CONCEALED WATER TANK DEVICE

Abstract

 A hidden water tank device includes a water tank and a valve assembly configured to be disposed in the water tank. The valve assembly includes an inlet valve configured to be connected to a water replenishment pipe configured to supply water to a toilet bowl; and a flushing valve including an outlet end. The hidden water tank device also includes a flushing pipe configured to be connected to the toilet bowl and in fluid communication with the water replenishment pipe. The flushing pipe includes a first end of the flushing pipe configured to extend to an outside of the water tank; and a second end configured to be connected to the outlet end of the flushing valve.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to: Chinese Patent Application No. 202322466679.0 filed in the Chinese Intellectual Property Office on September 11, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of a toilet water tank and particularly relates to a hidden water tank device.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Some water tanks of the toilets are mounted in an in-wall manner, i.e., the water tanks are mounted in a wall. Such a water tank is also referred to as a hidden water tank. Some toilets (e.g., toilet bowls of the toilets) have a large water seal area and require a large amount of water for water sealing. After the hidden water tank is activated for normal flushing, the amount of residual water in a conventional hidden water tank cannot meet the need for the toilet water seal to return to a normal water level. This affects the self-deodorization ability of the toilet.

[0004] In view of the above technical issues, it is necessary to provide a hidden water tank device that can continuously supply water to the toilet.

SUMMARY

[0005] The present disclosure aims to overcome the shortcomings in the prior art by providing a hidden water tank device that can continuously supply water to a toilet after the toilet is flushed. After the flushing is completed via a flushing valve, the inlet valve starts to replenish water to the water tank, and the water is replenished to a flushing pipe through a water replenishment pipe. The water may be replenished into the toilet via the flushing pipe, so as to raise a water seal surface of the toilet (e.g., the toilet bowl of the toilet) and increase the water seal area. Thus, the deodorization effect for the toilet may be improved.

[0006] A technical solution of the present disclosure provides a hidden water tank device. The hidden water tank device includes a water tank, a valve assembly provided in the water tank, and a flushing pipe configured to be connected to a toilet.

[0007] The valve assembly includes an inlet valve and a flushing valve.

[0008] One end of the flushing pipe extends to an outside of the water tank, and the other end of the flushing pipe is connected to the flushing valve.

[0009] The inlet valve is connected to a water replenishment pipe configured to replenish water to the toilet, and the water replenishment pipe is in fluid communication with the flushing pipe.

[0010] In an embodiment, an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is connected to the flushing pipe.

[0011] In an embodiment, the flushing valve includes an overflow pipe in fluid communication with the flushing pipe, and an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is in fluid communication with the overflow pipe.

[0012] In an embodiment, an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is located in the overflow pipe.

[0013] In an embodiment, the water tank is internally provided with a drive mechanism configured to drive the flushing valve to open or close.

[0014] The drive mechanism is located above the flushing valve, and the flushing valve is connected to an airbag member of the drive mechanism by means of a lifting arm.

[0015] A housing of the drive mechanism is provided with a connecting pipe extending in an up-and-down direction, the water replenishment pipe is connected to an upper end of the connecting pipe, and a lower end of the connecting pipe is in fluid communication with the overflow pipe.

[0016] In an embodiment, a lower end of the connecting pipe is suspended directly above the overflow pipe.

[0017] In an embodiment, an upper end of the overflow pipe includes a flared opening.

[0018] In an embodiment, an upper end of the connecting pipe includes an inlet joint, and an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is connected to the inlet joint.

[0019] In an embodiment, one side of the inlet valve is provided with an outlet joint, and an inlet end of the water replenishment pipe is connected to the outlet joint.

[0020] In an embodiment, the water replenishment pipe is a flexible hose.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solutions, the present disclosure brings the following beneficial effects.

