Apparatus for operating a flushing device of a toilet

Abstract

A device (1) for operating a flushing device (2) of a toilet (3), comprising at least: - a housing (4) with a plurality of fixing devices (5) for operating a cassette (6, 7); and - at least one operating cassette (6, 7) for operating the flushing device (2), wherein the at least one operating cassette (6, 7) can be arranged at or in the housing (4) in different positions by means of the plurality of fixing devices (5).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a device for operating a toilet flushing apparatus. This type of toilet is particularly designed for receiving human excrement. Background Technology

[0002] Toilets typically have a toilet bowl, which can be cleaned by a flushing device after use. For example, the flushing device may have a flush tank for holding flushing fluid, the flow of which into the toilet bowl is controlled by a drain valve. The drain valve can be operated by the toilet user using at least one operating button on the device.

[0003] The equipment is typically housed in a wall access panel and covered by a (especially decorative) cover, which includes at least one operating button. This button allows for the pressing of an operating mechanism, such as a bellows, which generates compressed air, which is then used to control a drain valve. The design of the operating mechanism depends on the design of the cover or the arrangement of the operating button within it. If the design of the cover and / or the arrangement of the operating button needs to be changed, the operating mechanism and / or the guide portion for the operating mechanism constructed within the equipment housing must be adjusted. Design freedom is severely limited due to space constraints, as the operating mechanism must be adapted to the housing and is therefore inflexible. Consequently, new housing designs are often required to accommodate new design variations, resulting in significant investment. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to at least partially solve the problems described in the prior art, and in particular to provide a device for operating a toilet flushing apparatus that allows for a high degree of design freedom without significant investment. Furthermore, the device can have many common components and / or serve as a universal platform for different design variations.

[0005] This objective is achieved by a device having the features described in the independent claim. Other advantageous embodiments of the invention are given in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features individually listed in the claims can be combined with each other in any technically reasonable manner, and define other embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features given in the claims are described and explained in detail in the specification, wherein further preferred embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0006] Contributing to this is a device for operating a toilet flushing system, which includes at least the following components: - A housing with multiple fixing devices for operating the cartridge / operating cylinder; and - At least one operating cartridge for operating the flushing device, wherein the at least one operating cartridge may be arranged at different positions in or within the housing by means of multiple fixing devices.

[0007] The toilet can be designed, in particular, as a (sitting) toilet or urinal. Furthermore, the toilet can have a toilet bowl, which can be cleaned by a flushing device. In particular, cleaning is performed using a flushing fluid, the output of which to the toilet bowl can be activated by at least one operating button on a device for operating the flushing device. The flushing device can have a flush tank for containing the flushing fluid and / or a drain valve for controlling the output of the flushing fluid to the toilet bowl. The flushing device can be at least partially fixed to a mounting frame of the toilet, via which the toilet can be fixed to a wall of a building. For example, this type of mounting frame is known as a front wall element. The front wall element is fixed to the wall of the building, and then covered using a front wall. Wall decorative elements (e.g., in the form of tiles) can be fixed to the front wall. Access ports or wall openings can be constructed in the wall and / or the front wall. In particular, the device or its housing can be at least partially arranged in the access port or wall opening. In particular, the flushing tank of the flushing device can be arranged behind the equipment in the wall or in the cavity between the wall and the front wall.

[0008] The housing of the equipment may be at least partially made of plastic and / or metal. For example, the housing may be a plastic injection molded part. An installation space is constructed within the housing. This installation space may extend from an opening in the housing to the bottom of the housing. In the installed state of the equipment, the opening in the installation space may be aligned, in particular, with an access panel or wall opening in a wall and / or a front wall. The opening in the installation space may extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the housing or the installation space. The longitudinal axis of the housing may be the central axis of the housing or the installation space. The longitudinal axis of the housing may extend at least partially centrally and / or concentrically through the installation space. The longitudinal axis of the housing may extend at least partially centrally and / or concentrically through the opening in the installation space. The housing may have sidewalls that at least partially define the installation space.

