WO2018199866A2

WO2018199866A2 - An electronically controlled flushing system

Info

Publication number: WO2018199866A2
Application number: PCT/TR2017/050653
Authority: WO
Inventors: Onur YENİLMEZ
Original assignee: Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-12
Publication date: 2018-11-01
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-20
Also published as: TR201619023A2; WO2018199866A3

Abstract

The electronically controlled flushing system (F) developed according to the present invention comprises the reservoir (H) where the water (S) received from a source is stored; the delivery line (H1) through which the water (S) within the reservoir (H) is delivered into the toilet bowl; the cover (H2) having an open position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is enabled and a closed position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is prevented; the triggering member, which regulates the open/closed position of the cover (H2); the ultrasonic sensor (A) with a transmitter for sending a sound wave to the water (S) within the reservoir (H) and a receiver for receiving the sound wave, which hits the water (S) and then returns, said ultrasonic sensor being positioned inside the reservoir (H) and measuring the distance of the water (S) within the reservoir (H) from itself by means of the sound wave sent from the transmitter and received by the receiver; the control unit for recording the predefined maximum water level to be present within the reservoir (H), for determining the level of water within the reservoir (H) based on the sound waves sent and received by the sensor (A) and for identifying the quantity of water available within the reservoir (H) according to the determined water level and for comparing the predefined water level to the determined water level to control and regulate the operation of the flushing system (F); and the control panel (K), which comprises the indicator (K1) for informing the user about the proper operation and/or malfunction status of the flushing system (F).

Description

AN ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED FLUSHING SYSTEM

Relevant Technical Field

The present invention relates to the electronically controlled flushing systems. Prior Art

In the toilets, the flushing systems having at least one reservoir, within which the water received from a source (such as a municipal water distribution network, external storage tank) is stored, are employed in order to enable the cleaning of the toilet bowl particularly following the use of the same. Said flushing systems comprise at least one triggering member (e.g. a pull handle, button, sensor, etc.) that is able to be controlled mechanically, in a touch-operated manner or in a non-contact manner wherein the water within the reservoir is transferred into the toilet bowl upon the use of said triggering member by a user and the toilet bowl is enabled to be flushed with said water. With the advancing technology and as a result of the decline in the water resources, it has become a necessity to make the quantity of water to be used in cleaning a toilet bowl determinable depending on the actual need, with a view to reduce the water consumption. In this context, the flushing systems with dual-discharge feature are developed, where the quantities of water that are different from each other are delivered into a toilet bowl. However, the quantity of water to be delivered into the toilet bowl in such flushing systems is mechanically controlled by a float mechanism present in the flushing system, in which case it is not possible to precisely determine the quantity of water to be delivered into the toilet bowl. For instance, where the user wishes to deliver a small quantity of water into the toilet bowl, he/she could instead deliver a quantity of water that is greater than that he/she actually intends to deliver and the flushing system could fail to achieve its purpose correctly.

Furthermore, it could become impossible to determine whether or not the flushing system is operational or whether or not an adequate quantity of water is available within the flushing system unless said triggering member is used (for example in the flushing systems where the reservoir contained by the system is embedded inside a wall), and as the use of the triggering member usually takes place after the use of the toilet, the toilet bowl remains dirty and leads to the development of a serious hygiene problem especially in the public toilets.

Brief Description of the Invention

The electronically controlled flushing system developed according to the present invention is suitable for use in the delivery of water into a toilet bowl particularly for the purpose of cleaning said toilet bowl wherein said flushing system comprises at least one reservoir where the water obtained from a source is stored; at least one delivery line through which the water within the reservoir passes to be delivered into the toilet bowl, said delivery line having at least one side connected with said reservoir and at least one other side connected with the toilet bowl; at least one cover regulating the passage of water through said delivery line and having an open position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir into the toilet bowl is enabled and a closed position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir into the toilet bowl is prevented; at least one triggering member, which regulates the open/closed position of the cover, enables the cover to assume the open position for the delivery of the water within the reservoir into the toilet bowl and is able to be triggered mechanically, in a touch-operated manner or in a non-contact manner; at least one ultrasonic sensor with at least one transmitter for sending a sound wave at a certain wavelength to the water within the reservoir and at least one receiver for receiving said sound wave, which is sent to the water, hits the water and then returns, said ultrasonic sensor being positioned inside the reservoir, measuring the distance of the water within the reservoir from itself by means of the sound wave, which is sent from the transmitter, hits the water and then returns and is then received by the receiver and thus enabling the quantity of water within the reservoir to be determined; at least one control unit for recording the predefined maximum water level to be present within the reservoir, for determining the level of water within the reservoir based on the sound waves sent and received by the sensor and for identifying the quantity of water available within the reservoir according to the determined water level and the reservoir dimensions and for comparing the predefined water level to the determined water level to control and regulate the operation of the flushing system based on the predefined water level and the determined water level; and at least one control panel, which is connected to the control unit and which comprises at least one indicator for informing the user about the proper operation and/or malfunction status of the flushing system based on the water level and/or water quantity determined by the control unit.

