JPH11512809A - Automatic cleaning valve - Google Patents

Abstract

An automatic cleaning handle activator includes an enclosure (52) having a drive mechanism and a self contained power source for the drive mechanism. The automatic cleaning handle actuating device further includes a sensing means (100) for sensing the use of the sanitary equipment, and a drive mechanism and a power source (104) for inter-operating when the sensing means (100) senses the use of the sanitary equipment. Interconnecting means for coupling. An adapter (67) having a first end and a second end is rigidly included in the enclosure (52). A plunger pin (65) is engaged at a first end with a drive mechanism within the enclosure and slidably extends through the adapter. A threaded nut (69) is provided around the adapter (67) between the enclosure (52) and the hub (85) at one end of the adapter. The threaded nut, the end of the adapter, and one end of the plunger pin (65) are configured to operate with the cleaning mechanism in substantially the same manner as the manually activated cleaning handle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Automatic cleaning valve Field of the invention The present invention relates to an automatic cleaning valve actuation device for equipment such as toilets and urinals, and more particularly to an alternative cleaning valve actuation device that is easily and easily attached to existing cleaning valve mechanisms. . Background of the Invention In recent years, the general perception of the controversy over personal hygiene and water management may have bacteria that spread disease by manufacturers of public and private sanitation and water use equipment Systems that reduce human contact with such external surfaces are being developed and responding to control the use of wash water to reduce waste. In many current toilet and urinal cleaning systems for sanitary facilities, the water control valve includes a manually operated cleaning handle that is gripped and moved by a user after use of the sanitary facility. Standard valve devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,776,812 and 3,399,860. However, these valve actuation devices have many problems. Some of these issues include, for example, the public awareness of sanitation facilities that can be used by anyone with infectious or other illnesses spread by contact, Users are reluctant to get sick from contact with the cleaning handle. For this reason, the sanitary facilities are left unwashed, and human excrement remains in toilets and urinals, further increasing unsanitary conditions and polluting the environment of the sanitary facilities. Thus, having a cleaning mechanism that would not be used by humans could lead to an unsanitary undesirable condition. In addition, many existing sanitary device cleaning handle actuation valve mechanisms allow the user to hold the handle for an excessive amount of time, thus providing more time than necessary to clean a toilet or urinal. It is configured so that the valve mechanism can be held in the open position for a long time. This is clearly a waste of water, which is a major challenge in this part of the world where water is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity. Also, the use of excess water has led to additional and unnecessary costs for the overall installation and maintenance of toilet facilities. Many devices have been developed in an attempt to address the hygiene and water control issues of existing manual wash control mechanisms for sanitation. This includes a complete replacement of the manual cleaning valve mechanism by an automatic sensor-activated cleaning valve actuator connected to the 110 volt electrical terminals in the facility. Such a system is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 479,388. However, replacing existing manually operated cleaning handle devices with such units is very expensive, especially where hygiene facilities, such as hotels and office buildings, are currently equipped with a large number of manually operated cleaning mechanisms. In particular. Such replacements require human intervention in mechanical and water line installations, and also require the replacement of many manually operated cleaning devices by an automatic device of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,793,588. Equipment costs are a constraint. This replacement plan also requires shutting off the water supply system or stopping water supply to the valve until the valve mechanism is replaced. This is undesirable in large hotels, offices and other structures. In addition, building permissions will be required for such replacement plans. Another attempt to automatically operate a manual flush valve mechanism for sanitation is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,056,143. This attempt discloses a door-operated electric solenoid device which is activated by pressing a manual wash handle each time the toilet door is opened. However, the device disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,056,143 has a number of disadvantages. Existing valve housings of known construction must be disassembled, reassembled, and rebuilt to receive the bracket supporting the solenoid. This requires reconfiguration of the valve housing. Also, the cantilever nature of the associated mounting structure causes movement of the bracket due to actuation of the solenoid, resulting in improper activation of the cleaning handle. In addition, the associated device is connected to the electrical system where the building toilet is located, which requires additional installation costs. The associated device is activated each time the door is opened, so that the cleaning mechanism is activated twice for each use. Such waste is substantial when considering that sanitary facilities operate 4000 times per month in many facilities. Further, in this related device, the existing cleaning handle remains exposed, so that the handle can be actuated by the user by hand or by the foot to prevent the user from touching the handle. I can do it. Such exposure of the handle further causes waste of water by human operation. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic cleaning valve actuation device that can be incorporated and mounted on an existing cleaning valve mechanism without requiring significant mechanical action or structural changes to the existing manual cleaning mechanism. It is to provide. It is another object of the present invention to provide an automatic cleaning valve actuation device that can be easily attached to an existing cleaning valve mechanism, whereby the cleaning valve actuation device is provided on a portion of the cleaning mechanism housing. Engaged to prevent disengagement of the actuating device during operation. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a battery-operated cleaning battery activation device for a sanitary unit such as a toilet or urinal, which comprises the existing electrical power of the location where the sanitary unit is located. No connection to the system is required. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an existing sanitary unit cleaning handle mechanism activated by a sensor responsive to equipment use and by a timing device that automatically activates the cleaning housing at predetermined time intervals. It is to provide a starter which operates automatically. Another object of the present invention is to provide a small self-contained unit that can be easily attached to an existing flush valve mechanism of an existing sanitary unit without the need to connect a starter to any external power source or control source. It is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic cleaning valve actuation device for a mold unit. Summary of the Invention These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are provided by an apparatus for automatically activating a cleaning mechanism of a sanitary device. An automatic flush valve activator is provided to replace the manually actuated flush handle of the flush mechanism of the sanitation facility. The automatic cleaning valve actuating device includes an enclosure including a drive mechanism and a self-contained power source for the drive mechanism. The apparatus also includes sensing means for sensing the use of the sanitary facility, and interconnecting means for interconnecting the drive mechanism and the power source when the sensing means senses the use of the sanitary facility. An adapter having a first end and a second end rigidly engaged with the enclosure at a first end, and a plunger pin slidably extending through the adapter; And a second end and is engaged at a first end with a drive mechanism within the enclosure. A threaded nut is provided around the adapter and is attached to the adapter by a hub at a first end by an enclosure and at a second end of the adapter, the threaded nut and a second end of the adapter. The end and the second end of the plunger pin are configured to functionally interact with the cleaning mechanism in substantially the same manner as the manually activated cleaning handle nut, adapter, and plunger pin. ing. A sensor connected to the housing and a timing circuit within the housing of the present invention activates the motor upon detecting use of the sanitary fixture to which the housing is attached. The timing circuit is also operable to cause the sanitary unit to wash at predetermined intervals regardless of its use. Here it would be desirable to add and remove disinfecting and cleaning agents to sanitary equipment at night when the unit is not in use. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the plunger pins are contacted by a post or hammer-shaped mechanism that rotates through a small arc after the motor is supplied with a short pulse of electrical energy from the battery. The tensioning device of the cleaning mechanism then returns the plunger pin and the column or hammer-shaped mechanism to a position where the initial cleaning operation is not performed. In another embodiment of the present invention, an internal passage is provided in the automatic flushing valve actuation device to communicate fluid from the external reservoir to the sanitary facility. This fluid is a disinfecting or cleaning agent and is introduced into the sanitary installation by a suction or drip method during cleaning. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a cam device contacts the plunger pin, which rotates 360 degrees after the motor receives a short pulse of electrical energy from the battery. The switches and latches then connect the electrical energy to the motor, thus continuing to rotate the cam. The cam surface is designed to activate the plunger pin first, and then the plunger pin puller allows the plunger pin to be returned to a position where no cleaning operation is performed. The present invention allows for easy attachment to existing manually operated cleaning handle mechanisms without interrupting the water supply. The device of the present invention can be easily attached and detached using a simple hand tool, and no external piping or electrical connection is required. Outline of drawings FIG. 1 is a cut-away front elevation view of a known commonly used cleaning valve mechanism assembly for manually cleaning sanitary units such as toilets, urinals, and the like. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the automatic cleaning starting mechanism of the present invention, in which the power / circuit module, the starting module, and the cleaning valve with the plunger pin starting the mechanism to the non-operation position. FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the cleaning handle activation mechanism of FIG. 2 without a power / circuit module, showing the handle activating the mechanism to an operative position. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the plunger pin according to the present invention and the fluid passage of the automatic cleaning activation mechanism. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the automatic cleaning handle activation mechanism of the present invention showing the power / circuit module, activation module and cleaning valve, wherein the plunger pin activates the mechanism to the inactive position. FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of the cleaning handle activation mechanism of FIG. 5 without the power / circuit module, with the handle activating the mechanism to the activation position. FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of the power / circuit module of the present invention. FIG. 8 is another circuit diagram of the power / circuit module of FIGS. 2 and 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the power / circuit module of FIGS. 5 and 6 in the embodiment of the present diagram. FIG. 10 is a partial view of a plunger pin and an adapter according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the adapter of FIG. 11 according to the present invention. Description of the preferred embodiment Referring to FIG. 1, a commonly known cleaning mechanism for cleaning sanitary units such as toilets and urinals is designated by the numeral 10. The wash water is supplied via an inlet 12 to the washing mechanism 10, which is then fed to a chamber 14 which is normally closed by a valve 16. The valve 16 communicates with a flush water supply pipe 18 which is directly connected to a sanitary unit such as a toilet or urinal (not shown). The valve 16 has a stem 20 which extends downward in the pipe 18. The upper portion 22 of the stem 20 is connected to a tiltable valve actuation mechanism 24. The lower portion 26 of the stem 20 is adapted to be connected by a movable plunger pin 28, which can be flush-handled via a link mechanism 32, partly a ball joint. That is, it is mechanically connected to the cleaning handle 30. When the flash handle 30 is manually moved through the arc 34 from a first position as shown in FIG. 1 to a second lower position, the plunger pin 28 moves to the right and the stem It contacts the lower part 26 of 20 and, as can be seen in FIG. 1, tilts the stem 20 to the right. Such tilting movement of stem 20 pivots valve 16 about point 36, thereby opening wash water supply pipe 14 from chamber 14 to the wash water passage and via wash water supply pipe 18; Thus, the sanitary unit is washed. As the flash handle 30 is moved through the arc 34, a tension member in the form of a compression spring 38 is compressed. When the manual pressure on the handle 30 is released, the spring 38 forces the handle 30 back to the position shown in FIG. 1, thus returning the stem 20 to its original vertical position and closing the valve 16. Thus, the cleaning operation via the pipe 18 is stopped. Referring to FIG. 1, the cleaning mechanism 10 is housed in a housing 40. The housing 40 has an opening 42 through which the flash handle 30 extends. The opening 42 is provided in a tubular bushing 44, which is removably attached to the housing 40 by a threaded nut 46. In many cases, nut 46 has a hexagonal outer surface so that it can be engaged by a conventional open-end wrench. Plunger pin 28 is held in alignment with stem 20 and flush handle 30 by adapter 39. The adapter 39 is then secured to the housing 40 by the interaction of the tubular bushing 44 and the threaded nut 46. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show a preferred embodiment of the automatic cleaning actuating device according to the present invention, which is generally designated by the reference numeral 50. The flash handle actuator 50 is comprised of two main components. That is, a first enclosure (modular housing unit 52) and a second enclosure (power / circuit module 54). The housing unit 52 is easily mounted on the cleaning mechanism housing 40 instead of the flush handle 30 as described later. A motor 56 is arranged inside the modular housing unit 52. This motor 56 is mechanically connected to a starting element (pin 60) via a reduction gear train 58. The activation element is attached to the gear 62 of the reduction gear train 58. When the motor 56 is started, the gear train 58 rotates the gear 62 counterclockwise as shown in FIG. The pin 60 moves rightward to contact the face plate 63, and moves the face plate 63 rightward to the position shown in FIG. The rightward movement of the face plate 63 further moves the plunger pin 65 rightward, inclines the stem 20, and activates the cleaning mechanism 10. As will be described in further detail below, after the motor 56 is turned off, the compression spring 48 (see FIG. 2) returns the face plate 63 and the plunger pin 65 to the position shown in FIG. The motor 56 is rigidly attached to a side wall 64 of the housing 52. Similarly, the elements making up the gear train 58 are rotatably mounted on shafts having shafts 66, 68, 70, which are rigidly attached to the side walls 64 of the housing 52. ing. A