Leakage protection for a toilet cistern

Abstract

The invention relates to a leak protection device (10) for a concealed water dispensing device (60) with a receiving element (15) forming at least one rear opening (15b) and surrounding the concealed water dispensing device (60) at the bottom, sides and front in the installed state of the leak protection device (10) for receiving the concealed water dispensing device (60) and a closing element (20) closing the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15), wherein in the state of the leak protection device (10) being installed in the room wall (5) the closing element (20) completely covers the concealed water dispensing device (60) at the rear and the closing element (20) is designed to be flat.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a leak protection device for a concealed water dispensing device, its use, and a set consisting of a leak protection device with a mounting frame arranged thereon and / or a concealed cistern included therein.

[0002] Toilets, by definition, have a water flushing mechanism, and the most common solution involves a cistern to store a sufficient volume of flushing water. This water is released into the toilet bowl through a flush pipe upon activation, after which the cistern is refilled from a supply line. Modern cisterns typically consist primarily of an injection-molded or blow-molded plastic tank. Regardless of the material, there is always a small residual risk of leakage with cisterns. For example, minor damage to the cistern could occur during transport, on the construction site, or during installation and go undetected. In the case of concealed cisterns, which are no longer visible after installation in a wall, this could result in a hidden water leak.

[0003] Similar problems arise with other concealed water dispensing devices, e.g. concealed flush valves, i.e. valves for a cistern-less toilet flush, concealed fittings and concealed mixing valves.

[0004] The undetected leaks described are particularly problematic for wooden houses or wooden elements within houses and can lead to significant damage. Therefore, additional protective measures are desirable or even mandatory, depending on the country affected.

[0005] In this context, various solutions exist, including rigid plastic shells or casings positioned more or less away from the cistern, designed to divert leaking water, for example, onto the bathroom floor and thus into a visible area. EP 2 821 557 A serves as an example. Furthermore, it has been proposed to encase the cistern externally with a type of foil bag, as described in EP 2 397 613 A.

[0006] The present invention is based on the objective of providing a practical possibility for leakage protection of a concealed water dispensing device.

[0007] This problem is solved by a leak protection device for a concealed water dispensing device, in particular a concealed cistern for installation in a wall, a concealed flush valve, a concealed fitting or a concealed mixing valve, with a receiving element forming at least one rear opening and surrounding the concealed water dispensing device at the bottom, sides and front when the leak protection device is installed, and a closing element closing the rear opening of the receiving element, wherein, when the leak protection device is installed in the wall, the closing element completely covers the concealed water dispensing device at the rear, and wherein the closing element is flat, as well as its advantageous use.

[0008] Preferred embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and are generally to be understood with regard to all categories of invention.

[0009] For the sake of simplicity and as a representative example, the following will refer only to a cistern, although the invention relates generally to concealed water dispensing devices, and in particular to the specifically mentioned concealed cisterns, concealed flush valves, concealed fittings and concealed mixing valves.

[0010] The invention relates to a leak protection device for the cistern in the form of a watertight casing consisting of at least two parts. This casing comprises a receiving element surrounding the cistern at the bottom, sides, and front, with a rear opening and a closing element that seals this opening. The orientations given refer to the installed state, where "front" means the direction pointing into the room, "rear" means the direction pointing out of the room towards the wall, and "side" refers to the horizontal directions perpendicular to these.

[0011] The closure element is designed to be "flat," meaning its greatest spatial extent lies in a direction perpendicular to its planar extent. However, the closure element may have protrusions, for example, along its circumference and / or in a remote area of ​​its surface. In this case, the closure element is "flat" such that a component depth measured orthogonally to the plane of extent, i.e., a dimension of the closure element in the third spatial direction, is at most 10 cm, and, in the order listed, particularly preferably at most 8 cm, 6 cm, 4 cm, 2 cm, 1 cm, or even 5 mm (see below for details).

[0012] The leak protection serves as a collection container for any leaking water and is therefore designed to be watertight, whereby it does not necessarily (but preferably does) have to reach the full height of the cistern and be watertight, and the cistern is not necessarily (but preferably) also enclosed at the top by the receiving element.