[0009] The housing has multiple securing devices for operating cartridges. The housing can have multiple securing devices. For example, the housing can have 2 to 100 securing devices, 9 to 100 securing devices, 16 to 100 securing devices, or 25 to 100 securing devices. The securing devices can be distributed, arranged in different locations, and / or (especially directly) side-by-side in the housing and / or mounting space. The securing devices can be arranged in rows and / or columns. The securing devices can be arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The housing can have more securing devices than operating cartridges. Compared to the number of operating cartridges in the device, the housing can have securing devices for more operating cartridges. The securing devices can be integrally constructed with the housing. At least a portion of the securing devices can be constructed identically. The securing devices are used to secure the operating cartridges, especially to secure them in the mounting space. Each securing device can be used to secure exactly one operating cartridge. The securing devices can be constructed as a standplate, a mounting base / receiving support, and / or a sleeve. The securing devices can each extend along a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of the fixing device may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The fixing devices may each have a length of, for example, 5 mm to 40 mm (especially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixing device), and / or each have a diameter of, for example, 5 mm to 50 mm (especially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the fixing device). The fixing devices may each have a circular or angular cross-section (especially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the fixing device). The fixing devices may each have threads, so that at least one operating cartridge can be screwed into each individual fixing device. Alternatively, at least one operating cartridge may be fixed in the fixing device by, for example, a bayonet connection. For example, the cross-section may be constructed as triangular to decagonal, especially octagonal. The fixing device may be at least partially constructed as a honeycomb. The operating cartridge can be inserted into each individual fixing device. At least one operating cartridge may have an outer contour corresponding to the inner contour of the fixing device, so that at least one operating cartridge is particularly non-rotatable in the fixing device, for example, by form locking. For example, the outer contour of at least one operating cartridge may be constructed as triangular to decagonal, especially octagonal. Each fixing device or the inner contour of the fixing device may be formed at least partially by at least one bridging portion, especially the bridging portion of the housing. At least one operating cartridge may be arranged in the fixing device such that at least one operating cartridge extends into the mounting space, extends toward the opening of the mounting space, extends at least to the opening of the mounting space, and / or such that the cartridge longitudinal axis of at least one operating cartridge extends (substantially) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the fixing device.

[0010] The device has at least one operating cartridge for operating the flushing device. The device may have multiple operating cartridges, such as two. At least one operating cartridge is specifically operable by the user of the device via at least one operating button. The drain valve can be operated or controlled via the at least one operating cartridge. The operating cartridges may be identical. At least one operating cartridge may be, and / or includes, a compressed air generator. At least one operating cartridge may be connected to or is connected to the drain valve in a manner that transmits compressed air. At least one operating cartridge may be an electrical signal generator or an electronic signal generator. At least one operating cartridge may be connected to or is connected to the drain valve in a manner that transmits data.

[0011] At least one operating cartridge may have a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing may extend along the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and / or be at least partially constructed as a cylinder / cylinder body / cylinder barrel. The cartridge housing may (especially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) have at least a circular cross-section. At least one operating cartridge may have a lever. The lever may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and / or be at least partially constructed as a piston. For example, the lever may (especially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) have an X-shaped cross-section. The lever may (especially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge) be moved into the cartridge housing, for example, by being pressed by at least one operating button. The movement of the lever into the cartridge housing can generate compressed air. At least one operating cartridge may have a return spring, by which the lever can be moved out of or returned to its original position from the cartridge housing. The return spring may be a helical spring. The return spring may be arranged coaxially with the lever. The stroke of the lever may be adjustable, for example by means of (especially adjustable) a stop for the lever and / or by means of (especially fixed at the lever) a spacer. The flushing volume of the flushing fluid can be adjusted by changing the stroke of the pressure lever. A larger stroke results in a larger volume of flushing fluid being output through the drain valve, while a smaller stroke results in a smaller volume of flushing fluid being output through the drain valve.

[0012] At least one operating cartridge may have a button mount / button receiver for at least one operating button. At least one operating button may be fixed to the button mount. The button mount may be located at the cartridge end on a first longitudinal side of the at least one operating cartridge. At least one operating cartridge may have a compressed air outlet or (electrical) cable connector / connection / interface for compressed air. The compressed air outlet or cable connector may be located, in particular, at the cartridge end on a second longitudinal side of the at least one operating cartridge. At least one operating cartridge may (particularly parallel to the cartridge's longitudinal axis) have a cartridge length of, for example, 50 mm to 200 mm, and / or (particularly orthogonal to the cartridge's longitudinal axis) have a cartridge diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm. At least one operating cartridge may include all functionally related elements of the operating mechanism.

[0013] At least one operating cartridge can be inserted into the housing via an opening in the mounting space. Depending on the design of the cover, the design of at least one operating button, and / or the arrangement of at least one operating button (especially at the cover), at least one operating cartridge can be arranged in different positions at and / or within the housing using multiple operating devices. At least one operating cartridge can be arranged in such a position at and / or within the housing that at least one operating button can be connected to at least one operating cartridge, and / or at least one operating cartridge (especially in the longitudinal axis direction of the housing) is at least partially aligned with at least one operating button. Multiple fixing devices enable flexible arrangement of at least one operating cartridge within and / or within the housing. Thus, the same housing and / or the same operating cartridge can be used for different designs of the cover and / or at least one operating button, reducing component diversity and lowering costs. The housing and at least one operating cartridge can form the basis of a modular system on which cover plates of different designs, especially cover plates with a unified interface, can be mounted.

