A foot-operated flush valve

Abstract

This utility model discloses a foot-operated flushing valve, including a valve body and a pedal. A mounting base is fixedly mounted on the valve body. The middle part of the pedal is hinged to one side of the mounting base, and a reset mechanism is provided on the other side of the mounting base. The reset mechanism includes a reset component, a reset connecting rod, and a reset spring. The reset component is fixedly connected to the pedal via a transmission component. The reset connecting rod extends vertically downwards, with one end rotatably abutting against the end of the reset component away from the valve body. One end of the reset spring is hinged to the reset component, and the other end is hinged to the reset connecting rod. The mounting base also has a limiting mechanism for restricting the range of motion of the reset connecting rod. The lever combination, connecting rod, and spring structure of this utility model can more effectively transmit the pedal's pedal force to the valve body and provide a stable and reliable elastic force to reset the pedal and valve core when released. Furthermore, when the reset spring or reset connecting rod is damaged, it can be aligned and repaired or replaced without disassembling the valve body, making it convenient and quick.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of bathroom hardware technology, and in particular to a foot-operated flush valve. Background Technology

[0002] A foot-operated flush valve is a sanitary ware water inlet control device installed under the water tank of a urinal, squat toilet, or toilet seat. Its main feature is that the flush is activated by stepping on a pedal, eliminating the need for hand contact. This greatly improves the hygiene level of public restrooms or places with high cleanliness requirements and effectively reduces the risk of bacteria and viruses spreading through hand contact.

[0003] When the pedal is pressed, the force is transmitted to the valve disc through a lever or transmission mechanism, causing the valve disc to overcome the spring force and disengage from the valve seat, thus opening the valve and allowing water to pass through the valve body to achieve the flushing function. When the pedal is released, the spring force causes the pedal to rebound and drives the valve disc back to the valve seat, closing the valve and stopping the flushing.

[0004] However, after prolonged use, the connection between the spring and the pedal can easily loosen. This not only prevents the pedal from fully rebounding and thus prevents the valve body from being flushed with maximum water volume during the next rinse, but also prevents the valve disc from fully re-engaging with the valve seat, allowing water to still pass through the valve body and causing leakage, thus wasting water resources. Furthermore, if the spring needs to be repaired or replaced, the valve body must be disassembled to complete the operation, which is cumbersome and time-consuming. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a foot-operated flushing valve to solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0006] The technical solution of this utility model is implemented as follows:

[0007] This utility model provides a foot-operated flushing valve, including a valve body and a pedal. One end of the pedal facing the valve body is hinged to the outside of the valve body. A mounting base is also fixed on the valve body. The middle part of the pedal is hinged to one side of the mounting base. A reset mechanism is provided on the other side of the mounting base. The reset mechanism includes a reset element, a reset link, and a reset spring. The reset element is fixedly connected to the pedal through a transmission element. The reset link extends vertically downward, and one end of it is rotatably abutted against the end of the reset element away from the valve body. One end of the reset spring is hinged to the reset element, and the other end is hinged to the reset link. A limiting mechanism for restricting the range of motion of the reset link is also provided on the mounting base.

[0008] In one embodiment, the limiting mechanism includes a first limiting member and a second limiting member, both of which are fixedly mounted on a mounting base. A limiting groove is provided at the end of the reset link away from the reset member. The first limiting member is slidably embedded in the limiting groove, and the reset member is detachably abutted against the second limiting member.

[0009] In one embodiment, the hinge point between the reset spring and the reset member is located in the middle of the hinge point between the reset member and the reset connecting rod and the hinge point between the mounting base.

[0010] In one embodiment, the hinge points at both ends of the return spring are aligned in the vertical direction.

[0011] In one embodiment, a third limiting member is also fixed on the mounting base, and the end of the reset member away from the reset link is detachably abutted against the third limiting member.

[0012] In one embodiment, the second limiting member and the third limiting member are aligned in a horizontal position.

[0013] The advantages or beneficial effects of the above technical solutions include at least the following:

[0014] In this invention, the reset component is connected to the pedal via a transmission component. One end of the vertically downward reset linkage abuts against the other end of the reset component, and the reset spring is connected between the reset component and the reset linkage. This lever combination plus linkage plus spring structure can more effectively transmit the pedal's pressing force to the valve body and provide a stable and reliable elastic force to reset the pedal and valve core when released. At the same time, the reset mechanism is separated from the valve body itself and installed on an independent mounting base. When the reset spring or reset linkage is damaged, it can be aligned for repair or replacement without disassembling the valve body, which is convenient and quick. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description thereof, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. These drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the valve body in this utility model.

