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) with a plurality of fastening devices (5) for an actuating cartridge (6, 7); and - at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) for actuating the flushing mechanism (2), wherein the at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) can be arranged at different locations on or in the housing (4) with the aid of the plurality of fastening devices (5).

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 usually arranged in an inspection shaft of a wall and covered with a (particularly decorative) cover plate which comprises 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 with which the drain valve can be controlled. The configuration of the actuating mechanism depends on the design of the cover plate or on the arrangement of the at least one actuating button on the cover plate. If the design of the cover plate and / or the arrangement of the at least one actuating button on the cover plate is to be changed, the actuating mechanism and / or guides formed in a housing of the device for the actuating mechanism must be adapted. For reasons of space, design freedom is severely limited because the actuating mechanism is adapted to the housing and is therefore inflexible.In order to enable new design variants, new housings often have to be constructed, which involves a great deal of effort.

[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 without great effort. Furthermore, the device can have many identical parts and / or serve as a universal platform for various design variants.

[0006] 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 listed individually 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 listed in the patent claims are further specified and explained in the description, with further preferred embodiments of the invention being presented.

[0007] A device for actuating a flush of a toilet contributes to this, which device has at least the following:

[0008] - a housing with a plurality of fastening devices for an actuating cartridge; and

[0009] - at least one actuating cartridge for actuating the flush, wherein the at least one actuating cartridge can be arranged at different positions on or in the housing by means of the plurality of fastening devices.

[0010] 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.

[0011] 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.

[0012] The housing has a plurality of fastening devices for an actuating cartridge. The housing can have a multiplicity of fastening devices. The housing can have, for example, 2 to 100 fastening devices, 9 to 100 fastening devices, 16 to 100 fastening devices, or 25 to 100 fastening devices. The fastening devices can be distributed in the housing and / or the mounting space, at different locations and / or (in particular directly) adjacent to one another. The fastening devices can be arranged in rows and / or lines. The fastening devices can be arranged in a checkerboard pattern. The housing can have more fastening devices than actuating cartridges. The housing can have fastening devices for more actuating cartridges than the device has actuating cartridges. The fastening devices can be formed integrally with the housing.At least some of the fastening devices can be of identical design. The fastening devices serve to fasten an actuating cartridge, in particular in the mounting space. Each fastening device can serve to fasten precisely one actuating cartridge. The fastening devices can be designed as a slot, receptacle, and / or socket. The fastening devices can each extend along a fastening device longitudinal axis. The fastening device longitudinal axis can extend parallel to the housing longitudinal axis. The fastening devices can each have a length of, for example, 5 mm to 40 mm (in particular parallel to the fastening device longitudinal axis) and / or each have a diameter of 5 mm to 50 mm (in particular orthogonal to the fastening device longitudinal axis).The fastening devices can each have a round or square cross-section (in particular orthogonal to the fastening device's longitudinal axis). The fastening devices can each have a thread so that the at least one actuating cartridge can be screwed into the individual fastening devices. Alternatively, the at least one actuating cartridge can be fastened in the fastening devices, for example, by a bayonet connection. The cross-section can be triangular to decagonal, in particular octagonal. The fastening devices can be at least partially honeycomb-shaped. The actuating cartridge can be plugged into the individual fastening devices.The at least one actuating cartridge can have an outer contour that corresponds to an inner contour of the fastening devices, so that the at least one actuating cartridge is, in particular, non-rotatable in the fastening devices, for example, due to a positive fit. The outer contour of the at least one actuating cartridge can, for example, be triangular to decagonal, in particular octagonal. The individual fastening devices or the inner contour of the fastening devices can be formed at least partially by at least one web, in particular of the housing.The at least one actuating cartridge can be arranged in the fastening devices in particular such that the at least one actuating cartridge extends into the mounting space, extends in the direction of the mounting space opening, extends at least as far as the mounting space opening and / or a cartridge longitudinal axis of the at least one actuating cartridge runs (substantially) parallel to the housing longitudinal axis and / or parallel to the actuating device longitudinal axis.

