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

Definitions

• Non-contact flushing device for a toilet facility and method for non-contact flushing of a toilet facility
• the invention relates to a non-contact flushing device for a toilet system, with at least one trigger sensor, which cooperates with the actuation of a flushing device and which emits a signal for flushing after using the toilet system.
• the invention also relates to a method for contactless flushing of a toilet system.
• a contactless flushing device of the type mentioned has become known in the prior art from EP 0 487 977 B. This enables the use of the toilet system without having to touch a button or the like to trigger the flush. Such systems are increasingly desired due to hygienic requirements.
• a position sensor is arranged on the back of the toilet bowl in the said flushing device. If a user sits on the toilet bowl, the position sensor provides a first flush. If the user leaves the toilet bowl, a signal from the sensor mentioned provides a full flush when he has reached a further position. The sensor is switched from a sensor range B to a longer sensor range A when the user sits down in the first position. If the user moves away from the toilet system, the sensor is switched to a shorter sensor range B.
• the shorter sensor range B is approximately 450 mm and the longer sensor range A is approximately 950 mm.
• the invention has for its object to provide a non-contact flushing device of the type mentioned, which is simpler and which also works safely.
• the task is solved in a generic flushing device in that a monitoring sensor is provided with which a person approaching the toilet system can be detected.
• two sensors are provided which have completely different functions.
• One sensor is the trigger sensor, which emits a signal to trigger a flush
• the other sensor is a monitoring sensor, with which a person approaching the toilet system is detected.
• the trigger sensor can be controlled and in particular activated and deactivated by means of the monitoring sensor. This enables a significant reduction in energy and power, so that the sensors can be powered by a battery.
• the contactless flushing trigger can thus be switched on and off by means of the monitoring sensor. This enables a logical and user-friendly automatic triggering.
• the object is also achieved by the method according to the invention.
• the trigger sensor is a proximity sensor which, for example, emits a signal for a flush by an approximated hand. Flushing is also ensured without such a flush triggering if, according to a development of the invention, the monitoring sensor at If a person steps away, a flush is triggered automatically if one has not already been triggered by the trigger sensor. A rinse occurs automatically when the user has forgotten to initiate a rinse.
• the user is active to trigger the flush, i.e. as a rule, he deliberately triggers a rinse at a time selected by him.
• the monitoring sensor is arranged in a mechanical actuation button for the flush actuation, an emergency flush can be triggered by a mechanical actuation.
• the system is therefore fully operational even if the electronics fail, resp. in the event of a power failure or if the battery is empty.
• FIG. 1 to 4 schematically a flushing device according to the invention during individual phases of use of this device
• Fig. 5 is a view of an assembly with the two sensors
• FIG. 6 to 9 schematically show a flushing device according to the invention in a variant during individual phases of use.
• the flushing device has a toilet system 1 which has a toilet bowl 4 which is fastened, for example, to a building wall 13. Flushing the toilet Bowl 4 takes place, for example, by means of a cistern 2, which is connected to the toilet bowl 4 via a flush pipe 3. To trigger flushing, an actuating device, not shown here, is arranged in the cistern 2. To actuate the flushing device, a sensor unit 5 is provided, which is arranged on the building wall 13 within a room 8. This room 8 can be entered by a user 10 through a door 9.
• the sensor unit 5 has a housing 6 on which a monitoring sensor A is arranged.
• a trigger sensor B is also arranged in a mechanical key 7 at a comparatively small distance from this sensor A.
• the monitoring sensor A is, for example, an infrared sensor with a detection area 11 which extends essentially to the door 9. The detection area is thus preferably much longer than 90 cm, for example.
• the trigger sensor B is preferably a proximity sensor and has a detection area 12 which is significantly smaller or shorter than that of the monitoring sensor A.
• the length of the detection area 12 is, for example, a few centimeters, for example approximately 10 cm.
• the two sensors A and B are arranged on the back at a distance above the toilet bowl 4.
• the button 7 is a mechanical button and is mechanically connected to the actuating device of the cistern 2 in a manner known per se so that a flush is triggered when the button 7 is pressed.
• the trigger sensor B is connected to the actuating device, for example, via a signal line 14.
• 1 shows the toilet system 1 that has not yet been used.
