EP4274935A1

EP4274935A1 - Toilet device

Info

Publication number: EP4274935A1
Application number: EP22700280.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Leo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-01-06
Filing date: 2022-01-03
Publication date: 2023-11-15
Also published as: CN215802055U; JP2024502342A; US20240068219A1; CN116806285A; DE102021100114A1; WO2022148719A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a toilet device (1) with at least one air guide (11) which is designed to guide an airflow (A) from the interior (22) of a toilet (2) into the toilet device (1) and/or to guide an airflow (B) from the toilet device (1) into the interior (22) of the toilet (2), comprising at least one fan (13) which is designed to generate the respective airflow (A; B) and comprising at least one ionizer (15), preferably at least one ozone generator (15), which is designed to generate ionized air, preferably ozone, and dispense same into the respective airflow (A; B).

Description

DESCRIPTION

toilet facility

The present invention relates to a toilet device according to patent claim 1 and a toilet with such a toilet device according to patent claim 25.

Today, the use of toilets is common, which can be used by one person as a seated user. A toilet is a sanitary device for collecting bodily excretions such as feces and urine in particular. A toilet usually has a toilet bowl or a toilet bowl, which forms an interior space into which body excretions can be given. For this purpose, the person can sit on a toilet seat of the toilet. The bodily excretions can usually be discharged by flushing water through a drain to a sewage system.

In addition to the bodily excretions, gases can also be emitted by the person using the toilet or generated by the bodily excretions, which can get into the ambient air in the immediate vicinity of the toilet and can lead to an odor nuisance. The interior of the toilet, i.e. the inside of the toilet bowl, must also be cleaned regularly.

For the automatic cleaning of the toilet interiors of toilets or toilet bowls, the use of so-called toilet flushers is known, which are hung on the toilet edge in the toilet interior, so that when the water flush is actuated, the toilet flusher is flushed with water and part of a cleaning agent released into the water. As a result, the interior of the toilet can be cleaned to a certain extent where the water mixed with cleaning agent can reach it. The cleaning agent can also contain a fragrance which is released as a result and can be released into the ambient air. Both of these can always automatically follow it when the water flush is actuated.

The disadvantage here is that the cleaning effect can only occur in the interior of the toilet where water mixed with the cleaning agent reaches it. This can lead to uneven cleaning of the surface of the toilet interior. Also, only the toilet interior itself can be cleaned in this way. A further disadvantage is that odors that occur can only be masked by the scent of the cleaning agent, but remain in and of themselves.

The disadvantage in each case is that the effect of the cleaning and the fragrance depend on the amount of cleaning agent that is dissolved or released by the water of the water rinse. Correspondingly, the effects can also diminish as the cleaning agent dwindles.

The overall disadvantage is that the cleaning agent is consumed by using the toilet and has to be renewed or refilled. This can result in cost and effort for the user. In particular, the functions may not be available if or as long as the cleaning agent has been used up.

An object of the present invention is to provide a toilet device so that the odor nuisance when using a toilet can be avoided or at least reduced and/or cleaning and in particular disinfection of a toilet can be improved and/or simplified. This should in each case be as simple, robust, economical, compact and/or cost-effective as possible. At the very least, an alternative to the corresponding known possibilities should be created.

The object is achieved according to the invention by a toilet device with the features of patent claim 1 and by a toilet with the features of patent claim 25. Advantageous developments are described in the dependent claims.

The present invention thus relates to a toilet device with at least one air duct, which is designed to guide an air flow from the toilet interior of a toilet into the toilet device and/or an air flow from the toilet device into the toilet interior of the toilet, with at least one fan which is designed to generate the respective air flow, and with at least one ionizer, preferably at least one ozone generator, which is designed to generate ionized air, preferably ozone, and ben in the respective air flow abgege.

The air duct can be implemented by means of a hose, a duct or the like and arranged with one open end towards the toilet interior in such a way that air can be exchanged between the air duct and the toilet interior. The blower can be implemented, for example, as a fan or the like and in any case serve to convey air. The ionizer can be designed to at least partially ionize air such as ambient air. This can be done using high voltage. The ionized air or the radicals generated by the ionized air can cause chemical degradation processes which are used to eliminate odors and/or can be used for disinfection. Using an ozone generator as an ionizer can be one way of achieving the air ionization described above.

