Actuating unit

Abstract

An actuating unit (1) for actuating a flushing valve comprises a bearing plate (2), at least one actuating element (3) movable relative to the bearing plate (2) with a front surface (4) and a rear surface (5) and with at least one working surface (6) oriented at an angle (a, alpha) to the front surface (4) and / or to the rear surface (5), and at least one return element (7) acting on the actuating element (3) via the working surface (6), with which the at least one actuating element (3) can be moved back to a starting position after actuation, wherein the at least one actuating element (3) is pivotably connected to the bearing plate (2) via at least one hinge (8), wherein the return element (7) has a bearing section (9) and a spring section (10), wherein the bearing plate (2) has a bearing receptacle (12) on its rear side (11).in which the return element (7) is fixedly mounted with the bearing section (9), and wherein the spring section (10) with an effective area (13) is inclined at an angle (β, beta) to the rear (11) of the bearing plate (2) and acts on the effective surface (6) of the actuating element (3).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating unit for actuating a flushing valve according to claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Actuating devices for cisterns of toilets or urinals are known from the prior art. For example, EP 2 476 808 discloses an actuating device for a drain valve of a cistern. The actuating device comprises an actuating plate in which at least one actuating button for flushing is mounted. The actuating button is reset via a spring element in the form of a leaf spring. The leaf spring acts on the back of the actuating button.

[0003] The leaf springs according to EP 2 476 808 ensure quick and reliable return. However, due to their structure, the leaf springs take up a lot of space. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing an actuating unit for actuating a flush valve that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a preferred object is to provide an actuating unit for actuating a flush valve that is more compact in terms of reset. Another object is to provide an actuating unit for actuating a flush valve with an alternative reset.

[0005] These and other objects are achieved by the subject matter according to claim 1. Accordingly, an actuating unit for actuating a flush valve comprises a bearing plate, at least one actuating element movable relative to the bearing plate, having a front surface and a rear surface, and at least one active surface oriented at an angle (α, alpha) to the front surface and / or the rear surface, and at least one return element acting on the actuating element via the active surface, with which the at least one actuating element can be moved back into an initial position after actuation. The at least one actuating element is pivotably connected to the bearing plate via at least one hinge. The at least one actuating element can therefore be pivoted relative to the bearing plate. The return element has a bearing section and a spring section.The bearing plate has a bearing mount on its rear side, in which the return element is firmly mounted with the bearing section. The spring section protrudes from the rear side of the bearing plate at an angle (β, beta) and acts on the active surface of the actuating element.

[0006] This configuration offers the advantage that the elements used for the return spring can be arranged in a compact manner. In particular, the required volume can be reduced compared to conventional leaf springs.

[0007] Preferably, the effective area lies flat against the effective surface. Preferably, there is no fixed connection between the effective area and the effective surface. The return element is preferably made of spring steel.

[0008] Preferably, the spring section adjoins the bearing section with a transition area. The active area adjoins the transition area, with the transition area preferably being rounded.

[0009] The spring element is preferably formed in one piece.

[0010] The transition zone forms the transition between the active zone and the bearing section. Depending on the design of the active zone and the active surface, the elastic deformation during actuation occurs primarily in the transition zone.

[0011] Preferably, the spring section is designed as a spring tab, which undergoes a bending action upon actuation. The bending occurs in a spring-elastic manner, with the spring section returning to its original position after the force is removed. The term "spring tab" refers to a structure with a small thickness. The spring tab can also be referred to as a spring leaf.

[0012] The bearing plate preferably has at least one opening defined by a plate edge. The at least one actuating element is located in the at least one opening. Upon actuation, the actuating element can be pivoted out of the opening on the rear side. The spring portion protrudes at least partially from the plate edge into the clear width of the opening.

[0013] The said back of the bearing plate is formed by the plate edge.

[0014] Preferably, the bearing section and the spring section extend at an angle (δ, delta) to each other. The angle (δ, delta) is preferably in the range of 60° to 120°, in particular from 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, particularly preferably 90°.

[0015] Preferably, the bearing section has a bearing surface that runs parallel to the rear surface. The active region has a contact surface that rests on the active surface, with the bearing surface extending at an angle (δ, delta) to the contact surface. The angle (δ, delta) is preferably in the range of 60° to 120°, in particular from 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, particularly preferably 90°.

[0016] Preferably, the angle (δ, delta) becomes smaller or larger than the initial position upon actuation of the actuating element. After resetting, the angle returns to its original value.

[0017] Preferably, the bearing section is firmly connected to the bearing support in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner.

[0018] Preferably, the bearing receptacle has a receiving space in which the bearing section is fixedly mounted.

