Filling valve

Abstract

A filling valve (1) for filling a toilet cistern (2) comprises a valve housing (3), a water guide channel (4) arranged in the valve housing (3) with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6), a first control element (7), and an inlet valve (8) arranged in the water guide channel (4), wherein the first control element (7) is operatively connected to the inlet valve (8) such that the inlet valve (8) can be actuated, and wherein the filling valve (1) has a second control element (9) which is arranged in addition to the first control element (7), and which second control element (9) is also operatively connected to the inlet valve (8) such that the inlet valve can be actuated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an arrangement according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 13. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Filling valves for cisterns are known from the prior art. For example, EP 3 263 782 discloses a filling valve. Such filling valves are typically controlled by a float. When the water level in the cistern drops during a flush, the float weight becomes active when a predetermined water level is reached, thus acting on the flush valve. Depending on the float setting, this can also occur during a flush, i.e., when the flush valve is open.

[0003] However, in certain applications, it is desirable for the fill valve to remain closed during the flushing process. This is especially true when the flushing process is carried out using line pressure, such as in the flushing system according to US 2017 / 0254058. Opening the fill valve during a flushing process has the disadvantage that the flushing process can be negatively affected by the pressure drop in the supply line. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of specifying an arrangement with a filling valve that can be controlled more flexibly. This object is achieved by the arrangement according to claim 1. The arrangement comprises a cistern, a flush valve, and a filling valve, wherein the second control element is controlled by a control criterion predetermined by the flush valve. The filling valve for filling a cistern comprises a valve housing, a water guide channel arranged in the valve housing with an inlet and an outlet, a first control element, and an inlet valve arranged in the water guide channel. The first control element is operatively connected to the inlet valve in such a way that the inlet valve can be controlled for actuation.Furthermore, the filling valve has a second control element which is arranged in addition to the first control element, and which second control element is also operatively connected to the inflow valve in such a way that the inflow valve can be controlled for actuation.

[0005] This fill valve allows for more flexible filling of a cistern. In particular, the fill valve can be used in a flushing system that operates with a complex flushing and filling process. It is therefore possible to control the fill valve or the inlet valve via two control elements, enabling control of such a flushing system via a logic system or a sequential system.

[0006] When actuated by the first and / or second control element, the inflow valve is moved from a closed position, in which the water guide channel is blocked, to a flow position, in which the water guide channel is open.

[0007] Preferably, the first control element and the second control element are configured such that the inflow valve can only be actuated when the first control element and the second control element provide an actuation command. The actuation command can be an opening command and / or a closing command.

[0008] The actuation command from the two control elements is therefore linked via a logical AND operation. This means that the command from the first control element and the command from the second control element must be present for the inlet valve to be actuated.

[0009] Preferably, the first control element and the second control element are configured such that the inflow valve can be actuated when the first control element or the second control element provides an actuation command. The actuation command can be an opening command and / or a closing command.

[0010] The actuation command from the two control elements is therefore linked via a logical OR operation. This means that the command from the first control element OR the command from the second control element must be present for the inlet valve to be actuated.

[0011] In a further embodiment, it is possible, for example, that the first control element and the second control element are designed such that the inflow valve is opened when the first control element and the second control element provide the opening command, and that the inflow valve is closed when the first control element or the second control element provide the closing command.

[0012] In another embodiment, it is possible, for example, that the first control element and the second control element are designed such that the inflow valve is opened when the first control element or the second control element provide the opening command, and that the inflow valve is closed when the first control element and the second control element provide the closing command.

[0013] The terms "opening command" and "closing command" can be understood as a physical, particularly mechanical or fluidic, action of the respective control element. However, it is also possible for the opening command and the closing command to be issued via a control signal, particularly an electrical control signal.

[0014] Preferably, the first control element and / or the second control element is a float which acts on the inflow valve.

[0015] The float can act on the inlet valve directly or indirectly. In the case of indirect action, the float can act on the inlet valve, for example, via the control valve mentioned below.

[0016] The float is preferably mounted on a longitudinal guide that extends vertically in the installed position. The longitudinal guide is connected to the housing.

[0017] The float rises when the water level rises and falls when the water level falls.

[0018] Preferably or alternatively, the first control element and / or the second control element is a water pressure acting on the inlet valve.

