KR102642470B1 - Foam washable toilet and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

A toilet body with an inner tank that receives foam, a bubble generating pump that supplies air to the cleaning liquid to generate foam, a foam supply unit that supplies foam generated by the bubble generating pump to the inner tank, and waste discharged from the inner tank into a waste bin. guides the water, and includes a discharge pipe that accommodates water generated by the disappearance of bubbles over time in the inner tank, a water level sensor that detects the water level in the discharge pipe, and a control section electrically connected to the water level sensor, and the control section operates a bubble generating pump. It operates to supply foam to the inner tank, determines the amount of foam supplied according to the water level detected through the water level sensor, and controls the bubble generating pump to additionally supply the determined amount of foam to the inner tank.

Description

Foam-type toilet and its control method {FOAM WASHABLE TOILET AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to a flush-type toilet and its control method that can wash away dirt and block odors using foam generated by washing water.

In general, a foam-type toilet uses a bubble-generating pump to supply air to the washing water mixed with water and cleaning liquid to generate foam, and regulates the foam supply so that a certain level of foam remains in the toilet continuously, thereby maintaining the condition of the toilet. It can be kept clean and bad odors can be blocked.

These portable toilets are increasingly being used in portable toilets such as construction sites and parks where water is not readily available.

Existing toilets periodically supply foam to keep a certain amount of foam inside the toilet. Existing foam-type toilets turn the bubble generating pump on or off according to the bubble supply cycle stored in the memory according to the usage pattern of the installed location. During the on time of the bubble supply cycle, the bubble generating pump is turned on, and during the off time, the bubble generating pump is turned off.

The foam supplied inside the toilet gradually disappears naturally over time. For example, 5 minutes after being supplied, the bubbles naturally disappear, turn into water, and go down toward the outlet.

However, since bubbles are supplied periodically, the previously supplied bubbles are forced down to the outlet by the newly supplied bubbles before they can turn into water over time.

Because of this, unnecessary waste of foam occurs and a lot of water and cleaning fluid are consumed.

Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1590158 (registered on January 25, 2016)

One aspect provides a flush-type toilet and its control method that can prevent unnecessary waste of foam by preventing the previously supplied foam from being forced down the outlet by newly supplied foam before it naturally disappears over time and turns into water. .

According to one aspect, a toilet body having an inner tank supplied with foam; A bubble generating pump that supplies air to the cleaning solution to generate bubbles; a foam supply unit that supplies foam generated by the bubble generating pump to the inner tank; a discharge pipe that guides waste discharged from the inner tank into a cesspool and receives water generated by dissipation of bubbles in the inner tank over time; A water level sensor that detects the water level in the discharge pipe; and a control unit electrically connected to the water level sensor, wherein the control unit operates the bubble generating pump to supply foam to the inner tank, determines the amount of foam supplied according to the water level detected through the water level sensor, and controls the bubble generation pump to supply foam to the inner tank. A toilet that controls the generating pump to additionally supply the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank, and wherein the controller additionally supplies the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank when the water level detected through the water level sensor reaches a preset water level. may be provided.

The control unit may determine the amount of foam corresponding to the water level detected through the water level sensor as the amount of foam supplied.

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It includes a foam detection sensor that detects the height of foam in the inner tank, and the control unit supplies additional foam to the inner tank and supplies additional foam when the foam height detected through the foam detection sensor reaches a preset height. It can be stopped.

According to another aspect, a bubble generating pump that generates bubbles by supplying air to the cleaning liquid is operated to supply bubbles to the inner tank of the toilet main body, and within the discharge pipe that receives water generated by the disappearance of bubbles in the inner tank over time. Detecting the water level, determining a foam supply amount according to the detected water level, controlling the bubble generating pump to additionally supply the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank, and additionally supplying the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank. That is, when the detected water level reaches a preset water level, a control method of a flush toilet can be provided, including additionally supplying the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank.

Determining the foam supply amount may include determining the foam amount corresponding to the detected water level as the foam supply amount.

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Additional supply of the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank may include detecting the height of foam in the inner tank, and stopping additional supply of the foam when the detected foam height reaches a preset height.

