Vacuum toilet and container body for vacuum toilet

Abstract

The vacuum toilet comprises a toilet bowl, a transfer tank (5) having a first tank interior (6), and a flush water tank (7) having a second tank interior (8). The flush water tank (7) is designed and connected such that flush water can be conveyed from the flush water tank (7) to the toilet bowl using overpressure that can be applied within the flush water tank (7). The transfer tank (5) is designed and connected such that a vacuum that can be applied within the transfer tank (5) can be used to draw a suction mass from the toilet bowl into the transfer tank (5). The transfer tank (5) and the flush water tank (7) are formed by a container body (3). The container body (3) comprises a partition wall (9) having a first surface (10) and a second surface (11) facing opposite the first surface (10). The first surface (10) defines a first tank interior (6) of the transfer tank (5) and the second surface (12) defines a second tank interior (8) of the rinse water tank (7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vacuum toilet and a container body for a vacuum toilet.

Background Art

[0002] A vacuum toilet includes a toilet bowl and a container body. The container body includes, for example, a transfer tank having a first tank inside and a wash water tank having a second tank inside. The wash water tank is configured and connected so that wash water can be transferred from the wash water tank to the toilet bowl by overpressure that can be applied in the wash water tank. The transfer tank is designed and connected so that a suction mass can be sucked from the toilet bowl into the transfer tank by using negative pressure that can be applied in the transfer tank.

[0003] The vacuum toilet is used, for example, as a mobile toilet in vehicles (railway vehicles, airplanes, ships, buses, etc.), and it is possible to take out the suction mass from the toilet bowl using vacuum and transfer it to a wastewater reservoir such as a tank.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Such a vacuum toilet is known, for example, from European Patent No. 1913208. The vacuum toilet includes a seat, a bowl (toilet bowl) disposed under the seat, a pipeline and a control valve for transferring the suction mass from the bowl to the transfer tank and for transferring the suction mass from the transfer tank to the drainage line. The vacuum toilet further includes a flushing water tank. Rinse water can be transferred from the flushing water tank to the toilet bowl. The transfer tank, the wash water tank, the pipes and the valves are substantially arranged in the space below the seat. Also, the manufacture of the transfer tank and the wash water tank and their installation in the vacuum toilet are complicated and costly.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a vacuum toilet that is easy to manufacture and can simplify the assembly of the transfer tank and the washing water tank.

[0006] This problem is solved by a vacuum toilet having the features of claim 1.

[0007] According to the present invention, the transfer tank and the washing water tank are formed by a container body provided with a partition having a first side and a second side facing the opposite side of the first side. The first side delimits the first tank interior of the transfer tank, and the second side delimits the second tank interior of the washing water tank. That is, the transfer tank and the washing water tank are formed as a single part, for example, by injection molding or rotational molding. However, other manufacturing processes are also conceivable. For example, the container body can be made of metal, particularly sheet metal. Individual pieces of metal or sheet metal can be hermetically joined by welding.

[0008] In the context of the present invention, the term "suction mass" is understood to mean the mass removed from the toilet during toilet flushing. The suction mass can include not only washing water but also feces and other components.

[0009] In the context of the present invention, the term "negative pressure" is further understood to mean a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure at sea level, particularly a pressure lower than 1.013 bar. For example, the negative pressure is between 0.5 bar and 1.013 bar.

[0010] In the context of the present invention, the term "overpressure" is understood to mean a pressure greater than the atmospheric pressure at sea level, particularly a pressure greater than 1.013 bar. For example, the overpressure is from 2 bar to 6 bar.

[0011] Preferably, the partition forms the wash water tank into a truncated hollow conical shape. The wash water tank has a bottom having a first opening formed as a drain port at a first end, and a second opening at a second end opposite the first end. For example, the drain port is connected to the toilet via a plurality of hoses so that wash water can be supplied from the wash water tank into the toilet through a plurality of inlets in the toilet. Preferably, the drain port is located at the lowermost part of the wash water tank and can completely empty the wash water tank. Preferably, the wash water tank is filled with an amount of wash water sufficient to wash the toilet once. Alternatively, it is equally possible to dimension the wash water tank so that it can hold an amount of water sufficient to wash the toilet a plurality of times.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the wash water tank has a first inner diameter at a first end of the wash water tank and a second inner diameter larger than the first inner diameter at a second end of the wash water tank. The wash water tank expands from the first inner diameter to the second inner diameter towards the second end. The second opening is circular and has an opening diameter equal to the second inner diameter of the wash water tank. Preferably, the second opening extends across the entire end face of the hollow cylinder. Optionally, the wash water tank has a demolding slope along which the wash water tank widens. Preferably, the demolding slope is inclined at about 1° to 3° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wash water tank.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the container body has an outer wall. The wash water tank is connected to the outer wall at the second end of the wash water tank such that the second opening of the wash water tank is formed in the outer wall of the container body. This avoids the formation of an undercut in the wash water tank. Also, this enables the container body to be easily demolded from the mold when the container body is manufactured, for example, by injection molding or rotational molding.

