CA2469189A1 - Automatic bathroom flushers - Google Patents

Automatic bathroom flushers Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2469189A1
CA2469189A1 CA002469189A CA2469189A CA2469189A1 CA 2469189 A1 CA2469189 A1 CA 2469189A1 CA 002469189 A CA002469189 A CA 002469189A CA 2469189 A CA2469189 A CA 2469189A CA 2469189 A1 CA2469189 A1 CA 2469189A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
valve
actuator
constructed
armature
actuator system
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.)
Granted
Application number
CA002469189A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2469189C (en
Inventor
Natan E. Parsons
Fatih Guler
Kay Herbert
Xiaoxiong Mo
Gregory P. Greene
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.)
Sloan Valve Co
Original Assignee
Individual
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
Priority claimed from US10/012,226 external-priority patent/US6619614B2/en
Priority claimed from US10/012,252 external-priority patent/US6691979B2/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA2724696A priority Critical patent/CA2724696C/en
Publication of CA2469189A1 publication Critical patent/CA2469189A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2469189C publication Critical patent/CA2469189C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03DWATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D3/00Flushing devices operated by pressure of the water supply system flushing valves not connected to the water-supply main, also if air is blown in the water seal for a quick flushing
    • E03D3/02Self-closing flushing valves
    • E03D3/06Self-closing flushing valves with diaphragm valve and pressure chamber for retarding the valve-closing movement
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03DWATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D5/00Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
    • E03D5/10Special 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
    • E03D5/105Special 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

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
  • Fluid-Driven Valves (AREA)
  • Residential Or Office Buildings (AREA)
  • Aeration Devices For Treatment Of Activated Polluted Sludge (AREA)
  • Lift Valve (AREA)
  • Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
  • Vehicle Waterproofing, Decoration, And Sanitation Devices (AREA)

Abstract

Published without an

Claims (51)

1. A bathroom flusher comprising:
a body having an inlet and an outlet, a valve assembly in said body positioned to close water flow between said inlet and outlet upon sealing action of a moving member at a valve seat thereby controlling flow from said inlet to said outlet, and an actuator for actuating operation of said moving member.
2. The bathroom flusher of claim 1 wherein said moving member a high flow rate diaphragm constructed to linearly move within a valve cavity.
3. The bathroom flusher of claim 1 wherein said moving member is a diaphragm,
4. The bathroom flusher of claim 1 wherein said moving member is a piston.
5. The bathroom flusher of claim 2, 3 or 4 further including a cover mounted upon said body and defining a pressure chamber with said valve assembly.
6. The bathroom flusher of claim 5 further including a flexible member fixed relative to said cover at one end thereof, the other end of said flexible member being attached to a movable member of said valve assembly, wherein there is a passage in said flexible member arranged to reduce pressure in said pressure chamber.
7. The bathroom flusher of claim 6 wherein said flexible member is a hollow tube.
8. The bathroom flusher of claim 7 including a spring positioned within said hollow tube.
9. The bathroom flusher of claim 8 wherein said spring is a coiled spring.
10. The bathroom flusher of claim 8 wherein said actuator is an isolated (sealed) actuator
11 The bathroom flusher of claim 2, 3 or 4 including an automatic flow-control system
12. An automatic flow-control system comprising:
an electric valve operable by application of control signals thereto between an open position, in which it permits fluid flow therethrough, and a closed position, in which it prevents fluid flow therethrough; and a control circuit, including an infrared-light detector and an LED combination that includes a visible-light-emitting diode and an infrared-light-emitting diode so connected in antiparallel combination that driving the LED combination in a first direction causes it to emit infrared light into a target region and driving it in a second, opposite direction causes it to emit visible light, that selectively drives the combination LED in the first and second directions and applies control signals to the electric valve in accordance with reception by the infrared-light detector of infrared light reflected from the target region.
13. The automatic flow-control system of claim 12 wherein the control circuit is operable in a normal mode, in which it operates the valve in response to the infrared-light detector's reception of the reflected infrared light, and in a start-up mode, in which it instead drives the combination LED in response to the infrared-light detector's reception of the reflected infrared light.
14. The automatic flow-control system of claim 12 wherein:
the LED combination includes first and second terminals;
the control circuit includes:
a power supply having positive and negative sides;
positive-path and negative-path transistors associated with each terminal, each positive-path transistor controlling a path from the terminal with which it is associated to the power supply's positive side;

