Actuating unit for operating a flush valve

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating unit for actuating a flushing valve according to claim 1, an arrangement according to claim 13, a use according to claim 14 and a method according to claim 15. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Actuating units for actuating flush valves in a cistern are known from the prior art. For example, EP 1 854 927 discloses an actuating device with at least one trigger element and a bearing part in which the trigger element is mounted. The trigger element has a rear side that can be loosely applied to a push rod. A flush valve can be actuated with the push rod. Documents EP 3 992 378 and EP 3 705 635 disclose further actuating units. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Based on this prior art, the present invention is based on the object of providing an actuating unit for a flushing valve which has additional functionality.

[0004] This and other objects are achieved by the actuating unit according to claim 1. Accordingly, an actuating unit for triggering a flushing movement of a flushing valve comprises a support element with at least one bearing point and at least one actuating element movably mounted on the bearing point, which actuating element can be moved from an initial position into a flushing position. The actuating element is designed such that the movement from the initial position into the flushing position provides an actuating movement for the flushing valve, so that the flushing valve can be moved or raised from a closed position into an open position. Furthermore, the actuating unit comprises at least one sensor unit, which is designed and arranged such that the sensor unit detects when the flushing position of the at least one actuating element has been reached.

[0005] In other words, the sensor unit is arranged such that when the at least one actuating element is moved into the flushing position and reaches the flushing position, the sensor unit can detect that the flushing position has been reached. Thus, it can be detected whether the flushing valve has been actuated.

[0006] By detecting when the flush position has been reached by the at least one actuating element with the at least one sensor unit, a flush can be detected. This information can be used for various purposes. For example, this information can be used as a criterion for triggering a hygiene flush, as described below, or as a criterion for triggering other functions. Other functions include, for example, recording the number of flushes for predictive maintenance or determining water consumption.

[0007] Upon detecting at least one actuating element, the sensor unit provides a corresponding signal. The signal is preferably transmitted to the processor described below.

[0008] Preferably, the sensor unit or parts of the sensor unit are mounted on the support element. This has the advantage that the sensor unit and the actuating element are mounted on the same element, which simplifies installation because the two elements do not need to be aligned relative to each other during installation.

[0009] The sensor unit further comprises an active sensor part and a passive sensor part, wherein the active sensor part is configured to detect the passive sensor part when it spatially approaches the active sensor part. Preferably, one of these sensor parts is mounted on the actuating element, and the other of these sensor parts is mounted on the support element.

[0010] Particularly preferably, the active sensor component is a Hall sensor or a reed sensor, and the passive sensor component is a magnet. These sensors are particularly preferably encapsulated with a potting compound and are thus not exposed to moisture. For example, if these sensors are arranged on the circuit board mentioned below, they can be encapsulated with a potting compound on the circuit board mentioned. It is also conceivable for the sensors to be encapsulated by the support element itself if this is made of plastic.

[0011] The magnet is detected by the Hall sensor or the reed sensor as soon as the magnet is moved into the effective sensor range. The sensor range and the arrangement of the sensor parts are selected so that the magnet is not detected in the initial position and that the magnet is detected by the Hall sensor or the reed sensor when the flushing position is reached.

[0012] In a first preferred variant, the passive sensor part is arranged on the actuating element, wherein the passive sensor part is formed separately from the actuating element and is detachably connected to the actuating element. Arranging the passive sensor element on the actuating element offers the advantage that no cabling is required on moving elements.

[0013] In other words, the passive sensor component and the actuating element are two separate elements that can be connected to each other. This offers the advantage that actuating elements can be easily equipped with the passive sensor component or that already installed actuating units can be upgraded.

[0014] Preferably, the passive sensor part is held in a bearing section of a holding element, wherein the holding element has a latching section, with which latching section the holding element is latched to a latching structure on the actuating element.

[0015] The passive sensor component can be easily connected to the actuating element via the mounting element. This allows existing actuating units to be easily retrofitted. Furthermore, newly manufactured actuating units can be easily designed with or without a sensor unit, without the need for different actuating elements.