[0019] Particularly preferably, the bearing section can be inserted into the receiving space.

[0020] Particularly preferably, the receiving space is open at the front and rear, with the bearing section being insertable into the receiving space from the front and protruding beyond the rear. Preferably, a stop extends from the rear, and the bearing section abuts against this stop.

[0021] Preferably, the at least one hinge comprises at least a first hinge part and at least a second hinge part, wherein the hinge parts are pivotably engaged with each other relative to each other, wherein the first hinge part is arranged on the bearing plate and the second hinge part is arranged on the actuating element.

[0022] The first hinge part is preferably a pivot receptacle, and the second hinge part is preferably a hinge pin, with the hinge pin engaging in the pivot receptacle. Alternatively, the first hinge part is preferably a hinge pin, and the second hinge part is preferably a pivot receptacle, with the hinge pin engaging in the pivot receptacle.

[0023] Preferably, the bearing holder is placed between the back of the bearing plate and the first hinge part.

[0024] Preferably, one return element is arranged per hinge, wherein a respective return element is assigned to a respective hinge.

[0025] Preferably, the bearing receptacle is arranged at a distance from at least one hinge.

[0026] Preferably, the active surface is provided by an active section. The active section is provided at least partially by a side edge, which side edge completely or partially surrounds the actuating element, wherein the side edge preferably extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface and / or the rear surface; or wherein the active section protrudes from the rear surface of the actuating element.

[0027] Preferably, the side edge extends from the front surface to the rear surface.

[0028] Preferably, the active section projects with a partial section away from the rear surface towards the rear, wherein in the region on which the return element acts on the active section, at least one support rib is arranged, which supports the partial section that projects away from the rear surface towards the rear surface.

[0029] Preferably, the bearing plate has a fastening structure on its rear side, with which the bearing plate can be fastened to a fastening element, in particular a fastening frame.

[0030] One arrangement comprises a cistern with a flush valve and an actuator, wherein the at least one actuating element acts on and activates the actuator. The actuator can, for example, be a push rod that acts directly or indirectly on the flush valve. Alternatively, the actuator can also be an electromechanical actuator, such as a motor.

[0031] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] 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 exploded view of the actuating unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a further perspective exploded view of the actuating unit according to Figure 1 ; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the assembled actuating unit according to the preceding figures; Fig. 4a a sectional view through the actuating unit with non-actuated, i.e. not pivoted, actuating elements; Fig. 4b a detailed view of the Figure 4a ; Fig. 5a a sectional view through the actuating unit with actuated, i.e. pivoted, actuating elements; and Fig. 5b a detailed view of the Figure 5a . DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The figures show an embodiment of an actuating unit 1 according to the invention. The actuating unit 1 serves to actuate a flush valve arranged in a cistern.

[0034] The actuating unit 1 comprises a bearing plate 2, at least one actuating element 3 movable relative to the bearing plate 2, and at least one return element 7. The actuating element 3 is pivotally connected to the bearing plate 2 via at least one hinge 8. In the embodiment shown, two actuating elements 3 of different sizes are arranged. The larger actuating element 3 is used to trigger a full-volume flush, and the smaller actuating element 3 is used to trigger a partial-volume flush. In other embodiments, only a single actuating element 3 can be arranged.

[0035] In the Figure 1 the at least one actuating element 3 and the at least one return element 7 are shown before assembly on the bearing plate 2. In the Figure 2the return element 7 is connected to the bearing plate 2, and starting from the position shown there, the actuating element 3 can be connected to the bearing plate 2. In the Figure 3 the assembled actuating unit 1 is shown.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the bearing plate 2 comprises at least one, here two, openings 16 in which the actuating elements 3 are located. A plate edge 17 surrounds the openings 16.

[0037] With reference to the Figures 4a to 5b The at least one reset element 7 and its action will now be explained. In the embodiment shown, two reset elements 7 are arranged per actuating element 3.

[0038] The at least one actuating element 3 has a front surface 4 and a rear surface 5. Furthermore, the actuating element 3 comprises at least one active surface 6, via which the return element 7 applies a restoring force to the actuating element 3. The return element 7, which acts on the actuating element 3 via the active surface 6, moves the actuating element 3 back to an initial position after actuation. The active surface 6 is oriented at an angle α, alpha to the front surface 4 and / or the rear surface 5. In the embodiment shown, the angle α, alpha is 90°.