[0013] Of course, drains for leaking water from the protective wall within the room wall do not diminish the importance of watertightness; on the contrary, they are preferable. Instead of, for example, using an electronic sensor to detect the water level in the protective wall, it may simply be desirable to direct any leaking water through a pipe running inside the room wall into the room or into the toilet bowl, thereby attracting attention and prompting repairs.

[0014] According to the invention, the leak protection device is sealed at its rear, i.e., its back, opening by the flat sealing element in such a way that the latter completely and tightly covers the back of the cistern. Put simply, the sealing element (in the installed state of the leak protection device) completely and tightly seals the cistern in a projection perpendicular to the room wall; water escaping from the cistern is reliably collected.

[0015] The advantage of the invention is that the leakage protection has at least two complementary components, one of which, namely the receiving element, realizes all the essential features for receiving the cistern in the wall, and a second of which, namely the closing element, is flat overall and therefore easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0016] Unlike, for example, in the prior art EP 4 273 333A1, where according to Figure 2As described, the leak protection device consists of two shell parts that each partially enclose the cistern. It features a three-dimensional receiving element and an easily manufactured flat sealing element. This offers the further advantage that the cistern can be inserted into the receiving element during factory assembly, and the rear opening can then be sealed watertight, preferably completely, using the easily applied flat sealing element. This reduces the complexity of component manufacturing and simplifies the overall production process of the leak protection device.

[0017] Preferably, the closure element is also flat, at least in the area covering the cistern. The closure element is considered partially or completely "flat" if, in that area or across its entire surface, it is free of protrusions in the third spatial direction of the material that exceed 15%, particularly preferably 10%, and more preferably 5% of the component depth averaged over the area or the entire surface of the closure element. The overall flat and partially level design of the closure element contributes to improved manufacturability, e.g., with regard to the number of units produced per unit of time (productive strokes), material usage, and tooling costs, as well as reduced space requirements for storage and transport, and improved stackability and assembly.

[0018] Preferably, the closure element is designed to be dimensionally stable. This simplifies the installation of the closure element and also protects the cistern from damage once installed. A closure element is described as "dimensionally stable" if it possesses a certain inherent rigidity, meaning it essentially retains its shape under the various stresses encountered during manufacturing, assembly, and installation, without deforming (beyond the limits of the inherent elasticity of the material used). Dimensionally stable closure elements, e.g., made of plastic, are in some respects more stable than flexible ones and therefore less prone to damage, for example, if a pre-assembled mounting frame with a cistern and leak protection device is accidentally bumped or even falls over on the construction site. Preferably, the dimensionally stable closure element has a medium, i.e.,averaged over its spatial extent, material thickness of at most 3 cm, 2 cm or 1 cm (with possible lower limits of e.g. 1 mm, 2 mm or 5 mm).

[0019] Furthermore, the sealing element of the leak protection device features a reinforcing rib that rises from a plane defined by the largest spatial extent of the sealing element and, in the assembled state, projects into the rear opening of the receiving element. This reinforcing rib preferably runs along an outer circumference of the sealing element and is spaced inwards from it. The reinforcing rib serves two purposes: firstly, it stiffens the sealing element, which is advantageous, for example, during assembly, and secondly, it can also act as a positioning aid, thus facilitating the assembly of the leak protection device. Additionally, the surface formed between the base of the reinforcing rib and the outer circumference of the sealing element can create a preferably circumferential sealing flange, by means of which the sealing element can be joined to the receiving element in a watertight manner.Typically, both the receiving element and the closing element are made of plastic, so that a watertight connection is achieved, for example, via suitable adhesives or by welding the two elements together.

[0020] Preferably, the sealing element has a support section for bracing a flush pipe attached to the cistern and leading from it to a toilet. More precisely, when the leak protection device is installed, the support section secures the flush pipe horizontally against displacement, for example, during toilet bowl installation. This prevents the flush pipe from being pushed into the leak protection device during toilet installation, thus preventing an unwanted leak from forming between them.

[0021] Alternatively (and in addition to the reinforcing rib), the locking element can also be completely flat. Compared to a partially flat design, this has the advantage that the mounting element can be manufactured even more cost-effectively and easily, and it may also be possible to process sheets or rolls of a plastic raw material into locking elements by cutting.

