TW201500621A - Fluid-operated actuator assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

A fluid-operated actuator assembly comprises: a valve having an inlet for connection with a pressurized fluid source; a bistable electromagnetic device for operating the valve, the bistable electromagnetic device having a first state of closing the valve and a second state of opening the valve; a hydraulic actuator; and an electronic control circuit. The hydraulic actuator has an actuating member in the housing; said housing has a chamber at one side of the actuating member, which is connected to the valve outlet for receiving fluid from the fluid source when the valve is opened, in order to enable the actuating member and move the actuating member for operating the hydraulic actuator. The control circuit is used for instantaneously energizing the bistable electromagnetic device in order to convert it from the first state to the second state to allow the operation of the hydraulic actuator, and subsequently convert it for returning from the second state to the first state so as to terminate the operation of the hydraulic actuator. This invention also provides a toilet tank including the fluid-operated actuator assembly and a flush toilet including the toilet tank.

Description

Fluid operated actuator element

The present invention is directed to a fluid operated actuator assembly that is particularly suitable, but not exclusively, for use in a sanitary appliance such as a flush toilet.

Battery operated actuator assemblies are known for controlling the flow of water in a flush toilet. As an example, the robotic device will turn on when the user's hand is sensed and supply water for a period of time. These aspects are operated by the battery unit. Since power consumption is generally not small, battery life is usually short, and thus replacement of battery cells can be frequent.

The present invention is directed to alleviating or at least alleviating such problems or deficiencies by providing fluid operated actuator elements.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a fluid operated actuator element comprising a valve having an inlet for connecting to a fluid source; a bistable electromagnetic device for operating the valve, the bistable electromagnetic The device has a first state that closes the valve and a second state that opens the valve; and a hydraulic actuator that includes an actuating member in the outer casing. The outer casing includes a chamber on one side of the actuating member, the outlet of the valve being coupled to the chamber for containing fluid from the fluid source when the valve is opened by the bistable electromagnetic device, In order to function as an actuating member and to move the actuating member for operating the hydraulic actuator; and an electronic control circuit for instantaneously energizing the bistable electromagnetic device to apply the bistable electromagnetic device Transitioning from the first state to the second state to operate the actuating member and then transitioning it from the second state back to the first state to terminate operation of the actuating member.

Preferably, the bistable electromagnetic device comprises a latching electromagnetic actuator.

Preferably, the actuating member comprises a piston that is movable within the outer casing.

Preferably, the outer casing has a cylindrical interior having a central axis and the piston is angularly movable along the central axis.

Preferably the hydraulic actuator comprises a hydraulic motor.

In a preferred embodiment, the outer casing has a cylindrical interior having a central axis and the piston is linearly movable along the central axis.

More preferably, the piston is free to slide along the outer casing in the opposite direction with or without offset.

Preferably the hydraulic actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder.

In a preferred embodiment, the actuating member is configured to be acted upon by the fluid and moved from the inoperative position to the operative position for operating the hydraulic actuator and maintaining the hydraulic actuator in the operative position.

More preferably, the chamber includes a pressure limiter for limiting the pressure of the fluid contained in the chamber acting on the piston.

Still more preferably, the pressure limiter includes a leak in the outer casing that is positioned to be exposed when the actuating member reaches the operational position The chamber leakage portion.

Still more preferably, the leak is provided as a hole through the wall of the outer casing.

Still more preferably, the fluid operated actuator element includes a reservoir for collecting the fluid that leaks through the leak.

Preferably, the fluid contained in the chamber is configured to flow through the chamber when the actuating member reaches the operational position while applying a non-static pressure on the actuating member.

It is preferred that the fluid operated actuator assembly includes a drain for discharging fluid from the chamber upon termination of operation of the actuating member when the actuating member returns to the inoperative position.

More preferably, the discharge means comprises a spring loaded valve.

Still more preferably, the spring loaded valve is connected to allow fluid to flow along one of the two paths and is arranged to open to the first path but to close the other path or to close the first path but Open the second path.

Preferably, the discharge means is disposed in a path extending between the valve and the outer casing.

Preferably the valve comprises a pilot valve.

Advantageously, the electronic control circuit comprises a switching component for operating the bistable electromagnetic device.

In a preferred embodiment, the electronic control circuit is battery operated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a combination of the foregoing a toilet tank for fluid operated actuator elements, comprising a body for use as a reservoir for holding flushing water; and a flushing valve including a flush valve at the bottom of the body for flushing water contained in the body As the actuating member is moved by the fluid, the flush valve is operable when the driving force of the actuating member is increased.

Preferably, the flush valve is coupled to the actuating member by including a motion transducer for adapting the movement of the actuating member to the lift of the flush valve.

Preferably, the actuating member is arranged to partially support the weight of the flush valve while the actuating member is moved from the inoperative position to the operating position and lift the flush valve, and thereafter return to the weight of the flush valve Non-operating position.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flush toilet incorporating the aforementioned toilet water tank, comprising a toilet bowl, the toilet water tank being tightly coupled to the toilet bowl.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, a flush toilet incorporating the aforementioned fluid-operated actuator assembly, the flush toilet includes: a toilet bowl; a toilet lid for the toilet bowl; and a connecting member connecting the toilet Covered on the flush toilet and movable between a closed and open position, the toilet cover is configured to be opened or closed by the driving force of the actuating member as the actuating member is moved by the fluid.

