Toilet arrangement for an aircraft with combined suction of black water

Abstract

A toilet arrangement (2) for an aircraft (4) includes a toilet module (6) with a toilet (8) with attached connecting element (10), wherein the toilet (8) has a toilet outlet (12) for black water (14), a grey water tank (16) with a tank outlet (18) for black water (20), a connecting line (28) from the tank outlet (18) to the toilet module (6) with a line outlet (30) and a suction line (32) with a suction end (36) for black water (14, 20), which leads away from the toilet module (6) out of the toilet arrangement (2), wherein the suction end (36) is connected to the toilet outlet (12) and the line outlet (30) via the connecting element (10). In a method for operating the toilet arrangement (2), black water (14) is sucked out of the toilet (8) exclusively via the toilet outlet (12), the connecting element (10), the suction end (36) and the suction line (32) from the toilet arrangement (2), and black water (20) is sucked out of the grey water tank (16) exclusively via the tank outlet (18), the connecting line (28), the line outlet (30), the connecting element (10), the suction end (36) and the suction line (32) from the toilet arrangement (2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toilet arrangement for an aircraft. The toilet arrangement includes a toilet and a greywater tank.

[0002] From US 2007 / 0 102 370 A1 a grey water utilization system is known for an aircraft for treating grey water from the toilet hand basins into odourless, clear water for flushing the toilet.

[0003] The object of the invention is to propose improvements with regard to such a toilet arrangement.

[0004] The object is achieved by a toilet arrangement according to patent claim 1. Preferred or advantageous embodiments of the invention and other categories of invention emerge from the further claims, the following description and the attached figures.

[0005] The toilet assembly is for an aircraft. In an assembled state, the toilet assembly is installed in the aircraft and connected to a blackwater drain via a suction line, as explained in more detail below.

[0006] The toilet assembly contains a toilet module. The toilet module contains a toilet (specifically, a toilet bowl) and a connecting element. The connecting element is attached to the toilet. The toilet and the attached connecting element therefore form a structurally or mechanically connected unit. Such units of toilets and attachments are generally also known in practice under the designation TA (toilet assembly). In the known units, the attachment is a vacuum valve (flush valve) for emptying the toilet as needed, i.e., for sucking out black water from it.

[0007] The toilet contains a toilet outlet. The toilet outlet serves or is designed to drain black water from the toilet during a "flush," which is achieved in the aircraft by a vacuum suction system. The toilet outlet is the toilet's only outlet for black water. Black water generated in the toilet must therefore be disposed of through the toilet outlet.

[0008] The toilet arrangement contains a greywater tank. The greywater tank contains a tank outlet. The tank outlet is designed or constructed to discharge untreated / contaminated raw greywater (to be discharged into the blackwater tank) from the greywater tank. In the following, this “waste greywater” will be referred to as “blackwater” for the sake of clarity. The background is as follows: Raw greywater available or generated on the aircraft is collected in the greywater tank and stored for further use, for example for flushing the toilet (see below). The raw greywater is already freed of coarse dirt, e.g., by a coarse sieve, before it reaches the greywater tank. In the tank, the raw greywater is further purified, e.g., filtered, to produce actual (usable) greywater, which is then made available for further use at a greywater outlet.Residues, etc., that accumulate during the cleaning / filtration of the raw greywater in the tank must then be disposed of at least occasionally with a portion of the raw greywater as "blackwater" via the greywater tank outlet, namely, fed into the blackwater tank. In other words, this raw greywater is disposed of in the "blackwater vacuum area." All such "blackwater" generated in the greywater tank must be drained from the greywater tank via the tank outlet. In other words, any portions separated from the greywater that do not contribute to the usable greywater must be drained from the greywater tank via the tank outlet.

[0009] The toilet assembly contains a connecting line. This serves or is designed to carry blackwater (contaminated raw greywater, see above) from the greywater tank. The connecting line runs from the tank outlet to the toilet module. The connecting line is connected to the tank outlet at its inlet end. At its other end, on the toilet module, the connecting line has a line outlet. Blackwater (unfiltered greywater, see above) from the greywater tank can only exit the greywater tank via the connecting line; all blackwater originating from the greywater tank must be diverted from the tank via the connecting line.

