US20070143913A1

US20070143913A1 - Auxiliary water tank device for toilet stool

Info

Publication number: US20070143913A1
Application number: US11/487,667
Authority: US
Inventors: Dong-Sun Cho; Kyu-Joon Jung; Hyen-Ho Jeong
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-26
Filing date: 2006-07-17
Publication date: 2007-06-28
Also published as: KR100621696B1; JP2008223219A

Abstract

Disclosed is an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool, to receive and store a small amount of wash water and to supply the stored wash water into a toilet bowl. The auxiliary water tank device includes a housing (10) mounted in a water tank (702) on a bottom surface thereof and having a water supply port (11) and a water discharge port (12), a water supply unit (20) to supply wash water into the housing through the water supply port and to close the water supply port if the housing is filled with the wash water by a predetermined level, a water discharge unit (30) to discharge the wash water filled in the housing through the water discharge port and to close the water discharge port if the wash water is completely discharged, and a control unit (40) to control opening/closing operations of the water discharge unit and an excrement discharge pipe opener (710).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool, and more particularly, to an auxiliary water tank device which includes a water supply unit to receive and store a small amount of wash water to be used in a toilet bowl, and a water discharge unit to supply the stored wash water to the toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND ART

An example of known prior art is Korean Patent Registration No. 20-0277574, which was filed and registered by the applicant of the present invention and entitled “super water-saving toilet stool”. The super water-saving toilet stool, disclosed in the above patent, basically includes: an excrement discharge pipe connected to a discharge path defined in a toilet bowl; an excrement discharge pipe opener vertically movable in the excrement discharge pipe; and a water tank having a water discharge port connected to a water raceway of the toilet bowl to be opened or closed by an opening/closing plug, and a water supply port to be opened or closed by opening/closing means that operates based on vertical movements of a float. The conventional super water-saving toilet stool features a rotary weight receptacle, which is hingedly connected to opposite sides of the water tank to perform seesaw motions when a rotary weight received therein rotates, one end of the rotary weight receptacle being exposed to the outside of the water tank while being coupled with an excrement wash lever, and the other end of the rotary weight receptacle forming a water tank wash lever coupled with a connection lever, which cooperates the opening/closing plug with the excrement discharge pipe opener in accordance with the operation of the excrement wash lever.
The disclosed conventional toilet stool is configured such that the water supply port, float, and water discharge port are appropriately arranged in the toilet stool, and wash water, stored in the water tank, is supplied to the toilet bowl when the water tank wash lever located at a side of the water tank is operated to induce the seesaw motions of the rotary weight receptacle. However, with this configuration, a relatively great number of parts must be provided in the toilet stool, causing a difficult installation as well as an increase in installation costs thereof. Furthermore, a small amount of wash water may be stored in a large capacity toilet stool, resulting in deterioration in practicality.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool, which includes a housing disposed in a water tank on a bottom surface thereof, the housing being designed to have a capacity suitable for a super water-saving of wash water, a water supply unit to receive and store a small amount of wash water to be used in a toilet bowl, a water discharge unit to supply the stored wash water into the toilet bowl, and a control unit to control the general operation of the auxiliary water tank device.

TECHNICAL SOLUTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool having an excrement discharge pipe opener located in an upper vertical portion of an excrement discharge pipe that is connected to a discharge path of a toilet bowl, a housing mounted in a water tank on a bottom surface thereof, and having a water supply port and a water discharge port; a water supply unit to supply wash water into the housing through the water supply port and to close the water supply port if the housing is filled with the wash water by a predetermined level; a water discharge unit to discharge the wash water filled in the housing through the water discharge port and to close the water discharge port if the wash water is completely discharged; and a control unit to control opening/closing operations of the water discharge unit and the excrement discharge pipe opener.
Preferably, the interior of the housing may be divided into first and second parts, the water supply unit being located in the first part of the housing, and the water supply unit may include: a water supply pipe inserted into the water supply port and having a mounting recess defined in an upper end thereof; a water supply nozzle and a regulator plug successively mounted in the mounting recess in this order; a water supply pipe cap to close the water supply pipe; a vertical shaft extending upward from the water supply pipe cap; a water supply pipe opening/closing member having a first end hingedly coupled to both the water supply pipe cap and the vertical shaft by use of a rotary pin; a screw rod vertically supported at a second end of the water supply pipe opening/closing member; and a floating barrier configured to vertically move by both the vertical shaft and the screw rod.
Preferably, the interior of the housing may be divided into first and second parts, the water discharge unit being located in the second part of the housing, and the water discharge unit may include: a support configured to be closely inserted onto a first supporting member formed at a bottom surface of the housing; and a connection member hingedly coupled to the support to induce seesaw motions of a water discharge port opening/closing plug and a float regulation member.
Preferably, the control unit may include: a supporter bracket mounted to an upper end of the housing and having first and second supporters and receptacles; a pushing lever mounted in the supporter bracket; first and second link members interlocked to the first and second supporters, respectively; a connecting bar for the excrement discharge pipe opener inserted in a case to be vertically moved by the first link member; a weight and a third link member integrally formed with the case; and a connecting chain connected to both the second and third link members, the connecting chain being connected to a connecting loop of a water discharge port opening/closing plug.
Preferably, the pushing lever may have four legs, two front and rear first pushers, and a second pusher located between the two first pushers, which protrude downward from a lower surface thereof.
Preferably, the connecting bar for the excrement discharge pipe opener may have a stopper formed at a side surface thereof.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

