WC Device With a WC Body Having a Porous Inner Surface

Abstract

A WC device with a WC body and a flushing water supply device for supplying flush water to the toilet body. The flush water supply device is provided with a water connection for drinking water for use as flush water. The WC body has a bowl-shaped WC body section and a subsequent odor trap. The bowl-shaped WC body section has a porous inner surface which is connected to a device for supplying cleaning fluid for keeping the porous inner surface clean. The flushing water supply device is provided with at least one back-suction safety device, which prevents back-suction of cleaning liquid from the porous inner surface to the water connection. Thus, the WC device completely or at least largely prevents excrement or dirt residues from adhering to the inner surface of the WC body, and the back-suction safety device provides hygienically flawless protection on the drinking water side.

Claims

1. A WC device with a WC body and a flushing water supply device for supplying flushing water to the WC body, wherein the flushing water supply device is provided with a water connection for drinking water for use as flushing water, the WC body having a bowl-shaped WC body section and a subsequent odor trap, the function of the odor trap preferably being based on sealing water, wherein the bowl-shaped WC body portion has a porous inner surface, wherein the porous inner surface is connected to a device for supplying cleaning liquid for keeping clean and/or cleaning the porous inner surface, and wherein the device for supplying cleaning liquid and/or the flushing water supply device are/is provided with at least one back-suction safety device, which prevents back-suction of cleaning liquid from the porous inner surface to the water connection.

2. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the flushing water supply device has a cistern, preferably a concealed cistern, a drain valve and a filling valve for filling the cistern with drinking water coming from the water connection, the filling valve having an outlet mouth, which, in the operating position of the filling valve, defines a free flow path relative to a water level present in the cistern, and wherein the device for supplying cleaning liquid is connected to the cistern, wherein water present in the cistern is used as cleaning liquid for keeping clean and/or cleaning the porous inner surface of the WC body section.

3. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the device for supplying cleaning fluid has a container as a water reservoir with a drain valve or overflow and a valve for filling the container with drinking water coming from the or a second water connection, the valve for filling the container having an outlet mouth which, in the operating position of the valve, defines a free flow path with respect to a water level present in the container.

4. The WC device according to claim 3, wherein the device for supplying cleaning liquid, preferably the container, is provided with a heating device for heating the cleaning liquid.

5. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the device for supplying cleaning fluid has an additional water connection for direct connection to a hot or cold water pipe, in particular to a hot or cold water network, an injector and an electrically controllable valve, wherein the injector is arranged in a liquid-tight flow-through housing, and wherein the electrically controllable valve is preferably arranged between the additional water connection and the injector.

6. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the device for supplying cleaning liquid is provided with a pump for conveying the cleaning liquid in the direction of the porous inner surface.

7. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the device for supplying cleaning liquid is provided with at least one sensor and a controller, the controller triggering a supply of cleaning liquid as a function of at least one sensor signal from the sensor or the sensors.

8. The WC device according to claim 7, wherein the sensor or at least one of the sensors is arranged in or on a mounting element supporting the WC body or in or on the WC body.

9. The WC device according to claim 7, wherein the sensor or at least one of the sensors is designed as a motion sensor, weight sensor, pressure sensor or noise sensor.

10. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the function of the odour trap is based on sealing water, the porous inner surface of the bowl-shaped body section being formed exclusively above a water level which is defined by the maximum effective sealing water level which is set during normal use of the WC body.

11. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the function of the odour trap is based on sealing water, the porous inner surface of the bowl-shaped body section being formed above and below the water level which is defined by the maximum effective sealing water height which is set during normal use of the WC body.

12. The WC device according to claim 10, wherein the porous inner surface of the bowl-shaped body section is connected to a liquid-conducting wall section of the WC body located above the sealing water level, the WC device being designed in such a way that liquid located in the liquid-conducting wall section is at least partially retained in the liquid-conducting wall section of the WC body after the device for supplying cleaning liquid is switched off.

13. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the porous inner surface of the bowl-shaped body section is hydraulically connected to a liquid-conducting wall section of the WC body located above the sealing water level, the WC device being designed in such a way that liquid located in the liquid-conducting wall section is drained from the liquid-conducting wall section into the odor trap or into a drainage line, preferably a waste water line, by means of an automatically opening valve after the device for supplying cleaning liquid has been switched off.

14. The WC device according to claim 11, wherein the porous inner surface of the bowl-shaped body section is hydraulically connected to a liquid-conducting wall section of the toilet body located above and below the sealing water level, the WC device being designed in such a way that in the liquid-conducting wall section below the sealing water level s flushed out into a waste water pipe connected to the odor trap in the same way as the sealing water in the odor trap after the device for supplying cleaning fluid is switched off during a normal flushing process of the WC body.

15. The WC device according to claim 1, wherein the WC body is designed in such a way that its flushing is based on the displacement principle.

16. The WC device according to claim 12, wherein the liquid-conducting wall section of the WC body is connected to a suction device in such a way that liquid located in the liquid-conducting wall section below and above the sealing water level or liquid located only below or only above the sealing water level is sucked off by means of the suction device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] Hereinafter, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to a drawing illustrating several embodiments.

[0039] FIG. 1 shows a WC device according to the invention with a WC mounting element, a WC body and a flush water supply device for supplying flush water to the WC body, in a side view, wherein the WC body is shown in a vertical sectional view;

[0040] FIG. 1a shows an enlarged view of detail X from FIG. 1;

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a perspective vertical sectional view of the WC body from FIG. 1;

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a front view of the toilet mounting element from FIG. 1 without the toilet body;

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the WC mounting element from FIG. 1 without the WC body;

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a backflow preventer;

[0045] FIG. 6 shows an upper section of a concealed cistern mounted in the WC mounting element with a receptacle for cleaning agents, in a vertical sectional view; and

[0046] FIG. 7 shows a further example of a WC body according to the invention, in a vertical sectional view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] FIG. 1 shows a WC device according to the invention with a WC body (toilet body) 2 and a flushing water supply device for supplying flushing water to the WC body 2. The flushing water supply device comprises a concealed cistern 4, which is attached to a WC mounting element 6. In a manner known per se, the WC mounting element 6 has two vertical metal profile uprights 6.1, 6.2, which are connected to each other by metal profile crossbars 6.3, 6.4, 6.5. The lower ends of the metal profile uprights 6.1, 6.2 are provided with height-adjustable feet. The lower metal profile crossbar 6.3 carries a pipe bend 7, to which the waste water connection 2.1 of the WC body 2 is connected via a plug-in sleeve 8. A second metal profile crossbar 6.4, which has a U-shaped profile, for example, is arranged above the lower crossbar. The second crossbar 6.4 is provided with inner and outer mounting holes 9, 10 for receiving threaded rods 11 for fastening the WC body 2 to the mounting element 6. Furthermore, the second crossbar contains a central through-opening 12 for the passage of a flushing water pipe 13, whereby the through-opening is circular, for example. The cistern 4 connected to the flushing water pipe 13 is arranged above the second crossbar 6.4. The cistern 4 contains an inspection opening 14, via which various components, in particular a filling valve and a drain valve, can be installed in the cistern 4 and, if necessary, dismantled and removed for maintenance or repair purposes. The cistern 4 is provided with a water connection 15 for connection to a drinking water pipe. The drinking water fed into the cistern 4 is used as flushing water to flush the WC body 2. The water connection 15 is arranged, for example, in the upper area of a side wall of the cistern 4. The water connection 15 is designed, for example, as a threaded connection to which a shut-off valve arranged in the cistern 4 is connected, which in turn is connected via a water pipe to the filling valve controlled as a function of the water level in the cistern 4. An inspection shaft 16 is mounted on the inspection opening 14, which can be shortened according to the wall thickness of a planking 3 attached to the front of the mounting element 6 and a wall covering attached to it. Finally, the opening of the inspection shaft 16 is covered with a plate that has at least one control element for triggering a flushing process, for example for actuating the drain valve.