[0010] The toilet assembly contains a suction line for black water or the aforementioned raw grey water. The suction line can be a section of a line that continues outside the toilet assembly. However, the line can also end at a black water interface of the toilet assembly. This suction line therefore leads out of or away from the toilet assembly. The suction line has a suction end on the toilet module. This is used or is designed to suck black water into the suction line. The suction line leads outside the toilet assembly in particular to a black water tank and is pressurised there in order to suck black water through the suction line from the suction end to the black water tank or into it. The suction line is the only line for black water from the toilet and grey water tank that leads out of the toilet assembly.All black water present or generated in the toilet and grey water tank must therefore be disposed of via the suction line from the toilet arrangement.

[0011] The suction end is connected to the toilet outlet and the pipe outlet via the connecting element. The connecting element can also be a zero element, meaning there is a direct connection between the toilet outlet, pipe outlet, and suction end, or these are connected to one another. This connecting element (and also a "connection" in the case of a connecting element in the form of a zero element) is located in the toilet module, i.e. in the immediate vicinity or directly at the toilet. In other words, the two drainage routes for black water from the toilet and the grey water tank are brought together directly at the toilet and fed to the suction line.

[0012] The invention provides the advantage that the toilet module has only a single outlet for blackwater from the toilet and greywater tank, namely the suction line. In other words, the outlet point of the suction line from the toilet assembly forms a single interface for blackwater disposal from the toilet assembly. Blackwater drainage from the toilet assembly is therefore simplified in the aircraft.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element is permanently attached to the toilet. In other words, this results in a fixed structural unit or integrated unit consisting of the toilet and the connecting element, which can thus be designed in the form of a TA (toilet assembly). TAs known from practice comprise the toilet and a vacuum valve at the blackwater outlet of the toilet. A suction line for blackwater is then also connected to the vacuum valve with its suction end. However, in the known TAs, the suction line in question serves exclusively to suck blackwater out of the toilet, not out of the blackwater tank. Any blackwater outlet of a greywater tank present in a toilet assembly therefore required a second suction line and a corresponding vacuum valve between the greywater tank and the second suction line. The second suction line also had to be led out of the toilet assembly.Thus, in known arrangements, there were two interfaces for black water on the toilet arrangement, both of which had to be led separately to the black water tank in the aircraft.

[0014] In a preferred embodiment, the connecting element contains or in particular is a valve arrangement.

[0015] The valve assembly includes a toilet valve. This connects the toilet outlet and the suction end, or is arranged between the two, to create or prevent a passage between the two, thus allowing or preventing the suction of black water from the toilet outlet.

[0016] The valve assembly includes a tank valve. This connects the pipe outlet and the suction end, thus also serving to open or close the respective connection and thus to drain blackwater from the pipe outlet and thus the greywater tank as needed.

[0017] The valve assembly contains a drive. The toilet valve and the tank valve are driven by the drive. Both valves are therefore driven jointly by the single drive. The drive is, in particular, a motor drive. The valves are therefore driven to open or close either the toilet outlet or the pipe outlet, or both simultaneously (and thus the tank outlet) towards the suction end, i.e. to effectively enable / carry out or prevent / close black water suction. There are four different operating modes: 1) no suction, 2) only black water is suctioned out of the toilet, 3) only black water is suctioned out of the grey water tank, or 4) black water is suctioned out of the toilet and the grey water tank at the same time.

[0018] The actuator can either operate / adjust / control only one of the two valves or, in particular, both valves at the same time.

[0019] This design offers the advantage that, as explained above, two separate valves with two separate actuators are no longer required to control, i.e., open or close, the greywater tank outlet and the toilet outlet. This simplifies the toilet layout, eliminates the need for valves, simplifies control, simplifies wiring, and reduces weight, etc.

[0020] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the valve arrangement contains, or in particular is, a three-way valve. The three-way valve combines the toilet valve and the tank valve. In other words, the three-way valve is a single valve with three connections for the toilet outlet, the line outlet, and the suction end. The three-way valve thus forms a structural unit comprising the toilet valve and the tank valve, which are also functionally coupled, meaning they can only be operated together. This simplifies the operation of both valves.

[0021] In a preferred variant of the embodiments, the drive is designed with the toilet valve and / or with the tank valve as an integrated unit in the form of a driven valve. The drive therefore forms a structural unit together with one or, in particular, both valves. For example, the structural unit then has a common housing or a common support structure for the motor and one or both valves. The valve unit therefore has a common housing / support structure. The valve in question, or possibly the entire valve unit, can thus be attached to the toilet particularly easily by, for example, mechanically attaching its housing or support structure to the toilet, in particular directly at the toilet outlet or surrounding / encompassing it.

