WO1999009266A1 - Disinfecting-deodorizing flushometer having a single mobile part and operated through a sensor or electronic button - Google Patents

Abstract

A novel flushometer comprising the following sub-assemblies is hereinabove described: hydraulic section, solenoid valve (4), electronic mother board (11.1), deodorizing-disinfecting system (6), cabinet (11), hydraulic feeding system (1), sieve-equipped connectors and discharge system (2). Optionally, the following elements may be added: a sensor module (12), an operating electronic button module (10), a current transformer, replaceable or rechargeable batteries (11.2), a special by-pass connector, insertion connector and an hydraulic seal maintenance system.

Description

"FLUXOMETER-DISINFECTANT-AROMATIZANT WITH A SINGLE PIECE

IN MOVEMENT, OPERATED THROUGH SENSOR OR BUTTON

ELECTRONIC".

Background of the Invention

Current flow meters, both manual and sensor, are based on the balance of pressures between an upper and a lower chamber. The fluxometer is closed when there is a pressure balance between the two chambers, and it is opened when, through a manual or automatic mechanism, this balance is achieved by fully or partially emptying the upper chamber, allowing the pressure exerted by the water of the lower chamber lift the operating mechanism. According to the operating mechanism used, two types of fluxometers can be distinguished: the piston or piston and the diaphragm. In both cases, a large number of interrelated parts are used, moving at the time of use, which raises considerably the cost of the product and the complexity of its maintenance, disadvantage that comes to be resolved with the present invention.

Existing flow meters require a pressure equal to or greater than 1 Kg./cm ² (14 5 Ibs./plg ^2. ) For operation in the case of manuals, and at least 20 Ibs./plg ² . in sensor flushometers; and for its installation require pipe diameters equal to or greater than 32 mm.

In addition, the components of the retention wrenches of all currently existing flushometers are mobile and subject to wear every time the flushometer is operated, which causes leaks quickly. The development of the present invention can be considered as a simple and efficient solution to current problematic and expensive fluxometers. In addition to considerable savings in its integral parts, by its very nature and composition, the present invention translates into significant savings in the amount of water to reduce and practically eliminate the leaks that conventional flushometers generate, since due to their complexity in parts and constant and natural wear, they waste huge amounts of water in their operation

Currently, sensor fluxometers are produced in a few countries of the world, and in the particular case of the Mexican market, their essential parts come almost entirely from abroad. Flushometers generally consist of the following sub-assemblies lever, button or pedal, plunger or diaphragm, dome, retention key and discharge system, sensor fluxometers do not need a button or pedal lever to operate, but additionally require sensor module, control module, integrated solenoid valve to the flowmeter, and current transformer or battery module , according to the power supply

Summary of the Invention

The characteristic details of the fluxometer-disinfectant-flavoring are clearly shown in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, as well as an illustration of it and following the same reference signs to indicate the parts and figures shown

This invention relates to flushometers with a minimum number of hydraulic components that can be operated both manually and through sensors when detecting the presence of a user The fluxometer in turn is operated by means of the solenoid valve that can use batteries, alternating current, or any other source of energy supplied to it

The objective of this invention is to provide a totally different type of fluxometer to those that currently exist on the market, which minimizes water leaks in addition to maintenance requirements and costs, while allowing greater functionality in your installation and operation

The flowmeter consists of the following sub-assemblies hydraulic section solenoid valve electronic master card disinfectant-cabinet system, hydraulic power system, sieve holder and discharge system Optionally, sensor module or electronic button module can be added operation (object of another patent applied for owned by the holders of this application dated August 14, 1997 with file number 976197), current transformer and replaceable or rechargeable batteries, hydraulic seal maintenance system and insert connectors

Brief Description of the Drawings

The present description is complemented by various illustrations, in which the most relevant aspects of the present invention are schematically outlined. These drawings, however, are for illustration purposes only and in them

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of the fluxometer according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a rear view of the interior of the flushometer cabinet according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a subassembly of the fluxometer according to the present invention.

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a variant of the fluxometer according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a rear view of a fluxometer vane according to the present invention.

