Toilet, aircraft and method for operating same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a toilet (10) having a toilet bowl (12), a lid (14) for said toilet bowl, a flushing operating element (16), a flushing input line (18) for flushing water (102) and a wastewater discharge line (20) for wastewater (104), in which the control system (24) of said toilet is configured, during actuation of the flushing operating element (16), to activate a lowering of the lid (14) onto the toilet bowl (12) before a possible flushing of the toilet bowl (12) with the flushing water (102) can be started, and is configured to determine whether a covered state (AZ) is present in which the toilet bowl (12) has actually been closed by the lowered lid (14), and to start flushing if the covered state (AZ) is determined, and otherwise to determine an error state (FZ) and to initiate an error measure (FM). An aircraft (100) contains the toilet (10). The present invention also relates to a method, in which, if the flushing request is detected, the lid (14) is first activated before the possible flushing is started and it is determined whether the covered state (AZ) is present, and if this has been determined, the flushing is started and otherwise the error state (FZ) is determined and the error measure (FM) is initiated.

Description

[0001] Toilet, aircraft and method for operating them

[0002] The present invention relates to the construction and operation of a toilet, which toilet can in particular also be used for aircraft, and to an aircraft containing the toilet.

[0003] Toilets typically have a toilet bowl that is flushed upon request by the user by operating a corresponding flush control. During this flushing, a flushing agent or flush water is introduced into the toilet bowl and then discharged from the bowl via a wastewater outlet line, particularly by vacuum. The inventors have now discovered that injecting / introducing water into the toilet creates aerosols that can then be inhaled by the user and, if the aerosols are biologically contaminated, can lead to infection. This also applies when greywater is used to flush the toilet.

[0004] It is therefore the object of the invention to improve a toilet or an aircraft and a corresponding operating method in such a way that the user is not endangered by possible aerosols.

[0005] This object is achieved by the subject matter of the invention defined in the independent claims. Some advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0006] The toilet according to the invention comprises a toilet bowl; a lid that can be used to close or cover the toilet bowl, i.e., can be lowered onto the toilet bowl; a flush control element that can be operated by the toilet user; a flush inlet line for introducing flush water into the toilet bowl, and a wastewater outlet line for discharging wastewater from the toilet bowl. The term "wastewater" is to be understood broadly here and generally includes waste that is located in the toilet bowl and is to be removed from it via the wastewater outlet line. In particular, this includes urine, feces, toilet paper, and also flush water, if this has been introduced beforehand.

[0007] The toilet also contains a control system. According to the invention, the control system is configured as follows: Actuation of the flush control element constitutes a flush request to the toilet. Only then is the lid activated to close the toilet bowl, i.e., a request is made to lower the lid—if the toilet lid is not already resting on the toilet bowl and covering it—onto the toilet bowl in order to close or cover it. This request is made before any flushing of the toilet bowl with flush water is initiated. An actual flushing of the toilet bowl may, but is not necessarily, requested or carried out, as explained in more detail below.This automatic closing / covering of the toilet bowl by the lid before flushing is intended to prevent users from inhaling aerosols from the bowl (if the lid is actually closed). These aerosols are shielded by the lid and can then be sucked out of the bowl, as explained in more detail below. This system according to the invention is also advantageous when using greywater for flushing and for vacuum toilets, which are often used in airplanes.

[0008] In other words: When a flush is requested by operating the flush control element, the first request is to cover the toilet bowl with the lid. Then, a check is made to determine whether the toilet lid is actually covering the bowl, i.e., whether it is lowered onto it, resting on it, and whether the covering state has been reached. If so, the toilet is flushed and, in particular, also vacuumed. If not, the lowering of the lid was not successful; therefore, a malfunction in the covering / lowering process can be assumed. Therefore, an error condition is identified, and a fault action is initiated.

[0009] The cover state and the fault state cover all possibilities that can occur with the toilet. In other words, at any given time / state, the toilet can only be in either the cover state or the fault state.

[0010] The control system is therefore further configured to determine whether the toilet bowl has actually been locked / covered by the activated lid. According to the invention, suction is only taken from the toilet bowl without flushing if the unlocked toilet bowl (fault condition) has been detected. In other words: if the unlocked toilet bowl is detected, i.e. if it is determined that the toilet lid is not activated (covering the toilet bowl), i.e. has not been lowered / placed on the toilet bowl, then the control system in particular only sucks the contents out of the toilet bowl, but without flushing the toilet bowl. This way, no aerosols are generated by the flushing water and any aerosols that may already be present are sucked away.

[0011] In other words: First, a check is made to see whether the toilet lid is actually covering the toilet bowl, i.e., whether it is activated, meaning the cover state is present. If so, the toilet is flushed and, in particular, vacuumed. If not, the flushing process is not initiated, and the toilet bowl is only vacuumed without being flushed.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the toilet bowl, together with the wastewater discharge line, is designed for vacuum extraction—in particular of the wastewater from—the toilet bowl. The toilet thus has a vacuum toilet system. The control system is configured as follows:

[0013] After the covering condition has been detected and the flushing has been started (as explained above), the vacuum extraction is started.