[0022] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the drive has an output part, particularly in the form of an output shaft. The toilet valve and / or the tank valve (or a driven / movable part of the corresponding valves) are fixedly mounted on the output part. The output part can also be an output part of an integrated component that combines one of the valves and the drive. Thus, in particular, a simple and synchronous joint movement / control of both valves can be achieved by the output part.

[0023] In a preferred variant of the above embodiments, the drive also has an output part (in particular a shaft). An actuating element is fixedly arranged on the output part or is part of it. The toilet valve and / or the tank valve are actuated by the actuating element. The valve in question is then in particular not itself fixedly arranged on the output part, but forms a separate or independent component alongside the drive. It is then operated or movement-coupled to the drive only via the actuating element. The actuating element is, for example, an actuating cam / pin / gearwheel / ... arranged on a shaft for one of the valves. In this way, existing valves, for example, can be easily operated by the drive or the actuating element.

[0024] In a preferred variant of the above-mentioned embodiments, the valve arrangement contains at least one ball valve or is a ball valve. Such a ball valve is, for example, a ball cock or plug cock. The corresponding ball valve then forms the toilet valve and / or the tank valve. Such a ball valve can be particularly easily configured as a three-way valve to combine the toilet and tank valves.

[0025] In a preferred variant of the above-mentioned embodiments, the valve arrangement contains at least one disc valve or is a disc valve. The corresponding disc valve then forms the toilet valve and / or the tank valve. The disc valve contains a valve disc that is rotatable about a rotational axis. In particular, the valve disc is connected to the aforementioned output part or has this. The rotational axis runs perpendicular to the disc plane of the valve disc. The valve disc has at least one opening / bore as part of the respective valve. The opening serves to release the toilet outlet and / or the pipe and thus tank outlet as follows: As it rotates, the valve disc acts as a locking disc, sliding between two aligned pipe sections / supply lines / connectors (a pair of connectors) for the pipe outlet and / or the toilet outlet. The connectors, etc., rest sealingly and slidably on both sides of the valve disc and are stationary. If a solid piece of the valve disc is rotated between two aligned connectors, the valve is locked. If a hole in the valve disc occurs between the connectors, the passage between them is cleared, and the respective valve is opened. The disc valve is specifically designed as a three-way valve to combine a toilet valve and a tank valve.

[0026] Such disc valves with a single opening are already known in practice as vacuum valves (toilet valve only) for conventional TAs. By attaching / providing a second opening / bore in a corresponding disc, such a known vacuum valve can be expanded or redesigned into a combined toilet valve and tank valve.

[0027] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the valve disc therefore contains a first opening for the toilet outlet and a second opening for the pipe outlet. This makes it particularly easy to implement an integrated disc valve that forms both the toilet valve and the tank valve.

[0028] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the first and second openings are arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction of the valve disc, i.e., in different, non-overlapping areas of circumferential angles. This makes it particularly easy to ensure, in a structurally simple manner, that the valve disc, in different rotational positions of the valve disc, opens either only the toilet outlet or the tank outlet toward the suction end, if the offset of the two openings is different or not congruent with the offset of the aforementioned pairs of nozzles.

[0029] In a preferred variant of the above embodiment, the valve arrangement contains at least one pilot valve. The pilot valve contains a main valve, as is customary in the art. The toilet valve and / or the tank valve are designed as the main valve of the pilot valve. The pilot valve also contains, as is customary in the art, a pilot part of the pilot valve that controls the main valve. The pilot part is driven by the drive. This allows the customary advantages of a pilot valve to be utilized in the toilet arrangement, in particular the reduced energy / power (especially electrical) required to control the pilot part instead of the main valve.

[0030] In other words, in this embodiment, the drive (actuator / motor) actuates a "pilot" (pilot part) of a second valve (main valve). This results in the usual advantages / properties regarding force transmission, integration, and distance.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the greywater tank has a greywater outlet connected to a flush inlet of the toilet via a greywater line. In particular, a greywater pump is connected between the greywater outlet and the flush inlet in or on the greywater line. In other words, a greywater line leads from the greywater outlet to a flush inlet of the toilet, which contains the greywater pump or into which the greywater pump is connected. Thus, greywater is used to flush the toilet.

