Suction device for draining a mixed fluid, especially containing feces, from a collection container

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a suction device for removing a mixed fluid, in particular containing feces, from a collecting container, in particular from a waste tank of a rail vehicle, having a housing with a mixed fluid inlet and a mixed fluid outlet, a flow channel extending in the housing between the inlet and the outlet, a locking pawl mounted on the housing, which is designed to cooperate with a corresponding recess on the collecting container and can be pivoted back and forth between a locked position and an unlocked position, a shut-off element which can be moved back and forth between a release position and a blocking position, and a handling means mounted on the housing for actuating the shut-off element.

[0002] Vehicles, especially rail vehicles or other commercial and passenger vehicles such as caravans, often have collection containers for collecting waste. These collection containers must be emptied at regular intervals. For this purpose, collection containers often have an outlet, such as a nozzle on the exterior of a vehicle, to which a hose coupling of a suction hose can be connected, allowing the waste contained in the tank to be extracted using negative pressure.

[0003] Conventional suction devices, or suction couplings, often have a shut-off device for closing the flow channel and a locking mechanism for locking the suction device to the nozzle of the collection container. If the flow channel is not closed by the shut-off device before the suction device is unlocked, feces will leak out. Such leakage of mixed fluid (e.g., feces) is not only undesirable due to the unpleasant odor, but also leads to contamination of the suction device and the collection container, and is also considered a health and water protection concern.

[0004] Furthermore, when using such suction devices, it is usually necessary to first lock the suction device to the nozzle by means of a locking mechanism before, in a second step, the shut-off device can be actuated to release the flow channel, and vice versa. Such devices are disclosed in US 4 103 712 A and US 2002 / 0171057 A1. Furthermore, a device for extracting dirty water and feces from railway wagons is known from DE 20 2004 019308 U1. US 2 770 474 A relates to a quick-change coupling with an integrated valve. DE 10 2012 103 061 A1 relates to a coupling for connecting fluid-carrying lines, wherein the coupling comprises a first coupling part and a second coupling part, as well as a seal for sealing the two coupling parts and a locking mechanism. A coupling with an integrated valve is known from WO 2015 / 095964 A1.

[0005] The known devices only allow the shut-off device to be released after the coupling has been established. This requires a separate handling step. From a practical point of view, however, coupling the locking mechanism to the shut-off device is desirable.

[0006] The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved suction device with respect to at least one of the aforementioned disadvantages. In particular, the object of the invention is to provide a suction device with simplified operation while maintaining the same level of safety against the escape of mixed fluid from the collection container.

[0007] The present invention solves the problem with a suction device of the type mentioned above by the features of claim 1. The shut-off element can thus be moved by the handling means from a release position, in which the mixed fluid inlet and the mixed fluid outlet are in fluid communication through the flow channel, into a blocking position, in which the flow channel is closed by the shut-off element. Thus, a suction device is provided in which the shut-off element is moved into the blocking position as soon as the locking pawl moves into the unlocked position.

[0008] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the handling means is operatively connected to the locking pawl in such a way that when the shut-off device is moved into the release position, the locking pawl is moved into the locked position. Operation of the suction device is thus simplified by the simultaneous actuation of the shut-off device and the locking pawl to lock the suction device, and the initiation of the suction process is accelerated.

[0009] It is also within the scope of the invention that, in such a suction device, the locking of the locking pawl simultaneously opens the shut-off device and initiates the suction process. This eliminates an additional operating step, further simplifying the operation of the suction device.

[0010] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the suction device further comprises a coupling body, in particular a wedge, which is movable along a longitudinal axis and is operatively connected to the handling means and configured to move the locking pawl back and forth between the locked position and the unlocked position. A coupling body, which is preferably designed as a wedge, provides a simple and functional component for coupling the locking pawl to the handling means. These are mechanically coupled in such a way that the shut-off element is brought into the locked position by the handling means as soon as the locking pawl is moved into the unlocked position. Preferably, the coupling body is further configured to bring the locking pawl into the locked position as soon as the shut-off element is brought into the release position by actuation by means of the handling means.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the recess of the collecting container is formed in the region of a connection that can be coupled to the mixed fluid inlet, and the locking pawl is pivotally mounted in the region of the mixed fluid inlet and configured to engage with the connection of the collecting container. Thus, the suction device is locked upon initial contact between the collecting container and the suction device, which typically occurs between the connection of the collecting container and the mixed fluid inlet of the suction device. Thus, for example, circumferentially extending grooves can be provided on the outside of the formed connection, into which the locking pawl engages by a pivoting movement. The process time is thus reduced because the initial contact between the collecting container and the suction device already enables locking by the locking pawl.