certain counterforce exerted by spring 48 via face plate 63 during operation of motor 56 and movement of plunger pin 65 from the position shown in FIG. 2 to the position shown in FIG. Pin 60, gear train 58 and motor 56. Thus, the present invention provides a rigid, yet easily removable mounting structure between the modular housing unit 52 and the cleaning mechanism housing 52. To this end, referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the modular housing unit 52 has an adapter 67 which is fixed to the housing 40 of the cleaning mechanism 10 via a threaded nut 69. This adapter 67 is rigidly attached to the housing unit 52 of the automatic cleaning actuator 50 via a threaded hole 71 or other mounting member in the housing unit 52 and a supplementary accessory 71 extending from the adapter 67. ing. The threaded nut 69 surrounds the adapter 67 and is captured on the adapter by the housing 52 at the first end of the adapter 67 and the hub 85 at the second end of the adapter 67 (FIG. 4). The alignment of the stem 20 of the cleaning mechanism 10 with the plunger pin 65 is maintained by an adapter 67 as used in the known art (FIG. 1). On the other hand, the plunger pin 65 is modified in embodiments of the present invention to supply disinfectants and cleaning agents to the sanitary facilities provided by the cleaning mechanism 10 for use with the automatic cleaning activation device 50. . The details of the modification of the plunger pin 65 will be better understood with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the annular member (spring receiver 73) is located at an intermediate portion along the longitudinal direction of the plunger pin 65. Inside the plunger pin 65 a longitudinal internal passage 75 is formed (eg, by drilling) to provide fluid communication between the outer tubular connector 77 and the outflow pipe 18 of the cleaning mechanism 10. The spring receiver 73 engages with and presses the spring 48 (FIG. 3) to start the automatic cleaning starter 50. After the motor 56 of the automatic cleaning activation device 50 is deactivated, the spring 48 activated via the spring receiver 73 and the face plate 63 pushes the pin 60 back to the starting position (FIG. 2). A short flexible tube 79 (FIG. 2) interconnects the outer tubular connector 77 and the second connector 81 to supply disinfectant and cleaning agents to the sanitary ware via this automatic cleaning activation device 50. I have. This second connector 81 is then connected to a fluid reservoir (not shown) by a tubing or otherwise. The introduction of fluid into the outlet pipe 18 is achieved intermittently by suction during the wash cycle or continuously by use of a metering valve. The fluid flow is indicated by arrows 83 in FIGS. On the other hand, the fluid flow is controlled by a fluid pump (not shown) cooperating with the fluid reservoir. Operation of the fluid pump is accomplished electrically by a fluid pump activation signal derived by interconnecting the fluid pump with the motor M56 or by applying an activation voltage to the motor 56. In another embodiment of the present invention, the pin 60 (FIGS. 2 and 3) has been replaced by a cam 112 (FIGS. 5 and 6) which is rigidly attached to the gear 62 of the reduction gear train 58. Under this embodiment, cam 112 and gear 62 rotate one full revolution for each wash cycle. The activation of the automatic cleaning starter 50 causes the cam 112 to move from the stationary state (FIG. 5) to the cleaning state (FIG. 6), and then return to the stationary state (FIG. 5). When the cam 112 moves from the stationary state (FIG. 5) to the cleaning state (FIG. 6), the cam 112 engages with the plunger pin 65 and moves it to the right, thereby activating the automatic cleaning starting device 50. . In this embodiment, a limit switch 110 and a limit switch activator 114 are provided to sense the rest position of the cam 112. Following this activation, the limit switch 110 locks the motor 56 in the driving state until the limit switch 110 is activated again by the limit switch activation device 114. Operation of the automatic cleaning actuator 50 of FIGS. 2 and 3 or FIGS. 5 and 6 may occur with any of a number of predetermined results. One such result is the use of a sanitary unit. Another consequence is that the sanitary unit is unused for a certain time interval. When one of the predetermined results occurs, the signal generating means activates the automatic cleaning actuator 50. Referring to FIG. 2, one signal generating means has a sensor for detecting the use of sanitation equipment. This sensor is a motion detector or motion detector 100, an infrared sensor or a body temperature detector. Upon detecting the use by the sensor, the electronic control means (circuit board 102) interconnecting the power source 104 and the drive mechanism 50 in the modular housing unit 52 draws a predetermined arc to shift the gear 62. It provides a pulse of electrical energy to the motor 56 during which to rotate, at which point the motor is stationary. At the end of this arc, power to motor 56 is turned off and spring 48 moves plunger pin 65 to its closed position. The pressure on the pin 60 causes the gear 62 to rotate clockwise from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the position shown in FIG. In the preferred embodiment, the power source 104 comprises one or more (four in the illustrated example) battery units, and no external power is required to operate the motor 56. Other signal generating means include a user button 106 or an interval timer on the circuit board 102. The interval timer is set to activate the automatic cleaning actuator 50 