[0014] In the other case, where the fault condition exists and the fault condition has been identified, the vacuum extraction is started as part of the fault action before any flushing. In any case, the fault action begins by starting the vacuum extraction, regardless of whether the toilet bowl is subsequently flushed.

[0015] Specifically, in the cover state, the flush is started, and then, after a short pause of, for example, 0.5 seconds, the suction is started. In the error state, the suction is started as the first sub-measure of the error-correcting action. Specifically, only the vacuum suction of the toilet bowl takes place via the wastewater outlet line, without flushing.

[0016] In particular, a vacuum extraction is always performed when a flush is requested. In a pinch, aerosols are therefore at least extracted, even if the lid might not prevent them from escaping the toilet bowl.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the control system is configured to initiate the following as part of the error action:

[0018] In a first alternative, the toilet is marked as "out of service" for further use. This is done, for example, by placing a corresponding sign on or near the toilet, locking a toilet door so that it can no longer be entered, notifying service personnel who then lock and mark the toilet, etc.

[0019] Alternatively or additionally, the toilet bowl is flushed using fresh water as the flushing water. The term "fresh water" is to be understood broadly here and refers to any water that, when flushed, is assumed not to release any aerosols that could be harmful to the toilet user. This refers to "clean" or "biologically uncontaminated" water, including, for example, treated gray water. This ensures that there is no danger from aerosols, even if they are inhaled.

[0020] If the toilet is flushed with grey water when covered, for example, it can be switched to fresh water in the event of a fault, meaning that fresh water can be used instead of grey water by switching over.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, the toilet further comprises a sensor element configured to determine whether the toilet bowl contains anything other than liquid product and to transmit such a determination to the control system. The control system is then further configured as follows: As part of the error measure, such a determination is determined (and transmitted to the control system). If it is determined that the toilet bowl contains anything other than liquid product (e.g., solids such as toilet paper or feces), the following procedure is followed: Flushing is performed with reduced pressure and / or a reduced amount of flush water: "Reduced" refers to the amount and pressure of the flush water when flushing with the cover on. In other words, a "gentle flush" is performed to generate fewer aerosols during flushing.

[0022] However, if it is determined that there is only a liquid product in the toilet bowl, e.g. only urine, the toilet bowl will not be flushed.

[0023] In particular, in the event of a fault and if a product other than liquid is detected, the following procedure can be followed: As part of the fault-finding measure, air / aerosol is first extracted from the toilet bowl before flushing. Optionally, a short period of time (e.g., 0.5 seconds) can be waited after the suction has started before flushing begins. "Suction" can include vacuum extraction, as explained above, but also "gentle suction," as described further below.

[0024] With such "gentle rinsing" no or at least fewer aerosols are generated by the rinsing water and any aerosols that may already exist are sucked away.

[0025] In other words: If it is determined that the toilet bowl contains not only liquid but also solid products, the following procedure is used: First, air / aerosol is extracted from the toilet bowl without flushing water. Only then—namely, after the extraction has started—does flushing with flush water begin. However, the flush water is introduced into the toilet bowl at less pressure and / or a smaller amount of flush water is used per flush. "Less" and "smaller" here refer to flushing with flush water while the toilet bowl is covered.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the toilet further comprises an air outlet opening for the additional or separate removal of air from the area of ​​the toilet bowl. "Separately" means that the air is not extracted as part of the vacuum extraction explained above, but rather by some other means. In a first alternative, this air outlet opening is implemented as an air outlet area as a subsection of or in the wastewater discharge line.

[0027] Alternatively, the air outlet opening is designed as an additional air outlet opening. This is a separate or additional opening that is not formed by or in the wastewater outlet line.

[0028] Through this air outlet opening, air / aerosols or particles can be removed from the toilet bowl without, or at least without, a significant portion of the flush water / wastewater. As a result, flushing the toilet bowl can then be carried out more safely for the user—especially with simultaneous extraction of air and any aerosols from it.

[0029] The control system is therefore configured as follows:

[0030] As part of the fault action, the air is first discharged through the air outlet opening and only then is the toilet bowl flushed.

[0031] In other words, additional or pre-suction (if necessary before a subsequent vacuum suction) occurs with a lower flow (lighter airflow before / during rinsing compared to the flow during vacuum suction). Optionally, the airflow can be increased in the form of alternative or additional vacuum suction during or after rinsing.

[0032] In a preferred variant of this embodiment, the air outlet region is created in that the wastewater outlet line contains a disc valve. This has a first opening, which serves for vacuum extraction, and it has a second opening in the form of the air outlet opening. The disc valve is further configured as follows: By rotating the disc valve in a first rotational position, the wastewater outlet line is blocked; in a second rotational position, the wastewater outlet line is opened exclusively through the air outlet opening; and in a third rotational position, the wastewater outlet line is opened—alternatively or in addition to the air outlet opening—through the first opening. The described toilet according to the invention can also be used in particular in aircraft. The toilet according to the invention used in the aircraft can then in particular also be connected to a vacuum toilet system.

