Toilet overflow prevention in bidet seat

Abstract

A toilet seat arrangement includes a toilet seat that is installed above a toilet bowl. A bidet nozzle is installed on the toilet seat and ejects water into a space above the toilet bowl such that the water falls into the toilet bowl. A water level sensor is installed on the toilet seat and detects a level of water in the toilet bowl. The water level sensor transmits a signal indicative of the level of water in the toilet bowl. A shutoff valve allows water to flow to a toilet tank fill valve when the shutoff valve is in an open position, and prevents water from flowing to the toilet tank fill valve when the shutoff valve is in a closed position. An electronic processor controls whether the shutoff valve is in the open position or the closed position dependent upon the signal from the water level sensor.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A toilet seat arrangement, comprising:
 a toilet seat configured to be installed above a toilet bowl;   a water level sensor installed on the toilet seat and configured to:
 detect a level of water in the toilet bowl; and 
 transmit a signal indicative of the level of water in the toilet bowl; 
   a shutoff valve having an open position which allows water to flow to a toilet tank fill valve, and a closed position which prevents water from flowing to the toilet tank fill valve; and   an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the water level sensor and to the shutoff valve, the electronic processor being configured to:
 receive the signal from the water level sensor; and 
 control whether the shutoff valve is in the open position or the closed position dependent upon the signal from the water level sensor. 
   
     
     
         2 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising a bidet nozzle installed on the toilet seat and configured to eject water into a space above the toilet bowl such that the water falls into the toilet bowl. 
     
     
         3 . The arrangement of  claim 2 , wherein the shutoff valve allows water to flow to the bidet nozzle when the shutoff valve is in the open position, and prevents water from flowing to the bidet nozzle when the shutoff valve is in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to:
 place the shutoff valve in the open position when the signal from the water level sensor indicates that the level of water in the toilet bowl is below a threshold; and   place the shutoff valve in the closed position when the signal from the water level sensor indicates that the level of water in the toilet bowl is above the threshold.   
     
     
         5 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , further comprising a resistive heating element attached to the toilet seat, the electronic processor being configured to control a level of power consumed by the resistive heating element. 
     
     
         6 . The arrangement of  claim 1 , wherein the water level sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor. 
     
     
         7 . A toilet seat arrangement, comprising:
 a toilet seat configured to be installed above a toilet bowl;   a bidet nozzle installed on the toilet seat and configured to eject water into a space above the toilet bowl such that the water falls into the toilet bowl;   a shutoff valve having an open position and a closed position, the shutoff valve allowing water to flow to a toilet tank fill valve and to the bidet nozzle when the shutoff valve is in the open position, and preventing water from flowing to the toilet tank fill valve and to the bidet nozzle when the shutoff valve is in the closed position; and   an electronic processor communicatively coupled to the shutoff valve, the electronic processor being configured to control whether the shutoff valve is in the open position or the closed position dependent upon a level of water in the toilet bowl.   
     
     
         8 . The arrangement of  claim 7 , further comprising a water level sensor installed on the toilet seat and configured to:
 detect a level of water in the toilet bowl; and   transmit a signal to the electronic processor indicative of the level of water in the toilet bowl.   
     
     
         9 . The arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein the water level sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The arrangement of  claim 8 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to:
 place the shutoff valve in the open position when the signal from the water level sensor indicates that the level of water in the toilet bowl is below a threshold; and   place the shutoff valve in the closed position when the signal from the water level sensor indicates that the level of water in the toilet bowl is above the threshold.   
     
     
         11 . The arrangement of  claim 7 , further comprising a resistive heating element attached to the toilet seat, the electronic processor being configured to control a level of power consumed by the resistive heating element. 
     
     
         12 . A kit for selectively configuring a toilet seat, the kit comprising:
 a toilet seat including a recess and configured to be installed above a toilet bowl;   a bidet nozzle installed on the toilet seat and configured to eject water into a space above the toilet bowl such that the water falls into the toilet bowl;   a water level sensor configured to:
 be selectively installed in the recess of the toilet seat, and, if installed in the recess:
 detect a level of water in the toilet bowl; and 
 transmit a signal indicative of the level of water in the toilet bowl; 
 
   an incoming water line fluidly connected to the bidet nozzle and configured to carry water to the bidet nozzle;   an outgoing water line configured to be fluidly connected to a toilet tank fill valve;   a shutoff valve configured to be selectively inserted in fluid communication between the incoming water line and the outgoing water line, the shutoff valve having an open position and a closed position, the shutoff valve allowing water to flow from the incoming water line to the outgoing water line and then to the toilet tank fill valve when the shutoff valve is in the open position, and preventing water from flowing from the incoming water line to the outgoing water line and to the toilet tank fill valve when the shutoff valve is in the closed position;   a section of conduit configured to be selectively inserted in the toilet seat in fluid communication between the incoming water line and the outgoing water line, the section of conduit configured to carry water from the incoming water line to the outgoing water line when the shutoff valve is in the open position, and preventing water from flowing from the incoming water line to the outgoing water line when the shutoff valve is in the closed position; and   an electronic processor configured to be communicatively coupled to the water level sensor when the water level sensor is installed and to the shutoff valve when the shutoff valve is inserted, the electronic processor being configured to:
 receive the signal from the water level sensor; and 
 control whether the shutoff valve is in the open position or the closed position dependent upon the signal from the water level sensor. 
   
     
     
         13 . The arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the shutoff valve allows water to flow to the bidet nozzle when the shutoff valve is in the open position, and prevents water from flowing to the bidet nozzle when the shutoff valve is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the electronic processor is configured to:
 place the shutoff valve in the open position when the signal from the water level sensor indicates that the level of water in the toilet bowl is below a threshold; and   place the shutoff valve in the closed position when the signal from the water level sensor indicates that the level of water in the toilet bowl is above the threshold.   
     
     
         15 . The arrangement of  claim 12 , further comprising a resistive heating element attached to the toilet seat, the electronic processor being configured to control a level of power consumed by the resistive heating element. 
     
     
         16 . The arrangement of  claim 12 , wherein the water level sensor comprises an ultrasonic sensor.