in the evening when the use of the sanitary unit is rare. The control of the automatic cleaning actuator 50 in the embodiment of the present invention will be better understood by referring to the circuit diagram of FIG. 7 and the parts list of Table 1. Table 1 is shown below. IC1: PC74HC74, CMOS, PHILIPS OR EQUIVALENT IC2: N74HC04, CMOS, MITSUBISHI OR EQUIVALENT IC3.8: PC74HC74, CMOS, PHILIPS OR EQUIVALENT IC4: HD74ITCO4, HD74HC02ICOR, CMOS CMOS, HITACHI OR EQUIVAL VALENT IC9: BJ-101, CMOS ASIC, HOLDEK MICRO ELECTRONICS IC10: 7044A, 4.4V VOLTAGE DETECTOR, HOLDEK MICRO ELECTRON TECHTECT3. TEK MICRO ELECTRONICS D1: INFRARED PHOTP DIODE D2, 3: INFRARED EMITTING DIODE, 5MM DIAMETER D4: RED LED, 5MM DIAMETER DIN3, DIGITAL DIN4: 4 DIGITAL DIN4: 4 DIGITAL DIN4: 8 IVALENT Q2: 2SA733 PNP TRANSISTOR OR EQUATOR VALENT Q5: 2SB562 PNP TRANSISTOR OR EQUATOR VALENT Q6: 2SD965 NPN TRANSISTOR OR EQUATOR VALENT FIG. Caused by receiving the activation signal from one of two possible signal sources below. (1) output from motion sensing detector 100 indicating use of sanitation; (2) output from timer 200. Output from either source provides an activation signal to motor 56 via control "NOR" gate 201. To keep motor 56 inactive, control NOR gate 201 must have a logical 0 at each input. Logical 0 at both inputs of NOR gate 201 results in logical 1 at the output of NOR gate 201 and logical 0 at the output of inverter 202. A logical 0 at the output of inverter 202 maintains transistors Q4 and Q5 in a non-conductive state that occurs without the potential difference applied to motor 56. The fact that both inputs of NOR gate 201 are logical 0 causes capacitor C1 of register capacitor (RC) timing circuits R1 and C1 to charge to the supply voltage value (3.3V). The momentary application of a positive-going pulse to one input of the NOR gate 201 causes the capacitor C1 of the RC timing circuit to quickly discharge through the NOR gate 201 to zero. A logical 0 at the input to capacitor C1 and inverter 202 causes motor 56 to start via transistors Q4 and Q5. The start timing of the motor 56 is determined by the charging time of the RC timing circuits R1 and C1 after the input of the NOR gate 201 returns to 0. The occurrence of a positive going pulse at the input of the NOR gate 201 from the detector or sensor 100 is determined by the state of the mode switches S1 and S2. When the mode switches S1 and S2 are in the state shown in FIG. 7 (sanitary mode), the motor 56 is operated when the user approaches the sanitary facility or when the user leaves the sanitary facility. Will also be launched. When one switch S1 is closed (normal mode), the motor 56 will be activated only once for each use of the sanitation equipment. When only switch S2 is closed, only motor 56 will be activated after all use of the sanitation equipment. Switches S1 and S2 in the sanitary mode (S1 and S2 as shown in FIG. 7) cause a logical 0 to cause one of the NAND gates 204 to open due to the open state of switch S2 and because register R10 pulls the input to a very low value. To one input. This logical 0 to one input of NAND gate 204 blocks the passage of certain control signals from sensor 100 through NAND gate 204. Conversely, a logical 0 from switch S2 provides a logical 1 to NAND gate 205 via inverter 206. One input, logical one, of NAND gate 205 allows the passage of control signals from sensor 100 to control NOR gate 201 via NAND gates 203, 205 and 208. Logical 0 is maintained to interconnect 210 by sensor 100 in the inactive state. Logical 0 to interconnect 210 also provides a logical 0 to the inputs of inverters 209 and 211 (after a time period). A logical 0 to the inputs of inverters 209 and 211 causes a logical 1 to be applied to the input of NAND gate 208, thereby causing a logical 0 to be applied to the input of control NOR gate 201. The activation of the sensor 100 caused by the user's approach to the sanitation facility causes the interconnect 210 to go up to Logical 1. Changing interconnect 210 to Logical 1 extends the negative-going pulse from the output of inverter 211. This negative going pulse is transmitted via NAND gates 208, 205 and 203 to the control NOR gate 201 which effects the activation of the motor 56. The duration of the negative going pulse from the inverter 211 is determined by the resistance and the capacitance value of the second RC timing circuits R2 and C2. Similarly, when a user of the sanitation facility leaves there (causes sensor 100 to deactivate), a second negative going pulse is emitted from the output of inverter 209. The duration of this second negative going pulse is determined by the resistance and the capacitance value of the third RC timing circuit R3, C3. When the switches S1 and S2 of the automatic cleaning handle operation device 50 are changed to the normal mode (S1 is closed; S2 is open), the first negative going pulse is supplied to the power supply or power supply (3.3 V) via the switch S1. ) Is distributed across register R4. Placing the automatic cleaning valve activator 50 in the normal mode causes the motor 56 to output a negative going pulse from the inverter 209 via the NAND gates 208, 205, 203 (when the user leaves the sanitary facility and the sensor 100 becomes inactive). 