ADJUSTABLE TOILET SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a dynamic siphon assembly according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon assembly includes a dynamic siphon that is configured to evacuate fluid from a cistern when pushed down. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon assembly includes a full flush actuation assembly and a partial flush actuation assembly. In some embodiments, each actuation assembly is configured to break the siphonic action of the dynamic siphon at different times and water level. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon includes an air trap configured to trap surrounding gas such that the dynamic siphon rises during filling of the cistern. In some embodiments, the rising prevents siphonic action by raising a fluid overflow within the dynamic siphon above a fluid level in the cistern.

Description

BACKGROUND

Fluid systems and toilet systems improve quality of life across the globe. Toilets remove hazardous waste from inside the home and direct the waste to sewage treatment facilities which reduces the impact humans have on the environment.

There are a wide variety of toilet systems, but virtually all suffer from leakage problems which wastes fluid. It would be advantageous to provide a toilet system, apparatus and method which are less prone to leakage than prior art designs while providing similar or better performance.

SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the system is directed to a flush assembly that includes a dynamic siphon, one or more actuator assemblies, and one or more siphon breaks. Although multiple configurations are described herein, at least some of the following features are common to all arrangements.

In some embodiments, the flush assembly is configured to couple to a cistern outlet and/or control the amount of fluid expelled from the cistern upon initiation of the actuator. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon comprises one or more buoyancy lifts configured to cause the dynamic siphon to float when a level of fluid in the cistern is above a pre-determined level. In some embodiments, a buoyancy lift includes one more of a gas trapped in an air trap, buoyancy of the material of at least a portion of the flush assembly, one or more floats, and/or one or more weights or devices having one or more desired weights.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon comprises a fluid entry, an entry sidewall, a flow conduit, an air trap, a fluid overflow, and an exit conduit. In some embodiments, the fluid entry is located at a lower portion of the dynamic siphon and comprises one or more apertures. In some embodiments, the one or more apertures include one or more openings at the bottom of the dynamic siphon and/or or one or more openings in the entry sidewall. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon is configured to enable fluid from the cistern to flow into the fluid entry, through the flow conduit, over the fluid overflow, and out the exit conduit where the fluid is discharged through the cistern outlet.

In some embodiments, the flush assembly is configured to enable the dynamic siphon to float when the fluid in the cistern is above a pre-determined level. In some embodiments, flush assembly comprise a static frame. In some embodiments, the static frame is configured to be secured to the cistern and remain static during normal operation. In some embodiments, the static frame comprises a siphon guide configured to guide the movement of the dynamic siphon. In some embodiments, the siphon guide is configured to direct fluid from the exit conduit to a cistern exit. In some embodiments, the static frame comprises a fluid trap. In some embodiments, the fluid trap comprises a void between the siphon guide and a trap wall and is configured to prevent fluid from leaking through a bottom wall and/or the siphon guide wall and trap wall. In some embodiments, the fluid trap is configured to enable at least a portion of the dynamic siphon to move through a volume of fluid trapped within the fluid trap.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon comprises an air trap. In some embodiments, the air trap is configured to trap air within at least a portion of the dynamic siphon. In some embodiments, the trapped air is sufficient in volume to cause the dynamic siphon to rise with rising fluid in the cistern and/or rise when the cistern reaches a pre-determined level. In some embodiments, the fluid trap is in fluid communication with the air trap. In some embodiments, the air trap is configured to enable fluid to enter the fluid trap via the fluid entry. In some embodiments, one or more fluid and/or air traps create a dynamic seal which allows the dynamic siphon to move up during a fill operation without allowing fluid from the cistern tank to pass over the fluid overflow.

In some embodiments, one or more actuation assemblies are configured to push the dynamic siphon down toward the bottom of the cistern and/or cistern outlet. In some embodiments, one or more actuation assemblies are configured to move the dynamic siphon upon initiation. In some embodiments, the movement of the dynamic siphon down is configured to drain the cistern. In some embodiments, the air trap is configured to enable trapped gas and/or within the air trap to escape into the flow conduit when the dynamic siphon is pushed down. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon is configured to cause a vacuum to form in the air trap as fluid passes over the fluid overflow. In some embodiments, the vacuum is formed as part of the siphonic action during a flush operation. In some embodiments, the shape of the dynamic siphon, including an air trap, fluid trap, and/or down pipe side walls can be any shape (e.g., a full round, elliptical, polygonal, etc.).

