Filling valve

Abstract

A filling valve (1) for filling a cistern with flushing water, comprising a valve housing (2), a water guide channel (3) arranged in the valve housing (2) with an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), wherein flushing water can be guided in the flow direction (F) from the inlet (4) to the outlet (5), and a controlled, in particular a float-controlled, valve (6) with a valve tappet (7) and a valve seat (8), wherein the valve tappet (7) can be moved back and forth between a closed position, in which the valve tappet (7) rests with a sealing section (9) sealingly on the valve seat (8) in such a way that the water guide channel (3) is closed, and a flow position, in which the valve tappet (7) lies with the sealing section (9) at a distance from the valve seat (8) in such a way that the water guide channel is open, wherein the filling valve (1) further comprises at least one compression unit (10) with a damping element (11),which damping element (11) provides an output volume, wherein the output volume can be compressed to a compression volume upon the occurrence of a pressure shock resulting from the closing of the valve stem (7).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a filling valve for a cistern according to the preamble of claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Filling valves for filling cisterns with flushing water are known from the state of the art.

[0003] For example, EP 1 175 576 discloses such a filling valve, wherein the water is guided through the filling valve in a water guide channel. The filling valve of EP 1 175 576 has a float-controlled diaphragm valve.

[0004] When the filling valves close, the sudden stop in the water flow can cause pressure surges or water hammer in the supply line upstream of the valve stem. Such pressure surges or water hammers place a strain on the pipe network and the filling valve.

[0005] If the filling valve is designed as a diaphragm valve, very high pressure shocks or pressure impulses can even lead to damage to the diaphragm, which ultimately results in a leaky filling valve. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Based on the general state of the art of filling valves, the present invention is based on the object of providing a filling valve that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a particularly preferred object of the present invention is to provide a filling valve that reduces pressure surges during the closing process.

[0007] These and other objects are achieved by the filling valve according to claim 1. Accordingly, a filling valve for filling a cistern with flushing water comprises a valve housing, a water guide channel arranged in the valve housing with an inlet and an outlet, wherein flushing water can be guided in the direction of flow from the inlet to the outlet, and a controlled, in particular a float-controlled, valve with a valve stem and a valve seat. The valve stem can be moved back and forth between a closed position, in which the valve stem rests sealingly on the valve seat with a sealing section such that the water guide channel is closed, and a flow position, in which the valve stem lies with the sealing section at a distance from the valve seat such that the water guide channel is open.The filling valve further comprises at least one compression unit with a damping element, which damping element provides an output volume, wherein the output volume can be compressed to a compression volume upon the occurrence of a pressure shock resulting from the closing of the valve stem.

[0008] When the valve closes, the water flow is abruptly stopped, resulting in the aforementioned pressure surge. By compressing the damping element from the initial volume to the compression volume, the pressure surge created when the valve stem closes is reduced or dissipated. The damping element thus dampens the pressure surge when the valve closes, minimizing damage to the filling valve and / or upstream components.

[0009] In other words, when a pressure surge occurs when the valve stem closes, the output volume can be compressed to a compression volume such that the pressure surge occurring when the valve stem closes can be reduced or eliminated.

[0010] Preferably, the damping element is designed such that it returns to its original volume after the pressure surge has ceased. The damping element is designed to be elastically resilient.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one damping element has the shape of an elastically formed solid body, which solid body is compressible from the initial volume to the compression volume.

[0012] For example, the damping element is a porous foam, a closed-cell foam, or a gas-filled body, in particular an elastomer body.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the at least one damping element has a gas volume, in particular an air volume, which gas volume can be compressed from the initial volume to the compression volume. The air volume is filled with air. Air has a compression modulus, which is advantageous for pressure surges that occur.

[0014] In further developments, it is conceivable that either at least one of the damping elements is used as a solid body or at least one of the damping elements is used as a gas volume; or that either at least one of the damping elements is used as a solid body and at least one of the damping elements is used as a gas volume.

[0015] The compression volume is preferably in the range of 30% to 95%, in particular in the range of 50% to 90%, of the initial volume. The initial volume is preferably in the range of 150 mm 3 to 2000 mm 3 , in particular in the range of 250 mm 3 to 1500 mm 3 . Pressure shock can be particularly effectively absorbed at these initial volumes.