[0014] Also preferably, the second opening of the wash water tank is closed by a lid. The lid has a filling port for filling the wash water tank with wash water and an opening for compressed air. Preferably, a float switch also projects through the lid. This float switch senses the filling level in the wash water tank and interrupts the supply of wash water through the supply port when the desired filling amount is reached. Optionally, the connection between the lid and the wash water tank is sealed using a gasket.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present invention, the lid is configured as a mounting receiver (mounting receptacle) for attaching system components of a vacuum toilet. For example, such system components may be valves, connectors, hose lines, or additional electronic components such as ejectors or pumps. Preferably, the lid is made of metal, which enables secure fixation. By designing the lid as a fastening receptacle, the system components can be fixed easily and quickly. For example, when the system component is a rinse water connection for filling the wash water tank with wash water (rinse water), it is possible to minimize the length of the hose required to connect the rinse water connection to the wash water tank. Optionally, the wash water connection is directly connected to the wash water tank so that no connecting hose is required.

[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, the drain outlet of the wash water tank is connected to a drain flow path. The drain flow path is connected to the outer wall of the container body such that a flow path drain outlet of the drain flow path is formed on the outer wall. Preferably, the flow path drain outlet on the outer wall of the container body enables individual hoses to be connected to the wash water tank. Preferably, this is achieved via a manifold that connects the flow path drain outlet and the individual hoses. By using the drain flow path, it is possible for the transfer tank to surround the wash water tank while allowing the wash water to be discharged from the wash water tank and conveyed in the direction of the toilet over the outer wall of the container body.

[0017] Further, it is preferable that the outer wall of the container body, together with the outer walls of the partition wall and the drainage channel, forms a transfer tank. The transfer tank and the cleaning tank are separated from each other only by a partition wall. Preferably, the first part of the partition wall forms a cleaning water tank, and the second part of the partition wall, together with the outer wall of the container body and the outer wall of the drainage channel, forms a transfer tank. Preferably, the first part and the second part are adjacent to each other in the longitudinal direction of the cleaning water tank.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the transfer tank is fluidly connected to the toilet and can be fluidly connected to a drainage reservoir (sewage storage section). Preferably, switching valves are provided between the toilet and the transfer tank and between the drainage reservoir and the transfer tank, respectively. Therefore, when the valve is open in the direction of the toilet, the suction mass can be sucked into the transfer tank by negative pressure. Thereafter, the valve between the toilet and the transfer tank is closed, but when the valve is open in the direction of the drainage reservoir, the positive pressure in the transfer tank can be used to transfer the suction mass into the drainage reservoir.

[0019] Preferably, the container body can be manufactured by rotational molding or injection molding. By these processes, a container with a complex shape can be easily manufactured.

[0020] In another embodiment, the container body is made of polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). These materials have been shown to be resistant to contact with the suction mass, especially feces.

[0021] Also, the above problem is solved by a container body having the features of claim 12. The container body for a vacuum toilet includes a transfer tank having a first tank interior and a wash water tank having a second tank interior. The wash water tank is designed and connected such that wash water can be conveyed from the wash water tank to the toilet bowl of the vacuum toilet by utilizing an overpressure that can be applied within the wash water tank. The transfer tank is designed and connected such that a suction mass can be suctioned from the toilet bowl to the transfer tank by utilizing a vacuum applicable within the transfer tank. The transfer tank and the wash water tank are formed within the container body. The container body includes a partition having a first face and a second face facing the side opposite to the first face. The first face defines the first tank interior of the transfer tank, and the second face defines the second tank interior of the wash water tank. The container body may be sold as a single unit, for example, as a replacement part, or may be manufactured as an original equipment manufacturing for a vacuum toilet manufacturer.

[0022] The present invention will be described below with reference to the preferred embodiments shown in the drawings. The specific features illustrated in the drawings can be used individually or in combination to provide the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The described embodiments do not limit the generality of the subject matter defined in the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0024] Hereinafter, the vacuum toilet 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. The vacuum toilet 1 includes a toilet bowl 2 and a container body 3 having an outer wall 4. The container body 3 is made of polyethylene (PE) by rotational molding or injection molding. Alternatively, the container body 3 can also be made by rotational molding or injection molding using other materials such as polyamide (PA) or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Optionally, the container body can be made from a sheet hermetically joined by welding.

