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(11) | EP 0 985 774 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Improved tank valve system of sanitary equipment |
| (57) Improvements in valve devices for sanitary water tanks in general: of the type comprising
a main body (a) conforming a box (5) having a liquid inlet with a side coupling (1)
which is connectable to the water inlet opening in the tank and an interior outlet
opening (3) projecting to a pipe (4) which terminates close to the tank bottom; said
body (a) is connected with a first class lever, having a rod (12) as a resistance
arm coupled to a float, while the resistance element of said lever conforms the variable
thrust element of a piston (8) which is guided sliding facing the liquid inlet to
the box (5) constituting a valve plug of said inlet, characterized in that there exist
a narrow passage (6) between the piston (8) and the inlet opening where a removable
elastomeric disc joint (7) is placed, forming a sealing joint for the closing position;
and said passage (6) having in one end a bushing (3') for connection to the discharge
pipe (4) and the other end with an access inlet to said joint, which can be closed
with a lid (18). |
Object of the Invention
[0001] The present invention refers to water inlet regulation devices and, in particular, to improvements in valve devices used for sanitary tanks in general.
Background of the Invention
[0002] The float type valves have been well known for a long time, said valves consisting basically of a swing arm lever fastened to a float and connected to a body conforming a water discharge tank.
[0003] Said discharge tank has an inlet connectable to the water tank inlet opening and a lower outlet opening wich, to avoid noises produced by the water jet over the water volume, is normally conducted by means of a tube having a length such that the tube outlet gets close to the tank botom, thus producing a silent flow.
[0004] The arm lever exerts a pressure on a piston guided in the discharge tank and aligned with the water inlet opening, terminating a valve plug.
[0005] The above means that when the water is discharged - producing the fall of the float to a lower level while the arm lever is pushed by said float - the arm lever is displaced exerting a pressure on the valve plug against the inlet opening so as to seal it off.
[0006] In general, these systems are well known in its different types, and basically meet the purpose for which they were designed.
[0007] However, as it can be thought, the key element of the closing system is the valve plug, normally made of a rubber joint mounted on the plug end.
[0008] The devices revealed in Argentinian Patents 208.443 and 55.117 belong to said type, which when the elastomeric part looses elasticity require replacement of the whole plug.
[0010] But, in fact it will not be possible to replace the plug elastic element without pulling out the whole assembly
[0011] For example, in Argentinian Patent 234.820, when replacement of the worn out plug is required, it will be necessary to pull out the float, screw out the body, open the cover and countercover, and once it is replaced, carry out the whole reverse process in order to complete the assembly. In patent Arg. N° 208.443, although it is not shown, it will be necessary to dismantle the tank - possibly having to pull out the float in order to complete the repair.
[0012] Finally, in Arg. Patent n° 55.117, the float must be pulled up, the lever arm has to be disconnected from piston guide and loose said piston pulling it out through opening of its head guide, replacein the piston with a new one.
[0013] But taking in consideration that the useful life of these valves depends on the condiction of the sealing joint, it will be easily understood the disadvantages of any arrangement requiring to disassemble the whole system just to replace the sealing joint.
[0014] The problem worsend when considering the last of space available inside the water tanks, where the different components have a difficult access and little space for the use of tools.
[0015] That being the reason why the dismounting has to be done blindly, with the risk of droping pieces, thus affecting to the support of the discharge valve.
Brief Description of the Invention
[0016] With the purpose to avoid the inconveniences of existing valve devices, we have developed the valve device object of this invention.
[0017] The invention disclosed in the present description, within the valve conventional structure provides a system that, in one hand assures a perfect sealing of the valve plug, and in other hand, makes it easier the placing or replacing the sealing joints, without dismounting any component.
[0018] For that purpose, said device has an inlet opening with a threaded lid, which can be oriented upwards or facing the assembly.
[0019] The new valve device is extremely convenient, of compact design, easy to be mounted and maintained, and essentially quite apt for sealing joint replacement.
[0020] Therefore, it is understood that said device will be widely accepted, independently of its use and purpose since, due to its features, it can be used as a float valve in all types of water tanks.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0021] For a better understanding of the object of present invention, several figures are enclosed, in which some embodiments of the invention are represented, only as an example without any limitations, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the valve device as seen from outside, showing its compact design and the presence of a closing lid for the access to the valve device.
Figure 2 is plan view of the device, with the closing lid for access to the device upper side.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of a detail of the open box with the disc sealing joint in a position ready for mounting, where the general arrangement and the location of the different components can be observed.
Figure 4 is a cross section of the box, turned 90 ° with respect to section of Figure 3, showing how the disc sealing joint is mounted by simply pulling up the access lid.
Figure 5 is another front view of the device, in a new embodiment, in which the access opening to the disc joint, and lid, is arraned facing the device, and finally,
Figure 6 is a side view of said device, according to the embodiment with front access as shown in Figure 5.
[0022] In said figures, the same reference numbers indicate same or correspondin parts, with assemblis of several elements being given reference letters.