[0016] Preferably, the at least one compression unit is arranged upstream of the valve seat, as seen in the flow direction of the flushing water. In other words, the compression unit is preferably arranged between the inlet and the valve seat in the water guide channel.

[0017] Preferably, the at least one compression unit is an air-filled chamber. The chamber is bounded by a wall.

[0018] In a first variant, the wall has an opening which, in the installed position, is located such that a partial volume of the chamber is above the opening, such that if water enters through the opening, the partial volume always contains air.

[0019] Preferably, the chamber has the shape of a cylinder, in particular a circular cylinder. Preferably, the opening is located on the base surface.

[0020] Preferably, the cylinder is positioned in the installed position such that its central axis runs horizontally and the opening, when viewed in the installed position, is preferably located on or below the central axis of the cylinder.

[0021] The horizontal runs in a direction perpendicular to the plumb line.

[0022] Particularly preferably, the wall comprises two spaced-apart base wall sections and a side wall section connecting the two base wall sections. Preferably, one of the two base wall sections is designed as a cover that can be connected to the side wall section, with the other of the two base wall sections being integrally connected to the side wall section. Preferably, said opening is arranged in the cover. The cover can preferably be connected to the side wall section in a watertight manner. Particularly preferably, the cover can be connected to the side wall section in a materially bonded manner, in particular via a welded connection.

[0023] In a second variant, the wall has a chamber opening, which is closed with an elastic membrane. The chamber is thus delimited or essentially completely delimited by the wall and the elastic membrane. The membrane is preferably water-impermeable and attached to the wall in a water-tight manner, thus preventing water from penetrating the chamber. Particularly preferably, the elastic membrane is held in the chamber opening by a bearing ring.

[0024] The filling valve preferably also has a control chamber which is separated from the water guide channel by a membrane element. The valve stem is mounted in the membrane element. The membrane element extends from the valve stem to the wall of the control chamber. The membrane element is fixedly mounted in the wall of the control chamber. The membrane element has a through-opening which allows the control chamber to be filled with flushing water from the water guide channel. The control chamber preferably has a control valve which can be controlled by a control element. When the control valve is open, the membrane element with the valve stem can be moved from the closed position to the flow position due to the water pressure in the water guide channel. When the control valve is closed, the membrane element with the valve stem can be moved from the flow position to the closed position due to the water pressure in the control chamber.

[0025] The control element is preferably a float that floats in the cistern and closes the control valve when the specified flush water level is reached. However, the control element can also be designed differently.

[0026] Preferably, the compression unit is arranged in the control chamber.

[0027] Preferably, the compression unit or the chamber is arranged on the valve tappet, wherein the compression unit or the chamber is arranged on the valve tappet in such a way that the compression unit or the chamber is located in the control chamber.

[0028] Even in embodiments without a control chamber, the compression unit can be arranged on the valve tappet.

[0029] Preferably, the water guide channel is delimited by a side wall, wherein the compression unit is arranged on the side wall or is integrated into the side wall.

[0030] Preferably, a cylindrical receiving structure is arranged in the water guide channel, wherein the compression unit is annular and rests on the cylindrical receiving structure.

[0031] Preferably, the filling valve further comprises an insert that is connected to the valve housing in the region of the inlet, wherein the cylindrical receiving structure is provided by the insert. Alternatively, the cylindrical receiving structure is part of the valve housing.

