EP2250322A2

EP2250322A2 - Apparatus and control method for toilet seat having non-power chamber pot auto-flush by water pressure and body weight

Info

Publication number: EP2250322A2
Application number: EP08871718A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jae Tong Lee
Original assignee: AF CO Ltd
Current assignee: AF CO Ltd
Priority date: 2008-01-31
Filing date: 2008-12-31
Publication date: 2010-11-17
Also published as: WO2009096666A3; CN101939496A; KR20090084162A; KR100946391B1; WO2009096666A2; US20110010831A1; JP2011511189A

Abstract

The present invention provides a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight and a method for controlling the toilet seat. The toilet seat includes a weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) which senses a body weight and controls discharge of water, supplied through a pipe, depending on the turning on/off of a control valve, and a check valve unit (400) which controls the amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the unit (300) depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet. The toilet seat further includes a cylinder actuating unit (500) which is operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) when the body weight is detected by the unit (300), thus automatically supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus.

Description

APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR TOILET SEAT

HAVING NON-POWER CHAMBER POT AUTO-FLUSH BY

WATER PRESSURE AND BODY WEIGHT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates, in general, to toilet seats having apparatuses for automatically flushing toilets and, more particularly, to a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight and a method for controlling the toilet seat which can reduce electric power consumption thanks to using the non-powered structure and can automatically determine whether a user moves the bowels or urinates and conduct the corresponding flushing operation, thus reducing water consumption by 30% to 50% depending on the kind of toilet. Background Art

[2] Generally, as toilets, there are Oriental toilets, urinal receptacles and Western style toilets (for urine and feces). The western style toilets are flush type toilets. The Oriental toilets are classified into flush type toilets and non-flush type toilets. As non- flush type Oriental toilets, there are structures in which the bottom of a toilet is open along only the circumference of the toilet, and structures in which the bottom of the front portion of a toilet is closed and the lower end of the rear portion thereof is open. The flush type toilets are classified into rear-supply and front-drain types, a syphon-jet type toilet and a front- supply and rear-drain type toilet.

[3] The Western style toilets can be used for both urine and feces and include a main body made of ceramic, and a toilet seat and a cover which are made of enameled wood or plastic. Furthermore, the Western style toilets are classified into syphon-jet type toilets and wash-out type toilets, according to the method of draining sewage. In addition, as one kind of Western style toilet, there is an apparatus which automatically washes the anus of a user using hot water and dries it using hot air.

[4] Meanwhile, with regard to the drainage of the toilet, in the conventional art, an electric apparatus is used to automatically flush the toilet.

[5] In other words, an automatic flushing apparatus must be connected to a power source or battery to conduct the automatic flushing operation.

[6] As such, in the conventional art, because the automatic flushing apparatus needs electric power, it can be installed only in special places. Furthermore, because of high price and maintenance costs, there is difficulty in popularization.

[7] Furthermore, due to the fact that the automatic flushing apparatus is an electric and electronic product using an infrared sensor, errors may be induced by disturbances of light or high humidity. In addition, in the case where the automatic flushing apparatus uses a battery, if the battery becomes completely drained, the flushing operation may not be conducted, with the result that the following user may be made to feel unpleasant.

Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight and a method for controlling the toilet seat which can reduce electric power consumption thanks to using the non-powered structure, and is environment-friendly unlike the conventional art which causes environmental problems due to the use of a battery, and can control the time during which a user discards toilet paper after producing stool, thus further being environment- friendly.

[9] Another object of the present invention is to provide a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight and a method for controlling the toilet seat which can automatically determine whether the user moves the bowels or urinates and conduct the corresponding flushing operation, thus reducing water consumption by 30% to 50% depending on the kind of toilet, thereby protecting the environment, and cutting back on the use of water resources.

Technical Solution

[10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[11] As shown in the drawing, the toilet seat includes: a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 sensing a body weight and controlling discharge of water, supplied through a pipe, depending on a control valve being turned on/off; a check valve unit 400 controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit 500 operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300, thus automatically supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[12] FIG. 2 is a view showing a concept of one example of the construction of FIG. 1.

[13] As shown in the drawing, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may include: a body weight sensing switch 310 detecting the body weight and operating depending on a detected result; a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 to be turned on when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe such that the cylinder actuating unit 500 is operated by water pressure; a flushing water supply control valve 340 to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to a flushing on/off valve 520 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe; and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to a cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 of the check valve unit 400 through a pipe to drain the water.

[14] The check valve unit 400 may include a cylinder retracting water drain check valve

420 receiving water through the corresponding pipe when the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, and draining the water.

[15] The cylinder actuating unit 500 may include: a cylinder rod 510 to be advanced by pressure of water which is supplied to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through the pipe when the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, with a flushing control protrusion 511 provided on a leading end of the cylinder rod 510 with respect to an advancing direction of the cylinder rod 510, the flushing control protrusion 511 controlling the flushing on/off valve 520; the flushing on/off valve 520 having a flushing control valve rod 521 to be lifted by the advancement of the flushing control protrusion 511 such that the water, which is supplied from the flushing water supply control valve 340 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300, is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus; and a spring 540 moving the cylinder rod 510 backwards when the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off.

[16] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the case where the toilet seat of FIG. 1 is used in a building water supply type toilet.

[17] As shown in the drawing, the present invention provides a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, including: a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 receiving water from a pressure chamber in a piston provided in an upper portion of a building water supply type toilet cleaning valve, the unit 300 controlling the received water depending on turning on/off a control valve and discharging an amount of water less than an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston; a check valve unit 400 controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit 500 operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300, thus draining a predetermined amount of water in response to an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston so as to flush the toilet.

[18] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[19] As shown in the drawing, the present invention provides a method for controlling a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a setting step (STl) of setting a check valve unit 400 in response to water pressure and displacement of the toilet and setting a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300; an advancing step (ST2 ~ ST5) of advancing a cylinder rod 510 of a cylinder actuating unit 500 using pressure of water supplied into the cylinder actuating unit 500 when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on and operated; and a water supplying step (ST6, ST7) of retracting the cylinder rod 510 to supply water to the automatic flushing apparatus when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 determines that a body weight was removed.

[20] At the setting step, a cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 of the check valve unit 400 may be adjusted in response to the water pressure and displacement of the toilet.

[21] At the setting step, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may be set such that a body weight sensing switch 310 is in a turned off state, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is in a turned off state, a flushing water supply control valve 340 is in a turned on state, and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is in a turned on state.

[22] The advancing step may be conducted when the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on.

[23] At the advancing step, when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is operated, the body weight sensing switch 310 may be turned on, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 may be turned off, the flushing water supply control valve 340 may be turned off, and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 may be turned off.