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon comprises a siphon cone. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is configured to occupy at least a portion of the exit conduit. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is configured prevent air from forming at the top of the exit conduit while siphonic action pulls fluid from the cistern over the fluid overflow and into the exit conduit. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is between 40 mm and 150 mm in length, as a non-limiting example. In some embodiments, this range was empirically determined to produce optimum flow. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is smoothly tapered near its ends which are coupled by a substantially constant diameter midsection. In some embodiments, the siphon cone comprises a smooth tapered over the a length of the diameter to a converging point.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon comprises the siphon cone. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is separable and secured in place by one or more conventional fastening methods. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is integral to the dynamic siphon, which may be accomplished through injection molding, as a non-limiting example. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is configured to enable laminar flow during siphonic action.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon is configured to expel gas in the air trap after the siphon action has started.

In some embodiments, the flush assembly is configured to automatically initiate siphonic action once fluid within the cistern rises above a level of the fluid overflow, enabling an automatic flush functionality in a rapid overflow condition.

In some embodiments, common to all configurations shown and/or described solely for illustrative purposes herein is a dynamic siphon assembly for draining fluid from a cistern comprising a dynamic siphon and a flush actuation assembly. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon comprises an air trap configured to cause the dynamic siphon to float within a cistern at least partially filled with a fluid. In some embodiments, the flush actuation assembly is configured to push the dynamic siphon down within the cistern. In some embodiments, pushing the dynamic siphon down is configured to initiate a siphonic action within the dynamic siphon. In some embodiments, the siphonic action is configured to draw the fluid through flow conduit to an exit conduit thereby reducing a fluid level within the cistern. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon is configured to continue to draw the fluid until the flow conduit is exposed to a gas.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon assembly further comprises a fluid trap. In some embodiments, the fluid trap is configured to hold a volume of the fluid. In some embodiments, the air trap is configured to be formed by trapping the gas between a fluid in the fluid trap and fluid outside the fluid trap. In some embodiments, pushing the dynamic siphon down is configured to remove the gas from the air trap. In some embodiments, the air trap is configured to trap the gas during a fluid filling of the cistern.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon comprises a fluid overflow fluidly connected to the flow conduit. In some embodiments, the flush actuation assembly is configured to initiate the siphonic action by moving the fluid overflow below a fluid line within the cistern. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon is configured to be held in a lowered position by the siphonic action until the flow conduit is exposed to a gas.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon assembly further comprises a static frame. In some embodiments, the static frame is configured to guide a motion of the dynamic siphon. In some embodiments, the static frame is configured to be coupled to a cistern outlet. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon assembly further comprises a fluid trap. In some embodiments, the fluid trap is configured to hold a volume of the fluid. In some embodiments, the air trap is configured to be formed by trapping the gas between a fluid in the fluid trap and a fluid outside the fluid trap. In some embodiments, the static frame comprises the fluid trap.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon further comprises a siphon cone. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is configured to improve a flow characteristic of the fluid as it passes through the exit conduit. In some embodiments, the siphon cone is between 40 mm and 150 mm in length and/or is configured to extend downward through the exit conduit.

In some embodiments, the flush actuation assembly comprises a full flush lever and a partial flush lever. In some embodiments, the actuation of the full flush lever is configured to cause the siphonic action to last longer than an actuation of the partial flush lever.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon is configured to automatically begin the siphonic action in response to an overfill condition within the cistern resulting in the fluid level in the cistern rising above a fluid overflow in the dynamic siphon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a static wall 110 flush assembly according to some embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a zoomed view of the actuation linkage frame in the exploded assembly according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a zoomed view of the actuation linkage and the dynamic siphon according to some embodiments.

FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanical action of the actuation linkage according to some embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts the static wall 110 and siphon cone according to some embodiments.

FIG. 6 shows details of the cistern seal which couples the static frame to a cistern outlet.

FIG. 7 illustrates a full flush operation according to some embodiments.

FIG. 8 illustrates the mechanical action of the full flush lever 132 engaging the actuation linkage and the flush lever catch according to some embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows the actuation of FIG. 8 with a full flush overflow installed according to some embodiments.

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial flush actuation according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of a portion of the flush assembly.