Preferably, the toilet includes a gear system disposed between the actuating member and the toilet cover for transmitting a driving force from the actuating member to the toilet lid.

More preferably, the gear system is adapted to transmit a driving force to Move the toilet lid between the closed and open positions and flip the toilet lid with the bottom side facing the back in the open position.

More preferably, the gear system is physically coupled to the connecting member.

Still more preferably, the connecting member is elongate, opposite ends, one end of which is connected to the toilet bowl and the opposite end to the toilet lid.

Still preferably, the gear system is disposed within the aforementioned connecting member.

Preferably the gear system includes a plurality of gears and a belt disposed on the plurality of axles.

10‧‧‧Actuator components

20‧‧ ‧ water tank

Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the embodiments of the present invention, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a fluid-operated actuator element in accordance with the present invention. 2 is a partial cutaway perspective view of the fluid operated actuator portion of FIG. 1; FIG. 2A is a partially exploded perspective view of the fluid operated actuator member of FIG. 2; Is a cross-sectional perspective view of the other components of the fluid-operated actuator element of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the fluid-operated actuator assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3; FIGS. 5 through 13 are fluid operation corresponding to FIG. Schematic representation of the actuator element A cross-sectional front view showing a continuous operational state during operation of the fluid-operated actuator element; Figure 14 is a front perspective view of the toilet tank and fluid-operated actuator elements of Figure 1 showing the actuator in an inoperative state Figure 14A is a front elevational view of the fluid-operated actuator assembly of Figure 14; Figure 15 is a front perspective view corresponding to Figure 14 showing the actuator element in an operational state; Figure 15A is the fluid-operated operation of Figure 15 Figure 16 and Figure 16A are perspective and side views of the toilet bowl of Figure 1, including a toilet lid opened by a fluid operated actuator element in accordance with the present invention, the fluid operated actuator assembly being in the toilet lid Figure 17 and Figure 17A are perspective and side views corresponding to Figures 16 and 16A, showing the toilet cover half open and flipped; Figures 18 and 18A are perspective and side views corresponding to Figures 17 and 17A, The toilet lid is fully opened and flipped; FIG. 19 is a side view of a portion of the flush toilet of FIGS. 16 to 18A, showing that the right arm of the pair of arms pivotally connects the toilet lid to the toilet; FIG. 20 is the right arm of FIG. Cross-sectional view of the -XX line The gear train in the arm is driven by the fluid-operated actuator assembly to transmit the driving force to open/close and flip the toilet lid; FIG. 21 is a side view of a portion of the toilet bowl of FIG. 19, showing that the right arm is driven by the hydraulic cylinder as a fluid Figure 22A is a side elevational view of a portion of the toilet of Figure 19 showing the right arm being driven by a hydraulic motor as an alternative to fluid operated actuator components; Figure 22B is a top plan view of the hydraulic motor and a portion of the gear of Figure 22A; Figure 23 is a schematic circuit diagram of the fluid-operated actuator assembly, including the hydraulic cylinder of Figure 21; and Figure 24 is a schematic circuit diagram of the fluid-operated actuator assembly, The hydraulic motor of Figure 22A is included.

The above and other technical contents, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Referring to Figures 1-15A of the drawings, a fluid operated actuator assembly 10 for use in a flush toilet tank 20 for use with the present invention is shown. The actuator element 10 includes a valve 100 having an inlet 110 and an outlet 120, a bistable electromagnetic device 200 for operating the valve 100, a hydraulic actuator 300 having a piston 310 in the cylinder 320, and for bistable The electronic control circuit 400 is energized by the electromagnetic device 200. The valve inlet 110 is used (directly or indirectly) to be connected to the pressurized water portion by means of the water pipe 2, for example, to the water pipe or the water supply portion 1, thereby supplying water to operate the hydraulic actuator 300.

The electromagnetic device 200 is preferably implemented by a bistable or latching solenoid 200 having a first state that closes the 100 valve and a second state that opens the valve 100. The latching electromagnetic actuator 200 has a cylindrical iron outer casing 210, an electromagnetic actuator coil 220 coaxially located within the outer casing 210, and a pole piece 240 along a central axis of the outer casing 210, located in the outer casing 210 and the pole piece 240. The inner end permanent magnet 230 and the spring loaded plunger 250 near the outer end of the pole piece 240. The plunger 250 is compressed by The coil spring 260 between the plunger 250 and the pole piece 240 is resiliently offset a small distance away from the pole piece 240 in the unlocked position. The permanent magnet 230 has a magnetic field that coincides with the magnetic field of the electromagnetic actuator coil 220 in one polarity, but cancels the magnetic field of the coil in the opposite polarity.

In operation, when the electromagnetic actuator coil 220 is energized with the same polarity as the permanent magnet 230, for example by a positive electrical pulse, even if the energization voltage is turned off, the plunger 250 will be attracted toward the pole piece 240 and the back pole The sheet 240 slides against the spring 260 through a very short stroke and stays in the latched position, i.e., the second state in which the valve 100 is opened. Then, for example, after 6 to 9 seconds, when the electromagnetic actuator coil 220 is energized in opposite polarity (eg, by a negative electrical pulse), its magnetic field cancels and neutralizes the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 230, thereby releasing the plunger 250. The electromagnetic actuator coil will then return to its initial unlocked position by the action of the spring 260, i.e., the first state in which the valve 100 is closed.