[0019] Water pressure can act directly or indirectly on the inlet valve. In the case of indirect action, the water pressure can, for example, act on the inlet valve via the control valve mentioned below.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the inflow valve has a valve chamber, a valve bore that forms part of the water guide channel, and a valve stem. The valve stem projects from the valve chamber into the valve bore and is movable from a closed position to a flow position. A membrane element extends from the valve stem to the wall of the valve chamber and divides the valve chamber into a first chamber region and a second chamber region. The membrane element is firmly connected to the valve stem. The first chamber region is part of the water guide channel, and the valve bore adjoins the first chamber region. The membrane element has a through-opening that allows the second chamber region to be filled with flushing water from the first chamber region. The water in the second chamber region can be referred to as control water.The second chamber area has a control valve with a valve body and a control bore, which control valve can be controlled by at least one of the two control elements or by both control elements to actuate the inflow valve. When the control valve is open, the membrane element with the valve stem can be moved from a closed position to a flow position in the direction of the second chamber area due to the water pressure in the first chamber area.

[0021] When the control valve opens, the valve body is moved from an initial position to a release position.

[0022] When the control valve opens, the backpressure from the control water in the second chamber area drops, creating a pressure difference between the first and second chamber areas, which causes the diaphragm element and valve stem to move toward the second chamber area. The pressure in the first chamber area is provided by the line pressure.

[0023] After activation, the control valve is closed again with the valve stem, whereupon the second chamber area is refilled with water through the through-opening. Since the surface area of ​​the membrane element on the second chamber area is larger than on the first chamber area, the valve stem will return to the closed position.

[0024] Preferably, the valve body is mounted in a receptacle, wherein the receptacle is part of a lever controlled by the first control element, and wherein the valve body in the receptacle can be controlled by the second control element.

[0025] Preferably, the valve body is pushed away from the control bore during the movement of the lever and the valve body is pressed against the control bore by the second control element, wherein the valve body can only be moved into the release position when actuated by the second control element.

[0026] Preferably, the second control element holds the valve body in the closed position with a water pressure and the valve body can be moved into the release position with a spring element when the water pressure is removed.

[0027] Preferably, the water channel after the inlet valve undergoes an upward deflection in the installed position, a subsequent horizontal deflection, and finally a downward deflection. Alternatively, the water channel after the inlet valve undergoes a downward deflection.

[0028] Furthermore, the flush valve is connected to the second control element via a control line, wherein, when the flush valve is open, a water pressure can be provided to the second control element via the control line as a control criterion in such a way that the second control element prevents the inflow valve from opening, and wherein, when the flush valve is closed, the water pressure on the second control element is removed in such a way that the second control element enables the inflow valve to open.

[0029] Preferably, the flush valve has a flush valve inlet which can be connected to a building-side pipe network in such a way that the flush valve is supplied with flush water under line pressure, wherein the flush valve is connected to a jet pump, wherein the jet pump is subjected to line pressure in such a way that flush water can be sucked in from the cistern.

[0030] The performance of the jet pump depends primarily on the water pressure. It is therefore advantageous for the jet pump to be operated under as constant pressure conditions as possible. Controlling the fill valve via the flush valve has the advantage that the fill valve remains closed when the flush valve is open. This prevents an undesirable pressure drop in the pipe network, which can occur if both the fill valve and the flush valve are open.

[0031] Preferably, the jet pump has a Venturi nozzle with a suction opening open towards the cistern, wherein, when the flush valve is open, water under line pressure can be fed into the Venturi nozzle via a first section of a flushing line in such a way that with the Venturi nozzle, water from the cistern can be fed into a second section of the flushing line leading to the sanitary article via the suction opening, wherein the control line is preferably branched off from the first section.

[0032] The suction opening is preferably located in the base of the cistern.

[0033] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] 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 and partially sectioned view of a filling valve with two control elements according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a rear view of the filling valve according to Figure 1 ; Fig. 3 a detailed view of the sectional view according to Figure 1 , with the filling valve closed, Fig. 4 a detailed view of the sectional view according to Figure 1 , wherein the first of the control elements is actuated; Fig. 5 a detailed view of the sectional view according to Figure 1 , wherein the second of the control elements is actuated; and Fig. 6 shows an arrangement with a sanitary article and a filling valve according to the preceding figures. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] In the Figures 1 to 5 a filling valve 1 for filling a cistern 2 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 6 an arrangement with the filling valve 1 according to the Figures 1 to 5 and a cistern 2. The cistern 2 is part of a sanitary article 28. However, the cistern 2 can also be a cistern 2 that is detached from the sanitary article 2.

[0036] The filling valve 1 comprises a valve housing 3, a water guide channel 4 arranged in the valve housing 3 with an inlet 5 and an outlet 6, a first control element 7 and an inlet valve 8 arranged in the water guide channel 4. The inlet 5 can be connected to a supply line and the outlet 6 is arranged so that the flush water flowing from the supply line flows into the cistern 2.

