Actuating unit

Abstract

An actuating unit (1) for actuating a flushing valve comprises a bearing plate (2) and at least one actuating element (3) movable relative to the bearing plate (2), the actuating element having a front surface (4) and a rear surface (5). The at least one actuating element (3) is pivotably connected to the bearing plate (2) via at least one hinge (6). The at least one hinge (6) has a bolt receptacle (7) and a bolt (8) pivotably mounted in the bolt receptacle (7) about a pivot axis (S). The bolt receptacle (7) has a through opening (9) through which the bolt (8) can be inserted into the bolt receptacle (7) in a direction transverse to the pivot axis (S). The bolt receptacle (7) has a retaining tab (11) on at least one of the edges (10) that define the opening (9), which, when the bolt (8) is inserted, provides a stop to prevent the bolt (8) from moving out of the bolt receptacle (7).

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 1 491 690 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 activating a flush is mounted. The actuating button is connected to the actuating plate via a hinge. Applying considerable force to the actuating button has the disadvantage that the hinge pin can be forced out of the hinge socket. PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Based on this prior art, the invention is based on the object of providing an actuating unit that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, an actuating unit is to be provided whose actuating elements have an improved hinge configuration, in particular such that the hinge configuration prevents the actuating element from being pushed out when a greater force is applied to the front surface of the actuating element.

[0004] These and other objects are achieved by the actuating unit for actuating a flush valve according to claim 1. Accordingly, the actuating unit comprises a bearing plate and at least one actuating element which is movable, in particular pivotable, relative to the bearing plate and has a front surface and a rear surface. The at least one actuating element is pivotably connected to the bearing plate via at least one hinge. The at least one hinge has a bolt receptacle and a bolt which is pivotably mounted in the bolt receptacle about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is defined by the central axis of the bolt or by the central axis of the bolt receptacle. The bolt receptacle has a continuous opening through which the bolt can be inserted into the bolt receptacle in a direction transverse to the pivot axis.The bolt receptacle has a retaining tab on at least one of the edges that limit the opening, which, when the bolt is inserted, provides a stop for movement of the bolt out of the bolt receptacle.

[0005] The arrangement of the retaining tab provides the advantage that, even when a large force is applied to the at least one actuating element, the bolt cannot be forced out of the bolt receptacle. The bolt rests against the retaining tab. In other words, the retaining tab provides a stop for the bolt, preventing it from being moved out of the hinge receptacle.

[0006] Preferably, at least two hinges are arranged per actuating element.

[0007] The retaining tab is positioned in such a way that the clear width of the opening is reduced. This means that the retaining tab extends into the opening from the edge that defines the opening.

[0008] Preferably, the retaining tab is elastically resilient and / or elastically resiliently mounted, such that the retaining tab is moved elastically when the bolt is inserted into the bolt receptacle. The shape of the retaining tab is such that, after the bolt has been inserted into the bolt receptacle, it provides resistance or a stop against the bolt being pushed out.

[0009] The elastic mobility is such that the clear width of the opening increases when the bolt is inserted and returns to its original position when the bolt is inserted.

[0010] Preferably, the retaining tab has a retaining surface which is oriented in such a way that it acts as a stop against the bolt when it moves out of the bolt receptacle.

[0011] Preferably, the retaining tab protrudes into the bolt receptacle when viewed from the opening.

[0012] Preferably, the retaining tab extends, as viewed in the direction of the pivot axis, over a portion of the length of the edge or over a portion of the length of the opening. Alternatively, the retaining tab extends, as viewed in the direction of the pivot axis, over the entire length of the edge or over the entire length of the opening.

[0013] Preferably, only one of the two edges has said retaining tab, wherein the edge of the opening opposite the retaining tab preferably has a concave rounding.

[0014] Alternatively, both edges have the aforementioned retaining tab.

[0015] Preferably, the wall areas of the bolt receptacle adjacent to the opening are designed as elastic spring tabs, with the wall areas protruding from the bearing plate. This means that the wall areas can deform elastically when the bolt is inserted into the bolt receptacle. The opening, or the edge facing the opening, is located at the free end or in the area of ​​the free end of the respective wall area.

[0016] When the bolt is inserted, the wall sections designed as spring tabs expand radially away from the bolt. When the bolt is fully inserted, the spring tabs spring back to their original position.