Owing to the electronically controlled flushing system developed according to the present invention, the water level within the reservoir may be continuously determined at certain periods and informed to the user in a precise manner. Thus, particularly in the wall- embedded flushing systems, the user may be aware of the quantity of water available within the reservoir and accordingly, the user may be provided with information regarding whether or not the flushing system is operational. As a result, it becomes possible to enhance the level of hygiene in an inexpensive, simple and practical manner especially in the public toilets.

Object of the Invention An object of the present invention is to devise a flushing system, which is controlled in an automated and/or digitalized manner.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an electronically controlled flushing system, which determines and notifies to a user the quantity of water available within the reservoir said system contains.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an electronically controlled flushing system where it is possible to precisely control the quantity of water to be delivered into a toilet bowl.

Another object of the present invention is to devise an electronically controlled flushing system for achieving a higher level of hygiene in a toilet in an inexpensive, simple and practical manner. Description of the Figures

The representative embodiments of the flushing system developed according to the present invention are shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the flushing system developed. Figure 2 is an exemplary illustration of a control panel that the developed flushing system comprises.

Figure 3 is a sectional perspective view of an embodiment of the developed flushing system.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the developed flushing system.

The parts in the figures are individually assigned with reference numerals and the designations for the reference numerals are provided below:

Flushing system (F)

Reservoir (H)

Delivery line (H1 )

Cover (H2)

Control panel (K)

Indicator (K1 )

Water (S)

Sensor (A)

Description of the Invention

The flushing systems used for cleaning the toilet bowls comprise the equipment that enable different quantities of water to be delivered into a toilet bowl in order to reduce the water consumption. However, such equipment are usually mechanically controlled; hence the quantity of water delivered into a toilet bowl may not be controlled precisely. Moreover, in the flushing systems (particularly in the embedded flushing systems), it is not possible to easily detect the operational status of the flushing system or whether the reservoir contains an adequate quantity of water, which in turn could result in the failure to clean a toilet bowl after the use of the same. This could lead to the development of serious hygiene problems especially in the public toilets. For this reason, an electronically controlled flushing system is developed according to the present invention with a view to provide a solution to the aforesaid problems. The electronically controlled flushing system (F), exemplary views of which are provided in Figures 1 -4, is suitable for use in the delivery of water into a toilet bowl particularly for the purpose of cleaning said toilet bowl wherein said flushing system comprises at least one reservoir (H) where the water (S) obtained from a source (such as a municipal water distribution network or an external storage tank) is stored; at least one delivery line (H1 ) through which the water (S) within the reservoir (H) passes to be delivered into the toilet bowl, said delivery line having at least one side connected with said reservoir (H) and at least one other side connected with the toilet bowl; at least one cover (H2) regulating the passage of water through said delivery line (H1 ) and having an open position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is enabled and a closed position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is prevented; and at least one triggering member, which regulates the open/closed position of the cover (H2), enables the cover (H2) to assume the open position for the delivery of the water (S) within the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl (and/or enables said cover (H2) to assume the closed position preferably once the water (S) received from the source has begun to refill the reservoir (H) following the delivery of the desired quantity of water (S) from the reservoir (H) into said bowl) and is able to be triggered mechanically, in a touch-operated manner or in a non-contact manner. The developed flushing system (F) further comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor (A) with at least one transmitter for sending a sound wave at a certain wavelength to the water and at least one receiver for receiving (detecting) said sound wave, which is sent to the water, hits the water and then returns, said ultrasonic sensor being positioned inside the reservoir (H) preferably in a way to be located in an upper part of the reservoir (H), measuring the distance of the water within the reservoir (H) from itself by means of the sound wave, which is sent from the transmitter, hits the water and then returns and is then received (detected) by the receiver and thus enabling the quantity of water within the reservoir (H) to be determined; at least one control unit for recording the predefined maximum water level (or quantity) to be present within the reservoir (H), for determining the level of water within the reservoir (H) based on the sound waves sent and received by the sensor (A) and for identifying the quantity of water available within the reservoir (H) according to the determined water level and the reservoir (H) dimensions and for comparing the predefined water level (or quantity) to the determined water level (and/or quantity) to control and regulate the operation of the flushing system (F) based on the predefined water level (or quantity) and the determined water level (and/or quantity); and at least one control panel (K), which is connected to the control unit and which comprises at least one indicator (K1 ) for informing the user about the operational status of the flushing system (F) based on the water level and/or water quantity determined by the control unit and which preferably has the triggering member positioned therein. Said flushing system (F) is preferably a system disposed inside a wall in an area where the toilet bowl is present (i.e. it is a wall-embedded system).