[0025] The container body 3 forms a transfer tank 5 having a first tank interior 6 and a wash water tank 7 having a second tank interior 8. The container body 3 includes a partition 9 having a first surface 10 and a second surface 11 facing the side opposite to the first surface. The first surface 10 defines the first tank interior space 6 of the transfer tank 5, and the second surface 11 defines the second tank interior space 8 of the wash water tank 7.

[0026] The wash water tank 7 is designed and connected so that wash water can be conveyed from the wash water tank 7 into the toilet bowl 2 by utilizing the overpressure that can be applied within the wash water tank 7. The wash water tank 7 has a hollow truncated cone shape and is formed by the partition wall 9 of the container body 3. At the first end 12, the wash water tank 7 has a bottom 13 having a first opening formed as a drain port 14. The drain port 14 is disposed at the lowermost part of the wash water tank 7. At the second end 15 opposite to the first end 12, the wash water tank 7 has a circular second opening 16 having an opening diameter

Number

[0027] The wash water tank 7 has a first inner diameter D1 at its first end 12 and a second inner diameter D2 larger than the first inner diameter D1 at its second end 15. The wash water tank 7 has a demolding gradient 28 that expands from the first inner diameter D1 to the second inner diameter D2 in the direction of the second end 15. The opening diameter of the circular opening 16

Number

[0028] The washing water tank 7 is connected to the outer wall 4 of the container body 3 at the second end 15 of the washing water tank such that the second opening 16 of the washing water tank 7 is formed in the outer wall 4 of the container body 3. For this reason, the upper end surface of the washing water tank 7 is completely open. The second opening 16 of the washing water tank 7 is closed by a lid 17. The lid 17 is provided with an inlet (not shown) for filling the washing water tank with washing water and an opening for compressed air (not shown). The float switch 18 projects into the washing water tank 7 through the lid 17. A seal portion 19 for sealing the connection portion between the lid 17 and the container body 3 is disposed between the lid 17 and the container body 3.

[0029] The vacuum toilet 1 further includes a plurality of system components such as a water and compressed air connection portion 20, a control unit 21, and an ejector 22. The control unit 21 is adapted to control the ejector 22. The ejector 22 is adapted to generate not only overpressure but also low pressure not only in the washing water tank 7 but also in the transfer tank 5. The overpressure in the transfer tank 5 can be about 2 bar. The overpressure in the washing water tank 7 can be about 5 bar. The negative pressure in the transfer tank 5 is about 0.5 bar to 0.8 bar. The cover 17 is designed as a mounting receiving portion for attaching the water and compressed air connection portion 20.

[0030] The drain port 14 of the washing water tank 7 is connected to a drain channel 23. The drain channel 23 has a channel drain port 24 formed in the outer wall 4 of the container body 3.

[0031] The transfer tank 5 of the vacuum toilet 1 has a first connection part 25. By means of the first connection part 25, the transfer tank 5 can be fluidly connected to the toilet bowl 2. The transfer tank 5 further comprises a second connection part 26. By means of the second connection part 26, the transfer tank 5 can be fluidly connected to a drainage reservoir (not shown). The transfer tank 5 is formed by the outer wall of the container body 3, the partition 9 of the container body 3 and the outer wall 27 of the drainage channel 23.

[0032] Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the functions of the vacuum toilet 1 will be described.

[0033] Before using the vacuum toilet 1, the cleaning water tank 7 is filled with cleaning water from a cleaning water reservoir (not shown) via the water connection part 20. The filling is carried out until the float switch 18 provided on the lid 17 of the cleaning water tank 7 signals that a predetermined amount of cleaning water is present in the cleaning water tank 7. Preferably, the predetermined amount of cleaning water is an amount sufficient to clean the toilet bowl 2 once. Alternatively, it is also possible to set the dimensions of the cleaning water tank 7 so that it can hold an amount of water sufficient for multiple cleanings of the toilet bowl 2.

[0034] When the toilet bowl 2 is to be cleaned after using the vacuum toilet 1, this is transmitted to the control unit 21 by the user of the vacuum toilet 1 pressing a switch (not shown). Then, the control unit 21 controls the ejector 22 so that the ejector 22 generates an overpressure of about 5 bar in the cleaning water tank 7, whereby the cleaning water in the cleaning water tank 7 is conveyed into the toilet bowl 2 via the drain outlet 14 of the cleaning water tank 7, the drain channel 23 and a hose (not shown) connected thereto.

[0035] Thereafter, the control unit 21 closes the first valve between the toilet bowl 2 and the first port 25 of the transfer tank 5 and the second valve between the second port 26 of the transfer tank 5 and the drainage reservoir (not shown).

[0036] In a further step, the control unit 21 controls the ejector 22 such that the ejector 22 generates a vacuum of about 0.5 bar to 0.8 bar in the transfer tank 5. After the first valve is opened, the vacuum in the transfer tank 5 sucks the sucked mass in the toilet 2 into the transfer tank 5.

