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
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E03—WATER SUPPLY; SEWERAGE
  • E03D—WATER-CLOSETS OR URINALS WITH FLUSHING DEVICES; FLUSHING VALVES THEREFOR
  • E03D5/00—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system
  • E03D5/02—Special constructions of flushing devices, e.g. closed flushing system operated mechanically or hydraulically (or pneumatically) also details such as push buttons, levers and pull-card therefor
  • E03D5/024—Operated hydraulically or pneumatically
• • 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

Definitions

• 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.
• the western style toilets are flush type toilets.
• the Oriental toilets are classified into flush type toilets and non-flush type toilets.
• 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.
• 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.
• an automatic flushing apparatus must be connected to a power source or battery to conduct the automatic flushing operation.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• FIG. 2 is a view showing a concept of one example of the construction of FIG. 1.
• 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.
• the check valve unit 400 may include a cylinder retracting water drain check valve
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• a weight sensor and water passage control unit 300 receiving water from a pressure chamber in a piston provided in an upper portion of
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 comprising: a setting step (STl) of setting a check valve unit 400 in response to water pressure and displacement of
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the water supplying step may be conducted when the body weight sensing switch
• 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.
• the cylinder rod 510 may be retracted by a spring 540.
• 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.
• 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.
• a filter 100 filtering water supplied from a water supply through a pipe
• a reducing valve 200 receiving
• 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.
• FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the concept of the weight sensor and water passage control unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.
• 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
• FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the concept of the check valve of FIGS. 5 and 6.
• 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.
• FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the concept of the cylinder actuating unit of FIGS. 5 and
• the cylinder actuating unit 500 may include: a cylinder rod
• the 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
• 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.
• 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.
• FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the concept of the manual lever of FIGS. 5 and 6.
• the manual lever unit 600 may include: a rubber packing
• 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.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• 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 determine
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the water supplying step may be conducted when the body weight sensing switch
• 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.
• the cylinder rod 510 may be retracted by the spring 540.
• 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.
• the toilet seat can control the time during which a user discards toilet paper after producing stool, thus being further environment-friendly.
• 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.
• 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
• FIG. 2 is a view showing a concept of one example of the construction of FIG. 1 ;
• 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;
• 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
• 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 a concept of one example of the construction of FIG. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the concept of the weight sensor and water passage control unit of FIGS. 5 and 6;
• FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the concept of the check valve of FIGS. 5 and 6;
• FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the concept of the cylinder actuating unit of FIGS. 5 and 6;
• FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the concept of the manual lever of FIGS. 5 and 6;
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of the construction of FIG. 1.
• 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.
• the body weight sensing switch 310 detects body weight and thus determines whether a user is seated on the toilet.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the check valve unit 400 includes the cylinder retracting water drain check valve
• the cylinder actuating unit 500 includes a cylinder rod 510, the flushing on/off valve 520 and a spring 530.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• the cylinder rod 510 is retracted by the elastic force of the spring 540 (ST7).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• FIG. 7 is a view illustrating the concept of the weight sensor and water passage control unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.
• 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.
• the body weight sensing switch 310 detects body weight.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• FIG. 8 is a view illustrating the concept of the check valve of FIGS. 5 and 6.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• FIG. 9 is a view illustrating the concept of the cylinder actuating unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.
• 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.
• 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 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.
• the first protrusion 512 pushes a selective on/off valve rod 523 upwards to open the selective on/off valve 522.
• 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.
• the second protrusion 513 pushes the selective on/off valve rod 523 upwards to open the selective on/off valve 522.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the concept of the manual lever unit of FIGS. 5 and 6.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• the filter 100 Water supplied through the main supply pipe is filtered by the filter 100 (ST 12).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 50-80 seconds or more it is determined that the user moves the bowels, and the corresponding automatic flushing operation is conducted.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• the cylinder rod 510 is retracted.
• 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.
• 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.
• the cylinder rod 510 is retracted by water pressure.
• the cylinder rod 510 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.
• 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.

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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)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)

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• 2008
  • 2008-01-31 KR KR1020080010178A patent/KR100946391B1/ko not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2008-12-31 CN CN2008801262235A patent/CN101939496A/zh active Pending
  • 2008-12-31 WO PCT/KR2008/007821 patent/WO2009096666A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2008-12-31 EP EP08871718A patent/EP2250322A2/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2008-12-31 JP JP2010544879A patent/JP2011511189A/ja active Pending
  • 2008-12-31 US US12/865,307 patent/US20110010831A1/en not_active Abandoned

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