FIG. 12 shows a round siphon configuration and an elliptical siphon configuration according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates the concept of partial flush according to some embodiments.

FIG. 14 illustrates the concept of a full flush according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 shows how the partial flush and full flush overflow gates affect the discharge of fluid from the cistern according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 shows a dynamic wall flush assembly configuration according to some embodiments.

FIG. 17 shows a pre-flush and post flush configuration according to some embodiments.

FIG. 18 shows a partial flush release in the form of a partial flush latch 1803 along with additional details of the dynamic wall flush assembly according to some embodiments.

FIG. 19 shows the dynamic wall flush assembly with a spacer and adjusted dynamic wall according to some embodiments.

FIG. 20 shows a pre-flush and post-flush configuration of the dynamic wall flush assembly according to some embodiments.

FIG. 21 illustrates a configuration where the fluid trap is configured to be separable from the static frame.

FIG. 22 depicts an air vent flush assembly and vent actuation assembly according to some embodiments.

FIG. 23 depicts a fully assembled vent actuation assembly and a partially assembled vent actuation assembly to aid in visualizing a partial flush actuation according to some embodiments.

FIG. 24 shows a fully assembled vent actuation assembly and a partially assembled vent actuation assembly to aid in visualizing a full flush actuation according to some embodiments.

FIG. 25 is a simplified drawing illustrating a the concept of a partial flush according to some embodiments.

FIG. 26 depicts a side view of pre-actuation and post-actuation dynamic siphon position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 27 depicts a front view of pre-actuation and post-actuation dynamic siphon position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 28 shows a sectional side view and top sectional view of the dynamic siphon according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a static wall 110 flush assembly 100 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the static wall 110 flush assembly 100 includes one or more of a static wall 110110, an actuation linkage frame 120, an actuation linkage assembly 130, one or more full flush sluice gates 140, one or more partial flush overflow gates 150, and a dynamic siphon 160.

FIG. 2 shows a zoomed view of the actuation linkage frame 120 from the exploded assembly 200 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the actuation linkage frame 120 comprises one or more fasteners 121 for coupling the actuation linkage assembly 130 thereto. In some embodiments, the actuation linkage frame 120 comprises one or more gate guides 122 configured to control the motion of the one or more full flush sluice gates 140. In some embodiments, a portion of the actuation linkage frame 120 is configured to engage a gate return spring 341 on a shaft 342 of a full flush sluice gate 140 to return the flush sluice gate 140 to its closed position once a flushing operation is complete.

FIG. 3 depicts a zoomed view of the actuation linkage 130 and the dynamic siphon 160 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the actuation linkage 130 is coupled to a full flush actuator 171 and/or a partial flush actuator 172. In some embodiments, the partial flush actuator 171 is coupled to a partial flush lever 131 configured to push the dynamic siphon 160 down without lifting one or more full flush sluice gates 140. In some embodiments, the full flush actuator 171 is coupled to a full flush lever 132132 configured to both push the dynamic siphon 160 down and move one or more full flush sluice gates 140 open.

FIG. 4 illustrates the mechanical action of the actuation linkage assembly 130 according to some embodiments. In some non-limiting embodiments, the full flush 171 and/or partial flush 172 actuator comprises a full flush 473 and/or partial flush 474 actuation cable. In some embodiments, the actuation linkage assembly 130 comprises a first sluice gate arm 433, a first arm support 434, a cross arm 435, a second sluice gate arm 443436, and second arm support 437. In some embodiments, the first sluice gate arm 443 is coupled to the first arm support 434. In some embodiments, the full flush actuation cable 473 pulls on a cable end of the first sluice gate arm 433 and causes the first sluice gate arm 433 to rotate about a pivot point connection between the first sluice gate arm 433 and the first arm support 434. In some embodiments, this rotation causes a gate end 438 of the first sluice gate arm 433 to open the first sluice gate 343.

In some embodiments, the cable end 439 is coupled to the cross arm 435. In some embodiments, the full flush actuation cable 473 forces the cross arm 435 to move toward the second sluice gate arm 443 when actuated. In some embodiments, the cross arm 435 is connected to a cross arm 435 end of the second sluice gate arm 443. In some embodiments, when the second sluice gate arm 443 is moved by the cross arm 435 the second sluice gate arm 443 rotates about a pivot point connection to the second arm support. In some embodiments, this rotation causes a gate end of the second sluice gate arm 443 to open the second sluice gate. In some embodiments, the full flush actuation cable 473 forces the full flush lever 132 to rotate and force the dynamic siphon 160 down while the first 343 and/or second 344 sluice gates are opening.