[0022] The hidden water tank device according to the present disclosure includes a water replenishment pipe connected to the inlet valve, and the water replenishment pipe is in fluid communication with the flushing pipe. After the flushing is completed via the flushing valve, when the inlet valve controls to replenish water to the water tank, some water will enter the flushing pipe through the water replenishment pipe, and the water is replenished into the toilet via the flushing pipe, so as to raise the water seal surface of the toilet (e.g., a toilet bowl of the toilet) and increase the water seal area. Thus, the deodorization effect of the toilet may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0023] By reference to the drawings, the contents disclosed by the present disclosure should be more easily understood. It should be understood that: these drawings are merely used for illustration and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hidden water tank device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the hidden water tank device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a valve assembly, a drive mechanism, and a flushing pipe assembled together;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the valve assembly, the drive mechanism, and the flushing pipe shown in FIG. 3 at another view angle;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the valve assembly and the drive mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism at a top view angle;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the drive mechanism at a bottom view angle;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a flushing valve and a flushing pipe assembled together;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along an axis of the flushing valve and the flushing pipe in FIG. 8; and

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for raising a water seal surface in a toilet bowl according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present disclosure are further described by reference to the drawings hereinafter. Same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference signs. It should be noted that the terms, such as "front", "rear", "left", "right", "up" and "down" used in the following description, refer to the directions in the drawings, and the terms, such as "inner" and "outer", refer to the directions toward or away from the geometric centers of the specific parts respectively.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 9, a hidden water tank device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a water tank 1, a valve assembly 2 provided in the water tank 1, and a flushing pipe 4 configured to be connected to a toilet (e.g., a toilet bowl of the toilet). The "hidden water tank device" may be a tank device having at least a portion mounted in a wall, a closet, or the like of a bathroom.

[0026] The valve assembly 2 comprises an inlet valve 21 and a flushing valve 22.

[0027] One end of the flushing pipe 4 extends to an outside of the water tank 1, and the other end of the flushing pipe 4 is connected to an outlet end of the flushing valve 22.

[0028] The inlet valve 21 is connected to a water replenishment pipe 23 configured to replenish water to the toilet (e.g., the toilet bowl of the toilet). The "hidden water tank device" may be a tank device having at least a portion mounted in a wall, a closet, or the like of a bathroom. The water replenishment pipe 23 is in fluid communication with the flushing pipe 4.

[0029] The hidden water tank device according to the present disclosure is used for flushing the toilet. To mount the hidden water tank device, the hidden water tank device may be embedded in a wall. Such a device is also referred as an in-wall water tank device.

[0030] The hidden water tank device comprises a water tank 1, a valve assembly 2, and a flushing pipe 4. The water tank 1 is used for receiving water to flush the toilet. The valve assembly 2 comprises an inlet valve 21 and a flushing valve 22. The inlet valve 21 and the flushing valve 22 are existing devices, and thus the structures and the working principles of the inlet valve 21 and the flushing valve 22 have been omitted herein. One end of the flushing pipe 4 extends to the outside of the water tank 1 for connecting an inlet opening of the toilet (e.g., the toilet bowl of the toilet), and the other end of the flushing pipe 4 is connected to the outlet end (i.e., the lower end) of the flushing valve 22.

[0031] In order to replenish water to the toilet or continuously supply water to the toilet, the inlet valve 21 is connected to a water replenishment pipe 23, which is in fluid communication with the flushing pipe 4. The water replenishment pipe 23 may be directly connected to the flushing pipe 4 or may be in fluid communication with the flushing pipe 4 through another pipe.

[0032] After the user operates a button on the water tank 1, the flushing valve 22 starts flushing, and the water in the water tank 1 enters the toilet through the flushing pipe 4. After the flushing is completed via the flushing valve 22, the water level in the water tank 1 is low (e.g., lower than a predetermined level), and the inlet valve 21 starts to replenish water into the water tank 1. At this time, some water will enter the flushing pipe 4 through the water replenishment pipe 23, and the flushing pipe 4 replenishes the water into the toilet to raise the water seal surface of the toilet (e.g., a toilet bowl of the toilet) and increase the water seal area. The water seal surface of the toilet may be restored to the normal water level, and thus the deodorization effect of the toilet may be improved.

[0033] In an embodiment, an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to the flushing pipe 4.

[0034] In this embodiment, an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is directly connected to (e.g., in fluid communication with) the flushing pipe 4. Specifically, a joint may be connected to the flushing pipe 4, and the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to the joint to realize the communication between the water replenishment pipe 23 and the flushing pipe 4.

[0035] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the flushing valve 22 has an overflow pipe 222 in fluid communication with the flushing pipe 4. An outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is in fluid communication with the overflow pipe 222.

