Apparatus for operating a flushing mechanism of a toilet

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for operating a flushing mechanism (2) of a toilet (3), at least comprising: - at least one operating cartridge (4, 5) for operating the flushing mechanism (2); and - a housing (6) having a fastening opening (7) for the at least one operating cartridge (4, 5), wherein the fastening opening (7) extends along a longitudinal axis (8) in parallel with a housing wall (9) of the housing (6) so that the at least one operating cartridge (4, 5) can be fastened in the fastening opening (7) in a plurality of positions along the longitudinal axis (8).

Description

[0001] Grohe AG

[0002] P24-0428W001

[0003] - 1 -

[0004] Device for activating a toilet flush

[0005] The present invention relates to a device for actuating the flushing mechanism of a toilet. Such toilets are used in particular for the collection of bodily excretions.

[0006] Toilets typically include a bowl that is cleaned by flushing after use. The flushing mechanism may, for example, have a cistern to hold the flushing fluid, and the flow of this fluid from the cistern into the bowl is controlled by a flush valve. The flush valve is operated by a device, usually comprising one or more buttons.

[0007] The actuator is typically located in a wall access shaft and features a cover plate that houses the actuator buttons. Pressing these buttons activates a mechanism that opens the flush valve. The design of this mechanism is often dictated by the cover plate design and the button placement. Therefore, any changes to the cover plate design and / or button positioning regularly necessitate modifications to the actuator mechanism and its associated guides within the device housing.

[0008] Furthermore, existing solutions often have limited design freedom, as the positioning of the actuator buttons is frequently determined by fixed mounting positions within the housing. Particularly with actuators using plug-in systems, the number and arrangement of the slots are limited by the design of the plug geometries, thus reducing the variability of the button arrangement.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need for an actuating device that allows for greater design freedom, flexible arrangement of the actuating buttons, and at the same time ensures efficient assembly with a small number of individual parts. Grohe AG

[0010] P24-0428W001

[0011] - 2 -

[0012] 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 for a high degree of design freedom without significant effort. Furthermore, the device can have many identical parts and / or serve as a universal platform for various design variants.

[0013] These problems are solved by a device according to the features of the independent claim. 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 further specified and explained in the description, which also presents further preferred embodiments of the invention.

[0014] This includes a device for operating a toilet flush, which has at least the following features:

[0015] - at least one actuation cartridge for activating the flush; and

[0016] - a housing with a mounting opening for the at least one actuating cartridge, wherein the mounting opening extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to a housing wall of the housing, such that the at least one actuating cartridge can be mounted in a plurality of positions in the mounting opening along the longitudinal axis.

[0017] The toilet can be designed as a (seat) toilet or urinal. The toilet can have a bowl that can be cleaned by flushing. Cleaning is achieved in particular by means of a flushing fluid, the dispensing of which into the bowl can be activated by at least one button on a flushing device. The flushing system can include a cistern to hold the flushing fluid and / or a flush valve to control the dispensing. (Grohe AG)

[0018] P24-0428W001

[0019] - 3 -

[0020] The flushing mechanism must be connected to the toilet bowl. The flushing mechanism can be at least partially attached to a mounting frame for the toilet, which allows the toilet to be attached to a building wall. Such mounting frames are known, for example, as pre-wall elements. These are attached to the building wall and then covered with a partition wall. Wall cladding elements, such as tiles, can then be attached to the partition wall. An access shaft or wall opening can be provided in the wall and / or the partition wall. The device or housing of the device can be arranged, at least partially, in the access shaft or wall opening. The cistern of the flushing mechanism can be located, in particular, behind the device in the wall or in a cavity between the wall and the partition wall.

[0021] The housing of the device can be made at least partially of plastic and / or metal. For example, the housing can be an injection-molded plastic part. A mounting compartment is formed within the housing of the device. The mounting compartment can extend from a mounting compartment opening in the housing to a base of the housing. In a mounted state, the mounting compartment opening can be aligned with the inspection shaft or with the wall opening in the wall and / or partition wall. The mounting compartment opening can extend orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the housing or the mounting compartment. This longitudinal axis can be the central axis of the housing or the mounting compartment. The longitudinal axis of the housing can extend at least partially centrally and / or concentrically through the mounting compartment. The longitudinal axis of the housing can extend at least partially centrally and / or concentrically through the mounting compartment opening.The housing may have side panels that at least partially restrict the mounting space. Grohe AG.