[0022] Preferably, especially in the case of a completely flat closure element, this element is flexible, in particular a film. "Flexible" within the meaning of this application and with regard to the film means that the material can be changed in shape without damage (e.g., by breaking), i.e., it can be rolled up, folded over, or flipped over. The aim is, for example, to apply the film to the edges of the receiving element during assembly and to join it in such a way as to create a watertight connection between the receiving and closure elements. Of course, certain sections may exhibit a degree of dimensional stability, although this is not preferred.

[0023] Preferably, the flexible closure element has a mean material thickness of at most 5 mm, 4 mm, 3 mm, 2 mm or 1 mm (with possible lower limits of e.g. 0.05 mm, 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm or 0.20 mm).

[0024] Generally, and especially in the case of a foil seal, the flexible locking element has limited strength, so it can be damaged by the flush pipe during installation of the toilet bowl. Therefore, at least one locking device can be incorporated into the receiving element to prevent axial displacement of the flush pipe (very similar to the support section described earlier). Of course, the locking device can also be used in addition to the support section, but this is not preferred.

[0025] Preferably, the contact surfaces for closing the rear opening of the receiving element by the sealing element lie in a common plane on both designated contact surfaces, even in cases of slight angular deviations between the surfaces of preferably no more than 10°, and particularly preferably no more than 5°. Arranging the contact surfaces in one plane reduces the effort required to join the two elements, as only two preferably flat surfaces need to be joined, thus reducing, for example, the risk of leaks at radius transitions or stepped profiles. Furthermore, preferably, the plane is vertical in the assembled state of the leakage protection; this offers advantages, for example, with regard to the required installation space and assembly.

[0026] The leak protection device can further include a flexible upper seal for sealing a front opening, in particular an inspection opening of the receiving element, against the front of the room wall. After the leak protection device is installed and, if necessary, after the front of the room wall has been formed (e.g., using a plasterboard or wooden panel), this seal is folded over against its (room-facing) outer surface and covered, for example, with tiles, stone slabs, or similar material. Preferably, the room wall beneath this adhered wall covering is coated with a waterproof material, especially in the area around the cistern in vulnerable zones.

[0027] Furthermore, the front opening of the receiving element can be closed with a protective cover, which is removed after the front of the room wall has been formed. For example, the protective cover can prevent contamination of the components located within the leakage protection system during the formation of the room wall and also protect any existing upper seal from damage.

[0028] Preferably, the concealed cistern is held by retaining elements arranged laterally on at least two side walls of the receiving element that surround the cistern. These retaining elements prevent the concealed cistern from falling out during installation and, for example, prevent damage from the cistern if the sealing element is designed as a foil. The retaining elements are separate from the receiving element and engage with the concealed cistern and the side walls of the receiving element by means of a positive fit. The retaining elements can also be integrally formed with the receiving element or the concealed cistern and, for example, can also be provided with a dimensionally stable sealing element, although this is not preferred.

[0029] Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of the leak protection device for installation with a concealed cistern, in which an outlet for any leaking water escaping from the cistern is preferably provided in the area of ​​a toilet connected to the cistern and a wall front. This outlet penetrates the wall front and drains the leaking water there. Through this outlet, leaking water can then flow from the lower end of the leak protection device and, for example, reach the floor of the room in front of the wall. There, the water is discovered as a puddle and necessitates the replacement of the cistern.

[0030] The leak protection device according to the invention can preferably be provided as a set with a mounting frame and / or a concealed cistern housed therein. The mounting frame enables the secure and stable installation of the leak protection device in the wall; the matching concealed cistern, on the other hand, has the components necessary for flushing.

[0031] The invention will now be described by way of example for illustration. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the front of a leak protection device for a concealed cistern with flush pipe; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the leak protection device. Figure 2 Figure 3a shows the sealing element in a dimensionally stable design; Figure 3b shows the sealing element in a design as a flexible film; Figure 4 shows a side view of the leak protection in the state installed in the wall; and Figure 5 shows the leak protection made of Figure 1 mounted in a mounting frame.

