BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving
flush toilet, and more particularly, to a sewage discharge device for a variable type
water-saving flush toilet in which a part of flushing water flowing through a flushing
water inflow passage is branched so that when flushing water stored in an auxiliary
tank disposed at the outer circumference of a sewage discharge tube of the flush toilet
reaches a preset amount, sewage contained in a bowl is discharged to the outside by
the auxiliary tank's own weight.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] In general, a flush toilet employs the principle of a siphon in which a certain amount
water is contained in a toilet bowl to smoothly remove foul odor or excretions rising
from a waste outlet port and cleanly wash the inside of the bowl.
[0003] This siphon principle refers to a principle in which when a water level in an inverted
U-shaped tube forms an equilibrium state with that in the toilet bowl, water is in
a stagnant state whereas when the water level in the toilet bowl rises suddenly, water
contained in the bowl is discharged to the outside due to a difference in the pressure
between the toilet bowl and the siphon tube in a relatively low pressure state while
being accompanied by an increase in pressure inside the toilet bowl.
[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, a typical flush toilet includes a bowl 2 configured to contain
a predetermined amount of water, and a waste wash water tank 1 disposed at a higher
position than that of the bowl 2 and configured to store a predetermined amount of
waste wash water, the waste wash water tank being connected to the bowl 2 through
a water supply passage 2a closed by a packing valve 5, so that the packing valve 5
operated in cooperation with a flush lever installed at the waste wash water tank
1 opens a water feed port 10 by the manipulation of the flush lever 3 to allow water
stored in the waste wash water tank 1 to be rapidly supplied to the bowl 2 through
the water supply passage 2a. Thus, waste including feces and urine precipitated in
the bowl is discharged to the outside through a water drainage passage 2b via a drain
trap 2c by the siphon effect in which water to be drained along the water drainage
passage 2b of the bowl is created by a hydraulic pressure generated in the bowl 2
with increased water level in the bowl 2.
[0005] However, such a conventional flush toilet as described above entails a problem in
that a water level higher than a height of the drain trap 2c should be maintained
to prevent backflow of foul toilet odor in the bowl, and an amount of water capable
of overcoming a hydraulic pressure at the height of the drain trap 2c should be used
during flushing of the toilet, leading to an increase in the amount of water consumed.
[0006] Furthermore, since the existing flush toilet should conform to a regulation prescribing
that the diameter of a sewage discharge tube shall be set to be more than 45 mm, i.e.,
generally about 45-55 mm, which was determined according to KS standards to smoothly
discharge sewage from the bowl, a so called siphon phenomenon is caused to occur in
order to wash sewage inside the bowl by a suction force. For the purpose of causing
the siphon phenomenon, it is required that water of more than 60 ml should be supplied
to the inside of the bowl at least at one time. To this end, in the case of the conventional
flush toilet, a water tank is installed and a certain amount of water is stored therein
at normal times, and then water is supplied to the inside of the bowl through the
water supply passage fluidically communicating with the water tank and the bowl by
the opening of an opening/closing stopper attached to an aperture of a water discharge
tube having a diameter of about 65 mm or less, which was installed at the inside of
the water tank so that the siphon phenomenon occurs to perform the washing operation.
[0007] Therefore, the conventional flush toilet also entails a problem in that although
flushing water is supplied to the inside of the bowl from a water pipe having an aperture
of about 15 mm, the diameter of the sewage discharge tube of the bowl is typically
not more than 45-55 mm, and thus the siphon phenomenon cannot occur and the flushing
water is discharged to the outside through the sewage discharge tube as it is, which
makes it impossible to wash sewage contained in the bowl.
[0008] For this reason, since a male urinal is directly connected to a water pipe in use,
automatic washing has been generalized by a sensor or the like. However, a toilet
stool cannot wash sewage by its direct connection to the water pipe for the above
reason, and thus an automatic toilet stool could not be commercialized.
[0009] Further, the existing flush toilet (partially, a flush value type toilet product
with a water feed tube having an aperture of 1 inch is excluded) should necessarily
have a water tank function to enable washing of the bowl. For this reason, there is
also a spatial restriction because the size of the flush toilet cannot be reduced
due to a design limitation and the water tank. In addition, a water tank and a toilet
stand are integrally manufactured of earthenware into a so-called "one-piece type
flush toilet), a defective rate increases and thus a production yield decreases, resulting
in a rise of the cost of earthenware products.
