Device and method 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), the device comprising at least the following: - a housing (4); - an electric compressor (5) for generating compressed air for triggering the flushing mechanism (2); - at least one compressed-air connection (6) for a compressed-air line; and - at least one actuating element (7, 8) for actuating the electric compressor (5). The invention also relates to a method for actuating a flushing mechanism (2) of a toilet (3) using such a device (1).

Description

[0001] Device and method for operating a toilet flush

[0002] The present invention relates to a device and a method for operating a toilet flush. Such toilets are used in particular for collecting bodily excretions.

[0003] Toilets typically have a bowl that can be cleaned by flushing after use. The flushing mechanism may include a cistern to hold the flushing fluid, with the flow of this fluid from the cistern into the bowl controlled by a pneumatically operated flush valve. Pneumatically operated flush valves are actuated by compressed air, which is generated by a bellows within the device. The bellows is activated by a button on the device. To generate sufficient compressed air, the button must be pressed with considerable force and over a long distance by the user. This reduces ease of use.

[0004] 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 enables a high level of ease of use. Furthermore, a method for actuating a toilet flush that enables a high level of ease of use is to be provided.

[0005] These problems are solved by a device and a method according to the features of the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. It should be noted that the features listed individually in the claims can be combined with one another in any technologically meaningful way and define further embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, the features specified in the claims are specified and explained in more detail in the description, which also presents further preferred embodiments of the invention. A device for actuating a toilet flush contributes to this, comprising at least the following:

[0006] - a case;

[0007] - an electric compressor to generate compressed air to trigger the flushing process;

[0008] - at least one compressed air connection for a compressed air line; and

[0009] - at least one actuating element for operating the electric compressor.

[0010] The toilet can be, in particular, a (seat) toilet or a urinal. The toilet can have a bowl that can be cleaned by flushing. Cleaning is carried out, in particular, by means of a flushing fluid, the dispensing of which into the bowl can be activated by at least one actuating element of a device for activating the toilet flush. The flushing system can have a cistern for receiving the flushing fluid and / or a flush valve for controlling the dispensing of the flushing fluid into the bowl. The flush valve is, in particular, a pneumatically actuated flush valve. The flush valve can have at least one compressed air inlet. Alternatively, the flush valve can have a single compressed air inlet. The flush valve can be a single-hose flush valve. The flushing system 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 building wall and then covered with a pre-wall. Wall cladding elements, such as tiles, can then be attached to the pre-wall. An inspection shaft or wall opening can be provided in the wall and / or the pre-wall. The device or its housing can be located, at least partially, within the inspection shaft or wall opening. The cistern can be located, in particular, behind the device in the wall or in a cavity between the wall and the pre-wall. The device housing can be made, at least partially, of plastic and / or metal. For example, the housing can be an injection-molded plastic part. A mounting space can be provided within the device housing.The installation space can extend from an installation opening in the housing to a base within the housing. In a mounted state, the installation opening can be aligned with the inspection shaft or the wall opening in the wall and / or the partition wall. The installation opening can extend orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the housing or the installation space. This longitudinal axis can be the central axis of the housing or the installation space. The longitudinal axis can extend at least partially centrally and / or concentrically through the installation space. The longitudinal axis can also extend at least partially centrally and / or concentrically through the installation opening. The housing can have side walls that at least partially define the installation space.

[0011] The device comprises an electric compressor for generating compressed air to trigger the flushing process or to actuate the flushing outlet valve. The electric compressor can be a pump or a compressor capable of compressing air, particularly ambient air. The electric compressor specifically includes a (controllable) electric motor. The electric compressor can generate compressed air with an overpressure of 100 mbar [millibar] to 500 mbar, preferably 100 mbar to 300 mbar. The electric compressor and / or the electric motor can be arranged or attached in or to the housing or the mounting space of the housing. The electric compressor and / or the electric motor are specifically not located within the cistern.

[0012] The device includes at least one compressed air connection for a compressed air line. This compressed air connection can be located on the housing or on the rear side of the housing. The compressed air line can be, for example, a hose. The hose can be attached to the compressed air connection by means of a push-fit connection, a snap-fit ​​connection, or a screw connection. Compressed air can be supplied to the flushing or drain valve via the compressed air connection. The supply of compressed air via the compressed air connection can be controlled by the electric compressor and / or at least one valve of the device.

