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(11) | EP 2 942 441 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | FEEDING DEVICE FOR A FLUSHING TANK |
| (57) A feeding device (1) of a flushing tank comprises a support body (3), substantially
extending along an axis (A) and internally provided with a channel (4) having an inlet
(11), connectable to an outer pipe of a water mains, and at least one main outlet
(13), ending in use in the flushing tank; a feed valve (5), supported by the body
(3) and positioned along the channel (4); and a main float (6) mechanically connected
to the feed valve (5) and housed in a casing (20) integrally fitted to the body (3)
and having a top opening (21), through which the casing (20) may be filled with water,
and a bottom drain hole (23), from which water may leak from the casing (20); the
casing (20) comprises a first tank (25), in which the main float (6) is housed, and
a siphon system (26) connecting the first tank (25) to the drain hole (23).
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[0001] The present invention relates to a feeding device of a flushing tank for sanitary appliances.
[0002] As known, flushing tanks for toilets and other sanitary appliances are normally provided with a draining valve, which serves to drain a predetermined amount of water from the tank, and a feeding device, which serves to refill the tank after each drain with water from a water mains.
[0003] A feeding device of a flushing tank generally has an inlet, which is connected in use to a connection of the water mains to bring water to the filling valve, an outlet, which brings water from the filling valve to the tank, and a filling valve, operated by a float and arranged between the inlet and the outlet; the float is mechanically connected to the filling valve to selectively open/close the filling valve according to the position of the float, i.e. the water level in the tank.
[0004] Some feeding devices are provided with a delayed filling system, which allows the opening of the filling valve to be delayed with respect to the time in which the water in the tank drops below the level at which the float is placed. Thereby, the feeding device is prevented from starting to fill the tank when the draining valve is still open, thus avoiding an unnecessary water consumption.
[0005] The delayed feeding devices of the known type, however, are not completely satisfactory, especially in terms of simplicity of construction and reliability in use.
[0006] Moreover, in general, the known feeding devices are not able to prevent the filling valve from opening in case of leaks from the flushing tank, for example when there is a malfunction of the draining valve.
[0007] When a leak occurs through the draining valve, the water level in the tank drops, more or less quickly depending on the leak extent; in any case, the point is reached in which the water is no longer supporting the float of the feeding device, whereby the filling valve opens; the water flows into the tank but since the tank is still leaking, water is still wasted.
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a feeding device of a flushing tank for sanitary appliances which is free from the prior art drawbacks mentioned herein; in particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a feeding device which allows water to be saved, thus avoiding waste, both by delaying the opening of the filling valve in the normal operation of the flushing tank and by preventing the filling valve from opening in case of water leaks of any type from the tank, such as leaks through the draining valve, leaks due to breakage of the tank, and so on.
[0009] Therefore, the present invention relates to a feeding device of a flushing tank for sanitary appliances, as defined in essential terms in appended claim 1 and, in its additional features, in the dependent claims.
[0010] The feeding device of the invention allows not only water to be saved in the normal operation of the flushing tank, by delaying the entrance of water into the flushing tank after draining; but it also allows water to be saved in case of water leaks of any type from the tank, for example through the draining valve or due to other causes.
[0011] Indeed, when closing the feeding valve, the feeding device of the invention prevents the tank from continuing to be filled with water as a result of any leaks of water from the tank (for example, due to a malfunction of the draining valve, or breakage of the tank, etc.). The feeding device of the invention intervenes in different manners both in case of moderate leaks and in case of larger leaks.
[0012] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:
- figure 1 is a side view of a feeding device of a flushing tank according to the invention;
- figure 2 is a side view, with parts in longitudinal section, of the feeding device in figure 1;
- figures 3 and 4 are sectional views along the planes III-III and IV-IV in figure 1, respectively;
- figures 5 to 7 are respective front views, with sectional parts, of the feeding device in figure 1, shown in respective operating steps;
- figures 8 and 9 are respective side views, with sectional parts, of the feeding device in figure 1, shown in further respective operating steps.
[0013] In figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 indicates a feeding device of a flushing tank 2 (known and not shown in detail for simplicity) of sanitary appliances.
[0014] The feeding device 1 comprises a support body 3, substantially extending along an axis A (which is substantially vertical in use) and is internally provided with a channel 4; a feed valve 5, supported by body 3 and positioned along channel 4; and a float 6 mechanically connected to a shutter 7 of the feed valve 5.