[0032] Alternatively or additionally, the greywater tank has a greywater inlet fed by a washbasin outlet. The washbasin is, in particular, a handwash basin of the toilet arrangement and thus possibly part of the toilet arrangement, or a sink of a galley / on-board kitchen, which may not be part of the toilet arrangement. If necessary, the toilet arrangement then has an interface for introducing greywater (e.g., from the galley sink). Such embodiments lead to particularly effective toilet arrangements in which effective greywater utilization is possible.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the toilet arrangement is a lavatory monument. The entire lavatory monument or on-board toilet monument thus offers all of the aforementioned advantages, in particular the single interface for black water and the simple control of a single combined toilet and tank valve.

[0034] The object of the invention is also achieved by a method according to patent claim 15. This serves for operating the toilet arrangement according to the invention. In the method, blackwater from the toilet is sucked out of the toilet arrangement exclusively via the toilet outlet, the connecting element, the suction end, and the suction line. In addition, blackwater from the greywater tank is sucked out of the toilet arrangement exclusively via the tank outlet, the connecting line, the line outlet, the connecting element, the suction end, and the suction line. As explained above, this results in the advantage of a single suction interface for blackwater at the outlet point of the suction line from the toilet arrangement, which is why sucking blackwater from both the toilet and the greywater tank is particularly easy.

[0035] The method and at least some of its possible embodiments as well as the respective advantages have already been explained in connection with the toilet arrangement according to the invention.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the toilet arrangement is operated exclusively in one of three operating modes or switched between them.

[0037] In a first operating mode, black water is not sucked out of either the toilet outlet or the pipe outlet. In a second operating mode, it is sucked out exclusively from the tank outlet. In a third operating mode, it is sucked out exclusively from the toilet outlet.

[0038] In particular, the toilet assembly is configured for such a process by controlling the valve assembly. Or, it is configured for this purpose by a correspondingly designed three-way valve that does not have a valve position that represents or enables a common connection between the suction end on the one hand and the toilet outlet and pipe outlet on the other. This embodiment ensures that only one of the two elements, the toilet or the greywater tank, is ever vacuumed with regard to blackwater.

[0039] The invention is based on the following findings, observations, and considerations and also includes the following preferred embodiments. These embodiments are sometimes referred to as "the invention" for simplicity. The embodiments may also contain parts or combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments or correspond to them and / or may also include previously unmentioned embodiments.

[0040] The invention is based on the realization that the greywater reuse system (GWRS) requires a connection to the blackwater system to drain the greywater unit (GWU). The idea is to implement this access via the toilet assembly (TA). This avoids an additional interface to the toilet assembly. A further advantage lies in the combination of the flush control module (FCM: a valve assembly or vacuum valve to open or close the toilet outlet for draining blackwater) and the drain valve (a separate vacuum valve at the greywater tank outlet).

[0041] The invention is based on the observation that it is known from practice that a separate drain valve is located on the grey water unit, which is controlled by an external controller.

[0042] According to the invention, the drain valve is integrated into the toilet assembly (TA, toilet module).

[0043] According to the invention, an integrated reuse of greywater is achieved (greywater reuse integrated).

[0044] According to the invention, the system (lavatory arrangement and its connection in the aircraft) is simplified: no wiring, fewer mechanical interfaces, better integration for the customer, weight savings due to the elimination of interfaces, and cost savings due to internal interfaces (e.g., no aircraft connectors). An actuator and an interface on the lavatory are required. The existing interfaces to the vacuum system (suction line leading from the lavatory arrangement / black water tank, vacuum generation in the suction line) can be used.

[0045] The invention is based on the combination of two valves (toilet valve, tank valve) with an actuator (drive). Both the flush valve of the TA (toilet valve) and the drain valve (tank valve) can be operated via an actuator, possibly also via a valve disc integrated into the TA.

[0046] The invention is based on the idea of ​​simplifying the GWRS by routing the drainage line (connecting line) of the GWU (grey water tank) over the TA (toilet module). This allows the drain valve (tank valve) to be operated with the actuator (drive) of the FCM (toilet valve) (coupling two valves).

[0047] The only benefit is an interface to the vacuum system in the TA and the saving of an actuator (separate drive for the tank valve) and its control.

[0048] The invention is based on the following observation: The flush control module in a familiar toilet is a disc valve that separates the vacuum system (suction line leading to the black water tank) from the TA bowl (toilet bowl). This valve is actuated / rotary-operated. Controlling the TA requires only 90° of rotation.