Description of the Invention

The invention will now be described with reference to a presently preferred embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings

The present invention relates to flushometers with a minimum number of hydraulic components that can be operated both through an electronic button and through sensors when detecting the presence of a user. Therefore, the objective of this invention is to provide a type of Totally different fluxometer to those that currently exist in the market, which minimizes water leaks in addition to the requirements and costs of installation and maintenance, allowing greater functionality in your operation

The flowmeter consists of the following sub-assemblies hydraulic section, solenoid valve, electronic master card, disinfectant-flavoring system, special diverter connector, hydraulic power system cabinet, sieve holder and discharge system Optionally, sensor module or electronic operating button module, current transformer and replaceable or rechargeable batteries, hydraulic seal maintenance system and can be added insert connectors

Operation mode

The fluxometer of this invention operates in the following way the body of the fluxometer (1) has a cavity that forms the lower water chamber (1 1) that exerts a pressure on the main gasket (3) which in turn is under the water pressure contained in the upper chamber (2 2) formed inside the dome (2) As long as the pressure exerted by the water in the lower chamber is not greater than that exerted in the upper chamber the system will remain closed

When the system is operated either by means of the electronic button (10) or through a sensor (12), the electronic master card (11 1) sends an electrical signal to open the solenoid valve (4), allowing water to be discharged from the upper chamber , which allows the gasket (3) to flex upwards and allow the evacuation of pressurized water through the holes that are located between the body and the seat (1 2) The flushometer will close when the water entering the upper chamber through the notch with perforation (2 1) on the dome thread (2) manages to exert a pressure equal to or greater than the lower chamber pressure

The water extracted from the upper chamber that passes through sieves (23) placed before the solenoid will be used for other uses thanks to the special connector, including the sending of water through the hose (5) to the disinfectant-flavoring tank (6). When the product contained inside is dissolved, it is mixed with water and sent to the discharge system

(9) of the apparatus Said mixture, combined with the speed with which the water is discharged allows washing, disinfecting and aromatizing the interior of the sanitary furniture each time a discharge occurs. The special diverter connector can have multiple outlets that allow water to be sent from the solenoid to where it is required, as in the case where water is diverted through a hose to the drain (s) of the bathroom to keep the hydraulic seal in order to avoid bad odors in the bathroom.

To remove the water from the upper chamber of the fluxometer, a solenoid valve is used, which can be operated by replaceable or rechargeable batteries (11.2) or with alternating current or with any other source of energy supplied to it. The fact that the battery solenoid is an independent sub-assembly allows it to be used with various fluids and even in multiple uses such as faucets, irrigation systems, machinery, pneumatic systems, etc.

The electrical signal that drives the solenoid valve on this fluxometer can come either from an electronic actuator button (10) connected by means of a cable (10 8) to the master electronic card (11.1), or through a sensor system (12) connected to said card.

The sensor fluxometer system consists of a presence detector and a control of operating times. The detector operates by the effect of reflection of infrared rays emitted towards the area of interest, detecting them and assessing their index of reflection, modulation and amplitude, under a field of action limited by the crossing of the path angles with a coverage defined by their respective emission and reception angles.

The system is complemented by an operating time controller, which allows limiting the non-presence time if they do not continuously exceed a selected period

The above is complemented by a cabinet (11) that contains: the master card (11 1), the solenoid valve (4), the replaceable or rechargeable battery module (11.2), a manual operation button (11.4); and in the case of sensor equipment, a sensor module (12) and a regulating screw (11.3) of the same range

For example of practical application, the fiuxometer-disinfectant-aromatizer operated by means of an electronic sensor or button is presented, and as a vane the automatic valve for mingitoπo with disinfectant and / or flavoring system is presented, as described in fig. 6 and 7, which operates as follows When the valve is operated either by means of the electronic operating button (10) or through a sensor (12), the electronic master card (11.1) sends an electrical signal to open the solenoid valve (4), which will allow previously filtered water to pass through the sieve holder (14), which will be sent thanks to the special diverter connector (13), both to the discharge pipe (9) and through the hose (5) to the disinfectant-flavoring tank (6). When the product contained inside is dissolved, it is mixed with the water and sent to the discharge system (9) of the device. Said mixture allows washing, disinfecting and aromatizing the interior of the sanitary furniture every time there is a discharge. The special diverter connector (13) can have multiple outlets that allow water to be sent from the solenoid to any place. required, as in the case of diverting water to the bathroom strainer (s) through a hose to maintain the hydraulic seal in order to avoid bad odors in the bathroom

