Device for actuating a flushing mechanism of a toilet

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for actuating a flushing mechanism (2) of a toilet (3), having at least the following: - a housing (4); and - at least one actuating device (5, 6) for triggering the flushing mechanism (2), the at least one actuating device (5, 6) having a pressure surface (7) for an actuating button (7, 8), and the pressure surface (7) being at least partially convex.

Description

[0001] Device for flushing a toilet

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for flushing a toilet. Such toilets are used, in particular, for collecting bodily excretions.

[0003] Toilets typically have a toilet bowl that can be cleaned by flushing after use. The flush may, for example, have a cistern for holding a flushing fluid, with the flow of the flushing fluid from the cistern into the toilet bowl being controllable via a drain valve. The drain valve can be actuated by a toilet user via at least one actuating button on the device.

[0004] The device is typically located in a wall inspection shaft and covered with a (particularly decorative) cover plate comprising the at least one actuating button. By means of the at least one actuating button, a bellows, for example, can be pressed via an actuating mechanism. This generates compressed air, which can be used to control the drain valve. The at least one actuating button can be moved translationally or pivotably within the device or the cover plate. The actuating mechanism must be adapted to the type of movement or guidance of the at least one actuating button, so that the device can have actuating buttons that can be moved either only translationally or only pivotally. This limits the design freedom of the device.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to at least partially solve the problems described with reference to the prior art and, in particular, to provide a device for actuating a toilet flush that allows a high degree of design freedom. Furthermore, the device can have many identical parts and / or serve as a universal platform for various design variants. This object is achieved with a device according to the features of the independent patent claim. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent patent claims. It should be noted that the features individually listed in the patent claims can be combined with one another in any technologically expedient manner and define further embodiments of the invention.Furthermore, the features specified in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0006] A device for actuating a flush of a toilet contributes to this, which device has at least the following:

[0007] - a housing; and

[0008] - at least one actuating device for triggering the flush, wherein the at least one actuating device has a pressure surface for an actuating button, wherein the pressure surface is at least partially convex.

[0009] The toilet can, in particular, be designed in the manner of a (sit-up) toilet or a urinal. Furthermore, the toilet can have a toilet bowl that can be cleaned by flushing. Cleaning occurs, in particular, by means of a flushing liquid, the release of which into the toilet bowl can be activated by at least one actuating button of a device for actuating the flush of the toilet. The flush can have a cistern for holding the flushing liquid and / or a drain valve for controlling the release of the flushing liquid to the toilet bowl. The flush can be at least partially attached to a mounting frame of the toilet, by means of which the toilet can be attached to a wall of a building. Such mounting frames are known, for example, as pre-wall elements. These are attached to the wall of the building and then covered with a pre-wall. Wall cladding elements, for example in the style of tiles, can in turn be attached to the pre-wall.An inspection shaft or wall opening can be formed in the wall and / or the partition wall. The device or a housing of the device can be arranged, in particular, at least partially in the inspection shaft or in the wall opening. The cistern of the flushing system can be arranged, in particular, behind the device in the wall or in a cavity between the wall and the partition wall.

[0010] The housing of the device can be made at least partially of plastic and / or metal. For example, the housing can be a plastic injection-molded part. An assembly space is formed in the housing of the device. The assembly space can extend from an assembly space opening in the housing to a base of the housing. When the device is assembled, the assembly space opening can be aligned, in particular, with the inspection shaft or with the wall opening in the wall and / or pre-wall. The assembly space opening can extend orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the housing or of the assembly space. The longitudinal axis of the housing can be a central axis of the housing or of the assembly space. The longitudinal axis of the housing can extend through the assembly space at least partially centrally and / or concentrically to the assembly space. The longitudinal axis of the housing can extend through the assembly space at least partially centrally and / or concentrically to the assembly space.The housing may have side walls that at least partially delimit the mounting space.

