Filling valve

Abstract

A filling valve (1) for filling a toilet cistern comprises a housing (2), a water channel (3) arranged in the housing (2) with an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), and an inlet valve (6) arranged in the water channel (3), wherein the inlet valve (6) comprises a valve seat (7) with a valve seat-side sealing surface (8) and a valve diaphragm (9) with a valve diaphragm-side sealing surface (10), wherein the sealing surfaces (8, 10) are located in the horizontal (H) when viewed in the installed position, wherein the valve diaphragm-side sealing surface (10) is movable in the direction of the vertical (V) from a closed position away from the valve seat-side sealing surface (8) to a release position, wherein the water channel (3) continues in the flow direction after the valve diaphragm (9) with a horizontal section (11) extending in the horizontal (H),wherein the water channel (3) is deflected downwards in the flow direction after the horizontal section (11) by a vertical section (12) and the outlet (5) forms the end of the vertical section (12) and is directed downwards, such that the rinsing water flows downwards from the outlet (5) in the vertical (V) section, wherein the horizontal section (11) and the vertical section (12) are part of a cover (13) which can be connected to the housing (2) and wherein the valve diaphragm (9) is accessible when the cover (13) is removed.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling valve for filling a toilet cistern according to claim 1 and an arrangement according to claim 14. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Filling valves are used to fill the cisterns of sanitary fixtures, such as toilets or urinals.

[0003] From EP 2 871 294 a filling valve is known which has a valve with a diaphragm in the water guide channel.

[0004] WO 2013 / 010308 and US 4,945,944 also show a filling valve with a diaphragm.

[0005] In general, experience with fill valves has shown that replacing the diaphragm element can extend the valve's lifespan. The diaphragm is usually replaced with the fill valve installed inside the cistern, where space is limited. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a filling valve whose diaphragm can be easily replaced during maintenance, even in confined spaces.

[0007] This problem is solved by a filling valve for filling a toilet cistern according to claim 1. Accordingly, a filling valve for filling a toilet cistern comprises a housing, a water channel arranged in the housing with an inlet and an outlet, and an inlet valve arranged in the water channel. The inlet valve comprises a valve seat with a sealing surface on the seat side and a valve diaphragm with a sealing surface on the diaphragm side. Viewed from the installed position, the sealing surfaces are horizontal. The diaphragm-side sealing surface is movable in the vertical direction from a closed position away from the valve seat-side sealing surface to a released position. In the closed position, the water channel is closed, and in the released position, the water channel is open, and the cistern can be filled.The water channel continues downstream of the valve diaphragm with a horizontal section. Following this horizontal section, the water channel is then deflected downwards by a vertical section. The outlet forms the end of this vertical section and is also directed downwards, ensuring that the flushing water flows vertically downwards from the outlet. The horizontal and vertical sections form part of a cover that can be connected to the housing. The valve diaphragm is accessible when the cover is removed.

[0008] The horizontal arrangement of the valve diaphragm and its accessibility with the cover removed create a filling valve where the diaphragm can be easily replaced during maintenance. In particular, inserting a new valve diaphragm into the filling valve is very simple because the diaphragm can be inserted into the housing from above. Tedious insertion from the side is eliminated.

[0009] The fill valve is preferably a fill valve that is supplied with flushing water from below. Preferably, the fill valve is attached to an opening in the bottom wall of a cistern. In another version, the fill valve can also be attached to a side wall of a cistern.

[0010] In the release position, the two sealing surfaces are spaced apart so that rinsing water can flow between them.

[0011] The term "vertical" refers to the direction of plumb; the horizontal runs perpendicular to the vertical or perpendicular to the direction of plumb. The direction of plumb, the horizontal, the vertical, and the term "downward" all refer to the situation in the installed position, that is, to the filling valve in its installed state.

[0012] Preferably, the valve diaphragm is mounted on an annular bearing surface on the housing with a bearing section, and the cover presses the valve diaphragm against the bearing surface in the position connected to the housing.

[0013] In this respect, the advantage is that the cover not only provides parts of the water channel but also secures the valve diaphragm to the housing. This securing mechanism eliminates the need for an additional securing device.

[0014] Furthermore, the valve diaphragm is connected to a guide pin, which projects into a guide section of the water channel, with the guide pin and the guide section being oriented vertically. The guide section is part of the cover, and the horizontal section adjoins the guide section.