[0017] Reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1. Valve body; 2. Pedal; 3. Mounting seat; 4. Reset component; 5. Reset connecting rod; 6. Reset spring; 7. First limiting component; 8. Second limiting component; 9. Limiting groove; 10. Third limiting component. Detailed Implementation

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While some embodiments of the present invention are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that the present invention can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of the present invention. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of the present invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0019] It should be noted that, where there is no conflict, the embodiments and features described in these embodiments can be combined with each other. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0020] It should be understood that the term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments". Definitions of other terms will be given in the following description. It should be noted that the concepts of "first", "second", etc., mentioned in this utility model are only used to distinguish different devices, modules, or units, and are not used to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules, or units or their interdependencies.

[0021] It should be noted that the terms "a" and "a plurality of" used in this utility model are illustrative rather than restrictive. Those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0022] The names of the messages or information exchanged between the multiple devices in this embodiment of the invention are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of these messages or information.

[0023] Reference Figure 1A foot-operated flushing valve includes a valve body 1 and a pedal 2. One end of the pedal 2 facing the valve body 1 is hinged to the outside of the valve body 1. A mounting base 3 is also fixed to the valve body 1. The middle part of the pedal 2 is hinged to one side of the mounting base 3, serving as a fulcrum. The end of the pedal 2 forms a lever structure, allowing the user to operate the pedal 2 with minimal force to open the valve core. Simultaneously, the pedal 2 has two fixed points, forming a stable rotating mechanism that is less prone to shaking or displacement. A reset mechanism is provided on the other side of the mounting base 3. This reset mechanism includes a reset element 4, a reset connecting rod 5, and a reset spring 6. The reset element 4 is fixedly connected to the pedal 2 via a transmission component, including but not limited to a connecting shaft. The reset connecting rod 5 extends vertically downwards, with one end rotatably abutting against the end of the reset element 4 away from the valve body 1. One end of the reset spring 6 is hinged to the reset element 4, and the other end is hinged... The force exerted by the reset link 5, the pressing down of the reset component 4, and the lifting up of the reset component 4 by the reset link 5 are mainly transmitted along the axial direction of the reset link 5. This greatly reduces the lateral friction or jamming risk between moving parts, making the pedaling and reset actions smoother and more fluid, extending the life of the components, and improving operating comfort. Furthermore, the reset mechanism is installed as a relatively independent unit on the other side of the mounting base 3 and connected to the pedal 2 through a transmission component. This design facilitates the overall disassembly, replacement, or maintenance of the reset mechanism. When the reset spring 6 or the reset link 5 is damaged, maintenance personnel can perform targeted repairs without disassembling the entire internal structure of the valve body 1 or the complex pedal 2 assembly. This design further improves the stability of the pedal 2's rebound after being pressed down and facilitates maintenance after the reset mechanism is damaged, reducing the probability of the pedal 2 failing to fully rebound after prolonged use, which could lead to leakage in the valve body 1.

[0024] In one specific embodiment, when the user presses down on the end of pedal 2 away from valve body 1, since one end of pedal 2 is hinged to valve body 1 and the middle part is hinged to mounting base 3, pedal 2 will rotate downward around this central hinge point to act as a lever. Simultaneously, the downward movement of pedal 2 drives the reset member 4 to rotate downward through the transmission component. When the reset member 4 rotates downward, its end away from valve body 1 presses down on the top of reset link 5, forcing reset link 5 to move downward. As reset link 5 moves downward, it stretches reset spring 6, which then begins to store elastic potential energy. Pedal 2 then opens the valve through related mechanisms, and water begins to flow. When the user lifts their foot... After the external force acting on pedal 2 disappears, the stretched return spring 6 returns to its original shape, thus contracting and generating an upward rebound force. This rebound force acts on the return link 5 through the hinge point, pulling the return link 5 upward. When the return link 5 is pulled upward, its top will push against the return member 4 on it, thereby pushing the return member 4 to rotate upward. When the return member 4 rotates upward, it will drive the pedal 2 to rotate upward around the hinge point between its middle part and the mounting base 3 through the transmission component to return to its original position. At the same time as the pedal 2 returns to its original position, it also drives the related mechanism to reset, so that the valve closes and stops cleaning. At this point, all moving parts return to their initial position under the action of the return spring 6, ready for the next step.