According to an exemplary manner of operation of the invention, said cover (H2) is in the closed position at which the delivery of water (S) from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is prevented and the water (S) received from the source is filling into the reservoir (H). Meanwhile, said sensor (A) sends a sound wave at a certain wavelength to the water filling into the reservoir (H), said sound wave hits the water filling into the reservoir (H) and then returns and the returned sound wave is received by the receiver. In this way, the distance of the water from the sensor (A) is identified preferably by the use of the time it takes for the sound wave sent from the transmitter to reach the receiver, and the control unit determines the quantity of water (S) based on such distance data and the height of the water (S) within the reservoir (H) and preferably the dimensions of the reservoir (H) and compares such determined value to the predefined maximum value preferably in an instant manner. When the water (S) within the reservoir (H) has reached the maximum value, the intake of water (S) from the source to the reservoir (H) is interrupted provided that the flushing system (F) is properly functioning. Thus, it is determined, as a result of a comparison performed in the control unit, that the level (or quantity) of the water (S) within the reservoir (H) has reached the maximum value stored in the control unit and that it has remained constant at this value preferably for a predetermined duration. Based on this determination, it is concluded that a sufficient quantity of water (S) is available within the reservoir (H), and hence, the flushing system (F) is functioning properly, and this condition is informed to a user through said indicator (K1 ). On the other hand, in case the determined water level (and/or quantity) becomes fixed at a value different from the predefined value, the presence of a malfunction in the flushing system (F) is notified to the user again through said indicator (K1 ). According to a representative embodiment, said action of notifying the user about the proper functioning or malfunction state may be achieved by way of said indicator (K1 ) informing the user about the water level within the reservoir (H) according to certain value ranges. In this embodiment, for example, at least one illuminating member is used and the part up to the value that corresponds to the water (S) level (or quantity) within the reservoir (H) is shown in a certain color (e.g. green). In another embodiment, an illuminating member that emits light in different colors for different water levels is used, wherein it may be provided, for example, that the illuminating member disposed on the indicator (K1 ) emits the light in red color in case the water level within the reservoir (H) is high or low, whereas said illuminating member emits the light in green color in case the water level within the reservoir (H) is normal. In this way, the user may determine, prior to using the toilet, whether or not the flushing system (F) is properly functioning and whether or not an adequate quantity of water is available within the reservoir (H) and it may be ensured that a higher level of hygiene is achieved in an inexpensive, simple and practical manner particularly in the public toilets.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the developed flushing system (F) comprises at least one motion member (e.g. a motor) for providing the open/closed position of said cover (H2). In an embodiment, said motion member is preferably associated with the triggering member wherein when the triggering member is actuated by a user, the cover (H2) may assume the open position (and/or preferably the closed position). In another representative embodiment, said motion member is preferably associated with the control unit wherein said member controls the movement of the cover (H2) into the open position (and/or preferably the closed position) according to the water level (and/or quantity) determined in the control unit. In another preferred embodiment, said motion member is connected to both the triggering member and the control unit. For example, when a user actuates the triggering member to enable the transfer of water (S) from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl, he/she activates the motion member at the same time and the motion member in turn enables the cover (H2) to assume the open position. Meanwhile, the water (S) delivered from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is determined through the measurement and transmission to the control unit of the level of water (S) by means of the sensor (A), and once the transfer of water (S) (preferably in a quantity that suits the need) has been complete, the control unit activates the motion member and the motion member in turn enables the cover (H2) to assume the closed position. In this case, the control unit preferably stores the minimum value (level and/or quantity) of water (S) to be present within the reservoir (H) and the control unit enables the cover (H2) to close upon the value measured by the sensor (A) having reached said minimum value. In this way, the opening and closing of the cover (H2) are controlled electronically in an automated manner and the level and/or quantity of the water (S) within the reservoir (H) is/are able to be monitored precisely. In this embodiment, the water level (and/or quantity) within the reservoir (H) is preferably shown to the user via said indicator (K1 ) at predetermined periods (e.g. in an instant manner) and the user is able to monitor the quantity of water being transferred from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl. When the intake of water from the source to the reservoir (H) resumes, the state of rise in the water level is preferably shown to the user again via said indicator (K1 ) at predetermined periods (e.g. in an instant manner). Thus, it becomes possible to ensure the efficient use of the flushing system (F) in a practical manner.