[0032] Figure 1 shows an essentially box-like leak protection device 10 for a concealed water dispensing device 60, namely a concealed cistern 60a, which consists of a receiving element 15 and a closing element 20 (see Figure 2 ). The receiving element 15 is made of a dimensionally stable, solid plastic and has a front or inspection opening 15a and a rear or receiving opening 15b, the latter being intended for receiving the concealed cistern 60a. Figure 1 The figure indicates that the box-like leakage protection 10 has a flush pipe opening 19 at its lower end for the passage of a flush pipe 65 from the concealed cistern 60a to a toilet body (not shown) arranged on the front of the room wall 5a.

[0033] Figure 2 shows the back of the leak protection 10. Figure 1with a concealed cistern 60a arranged therein, in a state in which the rear opening 15b has not yet been closed with the sealing element 20. In Figure 2The concealed cistern 60a, the flush pipe 65 attached to it, and a protective casing 17 for an additional cold water supply line in the case of a shower toilet are all visible. If leakage water escapes from the concealed cistern 60a or, for example, from one of its supply lines (in the fully installed state with the receiving opening 15b closed), it is collected by the leakage protection device 10 and directed to the front of the wall 5a via an outlet provided as a gap between the flush pipe opening 19 and the flush pipe 65. Alternatively, the outlet can also be provided as a separate liquid passage (e.g., as a bore) in the area around the flush pipe opening 19 or even as a separate drain channel extending to the front of the wall 5a, as long as the leakage water can be directed to the front of the wall 5a in this way.In contrast, if the cold water supply line in the case of a shower toilet is leaking, the escaping leakage water is collected directly through the protective covering 17 and directed through it to the front of the wall 5a.

[0034] Out of Figure 2 It can be seen that the concealed cistern 60a, in the installed state of the leakage protection 10, is surrounded at the bottom, sides, and front by the receiving element 15 and fixed within it by additional retaining elements 16. In the example shown, the retaining elements 16 are separately formed elements by means of which a positive fit is created between the side walls of the concealed cistern 60a and the surrounding sections of the receiving element 15. Furthermore, in Figure 2 to recognize that the cistern is surrounded in its lower area by insulation 61, which, for example, prevents condensation from forming on its outer walls enclosed by the insulation 61 when filled with cold water. In Figure 2It is also shown that the flushing pipe 65 is secured against slipping out by a securing device 21 arranged in the receiving element 15.

[0035] Figures 3a and 3b show alternative embodiments of the locking element 20. Figure 3a The sealing element 20 is dimensionally stable and made of a plastic with a material thickness of 3 mm. It has a reinforcing rib 20a spaced from its outer circumference and extending along this outer circumference. Furthermore, the sealing element 20 has a support section 20b in its lower region, i.e., in the region of the flushing pipe 65 which runs in front of it when installed. This support section 20b rises from the sealing element 20 and secures the flushing pipe 65 against displacement. In the example shown, the support section 20b rises 3.2 cm from the sealing element 20; taking into account the component thickness of 3 mm (see above), this results in a component depth of 3.5 cm.

[0036] In Figure 3bFigure 1 shows an embodiment of the closure element 20, which is completely flat and designed as a flexible film with a material thickness of 0.5 mm. The closure element 20 according to the second embodiment therefore has no reinforcing rib 20a and no support section 20b; the component depth thus corresponds to the material thickness of 0.5 mm.

[0037] Figure 4 Figure 1 shows the leak protection device 10 installed in the room wall 5, which is provided with both an upper seal 25 and a lower seal 30 and is thereby watertight connected to a room wall front 5a. In the example shown, the leak protection device 10 forms a complete enclosure for the concealed cistern 60a and the flush pipe 65 attached to it, so that any leakage water that may occur (as described above) is collected and directed to the room wall front 5a. Figure 4The schematic diagram also shows the construction protection cover 35, which is removed after the installation of the leakage protection 10 in the room wall 5.

[0038] Figure 5 shows a rear view of the leakage protection 10. Figure 1 with a concealed cistern 60a built in therein and a mounting frame 70 for mounting the concealed cistern 60a in and a WC in or in front of a wall 5, i.e. a set consisting of a leakage protection device 10, a mounting frame 70 arranged thereon and a concealed cistern 60a received therein.

