Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to the technical field of pneumatic drain valve control, and particularly to a pneumatic valve control device.

A drain valve of a water tank of a toilet may be a mechanical drain valve or a pneumatic drain valve. In the pneumatic drain valve, a pneumatic force transmission mode is used with a pneumatic button to realize opening and closing actions of the drain valve. A pneumatic control mechanism is used to supply air to the pneumatic drain valve. An air inlet of the pneumatic drain valve is communicated with an air bag. After an action of the pneumatic control mechanism, the air is transmitted to the air bag through a hose, and a volume of the air bag is increased to drive an overflow pipe to rise. Thus, the pneumatic drain valve is opened to discharge water.

As to a structure and a working principle of the pneumatic drain valve, reference may be made to the Chinese application patent document with the publication number <CIT>. As to a structure and a working principle of an air pressure driving device, reference may be made to the Chinese patent document with the publication number <CIT>.

<CIT> discloses a manual and induction dual-purpose pneumatic drain valve combination key device which comprises a key, a key seat, an inflation pump, an induction circuit controller and an elastic reset piece, the inflation pump is installed outside the key seat and communicated with an air bag of a pneumatic drain valve, the induction circuit controller is connected with a communication line and arranged on the key, and the induction circuit controller is connected with the communication line. The button is installed on the button seat in an up-down sliding mode, the elastic reset piece is arranged between the button and the button seat, the button is connected with a button supporting rod and extends out of the button seat to be connected with the inflating pump, the button is manually pressed to slide on the button seat, and the inflating pump is driven by the button supporting rod to inflate an air bag of the pneumatic drain valve. The communication line extends out of the button seat to be connected with the gas generator, and the induction circuit controller starts the gas generator to inflate the air bag of the pneumatic drain valve through the communication line. When the induction circuit controller or the gas generator cannot work, the inflation pump can still be driven by manually pressing the button to inflate the air bag of the pneumatic drain valve to achieve drainage.

<CIT> discloses a pneumatic button for automatically filling gas. The pneumatic button comprises a push device, wherein the push device consists of a button seat, a key and a spring jacked and pressed between the button seat and the key; an inflation device is connected with the lower part of the button seat; the inflation device comprises a cylinder of which the bottom is provided with an exhaustion hole and a piston piece hermetically matched with the inner wall of the cylinder; a gas-filling channel communicated with the cylinder is arranged on the piston piece; the key is in differential fit with the piston piece at intervals; a sealing piece is arranged in a differential gap between the key and the gas-filling channel and is used for sealing the gas-filling channel before the key is pushed to drive the piston piece and opening the gas-filling channel before the key is loosened and the piston piece starts resetting; the gas-filling channel is closed at first when the key is pushed, and the piston piece is driven to push the cylinder to exhaust, otherwise, the gas-filling channel is opened at first when the key is lifted, the piston piece is driven to rise, and the air is filled into the cylinder through the gas-filling channel.

A pneumatic valve control device needs to be pushed to move a larger stroke by an operator with a larger force to drive the pneumatic drain valve to open. Thus, it is inconvenient to operate to operate the pneumatic valve control device.

In view of the above technical problems, it is necessary to provide a pneumatic valve control device that is convenient to operate.

The present disclosure aims to overcome the defects in the art and provide a pneumatic valve control device, which is convenient to operate.

The present disclosure provides a pneumatic valve control device, which comprises an air cylinder provided with a first piston and an air outlet and comprises a hydraulic cylinder provided with a second piston and an air vent.

A partition is arranged between the hydraulic cylinder and the air cylinder, and a partition channel is arranged on the partition.

A liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and the air vent of the hydraulic cylinder are located on two opposite sides of the second piston, and the second piston is connected to a piston rod capable of passing through the partition channel.

The piston rod is connected to a tappet valve for opening and closing the partition channel, and the tappet valve is capable of withdrawing from the partition channel with an upward movement of the piston rod and jacking up (e.g., lifting up) the first piston.

The air cylinder further comprises a locking and releasing mechanism capable of locking and releasing the first piston that is jacked up or pushed up.

