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WO2022031247A1 - Flushing system and flushing method interactive with a toilet cover - Google Patents

Flushing system and flushing method interactive with a toilet cover Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2022031247A1
WO2022031247A1 PCT/TR2021/050580 TR2021050580W WO2022031247A1 WO 2022031247 A1 WO2022031247 A1 WO 2022031247A1 TR 2021050580 W TR2021050580 W TR 2021050580W WO 2022031247 A1 WO2022031247 A1 WO 2022031247A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
toilet cover
flushing
flushing system
toilet
sensor
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/TR2021/050580
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Bogac Simsir
Fatih Gerenli
Engin OZTURK
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Original Assignee
Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS filed Critical Eczacıbası Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Priority to EP21852625.9A priority Critical patent/EP4188175A4/en
Publication of WO2022031247A1 publication Critical patent/WO2022031247A1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/10—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl
    • E03D5/105—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated electrically, e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl touchless, e.g. using sensors
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/02—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor
    • E03D5/04—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor directly by the seat or cover combined with devices for opening and closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising and lowering seat or cover; Raising or lowering seat and/or cover by flushing or by the flushing mechanism

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a flushing system and a flushing method interactive with a toilet cover where the flushing process is performed according to the position of the toilet cover and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted to take place with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position.
  • the fluid coming from a fluid source is directly transferred to the toilet bowl and/or said flushing fluid is collected in a fluid reservoir and the fluid is discharged into the toilet bowl when it is desired to perform the flushing process, thereby achieving the flushing process.
  • the flushing process may take place upon the flushing system being manually triggered by a user, it is also possible for said process to take place automatically provided that certain predetermined conditions have been satisfied. Said predetermined conditions may include a user's becoming distant from the toilet, elapsing of a certain time after the use, reaching of contamination to a certain level of in the toilet, and the like.
  • the flushing system is either manually activated by the user or is automatically activated depending on the satisfaction of the predefined conditions, there is not present any communication between the flushing system and the toilet cover and the toilet cover and the flushing system do not affect the functions of one another in any way.
  • the flushing fluid may splash outside the toilet bowl due to the fluid collisions upon the discharge of the fluid in the fluid source into the toilet bowl and the contaminated water and/or waste within the toilet bowl may even be caused to overflow outside the toilet bowl, resulting in the contamination of the ambience and even of the combs, toothbrushes and similar objects possible to be present in the same ambience as the toilet. For this reason, activation of the flushing system and performance of the flushing process while the toilet cover is open is inadvisable.
  • the flushing process may be prevented from being performed manually or may be performed with limited flow rate and/or may be delayed in cases where the toilet cover is open, and/or, even if the conditions necessary for the realization of the flushing process have been satisfied, the flushing process may be delayed and/or may be performed with limited flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position, thereby precluding the undesirable situations to result from the performance of the flushing process with the toilet cover in open position.
  • An object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method operating interactively with a toilet cover.
  • Another object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover may be detected and the performance of the flushing process is prevented as long as the toilet cover is open.
  • Another object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover may be detected and the performance of the flushing process is prevented as long as the toilet cover is open, and yet, the flushing process may be performed even with the toilet cover in open position in cases where desired.
  • Another object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover may be detected and the performance of the flushing process is delayed as long as the toilet cover is open and the flushing process is performed after the toilet cover is closed.
  • Figure 1 An isometric view showing the toilet, toilet cover and panel
  • Figure 2 An exploded view of an embodiment of the invention including a rotating member
  • Figure 4 An isometric view showing the rotating member, rotating member protrusion and actuator
  • Figure 5 An isometric view showing the rotating member, position detection member and actuator
  • the invention relates to a flushing system and a flushing method interactive with a toilet cover where the flushing process is performed according to the position of the toilet cover and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted to take place with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position. More particularly, the invention relates to a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover (2) may be detected and the flushing process may be performed only when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position; in other words, the activation of the flushing system is prevented in cases where the toilet cover (2) is open or the flushing process is delayed and/or the flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position.
  • the flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) comprises in its most basic form at least one position detection member (5), which enables the position of the toilet cover (2), i.e. whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed, to be detected, and at least one flushing system, which enables the toilet (1) bowl to be flushed.
  • the flushing system is a system that either allows or prevents the flow of the fluid in at least one fluid source into the toilet (1) bowl.
  • Said fluid source may be a flush tank inside which the fluid is stored as well as a water mains line.
  • the flushing system may be activated manually by a user or automatically depending on the satisfaction of the required conditions.
  • the primary condition sought for the realization of the flushing process in all the embodiments is that the toilet cover (2) is closed, irrespective of the manner in which the flushing system is activated.
  • a user is able to permit the flushing process to be performed depending on the user's preferences and needs, even when the toilet cover (2) is open. More specifically, in cases where it is desired, the user may eliminate the prerequisite that the toilet cover (2) should be closed in order for the flushing process to be performed, for a limited time and/or for a limited number of flushing processes and/or until reactivation of the system.
  • the position of the toilet cover (2) is detected by means of at least one position detection member (5).
  • Said position detection member (5) may be an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a radio frequency (RF) sensor, a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, an inclination sensor and/or an angle sensor, as a well as a mechanical switch or an actuator (3) the position of which may be detected.
  • RF radio frequency
  • RFID radio frequency identification
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor comprises at least one rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2) in a state connected to the toilet cover (2).