[0033] In other words, the subject matter of the invention is also an aircraft with a toilet according to the invention as described above.

[0034] The aircraft and at least some of its possible embodiments, as well as the respective advantages, have already been explained in connection with the toilet according to the invention. In particular, the preferred embodiments mentioned above in connection with the toilet also constitute preferred embodiments of the aircraft.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the toilet is connected to a vacuum toilet system, which is also part of the aircraft.

[0036] The invention also relates to a corresponding method for operating a toilet, in particular the toilet according to the invention described above, or an aircraft containing the toilet, in particular the aircraft according to the invention.

[0037] In the method, when a flush request for flushing a toilet bowl of the toilet with flushing water is detected, the procedure is as follows: A flush request is in particular the actuation of a flush control element of the toilet by a user of the toilet.

[0038] First, a toilet lid is activated to close the toilet bowl, i.e., the lid is requested to be lowered onto the toilet bowl—covering / closing it—(if it is not already activated / lowered) before any flushing of the toilet bowl is initiated. This achieves the same advantages as already explained above with regard to the toilet according to the invention.

[0039] The method also determines whether – in response to the request to lower the lid – the toilet or toilet bowl has actually been covered or is in the covered state; that is, whether the toilet bowl has actually been locked by the activated / lowered lid in the covered state. If the covered state is determined, flushing is initiated. Otherwise, an error state is determined, and an error measure is initiated. In particular, in the error state, only the toilet bowl is vacuumed without flushing, i.e., if the toilet bowl has been detected as not being closed.

[0040] The method and at least some of its possible embodiments, as well as the respective advantages, have already been explained in connection with the toilet according to the invention and the aircraft according to the invention. In particular, the preferred embodiments mentioned above in connection with the toilet and the aircraft also constitute preferred embodiments of the method.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, if the toilet bowl, together with a wastewater discharge line of the toilet, is configured for vacuum extraction of the toilet bowl, the procedure is as follows: When the cover condition has been detected and after the cover condition has been detected and after the flush has been started, the vacuum extraction is started. Alternatively, if, however, the fault condition has been detected and after the fault condition has been detected, the vacuum extraction is started as part of the fault measure before any flushing.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment, the error action is carried out as follows: The toilet is marked as "out of service" for further use and / or the flushing process of the toilet bowl is started using fresh water as the flushing water.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the error measure further determines whether the toilet bowl contains anything other than liquid product. If it is determined that the toilet bowl contains anything other than liquid product, flushing is performed using water at a reduced pressure and / or volume compared to the covered state.

[0044] Alternatively or additionally, the following measure is taken: If only liquid product is detected in the toilet bowl, the toilet bowl is not flushed. A preferred embodiment of the method applies to a toilet that further has an air outlet opening for additionally discharging air from the area of ​​the toilet bowl. In this case and with this embodiment, the method is carried out as follows: As part of the error measure, the separate discharge of air from the toilet bowl is first started through the air outlet opening of the toilet at a lower flow rate (lower than vacuum extraction through the wastewater discharge line). Only then is the toilet bowl flushed.

[0045] In other words, when a flush is requested, the air extraction is activated first, without a flushing process being initiated. The toilet bowl is then flushed simultaneously with the air extraction, or with a time delay after the air extraction has started.

[0046] In a preferred embodiment, grey water is used to flush the toilet, at least when it is covered.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the suction from the toilet bowl of the toilet is carried out by means of a vacuum toilet system.

[0048] The invention is based on the following findings, observations, and considerations and also includes the following preferred embodiments. These embodiments are sometimes referred to as "the invention" for simplicity. The embodiments may also contain parts or combinations of the above-mentioned embodiments or correspond to them and / or may also include previously unmentioned embodiments.

[0049] The invention provides an aerosol-safe toilet. In particular, an automatic toilet lid (should close automatically before flushing) is proposed for shielding aerosols when using greywater for flushing in vacuum toilets, and measures (failure measure(s)) for safe operation in the event of a failure are specified. The invention also relates to a greywater system for aircraft. The aim is, in particular, the—possibly improved—reuse of greywater in aircraft.

[0050] The invention is based on the following findings: The following challenges arise in the toilet area: When water is injected into a toilet, aerosols are created. These aerosols can be inhaled and, if biologically contaminated, can lead to infection in the user. Therefore, when using greywater for flushing, the water can either be treated so that it is not contaminated, or the inhalation of aerosols should be prevented.

[0051] The basic idea of ​​the invention is therefore as follows: To create an "automatic toilet lid" to shield against aerosols when using greywater to flush the toilet bowl. "Automatic" means that, in a fault-free situation, the lid should first lower onto the toilet bowl to seal it before flushing (especially with greywater).