With an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool having the above-described configuration, it is possible to efficiently control supply and discharge operations of the wash water for approximately 2.3 liters in a super water saving manner.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a housing of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a water supply unit of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 4A to 4C are views illustrating a water discharge unit of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 4A being a side view, and FIGS. 4B and 4C being perspective views;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a control unit of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention;
FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating an operating example of the water supply unit in accordance with the present invention; and
FIGS. 7 to 9 are views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention.

MODE FOR INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a housing of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a water supply unit of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B are views illustrating a water discharge unit of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention, FIG. 4A being a side view and FIGS. 4B and 4C being perspective views. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a control unit of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 6A and 6B are views illustrating an operating example of the water supply unit in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 7 to 9 are views illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention.
Now, constituent elements of the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the auxiliary water tank device includes a housing 10, a water supply unit 20, a water discharge unit 30, and a control unit 40.
Referring to FIG. 2, the housing 10, which is configured to be mounted in a water tank of the toilet stool on a bottom surface thereof, is illustrated in perspective view. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 10 includes a raised portion 16 which divides the interior of the housing 10 into two parts. A water supply port 11 is located in one of the divided parts. The other divided part is provided with a water discharge port 12, two fixtures 13, and a first supporting member 14 having guide grooves 15. Also, a second supporting member 17 is vertically penetrated through an upper surface of the raised portion 16 to extend upward from the raised portion 16. The housing 10 is fixedly mounted in the water tank on the bottom surface thereof when bolts 18 and nuts 19 are fastened to the fixtures 13.
As shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the water supply unit 20 in exploded perspective view, and also, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the water supply unit 20, which is configured to be fitted onto the water supply port 11 of the housing 10, includes a water supply pipe 21 having a mounting recess 211 defined in an upper end thereof, and a water supply nozzle 22 and a regulator plug 23, which are successively mounted in the mounting recess 211 in this order. The water supply unit 20 further includes a water supply pipe cap 24 having protrusions 241 protruding outward from a lower circumference thereof. In this case, the water supply pipe 21 has grooves 212 dented in an upper circumference of the mounting recess 211, such that the protrusions 241 are engaged with the grooves 212, respectively. The water supply pipe cap 24 further has a through-hole 242 for the passage of wash water. A vertical shaft 25 extends upward from an upper surface of the water supply pipe cap 24. Also, a water supply pipe opening/closing member 26 is hingedly coupled at a first end thereof to the water supply pipe cap 24 by use of a rotary pin 27, which is penetrated through both a lower end of the vertical shaft 25 and the opening/closing member 26. A second end of the water supply pipe opening/closing member 26 is adapted to support a screw rod 28 by use of a fixing pin 27 a. The vertical shaft 25 has an upper end inserted through a hole of a floating barrier 29 formed near a front end of the floating barrier 29. The floating barrier 29 is provided, at a rear end thereof, with a clamp 291 for the coupling of the screw rod 28. With this structure, the floating barrier 29 is vertically movable upon supply or discharge of wash water.
As shown in side view of FIG. 4A, the water discharge unit 30, which is configured to be fitted onto the water discharge port 12 of the housing 10, includes a hollow support 31 having protrusions 311 uniformly formed at an inner peripheral surface thereof. As shown in FIG. 2, the protrusions 311 are configured to be guided along and closely inserted into the guide grooves 15 of the first supporting member 14, respectively. The water discharge unit 30 further includes a connection member 33 coupled to the support 31 by use of hinge shafts 38 protruding outward from opposite sides of the support 31. Front and rear ends of the connection member 33 are connected to a water discharge port opening/closing plug 32 and a float regulation member 37, respectively, to induce seesaw motions therebetween. The water discharge port opening/closing plug 32 has a connecting loop 34 formed at an upper surface thereof for the connection of a connecting chain 49 of the control unit 40, and a downwardly extending portion 35 formed at a lower surface thereof by interposing a rubber packing 36, to open or close the water discharge port 12. FIG. 4B is a perspective view illustrating the water discharge port opening/closing plug 32, which is lowered to close the water discharge port 12, whereas FIG. 4C is a perspective view illustrating the water discharge port opening/closing plug 32, which is lifted to open the water discharge port 12.
As shown in exploded perspective view of FIG. 5 and side view of FIG. 8, the control unit 40 includes a button 41 inserted through a water tank cover 722 and adapted to be operated by the elastic force of a spring 411, and a pushing lever 43 located below the button 41 to be mounted in a supporter bracket 42. The pushing lever 43 has four legs 431, two first front and rear pushers 432, and a second pusher 433 located between the first pushers 432. To allow the pushing lever 43 to be mounted therein, the supporter bracket 42 has holes 42 a for the insertion of the legs 431 of the pushing lever 43, receptacles 423 for the insertion of the first pushers 432 of the pushing lever 43, first front and rear supports 421 formed at a left side of the receptacles 423 to be connected by a supporting rod 421 a, and second front and rear supporters 422 formed at a right side of the receptacles 423 to be connected by a supporting rod 422 a. First and second link members 44 and 45 are coupled to the supporter bracket 42 as the supporting rod 421 a between the first supports 421 and the supporting rod 422 a between the second supports 422 are inserted through insertion bores 44 a and 45 a of the first and second link members 44 and 45, respectively. In this case, the second link member 45 is located below the first pushers 432 inserted in the receptacles 423. The control unit 40 further includes a case 47, and a connecting bar 46 having a lower end connected to an excrement discharge pipe opener 710 and an upper end inserted into one end of the first link member 44 to be vertically moved by the first link member 44. A lower portion of the connecting bar 46 is inserted through the case 47, and an upper portion of the connecting bar 46 is penetrated through and supported by the supporter bracket 42. Also, a weight 481 and a third link member 48 are integrally formed at a side of the case 47. The connecting chain 49 is connected to both the second and third link members 45 and 48 such that it is also connected to the connecting loop 34 of the water discharge port opening/closing plug 32. The connecting bar 46 to be connected to the excrement discharge pipe opener 710 has a stopper 461 provided on a side surface thereof at an appropriate height, and a locker 462 located below the stopper 261 to be operated by the elastic force of a spring 463.