[0015] In the example shown, body 3 comprises a top head 8 and a tube 9 projecting from head 8 downwards along axis A.
[0016] Channel 4 has an inlet 11 connectable to an outer pipe of a water mains through a fitting 12, and a main outlet 13, ending in use in the flushing tank 2.
[0017] The feed valve 5 is located along channel 4 and is operated by float 6, which particularly acts on shutter 7.
[0018] Shutter 7 is connected to float 6 by means of a lever 14 and is movable for selectively opening/closing channel 4.
[0019] Body 3 is provided with a guide 15 parallel to axis A, and float 6 is slidably mounted on guide 15, formed for example on tube 9; float 6 slides along axis A (or parallel to axis A).
[0022] With reference to figures 2-5, casing 20 extends along axis A and is open at the top, having a top opening 21 facing body 3; casing 20 has a bottom wall 22 transverse to axis A and provided with a bottom drain hole 23, and a lateral wall 24, substantially parallel to axis A and surrounding float 6.
[0023] Casing 20 comprises a first tank 25, in which float 6 is housed, and a siphon system 26 connecting tank 25 to the drain hole 23.
[0024] In particular, the siphon system 26 comprises a second tank 27, arranged laterally by the side of tank 25 and communicating therewith through a lower passage 28; and a pair of side-by-side tubes 31, 32 communicating through an upper passage 33, located at a level along axis A higher than the lower passage 28.
[0025] Tanks 25, 27 extend substantially parallel to axis A; tank 27 is adjacent to tank 25 and is separated from the tank by a partition 34, in which the lower passage 28 is formed, close to the bottom wall 22.
[0026] Tubes 31, 32 are substantially parallel to each other and to axis A, and communicate with each other through the upper passage 33, for example formed in a partition 35 which projects upwards from the bottom wall 22 and separates the tubes 31, 32.
[0027] Tube 31 communicates with tank 27; tube 32 ends with the bottom drain hole 23, formed for example in the bottom wall 22.
[0028] Tube 32 is provided with a top service hole 36, for example formed in a transverse partition 37 arranged above passage 33 (i.e. at a higher level than passage 33 along axis A) and which divides tube 32 in a top chamber 38 and a bottom chamber 39, which are one above the other.
[0029] The siphon system 26 is provided with a service valve 41, comprising: a service shutter 42 cooperating with the service hole 36 for selectively opening/closing the service hole 36; a service float 43; and a rod 44 which joins float 43 to shutter 42.
[0030] Shutter 42 is arranged in the top chamber 38 of tube 32 and slides, along with rod 44, parallel to axis A to close/open the service hole 36. Rod 44 is housed in tube 32, in particular in the bottom chamber 39, and is substantially parallel to axis A; rod 44 is arranged through the service hole 36 and projects downwards through the drain hole 23. Float 43 is placed outside casing 20 and below casing 20, in particular outside tube 32 beyond the drain hole 23 and therefore at a level below float 6.
[0031] Rod 44 is inserted with radial clearance into the drain hole 23, so as to not fully occlude the drain hole 23 but to define a drain passage 45.
[0032] With specific reference to figures 1, 2, 5 and 8-9, the feeding device 1 also comprises a gutter duct 48 which feeds a supplementary tank 49, arranged below the head 8 of body 3 and integrally attached to body 3.
[0033] The gutter duct 48 has an inlet end 51 and an outlet end 52, and is inclined from end 51 towards end 52.
[0034] End 51 is located below an auxiliary outlet 53, formed in body 3 and communicating with channel 4 downstream of shutter 7, in order to receive a small portion of the water circulating in channel 4 when shutter 7 opens channel 4.
[0035] End 52 is located above the supplementary tank 49 for pouring water into the supplementary tank 49.
[0036] Tank 49 has a bottom exit hole 54 formed in a bottom wall 55 of tank 49; and a lateral discharge hole 56, formed in a lateral wall 57 of tank 49 and set at a level (along axis A) higher than the exit hole 54.
[0037] Tank 49 is provided with an auxiliary valve 61, comprising: an auxiliary shutter 62 cooperating with the exit hole 54 for selectively opening/closing the exit hole 54; an auxiliary float 63; and a rod 64 which joins float 63 to shutter 62.
