GB2534142A

GB2534142A - A toilet using positive air pressure for flushing

Info

Publication number: GB2534142A
Application number: GB1500485.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Walsh Seamus; Walsh Darren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-01-13
Filing date: 2015-01-13
Publication date: 2016-07-20
Also published as: GB201500485D0

Abstract

A toilet comprises a compressed air tank (44, Fig. 2); an air compressor (46, Fig. 2), with air inlet 48, e.g. connected to the interior of the toilet bowl, and a compressor outlet (50, Fig. 2) connected to the air tank (44, Fig. 2); and a valved air outlet 52 connecting the air tank (44, Fig. 2) to the sewer-side of water trap 22. Injecting air through 52 creates a drag in the water trap 22 causing a pressure drop (Venturi effect) aiding flushing. Control means may control the compressor and valves. At the position where the air outlet 52 connects to the water trap 22, the angle 66 that the water trap makes with the horizontal may be between 1560 degrees, e.g. 2045 degrees. The toilet may have sensors (74, Fig. 1), 75 connected to the control means. Also claimed is a method corresponding to the above-described apparatus.

Description

A toilet using positive air pressure for flushing

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to toilets using pressure to aid flushing action.

Background

Toilets that use gas pressure, for example air pressure or vacuum, are known. In particular, toilets are known that aim to reduce the amount of water used in flushing. Typically these use vacuum to draw waste into a container that has a negative pressure within it, generated by a pump connected to the container, or a positive air pressure within the toilet bowl to blow the waste into a container or into a sewer. The former are widely used in vehicles, such as planes, and are suitable for situations in which a container is emptied from time to time. Vacuum driven flushing systems are not adapted for connection to standard sewers as the vacuum is incompatible with the atmospheric pressure sewer system. Positive pressure 'blow' systems need the toilet bowl to be sealed with a lid while the pressure is exerted, and so are prone to incorrect use, and so are rarely implemented. There is a need for an improved gas pressure-assisted flushing system suitable for connection to a standard sewer, and which can be used in a conventional way without the need for a user to adapt their procedure, such as ensuring that the lid is closed before flushing.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: W02009101906 discloses a system that operates to accelerate the flush action of a toilet by applying negative pressure to the outlet pipe on the opposite side of the water trap or 'U-bend' from the bowl, to draw waste and water down through the trap, and then applies positive pressure to force liquid down the waste pipe, which also pushes water back up into the bowl. The negative and positive pressure are created by a moving diaphragm that seals the waste outlet from a driving pressure chamber, pressure in the chamber being driven by a piston. The system is complex and relies on a flexible moving part -the membrane -in contact with the waste outlet, plus a specialised piston mechanism. The complex mechanism is liable to wear and failure, in particular of the membrane.

W02006105627 discloses a system using compressed air is thoroughly automated, run by a PLC, operable just by the pressing of a single button, self-cleaning, which saves water for the waste expel from the toilets as well as working force and chemical products for cleaning them, which uses compressed air for expelling the waste and contaminated waters in replacement for the great amount of water submitted to the gravity force and is operated in expel-replacement cycles of the toilet hydro seal, object of this patent, is consisted of the most effective and radical devices that save the toilets flushing water. As the waste expelling and the hydro seal replacement in the conventional toilets can only be performed by the jet of a large amount of water, they are fundamentally great wasters of water. The "toilet flushing system using compressed air", at the same time it replaces the large amount of water of expelling the hydro seal and wastes for compressed air, it also performs the specific toilet internal wall cleaning, also producing a saving of chemical products and work-force for their cleaning. This device is typical of a class of devices that use positive pressure of compressed air within the toilet bowl to flush -the toilet lid needs to be closed and sealed for this to work.

EP1243711 discloses a vacuum waste system is disclosed having a receptacle for receiving waste, the receptacle having an outlet, and a collection tank in fluid communication with the receptacle outlet. A vacuum source is in fluid communication with the collection tank to produce a partial vacuum in the collection tank. A flush actuator is provided that is operable to generate a flush command, and a flush valve is disposed between the toilet outlet and the collection tank having a normally closed position, the flush valve actuating to an open position for a flush interval in response to the flush command, thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and toilet outlet. A vacuum control valve is disposed between the vacuum source and the collection tank, the vacuum control valve being operable between open and closed positions thereby to control fluid communication between the collection tank and vacuum source. The vacuum control valve is operably linked to the flush valve so that the vacuum control valve is operated in the closed position during at least a portion of the flush interval, thereby to control air flow through the system during operation.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a toilet comprising: a toilet bowl comprising an upper rim to support a toilet seat and defining an internal space 5 tapering towards the lowest point of the bowl, a water trap portion opening to the toilet bowl, comprising a curved tubular outlet conduit opening to a waste outlet, the outlet conduit having an internal surface comprising an upper surface portion and a lower surface portion, in which the lowest part of the upper surface portion is below the lowest point of the waste outlet so as to trap water in the trap portion in use, a 10 water supply connected to a flush inlet opening provided inside the bowl near the rim, a flush control valve to control flow of water from the water supply to the flush inlet, a fluid outlet and a valve opening into the outlet conduit at a position between the lowest point of the upper region of the internal surface and the waste outlet.