[24] At the advancing step, water which is supplied by turning on the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may be supplied to the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe, so that the cylinder rod 510 is advanced by pressure of the supplied water. [25] At the advancing step, when the cylinder rod 510 advances, a flushing control protrusion 511 of the cylinder rod 510 may push a flushing on/off valve rod 521 of the flushing on/off valve 520 so that the flushing on/off valve 520 is turned on, wherein when the body weight sensing switch 310 may be in a turned on state, the flushing water supply control valve 340 may be in a turned off state, thus preventing supply of water to the flushing on/off valve 520.

[26] The water supplying step may be conducted when the body weight sensing switch

310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off.

[27] At the water supplying step, the flushing water supply control valve 340 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may be turned on, so that the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus through the flushing on/off valve 520 of the cylinder actuating unit 500.

[28] At the water supplying step, when the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus, the cylinder rod 510 may be retracted by a spring 540.

[29] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[30] As shown in the drawing, the present invention provides a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, including: a filter 100 filtering water supplied from a water supply through a pipe; a reducing valve 200 receiving the water from the filter 100 through a pipe and changing pressure of the water to a predetermined pressure; a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 sensing a body weight, and receiving the water from the reducing valve 200 through a water passage pipe, and controlling discharge of the water depending on turning on/off a control valve; a check valve unit 400 controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit 500 operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300, thus automatically supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[31] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus may further include a manual lever unit 600 constructed such that an amount of water used when flushing the toilet and using a manual lever 630 is set by the check valve unit 400, wherein when the manual lever 630 is rotated, the manual lever unit 600 supplies water to the automatic flushing apparatus such that the flushing operation is conducted.

[32] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the concept of the weight sensor and water passage control unit of FIGS. 5 and 6. [33] AS shown in the drawing, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may include: a body weight sensing switch 310 detecting the body weight and operating depending on a detecting result; a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 to be turned on when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe such that the cylinder actuating unit 500 is operated by water pressure; a cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330 to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe, such that the cylinder actuating unit 500 is retracted by water pressure; a selective water supply control valve 341 to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to a selective on/off valve 522 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe; a cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 to be turned on when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to a cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 of the check valve unit 400 through a pipe such that when the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 advances, the water is drained; and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to the cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 of the check valve unit 400 through a pipe such that when the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 is retracted, the water is drained.

[34] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the concept of the check valve of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[35] As shown in the drawing, the check valve unit 400 may include: a cylinder advancing water drain check valve 410 receiving water through a pipe and draining the water when the cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on; a cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 receiving water through a pipe and draining the water when the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on; a flushing delay time check valve 430 connected to a flushing delay time control valve 530 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 to control a delay time of the flushing operation; and a manual lever water rate check valve 440 connected to the manual lever unit 600 and controlling an amount of water drained by the manual lever unit 600.

[36] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the concept of the cylinder actuating unit of FIGS. 5 and

6.

[37] As shown in the drawing, the cylinder actuating unit 500 may include: a cylinder rod

510 advanced by pressure of water supplied through a pipe when the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, the cylinder rod 510 having a first protrusion 512 provided on a leading end of the cylinder rod 510 with respect to an advancing direction of the cylinder rod 510, the first protrusion 512 opening a selective on/off valve 522 to execute operation of the toilet seat corresponding to a case where a user urinates, a second protrusion 513 provided on the cylinder rod 510 behind the first protrusion 512 with respect to the advancing direction of the cylinder rod 510, the second protrusion 513 opening the selective on/off valve 522 to execute operation of the toilet seat corresponding to a case where the user moves his/her bowels, and a third protrusion 514 opening a flushing delay time control valve 530 to control a delay time of the flushing operation; the selective on/off valve 522 including a selective on/off valve rod 523 to be lifted by advancement of the cylinder rod 510 such that water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus from the selective water supply control valve 341 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300; and the flushing delay time control valve 530 including a flushing delay time control rod 531 to be lifted by the advancement of the cylinder rod 510, the flushing delay time control valve 530 controlling an amount of water supplied under the control of the flushing delay time check valve 440 of the check valve unit 400, such that the automatic flushing operation is conducted in consideration of the delay time of the flushing operation.

[38] The cylinder actuating unit 500 may further include a spring 540 moving the cylinder rod 510 backwards when the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off.

[39] In the cylinder actuating unit 500, the first protrusion 512 may be fixed to the cylinder rod 510, and the second protrusion 513 may be slidably provided on the cylinder rod 510.

[40] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the concept of the manual lever of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[41] As shown in the drawing, the manual lever unit 600 may include: a rubber packing

610 provided in the manual lever unit 600, the rubber packing 610 sealing an opening between a space which contains therein water supplied through a pipe and a space in which a manual lever cylinder rod 620 is disposed; the manual lever cylinder rod 620 connected to the rubber packing 610, so that when the manual lever 630 rotates, the manual lever cylinder rod 620 opens the rubber packing 610 such that the supplied water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus; the manual lever 630 rotating a manual lever cam 631 to actuate the cylinder rod 620, thus opening the rubber packing 610 such that the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus; and a manual lever spring 640 connected to the cylinder rod 620, the manual lever spring 640 closing the rubber packing 610 after the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[42] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the case where the toilet seat of FIG. 5 is used in a building water supply type toilet.

[43] As shown in the drawing, the present invention provides a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, including: a filter 100 receiving water from a pressure chamber in a piston provided in an upper portion of a building water supply type toilet cleaning valve, the filter 100 filtering the water; a reducing valve 200 receiving the water from the filter 100 through a pipe and changing pressure of the water to a predetermined pressure; a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 sensing a body weight, and receiving the water from the reducing valve 200 through a water passage pipe, the unit 300 controlling the received water depending on turning on/off a control valve and discharging an amount of water less than an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston; a check valve unit 400 controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit 500 operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300, thus draining a predetermined amount of water in response to an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston so as to flush the toilet.

[44] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[45] As shown in the drawing, the present invention provides a method for controlling a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a setting step (STl 1) of setting a check valve unit 400 in response to water pressure and displacement of the toilet and setting a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300; a filtering step (ST 12) of filtering water supplied from a water supply through a pipe; a reducing step (ST 13) of changing pressure of the supplied water to a predetermined pressure; an advancing step (ST 14 ~ ST 16) of advancing a cylinder rod 510 of a cylinder actuating unit 500 using pressure of water supplied into the cylinder actuating unit 500 when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on and operated, and of determining whether a user moves bowels or urinates and a delay time of flushing operation; and a water supplying step (ST17, ST18) of retracting the cylinder rod 510 when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 determines that a body weight has been removed, thus supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus in response to a result of determination whether the user moves the bowels or urinates and the delay time of the flushing operation.

