Flushing device and method for disassembling and reassembling such a device through an inspection hatch of a flushing tank

Abstract

The invention relates to a water flush device (10) comprising a housing (20) and an actuating rod (51) fitted with a flapper (53) in its lower portion. In the configuration of use, the rod is joined to the housing and projects from an upper opening (33) and a lower opening, and is vertically movable between a closed position in which the flapper closes off the discharge opening (7) in the cistern (1), and a discharge position in which the flapper is located above the discharge opening. A vertical aperture (30) extends up the entire height of the housing and is in communication with the upper and lower openings. The aperture is configured so that the rod can be removed from the housing by way of a horizontal translational movement via the aperture.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a toilet flushing device and a toilet flushing system comprising such a flushing device mounted in a tank. The invention also relates to a method for dismantling and reassembling such a flushing device through an inspection hatch in the tank.

[0002] A toilet flushing system typically comprises a flushing mechanism mounted in a tank with a bottom wall containing a water outlet. The flushing mechanism includes a housing in which at least one actuator rod is mounted, the rod having a valve at its lower end. By activating a control element on the tank, a user causes the rod to move from a lower position, or blocking position, in which the valve blocks the tank's outlet, to a higher position, or flushing position, in which the valve is located above and away from the outlet, allowing water to be flushed from the tank into a toilet bowl.

[0003] Such flushing devices are described in documents CN 201 165 691 Y and US 6 081 938.

[0004] The valve typically contains a sealing gasket that deteriorates over time. To ensure an effective seal of the water outlet, and thus prevent leaks that lead to unnecessary water consumption and annoying noise, it becomes necessary to replace the sealing gasket.

[0005] In conventional toilet flushing systems, an operator must remove the flushing mechanism from the tank to access the flapper and therefore the seal. However, this operation is difficult with concealed cisterns, meaning those located behind a partition wall at the rear of the toilet bowl. Access to the cistern is through a small opening in the partition wall. This operation is also problematic with narrow cisterns, whether concealed or not, because the space within which the flushing mechanism must be moved to remove it from the tank is very limited.

[0006] The invention aims to remedy the aforementioned disadvantages by providing a toilet flushing device in which the maintenance of the valve is simpler to perform.

[0007] To this end, and according to a first aspect, the invention relates to a toilet flushing device intended to be placed substantially vertically in a toilet cistern which has a bottom wall equipped with a water outlet and a control element for the flushing device operated by a user. The flushing device comprises: a housing comprising a peripheral wall, a top opening and a bottom opening; an actuation assembly comprising at least one first actuating rod, the first rod comprising a valve at its lower part and, at its upper part, a coupling element with the control element.

[0008] In operating configuration, the actuation assembly is assembled to the housing, the first rod being partially housed in the housing and protruding upwards and downwards through the upper and lower orifices, respectively, the first rod being movable vertically, relative to the housing, between a closing position, in which the valve is able to close the tank discharge orifice, and a discharge position, in which the valve is located above and away from the discharge orifice.

[0009] According to a general definition of the invention, the housing comprises, in its peripheral wall, a vertical light which extends over the entire height of the housing and which communicates with the upper and lower orifices of the housing, the light being configured so that the first rod can be extracted from the housing, by a horizontal translational movement, passing through the light, so that the actuation assembly can be disassembled from the housing.

[0010] Thus, the invention provides that the valve is carried by a part - namely the first actuating rod - which is assembled to the housing in a removable manner, only this part needing to be removed from the tank to ensure maintenance of the valve.

[0011] Once the actuation assembly, particularly the first rod, is extracted from the housing, it can be removed from the tank by the operator. This operation is much easier than with prior art systems, since the actuation assembly is significantly smaller than the entire flushing mechanism. The actuation assembly can thus be more easily moved and positioned appropriately within the tank for removal via an access hatch.

[0012] Furthermore, the actuation assembly can be moved from its operating configuration, i.e., its configuration mounted in the housing, to a position extracted from the housing, by a very simple movement performed by an operator through a small opening. To enable this movement, the invention provides for equipping the housing with a simple vertical opening, which, in terms of manufacturing, is both simple and inexpensive.

[0013] According to one possible embodiment, the first rod is also vertically mobile, relative to the housing, from the evacuation position upwards, to a dismantling position, and the device includes blocking means preventing the first rod from passing out of the housing through the light when the first rod is not in the dismantling position.

[0014] This prevents the first rod from unexpectedly extending from the housing when in use, between the closed and discharge positions. In practice, it can be anticipated that switching to the disassembled position will require a specific action from an operator, as this position can never be reached by a user during operation.

[0015] It can be anticipated that, in the disassembled position, part of the valve will be against a wall of the housing. This serves as a reference point for the operator, who generally has very limited visibility when working inside the tank.

[0016] In one possible embodiment, the flushing mechanism further comprises at least one floating assembly mounted within the housing, movably between a lower and an upper position depending on the water level in the housing during flushing operation. The floating assembly includes a support wall, and the first rod includes a stop. Moreover, the flushing mechanism lacks a connecting element between the stop of the first rod and the support wall of the floating assembly and is configured such that, in the operating configuration, the stop is positioned adjacent to the support wall and is able to cooperate with the support wall during flushing operation to allow water to be discharged and the tank to be filled.

