AU2019204452A1

AU2019204452A1 - Actuating unit arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2019204452A1
Application number: AU2019204452A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Guido Pfister; Peter Schwendener
Original assignee: Geberit International AG
Current assignee: Geberit International AG
Priority date: 2018-06-26
Filing date: 2019-06-25
Publication date: 2020-01-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-25
Also published as: AU2019204452C1; AU2019204452B2; EP3587680A1; EP3587680B1

Abstract

Actuating unit arrangement (1) for triggering a flush of a toilet or a urinal, including a support element (2) for the connection of the support element (2) to a cistern, a bearing element (4) which communicates with the support element (2) via a lever element (3), which lever element (3) includes at least one lever arm (5) with a first bearing area (6) and a second bearing area (7), wherein the first bearing area (6) is connected pivotably to the support element (2) and the second bearing area (7) is connected pivotably to the bearing element (4), and an actuating unit (8) which is mounted on the bearing element (4), wherein the bearing element (4) is movable relative to the fixed support element (2) together with the actuating unit (8) along an actuating movement (A) from a position of use into a maintenance position and back, wherein at least two or precisely two of said lever elements (3) are arranged, which lever elements (3) are arranged spaced apart from one another in such a manner that the bearing element (4) is movable substantially parallel to the support element (2) in the case of said actuating movement (A) and that in the maintenance position the bearing element (4) with the actuating unit (8) exposes a maintenance region (W), which is formed only by a part region of the support element (2), and that another part region (V) of the support element (2) is covered by the bearing element (4) with the actuating unit (8).

Description

ACTUATING UNIT ARRANGEMENT TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an actuating unit arrangement for triggering a toilet or urinal flush according to the preamble of Claim 1.

PRIOR ART

[0002] EP 2 617 906 disclosed a bearing unit for an actuating unit. An actuating unit communicates with a frame element by way of a pivot lever. The actuating unit, in this case, is able to be pivoted relative to the frame element by means of the pivot lever so that access to the regions lying behind the plate can be created. Said access is required, for example, for maintenance work.

[0003] A disadvantage of the solution according to EP 2 617 906 is in particular that large regions behind the plate are exposed, which is very confusing precisely to the layperson who would like to carry out the maintenance work as he/she sees many elements which he should not maintain. A further disadvantage proceeds from the fact that the actuating unit is loosely pivotable in the maintenance position on account of its bearing arrangement on the lever. As a result, the actuating unit can knock uncontrollably against the wall. Furthermore, there is the disadvantage that heavier plates, for example produced from glass, cannot be mounted on the bearing unit of EP 2 617 906 for stability reasons.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Proceeding from said prior art, the object underlying the invention is to provide a bearing unit for an actuating unit which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, a bearing unit which is more user-friendly is to be provided.

[0005] Said object is achieved by a bearing unit according to the subject matter of Claim 1. Accordingly, an actuating unit arrangement for triggering a flush of a toilet or a urinal includes a support element for the connection of the support element to a cistern, a bearing element which communicates with the support element via a lever element, which lever element includes at least one lever arm with a first bearing area and a second bearing area, wherein the first bearing area is connected pivotably to the support element and the second bearing area is connected pivotably to the bearing element, and an actuating unit which is mounted on the bearing element. The bearing element is movable relative to the fixed support element together with the actuating unit along an actuating movement from a position of use into a maintenance position and back. At least two or precisely two of said lever elements are arranged overall, which lever elements are arranged spaced apart from one another in such a manner that the bearing element is movable substantially parallel to the support element in the case of said actuating movement and that in the maintenance position the bearing element together with the actuating unit exposes a maintenance region, which is formed only by a part region of the support element, and that another part region of the support element is covered by the bearing element together with the actuating unit.

[0006] The arrangement of two lever elements prevents the bearing element together with the actuating unit from being able to be pivoted completely away from the support element. The movement is in fact limited by the second lever element, as a result of which only the maintenance region is exposed but not the other part region.

[0007] Furthermore, the pairing of bearing element and actuating unit is always managed with two lever elements, as a result of which no loose or even shaky state is achieved. Uncontrolled knocking of the pairing of bearing element and actuating unit against a wall can be avoided.