[0032] Further embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] 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 sectional view of a filling valve according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a detailed view of the filling valve according to Figure 1 in the closed position; Fig. 3 a detailed view of the filling valve after Figure 1 in the flow position; Fig. 4 a perspective detailed view of the Figure 3 ; Fig. 5a-5c show various detailed views of a particularly preferred compression unit; and Fig. 6a-6c show various detailed views of a particularly preferred compression unit. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The figures show a filling valve 1 for filling a cistern with flushing water according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] The filling valve 1 comprises a valve housing 2, a water guide channel 3 arranged in the valve housing 2 with an inlet 4 and an outlet 5 and a valve 6 blocking or releasing the water guide channel 3. The valve 6 has a valve stem 7 and a valve seat 8. In a closed position, as in the Figure 3 As shown, the valve stem 7 rests with a sealing section 9 sealingly on the valve seat 8, so that the water guide channel 3 is blocked. In a flow position, as in the Figure 4 As shown, the valve stem 7 with the sealing section 9 is spaced from the valve seat 8, so that the water guide channel 3 is open or released. The valve stem 7 can be moved back and forth between the closed position and the flow position. Figure 1The water flow can be seen. The flushing water enters the water guide channel 3 via inlet 4 and then flows in a horizontal channel section 31 to the valve 6. From the valve 6, the flushing water flows into a vertical channel section 32. The horizontal channel section 31 extends around the vertical channel section 32 shortly before the valve 6.

[0036] Furthermore, the filling valve 1 has at least one compression unit 10 with a damping element 11. As explained further below, two compression units 10 are shown in the embodiment shown. However, only one of the two compression units 10 can also be arranged.

[0037] The damping element 11 of the at least one compression unit 10 provides an output volume. The output volume can be compressed to a compression volume when a pressure surge occurs when the valve stem 7 closes. This compression can reduce the resulting pressure surge.

[0038] In the embodiment shown, the first variant of the compression unit 10 is a chamber 12, which is Figures 2 to 4 as well as in the Figures 5a to 5c and in the Figures 6a to 6c is clearly visible. The chamber 12 has a volume of air located within the chamber 12 as the damping element 11. The chamber 12 is delimited by a wall 13. In other, more general terms, the damping element 11 is a gas volume, in this case an air volume. The gas volume can be compressed from the initial volume to the compression volume.

[0039] The chamber 12 can be arranged in various ways. In the embodiment shown, the chamber 12 is located on the valve stem 7. However, the chamber 12 can also be arranged differently. Here, the chamber 12, as shown by the Figures 4 to 6c visible, the shape of a cylinder, in particular a circular cylinder.

[0040] In the Figures 5a to 5c a variant of the compression unit 10 with the chamber 12 is shown. Figures 5a and 5b show this variant as exploding views and the Figure 5c shows this variant in the assembled state. In the variant of the compression unit 10 according to the Figures 5a to 5c , the wall 13 of the chamber 12 has an opening 14. The opening 14 is located in the installed position such that a partial volume 15 of the chamber 15 is above the opening 14, such that when water enters through the opening 14, the partial volume 15 always contains air. The partial volume is in the Figure 4 and 5ashown hatched. When the pressure surge occurs, the pressure expands through opening 14 into the chamber and the air volume is compressed.

[0041] The opening 14 is located here on the base surface 25. In the installed position, the cylinder lies such that its central axis M runs horizontally. The opening 14 is preferably located on or below the central axis of the cylinder when viewed in the installed position. Structurally, the wall 13 has two spaced-apart base wall sections 26 and a side wall section 27 connecting the two base wall sections 26. One of the two base wall sections 26 is designed as a cover 28. The cover 28 is connectable to the side wall section 27. The other of the two base wall sections 26 is integrally connected to the side wall section 27. In the embodiment shown, the said opening 14 is preferably arranged in the cover 28.

[0042] In the Figures 6a to 6canother variant of the compression unit 10 with the chamber 12 is shown. Figures 6a and 6b show this variant as exploding views and the Figure 6c shows this variant in the assembled state. In the variant of the compression unit 10 according to the Figures 6a to 6cthe wall 13 of the chamber 12 has a chamber opening 33. The chamber opening 33 is closed with an elastic membrane 34. The elastic membrane 34 extends completely over the cross-section of the chamber opening 33. The chamber 12 is, as mentioned above, filled with air. When a pressure surge occurs, the elastic membrane 34 is moved into the chamber 12 and the air volume in the chamber 12 is compressed. In the embodiment shown, the elastic membrane 34 is held by a bearing ring 35 in a membrane receptacle 36 in the region of the chamber opening 33. The bearing ring 35 can be held in the chamber opening 33 in a force-fitting and / or form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner. The elastic membrane 34 preferably closes the chamber 12 completely.