[0010] Moreover, there may be the case where even though water leakage occurs due to a defect
of a water feed and discharge tube installed at the inside of the water tank, it is
difficult for a user to easily detect the water leakage and thus the user cannot recognize
the water leakage until he or she checks a bill for the water supply and drainage
service. In addition, since a so-called flash toilet used in a common restroom or
a public place such as an office building or the like does not include a water tank,
it should be additionally equipped with a water tube having a diameter of 25 mm (1
inch) separately from a general water pipe having a diameter of 15 mm so that it can
be directly connected to the water pipe to supply a large amount of water at one time
in use. To this end, vast installation cost is additionally required, and a so-called
"water hammer" phenomenon during the operation of the flush lever is accompanied by
a serious noise, which makes it impossible to use the flash toilet in a general home
environment.
[0011] Further, Korean Patent No.
10-1131810 discloses a water-saving flush toilet having a variable double straight tube, in
which the variable double straight tube is configured to be operated in an existing
water flow path and a bowl rim manner. When a water level inside a bowl during the
supply of flushing water from a tap, the variable double straight tube is downwardly
moved so that sewage can be discharged, but a hydraulic pressure of the flushing water
drops drastically in a water supply passage fluidically communicating with a water
tank and the bowl and a water supply passage formed in the bowl rim, which ultimately
makes it impossible to use the flushing water from a tap, and thus there is caused
a problem associated with the washing of sewage contained in the bowl. In addition,
it is difficult to control the delay of the sewage discharge time when the variable
double straight tube is downwardly moved during the discharge of sewage, occasionally
resulting in backflow of some sewage.
[0012] Moreover, Korean Patent No.
10-1131810 also discloses that flushing water should be supplied to the bowl until the variable
double straight tube is downwardly moved to discharge sewage, and the supplied flushing
water is immediately mixed with sewage contained in the bowl and thus is also changed
into sewage. Resultantly, waste wash water is squandered, leading to a half-reduction
in the water-saving effect.
[0013] Furthermore, Korean Patent No.
10-1131810 also discloses that the variable double straight tube uses water stored in an auxiliary
tank disposed on the outer circumference of a sewage discharge tube as a part of sewage
to be discharged, and thus the variable double straight tube is clogged by sewage
introduced into the auxiliary tank after a lapse of a predetermined period of time,
which causes an erroneous operation of the sewage discharge tube, leading to deterioration
of durability of the sewage discharge tube.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the aforementioned problems
occurring in the prior art, and it is an object of the present invention to provide
a sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet in which a
part of flushing water flowing through a flushing water inflow passage is branched
and a sewage discharge unit connected to an outlet port of a bowl by a bellows tube
is elastically moved downwardly by the branched flushing water's own weight so that
the sewage can be sequentially discharged, and the sewage discharge unit can elastically
return to its original position after completion of the discharge of the sewage contained
in the bowl.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sewage discharge device for
a variable type water-saving flush toilet, which can discharge sanitary sewage contained
in a bowl of the flush toilet using flushing water directly supplied from a water
pipeline even without a water tank.
[0016] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a sewage discharge device
for a variable type water-saving flush toilet, in which a sewage discharge unit can
be stably operated if flushing water supplied from a water pipeline is more than a
certain pressure despite a change in the pressure of water so that since the sewage
discharge device is hardly influenced by the pressure of water supplied, a washing
performance can be maintained stably.
[0017] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sewage discharge device
for a variable type water-saving flush toilet, in which flushing water supplied from
a water pipeline can be used so that the sewage discharge device can contribute to
diversification of a toilet bowl design, reductions in the production cost and installation
space, and generalization of the use of an automatic flush toilet employing a sensor
by eliminating the necessity of a water tank necessary for an existing flush toilet.
[0018] To achieve the above objects, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, there is provided a sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving
flush toilet, including: a toilet body 100 installed on a floor or a wall, the toilet
body 110 including a flushing water inlet port 111 formed therein so as to allow for
inflow of flushing water flowing through a flushing water inflow passage 101 into
which the flushing water is introduced from the outside, a bowl 110 opened at a top
thereof and configured to store a certain amount of sewage therein, a connection tube
120 configured to discharge sewage from the bowl 110, and a cover part 140 configured
to cover a rear portion of the bowl 110 and to allow sewage discharged through the
connection tube 120 to be induced to a bottom tube 130; a corrugated tube 200 connected
to the connection tube 120, the corrugated tube 200 being configured to form a flow
path of sewage drained from the bowl 110 and being capable of bent in one direction;
a flushing water branching unit 300 fluidically connected with the flushing water
inflow passage 101 and configured to allow a part of the flushing water flowing through
the flushing water inflow passage 101 to be branched when the flushing water is introduced
into the bowl 110; a sewage discharge tube 400 comprising: a main discharge tube 410
connected to the corrugated tube 200 and configured to discharge sewage to the outside;
and an auxiliary tank 420 disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the main
discharge tube 410 and configured to store therein flushing water branched from the
flushing water branching unit 300 and supplied thereto, the auxiliary tank having
an auxiliary discharge hole 422 formed thereon to allow flushing water stored in a
lower portion thereof to be drained, wherein when the flushing water branched from
the flushing water branching unit 300 reaches a preset amount, the auxiliary tank
420 is downwardly moved by its own weight so that sewage is discharged to the outside
through the main discharge tube 410, and the time during which sewage is discharged
to the outside through the main discharge tube 410 is delayed in proportion to a discharge
speed at which the flushing water supplied to the auxiliary tank 420 is drained through
the auxiliary drain hole 422; and an elastic unit 500 configured to elastically interconnect
the connection tube 120 and the sewage discharge tube 400, and to allow the sewage
discharge tube 400 to be oriented in an upright state by an elastic force of the elastic
unit upon the interruption of the supply of flushing water.