[0013] The device has at least one actuating cartridge for actuating the flush. The device can have a plurality of actuating cartridges, for example two actuating cartridges. The at least one actuating cartridge 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 cartridge. The actuating cartridges can be of identical design. The at least one actuating cartridge can be a compressed air generator and / or comprise a compressed air generator. The at least one actuating cartridge can be or be connected to the drain valve in a compressed air manner. The at least one actuating cartridge can be an electrical or electronic signal generator. The at least one actuating cartridge can be or be connected to the drain valve in a data-conducting manner.

[0014] The at least one actuating cartridge 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 have at least partially a round cross-section (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis). The at least one actuating cartridge can have a push rod. The push rod can extend parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis and / or be at least partially formed as a piston. The push rod can have, for example, an X-shaped cross-section (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis). The push rod can be adjustable into the cartridge housing (in particular parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis), for example by pressing the at least one actuating button. The compressed air can be generated by adjusting the push rod into the cartridge housing.The at least one actuating cartridge can have a return spring by means of which the push rod can be moved out of the cartridge housing or returned. 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 (particularly adjustable) stop for the push rod and / or by means of a spacer (particularly attached to the push rod). By adjusting the stroke of the push rod, a flushing volume of the flushing liquid can be adjusted. A large stroke can allow a large flushing volume of the flushing liquid to be released through the drain valve, and a small stroke can allow a small flushing volume of the flushing liquid to be released.

[0015] The at least one actuating cartridge can have a button receptacle for the at least one actuating button. The at least one actuating button can be fastened to the button receptacle. The button receptacle can be arranged on a first longitudinal cartridge end of the at least one actuating cartridge. The at least one actuating cartridge can have a compressed air outlet for the compressed air or an (electrical) cable connection. The compressed air outlet or cable connection can in particular be arranged on a second longitudinal cartridge end of the at least one actuating cartridge. The at least one actuating cartridge can have a cartridge length of, for example, 50 mm to 200 mm (in particular parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis) and / or a cartridge diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis).The at least one actuating cartridge can comprise all functionally relevant elements of an actuating mechanism. The at least one actuating cartridge can be inserted into the housing via the mounting space opening. Depending on the design of the cover plate, the design of the at least one actuating button, and / or the arrangement of the at least one actuating button (in particular on the cover plate), the at least one actuating cartridge can be arranged at various positions on and / or in the housing using the plurality of actuating devices. The at least one actuating cartridge can be arranged in particular at a position on and / or in the housing such that the at least one actuating button can be connected to the at least one actuating cartridge and / or the at least one actuating cartridge is at least partially aligned with the at least one actuating button (in particular in the direction of the housing's longitudinal axis).The plurality of fastening devices enables flexible arrangement of the at least one actuating cartridge in and / or on the housing. This allows the same housing and / or the same actuating cartridge to be used for different designs of the cover plate and / or the at least one actuating button, reducing parts diversity and costs. The housing and the at least one actuating cartridge can form the basis of a modular system on which differently designed cover plates, in particular with a uniform interface, can be mounted.

[0016] The fastening devices can be formed on a base of the housing. The base can, in particular, extend orthogonally to the housing's longitudinal axis and / or at least partially delimit the mounting space.

[0017] The fastening devices can extend over at least 30%, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably at least 75%, of an area of ​​the floor.

[0018] The fastening devices can be designed the same.

[0019] The fastening devices can be designed as a receptacle for the at least one actuating cartridge. The housing can have an opening in the region of each fastening device. The opening can, in particular, extend through the base and / or be designed in the manner of a through-hole. If the at least one actuating cartridge is arranged in one of the fastening devices, the at least one actuating cartridge can extend at least partially through the opening of the respective fastening device.