[0016] In a second preferred variant, the passive sensor part is arranged on the actuating element, wherein the passive sensor part is arranged integrally on the actuating element or is formed thereon.

[0017] The integral arrangement offers the advantage that the passive sensor part and the actuating element are formed as a single piece, thus optimizing assembly effort. Preferably, the passive sensor part is arranged on the actuating element with a positive and / or non-positive fit; or the passive sensor part is arranged on the passive sensor part with a material fit.

[0018] Preferably, the active sensor part is mounted on the support element. Particularly preferably, the support element has a protective plate with a front side and a rear side, with the bearing point being arranged on the rear side and the active sensor part being arranged on the front side. The active sensor part is therefore located on one side of the protective plate, and the passive sensor part is located on the other side of the protective plate.

[0019] In an installed position, the protective plate is positioned so that its rear side faces a cistern. Preferably, the protective plate is designed so that an access opening to a cistern is covered by the protective plate. Arranging the active sensor part and the bearing point on different sides of the protective plate has the advantage that the active sensor part is not positioned facing a cistern.

[0020] Preferably, the active sensor part is arranged on an electronic circuit board. The electronic circuit board is arranged on the front side of the protective plate, in particular in a recess in the protective plate.

[0021] The active sensor part is preferably electrically connected to other electronic elements on the circuit board.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the active sensor part is potted with a potting compound on the front side or on the circuit board.

[0023] In one example, the sensor unit is a switch that is actuated by the actuating element when the actuating element has reached the flushing position. Preferably, this switch is also mounted on the support element.

[0024] The actuating element is preferably an actuating lever having a first lever section and a second lever section. A pivot bearing is arranged between the first lever section and the second lever section and is mounted at the bearing point on the support element. The first lever section has a receptacle that can be brought into contact with an actuator element. The second lever section has a contact area with which the second lever section can be brought into contact with the flushing valve. The second lever section is designed such that a valve body of a flushing valve can be lifted.

[0025] The actuator element is, for example, a push rod, which is actuated by an actuating button. Preferably, the receptacle is a threaded opening into which the actuator element engages with a correspondingly shaped threaded portion.

[0026] Preferably, the actuating unit further comprises an electronic processor operatively connected to the sensor unit. The processor is preferably configured to receive the aforementioned sensor signal. The processor is configured to provide a hygiene flush command if, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the at least one sensor unit does not detect that the flushing position of the at least one actuating element has not been reached.

[0027] The processor is configured to measure the predetermined time period after the last detection and compare this time period to a predefined time period. The hygiene flush command is then provided when the measured time period reaches or exceeds the predefined time period. The hygiene flush command can be transmitted to a hygiene flush valve or to a flush valve defined as a hygiene flush valve.

[0028] Alternatively or additionally, the processor is configured to count the number of movements of the at least one actuating element, wherein the processor provides a service interval command and / or total information regarding water consumption based on the counted movements. When calculating water consumption, the type and location of the actuation must also be recorded.

[0029] Particularly preferably, two actuating elements and two sensor units are arranged, with each sensor unit being assigned to a respective actuating element. Alternatively, two actuating elements and one sensor unit are arranged, with the sensor unit being assigned to one of the two actuating elements. The first variant has the advantage that every actuating movement can be detected by each actuating element. The second variant has the advantage that it can be manufactured more cost-effectively.

[0030] An arrangement comprises an actuating unit as described above and a flushing valve. The flushing valve has a valve seat, a valve body cooperating with the valve seat, and at least one actuating tab cooperating with the valve body. The at least one actuating element engages with the at least one actuating tab such that the valve body can be moved from the closed position, in which the valve body rests on the valve seat, to the open position, in which the valve body is spaced from the valve seat.

[0031] Particularly preferably, the flushing valve has a full-quantity flushing unit and a partial-quantity flushing unit for controlling the valve body, each of the flushing units having an actuating tab.

[0032] Preferably, the arrangement further comprises an actuating plate with at least one actuating button, wherein the actuating button is movable by a user such that an actuating movement can be provided for the actuating element.