The latching electromagnetic actuator 200 is normally in the first state without consuming power to keep the valve 100 closed normally. The latching electromagnetic actuator 200 will change to a second state upon brief electrical triggering to open the valve 100 and maintain it open without power consumption until the next time a trigger is applied in the opposite pole.

Valve 100, hereinafter referred to as main valve 100, is operated by latching electromagnetic actuator 200 by a very small and less power-consuming pilot valve 90 mounted directly in front of plunger 250.

The pilot valve 90 is formed by a valve member 91 and a valve seat 92, and the valve member is fitted in the plunger 250, and the valve member 91 is normally closed with respect to the valve seat 92. Externally, the pilot valve 90 has an inlet port 93 and an outlet port 94, the inlet port and the outlet port The turns communicate with each other via passages 93-94 through the valve seat 92, which are controlled by the pilot valve 90 and are thus controlled by the lockout electromagnetic actuator 200. The pilot valve 90 normally closes the passages 93-94 to in turn close the main valve 100 and maintain its normal closure.

Regarding the structure, the main valve 100 is formed by the valve member 101; and the valve member normally seals the valve seat 102 and includes a cylindrical core 130 having one end of the cylindrical core serving as the valve seat 102 and the opposite end 132 leading to the main valve outlet 120. The valve member 101 is a flat rubber disk that generally supports and seals the valve seat 102, the valve member including a flexible perimeter 101A having a reduced thickness and a curved cross-section such that the valve member 101 can be retracted to disengage from the valve seat 102 .

The valve member 101 extends through the interior of the main valve 100 and divides it into a front interior or chamber 100A and a rear interior, which is further divided by the cylinder core 130 into an outer chamber 100B surrounding the core 130 and an inner chamber 100C in the core 130. The front chamber 100A is in communication with the inlet 93 of the pilot valve 90, while the outer chamber 100B and the inner chamber 100C are in communication with the main valve inlet 110 and the main valve outlet 120, respectively. The pilot valve 90 outlet 94 is connected to the main valve outlet 120.

The small hole 101B passing through the valve member 101 equalizes the pressure between the front chamber 100A and the outer chamber 100B when the pilot valve 90 is closed to hold water in the front chamber 100A. In this state, by the sealing engagement of the valve member 101 with the valve seat 102, that is, the main valve 100 (Fig. 5) is closed, the inflow of water from the water supply portion 1 into the outer chamber 100B (and also into the front chamber 100A via the hole 101B) is prevented. Inner chamber 100C.

Once energized, the latching electromagnetic actuator 100 opens the pilot valve 90 and this results in loss of water from the front chamber 100A via the pilot valve 90, and And thus the pressure in the front chamber 100A drops (Fig. 6). The lost water flows from the outlet 94 of the pilot valve 90 to the main valve outlet 120 for downstream operation.

As water enters the outer chamber 100B through the inlet 110 of the main valve 100, the pressure in the outer chamber 100B is substantially maintained and thus becomes relatively higher than the pressure in the front chamber 100A. The valve member 101 is thus retracted and disengaged from the valve seat 102, thereby giving way to allow water from the outer chamber 100A to flow into the inner chamber 100C and thus out of the main valve 100 through the outlet 120 of the main valve 100 (Fig. 7). The main valve 100 is thus opened.

The main valve 100 controls the main water flow from the water supply portion 1 to operate the hydraulic actuator 300 with a relatively high pressure or a high flow supply. The pilot valve 90 is a smaller valve that controls the restricted flow control supply to the main valve 100, allowing for a lesser and easier to operate supply to control higher pressures or higher flow supplies, which would otherwise require much greater force To operate. The pilot valve 90 is used to achieve the use of a relatively small power latching electromagnetic actuator 200.

Alternatively, in a slightly different embodiment of the fluid operated actuator assembly 10 having a more simplified structure, a relatively larger power or a sufficiently powerful latching electromagnetic actuator (200) may be employed to directly operate the main valve (100) to control the main water flow, thereby eliminating the need to use pilot valves (90).

For the hydraulic actuator 300, it may be implemented in the present embodiment by a hydraulic cylinder, which is designated by reference numeral 300, or alternatively a hydraulic motor in the following embodiment. The hydraulic cylinder is a mechanical actuator for imparting a one-way force by a one-way hit, also known as a linear hydraulic motor. Hydraulic motors are mechanical actuators that convert hydraulic pressure and flow into torque and angular displacement , that is, rotation, and is a rotating counterpart of the hydraulic cylinder.

When passed, it is worth noting that any other suitable form of hydraulic actuator may be utilized, depending on the type of actuation required for the motion, input/output power, and physical size.

The hydraulic cylinder 300 has an actuating member, typically a piston 310, movably mounted in a drum or outer casing 320 having a cylindrical interior and having a central axis. The piston 310 is in a sealed state but is slidably engaged in the outer casing 320. The outer casing 320 is oriented with a central axis of horizontal extension (see, for example, Figure 14). The piston 310 is free to slide in the opposite direction, coaxially and linearly along the central axis of the outer casing 320 without a specific biasing force (for simplicity and unnecessary in this embodiment).

The piston 310 is designed to include a degree of bias, such as with a tension or torsion spring, for example, when the operation requires it to, for example, provide sufficient force for the piston 310 to return.