[0048] Such a mounting element 6 is also referred to as a mounting frame or pre-wall element.

[0049] The filling valve installed in the cistern 4 has an outlet mouth which, in the operating position of the filling valve, defines a free flow path relative to a maximum water level in the cistern 4.

[0050] The WC body 2 comprises a bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2 and an odor trap 2.3 downstream of it. The function of the odor trap 2.3 (siphon) integrated in the WC body 2 is based on sealing water. The bowl-shaped body section 2.2 has a porous inner surface 2.4, which is connected to a device for supplying cleaning fluid for keeping the porous inner surface 2.4 clean and/or cleaning it. This creates a self-cleaning WC body 2. Cleaning the WC body 2 with a toilet brush is therefore no longer or hardly necessary.

[0051] Viewed in the direction of flow, the cleaning fluid is drinking water tapped upstream or downstream of the water connection 15 of the cistern 4 or, preferably, flushing water taken from the cistern 4. A cleaning agent can be added to the cleaning liquid or the flushing water removed, for example a conventional, commercially available cleaning agent, which in particular contains citric acid and non-ionic and/or anionic surfactants and optionally descaling agents (such as maleic acid).

[0052] The porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body 2, from which the cleaning fluid can emerge permanently, time-controlled or usage-controlled, can extend essentially or almost over the entire inner surface of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2. As shown in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the porous inner surface 2.4 preferably extends over a partial area of the inner surface of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2, at least over the partial area that is particularly exposed with regard to the adhesion of excrement.

[0053] The porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body 2 is realized by one or more open-pored wall sections of the WC body 2. Preferably, one or more inserts made of open-pored material, e.g. sintered ceramic, are integrated into the wall of the WC body 2 during the manufacture of the WC body 2 for this purpose.

[0054] The porous insert(s) can be produced, for example, by mixing one or more organic components into a ceramic mass for the production of porcelain or stoneware, which decompose (burn off) thermally during roasting or sintering and create a pore structure of interconnected pores. The fluid permeability of this open-pored structure, in particular the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body 2, depends on the size, number and type of pores created. The size of the pores and their number and thus the fluid permeability are influenced by the proportion of organic components and their composition in the ceramic mass, the pressing pressure of the ceramic mass and the firing temperature.

[0055] The wall of the WC body 2 has an outer layer or shell 2.5 which, apart from one or more connection areas for feeding cleaning fluid into the open-pored material 2.6, is designed to be liquid-tight. The substantially or partially liquid-tight outer shell 2.5 can also be referred to as a liquid-tight skin or liquid-tight outer layer.

[0056] The open-pored wall area 2.6 can be covered, at least in some areas, by an inner layer 2.7 on the inner surface of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2. The inner layer 2.7, which can also be referred to as the inner shell, is at least partially porous in the sense of open-pored or perforated. The inner layer 2.7 can also be liquid-tight in some areas.

[0057] According to the invention, the flushing water supply device and/or the device for supplying cleaning liquid are provided with at least one back-suction safety device 17, which prevents back-suction of cleaning liquid from the porous inner surface 2.4 in the direction of the water connection 15. The back-suction safety device 17 is designed, for example, in the form of a so-called pipe interrupter or comprises a water pipe insert or injector 17.1, which defines a free flow path 18 or a free outlet. Such a water pipe insert or injector 17.1 is shown in FIG. 5. The free flow section 18 is defined by two hose or line nipples 17.3, 17.4, which are connected to each other via at least one spacer 17.5 and whose line centerlines M1, M2 are aligned with each other.

[0058] In the embodiment example shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a pump 20 is arranged in the cistern 2, by means of which a partial quantity of water contained in the cistern 2 is drawn in and supplied as cleaning fluid to the water-conducting wall areas 2.6, in particular the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body 2, via a water pipe (connecting pipe) 21 leading out of the cistern. The pump 20 is preferably arranged above the level of the maximum flushing water level in the cistern 4 and is provided with a suction pipe 22, the suction opening 23 of which preferably opens near the base of the cistern.

