ES2208032B1 - SYSTEM TO MAKE A SANITARY OR PERSONAL HYGIENE DEVICE OPERATING DISTANCE. - Google Patents

Abstract

System for remote operation of a sanitary or personal hygiene device. Such a system includes any one of a toilet flush valve, a faucet, a shower, a soap dispenser, a hand dryer and a paper towel dispenser, which includes an electric actuator associated with each device to cause its operation. A radio receiver is associated with each device and, upon receiving a unique message for that device, results in its operation. There is an activating device to cause the device to function. There is a transmitter and a receiver associated with the activating device. The transmitter associated with each trigger device is programmed to transmit a unique message for that specific device. When the activating device transmits a single message, it is received at the receiver of the device, which will cause the device to operate and cause the transmitter of the device to send an acknowledgment message back to the receiver of the activating device, which at its Once, it will activate an indicator to indicate that the transmitted message has been received.

Description

System to run a remote sanitary or personal hygiene device.

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for remotely operate one or more sanitary appliances that, Normally, they are in public toilets. Such devices they can include a urinal discharge wash valve, a flushing valve of a toilet, a tap, a shower, a soap dispenser, a paper towel dispenser, a hand dryer or any other device that can be found in an enclosure of this class. Typically, such devices are made operate by a user using a sensor or a manual switch  located on the device and connected to an electric actuator of the same.

There are environments where it is not possible or not it is desirable that there are wired connections between the device activator, which will cause the device to function, and the device itself apparatus. For example, in a toilet, the electric actuator for a discharge wash valve can be found behind a partition and it is not practical to have the activating device connected by cables with the flushing valve. From similarly, there may be cases in which the wash valve by discharge for a urinal is behind the wall and not be effective, from the economic point of view, install a wired connection between the device that activates the operation of the flushing valve and the valve itself. He The present invention provides a radio link that replaces the wired connection The invention also includes the possibility of acknowledge receipt of a functional message so that in the trigger device, whether it is a sensor infrared as if it is a push button, the user will have visual evidence that the message to lead to operation of the device, it has been received and acknowledged receipt.

In addition, in some toilets, for example, in institutions, it may be desirable to have a master control that  monitor the use and operation of all sanitary appliances that are in a certain area. Also in this case, it is desirable to remove wired connections and replace them with a radio communication link. The use of wired connections it can be difficult in such environments and these can be subject to of vandalism, corrosion and breakdown. The replacement of the wired connection by a radio link, offers many advantages, including economic, safety and reliability.

The present invention provides a link of radio communication between a single medical device or personal hygiene, of the type described, and the activating device, whether it is a sensor or a switch mechanically operated, as well as a control system for multiple of such devices, installed in one area default All connections between the device itself and the means to give rise to its operation, are carried out through a radio link Similarly, in the case of a multiplicity of such devices, and a computer control or microprocessor, which determines when and for how long to operate a device of this class, the links of Communications are also via radio.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a system for operate appliances such as wash valves by discharge, faucets and the like and, more specifically, to the use of a radio communication link between the trigger device for such an apparatus and the electric actuator that makes it work.

A main purpose of the invention is provide an operating system for personal hygiene devices and / or sanitary ware, in which the wiring between the sensor or activating device and the device itself, and being replaced by a radio communication link.

Another purpose is a control system for apparatus such as those described, in which a multiplicity of said devices are controlled by a single microprocessor to through a radio communication link.

Other purposes will be apparent from The following specification, drawings and claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the following drawings, in which:

Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate various devices individual toilets with individual activating devices for them; Y

Fig. 2 illustrates a control system for multiple devices of the type shown in Fig. 1.

Description of the preferred embodiment

Current practice, in most sinks audiences, including those in institutions, is that the various sanitary devices and / or the different devices of plumbing for water flow control, be connected by wiring with the activating device that starts its functioning. More specifically, in such an environment, and taking as an example a flushing valve of a toilet discharge, there is a wired connection between the electric actuator of the valve and the activating device, either a sensor, such as a infrared sensor, either a button, in which case the user of the device manually activates the button to ensure its functioning. The discharge wash valve may be associated with a urinal or with a toilet. Similarly, there are wired connections to operate other devices such as faucets, showers, soap dispensers, dispensers  paper towels and hand dryers. The present invention is applicable to any sanitary and / or personal hygiene device of the previous type and to the activating device, whether it is a sensor, such as an infrared sensor, as if it were a switch operated manually by the intended user Use the device. Specifically, the present invention replaces a connection wired by a radio communication link. The Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C show various devices of this type and the use of two different types of activation devices, one being a infrared sensor and the other being a push button. May use any of the activation devices with any device and there are also cases where they can be used both activation devices with one such device, using the manual device as a predominant command or with maintenance purposes