[0037] Thereafter, the control unit 21 closes the first valve again, and an overpressure of about 2 bar is generated in the intermediate tank in the transfer tank 5 via the ejector 22. After the second valve is opened, the sucked mass in the transfer tank 5 flows into the drain reservoir connected to the transfer tank 5.

Explanation of Signs

[0038] 1 Vacuum toilet 2 Toilet 3 Container body 4 Outer wall (container body) 5 Transfer tank 6 Inside the first tank (transfer tank) 7 Wash water tank 8 Inside the second tank (wash water tank) 9 Partition wall (container body) 10 First surface (partition) 11 Second surface (partition) 12 First end (wash water tank) 13 Bottom (wash water tank) 14 Drain port (wash water tank) 15 Second end (wash water tank) 16 Second opening (wash water tank)

Number

Claims

1. A toilet bowl (2), A transfer tank (5) having a first tank interior (6), A wash water tank (7) having a second tank interior (8), and is provided with, The wash water tank (7) is designed and connected so as to generate overpressure inside the wash water tank (7) and utilize the overpressure to convey wash water from the wash water tank (7) into the toilet bowl (2). The transfer tank (5) is designed and connected so as to generate negative pressure inside the transfer tank (5) and utilize the negative pressure to suck the suction mass from the toilet bowl (2) into the transfer tank (5). The transfer tank (5) and the wash water tank (7) are formed by a container body (3), and the container body (3) is provided with a partition wall (9) having a first surface (10) and a second surface (11) facing the side opposite to the first surface (10). The first surface (10) defines the first tank interior (6) of the transfer tank (5), and the second surface (11) defines the second tank interior (8) of the wash water tank (7). A vacuum toilet.

2. The partition wall (9) forms the wash water tank (7) into a hollow conical shape with the tip cut off. The wash water tank (7) has a bottom (13) with a first opening formed as a drain port (14) at a first end (12), and has a second opening (16) at a second end (15) opposite to the first end (12). The vacuum toilet according to Claim 1.

3. The wash water tank (7) has a first inner diameter (D １ ) at the first end (12), and has a second inner diameter (D １ ) larger than the first inner diameter (D ２ ) at the second end (15), The wash water tank (7) has the second inner diameter (D １ ) in the direction from the first inner diameter (D ２extends up to The second opening (16) is circular and has an opening diameter equal to the second inner diameter (D ２ ) of the cleaning water tank (7). [Figure 1] The vacuum toilet according to claim 2, having the above.

4. The container body (3) has an outer wall (4), The cleaning water tank (7) is connected to the outer wall (4) at the second end (15) such that the second opening (16) of the cleaning water tank (7) is formed in the outer wall (4) of the container body (3). The vacuum toilet according to claim 2.

5. The second opening (16) of the cleaning water tank (7) is closed by a lid (17), The lid (17) has an inlet for filling the cleaning water tank (7) with cleaning water and an opening for compressed air. The vacuum toilet according to claim 2.

6. The lid (17) is designed as a fixing receiver for fixing the system component (20) of the vacuum toilet (1). The vacuum toilet according to claim 5.

7. The drain port (14) of the cleaning water tank (7) is connected to a drain channel (23), The drain channel (23) is connected to the outer wall (4) of the container body (3) such that a drain port (24) of the drain channel (23) is formed in the outer wall (4). The vacuum toilet according to claim 4.

8. The outer wall (4) of the container body (3), the partition wall (9), and the outer wall (27) of the drain channel (23) together form the transfer tank (5). The vacuum toilet according to claim 7.

9. The transfer tank (5) is fluidly connected to the toilet bowl (2) and can be fluidly connected to a drain reservoir. The vacuum toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The vacuum toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the container body (3) is a rotational molded body or an injection molded body.

11. The vacuum toilet according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the container body (3) is made of polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), or polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF).

12. A container body for a vacuum toilet (1), wherein the container body (3) has a transfer tank (5) having a first tank interior (6), and a wash water tank (7) having a second tank interior (8), and the wash water tank (7) is designed and connected so as to generate an overpressure inside the wash water tank (7) and utilize the overpressure to convey wash water from the wash water tank (7) into the toilet bowl (2) of the vacuum toilet (1), the transfer tank (5) is designed and connected so as to generate a negative pressure inside the transfer tank (5) and utilize the negative pressure to suck the suction mass from the toilet bowl (2) into the transfer tank (5), the transfer tank (5) and the wash water tank (7) are formed in the container body (3), the container body (3) includes a partition wall (9) having a first surface (10) and a second surface (11) facing the side opposite to the first surface (10), a container body for a vacuum toilet, wherein the first surface (10) defines the first tank interior (6) of the transfer tank (5), and the second surface (11) defines the second tank interior (8) of the wash water tank (7).

Images