FIG. 5 depicts the static wall 110 and siphon cone 510 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the static wall 110 is configured to separate an internal static volume within the static wall 110 from the volume of the cistern. In some embodiments, the static wall 110 comprises one or more partial overflow gates 501 and/or one or more full flush overflow gates 502. In some embodiments, the static frame 510, configured to guide the dynamic siphon 160, resides within the volume of the static wall 110. In some embodiments, the one or more partial flush overflow gates and/or one or more full flush overflow gates are removable and can be replaced with a different overflow gate of a different height. In some embodiments, the one or more partial flush overflow gates 501 and/or one or more full flush overflow gates 502 are adjustable and are configured to slide along a gate guide 503, 504 where they are secured in place by one or more fasteners 505. FIG. 6 shows details of the cistern seal 601 which couples the static frame 510 to a cistern outlet.

FIG. 7 illustrates a full flush operation according to some embodiments. The flush operation and movement of the dynamic siphon 710 is substantially the same for all configurations described herein according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, with a fluid level 701 at a maximum position, the dynamic siphon 710 is floating. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the dynamic siphon 710 is above the fluid level 701 when the cistern is filled prior to a flushing operation. In some embodiments, the buoyancy of the dynamic siphon 710 is a result of the air trap 711 is which is formed between fluid 730 resident inside the dynamic siphon 710 and fluid 731 within the fluid trap 712. In some embodiments, upon initiation of the full flush actuator 713 the dynamic siphon 710 is moved downward against or adjacent the static frame 714. In some embodiments, the full flush lever 713 (and partial flush lever) is configured to push the fluid overflow 715 below the fluid level 701. In some embodiments, this causes fluid within the static volume 716 to flow over the fluid overflow 715 and through the exit conduit 717 initiating siphonic action within the static wall flush assembly 100.

In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon 710 comprises a flush lever catch 718. In some embodiments, the full flush lever 713 is configured to engage the flush lever catch 718 as the dynamic siphon 710 is pushed down. In some embodiments, the full flush lever 713 is configured to be held in an actuated position 750 by the vacuum created by the siphonic action and the flush lever catch 718, which in turn holds one or more sluice gates 720 open. In some embodiments, the full flush lever 713 is coupled to the actuation linkage assembly 130. In some embodiments, rotation of the full flush lever 713 arm is configured to actuate the one or more full flush sluice gates 720 allowing fluid flow from the cistern into the static volume 716 as previously described. In some embodiments, once the siphon action is broken, one or more springs 721 assist in closing the one or more sluice gates 720 and returning the full flush lever 713 arm to a raised position.

FIG. 8 illustrates the mechanical action of the full flush lever 801 engaging the actuation linkage assembly 802 and the flush lever catch 803 according to some embodiments. FIG. 9 shows the actuation of FIG. 8 with a full flush overflow 901 installed according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the dashed line 902 represents the opening created by the first sluice gate 903 enabling fluid communication between the static volume 904 and the cistern volume via the overflow volume 905. FIG. 9 also illustrates the partial flush overflow gate 906 in a lowered position. In some embodiments, upon actuation of a partial flush, the partial flush overflow gate 906 is configured to prevent fluid with the cistern volume from falling below a level of the partial flush overflow gate 906.

FIG. 10 illustrates a partial flush actuation 1001 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the partial flush actuator 1004 is configured to force the dynamic siphon 1003 down only. In some embodiments, the partial flush actuator 1004 is configured not to engage one or more of the first sluice gate arm 433, the first arm support 434, the cross arm 435, the second sluice gate arm 443, and the second arm support 437. In some embodiments, the partial flush actuation cable 1004 pulls on a cable end 1005 of the partial flush lever 1002. In some embodiments, and movement of the partial flush lever 1002 moves the dynamic siphon 1003 down, initiating siphonic action.

FIG. 11 shows a top view of a portion of the static flush assembly 1101. In some embodiments, the flush assembly may comprise a dynamic partition 1102. In some embodiments, the dynamic partition 1102 is configured to move within the static volume 1103 to change the volume of the static volume 1103. In some embodiments, with the dynamic partition 1102 secured in place, only the sluice gate 1104 and overflow gates 1105 on the opposite side control a flushing action.