[0013] The electric compressor can be operated by a user of the device via at least one actuating element. The device may have a first actuating element, the actuation of which allows a first volume of compressed air to be released via the at least one compressed air connection. The device may have a second actuating element, the actuation of which allows a second volume of compressed air to be released via the at least one compressed air connection. The second volume of compressed air may be larger than the first. By releasing the second volume of compressed air, a larger quantity of purge fluid may be discharged through the drain valve than by releasing the first volume of compressed air. The at least one actuating element may be arranged or attached in or to the housing, in a cover plate of the housing, and / or in the mounting space of the housing.At least one actuating element is not located in the cistern.

[0014] The device may include a control unit. The control unit may comprise at least one microprocessor. The control unit may be connected, particularly via data transmission, to the at least one actuating element, to at least one microswitch, to the at least one valve, and / or to the electric compressor. The control unit may, in particular, control the electric compressor and / or the delivery of compressed air via the at least one compressed air connection. The control unit may be arranged or attached in or to the housing or the mounting space of the housing. The control unit is, in particular, not arranged in the cistern.The electric compressor allows the at least one actuating element to be pressed with a lower actuating force, for example, a maximum of 15 N [Newtons], preferably a maximum of 10 N, and particularly preferably a maximum of 5 N, and / or over a shorter actuating distance, for example, a maximum of 3 mm [millimeters], thus increasing ease of use. Furthermore, the proposed device is universally applicable. For example, existing (mechanical) devices can be replaced by the proposed device without requiring any modifications to the toilet flushing system. Only the compressed air line needs to be connected to the device. The arrangement of the electric compressor, the electric motor, the at least one actuating element, and / or the control unit on or within the device simplifies installation.

[0015] At least one actuating element can be a mechanical button. The mechanical button can be located in the housing and / or in the housing's cover plate. The mechanical button can be pressed at least partially into the housing by the user. The device can include a microswitch against which the mechanical button can be pressed. The microswitch can signal to the user that the button has been sufficiently pressed by means of an audible and / or haptic signal.

[0016] At least one actuating element can be a rocker. In particular, the first and second actuating elements can form the rocker. The first and second actuating elements can be formed as a single piece. The rocker can be pivotable (within limits) about a pivot axis in the housing or cover plate.

[0017] At least one actuating element can be a sensor. For example, at least one actuating element can be an infrared sensor. The sensor can be actuated by the user, particularly without physical contact. The device can have a single compressed air connection for the compressed air line. The first and second compressed air volumes can be dispensed via this single compressed air connection. The single-hose drain valve can be connected to this single compressed air connection.

[0018] The device may include a power source for the electric compressor. This power source may be at least one battery or an electrical connection through which the device can be connected to a public electricity grid. The power source may be located in or on the housing. The power source may be replaceable by the user, particularly without tools.

[0019] The device can include a control unit configured and designed to deliver different volumes of compressed air via the at least one compressed air connection to trigger flushing with varying flushing quantities. For example, the control unit can deliver a first volume of compressed air by actuating the first actuating element and a second volume by actuating the second actuating element. The control unit can deliver a third volume of compressed air if the at least one actuating element is actuated multiple times, particularly twice, in succession (for example, within two seconds). The third volume of compressed air can differ from the first and / or the second volume. The third volume of compressed air can be larger or smaller than the first volume and / or larger or smaller than the second volume.

[0020] Following a further aspect, a flushing mechanism for a toilet is proposed, which includes a device proposed herein. Following a further aspect, a method for actuating a toilet flush with a device described herein is proposed, which includes at least the following steps: a) generating compressed air with an electric compressor; and b) delivering a first volume of compressed air via at least one compressed air connection when a first actuating element is actuated.

[0021] In step a), compressed air is generated by the device's electric compressor. In step b), an initial volume of compressed air is released through at least one compressed air connection of the device when the first actuating element is activated by the user. Steps a) and b) can be performed sequentially or at least partially simultaneously.

[0022] In step b), a second volume of compressed air can be released via the at least one compressed air connection when a second actuating element is activated. In particular, in step b), the second volume of compressed air can be released instead of the first volume of compressed air when the second actuating element is activated.

[0023] In step b), a third volume of compressed air can be delivered via the at least one compressed air connection if the first actuating element of the device and / or a second actuating element of the device are actuated several times in succession. In particular, in step b), the third volume of compressed air can be delivered instead of the first or second volume of compressed air if the first actuating element and / or the second actuating element are actuated several times in succession (for example, at least twice within two seconds).

[0024] For further details regarding the flushing process, please refer to the full description of the device. The invention and its technical context 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 that the invention is not limited to this embodiment. Identical components in the figures are designated with the same reference numerals. The figures show, by way of example and schematically:

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

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

[0027] Fig. 3: the device in a perspective front view; and

[0028] Fig. 4: the device in a perspective rear view.