The fluid typically comprises compressed air, wherein the fluid outlet comprises a compressed air tank, an air compressor having an air inlet and a compressor outlet connected to the compressed air tank, an air outlet opening into the outlet conduit at a position between the lowest point of the upper region of the internal surface and the waste outlet, the air outlet being connected to the compressed air tank, and an air valve in the air flow pathway from the compressed air tank to the air outlet opening.

The device may further comprise a control means to control the compressor, the flush valve and the air outlet valve.

In this way in use the device may operate to use compressed air flow into the waste outlet flow pathway downstream of the water trap to assist flushing of the toilet bowl. In use, water remains in the trap between operations. When a user uses the toilet, waste in the toilet bowl is first flushed down into the trap by water from the water supply, under the control of the flush valve. The air outlet valve is opened to inject pressurised air into the waste line downstream of the trap, so causing waste and flush water to be drawn out of the trap by suction owing to the Venturi effect, in which the rapid flow of air towards to outlet causes a low pressure region between the trap and the air outlet; this causes waste to move from the trap towards the waste outlet, then becoming entrained in the air flow and propelled towards and through the waste outlet to the connected sewer. Further water is then introduced into the bowl through operation of the flush valve to refill the trap.

In some embodiments the toilet device further comprises an air inlet opening to the interior space of the bowl and connected to the inlet of the compressor. The air inlet may open to the interior of the bowl adjacent to the rim. The device may comprise an air filter in the fluidic pathway between the air inlet and the compressor. In this way the compressor may draw foul air from the toilet bowl into the compressed air tank, so removing odours from the interior of the bowl.

The air outlet may be provided at a position in the outlet conduit such that it is level 10 with a portion of the waste outlet. The air outlet may comprise an outlet tube projecting from the internal surface of the outlet conduit.

The outlet conduit may have an axis centrally along the fluid pathway through the conduit at the position of the air outlet, the axis being inclined to horizontal at an angle. The angle may be in the range 15 to 60 degrees, or in the range 20 to 45 degrees. In some embodiments the angle is less than the angle relative to horizontal made by the outlet portion of the water trap in a conventional toilet.

The water supply may comprise a tank mounted at a level above the toilet bowl or 20 may comprise a water supply pipe.

The device may comprise a non-return valve in the fluid pathway from the compressed air tank to the air outlet. The device may comprise a non-return valve in the fluid pathway from the air inlet to the compressor.

The device may comprise a control switch to operate the flush valve, the compressor or the air outlet valve. The control switch may be connected to the control means to achieve such control. The device may comprise one or more sensors connected to the control means and operable to control the flush valve, the compressor or the air outlet valve. A sensor may comprise a sensor to detect a user using the toilet, for example opening a lid provided on the bowl, sitting on the seat, or a touch or proximity sensor to operate the device. A sensor may be an infra-red or capacitance proximity sensor to detect the presence of a user or for example a user's hand.

The toilet bowl may be made from materials as used in prior art toilet bowls, for example ceramic, polymer material or metal. The water supply may be in the form of a tank as in the prior art. The fluidic connections may be formed from pipes as known in the prior art.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for assisting the 5 flush of a toilet comprising a toilet bowl, a water trap and an outlet conduit leading from the water trap comprising providing a flow of pressurised air into the outlet conduit on the opposite side of the water trap from the toilet bowl.

In some embodiments the method comprises flushing water into the bowl and the 10 trap and then providing a flow of pressurised air into the said conduit.

In some embodiments the method comprises flushing water into the bowl and the trap after the flow of pressurised air has stopped.

In some embodiments a negative pressure tank is included to get fresh air back into the toilet, wherein such negative pressure tank is subject to removal of fluid and a non-return valve.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a cutaway isometric view of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows an isometric view of the embodiment of figure 1, with the toilet bowl removed to show the fluidic components.