[0059] A back-suction safety device 17 is integrated in the water pipe 21. The back-suction safety device 17 is realized, for example, by an injector 17.1 as shown in FIG. 5, which defines a free flow path 18 and is inserted into a flow housing 17.2. The flow-through housing 17.2 can be essentially cartridge or cuboid in shape. It has at least one hose nipple or a connection thread for connecting the water line 21. The injector 17.1 is also provided with at least one connection thread or hose nipple 17.3. The injector 17.1 inserted into the housing 17.2 can be connected or is connected to the housing 17.2 by a non-positive connection, for example a screw or bayonet connection.

[0060] In an embodiment that is not shown in detail but is also preferred, the back-suction safety device 17 integrated in the water line 21 is arranged inside the cistern 4. The back-suction safety device 17 is located above the level of the maximum flushing water level in the cistern 4, for example above the lower edge of the inspection opening 14.

[0061] FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 show an alternative embodiment in which the back-suction safety device 17 integrated in the water pipe 21 is arranged outside the cistern 4. The back-suction safety device 17 is preferably located above the level of the maximum flushing water level in the cistern 4, for example at the level of the inspection opening 14.

[0062] The pump 20 is provided with a controller 25 and at least one sensor 26, whereby the control unit activates the pump 20 for a predetermined or adjustable period of time depending on at least one sensor signal from the sensor or sensors. In FIG. 2, the controller 25 and the at least one sensor 26 are schematically indicated together by a box.

[0063] In particular, the at least one sensor 26 can be integrated in the mounting element (pre-wall element) 6. For example, the sensor 26 may be an infrared sensor that detects movements and/or heat emitted by a person. Such a sensor 26 is preferably integrated in an actuator plate (not shown) mounted in front of the inspection opening 14. Alternatively, the sensor 26 may be a motion sensor that detects movements of a hinged toilet lid (not shown). Such a sensor 26 is preferably arranged on or in the hinge of the hinged toilet lid or on the WC body. Furthermore, the sensor 26 may be a pressure or weight sensor that detects a pressure load on a toilet seat or the WC body 2 due to a person sitting on it. Such a sensor 26 is preferably integrated in the toilet seat or on the WC body 2 or in the attachment of the WC body 2 to the mounting element 6.

[0064] By means of the at least one sensor 26, the usage of the WC body 2 by a user is indirectly detected, so that activation of the pump 20 and thus a supply of cleaning fluid for keeping the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body 2 clean and/or cleaning it can be triggered as required by means of the control unit 25 assigned to the pump 20 and the sensor system.

[0065] As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the embodiment example shown there, the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body does not extend over the entire inner surface of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2. Rather, an area 2.8 of the inner surface of the WC body 2 that is hardly exposed to the adhesion of excrement does not have a porous inner surface, but is pore-free and smooth. Such a non-porous and smooth area 2.8 of the inner surface of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2 is located, for example, at the level and above the level at which several small passage openings 2.9 of the flushing water distributor 2.10 arranged next to each other open out. Below this level, the porous inner surface 2.4 of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2 begins, which in the embodiment example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 extends downwards into the visible area of the odor trap 2.3. The porous inner surface 2.4 of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2 is thus formed above and below the water level W, which is defined by the maximum effective sealing water level that occurs during normal use of the WC body 2 after the end of a flushing process.

[0066] The porous inner surface 2.4 of the bowl-shaped body section 2.2 is hydraulically connected to a liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 of the WC body 2 located above and below the sealing water level W. The WC device according to the invention is designed, for example, so that after switching off the device for supplying cleaning liquid to the porous inner surface 2.4, liquid located in the liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 below the sealing water level W is flushed out into a waste water pipe connected to the odor trap 2.3 during a normal flushing process of the toilet body 2 in the same way as the sealing water in the odor trap 2.3.