[0015] The guide pin and guide section allow the movement of the valve diaphragm to be guided. Furthermore, they impart a certain degree of rigidity to the valve diaphragm in its center.

[0016] Preferably, the valve seat with its valve seat-side sealing surface is arranged on the cover.

[0017] The membrane is particularly preferably moved downwards from the closed position to the open position.

[0018] Preferably, the lid is connected to the housing via a swivel lock, in particular a positive-locking swivel lock or a bayonet lock. The swivel lock can be pivoted relative to the housing and then removed from the housing.

[0019] Preferably, the pivot axis of the swivel lock, viewed in its installed position, runs vertically. Preferably, the pivot angle required to separate the cover from the housing is a maximum of 90°, and in particular a maximum of 60°.

[0020] This ensures that the lid can be removed even in tight spaces inside a toilet cistern.

[0021] Preferably, a sealing element is arranged between the lid and the housing. The sealing element is, for example, an O-ring or another sealing element.

[0022] Preferably the cover is designed in two parts, with a first cover part and a second cover part, wherein the two cover parts each provide a section of the water guide channel and wherein the two cover parts can be connected to each other via a snap-fit ​​connection.

[0023] The two-part design offers manufacturing advantages in connection with injection molding processes. This is particularly true with regard to the deflections of the water channel in the lid, especially when a guide section, a horizontal section, and a vertical section are present.

[0024] Preferably, the first cover part has said guide section and part of the horizontal section, and the second cover part has the other part of the horizontal section and the vertical section.

[0025] Preferably, the outlet of the water channel has at least one outlet opening which is arranged so that the rinsing water can leave the water channel in a free jet.

[0026] Preferably, several outlet openings are arranged. Particularly preferably, one outlet opening is arranged centrally at the outlet, and a plurality of outlet openings are arranged distributed around the centrally arranged outlet opening. Preferably, the centrally arranged outlet opening has a larger diameter than the other outlet openings.

[0027] Preferably the housing has an opening, wherein the outlet opening is oriented in the direction of said opening, such that escaping rinse water can flow into the housing, wherein the housing has at least one outlet opening through which the rinse water can escape from the housing.

[0028] By introducing the flushing water into the housing, loud filling noises during the filling of the cistern can be avoided.

[0029] Preferably, a guiding element is attached to the opening, which directs the rinsing water entering the housing to the inside of a side wall of the housing.

[0030] This can achieve a further reduction in noise.

[0031] Preferably, the valve diaphragm can be actuated via a control element, in particular a float. The float can actuate the control valve mentioned below.

[0032] Preferably, the valve diaphragm is arranged in a valve chamber. The valve diaphragm divides the valve chamber into a first chamber section and a second chamber section. The first chamber section is part of the water channel. The valve diaphragm has a through-opening that allows the second chamber section to be filled with rinsing water from the first chamber section. The second chamber section has a control valve with a valve body and a control bore, which can be actuated by at least one control element. When the control valve is open, the valve diaphragm can be moved from the closed position to a release position towards the second chamber section due to the water pressure in the first chamber section.

[0033] Preferably, the control bore is arranged such that the water from the second chamber area flows into the cistern via the guide element.

[0034] Preferably, the filling valve has an external thread in the inlet area, with which the filling valve can be connected to a water pipe and / or to the cistern.

[0035] An arrangement comprises a filling valve as described above and a cistern with a bottom wall and side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall, the sealing surfaces running parallel to the bottom wall.

[0036] The bottom wall is also horizontal, and the side walls are vertical. At the top, the side walls have an access opening through which a plumber can access the fill valve, in particular the fill valve cover.

[0037] Preferably, the inlet valve and the outlet are located above the waterline when the cistern is at its maximum fill level. This means that the aforementioned free jet of flush water exits the outlet above the waterline.

[0038] Preferably, the cistern has a mounting opening in its bottom wall or side wall, with the filling valve being attached to the mounting opening via the inlet.