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the embodiment of figure 1.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section through the embodiment shown in figure 1.

Figure 5 shows steps in a method according to the invention shown in figures 1 to 4.

Figure 6 shows a second embodiment of the invention, including a negative pressure tank.

Figure 7 shows steps in a method according to the second embodiment of the invention shown in figure 6.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to figures 1 to 5, an embodiment 10 of the invention comprises: a toilet bowl 12 comprising an upper rim 14 to support a toilet seat 16 and defining an internal space 18 tapering towards the lowest point of the bowl, a water trap portion 22 opening to the toilet bowl, comprising a curved tubular outlet conduit 24 opening to a waste outlet 26, the outlet conduit having an internal surface 28 comprising an upper surface portion 30 and a lower surface portion 32, in which the lowest part 34 of the upper surface portion is below the lowest point 36 of the waste outlet so as to trap water in the trap portion 22 in use, a water supply 38 connected to a flush inlet opening 40 provided inside the bowl near the rim, a flush control valve 42 to control flow of water from the water supply to the flush inlet, a compressed air tank 44, an air compressor 46 having an air inlet 48 and a compressor outlet 50 connected to the compressed air tank, an air outlet opening 52 into the outlet conduit 24 at a position between the lowest point 34 of the upper region of the internal surface and the waste outlet 26, the air outlet being connected to the compressed air tank 44, and an air valve 56 in the air flow pathway 58 from the compressed air tank to the air outlet opening.

In this embodiment the toilet device 10 further comprises an air inlet opening 48 to the interior space of the bowl adjacent to the rim and connected to the inlet of the compressor, and an air filter 60 in the air flow pathway 62 between the air inlet and the compressor. In this way the compressor may draw foul air from the toilet bowl into the compressed air tank, so removing odours from the interior of the bowl.

The air outlet 52 is provided at a position in the outlet conduit such that it is level with 30 a portion of the waste outlet, as shown particularly in figure 4. The air outlet comprises an outlet tube 63 projecting from the internal surface of the outlet conduit.

The outlet conduit has an axis 64 centrally along the fluid pathway through the conduit at the position of the air outlet 52, the axis being inclined to a horizontal plane 35 65 representing the surface on which the embodiment may stand in use, at an angle 66 of around 30 degrees. In variants of this embodiment the angle may be in the range 20 to 45 degrees.

The water supply 38 comprises a tank 68 mounted at a level above the toilet bowl.

The device 10 comprises a non-return valve 70 in the air flow pathway 58 from the compressed air tank to the air outlet, which may be combined with the air flow valve 56 as shown in figure 2, and a non-return valve 72 in the air flow pathway 62 from the air inlet to the compressor.

The device comprises a proximity sensor 74 to detect a user sitting on the seat, and a touch or proximity sensor 75 on the upper surface 76 of the tank 68 to operate the device. A sensor may be an infra-red or capacitance proximity sensor to detect the presence of a user or for example a user's hand. The sensors are connected to the control means, allowing the control means to control the flush valve, the compressor and the air outlet valve.

The embodiment comprises a base 80 and a housing 82 to contain the toilet bowl and other components, and electrical conduit means 84 to contain electrical 20 connections from the sensor in the toilet bowl to the control means. The control means may be housed within the housing 82.

The control means may comprise means to read stored instructions so as to control the flush valve, the compressor and the air outlet valve. An example of a sequence of operations of the embodiment is shown in figure 5. The control comprises a computer adapted to read instructions in a memory connected to or forming part of the control means, and the instructions are stored in computer-readable form in the memory.

Referring to figure 5, in a method provided by the invention using a device as described herein, the device performs the following steps: a person uses the toilet 101 the internal IR sensor 74 is activated 102 the compressor 46 is activated 103 the air pressure tank -the compressed air tank 44 -is pressurised. This takes around 30 -60 seconds 104 stage 1 water release -approx 20% of the water in the tank is released pressure in the compressed air tank is released at the air inlet opening behind the U-bend-i.e. behind the water trap, between the trap and the waste outlet, creating negative pressure behind the waste in the trap 106 the remaining water in the tank is released into the bowl to complete the flush and refill the U-bend (i.e. the trap) 107 air is withdrawn from the bowl via the air inlet opening 48 into the compressed air tank to remove any remaining smell.

In this way the toilet according to the invention are designed to both reduce water consumption and improve the bathroom experience by removing unpleasant odours from the bowl. Utilising a simple 12V Air Compressor or Pump the toilet is capable of removing waste from the bowl whilst using less than 1.5L of water per flush. The integrated IR sensors remove any need for the user to physically flush the toilet as the sensor controlled system can function autonomously.