negative-path transistors associated with each terminal, each negative-path transistor controlling a path from the terminal with which it is associated to the power supply's negative side;
to drive the LED combination in the first direction, the control circuit drives into conduction the positive-path transistor associated with the first terminal and drives into conduction the negative-path transistor associated with the second terminal; and to drive the LED combination in the second direction, the control circuit drives into conduction the positive-path transistor associated with the second terminal and drives into conduction the negative-path transistor associated with the first terminal.
15. The automatic flow-control system of claim 14 wherein the control circuit is operable in a normal mode, in which it operates the valve in response to the infrared-light detector's reception of the reflected infrared light, and in a start-up mode, in which it instead drives the combination LED in response to the infrared-light detector's reception of the reflected infrared light.
16. An automatic flusher comprising:
an electrical valve operable by application of control signals thereto between an open state, in which it permits water flow therethrough, and a closed state, in which it prevents water flow therethrough; and a control circuit that transmits radiation into a target region, detects radiation that as a result is reflected with a reflection percentage to the control circuit, and, in at least one mode of operation, responds to reflection-percentage changes independently of absolute levels of reflection percentage by so applying control signals to the electrical valve as to operate the electrical valve to its open state in response to a sequence of a period of decreasing reflection percentage meeting predetermined withdrawal criteria preceded by a period of increasing reflection percentage meeting predetermined approach criteria.
17. The automatic flusher as defined in claim 16 wherein the predetermined approach criteria include the requirement that the duration of the period of increasing reflection percentage exceed an approach-period minimum.
18. An automatic flusher as defined in claim 17 wherein the predetermined approach criteria include the requirement that the reflection percentage have traversed a minimum approach reflection-percentage range during the approach period.
19. An automatic flusher as defined in claim 17 wherein the predetermined withdrawal criteria include the requirement that the duration of the period of decreasing reflection percentage exceed a withdrawal-period minimum.
20. An automatic flusher as defined in claim 19 wherein the predetermined approach criteria include the requirement that the reflection percentage have traversed a minimum approach reflection-percentage range during the approach period.
21. An electromagnetic actuator system, comprising:
an actuator including a solenoid coil and an armature housing constructed and arranged to receive in a movable relationship an armature;
a controller coupled to a power driver constructed to provide a drive signal to said solenoid coil for displacing said armature and thereby open or close a valve passage for fluid flow; and an actuator sensor constructed and arranged to sense a position of said armature and provide a signal to said controller.
22. The actuator system of claim 21 wherein said sensor is constructed to detect voltage induced by movement of said armature.
23. The actuator system of claim 22 wherein said sensor is constructed and arranged to detect changes to said drive signal due to the movement of said armature.
24. The actuator system of claim 22 wherein said sensor includes a resistor arranged to receive at least a portion of said drive signal, and a voltmeter constructed to measure voltage across said resistor.
25. The actuator system of claim 22 wherein said sensor includes a coil sensor constructed and arranged to detect said voltage induced by movement of said armature.
26. The actuator system of claim 25 wherein said coil sensor is connected in a feedback arrangement to a signal conditioner providing conditioned signal to said controller.
27. The actuator system of claim 26 wherein said signal conditioner includes a preamplifier and a low-pass filter.
28. The actuator system of claim 22 wherein said sensor includes two coil sensors each constructed and arranged to detect said voltage induced by movement of said armature.
29. The actuator system of claim 28 wherein said coil sensors are connected in a feedback arrangement to a differential amplifier constructed to provide a differential signal to said controller.
30. The actuator system of claim 21 wherein said actuator sensor includes an optical sensor.
31. The actuator system of claim 21 wherein said actuator sensor includes a capacitance sensor.
32. The actuator system of claim 21 wherein said actuator sensor includes a bridge for sensitively detecting a signal change due to movement of said armature.
33. The actuator system of claim 21 wherein said armature housing is constructed and arranged for a linear displacement of said armature upon said solenoid receiving said drive signal.
34. The actuator system of claim 33 wherein said actuator is a latching actuator constructed to maintain said armature in said open passage state without any drive signal being delivered to said solenoid coil.
35. The actuator system of claim 34 wherein said latching actuator includes a permanent magnet arranged to maintain said armature in said open passage state.
36. The actuator system of claim 14 wherein said latching actuator further includes a bias spring positioned and arranged to bias said armature toward an extended position providing a close passage state without any drive signal being delivered to said solenoid coil.
37. The actuator system of claim 21 further including a presence sensor coupled to said controller.
38. A valve device, comprising:
a fluid input port and a fluid output port;
a valve body defining a valve cavity and including a valve closure surface;
and a fram assembly providing two pressure zones and being movable within said valve cavity with respect a guiding member; said fram assembly being constructed to move to an open position enabling fluid flow from said fluid input port to said fluid output port upon reduction of pressure in a first of said pressure zones; and being constructed to move to a closed position, upon increase of pressure in said first pressure zone, creating a seal at said valve closure surface.
39. The valve device of claim 38, wherein said two pressure zones include two chambers separated by said fram assembly and wherein said first pressure zone includes a pilot chamber.
40. The valve device of claim 39 including an operator constructed and arranged to release pressure in said pilot chamber and thereby initiate movement of said fram member from said closed position to said open position.
41. The valve device of claim 40, wherein said operator includes a latching actuator.
42. The valve device of claim 40, wherein said operator includes a non-latching actuator.
43. The valve device of claim 40, wherein said operator includes an actuator having an isolation membrane for containing fluid inside a plunger cavity of said actuator.
44. The valve device of claim 38 wherein said fram assembly includes a pliable member and a stiff member, said pliable member being constructed to come in contact with said valve closure surface to form said seal in said closed position.
45. The valve device of claim 44, wherein said valve closure surface includes a lip providing said seal in said closed position.
46. The valve device of claim 38 including a bias member.
47. The valve device of claim 44 wherein said bias member is constructed and arranged to assist movement of said fram member from said open position to said closed position.
48. The valve device of claim 44 wherein said bias member includes a spring.
49. The valve device of claim 38 wherein said guiding member includes a pin.
50. The valve device of claim 49 wherein said pin includes a grove.
51. A method of controlling fluid flow, comprising:
providing a fluid input port and a fluid output port associated with a valve body defining a valve cavity and including a valve closure surface;