[0011] The device comprises at least one actuating device for triggering the flush or for actuating the flush. The at least one actuating device can be an actuating mechanism or an actuating cartridge. The actuating cartridge can comprise the actuating mechanism. The at least one actuating device is arranged or fastened in particular in and / or on the housing or the mounting space of the housing. The device can have a plurality of actuating devices, for example two actuating devices. The at least one actuating device can be actuated by a user of the device, in particular via the at least one actuating button. In particular, a drain valve can be actuated or controlled by the at least one actuating device. The actuating devices can be of the same or identical design.The at least one actuating device can be a compressed air generator and / or comprise a compressed air generator. The at least one actuating device can be or be connected to the drain valve in a compressed air-conducting manner. The at least one actuating device can be or have an electrical or electronic signal transmitter. The at least one actuating device can be or be connected to the drain valve in a data-conducting manner.

[0012] The at least one actuating device can have a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing can extend along a cartridge longitudinal axis and / or be at least partially formed as a cylinder. The cartridge housing can at least partially have a round cross-section (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis). The at least one actuating device can have a push rod. The push rod can be a plunger, for example. The push rod can extend parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis and / or be at least partially formed as a piston. The at least one actuating device has a pressure surface for the actuating button. The pressure surface can be formed at a first longitudinal end of the actuating device. The pressure surface can be pressed by a user of the device, in particular via the actuating button.By pressing the pressure surface, a trigger or the pressure generator can be actuated or activated. By pressing the pressure surface, the push rod can be adjusted into the cartridge housing (in particular parallel to the cartridge's longitudinal axis). By adjusting the push rod into the cartridge housing, the compressed air can be generated. The at least one actuating device can have a return spring by which the push rod can be adjusted out of the cartridge housing or can be reset. The return spring can be a helical spring. The return spring can be arranged coaxially to the push rod. A stroke of the push rod can be adjustable, for example by means of a (in particular adjustable) stop for the push rod and / or by means of a spacer (in particular attached to the push rod). By adjusting the stroke of the push rod, a flushing quantity of the flushing liquid can be adjusted.A large stroke allows a large amount of rinsing fluid to be released through the drain valve, and a small stroke allows a small amount of rinsing fluid to be released through the drain valve.

[0013] The at least one actuating device can have a compressed air outlet for the compressed air or an (electrical) cable connection. The compressed air outlet or cable connection can be arranged in particular at a second longitudinal end of the at least one actuating device. A connecting line can be connectable to the compressed air outlet or the cable connection. The connecting line can be, for example, a compressed air hose or an electrical cable. The at least one actuating device can be connected to the drain valve via the connecting line. The at least one actuating device can have a length of, for example, 10 mm to 200 mm (in particular parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis) and / or a diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis). The at least one actuating device can comprise all functionally relevant elements of an actuating mechanism.

[0014] The pressure surface of the at least one actuating device is at least partially or completely convex. The pressure surface can be partially spherical. The pressure surface can be oriented toward the first longitudinal end and / or at least partially or completely curved toward the first longitudinal end. The pressure surface can be concentric with the cartridge's longitudinal axis. The pressure surface can be oriented toward the assembly space opening of the housing. The pressure surface can have a pressure surface diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm and / or a radius of curvature of 10 mm to 100 mm. The pressure surface can serve as a contact surface and / or sliding surface for the actuating button. An actuating button that is translationally movable, in particular on and / or in the device or on and / or in the cover plate, can be attached to the pressure surface and / or on the pressure surface.A pivotable or rotatable actuating button, in particular on and / or in the device or on and / or in the cover plate, can contact the pressure surface, in particular with a back side, and / or slide and / or roll on the pressure surface when the actuating button is actuated, in particular with the back side. The pivotable or rotatable actuating button can be a rocker button. The pivotable actuating button can be mounted on a pivot axis. The pivot axis can be formed, for example, on the housing or the cover plate. The pivot axis can run orthogonally to the housing longitudinal axis and / or to the cartridge longitudinal axis.

[0015] The convex pressure surface allows the device to be flexibly equipped with both translational and pivoting actuation buttons. The ability to combine button types as desired increases the device's design flexibility.

