Converting device for automatic toilet flushing and air deodorizing

Abstract

The invention converts a conventional domestic toilet into a system with automatic control of flushing water quantity and air deodorizing without any change of an internal flushing mechanism. A sensing means generates a presence signal, if a user is present in a toilet usage zone. A reversible electric driver actuates the existing toilet flush handle with the flush control mechanism and actuates a deodorant discharge valve with the deodorizing mechanism. A position feedback means defines in what position is located the flush control mechanism. A controller receives and processes the position feedback signals and the presence signals as well and makes the reversible electric driver to move, to stop or to change the movement direction. The invention is applicable for all toilets with pressure-type water flush system and with a water tank system comprising one or two manual flush handles.

1 . A device for converting of a toilet supplied with a water flush mechanism and handles for manual water quantity option, said device having an electric power supply, a sensing means for detection of user in a toilet using zone and for creation a presence signal, a controller with units for determination a toilet usage duration and for comparison said duration with the first and the second predetermined time intervals to control an executive mechanism, said executive mechanism to actuate the water flush with standard and reduced water quantity depending on said toilet usage duration and a housing for fixing all device units, comprising: 
 a) a removable tank with deodorant and a deodorant discharge means,    b) said executive mechanism supplied with a reversible electric driver and a control flush mechanism to actuate said handles for manual water quantity option,    c) said executive mechanism further supplied with a deodorising mechanism to actuate said deodorant discharge means if said control flush mechanism is actuated for standard flush water quantity,    d) a position feedback means for creating a stop signal, when said flush control mechanism has come to an initial position, and for creating a reverse signal, when said flush control mechanism has come to the predetermined reverse position,    e) said controller supplied with units for receiving of signals from said sensing means and from said position feedback means, units for processing all signals and units for creating its own control signals for said executive mechanism to discharge said reduced water quantity or to discharge a portion of said deodorant and standard water quantity, said control signals depend on feedback means signals and on toilet usage duration,    f) a housing disposed to be able to actuate said toilet handles through said flush control mechanism,    herewith said predetermined reverse position corresponds to flushing with reduced water quantity    
   
   
       2 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said executive mechanism comprises a reversible electromotor  
   
   
       3 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said executive mechanism comprises a reversible stepping motor,  
   
   
       4 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said executive mechanism comprises solenoids,  
   
   
       5 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said position feedback means comprises the first position sensor at said initial position, the second position sensor at said predetermined reverse position, both connected to said controller, and a moveable actuator driven with said executive mechanism to actuate said sensors,  
   
   
       6 . The device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said position feedback means comprises the first and the second position sensors, both sensitive to magnetic field and connected to said controller, and a moveable magnet driven with said executive mechanism to actuate said sensors,  
   
   
       7 . The device as recited in  claim 5 , wherein said position feedback means comprises a normally closed electrical contact as the first position sensor in said initial position, and a normally opened electrical contact as the second position sensor in said predetermined reverse position, and a cam actuated with said reversible electric driver to switch the status of said contacts,  
   
   
       8 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said flush control mechanism comprises a crank connected to said reversible electric driver, a connecting rod and a cross-beam with a turn axis, wherein two roller pushers are fixed on the opposite sides of said cross-beam and adapted to actuate said toilet flush handle,  
   
   
       9 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said flush control mechanism comprises a handle for manual flush control,  
   
   
       10 . The device as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said flush control mechanism comprises a quick-disconnect coupling with handle for manual flush control.  
   
   
       11 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said deodorizing mechanism comprises a crank connected to said reversible electric driver, a spring lever connected with said tank and a motionless arrester for push on said discharge valve, when said lever raises,  
   
   
       12 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said controller comprises the first time interval justifying means (adjusted mainly from 5 till 10 seconds), the second time interval justifying means (adjusted mainly from 60 till 180 seconds), said controller further comprises a unit for creating its own signals to control said reversible electric driver 
 for initial movement of said reversible electric driver in direct direction and for its subsequent movement in the opposite direction back to initial position with discharging said reduced quantity of flushing water after said reverse signal, if said toilet usage duration exceeds the first predetermined time interval, but does not exceed the second predetermined time interval,    for initial movement of said reversible electric driver in opposite direction and its subsequent arrival to said initial position from this direction with discharging said standard quantity of flushing water and with actuating of said deodorizing mechanism for air deodorizing, if said toilet usage duration exceeds the second predetermined time interval.    
   
   
       13 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said sensing means comprises units to create and to transmit said presence signals which electrical characteristics depend on the toilet usage duration  
   
   
       14 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said sensing means comprises units to create and to transmit said presence signals which frequency depends on the toilet usage duration  
   
   
       15 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said sensing means comprises at least one sensor disposed in said zone of toilet usage and sensitive to user weight  
   
   
       16 . The device as recited in  claim 13 , wherein said sensing means comprises an electric capacity sensor disposed in said zone of toilet usage  
   
   
       17 . The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said housing is produced in connection with one of replaceable details of the flush mechanism housing, for example, with a water tank cover,  
   
   
       18 . Method of automatic control of air deodorizing and flushing water quantity based on creation of presence signals, on determination of toilet usage duration and on activation of an executive mechanism for a toilet having a flush mechanism and handles for manual water quantity option, comprising 
 a) setting and periodical replacement of a tank with a deodorant and a deodorant discharge means    b) creation of feedback signals in accordance with the position of said executive mechanism    c) creation of control signals for said executive mechanism in accordance with said feedback signals and said toilet usage duration    to activate said handles for a reduced water quantity option, if usage duration exceeds the first predetermined time interval, but does not exceed the second predetermined time interval,    to activate the handles for a standard water quantity option and said deodorant discharge means, if usage duration exceeds the second predetermined time interval,    herewith said reduced water quantity is the quantity necessary to remove a liquid waste, the first predetermined time interval corresponds to the shortest duration necessary for formation of liquid waste in a toilet, the second predetermined time interval corresponds to the shortest duration necessary for formation of solid waste in a toilet.