[0012] According to the invention, the shut-off device is arranged in the housing for rotation, and the release position and the blocking position of the shut-off device correspond to different rotational positions of the shut-off device. Preferably, the rotational axis of the shut-off device is parallel, particularly preferably coaxial, to a longitudinal axis of the flow channel in which the shut-off device is arranged.

[0013] The handling means is operatively connected to the shut-off device by means of a gear transmission, wherein the gear transmission is designed to convert the actuating movement of the handling means into the rotational movement of the shut-off device.

[0014] In preferred embodiments, the shut-off device comprises a constriction body which is movably mounted in the housing and is configured to reduce a cross-section of the flow channel in sections or along its entire longitudinal axis, and wherein the handling means is configured to actuate the shut-off device by moving the constriction body. By means of a constriction body which reduces the cross-section of the flow channel, the blocking of the flow channel is ensured in a simple structural manner in order to separate the mixed fluid inlet of the suction device from the connection of the collection container. This also allows for simple and robust mechanical actuation by the handling means, which can be carried out manually or by motor. The device according to the invention is low-wear and low-maintenance and is also cost-effective.The extraction process can initially be started with a large flow channel cross-section so that a high volume flow is achieved.

[0015] Preferably, the handling means comprises a slide, and the coupling body is arranged on the slide. As a slide, the handling means is moved back and forth along the housing to lock or unlock the shut-off device. By arranging the coupling body on the slide, corresponding to the pawl, the latter also performs a movement along the longitudinal axis and can thus be brought into engagement with the pawl. The pawl is then moved back and forth between the locked position and the unlocked position depending on the position of the slide.

[0016] The combination of a linearly movable slide valve with a rotary shut-off device arrangement has proven particularly advantageous. The linear movement of the slide valve is converted into a rotary movement of the shut-off device. The linear movement of the handling device is user-intuitive for connecting and disconnecting the suction device, and at the same time, the rotary movement of the shut-off device or constriction body enables a compact design.

[0017] According to a further preferred embodiment, the handling means comprises a toggle lever, and the coupling body is coupled to the toggle lever by means of a rotatably mounted lever. In this embodiment, the coupling body functions as a slider. A toggle lever is simple and intuitive to operate and offers a high degree of safety. By coupling the coupling body to the toggle lever by means of a rotatably mounted lever, the coupling body can be moved linearly, i.e., along the longitudinal axis, toward the pawl by performing a pivoting movement of the toggle lever in order to move the pawl back and forth between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0018] Preferably, a groove is formed on the housing, which is designed to guide the coupling body. This prevents malfunction of the coupling body due to twisting or tilting, for example, due to dynamic loading of the suction device as a result of pumping.

[0019] Preferably, the shut-off device is movable into a slurping position in addition to the blocking position and the release position, so that the shut-off device is designed to close the flow channel in a fluid-tight manner in the blocking position, to open it in the release position, and to open it only in a constricted manner in the slurping position, in particular such that the cross-section of the flow channel is smaller in the slurping position than in the release position. The multifunctionality of the shut-off device thus eliminates the need for an additional shut-off valve, thereby significantly simplifying the design of the suction device. The weight of the suction device according to the invention is also reduced in this way. In alternative embodiments, a closure element designed to close the flow channel could be activated, for example by moving the shut-off device into the blocking position.It is also possible to vary the diameter of the flow channel, preferably during a suction process.

[0020] By moving the shut-off device into the slurping position, in which the cross-section of the flow channel is smaller than in the release position, the fluid in the flow channel is accelerated relative to the velocity at the outlet of the collection container, creating a turbulent flow. This turbulent flow ensures that even solid or highly viscous components of the mixed fluid are entrained and sucked away. The effect is not limited to the flow channel, but also at least partially to the outlet of the collection container, in particular a connected nozzle, so that this too is freed of the mixed fluid or feces.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment, the slurping position corresponds to a further rotational position of the shut-off device in addition to the rotational positions of the blocking position and the release position according to the invention.

[0022] Preferably, the slurping position is located between the release position and the locking position. This means that every time the suction device is to be disconnected, the shut-off device must necessarily pass through the slurping position when the handling device is actuated to unlock the locking pawls. This, in turn, ensures that the suction device's inlet end is always free of feces when the suction device is disconnected.