[0037] The inflow valve 8 can assume a closed position and a flow position. In the closed position, the water guide channel 4 is blocked, and in the flow position, the water guide channel 4 is open, allowing water to flow into the cistern 2. From the inlet 5 side, the water guide channel 4 extends to the inflow valve 8. At the inflow valve 8, the water guide channel 4 is deflected by 180° and passes the inflow valve 8. Subsequently, the water guide channel 4 is deflected upwards in the installed position. The water guide channel 4 is then deflected horizontally and then downwards again in the area of ​​the outlet 6.

[0038] In addition to the first control element 7, the filling valve 1 comprises a second control element 9. The two control elements 7, 9 are operatively connected to the inlet valve 8. The operative connection is such that the inlet valve 8 can be controlled by the control elements 7, 9, so that the inlet valve 8 can be opened or closed.

[0039] In the embodiment shown, the two control elements 7, 9 are arranged and configured such that the inflow valve 8 opens only when the first control element 7 and the second control element 9 provide an opening command. Accordingly, both control elements 7, 9 must act on the inflow valve 8 for it to open. Furthermore, the two control elements 7, 9 are arranged such that the inflow valve 8 closes when the first control element 7 or the second control element 9 provides a closing command.

[0040] In other embodiments not shown in the figures, it is also conceivable that the inflow valve 8 opens when the first control element 7 and / or the second control element 8 provide an opening command. Furthermore, it is conceivable that the inflow valve 8 closes when the first control element 7 and / or the second control element 8 provide a closing command.

[0041] The first control element 7 is a float 10. The float 10 is moved by the lowering or rising water level in the cistern 2. When the cistern 2 is at least partially emptied after a flush, the weight of the float 10 becomes effective. The float weight acts via a float rod 27 on a lever 23, which controls the inflow valve 8 with an opening command. Once the cistern 2 has been filled, the float 10 experiences buoyancy and the force on the lever 23 acts upwards. The inflow valve 8 is thus controlled with a closing command. The float 10 is slidably mounted on a longitudinal guide 29. The lever 23 is pivotally mounted about a lever axis H on the valve housing 3.

[0042] In the embodiment shown, the second control element 9 is a water pressure acting on the inlet valve 8. The water pressure is provided via a control line 26. In the embodiment shown, the control line 26 is in fluidic contact with a flush valve 25. The flush valve 25 serves to control the flushing of the sanitary article 28. A preferred control system can be designed as follows: When the flush valve 25 is open, water flows from the cistern 2 into the sanitary article 28. Furthermore, a water pressure is provided in the control line 26, which acts on the inlet valve 8. This means that when the flush valve 25 is open, the inlet valve 8 remains closed. Other control systems are also conceivable.

[0043] The inflow valve 8 comprises a valve chamber 11, a valve bore 12, and a valve stem 13. The valve bore 12 forms part of the water guide channel 4. Regions of the valve chamber 11 also form part of the water guide channel 4 when the inflow valve 8 is open. The valve stem 13 protrudes into the valve bore 12, as seen from the valve chamber 11. The valve stem 13 is moved from a closed position, in which the inflow valve 8 is closed, to a flow position, in which the inflow valve 8 is open. Furthermore, a membrane element 14 extends from the valve stem 13 to the wall 15 of the valve chamber 11. The membrane element 14 divides the valve chamber 11 into a first chamber region 16 and a second chamber region 17. The first chamber area 16 is part of the water guide channel 4 and the valve bore 12 is connected to the first chamber area 16.The membrane element 14 further has a through-opening 18, which allows the second chamber region 17 to be filled with flushing water from the first chamber region 16. The flushing water flowing from the first chamber region 16 to the second chamber region 17 can also be referred to as control water.

[0044] The second chamber area 17 has a control valve 19 with a valve body 20 and a control bore 21. In the embodiment shown, the inflow valve 8 is operatively connected to the two control elements 7, 9 via the control valve 19. To open the inflow valve 8 and start a filling process, the control valve 19 must be opened. Due to the water pressure acting on the membrane element 14 from the inlet 5, the control water flows out via the control bore 21 when the control valve 19 is open. The resistance exerted by the control water on the membrane element 14 and the valve stem 13 is thus eliminated, and the valve stem 13 is moved from the closed position to the flow position. As soon as the desired fill level in the cistern 2 is reached, the control elements 7, 9 act again on the control valve 19, causing it to close.The second chamber area 17 is refilled with control water via the through-opening 18. Due to the larger surface area of ​​the membrane element 14 on the second chamber area 17 side compared to the first chamber area 16, the membrane element 14 is pushed back toward the first chamber area 16, and the valve stem 13 retracts into the valve bore 12 and finally reaches the closed position.