In other words, according to the invention, a device can be provided which can be used in a toilet. The toilet device can be an integrated part of the toilet or a separate device which can be arranged on the toilet so that it can be removed without destroying it. In any case, the toilet device can also be a system of separate components which functionally interact as a toilet device and can be spatially arranged separately. The separate components of such a toilet device can be partly integrated into the toilet, partly separated from the toilet, or each completely integrated or separated.

In any case, a toilet device according to the invention can be designed to promote an air flow from the toilet interior into itself, so that odors from the toilet interior can be sucked into the toilet device. Inside the toilet device, the odors of the sucked air can then be eliminated or at least reduced by the sucked air being ionized and/or mixed with ionized air. Excess air can escape from the toilet facility to the environment with reduced or completely eliminated odors. In this way, an odor nuisance for the environment, which can arise when using a toilet, can be eliminated or at least reduced.

In any case, a toilet device according to the invention can alternatively or additionally be designed to transport an air flow into the toilet interior. Inside the toilet device, air which can enter the toilet device from the outside can be ionized beforehand and then blown into the toilet interior by the blower. In this case, the ionized air can reach and disinfect the interior of the toilet or its surfaces. As a result, automatic cleaning of the toilet interior that is as simple and/or as complete as possible can be achieved.

The toilet device according to the invention can be designed to perform only one of the two functions described above. Alternatively, the toilet device according to the invention can be designed to provide both functions described above, so that they can be used automatically and/or by a user as desired. In this case, the functions can be executed independently of one another or one after the other as required or in combination. In the latter case, the function of odor elimination or odor reduction, in particular while a person is using the toilet and possibly with a certain time lag, and then, possibly with a certain time delay, the function of disinfection or odor reduction cleaning are used. In any case, at least the blower and the ionizer can be operated by means of a control unit of the toilet device, which performs the corresponding functions and other functions such as the evaluation of sensor information, the activation of the functions according to time sequences or at times and can carry out the like, as will be described in more detail below. The required electrical supply of the toilet device and in particular its electrical and electronic components can be provided by an integrated electrical energy store, as will be described in more detail below. Alternatively, the toilet device can also be wired or wirelessly, for example inductively, connected to an electrical supply network.

According to one aspect of the invention, the toilet device has a device interior, which is arranged inside the toilet device and is connected to the air duct to carry air flow, the ionizer being designed to release the ionized air into the device interior, and the blower being designed to discharge the respective To generate air flow through the device interior space. As a result, a volume can be created within the toilet device in the area of the ionizer and the blower, in which the ionized air can be generated by the ionizer and conveyed by the blower. In particular, a volume can be created inside the toilet device in which the ionized air and the odors of the sucked air from the toilet interior can be mixed, so that the corresponding neutralization of the odors can be brought about by the ionized air.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device has at least one air outlet, which is designed to discharge the air flow from the toilet device to the outside, and/or at least one air inlet, which is designed to introduce the air flow from the outside into the toilet device. In other words, the toilet facility or its interior is connected to the environment in an air-conducting or air-permeable manner in such a way that an air flow from the toilet interior via the air duct through the toilet facility and via the air outlet to the outside of the toilet facility and/or from outside the Toilet device can be generated through this and via the air duct into the toilet interior. In this way, a corresponding exchange of air between the toilet device and the environment can be achieved.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the air outlet and/or the air inlet has or have at least one preferably replaceable filter, preferably an activated carbon filter. Here, a corresponding filtering of the air drawn in from the toilet interior can be achieved before it is discharged to the environment. As a result, an additional odor-reducing effect can be achieved, in particular by means of an activated carbon filter. Additionally or alternatively A corresponding filtering of the ambient air can also take place if it is sucked into the toilet device from the environment. This allows dust and similar particles to be filtered out in order to keep them out of the interior of the toilet facility, otherwise the components located there, and in particular electronic components, could become dirty, blocked and/or their cooling effect could be reduced, which would increase the service life of the Components and in particular the electronic components can reduce.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the air outlet has at least one neutralizer, preferably a catalyst, particularly preferably an ozone catalyst, which is designed to neutralize ionized air. In this way, the air drawn in from the toilet interior, after it has been mixed with ionized air or ozone, can be passed through the neutralizer, the catalyst or the ozone catalyst before exiting through the air outlet into the environment. so that excess ionized air is broken down by the neutralizer or catalyst or excess ozone by the ozone catalyst and thus kept away from the area around the toilet device. In this way it can be avoided that ionized air or ozone can get into the environment of the toilet device, since the smell of the ionized air or ozone could be perceived as unpleasant by a user. Ionized air or ozone can also be harmful to health and the environment.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device has at least one sensor which is designed to detect the use of the toilet, the toilet device being designed to operate the blower and the ionizer in response to the sensor-detected use of the toilet. As a result, the toilet device can recognize that at least one of the two functions described above or even both functions are to be performed automatically one after the other. This can relieve a person as a user from having to initiate the respective function himself. In particular, this can prevent the user from forgetting to initiate the respective function.