[0039] The at least one return element 7 has a bearing section 9 and a spring section 10. The return element 7 is preferably made of spring steel, in particular by means of a stamping and forming process. The at least one return element 7 is fixedly mounted on the bearing plate 2. The bearing plate 2 has on its rear side 11 a bearing receptacle 12 in which the bearing section 9 is fixedly mounted. The spring section 10 protrudes with an effective area 13 at an angle β, beta inclined to the rear side 11 from the bearing plate 2. The spring section 10 acts with the effective area 13 on the effective surface 6 of the actuating element 3. The angle β, beta is here, as in the Figure 4b shown, in the initial position approximately 90°. The angle β, beta changes when the actuating element 3 is actuated, as shown in the Figure 5b The angle β, beta becomes smaller.

[0040] The bearing section 9 and the spring section 10 are inclined at an angle δ, delta to each other. Here, the angle δ, delta is equal to the angle β, beta. The angle δ, delta is here, as in the Figure 4b shown in the initial position approximately 90°. The angle δ, delta changes when the actuating element 3 is actuated, as shown in the Figure 5b The angle δ, delta becomes smaller.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, the bearing section 9 rests on the rear surface 5 of the bearing plate 2 with a bearing surface 18. The bearing surface 18 runs parallel to the rear surface 5. The active area 13 rests on the active surface 6 with a contact surface 19. The bearing surface 18 is inclined at the above-mentioned angle δ, delta, to the contact surface 19.

[0042] The bearing section 9 and the effective area 13 have approximately the same length from the transition area 14. This means that the bearing section 9 and the effective area 13 extend essentially the same length from the transition area 14.

[0043] In the embodiment shown, the spring section 10 has a transition area 14. The transition area 14 adjoins the bearing section 9 and finally, the transition area 14 merges into the active area 13. The transition area 14 is rounded here with a curve 15. Of the Figures 4b and 5b It can be seen that the spring section 10 deforms mainly in the transition area 14. This means that the transition area 14 is elastically deformed during the movement of the actuating element 3.

[0044] During the movement of the actuating element 3, the effective area 13 of the spring section 10 rests essentially flat on the effective surface 6. Preferably, there is no fixed connection between the effective area 13 and the effective surface 6.

[0045] As mentioned above, the bearing plate 2 has at least one opening 16. In the embodiment shown, the spring portion 11 protrudes at least partially from the plate edge 17 into the clear width of the opening 16. The bearing receptacle 12 is arranged here at the plate edge 17 in the region of the opening 16.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, the bearing section 9 is held firmly in the bearing receptacle 12 by a positive fit. In the embodiment shown, the bearing receptacle 12 has a receptacle space 20 in which the bearing section 9 is firmly mounted. The receptacle space 20 is open at the front and rear. The bearing section 9 can be inserted into the receptacle space 20 from the front and projects out of the receptacle space 20 beyond the rear. The bearing section 9 has lateral clamping tabs 26 which protrude at right angles from the bearing section 9 and provide a clamping effect in the receptacle space 20. In the rear area, the receptacle space 20 has a stop 21 against which the bearing section 9 abuts.

[0047] Other types of connection between the bearing section 9 and the bearing holder 12 are also conceivable, for example the bearing section 9 can be firmly connected to the bearing holder 12 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner.

[0048] The active surface 6 is provided by an active section 22. In the embodiment shown, the active section 22 is at least partially provided by a side edge 23. The side edge 23 completely or partially surrounds the actuating element 3 and extends essentially at right angles to the front surface 4 and / or the rear surface 5. However, the active section 22 can also protrude from the rear surface 5 of the actuating element 3.

[0049] Preferably, the active section 22 protrudes rearwardly from the rear surface 5 with a partial section 24. In the area where the return element 7 acts on the active section 22, at least one support rib 25 is arranged, which supports the partial section 24, which protrudes rearwardly from the rear surface 5, toward the rear surface 5.

[0050] The at least one hinge 8 between the bearing plate 2 and the actuating element 3 has at least a first hinge part 27 and at least one second hinge part 28. The hinge parts 27, 28 are pivotable relative to one another and engage with one another. The first hinge part 27 is arranged on the bearing plate 2, and the second hinge part 28 is arranged on the actuating element 3. The first hinge part 27 is a hinge receptacle, and the second hinge part 28 is a hinge pin. Alternatively, the first hinge part 27 can be a hinge pin, and the second hinge part 28 can be a hinge receptacle.

[0051] In the embodiment shown, the bearing receptacle 12 is positioned between the rear side 11 of the bearing plate 2 and the first hinge part 27. This means that the bearing section 9 of the return element 7 extends below the first hinge part 27. This allows for a compact arrangement.

[0052] In the embodiment shown, one return element 7 is arranged per hinge 8, wherein a respective return element 7 is assigned to a respective hinge 8.