[0052] The following procedure is particularly suggested: A flush button (flush control element) is pressed; the lid closes automatically; the lid status is reported (determining whether the lid is in the covered state or in a fault state), and flush water is injected (but only if the lid is in the covered state). Optionally, for vacuum toilets, a vacuum suction of the toilet bowl can be performed during the flushing process.

[0053] As a result, a toilet user's exposure to aerosols during flushing is prevented or reduced. Another advantage of vacuum toilets is that aerosols in the toilet bowl and under the lid are sucked away by the vacuum and cannot diffuse out.

[0054] However, malfunction (the presence of a fault condition) is problematic: In other words, how should one handle the situation if the toilet lid does not close or does not close properly, meaning the toilet bowl is not covered or not sufficiently covered by the lid, so that – during a regular flush as in the covered state – aerosols could still escape? 1.) The process could stop. The consequence of this is that the toilet is "defective." This is very critical, as a toilet failure has major consequences.

[0055] 2.) Use of clean water (fresh water) for flushing. This solution is feasible if a water source (supply / supply / source of flush water) can be automatically switched (between the cover state and the fault state) (grey water as flush water in the cover state and fresh water in the fault state) and sufficient clean water is available. However, this solution does not appear feasible for mobile applications (aircraft / rail vehicles) where the water flow is limited if the toilet lid persistently fails to close (persistent fault state).

[0056] 3.) Optimized flushing and suction in vacuum toilet systems. Aerosol formation can be reduced by combining the following measures: a1) Always suction without flushing. The disadvantage of this is that it results in soiling of the toilet bowl. a2) Suction without flushing only when there is only liquid product (e.g. urine) in the toilet bowl. A sensor (sensor element) is required to detect the status ("only liquid product" or "not only liquid product"). b) Reducing the water flow and / or water pressure during the flushing process. This still partially cleans the toilet bowl. c1) Starting suction before flushing begins (e.g. 0.5 seconds) to create an airflow that draws the aerosols away from the user. This results in only a slightly reduced cleaning effect.c2) Pre-suction with a lower flow (compared to vacuum suction) before rinsing begins to create an airflow that draws the aerosols away from the user. This results in only a slightly reduced cleaning effect.

[0057] Regarding the aforementioned pre-suction with a lower flow before flushing, the following should be noted: It is suggested that suction be initiated before flushing begins (e.g., 0.5 seconds) to create an airflow that draws the aerosols away from the user. This results in only a slightly reduced cleaning effect (since, for example, toilet paper is not yet fully moistened).

[0058] A possible solution is:

[0059] - Establish a lighter airflow before / during rinsing to prevent aerosol spread.

[0060] - Increasing the air flow after the rinse process to completely remove solids and, for example, soaked toilet paper.

[0061] - This allows aerosols to be removed early, while at the same time providing a good cleaning effect with minimal air throughput.

[0062] In order to implement a vacuum supply line for suction with reduced flow, there are the following options in particular:

[0063] 1.) Installation of a butterfly valve in the wastewater discharge line: Air can then be extracted at the free opening height of the existing wastewater discharge line opening to prevent blockages. In a first valve position, the wastewater discharge line is closed. In a second valve position, air extraction (reduced flow) occurs during water flushing. In a third valve position, vacuum extraction ("flushing") occurs.

[0064] In particular, an additional opening is created in the disc valve.

[0065] 2.) Use of a conventional butterfly valve in the vacuum supply line (wastewater discharge line), i.e., two valve positions: wastewater discharge line closed or fully open (flush / vacuum extraction). Additionally, a separate air vent (i.e., not in the wastewater discharge line) is created in the area of, or through, a new, additional air duct in the form of the air outlet opening (this reduces the risk of blockage during air extraction during rinsing). Starting with the wastewater discharge line closed and no extraction through the air outlet opening, extraction first occurs through the air outlet opening, while the wastewater discharge line remains closed. Then, without extraction through the air outlet opening, flushing / vacuum extraction occurs through the wastewater discharge line. The invention is defined by the appended claims.The illustrated embodiments serve only to facilitate a better understanding of the invention, but are not intended to limit the scope of protection defined by the claims. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, other embodiments are also possible within the scope of the invention, in particular by adding additional features to the described embodiments and by combining features of the described embodiments not explicitly mentioned.

[0066] The above and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following exemplary description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which, mostly schematically:

[0067] Fig. 1 shows a toilet according to the invention;

[0068] Fig. 2 shows the toilet from Figure 1 in an alternative embodiment without additional air outlet opening in operation with vacuum extraction with previous extraction at a lower flow rate;

[0069] Fig. 3a a first, and

[0070] Fig. 3b shows a second variant of a disc valve in the toilet according to Figure 2 in rotational positions for operation according to Figure 2;

[0071] Fig. 4 the toilet from Figure 1 in a representation according to Figure 2,

[0072] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method for operating the toilets of Figures 1 to 4.

[0073] Fig. 6 shows a curve of control signals for the toilet from Figure 2 over time during a flush.