providing a fram assembly defining two pressure zones and being movable within said valve cavity with respect a guiding member;
reducing a pressure in a first of said pressure zones and thereby initiating movement of said fram assembly to an open position enabling fluid flow from said fluid input port to said fluid output port; and closing a control passage to increase of pressure in said first pressure zone and thereby initiating movement of said fram assembly from said open position to said closed position preventing fluid flow from said fluid input port to said fluid output port.
CA2469189A 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Automatic bathroom flushers Expired - Lifetime CA2469189C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2724696A CA2724696C (en) 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Automatic bathroom flushers

Applications Claiming Priority (11)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US10/012,226 US6619614B2 (en) 2001-12-04 2001-12-04 Automatic flow controller employing energy-conservation mode
US10/012,252 2001-12-04
US10/012,226 2001-12-04
US10/012,252 US6691979B2 (en) 2001-12-04 2001-12-04 Adaptive object-sensing system for automatic flusher
US36216602P 2002-03-05 2002-03-05
US60/362,166 2002-03-05
US39128202P 2002-06-24 2002-06-24
US60/391,282 2002-06-24
US42437802P 2002-11-06 2002-11-06
US60/424,378 2002-11-06
PCT/US2002/038758 WO2003048464A2 (en) 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Automatic bathroom flushers