  • the optical sensor detects the motion and/or position of the rotating member (4) in order to detect that the toilet cover (2) is closed. In this way, the flushing process is permitted or the flushing process is prevented according to the position of the toilet cover (2) and/or the flushing process is delayed and/or the flushing process with a limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position.
  • the rotating member (4) comprises at least one rotating member protrusion (41) that rotates on the rotating member (4) depending on the rotational movement of said rotating member (4).
  • the optical sensor detects the motion of the rotating member protrusion (41) in order to detect that the toilet cover (2) is closed. More specifically, the optical sensor is located at a position where it is able to see the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position, while the rotating member protrusion (41) is positioned on the rotating member (4) such that it is disposed opposite the optical sensor when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position.
  • the toilet cover (2) is closed when the rotating member protrusion (41) is detected by the optical sensor and the toilet cover (2) is open in cases where the rotating member protrusion (41) is not detected.
  • the flushing process is permitted or the flushing process is prevented according to the position of the toilet cover (2) and/or the flushing process is delayed until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position.
  • the flushing process is permitted under the condition where the optical sensor detects the rotating member protrusion (41), whereas the flushing process is prevented or delayed and/or flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted in cases where the rotating member protrusion (41) may not be detected.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is a magnetic sensor comprises at least one rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2) in a state connected to the toilet cover (2).
  • Said rotating member (4) comprises at least one rotating member protrusion (41) that rotates on the rotating member (4) depending on the rotational movement of said rotating member (4) and the rotating member protrusion (41) is a protrusion with magnetic characteristic.
  • said rotating member protrusion (41) may be detected by the magnetic sensor. While the toilet cover (2) is in the closed position, the rotating member protrusion (41) with magnetic characteristic gets to the position closest to the magnetic sensor and creates a maximum magnetic effect on the magnetic sensor, and it moves away as the toilet cover (2) is being opened.
  • the magnetic sensor is positioned such that it will be closest to the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it will be farthest from the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is open. Accordingly, it is possible to detect that the toilet cover (2) is closed when the effect on the magnetic sensor is at the predefined maximum value and that the toilet cover (2) is open when the effect on the magnetic sensor is smaller than the predefined maximum value, and the flushing process is permitted, the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted in accordance with this information.
  • the position detection member (5) is an inclination sensor and/or angle sensor
  • the inclination sensor and/or the angle sensor is/are fixed to the toilet cover (2) and/or to at least one member, which moves depending on the rotational movement of the toilet cover (2) and which preferably performs rotational movement, and the inclination sensor and/or the angle sensor measure(s) the inclination and/or angle of the toilet cover (2).
  • the inclination and/or angle sensor move(s) together with the movement of the toilet cover (2), it is possible to detect whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed by a comparison of the angle and/or inclination detected by the sensor to the predefined inclination and/or angle, and accordingly, the flushing process is permitted, the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate.
  • the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor, more specifically a light sensor
  • the quantity of light within the toilet (1) bowl is detected and the decision is made as to whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed according to the quantity of light, more specifically, by a comparison of the quantity of light to the predefined reference light values. Accordingly, the flushing process is permitted or the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate.
  • the mechanical switch is positioned such that it completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position.
  • the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the circuit is completed by the mechanical switch and the flushing process is permitted, whereas the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the circuit is disconnected by the mechanical switch and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate.
  • the mechanical switch is positioned such that it disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position.
  • the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the circuit is disconnected by the mechanical switch and the flushing process is permitted, whereas the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the circuit is completed and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate.
  • the system according to the invention comprises at least one actuator (3).
  • the movement of the toilet cover (2) is provided by said actuator (3).
  • the rotating member (4) moves in connection with the actuator (3).
  • the actuator (3) comprises at least one actuator shaft (31) that rotates depending on the activation of the actuator (3) and the rotating member (4) in turn comprises at least one rotating member shaft housing (42) to which the actuator shaft (31) is to enter.
  • the rotating member (4) is positioned on the actuator (3) such that the actuator shaft (31) enters the rotating member shaft housing (42) and thus, it rotates together with the actuator shaft (31), depending on the rotational movement of said actuator shaft (31).
  • the toilet cover (2) moves in connection with the actuator (3), more specifically with the actuator shaft (31). Accordingly, the position of the toilet cover (2) may be detected upon the detection of the position of the actuator shaft (31). While the flushing process is permitted when the actuator shaft (31) is in a position where the toilet cover (2) is closed, the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate when the actuator shaft (31) is in a position where the toilet cover (2) is not closed.
  • said actuator (3) is a motor with optical encoder and/or resistive encoder and/or magnetic encoder.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one upper body (63) where the actuator (3) and/or the energy storage unit (9) and/or the position detection member (5) is/are fixed, and at least one lower body (61) which is positioned on the toilet (1) and on which the upper body (63) is positioned.
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one lower body cover (62), which preferably limits the movement of the rotating member (4) and which is positioned on the lower body (61) and below the upper body (63).
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one presence sensor (8), which enables the movement and/or presence of a user to be detected.
  • Said presence sensor (8) may be an optical sensor and/or radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or ultrasonic sensor.
  • RF radio frequency
  • Said presence sensor (8) is used for the purpose of detecting that a user has approached the toilet (1) and/or the toilet (1) is being currently used by a user and/or a user has moved away from the toilet (1).
  • the toilet cover (2) is enabled to automatically open when the user approaches the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) is enabled to automatically close when the user moves away from the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) is prevented from closing in case the toilet (1) is being currently used by a user, that is, a user has been detected by the presence sensor (8).