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Fig. 1A illustrates a discharge wash valve 10 that can be associated with a urinal or with a toilet and that can be operated by a battery or that can be connected to a local power supply. The discharge wash valve may be of the type shown in US Patents 5,169,118 and 5,244,179, of which the assignee of the present application is entitled, Sloan Valve Company, of Franklin Park, Illinois, USA. Patent descriptions 5,169,118 and 5,244,179 are incorporated herein by reference. The discharge wash valve 10 will include an electric actuator, such as a solenoid, activated by battery or by connection to the local current which, when operated, will cause the discharge wash valve to pass a quantity of water dosed to a toilet or a urinal. The discharge wash valve 10 is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 1A and, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, will include, within the unit itself, the described electric actuator, the supply battery if desired and, in addition, a transmitter and a radio frequency receiver. Typically, these devices will operate in the 400 MHz range and the normal maximum power that would be used in the transmitter would be 200 milliwatts. What is necessary is that the reach is about

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Associated with discharge wash valve 10 and the radio frequency transmitter and receiver described, there is a infrared sensor 12 which is represented as part of the apparatus of discharge wash valve in patents 5,169,118 and 5,244,179, but which in the present case is described in one place separate from the flushing valve. Sensor 12 it will also include a transmitter and a radio frequency receiver operating in the frequency range described and with the power needs described. It can be activated by battery or it can be connected to the local power.

There is also a push button actuator 14 which, It will also have a transmitter and a receiver associated with radiofrequency, as described. Both sensor 12 of infrared as button 14, with RF radio equipment associated, they also have a light emitting diode indicator represented in 14th associated with the button, and in 12th associated with the infrared sensor 12.

In operation, if sensor 12 detects a user in a urinal or in a toilet, the sensor is programmed to operate the flushing valve once after a predetermined period of time after the sensor has stopped detecting the presence of the user in the particular sanitary apparatus. In the case at hand, the sensor will send a radio frequency signal to the wash valve 10 by download and this signal will have a unique address, peculiar to the particular discharge wash valve to be done function. As an example, the transmitter associated with sensor 12 it can have an activation address of 100, and it can adopt digital or analog form, having the number 100 illustrative purposes only. The receiver in valve 10 of discharge wash is set to receive address specific. Upon receipt of the address, the electric actuator of the Discharge wash valve will begin its duty cycle. Simultaneously, the transmitter associated with the wash valve 10 per download will transmit a message with an address represented by number 105. Sensor 12 receiver is set to receive only the single message with address 105 and, when this message is received, characterized as an acknowledgment message of receipt, will make the LED (photo-emitting diode) 12a illuminate. Thus, the sensor works to send an attempt message to the valve flushing by means of an RF signal, the receiver of the discharge wash valve is set to receive only that message and, when you receive such a message, respond with a acknowledgment message that is sent back to the sensor, indicating that the instruction has been received.

The device in button 14 is the same as in the sensor 12 and the directions are the same, both for the Transmitter as for the receiver. Thus, button 14 can be used as an alternative to the sensor and would be particularly useful as a predominant control device or if desired, for the purpose of maintenance, operate the wash valve by discharge.

The important thing is that there is only one message for a particular device, both to send an instruction of I try to send or receive an acknowledgment of receipt. Thus, all communication between the device activation and the device is performed at an RF frequency of, approximately 400 MHz.

Fig. 1B shows a similar arrangement for operation of a soap dispenser and a tap. There is a pool 16 basin under which an electric actuator and a transmitter and receiver unit 18, to control operation of a faucet 20. There is also a soap dispenser 22 associated with sink 16, whose dispenser will have an actuator electrical, as well as a transmitter and a receiver. With 24 it is indicated a sensor for the tap and, as described in relation to Fig. 1A, it will have a transmitter and a receiver included within it accommodation. Similarly, there is a sensor 26 that is suitable for use with the soap dispenser 22 and, also, there will be a transmitter and a receiver associated with him. 24a indicators are associated with the tap sensor and an indicator 26a is associated with the Soap dispenser sensor.

Again, using the same sequence number as a representative of direction, the tap sensor 24 can have a transmitter address of 110 and an address of 115 receiver. The tap 18 control receiver will have its address set to 110 and its transmitter address set to 115. Thus, there is only communication between these two elements, the sensor and tap control, and with unique directions for bidirectional communication between them. The same is applicable for the soap dispenser and its associated sensor 26. The communication between these two elements will be done with a peculiar direction for the soap dispenser and its sensor, so that there is no possibility that any other device of the washbasins be made function when you want to operate a soap dispenser particular.

