CA2481924A1 - Toilet flushers for water tanks with novel valves and dispensers - Google Patents

Toilet flushers for water tanks with novel valves and dispensers Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2481924A1
CA2481924A1 CA002481924A CA2481924A CA2481924A1 CA 2481924 A1 CA2481924 A1 CA 2481924A1 CA 002481924 A CA002481924 A CA 002481924A CA 2481924 A CA2481924 A CA 2481924A CA 2481924 A1 CA2481924 A1 CA 2481924A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
tank
flush
water
valve
pressure
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
CA002481924A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2481924C (en
Inventor
Nathan E. Parsons
Fatih Guler
Kay Herbert
Xiaoxiong Mo
David Hadley
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 US10/174,919 external-priority patent/US6752371B2/en
Priority claimed from PCT/US2002/038758 external-priority patent/WO2003048464A2/en
Priority claimed from PCT/US2002/041576 external-priority patent/WO2003058102A1/en
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2481924A1 publication Critical patent/CA2481924A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2481924C publication Critical patent/CA2481924C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E03WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
    • E03DWATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
    • E03D1/00Water flushing devices with cisterns ; Setting up a range of flushing devices or water-closets; Combinations of several flushing devices
    • E03D1/30Valves for high or low level cisterns; Their arrangement ; Flushing mechanisms in the cistern, optionally with provisions for a pre-or a post- flushing and for cutting off the flushing mechanism in case of leakage
    • E03D1/36Associated working of inlet and outlet valves
    • 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)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Hydrology & Water Resources (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
  • Fluid-Driven Valves (AREA)
  • Self-Closing Valves And Venting Or Aerating Valves (AREA)

Abstract

A tank-type flusher (100) includes an intake valve (102), a flush valve (104 ), and a sensor module (20). The intake valve (102) is connected to an external water source (17) and constructed to close water flow to a water storage tan k (16) at about a predefined water level in the water tank (16). The flush val ve is constructed to control a flush valve member (112) between a seated and unseated state allowing water to discharge from the water tank (16) to a toilet bowl (13). The sensor module (20) is located at a reference location external to the water storage tank (16).

Claims (42)

1. A tank-type flusher comprising;
an intake valve connected to an external water source and constructed to close water flow to a water storage tank at about a predefined water level in said water tank;
a flush valve constructed to control a flush valve member between a seated state and an unseated state allowing water discharge from said water tank into a toilet bowl; and a sensor module located at a reference location external to said water storage tank.
2. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said reference location is where an input line of said external water source is coupled to said water storage tank.
3. The tank-type flusher of claim 2 wherein said water storage tank is an external tank.
4. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said water storage tank is an internal tank located behind a wall.
5. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said sensor module includes a light source and a light detector.
6. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said sensor module includes a light detector operating in the range of 350 nm to 1500 nm.
7. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said sensor module provides a signal to a controller that controls hydraulic actuation of the flush valve.
8. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said flush valve is constructed for manual actuation.
9. A method of operating a tank-type flusher comprising;
providing an intake valve connected to an external water source and constructed to close water flow to a water storage tank at about a predefined water level in said water tank; and a flush valve constructed to control a flush valve member between a seated state and an unseated state allowing water discharge from said water tank into a toilet bowl; and actuating the flush valve by a signal from a sensor module located at a reference location external to said water storage tank.
10. A tank-type flusher, comprising:
an intake valve connected to an external water source and constructed to close water flow to a water storage tank at about a predefined water level in said water tank;
a diaphragm-operated flush valve constructed to control a flush valve member between a seated state and an unseated state allowing water discharge from said water tank into a toilet bowl;
a diaphragm, separating a flush-valve chamber and a pilot chamber, arranged to seal said flush-valve chamber and thereby maintain pressure forcing said flush valve member to said seated state preventing said water discharge from said water storage tank to said toilet bowl; and a pressure control mechanism constructed and arranged, upon actuation, to reduce pressure in said pilot chamber of said diaphragm-operated flush valve to cause deformation of said diaphragm and thereby reduce pressure in said flush-valve chamber causing said water discharge.
11. The tank-type flusher of claim 10 wherein said intake valve includes a float constructed and arranged without any fixed coupling to any valve member.
12. The tank-type flusher of claim 10 wherein said intake valve includes a float which freely floats within a float cage.
13. The tank-type flusher of claim 10 wherein said intake valve is actuated by a water level detector.
14. The tank-type flusher of claim 13 wherein said water level detector includes a reed sensor
15. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said pressure control mechanism is controlled by a solenoid.
16. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said flush valve member is constructed to move linearly within a flush valve housing.
17. The tank-type flusher of claim 1 wherein said flush-valve chamber is arranged to receive water pressure from said external source and being arranged to prevent said water discharge utilizing at least a portion of said water pressure.
18. A tank-type flusher, comprising:
an intake valve constructed to close water flow from an external water source to a water storage tank when there is a predefined water level in said water tank, said intake valve including a float constructed and arranged to freely float within a float cage; and a diaphragm-operated flush valve including a flush-valve chamber, said diaphragm-operated flush valve being constructed to open upon actuation to discharge water into a toilet bowl from said water tank.
19. A tank-type flusher, comprising:

an intake valve connected to an external water source and constructed to close water flow to a water storage tank at about a predefined water level in said water tank; and a flush valve constructed to control position of a flush valve member movable between a seated state and an unseated state allowing water discharge from said water tank into a toilet bowl; said flush valve member being biased to said unseated state by a bias member and being forced to said seated state by at least a portion of water pressure from said external source.
20. The tank-type flusher of claim 10, 18 or 19 wherein said intake valve and said flush valve are located within a single housing.
21. The tank-type flusher of claim 19 wherein said flush-valve chamber is arranged to receive a water pressure from said external source and is arranged to prevent said water discharge utilizing at least a portion of said water pressure.
22. The tank-type flusher of claim 19 wherein said diaphragm-operated flush valve is controlled by a solenoid.
23. The tank-type flusher of claim 10, 18 or 19 wherein said water tank is an exposed water tank.
24. The tank-type flusher of claim 10, 18 or 19 wherein said water tank is a concealed water tank located behind a wall.
25. The tank-type flusher of claim 10, 18 or 19 wherein said intake valve enables a variable water level in said tank.
26. The tank-type flusher of claim 10, 18 or 19 including a vacuum breaker arranged to prevent transfer of water from said tank to a water supply.
27. The tank-type flusher of claim 10, 18 or 19 including a manual actuator constructed and arranged to actuate said flush valve.
28. The tank-type flusher of claim 27 wherein said manual actuator is a push button actuator.
29. The tank-type flusher of claim 28 wherein said push button actuator is constructed to actuate said flush valve enabling a dual water volume flush.
30. The tank-type flusher of claim 28 wherein said push button actuator is constructed to actuate hydraulically said flush valve.
31. The tank-type flusher of claim 10, 18 or 19 including an automatic actuator constructed and arranged to actuate said flush valve.
32. The tank-type flusher of claim 31 wherein said automatic actuator is constructed to be triggered by an object sensor.
33. The tank-type flusher of claim 32 wherein said sensor registers presence of an object.
34. The tank-type flusher of claim 32 wherein said sensor registers movement of an object.
35. The tank-type flusher of claim 32 wherein said sensor is an optical sensor.
36. The tank-type flusher of claim 31 wherein said automatic actuator is constructed to actuate said flush valve enabling a dual water volume flush.
37. A flusher comprising:

a tank forming a flush outlet by which liquid in the tank may leave the tank for flushing;
a flush-valve member operable between an unseated state, in which it permits flow from the tan through the flush outlet, and a seated state, in which it prevents flow from the tank there through;
a valve-operating mechanism including a housing that defines a control chamber disposed and forms a line-pressure inlet that admits water line pressure into the control chamber and further forms a control-chamber pressure-relief outlet, by which pressure in the control chamber can be relieved, the valve-operating mechanism operating the flush-valve member to its seated state when the line pressure prevails in the control chamber and operating the flush-valve member to its unseated state when the pressure in the control chamber is relieved;
a pressurizer conduit having an upstream thereof and a downstream end t hereof that so communicates with the control chamber that pressurized water applied to the pressurizer conduit at an upstream end thereof can pressurize the control chamber; and a pressure controller interposed in the pressurizer conduit, the pressurizer conduit imposing a pressure drop from its upstream to its downstream side that increases and decreases with upstream pressure.
38. A flusher comprising:
a tank forming a flush outlet by which liquid in the tank may leave the tank for flushing;
a flush-valve member operable between an unseated state, in which it permits flow from the tank through the flush outlet, and a seated state, in which it prevents flow from the tank therethrough;
a valve-operating mechanism including a housing that defines a control chamber disposed and forms a line-pressure inlet that admits water line pressure into the control chamber and further forms a control-chamber pressure-relief outlet, by which pressure in the control chamber can be relieved, the valve-operating mechanism operating the flush-valve member to its seated state when the line pressure prevails in the control chamber and operating the flush-valve member to its unseated state when the pressure in the control chamber is relieved;
a pressurizer conduit having an upstream thereof and a downstream end thereof that so communicates with the control chamber that pressurized water applied to the pressurizer conduit at an upstream end thereof can pressurize the control chamber; and a check valve interposed in the pressurizer conduit and oriented to permit flow toward the pressurizer conduit's upstream end but not toward its upstream end.
39. A flusher comprising:
tank forming a flush outlet by which liquid in the tank may leave the tank for flushing;
flush-valve member biased to an unseated state in which it permits flow from the tank through the flush outlet, and operable between its unseated state and a seated state, in which it prevents flow from the tank therethrough;
flush-valve housing that forms a flush-valve chamber in which at least a portion of the flush-valve member is movably disposed, the flush-valve housing further forming a flush-valve chamber pressure-relief outlet and a line-pressure inlet that so admits water line pressure into the flush-valve chamber as to keep the valve in its seated state when water line pressure above a minimum hold pressure prevails in the flush-valve chamber; and pressure-relief mechanism operable between a closed state, in which it prevents relief of flush-valve-chamber pressure through the flush-valve chamber pressure-relief outlet, and an open state, in which it relieves flush-valve-chamber pressure through the flush-valve chamber pressure-relief outlet.
40. A flusher comprising:
a tank forming a flush outlet by which liquid in the tank may leave the tank for flushing;

