Abstract
The current invention is directed to a cistern assembly for a flush toilet where the cistern assembly includes a cistern housing including a cistern lid and a cistern base, a cistern member pivotally attached within the cistern housing, and an actuator means associated with the cistern member to pivot the cistern member relative to the cistern housing to discharge the stored water. The cistern member has a base wall that forms a chamber to store the water and a passageway to discharge the water from the chamber, the passageway has an internal inlet and a cistern outlet and is shaped to siphon water through the passageway. The internal inlet is positioned substantially on or adjacent to the pivot vertical axis of the cistern member when the cistern member is in one of the pivoted positions. The actuator means can tilt the cistern member to actuate discharge of water through the passageway so that when the cistern member is pivoted and the passageway is moved below the water level of the stored water of the chamber, the water is drawn through the passageway to the cistern outlet until air within the chamber enters the passageway preventing further water from being drawn into the passageway.
Claims
1.-11. (canceled)
14. A cistern assembly for a flush toilet comprising: a cistern housing; a cistern member pivotally attached within the cistern housing, the cistern member having a front wall and a back wall spaced apart by a base wall, the base wall and the front and back wall forming a chamber to store water and having a passageway to discharge water from the chamber; the cistern member having a flat or convex portion that is inwardly disposed and reduces the volume within the chamber, said flat or convex portion being symmetrical about the vertical axis of the cistern member when the cistern member is in the upright position; the passageway having an internal inlet and a cistern outlet and being shaped to siphon water through the passageway; the internal inlet being positioned on or adjacent to the pivot vertical axis of the cistern member when the cistern member is in the pivoted position; and an actuator associated with the cistern member to pivot the cistern member relative to the cistern housing, wherein when the cistern member is pivoted and the passageway is moved below the water level of the stored water of the chamber, the water is drawn through the passageway to the cistern outlet until air within the chamber enters the passageway preventing further water from being drawn into the passageway.
15. The cistern assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the position of the flat or convex portion, that is inwardly disposed and reduces the volume within the chamber, causes a center of gravity of the stored water mass to move towards the passageway and the internal inlet when the cistern member is pivoted.
16. The cistern assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the position of the flat or convex portion, that is inwardly disposed and reduces the volume within the chamber, is below the pivot point of the cistern member and is located symmetrically about the vertical axis when the cistern member is in an upright position.
17. The cistern assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the flat or convex portion, that is inwardly disposed and reduces the volume within the chamber, is part of the base wall and is located symmetrically about the vertical axis when the cistern member is in an upright position.
18. The cistern assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the flat or convex portion, that is inwardly disposed and reduces the volume within the chamber, is part of the front wall or the back wall and is located symmetrically about the vertical axis when the cistern member is in an upright position.
19. The cistern assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the flat or convex portion, that is inwardly disposed and reduces the volume within the chamber, is a wedged-shaped part of the front or back wall with the base of the wedged-shaped part adjacent the base wall and is located symmetrically about the vertical axis when the cistern member is in an upright position.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0121] In order that the present invention can be more readily understood reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:
[0122] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a cistern housing and cistern member in a cistern assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0123] FIGS. 2A and 2B show a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a cistern housing according to a first embodiment of the invention at equilibrium before pivoting and during pivoting respectively;
[0124] FIGS. 3A-3D show a series of diagrammatic cross sectional views of a cistern housing and cistern member in a cistern assembly according a second embodiment of the invention;
[0125] FIGS. 4A and 4B show a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a cistern housing according to a second embodiment of the invention at equilibrium before pivoting and during pivoting of the cistern member respectively;
[0126] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrammatic views of a cistern member according to a third embodiment of the invention;
[0127] FIGS. 6A and 6B show diagrammatic cross sectional views of a cistern member according to a third embodiment of the invention showing the centre of gravity of the water and the pivot of the cistern member before and after actuation;
[0128] FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a cistern housing and cistern member of a cistern assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention showing means for initiating pivoting of the cistern member by magnetic actuation through means of movement of a permanent magnet;
[0129] FIGS. 8A to 8E show a series of partial diagrammatic cross sectional views of the upper part of a cistern assembly showing the arrangement and relative polarities of the permanent magnets and the sequence of steps during actuation and flushing;
[0130] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view of a cistern housing and cistern member of a cistern assembly according to another embodiment of the invention showing means for pivoting the cistern housing by magnetic actuation through electromagnetic activation; and
[0131] FIGS. 10A to 10E show a series of partial diagrammatic cross sectional views of the upper part of the cistern assembly of a further embodiment showing an arrangement of a plurality of electromagnets and permanent magnets, and the sequence of steps during actuation and flushing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0132] With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown a cistern assembly 10 comprising a substantially semi-circular basin forming a cistern member 11 in a cistern housing 12 and actuation means (not shown). The basin 11 is pivotally mounted to the cistern housing 12 and the actuation means enable the basin 11 to tilt relative to the cistern housing 12. The basin 11 can be pivoted about 20 degrees in either direction relative to the cistern housing 12.