[0033] The use of an actuating unit as described above serves to detect the execution of a flush.

[0034] A method for detecting an actuation of a flushing valve on an actuating unit as described above or on an arrangement as described above is also provided, wherein the at least one sensor unit detects the reaching of the flushing position by the at least one actuating element and wherein the sensor unit provides a corresponding sensor signal.

[0035] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a particularly preferred embodiment of an actuating unit according to the present invention in the unactuated state; Fig. 2 is a view according to Figure 1 in the actuated state; Fig. 3 a partially sectioned perspective view of the actuating unit according to Figures 1 to 2 ; Fig. 4 a partially sectioned view of the actuating unit according to Figures 1 to 3 ; Fig. 5 an exploded view of an actuating element of the actuating unit according to the preceding figures; Fig. 6 a perspective view of the actuating element according to Figure 5 ; and Fig. 7 a side view of the actuating element according to Figures 5 and 6 . DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0037] The figures show an actuating unit 1 for actuating a flushing valve 2. The actuating unit 1 comprises a support element 3 with at least one bearing point 4 and at least one actuating element 5 mounted on this bearing point 4. The bearing point 4 can be formed on the support element 2 or the bearing point 4 can be provided on a further element which is connected to the support element 2. In the embodiment shown, two bearing points 4 and two actuating elements 5 are arranged. One of the actuating elements 5 is provided for a full-quantity flush and the other of the actuating elements 5 is provided for a partial-quantity flush. The actuating element 5 is movable from an initial position, as in the Figure 1 shown, in a flushing position, as in the Figure 2shown, movable. The actuating element 5 is designed such that the movement from the initial position to the flushing position provides an actuating movement for the flushing valve, so that the flushing valve can be moved from a closed position to an open position.

[0038] The flush valve 2 comprises a valve seat (not shown in the figures), a valve body 27 that cooperates with the valve seat, and at least one actuating tab 28 that cooperates with the valve body 27. The valve body 27 is controlled via a full-volume flush unit 29 and a partial-volume flush unit 30, each of the flush units 29, 30 having an actuating tab 28. The flush units 29, 30 hold the valve body open until the predefined flush volume has drained away. The at least one actuating element 5 engages in the at least one actuating tab 28. The engagement is such that the valve body 27 can be moved from the closed position, in which the valve body 27 rests on the valve seat, to the open position, in which the valve body 27 is spaced from the valve seat. In the open position, flushing water can flow through the valve seat. The flush valve is typically arranged in a cistern.

[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuating element 5 is an actuating lever. The actuating lever has a first lever section 18 and a second lever section 19. The first lever section 18 is inclined at an angle to the second lever section 19. A pivot bearing 20, here in the form of a bearing axle, is arranged between the first lever section 18 and the second lever section 19. The pivot bearing 20 is mounted at the bearing point 4 on the support element 3.

[0040] The first lever section 18 has a receptacle 21 that can be brought into contact with an actuator element 22, and the second lever section 19 has a contact area 23 with which the second lever section 19 is in contact with the flushing valve 2. Here, the second lever section 19 protrudes into the actuating tab 28. The receptacle 21 is pivotally connected to the first lever section 18.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, the actuator element 22 is a push rod, which is moved along the center axis of the push rod by an actuating button (not shown). The push rod is connected to the actuating lever via a threaded portion 25 with a threaded opening 24 on the first lever portion 18. The threaded opening 24 is arranged here in a nut, which is pivotally mounted in the first lever portion 18.

[0042] Furthermore, the actuating unit 1 comprises at least one sensor unit 6. In the embodiment shown, two sensor units 6 are arranged, each sensor unit 6 being assigned to an actuating element 5. The sensor unit 6 is designed and arranged such that the sensor unit 6 detects when the at least one actuating element 5 has reached the flushing position.

[0043] With reference to the Figures 3 and 4A particularly preferred sensor unit 6 is described in more detail. The sensor unit 6 has an active sensor part 7 and a passive sensor part 8. The active sensor part 7 is designed to detect the passive sensor part 8 when it spatially approaches the active sensor part 7.