[46] At the setting step, at least one of a cylinder advancing water drain check valve 410, a cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420, a flushing delay time check valve 430 and a manual lever water rate check valve 440 of the check valve unit 400 may be adjusted in response to the water pressure and displacement of the toilet.

[47] At the setting step, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may be set such that a body weight sensing switch 310 is in a turned off state, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is in a turned off state, a cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330 is in a turned on state, a selective water supply control valve 341 is in a turned on state, a cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 is in a turned off state, and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is in a turned on state.

[48] The advancing step may be conducted when the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on.

[49] At the advancing step, when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is operated, a body weight sensing switch 310 may be turned on, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 may be turned on, a cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330 may be turned off, a selective water supply control valve 341 may be turned off, a cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 may be turned on, and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 may be turned off.

[50] At the advancing step, water which is supplied by turning on a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may be supplied to a front of the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe, so that the cylinder rod 510 is advanced by pressure of the supplied water.

[51] At the advancing step, when the cylinder rod 510 is advanced, whether the user moves the bowels or urinates may be determined by a first protrusion 512 and a second protrusion 513 of the cylinder rod 510, and the delay time of the flushing operation may be determined by a third protrusion 514.

[52] At the advancing step, the determination of whether the user moves the bowels or urinates may be realized by controlling a cylinder advancing water drain check valve 410 of the check valve unit 400.

[53] At the advancing step, when 5-20 seconds or more and 50-80 seconds or less passes after the turning on of the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300, it may be determined that the user urinates, and a corresponding automatic flushing operation may be conducted, and when 50-80 seconds or more passes, it may be determined that the user moves the bowels, and a corresponding automatic flushing operation may be conducted.

[54] The water supplying step may be conducted when the body weight sensing switch

310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off.

[55] At the water supplying step, the selective water supply control valve 341 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may be turned on, so that the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus through the selective on/off valve 522 of the cylinder actuating unit 500.

[56] At the water supplying step, when water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus, the cylinder rod 510 may be retracted by the spring 540.

Advantageous Effects

[57] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight and a method for controlling the toilet seat. The toilet seat of the present invention can reduce electric power consumption thanks to using the non- powered structure. The toilet seat is environment-friendly unlike the conventional art which causes environmental problems due to the use of a battery. In addition, the toilet seat can control the time during which a user discards toilet paper after producing stool, thus being further environment-friendly.

[58] Moreover, the toilet seat according to the present invention can automatically determine whether the user moves the bowels or urinates and conduct the corresponding flushing operation, thus reducing water consumption by 30% to 50% depending on the kind of toilet, thereby protecting the environment, and reducing consumption of water resources. Brief Description of Drawings

[59] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[60] FIG. 2 is a view showing a concept of one example of the construction of FIG. 1 ;

[61] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the case where the toilet seat of FIG. 1 is used in a building water supply type toilet;

[62] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[63] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[64] FIG. 6 is a view showing a concept of one example of the construction of FIG. 5;

[65] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the concept of the weight sensor and water passage control unit of FIGS. 5 and 6;

[66] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the concept of the check valve of FIGS. 5 and 6;

[67] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the concept of the cylinder actuating unit of FIGS. 5 and 6;

[68] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the concept of the manual lever of FIGS. 5 and 6;

[69] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the case where the toilet seat of FIG. 5 is used in a building water supply type toilet; and

[70] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [71]

[72] *Description of the elements in the drawings*

[73] 100 : filter

[74] 200 : reducing valve

[75] 300 : weight sensor and water passage control unit

[76] 310 : body weight sensing switch

[77] 320 : cylinder advancing water supply control valve

[78] 330 : cylinder retracting water supply control valve

[79] 340 : flushing water supply control valve

[80] 341 : selective water supply control valve

[81] 350 : cylinder advancing water drain control valve

[82] 360 : cylinder retracting water drain control valve

[83] 400 : check valve

[84] 410 : cylinder advancing water drain check valve

[85] 420 : cylinder retracting water drain check valve

[86] 430 : flushing delay time check valve

[87] 440 : manual lever water rate check valve

[88] 500 : cylinder actuating unit

[89] 510 : cylinder rod

[90] 511 : flushing control protrusion

[91] 512 : first protrusion

[92] 513 : second protrusion

[93] 514 : third protrusion

[94] 520 : flushing on/off valve

[95] 521 : flushing on/off valve rod

[96] 522 : selective on/off valve

[97] 523 : selective on/off valve rod

[98] 530 : flushing delay time control valve

[99] 531 : flushing delay time control rod

[100] 540 : spring

[101] 600 : manual lever unit [ 102] 610 : rubber packing

[103] 620 : manual lever cylinder rod

[104] 630 : manual lever

[105] 631 : manual lever cam

[106] 640 : manual lever spring

Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention

[107] Hereinafter, a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight and a method for controlling the toilet seat according to preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the following description, when it is determined that the detailed description of the conventional function and structure confuses the gist of the present invention, the description may be omitted. The terms and words used for elements in the description of the present invention are determined in consideration of the functions of the elements in the present invention. The terms and words may be changed depending on the intention or custom of users or operators, so that they must be defined based on the whole content of the specification of the present invention.

[108] First, the present invention is constructed such that the operation of automatically flushing a toilet can be conducted using water pressure and body weight without using electric power. The operation of the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail.

[ 109] <First embodiment

[110] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the construction of a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[I l l] In the present invention, a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 senses body weight and controls discharge of water supplied through a pipe in such a way as to turn on/off a control valve.

[112] A check valve unit 400 controls the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 depending on the water pressure and displacement of the toilet.

[113] A cylinder actuating unit 500 is operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 when the body weight is detected, thus automatically supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[114] FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the construction of FIG. 1.

[115] The weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 includes a body weight sensing switch 310, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320, a flushing water supply control valve 340 and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360. The weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 may have an integrated structure. The operation of turning on/off the body weight sensing switch 310, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320, the flushing water supply control valve 340 and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is conducted depending on preset on/off values.

[116] Here, the body weight sensing switch 310 detects body weight and thus determines whether a user is seated on the toilet.

[117] The cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is turned on when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and supplies drawn water to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe, such that the cylinder actuating unit 500 is operated by water pressure.

[118] The flushing water supply control valve 340 is turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and supplies drawn water to a flushing on/off valve 520 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe.

[119] The cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and supplies drawn water to a cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 of the check valve unit 400 through a pipe, thus draining the water.

[120] The check valve unit 400 includes the cylinder retracting water drain check valve

420 which receives the water through the pipe when the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on and then drains the water.

[121] Furthermore, the cylinder actuating unit 500 includes a cylinder rod 510, the flushing on/off valve 520 and a spring 530.