[0008] As explained, only a part region of the support element is exposed in the maintenance position. The part region defines the maintenance region. The other part region of the support element, in this case, remains concealed by the bearing element and the actuating unit. The functional elements, which are to be maintained by the user or should be maintained by the user, are arranged in the exposed part region or in the maintenance region. Such functional elements are, for example, an insertion opening for a cleaning tablet which should be placed in the cistern and/or a battery chamber and/or a filter chamber for the odour filter of a filter extraction. The functional elements which are to be maintained by an expert but not by the user are arranged in the other part region, which is not exposed.

[0009] The lever elements are preferably arranged spaced apart from one another in such a manner that they lie side by side when viewed from the front. This means that the lever elements are located spaced apart at a distance from one another. The lever arms of the lever elements are preferably parallel to one another.

[0010] The expression "from the front" is to be understood in the present context as looking at right angles to the front surface of the actuating unit in the viewing direction.

[0011] The length of the lever arm preferably corresponds to no more than half or to no more than a third of the edge of the support element which extends parallel to the lever arm.

[0012] The support element, the bearing element and the actuating unit, when viewed from the front at right angles to the front surface of the actuating unit, are in the form of a rectangle. The length of the lever arm preferably corresponds to no more than the length of half the side of the rectangle, with respect to which the lever arm extends in parallel. As an alternative to this, the length of the lever arm corresponds to no more than a third of the length of the side of the rectangle, with respect to which the lever arm extends in parallel. The part region of the support element to be exposed can be defined by the choice of the length of the lever arms in said region.

[0013] The rectangle can comprise different or identical lengths or widths.

[0014] The lever arms of the two lever elements preferably have the same length. The realization of the lever arms with different lengths would also be conceivable.

[0015] Each lever element preferably comprises a shaft portion, from the end of which in each case one of said lever arms protrudes, wherein the shaft portion extends parallel to the width or to the length of the support element. The lever element accordingly comprises the shaft portion and two lever arms which are arranged at the end of the shaft portion. The shaft portions of the two lever elements extend parallel to one another.

[0016] The shaft portion preferably comprises a variable cross section, in such a manner that, when the actuating unit is removed and the bearing element is in the position of use, regions of the bearing element or of the support element that are as large as possible are accessible; and/or in such a manner that the shaft portion is fittable into structures of the bearing element or of the support element as well as possible. Realizing the shaft portion as a variable cross section produces the advantage of the lever element, in particular the shaft portion, being fittable in a space-optimized manner and of being able to be built around other functions with determined locations such as pusher rods or similar elements.

[0017] The lever arms preferably are connected to the bearing element and/or the support element via pivot bearings. In particular, the pivot bearings are arranged substantially in alignment with the shaft portion.

[0018] In the region of the lever elements, the support element and/or the bearing element preferably comprises cutouts in which the lever arms come to rest in the position of use.

[0019] The bearing element and the support element preferably have latching elements which permit latching between the bearing element and the support element in the position of use.

[0020] The support element and/or the bearing element preferably comprises at least one stop each per lever element, against which the lever element strikes in the maintenance position.

[0021] In the maintenance region at least one functional element to be maintained is preferably located, which is exposed by the bearing element, which is in the maintenance position, and the actuating unit, and is consequently accessible. In addition, in the other part region at least one further functional element is located, which is covered by the bearing element, which is in the maintenance position, and the actuating unit, and is consequently not accessible.

[0022] When seen from the front, in the position of use the functional elements and also the support element and the bearing element are all covered by the actuating unit and are consequently arranged behind the actuating unit.

[0023] The expression "located in the maintenance region" or "located in the further region" is to be understood as the functional elements in question being located in said region. The functional elements, in this case, can be located in front of and/or behind the support element and, where applicable, can penetrate the support element.

[0024] The functional element to be maintained can be, for example, an above-described functional element. The further functional element can be, for example, a pusher rod for transmitting movement and/or an electronic unit and/or an actuating lever.

[0025] The maintenance region, when viewed from the front, preferably has a width which extends over no more than half or a third of the length of the support element when seen in the direction of movement. In the case of a rectangular actuating unit arrangement, the direction of movement typically runs in the direction of the length of the rectangle.

[0026] The height of the maintenance region is realized typically larger than its width.

[0027] The maintenance region can be provided by a maintenance opening which penetrates the support element. The maintenance opening extends fully or in part over the maintenance region. In the maintenance position the bearing element and the actuating unit expose the maintenance opening fully. This means that the maintenance opening is freely accessible from the front and is not covered by the bearing element or the actuating unit. The above-named functional elements to be maintained are arranged in the region of the maintenance opening or, when seen from the front, behind the maintenance opening.