FIG. 12 shows a round siphon 1201 configuration and an elliptical siphon 1202 configuration according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the elliptical siphon 1202 configuration enables a dynamic siphon to fit into a narrower cistern. The functionality of the dynamic siphon is common to all arrangements described herein according to some embodiments.

FIG. 13 illustrates the concept of partial flush according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the static wall flush assembly 100 is configured to enable fluid from the cistern to overflow into the static volume during a fill operation. In some embodiments, during a partial flush, only a partial flush volume of fluid comprising the static volume and the volume above the static wall is evacuated by the siphonic action until a fluid level reaches the fluid entry of the dynamic siphon.

FIG. 14 illustrates the concept of a full flush according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, with the sluice gate open, the fluid in the cistern volume is allowed to drop to the level of the dynamic siphon fluid entry, where at which point the surrounding gas (which can be ambient air in some embodiments) entering the dynamic siphon breaks the siphonic action.

FIG. 15 shows how the partial flush and full flush overflow gates affect the discharge of fluid from the cistern according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, one or more full flush overflow gates are configured to prevent the fluid level in the cistern from dropping below a predetermined level. In some embodiments, the flush assembly is configured to continue to drain the static volume through siphonic action while the full flush (and/or partial flush) overflow gates prevent further decrease in fluid level, thus achieving a defined volume of fluid per flush. In some embodiments, the flush assembly is configured to break the siphonic action once fluid in the static volume falls below the fluid entry and is exposed to the surrounding gas (e.g., air).

FIG. 16 shows a dynamic wall flush assembly 1600 configuration according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the dynamic wall flush assembly 1600 comprises one or more of a dynamic wall 16001, a flush actuation assembly 1602, a partial flush assembly 1603, a full flush assembly 1604, a linkage assembly 1605, a dynamic siphon 1606, and a dynamic siphon frame 1607. The dynamic siphon 1606 and static frame 2001 functionality including initiation of siphonic action by being moved down into the cistern volume (e.g., fluid trap, air trap, exit conduit, static frame, fluid entry, etc.) are substantially similar in all configurations described herein according to some embodiment and will not be repeated in the interest of being concise.

FIG. 17 shows a pre-flush 1701 and post flush 1702 configuration according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, upon engagement of the flush actuation assembly 1703 on the partial flush assembly 1704, rotation about a pivot 1705 causes an arm siphon end of a partial flush lever 1706 to force down the dynamic siphon 1707 similarly to previously described. At the same time, the dynamic wall linkage 1709 is pushed up by a wall end 1708 of the partial flush lever 1706. In some embodiments, the wall end 1708 is configured to move the first arm 1710 of the linkage assembly 1605, which in turn moves a second arm 1711. In some embodiments, the second arm 1711 moves a third arm 1712 attached to a shaft 1713. In some embodiments, rotation of the shaft 1713 causes one or more dynamic arms 1714 to lift the dynamic wall 1601 off of the base 1715, thereby allowing fluid to flow between a bottom of the dynamic wall 1601 and the base 1715 to the dynamic siphon 1707. Siphonic action within the static volume 1716 may begin before, substantially simultaneously, or after the dynamic wall moves up depending on the linkage assembly configuration.

In some embodiments, the partial flush assembly comprises a release assembly 1800 comprising one or more of a partial flush release 1801, a partial flush linkage assembly 1802, and a partial flush weight 1603. FIG. 18 shows a partial flush release 1801 comprising a partial flush latch 1803 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the partial flush latch 1803 is coupled a latch arm 1804 which is in turn coupled to the partial flush lever arm 1805. In some embodiments, the partial flush latch 1803 engages a dynamic wall catch arm 1806 which is coupled to the dynamic wall 1807. In some embodiments, upon actuation of the partial flush actuation assembly, the dynamic wall catch arm 1806 moves up with the dynamic wall 1807 and forces the partial flush latch 1803 to rotate away from the dynamic wall catch arm 1806. In some embodiments, the partial flush latch 1803 is configured to rotated and engage the dynamic wall catch arm 1806 once the partial flush latch 1803 passes above the latch seat 1808. In some embodiments, this engagement is what holds the dynamic wall 1807 above the base 1775.