[0044] The active sensor part 7 is a Hall sensor or a Reed sensor and the passive sensor part 8 is a magnet.

[0045] In the embodiment shown, the passive sensor part 8 is arranged on the actuating element 5 and the active sensor part 7 is arranged on the support element 3. When the actuating element 22 is actuated and thus when a flush is triggered, the passive sensor part 8 is moved towards the active sensor part 7 and thus enters the detection range of the active sensor part 7. In the flushing position, which in the Figure 2 , 3 and 4As shown, the passive sensor part 8 is in the detection range of the active sensor part 7. In the initial position, which is shown in the Figure 1 As shown, the passive sensor part 8 is outside the detection range of the active sensor part 7.

[0046] As mentioned, the active sensor part 7 is mounted on the support element 3. In the embodiment shown, the support element 3 has a protective plate 13 with a front side 14 and a rear side 15. The bearing point 4 for the actuating element is arranged on the side of the rear side 15. The active sensor part 7 is arranged on the side of the front side 14. When installed, the rear side 15 faces a cistern and the front side 14 faces an actuating plate. The protective plate 13 at least partially shields the active sensor part 7 from the humidity prevailing in the cistern. The protective plate 13 and the active sensor part 7 are designed such that the active sensor part 7 can detect the passive sensor part 8 located on the other side of the protective plate 13.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, the active sensor part 7 is arranged on an electronic circuit board 16. The electronic circuit board 16 is arranged on the front side 14 of the protective plate 13, in particular in a recess 17 in the protective plate 13.

[0048] The passive sensor part 8 is, as mentioned, arranged on the actuating element 5. Based on the Figures 5 to 7 The arrangement of the passive sensor part 8 on the actuating lever is explained in more detail. The passive sensor part 8 is formed separately from the actuating element 5 and is detachably connected to the actuating element 5. In the embodiment shown, the passive sensor part 8 is connected to the second lever section 19.

[0049] The passive sensor part 8 is held in a bearing section 9 of a mounting element 10. The mounting element 10 has a locking section 11, with which the mounting element 10 is locked to a locking structure 12 on the actuating element 5, here on the second lever section 19. In the embodiment shown, the locking section 11 engages around the second lever section 19 and completely surrounds it.

[0050] Furthermore, the mounting element 10 has at least one stop cam 31, which engages in at least one recess 32 on the second lever section 19. In addition to the locking connection, this provides additional security against unwanted displacement of the mounting element 10 on the second lever section 19. In the embodiment shown, two stop cams 31 and two recesses 32 are arranged.

[0051] A bearing arm 33 protrudes from the locking section 11, at the front end of which the passive sensor part 8 is held. For this purpose, the aforementioned bearing section 9, into which the passive sensor part 8 can be clipped, is arranged at the front end of the bearing arm 33. The passive sensor part 8 is thus held positively and / or non-positively on the mounting element 10.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, the actuating unit 1 further comprises an electronic processor 26 operatively connected to the sensor unit 6. The processor 26 is preferably configured to provide a hygiene flush command if, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the at least one sensor unit 6 does not detect that the at least one actuating element 5 has not reached the flushing position. The processor 26 is also arranged on the electronic circuit board 16. The hygiene flush command can be transmitted to a hygiene flush valve. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0053] 1 Actuator unit 2 Flush valve 3 Support element 4 Bearing point 5 Actuator element 6 Sensor unit 7 Active sensor part 8 Passive sensor part 9 Bearing section 10 Mounting element 11 Latching section 12 Latching structure 13 Protective plate 14 Front 15 Rear 16 Circuit board 17 Recess 18 First lever section 19 Second lever section 20 Pivot bearing 21 Receptacle 22 Actuator element 23 Contact area 24 Threaded opening 25 Threaded section 26 Processor 27 Valve body 28 Actuator tab 29 Full-quantity flush unit 30 Partial-quantity flush unit 31 Stop cam 32 Recess 33 Bearing arm