[0038] Shutter 62 is arranged in tank 49 and slides, along with rod 64, parallel to axis A to close/open the exit hole 54. Rod 64 extends substantially parallel to axis A and is arranged through the exit hole 54. Float 63 is placed beyond the exit hole 54 outside tank 49 and outside casing 20, in particular under casing 20, i.e. at a level (along axis A) lower than float 6 and float 43. Float 63 serves the function of checking whether the water level in tank 2 increases and, as a result of a level increase, promotes the closing of the feed valve 5.
[0039] The discharge hole 56 is located above casing 20 and axially aligned to tank 25, so that the water exiting tank 49 through the discharge hole 56 falls into casing 20 and exactly into tank 25, which is open at the top.
[0041] When (figure 5) the flushing tank 2 is full of water (between one drainage and the next one), the water reaches an initial level L1 which is above casing 20 (over the top opening 21 of casing 20); casing 20, and in particular tanks 25, 27 also are full of water, filling themselves when water overflows above through opening 21.
[0042] The main float 6 floats into casing 20 filled with water and keeps the feed valve 5 closed (by acting on shutter 7).
[0043] Floats 43, 63 are kept raised from the water contained in the flushing tank 2 and the service hole 36 and the outlet hole 54 are open.
[0044] When the water contained in the flushing tank 2 is drained (via a dedicated drainage valve, known and not shown), the water level in the flushing tank 2 drops quickly (figure 6).
[0045] The feeding device 1 intervenes with a delayed filling mode: the main float 6, being housed in casing 20 full of water (specifically, in tank 25), does not drop directly as the water level decreases in the flushing tank 2, but remains raised as long as there is water in the tank 25 of casing 20.
[0046] Until the water in the flushing tank 2 does not reach a level L2, float 43 supports shutter 42 and the service hole 36 remains open; the siphon system 26 does not act as a siphon (because air enters through the service hole 36).
[0047] When the water reaches level L2, float 43 drops and drags shutter 42 downwards, closing the service hole 36 and activating the siphon system 26. Since air cannot enter through the service hole 36, tubes 31, 32 draw in water from tank 25; the water exits through the drain passage 45 (drain hole 23). The water in tank 27 serves to ensure that air does not enter into the siphon system 26 when the water level in the flushing tank 2 varies between levels L1 and L2.
[0048] When tank 25 empties, the drainage time of tank 25 is regulated by the geometry of tube 31 and in particular by the size of the drain passage 45. The main float 6 loses its buoyancy and moves downwards, thus moving shutter 7 which opens the feed valve 5; the water enters into channel 4 and through tube 9 it fills the flushing tank 2.
[0049] The feeding device 1 also intervenes in case of leaks of the flushing tank 2, for example when there is a malfunction of the drain valve, in order to keep the feed valve 5 closed even though the flushing tank 2 empties, and to prevent waste of water.
[0050] When there is a small leak from the flushing tank 2 (through the drain valve 5 or due to other causes), the water contained in the flushing tank 2 is drained slowly (figure 7).
[0051] As the water level in the flushing tank 2 drops, the water level in casing 20 and in particular in tanks 25, 27 and in tubes 31, 32 also decreases, while float 43 keeps shutter 42 raised and thereby keeps the service hole 36 open, thus allowing the air to enter through the service hole 36.
[0052] The siphon system 26 does not work as a siphon since the service hole 36 is open and thus allows the air to enter into the siphon system 26; as a result, tank 27 and tubes 31, 32 become empty, through the drain passage 45, while tank 25 housing the main float 6 remains full, keeping float 6 raised and thus keeping shutter 7 and the feed valve 5 closed.
[0053] Even when the flushing tank 2 is completely empty, the main float 6 remains raised into casing 20.
[0054] On the other hand, in case of a large leak through the drain valve, the water contained in the flushing tank 2 is drained quickly, as in the case of controlled drain (figures 8-9).
[0055] Therefore, although with delay, the main float 6 opens the feed valve 5, in particular once the water in the flushing tank 2 has reached level L2 at which float 43 drops and closes the service hole 36, thus activating the siphon system 26 which empties tank 25.
[0056] Water then enters into the flushing tank 2 through the feed valve 5. A part of the water entering through the feed valve 5 passes from outlet 53 and drops into the gutter duct 48.