[0017] By providing a simple positioning of the rod so that the stop element is adjacent to the support wall and can cooperate with it, the invention eliminates any mechanical linkage between these two elements that could not be established by an operator from outside the tank. Thus, when the rod moves from outside the housing to the operating configuration (and for example, from the disassembled position to the operating configuration), the stop element simply positions itself adjacent to the support wall. In other words, when reassembled in the housing, for example, after changing the valve seal, the first rod automatically moves into the operational position relative to the rest of the flushing mechanism. The first rod is directly and functionally reconnected to the other parts of the flushing mechanism.

[0018] According to one possible embodiment, the blocking means include a portion provided on the first rod.

[0019] The said part of the locking means provided on the first rod may include the stop element. In other words, according to one embodiment of the invention, there are one or more elements on the first rod which form both a part of the locking means preventing the first rod from being extracted from the housing when the first rod is not in the disassembly position, and a part cooperating with the floating assembly to ensure the operation of the flushing device.

[0020] Alternatively, this cooperation function with the floating assembly could be performed by a dedicated body, separate from the element(s) on the first rod which form part of the blocking means.

[0021] The locking means may include at least one appendage projecting from the first stem, the appendage being configured such that: when the first rod is located between its closing and evacuation positions, the appendage is opposite the peripheral wall of the housing, in the vicinity of the light and inside the housing, preventing the first rod from being extracted; when the first rod is in the disassembly position, the appendage is located above the housing or opposite a window which is made in the housing and which forms an enlargement of the light localized over a portion of the height of the housing, the first rod can thus be extracted from the housing.

[0022] The appendage can be projecting from the first stem orthogonally to its axis, or obliquely.

[0023] The case may include: a base in which are provided on one side the lower orifice and on the other side an opening leading into the lower orifice and into the light of the case; a cover in which are provided on one side the upper orifice and on the other side an opening leading into the upper orifice and into the light of the case.

[0024] In addition, a guide wall may project from the base and / or cover around the opening to guide the vertical movement of the first rod relative to the housing. The guide wall may have a substantially hemispherical shape; it may form a recess into which the first rod is received. Preferably, the guide wall projects upwards to guide the upward movement of the first rod from the shutter position.

[0025] The guide wall may include at least one vertical groove open towards the orifice, to receive and guide the appendage of the first rod during its vertical movement. Thus, the appendage forms part of both the blocking means and the means for guiding the vertical movement of the first rod. Guidance is not necessarily provided throughout the entire range of motion of the first rod between the sealing and evacuation positions.

[0026] The housing may include reversible retaining means for the first rod in its operating configuration. These may be snap-fit ​​means. These retaining means are, for example, provided on a housing cover.

[0027] The housing may include at least one set of two tabs or wings projecting outwards from the peripheral wall of the housing, on either side of the light, the two tabs or wings defining between them a channel converging towards the housing, so as to guide the insertion movement of the first rod into the housing.

[0028] In one possible embodiment, the first rod has, along at least a portion of its length, a non-circular cross-section with a smaller and a larger dimension. Furthermore, the opening has a width between these smaller and larger dimensions. This arrangement ensures that the first rod is inserted into the housing with the correct orientation, guaranteeing proper positioning of the first rod to allow for the required interaction with other components of the flushing mechanism and thus the correct operation of the toilet flush.

[0029] Furthermore, the flushing mechanism assembly may include a second actuating rod that is slidably attached to the first rod along a vertical axis between a raised and a lowered position. The second rod is configured to allow the discharge of a second volume of water, distinct from the first volume discharged by the actuation of the first rod. Preferably, in its operating configuration, the first rod, the second rod, and the opening of the housing have substantially coincident vertical median planes, with the second rod preferably being at least partially located outside the housing.

[0030] According to one possible embodiment, the flushing device includes a connecting member between the first and second rods, which is fixed to the second rod and mounted around the first rod in a vertical sliding manner, and the locking means include: at least one first appendage projecting from the first rod at a first height; and at least one second appendage projecting from the connecting member at a second height different from the first height, for example lower than it, and a corresponding window provided in the housing.

[0031] For example, the first appendix is ​​located above the second appendix, and: when the first rod is in the closing position, the second appendage is at least partially received in a vertical groove made on the base; when the first rod is in the evacuation position, the first appendage is at least partially received in a vertical groove made on the cover.

[0032] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a toilet flushing system comprising, on the one hand, a flushing device as previously described, and on the other hand, a flushing tank having a bottom wall with a water outlet, a user control element for the flushing device, and an inspection hatch. The flushing device is mounted substantially vertically in the tank so that the flapper and the water outlet are substantially coaxial.

[0033] In one possible embodiment, the tank includes a support projecting from the bottom wall inwards, near the opening of the housing. The support is configured so that, when the first rod is outside the housing with the valve resting on the support, the first rod is at the same height as it is in the disassembled position. This facilitates the insertion of the first rod into the housing, even for an operator working more or less blindly through the inspection hatch, ensuring that the locking means do not impede the insertion of the first rod.

[0034] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to a method for dismantling a toilet flushing device mounted in a tank, as previously described, the method comprising the following steps, carried out through the inspection hatch: pull the actuation assembly vertically until the first rod reaches its disassembly position, then extract the first rod from the housing by a horizontal translational movement, passing through the light; remove the first rod from the reservoir.

[0035] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a method for reassembling a toilet flushing device mounted in a tank, as previously described, the method comprising the following steps, carried out through the inspection hatch: Introduce the actuation assembly into the reservoir; place the first rod vertically, outside the housing and near the housing light, with the flap resting on the support; translate the first rod horizontally towards the light; orient the first rod, by rotating it around its axis, so that it can pass through the light, and continue the horizontal translation movement of the rod to insert it into the housing; when the first rod is in the disassembly position, translate it vertically downwards to its operating configuration.