[0049] The invention is based on the idea that a different position allows the drain valve (tank valve) to be controlled without TA Flush (i.e., without siphoning the toilet outlet). The invention is based on the idea of ​​combining the valve for draining the greywater unit (tank valve) with this valve / actuator.

[0050] In particular, this is achieved by providing an additional channel (opening for the realization of the tank valve) in the valve disc.

[0051] An (existing) FCM (toilet valve) can also be used as an actuator for an external tank valve via a rotating shaft (output element, e.g. shaft of the FCM drives the tank valve).

[0052] An (existing) FCM (toilet valve) can also be used as an actuator for an external tank valve. An output element, e.g., the FCM shaft, has a mechanical element (e.g., a cam or lever) to couple the movement of the FCM with an external tank valve. The advantage is that manual intervention / drainage of the greywater tank is possible because the cam or similar element is decoupled.

[0053] A vacuum check at the outlet may be necessary if the valve is not vacuum controlled.

[0054] In the area of ​​greywater reuse, this results in emptying the toilet and greywater tank using TA (draining using TA).

[0055] Further features, effects, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and the accompanying figures. Each of these figures shows a schematic diagram: Fig. 1 a toilet arrangement according to the invention Fig. 2 a butterfly valve as an integrated unit and three-way valve in a) first, b) second and c) third rotary position, Fig. 3 a tank valve in the form of a ball valve in a) first, b) second and c) third rotary position, Fig. 4 the coupling of the tank valve Fig. 3 with a toilet valve as drive, Fig. 5 an external tank valve and a toilet valve as a drive with a coupling via an actuating element in a) first, b) second and c) third rotational position.

[0056] Fig. 1 shows a toilet arrangement 2 for an aircraft 4 not shown in detail here, as installed in this aircraft 4. The toilet arrangement 2 here is an entire lavatory monument in the aircraft 4.

[0057] The toilet assembly 2 contains a toilet module 6, which is symbolically indicated here by a dashed frame. The toilet module 6 contains a toilet 8 and a connecting element 10 attached to the toilet 8. The toilet 8 contains a toilet outlet 12. This serves to discharge black water 14 from the toilet 8. The black water 14 or its outlet / discharge is indicated in the figure by an arrow.

[0058] The toilet assembly 2 also contains a greywater tank 16. This has a tank outlet 18. The tank outlet 18 serves to discharge blackwater 20 from the greywater tank 16. The blackwater 20 in the greywater tank 16 is generated as follows:

[0059] The greywater tank 16 has a greywater inlet 23, which is fed by an outlet 25 of a washbasin 24. The greywater tank 16 also has a greywater outlet 40, which is connected to a flush inlet 44 of the toilet 8 via a greywater line 42. This enables a greywater flush of the toilet 8. To ensure this flushing is carried out sufficiently, a greywater pump 46 is connected to the greywater line 42.

[0060] The greywater tank 16 collects greywater 22 from the outlet 25 of the sink 24 after passing through a coarse sieve 26. Coarse dirt is removed from the greywater 22 by the coarse sieve 26, although fine dirt is still present. This dirt is filtered or removed from the greywater 22 in the greywater tank 16 by a filter (not shown) and must be removed from the greywater tank 16 from time to time (along with a small portion of the greywater 22) as blackwater 20.

[0061] The toilet assembly 2 contains a connecting line 28 for the black water 20 from the grey water tank. The connecting line 28 leads from the tank outlet 18 to the toilet module 6. In the toilet module 6, the connecting line 28 has a line outlet 30. Black water 20 can reach the line outlet 30 from the grey water tank 16 exclusively via the connecting line 28.

[0062] The toilet assembly 2 also includes a suction line 32 for black water (see below), represented here by an arrow 34. The suction line 32 leads away from the toilet module 6 and out of the toilet assembly 2. At the toilet module 6, the suction line 32 includes a suction end 36 for sucking in the black water. The suction end 36 is connected via the connecting element 10 to the toilet outlet 12 and the line outlet 30 for conducting the black water 14, 20. The black water that flows through the suction line 32 along the arrow 34 is therefore black water 14 and / or black water 20.

[0063] The suction line 32 leads to a black water tank 38 of the aircraft 4, which is not part of the toilet arrangement 2 and in which the black water 14, 20 accumulating in the aircraft 2 is collected. A negative pressure necessary to extract the black water 14, 20 from the toilet 8 and the grey water tank 16 is generated in the black water tank 38 or in the suction line 32.