[0025] In one specific embodiment, a push rod is hinged to the other side of the pedal 2 relative to the mounting base 3. The other side of the push rod is hinged to the valve body 1 and connected to the valve stem inside the valve body 1. When the pedal 2 is pressed, the push rod pushes the valve stem to move, causing the valve stem to open the valve, thereby allowing water to flow out through the valve body 1. Since the above structures are common knowledge to those skilled in the art, they are not specifically shown in the drawings by reference numerals.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 The mounting base 3 is also equipped with a limiting mechanism for restricting the range of motion of the reset link 5. The limiting mechanism includes a first limiting member 7 and a second limiting member 8. Both the first limiting member 7 and the second limiting member 8 are fixed to the mounting base 3. A limiting groove 9 is opened at the end of the reset link 5 away from the reset member 4. The first limiting member 7 is slidably embedded in the limiting groove 9. The reset member 4 is detachably abutted against the second limiting member 8. With this setting, the limiting groove 9 is fitted on the first limiting member 7, guiding the reset link 5 to move vertically downward, so that the reset link 5 can only slide in the vertical direction, avoiding it from swaying or deviating from its position during movement, preventing the mechanism from jamming or increasing resistance due to deviation, ensuring smooth movement, and also preventing lateral friction between the reset link 5 and the reset member 4 at the contact point. The second limiting member 8 can provide a fixed support surface for the reset member 4 to fix the maximum angle that the reset member 4 can rotate, ensuring that the valve can be fully opened when the pedal 2 is pressed, while preventing the reset spring 6 from being overstretched and damaged.

[0027] In one specific embodiment, when an external force impacts the pedal 2, including but not limited to accidental stepping or heavy pressure, the cooperation between the limiting groove 9 and the first limiting member 7 can constrain the swing range of the reset linkage 5 to protect the mechanism from deformation. At the same time, the precise guidance of the limiting groove 9 can reduce abnormal stress at each hinge point and extend the service life of the component.

[0028] Reference Figure 1 The hinge of the reset spring 6 and the reset component 4 is located in the middle of the hinge between the reset component 4 and the reset connecting rod 5 and the hinge of the mounting base 3. This setting can significantly amplify the driving efficiency of the spring torque during the reset process, so that the strongest reset force can be obtained with the smallest spring size. This eliminates the need for an additional large spring, reducing space occupation. Ultimately, this allows the valve to still have excellent performance of reliable closure, zero leakage, and significantly extended component life in bathroom scenarios with high-frequency use and scale accumulation.

[0029] In one specific embodiment, to more clearly express the advantage of force transmission, the hinge point between the reset member 4 and the mounting base 3 is designated as point A, the hinge point between the reset member 4 and the reset link 5 is designated as point B, and the hinge point between the reset member 4 and the reset spring 6 is designated as point C. In this design, the spring hinge point C is located in the middle between point A (fulcrum) and point B (linkage connection point). When the user presses down on the pedal 2, the reset member 4 rotates clockwise around point A, and the reset member 4 drives point B to move downward, pressing down the reset link 5 and stretching the reset spring 6. Since the point of action of the reset spring 6, C, is located in the middle between A and B, it is close to the fulcrum A. Therefore, the reverse tension generated after the reset spring 6 is stretched acts on point C to try to prevent the reset member 4 from rotating downward. At this time, the user needs to apply more force on the pedal 2 to overcome the resistance. Therefore, the initial feeling of pressing the pedal 2 is heavier, not only... This design helps users confirm the action trigger and continuously stores energy during pedaling, preventing sudden strain at the end of the pedal stroke. It conforms to ergonomics. When the user releases pedal 2, the return spring 6 contracts and releases energy, generating a pulling force that acts on point C. This force drives the return element 4 to rotate counter-clockwise around point A. The rotation of return element 4 pulls point B upwards, lifting the return linkage 5 and pushing the return element 4 to rotate. Ultimately, this causes pedal 2 and the valve core to reset. During this reset process, point C can increase torque output, allowing it to generate a larger driving force on fulcrum A. Therefore, this larger driving force can quickly drive the return element 4 to rotate and effectively push the return linkage 5 through point B, forcefully pulling pedal 2 to reset quickly and completely. Even if the valve core sealing ring has slight adhesion or increased friction due to prolonged use, the large reset torque ensures reliable and tight closure, preventing leakage.