[0036] We now describe, by way of non-limiting example, a possible embodiment of the invention, with reference to the attached figures: There figure 1 is a front view of a toilet flushing system according to the invention, comprising a flushing device mounted in a tank; The figure 2 is a top view of the system of the figure 1 ; There figure 3 is a perspective view of the toilet flushing device housing of the figure 1 ; There figure 4 is a side view of the case; The figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the toilet flushing mechanism, seen from below; The figure 6 is a perspective view of an actuation assembly, comprising a first and a second actuating rod, and belonging to the flushing device of the figure 1 ; There figure 7 is another perspective view of the entire actuation system of the figure 6 ; There figure 8 is a partial perspective view of a floating assembly associated with the first stem; The figure 9 is a front view of the toilet flushing mechanism of the figure 1 The first rod being in its operating configuration, in the closed position; The figure 10 is a side view of the toilet flushing mechanism of the figure 9 ; There figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the case cover and the first stem; The figure 12 is a partial perspective view of the inside of the case; The figure 13 is a front view of the toilet flushing mechanism of the figure 1 The first rod being in its operating configuration, in the evacuation position; The figure 14 is a front view of the toilet flushing mechanism of the figure 1 the first rod being in the disassembly position; The figure 15 is a partial perspective view of the toilet flushing system of the figure 1 , during a step in the reassembly process.

[0037] There figure 1 represents a toilet flushing system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The toilet flushing system 100 comprises a flushing device 10 which is mounted in a flushing tank 1.

[0038] The tank 1, generally roughly parallelepiped in shape, comprises a front wall 2, a rear wall 3, two side walls 4, a bottom wall 5, and a top wall 6. It is designed to be placed at the rear and at a height relative to a toilet bowl (not shown), either visibly or, alternatively, recessed, i.e., placed behind a partition with an access opening. The bottom wall 5 has a water drainage outlet 7.

[0039] In the mounted position, the tank 1 is positioned so that its bottom wall 5 is substantially horizontal. With reference to this mounted position, and as illustrated on the figure 1 , we define: the vertical direction Z, with respect to which the terms "top", "superior", "bottom", "lower" and similar are used; the longitudinal direction X parallel to the front wall 2 and rear wall 3, with respect to which the term "lateral" is used; and the transverse direction Y orthogonal to the X and Z directions, with respect to which the terms "front", "rear", "width" are used.

[0040] The tank also includes an inspection hatch 8, preferably located in the upper part of the front wall 2, to allow an operator to access the inside of the tank for various maintenance or repair operations.

[0041] Tank 1 also includes a water supply system, and at least one user-operated flushing device control element, such as a push or pull button, although these elements are not shown.

[0042] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the tank 1 is formed of an upper part and a lower part assembled together, but this should not be considered limiting.

[0043] A part 110 can be fixed against the bottom wall 5 of the tank 1, on the outside. The part 110 includes a tube 111 for connecting to a water supply pipe to the toilet bowl, the tube 111 being mounted coaxially to the water outlet 7, and with a seal.

[0044] The flushing device 10 is mounted substantially vertically in the tank 1. It includes a housing 20 in which is housed, at least in part, a flushing mechanism.

[0045] The housing 20 can have an overall cylindrical shape with axis 27, this axis 27 being substantially vertical in the mounted position. The housing 20 has a peripheral wall 21; this can be made by assembling several parts, for example in the form of sections of a cylinder assembled coaxially. As can be seen on the figure 2 The tank 1 can be very narrow, the distance between its front wall 2 and rear wall 3 being substantially the same as the width of the housing 20. Although the invention is not limited to such narrow tanks, it is of significant interest in this case, where the space available for operating the flushing mechanism 10 inside the tank 1 is particularly limited. The peripheral wall 21 of the housing 20 can have two flat surfaces forming a front face 22 and a rear face 23, which are positioned respectively against or near the front walls 2 and rear walls 3 of the housing 20.

[0046] The housing 20 can have a plane of symmetry P1 containing the axis 27 and orthogonal to the Y direction, in the mounted position.

[0047] The peripheral wall 21 includes a light 30 extending vertically along the entire height of the housing 20. The light 30 is formed in a lateral wall 24 of the peripheral wall 21, which is generally oriented orthogonally to the X-axis. This lateral wall faces one of the lateral walls 4 of the housing 1, at a distance from it. The light 30 preferably has a median vertical plane substantially coinciding with the plane of symmetry P1 of the housing 20.

[0048] As can be seen particularly on the figure 4 The light 30 has a localized widening over a portion of the height of the housing 20, which forms a window 45. The window 45 is preferably located in the lower half of the housing 20. The light 30 has, in a portion 66 located below the light 45, a width l and, in a portion 67 located above the light 45, a width l'.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, the case 20 also includes a base 25 (more specifically visible on the figure 5 ) and a lid 26 (more specifically visible on the figure 11 ), for example, roughly horizontal.

[0050] In the base 25, a lower opening 31 and an opening 32 are provided, which leads on one side to the lower opening 31 and on the other side to the light 30 of the housing 20. The opening 32 is preferably elongated and oriented along the longitudinal direction X. In the cover 26, an upper opening 33 and an opening 34 are provided, which leads on one side to the upper opening 33 and on the other side to the light 30 of the housing 20. The opening 34 is preferably elongated and oriented along the longitudinal direction X. Thus, the light 30 communicates with the lower opening 31 and the upper opening 33 of the housing 20.