In some embodiments, a second end 1730 of the partial flush linkage assembly 1802 is attached to the partial flush weight 1731. In some embodiments, the partial flush weight 1731 comprises a weight density sufficient to enable the partial flush latch 1803 to remain engaged with the dynamic wall catch arm 1806 while the partial flush weight 1731 is below the cistern fluid line. In some embodiments, the partial flush weight 1731 comprises a weight volume configured to hold a volume of fluid sufficient to enable the partial flush latch 1803 to disengage the dynamic wall catch when the level of the cistern falls below the partial flush weight 1731. In some embodiments, upon disengagement, the dynamic wall 1807 is configured to fall under its own weight against the base 1715, thereby sealing the dynamic wall 1807 against the base 1715 substantially preventing further fluid flow. In some embodiments, once the dynamic wall 1807 returns to its closed position, the fluid within the static volume 1716 continues to drop until the gas within the cistern breaks the siphonic action as previously described.

The full flush assembly works the same as the partial flush assembly, and all components, structures, and functionality presented above for the partial flush assembly according to some embodiments also describe the full flush assembly and will not be repeated in the interest of being concise. In some embodiments, the location of the full flush weight 1732 is lower than the partial flush weight 1731, which results in a longer duration the dynamic wall 1807 is raised until the fluid level passes the full flush weight 1732 pulling it down.

FIG. 19 shows the dynamic wall flush assembly 1600 with a spacer 1901 and adjusted dynamic wall 1902 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the spacer 1901 and/or adjustable wall 1902 enables the entire assembly to be raised to accommodate various cistern levels.

FIG. 20 shows a pre-flush and post-flush configuration of the dynamic wall flush assembly according to some embodiments. As evident from the drawings, the internal portions of the dynamic siphon 2002 and static frame 2003 are substantially similar as previously described. In some embodiments, the dynamic siphon 2002 comprises a fluid entry 2004, an entry sidewall 2005, a flow conduit 2006, an air trap 2007, a fluid overflow 2008, and an exit conduit 2009.

FIG. 21 illustrates a configuration where the fluid trap 2101 is configured to be separable from the static frame. In some embodiments, this allows coupling to the spacer of FIG. 19 which seals against one or more o-rings 2102.

FIG. 22 depicts an air vent flush assembly 2201 and vent actuation assembly 2202 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the air vent flush assembly 2201 comprises an air vent 2203 configured to break the siphonic action when exposed to atmosphere by the air vent actuation assembly 2202.

FIG. 23 depicts a fully assembled vent actuation assembly 2301 and a partially assembled vent actuation assembly 2302 to aid in visualizing a partial flush actuation according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the vent actuation assembly 2302 is actuated by a partial flush actuator 2303 similarly to previous configurations. In some embodiments, upon actuation the partial flush lever arm 2304 is rotated downward pushing the dynamic siphon fluid overflow below the fluid level of the cistern. In some embodiments, before the fluid level drops a partial flush weight 2307 is balanced in a raised position by a partial flush weight spring 2308. The partial flush weight 2307 comprises a partial flush catch arm 2306 configured to engage a partial flush catch 2305 on the partial flush lever arm 2304 during a full flush operation, which is further described herein.

In some embodiments, the rotation of the partial flush lever arm 2304 when pushing the dynamic siphon 2204 down moves the partial flush catch 2305 out of the way of the partial flush catch arm 2306. In some embodiments, this enables the partial flush weight 2307 to pull on the partial flush vent lever 2309 as fluid level in the cistern drops. In some embodiments, once the fluid level drops below the partial flush weight 2307 the force of the partial flush weight spring 2308 is overcome by fluid weight in the partial flush weight volume. In some embodiments, this downward motion of the partial flush weight 2307 causes the partial flush vent lever 2309 to lift the siphon vent cap 2310 off of the siphon vent 2205 thereby introducing air into the dynamic siphon 2204 resulting in a break of the siphonic action. In some embodiments, as fluid level rises above the partial flush weight 2307 the weight of the fluid in the partial fluid weight volume is neutralized and the partial flush weight spring 2308 returns the partial flush weight 2307 to its original position. In some embodiments, the siphon vent cap 2310 comprises a cap spring 2311 configured to aid the siphon vent cap 2310 in resealing against the siphon vent 2205 as the partial flush vent lever 2309 also moves downward and back to its previous position. In some embodiments, the rising of the dynamic siphon 2204 due to the air trap 2501 as previously described, resets the partial flush lever arm 2304 back to where the partial flush catch 2305 is configured to interfere with the partial flush catch arm 2306.