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one panel (7), via which the flushing system is controlled and/or on which the presence sensor (8) is located and/or via which other components of the system according to the invention are controlled. While said panel (7) may be located on the toilet (1), it is also possible to position the same on any surface in the environment, and said panel (7) may perform wireless and/or wire communication with the toilet cover (2) and/or the flushing system depending on the preference.
  • the presence sensor (8) may be located on the panel (7), it is also possible for the same to be located on the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) and/or toilet (1) seat.
  • the presence sensor (8) located on the panel (7) detects the user movements, while the other presence sensor (8) detects the presence of the user.
  • the presence sensor (8) located on the panel (7) is a motion sensor
  • the other presence sensor (8) is a proximity sensor.
  • toilet (2) and/or toilet (1) seat, even when the user is not moving. In this way, that the user has left the toilet (1) is verified before closing the toilet cover (2) and the toilet cover (2) is prevented from hitting the user.
  • the panel (7) may perform wireless communication with any at least one portable device, thereby enabling the functions that are able to be controlled via the panel (7) to be controlled also from the portable device.
  • Said portable device may be a remote control as well as a smart device like phone, tablet, smart watch and the like.
  • the flushing system is manually triggered by the user.
  • This embodiment of the invention comprises at least one mechanical switch enabling to manually trigger the flushing system and/or at least one optical sensor, more specifically at least one motion and/or proximity sensor, capable of detecting triggering action of the user in a non-contact manner the and/or at least one capacitive and/or inductive sensor for detecting the user's contact.
  • the sensor enabling to trigger the flushing system may also be a radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor.
  • RF radio frequency
  • Said sensors and mechanical switch may be present on the toilet (1) and/or on any surface in the environment.
  • said sensors and/or mechanical switch is/are located on the panel (7).
  • the flushing system is automatically activated in case the predefined conditions have been satisfied.
  • the predefined condition may be that the predefined level of contamination has been reached within the toilet (1) bowl as well as that the user has moved away from the toilet (1).
  • the flushing system is activated after both conditions have been satisfied.
  • the contamination information is used for activating the flushing system
  • the system comprises at least one contamination sensor.
  • the presence sensor (8) is employed for detecting that the user has moved away from the toilet (1).
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one main control unit enabling the components of the system according to the invention to be controlled.
  • Said main control unit is able to perform wire and/or wireless communication with the other system components.
  • the main control unit is able to perform wireless communication with a portable device like remote control, smart phone, tablet, watch and the like and allows the system components and functions to be remotely controlled.
  • Said main control unit may be located on the toilet (1), toilet cover (2) and/or toilet (1) seat as well as on the panel (7).
  • a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one energy storage unit (9).
  • the electrical energy needed by the system components is stored in said energy storage unit (9). Owing to the energy stored in the energy storage unit (9), the system is able to continue operating without being affected by the likely outages in the power grid. Further, the system's instant requirement for high energy during the initial movement of the toilet cover (2) and under the similar circumstances is supported by the energy storage unit (9) in addition to the power supplied from the grid and thus, it becomes possible for the system to operate with a power supply with lower power.
  • the flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) comprises in its most basic form the process steps of
  • the user may trigger the flushing system by means of at least one mechanical switch and/or at least one motion sensor and/or at least one proximity sensor and/or at least one capacitive and/or inductive sensor and/or via at least one portable device, more specifically via a remote control, phone, tablet, smart watch or similar smart device.
  • the flushing system is activated upon the satisfaction of the predefined conditions.
  • the predefined condition is that the contamination within the toilet (1) bowl has reached or exceeded a predetermined level and/or that the user has moved away from the toilet (1).
  • the flushing process may be prevented from being performed manually or may be performed with limited flow rate and/or may be delayed in cases where the toilet cover is open, and/or, even if the conditions necessary for the realization of the flushing process have been satisfied, the flushing process may be delayed and/or may be performed with limited flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position, thereby precluding the undesirable situations to result from the performance of the flushing process with the toilet cover in open position.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Toilet Supplies (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover (2) may be detected and the flushing process may be performed only when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position; in other words, the activation of the flushing system is prevented in cases where the toilet cover (2) is open or the flushing process is delayed and/or the flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position.

Description

FLUSHING SYSTEM AND FLUSHING METHOD INTERACTIVE WITH A TOILET COVER
Subject of the Invention
The invention relates to a flushing system and a flushing method interactive with a toilet cover where the flushing process is performed according to the position of the toilet cover and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted to take place with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position.
State of the Art
In order to flush the toilets following their use, the fluid coming from a fluid source is directly transferred to the toilet bowl and/or said flushing fluid is collected in a fluid reservoir and the fluid is discharged into the toilet bowl when it is desired to perform the flushing process, thereby achieving the flushing process. While the flushing process may take place upon the flushing system being manually triggered by a user, it is also possible for said process to take place automatically provided that certain predetermined conditions have been satisfied. Said predetermined conditions may include a user's becoming distant from the toilet, elapsing of a certain time after the use, reaching of contamination to a certain level of in the toilet, and the like.
In the embodiments of the state of the art where the flushing system is either manually activated by the user or is automatically activated depending on the satisfaction of the predefined conditions, there is not present any communication between the flushing system and the toilet cover and the toilet cover and the flushing system do not affect the functions of one another in any way. In case of the flushing process being performed in the open position of the toilet cover, the flushing fluid may splash outside the toilet bowl due to the fluid collisions upon the discharge of the fluid in the fluid source into the toilet bowl and the contaminated water and/or waste within the toilet bowl may even be caused to overflow outside the toilet bowl, resulting in the contamination of the ambience and even of the combs, toothbrushes and similar objects possible to be present in the same ambience as the toilet. For this reason, activation of the flushing system and performance of the flushing process while the toilet cover is open is inadvisable.