[0051] The lower orifices 31 and upper orifices 33 have the same axis 28. In the mounted position, the axis 28 of the orifices 31, 33 is substantially vertical, located in the plane of symmetry P1 of the housing 20, and offset with respect to the axis 27, along the direction X, towards the wall 24 of the housing in which the opening 30 is provided. The housing 20 is mounted in the tank 1 so that the axis 28 of the lower orifices 31 and upper orifices 33 is substantially coincident with the axis of the discharge orifice 7.

[0052] In addition, the housing 20 may include a skirt 35 extending vertically downwards from the periphery of the base 25. When the housing 20 is mounted in the tank 1, the lower edge of the skirt 35 is preferably located at a distance above the bottom wall 5 of the tank 1. The skirt 35 defines a recess 36 under the base 25.

[0053] We now describe the flushing mechanism which is at least partially housed in the casing 20.

[0054] The flushing device 10 includes an actuation assembly 60, more particularly illustrated on the figures 6 And 7 .

[0055] The actuation assembly 60 comprises a first actuating rod 51 with axis 61, which is provided with a valve 53 at its lower part. The valve 53 comprises, on the one hand, a body which includes an arm 54 fixed coaxially to the lower part of the first rod 51 and a disc-shaped obturator 55 integral with the lower end of the arm 54, and on the other hand, a sealing gasket 56 mounted around the periphery of the obturator 55. At its upper part, the first rod 51 includes a coupling member 57 with the control member of the flushing device which is provided on the tank 1. In the embodiment shown, the coupling member 57 is in the form of an arm whose upper part forms a ring or a hook, although other embodiments are possible.

[0056] In its operating configuration, the actuation assembly 60 is assembled to the housing 20, with the first rod 51 partially housed therein, protruding upwards and downwards through the upper orifices 33 and lower orifices 31, respectively, as can be seen for example on the figure 1 . In operating configuration, the axis 61 of the first rod 51 is substantially coincident with the axis 28 of the lower orifices 31 and upper orifices 33 of the housing 20.

[0057] In operating configuration, the first rod 51 is vertically movable, relative to the housing 20, between a shutter position ( figures 1 And 9 ) in which the valve 53, in the lowered position, is able to close the discharge orifice 7 of the tank 1, and a discharge position ( figure 13 ) in which the valve 53 is located above and at a distance from the discharge port 7, so that the water can be discharged out of the tank 1 through the discharge port 7.

[0058] Preferably, the actuation assembly 60 includes a second actuation rod 52 configured to allow the evacuation of a second volume of water different from a first volume of water evacuated by the actuation of the first rod 51. For this purpose, the second rod 52 includes at its upper part a coupling member 57 with the control member of the flushing device which is provided on the tank 1.

[0059] The second rod 52 has an axis 62 which is parallel to and distinct from the axis 61. The second rod 52 is slidably assembled to the first rod along a vertical axis between a high position and a low position. For example, the flushing device 10 includes a connecting member 58 between the first and second rods 51, 52. The connecting member 58, which may be sleeve-shaped, is attached to the second rod 52 and mounted around the first rod 51 in a vertical sliding fashion along the axis 61. The second rod 52 may be attached to the connecting member 58 via a spacer 59 that defines the offset between the axes 61 and 62 of the first and second rods 51, 52. The first rod 51 and the second rod 52 have the same median plane P2 containing the axes 61, 62, as illustrated in the figure 6 .

[0060] It should be noted that, on the figure 13 In particular, coupling elements 57 are not shown, for greater clarity.

[0061] As can be seen on the figure 2 In its operating configuration, the median plane P2 of the first and second rods 51, 52 is vertical. It can be substantially coincided with the vertical median plane of the light 30 of the housing 20, and substantially coincided with the plane of symmetry P1 of the housing 20. Furthermore, the second rod 52 can be located outside the housing 20.

[0062] As can be seen particularly on the figure 7 The first rod 51 has, over at least a portion of its length, a non-circular cross-section, for example substantially rectangular or oval. This cross-section has a small dimension d1 and a large dimension d2. Preferably, the dimension d1 is defined along a direction orthogonal to the plane P2 (corresponding to the Y direction in the usage configuration), and the dimension d2 is defined along a direction orthogonal to the plane P3 (corresponding to the X direction in the usage configuration).

[0063] This non-circular cross-sectional portion 66 is, for example, located at the connecting member 58 and can extend over the entire height of the connecting member 58. The first rod 51 may include another non-circular cross-sectional portion 67, located, for example, higher than portion 66, which has a small dimension of 1 and a large dimension of 2. The relationships between these dimensions and the widths of the window 45 in its portions 46 and 47 are as follows: d 1 < l < d 2 et d ′ 1 < l ′ < d ′ 2 .

[0064] The advantage of such an arrangement will be explained later.

[0065] The first rod 51 has at least one first projecting appendage 63, at a first height h1, relative to the lower end of the rod, i.e., the lower face of the obturator 55. The first appendage 63 may be in the form of a rectangular plate projecting from the first rod 51 orthogonally to plane P2, and arranged in a vertical plane in its operating configuration. The first rod 51 may have two identical and diametrically opposed first appendages 63.