[0036] In this embodiment, the lifting pipe body 221 of the flushing valve 22 has an overflow pipe 222. A lower end of the overflow pipe 222 is in fluid communication with the flushing pipe 4, and the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is in fluid communication with the overflow pipe 222. This may shorten the length of the water replenishment pipe 23 and facilitate the arrangement of the water replenishment pipe 23.

[0037] The outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 may be directly inserted into the overflow pipe 222. Alternatively, a joint may also be provided on the overflow pipe 222, and the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to the joint.

[0038] In an embodiment, an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is located in the overflow pipe 222.

[0039] In this embodiment, the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is directly inserted into the overflow pipe 222 and fixed by a structure, such as a buckle.

[0040] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-8, a drive mechanism 3 configured to drive the flushing valve 22 to open or close is provided in the water tank 1.

[0041] The drive mechanism 3 is located above the flushing valve 22. The flushing valve 22 is connected to the airbag members 32 of the drive mechanism 3 by means of the lifting arms 224.

[0042] A housing 31 of the drive mechanism 3 is provided with a connecting pipe 33 extending in an up-and-down direction, the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to an upper end of the connecting pipe 33, and a lower end of the connecting pipe 33 is in fluid communication with the overflow pipe 222.

[0043] In this embodiment, the water replenishment pipe 23 and the drive mechanism 3 are connected (e.g., integrated) together to save space. This may effectively shorten the length of the water replenishment pipe 23 and may also enhance the connection stability of the water replenishment pipe 23.

[0044] Specifically, the drive mechanism 3 comprises a housing 31 and the airbag members 32 provided on the housing 31. The airbag members 32 are driven in an existing airbag driving manner, and thus the principle of airbag members 32 have been omitted herein. The lifting pipe body 221 of the flushing valve 22 is connected to the airbag members 32 of the drive mechanism 3 by means of the lifting arms 224. A valve base is disposed below the lifting pipe body 221. The lower end of the lifting pipe body 221 is assembled with a seal ring configured to open and close the inlet opening of the valve base. The lifting pipe body 221 is connected to the airbag members 32 by means of the lifting arms 224. When the airbag members 32 discharge air, the lifting pipe body 221 can be lifted. At this time, the inlet opening of the valve base is opened, and the flushing valve 22 starts to discharge water to the flushing pipe 4. After the airbag member 32 is filled with the air, the lifting pipe body 221 is dropped, the seal ring seals the inlet opening of the valve base, and the flushing valve 22 stops discharging water.

[0045] When the user presses the button mounted on the wall, the airbag members 32 are triggered to discharge air.

[0046] The housing 31 is provided with a connecting pipe 33, which extends in an up-and-down direction and passes through the housing 31. The water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to an upper end of the connecting pipe 33, and a lower end of the connecting pipe 33 is in fluid communication with the overflow pipe 222. Thus, the water replenishment pipe 23 is integrated with the housing 31, and the water from the water replenishment pipe 23 enters the overflow pipe 222 through the connecting pipe 33. Then, the water is discharged into the toilet through the flushing pipe 4.

[0047] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a lower end of the connecting pipe 33 is suspended directly above the overflow pipe 222. This may ensure that water flowing downwardly from the connecting pipe 33 enters the overflow pipe 222 without affecting the normal overflow function of the overflow pipe 222.

[0048] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an upper end of the overflow pipe 222 has a flared opening 223. A top portion of the flared opening 223 is wider than a bottom portion of the flared opening 223. This facilitates the connection of the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 into the flared opening 223. This also facilitates the alignment of the lower end of the connecting pipe 33 with the flared opening 223.

[0049] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, an upper end of the connecting pipe 33 comprises an inlet joint 34, and an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to the inlet joint 34.

[0050] In this embodiment, an upper end of the connecting pipe 33 comprises the inlet joint 34 configured to connect the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 and adjust the direction of the water replenishment pipe 23.

[0051] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, one side of the inlet valve 21 is provided with an outlet joint 211, and an inlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to the outlet joint 211.

[0052] In this embodiment, one side of the housing of the inlet valve 21 comprises the outlet joint 211 configured to connect the inlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 and adjust the direction of the water replenishment pipe 23.