When the locking and releasing mechanism is unlocked and the first piston is in a descending state, the partition channel is in a closed state, and the air outlet is in an outward exhaust state.

In an embodiment, a sealing gasket is arranged in the partition channel.

When the tappet valve closes the partition channel, the tappet valve is contacted with the sealing gasket.

In an embodiment, a channel step surface is arranged in the partition channel, and the tappet valve is provided with a tappet valve step surface.

The sealing gasket is located on the channel step surface.

When the tappet valve closes the partition channel, the tappet valve step surface is pressed on the sealing gasket.

In an embodiment, a first elastic driving member for driving the first piston to reset is arranged in an air cylinder barrel of the air cylinder.

In an embodiment, a first sealing ring for sealing the air cylinder barrel is mounted on the first piston.

In an embodiment, a second elastic driving member for driving the second piston to reset is arranged in a hydraulic cylinder barrel of the hydraulic cylinder.

In an embodiment, a second sealing ring for sealing the hydraulic cylinder barrel is mounted on the second piston.

In an embodiment, the locking and releasing mechanism comprises a telescopic pin mounted on the air cylinder barrel of the air cylinder and comprises a driving portion for driving the telescopic pin to extend and retract, and the driving portion is connected to the telescopic pin.

In an embodiment, when the locking and releasing mechanism is in an initial state, the telescopic pin is in an extended state.

In an embodiment, the driving portion comprises a trigger pivotally mounted on the air cylinder barrel, one end of the trigger is connected to the telescopic pin, and a third elastic driving member is connected between the other end of the trigger and the air cylinder barrel.

In an embodiment, a limiting convex portion is arranged on one side of the first piston oriented to the telescopic pin.

A convex portion inclined plane for guiding the telescopic pin to retract is arranged on the limiting convex portion, and the convex portion inclined plane gradually and obliquely extends upwardly and inwardly in a direction from the telescopic pin to the limiting convex portion.

In an embodiment, a bottom surface of the limiting convex portion is a plane.

In an embodiment, the limiting convex portion is a limiting ring arranged on the first piston.

In an embodiment, an area of the liquid inlet is larger than that of the liquid outlet.

The present disclosure may have the following beneficial effects.

According to the pneumatic valve control device according to the present disclosure, when the hydraulic cylinder is filled with a liquid, the tappet valve withdraws from a top of the partition channel to jack up the first piston, and air enters the cavity of the air cylinder through the air vent and the partition channel. When the first piston rises to a preset position, the locking and releasing mechanism locks the first piston, the hydraulic cylinder discharges the liquid, the tappet valve resets to close the partition channel, and at the moment, the cavity of the air cylinder is in a sealed state. When the locking and releasing mechanism releases the first piston, the first piston descends, and air is discharged through the air outlet, which may be discharged into the pneumatic drain valve connected to the air outlet to make the pneumatic drain valve open and discharge water.

By using the pneumatic valve control device according to the present disclosure, when water enters the water tank, the hydraulic cylinder is automatically filled with the liquid and jacks up or pushes up the first piston to the preset position, and the first piston is locked by the locking and releasing mechanism. When the water stops entering the water tank, the hydraulic cylinder discharges the liquid, and the tappet valve automatically resets to close the partition channel, so that the cavity of the air cylinder can be in the sealed state. When a user needs to discharge the water, the user only needs to simply operate the locking and releasing mechanism, which automatically releases the first piston, and the air is pressed into the pneumatic drain valve to allow the pneumatic drain valve to open and discharge the water.

Therefore, the pneumatic valve control device according to the present disclosure is more labor-saving and convenient to operate and may improve a performance of products.

With reference to the drawings, the contents disclosed by the present disclosure should be more easily understood. It should be understood that these drawings are merely used for illustration and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings:.

The specific embodiments of the present disclosure are further described with reference to the drawings hereinafter. Same or equivalent parts are denoted by same reference numerals. It should be noted that the terms "front", "back", "left", "right", "up" and "down" used in the following description refer to the directions in the drawings, and the terms "inner" and "outer" refer to the directions towards or far away from geometric centers of specific parts respectively.