• the door 9 is closed and there is no one in room 8.
• Monitoring sensor A is active, while trigger sensor B is preferably inactive.
• the power supply takes place, for example, preferably via a battery, not shown here, which can be accommodated in the sensor unit 5.
• FIG. 2 shows a user 10 who has opened the door 9 and entered the room 8.
• the user 10 is now in the detection area 11 of the monitoring sensor A.
• the monitoring sensor A activates the trigger sensor B.
• FIG. 3 shows the user 10 after the "business" has been carried out.
• the trigger sensor B With his hand 10a he approaches the trigger sensor B and as soon as the hand 10a is in the detection area 12, the trigger sensor B sends a signal via line 14 to the actuating device, which also triggers the flushing here.
• the user 10 could also press the button 7 in the event of an emergency release and thus trigger a flush.
• the monitoring sensor A deactivates the trigger sensor B. If the user 10 has left the room 8 without prior flushing, this is determined by the electronics of the sensor unit 5 and in this case a flushing is triggered automatically. This ensures that rinsing is carried out in every case.
• the cistern 2 is refilled with rinsing water in a known manner and the toilet system 1 is ready for further use.
• monitoring sensor A is preferably permanently activated when not in use.
• the toilet system 1 ⁇ according to FIGS.
• the 6 to 9 has a sensor unit 5 with a monitoring sensor A ⁇ , with which, as explained above, a person 10 approaching the toilet system 1 can be detected.
• the range R1 of the monitoring sensor A ⁇ can extend over the entire depth of the room, but comprises at least a substantial area of 90 cm in front of the toilet bowl 4.
• the monitoring sensor A is preferably designed such that it detects a standing position of a user 10. Such a standing position is shown in FIG. 7.
• the sensor unit 5 ⁇ also has a short-range sensor C, which has a range R2 that is shorter than the range Rl of the monitoring sensor A ⁇ .
• the short-range sensor C is directed downward and detects the user's sitting position, as shown in FIG.
• the sensor unit 5 includes ⁇ already explained above, triggering sensor B, which is preferably a proximity sensor and has the short detection range R3 shown in FIG. 7
• the monitoring sensor A In the unused state according to FIG. 6, only the monitoring sensor A is preferably switched on, as a result of which the energy consumption in this phase can be kept to a minimum. 7, if a user 10 enters the detection area R1 of the monitoring sensor A, the short-range sensor C and the trigger sensor B are switched on. If the monitoring sensor A detects the standing position shown in FIG. 7, the flushing device 2 ⁇ is switched in such a way that when a flush is triggered, a part of the water is flushed. The user 10 takes the in 8, the close-range sensor C detects this position and switches off the monitoring sensor A and the actuation sensor B. This prevents incorrect rinsing while sitting. In addition, the close-range sensor C switches the flushing device 2 ⁇ in such a way that when a flush is triggered, a full flush quantity is flushed.
• the monitoring sensor A automatically triggers a partial flush before leaving the room.
• the user 10 can also trigger a flush by moving his hand towards the actuation sensor B and entering the detection range R3 of this sensor B.
• a mechanical button actuation to trigger the flush is also conceivable.
• a partial rinse is triggered in any case. In one case a manual release according to FIG. 9 and in the other case an emergency release by the monitoring sensor A ⁇ .
• the touch sensor B and the monitoring sensor A are switched on.
• the user 10 will now trigger the full flush already set by moving his hand towards the touch sensor C. If he does not do this, a flush is automatically triggered when the monitoring sensor A ⁇ steps away.
• the flushing device thus differentiates between a standing and a seated use of the toilet system and flushes with a partial or full flush, so that flushing water is saved optimally and independently of the behavior of the user. By switching sensors on and off, the consumption of electrical energy is also optimal, so that the flushing device can be operated with a battery.

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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)
• Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
• Toilet Supplies (AREA)
• Detergent Compositions (AREA)
• Alcoholic Beverages (AREA)
• Manufacturing Of Printed Wiring (AREA)
• Bidet-Like Cleaning Device And Other Flush Toilet Accessories (AREA)

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• 2001
  • 2001-09-24 DE DE50112493T patent/DE50112493D1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-09-24 AU AU2001287474A patent/AU2001287474A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-09-24 AT AT01966930T patent/ATE362020T1/de active
  • 2001-09-24 EP EP01966930A patent/EP1339923B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2001-09-24 WO PCT/CH2001/000575 patent/WO2002046541A1/fr active IP Right Grant

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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