[0028] In the further region, the support element preferably comprises at least one further opening, which is covered by the bearing element in the maintenance position and by the actuating unit and is consequently not accessible. In a particularly preferred manner, two openings are present for guiding through pusher rods.

[0029] The support element and the bearing element, when viewed from the front, are preferably substantially congruent with one another with reference to an outer delimiting edge. This means that the support element and the bearing element have substantially the same outer form.

[0030] The actuating unit preferably covers the support element and the bearing element substantially fully when seen from the front. As a result, the actuating unit is substantially visible in the installation position, but not the support element or the bearing element.

[0031] The actuating unit preferably covers the bearing element and the support element at least in part with a side edge.

[0032] The actuating unit preferably is connected to the bearing element by means of at least one latching connection.

[0033] The support element preferably comprises latching elements which are mounted on the support element and by way of which the support element is connectable to a cistern.

[0034] At the rear the support element preferably comprises a reference surface which is flush with a wall in the installed state, wherein the rear wall of the actuating unit is flush with or at a distance from the reference surface in the position of use. In the latter case, the support element and/or the bearing element can be provided with side slots, by means of which filtered air from the odour extraction unit can be discharged into the area.

[0035] The actuating unit preferably comprises at least one actuating button which is mounted in the actuating unit, which actuating button acts on a pusher rod which penetrates the support element and the bearing element. The pusher rod is preferably located in said further part region. As an alternative to this, the actuating unit comprises at least one sensor region which provides a control signal for triggering the flush.

[0036] The bearing plate preferably has the form of a rectangular frame with a central recess which is delimited circumferentially by a frame portion.

[0037] The support element and the bearing element are preferably produced from plastic and the lever elements are produced from metal, in particular from a metal which is able to be injection moulded. A die-cast zinc is particularly preferred.

[0038] Further embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described below by way of the drawings, which simply serve for explanation and are not to be interpreted as limiting. The drawings are as follows:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a support element and of a bearing element of the actuating unit arrangement which is connected to said support element according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows the view according to Figure 1, the bearing element being in the maintenance position; FIG. 3 shows the view according to Figure 2 in a different perspective; FIG. 4 shows the actuating unit arrangement according to the preceding figures with an exemplary actuating unit from the front; FIG. 5 shows Figure 4 from above; and FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of Figure 5.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Figures 1 to 6 show various views of an actuating unit arrangement 1 for triggering a flush of a toilet or of a urinal.

[0041] The actuating unit arrangement 1 includes a support element 2, a bearing element 4 which is connected to the support element 2 via a lever element 3 and an actuating unit 8 which is mounted on the bearing element 4. A flush can be triggered by means of the actuating unit 8. Figures 1 to 3 show the actuating unit arrangement 1 without the actuating unit 8. Figures 4 to 6 show the actuating unit arrangement 1 with the actuating unit 8.

[0042] The actuating unit arrangement 1 is connected to a cistern (not shown in the

Figures) via the support element 2. The support element 2, in the embodiment shown, comprises latching elements 17 which are mounted on the support element 2 for this purpose. The support element 2 can be detachably connected to a cistern by way of the latching elements 17. The connection to the cistern, in this case, can be direct or in an indirect manner by means of further elements.

[0043] The bearing element 4 communicates, as mentioned, with the support element 2 via a lever element 3. In this case, at least two or, as shown in the Figures, precisely two lever elements 3 are arranged according to the invention. Each of the lever elements 3 has at least one lever arm 5 with a first bearing area 6 and a second bearing area 7. The first bearing area 6, in this case, is connected to the support element 2 so as to be pivotable via a pivot bearing 21. The second bearing area 7 is connected pivotably to the bearing element 4 via a pivot bearing 21. As a result, a type of "parallelogram" is provided between the support element 2, the lever elements 3 and the bearing element 4.

[0044] The actuating unit 8 is arranged at the front of the bearing element 4 and communicates detachably with the bearing element 4.

[0045] The bearing element 4 is movable together with the actuating unit 8 relative to the fixed support element 2 along an actuating movement A from a position of use, as shown in Figure 1, into a maintenance position, as shown in the other Figures. This is a movement which is carried out parallel to the support element 2. The support element 2 together with the actuating unit 8 can be moved from the maintenance position back again into the position of use.