[0019] In addition, in the sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush
toilet of the present invention, the elastic unit may include: a first hanging member
mounted on a connection tube interconnecting the connection tube and the corrugated
tube so as to be protruded to both sides, the first hanging member having a pair of
first hanging holes formed at each of both end portions thereof; a pair of second
hanging members mounted on both sides of the sewage discharge tube, each of the second
hanging members having a pair of second hanging holes formed thereon so as to be spaced
apart from each other; and a pair of elastic members each connected at one end thereof
to any one of the pair of second hanging holes of each of the pair of second hanging
members and connected at the other end thereof to each of the pair of first hanging
holes of each of both end portions of the first hanging member.
[0020] In addition, the sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet
of the present invention, may further include an odor prevention unit 600 disposed
inside the corrugated tube 200 or the sewage discharge tube 400, the odor prevention
unit being opened when the sewage flows through the corrugated tube 200 or the sewage
discharge tube 400 and closed when the sewage does not flow therethrough.
[0021] Further, in the sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet
of the present invention, the flushing water branching unit 300 may include: a branching
corrugated tube 310 coupled at an upper end thereof to the flushing water inflow passage
101 and connected at a lower end thereof to the auxiliary tank 420; and a branched
water inlet part 320 connected to the upper end of the branching corrugated tube 310
and disposed at the inside of the flushing water inflow passage 101.
[0022] In addition, in the sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush
toilet of the present invention, the flushing water branching unit 300 may further
include an odor prevention valve 321 disposed at an entrance portion of the branched
water inlet part 320, and configured to be opened by a hydraulic pressure when flushing
water is supplied to the flushing water inflow passage 101 and closed by the odor
prevention valve's own weight when the supply of the flushing water is interrupted
so that foul toilet odor is prevented from flowing into the flushing water inflow
passage 101.
[0023] In addition, in the sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush
toilet of the present invention, the odor prevention unit 600 may include an odor
prevention member 610 that is disposed at the inside of the sewage discharge tube
400, is formed in a hollow shape, and is made of vinyl or thin rubber having flexibility,
wherein one end of the odor prevention member 610 is fixed to one end of an inner
circumference of the sewage discharge tube 400, and wherein the other end of the odor
prevention member 610 is disposed to form a free end along the other end of the inner
circumference of the sewage discharge tube 400, whereby when sewage contained in the
bowl 110 flows into the corrugated tube 200 through connection tube 120, it is introduced
into a hollow space of the odor prevention member 610 to open the odor prevention
member 610, and whereby when the discharge of the sewage from the sewage discharge
tube 400 is completed, the outward shape of the other end of the odor prevention member
610 disposed to form the free end is changed to be closely abutted against the sewage
discharge tube 400.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0024] As described above, the present invention has an advantageous effect in that the
auxiliary tank is disposed on the outer circumference of the sewage discharge tube
to supply a part of flushing water flowing through the flushing water inflow passage
to the auxiliary tank through an auxiliary corrugated tube so that sewage can be rapidly
discharged to the outside by rotating the sewage discharge tube by the auxiliary tank's
own weight.
[0025] Further, according to the present invention, when flushing water is not supplied,
the sewage discharge tube is not displaced so that although a large amount of sewage
is supplied temporarily, the amount of water contained in the bowl can be stably maintained
without affecting the sewage discharge tube, thereby maximally preventing adhesion
of sewage onto the inside of the bowl or foul odor.
[0026] In addition, the present invention has an effect in that when the amount of the flushing
water supplied to the auxiliary tank is more than a preset level, the operation of
the sewage discharge tube can be performed stably, thereby maximally preventing a
deterioration in the washing performance according to a change in the pressure of
water supplied.