[0022] P24-0428WQ01

[0023] -4 -

[0024] The device has at least one actuating cartridge for activating the flush. The device may have multiple actuating cartridges, for example, two actuating cartridges. The at least one actuating cartridge may be actuated by a user of the device, in particular via the at least one actuating button. The at least one actuating cartridge may, in particular, actuate or control a drain valve. The actuating cartridges may be of identical design. The at least one actuating cartridge may be a compressed air generator and / or include a compressed air generator. The at least one actuating cartridge may be connected to the drain valve via a compressed air supply. The at least one actuating cartridge may have a connection for a connecting line. The connecting line may, for example, be a compressed air hose or an electrical cable.The at least one actuation cartridge can be connected to the drain valve via the connecting line. The at least one actuation cartridge can be a pneumatic, electrical, or electronic signal transmitter. The at least one actuation cartridge can be connected to the drain valve via a data conductor.

[0025] The at least one actuating cartridge can have a cartridge housing. The cartridge housing can extend along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge and / or be at least partially cylindrical. The cartridge housing can have a circular cross-section, at least partially (especially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge). The at least one actuating cartridge can have a push rod. The push rod can extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge and / or be at least partially piston-shaped. The push rod can have, for example, an X-shaped cross-section (especially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge). The push rod can be adjustable into the cartridge housing (especially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge), for example, by pressing the at least one actuating button. Compressed air can be generated by adjusting the push rod into the cartridge housing.At least one actuating cartridge may have a return spring through which the push rod from the Grohe AG.

[0026] P24-0428W001

[0027] -5 -

[0028] The cartridge housing is adjustable and retractable. The return spring can be a coil spring. The return spring can be arranged coaxially with the push rod. The stroke of the push rod can be adjustable, for example, by means of a (particularly adjustable) stop for the push rod and / or by a spacer (particularly attached to the push rod). By adjusting the stroke of the push rod, the flushing volume of the flushing fluid can be adjusted. A large stroke allows a large flushing volume of the flushing fluid to be discharged through the drain valve, and a small stroke allows a small flushing volume of the flushing fluid to be discharged.

[0029] 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 attached to the button receptacle. The button receptacle can be arranged at a first longitudinal end of the at least one actuating cartridge. The at least one actuating cartridge can have a compressed air outlet for compressed air or an (electrical) cable connection. The compressed air outlet or cable connection can, in particular, be arranged at a second longitudinal 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's longitudinal axis) and / or a cartridge diameter of, for example, 10 mm to 50 mm (in particular orthogonal to the cartridge's longitudinal axis).The at least one actuation cartridge can include all functionally relevant elements of an actuation mechanism.

[0030] The housing has at least one mounting opening for the at least one actuator cartridge. The mounting device serves to secure the at least one actuator cartridge, particularly within the mounting space. The mounting opening extends along a longitudinal axis parallel to a housing wall, so that the at least one actuator cartridge can be mounted in a plurality or multiple positions along the longitudinal axis within the mounting opening. The housing wall can be, in particular, the Grohe AG

[0031] P24-0428W001

[0032] - 6 -

[0033] The mounting opening is located at the base of the housing or the mounting space. It is designed, in particular, as an elongated hole. The mounting opening has a length that is, in particular, greater than its width. The length is, in particular, parallel to the longitudinal axis and / or the width is, in particular, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The mounting opening or the longitudinal axis extends, in particular, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The longitudinal axis can, for example, be a central axis, a center axis, or a center line of the mounting opening.

[0034] The at least one actuation cartridge can be inserted into the mounting opening. The at least one actuation cartridge can be inserted into the housing via the mounting space opening and / or inserted into the mounting opening. The at least one actuation cartridge can be secured in the mounting opening by means of a screw connection (for example, using a nut or a screw cap), a snap connection, a detent connection, a bayonet connection, or a clamp connection. The at least one actuation cartridge can be inserted into the mounting opening by means of a mounting section. The mounting section can have a thread for the nut. The mounting section can have at least a partial diameter that corresponds (essentially) to the width of the mounting opening and / or is smaller than the length of the mounting opening.The at least one actuating cartridge can be arranged in the mounting opening, 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 to the mounting space opening, and / or a longitudinal axis of the at least one actuating cartridge runs (essentially) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing and / or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the actuating device. The at least one actuating cartridge can be adjustable along its longitudinal axis in the mounting opening. Grohe AG.