[0064] In other words, in the connecting element 10, black water 14 from the toilet 8 and black water 20 from the grey water tank 16 are passed through and, if necessary, combined; in any case, both black waters 14, 20 are sucked away in the direction of arrow 34 through the suction line 32. The connecting element 10 is firmly attached to the toilet 8. The connecting element 10 and the toilet 8 together form a so-called toilet assembly (TA).

[0065] The connecting element 10 contains a valve arrangement 50, which is indicated here by a dashed frame.

[0066] The valve assembly 50 includes a toilet valve 52 that connects the toilet outlet 12 and the suction end 36. The valve assembly 50 also includes a tank valve 54 that connects the line outlet 30 and the suction end 36. The valve assembly 50 further includes a drive 56. The toilet valve 52 and the tank valve 54 are both driven by the single, common motor drive 56. This allows either the toilet valve 52 to be opened or closed toward the suction end 36, thus allowing or preventing the suction of black water 14 through the toilet outlet 12. Alternatively or additionally, the tank valve 54 can be opened or closed toward the suction end 36, thus allowing or preventing the suction of black water 20 through the line outlet 30 (and thus the connecting line 28 and the tank outlet 18).

[0067] The valve assembly 50 is designed here as a three-way valve 60. The toilet valve 52 and the tank valve 54 are combined in the three-way valve 60.

[0068] According to Fig. 1, the drive 56 with the toilet valve 52 and the tank valve 54 is designed as an integrated unit 62 in the form of a driven valve.

[0069] Fig. Figure 2 symbolically shows the valve assembly 50 as the integrated unit 62. The drive 56 has an output part 64, here a shaft, which is only symbolically indicated by its axis of rotation 65. The toilet valve 52 and the tank valve 54 (or their movable parts, here a single part in the form of a valve disc 68, see below) are fixedly arranged on the output part 64. The valve assembly 50 is designed here as a disc valve 66, which forms the toilet valve 52 and the tank valve 54. The disc valve 66 contains the valve disc 68, which is rotatable about the axis of rotation 65. The valve disc 68 contains two openings 70a,b.

[0070] Corresponding to the openings 70a,b, the disc valve contains two pairs of aligned nozzles 74a,b and 76a,b. These are fixedly installed and their ends each rest sealingly and slidingly against both flat sides of the valve disc 68. The valve disc 68 can thus slide between the respective nozzles 74a,b and 76a,b. Thus, the nozzles 74a,b in conjunction with the opening 70a form the toilet valve 52, and the nozzles 76a,b in conjunction with the opening 70b form the tank valve 54.

[0071] The openings 70a,b therefore serve to release the toilet outlet 12 and the pipe outlet 30 (only symbolically shown in the figure).

[0072] As long as none of the openings 70a,b are aligned with the nozzle pairs 74a,b, 76a,b, the valve disc 68 blocks a flow / suction of black water through the respective nozzles, as in Fig. 2a. Fig. Figure 2a therefore shows a first operating state B1, in which toilet valve 52 and tank valve 54 are closed or blocked. No black water is drawn from either the tank outlet 18 or the toilet outlet 12.

[0073] In Fig. 2b, the valve disc 68 is rotated in the direction of arrow 70 so that the opening 70b is aligned with the pair of nozzles 76a, b. The tank valve 54 is thereby opened, and black water 20 can flow from the line outlet 30 through the valve disc 68 or its opening 70b into the suction line 32. This is a second operating mode B2, in which only black water 20 is sucked out of the toilet assembly 2.

[0074] In Fig. 2C, the valve disc 68 is in the direction of the arrow 73 (i.e. in the opposite direction from Fig. 2a) is rotated so that the opening 70a is aligned with the pair of nozzles 74a, b, the toilet valve 52 is thereby opened and black water 14 can pass from the toilet outlet 12 through the valve disc 68 or its opening 70b into the suction line 32.

[0075] This is a third operating mode B3, in which only black water 14 is sucked out of the toilet arrangement 2.

[0076] In the valve disc 68, the openings 70a, b are arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction of the valve disc 68 or the axis of rotation 65.

[0077] Fig. 3 shows an alternative tank valve 54, which is designed here as a ball valve 72. The three rotational positions shown in the Fig. 3a-c functionally correspond to the rotary positions and thus operating modes B1-3 of the Fig. 2a-c. The tank valve 54 is only Fig. 3b open, otherwise closed.