a flush-valve member operable between an unseated state, in which it permits flow from the tank through the flush outlet, and a seated state, in which it prevents flow from the tank therethrough; and a valve-operating mechanism including a housing that defines a control chamber disposed at a local location and forms a line-pressure inlet that admits water line pressure into the control chamber and further forms a control-chamber pressure-relief outlet, by which pressure in the control chamber can be relieved, the valve-operating mechanism operating the flush-valve member to one of said seated and unseated states thereof when the line pressure prevails in the control chamber and operating the flush-valve member to the other of said seated and unseated states thereof when the pressure in the control chamber is relieved.
41. 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.
42. An actuator system, comprising:
an actuator including an armature and a coil constructed to displace said armature by application of a coil drive;
an armature sensor constructed to detect displacement of said armature;
and a control circuit constructed to apply to said coil said coil drive upon receiving a signal originated from an external object sensor, said control circuit being also responsive to an output from said sensor.
CA2481924A 2002-04-10 2003-04-10 Toilet flushers for water tanks with novel valves and dispensers Expired - Fee Related CA2481924C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US37165502P 2002-04-10 2002-04-10
US60/371,655 2002-04-10
US10/174,919 US6752371B2 (en) 2002-06-19 2002-06-19 Valve actuator having small isolated plunger
US10/174,919 2002-06-19
USPCT/US02/38758 2002-12-04
PCT/US2002/038758 WO2003048464A2 (en) 2001-12-04 2002-12-04 Automatic bathroom flushers
PCT/US2002/041576 WO2003058102A1 (en) 2001-12-26 2002-12-26 Bathroom flushers with novel sensors and controllers
USPCT/US02/41576 2002-12-26
PCT/US2003/011360 WO2003087641A1 (en) 2002-04-10 2003-04-10 Toilet flushers for water tanks with novel valves and dispensers

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2481924A1 true CA2481924A1 (en) 2003-10-23
CA2481924C CA2481924C (en) 2012-03-27

Family

ID=33479165

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2481924A Expired - Fee Related CA2481924C (en) 2002-04-10 2003-04-10 Toilet flushers for water tanks with novel valves and dispensers

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1497581A4 (en)
JP (1) JP4689165B2 (en)
AU (2) AU2003223588B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2481924C (en)
WO (1) WO2003087641A1 (en)

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WO2005056938A1 (en) * 2003-12-04 2005-06-23 Arichell Technologies, Inc. Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers
US7921480B2 (en) 2001-11-20 2011-04-12 Parsons Natan E Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers
EP1706547A1 (en) * 2003-12-04 2006-10-04 Arichell Technologies, Inc. Passive sensors and control algorithms for faucets and bathroom flushers
DE102004027948C5 (en) * 2004-06-08 2010-01-28 Hansa Metallwerke Ag Sanitary fitting with a circuit arrangement
ES2381210T3 (en) * 2007-12-18 2012-05-24 Nestec S.A. System for the preparation of a beverage from ingredients provided by an encoded insert
KR100946392B1 (en) * 2008-03-21 2010-03-18 주식회사 에이에프 Apparatus for waterway controlled water supply non-power chamber pot auto-flush device by water pressure and body weight
US8566971B2 (en) 2009-11-17 2013-10-29 Kohler Co. Toilet flushing assembly and sequence
US8850630B2 (en) * 2011-08-29 2014-10-07 Sam Akbarpour Dual flush device
CN103388356B (en) * 2013-08-19 2015-05-13 刘吉向 Self-sensing seat type water-saving environment-friendly closestool

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JPS59145844A (en) * 1983-02-09 1984-08-21 東陶機器株式会社 Toilet bowl washing apparatus
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JP3128790B2 (en) * 1992-06-15 2001-01-29 東陶機器株式会社 Water supply control device
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US6212697B1 (en) 1999-09-07 2001-04-10 Arichell Technologies, Inc. Automatic flusher with bi-modal sensitivity pattern

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1497581A1 (en) 2005-01-19
JP4689165B2 (en) 2011-05-25
AU2003223588B2 (en) 2010-03-18
AU2010200810A1 (en) 2010-03-25
JP2005522608A (en) 2005-07-28
AU2003223588A1 (en) 2003-10-27
EP1497581A4 (en) 2008-12-31
WO2003087641A1 (en) 2003-10-23
CA2481924C (en) 2012-03-27

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Effective date: 20180410