The piston 310 is fitted with a push rod 330 as an actuating point that projects forward from the piston 310 along its central axis and projects past the front end of the outer casing 320. The outer casing 320 has a front chamber 322 on one side or a front side of the piston 310 on one side of the push rod 330 and a rear chamber 321 on the rear side of the piston 310 opposite to the push rod 330. The outlet 120 of the main valve 100 is indirectly (or directly) connected to the rear chamber 321 via a conduit P, or generally communicates with the rear chamber to receive from the water supply 1 via the main valve when the main valve 100 is opened by the blocking electromagnetic actuator 200 The water flowing out of 100 causes the water to act on the piston 310 and move it for operation of the hydraulic cylinder 300.

Water entering the rear chamber 321 acts on the piston 310 for movement The piston 310 and in turn causes the push rod 330 to extend forwardly from the inner non-operative position to the outer operating position to effect a push motion and then maintain the push rod 330 in the operative position, i.e., extend.

The outer casing 320 has a linear slot 323 that extends axially at a lowermost position of the front chamber 322 from the level of the cylinder wall of the outer casing. The slot 323 extends from one end thereof at the front end of the outer casing 320 to a specific length greater than the (effective) thickness of the piston 310 such that the other end 323X of the slot is pushed along the outer diameter of the piston 310 by the water in the rear chamber 321 Forward is exposed to the rear chamber 321 directly behind the piston 310, where the piston places the push rod 330 in a later operational position. The exposed end 323X of the slot is a hole that represents a leak for the rear chamber 321 that passes through the wall of the outer casing 320 when the push rod 330 reaches its operational position.

Once such a leak is exposed to the back chamber 321, the water in the chamber 321 finds a way for water to exit the outer casing 320. The leakage portion has an optimum size, that is, not too large or too small, just enough to limit the pressure of the water in the rear chamber 321 acting on the piston 310 to a certain level, while water from the water supply portion 1 via the main valve 100 The back chamber 321 is continuously replenished and flows. As water flows in the back chamber 321, water exerts a non-static pressure on the piston 310 when the push rod 330 reaches its operational position, which is sufficient to maintain the push rod 330 in the operative position.

The leak serves as a pressure limiter for the water in the rear chamber 321 of the outer casing 320. This leakage avoids excessive pressure in the rear chamber 321 which would otherwise push the piston 310 excessively toward the front end of the outer casing 320 and damage the outer casing 320. In addition to protecting the hydraulic cylinder 300, the pressure limiter is in the piston The reaction time was also improved during the reverse phase of 310. The pressure limiter is an improved component.

Control circuit 400 is implemented by MCU 410 and may include an electrical triggering device, such as a push-to-talk switch or remote sensor 420 for triggering operation of control circuit 400, and operated by more than one battery unit 430 battery. The MCU 410 has an output pin connected to an electronic or solid state switching element such as a BJT transistor or MOSFET for controlling the latching electromagnetic actuator 200 by instantaneously applying an electrical signal to energize the latching electromagnetic actuator 200 via the switching element to Transitioning from a first state (turning off the main valve 100) to a second state (opening the main valve 100), thereby triggering the operation of the push rod 330 and then following a predetermined time period of operation (eg, 10 seconds) The two electrical signals transition the latching electromagnetic actuator 200 from the second state back to the first state to terminate the operation of the push rod 330.

The first electrical signal can be a positive electrical pulse and the second electrical signal can be a negative electrical pulse, both having a pulse width of about 20 ms. The duration of the electrical pulse is sufficiently long (about at least 5 ms) for the valve member 101 of the main valve 100 to respond to the opening/closing of the pilot valve 90 (i.e., to change the position relative to the valve seat 102).

The push rod 330 is arranged to return to its initial inoperative position, i.e., the push rod 330 is retracted once the predetermined time period of the above operation is terminated. The push rod 330 can only retreat when the water is behind the piston 310 or, for example, in the case of the previous embodiment. The discharge device 500 is employed for this purpose, which jumps with the termination of the operation of the push rod 330 when the push rod 330 returns to or is returning to the inoperative position.

The discharge device 500 is provided by the main valve 100 and the hydraulic cylinder 300 The spring loaded valve provided by the reversing valve 500 in the path extending between the outer casings 320 is formed. The reversing valve 500 is formed by a valve member 510 that moves back between the first valve seat 520 that communicates with the main valve outlet 120 and the second valve seat 521 that communicates with the discharge hole 530, and the valve member 510 is biased by the coil spring 540. The first valve seat 520 is normally closed from the second valve seat.

Therefore, the diverter valve 500 is normally closed for the main valve outlet 120 and normally open for the discharge orifice 530. When the main valve outlet 120 is opened, the diverter valve 500 is closed for the discharge orifice 530 and vice versa. In general, the diverter valve 500 is coupled to allow fluid to flow along one of the two paths and is configured to open the first path and close the second path or conversely close the first path to the second The path opens. Specifically, the diverter valve 500 allows fluid to flow along one of two paths that connect the main valve outlet 120 and the discharge orifice 530, respectively.

On the route leading from the main valve 100 outlet 120 to the outer casing 320 of the hydraulic cylinder 300, the water flowing out from the main spool 130 is pressed against the valve member 510, and then the reversing valve 500 (the counteracting spring 540) is opened for the inflow. The outer casing 320, therefore, as long as water flows through the reversing valve into the hydraulic cylinder 300, pushes the piston 310 and extends the push rod 330 (Figs. 8-9). The diverter valve 500 will remain open to allow for this flow.