[122] The cylinder rod 510 is advanced by pressure of water which is supplied to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through the pipe when the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on. A flushing control protrusion 511 is provided on a leading end of the cylinder rod 510 with respect to the advancing direction of the cylinder rod 510 and controls the flushing control valve 520 for flushing the toilet.

[123] The flushing control protrusion 511 is provided on the end of the cylinder rod 510 and may be integrally fastened to the cylinder rod 510.

[124] The flushing on/off valve 520 includes a flushing control valve rod 521 which is lifted by the advancement of the flushing control protrusion 511 and thus supplies water from the flushing water supply control valve 340 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[125] Furthermore, the spring 540 moves the cylinder rod 510 backwards when the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off.

[126] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the case where the toilet seat of FIG. 1 is used in a building water supply type toilet.

[127] The operation of the case of FIG. 3 is the same as that of the case of FIGS. 1 and 2.

However, unlike the case of FIGS. 1 and 2, in the case of FIG. 3, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 receive water from a pressure chamber in a piston provided in an upper portion of a building water supply type toilet cleaning valve, and control the supplied water dependent on turning on/off the control valve to discharge a predetermined amount of water less than the amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber in the piston without flushing. Furthermore, the cylinder actuating unit 500 is operated by the pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 and drains water of the pressure chamber of the piston provided in the upper portion of the building water supply type toilet cleaning valve, thus automatically flushing the toilet.

[128] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[129] First, the check valve unit 400 is set to correspond to water pressure and displacement of the toilet, and the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is set as an initial state (STl).

[130] Here, the cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 of the check valve unit 400 is set to correspond to water pressure and displacement of the toilet.

[131] In the case of normal conditions in which no one is seated on the toilet seat, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is set such that the body weight sensing switch 310 is in the turned off state, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is in the turned off state, the flushing water supply control valve 340 is in the turned on state and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is in the turned on state. The setting conditions of these components can be tabulated as follows.

[132] Table 1 [Table 1] [Table ]

[133] When the user uses the toilet and the body weight is thus applied to the toilet seat having the non-powered automatic flushing apparatus, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on. When the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, the automatic flushing apparatus determines that the user has sat on the toilet seat having the automatic flushing apparatus (ST2).

[134] At this time, as shown in Table. 1, when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is turned off, the flushing water supply control valve 340 is turned off, and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is turned off (ST3).

[135] Then, water which is supplied by turning on the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 in the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is supplied to the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 through the corresponding pipe. The cylinder rod 510 is advanced by pressure of the supplied water (ST4).

[136] When the cylinder rod 510 advances, the flushing control protrusion 511 of the cylinder rod 510 pushes the flushing on/off valve rod 521 of the flushing on/off valve 520 upwards, thus turning on the flushing on/off valve 520 (ST5).

[137] At this time, when the cylinder rod 510 advances, the flushing control protrusion 511 opens the flushing on/off valve 52, but the flushing water supply control valve 340 in the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 maintains the turned off state. Therefore, the flushing operation is not yet conducted.

[138] Thereafter, when the user rises from the toilet seat having the automatic flushing apparatus after producing stool, the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off (ST6).

[139] Then, the flushing water supply control valve 340 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, so that water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus through the flushing on/off valve 520 of the cylinder actuating unit 500. When water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus, the cylinder rod 510 is retracted by the elastic force of the spring 540 (ST7).

[ 140] <Second embodiment

[141] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the construction of a toilet seat having a non- powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of one concept of how to construct FIG. 5.

[142] In the second embodiment, a filter 100 removes impurities from water supplied through a main supply pipe. A supply hose which is connected to an existing water service pipe is connected to the filter 100 having a capacity corresponding to the displacement of the toilet, so that water is supplied to the toilet via the filter 100. Preferably, the filter 100 is constructed such that a user can easily open a casing (not shown) of the filter 100 using his/her hands, and remove impurities from a filter net (not shown) provided in the casing, and reassemble the filter 100.

[143] Furthermore, a reducing valve 200 receives water from the filter 100 through a pipe and supplies the water to the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 after changing the water pressure to a predetermined pressure. That is, in the case where the pressure of water supplied to the toilet is relatively high, the reducing valve 200 reduces it to a preset pressure. For example, in the case where the pressure of water supplied to the toilet is 10kg/f, the reducing valve 200 can reduce it to about 1.5kg/f. If the reducing valve 200 is not used, because the pressure of water supplied to each building or dwelling is not constant, an opening degree of every check valve must be appropriately adjusted depending on the pressure of water supplied to each building or dwelling, which is inconvenient. Therefore, in the case where the reducing valve 200 is used, this inconvenience is rendered obsolete. Furthermore, even if the opening degrees of the check valves are incorrectly set, waste of water attributable to an excessively large amount of flushing water can be prevented, and a problem in that the toilet clogs because of an insufficient amount of flushing water can be prevented.

[144] Meanwhile, a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 senses body weight and controls the discharge of water supplied from the reducing valve 200 through a pipe in such a way as to turn on/off a control valve.

[145] A check valve unit 400 controls the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet.

[146] A cylinder actuating unit 500 is operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 when the body weight is detected, thus automatically supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[147] A manual lever unit 600 is constructed such that the amount of water used when flushing the toilet and using a manual lever 630 is set by the check valve unit 400. When the manual lever 630 is rotated, the manual lever unit 600 supplies water to the automatic flushing apparatus such that the flushing operation is conducted.

[148] FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the concept of the weight sensor and water passage control unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[149] The weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 includes a body weight sensing switch 310, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320, a cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330, a selective water supply control valve 341, a cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360. This switch and these valves 310 ~ 360 may be integrated with each other into a single body. The operation of turning on/off the body weight sensing switch 310, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320, the cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330, the selective water supply control valve 341, the cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is conducted depending on preset on/off values.

[150] The body weight sensing switch 310 detects body weight.

[151] The cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is turned on when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and supplies drawn water to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe, such that the cylinder actuating unit 500 is advanced by water pressure.

[152] The cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330 is turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and supplies drawn water to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through a pipe, such that the cylinder actuating unit 500 is retracted by water pressure.

[153] The selective water supply control valve 341 is turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and thus interrupts drawn water.

[154] The cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 is turned on when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and thus supplies drawn water to a cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 of the check valve unit 400 through a pipe such that when the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 is advanced, water is drained.

[155] The cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is turned off when the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, and thus interrupts drawn water.

[156] FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the concept of the check valve of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[157] The check valve unit 400 includes a cylinder advancing water drain check valve 410, the cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420, a flushing delay time check valve 430 and a manual lever water rate check valve 440.

