Self-ventilating toilet

Abstract

An improvement to standard toilet bowls implemented during manufacturing at almost no additional cost, whereby malodor can be vented directly from the toilet bowl into the drainage system. A dedicated auxiliary duct is incorporated in the toilet bowl connecting a circular opening at its top behind the seat with the inside air pocket behind and above the siphon. The opening is blocked with a replaceable tight-fitting plastic plug if the self-venting feature is not required. A low voltage electric fan (6-12V) is retrofitted behind the toilet seat and secured thereto at the seat anchor holes, with a flat intake nozzle fitting under the rear end of the toilet seat, and a discharge tube connected to the aforementioned opening behind the toilet seat. Malodors are sucked by the air fan directly from the toilet bowl through the intake nozzle, and are vented through the discharge tube into the drain system behind the siphon. A biased one way flapper and a mesh system insect screen are deployed inside the exhaust duct (or alternatively a secondary water trap is deployed inside the auxiliary duct) to prevent ingress of malodor and insects from the drains when the air fan is dormant. A switch to actuate the air fan (either manual, or self actuating/de-actuating) and a timing device are incorporated in the system.

1 . A self ventilating toilet bowl (pedestal or cantilever) made homogeneously of any suitable material, with a rim, a siphon, flush water supply system, toilet seat and cover, and connection to the drainage system, the toilet bowl incorporating an auxiliary cylindrical air duct connecting a circular opening in the toilet bowl's top behind the seat to one side, either left or right, of the flush water duct, causing no obstruction thereto, with another circular opening of the same diameter in the top side of the air chamber inside the toilet bowl behind and above the siphon. 
   
   
       2 . The self ventilating toilet bowl as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the auxiliary cylindrical air duct and the circular opening in the toilet bowl's top are omitted, connection with the air chamber inside the toilet bowl behind and above the siphon being maintained directly through the second circular opening deployed on the upper rear side of the toilet bowl below the rim. 
   
   
       3 . The self ventilating toilet bowl as defined in  claim 1 , wherein a replaceable plastic plug with a rounded top and a 25 mm-long shank and a rubber sleeve is provided to fit perfectly and securely into the external circular openings. 
   
   
       4 . A centrifugal air suction fan driven by a low voltage DC electric motor (6-12V battery or mains operated through a transformer) contained within a robust waterproof casing (plastic or metal) of measurements suitable to fit between the rear end of the toilet seat and the flush tank, and to provide low-noise and efficient venting of the toilet bowl, the casing being homogeneously provided with a circular inlet opening near its front centre; a discharge tube at its upper tangent; a plastic grating which fits securely at the inlet opening of the air fan to protect the air fan impeller; and an indented tongue and a threaded hole at its rear center for aligning and attaching the unit to a base plate. 
   
   
       5 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a detachable hollow intake nozzle made of plastic or metal with a flat end of maximum dimensions to fit between the toilet bowl rim and the toilet seat and between the toilet seat anchor holes, the other end being circular to fit securely onto the air fan's inlet opening. 
   
   
       6 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising an L-shaped robust plate with one side (vertical) having a hole, and a groove indentation matching substantially with the tongue, and the threaded hole for the positioning and attachment of the air fan casing, the other side being provided with anchor holes for attaching the assembled air fan to the toilet bowl at the seat's anchor holes. 
   
   
       7 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a replaceable biased, in the closed position, air flapper which fits perfectly and securely into the air fan's discharge tube to stop the ingress of foul gases from the drains when the air fan is dormant. 
   
   
       8 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising an elbow duct, plastic or metal, connecting to the air fan's discharge tube. 
   
   
       9 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a first straight duct, connected at one end to the elbow duct, and with another duct which fits inside the exhaust opening in the toilet bowl. 
   
   
       10 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a second a straight duct connecting with the first straight duct, with an integral external ring collar to limit penetration, and a rubber sleeve at the other end, fitting perfectly and firmly into the second air exhaust opening in the toilet bowl. 
   
   
       11 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 10 , further comprising a replaceable plastic mesh insect screen which fits perfectly and securely into the second straight duct. 
   
   
       12 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising an accessible waterproof manual electric switch which sends an “on” or “off” signal to the air fan's timing device. 
   
   
       13 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a waterproof pressure-sensitive electric switch which fits under the toilet seat and sends an “on” or “off” signal to the air fan's timing device according to the application or removal of the user's weight to and from the toilet seat. 
   
   
       14 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a motion-sensitive electric switch integrated into the electric fan's casing which sends an “on” or “off” signal to the air fan's timing device according to the approach or departure of the user. 
   
   
       15 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising an integrated timing device connected to the air fan's electric motor which activates it upon receiving the “on” signal from the electric switch, and deactivates it 30 seconds after receiving the “off” signal. 
   
   
       16 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a toilet seat cover shaped in the vicinity of the hinges, so as not to obstruct the detection of the user by the motion (or heat) sensitive switch when the seat cover is in the vertical position. 
   
   
       17 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a first straight duct which incorporates on its inside wall, a down-pointing water nozzle, which connects on the outside to a water supply through a solenoid valve. 
   
   
       18 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 17 , further comprising an electric solenoid water valve integrated into the air fan assembly and controlled by its timing mechanism, with its inlet connecting through a standard flexible hose to the water supply tap under the water tank, and its outlet connecting to the water nozzle. 
   
   
       19 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 17 , further comprising a second straight duct connecting with the first straight duct in, with an integral external ring collar to limit penetration, and a rubber sleeve approximately 25 mm in width, fitting perfectly and firmly into the air exhaust opening in the toilet bowl, and reaching to within about 10 mm from the bottom of the auxiliary air duct, thus forming a water bottle trap system. 
   
   
       20 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 18 , further comprising an integrated timing device connected to the air fan's electric motor and to the solenoid valve, the timing device activates the air fan upon receiving the “on” signal from the electric switch, and deactivates it 30 seconds after receiving the “off” signal, the timing device then opens up the solenoid water valve for 5 seconds, and then closes it up. 
   
   
       21 . The self ventilating toilet bowl as defined in  claim 2 , wherein a replaceable plastic plug with a rounded top and a 25 mm-long shank and a rubber sleeve is provided to fit perfectly and securely into the external circular openings. 
   
   
       22 . The centrifugal air suction fan unit defined in  claim 4 , further comprising a heat sensitive electric switch integrated into the electric fan's casing which sends an “on” or “off” signal to the air fan's timing device according to the approach or departure of the user.