Similarly, there is a hand dryer 30 near pool 16 and dryer 30 will have a sensor 32, also with a transmitter and receiver, in the same way as the hand dryer 30 It has a transmitter and a receiver. These elements of Individual radio communications will also have addresses peculiar to the device and its sensor, so that only will get the hand dryer to work when your actuator electric be activated by the receiver, which receives a signal from sensor 30 and, also in this case, a response or acknowledgment message back to the sensor, from so that its indicator 32a will be operated.

Although the devices of Fig. 1B only show the operation through an infrared sensor, It should be understood that there may also be push buttons or other manually operated devices, in association with the tap or with the soap dispenser or with the hand dryer or with the paper towel dispenser, or with all of them.

Fig. 1C depicts a shower 40 with a electric actuator and a transmitter and receiver associated with it, as indicated in 42. A sensor is shown in 44, with a indicator 44a. The apparatus and its associated sensor in Fig. 1C, they work in the same way as those in Figs. 1A and 1B. In each case, when the sensor is activated, an attempt message with an address peculiar to shower 40 will be sent to receiver 42 thereof. its Associated transmitter will send an acknowledgment or receipt message response to the sensor, so that indicator 44a will illuminate. The messages have an address that is unique to that device specific and that specific sensor in order to avoid the operation of unwanted devices and confuse the system reply. In this regard, although an indicator illustrates a LED, also falls within the scope of the invention to offer a response or an audible acknowledgment.

Fig. 2 diagrammatically illustrates a board of  control for use in toilets that have one or more of the apparatus represented in Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C. There are multiple discharge wash valves, multiple faucets, multiple soap dispensers, multiple towel dispensers paper, multiple hand dryers and one or more showers in a single washbasin enclosure or in the washbasins of an institution. Such devices are shown in 46. Activating devices for said devices, whether sensors or switches, are shown in 48. A control board is indicated at 50 and may include a radio receiver 52 and a radio transmitter 54. There's a microprocessor 56 inside the control board and the microprocessor can be of the type shown in the patents US 6,038,519 and 5,966,753, of which Sloan is the owner Valve Company, of Franklin Park, Illinois, USA, assignee of the present request The description of these two patents is Incorporates this reference as a reference. Specifically, said description provides a wired control system in which there are multiple inputs from multiple devices and multiple outputs from the microprocessor wired with various devices, such that a sensor will provide a indication that an attempt is made to operate a specific device and the microprocessor will determine, from the data stored in it, if it is appropriate to operate that device and, if so, for how long. In addition, you can Schedule the discharge of various wash valves by discharge, as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,235,706, of which Sloan Valve Company also owns and whose description is also incorporated herein as reference. Microprocessor 56 is designated, as described. in the aforementioned US patents, to control the operation of multiple sanitary or hygiene devices staff within a particular place and communication with such appliances are made by wiring that physically connects the sensor, control board and device. The system illustrated in Fig. 2 provides radio control between a sensor 48, the dashboard of control and the device 46. In addition, it will use the acknowledgment system of receipt or response of Figs. 1A, 1B and 1C. Plus specifically, any one or all of the devices represented in those figures, or a multiplicity of such devices, can send all radio signals that will be received by the receiver 52. As each of these signals will have a different address, or a different device designation, that information will be made go to the processor which, in turn, will perform its functions in relationship with the operation of the device.

As an example, when a radio signal is received at receiver 52, microprocessor 56 will determine what Address has made a request. The microprocessor will instruct then to transmitter 54 to send an acknowledgment to that particular sensor or button, as the case may be, to your address default, acknowledging receipt of the specific request for operate the device

The microprocessor, thanks to the program in it stored, will then determine if the apparatus and, if so, for how long. For example, if it exists a limit on the number of discharge wash valves which can be operated simultaneously, as described in patent 5,235,706, then the microprocessor can delay the operation of one or more discharge wash valves. In addition, in an institutional environment, in order to avoid problems due to vandalism actions, it may be desirable for a urinal or toilet are not operated every time produces a request for it, but let them run from according to a predetermined program.

When you want to operate a device, it will send a signal via transmitter 54 to the associated receiver With that device. The receiver will provide an answer, just as described in relation to Figs. 1A, 1B and 1 C. The particular device, soap dispenser, shower, dispenser of paper towels, tap or discharge wash valve will be operated then for the predetermined time been programmed by microprocessor 56.

Each device will have a specific address, whose address will be recognized by the microprocessor. Each signal response will be specific to a device and the response initially given to the recipient will have a different address than the response sent from the device back to board 50 of control.