[0014] The fixing device can be constructed at the bottom of the housing. The bottom can extend orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the housing and / or at least partially define the installation space.

[0015] The fixing device can extend through / cover at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, and particularly preferably at least 75% of the bottom area.

[0016] The fixing devices can be constructed to be identical.

[0017] The fixing device can be configured as a mounting base for at least one operating cartridge.

[0018] The housing may have an opening in each area of ​​the fixing device. The opening may extend through the bottom and / or be configured as a through-hole. When at least one operating cartridge is arranged in one of the fixing devices, at least one operating cartridge may extend at least partially through the opening of the respective fixing device.

[0019] At least one operating cartridge can be fixed to the fixing device by means of a locking or snap-fit ​​connection.

[0020] At least one operating cartridge may have a trigger for the flushing device. For example, the trigger may be a bellows, a manschette, an output valve, or an electronic push button. For example, the trigger may be actuated by a lever. For example, compressed air may be generated using the trigger. The trigger may be arranged within the cartridge housing.

[0021] At least one operating cartridge may have a connector for connecting a conduit. For example, the connecting conduit may be a compressed air hose or a cable. At least one operating cartridge may be connected to a drain valve via the connecting conduit. Attached Figure Description

[0022] The invention and its technical background are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the drawings illustrate particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but the invention is not limited thereto. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in the figures. Specifically, exemplarily and schematically: Figure 1 A toilet with a first variant of the device having a device for operating the flushing mechanism is shown in perspective view; Figure 2 The toilet mounting frame is shown in a perspective sectional view; Figure 3 The device with a cover plate is shown in perspective view; Figure 4 The housing of the device is shown in perspective. Figure 5 The housing of a device with two operating cartridges is shown, employing a first configuration scheme of a first variant suitable for the cover. Figure 6 The housing of a device with two operating cartridges is shown, employing a second configuration scheme adapted for a second variant of the cover. Figure 7 An exploded view shows the device with a second variant of the cover plate; Figure 8 The operating cartridge of the device is shown in a perspective sectional view; and Figure 9 The device is shown in a perspective rear view. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 Toilet 3 is shown in perspective. Toilet 3 includes a toilet bowl 19, which is constructed by means of... Figure 2 The mounting frame 20 shown is fixed to the wall 21 of the building. Figure 1 In Figure 2 The mounting frame 20 shown is concealed by the front wall 22 and wall covering element 23, which is constructed of ceramic tiles. Therefore, the mounting frame 20 is arranged in a cavity 24 between the wall 21 and the front wall 22. The front wall 22 has an opening, not visible here, that connects the cavity 24 to the surrounding environment 25. This opening is used for operation. Figure 2 The toilet 3 shown is covered by a first variant of the cover 26 of the flushing device 2. The first variant of the cover 26 includes a first operating button 13 and a second operating button 14.

[0024] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 The toilet 3 shown has a mounting frame 20, but the front wall 22 and wall trim element 23 are not shown. The flushing device 2 of the toilet 3 is fixed to the mounting frame 20 and includes a flush tank 28 for flushing fluid. A drain valve, not visible here, is arranged in the flush tank 28, which controls the flow of flushing fluid from the flush tank 28 to... Figure 1 The toilet bowl 19 shown in the diagram has a drain valve that can be operated by a user (not shown) via a first operating button 13 and a second operating button 14 of a first variant of the cover 26 of device 1. A small amount of flushing fluid can be used to flush by operating or pressing the first operating button 13. Figure 1 The toilet bowl 19 shown is flushed with a large amount of flushing fluid by being operated or pressed via the second operation button 14. Figure 1 The toilet bowl 19 shown is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 The operation is shown in a perspective sectional view. Figure 1 The toilet 3 shown Figure 2 The flushing device 2 shown has a first variant of a cover plate 26. Device 1 includes a housing 4, within which a first operating cartridge 6 and a second operating cartridge 7 are arranged. A first operating button 13 is connected to the first operating cartridge 6, and a second operating button 14 is connected to the second operating cartridge 7.