Owing to the flushing system and the flushing method interactive with a toilet cover according to the invention, the flushing process may be prevented from being performed manually or may be performed with limited flow rate and/or may be delayed in cases where the toilet cover is open, and/or, even if the conditions necessary for the realization of the flushing process have been satisfied, the flushing process may be delayed and/or may be performed with limited flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position, thereby precluding the undesirable situations to result from the performance of the flushing process with the toilet cover in open position. of the Invention
An object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method operating interactively with a toilet cover.
Another object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover may be detected and the performance of the flushing process is prevented as long as the toilet cover is open.
Another object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover may be detected and the performance of the flushing process is prevented as long as the toilet cover is open, and yet, the flushing process may be performed even with the toilet cover in open position in cases where desired.
Another object of the invention is to develop a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover may be detected and the performance of the flushing process is delayed as long as the toilet cover is open and the flushing process is performed after the toilet cover is closed.
Figure imgf000004_0001
Figure 1: An isometric view showing the toilet, toilet cover and panel
Figure 2: An exploded view of an embodiment of the invention including a rotating member
Figure 3: An isometric view of the rotating member
Figure 4: An isometric view showing the rotating member, rotating member protrusion and actuator
Figure 5: An isometric view showing the rotating member, position detection member and actuator
Reference Numerals
1 : Toilet
2 : Toilet cover
3 : Actuator
31 : Actuator shaft
4 : Rotating member
41 : Rotating member protrusion
42 : Rotating member shaft housing 5 : Position detection member
61 : Lower body
62 : Lower body cover
63 : Upper body
7 : Panel
8 : Presence sensor
9 : Energy storage unit
Detailed Description of the Invention
The invention relates to a flushing system and a flushing method interactive with a toilet cover where the flushing process is performed according to the position of the toilet cover and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted to take place with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position. More particularly, the invention relates to a flushing system and a flushing method where the position of the toilet cover (2) may be detected and the flushing process may be performed only when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position; in other words, the activation of the flushing system is prevented in cases where the toilet cover (2) is open or the flushing process is delayed and/or the flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position.
The flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to the invention comprises in its most basic form at least one position detection member (5), which enables the position of the toilet cover (2), i.e. whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed, to be detected, and at least one flushing system, which enables the toilet (1) bowl to be flushed.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flushing system is a system that either allows or prevents the flow of the fluid in at least one fluid source into the toilet (1) bowl. Said fluid source may be a flush tank inside which the fluid is stored as well as a water mains line.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flushing system may be activated manually by a user or automatically depending on the satisfaction of the required conditions. In the flushing system and method according to the invention, the primary condition sought for the realization of the flushing process in all the embodiments is that the toilet cover (2) is closed, irrespective of the manner in which the flushing system is activated.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a user is able to permit the flushing process to be performed depending on the user's preferences and needs, even when the toilet cover (2) is open. More specifically, in cases where it is desired, the user may eliminate the prerequisite that the toilet cover (2) should be closed in order for the flushing process to be performed, for a limited time and/or for a limited number of flushing processes and/or until reactivation of the system.
The position of the toilet cover (2), that is, whether the toilet cover (2) is closed or open, is detected by means of at least one position detection member (5). Said position detection member (5) may be an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a radio frequency (RF) sensor, a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, an inclination sensor and/or an angle sensor, as a well as a mechanical switch or an actuator (3) the position of which may be detected.
A preferred embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor comprises at least one rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2) in a state connected to the toilet cover (2). In said embodiment, the optical sensor detects the motion and/or position of the rotating member (4) in order to detect that the toilet cover (2) is closed. In this way, the flushing process is permitted or the flushing process is prevented according to the position of the toilet cover (2) and/or the flushing process is delayed and/or the flushing process with a limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor, the rotating member (4) comprises at least one rotating member protrusion (41) that rotates on the rotating member (4) depending on the rotational movement of said rotating member (4). In said embodiment, the optical sensor detects the motion of the rotating member protrusion (41) in order to detect that the toilet cover (2) is closed. More specifically, the optical sensor is located at a position where it is able to see the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position, while the rotating member protrusion (41) is positioned on the rotating member (4) such that it is disposed opposite the optical sensor when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position. Accordingly, it is determined that the toilet cover (2) is closed when the rotating member protrusion (41) is detected by the optical sensor and the toilet cover (2) is open in cases where the rotating member protrusion (41) is not detected. In this way, the flushing process is permitted or the flushing process is prevented according to the position of the toilet cover (2) and/or the flushing process is delayed until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position. More particularly, the flushing process is permitted under the condition where the optical sensor detects the rotating member protrusion (41), whereas the flushing process is prevented or delayed and/or flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted in cases where the rotating member protrusion (41) may not be detected.