2) It is only activated after each use of the sanitary installation. When the automatic cleaning handle activation device 50 is placed in the water saving mode (S2 is closed), the motor 56 is activated only after other use of the sanitation equipment (so that the sanitation equipment is cleaned). Activation of the motor 56 after all other uses is accomplished by a new route for the activation signal from the path through NAND gates 208, 205 and 203 to the path through NOR gate 207 and NAND gates 204 and 203. The new route is achieved by placing a logical one at one input of NAND gate 204 through switch 52 and a logical zero to NAND gate 205 through the use of switch 52 and inverter 206. Applying a logical 0 to one input of NAND gate 205 prevents signal flow through NAND gate 205. Applying a logical one to one input of NAND gate 204 allows signal flow from NOR gate 207 through NAND gates 204 and 203. NOR gate 207 provides a logical 1 only when both input signals go to a logical 0. As described above, inverter 209 provides a negative going pulse each time the sensor goes beyond its inactive state. On the other hand, the D flip-flop 212 is kept between the set state and the reset state every time the sensor 100 is activated. Each time the flip-flop 212 is reset when the sensor 100 is activated, the output (logical 1) of the flip-flop 212 blocks the negative going pulse from the inverter 212 at the (NOR gate 207). . The net result of blocking all other pulses is that each time switch S2 is closed, motor 56 is activated only for each two uses of the sanitation (such as to flush the sanitation). Returning to timing circuit 200, the output to start motor 56 is provided from timing circuit 200 to control NOR gate 201 every four hours. This output is 2 ^Ten , 2 ^Five And 2 ^Fifteen It is provided by dividing a 75 kilohertz (kHz) signal into a counter. The 75 kHz signal is 2 ^Ten It is generated by an oscillator consisting of a counter and a resistance-capacitance network R5, C5. The 75 kHz signal is output from the timer circuit 200 ^Ten And 2 ^Five The frequency is reduced in the counter and ^Fifteen It is bypassed via NAND gates 215 and 213 before being reduced to a four hour signal in the counter. By inserting a battery into the power unit 104 of the automatic cleaning handle activator 50, the D flip-flop 216 is set by the interaction of the capacitor C6 and the resistor R6. Putting the D flip-flop 215 in the set state provides an allocation interval (7.5 minutes) for adjustment to the variable register VR1, which controls the sensitivity of the sensor 100. During normal operation, an adjustment to the sensitivity of the sensor 100 will be made by pressing the allocation button S3. During the calibration interval, the logical 0 of the Q output of D flip-flop 216 is ^Five 2 from the counter ^Fifteen Block the signal passing to the counter. Logical 1 of the Q output of D flip-flop 216 is applied to 2 through NAND gates 214 and 213. ^Ten 2 from the counter ^Fifteen It allows the signal to pass directly to the counter. Then 2 ^Fifteen The output of the counter is applied to the toggle output resetting the D flip-flop 216 after 7.5 minutes. During the calibration period, a light emitting diode (LED) D4 provides a visual indication that the user is within range of the sensor 100 to aid in the allocation of the sensor 100. During the calibration period due to the Q output of the D flip-flop 216, a negative-going pulse B caused by the activation of the sensor 100 causes a light emitting diode (LED) via inverter 228 and NAND gates 216, 217 and 220. Gated to D4. After the calibration period, the second output A providing a visible indication from the sensor 100 is gated to the light emitting diode (LED) D4 by the Q output of the D flip-flop 216 via NAND gates 219, 217 and 220. . The operation of the sensor 100 is facilitated by the use of two infrared transmitters D2, D3. Timing circuit 200-2 ^Five The 2.27 Hz signal from the output of the counter is split in half into D flip-flop 221 and formed in RC network R7, C7 before being applied to transmitting diodes D2, D3 via transistor Q6. When the user approaches the sanitary facilities, the infrared light from the transmitting diodes D2, D3 reflected from the user is detected by the sensor 100 and amplified by the transistors Q1-Q3. This amplified signal is then shifted across shift registers 221-226 by 1.15 Hz signal 227 and applied to transmitting diodes D2, D3. The output signal from sensor 100 is expanded and delayed into shaft registers 221-226 before being applied to interconnect 210 via diodes D6-D8. The control of the automatic cleaning handle actuator 50 in another embodiment (FIG. 5) will be understood by reference to the circuit diagram of FIG. As mentioned above, the motor 56 of the modular housing unit 52 is activated by one of three possible cases. (1) Activation of the user button 106 by the user; (2) Activation of the motion sensor 100; (3) Expiration of the time interval programmed in the interval timer TR2 (FIG. 8). This interval timer is used for an extended period of inactivity (eg, every two hours) to activate the cleaning mechanism 50. After each case, the timer TR2 is reset such that the normally closed contact CR1 starts after another interval. According to the activation of the motor 56 by the signal generating means, the bridging contact CR1 is closed across the signal generating means electric contact (FIG. 8), and the gear 62 of the reduction gear train 58 rotates through a predetermined arc. Power to the motor 56 for a sufficient time to Cycle timer TR1 is programmed to have sufficient time for such rotation before de-energizing motor 56. Rotation of the gear 62 through the predetermined arc allows the pin 60 attached to the gear 62 to move the plunger pin 65 from a first position (FIG. 2) to a second position (FIG. 3). When the plunger pin 65 moves to the second position (FIG. 3), the cycle timer TR1 times out and the motor 56 is deenergized, and the spring 48 in the cleaning mechanism 10 is deenergized. The