[0035] P24-0428W001

[0036] - 7 -

[0037] Depending on the design of the cover plate, the design of the at least one actuation button, and / or the arrangement of the at least one actuation button (especially on the cover plate), the at least one actuation cartridge can be positioned at various locations on and / or in the housing through the mounting opening. In particular, the at least one actuation cartridge can be positioned on and / or in the housing such that the at least one actuation button can be connected to the at least one actuation cartridge and / or the at least one actuation cartridge (especially in the direction of the housing's longitudinal axis) is at least partially aligned with the at least one actuation button. The mounting opening allows for flexible arrangement of the at least one actuation cartridge in and / or on the housing.This allows the same housing and / or actuator cartridge to be used for different cover plate and / or actuator designs, reducing parts diversity and costs. The housing and actuator cartridge can form the basis of a modular system onto which differently designed cover plates, especially those with a standardized interface, can be mounted. The mounting opening can allow for fine-tuning the position of the actuator button to compensate for manufacturing tolerances, for example. This allows, for instance, the gap between the actuator button and the cover plate to be adjusted to prevent uneven gap dimensions.

[0038] The mounting opening can have a length along its longitudinal axis that is at least twice its width. Preferably, the length can be at least three, four, or five times the width of the mounting opening.

[0039] The mounting opening can have a length of at least 100 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, and particularly preferably at least 300 mm along the longitudinal axis. Grohe AG

[0040] P24-0428W001

[0041] - 8 -

[0042] The mounting opening can have a width of 5 mm to 50 mm perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

[0043] The mounting opening can extend over at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, particularly preferably at least 30% of the surface of the housing wall.

[0044] The mounting opening can have a meandering shape. This can mean, for example, that the mounting opening has a sequence of repeating changes in direction along its longitudinal axis, resulting in alternating opening sections. The mounting opening can, for example, have a plurality or multiple of initial opening sections, which can run parallel to each other. Between these initial opening sections, secondary opening sections can be formed, which can run transversely or orthogonally to the initial opening sections and / or connect the initial opening sections. The mounting opening can, for example, have a wave-like, zigzag, or serpentine shape. The mounting opening can have alternating curves along its longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the mounting opening can have a star-shaped, I-shaped, or H-shaped profile.

[0045] This allows for a variable arrangement of the actuating cartridge along the longitudinal axis and contributes to the flexible design of the device.

[0046] The mounting opening can be symmetrical. For example, the mounting opening can be point-symmetrical or mirror-symmetrical (relative to the longitudinal axis of the housing).

[0047] The actuator cartridge can be continuously adjusted along its longitudinal axis within the mounting opening. Grohe AG

[0048] P24-0428W001

[0049] - 9 -

[0050] The mounting opening can have at least one initial detent element along its longitudinal axis to create multiple detent positions for the actuator cartridge. The mounting opening can have multiple detent elements along its longitudinal axis to create multiple detent positions for the actuator cartridge. The initial detent element can be located on an inner surface or wall of the mounting opening and / or extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the mounting opening. The initial detent element can be designed, for example, as a tooth, projection, notch, or other form-fitting structure that enables defined positioning of the actuator cartridge.

[0051] The interaction of the initial locking elements with corresponding structures on the actuator cartridge allows the actuator cartridge to be held in the mounting opening in a multitude of locking positions. This enables precise and / or repeatable positioning of the actuator cartridge along its longitudinal axis.

[0052] The at least one actuating cartridge can have at least one second locking element. The at least one actuating cartridge can have multiple or a plurality of second locking elements. The at least one second locking element can, for example, be arranged on the mounting section of the at least one actuating cartridge and / or be designed such that it can engage with the first locking element of the mounting opening.

[0053] The second locking element can be designed, for example, as a projection, tooth, or notch. The shape and / or dimensions of the second locking element can be adapted to the first locking element of the mounting opening, in particular so that a positive engagement is created when the actuator cartridge is inserted into the mounting opening.

[0054] The actuating cartridge can be fixed in a multitude of defined detent positions along the longitudinal axis of the mounting opening thanks to at least one second detent element. Grohe AG

[0055] P24-0428W001

[0056] - 10 -

[0057] 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 particularly preferred embodiments of the invention, but that the invention is not limited to these. Identical components in the figures are designated with the same reference numerals. The figures show, by way of example and schematically:

[0058] Fig. 1: a toilet with a first variant of a device for operating a flush in a perspective view;

[0059] Fig. 2: a mounting frame of the WC in a perspective sectional view;

[0060] Fig. 3: the first variant of the device in an exploded view;

[0061] Fig. 4: a housing of the first variant of the device in a perspective view;

[0062] Fig. 5: the housing of the first variant of the device with two actuating cartridges in a perspective sectional view; and

[0063] Fig. 6: the housing of a second variant of the device in a perspective sectional view.