[0027] Moreover, according to the present invention, a part of flushing water flowing through
the flushing water inflow passage is supplied to the auxiliary tank via the flushing
water branching unit to allow the age discharge tube to be downwardly operated elastically
so that sewage contained in the bowl can be discharged to the outside before flushing
water is supplied to the bowl, thereby maximizing the water saving effect.
[0028] Besides, according to the present invention, since it is possible to control the
effect of extending the sewage discharge time depending on the weight of the auxiliary
tank by the elastic force of the sewage discharge tube rotated downwardly upon the
discharge of sewage, backflow of the sewage or the remaining water can be suppressed,
thereby ensuring a perfect washing performance.
[0029] In addition, the present invention has an effect in that some flushing water is supplied
to the auxiliary tank so that an erroneous operation of the sewage discharge tube
that may occur during the use of the sewage can be prevented.
[0030] In addition, the present invention has an effect in that a hollowed odor prevention
member made of vinyl or thin rubber is disposed inside the sewage discharge tube,
thereby minimizing backflow of foul toilet odor to the bowl of the toilet body after
the discharge of sewage.
[0031] Further, the present invention has an effect in that it can be applied to a flush
toilet employing a water tank such as an existing flush toilet, as well as sewage
contained in the bowl of the flush toilet can be discharged to the outside by using
flushing water supplied from the water pipeline even without any water tank, thereby
achieving generalization of the automatic flush toilet.
[0032] Furthermore, the present invention has an effect in that it can implement diversification
of the design of the flush toilet and reduce the production cost of the flush toilet
through a decrease of defective rate in the production process by eliminating the
necessity of a water tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of
the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a conventional
flush toilet according to the prior art;
FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which sanitary
sewage is not discharged in a sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving
flush toilet according to the present invention;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which sanitary
sewage is discharged in a sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving
flush toilet according to the present invention; and
FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views illustrating a state in which a sewage
discharge tube and an elastic unit are connected to each other in a sewage discharge
device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according to the present invention.
Explanation on Symbols
[0034]
- 100:
- toilet body
- 200:
- corrugated tube
- 300:
- flushing water branching unit
- 310:
- branching corrugated tube
- 320:
- branched water inlet part
- 321:
- odor prevention valve
- 400:
- sewage discharge tube
- 410:
- main discharge tube
- 420:
- auxiliary tank
- 500:
- elastic unit
- 600:
- odor prevention unit
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] Hereinafter the configuration of a sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving
flush toilet according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
[0036] FIGS. 2 and 3 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a state in which sanitary
sewage is not discharged in a sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving
flush toilet according to the present invention, FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic cross-sectional
views illustrating a state in which sanitary sewage is discharged in a sewage discharge
device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according to the present invention,
and FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views illustrating a state in which a sewage
discharge tube and an elastic unit are connected to each other in a sewage discharge
device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according to the present invention.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, a tankless water-saving flush toilet of the present invention
roughly includes a toilet body 100, a corrugated tube 200, a flushing water branching
unit 300, a sewage discharge tube 400, and an elastic unit 500.
[0038] The configuration of each of the elements will be described hereinafter,
Toilet body 100
[0039] The toilet body 100 according to the present invention is installed on a floor or
a wall of a toilet, a restroom, a bathroom or the like.
[0040] The toilet body 100 includes a flushing water inlet port 111 formed therein so as
to allow for inflow of flushing water flowing through a flushing water inflow passage
101 into which the flushing water is introduced from the outside, a bowl 110 opened
at a top thereof and configured to store a given amount of sewage therein. The flushing
water is supplied to the bowl 110 through the flushing water inlet port 111 to wash
the inside of the bowl 110. When a valve is opened through a flushing water valve
(not shown), flushing water is introduced into the flushing water inflow passage 101
and is involved in washing the bowl 110.
[0041] In addition, the toilet body 100 includes a connection tube 120 configured to discharge
sewage from the bowl 110.
[0042] Further, the toilet body 100 includes a cover part 140 that is configured to cover
a rear portion of the bowl 110 and allows sewage discharged through the connection
tube 120 to be induced to a bottom tube 130.
Corrugated tube 200
[0043] The corrugated tube 200 according to the present invention is connected to the connection
tube 120. That is, one end of the corrugated tube 200 is connected to a distal end
of the connection tube 120.
[0044] The one end of the corrugated tube 200 may be fittingly fixed to the connection tube
120, and may be connected to the connection tube 120 in a screw fastening manner.
[0045] The corrugated tube 200 serves to form a flow path of sewage drained from the bowl
110, and is a flexible tube that can be bent in one direction by an external force.