The present invention has been described and illustrated as a function of a presently preferred embodiment; however, those skilled in the art will be able to devise and propose various changes and modifications, within the true and just spirit of the invention, and it is intended that said changes and modifications fall within the scope of the invention, determined by the according to the appended claims

Recognizing that the ideas presented here are the inspiration of the Creator of all life for the benefit of humanity

Claims

1. Improvements in a flowmeter, characterized by the combination comprising: ^* a hydraulic section in which there is only one packaging subject to wear; * an electronic card characterized by a pair of relays or programmable integrated circuit (s) that allow the opening and closing of the solenoid valve to be operated; ^* a sensor module, ^* an electronic operation button module; ^* a battery holder; ^* insert connectors, ^* a hydraulic feeding system; ^* a special diverter connector, ^* a reservoir in which a disinfectant and / or flavoring product is placed, which receives water from the solenoid and sends liquid that allows washing, disinfecting and / or aromatizing the sanitary furniture at the same time as the discharge of the flowmeter is made; ^* a hydraulic seal maintenance system; ^* a cabinet, ^* a download system 2. Improvements in a flowmeter according to claim 1, characterized in that the hydraulic section comprises a lower water chamber that exerts pressure on a main gasket which in turn is under the pressure of the water contained in the upper water chamber , so that as long as the pressure exerted by the water in the lower chamber is not greater than that in the upper chamber, the system will remain closed. 3 Improvements in a fluxometer, according to claim 1, characterized by a cross placed inside the inner body of the fluxometer, which serves as a seat to the main gasket, preventing it from flexing improperly and even going through it. discharge of the flushometer 4 Improvements in a fluxometer, according to claim 1, characterized by a notch with perforation in the dome thread, which allows the passage of water to fill the upper chamber Improvements in a fluxometer according to claim 1, characterized in that the dome of this fluxometer only acts as a cover, without the inner chamber thereof serving to (seal) the upper chamber of the fluxometer 6 Improvements in a fluxometer according to claim 1, characterized in that one (vain) sieves are placed in the upper part of the dome that stop the impurities contained in the water 7 Improvements in a fluxometer according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronic control module is arranged to send an electrical signal to open the solenoid valve when the system is operated, allowing the discharge of water from the upper chamber, so that flex the main gasket upwards and allow the eviction of pressurized water through holes located between the body of the fluxometer and the seat arranged between the upper and lower chambers 8 Improvements in a flowmeter according to claim 1, characterized in that the flushometer can operate from pressures less than 1 lb / in ² 9. Improvements in a fluxometer, according to claim 1, characterized in that it can be operated both by a sensor system, and electrically by pressing a button, operated either by the hand or foot of the user 10. Improvements in a fluxometer, according to claim 1, characterized in that the different components of the fluxometer are such that they can be replaced individually and in isolation, since both the installation and the exchange thereof are performed independently. 11. Improvements in a flowmeter according to claim 1, characterized by a reservoir in which a disinfectant and / or flavoring product is placed that receives water from the solenoid and sends liquid that allows washing, disinfecting and / or flavoring the furniture sanitary at the same time that the own discharge of the fluxometer is done 12. Improvements in a flowmeter, according to claims 1 and 11, characterized in that the reservoir where the disinfectant and / or flavoring product is placed, is cylindrical, transparent and positioned vertically, with a sealed lower lid and an upper lid inserted and secured with oppressors, giving it anti-theft characteristics Incorporating an inlet at the bottom where the water that mixes with the chemical enters and an outlet at the top where the impregnated water comes out. The turbulence necessary to obtain sufficient release of the chemical is provided by a special connector where a chamber is generated that increases the pressure of the water that comes from the solenoid valve, sending it to greater pressure inside the disinfectant-flavoring tank. 13 Improvements in a flowmeter according to claim 1, characterized in that the retention components are not in motion when operating the flowmeter 14. Improvements in a flowmeter according to claim 1, characterized by an attachment and a form of sieve placement to protect the solenoid valve, which can be integrated or separated from the dome as appropriate to the design and use Improvements in a fluxometer, according to claim 1, characterized in that they can optionally be operated by means of batteries, alternating current or any other source of energy supplied to it.