[0066] The connecting member 58 has at least one second projecting appendage 64 at a second height h2 different from the first height h1, for example, lower than the first height h1. The second appendage 64 may be a rectangular plate projecting from the connecting member 58 orthogonally to plane P2 and arranged in a vertical plane in its operating configuration. The connecting member 58 may have two identical and diametrically opposed second appendages 64. The dimension d64 of the actuation assembly 60 at the appendages 64, along a direction orthogonal to plane P2 (corresponding to the Y direction in the operating configuration), is less than the width l45 of the window 45 and greater than the width of the opening 30 outside the window 45.

[0067] The first appendages 63 and the second appendages 64 can therefore be located in the same plane P3 which is orthogonal to the plane P2 and which contains the axis 61 of the first rod 51, the first appendage 63 being located above the second appendage 64.

[0068] The flushing mechanism further includes at least one floating assembly 70 mounted in the housing 20, visible in particular on the figures 8 And 9 .

[0069] In the embodiment shown, the floating assembly 70 comprises a rocker 71 and a float 72. The rocker 71 is pivotally mounted on the housing 20 about a first pivot axis 73 which extends horizontally and, for example, along the Y direction in the mounted position. The float 72 is pivotally mounted on the rocker 71 about a second pivot axis 74 which is parallel to the first pivot axis 73. In the mounted position, and projected onto the X direction, the first pivot axis 73 can be located at one end of the rocker 71 and the second pivot axis 74 can be located at the other end of the rocker 71, further from the opening 30 in the housing 20.

[0070] The float 72, which may be in the form of a bell open at the bottom, is movable relative to the housing 20 between a low position and a high position, depending on the water level in the housing 20 during the operation of the flushing device 10 during evacuation and filling phases.

[0071] The rocker 71 may include two arms 75 which extend globally along the X direction and which are located on either side of the first rod 51, in the operating configuration.

[0072] Furthermore, the floating assembly 70 includes a support wall 76. In the embodiment shown, a support wall 76 is provided on the rocker 71, preferably on each of the arms 75, in the vicinity of the first pivot axis 73. The support wall 76 can be in the form of a plate.

[0073] As illustrated on the figure 9 , in the case where the actuation assembly 60 includes a first rod 51 and a second rod 52 allowing the evacuation of two different volumes of water, the flushing device 10 includes two floating assemblies 70 each corresponding to one of these two volumes of water.

[0074] The flushing mechanism 10 is now described when mounted in the tank 1 and ready for operation, i.e., with the first rod 51 (and, where applicable, the second rod 52) in its operating configuration, as can be seen on the figures 1 , 5 , 8 à 14 .

[0075] In operating configuration, as previously indicated, the first rod 51 is engaged in the upper 33 and lower 31 orifices of the housing 20, the axis 61 being substantially coincident with the axis 28. The valve 53 of the actuation assembly 60 and the discharge orifice 7 of the reservoir 1 are substantially coaxial.

[0076] Furthermore, the median plane P2 of the actuation assembly 60 and the symmetry plane P1 of the housing 20 are substantially coincident. In addition, the first pivot axis 73 of the rocker 71 is located substantially in the plane P3 of the first and second appendages 63, 64.

[0077] The cover 26 may have two tabs 29 which are located on either side of the opening 34 and the light 30, and which extend beyond the edge of the cover 26 towards the outside of the housing 20. These tabs 29 may form a guide means for the reassembly of the actuation assembly 60 in the housing 20, as will be explained later.

[0078] Furthermore, these tabs 29 can act as reversible retaining means for the first rod 51 in its operating configuration, for example, by means of a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Thus, in an unloaded state, these two tabs 29 can be separated by a distance less than the corresponding dimension of the first rod 51, which is also substantially the dimension of the upper opening 33. Moreover, they can be elastically separated from each other to allow the first rod 51 to pass between them and return to their unloaded state when the first rod 51 is placed in the upper opening 33, thereby retaining the first rod 51 in its operating configuration. It should be noted that this retention is effective under normal operating conditions, but that the first rod 51 can nevertheless be extracted from the upper opening 33 by a sufficiently strong pull exerted by an operator.

[0079] Reversible support means, for example of similar structure, can also be provided in the lower part of the housing 20.

[0080] The flushing device 10 preferably includes means for guiding the vertical movement of the first rod 51 and, where applicable, of the second rod 62 relative to the housing 20.

[0081] These guiding means may include a guide wall 37 projecting from the base 25 around the lower opening 31 upwards ( figure 12 ), and a guide wall 38 projecting from the cover 26, around the upper opening 33 upwards ( figure 11 ). The guide walls 37, 38 can take the form of a semi-cylindrical collar open in the direction of the light 30.

[0082] Each guide wall 37, 38 may further include a vertical groove 39 open towards the orifice 31, 33, to receive and guide the corresponding appendage 64, 63 of the actuation assembly 60 during the vertical movement of the first rod 51. For example, each guide wall 37, 38 has a groove 39 at each of its vertical ends. In other words, both the cover 26 and the base 25 have two diametrically opposed grooves 39, located in the plane P3 in the operating configuration, and open towards each other.

[0083] Appendages 63, 64 therefore form part of the means of guiding the vertical movement of the first rod 51, between its closing and evacuation positions.

[0084] In operating configuration, and in the shutter position ( figures 8 à 12 ), the valve 53 closes the evacuation orifice 7, the sealing gasket 56 bearing against the bottom wall 5 of the tank 1, around the orifice 7.

[0085] The second appendages 64 are partly engaged in the grooves 39 which protrude from the base 25. In addition, the second appendages 64 are located below the window 45, opposite the portion 46 of the light 30, that is to say at least partly opposite a portion of the lateral wall 24 of the peripheral wall 21.