Flushing water branching unit 300
[0046] The flushing water branching unit 300 according to the present invention is fluidically
connected with the flushing water inflow passage 101 and serves to allow a part of
the flushing water flowing through the flushing water inflow passage 101 to be branched
when the flushing water is introduced into the bowl 110. When the flushing water is
supplied to the bowl 110 to wash the bowl 110, some flushing water branched from the
flushing water branching unit 300 from the flushing water inflow passage 101 is introduced
into and stored in an auxiliary tank 420 of the sewage discharge tube 400 which will
be described later so that the sewage discharge tube 400 is rotated by the auxiliary
tank's own weight, which is involved in discharging sewage.
[0047] The flushing water branching unit 300 includes a branching corrugated tube 310 and
a branched water inlet part 320.
[0048] The branching corrugated tube 310 is coupled at an upper end thereof to the flushing
water inflow passage 101 and is connected at a lower end thereof to the auxiliary
tank 420.
[0049] The branched water inlet part 320 is connected to the upper end of the branching
corrugated tube 310 and is disposed at the inside of the flushing water inflow passage
101 so that it serves to allow for introduction of some branched flushing water. The
introduced branched water flows into and is stored in the auxiliary tank 420 of the
sewage discharge tube 400 which will be described later through the branching corrugated
tube 310.
[0050] In an embodiment of the present invention, the use of flushing water directly supplied
from a water pipeline can drain sanitary sewage contained in a bowl 110 of the flush
toilet even without a water tank.
[0051] Moreover, preferably, the flushing water branching unit 300 further includes an odor
prevention valve 321 disposed at an entrance portion of the branched water inlet part
320, and configured to be opened by a hydraulic pressure when flushing water is supplied
to the flushing water inflow passage 101 and closed by the odor prevention valve's
own weight when the supply of the flushing water is interrupted so that foul toilet
odor is prevented from flowing into the flushing water inflow passage 101.
[0052] When provided, the odor prevention valve 321 is closed by its own weight upon the
interruption of the supply of the flushing water so that foul toilet odor can be prevented
from flowing into the bowl 110 and then the interior of a toilet room through the
flushing water inflow passage 101.
[0053] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of a sewage discharge
tube according to the present invention.
Sewage discharge tube 400
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the sewage discharge tube 400 according to the present
invention is connected to the corrugated tube 200. When flushing water introduced
through the flushing water branching unit 300 is stored in the auxiliary tank 420,
a load is applied to the sewage discharge tube 400 to downwardly move the sewage discharge
tube 400 to discharge sanitary sewage contained in the bowl to the outside.
[0055] The sewage discharge tube 400 includes a cylindrical main discharge tube 410 connected
to one end of the corrugated tube 200 and an auxiliary tank 420 disposed on an outer
circumferential surface of the main discharge tube 410 to circumferentially surround
the main discharge tube 410.
[0056] The main discharge tube 410 is connected to the corrugated tube 200 and servers to
discharge sewage to the outside.
[0057] The auxiliary tank 420 is disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the main
discharge tube 410 and is configured to store therein flushing water branched from
the flushing water branching unit 300 and supplied thereto. The auxiliary tank 420
has an auxiliary drain hole 422 formed thereon to allow flushing water stored in a
lower portion thereof to be discharged. The auxiliary tank 420 serves to rotate the
sewage discharge tube 400 by its own weight of the flushing water branched from the
flushing water branching unit 300 and stored therein upon the supply of the flushing
water to the bowl 110 to wash the bowl 110 so that sewage contained in the bowl 110
can be discharged to the outside through the main discharge tube 410 connected to
the corrugated tube 200. At this time, when the flushing water branched from the flushing
water branching unit 300 reaches a preset amount, the auxiliary tank 420 is downwardly
moved by its own weight so that sewage is discharged to the outside through the main
discharge tube 410, and the time during which sewage is discharged to the outside
through the main discharge tube 410 is delayed in proportion to a discharge speed
at which the flushing water supplied to the auxiliary tank 420 is drained through
the auxiliary drain hole 422.
[0058] Herein, the auxiliary tank 420 includes a connection part 421 disposed at an upper
portion thereof so as to be connected to the branching corrugated tube 310, and an
auxiliary drain hole 422 formed on the outer circumference of a lower portion thereof
so as to allow flushing water stored in the auxiliary tank to be drained therethrough.
[0059] By virtue of the configuration as described above, when sewage is not discharged,
the sewage discharge tube 400 is maintained at an upright state. In other words, when
flushing water does not flow into the flushing water branching unit 300, the sewage
discharge tube 400 is not rotated, so that the bowl 110 can maintain a stable amount
of water stored therein, and thus suppress adhesion of waste including feces and urine
to the inner wall of the bowl 110 and generation of foul odor.