[0016] The at least one actuating device can be designed as an actuating cartridge.

[0017] The pressure surface can be formed on a push rod of the at least one actuating device and / or on a key adapter of the at least one actuating device. The pressure surface can be formed on the push rod or on a key adapter of the push rod. The pressure surface can be formed on a first longitudinal end of the actuating device, the push rod, and / or the key adapter.

[0018] The at least one actuating device can have a trigger for the flushing. The trigger can be, for example, the pressure generator, a bellows, a cuff, an outlet valve, or an electronic button. The trigger can be actuated, for example, via the push rod. The trigger can be used to generate compressed air, for example. The trigger can be arranged in the cartridge housing.

[0019] The pressure surface can extend in a cross-shaped or strip-shaped manner. In particular, the pressure surface can extend in a cross-shaped or strip-shaped manner orthogonal to the housing longitudinal axis and / or the cartridge longitudinal axis. This allows, in particular, the pressure surface to be designed in a material-saving manner. The device can have at least one actuating button that can be moved in a translational or pivotable manner. The device can have a plurality of actuating buttons that can be moved in a translational or pivotable manner, for example, two actuating buttons that can be moved in a translational or pivotable manner, and / or a plurality of pivotable actuating buttons, for example, two pivotable actuating buttons.

[0020] The device may comprise a first actuating button that is translationally movable and a second actuating button that is pivotally movable. The device may comprise at least one translationally movable (first) actuating button and at least one pivotally movable (second) actuating button.

[0021] The pivoting actuating button can roll along the printing surface. The pivoting actuating button can roll along the printing surface, particularly when the pivoting actuating button is pivoted about the pivot axis.

[0022] The at least one actuating button can have at least one first fastening device for the at least one actuating device. In particular, the at least one translationally movable actuating button or the at least one first actuating button can have at least one first fastening device. The at least one first fastening device can be, for example, a locking hook, a snap-in element, a locking geometry, a thread, or a screw. With the aid of the at least one first fastening device, the at least one actuating button can be fastened in particular to the at least one actuating device.

[0023] The at least one actuating device can have at least one second fastening device for at least one actuating button. The at least one second fastening device can be formed in particular on the push rod or the button adapter. The at least one second fastening device can be, for example, a locking hook, a snap-in element, a locking geometry, a thread, or a screw. With the aid of the at least one second fastening device, the at least one actuating button, the at least one translationally movable actuating button, and / or the at least one first actuating button can be fastened in particular to the at least one actuating device.

[0024] The invention and the technical environment are explained in more detail below with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures show a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, but are not limited thereto. Identical components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically:

[0025] Fig. 1: a toilet with a device for activating a flush in a perspective view;

[0026] Fig. 2: a mounting frame of the toilet in a perspective sectional view;

[0027] Fig. 3: the device for actuating the flush in a perspective longitudinal section;

[0028] Fig. 4: the device for actuating the flush with a first actuating button in an actuating position in longitudinal section;

[0029] Fig. 5: the device for actuating the flush with a second actuating button in an actuating position in longitudinal section;

[0030] Fig. 6: an actuating device of the device with an actuating button in an initial position in a side view; and Fig. 7: the actuating device of the device with the actuating button in an actuating position in a side view.

[0031] Fig. 1 shows a toilet 3 in a perspective view. The toilet 3 comprises a toilet bowl 13, which is attached to a wall 15 of a building by means of a mounting frame 14 shown in Fig. 2. The mounting frame 14 shown in Fig. 2 is concealed in Fig. 1 by a false wall 16 and wall cladding elements 17, which are designed as tiles here. The mounting frame 14 is thus arranged in a cavity 18 between the wall 15 and the false wall 16. The false wall 16 has an opening, not visible here, which connects the cavity 18 to an environment 19. The opening is covered by a cover plate 20 of a device 1 for actuating a flush 2 of the toilet 3, shown in Fig. 2.