[0074] Figure 1 shows a rough representation of a toilet 10 of a toilet system, although some common elements of such toilets 10 / toilet systems and elements to which the toilet 10 may be connected and elements in which the toilet 10 may be incorporated are not shown in Figure 1. This toilet 10 is arranged here in a cabin (not shown in detail) of an aircraft 100 (not shown in detail), and grey water is typically used to flush the toilet, as explained further below.

[0075] The toilet 10 has, similar to conventional toilets, a toilet bowl 12, on the top of which there is a seat 13 for sitting and a lid 14 for locking / covering the toilet bowl 12. The seat 13 and lid 14 can each be rotated between a first position (lowered position) on the top of the toilet key 12 (shown as a solid line in the figure for the seat 13, as a dashed line for the lid 14) and an open position (shown as a solid line in the figure for the lid 14). When the lid 14 is in the lowered position, it shields the toilet bowl 12 and any aerosols generated therein in the toilet 10 from the environment of the toilet 10 and thus from a toilet user (not shown). This position of the lid 10 therefore describes its covering state AZ and is shown as a dashed line in the figure.

[0076] Analogous to conventional toilets, the toilet 10 contains a flush control element 16 that can be operated by the toilet user, a flush input line 18 for introducing flush water 102 (symbolized by an arrow) into the toilet bowl 12, and a wastewater output line 20 for discharging wastewater 104 (symbolized by an arrow) from the toilet bowl 12. In a vacuum extraction system, in addition to the wastewater 104, air / aerosol is also sucked out of the toilet 10 / toilet bowl 12 through the wastewater output line 20 (see Figures 2 and 4).

[0077] In the embodiment according to Figure 1, the toilet 10 also includes an additional air outlet opening 22 in the form of a supplementary air outlet opening 22b for additionally discharging air / aerosol from the toilet bowl 12. "Additional" means an alternative outlet for air / aerosol to that which leads out of the toilet 10 via the waste water outlet line 20.

[0078] Contrary to the exemplary basic structure of the toilet shown in Fig. 1, this air outlet opening 22 does not necessarily have to be directly adjacent to the toilet bowl 12, and can, for example (not shown in the figures), be designed as a separate line in the area around the toilet bowl 12. Furthermore, the toilet 10 includes a control system 24 coupled to the flush control element 16, the lid 14 of the toilet bowl 12, the flush input line 18, the wastewater output line 20, and the air outlet opening 22.

[0079] The control system 24 is configured such that, upon actuation of the flush control element 16, it first activates the lid 14 to lower it onto the toilet bowl 12. In other words, the lid 14 is requested to enter the cover state AZ in order to lock / cover the toilet bowl 12 before a flush (flush water 102) of the toilet bowl 12 is started through the flush input line 18.

[0080] In other words, control system 24 is configured such that, upon actuation of flush control element 16, it first lowers lid 14 onto toilet bowl 12 to lock the toilet bowl 12 before starting any flushing of toilet bowl 12 with flush water 16. Control system 24 is further configured to determine whether the cover state AZ actually exists, i.e., whether the request was successful. It is therefore determined whether the toilet bowl 12 has actually been locked by the lowered lid 14. Flushing is started when the cover state AZ is determined. Otherwise, an error state FZ is determined, and an error measure FM is initiated. This is explained further below.

[0081] Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the toilet 10. Here, the air outlet opening 22 is not designed as a separate additional air outlet opening 22b. Instead, it is designed as an air outlet area 22a of the wastewater outlet line 20 itself. The wastewater outlet line 20 connected to the toilet bowl 12 therefore has—in the figure below—a wastewater outlet area 20a and the air outlet area 22a at the top.

[0082] Figure 2 shows the toilet 10 after use. The wastewater 104 in the toilet bowl 12 now consists of liquid urine and solid toilet paper. In position "A" shown on the left in the figure, the wastewater outlet line 20 is still closed. No wastewater 104 or air / aerosol is being discharged from the toilet bowl 12.

[0083] In position "B" shown in the center, the wastewater outlet area 20a of the wastewater outlet line 20 is still closed, so that no vacuum suction of the wastewater 104 from the toilet bowl 12 takes place. However, the air outlet area 22a of the wastewater outlet line 20 is already open, so that air and any aerosol present are suctioned out of the toilet bowl 12. Now, the introduction of flush water 102 begins, indicated by arrows. (Further) aerosols are or may be created in the process. These are also at least partially suctioned away via the air outlet area 22a. The toilet user standing next to the toilet 10 is therefore protected from inhaling the aerosols.

[0084] In position "C" shown on the right in the figure, which in an alternative embodiment can also directly follow position "A," the wastewater outlet area 20a (and the air outlet area 22a) of the wastewater outlet line 20 is open, so that a "normal" vacuum suction of the toilet bowl 12 now takes place across the entire wastewater outlet line 20. In this case, both the wastewater 104 and—with a higher pull / flow rate than in position B—air and aerosol are suctioned out of the toilet bowl 12.

[0085] The toilet can be flushed (arrows indicating flush water 102) with fresh or gray water. The lid 14 is not closed in Figure 2. Therefore, the aerosol extraction takes place when the toilet lid 14 is not closed for aerosol reduction after the aerosol extraction system has been activated (position "B" or, if this is not available, position "C").