[0043] From all figures it is further evident that the at least one compression unit 10 is arranged in front of the valve seat 8, as seen in the flow direction F of the flushing water.

[0044] In the embodiment shown, the filling valve 1 further comprises a control chamber 16, which is separated from the water guide channel by a membrane element 17. The valve stem 7 is mounted in the membrane element 17, and the membrane element 17 extends from the valve stem 7 to the wall 18 of the control chamber 16. The membrane element 17 has a through-opening 19, which allows the control chamber 16 to be filled with flushing water from the water guide channel 3. The control chamber 16 has a control valve 20, which can be controlled by a control element 21. When the control valve 21 is open, the membrane element 17 with the valve stem 7 can be moved from the closed position to the flow position due to the water pressure in the water guide channel 3, and when the control valve 21 is closed, the membrane element 17 with the valve stem 7 can be moved from the flow position to the closed position due to the water pressure in the control chamber 16.In the embodiment shown, the control valve 21 is controlled by a float 29, which acts on the control valve via a linkage (not shown).

[0045] The compression unit 10, here the chamber 12, is arranged in the control chamber 16. The pressure surge expands through the through-opening 19 in the diaphragm element 17 into the control chamber 16, where it is dampened by the compression unit 10.

[0046] The compression unit 10, preferably the chamber 12, is arranged on the valve tappet 7, as already mentioned above, in the variant shown. The compression unit 10 or the chamber 12 is arranged on the valve tappet 7 in such a way that the compression unit 10 or the chamber 12 is located in the control chamber 16.

[0047] In the embodiment shown, the second variant of the compression unit 10 is an elastically formed solid body. The solid body can be compressed from the initial volume to the compression volume.

[0048] A particularly preferred embodiment of the solid body is described in the Figures 1 to 3 shown. A cylindrical receiving structure 23 is arranged in the water guide channel 3, wherein the compression unit is annular and rests on the cylindrical receiving structure.

[0049] In the embodiment shown, the filling valve further comprises an insert 24. The insert 24 is connected to the valve housing 2 in the region of the inlet 4. Here, the cylindrical receiving structure 23 is provided by the insert 24. The insert 24 is secured to the valve housing 2 via a union nut 30. However, the cylindrical receiving structure 23 can also be arranged on the valve housing.

[0050] In all embodiments, the compression volume is preferably in the range of 30% to 95%, in particular in the range of 50% to 90%, of the initial volume. Preferably, the initial volume is in the range of 150 mm 3 to 2000 mm 3 , in particular in the range of 250 mm 3 to 1500 mm 3 . LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0051] 1 Filling valve 2 Valve housing 3 Water guide channel 4 Inlet 5 Outlet 6 Valve 7 Valve stem 8 Valve seat 9 Sealing section 10 Compression unit 11 Damping element 12 Chamber 13 Wall 14 Opening 15 Partial volume 16 Control chamber 17 Membrane element 18 Wall 19 Through-opening 20 Control valve 21 Control element 22 Side wall 23 Cylindrical receiving structure 24 Insert 25 Base area 26 Base wall section 27 Side wall section 28 Cover 29 Float 30 Union nut 31 Horizontal channel section 32 Vertical channel section 33 Chamber opening 34 Elastic membrane 35 Bearing ring 34 Membrane receptacle F Flow direction M Central axis

Claims

1. Filling valve (1) for filling a cistern with flushing water, comprising a valve housing (2), a water guide channel (3) arranged in the valve housing (2) with an inlet (4) and an outlet (5), wherein flushing water can be guided in the flow direction (F) from the inlet (4) to the outlet (5), and a controlled, in particular a float-controlled, valve (6) with a valve stem (7) and a valve seat (8), wherein the valve stem (7) can be moved back and forth between a closed position, in which the valve stem (7) rests with a sealing section (9) sealingly on the valve seat (8) such that the water guide channel (3) is closed, and a flow position, in which the valve stem (7) lies with the sealing section (9) at a distance from the valve seat (8) such that the water guide channel is open, characterized in thatthe filling valve (1) further comprises at least one compression unit (10) with a damping element (11), which damping element (11) provides an output volume, wherein the output volume can be compressed to a compression volume upon the occurrence of a pressure shock arising when the valve tappet (7) closes.