According to another representative embodiment of the invention, the flushing system (F) features the ability to enable the cleaning of the toilet bowl to be performed with at least two quantities of water that are different from one another, and to achieve this purpose, said system comprises at least two triggering members each corresponding to a separate quantity in order to enable the transfer of different quantities of water (S) into the toilet bowl. In this embodiment, the different water quantities to be used in cleaning the toilet bowl are recorded in the control unit in a way associated with separate triggering members and when a user actuates a triggering member that is appropriate for his/her need, the quantity of water (S) that is matched with said triggering member is delivered into the bowl. In this embodiment, the flushing system (F) further comprises at least one motion member preferably connected to the cover (H2), triggering members and control unit. Thus, when a user wants for instance to deliver a first quantity of water (S) into the toilet bowl, he/she actuates the respective triggering member and the cover (H2) assumes the open position. Meanwhile, the level and quantity of water (S) are detected continuously by the sensor (A) and the control unit and accordingly, the control unit continuously calculates at predetermined periods (e.g. in an instant manner) the quantity of water (S) being transferred. When the calculated water quantity has become equal to the first quantity, the control unit activates the motion member and the motion member in turn brings the cover (H2) into the closed position to thereby stop the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl. In this way, the delivery of a desired quantity of water into the toilet bowl may be realized more precisely in a way that suits the actual need, and as a result, the consumption of water may be reduced even further.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the closing action of said cover (H2) may be achieved by means of the triggering member. For example, in case a user reaches, during the delivery of the water into the toilet bowl, the conclusion that the adequate quantity of water has been delivered into the toilet bowl, he/she actuates the triggering member again, and in this way, the user may enable the cover (H2) to assume the closed position preferably via the motion member, thereby interrupting the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl. Afterwards, the intake of water from the source to the reservoir (H) is restarted and the reservoir (H) is enabled to be filled with water (S) up to the maximum level. Meanwhile, preferably the state of the rise in the level of water is presented to the user at predetermined periods (e.g. in an instant manner) via said indicator (K1 ).

According to another representative embodiment of the invention, the flushing system (F) developed further comprises at least one audible warning member for warning the user about the operating status. Thus, it may be ensured that the flushing system (F) is used more efficiently by the user.

Owing to the electronically controlled flushing system (F) developed according to the present invention, the water level within the reservoir (H) may be continuously determined at certain periods and informed to the user in a precise manner. Thus, particularly in the wall-embedded flushing systems (F), the user may be aware of the quantity of water (S) available within the reservoir (H) and accordingly, the user may also be provided with information regarding whether or not the flushing system (F) is operational. As a result, it becomes possible to enhance the level of hygiene in an inexpensive, simple and practical manner especially in the public toilets.