[0039] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, which serve only for illustration and are not to be interpreted restrictively. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a perspective view of a filling valve according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 a partially cutaway view of the filling valve according to Figure 1 ; Fig. 3 a partially cutaway view of the filling valve according to Figure 1 ; Fig. 4 a partially cutaway view of the filling valve after Figure 1 Fig. 5 shows an exploded view of the filling valve according to Figure 1 Fig. 6 shows an exploded view of the filling valve according to Figure 1 with cut pieces; DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0041] In the Figures 1 to 6A filling valve 1 for filling a toilet cistern is shown. The filling valve 1 comprises a housing 2, a water channel 3 arranged in the housing 2 with an inlet 4 and an outlet 5, and an inlet valve 6 arranged in the water channel 3. The inlet valve 6 is movable from a closed position to a released position. In the closed position, the water channel 3 is blocked, and in the released position, the water channel 3 is opened, allowing flushing water to flow through the water channel 3 into a toilet cistern.

[0042] Entrance 4 includes, as described by the Figure 1 shown is an external thread 34. The fill valve 1 can be attached to a cistern via the external thread 34 and a water line can be connected to the fill valve 1.

[0043] Outlet 5, viewed from the installed position, is located above inlet 4. Outlet 5 is arranged such that its height is above the waterline when the cistern is fully filled.

[0044] Based on the sectional views of the Figures 2 to 6 The function and structure of filling valve 1 will be explained in more detail.

[0045] Water channel 3 extends upwards from entrance 4. In the Figure 2It is evident that the water channel 3 in the illustrated embodiment is partially formed with a hose element 35. The water channel 3 extends to the inlet valve 6. The inlet valve 6 comprises a valve seat 7 with a valve seat-side sealing surface 8 and a valve diaphragm 9 with a valve diaphragm-side sealing surface 10. The sealing surfaces 8, 10 are arranged such that, viewed in the installed position, they extend horizontally H. The valve diaphragm-side sealing surface 10 can be moved in the direction of the vertical V from a closed position away from the valve seat-side sealing surface 8 to a released position. In the closed position, the two sealing surfaces 8, 10 lie completely against each other, and in the released position, the two sealing surfaces 8, 10 are spaced apart from each other, so that rinsing water can flow between the two sealing surfaces 8, 10.In the embodiment shown, the water guide channel 3 is led from above to the valve diaphragm 9.

[0046] The water channel 3 extends, viewed in the direction of flow, past the valve diaphragm 9 with a horizontal section 11 running in the horizontal plane H. A vertical section 12 follows the horizontal section 11. Thus, viewed in the direction of flow, the water channel 3 is deflected downwards after the horizontal section 11 by the vertical section 12. The outlet 5 forms the end of the vertical section 12 and is directed downwards, such that the flushing water flows downwards from the outlet 5 in the vertical plane V.

[0047] The horizontal section 11 and the vertical section 12 form part of a cover 13. The cover 13 can be connected to the housing 2. With the cover 13 removed, the valve diaphragm 9 is accessible and can be replaced if defective.

[0048] The valve seat 7 with the valve seat-side sealing surface 8 is part of the cover 13. Accordingly, the valve diaphragm 9 is pressed against the cover 13 with the valve diaphragm-side sealing surface 10 in the closed position.

[0049] The valve diaphragm 9 is mounted on an annular bearing surface 15 on the housing 2 by means of a bearing section 14. The cover 13 forms a corresponding counterpart and, in the position connected to the housing 2, presses the valve diaphragm 9 against the bearing surface 15. In other words, the cover 13 clamps the valve diaphragm 9 to the housing 2. The annular bearing surface 15 is located on the outer circumference of the valve diaphragm 9.

[0050] A guide pin 16 is arranged centrally in the valve diaphragm 9. The valve diaphragm 9 is rigidly connected to the guide pin 16. The guide pin 16 projects into a guide section 17 of the water channel 3. The guide pin 16 and the guide section 17 are oriented vertically V, with the guide pin 16 moving along this vertical axis. The guide pin 16 has guide surfaces 36 and passage areas 37 between the guide surfaces 36. The flushing water flows through the passage areas 37. The guide section 17 is part of the cover 13 and lies between the valve diaphragm 9 and the horizontal section 11. The horizontal section 11 connects to the guide section 17.

[0051] The cover 13 is connected to the housing 2 via a pivot lock 18. In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot lock 18 has the form of a bayonet fitting. In the installed position, the pivot axis S of the pivot lock 18 runs along the vertical V. To separate the cover 13 from the housing 2, the cover 13 is pivoted about the pivot axis S. The maximum pivot angle is 90°, preferably 60°.