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2724696A Division CA2724696C (en) 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Automatic bathroom flushers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2469189A1 true CA2469189A1 (en) 2003-06-12
CA2469189C CA2469189C (en) 2011-02-01

Family

ID=27533471

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2469189A Expired - Lifetime CA2469189C (en) 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Automatic bathroom flushers

Country Status (9)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1451415B1 (en)
JP (3) JP4523277B2 (en)
CN (1) CN1320221C (en)
AT (1) ATE371774T1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002346652A1 (en)
CA (1) CA2469189C (en)
DE (1) DE60222169T2 (en)
MX (1) MXPA04005485A (en)
WO (1) WO2003048464A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102839733B (en) * 2006-02-27 2015-08-05 斯洛文阀门公司 Two flushing triggers
EP2213713B1 (en) 2009-02-02 2014-03-12 The Procter and Gamble Company Liquid hand dishwashing detergent composition
ES2488117T3 (en) 2009-02-02 2014-08-26 The Procter & Gamble Company Liquid detergent composition for dishwashing by hand
US8434172B2 (en) 2009-04-28 2013-05-07 Masco Canada Limited Dual flush electronic flush valve
WO2012124349A1 (en) 2011-03-17 2012-09-20 株式会社ティアンドデイ Valve system
US9228334B2 (en) * 2011-12-19 2016-01-05 Defond Components Limited Liquid-operated actuator assembly, particularly for a flush toilet, and flush toilet incorporating the assembly
US20130307550A1 (en) * 2012-05-18 2013-11-21 O2Micro Inc. State of charge indicators for battery packs
PT108396A (en) * 2015-04-22 2015-12-29 Acail Gas Sa EQUIPMENT FOR CONTROLLING, MEASURING AND COMMUNICATING A PHYSICAL GREATNESS OF A CONTENTOR CONTAINING A FLUID UNDER PRESSURE
CN206617634U (en) * 2017-03-27 2017-11-07 上海荣威塑胶工业有限公司 Thrift lock and squirt toy
CN115929730A (en) * 2017-12-21 2023-04-07 斯瓦戈洛克公司 System and method for controlling and monitoring an actuated valve
WO2022016047A1 (en) 2020-07-17 2022-01-20 Sloan Valve Company Light ring for plumbing fixtures
CN113229114B (en) * 2021-06-07 2022-07-29 塔里木大学 Drip irrigation device for desert highway protection forest