In any case, the sensor can recognize the (pending) use of the toilet, in that a change in the toilet itself and/or its surroundings is detected by the sensor and this can be recognized by the sensor itself or by a control unit of the toilet device according to the invention. As will be explained in more detail below, this can be done, for example, by a movement sensor, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, a light barrier, a brightness sensor or the like, which can detect the presence of the user depending on the functional principle.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the sensor is embodied as a movement sensor, with the movement sensor being embodied at least in the area above the toilet interior. to be judged. Such a motion sensor can thus detect the movement of the person towards the toilet or to sit on the toilet seat and conclude from this that the toilet is about to be used. In particular, this can activate the function of reducing odors in order to be able to extract and eliminate or reduce them immediately. The movement sensor can be arranged and aligned on the toilet device in such a way that the corresponding area can be detected by sensors. In particular, the motion sensor can be arranged and aligned in such a way that its sensory detection area cannot be covered by a raised toilet lid.

According to a further aspect of the invention, at least the air duct, the blower and the ionizer on the one hand and the sensor on the other hand are designed as separate and spatially separate units. In other words, the toilet device can also be implemented as a system of two separate and spatially separated units, which functionally interact with one another and can therefore also be viewed together as one device. For this purpose, the two units can be connected to one another in a data-transmitting and/or energy-transmitting manner, which can be implemented in a wired or wireless manner. In any case, this makes it possible in particular to place the sensor, in particular as a motion sensor, independently of the other unit, which can increase the design flexibility of the sensor and in particular can improve sensory detection. In particular as a motion sensor, this can prevent the sensory detection area of the motion sensor above a toilet bowl from being covered by a raised toilet lid, for example.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the sensor is designed as a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being designed to be arranged between a toilet bowl rim of the toilet and a toilet seat of the toilet. In other words, in this way a load on the toilet seat due to the weight of the user can be detected by sensors, so that the use of the toilet can be detected alternatively or additionally in this way. The pressure sensor can also be viewed as a force sensor. If necessary, an elastically deformable element such as a rubber element can be arranged between the pressure sensor and the toilet bowl edge and/or the toilet seat in order to produce contact in the vertical direction between the toilet bowl edge and the pressure sensor and/or between the toilet seat and the pressure sensor that forces or pressures can also be effectively transmitted and, in particular, that a non-contact gap can be avoided. This can promote or ensure the functioning of the pressure sensor.