[0017] The bolt preferably has at least one cylindrical bearing section, which pivotably rests against the inner wall that defines the bolt receptacle. The inner wall is also cylindrical in the area in which the at least one cylindrical bearing section rests. The cylindrical configuration of the bearing section and the inner wall is preferably circular-cylindrical.

[0018] Preferably, the bolt has at least one retaining section whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the bearing section. The retaining tab acts on the retaining section, in particular, the retaining tab acts exclusively on the retaining section and not on the bearing section.

[0019] Preferably, a retaining section is arranged adjacent to at least one bearing section. Particularly preferably, a retaining section is arranged between two bearing sections. This means that the retaining element extends between two sections of the aforementioned inner wall.

[0020] Preferably, the retaining section has a cylindrical cross-section, from which at least one rib protrudes radially relative to the cylindrical cross-section. Preferably, two ribs are arranged.

[0021] The ribs stiffen the cross-section of the retaining section.

[0022] Preferably, when the bolt is in the bolt receptacle, at least one of the ribs or the rib itself is located substantially opposite the retaining tab. As a result, when force is applied, the rib is pressed against the inner wall of the bolt receptacle and the cylindrical cross-section is pressed against the retaining element.

[0023] Preferably, at least one of the ribs and the retaining tab have the same length and / or the same position in the direction of the pivot axis.

[0024] Preferably, at least one of the ribs is located opposite the opening with respect to the pivot axis.

[0025] Preferably, two ribs are present. The two ribs can be at an angle of 75° to 135°, in particular 80° to 100°, and most preferably 90°, to each other. Other angles are also conceivable.

[0026] Preferably, at least one of the edges defining the aperture has a lead-in surface. Preferably, the retaining tab has a lead-in surface opposite the bolt receptacle. The arrangement of lead-in surfaces can facilitate the insertion of the bolt into the bolt receptacle.

[0027] Preferably, the bolt is mounted on at least one actuating element via two bearing tabs.

[0028] Preferably, the bolt receptacle is integrally formed on the bearing plate, and the bolt is integrally formed on the actuating element. Alternatively, the bolt receptacle can be integrally formed on the actuating element, and the bolt can be integrally formed on the bearing plate.

[0029] The actuating unit preferably further comprises a return element, which acts on the actuating element via an active surface. The return element allows the at least one actuating element to be moved back to an initial position after actuation. The return element is preferably mounted in a bearing location located below the hinge mount.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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.

[0032] The said back of the bearing plate is formed by the plate edge.

[0033] 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.

[0034] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] 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 an exploded perspective view of the actuating unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled actuating unit according to Figure 1 ; Fig. 3a a sectional view of the Figure 1 ; Fig. 3b Detailed view of the Figure 3a; Fig. 4 a detailed view of the hinge pin; Fig. 5 a sectional view through the hinge of the actuating unit according to the previous figures during assembly; Fig. 6 a sectional view through the hinge of the actuating unit according to the previous figures after assembly; Fig. 7 a further sectional view through the hinge of the actuating unit according to the previous figures after assembly; Fig. 8 the sectional view according to Figure 6 when a force is applied to the actuating element; and Fig. 9 a perspective detailed view of the Figures 6 to 7 . DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] 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.

[0037] The actuating unit 1 comprises a bearing plate 2 and at least one, here two, actuating elements 3, which are movable relative to the bearing plate 2. The at least one actuating element 3 is pivotally connected to the bearing plate 2 via at least one hinge 8. The at least one actuating element 3 can be pivoted relative to the bearing plate 2 via a pivot axis S.

[0038] In the Figure 1 The actuating unit 1 is shown before the assembly of at least one actuating element 3. Figure 1It can be clearly seen that the hinge 8 has a bolt receptacle 7 and a bolt 8 pivotably mounted in the bolt receptacle 7 about a pivot axis S. The bolt receptacle 7 is part of the bearing plate 2 and the bolt 8 is part of the actuating element 3. In other embodiments, it is also possible for the bolt receptacle 7 to be part of the actuating element 3 and for the bolt 8 to be part of the bearing plate 2. Two hinges 8 are arranged per actuating element 3.

[0039] In the Figure 2 the assembled actuating unit 1 is shown, wherein the at least one actuating element 2 is connected to the bearing plate 2 by the at least one hinge 6.