<FIG> is a front view of a pneumatic valve control device according to an example of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a top view of the pneumatic valve control device according to the example of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control device according to an example of the present disclosure along a telescopic pin. <FIG> is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control device according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein a second piston is in an initial state, a tappet valve seals a partition channel, and a first piston is located at a lowest position. <FIG> is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control device according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the second piston is in a rising state, the tappet valve jacks up or pushes up the first piston, and the first piston is locked by a locking and releasing mechanism. <FIG> is a sectional view of the pneumatic valve control device according to an example of the present disclosure, wherein the second piston resets to the initial state, the tappet valve seals the partition channel, and the first piston is locked by the locking and releasing mechanism. <FIG> is a sectional view of an air cylinder barrel, a partition, and a hydraulic cylinder barrel.

As shown in <FIG>, a pneumatic valve control device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises an air cylinder <NUM> with a first piston <NUM> and an air outlet <NUM> and a hydraulic cylinder <NUM> with a second piston <NUM> and an air vent <NUM>.

A partition <NUM> is arranged between the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> and the air cylinder <NUM>, and a partition channel <NUM> is arranged on the partition <NUM>.

A liquid inlet <NUM> and a liquid outlet <NUM> of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> are located on a first side of the second piston <NUM> and the air vent <NUM> of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> is located on a second side (e.g., opposite to the first side) of the second piston <NUM>, and the second piston <NUM> is connected to a piston rod <NUM> configured to pass through the partition channel <NUM>.

The piston rod <NUM> is connected to a tappet valve <NUM> for opening and closing the partition channel <NUM>, and the tappet valve <NUM> is configured to withdraw from the partition channel <NUM> with an upward movement of the piston rod <NUM> and jack (e.g., push) up the first piston <NUM>.

The air cylinder <NUM> further comprises a locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> configured to lock and release the first piston <NUM>, which has been jacked up or pushed up.

When the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> is unlocked and the first piston <NUM> is in a descending, falling back state, the partition channel <NUM> is in a closed state, and the air outlet <NUM> is in an outward exhaust state.

The pneumatic valve control device according to the embodiment may be used for controlling a pneumatic drain valve in a toilet.

The pneumatic valve control device comprises the air cylinder <NUM>, the hydraulic cylinder <NUM>, the partition <NUM>, and the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM>.

The partition <NUM> is sealed between an air cylinder barrel <NUM> and a hydraulic cylinder barrel <NUM>, and a partition channel <NUM> is arranged on the partition <NUM> and configured to connect an air cavity of the air cylinder <NUM> to an air cavity of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM>. According to needs, the air cylinder barrel <NUM> and the hydraulic cylinder barrel <NUM> may have an integrated structure, and the partition <NUM> is sealed in the cavities of the air cylinder barrel <NUM> and the hydraulic cylinder barrel <NUM>.

The first piston <NUM> is arranged in the air cylinder <NUM>, the air outlet <NUM> is arranged in a barrel wall of the air cylinder barrel <NUM>, and the air outlet <NUM> may be connected to an air inlet of the pneumatic drain valve through a pipeline <NUM>.

The second piston <NUM> is arranged in the hydraulic cylinder barrel <NUM>, the second piston <NUM> is connected to the piston rod <NUM>, the piston rod <NUM> may pass through the partition channel <NUM>, and the piston rod <NUM> is in clearance fit with the partition channel <NUM>. The piston rod <NUM> is connected to the tappet valve <NUM>. A bottom portion of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> is provided with the liquid inlet <NUM> and the liquid outlet <NUM>, and a middle and upper portion of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> is provided with the air vent <NUM>. The liquid inlet <NUM> may be connected to a water inlet pipe of a water tank of the toilet through a pipeline <NUM>. The liquid outlet <NUM> is configured to discharge water and may optionally discharge the water into the water tank of the toilet.

Because the tappet valve <NUM> has a valve function and a tappet function (e.g., as noted above, the tappet valve <NUM> is configured to withdraw from the partition channel <NUM> with an upward movement of the piston rod <NUM> and jack or push up the first piston <NUM>) at the same time, the tappet valve <NUM> is called a tappet valve. The functions are specifically described as follows.