[0023] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures and a preferred embodiment. Herein: Figures 1a, bperspective views of a suction device according to the invention, Figures 2 a-cthe suction device according to the invention according to the Figures 1a, b in an initial position with closed flow channel, Figures 3 a-c the suction device according to the invention according to the Figures 1a, b in a suction position with partially closed flow channel, Figures 4 a-c the suction device according to the invention according to the Figures 1a, b in a suction position with an open flow channel, Figure 5a shows a first side view of an alternative embodiment of a suction device according to the invention in the unlocked state, Figure 5b shows a first side view of the alternative embodiment of the suction device according to Figure 5a in the locked state, Figure 6a a side view of the alternative embodiment of the suction device according to Figure 5ain the unlocked state, and Figure 6b a second side view of the alternative embodiment of the suction device according to Figure 5a in the locked state.

[0024] The following concretely described embodiments each show a mechanically manually operated suction device. It should be understood that manual operation, in particular, represents a preferred embodiment, but that other types of operation, such as electromotive, hydraulic, and / or pneumatic actuation, are also possible.

[0025] According to Figure 1 A suction device 1 according to the invention for removing a mixed fluid, in particular containing faeces, from a collecting container has a housing 3 with a mixed fluid inlet 5 and a mixed fluid outlet 7.

[0026] The housing 3 has a longitudinal axis 4, a cylindrical housing section 3a, and a housing section 3b with a polygonal cross-section. The housing section 3b thus has a plurality of wall segments arranged obliquely to one another and extending in a substantially planar manner, which extend along the longitudinal axis 4.

[0027] The mixed fluid inlet 5 can be fluidly coupled to a connection of a collection container (not shown), and the mixed fluid outlet 7 can be fluidly connected to a suction line (not shown). A flow channel 9 is arranged between the mixed fluid inlet 5 and the mixed fluid outlet 7.

[0028] A locking pawl 11 is also arranged on the housing 3. The locking pawl 11 is designed to at least partially engage through a through-opening 15 formed on the cylindrical housing part 3a, particularly in the region of the mixed fluid inlet 5. The locking pawl 11 is movable through the through-opening 15 such that it can engage with an outlet of a collecting container and, particularly preferably, with a correspondingly formed recess in the collecting container. Multiple locking pawls 11 can be provided, for example, 2, 3, 4, or more locking pawls.

[0029] The suction device 1 further comprises a handling means 13 pivotably mounted on the housing, which in this case is designed as a toggle lever 17. The toggle lever 17 is pivotably mounted on the housing 3 by means of a toggle lever shaft 22. The toggle lever shaft 22 is connected to the toggle lever 17 in a rotationally fixed manner, so that pivoting the toggle lever 17 causes the toggle lever shaft 22 to rotate.

[0030] A lever 25 is rotatably mounted on the toggle lever 17 on each side of the housing 3. The lever 25 is rotatably connected to a coupling body 19. The coupling body 19 has a wedge section 20. The coupling body 19 with the wedge section 20 is further guided in a guide 27, which extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis 4. Pivoting the toggle lever 17 therefore results in the pivoting movement being transformed into a linear movement of the coupling body 19 by means of the lever 25. In other words, the axial position of the coupling body 19 can be adjusted by the pivoting position of the toggle lever 17. The wedge portion 20 of the coupling body 19 is configured to come into contact with the pawl 11 such that a movement of the coupling body 19 with the wedge portion 20 in the direction of the mixing fluid inlet 5 causes the wedge portion 20 to slide under the pawl 11.

[0031] The pawl 11 is mounted for rotation about a pawl pivot axis 29. If the wedge portion 20 of the coupling body 19 comes into contact with the pawl 11, the pawl 11 lifts off in the contact area between the pawl 11 and the wedge portion 20 of the coupling body 19 by sliding off the wedge portion 20. Due to the mounting of the pawl 11 about the pawl pivot axis 29, this causes a locking portion 31 of the pawl 11 to move inward through the through-opening 15.

[0032] In this way, the locking portion 31 of the pawl 11 can be engaged with an outlet of a collecting container (not shown) and the suction device 1 can thus be reversibly coupled thereto.