[0064] Fig. 1 shows a WC 3 in a perspective view. The WC 3 comprises a toilet bowl 15, which is attached to a wall 20 of a building by means of a mounting frame 16 shown in Fig. 2. The mounting frame 16 shown in Fig. 2 is concealed in Fig. 1 by a partition wall 17 and wall cladding elements 18, which are designed here as tiles. The mounting frame 16 is thus arranged in a cavity 19 between the wall 20 and the partition wall 17. The partition wall 17 has an opening (not visible here) that connects the cavity 19 to an environment 21. The opening is covered by a cover plate 22 of a first variant Grohe AG

[0065] P24-0428W001

[0066] - 11 -

[0067] A device 1 for actuating a flush 2 of the toilet 3, as shown in Fig. 2, is covered. The cover plate 22 comprises a first actuating button 23 and a second actuating button 24.

[0068] Fig. 2 shows the mounting frame 16 of the WC 3 shown in Fig. 1, without the pre-wall installation 17 and the wall cladding elements 18. The flushing mechanism 2 of the WC 3 is attached to the mounting frame 16 and comprises a cistern 25 for a flushing fluid. A flush valve (not shown) is arranged in the cistern 25, which controls the flow of flushing fluid from the cistern 25 to the WC bowl 15 shown in Fig. 1. The flush valve can be operated by a user (not shown) via the first actuation button 23 and the second actuation button 24 of the cover plate 22 of the device 1. By pressing the first actuation button 23, the WC bowl 15 shown in Fig. 1 can be flushed with a small amount of the flushing fluid. By pressing the second actuation button 24, the toilet bowl 15 shown in Fig. 1 can be flushed with a large quantity of flushing fluid.

[0069] Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of the first variant of the device 1 for actuating the flush 2 of the toilet 3 shown in Fig. 1, as shown in Fig. 2. The device 1 comprises a housing 6 in which a first actuating cartridge 4 and a second actuating cartridge 5 are arranged. The first actuating button 23 of the cover plate 22 is connected to the first actuating cartridge 4, and the second actuating button 24 of the cover plate 22 is connected to the second actuating cartridge 5.

[0070] Fig. 4 shows the housing 6 in a perspective view. The housing 6 extends tubularly along a longitudinal axis 26 and has an internal mounting space 27. The housing 6 has a mounting space opening 30 at a first longitudinal end 28 and a housing wall 9 at a second longitudinal end 29, which is a base 31 of the housing 6. The mounting space opening 30 can be covered by the cover plate 22 shown in Fig. 3. For this purpose, the cover plate 22 can be attached to the housing 6. Grohe AG

[0071] P24-0428W001

[0072] - 12 -

[0073] A mounting opening 7 is formed in the housing wall 9, extending (completely) through the housing wall 9 parallel to the housing longitudinal axis 26. The mounting opening 7 extends along a longitudinal axis 8 parallel to the housing wall 9. Parallel to the longitudinal axis 8, the mounting opening 7 has a length 10, and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 8, a width 10. The mounting opening 7 extends in a meandering pattern over a surface 11 of the housing wall 9. The mounting opening 7 has a plurality of first opening sections 32 and second opening sections 33. The first opening sections 32 and second opening sections 33 alternate along the longitudinal axis 8. The first opening sections 32 are straight and parallel to each other. The first opening sections 32 are of equal length and each has a first section length 34 (along the longitudinal axis 8).The second opening sections 33 run orthogonally to the first opening sections 32. The second opening sections 33 run straight and parallel to each other. The second opening sections 33 are of equal length and each has a second section length 35 (along the longitudinal axis 8). The mounting opening 7 is point-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis 26 of the housing.

[0074] The actuating cartridges 4, 5 shown in Fig. 3 can be continuously fixed in any position in the mounting opening 7 along the longitudinal axis 8.

[0075] Fig. 5 shows the first variant of the device 1 in a perspective sectional view looking at a rear side 38 of the housing wall 9 of the housing 6. The first actuating cartridge 4 is inserted with its first mounting section 39 through the mounting opening 7 and secured with a first nut 41 in a first position 36 in the mounting opening 7. The second actuating cartridge 5 is inserted with its second mounting section 40 through the mounting opening 7 and secured with a second nut 42 in a second position 37 in the mounting opening 7. The nuts 41, 42 are screwed against the rear side 38 of the housing wall 9. Grohe AG

[0076] P24-0428W001

[0077] - 13 -

[0078] Fig. 6 shows a second variant of the device 1 in a perspective sectional view looking at the rear side 38 of the housing wall 9. The second variant of the device 1 differs from the first variant of the device 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 5 in that the mounting opening 7 has a plurality of first locking elements 12 along its longitudinal axis 8. The first locking elements 12 are formed as teeth on opposite opening walls 43, 44 of the mounting opening 7. The first locking elements 12 extend from the opening walls 43, 44 orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 8. Adjacent locking elements 12 are spaced at an equal distance 45 parallel to the longitudinal axis 8.