The present invention prevents unnecessary foam waste by preventing previously supplied foam from being forced down toward the outlet by newly supplied foam before it disappears over time and turns into water, thereby reducing consumption of water and cleaning fluid.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a flush-type toilet according to an embodiment.
Figure 2 shows a control block diagram of a flush-type toilet according to an embodiment.
Figure 3 shows a water level sensor of a flush toilet according to an embodiment.
Figure 4 shows a case in which bubbles dissipated in a flush toilet according to an embodiment turn into water and the water level filling the drain pipe reaches the height at which the water level sensor is mounted.
Figure 5 shows a control flowchart for a control method of a flush-type toilet according to an embodiment.
Figure 6 shows a water level sensor and a foam detection sensor installed in a flush-type toilet according to another embodiment.
Figure 7 shows a control flow diagram of a control method of a flush-type toilet according to another embodiment.

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. This specification does not describe all elements of the embodiments, and general content or overlapping content between the embodiments in the technical field to which the disclosed invention pertains is omitted. The term 'unit, module, member, block' used in the specification may be implemented as software or hardware, and depending on the embodiment, a plurality of 'unit, module, member, block' may be implemented as a single component, or It is also possible for one 'part, module, member, or block' to include multiple components.

Throughout the specification, when a part is said to be “connected” to another part, this includes not only direct connection but also indirect connection, and indirect connection includes connection through a wireless communication network. do.

In addition, when a part is said to “include” a certain component, this does not mean that other components are excluded, but that it can further include other components, unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Throughout the specification, when a member is said to be located “on” another member, this includes not only the case where a member is in contact with another member, but also the case where another member exists between the two members.

Terms such as first and second are used to distinguish one component from another component, and the components are not limited by the above-mentioned terms. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly makes an exception.

The identification code for each step is used for convenience of explanation. The identification code does not explain the order of each step, and each step may be performed differently from the specified order unless a specific order is clearly stated in the context. there is.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a flush-type toilet according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 1, a portable toilet may include a toilet main body 10, a main water tank 20 connected to the toilet main body 10, and a control unit 30 provided with electrical components.

Water is stored in the main body water tank 20. A cleaning liquid tank 21 storing a cleaning liquid may be provided in the main body water tank 20 to supply the cleaning liquid to the stored water.

The main water tank 20 is provided with a foam supply unit 22 that communicates with the toilet main body 10 and supplies foam generated in the main water tank 20 into the interior of the toilet main body 10.

The control unit 30 may include a control unit 31 that performs overall control of the flush toilet and a bubble generating pump 32 that operates according to control signals from the control unit 31.

The bubble generating pump 32 is provided to supply air to the lower part of the main water tank 20 through the air supply pipe 33.

The bubble generating pump 32 supplies air to the main water tank 20 through the air supply pipe 33, thereby generating bubbles at the top of the main water tank 20. The generated foam is guided between the outer tank 11 and the inner tank 12 of the toilet main body 10 along the foam supply part 22 and then flows down along the inner tank surface.

A flush-type toilet having the above-described configuration continuously leaves a certain amount of foam inside the toilet in the same manner as described above.

When the user relieves himself in this state, the urine moves to the discharge pipe 13 without touching the inner tank 12 due to the foam B remaining in the inner tank 12. The stool moved to the discharge pipe 13 opens the discharge pipe 13 by its own weight or by the user's manipulation and falls into the cesspit below.

Figure 2 shows a control block diagram of a flush-type toilet according to one embodiment.

Referring to Figure 2, the flush toilet includes a control unit 31 that performs overall control.

A water level sensor 40 is electrically connected to the input side of the control unit 31.

A bubble generating pump 32 is electrically connected to the output side of the control unit 31.

The control unit 31 may include a processor 31a and a memory 31b.

The memory 31b can store programs for processing or controlling the processor 31a and various data for operating the toilet.

The memory 31b includes not only volatile memories such as S-RAM and D-RAM, but also flash memory, Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), etc. It may include non-volatile memory.

The processor 31a can control the overall operation of the flush toilet.

The water level sensor 40 is provided in the discharge pipe 13 of the toilet body 10 and detects the water level in the discharge pipe 13. The water level sensor 40 outputs a water level detection signal when the water level in the discharge pipe 13 reaches a preset height. The water level detection signal output by the water level sensor 40 is transmitted to the control unit 31.

Figure 3 shows a water level sensor of a flush-type toilet according to an embodiment, and Figure 4 shows a case where the foam extinguished in a flush-type toilet according to an embodiment turns into water and the water level filling the drain pipe reaches the height at which the water level sensor is mounted. It shows.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the water level sensor 40 is built into the lower part of the discharge pipe 13 of the toilet main body 10, and has one end of the discharge pipe 13 so as to be in direct contact with the water contained in the discharge pipe 13. It penetrates and is located within the discharge pipe (13).