2. Filling valve (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the damping element (11) is designed in such a way that, after the pressure surge has ceased, it returns to its original volume.

3. Filling valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one damping element (11) has the shape of an elastically formed solid body, which solid body can be compressed from the initial volume to the compression volume.

4. Filling valve (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in thatthe at least one damping element (11) has a gas volume, in particular an air volume, which gas volume can be compressed from the initial volume to the compression volume.

5. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the compression volume is in the range of 30% to 95%, in particular in the range of 50% to 90%, of the initial volume; and / or that the initial volume is in the range of 150 mm 3 up to 2000 mm 3 , especially in the range of 250 mm 3 up to 1500 mm 3 , is.

6. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one compression unit (10) is arranged in front of the valve seat (8) as seen in the flow direction (F) of the flushing water.

7. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe at least one compression unit (10) is a chamber (12) filled with air, wherein the chamber (12) is delimited by a wall (13).

8. Filling valve (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the wall (13) has an opening (14) which, in the installed position, is located such that a partial volume (15) of the chamber (12) is located above the opening (14), such that when water enters through the opening (14), the partial volume (15) always contains air.

9. Filling valve (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the chamber (12) has the shape of a cylinder, in particular a circular cylinder, wherein the opening (14) is preferably placed on the base surface (25); and / or wherein the cylinder is positioned in the installed position such that its central axis (M) extends horizontally and wherein the opening (14), viewed in the installed position, is preferably located on or below the central axis of the cylinder.

10. Filling valve according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in thatthe wall (13) has two base wall sections (26) located at a distance from one another and a side wall section (27) connecting the two base wall sections (26), wherein one of the two base wall sections (26) is designed as a cover (28) which can be connected to the side wall section (27), wherein the other of the two base wall sections (26) is integrally connected to the side wall section (27); and wherein said opening (14) is preferably arranged in the cover (28).

11. Filling valve according to one of claims 7, characterized in that the wall (13) has a chamber opening (33), which chamber opening (33) is closed with an elastic membrane (34).

12. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe filling valve (1) further comprises a control chamber (16) which is separated from the water guide channel by a membrane element (17), wherein the valve stem (7) is mounted in the membrane element (17) and wherein the membrane element (17) extends from the valve stem (7) to the wall (18) of the control chamber (16), wherein the membrane element (17) has a through-opening (19) which allows filling of the control chamber (16) with flushing water from the water guide channel (3), wherein the control chamber (16) has a control valve (20), which control valve (20) can be controlled by a control element (21),and wherein, when the control valve (21) is open, the membrane element (17) with the valve tappet (7) is movable from the closed position to the flow position due to the water pressure in the water guide channel (3), and wherein, when the control valve (21) is closed, the membrane element (17) with the valve tappet (7) is movable from the flow position to the closed position due to the water pressure in the control chamber (16).

13. Filling valve (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the compression unit (10) is arranged in the control chamber (16).

14. Filling valve (1) according to claim 7 to 13, characterized in that the compression unit (10), preferably the chamber (12), is arranged on the valve tappet (7), wherein the compression unit (10) or the chamber (12) is arranged on the valve tappet (7) in such a way that the compression unit (10) or the chamber (12) lies in the control chamber (16).

15. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe compression unit (10) is arranged on the valve tappet (7).

16. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the water guide channel (3) is delimited by a side wall (22) and that the compression unit (10) is arranged on the side wall (22) or is integrated into the side wall (22).

17. Filling valve (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cylindrical receiving structure (23) is arranged in the water guide channel (3), wherein the compression unit is annular and rests on the cylindrical receiving structure.

18. Filling valve (1) according to claim 17, characterized in that the filling valve further comprises an insert (24) which is connected to the valve housing (2) in the region of the inlet, wherein the cylindrical receiving structure is provided by the insert; or that the cylindrical receiving structure (23) is part of the valve housing (2).

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