[0067] Another embodiment example of a WC body according to the invention is shown in FIG. 7. In the example shown there, the porous inner surface 2.4 of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2 is formed exclusively above the sealing water level W, which is defined by the maximum effective sealing water level that occurs during normal use of the WC body 2 after the end of a flushing process. The porous inner surface 2.4 of the bowl-shaped WC body section 2.2 ends below the level at which several small through-openings 2.9 of the flushing water distributor 2.10, arranged next to each other, open out. Below the sealing water level W of the odor trap 2.3, the inner surface of the WC body 2 can be classically smooth and non-porous as well as visually dark, for example black or dark grey.

[0068] The porous inner surface 2.4 of the bowl-shaped body section 2.2 as shown in FIG. 7 is also hydraulically connected to a liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 of the WC body 2 located above the sealing water level W. The WC device according to the invention is designed, for example, so that after switching off the device for supplying cleaning liquid to the porous inner surface 2.4, liquid located in the liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 is drained from the liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 by means of an automatically opening valve (not shown) into the odor trap 2.3 or into a drainage pipe, preferably a waste water pipe.

[0069] Alternatively, in the two embodiments shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7, in which in each case the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body section 2.2 is hydraulically connected to a liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 of the WC body 2, the WC device according to the invention can be designed in such a way that, after switching off the device for supplying cleaning liquid to the porous inner surface 2.4, liquid located in the liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 is at least partially retained in the liquid-conducting wall section 2.6 of the WC body 2.

[0070] The two examples of the WC body 2 shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 7 have in common that the flushing of the respective WC body 2 is based on the positive displacement principle. The toilet body 2 can therefore also be referred to as a positive displacement ceramic appliance.

[0071] As already mentioned above, cleaning agents can be added to the cleaning fluid that is supplied to the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body 2. In FIG. 6, an upper section of a concealed cistern 4 with a receptacle 28 for cleaning agent 30 is shown in a vertical sectional view. The cistern 4 is equipped with a mesh basket or flexible insertion chute 28 for holding solid, soluble cleaning agent 30. Such tablet or stone-shaped cleaning agents 30 are also known as toilet cleaning tabs. The flexible insertion chute 28 can be inserted into the cistern 4 via the inspection opening 14 and removed for repair or maintenance purposes. The insertion chute 28 comprises two body parts 28.1, 28.2, which are connected to one another by a flexible connecting section 28.3, which is formed in the manner of a film hinge.

[0072] The implementation of the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown in the drawing. Rather, numerous embodiment variants are conceivable which also make use of the invention specified in claim 1 or in one of the subclaims, even if the design differs from the examples shown. For example, it is also within the scope of the invention that the device for supplying cleaning fluid to the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body has a container as a water reservoir with an outlet valve or overflow and a valve for filling the container with drinking water coming from the or a second water connection, wherein the valve for filling the container has an outlet mouth which, in the operating position of the valve, defines a free flow path relative to a water level present in the container. In addition to the cistern 4 described above and shown, such a (second) container can be part of the WC device according to the invention. The (second) container can contain a grid basket or insertion chute 28 for solid, soluble WC cleaning tabs. Furthermore, the container can be provided with a heating device for heating the cleaning liquid. The heating device can, for example, be designed according to the principle of an instantaneous water heater or as a heating coil. This means that hot water can also be used to flush the porous walls of the WC body. The heating device can be designed to permanently maintain a certain temperature above the ambient temperature in the container.

[0073] Another embodiment of the toilet device according to the invention provides that the device for supplying cleaning fluid to the porous inner surface 2.4 of the WC body 2 has an additional water connection for a direct connection to a hot or cold water pipe, in particular to a hot or cold water network, as well as an injector 17.1 defining a free flow path 18 and an electrically controllable valve. In this embodiment, the injector 17.1 is arranged in a liquid-tight flow-through housing 17.2, while the electrically controllable valve is preferably arranged between the additional water connection and the injector 17.1.