Although it has been shown and described herein the preferred form of the invention, it will be understood that they can be carried made many modifications, substitutions and alterations to the same.

Claims (20)

1. A system for remote operation of a personal hygiene device consisting of a valve flushing by flushing a toilet, a flushing valve discharge from a urinal, a tap, a shower, a dispenser soap, a hand dryer and a paper towel dispenser (apparatus), said system including the apparatus, an actuator electric to control the operation of said apparatus, a device radio receiver electrically connected to said actuator to provide an activation signal thereto, a device radio transmitter connected to said radio receiver apparatus, separate means of said apparatus for sending a signal indicative of an attempt to cause the operation of said apparatus, a remote radio transmitter connected to said means to emit a signal indicative of an attempt and that may be operated by it, an indicator located in said media to emit a signal indicative of an attempt, a radio receiver remote connected to said indicator to provide a signal of activation for him, said remote radio transmitter being programmed to transmit a single message to said media to issue a signal indicative of an attempt (attempt message) to be activated by said means to emit a signal indicative of a attempt, said receiver of the apparatus being programmed to receive said message of intent and, upon receiving it, give rise to operation of said electric actuator and make said device transmitter send a unique message for that device (acknowledgment message) to said remote receiver, to accuse receipt of said message of intent, giving rise to said receiver remote, upon receiving said acknowledgment message, upon activation of said indicator, in which said message of intent includes a unique address for a specific device, and said message from acknowledgment includes a unique address for a device specific, but that differs from the address of that message of intent. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for emitting a signal indicative of an attempt They include an infrared sensor. 3. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for emitting a signal indicative of an attempt They include a manually activated switch. 4. The system of claim 1, wherein said means for emitting a signal indicative of an attempt include an infrared sensor and an activated switch manually. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a discharge wash valve connected to Run a urinal. 6. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a discharge wash valve connected to Run a toilet. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein The device is a tap. 8. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a soap dispenser. 9. The system of claim 1, wherein The device is a shower. 10. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a paper towel dispenser. 11. The system of claim 1, wherein said apparatus is a hand dryer. 12. The system of claim 1, wherein Said indicator is a light emitting diode. 13. A system for remotely operating at least one personal hygiene apparatus that includes one or more of a toilet flush valve, a urinal flush valve, a faucet, a shower, a dispenser soap, a hand dryer, and a paper towel dispenser, including the system at least one of said devices, an electric actuator associated with each device to cause operation thereof, a radio receiver associated with each device which, upon receiving a unique message for that device, causes the operation of its electric actuator
associated, means, away from each specific device and associated with it, to emit a signal indicative of an attempt to cause the operation of that device, a radio transmitter remote connected to each of the means to emit a signal indicative of an attempt, each radio transmitter being programmed remote to transmit a single message to your specific device (message of intent), a central processing unit (CPU) that has a microprocessor, a radio receiver and a radio transmitter connected to it, the radio receiver of the CPU being able to receive messages of intent from all remote radio transmitters and the radio transmitter being able to the CPU sending messages (operating messages) to all radio receivers of the devices, the microprocessor to receive a message of intent from of a specific transmitter, unique to the device associated with that transmitter, to have the CPU transmitter send a message from  operation, unique to the receiver associated with that device with in order to cause the operation of your electric actuator. 14. The system of claim 13, wherein the means, away from an apparatus for emitting an indicative signal In one attempt, they include an infrared sensor. 15. The system of claim 13, wherein means away from an apparatus, to emit an indicative signal One attempt, include a manually activated switch. 16. The system of claim 13, wherein the means, away from an apparatus for emitting an indicative signal One try, include an infrared sensor and a switch activated manually. 17. The system of claim 13, wherein each attempt message has a unique address for a device specific and each operation message has an address unique to a specific device, whose address is different from the address of the attempt message for that device. 18. The system of claim 13, wherein each of the means to emit a signal indicative of a attempt has a radio receiver, each of the means to emit a signal indicative of an attempt has an indicator associated with it, which can be operated by the associated radio receiver, at  receive an attempt message on the CPU receiver, making that the microprocessor has the CPU transmitter send a acknowledgment message for the receiver whose means to emit a signal indicative of an attempt have caused the sending of an attempt message, causing the reception of a message from Acknowledgment of the operation of an indicator. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein each device has a radio transmitter, causing the reception of a operating message on a radio receiver of a device that the radio receiver of the device make its associated radio transmitter Send an acknowledgment message to the CPU receiver. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein Each indicator is a light emitting diode.