plunger pin 65 can be returned to the first position (FIG. 2). In another embodiment of the present invention (FIGS. 5 and 6), a position sensor 110 (eg, a limit switch or proximity detector) is used to determine the rotational position of the gear 62. . Further, a starting element including a cam 112 is rigidly attached to the gear 62 of the shaft 70. When the motor 56 is started, the gear 62 and the cam 112 rotate counterclockwise. The surface 115 (FIG. 5) of the cam 112 is designed such that partial rotation of the cam moves the plunger pin 65 from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. This cleans the sanitary unit to which the cleaning mechanism 10 is attached. As the cam 112 continues to rotate counterclockwise, the plunger pin 65 contacts the flat surface 115 of the cam 112 and the cleaning handle returns to the position of FIG. The cam 112 and the gear 62 continue to rotate until they reach the position shown in FIG. 5, and when the rotation is stopped by a control element provided on the circuit board 102, the circuit board also performs the next cleaning operation. Set the operating element for The rotational position of the gear 62 and the cam 112 is provided by a sensor activation element 114 rigidly mounted around the gear 62. When the gear 62 is in the first position (FIG. 5), the position sensor 110 is activated by the sensor activation element 114. When the gear 62 rotates from the first position, the position sensor 110 is de-energized until the gear 62 (and the sensor activation element 114) returns to the first position again. FIG. 9 is another circuit diagram embodiment of the power / circuit module 54 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. The two contacts of the position sensor 110 (normally open and normally closed) in FIG. 9 are shown in a deactivated state (the sensor activation element 114 has not activated the position sensor 110). As shown in FIG. 9, when the position sensor 110 is de-energized by the movement of the sensor activation element 114 away from the position sensor 110, the motor 56 operates until the sensor activation element 114 engages the position sensor 110 again. Continue the rotation. The case where the position sensor 110 is deactivated is when (1) the user button 106 is activated; (2) the motion sensor 100 is activated; and (3) the timer TR2 times out. De-energization of position sensor 110 in any of these three cases will cause gear 62 and cam 112 to make one full revolution. If the deactivation of the position sensor 110 is caused by the timeout of the timer TR2, rotation of the cam 112 will also reset the timer TR2 via actuation of the normally open set of the position sensor 110 contacts. Installation of the automatic cleaning activation device 50 will be easily accomplished without hydraulic shutoff to the cleaning mechanism 10. Ease of installation is achieved by mounting the automatic cleaning activation device 50 in the pipe 18 that is not pressurized until the cleaning cycle is started. The known cleaning mechanism 10 (FIG. 1) can mount the automatic cleaning device 10 by removing the threaded nut 46 with a wrench (not shown). Following removal of the threaded nut 46, the flush handle or cleaning handle 30, the tubular bushing 44, the spring 38, the plunger pin 28, the adapter 39, etc. can be easily removed without the use of additional tools. The housing unit 52 is mounted by inserting a plunger pin 65 and an adapter 67 into the housing 40 and secured by a threaded nut 69. In another embodiment of the present invention, adapter 67 and plunger pin 65 of FIG. 4 are replaced by adapter 301 (FIG. 10), which includes integral passage 302 and solid plunger pin 300 of FIG. ing. This internal passage is formed by forming a hole 302 parallel to the solid plunger pin 300 through the adapter 301 along the periphery of the adapter. A short section of metal tube 303 (FIG. 11) is then threaded into the hole 302 and interconnected with the fluid reservoir via an interconnect tube 79. The mechanical stability of the tube 303 and the first end of the solid plunger pin 300 is enhanced by the use of a hose cap 305 inserted between the adapter 305 and the housing 52. The stability of the solid plunger pin 300 at the second end is enhanced by the use of a cap 304 having a through hole for the passage of the solid plunger pin 300. Such an arrangement could be molded. As mentioned above, the automatic cleaning handle actuating device of the present invention provides an easy-to-install and reliable cleaning sanitation facility without direct user intervention. Such measures are accomplished without the assistance of an experienced craftsman or an external power source. The use of a threaded coupling member allows the automatic cleaning handle actuating device to be attached to an existing pipe laying without interruption or damage to the existing pipe laying due to the torsional forces inherent in known devices. I have. The threaded coupling member also allows the cleaning activation device of the present invention to be easily removed and replaced if necessary. In the above, only the illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention have been described. Other embodiments other than those described above could be achieved in a similar manner. Thus, the above terms and expressions have been used only to describe the present invention by way of example, and not to limit the present invention. Although different from the above, it is anticipated that a third party will understand that the differences do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as described and claimed herein. .