FIG. 24 shows a fully assembled vent actuation assembly 2401 and a partially assembled vent actuation assembly 2402 to aid in visualizing a full flush actuation according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, upon actuation of the full flush actuator 2403, the full flush lever 2404 is rotated downward against the siphon housing 2206 pushing the dynamic siphon fluid overflow 2502 below the fluid level of the cistern. In some embodiments, before the fluid level drops, the full flush weight 2405 is balanced in a raised position by the full flush weight spring 2406. In some embodiments, there is nothing on the full flush lever 2404 to interfere with downward motion of the full flush weight 2405 as is the case with the partial flush lever arm 2304 and partial flush weight 2307.

However, as the fluid level first falls below the partial flush weight 2307, the partial flush catch 2305 on the partial flush lever arm 2304 engages the partial flush catch arm 2306 preventing movement which would result in the siphon vent cap 2407 opening as previously described. As the fluid level continues to fall below the level of the full flush weight 2405, the weight of fluid within the full flush weight volume overcomes the full flush weight spring 2406 and the full flush arm 2410 raises the siphon vent cap 2407 off of the siphon vent 2205. In some embodiments, the siphon vent cap spring 2408 aids the siphon vent cap 2407 in resealing against the siphon vent. In some embodiments, the rising of the dynamic siphon 2204 due to the air trap 2501 as previously described resets the full flush lever 2404. FIG. 25 is a simplified drawing illustrating a the concept of a partial flush according to some embodiments. FIG. 26 depicts a side view of pre-actuation 2601 and post-actuation 2602 dynamic siphon 2603 position according to some embodiments. FIG. 27 depicts a front view of pre-actuation 2701 and post-actuation 2702 dynamic siphon 2703 position according to some embodiments.

FIG. 28 shows a sectional side view 2801 and top sectional view 2802 according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, the siphon vent siphon side 2803 is fluidly coupled with the flow conduit 2804 of the dynamic siphon 2805. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the siphon vent is positioned outside the dynamic siphon 2805. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the siphon vent 2806 is positioned inside the dynamic siphon 2805. In some embodiments, the siphon vent 2806 is configured to fluidly couple the flow conduit 2804 to atmosphere when the fluid level in the cistern is at one or more of a maximum level, a minimum level, and any level therebetween. In some embodiments, the siphon vent 2806 is configured to not be fluidly coupled to the air trap 2807 when the cistern is full.

It is understood that the system is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the previous description or illustrated in the drawings. The system and methods disclosed herein fall within the scope of numerous embodiments. The previous discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use embodiments of the system. Any portion of the structures and/or principles included in some embodiments can be applied to any and/or all embodiments: it is understood that features from some embodiments presented herein are combinable with other features according to some other embodiments. Thus, some embodiments of the system are not intended to be limited to what is illustrated but are to be accorded the widest scope consistent with all principles and features disclosed herein.

Some embodiments of the system are presented with specific values and/or setpoints. These values and setpoints are not intended to be limiting and are merely examples of a higher configuration versus a lower configuration and are intended as an aid for those of ordinary skill to make and use the system.

Any text in the drawings is part of the system's disclosure and is understood to be readily incorporable into any description of the metes and bounds of the system. Any functional language in the drawings is a reference to the system being configured to perform the recited function, and structures shown or described in the drawings are to be considered as the system comprising the structures recited therein. It is understood that defining the metes and bounds of the system using a description of images in the drawing does not need a corresponding text description in the written specification to fall with the scope of the disclosure.

Furthermore, acting as Applicant's own lexicographer, Applicant imparts the explicit meaning and/or disavow of claim scope to the following terms:

Applicant defines any use of “and/or” such as, for example, “A and/or B,” or “at least one of A and/or B” to mean element A alone, element B alone, or elements A and B together. In addition, a recitation of “at least one of A, B, and C,” a recitation of “at least one of A, B, or C,” or a recitation of “at least one of A, B, or C or any combination thereof” are each defined to mean element A alone, element B alone, element C alone, or any combination of elements A, B and C, such as AB, AC, BC, or ABC, for example.