[0053] In an embodiment, the water replenishment pipe 23 is a flexible hose. Specifically, the water replenishment pipe 23 may adopt a rubber hose, a silicone hose, or the like, which is convenient for being arranged in a water tank 1 having a small space.

[0054] In an embodiment, the toilet in the above embodiments may include a base (e.g., a pedestal, a bowl, etc.) and a tank (e.g., the hidden water tank device as described in the present disclosure). The base is configured to be attached to another object such as a drainpipe, floor, or another suitable object. The base includes a bowl, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line. The tank may be supported by the base, such as an upper surface of a rim. The tank may be integrally formed with the base as a single unitary body. In other embodiments, the tank may be formed separately from the base and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) to the base. The toilet may further include a tank lid covering an opening and inner cavity in the tank. The toilet may include a seat assembly including a seat and a seat cover rotatably coupled to the base. The toilet arrangement may further include a hinge assembly.

[0055] In another embodiment, the toilet arrangement includes a base and a seat assembly coupled to the base. The base includes a bowl, a sump disposed below the bowl, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line. The toilet arrangement includes a waterline that supplies the toilet with water. The toilet may further include a seat assembly including a seat and a seat cover rotatably coupled to the base. The toilets described above are provided herein as non-limiting examples of toilets that may be configured to utilize aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] In some examples, a bidet may be included in a seat or pedestal of a toilet. In other examples, the bidet may be manufactured separately from and attached or coupled to a seat or pedestal of a toilet. The bidet includes a housing. The housing is configured to receive a flow of water through a housing inlet and dispense the flow of water from a housing outlet. The housing inlet and housing outlet may be located on opposite ends of the housing from one another, such that water may flow through the housing from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. In some examples, the housing further includes a chamber. As the housing receives the flow of water, the chamber may fill with water and provide a flow of water between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. The chamber may be configured to contain the flow of water and direct the flow of water from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. After the chamber has filled with water, the flow of water may travel along a substantially linear path between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. In some examples, one or more walls within the housing may be included to help direct a flow of water between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. The bidet may further include a housing inlet conduit configured to direct a flow of water to the housing inlet. The housing inlet conduit may be coupled to a water supply such as tank or waterline. The housing may further include a gear assembly or a portion of the gear assembly. The bidet may be a front wash bidet for female users and may use, generate, and/perform the functions related to nanobubbles, ozonated water, eWater, hydrogen peroxide generation, pH Control, template assisted crystallization, application of polyphosphates, filtration (ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, microfiltration, carbon/GAC), fluidic oscillating sprays, and adding other consumables in the water stream. For nanobubbles, air, ozone, oxygen, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide may be used.

[0057] An embodiment of the present disclosure further provides a method for raising a water seal surface in a toilet bowl. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for raising a water seal surface in a toilet bowl according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the method uses the hidden water tank device according to any of the embodiments, and the descriptions regarding the hidden water tank device are incorporated herein. The hidden water tank device is configured to perform an operation, function, or the like as described in the present disclosure.

[0058] At act S101, the flushing valve 22 is opened to start a flushing of the toilet bowl in response to an activation of the drive mechanism 3.

[0059] The air in the airbag member 32 of the drive mechanism 3 is discharged to raise the lifting pipe body 221 of the flushing valve 22. Thus, the flushing valve 22 is opened. The flushing of the toilet bowl is stopped by filling the air with the airbag member 32 to lower the lifting pipe body 221. Thus, the flushing valve 22 is closed.

[0060] Specifically, as described above, the drive mechanism 3 comprises a housing 31 and the airbag members 32 provided on the housing 31. The airbag members 32 are driven in an existing airbag driving manner, and thus the principle of airbag members 32 have been omitted herein. The lifting pipe body 221 of the flushing valve 22 is connected to the airbag members 32 of the drive mechanism 3 by means of the lifting arms 224. A valve base is disposed below the lifting pipe body 221. The lower end of the lifting pipe body 221 is assembled with a seal ring configured to open and close the inlet opening of the valve base. The lifting pipe body 221 is connected to the airbag members 32 by means of the lifting arms 224. When the airbag members 32 discharge air, the lifting pipe body 221 can be lifted. At this time, the inlet opening of the valve base is opened, and the flushing valve 22 starts to discharge water to the flushing pipe 4. After the airbag member 32 is filled with the air, the lifting pipe body 221 is dropped, the seal ring seals the inlet opening of the valve base, and the flushing valve 22 stops discharging water.