[0023] Said references correspond to following detail, in which:
a) - main body with top lid (figs. 1 - 4)
a') - main body, with front lid (figs. 5, 6)
b) - float lever
1) - side coupling connected to inlet opening
2) - admission pipe to box
3) - outlet interior opening
4) - pipe
5) - box
6) - narrow passage of (5)
7) - disc sealing joint
8) - piston
9) - pushing element
10) - lever link b) with a)
11) - link end of (12)
12) - rod (or lever arm b)
13) - pressure regulation screw (14) support
14') - enlargement of (6)
15) - threaded inlet
15') - front threaded inlet (figs 5 and 6)
16) - lid thread
17) - front lid grip
18) - top lid (figs. 1 - 4)
18') - front lid (figs. 5 and 6)
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0024] With the specified purposes, and as it has been claimed, said improvements in valve device for sanitary tanks in general, are of the type comprising a main body (a) as a box (5) provided with a water inlet opening with a side connection (1) connectable with the water feeding connection to water tank, and with a interior outlet (3) projecting in a pipe (4) conducting the water and terminating close to the water tank bottom: said body (a) is connected (10) to a first class lever (b), comprising a rod connected to a float, whereas the resistance of said lever (a) constitutes the variable thrust element (9) which is guided and slides facing the water inlet (2') to the lid (a) and terminates conforming a valve plug of said inlet (2'); characterized in that there is a narrow passage (6), between the piston (8) and the inlet opening (2'), where a replaceable elastomeric disc joint is mounted, forming a sealing joint (7) for the closing position, and said passage (6), in one hand comprises a coupling bushing (3') with the discharge pipe (4), while in the other hand is an access inlet (14') to said joint (7) which can be closed with a lid (18).
[0025] In general, (a) is the valve main body, made of plastic, metal, or similar, designed to be connected inside a water tank, to regulate the inlet to said tank by means of a plug with float lever (b), in a similar manner as with the water tank actuated by a push button, and having the purpose of flushing tanks and other sanitary equipment.
[0026] More in particular, and as it can be seen in the figures, the body device (a) comprises a box (5) having a narrow passage (6) in its bottom with almost parallel sides and rectangular cross section, while towards the top (examples of (a) body in figures 1 - 4) or the front (examples of (a') body in figures 4 and 5) from a support wall (14) it enlarges substantially (14') forming an access inlet to (6), provided with exterior thread (15) for screinw the side walls (17) of a closing lid (18).
[0027] In the areas facing the passage (6) its main walls involve corresponding colinear holes, one of them being the guide for a guided displacement of a small cylindrical piston (8), having an interior conical head that prevents said piston coming off its sliding guide; whereas the other hole acts as a water admission inlet (2'), which through the pipe (2) terminates outside forming a connection (1) to be coupled to water inlet to tank.
[0028] Furthermore, the passage (6) of same box (a) has in the bottom a bottom outlet opening (3) terminating in a tubular bushing (3') coupled to the vertical pipe (4). This pipe has a legth such that the bottom outlet is located close to tank bottom; so that when the water flows into the tank through (4), there is no audible noise.
[0029] The lever (b) is a first class lever, having a rod (12) threaded in one end for connection to a float (not shown), its fulcrum, in a connection (10) with a lug in the box (5), whereas the resistance arm of said lever is made of a plastic element fastened to the rod end (12) and defining a thrust member (9).
[0030] In order to assemble the device, previously opening the box (a) and pulling out the lid (18), a disc sealing joint,-made of an elastomeric material like rubber or similar (figs. 3 and 7) is inserted in the narrow passage (7), in a way such that said joint (7) supported on a flange of said narrow passage (6) is held between the admission inlet (2') and the piston (8), with sufficiente space as to allow the flow of water when the valve is open, between (2') and (4).
[0032] When the water level inside the tank is low, the float follows the fall in the level and brings down the rod (12) while its resistance arm (9) travels away from the piston (8) which slides back in its guide, leaving the passage cavity completely free (6).
[0033] Then, the water flows freely from (1) and (2) into the passage (6) through the inlet (2) and is conducted in the pipe (4) towards inside the tank.
[0034] When the water level rises inside the tank, the float and the associated lever (b) also risesdue to the connection (10).
[0035] In a proportional arrangement, the thrust element (9) pushes progresively the disc joint (7) up to the preset maximum level, with the maximum pressure and obtaining a scales closing of (7) against the valve seat (2), the process being repeated after the water discharge is produced.
[0036] The interesting feature of the present invention is the fact that when the sealing joint is worn (7) out, the sealing will be defective, but in oreder to replace said joint it will be sufficient to pull out the top lid (18) - in the embodiments (a) of figures 1 to 4 or front lid (a') in the case of embodiments shown in figures 5 and 6, in order to have easy access to the box (5) interior and proceed to the replacement, closing again the lid (18) by screwing it in, so that the device will return to normal operation condition.
1. Improvements in valve devices for sanitary water tanks of the type comprising a main
body constituted by a box having an side inlet connectable to the water supply pipe,
and a interior water outlet projecting in a pipe terminating close to the tank bottom;
said body is connected to a first class lever comprising a rod coupled to a float,
while the resistance arm of said lever faces the water inlet terminating in a valve
plug for said inlet, characterized in that there exist a narrow passage between the
piston and the inlet opening where a removable elastomeric disc joint is placed, forming
a sealing joint for the closing position; and said passage having in one end a bushing
for connection to the discharge pipe and the other end with an access inlet to said
joint, which can be closed with a lid.
2. Improvements in valve devices for sanitary water tanks, in accordance with claim 1,
characterized in that the passage has in its bottom end a bushing for connection to
the discharge pipe, while its top part forms an inlet for access to said joint, which
can be closed wit a lid.
3. Improvements in valve devices for sanitary water tanks, in accordance with claim 1,
characterized in that the passage has in its bottom end a bushing for connection to
the discharge pipe, while the front part conforms an inlet for access to said joint,
which can be closed with a lid.
4. Improvements in valve devices for sanitary water tanks, in accordance with claim 1,
characterized in that the passage has in its bottom end a bushing for connection to
the discharge pipe, while the other end enlarges considerably to conform an inlet
for access to said joint, which can be closed by a threaded lid.