At the end of the predetermined time period of the above operation, the latching electromagnetic actuator 200 is energized to close the pilot valve 90 (Fig. 10) and then also close the main valve 100 (Fig. 11), thereby stopping the water from the water supply portion 1 to the present invention. The flow of the actuator assembly 10. The water pressure drops immediately, and this immediately leads to two results: the stop of the pushing action of the push rod 330 and the discharge hole 530. The reversing valve 500 reopens itself (by its own spring 540) (Figs. 11 and 12).

Under the action of a force (such as hereinafter referred to as an external force), the push rod 330 is immediately returned to its inoperative position, causing the piston 310 to press the water in the rear chamber 321 of the outer casing 320 of the actuator and return to the reversing valve. 500 (Figures 11 to 12). The reversing valve 500 is now open for drain holes 530 from which water exits and exits. The actuator element 10 will then be returned to or reset to its initial state (Fig. 13) for the next operation.

In this particular embodiment, the actuator element 10 also includes a motion transducer in the form of a hinge mechanism 600 for changing the direction of action of the actuation member, i.e., the piston 310 or the push rod 330. The hinge mechanism 600 is formed by a C-shaped bracket 610 that is coupled to the base 620 by a hinge 630 for pivotal movement relative thereto. The base 620 is mounted directly in front of the push rod 330 and around the push rod 330 on the aforementioned unitary housing such that the push rod 330 is paired to engage the bracket 610 and push the bracket 610 through the small pedal 611 of the bracket 610.

When the push rod 300 extends from the inoperative position to the operative position, the push rod 300 pivots the hinged bracket 610 upwardly counterclockwise to the upper operating position (Fig. 15). Thereafter, the bracket 610 can be pivoted clockwise downward or pivoted back to the lower inoperative position, thereby pushing the push rod 330 and returning the push rod 330 to the inoperative position. The articulating bracket 610 acts as an improved actuating member for the hydraulic cylinder 300 that operates in a different manner and/or direction than the push rod 330.

As one of the original design applications of the fluid operated actuator element, the fluid operated actuator element 10 is designed to be installed and used with a flush toilet having a toilet bowl 30. The toilet tank 20 is tightly connected to the toilet bowl and has a two-piece hinge seat 40 on the toilet bowl, and the toilet lid 50 is typically mounted on the back of the toilet bowl 30 to allow the toilet to be covered and to sit down (or not sit) during use. under). The toilet tank 20 has a main body and a water tank 21 serving as a reservoir for holding the flushing water, and includes a flushing mechanism 700 including a flush valve 710 at the bottom of the water tank 21 for flushing water in the water tank 21.

The actuator element 10 can be operated with a fluid to trigger the flushing toilet in the first embodiment or to open or close the toilet lid 50 in the second embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the fluid-operated actuator assembly 10 is mounted in the top of the water tank 21, the hydraulic cylinder 300 and the reversing valve 500 are within the water tank 21 and the main valve 100, particularly the latching electromagnetic actuator 200 in the water tank 21 Outside to keep it waterproof or at least avoid excessive exposure to moisture. A string or chain 720 connects or couples the topmost end of the flush valve 710 to the hinged bracket 610 of the hinge mechanism 600 of the actuator element 10.

As the bracket 610 pivots from a lower position to a higher position corresponding to the inoperative and operative position of the push rod 330, the flush valve 710 is operable under the increased driving force of the hinge bracket 610 (as a modified Actuate the component). The valve 710 is operated by being opened to allow water to drain from the water tank 21 to the toilet bowl 30, thus performing a flushing loop, which should be completed for 6 to 9 seconds.

The hinge 600 includes a hinge that transforms the leveling motion of the push rod 330 into a vertical or upward motion to lift the flush valve 710. Hinged branch The frame 610 is configured to support the weight of the flush valve 710 (in the water) when pivoting from the lower inoperative position to the upper operating position, while lifting the flush valve 710 and thus opening the flush valve 710.

Once the flushing loop is complete, the bracket 610 is then returned to the lower position by gravity under the weight of the flush valve 710. This causes the actuator element 10 to return to or reset to its initial state to prepare for the next flushing operation.

In order to solve the problem that the flush valve 710 is not heavy enough to reset the actuator element 10 to its original state (ie, the actuation lever 330 is pushed back) or to avoid excessive resistance when the flush valve 710 is lowered, a spring can be mounted in the hydraulic cylinder 300. To bias the piston 310 rearward.

During the operation of the actuator 10 element, the water leaked through the exposure hole 323X of the hydraulic cylinder 300 and the water discharged through the reversing valve 500 are collected in the same reservoir disposed below the water tank 21 of the toilet water tank 20.

Optionally, an additional set 100X (Figs. 2 and 2A) of the main valve 100, the latching electromagnetic actuator 200, and the control circuit 400 can be utilized to control refilling of the toilet tank 20 after each flush.

Referring to Figures 16 through 24, in a second embodiment, a fluid operated actuator assembly 10 is mounted to drive a mechanism including a gear system in the form of a gear train 70 that in turn opens and closes the toilet lid 50.