[158] The cylinder advancing water drain check valve 410 receives water through the corresponding pipe and drains it when the cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on. Whether the user moves the bowels or urinates is determined depending on the time during which the cylinder rod advances according to the degree to which the valve is controlled.

[159] The cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 receives water through the corresponding pipe and drains it when the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on. According to a degree to which the valve is open, the amount of draining water depending on the water pressure or displacement of the toilet can be adjusted.

[160] The flushing delay time check valve 430 is connected to a flushing delay time control valve 530 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 to control a delay time of the flushing operation, for example, the time during which the user discards toilet paper after producing stool.

[161] The manual lever water rate check valve 440 is connected to the manual lever unit 600 and controls the amount of water drained by the manual lever unit 600.

[162] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the concept of the cylinder actuating unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[163] The cylinder actuating unit 500 includes the cylinder rod 510, a selective on/off valve 522 which is operated depending on whether the user moves the bowels or urinates, a flushing delay time control valve 530 and a spring 540.

[164] The cylinder rod 510 is advanced by pressure of water which is supplied to the cylinder actuating unit 500 through the pipe when the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on.

[165] A first protrusion 512 for operation conducted when the user urinates is provided on a leading end of the cylinder rod 510 with respect to the advancing direction of the cylinder rod 510. When the cylinder rod 510 is advanced, the first protrusion 512 pushes a selective on/off valve rod 523 upwards to open the selective on/off valve 522.

[166] A second protrusion 513 for operation conducted when the user moves the bowels is provided on the cylinder rod 510 behind the first protrusion 512 with respect to the advancing direction of the cylinder rod 510. When the cylinder rod 510 is advanced and retracted, the second protrusion 513 pushes the selective on/off valve rod 523 upwards to open the selective on/off valve 522.

[167] Here, the first protrusion 512 is fixed to the cylinder rod 510, while the second protrusion 513 is provided on the cylinder rod 510 so as to be slidable with respect to the cylinder rod 510. [168] A third protrusion 514 for controlling the flushing delay time is provided on the cylinder rod 510, so that when the cylinder rod 510 advances, the third protrusion 514 pushes a flushing delay time control rod 531 to open the flushing delay time control valve 530.

[169] The selective on/off valve 522 includes the selective on/off valve rod 523. The selective on/off valve rod 523 is lifted by the retraction of the cylinder rod 510 such that water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus from the selective water supply control valve 341 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300.

[170] The flushing delay time control valve 530 includes a flushing delay time control rod 531 which is lifted by advancement of the cylinder rod 510. The flushing delay time control valve 530 controls the amount of water supplied under the control of the flushing delay time check valve 440 of the check valve unit 400, such that an automatic flushing operation is conducted in consideration of the flushing delay time.

[171] The spring 540 moves the cylinder rod 510 backwards when the body weight sensing switch 310 which is provided in the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off.

[172] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the concept of the manual lever unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.

[173] The manual lever unit 600 includes a rubber packing 610, a manual lever cylinder rod 620, a manual lever 630 and a manual lever spring 640.

[174] In the manual lever unit 600, the rubber packing 610 seals an opening between a space which contains therein water supplied through the corresponding pipe and a space in which the manual lever cylinder rod 620 is disposed.

[175] The manual lever cylinder rod 620 is connected to the rubber packing 610, so that when the manual lever 630 rotates, the manual lever cylinder rod 620 opens the rubber packing 610 such that the supplied water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[176] The manual lever 630 rotates a manual lever cam 631. The cylinder rod 620 is moved by the rotation of the manual lever cam 631, thus opening the rubber packing 610 such that the water is supplied from the manual lever unit 600 to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[177] The manual lever spring 640 is connected to the cylinder rod 620 and functions to close the rubber packing 610 after the supply of water to the automatic flushing apparatus has been completed.

[178] Therefore, after producing stool, when the user rotates the manual lever 630, the manual lever 630 moves the manual lever cylinder rod 620 forwards using the cam structure. Then, the opening which has been closed by the rubber packing 610 is opened, so that water which has been contained in the manual lever unit 600 is drawn into a pipe connected to the automatic flushing apparatus through the opening. [179] At this time, some of the water which has been contained to the manual lever unit 600 is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus through the corresponding pipe, and remaining water is moved towards the manual lever of the manual lever cylinder rod 620. The water that moves towards the manual lever of the manual lever cylinder rod 620, along with the manual lever spring 640, functions to return the cylinder rod 620 to its original position so as to stop the flushing operation.

[180] Here, the time during which the rubber packing 610 is opened can be adjusted by the manual lever water rate check valve 440 of the check valve unit 400. That is, the time required to return the manual lever cylinder rod 620 to its original position can be increased or reduced by controlling the amount of water discharged from the manual lever unit 600 through the manual lever water rate check valve 440, so that the appropriate flushing operation depending on whether the user moves the bowels or urinates can be conducted.

[181] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the case where the toilet seat of FIG. 5 is used in a building water supply type toilet.

[182] The operation of the case of FIG. 11 is the same as that of the case of FIGS. 5 through 10. However, unlike the case of FIGS. 5 through 10, in the case of FIG. 11, the filter 100 filters water supplied from a pressure chamber in a piston provided in an upper portion of a building water supply type toilet cleaning valve. In addition, the cylinder actuating unit 500 is operated by the pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 and drains the water from the pressure chamber in the piston provided in the upper portion of the building water supply type toilet cleaning valve, thus conducting the automatic flushing operation.

[183] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing a method for controlling the toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[184] First, the check valve unit 400 is set to correspond to water pressure and displacement of the toilet, and the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is set to an initial state (STl 1).

[185] Here, in the check valve unit 400, at least one of the cylinder advancing water drain check valve 410, the cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420, the flushing delay time check valve 430 and the manual lever water rate check valve 440 is adjusted to correspond to the water pressure and displacement of the toilet. The time during which each of the operations pertaining to the valves is conducted can be adjusted by adjusting the corresponding valves 410 ~ 440.

[186] In the case where the toilet seat is in normal conditions in which no one is seated on the toilet seat, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is set such that the body weight sensing switch 310 is in the turned off state, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is in the turned off state, the cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330 is in the turned on state, the selective water supply control valve 341 is in the turned on state, the cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 is in the turned off state, and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is in the turned on state. The setting conditions of these components can be tabulated as follows.

[187] Table 2 [Table 2] [Table ]

[188] Water supplied through the main supply pipe is filtered by the filter 100 (ST 12). Here, the filter 100 having a capacity corresponding to the displacement of the toilet is connected to the supply hose which is connected to the existing water service pipe, such that water is supplied to the toilet via the filter 100. Preferably, the filter 100 is constructed such that the user can easily open the casing (not shown) of the filter 100 using his/her hands, and remove impurities from the filter net (not shown) provided in the casing, and assemble the filter 100 again.