[0086] The first appendages 63 are located under the cover 26, therefore not engaged in the grooves 39 which protrude from the cover 26. Thus, in the closed position, only the lower grooves 39 provide guidance for the actuation assembly 60. In addition, the first appendages 63 are located at a distance from the window 45, that is to say opposite a portion of the side wall 24 of the peripheral wall 21.

[0087] In addition, the appendages 63, 64 are positioned adjacent to the support wall 76 of the corresponding floating assembly 70.

[0088] In operating configuration, and in evacuation position ( figure 13 ), the valve 53 is located above the drain opening 7, so that the water contained in the tank 1 can flow towards the toilet bowl.

[0089] The first appendages 63 extend partly above the lid 26, and are partly engaged in the grooves 39 which protrude from the lid 26. The first appendages 63 are also partly opposite a portion of the lateral wall 24 of the peripheral wall 21.

[0090] The second appendages 64 are substantially free from the grooves 39 which protrude from the base 25. Thus, in the evacuation position, only the upper grooves 39 provide guidance for the actuation assembly 60. Part of the second appendages 64 may be opposite the window 45, but part of the second appendages 64 remains partly opposite a portion of the side wall 24 of the peripheral wall 21.

[0091] The flushing device 10 is devoid of a connecting element between the appendages 63, 64 and the support wall 76 of the floating assembly 70. These parts are simply positioned adjacently, so as to allow their cooperation, in the configuration of use, during the operation of the flushing device 10.

[0092] This cooperation is described below with reference to the second appendages 64 and the lower floating assembly 70, it being specified that the operation is similar for the first appendages 63 and the upper floating assembly 70.

[0093] In its operating configuration, in the closed position, the appendage 64 is adjacent to the face 77 of the support wall 76 that faces the opening 30. If the reservoir 1 is filled with water, the floating assembly 70 is in the lowered position as illustrated in the figures 8 And 9 , and cannot move upwards, under the effect of the water contained in the reservoir 1, since the face 77 of the support wall 76 is against the appendage 64. The support wall 76 is on the side of the plane P3 opposite the light 30.

[0094] Once the actuation assembly 60 has been moved upwards and occupies the discharge position, the appendage 64 is located higher than the support wall 76. The movement of the rocker 71 and the float 72 is therefore no longer hindered by the appendage 64. Under the effect of the water still present in the tank, at the beginning of the discharge phase, the float 72 rises, the rocker 71 pivoting relative to the housing 20 around the first pivot axis 73 so that the support wall 76 approaches the opening 30.

[0095] Once the user releases the actuation assembly 60, it falls back down due to gravity. The float 72 remains in the raised position, and the support wall 76 is contained within plane P3. Consequently, the appendage 64 rests on the upper face 78 of the support wall 76. Thus, the first rod 51 does not immediately fall back into the closed position once the user stops flushing, which would result in insufficient water being flushed to eliminate the waste in the toilet bowl.

[0096] In other words, the appendage 64 rests temporarily on the support wall 76 of the rocker 71 during the transition of the first rod 51 from the discharge position to the closing position, to allow the water to continue to be discharged. The first rod 51 remains in this temporary position until the volume of water in the reservoir 1 is low enough for the float 72 to descend, thus pivoting the rocker 71 and releasing the appendage 64 from the support wall 76, which allows the first rod 51 to continue its downward movement by gravity to the closing position.

[0097] The appendages 63, 64 therefore form stop elements configured to cooperate with the support wall 76 of the floating assembly 70 for the operation of the flushing device 10 both during the filling phase of the tank 1 and during the water evacuation phase.

[0098] When it is necessary to change the sealing gasket 56, in particular, an operator will proceed with the partial dismantling of the flushing device 10 mounted in the tank 1, via the inspection hatch 8.

[0099] Initially, the operator pulls the actuation assembly 60 upwards relative to the housing 20, to move the first rod 51 vertically to a dismantling position which is higher than the evacuation position.

[0100] In the disassembled position, illustrated on the figure 14 , the valve 53 is located above the discharge orifice 7, at a height greater than it was in the discharge position ( figure 13 ). The shutter 55 can be located in the housing 36. It can be against the base 25, which indicates to the operator, who cannot usually see the movements he makes through the inspection hatch 8, that the first rod 51 is in the disassembly position, which will allow the operations to continue.

[0101] Indeed, in the disassembled position: the first appendages 63 are located above the casing 20 and disengaged from the grooves 39 of the cover 26; and the second appendages 64 are located opposite the window 45.

[0102] It is understood that the height h at which the window 45 is positioned, relative to the lower end of the housing 20, must be adjusted according to the position of the appendages 64 when the first rod 51 is in the disassembly position. Preferably, no window is provided in the housing 20 corresponding to the first appendages 63.

[0103] On the contrary, in the other positions of the first rod 51 between the closing and evacuation positions, the appendages 63, 64 are at least partially opposite a part of the peripheral wall 21 of the housing 20, in the vicinity of the light 30 and inside the housing 20. Thus, the appendages 63, 64 form part of the blocking means preventing the passage of the first rod 51 out of the housing 20 through the light 30 when the first rod 51 is not in the disassembly position.

[0104] When the first rod 51 is in the disassembly position, it can be extracted from the housing 20, by a horizontal translation movement, passing through the opening 30, that is to say by a displacement along the X direction in the embodiment shown.