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page    (81) Designated countries EP (AT, BE, CH, DE, DK, ES, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, M C, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG , CI, CM, GA, GN, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (KE, MW, SD, SZ, UG), AM, AU, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CN, C Z, EE, FI, GE, HU, JP, KG, KP, KR , KZ, LK, LR, LT, LV, MD, MG, MN, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SG, S I, SK, TJ, TT, UA, UZ, VN

Claims (1)

[Claims]   1. Automatic cleaning bath to replace the manually activated cleaning handle of the sanitation cleaning system A lube activation device, said device comprising:   An enclosure including a drive mechanism;   A self-contained power source for the drive mechanism;   Sensing means for sensing the use of sanitation;   When the sensing means detects the use of the sanitary facilities, the drive mechanism and the power source are interconnected. Interconnecting means;   An arm having a first end and a second end rigidly engaging the enclosure at a first end. With the adapter;   A first end and a second end slidably extending through the adapter; and A plunger pin engaged at a first end with a drive mechanism within the enclosure;   Surrounding the adapter and at the first end of the adapter by an enclosure And attached to the adapter by the hub at the second end of the adapter With a threaded nut;   Has,   The threaded nut, a second end of the adapter, and a second end of the plunger pin. The nut, the adapter and the plunger pin of the manually activated cleaning handle. Configured to interact functionally with the cleaning mechanism in a qualitatively identical manner, Automatic cleaning valve activation to replace the cleaning handle of the sanitary equipment cleaning mechanism Motion device.   2. Further, a contract having means for deactivating the means for interconnecting after the cleaning interval. The apparatus for activating an automatic cleaning valve according to claim 1.   3. 2. The automatic cleaning valve according to claim 1, wherein the sensing means further comprises an infrared sensor. Activation device.   4. 2. The automatic cleaning bath according to claim 1, wherein the self-contained power source further comprises a battery. Lube activation device.   5. Self-contained power source and sensing means operative to enclosure containing drive means 2. The automatic cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the automatic cleaning device is located within a second enclosure interconnected with the first enclosure. Valve actuating device.   6. A self-contained power source and sensing means are disposed on the enclosure containing the driving means. The automatic cleaning valve actuating device according to claim 1, wherein   7. 2. The automatic as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means for introducing a fluid into the sanitary equipment. Cleaning valve activation device.   8. 8. The automatic washing of claim 7, wherein the fluid further comprises one of a bacteriostat and a cleaning agent. Purification valve starter.   9. The interconnecting means may further comprise sensing means for providing access to the user's sanitary facilities and sanitary facilities. Interconnects drive mechanism and self-contained power source upon detection of separation from 2. The apparatus for activating an automatic cleaning valve according to claim 1, further comprising logic means.   10. The interconnecting means may further comprise sensing means for detecting the user's separation from the sanitation facility. Logic means to interconnect drive mechanisms and self-contained power sources only when The apparatus for activating an automatic cleaning valve according to claim 1, further comprising:   11. The interconnecting means may further include all other uses of sanitary facilities by sensing means. Only after detecting the use of the 2. The apparatus for activating an automatic cleaning valve according to claim 1, further comprising a locking means.   12. 2. The self-powered vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the drive mechanism further comprises an electric motor and a gear train. Dynamic cleaning valve starter.   13. An automatic cleaning valve actuation device for a cleaning mechanism of a sanitary facility, comprising: But;   An enclosure including a drive mechanism rigidly attached to the cleaning mechanism;   A plug having a first end and a second end slidably disposed within the enclosure; A langer pin, wherein the cleaning mechanism is operatively associated with the drive mechanism at the first end. Mating and at its second end operatively engaged with the stem of the valve of the cleaning mechanism , With a plunger pin;   Fluid for communicating fluid between the external reservoir and the stem of the valve of the cleaning mechanism Communication means;   An automatic cleaning valve actuating device having a.   14． 14. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising sensing means for sensing use of the cleaning equipment. Automatic cleaning valve starter.   15. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a self-contained power source for the driving mechanism. Automatic cleaning valve actuating device.   16. Further, when the sensing means detects the use of the sanitary facilities, the power source and the drive mechanism are connected. 16. The automatic cleaning valve actuation device of claim 15, including means for interconnecting.   17． The interconnecting means may further comprise sensing means for providing access to the user's sanitary facilities and sanitary facilities. Interconnects the drive mechanism and the self-contained power source when a separation from the equipment is detected. 17. The apparatus for activating an automatic cleaning valve according to claim 16, further comprising logic means.   18. The interconnecting means may further comprise sensing means for detecting the user's separation from the sanitation facility. Logic means to interconnect drive mechanisms and self-contained power sources only when 17. The automatic cleaning valve actuating device according to claim 16, comprising:   19. The interconnecting means may further include all other uses of sanitary facilities by sensing means. Only after detecting the use of the 17. The apparatus for activating an automatic cleaning valve according to claim 16, further comprising a locking means.   20. The drive mechanism of claim 13, wherein the drive mechanism further comprises an electric motor and a gear train. Automatic cleaning valve starter.   21. For fluid communication between the external reservoir and the valve stem of the cleaning mechanism Fluid communication means further comprises a second end of the plunger pin and a first end of the plunger pin. Has a longitudinal passage in the plunger pin between the external mounting and the end 14. The automatic cleaning valve actuating device according to claim 13, wherein the activation is performed.   22. For fluid communication between the external reservoir and the valve stem of the cleaning mechanism Wherein the fluid communication means further comprises a tube between the external mount and the reservoir. Item 22. The automatic cleaning valve actuating device according to Item 21.   23. 14. The fluid of claim 13, wherein the fluid further comprises one of a bacteriostat and a cleaning agent. Dynamic cleaning valve starter.   24. In addition, a fluid port for forcing fluid from the external reservoir to the valve stem 14. The automatic cleaning valve actuation device according to claim 13, further comprising a pump.   25. In addition, activation of the fluid pump for activation of the automatic cleaning valve activation device The apparatus for activating an automatic cleaning valve according to claim 24, further comprising means.