[189] Thereafter, the reducing valve 200 changes the pressure of the supplied water to a predetermined pressure (ST13). That is, in the case where the pressure of water supplied to the toilet is relatively high, the reducing valve 200 functions to reduce it to a preset pressure. For example, in the case where the pressure of water supplied to the toilet is 10kg/f, the reducing valve 200 can reduce it to about 1.5kg/f. If the reducing valve 200 is not used, because the pressure of water supplied to each building or dwelling is not constant, the inconvenience of having to appropriately adjust an opening degree of every check valve depending on pressure of water supplied to each building or dwelling ensues. Therefore, in the case where the reducing valve 200 is used, this inconvenience is rendered obsolete. Furthermore, even if the opening degrees of the check valves are incorrectly set, waste of water attributable to an excessively large amount of flushing water can be prevented, and a problem in that the toilet clogs because of an insufficient amount of flushing water can be prevented.

[190] When the user uses the toilet and the body weight is thus applied to the toilet seat having the non-powered automatic flushing apparatus, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on. When the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, the automatic flushing apparatus determines that the user has sat on the toilet seat having the automatic flushing apparatus (ST 14).

[191] At this time, as shown in Table. 2, when the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, the body weight sensing switch 310 is turned on, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is turned on, the cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330 is turned off, the selective water supply control valve 341 is turned off, the cylinder advancing water drain control valve 350 is turned on, and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 is turned off.

[192] Then, water which is supplied by turning on the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 in the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is supplied to the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 through the corresponding pipe. Hence, the cylinder rod 510 is advanced by pressure of the supplied water (ST15).

[193] When the cylinder rod 510 advances, depending on a degree to which the cylinder rod 510 is advanced, whether the user moves the bowels or urinates is determined using the first protrusion 512 and the second protrusion 513 of the cylinder rod 510. Furthermore, the flushing delay time is determined using the third protrusion 514 (ST16).

[194] Here, the determination of whether the user moves the bowels or urinates is realized by controlling the cylinder advancing water drain check valve 410 of the check valve unit 400. In the advancing step, in the case where 5-20 seconds or more and 50-80 seconds or less have passed after the time at which the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned on, it is determined that the user urinates, and the corresponding automatic flushing operation is conducted. In the case of 50-80 seconds or more, it is determined that the user moves the bowels, and the corresponding automatic flushing operation is conducted. In other words, if the time during which the user has been seated on the toilet seat ranges from 5 seconds to 180 seconds or from 20 seconds to 50 seconds, the apparatus determines that the user urinates and conducts the corresponding flushing operation. If the time during which the user has been seated on the toilet seat exceeds a minimum of 50 seconds or a maximum of 180 seconds, the apparatus determines that the user moves the bowels and conducts the corresponding flushing operation. Therefore, in the case where 5 - 20 seconds or less have passed after the time since the body weight sensing switch 310 was turned on, the automatic flushing operation is not conducted, thus preventing erroneous operation of the apparatus, for example, preventing the flushing operation from being undesirably conducted when the user slightly touches the toilet seat for cleaning or the like.

[195] When the cylinder rod 510 advances, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 is turned on and opened, water is supplied into the front portion of the cylinder rod 510 of the cylinder actuating unit 500 which is coupled to the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320.

[196] Furthermore, when the cylinder rod 510 advances, the first protrusion 512 and the second protrusion 513 of the cylinder rod 510 push the selective on/off valve rod 523 to open the selective on/off valve 522. In addition, the third protrusion 514 for controlling the flushing delay time pushes the flushing delay time control rod 531 to open the flushing delay time control valve 530. At this time, because the selective water supply control valve 341 and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve 360 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 are in the turned off state, that is, in the closed state, water which is supplied into the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 via the filter 100 and the reducing valve 200 is in a state in which it is not yet supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[197] Thereafter, when the body weight sensing switch 310 of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is turned off, the automatic flushing operation is conducted (ST17).

[198] When water is supplied into the automatic flushing apparatus, the cylinder rod 510 is retracted by the spring 540 or in conjunction with the operation of the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300, thus conducting the automatic flushing operation. Furthermore, depending on whether the user moves the bowels or urinates or the flushing delay time, water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus (ST 18).

[199] Meanwhile, when the user stands up from the toilet seat after producing stool, the apparatus conducts the following operation.

[200] In the case where the user stands up from the toilet seat after he/she has urinated, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is converted into the state when no weight is applied to the toilet seat, as shown in Table. 1. Thereby, the cylinder rod 510 is retracted. In detail, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve 320 enters the turned off state, so that the water which has been in the front of the cylinder rod 510 is discharged through the cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420. Furthermore, the cylinder retracting water supply control valve 330 enters the turned on state, so that water is supplied to the back of the cylinder rod 510. Thus, the cylinder rod 510 is retracted by water pressure.

[201] Furthermore, when the third protrusion 514 of the cylinder rod 510 is moved to the flushing delay time control valve 530, because the flushing delay time control rod 531 is in a state of being pushed by the third protrusion 514 and the flushing delay time control valve 530 is thus in the open state, a predetermined flushing delay time is ensured. Thus, the time set by the flushing delay time check valve 430 is added to the time set by determining that the user urinates, so that the cylinder rod 510 is rapidly moved backwards.

[202] Thereafter, when the cylinder rod 510 passes over the flushing delay time control valve 530, the first protrusion 512 of the cylinder rod 510 pushes the selective on/off valve 522 and supplies water to the flushing apparatus, thus conducting the automatic flushing operation corresponding to the case where the user urinates. The cylinder rod 510 is moved backwards at a speed corresponding to the time set by the cylinder retracting water drain check valve 420 to drain the amount of water corresponding to the case where the user urinates.

[203] Meanwhile, when the user is removed from the toilet seat after he/she has moved the bowels, the automatic flushing operation corresponding to the case where the user moves the bowels is conducted.

[204] When the user sits on the toilet seat, the cylinder rod 510 is advanced, and, in the initial stage, the second protrusion 513 slides on the cylinder rod 510 but does not yet pass over the selective on/off valve 522. Thereafter, when the cylinder rod 510 advances to a position at which the apparatus determines that the user moves the bowels, the cylinder rod 510 is stopped by a stepped portion of the cylinder rod 510 and thus passes over the selective on/off valve 522.

[205] When the user stands up from the toilet seat, the weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 is converted into the state when no weight is applied to the toilet seat, as shown in Table. 1. Thereby, the cylinder rod 510 is retracted.