[0020] The at least one actuating cartridge can be attached to the fastening devices by means of a locking connection or a snap connection. The at least one actuating cartridge can be attached to the fastening devices by means of the locking connection or the snap connection.

[0021] The at least one actuation cartridge can have a trigger for flushing. The trigger can be, for example, 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, for example, to generate compressed air. The trigger can be located in the cartridge housing.

[0022] The at least one actuating cartridge can have a connection for a connecting line. The connecting line can be, for example, a compressed air hose or an electrical cable. The at least one actuating cartridge can be connected to the drain valve via the connecting line.

[0023] 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 particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but the invention is not limited thereto. Identical components in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. They show, by way of example and schematically: Fig. 1: a toilet with a first variant of a device for activating a flush, in a perspective view;

[0024] Fig. 2: a mounting frame of the toilet in a perspective sectional view;

[0025] Fig. 3: the device with a first variant of a cover plate in a perspective view;

[0026] Fig. 4: the housing of the device in a perspective view;

[0027] Fig. 5: the housing of the device with two actuating cartridges in a first configuration for the first variant of the cover plate;

[0028] Fig. 6: the housing of the device with two actuating cartridges in a second configuration for a second variant of the cover plate;

[0029] Fig. 7: the device with the second variant of the cover plate in an exploded view;

[0030] Fig. 8: an actuating cartridge of the device in a perspective sectional view; and

[0031] Fig. 9: the device in a perspective rear view.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a toilet 3 in a perspective view. The toilet 3 comprises a toilet bowl 19, which is attached to a wall 21 of a building by means of a mounting frame 20 shown in Fig. 2. The mounting frame 20 shown in Fig. 2 is concealed in Fig. 1 by a front wall 22 and wall cladding elements 23, which are designed as tiles here. The mounting frame 20 is thus arranged in a cavity 24 between the wall 21 and the front wall 22. The front wall 22 has an opening, not visible here, which connects the cavity 24 to an environment 25. The opening is covered by a first variant of a cover plate 26 of a device 1 for actuating a flush 2 of the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 2. The first variant of the cover plate 26 comprises a first actuation button 13 and a second actuation button 14.

[0033] Fig. 2 shows the mounting frame 20 of the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 1 without the pre-wall 22 and the wall cladding elements 23. The flush 2 of the toilet 3 is attached to the mounting frame 20 and comprises a cistern 28 for a flushing liquid. A drain valve (not visible here) is arranged in the cistern 28, with which the outflow of the flushing liquid from the cistern 28 to the toilet bowl 19 shown in Fig. 1 can be controlled. The drain valve can be actuated by a user (not shown here) via the first actuation button 13 and the second actuation button 14 of the first variant of the cover plate 26 of the device 1. By actuating or pressing the first actuation button 13, the toilet bowl 19 shown in Fig. 1 can be flushed with a small amount of flushing liquid. By actuating or pressing the second actuating button 14, the toilet bowl 19 shown in Fig. 1 can be flushed with a large quantity of flushing liquid.

[0034] 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 first variant of the cover plate 26 in a perspective sectional view. The device 1 comprises a housing 4 in which a first actuation cartridge 6 and a second actuation cartridge 7 are arranged. The first actuation button 13 is connected to the first actuation cartridge 6 and the second actuation button 14 is connected to the second actuation cartridge 7. Fig. 4 shows the housing 4 in a perspective view. The housing 4 extends tubularly along a longitudinal housing axis 29 and has an assembly space 32 in its interior. The housing 4 has an assembly space opening 33 at a first longitudinal end 30 and a base 8 at a second longitudinal end 31. The assembly space opening 33 can be covered by the cover plates 26, 27 shown in Fig. 3 and 7.For this purpose, the cover plates 26, 27 can be fastened to the housing 4. A plurality of fastening devices 5 are formed on the base 8, each extending from the base 8 along a fastening device longitudinal axis 34 parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 29 into the mounting space 32. The fastening devices 5 are arranged on the base 8 in rows and columns, in particular directly adjacent to one another (i.e., in particular in a checkerboard pattern). In the variant of the housing 4 shown here, the fastening devices 5 are arranged in five rows and five columns, so that the housing 4 has a total of 25 fastening devices 5. The fastening devices 5 are all identical and / or designed as a receptacle 10 for the actuating cartridges 6, 7 shown in Fig. 3. The fastening devices 5 extend over more than 30% of an area 9 of the base 8.Each fastening device 5 has an opening 11 which extends parallel to the fastening device longitudinal axis 34 (completely) through the bottom 8 of the housing 4.