Claims

1. Actuating unit (1) for actuating a flush valve (2), comprising a support element (3) with at least one bearing point (4), and at least one actuating element (5) mounted movably at the bearing point (4), which can be moved from an initial position into a flush position and which is provided in such a way that the movement from the initial position to the flush position can provide an actuating movement for the flush valve (2) in such a way that the flush valve (2) can be moved from a closed position to an open position, wherein the actuating unit (1) further comprises at least one sensor unit (6), which is provided and arranged such that the sensor unit detects when the at least one actuating element (5) reaches the flush position, characterized in that the sensor unit (6) has an active sensor part (7) and a passive sensor part (8), wherein the active sensor part (7) is provided to detect the passive sensor part (8) in a spatial approach to the active sensor part (7).

2. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor unit (6) or parts of the sensor unit (6) are mounted on the support element (3).

3. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the active sensor part (7) is a Hall sensor or a reed sensor and that the passive sensor part (8) is a magnet.

4. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the passive sensor part (8) is arranged on the actuating element (5), wherein the passive sensor part (8) is designed separately from the actuating element (5) and is detachably connected to the actuating element (5).

5. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the passive sensor part (8) is held in a bearing section (9) of a retaining element (10), wherein the retaining element (10) has a latching section (11) with which latching section (11) the retaining element (10) is latched to a latching structure (12) on the actuating element (5).

6. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the passive sensor part (8) is arranged on the actuating element (5), wherein the passive sensor part (8) is integrally arranged or molded on the actuating element (5).

7. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active sensor part (7) is mounted on the support element (3), in particular that the support element (3) has a protective plate (13) with a front side (14) and a rear side (15), wherein the bearing point (4) is arranged on the side of the rear side (15) and wherein the active sensor part (7) is arranged on the side of the front side (14).

8. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the active sensor part (7) is arranged on an electronic circuit board (16), and in that the electronic circuit board (16) is arranged on the front side (14) of the protective plate (13), in particular in a recess (17) in the protective plate (13).

9. Actuating unit according to one of claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the active sensor part (7) is encapsulated with an encapsulating compound on the front side (14) or on the electronic circuit board (16).

10. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating element (5) is an actuating lever which has a first lever section (18) and a second lever section (19), wherein a pivot bearing (20) is arranged between the first lever section (18) and the second lever section (19), which pivot bearing is mounted at the bearing point (4) on the support element (3), wherein the first lever section (18) has a receptacle (21) which can be brought into contact with an actuator element (22), and wherein the second lever section (19) has a contact area (23) with which the second lever section (19) can be brought into contact with the flush valve (2).

11. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating unit (1) further comprises an electronic processor (26) operatively connected to the sensor unit (6), wherein the processor (26) is configured to provide a hygiene flush command if, after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the flush position of the at least one actuating element (5) is not detected by the at least one sensor unit (6); and / or wherein the processor (26) is designed to count the number of movements of the at least one actuating element, wherein the processor provides a service interval command and / or total information regarding water consumption on the basis of the counted movements.

12. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two actuating elements (5) and two sensor units (6) are arranged, wherein each sensor unit (6) is assigned to one actuating element (5); or in that two actuating elements (5) and one sensor unit (6) are arranged, wherein the sensor unit (6) is assigned to one of the two actuating elements (5).

13. Arrangement comprising an actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a flush valve (2), wherein the flush valve comprises a valve seat, a valve body (27) cooperating with the valve seat, and at least one actuating tab (28) cooperating with the valve body (27), wherein the at least one actuating element (5) engages in the at least one actuating tab (28) in such a way that the valve body (27) can be moved from the closed position, in which the valve body (27) rests on the valve seat, to the open position, in which the valve body (27) is spaced apart from the valve seat.

14. Use of an actuating unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the actuating unit (1) is used to detect the actuation of a flush valve.

15. Method for detecting the actuation of a flush valve on an actuating unit according to one of claims 1 to 12 or on an arrangement according to claim 13, wherein the at least one sensor unit (6) detects the reaching of the flush position by the at least one actuating element (5) and wherein the sensor unit (6) provides a corresponding sensor signal.