[0133] The basin 11 forms a chamber 13 defined by the basin base wall 14. Water from a water supply such as mains water supply fills the chamber 13 to a predetermined volume of water. The volume of water is controlled by a float valve positioned near the water inlet (not shown). The float valve stops the entry of the water when a predetermined water level is reached.
[0134] The basin 11 has two passageways 15, 16 that are located on opposite sides of the basin 11. Water is stored in the chamber 13 and can be discharged through either one of the two passageways 15, 16.
[0135] Both passageways 15, 16 have an inner section 17 in continuous communication with an outer section 18.
[0136] Each inner section 17 is formed by an inner side wall 19, 20 and the base wall 14 while each outer section 18 is formed by an outer side wall 21, 22 and the base wall 14. An inner section 17 and an outer section 18 are connected by a U-shaped bend 23 to form a continuous channel. The internal dimensions of the inner section 17, the outer section 18 and the U-shaped bend 23 are substantially the same to optimize the siphoning action through each passageway 15, 16. Water enters the passageways 15, 16 via the internal inlets 24, 25 respectively and passes out through the external outlets 26, 27. When in the pivoted position, the internal inlet 24 (on anti-clockwise rotation) or 25 (on clockwise rotation) is substantially located on or adjacent to the vertical axis of the cistern member and at or adjacent to the lowest point of the cistern member 11. The cistern outlet 26 (on anti-clod-wise rotation) or 27 (on clockwise rotation) is substantially adjacent to the exit 28 located in the lower part of the cistern housing 12.
[0137] The basin 11 is tilted within the cistern housing 12 using actuation means (not shown). The basin 11 pivots about a vertical axis 29 being the central axis through the centre of the basin 11, and the pivot point. The basin 11 can be rotated in a vertical plane about the pivot point of the basin 11. The actuation means (not shown) can pivot the basin 11 about 20 degrees to either the left or the right of the vertical pivot axis 29.
[0138] The basin 11 is substantially semi-circular in shape having a center of gravity 100 lower than its pivot point (as shown in FIG. 26). The basin 11 can right itself returning from a pivoted position to an upright position when the basin 11 is substantially emptied of water.
[0139] In use, when the basin 11 is tilted within the cistern housing 12 in a clockwise direction (as shown in FIG. 26), the passageway 16 is lowered below the water level of the water stored within the basin 11 a siphoning action is established. The siphoning action draws the water from the chamber 13 into the internal inlet 25 of the passageway 16 and out through the cistern outlet 27. The water discharged through the cistern outlet 27 flows through the exit 28 in the cistern housing 12 and into the toilet bowl (not shown).
[0140] The combination of the U-shaped bend 23 and the absence of a bulbous formation located at the U-shaped bend, together with the internal inlets 24 or 25 being located at or adjacent to the lowest point of the cistern member 11 when in the pivoted position helps to prevents the centre of gravity 100 of the water mass moving in the opposite direction from the direction of tilt, thus preventing a delay in initiating the siphon action. This configuration eliminates the need for a buoyant latch.