[0040] In the Figure 3a and in the detailed view of the Figure 3bit is shown that the bolt receptacle 7 has a continuous opening 9. The bolt 8 can be inserted into the bolt receptacle 7 through this continuous opening 9. The bolt 8 is inserted into the bolt receptacle 7 along the arrow P. The bolt receptacle 7 has a retaining tab 11 on at least one of the edges 10 which delimit the opening 9. The retaining tab 11 projects into the opening 9 as seen in cross-section so that its clear width W is reduced. Furthermore, the retaining tab 11 projects into the bolt receptacle 7 from the opening 9 as seen. When the bolt 8 is inserted, the retaining tab 11 provides a stop for movement of the bolt 8 out of the bolt receptacle 7.

[0041] In the embodiment shown, only one of the two edges 10 has the aforementioned retaining tab 11. The other edge 10 of the opening 9 opposite the retaining tab 11 has a concave curve 13.

[0042] In the Figure 5 The bolt 8 is shown during insertion of the bolt 8 into the bolt receptacle 7. Here, the bolt 8 lies in the opening 9. The retaining tab 11 is designed to be elastically springy. The wall areas 14 of the bolt receptacle 7, which adjoin the opening 9, are designed here as elastic spring tabs 15. These wall areas 14 protrude from the bearing plate 2. The retaining tab 11 is arranged here at the front end of the wall areas 14. Consequently, the retaining tab 11 can be moved elastically springy when the bolt 8 is inserted into the bolt receptacle 7. This occurs on the one hand relative to the wall area 14 and on the other hand with the wall area 14 relative to the bearing plate 2.

[0043] In the Figure 6and 7 the bolt 8 is shown in the state in which the bolt 9 is completely in the bolt receptacle 7. In the Figure 8 Finally, the position assumed by the bolt 8 when a large force is exerted on the actuating element 3 is shown. The bolt 8 is then pressed against the retaining tab 11 within the scope of its play in the bolt receptacle 7, and the retaining tab 11 blocks further movement of the bolt 8 out of the bolt receptacle 7.

[0044] The retaining tab 11 has a retaining surface 12 for contact with the bolt 8 during the aforementioned force application. The retaining surface 12 is oriented such that it acts as a stop against the bolt 8 when it moves out of the bolt receptacle 7. The retaining surface is preferably located slightly above the pivot axis S.

[0045] Of the Figure 4 and the Figure 9It can be seen that the bolt has at least one bearing section 16 and one retaining section 18. Here, two bearing sections 16 are arranged and the retaining section 18 lies between these two bearing sections 16. The bearing section 16 is cylindrical and pivotably rests against an inner wall 17 that defines the bolt receptacle. The inner wall 17 is also cylindrical. This is shown in the Figure 4 and in cross-section of the Figure 7 which extends through the bearing section 16. The retaining section 18 has an outer diameter which is smaller than the outer diameter of the bearing section 16. This is shown in the cross sections of the Figures 5, 6 and 8shown, which extend through the retaining section 18. The retaining tab 11 acts on the retaining section 18 and comes to lie between the two bearing sections 16. The retaining section 18 projects between the two bearing sections 16 and comes into contact with the retaining section 18. Laterally, the retaining section 18 can be in contact with the annular surfaces that form the diameter jump from the bearing section 16 to the retaining section 18. In the embodiment shown, the retaining tab 11 acts exclusively on the retaining section 18 and not on the bearing section 16. The retaining tab 11 preferably has the same width, viewed in the direction of the pivot axis S, as the retaining section 18. This means that the retaining tab 11 engages radially in the retaining section 11 and lies between the two bearing sections 16 and provides a stop for them for movement in the direction of the pivot axis S.

[0046] In the embodiment shown, the retaining section 18 has a cylindrical cross-section. At least one, here two, ribs 19 project radially from the cylindrical cross-section. The at least one rib 19 provides stiffening of the cross-section of the retaining section.

[0047] Of the Figure 6 and 8 It can be seen that, when the bolt is in the bolt receptacle, at least one of the ribs 19 is located substantially opposite the retaining tab 11. The other of the ribs 19 projects rearwardly toward the inner wall 17 opposite the opening 9. The two ribs 19, which are shown in the preferred embodiment, are at an angle of 75° to 135°, in particular of 80° to 100°, particularly preferably of 90°, to one another.

[0048] From the figures it can further be seen that at least one of the edges 10 which delimit the opening 9 has a run-in surface 20 and that the retaining tab 11 has a run-in surface 20 opposite the bolt receptacle 7.