[0060] Subsequently, when a user manipulates a flushing water valve, a lever, or the like
to supply flushing water to the flushing water inflow passage 101 after responding
to the call of nature, a part of flushing water flowing through the flushing water
inflow passage 101 is branched from the flushing water branching unit 300 and stored
in the auxiliary tank 420 of the sewage discharge tube 400.
[0061] When the flushing water branched from the flushing water branching unit 300 reaches
a preset amount at a state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the sewage discharge tube 400 is
rotated downwardly by the auxiliary tank's own weight as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The
state in which the sewage discharge tube 400 has been rotated is a state in which
the main discharge tube 410 is oriented horizontally to enable to discharge sewage
from the bowl 110.
[0062] The flushing water stored in the auxiliary tank 420 of the sewage discharge tube
400 is a power source of downwardly moving the main discharge tube 410 due to the
weight of the flushing water, and plays an important role of delaying the sewage discharge
time.
[0063] As such, when the sewage discharge tube 400 is rotated downwardly, sewage contained
in the bowl 110 is discharged to the outside through the main discharge tube 410 of
the sewage discharge tube 400 via the corrugated tube 200. At this time, the branched
flushing water stored in the auxiliary tank 420 is slowly downwardly drained to the
outside through the auxiliary drain hole 422.
[0064] In addition, while flushing water is introduced into the bowl 110 through the flushing
water inlet port 111 via the flushing water inflow passage 101, it washes the inner
wall of the bowl 110 and sewage removed from the bowl 110 is also discharged to the
outside through the main discharge tube 410 of the sewage discharge tube 400 via the
corrugated tube 200.
[0065] The introduction of the flushing water into the bowl 110 through the flushing water
inlet port 111df via the flushing water inflow passage 101 occurs slightly later than
the branching of the flushing water from the flushing water branching unit 300. Thus,
the introduction of the flushing water into the bowl 110 occurs slightly slower than
or nearly simultaneously with the rotation of the sewage discharge tube 400 to discharge
sewage. As such, when flushing water is supplied to the bowl 110 slightly slower than
or nearly simultaneously with a sewage discharge time point through the sewage discharge
tube 400, the flushing water supplied to the bowl 110 can wash the inside of the bowl
110 without being mixed with sewage contained in the bowl 110, and thus it can be
involved in only washing the bowl 110. As such, the flushing water supplied to the
bowl 110 is involved in only washing the bowl 110, so that it can be prevented from
being mixed with the sewage contained in the bowl 110 and rising in the bowl 110,
and thus the bowl 110 can be maintained in a clean state and a water-saving effect
can be exhibited.
[0066] When the flushing water branched from the flushing water branching unit 300 and stored
in the auxiliary tank 420 is drained in a certain amount through the auxiliary drain
hole 422, the sewage discharge tube 400 returns to its original position by an elastic
force of the elastic unit 500 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The sewage discharge tube
400 is maintained in a rotated state until the flushing water is completely drained
to the outside from the auxiliary tank 420 of the sewage discharge tube 400 through
the auxiliary drain hole 422, and thus the discharge time of sewage discharged to
the outside through the main discharge tube 410 of the sewage discharge tube 400 can
be delayed. As such, the discharge time of sewage discharged to the outside through
the main discharge tube 410 is delayed so that sewage contained in the bowl 110 can
be discharged completely without any residues of the sewage, resulting in an increase
in the washing efficiency.
[0067] The adjustment of the discharge time of sewage discharged through the main discharge
tube 410 of the sewage discharge tube 400 is associated with an increase or decrease
in the drainage speed of flushing water drained through the auxiliary drain hole 422.
Ultimately, the discharge time of sewage depends on the size of the auxiliary drain
hole 422.
[0068] The discharge time of sewage discharged through the main discharge tube 410 may be
controlled by variably adjusting the area of the auxiliary drain hole 422 formed at
a rear end of the auxiliary tank 420.
[0069] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the sewage discharge tube 400 returns to its original
position, washed water contained in the bowl 110 is prevented from being discharged
to the outside. In this case, the time point when the sewage discharge tube 400 returns
to its original position is an end time point of the supply of flushing water to the
flushing water inflow passage 101. At the end time point of the supply of flushing
water to the flushing water inflow passage 101, the flushing water is supplied to
only the bowl 110 so that it is half filled in the bowl 110.
[0070] FIGS. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views illustrating a state in which a sewage
discharge tube and an elastic unit are connected to each other in a sewage discharge
device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according to the present invention.