Firstly, when the second piston <NUM> is in an initial state, the tappet valve <NUM> is at least partially located in the partition channel <NUM> to close the partition channel <NUM>. At the moment, the air vent <NUM> is disconnected from the air cavity <NUM> of the air cylinder <NUM>, and no ventilation is allowed.

Secondly, when water enters the liquid inlet <NUM> to achieve liquid filling, the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> acts in response to the liquid filling, the second piston <NUM> is jacked up or pushed up by the water below the second piston <NUM>, the tappet valve <NUM> rises with the piston rod <NUM> and leaves from the partition channel <NUM>, and the first piston <NUM> is jacked up or pushed up. At the moment, the air vent <NUM> is in air communication with the air cavity <NUM> of the air cylinder <NUM> through the partition channel <NUM> to supplement air to the air cavity <NUM>.

The locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> is located at a middle and upper portion of a first cylinder barrel <NUM> and configured to lock the first piston <NUM> in a rising state. A lock pin, a lock claw, a lock catch, or the like may be selected as the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM>. The locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> may be controlled electrically or manually.

When the first piston <NUM> is jacked up or pushed up to a preset position by the tappet valve <NUM>, the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> acts to lock the first piston <NUM>, so that the first piston cannot descend.

When the water stops entering the liquid inlet <NUM>, and the water is discharged through the liquid outlet <NUM>, the second piston <NUM> gradually descends back to an initial position. Accordingly, the tappet valve <NUM> resets to close the partition channel <NUM>. At the moment, the first piston <NUM> is kept at a higher position, and the air cavity <NUM> has a largest volume and is in a closed state.

When a user needs to open the pneumatic drain valve, the user operates the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM>, so that the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> releases the first piston <NUM>, and the first piston <NUM> descends and compresses the air in the air cavity <NUM> out through the air outlet <NUM>. The compressed air enters the pneumatic drain valve through the pipeline <NUM>, the pneumatic drain valve is opened, and the water tank discharges water.

Therefore, the pneumatic valve control device according to the present disclosure is more labor-saving and convenient to operate and improves a performance of products.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a sealing gasket <NUM> is arranged in the partition channel <NUM>. When the tappet valve <NUM> closes the partition channel <NUM>, the tappet valve <NUM> is contacted with the sealing gasket <NUM>.

The sealing gasket <NUM> is a rubber gasket. When the tappet valve <NUM> is in an initial state, the tappet valve is contacted and sealed with the sealing gasket <NUM>. Thus, a sealing effect may be improved and the air in the air cavity <NUM> may be prevented from leaking.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a channel step surface is arranged in the partition channel <NUM>, and the tappet valve <NUM> is provided with a tappet valve step surface <NUM>. The sealing gasket <NUM> is located on the channel step surface.

When the tappet valve <NUM> closes the partition channel <NUM>, the tappet valve step surface <NUM> presses the sealing gasket <NUM>.