[0026] Figure 4 The housing 4 is shown in perspective. The housing 4 extends tubularly along its longitudinal axis 29 and has an installation space 32 within it. The housing 4 has an installation space opening 33 at its first longitudinal end 30 and a bottom 8 at its second longitudinal end 31. The installation space opening 33 allows passage through... Figure 3 and Figure 7 The cover plates 26 and 27 shown cover the housing 4. For this purpose, the cover plates 26 and 27 can be fixed to the housing 4. A plurality of fixing devices 5 are constructed at the bottom 8, extending from the bottom 8 into the mounting space 32 along fixing device longitudinal axes 34 parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 29. The fixing devices 5 are arranged in rows and columns at the bottom 8, particularly directly side-by-side (i.e., particularly in a checkerboard pattern). In the variant of the housing 4 shown here, the fixing devices 5 are arranged in 5 rows and 5 columns, thus the housing 4 has a total of 25 fixing devices 5. All the fixing devices 5 are constructed identically and / or configured for use with Figure 3 The mounting base 10 of the operating cartridges 6 and 7 shown. The fixing device 5 extends through more than 30% of the area 9 of the bottom 8. Each fixing device 5 has an opening 11 that extends (completely) through the bottom 8 of the housing 4 parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 of the fixing device.

[0027] Figure 3 The operating cartridges 6 and 7 shown can be inserted into the fixing devices 5 respectively through the mounting space opening 33 of the housing 4, parallel to the longitudinal axis 34 of the fixing device 5, and can be fixed in the corresponding fixing devices 5 by locking. Through multiple fixing devices 5 distributed on the bottom 8, according to... Figure 3 and Figure 7 The design and / or specifications of the cover plates 26 and 27 shown are based on Figure 3 and Figure 4 The arrangement of the operation buttons 13 and 14 shown in the diagram arranges the operation cartridges 6 and 7 in different positions within the mounting space 32 of the housing 4.

[0028] Figure 5 The following is shown: A cover plate 26 is suitable for use. Figure 3 The first configuration of the first variant shown has a housing 4 with two operating cartridges 6 and 7. In the first configuration, the operating cartridges 6 and 7 are arranged stacked vertically within the housing 4.

[0029] Figure 6 The following is shown: A design suitable for cover plate 27 Figure 7 The second configuration of the second variant shown has a housing 4 with two operating cartridges 6, 7. In the second configuration, the operating cartridges 6, 7 are arranged diagonally within the housing 4.

[0030] Figure 7 An exploded view shows a second variant of the device 1 with a cover 27. In this second variant of the cover 27, operating buttons 13 and 14 are arranged diagonally. Correspondingly, operating cartridges 6 and 7 (such as...) Figure 6 (As shown) They are arranged diagonally in the housing 4, so that the operating cartridge is aligned with the operating buttons 13, 14. Unlike the second variant of the cover 27, in Figure 3 In the first variant of the cover 26 shown, the operation buttons 13 and 14 are arranged stacked one on top of the other.

[0031] Figure 8 A first operating cartridge 6 is shown in a perspective sectional view. The first operating cartridge 6 includes a cartridge housing 35 extending along the cartridge longitudinal axis 36. The cartridge housing 35 is partially constructed as a tube and (particularly orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis 36 and / or particularly in the tubular section) has a circular cross-section. At the cartridge end 37 on the first longitudinal side of the first operating cartridge 6, a [feature / feature] is arranged for... Figure 3 and Figure 7The push rod 39 of the button mounting base 12 for the operation buttons 13 and 14 shown is used. When the operation buttons 13 and 14 are pressed, the push rod 39 can move parallel to the longitudinal axis 36 of the cartridge into the cartridge housing 35 to operate the trigger 15 of the first operation cartridge 6. The first operation cartridge 6 has a return spring 40, which, when... Figure 3 and Figure 7 When the operation buttons 13 and 14 shown are no longer pressed by the user, the lever 39 can be reset by a return spring, specifically moving out of the cartridge housing 35 parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis 36. Here, the trigger 15 is a bellows. If the lever 39 moves into the cartridge housing 35, the trigger 15 generates compressed air, which can be output via the compressed air outlet 41 of the connector 16 at the cartridge end 38 on the second longitudinal side of the first operating cartridge 6. When the first operating cartridge 6 is arranged in Figure 4 When the housing 4 shown is in one of the fixing devices 5, the connector 16 extends through the corresponding opening 11 of the corresponding fixing device 5. The cartridge housing 35 has an outer contour 42 that is consistent with... Figure 4 The inner contour 47 of the fixing device 5 shown corresponds to the first operating cartridge 6, so that the first operating cartridge 6 cannot rotate (relative to the fixing device 5) about the cartridge longitudinal axis 36 within the fixing device 5. The first operating cartridge 6 and Figure 3 , Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 The second operating cartridge 7 shown is constructed in the same manner. Therefore, the description of the first operating cartridge 6 can be applied accordingly to the second operating cartridge 7.

