US3134986A

US3134986A - Automatic toilet flusher

Info

Publication number: US3134986A
Application number: US143679A
Authority: US
Inventors: Willy O Gelhar
Original assignee: Palleon Electronics Ltd
Current assignee: Palleon Electronics Ltd
Priority date: 1961-10-09
Filing date: 1961-10-09
Publication date: 1964-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 1981-06-02

Description

June 2, 1964 w. o. GELHAR 3,134,986

AUTOMATIC TOILET FLUSHERY Filed Oct. 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1' Make contact Swit ch Switch I thermoswitch clo ;/es 0 ens 332 FIG.2.

Time Time delay Get off Step on p d pad 0 -Operation of I l N VE N T 0 R thermoswitch W l L L O. L H A R E -Operation of pad 1 ATT June 2, 1964 w. o. GELHAR AUTOMATIC TOILET FLUSHER 2 Sheet-$heet 2 Filed Oct. 9, 1961' Fuss.

FIG. 5'.

INVENTOR WIL Y O gELHAR United States Patent 3,134,986 AUTOMATIC TOILET FLUSHER Willy O. Gelhar, Dorval, Quebec, Canada, assignor to Palleon Electronics Limited, Cornwall, Ontario, Canada, a corporation of Canada Filed Oct. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 143,679

' Claims. (Cl. 4249)' This invention relates to an automatic toilet fiusher that is positively person-actuated but with a time-delay control to prevent flushing until the user has departed from the toilet.

A toilet flusher of this nature will be seen in US. patent application, Serial No. 795,176, filed February 24, 1959, matured into Patent No. 3,121,880, dated February 25, 1964, on my earlier invention that discloses an apparatus comprising a Sensing device, a Memory device and an Actuating device. In that invention the sensing device relayed the information from a pressure-operated item such as a foot pad or toilet seat engaged by the user about to use the toilet; the memory device accepted and stored the information and caused certain actions when required; and the actuating device started the flushing cycle. Thus there was provided a time-delay following the circuit closing by the pressure-operated sensing device on the users approach, a prolonged holding period by means of the memory device while the toilet was occupied, and a time-delay by the actuating device in starting the flushing after the user had departed.

The present invention appertains particularly to the socalled memory device per se, accepting information from the existing sensing device or an equivalent, storing it temporarily and subsequently causing certain actions when desired.

The principal object of my improved invention is to provide a memory unit for an automatic toilet flusher that is entirely electro-mechanical in nature in place of the electronic control in the above-mentioned pending application.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electro-mechanical memory unit that is compatible with the sensing and actuating devices of my earlier invention, or their equivalents.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic toilet flusher memory unit of simplified circuitry, requiring virtually no warm-up time, employing no tubes with the resultant elimination of heat dissipation inside the box enabling the same to be entirely enclosed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an electro-mechanical memory device for an automatic toilet fiusher of smaller more compact form, using fewer parts, capable of manufacture and installation at lower cost and that needs no subsequent control adjustment.

To the accomplishment of these and related objects as shall become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts as shall be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

The invention will be best understood and can be more clearly described when reference is had to the drawings forming a part of this disclosure wherein like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a diagrammatic view of a conventional type flush tank toilet provided with a solenoid flushing actuator floor mat and toilet seat circuit closers and a box housing the improved electro-mechanical unit that is wired in with the circuit closers and flushing actuator;

FIGURE 2 is a graph showing the delay operation of the switch controlling the flushing operation;

ice

FIGURE 3 is a diagrammatic layout of the controlling circuit for the flushing device, referred to herein as the memory device; e

' FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the modified relay employed in suchcircuit; having an adjustably weighted armature lever; and

FIGURE 5 is a diagram of a converter suitable for installation either inside or outside the memory device housing, and permitting any desired voltage range (e.g. 24 v.) for the flushing actuator.