In any case, the recognition of the use of the toilet can be later than with a motion sensor, which is aligned to the area around the toilet or to the area above the toilet seat. tet, take place because the person must have already sat down on the toilet seat to load the pressure sensor. However, the use of the toilet can be recognized reliably and directly in this way, since movements of the person in the area around the toilet or even above the toilet interior cannot be accidentally recognized as use of the toilet without actually being like this can be the case with a motion sensor.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device is designed to start the operation of the blower and the ionizer at least at a predetermined point in time and/or after at least a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In this way, the function of cleaning by means of ionized air can be used in a time-controlled manner. On the one hand, cleaning can take place automatically at predetermined times in order to ensure regular cleaning. In addition or as an alternative, cleaning can always be carried out after the toilet has been used, which can take place automatically after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the toilet has been used. The end of using the toilet can be detected by sensors in a manner comparable to the beginning of using the toilet, as described above. When using a motion sensor, the end of using the toilet can be recognized by the absence of the person. When using a pressure sensor, the relief of the pressure sensor can indicate the end of use of the toilet te. In any case, it can be ensured in this way that cleaning takes place automatically after each use of the toilet.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device is configured to stop the operation of the blower and the ionizer after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. This ensures that the operation of the blower and the ionizer can be stopped again automatically. This predetermined period of time can be suitably chosen, on the one hand to ensure the corresponding effect of the respective function and on the other hand to keep the operating time and the electrical energy consumption of the toilet device as low as possible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device has at least one operating element which is designed so that the operation of the blower and the ionizer can be started and/or ended by a person operating the operating element. This can offer a person as a user the additional or alternative possibility of activating and/or deactivating a respective function or both functions of the toilet device. Such a control element can be designed as a push button, a toggle switch, a button, a touch sensor or the like.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device is designed to be operated by means of a preferably rechargeable and/or removable electrical energy store. Such an electrical energy store can be implemented as a battery, which in- used especially in the charged state in the toilet device and removed from the toilet device in the discharged state by the user, in particular by opening a flap or the like. Such an electrical energy storage device can also be configured to be rechargeable and fixed in the toilet facility in order to be recharged there, for example by connecting a charging cable. However, a rechargeable electrical energy store can also be removed from the toilet device for charging, in a manner comparable to the battery described above, and then reused in a charged manner.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device has at least one high-voltage generator which is designed to generate high voltage to operate the ionizer. This allows the toilet device itself to provide the required high voltage to operate the ionizer.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the lavatory device is adapted to be removably arranged on the lavatory. In other words, the toilet device forms, in one piece or in several parts, as described above, a device that can be manufactured and assembled independently of the toilet itself, in order to then be arranged as intended on the toilet as a device or as a system and from the toilet to be removed again. Thus, the toilet device represents an independent device which is not part of the toilet itself. In this way, the toilet device can be retrofitted to toilets and/or removed non-destructively for cleaning, for repairs, for charging an electrical energy store and the like.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device is designed to be arranged facing away from the toilet interior next to a toilet seat. This can enable the toilet device to be arranged close to the interior of the toilet in order to be able to carry out the respective function or both functions as intended and preferably as effectively as possible. In this way, the toilet device can also remain at least partially hidden from the view of the person using the toilet, so that the sight of the toilet device can disturb the user less or not at all.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the air duct is designed to be arranged at least in sections between a toilet bowl rim of the toilet and a toilet seat of the toilet. In this way, the air duct can at least partially through the gap, which usually forms in the vertical direction between the top of the edge of the toilet bowl and the bottom of the toilet seat, horizontally, in order to utilize this existing gap. This also allows the air duct to remain at least partially visually hidden from the user of the toilet. Furthermore, the toilet seat can be free from the air duct of the toilet device so that the person is not disturbed when sitting on the toilet seat. Furthermore, the air duct or its air duct opening can be arranged in this way close to the toilet interior and/or aligned towards the toilet interior.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the air duct is designed to project beyond a toilet bowl edge of the toilet into the toilet interior of the toilet. This can be done both horizontally and vertically, as will be described in more detail below. In any case, the air duct or its air duct opening can thus be guided into the interior of the toilet in order to be able to carry out the respective function or both functions as effectively as possible.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an air duct opening of the air duct is designed to point at least essentially horizontally into the toilet interior of the toilet. In this way, the respective air flow can act horizontally over the entire surface of the toilet space, so that odors can be sucked off as completely as possible before they can leave the toilet interior upwards and/or over the edge of the toilet. Likewise, the air flow into the toilet can reach it as evenly as possible and in particular ionized air can sink from the horizontal as far as possible over the entire surface and evenly into the toilet interior and reach or fill the sen, which can improve the cleaning effect.

According to a further aspect of the invention, an air duct opening of the air duct is designed to point at least substantially vertically into the toilet interior of the toilet. As a result, an air flow for sucking off odors can be generated as far as possible from the inside or from the lower areas of the toilet interior, which can promote the sucking off of odors arising or present there. Likewise, the interior of the toilet can be filled from below with ionized air from the air flow directed into the interior of the toilet, which can improve the cleaning effect.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device has at least one holder which is designed to hold the toilet device at least in a form-fitting manner on a toilet bowl edge of the toilet. This can enable the toilet device to be installed easily and in particular in a removable manner on a toilet rim. This can be done, for example, by means of at least one hook-shaped holder, which can partially encompass or reach behind the edge of the toilet bowl. In this way, at least a form-fitting hold and, if appropriate, an additional non-positive hold of the toilet device on the toilet bowl rim of the toilet can be achieved, with the additional non-positive hold being able to prevent or at least make it more difficult for the toilet device to be displaced along the toilet bowl rim. In any case, the bracket can be used as a separate element in addition to the air duct be formed or the holder can be formed by the air duct itself, as will be described in more detail below.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the holder is formed by the air duct. For this purpose, the air duct can be designed in particular like a hook and in particular run horizontally in sections between the top of the toilet bowl rim and the underside of the toilet seat and then vertically with its air duct opening into the interior of the toilet bowl, d. H. point into the toilet interior. As a result, both the function of the holder and the function of guiding the respective air flow or both air flows can be taken over by the air duct, which can keep the number of components of the toilet device low. This can have a reducing effect on the manufacturing costs, the assembly costs, the weight and/or the construction space of the toilet device.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the air duct is designed to be exchangeable. In other words, the air duct can be removed non-destructively from the other components of the toilet facility and in particular from a housing of the toilet facility in order to be exchanged for an identical air duct. This can enable the air duct to be replaced, for example, in the event of damage, contamination or regularly for reasons of hygiene. In this way, different air ducts can also be used in the toilet device, which can be designed differently, as described above. As a result, the toilet device can be adapted to the respective toilet by choosing a suitable air duct.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the toilet device has at least one scent generator which is designed to release a scent into the respective air flow, preferably into an interior space of the device. Such an air generator can be a reservoir or storage space, in particular within the toilet facility, of a corresponding fragrance, in particular in liquid, pasty or solid form, which can be reached in particular by the air flow of the blower. As a result, scent particles of the scent can be entrained by the respective air flow in the respective direction of flow in order to spread the scent in the vicinity of the toilet. This can in particular be combined with the function of odor reduction in order to additionally ensure a pleasant scent in the air surrounding the toilet, which can in particular mask any unpleasant odors that remain.