[0086] Fig. 3a shows a cross-section along line III in Fig. 2 through the toilet 10 or the wastewater outlet line 20. Located on this is a disc valve 106, which extends across the entire cross-section of the wastewater outlet line 20 and beyond and is rotatable (arrows in positions B and C). The rotational positions are shown in positions AC, as described above. The disc valve contains a first opening 108, which can expose the entire cross-section of the wastewater outlet line 20 in order to perform vacuum extraction. The disc valve contains a second opening 110, which can only expose a portion of the cross-section of the wastewater outlet line 20, located above the water level of the wastewater 104 in Fig. 2, in order to allow a separate discharge / suction of air / aerosol from the toilet bowl 12 via the wastewater outlet line 20 without allowing wastewater 104 to flow away.In position A, the wastewater discharge line 20 is completely blocked by a solid section of the disc valve 106. In position B, the second opening 110 is rotated into the wastewater discharge line 20, allowing separate discharge / suction of air / aerosol from the toilet bowl 12. In position C, the first opening 108 is rotated into the wastewater discharge line 20, allowing vacuum suction of air / aerosol and wastewater 104 from the toilet bowl 12.

[0087] Figure 3b shows an alternative butterfly valve 106. Here, the first opening 108 and second opening 110 are designed as two sections of a single opening. Otherwise, the explanations for Figure 3a also apply here.

[0088] The disc valves 106 of Figures 3a and 3b thus show further variants for realizing the air outlet opening 22 in the form of the air outlet area 22a, in each of which an additional opening in the form of the air outlet opening 22 is present in the toilet key 12, which is formed in the waste water outlet line 20.

[0089] Figure 6 shows a sequence of control signals for the toilet 10 from Figure 2, or the positions A to C shown therein, over time t. At time T0, the toilet 10 is initially in position A after a user has used it. At time T0, the user actuates the flush control element. A lid signal 140 is a closing signal for the lid 14. However, the lid is blocked and does not close. Therefore, error state FZ is detected. The disc valve is in position A. This is indicated by valve signal 146 (here, rotational position to position A). The vacuum generation at the wastewater outlet line 20 is started at time T0, as shown by vacuum signal 144. A negative pressure is present at the disc valve, but because of its closed position, this does not affect the toilet bowl 12.

[0090] At time T1, a flush signal 142 becomes active, triggering the introduction of flushing agent 102, as shown in position B. For this purpose, the disc valve 106 moves to the rotary position according to position B (recognizable by the valve signal 146). Air and aerosol are sucked out of the toilet bowl 12 due to the vacuum now acting in the toilet bowl 12 through the second opening 110 via the wastewater discharge line 20. The air extraction flow is reduced due to the comparatively small second opening 110. At time T2, the introduction of flushing water is terminated (flush signal 142 becomes inactive). The disc valve 106 moves to the rotary position according to position C (fully open due to the first opening 108), recognizable by the valve signal 146. Vacuum extraction now takes place with full vacuum pressure and full air extraction flow.

[0091] At time T3, vacuum extraction is completed. The vacuum is released / deactivated (vacuum signal 144). At the same time, the rotary valve returns to position A according to valve signal 146, and the wastewater discharge line 20 is closed again.

[0092] Fig. 4 shows the embodiment of the toilet 10 from Figure 1. Here, an additional air outlet opening 22 of the toilet 10 is formed as a separate auxiliary air outlet opening 22b from the wastewater outlet line 20. In other words, the air outlet opening 22 is formed here as an auxiliary air outlet opening 22b separate from the wastewater outlet line 20.

[0093] Figure 5 illustrates a method 50 by which the toilet 10 is operated.

[0094] In step 51, the toilet user actuates the flush control element 16. This detects a flush request to the toilet 10.

[0095] In a step 52 (closing the toilet bowl 12 by the lid 14), after the flush request has been detected, the lid 14 is activated to close the toilet bowl 12. This means that a drive (not shown) is activated to lower the lid 14 onto the toilet bowl 12—if it has not yet been lowered into the covering state AZ.

[0096] In step 120, a check is now made to determine whether the request to activate / lower the lid 14 has actually been successful. This check is made to determine whether the cover state AZ is actually present, i.e., whether the toilet bowl 12 is actually closed by the lid 14.

[0097] If the cover state AZ is actually present ("J" in Figure 5), flushing of the toilet bowl 12 is started in a step 53 (starting flushing with the toilet bowl 12 closed). This is done by opening the flush inlet line 18 and thus introducing flush water 102 into the toilet bowl 12. In a step 122, a brief wait, in this case 1 second, is performed after the flushing has begun.

[0098] In a step 54 (wastewater suction - preferably using a vacuum system), i.e., after the short pause (step 122), the wastewater suction is then started. The wastewater discharge line 20 is opened and, with the aid of a vacuum system (not shown) of the aircraft 100, subjected to a comparatively strong vacuum—compared to the above-mentioned discharge of air via the air outlet opening 20. Thus, wastewater 104 and air / aerosols are discharged from the toilet bowl 12.

[0099] This concludes the procedure (end 130).

[0100] If it is determined in step 120 that the lowering of the lid 14 was not successful, i.e., the covering state AZ has not occurred, the error state FZ is determined ("N" in Figure 5). The toilet bowl 12 is therefore not closed by the lid 14 after all. Therefore, an error measure FM is initiated. Several options exist for this:

[0101] In one embodiment, the toilet 12 includes a sensor element 126 (see Figure 1). This sensor element is capable of determining whether the toilet bowl contains only liquid product in the form of wastewater 104 (here, only water and urine) or whether the toilet bowl contains not only liquid but also solid product in the form of wastewater 104 (here, urine, water, and toilet paper).

[0102] In a step 124, it is determined - here with the aid of the sensor element 126 - whether wastewater 104 is present in the toilet bowl 12 in the form of only a liquid product.

[0103] If this is the case ("J" in Figure 5), the wastewater 104 is suctioned out (e.g., using a vacuum system, as explained above) in a step 55 without flushing the toilet bowl 12. Therefore, no flushing water 102 is introduced. Step 55 therefore describes "suction (preferably using a vacuum system) without flushing when the toilet bowl 12 is not closed and only liquid product is present." However, if the toilet bowl 12 does not only contain liquid product ("N" in Figure 5), the suction is started in step 56 (e.g., using a vacuum system) without first activating a flush. Here, too, a short wait occurs in a step 122, in the example, 0.5 seconds. Only then, in step 57, i.e., after a short pause (step 122), is a flushing process performed with reduced pressure (e.g., reduced by 25%) and a reduced quantity (e.g., 25%) of the flushing water 102. This therefore only occurs after the start of the suction process in step 56.This also concludes the proceedings.

[0104] Step 56 therefore describes "starting the suction (preferably by means of a vacuum system) without flushing with the toilet bowl 12 not closed, if not only liquid product is present".

[0105] Step 57 therefore describes a “flushing with reduced pressure and reduced volume”.

[0106] Alternatively, however, in this case, after executing step 56, the two following steps are bypassed, i.e., not performed (shown in dashed lines in Fig. 5). Thus, only vacuum extraction occurs without rinsing.

[0107] Alternatively, however, in step 56, only a preliminary suction is started, not the vacuum suction. This means that air and, if present, aerosol are suctioned out of the toilet bowl through the air outlet opening 22. Steps 122 and 57 are then executed as described above; however, in step 57, the vacuum suction is also started.

[0108] The two sequences in the paths shown in Figure 5 with step 55 on the one hand and steps 56 (and possibly 122 and 57) on the other hand can also be carried out without the query in step 124. As an emergency measure, either the left path in Figure 5 (step 55) or the right path (step 56, optionally also 122 and 57) is carried out directly.

[0109] As a further option for an error measure FM, a step 128 can also be performed. In this step, in various embodiments:

[0110] Either toilet 10 is marked as "out of service" for further use.

[0111] And / or a flushing process of the toilet bowl 12 is started using fresh water as flush water 102 according to steps 53, 122, and 54 (left path in Figure 5). If necessary, the supply of flush water 102 to the flush input line in the aircraft 100 is switched from a gray water source to a fresh water source (neither of which is shown in the figures).

[0112] REFERENCE NUMBER LIST

[0113] 10 Toilet

[0114] 12 toilet bowls

[0115] 13 glasses

[0116] 14 lids

[0117] 16 Flush control element

[0118] 18 Flushing input line

[0119] 20 Wastewater discharge line

[0120] 20a Wastewater discharge area

[0121] 22 Air outlet opening

[0122] 22a Air outlet area

[0123] 22b Additional air outlet opening

[0124] 24 Tax system

[0125] 50 procedures

[0126] 51 steps

[0127] 52 steps

[0128] 53 steps

[0129] 54 steps

[0130] 55 steps

[0131] 56 steps

[0132] 57 steps

[0133] 100 aircraft

[0134] 102 Rinse water

[0135] 104 Wastewater

[0136] 106 disc valve

[0137] 108 first opening

[0138] 110 second opening

[0139] 120 steps

[0140] 122 steps

[0141] 124 steps

[0142] 126 sensor element

[0143] 128 steps

[0144] 130 End 140 Cover signal

[0145] 142 Flushing signal

[0146] 144 Vacuum signal.