[0046] The lever elements 3 are arranged spaced apart from one another. The arrangement, in this case, is such that the bearing element 4 is movable substantially parallel to the support element 2 in the case of said actuating movement A. A maintenance region W is exposed by the bearing element 4 together with the actuating unit 8 in the maintenance position. The maintenance region W is formed by a part region of the support element 2. Another part region V of the support element 2 is covered by the bearing element 4 with the actuating unit 8. This means that the support element 2 comprises substantially two part regions, namely the maintenance region W and the other part region V. The maintenance region W is exposed in the maintenance position and the other part region V is still covered in the maintenance position. When the actuating unit arrangement 1 is situated in the maintenance position, the user only sees the maintenance region W but not the other part region V. This means that the user has access only to the regions in which he/she should carry out maintenance. Said concealment is easy to see in Figure 4. The other part region V is covered correspondingly by the bearing element 4 and the actuating unit 8 and is not accessible to the user.

[0047] At least one functional element 12 to be maintained is preferably arranged in the maintenance region W. The functional element 12 to be maintained can be, for example, an insertion chamber for a cleaning tablet, a battery, a filter chamber for a filter of an odour extraction unit and/or another element. The functional element 12 to be maintained is symbolized in the embodiment shown by a corresponding opening in the support element 2. At least one further functional element 13 is located in the other part region V. Said further functional element 13 has expanded maintenance characteristics. Said maintenance may only be carried out by an expert. For example, a pusher rod or other actuating elements for triggering the flush could be named here as a further functional element 13. Said further functional element 13 is shown here by corresponding openings for pusher rods. When the bearing element 4 and the actuating unit 8 are located in the maintenance position, the further functional elements 13 are correspondingly covered and are consequently not accessible.

[0048] In summary, the actuating unit arrangement 1 according to the invention produces the advantage of the user being provided with good access to the functional elements to be maintained, whilst at the same time access to the further functional elements which are to be maintained exclusively by the expert remains blocked.

[0049] When seen from the front, the maintenance region W has a width B. The width B preferably extends over no more than half or no more than a third of the length L of the support element 2 when seen in the direction of movement A. With reference to the height when seen transversely to the direction of movement A, the maintenance region W extends over a large part region of the height of the support element 2. The width of the maintenance region B can be influenced by the length of the lever arms 5 of the lever element.

[0050] In the embodiment shown, the two lever elements 3 are located in such a manner with respect to one another that, when seen from the front, they are located side by side. The lever arms 5 of the two lever elements 3 each have the same length so that the above-named parallelogram configuration can be achieved. In addition, the lever arms 5 extend parallel to one another.

[0051] The support element 2, the bearing element 4 and the actuating unit 8 are realized in a rectangular manner in the embodiment shown when seen from the front at right angles to the front surface 9 of the actuating unit 8. The length L of the lever arm 5, in this case, is no more than the length of half the side of the rectangle, with respect to which the lever arm 5 extends in parallel. However, it is also possible for the length to be shorter, it is thus conceivable that the length of the lever arm 5 corresponds to no more than a third of the length of the side of the rectangle, with respect to which the lever arm 5 extends in parallel.

[0052] In the embodiment shown each of the lever elements 3 comprises a shaft portion 11. One of said lever arms 5 protrudes in each case from the end of the shaft portion 11 substantially at right angles to the shaft portion 11. The shaft portion 11 is parallel to the width of the support element 2 here and extends over a large part of said width. The bearing areas 6, by way of which the support element 2 is connected to the lever arm 3, are arranged at the end of the shaft portion 11.

[0053] As shown in the Figures, the shaft portion 11 has a variable cross section. The cross section is optimized in this case in such a manner that it can be fitted into the structures of the bearing element 4 or of the support element 2 as well as possible. This is, in particular, with respect to the other elements which are present for triggering the flush, for extracting the odour and/or for supplying a cleaning tablet. Furthermore, the variable cross section is optimized in such a manner that, when the actuating unit 8 is removed and with the bearing element 4 located in the position of use, regions of the bearing element 4 or of the support element 2 that are as large as possible are accessible. This is shown, for example, in Figure 1. Such good accessibility is possible when the expert wants to carry out corresponding service jobs. In the embodiment shown, the shaft portion 11 comprises diverse cranked regions. Furthermore, the shaft portion 11 also comprises a reinforcing rib 26 which increases the stability of the shaft portion 11. The shaft portions 11 of the two lever elements 3 extend parallel to one another.