Among the bubbles supplied to the inner tank 12, the foam that naturally disappears over time turns into water in the discharge pipe 13, and this water is accommodated in the discharge pipe 13.

As the amount of bubbles dissipated increases, the amount of water received also increases.

The water level sensor 40 can detect the water level by outputting different signals due to changes in resistance when it is in contact with the water in the discharge pipe 13 and when it is not in contact with it. Additionally, the water level sensor 40 can be in other forms, such as a floating limit switch.

The control unit 31 can recognize the water level of the discharge pipe 13 according to the water level detection signal output from the water level sensor 40.

Figure 5 shows a control flowchart for a control method of a flush-type toilet according to an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the control method of a flush toilet according to an embodiment detects the water level of the discharge pipe 13 of the toilet main body 10 (100) and determines whether the detected water level has reached a preset water level (Wref). (102), when the detected water level reaches the preset water level (Wref), the amount of foam supplied to the inner tank 12 is determined (104), and the bubble generating pump 32 is operated to generate the determined amount of foam supplied to the inner tank. It may include supplying (106) to (12).

First, the control unit 31 periodically operates the bubble generating pump 32 for a certain period of time to supply foam to the inner tank 12 in the toilet main body 10. For example, the bubble generating pump 32 is periodically operated for a certain period of time, such as 2 seconds ON/30 seconds OFF.

For example, when 5 minutes have elapsed after supplying foam, the lower foam, which is the foam supplied first among the foam supplied to the inner tank 12, naturally disappears and begins to turn into water, and this water is received in the discharge pipe 13.

In this state, the control unit 31 detects the water level of the discharge pipe 13 through the water level sensor 40.

When the water level in the discharge pipe 13 reaches the preset water level (Wref), the amount of bubbles naturally extinguished increases, so it is necessary to replenish the amount of foam that disappears.

The control unit 31 determines the amount of foam to be additionally supplied to the inner tank 12 when the water level in the discharge pipe 13 reaches the preset water level Wref. At this time, the foam supply amount may be preset to correspond to the water level in the discharge pipe 13. For example, if 1/10 of the foam has disappeared, the foam supply amount can be determined so that 1/10 of the foam can be supplied.

The control unit 31 operates the bubble generating pump 32 according to the determined foam supply amount to generate foam, thereby supplying an additional amount of foam corresponding to the amount of foam to the inner tank 12 of the toilet main body 10.

Figure 6 shows a water level sensor and a foam detection sensor installed in a flush-type toilet according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 6, the flush toilet may include a water level sensor 40 and a foam detection sensor 50.

The foam detection sensor 50 is electrically connected to the control unit 31.

The foam detection sensor 50 is provided at a preset position (for example, the upper part of the inner tank) of the inner tank 12 of the toilet main body 10.

The foam detection sensor 50 is built into the upper part of the inner tank 12, and one end penetrates the inner tank 12 so as to be in direct contact with the foam in the inner tank 12.

The foam detection sensor 41 can detect the height of the foam by outputting different signals due to changes in resistance when in contact with the foam in the inner tank 12 and when not in contact.

For example, the bubble detection sensor 41 may be of a type including two electrodes, such as a ground electrode and a detection electrode, or may be a capacitive level sensor or a prism-type optical level sensor.

The foam detection sensor 50 is provided in the inner tank 12 of the toilet main body 10 and detects the height of foam supplied to the inner tank 12. The foam detection sensor 50 outputs a foam detection signal when the foam height in the inner tank 12 reaches a preset height. The foam detection signal output by the foam detection sensor 50 is transmitted to the control unit 31.

Figure 7 shows a control flow diagram of a control method of a flush-type toilet according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7, the control method of a flush toilet according to another embodiment detects the water level of the discharge pipe 13 of the toilet main body 10 (200) and determines whether the detected water level has reached a preset water level (Wref). When the determination is made (202) and the detected water level reaches the preset water level (Wref), the bubble generating pump (32) is operated to supply bubbles to the inner tank (12) (204), and the bubble height of the inner tank (12) is increased. Detect (206), determine whether the detected bubble height has reached the preset height (Bref) (208), and when the detected bubble height reaches the preset height (Bref), stop the bubble generating pump (32). This may include stopping the foam supply (210).

First, the control unit 31 periodically operates the bubble generating pump 32 for a certain period of time to supply foam to the inner tank 12 in the toilet main body 10. For example, when 5 minutes have elapsed after supplying foam, the lower foam, which is the foam supplied first among the foam supplied to the inner tank 12, naturally disappears and begins to turn into water, and this water is received in the discharge pipe 13.