[0141] Water is discharged through the passageway 16 until air enters the passageway 16 via internal inlet 25 and breaks the siphoning action. The internal inlet 25 is located near the bottom of the chamber 13, air enters the passageway 16 when substantially all the stored water is discharged from the chamber 13.
[0142] When the water level within the basin 11 reaches a defined point, the float valve (not shown) opens and water enters the basin 11 via the water inlet (not shown) to refill the basin 11 to a predetermined volume.
[0143] With reference to FIGS. 3A-3D there is shown a second embodiment of a cistern assembly 30 comprising a basin forming a cistern member 31 in a cistern housing 12 and actuation means (not shown). The cistern assembly 30 is similar to that described for cistern assembly 10, except that the basin forming the cistern member 31 has a substantially flat or substantially convex portion that is substantially symmetrical about the vertical axis of the cistern member.
[0144] FIG. 3A shows the base wall 32 of the basin forming the cistern member 31 is flattened and is symmetrically positioned about the vertical axis of the cistern member.
[0145] FIG. 3B shows the base wall 33 of the basin forming the cistern member 31 forming an inwardly protruding V-shape symmetrically positioned about the vertical axis of the cistern member.
[0146] FIG. 3C shows the base wall 34 of the basin forming the cistern member 31 forming an inwardly protruding ramp shape symmetrically positioned about the vertical axis of the cistern member.
[0147] FIG. 3D shows the base wall 35 of the basin forming the cistern member 31 forming an inwardly protruding circular or elliptical arcuate shape symmetrically positioned about the vertical axis of the cistern member.
[0148] The effect of the substantially flat or substantially convex (inwardly protruding) region of the cistern member base wall is to reduce the weight of water located in the region of the base of the cistern member. This affects the distribution of the weight of water contained in the cistern member during pivoting, and is demonstrated with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. When the cistern member 31 is pivoted in an anti-clockwise direction within the cistern housing 12, the substantially convex base region 35 is rotated to the left side of the vertical axis 29 and the internal inlet 25 and passageway 16 remain to the right side of the vertical axis 29. The substantially convex base region 35 of the cistern member holds comparatively less water than it would if the base was concave. On pivoting in a clockwise direction, the net centre of gravity of the water 100 moves in the direction of the lowered passageway 16 and internal inlet 25. The modification of the cistern base wall to form a substantially flat or substantially convex base region removes or reduces the occurrence of vibration of the cistern member 11 on initiation of pivoting of the cistern member 11 within the cistern housing 12.
[0149] When the cistern base wall is substantially concave, momentary vibration of the cistern member 11 may occur on initiating of pivoting due to the movement of the centre of gravity 100 of the cistern member as a result of redistribution of the water mass contained within it. This results from the absence of a sufficient weight of water in the outer section 18 of the passageway 16 on pivoting initially causing the centre of gravity 100 to move away from the direction of pivot and the lowered passageway on inlet. The modification to the shape of the base wall of the cistern member causes the centre of gravity 100 to be moved towards the direction of pivot, resulting in the cistern member being held in a tilted position until water can flow through the internal inlet 25 into the inner section of the passageway 16 and into the outer section 18 of the passageway 16. The weight of water in the outer section 18 of the passageway 16 then retains the cistern member in a tilted position until the water has emptied out through the cistern outlet 27 and cistern housing exit 28, and the cistern member 31 rotates back to its original upright position.
[0150] Furthermore, the flat or inwardly protruding area of the base wall of the cistern member 31 results in a reduction of the space immediately adjacent to the internal inlets 24 and 25 resulting in maximization of the volume of water being removed from the basin 11.