[0035] The actuating cartridges 6, 7 shown in Fig. 3 can each be inserted into a fastening device 5 via the mounting space opening 33 of the housing 4, parallel to the fastening device longitudinal axes 34 of the fastening devices 5, and can be fastened in the respective fastening device 5 via a snap-in connection. Due to the large number of fastening devices 5 distributed over the base 8, the actuating cartridges 6, 7 can be arranged at different locations in the mounting space 32 of the housing 4, depending on the design of the cover plates 26, 27 shown in Figs. 3 and 7 and / or depending on the arrangement of the actuating buttons 13, 14 shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 5 shows the housing 4 with the two actuating cartridges 6, 7 in a first configuration for the first variant of the cover plate 26 shown in Fig. 3. In the first configuration, the actuating cartridges 6, 7 are arranged one above the other in the housing 4.

[0036] Fig. 6 shows the housing 4 with the two actuating cartridges 6, 7 in a second configuration for a second variant of the cover plate 27 shown in Fig. 7. In the second configuration, the actuating cartridges 6, 7 are arranged diagonally in the housing 4.

[0037] Fig. 7 shows the device 1 with the second variant of the cover plate 27 in an exploded view. In the second variant of the cover plate 27, the actuating buttons 13, 14 are arranged diagonally in the second variant of the cover plate 27. Accordingly, the actuating cartridges 6, 7, as shown in Fig. 6, are arranged diagonally in the housing 4 so that they are aligned with the actuating buttons 13, 14. In contrast to the second variant of the cover plate 27, in the first variant of the cover plate 26 shown in Fig. 3, the actuating buttons 13, 14 are arranged one above the other.

[0038] Fig. 8 shows the first actuation cartridge 6 in a perspective sectional view. The first actuation cartridge 6 comprises a cartridge housing 35 that extends along a cartridge longitudinal axis 36. The cartridge housing 35 is partially tubular and has a round cross-section (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge longitudinal axis 36 and / or in particular in a tubular section). A push rod 39 with a button receptacle 12 for the actuation buttons 13, 14 shown in Figs. 3 and 7 is arranged at a first longitudinal cartridge end 37 of the first actuation cartridge 6. By pressing the actuation buttons 13, 14, the push rod 39 can be adjusted into the cartridge housing 35 parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis 36 to actuate a trigger 15 of the first actuation cartridge 6. The first actuating cartridge 6 has a return spring 40 with which the push rod 39 can be reset orcan be moved out of the cartridge housing 35 parallel to the cartridge longitudinal axis 36 when the actuating buttons 13, 14 shown in Fig. 3 and 7 are no longer pressed by the user. The trigger 15 here is a bellows. If the push rod 39 is moved into the cartridge housing 35, the trigger 15 generates compressed air, which can be released via a compressed air outlet 41 of a connection 16 at a second longitudinal cartridge end 38 of the first actuating cartridge 6. If the first actuating cartridge 6 is arranged in one of the fastening devices 5 of the housing 4 shown in Fig. 4, the connection 16 projects through the corresponding opening 11 of the respective fastening device 5. The cartridge housing 35 has an outer contour 42 which is provided with a4, so that the first actuating cartridge 6 is not rotatable in the fastening devices 5 (relative to the fastening devices 5) about the cartridge's longitudinal axis 36. The first actuating cartridge 6 and the second actuating cartridge 7 shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 7 are identically constructed. The description of the first actuating cartridge 6 can therefore be applied accordingly to the second actuating cartridge 7.