In an operating method of the control unit 40, if a user pushes the button 41, the first pushers 432 inserted into the receptacles 423 push an upper surface of the second link member 45 located therebelow, and simultaneously, the second pusher 433 between the first pushers 423 pushes an upper surface of the first link member 44. Thereby, the first and second link members 44 and 45 are rotated about their insertion bores 44 a and 45 a inserted around the supporting rods 421 a and 422 a. In this case, a distal end of the upper surface of the first link member 44 pushes an upper end of the insertion bore 45 a of the second link member 45, thus causing the connecting chain 49, connected to an end of the second link member 45 to be pulled up. Also, as one end of the first link member 44 is lifted by the second pusher 433, the connecting bar 46, in which the other end of the first link member 44 is inserted, is moved upward, thus allowing the third link member 48, which is also coupled to the connecting chain 49, to be lifted simultaneously with the pushing operation of the pushing lever 43. As a result, the connecting chain 49 is pulled up by both the second and third link members 45 and 48 connected thereto, so as to control opening and closing of the water discharge unit 30 that is coupled to a lower end of the connecting chain 49.
Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the operating example of the water supply unit 20 is shown in sectional views. First, as shown in FIG. 6A, to refill wash water in the housing 10 after wash water, previously stored in the housing 10, is slowly discharged through the water discharge port 12, first, the float barrier 29 is lowered such that the screw rod 28, supported at the second end of the water supply pipe opening/closing member 26, pushes the opening/closing member 26. If the water supply pipe opening/closing member 26 is pushed, the rotary pin 27, provided at the first end of the opening/closing member 26, rotates clockwise, allowing the front end of the opening/closing member 26 to open the through-hole 242 of the water supply pipe cap 24. Thereby, the wash water is able to be supplied into the housing 10. After a desired amount of wash water is supplied, as shown in FIG. 6B, the float barrier 29 is lifted, and simultaneously, the screw rod 28, supported at the second end of the water supply pipe opening/closing member 26, is lifted by water pressure, such that the rotary pin 27, provided at the first end of the opening/closing member 26, rotates counterclockwise. As a result, the front end of the opening/closing member 26 closes the through-hole 242 of the water supply pipe cap 24, interrupting the supply of wash water.
FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the auxiliary water tank device in accordance with the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 7 illustrates a state wherein the water discharge unit 30 is lifted by the upwardly pulled connecting chain 49 to open the water discharge port 12, and FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the interior of a water tank 702 upon non-operating and operating states of the control unit 40, respectively. Hereinafter, a method for operating the auxiliary water tank device for a super water saving toilet stool, having the above-described configuration, will be explained.
First, if the wash water, stored in the housing 10, is discharged through the water discharge port 12, the float barrier 29 and the screw rod 28 of the water supply unit 20 are slowly lowered, such that the water supply pipe opening/closing member 26 opens the through-hole 242 of the water supply pipe cap 24, to enable the supply of wash water. After a predetermined amount (for example, approximately 2.3 liters) of wash water is supplied, the float barrier 29 and the screw rod 28 are slowly lifted, such that the water supply pipe opening/closing member 26 closes the through-hole 242 of the water supply pipe cap 24, to interrupt the supply of wash water. In this case, the regulator plug 23, which is mounted in the water supply pipe 21 on the top of the water supply nozzle 22, moves up to open the water supply nozzle 22 when the wash water is supplied into the water supply pipe 21, and again returns to its original position to close the water supply nozzle 22 if the supply of wash water is interrupted.
If the user pushes the button 41 on the water tank cover 722, the pushing lever 43 is pushed as shown in FIG. 7, causing the connecting chain 49 to be pulled up via the above-described operating method of the control unit 40. As the connecting chain 49 is pulled up, the water discharge port opening/closing plug 32 is lifted to open the water discharge port 12 formed at the bottom of the housing 10. Then, after the water discharge port opening/closing plug 32 is lifted to a predetermined level, the stopper 461 of the connecting bar 46 for the excrement discharge pipe opener 710 is caught by an upper end of the third link member 48. Thereby, both the stopper 461 and the weight 481 having a predetermined weight serve to extend a time required to close the water discharge port opening/closing plug 32, such that the wash water stored in the housing 10 is slowly discharged. After the wash water is completely discharged through the water discharge port 12, the control unit 40 is returned to its original state, such that new wash water is supplied through the water supply port 11, to be stored in the housing 10.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As apparent from the above description, the present invention provides an auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool, which includes a housing mounted in a water tank on a bottom surface thereof, the housing being designed to have a capacity suitable for a super water-saving of wash water, a water supply unit to receive and store a small amount of wash water to be used in a toilet bowl, a water discharge unit to supply the stored wash water into the toilet bowl, and a control unit to control the general operation of the auxiliary water tank device. The auxiliary water tank device has the effect of efficiently controlling supply and discharge operations of the wash water for approximately 2.3 liters in a super water saving manner.
Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. An auxiliary water tank device for a toilet stool having an excrement discharge pipe opener located in an upper vertical portion of an excrement discharge pipe that is connected to a discharge path of a toilet bowl,