The toilet bowl 30 has a body cleaner module 31 on its back that hinges a seat 40 and one or more connecting members in the form of a pair of pivot arms 32 in the flush toilet, its toilet cover 50 and body cleaner Relative left of group 31 The upper right side pivotally connects the toilet lid 50. The seat 40 and the toilet lid 50 are independently pivoted upwardly and downwardly, so that the freely facing seat 40 requires manual operation but is automatically driven by the actuator assembly 10 to the toilet lid 50.

Each of the pivot arms 32 is an elongated hollow member having a rear end 32A connected to the associated side of the body cleaner module 31 by a rear hinge shaft 61, and including the same side of the toilet cover 50 connected to the front side by the front hinge shaft 63. The front end 32B of the middle section. On the inner or inner surface of the right arm 32, unlike the left arm 32, a gear train 70 is mounted for driving force transmission.

The gear train 70 is constructed of a first to eighth gear 71 to 78 and a belt in the form of a timing belt 79, all of which surround two shafts 61 and 63 and two additional shafts 62 positioned on opposite sides of the shaft 61. And 64 installation. The shafts 61 to 64 are also referred to as first to fourth axes, the shaft 64 is for rotating the drive input, and the shafts 61 and 63 are for rotating the drive output.

The gears 71 and 77 are composite gears that are securely mounted on the shaft 64 for rotation about the shaft 64 or with the shaft, and any one of the shaft 64 and the gear 77 is configured to receive a rotational driving force for rotating the shaft 64. The gears 73 and 78 are another composite gear that is securely mounted on the shaft 61 for immediate rotation to transfer rotational driving force from the latter to the former, with the gear 72 being supported between them on the shaft 61 for freedom along it Turn.

Gear 72 is mounted, fixed or otherwise mounted on right arm 32 for pivoting as the right arm rotates as it is engaged by gear 71. The gear 71 receives the rotational driving force from the gear 77 or the shaft 64 or through the latter, and in turn rotates the gear 72 to pivot the right arm 32 in the opposite direction and then pivots the toilet cover 50 in the opposite direction. Specifically, after rotating in the counterclockwise direction, the gear 77 and thereafter gear 77 rotates gear 72 in a clockwise direction to pivot right arm 32 upward to open toilet lid 50 (Figs. 16/16A through 18/18A). Upon subsequent clockwise rotation, the gear 77 and the subsequent gear 71 rotate the gear 72 in a counterclockwise direction to pivot the right arm 32 downward to close the toilet lid 50 (Figs. 18/18A to 16/16A).

When the gear 72 is freely rotated about the shaft 61, the gear 78 receives the rotational driving force from the gear 77, and then transmits the rotational driving force to the gear 73 via the gear 72 when the gear 72 is rotated by the gear 71 to open or close the toilet cover 50. .

The gears 74 and 75 are another compound gear that is mounted about the shaft 62 for immediate free rotation, while the gear 74 meshes with the gear 73 to thereby rotate, causing the rotational driving force to reach the gear 75. The final gear 76 is securely mounted on the shaft 63 for rotation therewith. The timing belt 79 is stretched across the gears 75 and 76 for transmitting the rotational driving force from the gear 75 at the rear end 32A of the right arm 32 along the length of the right arm 32 to the front end 32B. When the gear 76 is driven by the shaft 63, it is coupled to the toilet lid 50 for outputting a rotational driving force to flip the toilet lid 50 as the toilet lid 50 is opened or closed.

Now about the outline of the operation. Optionally applied via shaft 77 on shaft 64, the rotational drive force is split and transmitted along the two paths. The first path extends from the gear 77 via the shaft 64 and the gear 71 to reach the gear 72, which then pivots the right arm 32 upward to open the toilet lid 50 (Figs. 16/16A to 18/18A) or pivots downward to close the toilet Cover 50 (Figs. 18/18A to 16/16A). The second path extends from the gear 77 and then through the gear 78 to the gear 73, Thereafter, the gears 74 to 75 are passed and via the timing belt 79 to reach the gear 76, which then flips the toilet lid 50 (Figs. 16/16A to 18/18A) or the toilet lid 50 back as the toilet lid 50 is opened. When closed, the toilet lid 50 is turned downward (Figs. 18/18A to 16/16A).

The toilet lid 50 is momentarily pivoted and flipped between a normally closed position and a fully open position in which the underside of the toilet lid (considered unsanitary) faces the back of the user.

The fluid operated actuator assembly 10 is mounted on the inner face of the body cleaner module 31, outside the water tank 20, with a suitable conduit connecting the water supply portion 1 for water supply, and to the water tank 20 for draining to the water tank.

To drive the gear 70, the actuator element 10 can incorporate a hydraulic cylinder 300C or a hydraulic motor 300M that is located beside the right arm 32.

Most of the other elements of the actuator element 10 as described above remain applicable, but two sets of such elements are installed, the first set for opening the toilet lid 50 and the second set for closing the toilet lid (Figs. 23 and 24). The two sets of components are denoted by the same reference numerals as above, but with the last code "A" as the first group and the tail code "B" as the second group, for example: main valve 100A, latching electromagnetic actuator 200A and for opening the toilet The reversing valve 500A of the cover 50 and the main valve 100B, the latching electromagnetic actuator 200B, and the reversing valve 500B for closing the toilet lid 50.

The hydraulic actuators 300C/300M must be separated from the other components, or their orientations, to allow for the nature and/or direction of their drive output relative to the gear train 70.