[0078] Fig. 4 shows how the tank valve 54 from Fig. 3. This is done via the output part 64 of the drive 56. Here, the drive 56 is again designed as an integrated arrangement together with an alternative butterfly valve 66. This has the output part 64. The butterfly valve 66 is here a modification of Fig. 2 is designed in such a way that it has only the opening 70a and the pair of nozzles 74a, b, but no opening 70b and no pair of nozzles 67a, b.

[0079] By operating the drive 56 and rotating the arrangement in the direction of the arrows 71, 73 (rotation angles changed due to the design), the same functionality is achieved as described above in connection with Fig. 2 described.

[0080] Fig. 5 shows a further alternative for a valve arrangement 50. Here too, the toilet valve 52 is designed as a disc valve 66 together with the drive 56 according to Fig. 4. The tank valve 54 is designed here as a separate valve with an actuating element 80. By actuating the actuating element 80 (linear pressing in the direction of arrow 84), the tank valve 54 is opened ( Fig. 5b), otherwise it remains closed ( Fig. 5a,c). The actuator 80 is actuated by the drive 56 via an actuating element 82, symbolically represented here in the form of a cam. The actuating element 82 is arranged on the output part 64 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0081] By operating the drive 56 and rotating the arrangement in the direction of the arrows 71, 73 (due to the design again changed angle of rotation) the same functionality is achieved as above in connection with Fig. 2 described.

[0082] In a Fig. In an alternative embodiment not separately shown in Figure 5, the tank valve 54 is alternatively symbolically designed as a pilot valve 110. A main valve 112 of the pilot valve 110 forms the actual tank valve 54. A pilot part 114 of the pilot valve 110, on the other hand, serves to (hydraulicly) control the main valve 112 and can be controlled by the actuating element 82 with comparatively low power / force / energy.

[0083] According to all embodiments, the design (guiding the flow path of the grey water 20 via the toilet module 6 or connecting element 10 on the toilet 8 and mechanical coupling of both valves: toilet valve 52 and tank valve 54) ensures that the following procedure is carried out for the operation of the toilet arrangement 2: Blackwater 14 is sucked from the toilet 8 exclusively via the toilet outlet 12, the connecting element 10, the suction end 36, and the suction line 32 from the toilet assembly 2. Blackwater 20 from the greywater tank 16 is sucked from the toilet assembly exclusively via the tank outlet 18, the connecting line 28, the line outlet 30, the connecting element 10, the suction end 36, and the suction line 32.

[0084] Due to the structural design of the valve assemblies 50, it is ensured that the toilet assembly 2 is operated exclusively in the three operating modes B1 to B3: In operating mode B1, no black water 34 is sucked away at all, since both valves, toilet valve 52 and tank valve 54, are closed. In operating mode B2, black water 34 is sucked away exclusively from the pipe outlet 30. In operating mode B3, black water 14 is sucked away exclusively from the toilet outlet 12.