[0032] Figure 9 The device 1 is shown in a perspective rear view looking towards the rear side 43 of the bottom 8. The operating cartridges 6 and 7 are configured according to a first variant applicable to the cover 26. Figure 5 The first configuration shown is arranged in the housing 4. A first connecting pipe 17 is connected to the connector 16 of the first operating cartridge 6, connecting the first operating cartridge 6 to the switching valve 44. A second connecting pipe 18 is connected to the connector 16 of the second operating cartridge 7, connecting the second operating cartridge 7 to the switching valve 44. The switching valve 44 is connected via pipe 45 to... Figure 2 The flushing tank 28 shown is connected to the drain valve 46. Connecting lines 17, 18, and 45 are compressed air lines. Compressed air generated by operating cartridges 6 and 7 can be delivered to the drain valve 46 for operation via connecting lines 17, 18, switching valve 44, and line 45. Switching valve 44 prevents compressed air generated by the first operating cartridge 6 from flowing from the switching valve 44 to the second operating cartridge 7, and prevents compressed air generated by the second operating cartridge 7 from flowing from the switching valve 44 to the first operating cartridge 6.

[0033] The present invention enables a high degree of design freedom for the cover plates 26 and 27 without the need to adjust the housing 4 and the operating cartridges 6 and 7.

[0034] List of reference numerals

[0035] 1 device

[0036] 2. Flushing device

[0037] 3 toilets

[0038] 4 housings

[0039] 5 Fixing devices

[0040] 6 First Operation Chronograph

[0041] 7 Second Operation Cartridge

[0042] 8 bottom

[0043] 9 areas

[0044] 10 mounting brackets

[0045] 11 openings

[0046] 12-button mounting base

[0047] 13 First Operation Button

[0048] 14 Second Operation Button

[0049] 15 triggers

[0050] 16-pin

[0051] 17 First connecting pipe

[0052] 18 Second connecting pipe

[0053] 19 Toilet Sink

[0054] 20 Installation Frame

[0055] 21 walls

[0056] 22 front wall

[0057] 23 Wall Decor Elements

[0058] 24 cavity

[0059] 25 Surrounding Environment

[0060] The first variant of the 26 cover plate

[0061] 27 Second variant of the cover plate

[0062] 28 Washing Box

[0063] 29 Longitudinal axis of the shell

[0064] 30 End of the first longitudinal side

[0065] 31 End of the second longitudinal side

[0066] 32 Installation space

[0067] 33 Installation space opening

[0068] 34. Longitudinal axis of the fixing device

[0069] 35 cartridge housing

[0070] 36 cartridge longitudinal axis

[0071] 37 First longitudinal side of the cartridge end

[0072] 38. The end of the cartridge on the second longitudinal side

[0073] 39 pressure bar

[0074] 40 return spring

[0075] 41 Compressed air outlet

[0076] 42 Outer contour

[0077] 43 dorsal side

[0078] 44 Switching Valve

[0079] 45 pipe

[0080] 46 Drain Valve

[0081] 47 Inner Contour

Claims

1. A device (1) for operating a flushing apparatus (2) of a toilet (3), said device comprising at least: - Housing (4), which has multiple fixing devices (5) for operating the cartridges (6, 7); as well as - At least one operating cartridge (6, 7) for operating the flushing device (2), wherein the at least one operating cartridge (6, 7) can be arranged at different positions in the housing (4) or in the housing (4) by means of multiple fixing devices (5).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The fixing device (5) is constructed at the bottom (8) of the housing (4).

3. The device (1) according to claim 2, wherein, The fixing device (5) extends through at least 30% of the area (9) of the bottom (8).

4. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fixing device (5) is constructed in the same way.

5. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The fixing device (5) is configured as a mounting base (10) for the at least one operating cartridge (6, 7).

6. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The housing (4) has an opening (11) in the area of ​​each fixture (5).

7. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one operating cartridge (6, 7) can be fixed to the fixing device (5) by means of a locking mechanism.

8. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one operating cartridge (6, 7) has a button mounting base (12) for operating buttons (13, 14).

9. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one operating cartridge (6, 7) has a trigger (15) for the rinsing device (2).

10. The device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one operating cartridge (6, 7) has a connector (16) for connecting pipes (17, 18).

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