[0045] In the Figure 3 The closed position of the valve stem 13 is shown. The valve stem 13 protrudes into the valve bore 12, thereby closing the water guide channel 4. The control valve 19 is also closed. This means that control water in the second chamber area 17 cannot escape from the second chamber area 17 and provides resistance to the valve stem 13, so that it is held in the closed position.

[0046] In the Figure 4the actuation of the first control element 7 is shown. In the embodiment shown, the valve body 20 of the control valve 19 is movably mounted in a receptacle 22 of a lever 23. The receptacle 22 is part of the lever 23 and is pivoted with the lever 23 about the lever axis H during the pivoting movement. The first control element 7 acts on the lever 23, which in the Figure 2 The lever 23 is pivoted by the action of the first control element 7. This pivoting is shown in the Figure 4shown accordingly. In the embodiment shown, the second control element 9 also acts on the valve body 20. In the embodiment shown, the water pressure from the control line 26 acts on the valve body 20 and presses it against the control bore 21. The water pressure acts on the valve body 20 in the direction of the arrow W. The actuation of the first control element 7 is therefore overridden by the second control element 9. The first control element 7 pivots the lever 23 together with the receptacle 22 and the valve body 20. The water pressure acts on the valve body 20 in the opposite direction to the pivoting movement and continues to press it against the control bore 21.

[0047] In the Figure 5The situation of the actuation of the first control element 7 and the second control element 9 is shown. Upon actuation of the second control element 9, the water pressure on the valve body 20 drops, and a spring element 24 pushes the valve body 20 away from the control bore 21. The valve body 20 comes into the release position. This opens the control valve 19, and the control water in the second chamber region 17 flows out via the control bore 21 due to the pressure applied by the first chamber region 16. The valve stem 13 of the inflow valve 8 is thus moved into the release position, and water can flow via the water guide channel 4.

[0048] As soon as the cistern is filled, the first control element 7 is no longer required because the lever 23 is pivoted back via the float 20. This moves the valve stem 13 from the release position to its original position, closing the control valve 19. The second chamber area 17 refills with control water, and pressure acts on the diaphragm element 14, which moves the valve stem 13 back to the closed position.

[0049] In the Figure 6 An arrangement comprising a filling valve 1 according to the above description and a cistern 2 is shown. The cistern is part of a sanitary article 28, in this case a toilet bowl. The arrangement further comprises a flush valve 25. A receiving chamber 37 of a sanitary article can be flushed using the flush valve 25. The second control element 9 is controlled by a control criterion specified by the flush valve 25.

[0050] The flush valve 25 has a flush valve inlet 30, which can be connected to a building's piping network such that the flush valve 25 can be supplied with flush water under line pressure. The flush valve 25 is connected here to a jet pump 32, which is pressurized with line pressure such that flush water can be drawn from the cistern 2. Preferably, the jet pump 32 has a Venturi nozzle 33 with a suction opening 34 open towards the cistern 2, wherein, when the flush valve 25 is open, water under line pressure can be fed into the Venturi nozzle 33 via a first section 35 of a flushing line, such that with the Venturi nozzle 33, water from the cistern 2 can be fed via the suction opening 34 into a second section 36 of the flushing line leading to the sanitary article 5, wherein the control line 26 is preferably branched off from the first section 35.Between the Venturi nozzle 33 and the second section 36 there is an annular gap 38 through which the rinsing water can be sucked into the second section 36. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 Filling valve 23 lever 2 cistern 24 spring element 3 valve housing 25 Flush valve 4 Water channel 26 control line 5 Entrance 27 Float rod 6 Exit 28 Sanitary ware 7 first control element (float) 29 Longitudinal guide 30 Flush valve inlet 8 Inlet valve 32 jet pump 9 second control element (water pressure) 33 Venturi nozzle 34 Intake opening 10 swimmer 35 first section 11 valve chamber 36 second section 12 Valve bore 37 recording room 13 valve tappet 38 Annular gap 14 Membrane element 15 wall H lever axis 16 first chamber area W Water pressure 17 second chamber area 18 passage opening 19 control valve 20 valve body 21 control bore 22 Recording