[0085] Fig. 1 shows, in a dashed representation, a toilet arrangement 2 which is known from practice and not according to the invention. In this case, the connecting line 28 is not present, the valve arrangement 50 contains only the toilet valve 52, and the tank valve 54 is then omitted from the valve arrangement 50. Instead, a separate drainage line 100 subjected to negative pressure leads from the tank outlet 18 out of the toilet arrangement 2 and is only led to the suction line 32 outside the toilet arrangement 2. An additional, independent tank valve 102 with its own drive 104 is provided at the tank outlet 18 in order to selectively open or close it to the drainage line 100. List of reference symbols 2 Toilet layout 4 aircraft 6 toilet module 8 Toilet 10 connecting element 12 Toilet outlet 14 Black water (toilet) 16 Grey water tank 18 Tank outlet 20 Black Water (Gray Water Tank) 22 Greywater 23 Greywater inlet 24 sinks 25 Outlet 26 Coarse sieve 28 connecting line 30 line outlet 32 Suction line 34 Arrow 36 sucking 38 Black water tank 40 Greywater outlet 42 Greywater pipe 44 Flush inlet 46 Greywater pump 50 Valve arrangement 52 Toilet valve 54 Tank valve 56 Drive 60 three-way valve 62 units (integrated) 64 stripping section 65 axis of rotation 66 disc valve 68 valve disc 70a, b breakthrough 71 Arrow 72 ball valve 73 Arrow 74a, b nozzle 76a, b nozzle 82 Actuating element 84 Arrow 100 drainage pipe 102 Tank valve 104 Drive 110 Pilot valve 112 Main part 114 Pilot part B1-3 Operating mode QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2007 / 0 102 370 A1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Toilet arrangement (2) for an aircraft (4), - with a toilet module (6) containing a toilet (8) and a connecting element (10) attached to the toilet (8), - wherein the toilet (8) has a toilet outlet (12) for discharging black water (14) from the toilet (8), - with a grey water tank (16) having a tank outlet (18) for discharging black water (20) from the grey water tank (16), - with a connecting line (28) for black water (20) from the grey water tank (16), which leads from the tank outlet (18) to the toilet module (6) and has a line outlet (30) there, - with a suction line (32) for black water (14, 20), which leads away from the toilet module (6) out of the toilet arrangement (2) and which has a suction end (36) on the toilet module (6) for sucking in black water (14, 20), - wherein the suction end (36) is connected to the toilet outlet (12) and the line outlet (30) via the connecting element (10). [2] Toilet arrangement (2) according to claim 1, characterized by that the connecting element (10) is firmly attached to the toilet (8). [3] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that - the connecting element (10) contains a valve arrangement (50), - wherein the valve arrangement (50) - a toilet valve (52) connecting the toilet outlet (12) and the suction end (36) and - a tank valve (54) connecting the line outlet (30) and the suction end (36), - and has a drive (56), - wherein the toilet valve (52) and the tank valve (54) are driven by the drive (56) to selectively open or close the toilet outlet (12) and / or the line outlet (30) towards the suction end (36). [4] Toilet arrangement (2) claim 3, characterized by that the valve arrangement (50) contains a three-way valve (60) in which the toilet valve (52) and the tank valve (54) are combined. [5] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of claims 3 to 4, characterized by that the drive (56) with the toilet valve (52) and / or with the tank valve (54) are designed as an integrated unit (62) in the form of a driven valve. [6] Toilet arrangement (2) according to claim 5, characterized by that the drive (56) has an output part (64), and the toilet valve (52) and / or the tank valve (54) is fixedly arranged on the output part (64). [7] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the drive (54) has an output part (64) and an actuating element (82) is fixedly arranged on the output part (64), wherein the toilet valve (52) and / or the tank valve (54) is actuated by the actuating element (82). [8] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by that the valve arrangement (50) contains at least one ball valve (72) which forms the toilet valve (52) and / or the tank valve (54). [9] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of claims 3 to 8, characterized by that the valve arrangement (50) contains a disc valve (66) which forms the toilet valve (52) and / or the tank valve (54), with a valve disc (68) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (65) and which has at least one opening (70a,b) as part of the toilet valve (52) and / or the tank valve (54). [10] Toilet arrangement (2) according to claim 9, characterized by that the valve disc (68) has a first opening (70b) for the toilet outlet (12) and a second opening (70a) for the line outlet (30). [11] Toilet arrangement (2) according to claim 10, characterized bythat the first (70b) and second opening (70a) are arranged one after the other in the circumferential direction of the valve disc (68). [12] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of claims 3 to 11, characterized by that the valve arrangement (50) contains at least one pilot valve () which forms the toilet valve (52) and / or the tank valve (54) as the main valve (), wherein a pilot part () of the pilot valve controlling the main valve () is driven by the drive (56). [13] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the grey water tank (16) has a grey water outlet (40) which is connected to a flush inlet (44) of the toilet (8) via a grey water pipe (42), and / or the greywater tank (16) has a greywater inlet (23) fed by an outlet (25) of a washbasin (24) [14] Toilet arrangement (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the toilet arrangement (2) is a washroom monument. [15] A method for operating a toilet arrangement (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein: - Black water (14) from the toilet (8) is sucked out of the toilet assembly (2) exclusively via the toilet outlet (12), the connecting element (10), the suction end (36) and the suction line (32), - Black water (20) from the grey water tank (16) is sucked out of the toilet assembly (2) exclusively via the tank outlet (18), the connecting line (28), the line outlet (30), the connecting element (10), the suction end (36) and the suction line (32). [16] Method according to claim 15, characterized by that the toilet arrangement (2) is operated exclusively in one of three operating modes (B1-3), whereby black water (14,20) - in a first operating mode neither from the toilet outlet (12) nor from the pipe outlet (30), or - in a second operating mode (B2) exclusively from the line outlet (30), or - in a third operating mode (B3) suction is carried out exclusively from the toilet outlet (12).

Images