Concealed Flushing Device with Backflow Safety Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet flushing systems require a cistern and large pipe cross-sections, limiting design freedom and increasing energy consumption, while lacking a safety device to prevent contaminated liquid from flowing back into the water network.
Innovation Solution
A concealed flushing device connected to a pressurized water pipe with electrically actuated valves and a safety device that prevents backflow, allowing for smaller pipe diameters and integration into automated hygiene systems, eliminating the need for a cistern and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional cistern is used for toilet flushing, then water storage capacity is sufficient, but the device occupies excessive space and requires complex moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water storage function from the toilet system by using the existing drinking water network as the water source, eliminating the need for a separate cistern with moving parts. The pressure flusher directly connects to the water supply network, taking out the cistern component while maintaining adequate water supply for flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the toilet flushing system utilize the existing drinking water network infrastructure, allowing the water supply system to serve dual purposes: both drinking water supply and toilet flushing. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate water storage and reduces device complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If a pressure flusher with large pipe cross-section is used, then sufficient water flow is achieved, but the installation space requirements increase and design freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the pressure flusher to achieve sufficient water flow with smaller pipe cross-sections. By optimizing the valve actuation timing and utilizing the existing water network pressure, the system achieves effective flushing with reduced pipe dimensions, freeing up installation space.
3Area of stationary object
If an integrated water tank in the toilet bowl is used, then space in the toilet room is gained, but energy consumption increases due to pumping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water lifting function from the toilet system by connecting directly to the pressurized drinking water network, eliminating the need for local pumping equipment. This removes the energy-consuming pump while maintaining adequate water pressure for flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical pumping system with a direct connection to the pressurized water network. The mechanical energy that would be required for pumping is substituted by the existing pressure in the drinking water supply system.
4Device complexity
If a pressure flusher is installed without a safety device, then installation is simpler, but contaminated liquid can flow back into the drinking water installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces an air inlet opening as an intermediary element in the pressure flusher system. This air inlet serves as a physical barrier that prevents contaminated liquid from flowing back into the drinking water installation, while allowing air to pass through to maintain pressure balance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables cost-effective installation, increased design freedom, reduced energy consumption, and compliance with drinking water protection standards by using smaller pipes and integrating with existing water networks, while ensuring effective flushing and hygiene.
Implementation Method 1
a safety device which prevents contaminated liquid from flowing back from the toilet bowl into a drinking water installation as a result of back pressure and/or back suction
Implementation Method 2
Pressure flushers use the water pressure in the drinking water network for flushing
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) for pressure flushing a toilet bowl (2), with a safety device that prevents backflow of contaminated liquid from the toilet bowl into a drinking water installation due to backpressure and/or back-siphonage, wherein the safety device has an air inlet opening (3.321, 7.23). In order for such a device to enable the cost-effective connection of a toilet bowl to a pressurized water line, instead of a conventional cistern, to allow a high degree of design freedom for the area surrounding the toilet bowl, to substantially comply with the current standard DIN EN 1717 for the protection of drinking water from contamination in drinking water installations, to be integrable into an automated drinking water hygiene system, and to be accessible for maintenance purposes, the device is, according to the invention, equipped with a concealed flushing valve (3) which has a first water connection (3.1), a second water connection (3.23), and a third water connection (3.23).2), a pipe body (3.3) connecting the water connections and a flushing water outlet (3.4) formed or attached to the pipe body, wherein each of the water connections (3.1, 3.2) is provided with its own electrically actuated valve (4, 5) and with a control (20) by means of which the valves (4, 5) can be controlled, and wherein the air inlet opening (3.321, 7.23) in a functional mounting arrangement of the concealed flushing fitting is located above an upper edge (2.1) of the toilet bowl (2) relevant for a water overflow, while the concealed flushing fitting (3) is located below a height (H2) of a maximum of 35 cm, preferably a maximum of 25 cm, particularly preferably a maximum of 20 cm, with respect to the upper edge (2.1) of the toilet bowl (2).