[0030] By designing the spring's point of action principle fulcrum, a larger reset torque is generated under equal spring deformation to optimize energy utilization. Furthermore, the strong torque of the reset spring 6 is designed to preferentially act on the rotational reset of the reset component 4, rather than directly pulling the reset linkage 5. This ensures that even if the mechanism experiences increased motion resistance due to dirt or wear, the reset force and speed can still be guaranteed, and the sealing is more reliable. Finally, compared to placing the spring's point of action near point A, which easily leads to a small torque, and placing it near point B, which easily leads to an imbalance in the lever ratio, placing the spring's point of action in the middle of the lever arm achieves the best balance between the mechanism's size and force output efficiency.

[0031] Reference Figure 1 The hinge points at both ends of the return spring 6 are aligned in the vertical direction. This arrangement ensures that the installation direction of the return spring 6 is also vertical. When the return link 5 is pressed down by the return component 4, the return spring 6 generates a longer straight line to complete the stretching. This can store more energy than the traditional torsion spring that rotates around the fulcrum at a small angle, thus making the reset force more sufficient. Even if the valve core has a tendency to stick or insufficient lubrication, it can reliably and powerfully reset and close the valve core.

[0032] Reference Figure 1 The mounting base 3 is also fixed with a third limiting member 10. The end of the reset member 4 away from the reset link 5 is detachably abutted against the third limiting member 10. With this setting, when the reset member 4 is rotated and pressed down with the pedal 2, it disengages from the third limiting member 10 and no longer contacts it. When the pedal 2 rebounds, the reset member 4 rotates to the initial position and abuts against the third limiting member 10 to form a fixed stop point, so as to ensure that the reset member 4 accurately returns to the initial angle and ensures the sealing of the valve.

[0033] Reference Figure 1 The second limiting member 8 and the third limiting member 10 are aligned in the horizontal position. With this setting, the angle of the reset member 4 rotating forward and backward around the fulcrum is the same. Therefore, the upward tilt angle of the pedal 2 in the initial position and the downward rotation angle when it is stepped on are not large. This can effectively prevent the user from slipping due to the excessive tilt angle of the foot when stepping on the pedal 2. At the same time, the smaller tilt angle of the foot makes it easier for the user to apply force and step on the pedal 2 more easily.

[0034] In one specific embodiment, in order to protect the reset mechanism and the limiting mechanism, a housing can be added to the mounting base 3. This housing is installed on the side of the mounting base 3 with the reset mechanism and the limiting mechanism and is fixed by bolts. This can prevent external dirt from directly contacting the components on the mounting base 3.

[0035] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0036] Those skilled in the art should understand that the above embodiments are merely for clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make other changes or modifications based on the above disclosure, and these changes or modifications still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foot-flush valve comprising a valve body (1) and a foot pedal (2) hinged externally to the valve body (1) towards one end of the valve body (1), characterized in that: The valve body (1) is also fixedly provided with a mounting base (3). The middle part of the pedal (2) is hinged to one side of the mounting base (3). The other side of the mounting base (3) is provided with a reset mechanism, which includes a reset component (4), a reset link (5) and a reset spring (6). The reset component (4) is fixedly connected to the pedal (2) through a transmission component. The reset link (5) extends vertically downward, and one end of it is rotatably abutted against the end of the reset component (4) away from the valve body (1). One end of the reset spring (6) is hinged to the reset component (4), and the other end is hinged to the reset link (5). The mounting base (3) is also provided with a limiting mechanism for limiting the range of motion of the reset link (5).

2. A foot-operated flush valve as defined in claim 1, wherein: The limiting mechanism includes a first limiting member (7) and a second limiting member (8). Both the first limiting member (7) and the second limiting member (8) are fixed on the mounting base (3). The end of the reset link (5) away from the reset member (4) is provided with a limiting groove (9). The first limiting member (7) is slidably embedded in the limiting groove (9). The reset member (4) is detachably abutted against the second limiting member (8).

3. A foot-operated flush valve as defined in claim 1, wherein: The hinge of the reset spring (6) and the reset member (4) is located in the middle of the hinge of the reset member (4) and the reset connecting rod (5) and the hinge of the mounting base (3).

4. A foot-operated flush valve as defined in claim 1, wherein: The hinge points at both ends of the return spring (6) are aligned in the vertical direction.

5. A foot-operated flush valve as defined in claim 2 wherein: The mounting base (3) is also fixed with a third limiting member (10), and the end of the reset member (4) away from the reset link (5) is detachably abutted against the third limiting member (10).

6. A foot-operated flush valve as defined in claim 5 wherein: The second limiting member (8) and the third limiting member (10) are aligned in the horizontal position.

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