[0049] Preferably, the bolt 8 is mounted on at least one actuating element via two bearing plates 21. The retaining plate 11 is, as shown in the Figure 9 shown, from a web 23, which forms the front end of the wall areas 14.

[0050] The actuating unit 1 preferably further comprises a return element 24, which acts on the actuating element via an active surface 25. The return element 24 allows the at least one actuating element 3 to be moved back to an initial position after actuation. The return element 24 is preferably mounted in a bearing point 26 located below the bolt receptacle 7. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0051] 1 Actuating unit 2 Bearing plate 3 Actuating element 4 Front surface 5 Rear surface 6 Hinge 7 Bolt receptacle 8 Bolt 9 Opening 10 Edge 11 Retaining tab 12 Retaining surface 13 Concave curve 14 Wall areas 15 Spring tab 16 Cylindrical bearing section 17 Inner wall 18 Retaining section 19 Rib 20 Lead-in surface 21 Bearing tabs 23 Web 24 Return element 25 Effective surface 26 Bearing point S Swivel axis W Clear width PP File

Claims

1. Actuating unit (1) for actuating a flush valve, comprising a bearing plate (2), and at least one actuating element (3) which is movable relative to the bearing plate (2) and has a front surface (4) and a rear surface (5), wherein the at least one actuating element (3) is pivotally connected to the bearing plate (2) via at least one hinge (6), wherein the at least one hinge (6) has a bolt receptacle (7) and a bolt (8) which is pivotably mounted in the bolt receptacle (7) about a pivot axis (S), wherein the bolt receptacle (7) has a continuous opening (9) through which the bolt (8) can be inserted into the bolt receptacle (7) in a direction transverse to the pivot axis (S), characterized by thatthe bolt receptacle (7) has a retaining tab (11) on at least one of the edges (10) which delimit the opening (9), which, when the bolt (8) is inserted, provides a stop for movement of the bolt (8) out of the bolt receptacle (7).

2. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining tab (11) reduces the clear width (W) of the opening (9).

3. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the retaining tab (11) is designed to be elastically resilient and / or is mounted to be elastically resilient, such that the retaining tab (11) is moved in an elastically resilient manner when the bolt (8) is inserted into the bolt receptacle (7).

4. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe retaining tab (11) has a retaining surface (12) which is oriented in such a way that it opposes a stop to the bolt (8) when it moves out of the bolt receptacle.

5. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining tab (11) protrudes into the bolt receptacle (7) as seen from the opening (9).

6. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining tab (11) extends over a partial area of ​​the length of the edge (10) or over a partial area of ​​the length of the opening (9); or that the retaining tab (11) extends over the full length of the edge (10) or over the full length of the opening (9).

7. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by thatonly one of the two edges (10) has said retaining tab (11), wherein the edge (10) of the opening (9) opposite the retaining tab (11) preferably has a concave rounding (13); or that both edges have the said retaining tab (11).

8. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the wall areas (14) of the bolt receptacle (7) which adjoin the opening (9) are designed as elastic spring tabs (15), wherein the wall areas (14) protrude from the bearing plate (2).

9. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe bolt (8) has at least one cylindrically designed bearing section (16) which pivotally rests on the inner wall (17) delimiting the bolt receptacle (7), and in that the bolt (8) has at least one retaining section (18) whose outer diameter is smaller than the outer diameter of the bearing section (16), wherein the retaining tab (11) acts on the retaining section (18), in particular wherein the retaining tab (11) acts exclusively on the retaining section (18) and not on the bearing section (16).

10. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one retaining section (18) is arranged adjacent to at least one bearing section (16), in particular that the retaining section (18) is arranged between two bearing sections (16).

11. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in thatthe retaining section (18) has a cylindrical cross-section from which at least one rib (19) projects radially to the cylindrical cross-section.

12. Actuating unit (1) according to claim 11, characterized by that when the bolt is in the bolt receptacle, at least one of the ribs (19) is substantially opposite the retaining tab (11); and / or that at least one of the ribs (19) and the retaining tab (11) have the same length and / or the same position in the direction of the pivot axis; and / or that at least one of the ribs (19) is located opposite the opening (9) with respect to the pivot axis (S); and / or that two ribs (19) are present which are at an angle of 75° to 135°, in particular of 80° to 100°, particularly preferably of 90°, to each other.

13. Actuating unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatat least one of the edges (10) which delimit the opening (9) has a run-in surface (20); and / or that the retaining tab (11) has a run-in surface (20) opposite the bolt receptacle (7).

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