[206] At this time, the flushing operation is the same as that of the case where the user urinates. Only, because the second protrusion 513 which is slidable is disposed in front of the first protrusion 512 fixed to the cylinder rod 510, the flushing operation corresponding to the case where the user moves the bowels can be conducted for a relatively long time. [207] As described above, in the present invention, the operation of flushing the toilet can be conducted using water pressure and body weight without using electric power, thus reducing the power consumption. Furthermore, when the flushing operation is conducted, because the amount of water used and the flushing delay time become different depending on whether the user moves the bowels or urinates, the water consumption is reduced.

[208] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) sensing a body weight and controlling discharge of water, supplied through a pipe, depending on a control valve being turned on/off; a check valve unit (400) controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit (500) operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300), thus automatically supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[2] A toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) receiving water from a pressure chamber in a piston provided in an upper portion of a building water supply type toilet cleaning valve, the unit (300) controlling the received water depending on turning on/off a control valve and discharging an amount of water less than an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston; a check valve unit (400) controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit (500) operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300), thus draining a predetermined amount of water in response to an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston so as to flush the toilet.

[3] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) comprises: a body weight sensing switch (310) detecting the body weight and operating depending on a detected result; a cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) to be turned on when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to the cylinder actuating unit (500) through a pipe such that the cylinder actuating unit (500) is operated by water pressure; a flushing water supply control valve (340) to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to a flushing on/off valve (520) of the cylinder actuating unit (500) through a pipe; and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to a cylinder retracting water drain check valve (420) of the check valve unit (400) through a pipe to drain the water.

[4] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the check valve unit (400) comprises: a cylinder retracting water drain check valve (420) receiving water through the corresponding pipe when the cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on, and draining the water.

[5] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cylinder actuating unit (500) comprises: a cylinder rod (510) to be advanced by pressure of water which is supplied to the cylinder actuating unit (500) through the pipe when the cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on, with a flushing control protrusion (511) provided on a leading end of the cylinder rod (510) with respect to an advancing direction of the cylinder rod (510), the flushing control protrusion (511) controlling the flushing on/off valve (520); the flushing on/off valve (520) having a flushing control valve rod (521) to be lifted by the advancement of the flushing control protrusion (511) such that the water, which is supplied from the flushing water supply control valve (340) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300), is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus; and a spring (540) moving the cylinder rod (510) backwards when the body weight sensing switch (310) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned off.

[6] A method for controlling a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a setting step (STl) of setting a check valve unit (400) in response to water pressure and displacement of the toilet and setting a weight sensor and water passage control unit (300); an advancing step (ST2 ~ ST5) of advancing a cylinder rod (510) of a cylinder actuating unit (500) using pressure of water supplied into the cylinder actuating unit (500) when the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on and operated; and a water supplying step (ST6, ST7) of retracting the cylinder rod (510) to supply water to the automatic flushing apparatus when the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) determines that a body weight was removed.

[7] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 6, wherein, at the setting step, a cylinder retracting water drain check valve (420) of the check valve unit (400) is adjusted in response to the water pressure and displacement of the toilet.

[8] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 6, wherein, at the setting step, the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is set such that a body weight sensing switch (310) is in a turned off state, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) is in a turned off state, a flushing water supply control valve (340) is in a turned on state, and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) is in a turned on state.

[9] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 6, wherein the advancing step is conducted when the body weight sensing switch (310) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on.

[10] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 6, wherein, at the advancing step, when the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is operated, the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, the cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) is turned off, the flushing water supply control valve (340) is turned off, and the cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) is turned off.

[11] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 6, wherein, at the advancing step, water which is supplied by turning on the cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is supplied to the cylinder rod (510) of the cylinder actuating unit (500) through a pipe, so that the cylinder rod (510) is advanced by pressure of the supplied water.

[12] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 6, wherein, at the advancing step, when the cylinder rod (510) advances, a flushing control protrusion (511) of the cylinder rod (510) pushes a flushing on/off valve rod (521) of the flushing on/off valve (520) so that the flushing on/off valve (520) is turned on, wherein when the body weight sensing switch (310) is in a turned on state, the flushing water supply control valve (340) is in a turned off state, thus preventing supply of water to the flushing on/off valve (520).

[13] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to any one of claims 6 through 12, wherein the water supplying step is conducted when the body weight sensing switch (310) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned off.

[14] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to any one of claims 6 through 12, wherein, at the water supplying step, the flushing water supply control valve (340) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on, so that the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus through the flushing on/off valve (520) of the cylinder actuating unit (500).

[15] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to any one of claims 6 through 12, wherein, at the water supplying step, when the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus, the cylinder rod (510) is retracted by a spring (540).

[16] A toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a filter (100) filtering water supplied from a water supply through a pipe; a reducing valve (200) receiving the water from the filter (100) through a pipe and changing pressure of the water to a predetermined pressure; a weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) sensing a body weight, and receiving the water from the reducing valve (200) through a water passage pipe, and controlling discharge of the water depending on turning on/off a control valve; a check valve unit (400) controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit (500) operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300), thus automatically supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[17] A toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a filter (100) receiving water from a pressure chamber in a piston provided in an upper portion of a building water supply type toilet cleaning valve, the filter (100) filtering the water; a reducing valve (200) receiving the water from the filter (100) through a pipe and changing pressure of the water to a predetermined pressure; a weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) sensing a body weight, and receiving the water from the reducing valve (200) through a water passage pipe, the unit (300) controlling the received water depending on turning on/off a control valve and discharging an amount of water less than an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston; a check valve unit (400) controlling an amount of water passing through a water passage from the control valve of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) depending on water pressure and displacement of the toilet; and a cylinder actuating unit (500) operated by pressure of water supplied from the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) when the body weight is detected by the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300), thus draining a predetermined amount of water in response to an amount of water supplied from the pressure chamber of the piston so as to flush the toilet.

[18] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 16 or 17, further comprising: a manual lever unit (600) constructed such that an amount of water used when flushing the toilet and using a manual lever (630) is set by the check valve unit (400), wherein when the manual lever (630) is rotated, the manual lever unit (600) supplies water to the automatic flushing apparatus such that the flushing operation is conducted.

[19] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 18, wherein the manual lever unit (600) comprises: a rubber packing (610) provided in the manual lever unit (600), the rubber packing (610) sealing an opening between a space which contains therein water supplied through a pipe and a space in which a manual lever cylinder rod (620) is disposed; the manual lever cylinder rod (620) connected to the rubber packing (610), so that when the manual lever (630) rotates, the manual lever cylinder rod (620) opens the rubber packing (610) such that the supplied water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus; the manual lever (630) rotating a manual lever cam (631) to actuate the cylinder rod (620), thus opening the rubber packing (610) such that the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus; and a manual lever spring (640) connected to the cylinder rod (620), the manual lever spring (640) closing the rubber packing (610) after the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus.