[0033] With reference to Figure 1bThe function of the toggle lever shaft 22 is explained below. Pivoting the toggle lever 17 causes a rotational movement of the toggle lever shaft 22 due to the rotationally fixed connection of the toggle lever 17 to the toggle lever shaft 22. A gear ring element 24 is arranged on the toggle lever shaft 22. This engages with a bevel gear 18, which is arranged on a bevel gear shaft 26. Pivoting the toggle lever 17 thus causes a rotation of the bevel gear shaft 26. The bevel gear shaft 26 is in turn rotationally fixedly connected to a shut-off device 21, wherein the flow channel 9 is opened, closed, or narrowed by the suction device 1 depending on the rotational position of the shut-off device 21.

[0034] The above-mentioned operating conditions are in the Figures 2 - 4 shown.

[0035] In the Figures 2a - cIn the state shown, the suction device 1 is in an initial position in which the flow channel 9 is closed by means of the shut-off device 21. Therefore, no fluid residues can escape from the mixed fluid inlet 5. In this state, the toggle lever 17 is in a pivoted position facing away from the housing 3. This position of the toggle lever 17 ensures that the coupling body 19 remains movable and is in any case not forced inward through the through-opening 15. The suction device 1 can be applied, for example, to a connection of a collecting container (not shown) in the operating position shown. The position of the toggle lever 17, as shown in the Figures 2a - c As shown, the coupling of the toggle lever shaft to the shut-off device 21 causes the latter to rotate into a blocking position. Fluid flow through the flow channel 9 is thus prevented.

[0036] In the Figures 3a - cIn the operating state shown, the suction device 1 is in a post-suction position, also referred to as the slurping position. In the post-suction position, the flow channel 9 is narrowed by the shut-off device 21, but not completely closed. The narrowing of the flow channel 9 causes an acceleration of the fluid flow through the flow channel 9 and induces turbulence within the flow. Residual quantities of the mixed fluid, particularly in the area of ​​the mixed fluid inlet 5, are stirred up by the turbulent flow, which means that it is ensured in particular that fluid residues no longer adhere to the mixed fluid inlet, and residual fluid quantities can then be removed from the suction device 1.

[0037] The position of the knee lever 17 of the Figures 3a-cThe operating position shown further requires that the coupling body 19 comes into contact with the pawl 11, and in particular the wedge section 20 of the coupling body 19 lifts the pawl 11 in the contact area, whereby the locking section 31 of the pawl 11 moves through the through-opening 12. If the suction device 1 is coupled to an outlet of a collecting container while the suction device 1 is in the post-suction position, the suction device 1 remains coupled to the outlet while passing through the post-suction position. Only after the toggle lever 17 has been moved into the position shown in the Figures 2a - c shown position, the suction device 1 can be removed from the collection container.

[0038] In the Figures 4a - cThe suction device 1 is in a suction position. The position of the toggle lever 17 causes the coupling body 19 with the wedge section 20 to lift the pawl 11 in the contact area, whereby the locking section 31 of the pawl 11 is pivoted through the through-opening 15. This allows the suction device 1 to be firmly and fluid-tightly connected to an outlet of a collecting container. The position of the toggle lever 17 also causes the shut-off element 21 to be moved into an open position in a known manner, thus permitting fluid flow through the flow channel 9.

[0039] The Figures 5a and 5b show a first side view of another preferred embodiment of the suction device 1' according to the invention in a locked and an unlocked position.

[0040] According to this embodiment, the suction device 1' comprises a housing 3' with a mixed fluid inlet 5' and a mixed fluid outlet 7'. A closable flow channel 9' extends between the inlet and outlet.

[0041] The suction device 1' further comprises a locking pawl 11', which is mounted on the housing 3' and is designed to cooperate with a corresponding recess on the collecting container and is pivotable back and forth between a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0042] Furthermore, a handling means 13' is mounted on the housing 3'. The handling means 13' and the locking pawl 11' are operatively connected such that when the locking pawl 11' is moved into the unlocked position, the shut-off element 21' is moved into the locked position. Conversely, the handling means 13' and the locking pawl 11' interact such that when the shut-off element 21' is moved into the release position, the locking pawl 11' is moved into the locked position.

[0043] The handling means 13' is designed here as a toggle lever, which is operatively connected to a coupling body 19', a wedge in this embodiment, which is movable along a longitudinal axis. The coupling body 19' is configured to move the locking pawl 11' back and forth between the locked position and the unlocked position.

[0044] The handling means 13' is configured to actuate a shut-off device 21' with a constriction body 23'. The constriction body 23' is movable relative to the inlet and / or outlet 7' into the blocking position and into the release position, wherein the constriction body 23' is configured to fluid-tightly close the flow channel 9' in the blocking position and to release it in the release position.

[0045] The handling means 13' and the coupling body 19' are operatively connected by a lever 25'. Upon a pivoting movement of the handling means 13' to actuate the shut-off device 21', the pivoting movement is translated into a linear movement by the lever 25'. The coupling body 19' consequently moves linearly along the longitudinal axis 4. A recess 15' is formed in the housing 3', through which an inlet-side part of the locking pawl 11' can be moved into the locking position by means of a pivoting movement.

[0046] The Figures 6a and 6b show a second side view of a further preferred embodiment of the suction device 1' according to the invention in a locked and an unlocked position.

[0047] The coupling body 19' is guided in its movement by means of a groove 27' which is formed in the housing 3'.

[0048] The shut-off device 21', which is actuated by the toggle lever 13', is designed to completely close the flow channel 9' in the shut-off position. In the release position, the flow channel 9' is opened by the shut-off device 21'.

[0049] It is also within the meaning of the invention that the shut-off device 21' can be further moved into a third position, namely a so-called slurping position, in which the flow channel is only narrowed but not completely closed.

Claims

1. An extraction device (1, 1') for discharging a mixed fluid, in particular containing feces, from a collecting tank, in particular from a feces tank of a rail vehicle, comprising - a housing (3, 3') having a mixed fluid inlet (5, 5') and a mixed fluid outlet (7, 7'), - a flow passage (9, 9') which extends in the housing (3, 3') between the inlet (5, 5') and the outlet (7, 7'), - a retaining latch (11, 11') which is mounted to the housing (3, 3') and which is adapted to cooperate with a corresponding recess on the collecting tank and is pivotably reciprocal between a locked position and an unlocked position, - a shut-off member (21, 21') which is reciprocable between a release position and a blocking position, and - a handling means (13, 13') mounted to the housing (3, 3') for actuation of the shut-off member (21, 21'), wherein the handling means (13, 13') is operatively connected to the retaining latch (11, 11') in such a way that upon the movement of the retaining latch (11, 11') into the unlocked position the shut-off member (21, 21') is put into the blocking position, wherein the shut-off member (21, 21') is arranged rotationally moveably in the housing and wherein the release position and the blocking position of the shut-off member correspond to different rotary positions of the shut-off member, and wherein the handling means (13, 13') is operatively connected to the shut-off member by means of a gear transmission, wherein the gear transmission is adapted to convert the actuating movement of the handling means into the rotary movement of the shut-off member.

2. An extraction device (1, 1') as set forth in claim 1, wherein the handling means (13, 13') is operatively connected to the retaining latch (11, 11') in such a way that in the movement of the shut-off member (21, 21') into the release position the retaining latch (11, 11') is put into the locked position.

3. An extraction device (1, 1') as set forth in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the extraction device (1) further includes a coupling body (19, 19'), in particular a wedge, which is moveable along a longitudinal axis (4, 4') and which is operatively connected to the handling means (13, 13') and is adapted to reciprocate the retaining latch (11, 11') between the locked position and the unlocked position.

4. An extraction device (1, 1') as set forth in one of the preceding claims, wherein the retaining latch (11, 11') is mounted pivotably in the region of the mixed fluid inlet (5, 5') and is adapted to be brought into engagement with a connection of the collecting tank.

5. An extraction device (1, 1') as set forth in claim 3, wherein the handling means (13, 13') has a slider and the coupling body (19, 19') is provided on the slider.

6. An extraction device (1, 1') as set forth in claim 3, wherein the handling means (13') has a toggle lever and the coupling body (19') is coupled to the toggle lever by means of a rotatably mounted lever (25').

7. An extraction device (1, 1') as set forth in one of claims 3, 5 or 6, wherein provided on the housing (3, 3') is a groove (27') adapted to guide the coupling body (19, 19').

8. An extraction device (1) as set forth in one of the preceding claims, wherein in addition to the locking position and the release position the shut-off member is moveable into a slurp position so that the shut-off member is adapted to fluid-tightly close the flow passage (9) in the blocking position, to open it in the release position and in the slurp position to only constrictively open it in such a way that in the slurp position the cross-section of the flow passage (9) is smaller than in the release position.

9. An extraction device (1) as set forth in claim 8, wherein the shut-off member (21) is arranged rotatably in the housing and wherein the release position and the blocking position of the shut-off member correspond to different rotary positions of the shut-off member and wherein the slurp position corresponds to a further rotary position of the shut-off member.

10. An extraction device (1) as set forth in claim 9, wherein the slurp position is arranged between the release position and the blocking position.