Elastic unit 500
[0071] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the elastic unit 500 according to the present invention
serves to elastically interconnect the connection tube 120 and the sewage discharge
tube 400, and allows the sewage discharge tube 400 to be oriented in an upright state
by an elastic force of the elastic unit upon the interruption of the supply of flushing
water.
[0072] Its own weight of the flushing water supplied to and stored in the auxiliary tank
420 is preferably set to be larger than the elastic force of the elastic unit 500
so that the sewage discharge tube 400 is rotated by the its own weight of the flushing
water stored in the auxiliary tank 420.
[0073] The elastic unit 500 includes: a first hanging member 510 mounted on a connection
tube 115 interconnecting the connection tube 120 and the corrugated tube 200 so as
to be protruded to both sides, the first hanging member having a pair of first hanging
holes 511 formed at each of both end portions thereof; a pair of second hanging members
520 mounted on both sides of the sewage discharge tube 400, each of the second hanging
members 520 having a pair of second hanging holes 521 formed thereon so as to be spaced
apart from each other; and a pair of elastic members 530 each connected at one end
thereof to any one of the pair of second hanging holes 521 of each of the pair of
second hanging members 520 and connected at the other end thereof to each of the pair
of first hanging holes 511 of each of both end portions of the first hanging member
510.
[0074] Herein, the first hanging holes 511 of the first hanging member 510 are formed in
plural numbers at both ends of the first hanging member 510 so as to be spaced apart
from each other.
[0075] The purpose of providing the first hanging hole 511 and the second hanging hole 521
in plural numbers is to adjust a tensile force of the elastic member.
[0076] Each of the pair of second hanging members 520 is formed in a flat plate shape, and
extends radially outwardly from both opposite sides of the outer circumferential surface
of the main discharge tube 410.
[0077] The connection tube 115 interconnecting the connection tube 120 and the corrugated
tube 200 preferably includes a first connection part 115a connected to the connection
tube 120 and a second connection part 115b connected to the corrugated tube 200 so
that the first connection part 115a and the second connection part 115b are coupled
to each other.
Odor prevention unit 600
[0078] Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5, the odor prevention unit 600 is disposed inside the corrugated
tube 200 or the sewage discharge tube 400, and is opened when the sewage flows through
the corrugated tube 200 or the sewage discharge tube 400 and closed when the sewage
does not flow therethrough.
[0079] The odor prevention unit 600 includes an odor prevention member 610 that is disposed
at the inside of the sewage discharge tube 400, is formed in a hollow shape, and is
made of vinyl or thin rubber having flexibility.
[0080] Preferably, the odor prevention unit 600 has a hollow shape and is formed of vinyl
or rubber having flexibility.
[0081] Herein, one end of the odor prevention member 610 is fixed to one end of an inner
circumference of the sewage discharge tube 400. A process of fixing the odor prevention
member 610 may be performed by using an adhesive.
[0082] The other end of the odor prevention member 610 is disposed to form a free end along
the other end of the inner circumference of the sewage discharge tube 400. In other
words, the other end of the odor prevention member 610 is not fixed at the inside
of the sewage discharge tube 400.
[0083] Accordingly, when sewage contained in the bowl 110 flows into the corrugated tube
200 through connection tube 120, it can be introduced into a hollow space of the odor
prevention member 610 to open the odor prevention member 610.
[0084] In this case, a circumference of the odor prevention member 610 is larger than the outer
circumference of the sewage discharge tube 400 so that the odor prevention member
610 can be closely abutted against the outer circumference of the sewage discharge
tube 400.
[0085] In addition, when the discharge of the sewage from the sewage discharge tube 400 is
completed, the outward shape of the other end of the odor prevention member 610 disposed
to form the free end is changed to be closely abutted against the sewage discharge
tube 400.
[0086] In other words, after the discharge of the sewage contained in the bowl 110 has been
completed, the other end of the odor prevention member 610 is closed by being closely
abutted against the sewage discharge tube 400
[0087] Accordingly, the other end of the odor prevention member 610 is maintained in a relatively
closed state, and thus it is possible to minimally reduce foul odor generated from
a side from which sewage is discharged.
[0088] While the sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according
to the present invention have been described and illustrated in connection with specific
exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be readily
appreciated by those skilled in the art that it is merely illustrative of the preferred
embodiments of the present invention and various modifications and changes can be
made thereto within the spirit and scope of the present invention, set forth in the
claims.