[0052] A sealing element 19 is arranged between the cover 13 and the housing 2. The sealing element 19 is an O-ring.

[0053] The Figures 5 and 6The exploded views of the filling valve 1 are shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 13 is formed in two parts, comprising a first cover part 20 and a second cover part 21. Both cover parts 20 and 21 each provide a section of the water guide channel 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide section 17 and parts of the horizontal section 11 are arranged in the first cover part 20. Parts of the horizontal section 11 and the vertical section 12 are arranged in the second cover part 21. The two cover parts 20 and 21 are connected to each other via a snap-fit ​​connection 22.

[0054] The sectional views further show that the outlet 5 of the water channel 3 has at least one outlet opening 23. The outlet opening 23 is arranged such that the rinsing water can leave the water channel 2 in a free jet. The free jet flows downwards in the vertical direction V.

[0055] The housing 2 further comprises an opening 24. The outlet opening 23 is oriented towards said opening 24. Rinse water exiting the outlet opening 23 flows into the housing 2 via the opening 24. The housing 2 has at least one discharge opening 25 through which the rinse water can exit the housing 2. In the illustrated embodiment, several discharge openings 25 are arranged side by side and one above the other. The discharge opening 25 is located in the lower region of the housing 2 and is in the Figure 1 evident.

[0056] Inside the housing 2, a guide element 26 connects to the opening 24. The guide element 26 is designed to divert the rinsing water to the inside of a side wall 27 of the housing 2. This diversion has the advantage that the rinsing water flows downwards along the side wall 27, thus preventing any splashing noises.

[0057] The figures show that the valve diaphragm 9 is arranged in a valve chamber 28. The valve diaphragm 9 divides the valve chamber 28 into a first chamber section 29 and a second chamber section 30. The first chamber section 29 is part of the water channel 3. The second chamber section 31 essentially serves to actuate the valve diaphragm 9. The valve diaphragm 9 has a through-opening 31, which allows the second chamber section 30 to be filled with rinsing water from the first chamber section 29. The second chamber section 30 has a control valve 32 with a valve body and a control bore 33. The control valve 32 can be actuated by at least one control element. When the control valve 32 is open, the valve diaphragm 9 is moved from the closed position to the open position towards the second chamber section 30 due to the water pressure in the first chamber section 29.The control valve 32, and thus also the valve diaphragm, is controlled accordingly via a control element, in particular via a float. From the . Figure 4 It is further evident that the control bore 33 is arranged such that, when the control valve 32 is open, the water in the second chamber area 30 can be directed to the guide element 26. The water from the second chamber area 30 therefore flows into the main jet, which flows out of the outlet 5.

[0058] An arrangement not shown in the figures comprises the fill valve 1 as described above and a cistern with a bottom wall and side walls extending substantially perpendicularly from the bottom wall, wherein the sealing surfaces 8, 10 run parallel to the bottom wall in the installed position. The bottom wall also extends horizontally H. In one embodiment, the cistern has a mounting opening in its bottom wall, wherein the fill valve is attached to the mounting opening via the inlet. In another embodiment, the cistern has a mounting opening in its side wall, wherein the water channel then runs parallel to the bottom wall in a first section and then transitions into a vertical position. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 Filling valve 25 outlet 2 Housing 26 Conductive element 3 Water conduit 27 side wall 4 Entrance 28 Valve chamber 5 Exit 29 first chamber area 6 Inlet valve 30 second chamber area 7 valve seat 31 Passage opening 8 Valve seat-side sealing surface 32 Control valve 9 Valve diaphragm 33 Control bore 10 Valve diaphragm-side sealing surface 34 external thread 35 Hose element 11 Horizontal section 36 Guide surface 12 Vertical section 37 Passage area 13 Lid 14 Storage section H horizontal 15 Storage area V vertical 16 Guide pin S Swivel axis 17 Guided section 18 Swivel lock 19 Sealing element 20 first lid part 21 second lid part 22 Locking connection 23 Exit opening 24 opening