This arrangement not only is convenient for mounting the sealing gasket <NUM>, but also is convenient for matching the tappet valve <NUM> with the sealing gasket <NUM> to achieve sealing.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a first elastic driving member <NUM> configured to drive the first piston <NUM> to reset is arranged in the air cylinder barrel <NUM> of the air cylinder <NUM>. A spring, an elastic sheet, or the like may be selected as the first elastic driving member <NUM>. After the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> releases the first piston <NUM>, the first elastic driving member <NUM> facilitates or accelerate a quick descent or a downward movement of the first piston <NUM>, so as to increase a pressure of the air in the air cavity <NUM> and allow the air to quickly flow into the pneumatic drain valve. Thus, the pneumatic drain valve may be quickly opened.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a first sealing ring <NUM> configured to seal the air cylinder barrel <NUM> of the air cylinder <NUM> is mounted on the first piston <NUM>. The first sealing ring <NUM> is a rubber sealing ring and plays a role in sealing the first piston <NUM> with the air cylinder barrel <NUM>. Thus, the air in the air cavity <NUM> may be prevented from leaking.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a second elastic driving member <NUM> configured to drive the second piston <NUM> to reset (e.g., a downward movement) is arranged in the hydraulic cylinder barrel <NUM> of the hydraulic cylinder <NUM>. A spring, an elastic sheet, or the like may be selected as the second elastic driving member <NUM>. After the water stops entering the liquid inlet <NUM>, the second elastic driving member <NUM> facilitates or accelerates the downward reset of the second piston <NUM>, so that the tappet valve <NUM> can quickly return to seal or close the partition channel <NUM>. Thus, the air in the air cavity <NUM> discharged through the partition channel <NUM> may be reduced.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a second sealing ring <NUM> configured to seal the hydraulic cylinder barrel <NUM> is mounted on the second piston <NUM>. The second sealing ring <NUM> is a rubber sealing ring and plays a role in sealing the second piston <NUM> with the hydraulic cylinder barrel <NUM>. Thus, the water may be prevented from entering the air cavity above the second piston <NUM>.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> comprises a telescopic pin <NUM> mounted on the air cylinder barrel <NUM> of the air cylinder <NUM>. The locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> also comprises a driving portion <NUM> configured to drive the telescopic pin <NUM> to extend and retract, and the driving portion <NUM> is connected to the telescopic pin <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> includes the telescopic pin <NUM> and the driving portion <NUM>. The telescopic pin <NUM> extends along a radial direction of the air cylinder barrel <NUM> and may pass through the air cylinder barrel <NUM> to extend into an inner side of the air cylinder barrel <NUM>, so as to lock the first piston <NUM>. The driving portion <NUM> may be an electrically controlled driving portion or a mechanical driving portion. The driving portion <NUM> is configured to drive the telescopic pin <NUM> to extend and retract in the air cylinder barrel <NUM>. When the first piston <NUM> needs to be released, the telescopic pin <NUM> may be driven to retract away from the first piston <NUM> by operating the driving portion <NUM>, and then the first piston <NUM> may descend.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, when the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> is in an initial state, the telescopic pin <NUM> is in an extended state.

In the embodiment, in a usual state, the telescopic pin <NUM> is in the extended state. When the first piston <NUM> is jacked up or pushed up, the telescopic pin <NUM> may retract automatically. After the first piston passes over the telescopic pin <NUM>, the telescopic pin <NUM> extends again, and the descended first piston <NUM> may be locked by the extended telescopic pin <NUM>. This is a convenient operation.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the driving portion <NUM> comprises a trigger <NUM> pivotally mounted on the air cylinder barrel <NUM>, one end of the trigger <NUM> is connected to the telescopic pin <NUM>, and a third elastic driving member <NUM> is connected between the other end of the trigger <NUM> and the air cylinder barrel <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the driving portion <NUM> includes the trigger <NUM> with a mechanical structure and the third elastic driving member <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> is mounted on an outer side of the air cylinder barrel <NUM> through a pivot shaft <NUM>, and the pivot shaft <NUM> is parallel to an axis of the air cylinder barrel <NUM>. The trigger <NUM> may rotate around the pivot shaft <NUM>. A mounting portion is arranged on the air cylinder barrel <NUM>, the third elastic driving member <NUM> is connected between the mounting portion and one end of the trigger <NUM>, and the other end of the trigger <NUM> is connected to the telescopic pin <NUM>. An expansion spring, an elastic sheet, or the like may be selected as the third elastic driving member <NUM>. In a usual state, the third elastic driving member <NUM> acts on the trigger <NUM>, so that the trigger <NUM> drives the telescopic pin <NUM> to be in the extended state. This means that an end portion of the telescopic pin <NUM> extends into the air cylinder barrel <NUM>.

When the user needs to open the pneumatic drain valve, the user may press the trigger <NUM> to compress the third elastic driving member <NUM>, so that the trigger <NUM> drives the telescopic pin <NUM> to move outwardly to retract and withdraw from the first piston <NUM>. Thus, the first piston <NUM> may be released.