The present invention also relates to a toilet with at least one toilet device as described above. Such a toilet can have the toilet device according to the invention as a fixed and integrated component or it can also be equipped with a toilet device according to the invention so that it can be removed non-destructively. In any case, the properties described above and Advantages of a toilet device according to the invention are applied and used in this way in a toilet.

Three exemplary embodiments and further advantages of the invention are shown purely schematically and explained in more detail below in connection with the following figures. It shows:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet device according to the invention according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows the representation of FIG. 1 with a partial view into the housing;

FIG. 3 shows the representation of FIG. 1 from the opposite side with the housing open;

FIG. 4 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet device according to the invention according to a second embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet according to the invention with a toilet device according to the invention according to the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet according to the invention with a toilet device according to the invention according to a third exemplary embodiment; and FIG. 7 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet according to the invention with a toilet device according to the invention according to the second exemplary embodiment of FIG.

The above figures are viewed in Cartesian coordinates. A longitudinal direction X, which can also be referred to as depth X or length X, extends. A transverse direction Y, which can also be referred to as width Y, extends perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction X. A vertical direction Z, which can also be referred to as the height Z and corresponds to the direction of gravity, extends perpendicularly both to the longitudinal direction X and to the transverse direction Y. The longitudinal direction X and the transverse direction Y together form the horizontal line X, Y, which can also be referred to as the horizontal plane X, Y be.

Figure 1 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet device 1 according to the invention according to a first embodiment. Figure 2 shows the representation of Figure 1 with a partial view of the housing 10. Figure 3 shows the representation of Figure 1 from the opposite side with the housing 10 open.

The toilet device 1 according to the invention has a housing 10 from which an air duct 11 extends in a straight line in the horizon X, Y, which can also be referred to as channel 11 . The air duct 11 has a rectangular cross-section which is relatively flat in the vertical direction Z. The air duct 11 can be interchangeable in order to adapt the toilet device 1 to different types or designs of toilets 2 or the air duct 11 at need to be able to renew. The air duct 11 ends away from the housing 10 with an air guide opening 11a. Away from the air duct opening 11a, the air duct 11 ends in a device interior 14 inside the housing 10, in which the mechanical, electrical and electronic components of the toilet device 1 are arranged.

The housing 10 is also connected to the environment via an air inlet 18 or air outlet 18 , the air inlet/air outlet 18 extending flat over the upper side and approximately half over the two side surfaces of the housing 10 . The air inlet/air outlet 18 has an exchangeable filter 17 in the form of an activated carbon filter 17, through which air can be exchanged between the surrounding area and the device interior 14 in both flow directions. Alternatively or additionally, the air outlet 18 can also have a neutralizer for neutralizing ionized air, which can preferably be implemented as a catalyst and particularly preferably as an ozone catalyst.

A sensor 19a in the form of a movement sensor 19a and a control element 19b in the form of a push button 19b are also arranged on the housing 10, facing the air duct opening 11a, on the side of the housing 10, see in particular Figures 1 and 3.