[0061] When the user presses the button mounted on the wall, the airbag members 32 are triggered to discharge air.

[0062] At act S102, the inlet valve 21 is opened to supply the water to the toilet bowl in response to an end of the flushing of the toilet bowl.

[0063] The water is delivered from the outlet joint 211 of the inlet valve 21 to the inlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23. The water is delivered from an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 to the flushing pipe 4 connected to the toilet bowl.

[0064] Specifically, as described above, the housing 31 is provided with a connecting pipe 33, which extends in an up-and-down direction and passes through the housing 31. The water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to an upper end of the connecting pipe 33, and a lower end of the connecting pipe 33 is in fluid communication with the overflow pipe 222. Thus, the water replenishment pipe 23 is integrated with the housing 31, and the water from the water replenishment pipe 23 enters the overflow pipe 222 through the connecting pipe 33. Then, the water is discharged into the toilet through the flushing pipe 4.

[0065] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a lower end of the connecting pipe 33 is suspended directly above the overflow pipe 222. This may ensure that water flowing downwardly from the connecting pipe 33 enters the overflow pipe 222 without affecting the normal overflow function of the overflow pipe 222.

[0066] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, an upper end of the overflow pipe 222 has a flared opening 223. A top portion of the flared opening 223 is wider than a bottom portion of the flared opening 223. This facilitates the connection of the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 into the flared opening 223. This also facilitates the alignment of the lower end of the connecting pipe 33 with the flared opening 223.

[0067] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 6, an upper end of the connecting pipe 33 comprises an inlet joint 34, and an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to the inlet joint 34.

[0068] In this embodiment, an upper end of the connecting pipe 33 comprises the inlet joint 34 configured to connect the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 and adjust the direction of the water replenishment pipe 23.

[0069] In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5, one side of the inlet valve 21 is provided with an outlet joint 211, and an inlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 is connected to the outlet joint 211.

[0070] In this embodiment, one side of the housing of the inlet valve 21 comprises the outlet joint 211 configured to connect the inlet end of the water replenishment pipe 23 and adjust the direction of the water replenishment pipe 23.

[0071] The above technical solutions may be combined as required to achieve the technical effects.

[0072] The above are merely the principle and the embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be pointed out that, for those having ordinary skill in the art, other variations may be made based on the principle of the present disclosure, which should also be regarded as falling in the protection scope of the present disclosure.

[0073] An aspect provides a hidden water tank device, comprising a water tank, a valve assembly provided in the water tank and a flushing pipe connected with a toilet; wherein

the valve assembly comprises an inlet valve and a flushing valve;

one end of the flushing pipe extends to an outside of the water tank, and the other end of the flushing pipe is connected with an outlet end of the flushing valve;

the inlet valve is connected with a water replenishment pipe for replenishing water to the toilet, and the water replenishment pipe is in communication with the flushing pipe.

[0074] An outlet end of the water replenishment pipe may be connected with the flushing pipe.

[0075] The flushing valve may have an overflow pipe in communication with the flushing pipe. An outlet end of the water replenishment pipe may be in communication with the overflow pipe.

[0076] An outlet end of the water replenishment pipe may be located in the overflow pipe.

[0077] In an example, the water tank is internally provided with a drive mechanism for driving the flushing valve to open or close;

the drive mechanism is located above the flushing valve, the flushing valve is connected with an airbag member of the drive mechanism by means of a lifting arm;

a housing of the drive mechanism is provided with a connecting pipe extending in an up-and-down direction, the water replenishment pipe is connected with an upper end of the connecting pipe, and a lower end of the connecting pipe is in communication with the overflow pipe.

[0078] A lower end of the connecting pipe may be suspended directly above the overflow pipe.

[0079] An upper end of the overflow pipe may have a flared opening.

[0080] An upper end of the connecting pipe may have an inlet joint. An outlet end of the water replenishment pipe may be connected with the inlet joint.

[0081] One side of the inlet valve may be provided with an outlet joint. An inlet end of the water replenishment pipe may be connected with the outlet joint.

[0082] The water replenishment pipe may be a flexible hose.