[0057] Float 63, placed close to the bottom of the flushing tank 2 and in any case below float 43, is still raised and keeps the exit hole 54 open. Therefore, the water conveyed by the gutter duct 48 does not fill tank 49 but exits from the exit hole 54.
[0058] When the water in the flushing tank 2 drops below a level L3 (figure 9), float 63 loses its buoyancy and drops, dragging downwards shutter 62 which closes the exit hole 54.
[0059] At this point, the water which continues to flow through the gutter duct 48 fills tank 49 and overflows from the discharge hole 56, falling into casing 20 (in tank 25).
[0060] The water fills casing 20 as well as tank 25; the main float 6 rises and closes the feed valve 5, thus stopping the water from entering into the flushing tank 2.
1. A feeding device (1) of a flushing tank, comprising a support body (3), extending
substantially along an axis (A) and internally provided with a channel (4) having
an inlet (11), connectable to an outer pipe of a water mains, and at least one main
outlet (13), ending in use in the flushing tank; a feed valve (5), supported by the
body (3) and positioned along the channel (4); and a main float (6) mechanically connected
to the feed valve (5); the main float (6) being housed in a casing (20) integrally
fitted to the body (3) and having a top opening (21), through which the casing (20)
may be filled with water, and a bottom drain hole (23), from which water may leak
from the casing (20); the feeding device (1) being characterized in that the casing (20) comprises a first tank (25), in which the main float (6) is housed,
and a siphon system (26) connecting the first tank (25) to the drain hole (23).
2. A feeding device according to claim 1, wherein the siphon system (26) is provided
with a service valve (41) operated by a service float (43) for opening/closing a service
hole (36) and consequently allowing/preventing the entrance of air in the siphon system
(26).
3. A feeding device according to claim 2, wherein the service float (43) is positioned
outside the casing (20) and below the casing (20), beyond the drain hole (23) and
at a level lower than the main float (6).
4. A feeding device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the service valve (41) comprises
a service shutter (42), connected to the service float (43) and cooperating with the
service hole (36) for selectively opening/closing the service hole (36).
5. A feeding device according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the service float (43)
is connected to the service shutter (42) via a rod (44) arranged through the service
hole (36) and protruding downwards trough the drain hole (23).
6. A feeding device according to claim 5, wherein the rod (44) is inserted with radial
clearance in the drain hole (23), so as to not fully occlude the drain hole (23) but
to define a drain passage (45).
7. A feeding device according to one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the siphon system (26)
comprises a second tank (27), arranged laterally beside the first tank (25) and communicating
with the first tank (25) through a lower passage (28); and a pair of side-by-side
tubes (31, 32) communicating through an upper passage (33), located at a level along
the axis (A) higher than the lower passage (28).
8. A feeding device according to claim 7, wherein the service hole (36) is located at
a level along the axis (A) higher than the upper passage (33).
9. A feeding device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a gutter duct
(48) shaped so as to receive water from the channel (4) and fed a supplementary tank
(49), integrally fitted to the body (3); and an auxiliary valve (61), operated by
an auxiliary float (63) for opening/closing a bottom exit hole (54) of the supplementary
tank (49).
10. A feeding device according to claim 9, wherein the auxiliary valve (61) comprises
an auxiliary shutter (62) connected to the auxiliary float (63) and cooperating with
the exit hole (54) for selectively opening/closing the exit hole (54).
11. A feeding device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the exit hole (54) is formed
in a bottom wall (55) of the supplementary tank (49); and the supplementary tank (49)
has a lateral discharge hole (56), formed in a lateral wall (57) of the supplementary
tank (49) and set at a level higher than the exit hole (54) .
12. A feeding device according to claim 11, wherein the lateral discharge hole (56) is
located above the casing (20) for pouring water through the lateral discharge hole
(56) in the casing (20).
13. A feeding device according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the auxiliary float (63)
is located beyond the exit hole (54) outside the supplementary tank (49) and outside
the casing (20), at a level lower than the main float (6).
14. A feeding device according to one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the gutter duct (48)
has an inlet end (51) and an outlet end (52) and is slanted from the inlet end (51)
towards the outlet end (52).
15. A feeding device according to one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the inlet end (51) is
located below an auxiliary outlet (53), formed in the body (3) downstream of the shutter
(7), of the channel (4) for receiving water from the channel (4) when the shutter
(7) opens the channel (4); and the outlet end (52) is located above the supplementary
tank (49) for pouring water in the supplementary tank (49).