A blower 13 in the form of a fan 13 is arranged in the interior of the device 14 and, depending on the direction of rotation, can generate an air flow A which can convey or suck in air through the air duct 11 through the air duct opening 11a into the interior of the device 14 . From there, due to the corresponding overpressure in the storage interior 14 , the air can exit via the air inlet/air outlet 18 through the activated carbon filter 17 or through the neutralizer, catalyst or ozone catalyst into the surroundings of the toilet device 1 . When the fan 13 rotates in the opposite direction, an air flow B can be generated, which can eject air from the device interior 14 through the air duct 11 via the air duct opening 11a. Because of the corresponding negative pressure in the storage interior 14 , air from the surroundings of the toilet facility 1 can be sucked in via the air inlet/air outlet 18 through the activated carbon filter 17 and into the interior 14 of the facility. Thus, depending on the operation or depending on the direction of rotation of the blower 13, the air flow A through the toilet device 1 in the suction direction or the air flow B through the toilet device 1 in the ejecting direction can be generated.

In the device interior 14, an ionizer 15 is also arranged, which can be electrically powered by means of a high voltage generator 16 voltage. The ionizer 15 can form ionized air or radicals of the ionized air by means of the electrical high voltage from the air that is located within the interior space 14 of the device, which can bring about chemical degradation processes. The ionized air or the radicals of the ionized air can be used to eliminate odors and/or for Disinfection can be used, as will be described in more detail below. An ozone generator 15 can be used as the ionizer 15, so that ozone can be generated as ionized air or as radicals of the ionized air. This can represent a possibility of an ionizer 15 .

The high-voltage generator 16 is arranged on a circuit board (not designated), which also has a control unit 12 which can operate the toilet device 1 or its electrical and electronic components. These include the fan 13, the ionizer 15, the high voltage generator 16 and the sensor 19a and the control element 19b. The control unit 12 and the electrical electronic components are supplied with electricity by means of a rechargeable electrical energy store 12a in the form of an integrated rechargeable battery 12a.

Figure 4 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet device 1 according to the invention according to a second embodiment. The toilet facility 1 according to the second embodiment of FIG. 4 differs from the toilet facility 1 of the first embodiment of FIGS. In this case, the air-guiding opening 11a points downwards in the vertical direction Z. On the other hand, a pressure sensor (not shown) is used, which is arranged in the area of the air duct 11 in the vertical direction Z below the air duct 11 and downwards, so that the air duct 11 is pressed by the toilet seat 23 onto the toilet bowl rim 21 and this can be detected by the pressure sensor as a pressure or as a force. This may be the same as previously described with regard to the motion sensor 19a of the toilet facility

Trigger 1 of the first embodiment described reactions.

Figure 5 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet 2 according to the invention with a toilet device 1 according to the invention according to the first embodiment of Figures 1 to 3.

The toilet 2 represents a sanitary device which is freely suspended in the vertical direction Z above a floor 4 and fixedly mounted on a wall 3 . The toilet 2 has a toilet bowl edge 20, which can also be referred to as a toilet bowl 20. Within the toilet bowl 20, a toilet interior 22 is formed, which can be flushed with water by means of a water flush (not shown). The water from the flushing water can be discharged through the wall 3 to a sewage system via a drain (not shown). The toilet

2 can be used by a person as a user to discharge bodily excretions such as feces and urine in particular, which can be discharged with the water of the flushing water. For this purpose, the user can sit on top of a toilet seat 23 in the vertical direction Z, which is arranged above a toilet bowl rim 21 so that it can be folded up. When used as intended, the toilet device 1 according to the invention according to the first exemplary embodiment is arranged between the wall 3 and the toilet seat 23 in such a way that the air duct 11 runs between the top of the toilet bowl rim 21 and the bottom of the toilet seat 23 and extends over the toilet bowl rim 21 and the Toilet seat 23 extends away with its air duct opening 11a horizontally into the toilet interior 22 inside. The movement sensor 19a is directed towards the area above the interior space 22 of the toilet.

If a person as the user of the toilet 2 sits on the toilet seat 23, this is detected by the motion sensor 19a and transmitted to the control unit 12. The control unit 12 can thereby recognize the beginning of a use of the toilet 2 by the user and cause the toilet device 1 to carry out a first function. In this case, the fan 13 is controlled by the control unit 12 in that direction of rotation which generates the air flow A. In this way, odors that may arise when the user uses the toilet 2 can be drawn in by the air flow A of the blower 13 from the toilet interior 22 via the air duct opening 11a through the air duct 11 into the interior 14 of the device. There, the ionized air of the ionizer 15 can mix with the air flow A, so that the odors can be reduced by the ionized air and, if necessary, completely removed. The treated air can then pass through the activated charcoal filter 17 into the environment via the air outlet 18, with the activated charcoal filter 17 being able to reduce any remaining odors and, if appropriate, completely remove them. As a result, the ambient air of the toilet 2 can be kept as completely odorless as possible. If, in addition or as an alternative, a catalyst is provided in the air outlet 18, excess ionized air can be removed from the exiting air in order to keep the environment free of ionized air. A scent generator (not shown) that may be provided in the device interior 14 can additionally enrich the air released to the environment with scent, so that the ambient air of the toilet 2 can be provided with a pleasant scent in a targeted manner.