[0032] Fig. 2 shows the mounting frame 14 of the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 1 without the pre-wall 16 and the wall cladding elements 17. The flush 2 of the toilet 3 is attached to the mounting frame 14 and comprises a cistern 21 for a flushing liquid. A drain valve (not visible here) is arranged in the cistern 21, with which the outflow of the flushing liquid from the cistern 21 to the toilet bowl 13 shown in Fig. 1 can be controlled. The drain valve can be actuated via the device 1 by a user (not shown here).

[0033] Fig. 3 shows the device 1 for actuating the flush 2 shown in Fig. 2 of the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 1 with the cover plate 20 in a perspective longitudinal section. The device 1 comprises a housing 4 in which a first actuating device 5 and a second actuating device 6 are arranged. The actuating devices 5, 6 are each designed as an actuating cartridge. The device 1 or the cover plate 20 has a first actuating button 8 and a second actuating button 9. The first actuating button 8 is connected to the first actuating device 5 and the second actuating button 9 is connected to the second actuating device 6. The actuating buttons 8, 9 are each in an initial position 22 in Fig. 3. The housing 4 extends tubularly and / or rectangularly along a longitudinal housing axis 24 and has an assembly space 25 in its interior.The housing 4 has a mounting space opening 28 at a first longitudinal housing end 26 and a base 29 at a second longitudinal housing end 27. The mounting space opening 28 is covered by the cover plate 20 and the actuating buttons 8, 9. The cover plate 20 is attached to the housing 4. The actuating devices 5, 6 are mounted in the mounting space 25.

[0034] The first actuating device 5 comprises a cartridge housing 30 that extends along a cartridge longitudinal axis 31. The cartridge housing 30 is partially tubular and has a round cross-section (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis 31 and / or in particular in a tubular section). A push rod 10 with a button adapter 34 is arranged at a first longitudinal end 32 of the first actuating device 5. The button adapter 34 of the push rod 10 has a convex pressure surface 7 at the first longitudinal end 32. The convex pressure surface 7 is oriented toward the first longitudinal end 32 and is curved toward the first longitudinal end 32, in particular partially spherical.

[0035] The first actuating button 8 has first fastening devices 11, which are designed as locking hooks. The push rod 10 or the button adapter 34 of the push rod 10 has second fastening devices 12, which are locking geometries. The first actuating button 8 is fastened by means of the fastening devices 11, 12 to the button adapter 34 of the push rod 10 or to the pressure surface 7 of the button adapter 34.

[0036] By pressing the first actuating button 8, the push rod 10 with the button adapter 34 can be adjusted into the cartridge housing 30 to actuate a trigger 35 of the first actuating device 5, parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis 31 or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 24. The first actuating button 8 is translationally movable. The first actuating device 5 has a return spring 36 with which the push rod 10 can be reset or moved out of the cartridge housing 30 parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis 31 or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 24 when the first actuating button 8 is no longer pressed by the user. The trigger 35 here is a bellows. If the push rod 10 is moved into the cartridge housing 30, the trigger 35 generates compressed air, which can be released via a compressed air outlet 37 at a second longitudinal end 33 of the first actuating device 5.The first actuating device 5 and the second actuating device 6 are identically designed. The description of the first actuating device 5 can therefore be applied to the second actuating device 6.

[0037] The second actuating button 9 is pivotable about a pivot axis 38 shown in Figs. 6 and 7 and contacts with its rear side 39 the convex pressure surface 7 of the second actuating device 6. The second actuating button 9 is pivotally movable.

[0038] Fig. 4 shows the device 1 in a perspective longitudinal section after the first actuating button 8 has been moved by a user of the device 1 (not shown here) from the starting position 22 shown in Fig. 3, parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis 31 or parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 24, into an actuating position 23. As a result, the push rod 10 of the first actuating device 5 has been moved into the cartridge housing 30. By actuating or pressing the first actuating button 8, the toilet bowl 13 shown in Fig. 1 can be flushed with a first amount or with a small amount of flushing liquid. The second actuating button 9 is in the starting position 22 in Fig. 4.