[0151] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B illustrate a basin forming a cistern member 41. FIGS. 5A and 5B show a basin forming a cistern member 41. Cistern member 41 is intended for use with a cistern housing and actuation means (not shown) to form a cistern assembly 40 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The cistern member 41 is similar to cistern member 11, except that the basin forming the cistern member 41 has a substantially wedge shaped recess section 42 located in the back wall or in the front wall, or in both the back wall and front wall, of the basin of the cistern member 41. The, or each, wedge shaped recess 42 is substantially symmetrical about the vertical axis of symmetry 29 of the cistern member 41 when the cistern member is in the equilibrium position. The, or each, wedge shaped recess 42 has an apex 43 to provide a recessed pivot point for the cistern member 41 to rest on in the cistern housing.
[0152] Because the front to back dimension of the cistern member 41 is smaller behind the recessed portion or portions 42, the volume of water located in the region behind the recessed portion or portions 42 is smaller than the volume of water located in the region of a full depth section of the cistern member 41. When the cistern housing is in its equilibrium (upright) position, the region of reduced volume of water is located symmetrically about the vertical axis, and the cistern housing remains upright and stable. When the cistern member 41 is tilted relative to the cistern housing, the region of reduced volume moves in the opposite direction to the direction of tilt, resulting in the movement of the net centre of gravity 100 of the water mass contained in the basin of cistern housing 41 towards the tilt side thus reducing the resistance to tilting as illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
[0153] With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a cistern assembly 50 comprising a basin forming a cistern member 11 in a cistern housing 12 and magnetic actuation means 52-56. The cistern assembly 50 is similar to that described in cistern assembly 10, but the pivoting is initiated by magnetic actuation means provided by an arrangement of permanent magnets 52-56 associated with the cistern housing 12 and the cistern member 11.
[0154] The partial cross sectional views in FIGS. 8A-8E show the upper section of a cistern assembly 60 representing further embodiments of the present invention. Cistern assembly 60 comprises a cistern housing 12, and magnetic actuation means and a basin forming a cistern member 61. The basin forming the cistern member 61 is similar to any of those described in the above-mentioned Figures. In one embodiment the cistern member 61 is similar to that described by cistern member 11 in FIG. 1. In further embodiments the cistern member 61 may be similar to a shaped cistern member defined above as cistern members 31 or 41 in FIGS. 3-6.
[0155] With reference to the FIGS. 8A to 8E, the figures show the arrangement and relative polarities of the permanent magnets on the upper part of the cistern housing 12 and the upper part of cistern member 61, and the sequence of steps during flushing. FIG. 8A shows the cistern member 61 at equilibrium in the cistern housing 12. The upper part of the cistern housing 12 is fitted with two permanent magnets 62 and 63 mounted substantially vertically which act as actuator magnets. The upper surface of the cistern member 61 is fitted with two permanent magnets 65 and 66, and a third permanent magnet 64 centrally located on the upper surface of the cistern member 61. Permanent magnet 64 is positioned between, and oppositely polarized to, the permanent magnets 65 and 66. Actuator magnets 62 and 63 on the cistern housing 12 are positioned so that their magnetic fields are similarly polarized with the polarity of the permanent magnets 65 and 66 on the cistern member 61, and oppositely polarized to magnet 64. FIG. 8B shows the actuation and the resultant pivoting action of the cistern member 61. Pivoting of the cistern member 61 in the cistern housing 12 is initiated by depressing an actuator magnet 62, moving it towards the similarly polarized magnet 65 to initiate the pivoting action by repulsion of the similarly polarized magnetic fields of the two magnets. FIG. 8C shows a later stage of the pivoting movement, and a further degree of pivoting. The repelling force of the magnetic field of the actuator magnet 62 on the similarly polarized magnet 65 results in the two magnets moving apart and the repulsive force drops off. The rotation of the cistern member 61 brings the magnetic field of the actuator magnet 62 into attractive interaction with oppositely polarized magnet 64 on the cistern member resulting in a further degree of pivoting. The pivoting movement results in establishing the siphoning action to drain the water stored in the basin of the cistern member 61 as described above. FIG. 8D shows the cistern member 61 returning to the equilibrium position in the cistern housing after the water has siphoned off. FIG. 8E shows the cistern member 61 back in the equilibrium position within the cistern housing 12.