If the movement sensor 19a detects that the user is absent from the toilet 2, the control unit 12 can respond to this by stopping the operation of the blower 13 and the ionizer 15, since the use of the toilet 2 by the user is recognized as having ended can. Alternatively, the control unit 12 can also wait a predetermined period of time in response to this before the operation of the blower 13 and the ionizer 15 is ended in order to use the odor-reducing function of the toilet device 1 over this period of time and thereby reduce the odors more . This can help eliminate odor nuisance as completely as possible, even in the case of strong odors. In any case, this allows the odor-reducing function to be carried out and also terminated automatically by the toilet device 1 . For this reason, if necessary, the user can also actuate the operating element 19b and thereby switch the odor-reducing function of the toilet device 1 on and off or switch it on and at the same time bring about an automatic termination after a predetermined period of time. As a result, the odor-reducing function of the toilet device 1 can also be triggered and ended by the user.

In addition, the toilet device 1 can also be operated by the control unit with the fan 13 rotating in the opposite direction, so that the air flow B can be generated. In this way, a cleaning function of the toilet device 1 can be performed by the ionized air of the ionizer 15 being blown by the blower 13 through the air duct 11 and into the toilet interior 12 via the air duct opening 11a. The air flow B with ionized air can thus reach and disinfect the surfaces of the toilet interior 22 .

For example, the cleaning function of the toilet device 1 can be performed automatically by the control unit 12 each time after the odor-reducing function of the toilet device 1 has been performed and completed. This can allow the toilet interior 22 to be cleaned automatically after each use of the toilet 2 . Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning function of the toilet facility 1 can also be carried out automatically by the control unit 12 at regular time intervals and/or at recurring times in order to carry out an automatic cleaning of the toilet interior 22 independently of the use of the toilet 2 by users and the To keep toilet 2 in a cleaned or disinfected state. Additionally or alternatively, the cleaning function of the toilet device 1 can also be initiated by the user by actuating the operating element 19b if necessary. In any case, the duration of the operation of the fan 13 and the ionizer 15 to carry out the cleaning function of the toilet device 1 can take place over a predetermined period of time, which can enable the toilet interior 22 to be cleaned successfully.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet 2 according to the invention with a toilet device 1 according to the invention according to a third exemplary embodiment. The toilet device 1 according to the third exemplary embodiment differs from the toilet device 1 according to the first exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 in that in this case the toilet device 1 is formed by two separate units which are spatially separated from one another. In this case, the motion sensor 19a is housed in a separate housing (not labeled) and is arranged above the rest of the toilet facility 1 in the vertical direction Z and laterally spaced in the transverse direction Y on the wall 3 in such a way that even with a toilet 2 with a toilet seat (Not shown), the area above the toilet seat 23 can be optically recorded undisturbed or uncovered as described above. This allows the toilet Device 1 according to the first embodiment can also be used with toilets 2 with a toilet seat as described above.

Figure 7 shows a perspective schematic representation of a toilet 2 according to the invention with a toilet device 1 according to the invention according to the second embodiment of Figure 4. In this case, the toilet device 1 is arranged laterally on the toilet bowl rim 21 by the hook-shaped flap 11b in the vertical direction Z from above the toilet bowl edge 21 is hung over it. Through this, the toilet facility 1 is held in a form-fitting manner on the toilet bowl rim 21 . The air duct 11 also runs between the top of the toilet bowl rim 21 and the underside of the toilet seat 23. The air duct opening 11a points downwards in the vertical direction Z into the toilet interior 22, so that odors are extracted from there and/or ionized Air can be blown in there.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS (part of the description)