Claims

1. Filling valve (1) for filling a cistern, comprising a housing (2), a water guide channel (3) arranged in the housing (2) with an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), and an inlet valve (6) arranged in the water guide channel (3), wherein the inlet valve (6) comprises a valve seat (7) with a sealing surface (8) on the valve seat side and a valve diaphragm (9) with a sealing surface (10) on the valve diaphragm side, wherein the sealing surfaces (8, 10) lie horizontally (H) when viewed in the installation position, wherein the valve diaphragm-side sealing surface (10) is movable in the vertical direction (V) away from a closed position relative to the valve seat-side sealing surface (8) into an open position, wherein the water guide channel (3) continues in the direction of flow, as seen from the valve diaphragm (9), with a horizontal section (11) extending horizontally (H), wherein the water guide channel (3) is deflected downward in the direction of flow after the horizontal section (11) with a vertical section (12), and the outlet (5) forms the end of the vertical section (12) and is directed downward, such that the flushing water flows downward from the outlet (5) in the vertical direction (V), wherein the horizontal section (11) and the vertical section (12) are part of a cover (13) which can be connected to the housing (2) and wherein the valve diaphragm (9) is accessible when the cover (13) is removed, characterized in that the valve diaphragm (9) is connected to a guide pin (16) which protrudes into a guide section (17) of the water guide channel (3), wherein the guide pin (16) and the guide section (17) are oriented vertically (V), wherein the guide section (17) being part of the cover (13) and the horizontal section (11) adjoining the guide section (17) .

2. Filling valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve diaphragm (9) is mounted with a bearing section (14) on an annular bearing surface (15) on the housing (2) and in that the cover (13) presses the valve diaphragm (9) against the bearing surface (15) in the position connected to the housing (2).

3. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve seat (7) is arranged with its valve seat-side sealing surface (8) on the cover (13).

4. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (13) is connected to the housing (2) via a swivel closure (18), in particular via a form-fitting swivel closure or a bayonet closure.

5. Filling valve (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the pivot axis (S) of the swivel closure (18) runs vertically (V) when viewed in the installed position and / or that the pivot angle required to separate the cover (13) from the housing (2) is a maximum of 90°, in particular a maximum of 60°.

6. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a sealing element (19) is arranged between the cover (13) and the housing (2); and / or in that the cover (13) is designed in two parts with a first lid part (20) and a second lid part (21), wherein the two lid parts (20, 21) each provide a section of the water guide channel (3) and wherein the two lid parts (20, 21) can be connected to each other via a snap connection (22).

7. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet (5) of the water guide channel (3) has at least one outlet opening (23) which is arranged such that the flushing water can leave the water supply channel (2) in a free jet.

8. Filling valve (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the housing has an opening (24), the outlet opening (23) being oriented in the direction of said opening (24) such that outgoing flushing water can flow into the housing (2), wherein the housing (2) has at least one outlet opening (25) through which the flushing water can exit the housing (2).

9. Filling valve (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the opening (24) is connected to a guide element (26) which diverts the flushing water entering the housing (2) to the inside of a side wall (27) of the housing (2).

10. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve diaphragm can be controlled via a control element, in particular a float.

11. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the valve diaphragm (9) is arranged in a valve chamber (28), wherein the valve diaphragm (9) divides the valve chamber (28) into a first chamber area (29) and a second chamber area (30), wherein the first chamber area (29) is part of the water guide channel (3), wherein the valve diaphragm (9) has a through-opening (31) which allows the second chamber area (30) to be filled with flushing water from the first chamber area (29), wherein the second chamber area (30) has a control valve (32) with a valve body and a control bore (33), which control valve (32) can be actuated by at least one control element, and wherein, when the control valve (32) is open, the valve diaphragm (9) can be moved from the closed position to the open position in the direction of the second chamber area (30) due to the water pressure in the first chamber area (29).

12. Filling valve according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the filling valve (1) has an external thread (34) in the area of the inlet (4), with which the filling valve (1) can be connected to a water pipe and / or can be connected to the flush tank.

13. Arrangement comprising a filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims and a cistern with a bottom wall and side walls extending substantially at right angles from the bottom wall, wherein the sealing surfaces (8, 10) run parallel to the bottom wall in the installed position.

14. Arrangement according to claim 13, characterized in that the cistern has a mounting opening in its bottom wall or a side wall, wherein the fill valve is mounted via the inlet at the mounting opening.

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