[0039] The leak protection device 10 is positioned between the cistern 60a and the mounting frame 70 in such a way that any leaking water is collected by it and directed to the front of the room wall 5a. Specifically, if a leak should occur at the cistern 60a or its flush pipe 65 when the leak protection device 10 is mounted in the wall, the box-like leak protection device 10 directs the leaking water to the gap between the flush pipe opening 19 and the flush pipe 65, allowing it to drain to the front of the room wall 5a. The water then becomes visible as a puddle on the floor next to the toilet. Reference symbol list

[0040] 5 Room wall 5a Room wall front 10 Leakage protection 15 Mounting element 15 Front opening (inspection opening) 15 Bridge opening (mounting opening) 16 Retaining element 17 Protective covering 19 Flush pipe opening 20 Closure element 20a Reinforcing bead 20b Support section 21 Safety device 25 Upper seal 30 Lower seal 35 Construction protection cover 60 Concealed water delivery device 60a Concealed cistern 61 Insulation 65 Flush pipe 70 Mounting frame

Claims

1. Leakage protection (10) for a concealed water dispensing device (60), in particular a concealed cistern (60a) for installation in a wall (5), a concealed flush valve, a concealed fitting or a concealed mixing valve, comprising a receiving element (15) forming at least one rear opening (15b) and surrounding the concealed water dispensing device (60) at the bottom, laterally and front when the leakage protection (10) is installed, and a closing element (20) closing the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15), wherein, when the leakage protection (10) is installed in the wall (5), the closing element (20) completely covers the rear of the concealed water dispensing device (60). characterized by the fact that the locking element (20) is designed to be flat.

2. Leakage protection (10) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element (20) is flat in an area covering the concealed water delivery device (60).

3. Leakage protection (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the closure element (20) is dimensionally stable.

4. Leakage protection (10) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the closure element (20) has a reinforcing bead (20a) which rises from a plane defined by a maximum spatial extent of the closure element (20) and, in the assembled state, projects into the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15), wherein the reinforcing bead (20a) preferably runs along an outer circumference of the closure element (20) and is spaced apart from it.

5. Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims for a concealed cistern (60a) or a concealed flushing valve, in which a flushing pipe (65) attached to the cistern (60a) or the flushing valve and leading from it to a toilet is supported and secured against displacement by a support section (20b) rising from a plane of the closure element (20).

6. Leakage protection (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the closure element (20) is completely flat.

7. Leakage protection (10) according to claim 2, 3 or 6, wherein the closure element (20) is flexible, preferably a film.

8. Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims for a concealed cistern (60a) or a concealed flushing valve with a securing means (21) by means of which a flushing pipe (65) attached to the cistern (60a) or the flushing valve and leading from it to a toilet can be supported and secured against displacement.

9. Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein for closing the rear opening (15b) of the receiving element (15) by the closing element (20) the contact surfaces provided on both lie in a common plane, which is preferably vertical in the assembled state.

10. Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving element forms a front opening (15a) opposite the rear opening (15b), in particular an inspection opening, on which a flexible upper seal (25) is provided for sealing the front opening (15a) against a room wall front (5a) and is designed to be folded over during assembly.

11. Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the front opening (15a) of the receiving element (15) is closed with a construction protection cover (35).

12. Leakage protection (10) according to one of the preceding claims for a concealed cistern (60a), which concealed cistern (60a) is held by retaining means (16) arranged laterally on it on at least two side walls of the receiving element (15) which surround the concealed cistern (60a).

13. Use of a leakage protection device (10) according to one of the preceding claims for assembly with the concealed water dispensing device (6).

14. Use according to claim 13 of a leakage protection device (10) according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which an outlet for any leakage water escaping from the concealed water supply device (60), namely a cistern (60a) or a flush valve, is provided on a room wall front (5a) in the area of ​​a toilet connected to the concealed water supply device (60), namely a cistern (60a) or a flush valve, which penetrates the room wall front (5a) and discharges the leakage water there.

15. Set comprising a leakage protection device according to one of claims 1 to 12 with a mounting frame (70) arranged thereon and / or a concealed cistern (60a) included therein.

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