If the hydraulic cylinder 300C is used, its structure is substantially the same as that of the previous hydraulic cylinder 300, and the same components are numbered by the same number plus the last code. The letter "C" is indicated. The front chamber 322C does not have the same elements of the above-described slots 323, which are utilized in the same manner as the rear chamber 321C, but with an additional second set of elements (including the main valve 100B, the latching electromagnetic actuator 200B, and the reversing valve 500B) (Fig. 23) for closing the toilet lid 50.

Therefore, the pressurized water in the rear chamber 321C pushes the piston 310C forward to open the toilet lid 50, and in the subsequent operation, the water in the front chamber 322C pushes the piston 310C rearward to close the toilet lid 50. The hydraulic cylinder 300C is reversible during operation to complete the opening and closing of the toilet lid 50 in the opposite direction.

To apply a linear driving force from the hydraulic cylinder 300C to rotate the gear train 70, a crank-and-slider mechanism 65 (Fig. 21) is coupled between the push rod 330C of the hydraulic cylinder 300C and the drive input shaft 64 of the gear train 70, and The crank portion 66 is coupled to the drive shaft 64 and the sliding portion 67 is coupled to the push rod 330C. The hydraulic cylinder 300C is hinged at the rear/bottom end of its outer casing 320C, causing the hydraulic cylinder 300C to pivot rearward and forward to permit operation of the crank-and-slider mechanism 65.

If a hydraulic motor 300M is used, there is a cylindrical inner casing 320M, a piston 310M (also referred to as a rotor) that is coaxially supported within the outer casing 320M for rotation, for example, about a central axis, and a slave piston or The rotor 310M extends out of the central axis 330M at the front end of the outer casing 320M. The rotor 310M has a plurality of corners called aiming plates that divide the interior of the outer casing 320M into a plurality of (moving) chambers or spaces that are via the first input/output port 321M and the first depending on the relative angular position of the rotor 310M. The two input/output ports 322M are connected to the outside. Pinion 331M mounted on shaft 330M It meshes with the gear 77 and outputs a rotational driving force to the gear train 70.

The first group of components includes a main valve 100A, a latching electromagnetic actuator 200A, and a reversing valve 500A coupled to the first input/output port 321M for transferring pressurized water into or out of the housing 320M via separate chambers in the housing. . In operation, the force difference generated by the unbalanced force of the pressurized water against the aiming plate rotates the rotor 310M in one direction, for example, clockwise, causing the shaft 330M to drive the gear train 70 to open the toilet lid 50.

The second set of components includes a main valve 100B, a latching electromagnetic actuator 200B, and a reversing valve 500B coupled to the second input/output port 322M for transferring pressurized water into or out of the housing 320M via a separate chamber in the housing. . In the subsequent operation, the reverse force difference generated by the unbalanced force of the pressurized water against the aiming plate rotates the rotor 310M in one direction, for example, in the counterclockwise direction, causing the shaft 330M to drive the gear train 70 to open the toilet cover 50.

Shaft 330M or rotor 310M Drive shaft 330M is another example of an actuating member of the fluid operated actuator assembly of the present invention.

In general, depending on which input/output ports 321M and 322M are used to inject pressurized water, the hydraulic motor 300M can be driven to rotate in the opposite direction to complete opening and closing on the toilet lid 50.

To apply a rotational driving force from the hydraulic motor 300M to rotate the gear train 70, a reduction gear box (not shown) may be installed between the shaft 330M of the hydraulic motor 300M and the shaft 64 of the gear train 70.

In general, one or both arms of the arm 32 can be fitted with a gear train 70 (i.e., gears 71-78 and shafts 61-64) for driving transmission to open and close the toilet lid 50, depending on the toilet lid 50. Weight or need It depends on the torque supporting the weight. In a future embodiment, a central single arm can be used to operate the toilet lid as a neat and balanced design. Alternatively, a similar pivoting mechanism can be installed for raising or lowering the base portion 40 in a fully automated operation.

The fluid operated actuator assembly of the present invention, or simply the actuator, is powered by water from a tap or rinse water unit. A bistable electromagnetic device, such as an electrically latched electromagnetic actuator valve, is used to control water from the water supply. When the electromagnetic actuator valve is open, the electromagnetic actuator valve allows water to enter and then triggers the actuator to operate the flush valve, allowing water in the water tank to immediately drain into the toilet bowl and flush the dirt in the basin. This arrangement utilizes the supply water pressure as the primary source of power to complete the toilet flushing operation.

A bistable electromagnetic device requires only a limited amount of electrical signal to change state. Once latched, the latching electromagnetic actuator will remain in the latched position without requiring power and therefore no power consumption or power down. Therefore, the power consumption is low, and this enables the battery itself to be used to control the actuator itself driven by the pressurized water or fluid supplied in situ. Since the flushing mechanism is powered by the supply water pressure, the power consumption of the control electronics and the latching electromagnetic actuator is extremely low.

The present invention enables the use of a battery operated toilet flush system to function within a reasonable operating time before the battery is exhausted. It is calculated that the battery unit can induce more than 30,000 flushing cycles in 3.5 years of normal use.

In general, the fluid-operated actuator elements of the present invention can be powered by any form of energizing means, such as AC, hydraulic, without a battery. Or solar energy.

The invention will be described by way of example only, and various other modifications and/or variations of the embodiments may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The above is only the preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, that is, the simple equivalent changes and modifications made by the patent application scope and patent specification content of the present invention, All remain within the scope of the invention patent.