[0147] 146 Valve signal

[0148] AZ cover condition

[0149] FZ error state

[0150] A,B,C Position

[0151] FM error action

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS 1. Toilet (10), comprising: - a toilet bowl (12); and - a lid (14) which can be lowered onto the toilet bowl (12) to close it; and - a flush control element (16) operable by the user of the toilet (10); and - a flush inlet line (18) for introducing flush water (102) into the toilet bowl (12); and - a waste water discharge line (20) for discharging waste water (104) from the toilet bowl (12), - wherein the toilet (10) has a control system (24) which is configured to first activate a lowering of the lid (14) onto the toilet bowl (12) to close the toilet bowl (12) upon actuation of the flushing control element (16) before a possible flushing of the toilet bowl (12) with the flushing water (102) can be started, - wherein the control system (24) is further configured to determine whether a covering condition (AZ) exists in which the toilet bowl (12) has actually been closed by the lowered lid (14), and to start flushing if the covering condition (AZ) is determined, and otherwise to determine a fault condition (FZ) and to initiate a fault action (FM).

2. Toilet (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that - the toilet bowl (12) together with the waste water discharge line (20) is designed for vacuum suction of the toilet bowl (12), wherein the control system (24) is configured - after the cover state (AZ) has been determined and the flushing has been started, to start the vacuum extraction, and - after the fault condition (FZ) has been detected, to start the vacuum extraction as part of the fault action (FM) before any flushing.

3. Toilet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control system (24) is configured, within the scope of the error measure (FM): - to mark the toilet (10) as out of service for further use, and / or - to start a flushing process of the toilet bowl (12) with fresh water as flushing water (102).

4. Toilet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet (10) further comprises a sensor element (126) configured to determine whether in the toilet bowl (12) - only or - not only liquid product is present, and wherein the control system (24) is configured - to determine such a finding within the framework of the error measure (FM), and - with flushing water (102) of reduced pressure compared to the covering state (AZ) and / or reduced quantity if not only liquid product was detected in the toilet bowl (12), and / or - not to flush the toilet bowl (12) if only liquid product has been detected in the toilet bowl (12).

5. Toilet (10) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet (10) further comprises an air outlet opening (22) for separately discharging air from the area of ​​the toilet bowl (12); - wherein the air outlet opening (22) is formed by an air outlet region (22a) as a part of the waste water outlet line (20) or an additional air outlet opening (22b) separate from the waste water outlet line (20), - wherein the air outlet opening (22) is configured to vacuum the toilet bowl (12) at a lower flow rate than vacuum suction through the waste water outlet line (20), - wherein the control system (24) is configured to first start the discharge of air through the air discharge opening (22) as part of the fault measure (FM) and only then to start flushing the toilet bowl (12).

6. Toilet (10) according to claim 5, characterized in that in the case of the air discharge area (22a), this is created in that the waste water discharge line (20) contains a disc valve (106) which has a first opening (108) for vacuum extraction and a second opening (110) in the form of the air discharge opening (22) as the air discharge area (22a), wherein by rotating the disc valve (106) - either the waste water outlet line (20) is blocked - or opened exclusively through the second opening (110) - or is opened through the first opening (108).

7. Aircraft (100) with a toilet (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

8. Aircraft (100) according to claim 7, wherein the toilet (10) is connected to a vacuum toilet system of the aircraft (100).

9. A method (50) for operating a toilet (10) or an aircraft containing the toilet, in which: - when a flushing request for flushing a toilet bowl (12) of the toilet (10) with flushing water (102) is detected, a lid (14) is first activated to close the toilet bowl (12) before the possible flushing of the toilet bowl (12) is started, and - in which it is determined whether a covering state (AZ) exists in which the toilet bowl (12) has actually been closed by the lowered lid (14), and wherein - if the cover state (AZ) has been detected, the flushing is started and otherwise an error state (FZ) is detected and an error measure (FM) is initiated.

10. Method (50) according to claim 9, characterized in that - if the toilet bowl (12) is designed together with a waste water discharge line (20) of the toilet (10) for vacuum extraction of the toilet bowl (12): - if and after the covering condition (AZ) has been determined and the flushing has been started, the vacuum extraction is started, and - if and after the fault condition (FZ) has been detected, the vacuum extraction is started as part of the fault action (FM) before any flushing.

11. Method (50) according to one of claims 9 to 10, characterized in that within the scope of the error measure (FM): - the toilet (10) is marked as out of service for further use, and / or - the flushing process of the toilet bowl (12) is started with fresh water as flushing water (102).

12. Method (50) according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that as part of the error measure (FM) it is determined whether there is not only liquid product in the toilet bowl (12); - and wherein, if not only liquid product has been detected in the toilet bowl (12), flushing is carried out with flushing water (102) of reduced pressure and / or reduced quantity compared to the covering state (AZ), and / or - the toilet bowl (12) is not flushed if only liquid product has been detected in the toilet bowl (12).

13. Method (50) according to one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that within the framework of the error measure (FM) - first, the separate discharge of air from the toilet bowl (12) through an air outlet opening (22) of the toilet (10) is started at a lower flow rate than a vacuum extraction through the waste water outlet line (20), - and only then is the toilet bowl (12) flushed.

14. Method (50) according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that grey water is used as flushing water (102) for flushing the toilet (10), at least in the covered state (AZ).

15. Method (50) according to one of claims 9 to 14, characterized in that the suction from the toilet bowl (12) of the toilet (10) is carried out by means of a vacuum toilet system.

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