a housing mounted in a water tank on a bottom surface thereof, and having a water supply port and a water discharge port;

a water supply unit to supply wash water into the housing through the water supply port and to close the water supply port if the housing is filled with the wash water by a predetermined level;

a water discharge unit to discharge the wash water filled in the housing through the water discharge port and to close the water discharge port if the wash water is completely discharged; and

a control unit to control opening/closing operations of the water discharge unit and the excrement discharge pipe opener.

2. The device as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the interior of the housing is divided into first and second parts, and the water supply unit is located in the first part of the housing, and

wherein the water supply unit includes:

a water supply pipe inserted into the water supply port and having a mounting recess defined in an upper end thereof;

a water supply nozzle and a regulator plug successively mounted in the mounting recess in this order;

a water supply pipe cap to close the water supply pipe;

a vertical shaft extending upward from the water supply pipe cap;

a water supply pipe opening/closing member having a first end hingedly coupled to both the water supply pipe cap and the vertical shaft by use of a rotary pin,

a screw rod vertically supported at a second end of the water supply pipe opening/closing member; and

a floating barrier configured to vertically move by both the vertical shaft and the screw rod.

3. The device as set forth in claim 1,

wherein the interior of the housing is divided into first and second parts, and the water discharge unit is located in the second part of the housing, and

wherein the water discharge unit includes:

a support configured to be closely inserted onto a first supporting member formed at a bottom surface of the housing; and

a connection member hingedly coupled to the support to induce seesaw motions of a water discharge port opening/closing plug and a float regulation member.

4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the control unit includes:

a supporter bracket mounted to an upper end of the housing and having first and second supporters and receptacles;

a pushing lever mounted in the supporter bracket;

first and second link members interlocked to the first and second supporters, respectively;

a connecting bar for the excrement discharge pipe opener inserted in a case to be vertically moved by the first link member;

a weight and a third link member integrally formed with the case; and

a connecting chain connected to both the second and third link members, the connecting chain being connected to a connecting loop of a water discharge port opening/closing plug.

5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the pushing lever has four legs, two front and rear first pushers, and a second pusher located between the two first pushers, which protrude downward from a lower surface thereof.

6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting bar for the excrement discharge pipe opener has a stopper formed at a side surface thereof.