[0105] The operator can then remove the first rod 51, or more generally the actuating assembly 60, from the reservoir 1, via the inspection hatch 8. This movement can be made easier if the coupling members 57 can be placed in a folded position relative to the rest of the rods 51, 52, as seen in the figure 15 .

[0106] To reassemble the flushing device 10, i.e. to put back in place the actuation assembly 60, the operator carries out the following steps, through the inspection hatch 8.

[0107] Once the actuation assembly 60 is introduced into the tank 1, the operator places the first rod 1 vertically, outside the housing 20 and close to the light 30.

[0108] The reservoir 1 may include a support 9 projecting from the bottom wall 5 inwards towards the inside of the reservoir 1, near the opening 30 of the housing 20. The support 9 is configured so that, when the first rod 51 is outside the housing 20 with the valve 53 resting on the support 9, the first rod 51 is at the same height as it is in the disassembled position. The support 9 may, for example, comprise two parallel vertical plates, for example arranged orthogonally to the Y direction.

[0109] By resting the flap 53 on the support 9, even without visibility, the operator ensures that the first rod 1 is vertical and at the correct height, that is to say at the only height allowing its passage through the light 30 into the interior of the housing 20.

[0110] The operator can then translate the first rod 51 horizontally, along the X direction, towards the light 30.

[0111] The approach movement of the actuation assembly 60 can be guided to assist the operator. Part of this guidance can be achieved by the tabs 29 provided on the cover 26; for this purpose, the tabs 29 can define a guide passage for the insertion of the first rod 51, which converges towards the housing 20. Furthermore, the housing 20 can include at least one set of two wings 40 projecting outwards from the peripheral wall 21 of the housing 20, on either side of the opening 30. The two wings 40 define a channel converging towards the housing 20.

[0112] The operator then orients the first rod 51 by rotating it around its axis 61 so that it can pass through the opening 30. Due to the non-circular cross-section of portions 66, 67 of the first rod 51 and the dimensional relationships between the cross-section of these portions 66, 67 and the various widths l, l' of the opening 30, as explained previously, the first rod 51 can only pass through the opening 30 when it is oriented so that the first rod 51 enters through the small dimension d1, d'1. In the embodiment shown, this corresponds to this small dimension d1, d'1 being along the Y direction. Such a keying mechanism ensures correct orientation of the actuation assembly 60, particularly so that it can cooperate as intended with the floating assemblies 70.

[0113] The operator can then continue the horizontal translation movement of the actuation assembly 60, until the first rod 51 is inserted into the housing 20, and positioned in the holes 31, 33. The first rod 51 is then in the disassembly position, and the operator translates it vertically downwards to its operating configuration.

[0114] During these reassembly operations, by horizontally translating the device through the opening 30 and then vertically translating it to the operating configuration, the operator simply positions the first rod 51 so that the appendages 63 and 64 are adjacent to the support wall 76 of the corresponding floating assembly 70. According to the invention, the flushing device 10 has no mechanical connection between the actuation assembly 60 and each of the floating assemblies 70 that could not be established from outside the tank 1.

[0115] It goes without saying that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example but includes all technical equivalents and variants of the means described as well as their combinations.

Claims

1. A toilet flushing device (10) intended to be placed substantially vertically in a flush cistern (1) which includes a bottom wall (5) provided with a water discharge orifice (7) and a member for controlling the toilet flushing device (10) by a user, the toilet flushing device (10) comprising: - a case (20) including a peripheral wall (21), an upper orifice (33) and a lower orifice (31); - an actuation assembly (60) including at least one first actuating rod (51), the first rod (51) including a flapper (53) at its lower part and, at its upper part, a member (57) for coupling with the control member; wherein, in the use configuration, the actuation assembly (60) is joined to the case (20), the first rod (51) being partially housed in the case (20) and projecting upwards and downwards through the upper (33) and lower (31) orifices, respectively, the first rod (51) being vertically movable, relative to the case (20), between a closed position, in which the flapper (53) is capable of closing off the discharge orifice (7) of the cistern (1), and a discharge position, in which the flapper (53) is located above and remotely from the discharge orifice (7); characterized in that the case (20) includes, in its peripheral wall (21), a vertical aperture (30) which extends over the entire height of the case (20) and which communicates with the upper (33) and lower (31) orifices of the case (20), the aperture (30) being configured so that the first rod (51) can be extracted from the case (20), by a horizontal translational movement, via the aperture (30), so that the actuation assembly (60) can be removed from the case (20).

2. The toilet flushing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first rod (51) is in addition vertically movable, relative to the case (20), from the discharge position and upwards, to a removal position, and in that the device comprises blocking means (63, 64, 24) preventing the first rod (51) from passing out of the case (20) through the aperture (30) when the first rod (51) is not in the removal position, and in that, preferably, in the removal position, a part (55) of the flapper (53) abuts under a wall (25) of the case (20).

3. The toilet flushing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it further comprises at least one floating assembly (70) movably mounted in the case (20) between a low position and a high position, depending on the water level in the case (20) during the operation of the toilet flushing device (10), the floating assembly (70) including a bearing wall (76), and in that the first rod (51) comprises a stop member (63, 64), the toilet flushing device (10) being devoid of any connecting element between the stop member (63, 64) of the first rod (51) and the bearing wall (76) of the floating assembly (70) and being configured so that, in the use configuration, the stop member (63, 64) is positioned adjacent to the bearing wall (76) and is capable of cooperating with the bearing wall (76) during the operation of the toilet flushing device (10) to allow the discharge of water and the filling of the cistern (1 ).