A preferred embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is a magnetic sensor comprises at least one rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2) in a state connected to the toilet cover (2). Said rotating member (4) comprises at least one rotating member protrusion (41) that rotates on the rotating member (4) depending on the rotational movement of said rotating member (4) and the rotating member protrusion (41) is a protrusion with magnetic characteristic. In this way, said rotating member protrusion (41) may be detected by the magnetic sensor. While the toilet cover (2) is in the closed position, the rotating member protrusion (41) with magnetic characteristic gets to the position closest to the magnetic sensor and creates a maximum magnetic effect on the magnetic sensor, and it moves away as the toilet cover (2) is being opened. Similarly, the magnetic sensor is positioned such that it will be closest to the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it will be farthest from the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is open. Accordingly, it is possible to detect that the toilet cover (2) is closed when the effect on the magnetic sensor is at the predefined maximum value and that the toilet cover (2) is open when the effect on the magnetic sensor is smaller than the predefined maximum value, and the flushing process is permitted, the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate is permitted in accordance with this information.
In an embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is an inclination sensor and/or angle sensor, the inclination sensor and/or the angle sensor is/are fixed to the toilet cover (2) and/or to at least one member, which moves depending on the rotational movement of the toilet cover (2) and which preferably performs rotational movement, and the inclination sensor and/or the angle sensor measure(s) the inclination and/or angle of the toilet cover (2). Thus, the inclination and/or angle sensor move(s) together with the movement of the toilet cover (2), it is possible to detect whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed by a comparison of the angle and/or inclination detected by the sensor to the predefined inclination and/or angle, and accordingly, the flushing process is permitted, the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate.
In an embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor, more specifically a light sensor, the quantity of light within the toilet (1) bowl is detected and the decision is made as to whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed according to the quantity of light, more specifically, by a comparison of the quantity of light to the predefined reference light values. Accordingly, the flushing process is permitted or the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate.
In an embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch is positioned such that it completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position. Thus, the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the circuit is completed by the mechanical switch and the flushing process is permitted, whereas the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the circuit is disconnected by the mechanical switch and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate. In an embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch is positioned such that it disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position. Thus, the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the circuit is disconnected by the mechanical switch and the flushing process is permitted, whereas the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the circuit is completed and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate.
In the embodiment where the movement of the toilet cover (2) takes places automatically, i.e., in the embodiment where the toilet cover (2) automatically opens and/or automatically closes, the system according to the invention comprises at least one actuator (3). The movement of the toilet cover (2) is provided by said actuator (3). In this embodiment, the rotating member (4) moves in connection with the actuator (3). The actuator (3) comprises at least one actuator shaft (31) that rotates depending on the activation of the actuator (3) and the rotating member (4) in turn comprises at least one rotating member shaft housing (42) to which the actuator shaft (31) is to enter. The rotating member (4) is positioned on the actuator (3) such that the actuator shaft (31) enters the rotating member shaft housing (42) and thus, it rotates together with the actuator shaft (31), depending on the rotational movement of said actuator shaft (31).
In an embodiment of the invention where the position detection member (5) is an actuator (3) the position of which may be detected, the toilet cover (2) moves in connection with the actuator (3), more specifically with the actuator shaft (31). Accordingly, the position of the toilet cover (2) may be detected upon the detection of the position of the actuator shaft (31). While the flushing process is permitted when the actuator shaft (31) is in a position where the toilet cover (2) is closed, the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate when the actuator shaft (31) is in a position where the toilet cover (2) is not closed.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said actuator (3) is a motor with optical encoder and/or resistive encoder and/or magnetic encoder.
A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one upper body (63) where the actuator (3) and/or the energy storage unit (9) and/or the position detection member (5) is/are fixed, and at least one lower body (61) which is positioned on the toilet (1) and on which the upper body (63) is positioned. A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one lower body cover (62), which preferably limits the movement of the rotating member (4) and which is positioned on the lower body (61) and below the upper body (63).
A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one presence sensor (8), which enables the movement and/or presence of a user to be detected. Said presence sensor (8) may be an optical sensor and/or radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or ultrasonic sensor. Said presence sensor (8) is used for the purpose of detecting that a user has approached the toilet (1) and/or the toilet (1) is being currently used by a user and/or a user has moved away from the toilet (1). In this way, the toilet cover (2) is enabled to automatically open when the user approaches the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) is enabled to automatically close when the user moves away from the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) is prevented from closing in case the toilet (1) is being currently used by a user, that is, a user has been detected by the presence sensor (8).
A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one panel (7), via which the flushing system is controlled and/or on which the presence sensor (8) is located and/or via which other components of the system according to the invention are controlled. While said panel (7) may be located on the toilet (1), it is also possible to position the same on any surface in the environment, and said panel (7) may perform wireless and/or wire communication with the toilet cover (2) and/or the flushing system depending on the preference.
While the presence sensor (8) may be located on the panel (7), it is also possible for the same to be located on the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) and/or toilet (1) seat. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is present one presence sensor (8) on each of the panel (7) and the toilet cover (2) and/or toilet (1) seat and/or the toilet (1). In this preferred embodiment of the invention, the presence sensor (8) located on the panel (7) detects the user movements, while the other presence sensor (8) detects the presence of the user. More particularly, the presence sensor (8) located on the panel (7) is a motion sensor, while the other presence sensor (8) is a proximity sensor. Thus, the movements of a user are detected owing to the presence sensor (8) on the panel (7), and whether the user is currently using the toilet (1) is detected by means of the presence sensor (8) on the toilet (1) and/or toilet cover
(2) and/or toilet (1) seat, even when the user is not moving. In this way, that the user has left the toilet (1) is verified before closing the toilet cover (2) and the toilet cover (2) is prevented from hitting the user.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel (7) may perform wireless communication with any at least one portable device, thereby enabling the functions that are able to be controlled via the panel (7) to be controlled also from the portable device. Said portable device may be a remote control as well as a smart device like phone, tablet, smart watch and the like.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flushing system is manually triggered by the user. This embodiment of the invention comprises at least one mechanical switch enabling to manually trigger the flushing system and/or at least one optical sensor, more specifically at least one motion and/or proximity sensor, capable of detecting triggering action of the user in a non-contact manner the and/or at least one capacitive and/or inductive sensor for detecting the user's contact. The sensor enabling to trigger the flushing system may also be a radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor. Said sensors and mechanical switch may be present on the toilet (1) and/or on any surface in the environment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said sensors and/or mechanical switch is/are located on the panel (7).