Claims

1. An arrangement comprising a cistern (2), a flush valve (25) and a filling valve (1) for filling the cistern (2), the filling valve (1) comprising a valve housing (3), a water-conducting channel (4) arranged in the valve housing (3) with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6), a first control element (7), and an inflow valve (8) arranged in the water-conducting channel (4), wherein the first control element (7) is operatively connected to the inflow valve (8) in such a way that the inflow valve (8) can be activated for actuation, and the filling valve (1) further comprising a second control element (9) which is arranged in addition to the first control element (7), and the second control element (9) is also operatively connected to the inflow valve (8) in such a way that the inflow valve can be activated for operation, wherein the second control element (9) is activated by a control criterion predetermined by the flushing valve (25) characterized in that the flushing valve (25) is connected to the second control element (9) via a control line (26), wherein when the flushing valve (25) is open, a water pressure can be provided as a control criterion on the second control element (9) via the control line (26) such that the second control element (9) prevents the inflow valve (8) from opening, and wherein when the flushing valve (25) is closed, the water pressure on the second control element (9) is eliminated, such that the second control element (9) allows the inflow valve (8) to open.

2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the first control element (7) and the second control element (9) are designed in such a way that the inflow valve (8) is actuated only when the first control element (7) and the second control element (9) provide an actuation command, in particular an opening command and / or a closing command.

3. Arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first control element (7) and the second control element (9) are designed in such a way that the inflow valve (8) is actuated when the first control element (7) or the second control element (8) provide an actuation command, in particular an opening command and / or a closing command.

4. Arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first control element (7) is a float (10) acting on the inflow valve.

5. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the second control element (9) is a water pressure acting on the inflow valve (8).

6. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the inflow valve (8) has a valve chamber (11), a valve bore (12) which forms part of the water-conducting channel (4), and a valve tappet (13), wherein the valve tappet (13) projects from the valve chamber (11) into the valve bore (12) and can be moved from a closed position into a flow position, wherein a membrane element (14) extends from the valve tappet (13) to the wall (15) of the valve chamber (11), and the valve chamber (11) is divided into a first chamber area (16) and a second chamber area (17), the first chamber area (16) being part of the water-conducting channel (4) and the valve bore (12) adjoining the first chamber area (16), the membrane element (14) having a through-opening (18) which allows the second chamber area (17) to be filled with flushing water from the first chamber area (16), wherein the second chamber area (17) has a control valve (19) with a valve body (20) and a control bore (21), which control valve (19) can be activated by at least one of the two control elements (7, 9) or by both control elements (7, 9) to actuate the inflow valve (8), and wherein, when the control valve (19) is open, the membrane element (14) can be moved with the valve tappet (13) from a closed position into a flow position in the direction of the second chamber area (17) due to the water pressure in the first chamber area (16).

7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterised in that the valve body (20) is mounted in a receptacle (22), wherein the receptacle (22) is part of a lever (23) activated by the first control element (7), and wherein the valve body (20) can be activated in the receptacle (22) by the second control element (9).

8. Arrangement according to claim 7, characterised in that the valve body (20) is pushed away from the control bore (21) by the movement of the lever (23) and is pushed by the second control element (9) against the control bore (21), wherein the valve body (20) is only movable into a release position when actuated by the second control element (7).

9. Arrangement according to one of the claims 7 to 8, characterised in that the second control element holds the valve body (20) in the closed position with a water pressure and that the valve body (20) is movable with a spring element (24) into the release position when the water pressure is removed.

10. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the water- conducting channel (4) has a deflection upwards after the inflow valve (8), a subsequent horizontal deflection and finally a downward deflection; or in that the water-conducting channel (4) has a deflection downward after the inflow valve (8).

11. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the flush valve (25) has a flush valve inlet (30) which can be connected to a building-side pipe network in such a way that the flush valve (25) is supplied with flushing water under line pressure, wherein the flush valve (25) is connected to a jet pump (32), wherein the jet pump (32) is subjected to line pressure in such a way that flushing water can be sucked out of the cistern (2).

12. Arrangement according to claim 11, characterised in that the jet pump (32) has a Venturi nozzle (33) with an intake opening (34) open towards the cistern (2), wherein when the flush valve (25) is open, water under line pressure can be fed via a first section (35) of a flush line into the Venturi nozzle (33), such that with the Venturi nozzle (33), water can be fed from the cistern (2) through the intake opening (34) into a second section (36) of the flush line leading to the sanitary appliance (5), the control line (26) preferably being branched off from the first section (35).

13. Method for controlling a filling valve (1) for filling the cistern (2) of an arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the first control element (7) is operatively connected to the inflow valve (8) in such a way that the inflow valve (8) is actuated for operation, and in that the second control element (9) is also operatively connected to the inflow valve (8) in such a way that the inflow valve is activated for actuation.

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