4. The toilet flushing device according to claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the blocking means comprise a part (63, 64) provided on the first rod (51), said part of the blocking means including the stop member.

5. The toilet flushing device according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the blocking means comprise at least one appendage (63, 64) projecting relative to the first rod (51), preferably orthogonally to its axis (61), the appendage (63, 64) being configured so that: - when the first rod (51) is located between its closed and discharge positions, the appendage (63, 64) faces the peripheral wall (21) of the case (20), in the vicinity of the aperture (30) and inside the case (20), preventing extraction of the first rod (51); - when the first rod (51) is in the removal position, the appendage (63, 64) is located above the case (20) or opposite a window (45) which is provided in the case (20) and which forms a widening of the aperture (30) located on a portion of the height of the case (20), the first rod (51) may thus be extracted from the case (20).

6. The toilet flushing device according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the case (20) comprises: - a base (25) in which on the one hand the lower orifice (31) and on the other hand an opening (32) which opens into the lower orifice (31) and into the aperture (30) of the case (20) are provided; - a cover (26) in which on the one hand the upper orifice (33) and on the other hand an opening (34) which opens into the upper orifice (33) and into the aperture (30) of the case (20) are provided; wherein a guide wall (37, 38) projects from the base (25) and / or the cover (26), about the orifice (31, 33), to allow guidance of the vertical movement of the first rod (51) relative to the case (20).

7. The toilet flushing device according to claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the guide wall includes at least one vertical groove (39) open towards the orifice, to receive and guide the appendage (63, 64) of the first rod (51) during the vertical movement of the first rod (51).

8. The toilet flushing device according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the case (20) comprises at least one set of two tabs (29) or wings (40) projecting from the peripheral wall ( 21) of the case, towards the outside, on either side of the aperture (30), the two tabs (29) or wings (40) defining between them a corridor converging towards the case (20), so as to guide the insertion movement of the first rod (51) into the case (20).

9. The toilet flushing device according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first rod (51) has, over at least one portion of its length, a non-circular section (66, 67) having a small dimension (d1, d'1) and a large dimension (d2, d'2), which is for example substantially rectangular or oval, and in that the aperture (30) has a width (l, l') comprised between said small and large dimensions.

10. The toilet flushing device according to any of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the actuation assembly (60) comprises a second actuating rod (52) which is slidably joined to the first rod (51) along a vertical axis (61) between a high position and a low position, the second rod (52) being configured to allow the discharge of a second volume of water different from a first volume of water discharged by the actuation of the first rod (51), in which device, preferably, in the use configuration, the first rod (51), the second rod (52) and the aperture (30) of the case (20) have substantially coincident median vertical planes (P1, P2), the second rod (52) preferably being at least partially located outside the case (20).

11. The toilet flushing device according to claims 5 and 10, characterized in that it comprises a connecting member (58) between the first and second rods (51, 52), which is fastened to the second rod (52) and which is mounted about the first rod (51) in a vertically sliding manner, and in that the blocking means comprise: - at least one first appendage (63) projecting from the first rod (51) at a first height (h1); - and at least one second appendage (64) projecting from the connecting member (58) at a second height (h2) different from the first height (h1), for example less than the latter, and a corresponding window (45) provided in the case (20).

12. The toilet flushing device according to claims 7 and 11, characterized in that the first appendage (63) is located above the second appendage (64), and in that: - when the first rod (51) is in the closed position, the second appendage (64) is at least partially received in a vertical groove (39) provided on the base (25); - when the first rod (51) is in the discharge position, the first appendage (63) is at least partially received in a vertical groove (39) provided on the cover (26).

13. A toilet flushing system (100) comprising: - a toilet flushing device (10) according to any of the preceding claims; - a flush cistern (1) which includes a bottom wall (5) provided with a water discharge orifice (7), a member for controlling the toilet flushing device (10) by a user, and an access hatch (8); the toilet flushing device (10) being mounted substantially vertically in the cistern (1) so that the flapper (53) and the water discharge orifice (7) are substantially coaxial.

14. The toilet flushing system according to claim 13, the toilet flushing device (10) being in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that the cistern (1) comprises a support (9) projecting from the bottom wall (5) towards the inside of the cistern (1), close to the aperture (30) of the case (20), the support (9) being configured so that, when the first rod (51) is outside the case (20) with the flapper (53) resting on the support (9), the first rod (51) is at a height identical to that which it occupies in the removal position.

15. A method for removing a toilet flushing device (10) mounted in a cistern (1) of a toilet flushing system according to claim 13 or 14, the toilet flushing device (10) being in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, carried out through the access hatch (8): - vertically pulling the actuation assembly (60) until the first rod (51) reaches its removal position, then extracting the first rod (51) from the case (20) by a horizontal translational movement, via the aperture (30); - taking the first rod (51) out of the cistern (1).

16. A method for reinstalling a toilet flushing device (10) mounted in a cistern (1) of a toilet flushing system according to claim 14, the toilet flushing device (10) being in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that it comprises the following steps, carried out through the access hatch (8): - introducing the actuation assembly (60) into the cistern (1); - vertically placing the first rod (51), outside the case (20) and close to the aperture (30) of the case (20), with the flapper (53) resting on the support (9); - horizontally translating the first rod (51) towards the aperture (30); - orienting the first rod (51), by rotation about its axis (61), so that it can pass through the aperture (30), and continue the horizontal translational movement of the first rod (51) to insert it into the case (20); - when the first rod (51) is in the removal position, vertically translating it downwards to its use configuration.

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