According to needs, a through hole may be formed in the water tank of the toilet, and the trigger <NUM> extends out of an outer side of the water tank of the toilet through the through hole or is flush or leveled with a surface of the water tank of the toilet, as long as the user can press the trigger <NUM>.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, a limiting convex portion <NUM> is arranged on one side of the first piston <NUM> oriented to the telescopic pin <NUM>.

A convex portion inclined plane <NUM> configured to guide the telescopic pin <NUM> to retract is arranged on the limiting convex portion <NUM>, and the convex portion inclined plane <NUM> gradually and obliquely extends upwardly and inwardly in a direction from the telescopic pin <NUM> to the limiting convex portion <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the limiting convex portion <NUM> is arranged on the first piston <NUM>. The limiting convex portion <NUM> is convex along a radial direction of the first piston <NUM>.

When the first piston <NUM> is jacked up or pushed up to a position below the telescopic pin <NUM>, the end portion of the telescopic pin <NUM> is contacted with the convex portion inclined plane <NUM>, and the first piston <NUM> continues to move up, so that the convex portion inclined plane <NUM> will act on the telescopic pin <NUM> to retract the telescopic pin <NUM> automatically. After the limiting convex portion <NUM> passes over the telescopic pin <NUM>, the telescopic pin <NUM> extends out. When the first piston <NUM> descends, the telescopic pin <NUM> blocks a bottom surface of the limiting convex portion <NUM> to prevent the first piston <NUM> from descending.

In an embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, a bottom surface of the limiting convex portion <NUM> is a plane <NUM>, which is advantageous to match the telescopic pin <NUM> with the plane <NUM> to realize a locking function.

In an embodiment, the limiting convex portion <NUM> is a limiting ring arranged on the first piston <NUM>, and the user may arrange the telescopic pin <NUM> at any position along a circumferential direction of the air cylinder barrel <NUM> as needed.

In an embodiment, an area of the liquid inlet <NUM> is larger than that of the liquid outlet <NUM>. This arrangement may keep the liquid inlet <NUM> and the liquid outlet <NUM> open normally, without a need to control the liquid outlet <NUM> separately. This is advantageous to simplify a structure of products. The area of the liquid inlet <NUM> and the area of the liquid outlet <NUM> may be set as needed. The above technical solutions may be combined as required to achieve the best technical effect.

An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a toilet, which comprises the pneumatic valve control device according to any one of the embodiments above.

In an embodiment, the toilet includes a base (e.g., a pedestal, bowl, etc.) and a tank. The base is configured to be attached to another object such as a drainpipe, floor, or another suitable object. The base includes a bowl, a sump (e.g., a receptacle) disposed below the bowl, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line. The tank may be supported by the base, such as an upper surface of a rim. The tank may be integrally formed with the base as a single unitary body. In other embodiments, the tank may be formed separately from the base and coupled (e.g., attached, secured, fastened, connected, etc.) to the base. The toilet may further include a tank lid covering an opening and inner cavity in the tank. The toilet may include a seat assembly including a seat and a seat cover rotatably coupled to the base. The toilet may further include a hinge assembly.

In another embodiment, the toilet may be a tankless toilet. The toilet includes a base and a seat assembly coupled to the base. The base includes a bowl, a sump disposed below the bowl, and a trapway fluidly connecting the bowl to a drainpipe or sewage line. The toilet includes a waterline that supplies the toilet with water. The toilet may further include a seat assembly including a seat and a seat cover rotatably coupled to the base. The toilets described above are provided herein as non-limiting examples of toilets that may be configured to utilize aspects of the present disclosure.

In some examples, the bidet may be included in a seat or pedestal of a toilet. In other examples, the bidet may be manufactured separately from and attached or coupled to a seat or pedestal of a toilet. The bidet includes a housing. The housing is configured to receive a flow of water through a housing inlet and dispense the flow of water from a housing outlet. The housing inlet and housing outlet may be located on opposite ends of the housing from one another, such that water may flow through the housing from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. In some examples, the housing further includes a chamber. As the housing receives the flow of water, the chamber may fill with water and provide a flow of water between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. The chamber may be configured to contain the flow of water and direct the flow of water from the housing inlet to the housing outlet. After the chamber has filled with water, the flow of water may travel along a substantially linear path between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. In some examples, one or more walls within the housing may be included to help direct a flow of water between the housing inlet and the housing outlet. The bidet may further include a housing inlet conduit configured to direct a flow of water to the housing inlet. The housing inlet conduit may be coupled to a water supply such as tank or waterline. The housing may further include a gear assembly or a portion of the gear assembly.