Claims

1. A hidden water tank device, comprising:

a water tank;

a valve assembly configured to be disposed in the water tank, the valve assembly comprising:

an inlet valve configured to be connected to a water replenishment pipe configured to supply water to a toilet bowl; and

a flushing valve comprising an outlet end; and

a flushing pipe configured to be connected to the toilet bowl and in fluid communication with the water replenishment pipe, the flushing pipe comprising:

a first end of the flushing pipe configured to extend to an outside of the water tank; and

a second end configured to be connected to the outlet end of the flushing valve.

2. The hidden water tank device according to claim 1, wherein an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is configured to be connected to the flushing pipe.

3. The hidden water tank device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the flushing valve comprises an overflow pipe configured to be in fluid communication with the flushing pipe, and

wherein an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is configured to be in fluid communication with the overflow pipe,

optionally wherein the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is configured to be disposed in the overflow pipe.

4. The hidden water tank device according to claim 3, further comprising:
a drive mechanism configured to be disposed in the water tank and to open or close the flushing valve.

5. The hidden water tank device according to claim 4, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be disposed above the flushing valve.

6. The hidden water tank device according to claim 5, wherein the drive mechanism comprises an airbag member, and
wherein the flushing valve comprises a lifting arm configured to be connected to the airbag member.

7. The hidden water tank device according to claim 6, wherein the drive mechanism comprises:

a housing; and

a connecting pipe configured to be disposed on the housing and extend in an up-and-down direction of the housing.

8. The hidden water tank device according to claim 7, wherein the water replenishment pipe is configured to be connected to an upper end of the connecting pipe, and
wherein the overflow pipe is configured to be in fluid communication with a lower end of the connecting pipe.

9. The hidden water tank device according to claim 8, wherein the lower end of the connecting pipe is suspended over the overflow pipe, and/or further comprising a flared opening disposed on an upper end of the overflow pipe and/or further comprising an inlet joint disposed on the upper end of the connecting pipe and configured to be connected to an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe.

10. The hidden water tank device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an outlet joint disposed on one side of the inlet valve and configured to be connected to an inlet end of the water replenishment pipe, and/or wherein the water replenishment pipe is a flexible hose.

11. A toilet, comprising:

a toilet bowl; and

a hidden water tank device comprising:

a water tank;

a valve assembly configured to be disposed in the water tank, the valve assembly comprising:

an inlet valve configured to be connected to a water replenishment pipe configured to supply water to the toilet bowl; and

a flushing valve comprising an outlet end; and

a flushing pipe configured to be connected to the toilet bowl and in fluid communication with the water replenishment pipe, the flushing pipe comprising:

a first end of the flushing pipe configured to extend to an outside of the water tank; and

a second end configured to be connected to the outlet end of the flushing valve.

12. The toilet according to claim 11, wherein: an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is configured to be connected to the flushing pipe; and/or wherein the flushing valve comprises an overflow pipe configured to be in fluid communication with the flushing pipe, and wherein an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe is configured to be in fluid communication with the overflow pipe.

13. A method for raising a water seal surface in a toilet bowl, the method comprising:

opening a flushing valve to start a flushing of the toilet bowl in response to an activation of a drive mechanism; and

opening an inlet valve to supply water to the toilet bowl in response to an end of the flushing of the toilet bowl.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein opening the flushing valve to start the flushing of the toilet bowl in response to the activation of the drive mechanism comprises:

discharging air in an airbag member of the drive mechanism to raise a lifting pipe body of the flushing valve, and

wherein the method further comprises stopping the flushing of the toilet bowl by filling the air with the airbag member the flushing valve to lower the lifting pipe body to close the flushing valve.

15. The method according to claim 13 or claim 14, wherein opening the inlet valve to supply the water to the toilet bowl in response to the end of the flushing of the toilet bowl comprises:

delivering the water from an outlet joint of the inlet valve to an inlet end of a water replenishment pipe; and

delivering the water from an outlet end of the water replenishment pipe to a flushing pipe connected to the toilet bowl, and

wherein delivering the water from the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe to the flushing pipe connected to the toilet bowl comprises:

delivering the water from the outlet end of the water replenishment pipe to a connecting pipe;

delivering the water from the connecting pipe to an overflow pipe; and

delivering the water from the overflow pipe to the flushing pipe.

Drawing