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flushing system is automatically activated in case the predefined conditions have been satisfied. The predefined condition may be that the predefined level of contamination has been reached within the toilet (1) bowl as well as that the user has moved away from the toilet (1). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the flushing system is activated after both conditions have been satisfied. In the embodiment where the contamination information is used for activating the flushing system, the system comprises at least one contamination sensor. The presence sensor (8) is employed for detecting that the user has moved away from the toilet (1).
A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one main control unit enabling the components of the system according to the invention to be controlled. Said main control unit is able to perform wire and/or wireless communication with the other system components. Likewise, the main control unit is able to perform wireless communication with a portable device like remote control, smart phone, tablet, watch and the like and allows the system components and functions to be remotely controlled. Said main control unit may be located on the toilet (1), toilet cover (2) and/or toilet (1) seat as well as on the panel (7).
A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one energy storage unit (9). The electrical energy needed by the system components is stored in said energy storage unit (9). Owing to the energy stored in the energy storage unit (9), the system is able to continue operating without being affected by the likely outages in the power grid. Further, the system's instant requirement for high energy during the initial movement of the toilet cover (2) and under the similar circumstances is supported by the energy storage unit (9) in addition to the power supplied from the grid and thus, it becomes possible for the system to operate with a power supply with lower power.
The flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to the invention comprises in its most basic form the process steps of
• triggering the flushing system manually and/or automatically,
• detecting the position of the toilet cover (2), in other words, whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed, by the position detection member (5), and
• performing the flushing process in case the toilet cover (2) is detected to be closed, or preventing the flushing process and/or delaying the flushing process and/or permitting the flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position, in case the toilet cover (2) is detected to be open.
In an embodiment of the method according to the invention where the flushing process is triggered manually, the user may trigger the flushing system by means of at least one mechanical switch and/or at least one motion sensor and/or at least one proximity sensor and/or at least one capacitive and/or inductive sensor and/or via at least one portable device, more specifically via a remote control, phone, tablet, smart watch or similar smart device.
In an embodiment of the method according to the invention where the flushing process is triggered automatically, the flushing system is activated upon the satisfaction of the predefined conditions. The predefined condition is that the contamination within the toilet (1) bowl has reached or exceeded a predetermined level and/or that the user has moved away from the toilet (1).
Owing to the flushing system and the flushing method interactive with a toilet cover according to the invention, the flushing process may be prevented from being performed manually or may be performed with limited flow rate and/or may be delayed in cases where the toilet cover is open, and/or, even if the conditions necessary for the realization of the flushing process have been satisfied, the flushing process may be delayed and/or may be performed with limited flow rate until the toilet cover gets to the closed position, thereby precluding the undesirable situations to result from the performance of the flushing process with the toilet cover in open position.

Claims

1. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) where the flushing process may be performed according to the position of the toilet cover (2), and the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted to take place with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position characterized in that the system comprises in its most basic form
• at least one position detection member (5), which enables the position of the toilet cover (2) to be detected and
• at least one flushing system, which enables the toilet (1) bowl to be flushed.
2. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a position detection member (5) capable of detecting whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed.
3. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises at least one rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2) in a state connected to the toilet cover (2).
4. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 3 characterized in that the rotating member (4) comprises at least one rotating member protrusion (41) that rotates depending on the rotational movement of said rotating member (4).
5. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor.
6. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 5 characterized in that the optical sensor is an optical sensor capable of detecting the position of the toilet cover (2).
7. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 3 or 5 characterized in that the optical sensor is an optical sensor capable of detecting the position and/or movement of the rotating member (4).
8. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the optical sensor is an optical sensor capable of detecting the rotating member protrusion (41).
9. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the optical sensor is positioned such that it is able to see the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position.
10. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 4 or 5 characterized in that the rotating member protrusion (41) is positioned on the rotating member (4) such that it is disposed opposite the optical sensor when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position.
11. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a magnetic sensor.
12. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 4 or 11 characterized in that the rotating member protrusion (41) is a rotating member protrusion (41) with magnetic characteristic.
13. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 12 characterized in that the magnetic sensor is a magnetic sensor capable of detecting the rotating member protrusion (41).
14. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 4 or 11 characterized in that the rotating member protrusion (41) is positioned such that the rotating member protrusion (41) gets to the position closest to the magnetic sensor when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it moves away from the magnetic sensor as the toilet cover (2) opens.
15. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 4 or 11 characterized in that the magnetic sensor is positioned such that magnetic sensor is closest to the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it is farthest from the rotating member protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is open.
16. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is an inductive sensor.
17. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a capacitive and/or resistive sensor.
18. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a radio frequency (RF) sensor.
19. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.
20. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is an inclination and/or angle sensor.
21. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 20 characterized in that the inclination and/or angle sensor is/are fixed to the toilet cover (2) and/or to at least one member, which moves depending on the rotational movement of the toilet cover (2) and which preferably performs rotational movement.
22. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 5 characterized in that the optical sensor is a light sensor.
23. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 22 characterized in that the light sensor is a light sensor, which is used to decide whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed according to the quantity of light within the toilet (1) bowl and which is capable of detecting the quantity of light within the toilet (1) bowl.
24. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a mechanical switch.
25. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 24 characterized in that the mechanical switch is a mechanical switch, which completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position, or which disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position.
26. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises at least one actuator (3) enabling the toilet cover (2) to open and/or close automatically.
27. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 3 or 26 characterized in that the rotating member (4) is a rotating member (4) that moves in connection with the actuator (3).
28. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 26 characterized in that the actuator (3) comprises at least one actuator shaft (31) that rotates depending on the activation of the actuator (3).
29. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 3 or 28 characterized in that the rotating member (4) comprises at least one rotating member shaft housing (42) to which the actuator shaft (31) is to enter.
30. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 29 characterized in that the rotating member (4) is positioned on the actuator (3) such that the actuator shaft (31) enters the rotating member shaft housing (42) and said rotating member (4) rotates depending on the rotational movement of the actuator shaft (31).
31. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 26 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is an actuator (3) the position of which may be detected.
32. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 28 or 31 characterized in that the actuator (3) is an actuator (3) enabling to detect whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed according to the position of the actuator shaft (31).
33. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a motor with optical encoder the position of which may be detected.
34. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a motor with resistive encoder the position of which may be detected.
35. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is a motorwith magnetic encoderthe position of which may be detected.
36. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 3 or 26 characterized in that the flushing system comprises at least one lower body (61) enabling the actuator (3) and/or the rotating member (4) to be fixed on the toilet (1).
37. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 36 characterized in that the flushing system comprises at least one upper body (63) enabling the lower body (61) to be covered.
38. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 36 characterized in that the lower body (61) is positioned on the toilet (1).
39. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 36 characterized in that the lower body (61) is a lower body (61) on which the actuator (3) and/or the rotating member (4) is/are positioned.
40. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 3 characterized in that the flushing system comprises at least one lower body cover (62) limiting the movement of the rotating member (4).
41. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 37 or 40 characterized in that the lower body cover (62) is positioned on the lower body (61) and below the upper body (63).
42. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the flushing system comprises at least one presence sensor (8), which enables the movement and/or presence of a user to be detected.
43. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 42 characterized in that the presence sensor (8) is a motion and/or proximity sensor.
44. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 42 characterized in that the presence sensor (8) is an optical sensor.
45. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 42 characterized in that the presence sensor (8) is a radio frequency (RF) sensor.
46. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 42 characterized in that the presence sensor (8) is an ultrasonic sensor.
47. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the flushing system comprises at least one panel (7), which enables the flushing system and/or other components of the system to be controlled.
48. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 42 or 47 characterized in that the presence sensor (8) is positioned on the panel (7).
49. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 47 characterized in that the panel (7) is a panel (7) able to perform wireless and/or wire communication with the toilet cover (2) and/or the flushing system.
50. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 42 characterized in that the presence sensor (8) is located on the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) and/or the toilet (1) seat.
51. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 48 or 50 characterized in that the flushing system comprises at least one presence sensor (8) on the panel (7) and at least one presence sensor (8) on the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) and/or the toilet (1) seat.
52. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 51 characterized in that the presence sensor (8) located on the panel (7) is a motion sensor enabling the user movements to be detected, while the presence sensor (8) located on the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) and/or the toilet (1) seat is a proximity sensor enabling the presence of a user to be detected.
53. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 47 characterized in that the panel (7) is a panel (7), which is able to perform wireless communication with at least one portable device and which allows the functions that are controlled via said panel (7) to be controlled also from the portable device.
54. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 53 characterized in that the portable device with which the panel (7) may communicate wirelessly is a remote control and/or a phone and/or a tablet and/or a smart watch.
55. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the flushing system is a flushing system that permits the flow of the fluid in at least one fluid source into the toilet (1) bowl.
56. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 55 characterized in that the fluid source is a flush tank.
57. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the flushing system is a flushing system, which is triggered manually by a user.
58. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 57 characterized in that the system comprises at least one mechanical switch, which enables the flushing system to be triggered manually by a user.
59. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 57 characterized in that the system comprises at least one optical sensor, which enables the flushing system to be triggered manually by a user.
60. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 59 characterized in that the optical sensor enabling the flushing system to be triggered is a motion and/or proximity sensor.
61. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 57 characterized in that the system comprises at least one capacitive and/or inductive sensor, which enables the flushing system to be triggered manually by a user and which detects the contact of a user.
62. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 57 characterized in that the system comprises at least one radio frequency (RF) sensor, which enables the flushing system to be triggered manually by a user.
63. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 57 characterized in that the system comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor, which enables the flushing system to be triggered manually by a user.
64. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to any one of Claim 47 or 58- 63 characterized in that the mechanical switch and/or the sensors enabling the flushing system to be triggered are located on the panel (7).
65. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the flushing system is a flushing system, which becomes automatically activated in case predefined conditions have been satisfied.
66. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 65 characterized in that the predefined condition required to be satisfied in order for the flushing system to become activated is that the level of contamination within the toilet (1) bowl has reached the predefined contamination level and/or that the user has moved away from the toilet (1).
67. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 65 characterized in that the system comprises at least one contamination sensor enabling the contamination within the toilet (1) bowl to be detected.
68. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises at least one main control unit enabling the system components to be controlled.
69. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 68 characterized in that the main control unit is a main control unit capable of performing wire and/or wireless communication with the other system components.
70. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 68 characterized in that the main control unit is a main control unit, which is able to perform wireless communication with a portable device such as remote control, smart phone, tablet, watch and the like and which allows the system components and functions to be remotely controlled.
71. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 47 or 68 characterized in that the main control unit is positioned on the toilet (1) and/orthe toilet cover (2) and/or the toilet (1) seat and/or the panel (7).
72. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises at least one energy storage unit (9), which enables the electrical energy needed by the system components to be stored.
73. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 72 characterized in that the energy storage unit (9) is an energy storage unit (9), which enables the system to continue operating without being affected by the likely outages in the power grid and/or which provides the system's instant requirement for high energy by supporting the power supplied from the grid.
74. A flushing system interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 1 characterized in that it is a flushing system where the prerequisite that flushing process may be performed according to the position of the toilet cover (2) or that the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position may be eliminated for a limited time and/or for a limited number of flushing processes and/or until reactivation of the system.
75. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) where the flushing process may be performed according to the position of the toilet cover (2), or the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted to take place with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position characterized in that the method comprises the process steps of
• triggering the flushing system manually and/or automatically,
• detecting the position of the toilet cover (2), in other words, whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed, by the position detection member (5) and
• performing the flushing process in case the toilet cover (2) is detected to be closed, or preventing the flushing process and/or delaying the flushing process and/or permitting the flushing process with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position, in case the toilet cover (2) is detected to be open.
76. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that the user triggers the flushing system by means of at least one mechanical switch and/or at least one motion sensor and/or at least one proximity sensor and/or at least one capacitive and/or inductive sensor and/or at least one radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or at least one ultrasonic sensor and/or at least one portable device, more specifically via a smart device such as remote control, phone, tablet, smart watch or the like.
77. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that the flushing process is performed automatically upon the satisfaction of predefined conditions.
78. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 77 characterized in that the predefined condition is that the level of contamination within the toilet (1) bowl has reached a predefined level and/or that the user has been detected to move away from the toilet (1).
79. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that the position detection member (5) is at least one optical sensor and/or magnetic sensor and/or inclination sensor and/or angle sensor and/or inductive sensor and/or capacitive sensor and/or resistive sensor and/or radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor and the position of the toilet cover (2) is detected by means of at least one optical sensor and/or magnetic sensor and/or inclination sensor and/or angle sensor and/or inductive sensor and/or capacitive sensor and/or resistive sensor and/or radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor.
80. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor, the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the rotating member protrusion (41 of the rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2), is detected by the optical sensor.
81. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is an optical sensor, the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the rotating member protrusion (41) of the rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2), is not able to be detected by the optical sensor.
82. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is a magnetic sensor, the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the magnetic rotating member protrusion (41) of the rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2), is closest to the magnetic sensor and the magnetic effect on the magnetic sensor is at the predefined maximum level.
83. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is a magnetic sensor, the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the magnetic effect created on the magnetic sensor by the magnetic rotating member protrusion (41) of the rotating member (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2), is less than the predefined maximum level.
84. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is an inclination and/or angle sensor, the inclination and/or angle sensor measure(s) the inclination and/or angle of the toilet cover (2) and whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed may be detected by a comparison of the measured inclination and/or angle to the predefined inclination and/or angle.
85. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is a light sensor, the quantity of light within the toilet (1) bowl is detected and the decision is made as to whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed according to the quantity of light, more specifically, by a comparison of the quantity of light to the predefined reference light values.
86. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is a mechanical switch, the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the circuit is completed by the mechanical switch, whereas the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the circuit is disconnected.
87. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is a mechanical switch, the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the circuit is disconnected by the mechanical switch, whereas the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the circuit is completed.
88. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that in the embodiment where the position detection member (5) is an actuator (3), the toilet cover (2) moves in connection with the actuator (3), more specifically with the actuator shaft (31), and the position of the toilet cover (2) is detected upon the detection of the position of the actuator shaft (31).
89. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that a user having approached the toilet (1) and/or a toilet (1) currently being used by a user and/or a user having moved away from the toilet (1) is/are detected by means of at least one presence sensor (8) and the toilet cover (2) automatically opens when the user approaches the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) automatically closes when the user moves away from the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) is prevented from closing in case the toilet (1) is being currently used by a user, that is, in case a user has been detected by the presence sensor (8).
90. A flushing method interactive with a toilet cover (2) according to Claim 75 characterized in that the prerequisite that flushing process may be performed according to the position of the toilet cover (2) or that the flushing process is prevented and/or delayed and/or the flushing process is permitted with limited flushing fluid flow rate until the toilet cover (2) gets to the closed position may be eliminated for a limited time and/or for a limited number of flushing processes and/or until reactivation of the system.
PCT/TR2021/050580 2020-08-02 2021-06-14 Flushing system and flushing method interactive with a toilet cover Ceased WO2022031247A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

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EP21852625.9A EP4188175A4 (en) 2020-08-02 2021-06-14 FLUSHING SYSTEM AND FLUSHING PROCESS IN INTERACTION WITH A TOILET COVER

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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TR2020/12178A TR202012178A1 (en) 2020-08-02 2020-08-02 A WASHING SYSTEM AND WASHING METHOD INTERACTING WITH THE TOILET SEAT
TR2020/12178 2020-08-02

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TR202012178A1 (en) 2022-02-21
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