[20] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) comprises: a body weight sensing switch (310) detecting the body weight and operating depending on a detecting result; a cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) to be turned on when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying supplied water to the cylinder actuating unit (500) through a pipe such that the cylinder actuating unit (500) is operated by water pressure; a cylinder retracting water supply control valve (330) to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to the cylinder actuating unit (500) through a pipe, such that the cylinder actuating unit (500) is retracted by water pressure; a selective water supply control valve (341) to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to a selective on/off valve (522) of the cylinder actuating unit (500) through a pipe; a cylinder advancing water drain control valve (350) to be turned on when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to a cylinder retracting water drain check valve (420) of the check valve unit (400) through a pipe such that when the cylinder rod (510) of the cylinder actuating unit (500) advances, the water is drained; and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) to be turned off when the body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, thus supplying the supplied water to the cylinder retracting water drain check valve (420) of the check valve unit (400) through a pipe such that when the cylinder rod (510) of the cylinder actuating unit (500) is retracted, the water is drained.

[21] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the check valve unit (400) comprises: a cylinder advancing water drain check valve (410) receiving water through a pipe and draining the water when the cylinder advancing water drain control valve (350) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on; a cylinder retracting water drain check valve (420) receiving water through a pipe and draining the water when the cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on; a flushing delay time check valve (430) connected to a flushing delay time control valve (530) of the cylinder actuating unit (500) to control a delay time of the flushing operation; and a manual lever water rate check valve (440) connected to the manual lever unit

(600) and controlling an amount of water drained by the manual lever unit (600).

[22] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the cylinder actuating unit (500) comprises: a cylinder rod (510) advanced by pressure of water supplied through a pipe when the cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on, the cylinder rod (510) having: a first protrusion (512) provided on a leading end of the cylinder rod (510) with respect to an advancing direction of the cylinder rod (510), the first protrusion (512) opening a selective on/off valve (522) to execute operation of the toilet seat corresponding to a case where a user urinates; a second protrusion (513) provided on the cylinder rod (510) behind the first protrusion (512) with respect to the advancing direction of the cylinder rod (510), the second protrusion (513) opening the selective on/off valve (522) to execute operation of the toilet seat corresponding to a case where the user moves his/her bowels; and a third protrusion (514) opening a flushing delay time control valve (530) to control a delay time of the flushing operation; the selective on/off valve (522) including a selective on/off valve rod (523) to be lifted by advancement of the cylinder rod (510) such that water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus from the selective water supply control valve (341) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300); and the flushing delay time control valve (530) including a flushing delay time control rod (531) to be lifted by the advancement of the cylinder rod (510), the flushing delay time control valve (530) controlling an amount of water supplied under the control of the flushing delay time check valve (440) of the check valve unit (400), such that the automatic flushing operation is conducted in consideration of the delay time of the flushing operation.

[23] The toilet seat having the non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing the toilet using water pressure and body weight according to claim 22, wherein, in the cylinder actuating unit (500), the first protrusion (512) is fixed to the cylinder rod (510), and the second protrusion (513) is slidably provided on the cylinder rod (510). [24] A method for controlling a toilet seat having a non-powered apparatus for automatically flushing a toilet using water pressure and body weight, comprising: a setting step (STl 1) of setting a check valve unit (400) in response to water pressure and displacement of the toilet and setting a weight sensor and water passage control unit (300); a filtering step (ST 12) of filtering water supplied from a water supply through a pipe; a reducing step (ST 13) of changing pressure of the supplied water to a predetermined pressure; an advancing step (ST 14 ~ ST 16) of advancing a cylinder rod (510) of a cylinder actuating unit (500) using pressure of water supplied into the cylinder actuating unit (500) when the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on and operated, and of determining whether a user moves bowels or urinates and a delay time of flushing operation; and a water supplying step (ST17, ST18) of retracting the cylinder rod (510) when the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) determines that a body weight has been removed, thus supplying water to the automatic flushing apparatus in response to a result of determination whether the user moves the bowels or urinates and the delay time of the flushing operation.

[25] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 24, wherein, at the setting step, at least one of a cylinder advancing water drain check valve (410), a cylinder retracting water drain check valve (420), a flushing delay time check valve (430) and a manual lever water rate check valve (440) of the check valve unit (400) is adjusted in response to the water pressure and displacement of the toilet.

[26] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 24, wherein, at the setting step, the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is set such that a body weight sensing switch (310) is in a turned off state, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) is in a turned off state, a cylinder retracting water supply control valve (330) is in a turned on state, a selective water supply control valve (341) is in a turned on state, a cylinder advancing water drain control valve (350) is in a turned off state, and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) is in a turned on state.

[27] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 24, wherein the advancing step is conducted when the body weight sensing switch (310) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on.

[28] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 24, wherein, at the advancing step, when the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is operated, a body weight sensing switch (310) is turned on, a cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) is turned on, a cylinder retracting water supply control valve (330) is turned off, a selective water supply control valve (341) is turned off, a cylinder advancing water drain control valve (350) is turned on, and a cylinder retracting water drain control valve (360) is turned off.

[29] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 24, wherein, at the advancing step, water which is supplied by turning on a cylinder advancing water supply control valve (320) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is supplied to a front of the cylinder rod (510) of the cylinder actuating unit (500) through a pipe, so that the cylinder rod (510) is advanced by pressure of the supplied water.

[30] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 24, wherein, at the advancing step, when the cylinder rod (510) is advanced, whether the user moves the bowels or urinates is determined by a first protrusion (512) and a second protrusion (513) of the cylinder rod (510), and the delay time of the flushing operation is determined by a third protrusion (514).

[31] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 30, wherein, at the advancing step, the determination of whether the user moves the bowels or urinates is realized by controlling a cylinder advancing water drain check valve (410) of the check valve unit (400).

[32] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to claim 31, wherein, at the advancing step, when 5-20 seconds or more and 50-80 seconds or less passes after the turning on of the body weight sensing switch (310) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300), it is determined that the user urinates, and a corresponding automatic flushing operation is conducted, and when 50-80 seconds or more passes, it is determined that the user moves the bowels, and a corresponding automatic flushing operation is conducted.

[33] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to any one of claims 24 through 32, wherein the water supplying step is conducted when the body weight sensing switch (310) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned off.

[34] The method for controlling the toilet seat according to any one of claims 24 through 32, wherein, at the water supplying step, the selective water supply control valve (341) of the weight sensor and water passage control unit (300) is turned on, so that the water is supplied to the automatic flushing apparatus through the selective on/off valve (522) of the cylinder actuating unit (500).