An automatic IR Sensor in the rim of the bowl detects when the toilet is in use. An additional manual IR Sensor on the top of the cistern provides an override allowing the flush to be activated earlier or repeated if required. As the toilet is used air is drawn out of the bowl. This means any odour is drawn away through a replaceable carbon filter under the front of the bowl rim. The process of removing the air from the bowl pressurises the cylinders ready for operation.

The system is designed to be simple. This is to minimise maintenance and the risk of 25 failure. The air compressor, pressure cylinders and control unit are all mounted into a thermomoulded base to simplify installation and provide support.

The internal IR sensor detects the passage of material, either faecal or liquid, which then activates the system. The air compressor/pump pulls air from the toilet bowl drawing away any odours. The non-stick coated toilet bowl directs waste material into the shallow 1-1.51 area in the base. Once the cylinders are pressurised, a small amount of the water reservoir (approximately 20%) is released to initially cleanse the bowl before flushing.

The air drawn from the bowl passes through a replaceable carbon filter located under the front of the toilet bowl rim. This air is drawn through to the air compressor/pump.

From the pump the air is passed into the two cylinders, which are pressurised at a low positive pressure. This is capable of creating a pressure difference in the waste pipe once the toilet is flushed. When finished the system either flushes automatically or by the user manually triggering the secondary IR sensor mounted on the cistern lid. This is done by a valve opening on the cylinders releasing the stored air behind the LY bend creating a venturi effect and drawing all water and waste material away.

After the toilet has flushed the remaining water is released into the toilet bowl ensuring the bowl is completely cleansed and refilling the U' bend. The reservoir refills from the mains feed and a small amount of air is drawn into the cylinders slightly pressurising them, ensuring all odour has been removed from the bowl. Complete operation requires no physical input from the user from start to finish improving hygiene, whilst reducing water consumption and bad odours.

With reference to the second embodiment the negative pressure tank 44A is used to draw air through an inlet 62A which may be connected to outside, to replace air in the bowl after creation of vacuum conditions by the compressor. A non-return valve 70A prevents incorrect flow direction.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either 35 common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A toilet comprising: a toilet bowl comprising an upper rim to support a toilet seat and defining an internal space tapering towards the lowest point of the bowl, a water trap portion opening to the toilet bowl, comprising a curved tubular outlet conduit opening to a waste outlet, the outlet conduit having an internal surface comprising an upper surface portion and a lower surface portion, in which the lowest part of the upper surface portion is below the lowest point of the waste outlet so as to trap water in the trap portion in use, a water supply connected to a flush inlet opening provided inside the bowl near the rim, a flush control valve to control flow of water from the water supply to the flush inlet, a compressed air tank, an air compressor having an air inlet and a compressor outlet connected to the compressed air tank, an air outlet opening into the outlet conduit at a position between the lowest point of the upper region of the internal surface and the waste outlet, the air outlet being connected to the compressed air tank, and an air valve in the air flow pathway from the compressed air tank to the air outlet opening.
2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a control means to control the compressor, the flush valve and the air outlet valve.
3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 further comprising an air inlet opening to the interior space of the bowl and connected to the inlet of the compressor.
4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the air outlet is provided at a position in the outlet conduit such that it is level with a portion of the waste outlet.
5. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the air outlet comprises an outlet tube projecting from the internal surface of the outlet conduit.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the outlet conduit has an axis centrally along the fluid pathway through the conduit at the position of the air outlet, the axis being inclined to horizontal at an angle in the range 15 to degrees.
7. A device according to claim 6 wherein the angle is in the range 20 to 45 degrees.
8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the water supply comprises a tank mounted at a level above the toilet bowl.
9. A device according to any preceding claim comprising one or more sensors connected to the control means and operable to control the flush valve, the compressor or the air outlet valve.
10. A device according to claim 9 comprising a sensor to detect a user sitting on the seat of the toilet.
11. A method for assisting the flush of a toilet comprising a toilet bowl, a water trap and an outlet conduit leading from the water trap comprising providing a flow of pressurised air into the outlet conduit on the opposite side of the water trap from the toilet bowl.
12. A method according to claim 11 comprising flushing water into the bowl and the trap and then providing a flow of pressurised air into the said conduit.
13. A method according to claim 11 or claim 12 comprising flushing water into the bowl and the trap after the flow of pressurised air has stopped.