Family Cites Families (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3429333A (en) * 1966-06-23 1969-02-25 Adolf Schoepe Ball cock
GB1532210A (en) * 1975-10-27 1978-11-15 Reed International Ltd Valve assemblies
JPS5367245A (en) * 1976-11-27 1978-06-15 Toto Ltd Apparatus for washing toilet bowl
US4309781A (en) 1980-05-09 1982-01-12 Sloan Valve Company Automatic flushing system
JPS5721638A (en) * 1980-07-12 1982-02-04 Mineo Nishiku Automatic water discharger exclusively designed for male flush toilet
US4488702A (en) * 1983-09-29 1984-12-18 Lapeyre James M Rolling diaphragm metering valve
CN86206149U (en) * 1986-08-23 1987-07-15 瓯海县科教实验厂 Self-closing rinsing valve
CN87210709U (en) * 1987-11-06 1988-05-25 王延玲 Self-closed flush valve
US4793588A (en) * 1988-04-19 1988-12-27 Coyne & Delany Co. Flush valve with an electronic sensor and solenoid valve
US5032812A (en) * 1990-03-01 1991-07-16 Automatic Switch Company Solenoid actuator having a magnetic flux sensor
US5169118A (en) * 1992-02-11 1992-12-08 Sloan Valve Company Sensor-operated battery-powered flush valve
US5244179A (en) 1992-08-21 1993-09-14 Sloan Valve Company Diaphragm stop for sensor-operated, battery-powered flush valve
JP3173194B2 (en) * 1992-12-08 2001-06-04 東陶機器株式会社 Solenoid valve
CN2172313Y (en) * 1993-10-29 1994-07-20 邱斌 Press delyed self-closed toilet flushing valve
JP2502946B2 (en) * 1994-05-23 1996-05-29 東陶機器株式会社 Water supply control device
DE19680592D2 (en) * 1995-07-18 1997-11-27 Tiefenbach Gmbh Pilot operated hydraulic closing valve
JP3705380B2 (en) * 1996-08-23 2005-10-12 東陶機器株式会社 Object detection device
US5769387A (en) * 1996-11-20 1998-06-23 Perez C.; Sergio Flow valves operated by flow transfer means which regulate small flows of control
US5967182A (en) 1997-11-04 1999-10-19 Sloan Valley Company Outside filter for flush valve
JPH11158971A (en) * 1997-11-26 1999-06-15 Toto Ltd Stool flushing device
JP2001065029A (en) * 1999-08-26 2001-03-13 Nekkusu:Kk Electronical automatic cock for toilet bowl
US6293516B1 (en) 1999-10-21 2001-09-25 Arichell Technologies, Inc. Reduced-energy-consumption actuator
WO2001051098A1 (en) 2000-01-14 2001-07-19 Roberts Jon L Infant utensil sterilization method and apparatus
JP2001311191A (en) * 2000-02-25 2001-11-09 Toto Ltd Moving body detection system
US6305662B1 (en) * 2000-02-29 2001-10-23 Arichell Technologies, Inc. Reduced-energy-consumption actuator
US6382586B1 (en) 2000-12-14 2002-05-07 Sloan Valve Company Flush valve assembly with flex tube

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JP4523277B2 (en) 2010-08-11
JP5683531B2 (en) 2015-03-11
AU2002346652A1 (en) 2003-06-17
JP5580018B2 (en) 2014-08-27
JP2005511923A (en) 2005-04-28
EP1451415B1 (en) 2007-08-29
JP2010059783A (en) 2010-03-18
CN1599828A (en) 2005-03-23
DE60222169T2 (en) 2008-05-21
JP2012229803A (en) 2012-11-22
DE60222169D1 (en) 2007-10-11
WO2003048464A2 (en) 2003-06-12
MXPA04005485A (en) 2005-04-19
ATE371774T1 (en) 2007-09-15
EP1451415A1 (en) 2004-09-01
CN1320221C (en) 2007-06-06
CA2469189C (en) 2011-02-01

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2471734A1 (en) Bathroom flushers with novel sensors and controllers
CA2469189A1 (en) Automatic bathroom flushers
CN107269917B (en) Electronic faucet, valve assembly for electronic faucet and faucet system
US5169118A (en) Sensor-operated battery-powered flush valve
EP1522778B1 (en) Apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow
GB2253466B (en) Electromagnetic valve device
EP1698817B1 (en) Electromagnetic apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow
CA2551987C (en) Pneumatically actuated valve
US8585009B2 (en) Flow control valve
JP2005511923A5 (en)
US5460202A (en) Three-way piezoelectric valve
JP2537592B2 (en) Timing device
DE60201055D1 (en) Hydraulic actuator for locking assembly
CN112236610A (en) Solenoid valve and air flow divider
JP2003139270A (en) Opening and closing valve provided with operation detection mechanism of valve element
US9523376B2 (en) Discrete pilot stage valve arrangement with fail freeze mode
JPH0542296Y2 (en)
CA2538524C (en) Electromagnetic apparatus and method for controlling fluid flow
JPH0243945B2 (en)
JP2776578B2 (en) Flow control valve with closing function
JPH0227552B2 (en)
SU771630A1 (en) Pressure regulator
CA1195205A (en) Overflow valve
JPH04275609A (en) Flow rate controller
JPS6224003A (en) Fluid control valve

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKEX Expiry

Effective date: 20221205