[0079] The first actuating cartridge 4 has second detent elements 13 opposite its first mounting section 39, which engage in the first detent elements 12 of the mounting opening 7. The second detent elements 13 have a detent element width 46 (parallel to the longitudinal axis 8) that corresponds (essentially) to the spacing 45 of the first detent elements 12. The detent elements 12 and 13 allow the first actuating cartridge 4 to be secured in the mounting opening 7 along the longitudinal axis 8 in a plurality of detent positions 14 using the first nut 41 shown in Fig. 5. Otherwise, the second variant of the device 1 can be designed like the first variant of the device 1 shown in Figs. 1 to 5.

[0080] The present invention allows for a high degree of design freedom for the cover plate 22 and / or the actuating buttons 23, 24, without requiring any modification of the housing 6 and the actuating cartridges 4, 5. Grohe AG

[0081] P24-0428W001

[0082] - 14 - List of reference symbols

[0083] 1 Device

[0084] 2 flushes

[0085] 3 WC

[0086] 4 first actuating cartridge

[0087] 5 second actuation cartridge

[0088] 6 cases

[0089] 7 Mounting opening

[0090] 8 Longitudinal axis

[0091] 9 Housing wall

[0092] 10 width

[0093] 11 Area

[0094] 12 first locking element

[0095] 13 second locking element

[0096] 14 Locking positions

[0097] 15 toilet bowls

[0098] 16 mounting frames

[0099] 17 Pretext

[0100] 18 wall cladding elements

[0101] 19 Cavity

[0102] 20 wall

[0103] 21 Surroundings

[0104] 22 Cover plate

[0105] 23 first activation button

[0106] 24 second activation button

[0107] 25 cisterns

[0108] 26 Housing longitudinal axis

[0109] 27 Assembly Room Grohe AG

[0110]

[0111] - 15 - 28 first longitudinal end

[0112] 29 second longitudinal end

[0113] 30 Assembly space opening

[0114] 31 Floor

[0115] 32 first opening section

[0116] 33 second opening section

[0117] 34 first section length

[0118] 35 second section length

[0119] 36 first position

[0120] 37 second position

[0121] 38 Back

[0122] 39 first fastening section

[0123] 40 second fastening section

[0124] 41 first mother

[0125] 42 second mother

[0126] 43 first opening wall

[0127] 44 second opening wall

[0128] 45-degree distance

[0129] 46 grid element width

Claims

Grohe AG P24-0428W001 - 16 - Patent claims 1. Device (1) for actuating a flush (2) of a toilet (3), at least comprising: - at least one actuating cartridge (4, 5) for actuating the flush (2); and - a housing (6) with a mounting opening (7) for the at least one actuating cartridge (4, 5), wherein the mounting opening (7) extends along a longitudinal axis (8) parallel to a housing wall (9) of the housing (6), so that the at least one actuating cartridge (4, 5) can be mounted along the longitudinal axis (8) in a plurality of positions (36, 37) in the mounting opening (7).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fastening opening (7) has a length along the longitudinal axis (8) that is at least twice as long as a width (10) of the fastening opening (7).

3. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening opening (7) has a length of at least 100 mm along the longitudinal axis (8).

4. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening opening (7) has a width (10) of 5 mm to 50 mm orthogonal to the longitudinal axis (8).

5. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening opening (7) extends over at least 10% of an area (11) of the housing wall (9).

6. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening opening (7) is designed in a meandering shape.

7. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mounting opening (7) is symmetrically designed. Grohe AG P24-0428W001 - 17 - 8. Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuating cartridge (4, 5) is infinitely adjustable in the mounting opening (7) along the longitudinal axis (8).

9. Device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fastening opening (7) has at least one first detent element (12) along the longitudinal axis (8) to form a plurality of detent positions (14) for the actuating cartridge (4, 5).

10. Device (1) according to claim 9, wherein the at least one actuating cartridge (4, 5) has at least one second detent element (13).

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