[0054] The lever arms 5 are connected here to the bearing element 4 and the support element 2 via pivot bearings 21. The pivot bearings 21, in this case, are corresponding bearing openings on the support element 2 and the bearing element 4. In this case, corresponding journals of the lever arms 5 engage in the openings.

[0055] In the embodiment shown, the support element 2 and/or the bearing element 4 comprise cutouts 23. The lever arms 5 come to rest in said cutouts 23 in the position of use. This ensures that the lever arms 5 fit well into the overall structure.

[0056] In addition, here, the support element 2 comprises at least one stop 16 per lever element. The stop 16 lies on the support element here but can also lie on the bearing element. The lever arms 5, in this case, remain at the stop 16 in the maintenance position. This means that the lever element 3 remains at the stops 16 in the maintenance position. This ensures that any further movement out of the maintenance position is made impossible.

[0057] A few further advantageous features of the actuating arrangement 1 are now explained below. The support element 2 and the bearing element 4 are substantially congruent with one another with reference to an outer delimiting edge 24 when viewed from the front. The actuating unit 8 substantially covers the support element 2 and the bearing element 4 when seen from the front. This means that the support element 2 and the bearing element 4 are not visible in the position of use. The actuating unit 8 preferably covers the bearing element 4 and the support element 2 at least in part with a side edge 10. The actuating unit 8 communicates with the bearing element 4 via at least one spring element 27. Two spring elements 27 are arranged in this case.

[0058] The support element 2 comprises a reference surface 14 at the rear. The reference surface 14 is flush with a reference wall in the installed state. The rear wall 15 of the actuating unit 1 is arranged flush with or at a distance from the reference surface 14 in the position of use. As a result, the actuating unit 8 is then at a distance from the wall, on which the actuating unit arrangement 1 is mounted. Said distance is advantageous as the support element 2 and/or the bearing element 4 can be provided with side slots 25, by means of which filtered air from an odour extraction unit can be discharged into the area.

[0059] The actuating unit 8 further comprises at least one actuating button 18 which is mounted in the actuating unit 8. Two actuating buttons 18 are arranged in the embodiment shown. The actuating buttons 18 can be actuated by the user for triggering a flush, a force then being brought about on a pusher rod, which penetrates the support element 2 and the bearing element 4, as a result of the movement of the actuating button 18. As an alternative to this, the actuating unit 8 can, however, also comprise a sensor region which provides a control signal for triggering the flush.

[0060] The bearing plate 4 has the form of a rectangular frame with a central recess which is delimited circumferentially by a frame portion 19. The bearing plate 4 is substantially the bearing arrangement of the actuating unit 8 and good access is created for the expert during maintenance by way of the recess 20 when the actuating unit 8 has been removed. In the embodiment shown, the pivot bearings protrude correspondingly from the frame portion 19.

[0061] In addition, the bearing element 4 and the support element 2 have latching elements 22. Latching between the bearing element 4 and the support element 2 can be achieved in the position of use by way of the latching elements 22.

[0062] The support element 2 and the bearing element 4 are preferably produced from plastic, whilst the lever elements 3 are produced from metal. The most varied materials can be used to create the actuating unit 8.

[0063] LIST OF REFERENCES

1 Actuating unit arrangement 20 Recess 2 Support element 21 Pivot bearings 3 Lever element 22 Latching elements 4 Bearing element 23 Cutouts 5 Lever arm 24 Delimiting edge 6 First bearing area 25 Slots 7 Second bearing area 26 Reinforcing rib 8 Actuating unit 27 Spring element 9 Front surface A Direction of movement 10 Side edge B Width 11 Shaft portion W Maintenance region 12 Functional element to be maintained V Other part region 13 Further functional element 14 Reference surface 15 Rear wall 16 Stop 17 Latching elements 18 Actuating button 19 Frame portion

Claims

1. Actuating unit arrangement (1) for triggering a flush of a toilet or a urinal, comprising: a support element (2) for the connection of the support element (2) to a cistern, a bearing element (4) which is connected to the support element (2) via a lever element (3), which lever element (3) includes at least one lever arm (5) with a first bearing area (6) and a second bearing area (7), wherein the first bearing area (6) is connected pivotably to the support element (2) and the second bearing area (7) is connected pivotably to the bearing element (4), and an actuating unit (8) which is mounted on the bearing element (4), wherein the bearing element (4) is movable relative to the fixed support element (2) together with the actuating unit (8) along an actuating movement (A) from a position of use into a maintenance position and back, characterized in that at least two or precisely two of said lever elements (3) are arranged, which lever elements (3) are arranged spaced apart from one another in such a manner that the bearing element (4) is movable substantially parallel to the support element (2) in the case of said actuating movement (A) and in that in the maintenance position the bearing element (4) together with the actuating unit (8) exposes a maintenance region (W), which is formed only by a part region of the support element (2), and in that another part region (V) of the support element (2) is covered by the bearing element (4) together with the actuating unit (8).

2. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the lever elements (3) are arranged spaced apart from one another in such a manner that they lie side by side when viewed from the front.

3. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length (L) of the lever arm (5) corresponds to no more than half or a third of the edge of the support element (2), which extends parallel to the lever arm; and/or in that the support element (2), the bearing element (4) and the actuating unit (8), when viewed from the front at right angles to the front surface (9) of the actuating unit (8), are in the form of a rectangle, wherein the length (L) of the lever arm (5) corresponds to no more than the length of half the side of the rectangle, with respect to which the lever arm (5) extends in parallel; or wherein the length of the lever arm (5) corresponds to no more than a third of the length (L) of the side of the rectangle, with respect to which the lever arm (5) extends in parallel.

4. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever arms (5) of the two lever elements (3) have the same length.

5. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each lever element (3) comprises a shaft portion (11), from the end of which in each case one of said lever arms (5) protrudes, wherein the shaft portion (11) preferably extends parallel to the width or to the length of the support element (2).

6. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to Claim 5, characterized in that the shaft portion (11) comprises a variable cross section, in such a manner that, when the actuating unit (8) is removed, regions of the bearing element (4) or of the support element (2) that are as large as possible are accessible; and/or in such a manner that the shaft portion (11) can be fitted into structures of the bearing element (4) or of the support element (2) as well as possible.

7. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lever arms (5) are connected to the bearing element (4) and/or the support element (2) via pivot bearings (21); and/or in that, in the region of the lever elements (3), the support element (2) and/or the bearing element (4) comprises cutouts (23) in which the lever arms (5) come to rest in the position of use.

8. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (2) and/or the bearing element (4) comprises at least one stop (16) per lever element (3) each, against which the lever element (3) strikes in the maintenance position.

9. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the maintenance region (W) at least one functional element (12) to be maintained is located, which is exposed by the bearing element (4), which is in the maintenance position, and the actuating unit (8), and is consequently accessible; and in that in the other part region (V) at least one further functional element (13) is located, which is covered by the bearing element (4), which is in the maintenance position, and the actuating unit (8), and is consequently not accessible.

10. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maintenance region (W), when viewed from the front, has a width (B) which extends over no more than half or no more than a third of the length (L) of the support element when viewed in the tangential direction with respect to the direction of movement (A).

11. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (2) and the bearing element (4), when viewed from the front, are substantially congruent with one another with reference to an outer delimiting edge (24); and/or in that the actuating unit (8) substantially covers the support element (2) and the bearing element (4) when viewed from the front; and/or in that the actuating unit (8) covers the bearing element (4) and the support element (2) at least in part with a side edge (10); and/or in that the actuating unit (8) communicates with the bearing element (4) by means of at least one latching connection (14); and/or in that the actuating unit (8) communicates with the bearing element (4) by way of spring elements (27); and/or in that the support element (2) comprises latching elements (17) which are mounted on the support element (2) and by way of which the support element (2) can be connected to a cistern.

12. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the rear the support element (2) comprises a reference surface (14) which is flush with a wall in the installed state, wherein the rear wall (15) of the actuating unit (8) is flush with or at a distance from the reference surface (14) in the position of use.

13. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating unit (8) comprises at least one actuating button (18) which is mounted in the actuating unit (8), which actuating button (18) acts on a pusher rod which penetrates the support element (2) and the bearing element (4); or in that the actuating unit (8) comprises at least one sensor region which provides a control signal for triggering the flush.

14. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bearing plate (4) has the form of a rectangular frame with a central recess (20) which is delimited circumferentially by a frame portion (19); and/or in that the bearing element (4) and the support element (2) have latching elements (22) which permit latching between the bearing element (4) and the support element (2) in the position of use.

15. Actuating unit arrangement (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support element (2) and the bearing element (4) are produced from plastic and in that the lever elements (3) are produced from metal, in particular from a metal which can be injection moulded.