[0156] With references to FIG. 9, there is shown a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a cistern assembly 70 comprising a basin forming a cistern member 71 in a cistern housing 12 and magnetic actuation means 72-76, 78 and 79 in the form of electromagnetic actuation. The cistern assembly 70 is similar to that described in cistern assembly 10, but the pivoting is initiated by electromagnetic actuation means formed by an arrangement of a plurality of both electromagnets 72, 73 and permanent magnets 74, 75, 76 associated with the cistern housing 12 and the cistern member 71.
[0157] The partial cross sectional views in FIGS. 10A to 10E show the upper section of a cistern assembly 80 representing further embodiments of the present invention. Cistern assembly 80 comprises a cistern housing 12, and magnetic actuation means and a basin forming a cistern member 81. The basin forming the cistern member 81 is similar to those described in the above-mentioned Figures. In one embodiment the cistern member 81 is similar to that described by cistern member 11 in FIG. 1. In further embodiments the cistern member 81 may be similar to a shaped cistern member defined above as cistern members 31 or 41 in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.
[0158] With reference to the FIGS. 10A to 10E, the figures show the arrangement of magnets on the upper part of the cistern housing 12 and the upper part of cistern member 81, and the sequence of steps during flushing. FIG. 10A shows the cistern member 81 at equilibrium in the cistern housing 12. The upper part of the cistern housing 2 is fitted with two electromagnets 82 and 83 each attached to electrical circuits and energizing means 88, 89 to enable activation of electromagnets 82, 83 to allow them to function as actuator magnets. The upper surface of the cistern member 81 is fitted with two similarly polarized permanent magnets 85 and 86. A third permanent magnet 84 is centrally located on the upper surface of the cistern member 81. Permanent magnet 84 is positioned between, and oppositely polarized to, the permanent magnets 85 and 86 located at either side of it on the cistern member 81. FIG. 10B shows the actuation of the pivoting movement by activation of energizing means 88 to energize the electromagnet 82 on the cistern housing 12 to create a magnetic field that is similarly polarized to the adjacent permanent magnet 85 located on the cistern member 81. The repulsion between the similarly polarized magnet fields of the electromagnet 82 on the similarly polarized permanent magnet 85 results in pivoting of the cistern member 81 in the cistern housing 12. FIG. 10C shows a further degree of pivoting of the cistern member 81 within the cistern housing 12. The pivoting motion causes the actuator electromagnet 82 and the permanent magnet 85 to move apart and the repulsive force between the magnetic fields of the two magnets drops off. The rotation of the cistern member 81 brings the magnetic field of the electromagnet 82 into attractive interaction with the magnetic field of the oppositely polarized permanent magnet 84 on the cistern member 81 resulting in magnetic attraction between electromagnet 82 and magnet 84 to enable a further degree of pivoting. The pivoting movement results in establishing the siphoning action to drain the water stored in the basin of the cistern member 81 as described above. FIG. 10D shows the cistern member returning to the equilibrium position in the cistern housing once the stored water has drained from the cistern member 81. FIG. 10E shows the cistern member 81 returned to the equilibrium position within the cistern housing.
ADVANTAGES
[0159] An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the cistern assembly is the provision of a system that is simple to install, and has no moving parts that wear through contact. The improved design of the cistern assembly does not suffer from a delay in initiating the siphoning action after actuation of the pivoting of the cistern member due to control of the movement and location of the centre of gravity of the water mass stored in the basin forming the cistern member.
[0160] Improved control of the movement and location of the centre of gravity of the stored water mass also results in the reduction of vibration (wobble) of the cistern member following actuation.
[0161] An advantage of the preferred embodiment of the cistern assembly is the provision of a simple flush system initiated by magnetic interaction. A further advantage of magnetic actuation is the provision of remote activation making it applicable to concealed (in wall) systems.
VARIATIONS
[0162] It will of course be realised that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.
[0163] Throughout the description and claims this specification the word comprise and variations of that word such as comprises and comprising, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.