A Air flow into air duct 11 B Air flow out of air duct 11

X longitudinal direction; Depth; length

Y transverse direction; Broad

Z vertical direction; Height

X, Y Horizontal; horizontal plane

1 toilet facility

10 housing

11 air duct; Duct 11a air guide opening 11b bracket

12 control unit

12a rechargeable electrical energy store; battery pack

13 fans; fan

14 device interior

15 ionizer; ozone generator

16 high voltage generator

17 filters; activated carbon filter

18 air inlet/outlet

19a sensor; motion sensor 19b control element; push button

2 toilet

20 toilet bowl; toilet bowl

21 toilet bowl rim

22 toilet interior

23 toilet seat

3 wall

4 floor

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Toilet device (1) with at least one air duct (11) which is designed to allow an air flow (A) from a toilet interior (22) of a toilet (2) into the toilet device (1) and/or an air flow (B) out of the toilet device (1) into the toilet interior (22) of the toilet (2), with at least one blower (13) which is designed to generate the respective air flow (A; B) and with at least one ionizer ( 15), preferably at least one ozone generator (15), which wel cher is designed to generate ionized air, preferably ozone, and in the respective air flow (A; B) to deliver.

2. Toilet device (1) according to Claim 1, characterized by a device interior (14) which is arranged inside the toilet device (1) and is connected to the air duct (11) to carry air flow, the ionizer (15) being designed to convert the ionized air into admit the device interior (14) from, and wherein the fan (13) is designed to generate the respective air flow (A; B) through the device interior (14) through.

3. Toilet device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by at least one air outlet (18) which is designed to discharge the air flow (A) from the toilet device (1) to the outside, and/or at least one air inlet (18) , which is designed to introduce the air flow (B) from the outside into the toilet device (1).

4. Toilet device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the air outlet (18) and/or the air inlet (18) has/have at least one, preferably exchangeable, filter (17), preferably an activated carbon filter (17).

5. toilet device (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the air outlet (18) has at least one neutralizer, preferably a catalyst, particularly preferably an ozone catalyst, which is designed to neutralize ionized air.

6. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one sensor (19a) which is designed to recognize the use of the toilet (2), the toilet device (1) being designed in response to the sensor-detected Using the toilet (2) to operate the blower (13) and the ionizer (15).

7. Toilet device (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the sensor (19a) is designed as a motion sensor (19a), the motion sensor (19a) being designed at least towards the area above the toilet interior (22). will.

8. Toilet device (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that at least the air duct (11), the fan (13) and the ionizer (15) on the one hand and the sen sor (19a) on the other as separate and spatially separate units are formed.

9. Toilet device (1) according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the sensor (19a) is designed as a pressure sensor, the pressure sensor being designed to be positioned between a toilet bowl rim (21) of the toilet (2) and a toilet seat (23 ) of the toilet (2) to be arranged.

10. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet device (1) is designed to operate the fan (13) and the ionizer (15) at least at a predetermined time and/or after at least one to start before a certain amount of time.

11. Toilet device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet device (1) is adapted to end the operation of the blower (13) and the ionizer (15) after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

12. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet device (1) has at least one operating element (19b), which is designed so that by actuating the operating element (19b) by a person, the operation of the Ge Bläses (13) and the ionizer (15) can be started and / or finished.

13. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet device (1) is designed to be operated by means of a preferably rechargeable and/or removable electrical energy store (12a).

14. Toilet device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one high-voltage generator (16) which is designed to generate high voltage for operating the ionizer (15).

15. Toilet device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet device (1) is adapted to be removably arranged on the toilet (2).

16. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the toilet device (1) is designed to be arranged facing away from the toilet interior (22) next to a toilet seat (23).

17. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air duct (11) is designed to be arranged at least in sections between a toilet bowl rim (21) of the toilet (2) and a toilet seat (23) of the toilet (2). to become.

18. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air duct (11) is designed to project beyond a toilet bowl rim (21) of the toilet (2) into the toilet interior (22) of the toilet (2).

19. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an air duct opening (11a) of the air duct (11) is designed to point at least substantially horizontally into the toilet interior (22) of the toilet (2).

20. Toilet device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that an air duct opening (11a) of the air duct (11) is designed to point at least substantially vertically into the toilet interior (22) of the toilet (2).

21. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one holder (11b) which is designed to hold the toilet device (1) at least in a form-fitting manner on a toilet bowl edge (21) of the toilet (2).

22. Toilet device (1) according to claim 21, characterized in that the holder (11b) is formed by the air duct (11).

23. Toilet device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the air duct (11) is designed to be exchangeable.

24. Toilet device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one scent generator which is designed to give a scent into the respective air flow (A; B), preferably into a device interior (14).

25. Toilet (2) with at least one toilet device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims.