TOILET FLUSHING SYSTEM

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to an intelligent toilet and its flushing system. State of the art

[0002] The flushing function of conventional smart toilets on the European market is achieved through wall-mounted or integrated cisterns. If a user wishes to use a smart toilet without a wall-mounted or integrated cistern, a new cistern installation is required, which necessitates a significant alteration to the bathroom and is cumbersome, labor-intensive, time-consuming, and costly. Furthermore, some users' bathrooms have space limitations that may make wall mounting impossible and thus preclude the use of a smart toilet.

[0003] In the Chinese market, cistern flushing systems typically use a pressure bag in conjunction with the siphon to perform the flushing action. The flushing pressure is generally transmitted via a spring, whereby the mains water pressure is converted into spring energy, which is released instantly during flushing to increase the flushing force. Because this design relies on mains water pressure, it is not possible to create an air gap between the pressure bag and the water inlet. Therefore, there is no air gap between the pressure bag and the externally supplied mains water, meaning that the requirements for preventing backflow according to EN1717 (standard for backflow prevention devices) are not met and the system is unsuitable for the European market.

[0004] A flushing system with the features of the preamble of claim 1 is known from US 9,702,130 B2. Further flushing systems are known from US 2017 / 027862 A1 and EP 2 058 443 A1.

[0005] US Patent 2018 / 0282987 A1 discloses a flushing system in which a water line supplying water to a ceramic body is connected to a fitting. The fitting engages with a threaded nut. A seal is positioned between the threaded nut and the ceramic body. When the threaded nut is tightened, the seal is clamped between the ceramic body and the threaded nut.

[0006] Based on the known state of the art, the invention aims to create a compact and secure sealing connection. Content of the invention

[0007] The present invention provides an intelligent toilet and its flushing system, whereby no water cistern with wall mounting or in a housing element is required and at the same time the backflow prevention standard is met.

[0008] The invention solves the underlying problem by providing an intelligent toilet with the features of claim 8 and its flushing system with the features of claim 1.

[0009] The flushing system for a smart toilet comprises the features of claim 1.

[0010] The smart toilet features a collection basin in the front section of the ceramic bowl, with a flushing channel at the rear in the upper part of the basin, and a wastewater drain pipe at the rear in the lower part of the basin. Furthermore, the aforementioned flushing system for the smart toilet is mounted in the rear section of the ceramic bowl.

[0011] The concept according to the invention offers the following advantages: 1. By providing an air gap between the water outlet of the water inlet valve and the rising liquid level (up to the high water level setting), backflow of water within the cistern is effectively prevented, thus meeting the European market testing standard. 2. During flushing, the water in the cistern is drawn by the water pump to the flushing channel on the ceramic body to ensure thorough rinsing of the basin. This allows for installation in cisterns without wall mounting and within a single housing element. Character description

[0012] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment in conjunction with the attached drawing. Figure 1 shows a perspective partial view of the smart toilet (without showing the smart lid component). Figure 2shows a top view of the smart toilet (without showing the smart lid component). Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the ceramic body of the smart toilet. Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the cistern and water inlet valve of the smart toilet. Figure 5 shows a side view of the water inlet valve of the smart toilet. Figure 6 shows a sectional view of the smart toilet (without showing the smart lid component). Figure 7 shows a connection between the connector, the rubber part, the threaded nut and the ceramic body. Figure 8 shows the operating sequence of the flushing system of the smart toilet. Example of implementation

[0013] The in Figures 1 to 8The intelligent toilet shown comprises a ceramic body 10, wherein a collection basin 12 for excrement is provided in a front section of the ceramic body, and wherein the ceramic body has a flushing water channel 14 at the rear in the upper region of the collection basin and a wastewater pipe 16 at the rear in the lower region of the collection basin. A flushing system 20 is arranged in the rear section of the ceramic body, through which the collection basin 12 of the ceramic body 10 is flushed. The flushing water channel 14, the collection basin 12, and the wastewater pipe 16 are conventional designs for ceramic bodies, so reference is made to prior art ceramic bodies in this respect. A description of the design and operation of the flushing system 20 follows.

[0014] The flushing system 20 comprises a water inlet valve 21 and a water tank 22, the water inlet valve 21 having an air gap separating function. The water inlet valve 21 closes the water inlet path when the liquid level in the water tank 22 reaches a high water level setting value (closing off the water supply to the water tank). The water inlet valve opens the water inlet path when the liquid level in the water tank falls to a low water level setting value (water supply to the water tank). An air gap is provided between the water outlet path of the water inlet valve 21 and the liquid level, which rises to the high water level setting value. This means that the water must fall a certain distance after exiting the water outlet path before reaching the water in the water tank. For the specific design of the water inlet valve 21, reference is made to the applicant's earlier Chinese application No. 202020261811.8.A mounting opening 221 is provided on the top of the water tank 22, and the water inlet valve 21 is mounted through the mounting opening 221 on the upper section of the water tank. The flushing system 20 further comprises a water pump 23, wherein a water outlet opening 222 of the water tank is connected to a water inlet opening of the water pump 23 by a water line 25, and wherein a water outlet opening of the water pump 23 is connected to the flushing water channel 14 of the ceramic body by a water line 26.

[0015] During flushing, the water pump 23 is activated and draws water from the water tank 22, so that the water enters the flushing water channel 14 and ultimately flushes the toilet. As soon as the liquid level in the water tank 22 drops to the low water level setting, the water inlet valve 21 opens automatically and external water is supplied to the water tank 22. When the water level in the water tank 22 rises to the high water level setting, the water inlet valve 21 closes automatically and the water supply to the water tank 22 is shut off.

[0016] Preferably, the water pump 23 is a vane pump, with the position of the connection between the water line 26 and the flushing water channel 14 being higher than the high water level setting. Thus, the entire water path remains open even when the water pump 23 is not activated. Under normal circumstances, the liquid level in the water tank 22 reaches the high water level setting. When the water pump 23 is not activated, no water flows into the flushing water channel 14. If a malfunction prevents the water inlet valve 21 from closing automatically, this results in a continuous supply of water to the water tank, with the water flowing along the water line 25, the water pump 23, and the water line 26 into the flushing water channel 14 and thus to the collection basin 12.

[0017] Preferably, the water outlet opening 222 of the water tank 22 is located at the bottom of the water tank, and the water pump 23 is arranged externally in a lower region of the water tank 22. The position of the water pump 23 is relatively low, so that when the water is discharged, the water from the water tank 22 can directly hit the water pump 23, thus increasing the flushing effect.

[0018] Preferably, the water tank 22 also has an overflow opening 223, which is positioned higher than the high water level setting. The overflow opening facilitates air venting when water is supplied to the water tank 22. Furthermore, in the case of a continuous water supply to the water tank 22, excess water can flow out through the overflow opening. In the present embodiment, the overflow opening 223 is located higher than the position of the connection between the water line 26 and the flushing water channel 14. If automatic closing of the water inlet valve 21 is not possible and water flows continuously into the water tank, excess water enters the flushing water channel 14 and does not flow out of the overflow opening 223.

[0019] Preferably, the water inlet path of the water inlet valve 21 is suspended from a side wall of the water tank 22. This results in simple assembly and positioning.

[0020] Preferably, a frame 225 is arranged around the mounting opening 221 on the top of the water box 22.

[0021] The intelligent toilet further comprises a base plate 30 and a control module 40 for activating and deactivating the water pump 23, wherein the base plate 30 is connected to a floor surface of the interior of the rear section of the ceramic body 10, and wherein the cistern 22, the water pump 23 and the control module 40 are mounted on the base plate 30.

[0022] According to the invention, the water line 26, which is connected to the flushing water channel 14, is connected at its end to an inner end of a connector 50, the outer end of which extends through a mounting opening 18 in the ceramic body 10 and projects into the flushing water channel 14, and an outwardly expanding stop 52 is formed at the outer end of the connector 50. The connector 50 is encompassed by a rubber part 60, which is guided through the mounting opening 18 in the ceramic body. A thread with a threaded nut 54 for a rotary connection is provided on the outside of the connector 50, the threaded nut 54 interacting with the stop 52 in such a way that when the threaded nut 54 is tightened, the rubber part 60 is compressed from the outside and inside, causing it to expand and seal tightly in the mounting opening 18.It should be noted that the water pipe 26 can be inserted from the outside into the mounting opening through the connector and the rubber part, and then secured by tightening the threaded nut. The rubber part is held in the mounting opening in a sealing manner, which not only simplifies installation but also ensures a better seal.

[0023] The described embodiments are merely advantageous examples of the present invention, without this constituting any corresponding limitation of the scope of protection of the present invention. Equivalent modifications and embodiments made according to the claims and the description of the present invention also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. Flushing system for an intelligent toilet, comprising a water inlet valve (21) and a cistern (22), wherein the water inlet valve (21) is a water inlet valve with an air gap separation function and blocks the water inlet path when the liquid level of the cistern (22) rises to a high water level setting, and opens the water inlet path when the liquid level of the cistern (22) drops to a low water level setting, wherein provided between the water outlet path of the water inlet valve (21) and the liquid level rising to the high water level setting is an air gap, wherein furthermore provided is a water pump (23), wherein a water outlet opening (222) of the cistern (22) is connected to a water inlet opening of the water pump (23) by a water line (25), and wherein the water outlet opening of the water pump (23) is connected to a flushing water duct (14) of a ceramic body (10) by a water line (26), wherein provided on the upper side of the cistern (22) is an assembly opening, characterized in that the water inlet valve (21) is assembled through the assembly opening on an upper portion of the cistern (22), and in that the water line (26), which is connected to the flushing water duct (14), by way of its end is connected to an inner end of a connector (50) by a push-fit, wherein the outer end of the connector (50) penetrates an assembly opening (18) of the ceramic body (10) and protrudes into the flushing water duct (14), wherein formed on the outer end of the connector (50) is a detent (52) which is enlarged towards the outside, wherein the connector (50) is encompassed by a rubber part (60) which is guided through the assembly opening (18) on the ceramic body (10), wherein provided on the external side of the connector (50) are a thread and a threaded nut (54) for a rotational connection, and wherein the threaded nut (54) interacts with the detent (52) in such a manner that, when tightening the threaded nut (54), the rubber part (60) is compressed from the outside and the inside in such a manner that said rubber part (60) expands and is jammed in a sealing manner in the assembly opening (18).

2. Flushing system for an intelligent toilet according to Claim 1, characterized in that the water pump (23) is an impeller water pump, wherein the position of the connection between the water line (26) and the flushing water duct (14) lies at a higher level than the high water level setting.

3. Flushing system for an intelligent toilet according to Claim 2, characterized in that the water outlet opening of the cistern (222) is disposed on the bottom of the cistern (22), and the water pump (23) is disposed outside, in a lower region of the cistern (22).

4. Flushing system for an intelligent toilet according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that furthermore provided on the cistern (22) is an overflow opening (223) which is disposed at a higher level than the high water level setting.

5. Flushing system for an intelligent toilet according to Claim 4, characterized in that the overflow opening (223) is disposed at a higher level than the position of the connection between the water line (26) and the flushing water duct (14).

6. Flushing system for an intelligent toilet according to Claim 1, characterized in that the water inlet path of the water inlet valve (21) is fastened so as to be suspended on the lateral wall of the cistern (22).

7. Flushing system for an intelligent toilet according to Claim 6, characterized in that a holder is disposed on the upper side of the cistern (22) so as to encircle the assembly opening.

8. Intelligent toilet having a flushing system according to one of Claims 1 - 7, wherein a catchment basin (12) for excrement is provided in the front portion of the ceramic body (10), wherein the ceramic body (10) has a flushing water duct (14) at the rear, in the upper region of the catchment basin (12), and has a wastewater pipe (16) at the rear, in the lower region of the catchment basin (12), characterized in that the flushing system is assembled in the rear portion of the ceramic body (10).

9. Intelligent toilet according to Claim 8, characterized in that furthermore comprised are a base plate (30) and a control module (40) for activating and deactivating the water pump (23), wherein the base plate (30) is connected to a bottom area of the interior space of the rear portion of the ceramic body (10), and wherein the cistern (22), the water pump (23) and the control module (40) are assembled on the base plate (30).