Claims

A flushing system (F) suitable for use in the delivery of water into a toilet bowl particularly for the purpose of cleaning said toilet bowl, comprising

• at least one reservoir (H) where the water (S) obtained from a source is stored;

• at least one delivery line (H1 ) through which the water (S) within the reservoir (H) passes to be delivered into the toilet bowl, said delivery line having at least one side connected with said reservoir (H) and at least one other side connected with the toilet bowl;

• at least one cover (H2) regulating the passage of water through said delivery line (H1 ) and having an open position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is enabled and a closed position at which the delivery of water from the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl is prevented; and

• at least one triggering member, which regulates the open/closed position of the cover (H2), enables the cover (H2) to assume the open position for the delivery of the water (S) within the reservoir (H) into the toilet bowl and is able to be triggered mechanically, in a touch-operated manner or in a non-contact manner characterized in that it comprises

- at at least one ultrasonic sensor (A) with at least one transmitter for sending a sound wave at a certain wavelength to the water (S) within the reservoir (H) and at least one receiver for receiving said sound wave, which is sent to the water (S), hits the water (S) and then returns, said ultrasonic sensor being positioned inside the reservoir (H), measuring the distance of the water (S) within the reservoir (H) from itself by means of the sound wave, which is sent from the transmitter, hits the water (S) and then returns and is then received by the receiver and thus enabling the quantity of water within the reservoir (H) to be determined;

- at least one control unit for recording the predefined maximum water level to be present within the reservoir (H), for determining the level of water within the reservoir (H) based on the sound waves sent and received by the sensor (A) and for identifying the quantity of water available within the reservoir (H) according to the determined water level and the reservoir (H) dimensions and for comparing the predefined water level to the determined water level to control and regulate the operation of the flushing system (F) based on the predefined water level and the determined water level; and - at least one control panel (K), which is connected to the control unit and which comprises at least one indicator (K1 ) for informing the user about the proper operation and/or malfunction status of the flushing system (F) based on the water level and/or water quantity determined by the control unit.

2. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said flushing system (F) is a system disposed inside a wall in an area where the toilet bowl is present.

3. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said sensor (A) is positioned inside the reservoir (H) in a way to be located in an upper part of the reservoir (H).

4. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said triggering member is positioned on the control panel (K).

5. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said ultrasonic sensor (A) is a sensor that measures the distance of the water from the sensor (A) by the use of the time it takes for the sound wave sent from the transmitter to reach the receiver

6. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the control unit is a unit that instantaneously compares the predefined water level to the determined water level.

7. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said indicator (K1 ) is an indicator, which informs the user about the water level within the reservoir (H) according to certain value ranges in order to inform the user about the proper operation or malfunction status.

8. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said control member is positioned on the control panel (K).

9. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 or Claim 7 characterized in that said indicator (K1 ) comprises at least one illuminating member.

10. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 9 characterized in that said illuminating member is an illuminating member that emits light in different colors for different water levels.

11. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least one motion member for providing the open/closed position of said cover (H2).

12. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 1 characterized in that said motion member is a motor.

13. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 1 characterized in that said motion member is connected with the triggering member such that the cover (H2) may assume the open position when the triggering member is actuated by a user.

14. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 1 characterized in that said motion member is connected with the control unit such that the cover (H2) may assume the open position and/or closed position according to the water level determined in the control unit.

15. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 1 characterized in that said motion member is connected to both the triggering member and the control unit.

16. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 15 characterized in that the control unit contains the minimum water (S) value to be present within the reservoir (H) in order to provide the control over the closing of the cover (H2).

17. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that it is a system that enables the cleaning of the toilet bowl to be performed with at least two quantities of water that are different from one another.

18. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 17 characterized in that it comprises at least two triggering members each corresponding to a separate quantity in order to enable the transfer of different quantities of water (S) into the toilet bowl.

19. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 18 characterized in that the control unit contains the information about the different water quantities and the triggering members corresponding to such different water quantities.

20. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 19 characterized in that it comprises at least one motion member connected to the cover (H2), triggering members and control unit.

21. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the triggering member is a member that enables said cover (H2) to be closed.

22. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 21 characterized in that it comprises at least one motion member connected to the triggering member.

23. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 15 or Claim 22 characterized in that said indicator (K1 ) is an indicator (K1 ), which shows the water level within the reservoir (H) to the user at predetermined periods.

24. A flushing system (F) according to Claim 1 characterized in that it comprises at least one audible warning member for warning the user about the operating status.