<FIG> is a flow chart of a method for controlling a pneumatic valve to release water in a water tank of a toilet by using a pneumatic valve control device according to an example of the present disclosure. The pneumatic valve control device used by the method may be the pneumatic valve control device according to any of the foregoing embodiments and may be configured to perform an operation, function, or the like as described in the present disclosure. The pneumatic valve controlled by the method may be the pneumatic valve according to any of the foregoing embodiments and may be configured to perform an operation, function, or the like as described in the present disclosure.

At act S101, the water supplied into the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> may push up the second piston <NUM> to generate an upward movement of the piston rod <NUM> connected to the second piston <NUM>. As noted above, when the water enters the liquid inlet <NUM> to achieve liquid filling, the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> acts in response to the liquid filling, the second piston <NUM> is pushed up by the water below the second piston <NUM>, and the tappet valve <NUM> rises with the piston rod <NUM> and leaves from the partition channel <NUM>.

At act S102, the upward movement of the piston rod <NUM> may open an air communication between the air cylinder <NUM> and the air vent <NUM> to supply air into the air cylinder <NUM> and may push up the first piston <NUM> disposed in the air cylinder <NUM>. As noted above, the air vent <NUM> is in air communication with the air cavity <NUM> of the air cylinder <NUM> through the partition channel <NUM> to supplement air to the air cavity <NUM> when the tappet valve <NUM> rises with the piston rod <NUM> and leaves from the partition channel <NUM>.

At act S103, the liquid inlet <NUM> may stop supplying the water into the hydraulic cylinder <NUM> to allow the second piston <NUM> to return to an initial position. As noted above, when the water stops entering the liquid inlet <NUM>, and the water is discharged through the liquid outlet <NUM>, the second piston <NUM> gradually descends back to an initial position. Accordingly, the tappet valve <NUM> resets to close the partition channel <NUM>. At this time, the first piston <NUM> is kept at a higher position, and the air cavity <NUM> has a largest volume and is in a closed state.

At act S104, the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> may release the first piston <NUM> to generate a downward movement of the first piston <NUM> so as to compress the air out of the air cylinder <NUM>. As noted above, to open the pneumatic drain valve, the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> may be operated, so that the locking and releasing mechanism <NUM> releases the first piston <NUM>, and the first piston <NUM> descends and compresses the air in the air cavity <NUM> out through the air outlet <NUM>.

At act S105, the compressed air may open the pneumatic valve so as to discharge the water from the water tank. As noted above, the compressed air enters the pneumatic drain valve through the pipeline <NUM>, the pneumatic drain valve is opened, and the water tank discharges water.

Claim 1:
A pneumatic valve control device, comprising:
an air cylinder (<NUM>) including a first piston (<NUM>), an air outlet (<NUM>), and a locking and releasing mechanism (<NUM>) configured to lock and release the first piston when the first piston is pushed up;
a hydraulic cylinder (<NUM>) including a second piston (<NUM>), an air vent (<NUM>) disposed on a first side of the second piston, and a liquid inlet (<NUM>) and a liquid outlet (<NUM>) disposed on a second side of the second piston;
a partition (<NUM>) disposed between the hydraulic cylinder and the air cylinder;
a partition channel (<NUM>) disposed on the partition;
a piston rod (<NUM>) connected to the second piston and configured to pass through the partition channel; and
a tappet valve (<NUM>) connected to the piston rod, the tappet valve configured to open and close the partition channel and configured to leave the partition channel in response to an upward movement of the piston rod so as to push up the first piston,
wherein when the locking and releasing mechanism is released, the first piston falls down, the partition channel is in a closed state, and the air outlet is in an outward air exhaust state.