1. A sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet, comprising:
a toilet body (100) installed on a floor or a wall, the toilet body (100) including
a flushing water inlet port (111) formed therein so as to allow for inflow of flushing
water flowing through a flushing water inflow passage (101) into which the flushing
water is introduced from the outside, a bowl (110) opened at a top thereof and configured
to store a certain amount of sewage therein, a connection tube (120) configured to
discharge sewage from the bowl (110), and a cover part (140) configured to cover a
rear portion of the bowl (110) and to allow sewage discharged through the connection
tube (120) to be induced to a bottom tube (130);
a corrugated tube (200) connected to the connection tube (120), the corrugated tube
(200) being configured to form a flow path of sewage drained from the bowl (110) and
being capable of bent in one direction;
a flushing water branching unit (300) fluidically connected with the flushing water
inflow passage (101) and configured to allow a part of the flushing water flowing
through the flushing water inflow passage (101) to be branched when the flushing water
is introduced into the bowl (110);
a sewage discharge tube (400) comprising: a main discharge tube (410) connected to
the corrugated tube (200) and configured to discharge sewage to the outside; and an
auxiliary tank (420) disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the main discharge
tube (410) and configured to store therein flushing water branched from the flushing
water branching unit (300) and supplied thereto, the auxiliary tank having an auxiliary
discharge hole (422) formed thereon to allow flushing water stored in a lower portion
thereof to be drained,
wherein when the flushing water branched from the flushing water branching unit (300)
reaches a preset amount, the auxiliary tank (420) is downwardly moved by its own weight
so that sewage is discharged to the outside through the main discharge tube (410),
and the time during which sewage is discharged to the outside through the main discharge
tube (410) is delayed in proportion to a discharge speed at which the flushing water
supplied to the auxiliary tank (420) is drained through the auxiliary drain hole (422);
and
an elastic unit (500) configured to elastically interconnect the connection tube (120)
and the sewage discharge tube (400), and to allow the sewage discharge tube (400)
to be oriented in an upright state by an elastic force of the elastic unit upon the
interruption of the supply of flushing water.
2. The sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according
to claim 1, wherein the elastic unit (500) comprises:
a first hanging member (510) mounted on a connection tube (115) interconnecting the
connection tube (120) and the corrugated tube (200) so as to be protruded to both
sides, the first hanging member having a pair of first hanging holes (511) formed
at each of both end portions thereof;
a pair of second hanging members (520) mounted on both sides of the sewage discharge
tube (400), each of the second hanging members (520) having a pair of second hanging
holes (521) formed thereon so as to be spaced apart from each other; and
a pair of elastic members (530) each connected at one end thereof to any one of the
pair of second hanging holes (521) of each of the pair of second hanging members (520)
and connected at the other end thereof to each of the pair of first hanging holes
(511) of each of both end portions of the first hanging member (510).
3. The sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according
to claim 1, further comprising an odor prevention unit (600) disposed inside the corrugated
tube (200) or the sewage discharge tube (400), the odor prevention unit being opened
when the sewage flows through the corrugated tube (200) or the sewage discharge tube
(400) and closed when the sewage does not flow therethrough.
4. The sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according
to claim 1, wherein the flushing water branching unit (300) comprises:
a branching corrugated tube (310) coupled at an upper end thereof to the flushing
water inflow passage (101) and connected at a lower end thereof to the auxiliary tank
(420); and
a branched water inlet part (320) connected to the upper end of the branching corrugated
tube (310) and disposed at the inside of the flushing water inflow passage (101).
5. The sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according
to claim 1, wherein the flushing water branching unit (300) further comprises an odor
prevention valve (321) disposed at an entrance portion of the branched water inlet
part (320), and configured to be opened by a hydraulic pressure when flushing water
is supplied to the flushing water inflow passage (101) and closed by the odor prevention
valve's own weight when the supply of the flushing water is interrupted so that foul
toilet odor is prevented from flowing into the flushing water inflow passage (101).
6. The sewage discharge device for a variable type water-saving flush toilet according
to claim 3, wherein the odor prevention unit (600) comprises an odor prevention member
(610) that is disposed at the inside of the sewage discharge tube (400), is formed
in a hollow shape, and is made of vinyl or thin rubber having flexibility,
wherein one end of the odor prevention member (610) is fixed to one end of an inner
circumference of the sewage discharge tube (400), and
wherein the other end of the odor prevention member (610) is disposed to form a free
end along the other end of the inner circumference of the sewage discharge tube (400),
whereby when sewage contained in the bowl (110) flows into the corrugated tube (200)
through connection tube (120), it is introduced into a hollow space of the odor prevention
member (610) to open the odor prevention member (610), and
whereby when the discharge of the sewage from the sewage discharge tube (400) is completed,
the outward shape of the other end of the odor prevention member (610) disposed to
form the free end is changed to be closely abutted against the sewage discharge tube
(400).