1). S4) The flushing device (DCE) triggers the opening of the flushing process by activating the dual solenoid valve (B) and the filling / draining mechanism (D) via its control module (C) through activation of the first outlet (Bs.1) and associated conduit (B.1). s5) The control module (c) detects and controls the required flushing water release via its level sensor (c.2), or the user requests an interruption via the user interface (c.1), and stops the emptying process to refill the tank (e) by disabling the first outlet (bs.1) and activating the second outlet (bs.2) of the dual solenoid valve (b). s6) The flushing device (dce) uses its sensor (c.2) via its control module (c) to detect when the water tank returns to full, or to detect a possible leak in the filling / draining mechanism (d), and stops the filling process by disabling the second outlet (bs.2) of the dual solenoid valve (b). s7) If requested by the user, the flushing device (dce) triggers the loop again in step s4) via its control module (c), or returns to standby mode according to step s1) to wait for a new user request.

[0049] The flushing device (dce) according to the invention is used for filling and emptying water tanks, and more particularly for use in toilet tanks, but can also be applied to smaller tanks.

[0050] Finally, it goes without saying that the example of the flushing device (dce) according to the invention described above is merely specific and in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A flushing device (dce) designed to be installed in a water tank (e), said water tank (e) being conventionally positioned above a toilet and having an inlet for said water network, characterized in that, It includes a hydraulic microgenerator (a) mounted on the inlet upstream of all other components of the flushing device (dce), a dual solenoid valve (b) supplied with water via the hydraulic microgenerator (a) and connected to two pipes (b.1) and (b.2), a control module (c) equipped with a battery charged by the hydraulic microgenerator (a) and ensuring control of the dual solenoid valve (b), and a hydraulically controlled filling / draining mechanism (d) similar to a double-acting double-rod cylinder and including the following components: -The main body of the mechanism (d.3) has a bottom (d.31) of a terminating rear chamber (car) at the top and a nose (d.32) of a terminating front chamber (cav) at the bottom, wherein the bottom (d.31) and nose (d.32) of the rear chamber (car) and the front chamber (cav) are respectively provided with channel openings (do.31, do.32). - A piston (d.4) that moves within the body (d.3) and is subjected to pressure applied to the rear chamber (car) via the conduit (b2), or to pressure applied to the front chamber (cav) via the conduit (b1). - A movable valve (d.2) positioned to impede or allow water to pass through a support base (d.1) to ensure the low sealing of the tank (e) and to direct the water to the toilet during flushing, and a rod (d.6) integral with the piston (d.4) and the valve (d.2) and inserted into the corresponding passage openings (do.31, do.32) of the bottom (d.31) and nose (d.32) of the rear chamber (car) and the front chamber (cav).

2. The flushing device (dce) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module (c) has a user interface (c.1) and is connected to multiple liquid level sensors (c.2).

3. The flushing device (dce) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that, The corresponding passage openings (do.31, do.32) of the bottom (d.31) and nose (d.32) of the rear chamber (car) and the front chamber (cav) are not sealed.

4. The flushing device (dce) according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The rod (d.6) is hollow and ensures the overflow safety function.

5. The flushing device (dce) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The filling / draining mechanism (d) includes a filling deflector (d.5) integral with the rod (d.6) on the outside and above the mechanism body (d.3).

6. The flushing device (dce) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, It can limit the corresponding water volume at each liquid level due to the timer system.

7. A management method for implementing the flushing device (dce) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, It includes the following steps: s1) The flushing device (dce) exits standby mode after a predetermined inactivity period. s2) The flushing device (dce) controls the initial full level state via its control module (c) through one of its level sensors (c.2), and can ensure the initial filling of the water tank (e) by activating the dual solenoid valve (b) and the filling / draining mechanism (d) via the activation of the second outlet (bs.2) and the associated pipe (b.2). s3) If applicable, the control module (c) reports the detection of a leak on its user interface (c.1). s4) The flushing device (dce) triggers the flushing mechanism by activating the dual solenoid valve (b) and the filling / draining mechanism (d) via its control module (c) through the activation of the first outlet (bs.1) and the associated conduit (b.1). s5) The control module (c) detects and controls the required flushing water release volume via its level sensor (c.2), or the user requests an interruption via the user interface (c.1), and stops the emptying process to refill the water tank (e) by deactivating the first outlet (bs.1) and activating the second outlet (bs.2) of the dual solenoid valve (b). s6) The flushing device (dce) uses its sensor (c.2) via its control module (c) to detect when the water tank returns to a full state, or to detect a possible leak in the filling / draining mechanism (d), and stops the filling process by disabling the second outlet (bs.2) of the dual solenoid valve (b). s7) If requested by the user, the flushing device (dce) triggers the loop again in step s4) via its control module (c), or returns to standby mode according to step s1) to wait for a new user request.

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