[0039] Fig. 9 shows the device 1 in a perspective rear view looking onto a rear side 43 of the base 8. The actuating cartridges 6, 7 are arranged in the housing 4 in the first configuration shown in Fig. 5 for the first variant of the cover plate 26. A first connecting line 17 is connected to the connection 16 of the first actuating cartridge 6, which connects the first actuating cartridge 6 to a shuttle valve 44. A second connecting line 18 is connected to the connection 6 of the second actuating cartridge 7, which connects the second actuating cartridge 7 to the shuttle valve 44. The shuttle valve 44 is connected via a line 45 to a drain valve 46 of the cistern 28 shown in Fig. 2. The connecting lines 17, 18 and the line 45 are compressed air lines.The compressed air generated by the actuating cartridges 6, 7 can be supplied to the drain valve 46 for actuation via the connecting lines 17, 18, the shuttle valve 44, and the line 45. The shuttle valve 44 prevents compressed air generated by the first actuating cartridge 6 from flowing from the shuttle valve 44 to the second actuating cartridge 7, and prevents compressed air generated by the second actuating cartridge 7 from flowing from the shuttle valve 44 to the first actuating cartridge 6.

[0040] The present invention allows a high degree of design freedom for the cover plates 26, 27 without requiring adaptation of the housing 4 and the actuating cartridges 6, 7.

[0041] List of reference symbols

[0042] 1 device

[0043] 2 Flush

[0044] 3 toilets

[0045] 4 housings

[0046] 5 Fastening device

[0047] 6 first actuation cartridge

[0048] 7 second actuation cartridge

[0049] 8 Floor

[0050] 9 Area

[0051] 10 recordings

[0052] 11 Opening

[0053] 12 key recording

[0054] 13 first actuation button

[0055] 14 second actuation button

[0056] 15 triggers

[0057] 16 connection

[0058] 17 first connecting line

[0059] 18 second connecting line

[0060] 19 toilet bowls

[0061] 20 mounting frames

[0062] 21 Wall

[0063] 22 Pretext

[0064] 23 wall cladding elements

[0065] 24 cavity

[0066] 25 Surroundings

[0067] 26 first variant of a cover plate

[0068] TI second variant of a cover plate 28 cistern

[0069] 29 Housing longitudinal axis

[0070] 30 first longitudinal end

[0071] 31 second longitudinal end 32 assembly space

[0072] 33 Assembly room opening

[0073] 34 Fastener longitudinal axis

[0074] 35 cartridge housings

[0075] 36 Cartridge longitudinal axis 37 First longitudinal cartridge end

[0076] 38 second longitudinal cartridge end

[0077] 39 Push rod

[0078] 40 return spring

[0079] 41 Compressed air outlet 42 Outer contour

[0080] 43 Back

[0081] 44 shuttle valves

[0082] 45 lines

[0083] 46 Drain valve 47 Inner contour

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for actuating a flush (2) of a toilet (3), at least comprising: - a housing (4) with a plurality of fastening devices (5) for an actuating cartridge (6, 7); and - at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) for actuating the flush (2), wherein the at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) can be arranged at different positions on or in the housing (4) with the aid of the plurality of fastening devices (5).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening devices (5) are formed on a bottom (8) of the housing (4).

3. Device (1) according to claim 2, wherein the fastening devices (5) extend over at least 30% of an area (9) of the floor (8).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening devices (5) are of identical design.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening devices (5) are designed as receptacles (10) for the at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (4) has an opening (11) in the region of each fastening device (5).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) can be fastened to the fastening devices (5) by means of a snap-in connection.

8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) has a key receptacle (12) for an actuating key (13, 14).

9. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) has a trigger (15) for the flushing (2).

10. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating cartridge (6, 7) has a connection (16) for a connecting line (17, 18).

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