10‧‧‧Actuator components

20‧‧ ‧ water tank

Claims (32)

A fluid-operated actuator element comprising: a valve having an inlet and an outlet for connecting to a fluid source; a bistable electromagnetic device for operating the valve, The bistable electromagnetic device has a first state in which the valve is closed and a second state in which the valve is opened; a hydraulic actuator including an actuating member in the housing, the housing including In a chamber on one side of the actuation member, an outlet of the valve is coupled to the chamber for containing fluid from the fluid source when the valve is opened by the bistable electromagnetic device for actuating the actuation member Acting as well as moving the actuating member for operating the hydraulic actuator; and an electronic control circuit for instantaneously energizing the bistable electromagnetic device to bring the bistable electromagnetic device from the first state Transitioning to the second state to operate the actuation member and subsequently transitioning the bistable electromagnetic device from the second state back to the first state to terminate operation of the actuation member. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 1 wherein said bistable electromagnetic device comprises a latching electromagnetic actuator. The fluid-operated actuator element of claim 1 wherein said actuating member comprises a piston movable within the outer casing. The fluid-operated actuator element of claim 3 wherein said outer casing has a cylindrical interior having a central axis and said piston is angularly movable about a central axis. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 1 wherein said hydraulic actuator comprises a hydraulic motor. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 3 wherein said outer casing has a cylindrical interior having a central axis and said piston is linearly movable along a central axis. The fluid-operated actuator element of claim 6 wherein said piston is free to slide along the outer casing in the opposite direction with or without an offset. The fluid operated actuator component of claim 1 wherein the hydraulic actuator comprises a hydraulic cylinder. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 1 wherein the actuating member is configured to be acted upon by said fluid and moved from said non-operative position to an operational position for operating hydraulic actuation And holding the hydraulic actuator in the operating position. A fluid-operated actuator element according to claim 9 wherein said chamber includes a pressure limiter for limiting the pressure of fluid contained in said chamber acting on the piston. A fluid-operated actuator element according to claim 10, wherein said pressure limiter includes a leak in said outer casing, said leak being positioned when said actuating member reaches an operational position Exposure to the chamber. A fluid-operated actuator element according to claim 11 wherein the leak is provided as a hole through a wall of the outer casing. A fluid-operated actuator element according to claim 11 wherein The fluid-operated actuator element includes a reservoir for collecting the fluid that leaks through the leak. A fluid-operated actuator element according to claim 9 wherein said fluid contained in said chamber is arranged to flow through said chamber when said actuating member reaches an operative position, while Non-static pressure is applied to the moving member. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 9 wherein said fluid-operated actuator assembly includes said slave body member from returning to an inoperative position for terminating operation of said actuating member from said The chamber discharges the discharge device of the fluid. The fluid-operated actuator element of claim 15 wherein said discharge means comprises a spring loaded valve. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 16 wherein said spring-loaded valve is coupled to allow fluid to flow along one of the two paths and is configured to open the first path but Closes another second path or closes the first path but opens the second path. The fluid-operated actuator element of claim 15 wherein said discharge means is disposed in a path extending between said valve and said outer casing. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 1 wherein said valve comprises a pilot valve. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 1 wherein said electronic control circuit includes a switching component for operating said bistable electromagnetic device. The fluid-operated actuator component of claim 1 wherein said electronic control circuit is battery operated. A toilet tank incorporating a fluid-operated actuator assembly according to any of claims 1-21, the toilet tank comprising: a body for use as a reservoir for rinsing water; and flushing a flushing mechanism including a flush valve at a bottom of the body for flushing water contained in the body; wherein the flush valve can be moved as the actuating member is moved by the fluid The operation is performed when the driving force of the actuating member is increased. A toilet tank according to claim 22, wherein said flush valve is coupled to the actuating member by including a motion transducer that converts movement of the actuating member into upward motion for flushing Valve lift. A toilet tank according to claim 22, wherein said actuating member is configured to partially support the weight of the flush valve while the actuating member is moved from the inoperative position to the operating position and the flush valve is raised, And thereafter the actuating member returns to the inoperative position under the weight of the flush valve. A flush toilet incorporating the toilet tank of claim 22 includes a toilet bowl to which the toilet tank is tightly coupled. A flush toilet incorporating the fluid-operated actuator assembly of any of claims 1-21, the flush toilet comprising: a toilet bowl; a toilet lid for the toilet bowl; a connecting member that connects the toilet lid to the flush toilet and moves between a closed and an open position; wherein the toilet lid is configured to move with the fluid as the actuating member is moved The driving force of the actuated member is opened or closed. A flush toilet according to claim 26, wherein said toilet includes a gear system disposed between the actuating member and the toilet cover for transmitting a driving force from the actuating member to the toilet lid. A flush toilet according to claim 27, wherein the gear system is adapted to transmit a driving force to move the toilet lid between the closed and open positions and to flip the toilet lid with the bottom side facing the open position . A flush toilet according to claim 27, wherein said gear system is physically coupled to said connecting member. A flush toilet according to claim 29, wherein said connecting member is elongate having opposite ends, wherein one end is coupled to the toilet bowl and the opposite end is coupled to the toilet lid. A toilet according to claim 30, wherein said gear system is disposed within said connecting member. A flush toilet according to claim 27, wherein said gear system comprises a plurality of gears and a belt disposed on a plurality of shafts.