“Substantially” and “approximately” when used in conjunction with a value encompass a difference of 5% or less of the same unit and/or scale of that being measured.

As used herein, “can” or “may” or derivations there of (e.g., the system can be connected to) are used for descriptive purposes only and is understood to be synonymous and/or interchangeable with “configured to” (e.g., the system is configured to be connected to) when defining the metes and bounds of the system. The phrase “configured to” also denotes the step of configuring a structure to execute a function in some embodiments.

In addition, the term “configured to” means that the limitations recited in the specification and/or the claims must be arranged in such a way to perform the recited function: “configured to” excludes structures in the art that are “capable of” being modified to perform the recited function but the disclosures associated with the art have no explicit teachings to do so. For example, a recitation of a “container configured to receive a fluid from structure X at an upper portion and deliver fluid from a lower portion to structure Y” is limited to systems where structure X, structure Y, and the container are all disclosed as arranged to perform the recited function. The recitation “configured to” excludes elements that may be “capable of” performing the recited function simply by virtue of their construction but associated disclosures (or lack thereof) provide no teachings to make such a modification to meet the functional limitations between all structures recited. The recitation “configured to” can also be interpreted as synonymous with operatively connected when used in conjunction with physical structures.

It is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

The previous detailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, in which some like elements in different figures have like reference numerals. The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict some embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of embodiments of the system.

Although method operations are presented in a specific order according to some embodiments, the execution of those steps do not necessarily occur in the order listed unless explicitly specified. Also, other housekeeping operations can be performed in between operations, operations can be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times, and/or operations can be distributed in a system which allows the occurrence of the processing operations at various intervals associated with the processing, as long as the processing of the overlay operations are performed in the desired way and result in the desired system output.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the invention has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A dynamic siphon assembly for draining fluid from a cistern comprising: a dynamic siphon, anda flush actuation assembly;wherein the dynamic siphon comprises an air trap configured to cause the dynamic siphon to float within a cistern at least partially filled with a fluid;wherein the flush actuation assembly is configured to push the dynamic siphon down within the cistern;wherein the flush actuation assembly pushing the dynamic siphon down is configured to initiate a siphonic action within the dynamic siphon;wherein the siphonic action is configured to draw the fluid through flow conduit to an exit conduit thereby reducing a fluid level within the cistern; andwherein the dynamic siphon is configured to continue to draw the fluid until the flow conduit is exposed to a gas.

2. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 1, further comprising a fluid trap;wherein the fluid trap is configured to hold a volume of the fluid;wherein the air trap is configured to be formed by trapping the gas between a fluid in the fluid trap and fluid outside the fluid trap.

3. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 2, wherein pushing the dynamic siphon down is configured to remove the gas from the air trap.

4. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 2, wherein the air trap is configured to trap the gas during a fluid filling of the cistern.

5. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 1, wherein the dynamic siphon comprises a fluid overflow fluidly connected to the flow conduit;wherein the flush actuation assembly is configured to initiate the siphonic action by moving the fluid overflow below a fluid line within the cistern.

6. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 1, wherein the dynamic siphon is configured to be held in a lowered position by the siphonic action until the flow conduit is exposed to a gas.

7. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 1, further comprising a static frame;wherein the static frame is configured to guide a motion of the dynamic siphon; andwherein the static frame is configured to be coupled to a cistern outlet.

8. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 7, further comprising a fluid trap;wherein the fluid trap is configured to hold a volume of the fluid;wherein the air trap is configured to be formed by trapping the gas between a fluid in the fluid trap and a fluid outside the fluid trap.

9. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 8, wherein the static frame comprises the fluid trap.

10. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 1, wherein the dynamic siphon further comprises a siphon cone.

11. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 10, wherein the siphon cone is configured to improve a flow characteristic of the fluid as it passes through the exit conduit.

12. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 11, wherein the siphon cone is between 40 mm and 150 mm in length.

13. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 11, wherein the flush actuation assembly comprises a full flush lever and a partial flush lever.

14. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 13, wherein actuation of the full flush lever is configured to cause the siphonic action to last longer than an actuation of the partial flush lever.

15. The dynamic siphon assembly of claim 1, wherein the dynamic siphon is configured to automatically begin the siphonic action in response to an overfill condition within the cistern resulting in the fluid level in the cistern rising above a fluid overflow in the dynamic siphon.