In this state, the control unit 31 detects the water level of the discharge pipe 13 through the water level sensor 40. When the water level in the discharge pipe 13 reaches the preset water level (Wref), the amount of bubbles naturally extinguished increases, so it is necessary to replenish the amount of foam that disappears.

When the water level in the discharge pipe 13 reaches the preset water level (Wref), the control unit 31 operates the bubble generating pump 32 to supply bubbles to the inner tank 12. Accordingly, an additional amount of foam corresponding to the amount of foam extinguished is supplied.

The control unit 31 detects the foam height of the inner tank 12 through the foam detection sensor 50, and when the detected foam height reaches the preset height (Bref), it stops the bubble generating pump 32 to supply foam. stop. Accordingly, for example, even if 1/10 of the foam disappears, 1/10 of the foam can be additionally supplied, so that only an additional amount of foam corresponding to the amount of foam extinguished can be supplied to the inner tank 12 of the toilet main body 10.

As described above, the present invention can prevent unnecessary foam waste by preventing the previously supplied foam from being forced down toward the outlet by the newly supplied foam before it disappears over time and turns into water, thereby reducing the consumption of water and cleaning liquid. You can.

Meanwhile, the above-described control unit and/or its components may include one or more processors/microprocessor(s) combined with a computer-readable recording medium storing computer-readable code/algorithm/software. The processor/microprocessor(s) may perform the above-described functions, operations, steps, etc. by executing computer-readable code/algorithm/software stored in a computer-readable recording medium.

The above-described control unit and/or its components may further include a memory implemented as a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium or a computer-readable temporary recording medium. The memory may be controlled by the above-described control unit and/or its components and is configured to store data transmitted to or received from the above-described control unit and/or its components. It may be configured to store data that has been or will be processed.

The disclosed embodiments can also be implemented as computer-readable code/algorithm/software on a computer-readable recording medium. A computer-readable recording medium may be a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium, such as a data storage device capable of storing data that can be read by a processor/microprocessor. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disk drives (HDDs), solid-state drives (SSDs), silicon disk drives (SDDs), read-only memory (ROMs), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes, floppy disks, and optical data storage devices. etc.

10: toilet body 12: inner tank
13: discharge pipe 20: water tank
30: control unit 31: control unit
32: Bubble generating pump 40: Water level sensor
50: Foam detection sensor

Claims (8)

A toilet body with an inner tank supplied with foam;
A bubble generating pump that supplies air to the cleaning solution to generate bubbles;
a foam supply unit that supplies foam generated by the bubble generating pump to the inner tank;
a discharge pipe that guides waste discharged from the inner tank into a cesspool and receives water generated by dissipation of bubbles in the inner tank over time;
A water level sensor that detects the water level in the discharge pipe; and
It includes a control unit electrically connected to the water level sensor,
The control unit operates the bubble generating pump to supply foam to the inner tank, determines the foam supply amount according to the water level detected through the water level sensor, and controls the bubble generating pump to add the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank. supply,
The control unit additionally supplies the determined amount of foam to the inner tank when the water level detected through the water level sensor reaches a preset water level. According to paragraph 1,
The control unit determines the amount of foam corresponding to the water level detected through the water level sensor as the amount of foam supplied. delete According to paragraph 1,
It includes a foam detection sensor that detects the height of foam in the inner tank,
The control unit supplies additional foam to the inner tank and stops the additional supply of foam when the foam height detected through the foam detection sensor reaches a preset height. The bubble generating pump, which supplies air to the cleaning liquid and generates bubbles, is operated to supply bubbles to the inner tank of the toilet body.
Detecting the water level in the discharge pipe containing water generated by the disappearance of bubbles over time in the inner tank,
Determine the amount of foam supply according to the detected water level,
It includes controlling the bubble generating pump to additionally supply the determined bubble supply amount to the inner tank,
Additional supply of the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank,
When the detected water level reaches a preset water level, a control method for a flush toilet comprising additionally supplying the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank. According to clause 5,
Determining the amount of foam supply is,
A control method for a flush-type toilet, comprising determining a foam amount corresponding to the detected water level as the foam supply amount. delete According to clause 5,
Additional supply of the determined foam supply amount to the inner tank,
A control method for a flush-type toilet, comprising detecting the height of foam in the inner tank and stopping additional supply of the foam when the detected foam height reaches a preset height.

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