[0039] Fig. 5 shows the device 1 in a perspective longitudinal section after the second actuating button 9 has been moved by a user of the device 1 (not shown here) from the starting position 22 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 into the actuating position 23 about the pivot axis 38 shown in Figs. 6 and 7. As a result, the second actuating button 9 has rolled with its rear side 39 on the convex pressure surface 7 of the second actuating device 6. The second actuating button 9 has moved the push rod 10 of the second actuating device 6 into the cartridge housing 30. By actuating or pressing the second actuating button 9, the toilet bowl 13 shown in Fig. 1 can be flushed with a second quantity or with a large quantity of flushing liquid. The first actuating button 8 is in the starting position 22 in Fig. 5.

[0040] Fig. 6 shows a side view of the second actuating device 6 with the second actuating button 9. The second actuating button 9 is in the starting position 22 and its rear side 39 contacts the convex pressure surface 7 of the push rod 10 or the button adapter 34 of the push rod 10.

[0041] Fig. 7 shows the second actuating device 6 with the second actuating button 9 in a side view, after the second actuating button 9 has been pivoted by the user (not shown here) from the starting position 22 shown in Fig. 6 about the pivot axis 38 into the actuating position 23. The second actuating button 9 has rolled with its rear side 39 on the convex pressure surface 7 of the second actuating device 6. The second actuating button 9 has moved the push rod 10 of the second actuating device 6 into the cartridge housing 30.

[0042] The present invention allows a high degree of design freedom for the device 1.

[0043] List of reference symbols

[0044] 1 device

[0045] 2 Flush

[0046] 3 toilets

[0047] 4 housings

[0048] 5 first actuating device

[0049] 6 second actuating device

[0050] 7 printing area

[0051] 8 first operating button

[0052] 9 second operating button

[0053] 10 push rod

[0054] 11 first fastening device

[0055] 12 second fastening device

[0056] 13 toilet bowls

[0057] 14 mounting frames

[0058] 15 Wall

[0059] 16 Pretext

[0060] 17 wall cladding elements

[0061] 18 cavity

[0062] 19 Surroundings

[0063] 20 cover plate

[0064] 21 cistern

[0065] 22 Starting position

[0066] 23 Operating position

[0067] 24 Housing longitudinal axis

[0068] 25 assembly room

[0069] 26 first longitudinal housing end

[0070] 27 second longitudinal housing end 28 assembly space opening

[0071] 29 Floor

[0072] 30 cartridge housings

[0073] 31 Cartridge longitudinal axis 32 First longitudinal end

[0074] 33 second longitudinal end

[0075] 34 key adapters

[0076] 35 triggers

[0077] 36 Return spring 37 Compressed air outlet

[0078] 38 Swivel axis

[0079] 39 Back

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for actuating a flush (2) of a toilet (3), at least comprising: - a housing (4); and - at least one actuating device (5, 6) for triggering the flush (2), wherein the at least one actuating device (5, 6) has a pressure surface (7) for an actuating button (8, 9), wherein the pressure surface (7) is at least partially convex.

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuating device (5, 6) is designed as an actuating cartridge.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure surface (7) is formed on a pressure rod (10) of the at least one actuating device (5, 6) or on a key adapter (34) of the at least one actuating device (5, 6).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating device (5, 6) has a trigger (35) for the flushing (2).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pressure surface (7) extends in a cross-shaped or strip-shaped manner.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one actuating button (8, 9) which is movable in a translational or pivoting manner.

7. Device (1) according to claim 6, comprising a first actuating button (8) that is translationally movable and a second actuating button (9) that is pivotally movable.

8. Device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the pivotable actuating button (9) can roll on the pressure surface (7).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the at least one actuating button (8, 9) has at least one first fastening device (11) for the at least one actuating device (5, 6).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating device (5, 6) has at least one second fastening device (12) for at least one actuating button (8, 9).