[0029] Fig. 1 shows a WC 3 in a perspective view. The WC 3 comprises a toilet bowl 11, which is attached to a wall 13 of a building by means of a mounting frame 12 shown in Fig. 2. The mounting frame 12 shown in Fig. 2 is concealed in Fig. 1 by a partition wall 14 and wall cladding elements 15, which are designed here as tiles. The mounting frame 12 is thus arranged in a cavity 16 between the wall 13 and the partition wall 14. The partition wall 14 has an opening (not visible here) that connects the cavity 16 to an environment 17. The opening is covered by a cover plate 18 of a device 1 for actuating a flush 2 of the WC 3, shown in Fig. 2.

[0030] Fig. 2 shows the mounting frame 12 of the WC 3 shown in Fig. 1, without the pre-wall 14 and the wall cladding elements 15. The flushing mechanism 2 of the WC 3 is attached to the mounting frame 12 and comprises a cistern 19 for a flushing fluid. A flush valve (not shown) is arranged in the cistern 19, which controls the flow of the flushing fluid from the cistern 19 to the WC bowl 11 shown in Fig. 1. The flush valve can be operated by a user (not shown) via the device 1.

[0031] Fig. 3 shows the device 1 for actuating the flush 2 of the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 1 in Fig. 2, in a perspective front view. The device 1 comprises a housing 4, which is covered by the cover plate 18. The device 1, or rather the cover plate 18, has a first actuating element 7 and a second actuating element 8. The actuating elements 7 and 8 are integral parts and designed as rocker switches.

[0032] Fig. 4 shows the device 1 in a perspective rear view. The device 1 comprises an electric compressor 5 for generating compressed air. The compressed air can be supplied via a compressed air connection 6 to trigger the flushing 2 shown in Fig. 2 and to the drain valve (not shown here). The drain valve can be connected to the compressed air connection 6 via a compressed air line. The device 1 has an electrical power source 9 for the electric compressor 5. The electrical power source 9 is a battery. The electric compressor 5 can be controlled by a control unit 10 of the device 1. When the first actuating element 7 shown in Fig. 3 is pressed, a first volume of compressed air is released via the compressed air connection 6, so that the drain valve releases a first quantity of flushing fluid into the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 1. When the actuator 7 shown in Fig. 3 is pressed, a first volume of compressed air is released via the compressed air connection 6, so that the drain valve releases a first quantity of flushing fluid into the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 1.When the second actuating element 8 shown in Fig. 3 is pressed, a second volume of compressed air is released via the compressed air connection 6, so that the drain valve releases a second quantity of flushing fluid to the WC 3 shown in Fig. 1.

[0033] The invention improves the ease of use of device 1. Reference numerals

[0034] 1 Device

[0035] 2 flushes

[0036] 3 WC

[0037] 4 cases

[0038] 5 electric compressors

[0039] 6 compressed air connection

[0040] 7 first actuating element

[0041] 8 second actuating element

[0042] 9 Energy source

[0043] 10 Control

[0044] 11 toilet bowls

[0045] 12 mounting frames

[0046] 13 Wall

[0047] 14 Pretext

[0048] 15 wall cladding elements

[0049] 16 Cavity

[0050] 17 Surroundings

[0051] 18 Cover plate

[0052] 19 cisterns

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for actuating a flush (2) of a toilet (3), at least comprising: - a case (4); - an electric compressor (5) for generating compressed air to trigger the flushing (2); - at least one compressed air connection (6) for a compressed air line; and - at least one actuating element (7, 8) for actuating the electric compressor (5).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuating element (7, 8) is a mechanical button.

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one actuating element (7, 8) is a rocker.

4. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one actuating element (7, 8) is a sensor.

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a single compressed air connection (6) for the compressed air line.

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an energy source (9) for the electric compressor (5).

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control (10) which is set up and provided to deliver different volumes of compressed air via the at least one compressed air connection (6) to trigger the flushing (2) with different flushing quantities.

8. Method for actuating a flush (2) of a toilet (3) with a device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least the following steps: a) generating compressed air with an electric compressor (5); and b) delivering a first volume of compressed air via at least one compressed air connection (6) when a first actuating element (7) is actuated.

9. Method according to claim 8, wherein in step b) a second volume of compressed air is discharged via the at least one compressed air connection (6) when a second actuating element (8) is actuated.

10. Method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein in step b) a third volume of compressed air is discharged via the at least one compressed air connection (6) when the first actuating element (7) or a second actuating element (8) is actuated several times in succession.

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