[0053] However, the at least one return element 7 can also be arranged at a different location, independent of the hinge 8. This means that the bearing support 12 is arranged at a distance from the at least one hinge 8. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0054] 1 Actuating unit α angle 2 bearing plate β angle 3 Actuating element δ angle 4 front surface 5 back surface 6 Effective area 7 Reset element 8 hinge 9 Storage section 10 spring section 11 back 12 Stock taking 13 Effective range 14 Transition area 15 Rounding 16 breakthrough 17 plate edge 18 Storage space 19 Contact surface 20 recording room 21 stop 22 Effective section 23 Page margin 24 Subsection 25 Support rib 26 clamping tabs 27 first hinge part 28 second hinge part

Claims

1. Actuating unit (1) for actuating a flush valve, comprising a bearing plate (2), at least one actuating element (3) movable relative to the bearing plate (2) and having a front surface (4) and a rear surface (5), as well as at least one active surface (6) oriented at an angle (α, alpha) inclined to the front surface (4) and / or to the rear surface (5), and at least one return element (7) acting on the actuating element (3) via the active surface (6), with which the at least one actuating element (3) can be moved back into an initial position after actuation, wherein the at least one actuating element (3) is pivotally connected to the bearing plate (2) via at least one hinge (8), wherein the return element (7) has a bearing section (9) and a spring section (10), wherein the bearing plate (2) has a bearing receptacle (12) on its rear side (11),in which the return element (7) is fixedly mounted with the bearing section (9), and wherein the spring section (10) protrudes from the bearing plate (2) with an effective area (13) at an angle (β, beta) inclined to the rear side (11) and acts on the effective surface (6) of the actuating element (3).

2. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the spring section (10) adjoins the bearing section (9) with a transition region (14), wherein the active region (13) adjoins the transition region (14), wherein the transition region (14) is preferably rounded with a curve (15).

3. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the spring section (10) is designed as a spring tab which undergoes a bend during actuation.

4. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe bearing plate (2) has at least one opening (16) which is delimited by a plate edge (17), wherein the at least one actuating element (3) lies in the at least one opening (16), and wherein the spring section (11) protrudes at least partially from the plate edge (17) into the clear width of the opening (16).

5. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bearing section (9) and the spring section (10) extend at an angle (δ, delta) to each other, wherein the angle (δ, delta) is in the range from 60° to 120°, in particular from 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, particularly preferably from 90°, and / or thatthe bearing section (9) has a bearing surface (18) which runs parallel to the rear surface (5), and in that the active region (13) has a contact surface (19) which rests on the active surface (6), wherein the bearing surface (18) runs at an angle (δ, delta) inclined to the contact surface (19), wherein the angle (δ, delta) is in the range from 60° to 120°, in particular from 75° to 105° or 80° to 100°, particularly preferably from 90°.

6. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the said angle (δ, delta) becomes smaller or larger when the actuating element is actuated compared to the initial position.

7. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing section (9) is firmly connected to the bearing holder (12) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and / or material-fitting manner.

8. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe bearing holder (12) has a receiving space (20) in which the bearing section (9) is fixedly mounted.

9. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 8, characterized by that the bearing section (9) can be inserted into the receiving space (20); and / or that the receiving space (20) is open at the front and rear, wherein the bearing section (9) can be inserted into the receiving space (20) from the front and projects out of the receiving space (20) beyond the rear, wherein a stop (21) preferably extends away from the rear (11) and the bearing section (9) strikes this stop (21).

10. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one hinge (8) has at least a first hinge part (27) and at least a second hinge part (28), wherein the hinge parts (27, 28) are pivotally engaged with each other, wherein the first hinge part (27) is arranged on the bearing plate (2) and the second hinge part (28) is arranged on the actuating element (3).

11. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing holder (12) is placed between the back (11) of the bearing plate (2) and the first hinge part (27).

12. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a return element (7) is arranged per hinge (8), wherein a respective return element (7) is assigned to a respective hinge (8).

13. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 11, characterized in thatthe bearing holder (12) is arranged at a distance from at least one hinge (8).

14. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the active surface (6) is provided by an active section (22), wherein the active section (22) is provided at least partially by a side edge (23), which side edge (23) completely or partially surrounds the actuating element (3), wherein the side edge (23) preferably runs substantially at right angles to the front surface (4) and / or to the rear surface (5); or wherein the active section (22) protrudes from the rear surface (5) of the actuating element (3).

15. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 14, characterized in thatthe active section (22) projects backwards from the rear surface (5) with a partial section (24), wherein in the region on which the return element (7) acts on the active section (22), at least one support rib (25) is arranged, which supports the partial section (24) that projects backwards from the rear surface (5) towards the rear surface (5).

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