Powered toilet & seat assembly

Abstract

The invention comprises a motorised toilet seat assembly allowing for the raising and lowering of the lid ( 102 ) or seat ( 101 ) in relation to user requests or automatic sensing ( 110 ). A remote control device ( 200 ) with touch switches or sensors ( 201 ) can be provided, which can communicate with control apparatus by wired or wireless communication. Alternatively, or additionally, sensors mounted on the various components of the toilet can effect certain operations automatically, including raising or lowering the seat lid, flushing of the toilet, and the operation of auxiliary devices such as sanitary sprays, occupancy indicators, or emergency call systems. Described are embodiments which can be retrofitted to existing toilet seat assemblies as well as ready to install embodiments.

1 - 40 . (canceled)  
   
   
       41 . A motorised toilet seat assembly comprising a hinged seat and a hinged lid, the assembly including at least one motor and associated drive assembly for transmitting rotational drive to effect the raising and lowering of each of said hinged seat and hinged lid; 
 there being present a controller for controlling a said motor and associated drive assembly to perform at least the functions of:    i) raising the hinged lid;    ii) raising the seat;    iii) lowering the hinged lid;    iv) lowering the seat;    the toilet seat assembly including provision for connection of the controller to at least one sensor, a said sensor being capable of detecting either or both of the presence of or an action of a user of the toilet seat assembly.    
   
   
       42 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which a said motor and associated drive assembly is housed within the hinge arrangement of the toilet seat assembly, or between hinges present on the toilet seat assembly.  
   
   
       43 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which a said motor and associated drive assembly has an rotating output shaft which is coaxial with a hinge relating to either or both of said hinged lid or hinged seat.  
   
   
       44 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which there is a separate motor and associated drive assembly for each of said hinged lid and said hinged seat.  
   
   
       45 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which said functions of raising and lowering each of said hinged lid and hinged seat can be performed independently.  
   
   
       46 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which: 
 activation of a said sensor causes a lowered hinged lid to be raised;    a further activation of a said sensor then causes a lowered hinged seat to be raised.    
   
   
       47 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which at least one of the following occurs: 
 a predetermined period of time after a sensor comprising a motion sensor indicates an occupant has left, at least a said hinged seat is lowered if it is in a raised position;    a predetermined period of time after a sensor comprising a motion sensor indicates an occupant has left, at least a said hinged lid is lowered if it is in a raised position;    a predetermined period of time after a sensor comprising a motion sensor indicates an occupant has left, a flushing mechanism for automatically flushing the toilet is activated;    upon detection of flushing of the toilet, a said hinged seat is lowered if it is in a raised position;    upon detection of flushing of the toilet, a said hinged lid is lowered if it is in a raised position;    
   
   
       48 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which there is present means for effecting flushing of the toilet, and which can be operated by activation of a sensor.  
   
   
       49 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which said controller includes load sensing means for a motor, able to determine if a motor encounters a resistance.  
   
   
       50 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 49  in which said controller stops operation of the motor if a resistance is detected.  
   
   
       51 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 49  in which said controller either or both: 
 reverses an action for raising or lowering a hinged seat or hinged lid if it is determined that the resistance is encountered part way through the raising or lowering operation;    completes a raising or lowering operation of a hinged seat or hinged lid if it is determined that a user manually alters the position of the hinged seat or hinged lid from a fully down or fully raised position.    
   
   
       52 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  in which there is present sanitary spray means which sprays a sanitising material within the toilet bowl, under the control of the controller.  
   
   
       53 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  which includes means for sending an emergency call according to either or both of: 
 the user activates the controller to do so;    if a user occupies the toilet seat assembly for more than a predetermined period of time.    
   
   
       54 . A motorised toilet seat assembly as claimed in  claim 41  which is powered by one or more of: 
 a remote power source such as an electric cell or battery;    a reduced voltage from a mains power source;