Referring now to the drawings, there will be seen illustrated in FIGURE 1, a conventional type toilet fixture 1 having the usual tank 2 and hinged seat 3. A pressure contact circuit closer 4 is mounted on the underside of the seat 3. A floor pad or mat 5 is arranged in front of the toilet fixture 1 and it too includes a pressure sensitive circuit closer 6. These circuit closers 4 and 6 are connected in parallel to the electro-mechanical memory device housed in box 7 by the lead wires 8 and 9.

In the tank 2, a solenoid actuator 10, similar to that shown in my mentioned pending application, is employed to unseat the usual rubber ball valve, such actuator being connected to the control box 7 by lead wires 11 and 12. It will be clearly seen that the structure thus far described agrees with the so-called sensing device and actuator device portions of my earlier invention.

The electro-mechanical memory device, being the substance of this invention is shown as housed in the box 7 and serviced by the regular 110 v. line, represented by lead-in wires 14 and 15. In FIGURE 3, the simple circuitry, with no tubes, no oscillations, and no printed circuit board but utilizing standard approved parts almost entirely, is shown.

The 110 v. service line wires 14 and 15 attach to terminals 16 and 17; the lead wires 8 and 9 from the parallel circuit closers 4 and 6 attach to terminals 18 and 19 and the flushing actuator solenoid lines 11 and 12

run terminals

20 and 21. When a person about to use the toilet I operates either of the circuit closers 4 or 6 in the seat and floor pad respectively, the heater element in a thermoswitch after a controlled time-delay makes contact sending direct current (DC) through the coil of relay 26. Direct current is supplied from rectifier 27, in

, combination with resistor 28, capacitator 29 and resistor 30 as a return path. The flow of current through the coil of relay 26 causes the armature to be attracted and this condition continues as long as the floor pad or toilet seat switch (sensing device) is actuated. Here, for the time being, action is fully arrested; nothing further occurs.

When the person using the toilet departs, rising from the toilet seat or stepping ofi the pad, the following operation ensues: The circuit close-rs 4 and/ or 6 open causing voltage from the heater supply to the thermoswitch 25 to be cut off but the stored heat in the thermoswitch holds the contacts at make for a certain period of time. This delay enables the user to leave the area of the toilet without embarrassment of rushing water of the flushing operation. On completion of the time-delay, the contacts of thermoswitch 25 open, arresting flow of direct current through the coil of relay 26, de-energizing the same and releasing the armature. This momentary release of the armature and the resulting spring action influenced by the specially Weighted relay armature, to be hereinafter more fully described, causes the relay contacts 36 to make" for a brief period of time (bounce), during which period the charging capacitor 31 receives an electrical charge and immediately commences to discharge over the coil of relay 32 attracting its armature and closing contacts 33, thereby supplying controlled voltage to the solenoid actuator 10 by the lines 11 and 12 from the

terminals

20 and 21. It is to be noted that the duration of this operation of the flushing solenoid actuator may be controlled by variation of the capacitor 31. Thus the flushing solenoid 10 (actuating device) starts the flushing cycle by electro-mechanical means. A dropping resistor 34 for the pad is on the line leading in from the sensing device circuit closer terminal 18. Capacitor 35 prevents excessive arcing of the contacts of relay 26. Transformer 37 supplies the low voltage for the seat and pad circuit closers 4 and 6. Resistor 38 serves as a. suppressor for transients.

In FIGURE 4, my modified relay 26 is shown. To facilitate regulating the bounce of this relay 26, on the de-energizing of its coil 40, I employ properly adjusted, lower contact springs 41 as leaf springs for the required loading of the armature 42 While at the energized position. Break of current in the coil permits these leaf springs to relax and move the armature upwards. To carefully regulate the upward moment or bounce of this armature, to provide temporary closing of the contacts 36 feeding the charging capacitor 31, and discharging over the coil of relay 32, the plate 43 on the forward end of the armature has a threaded aperture 44 for the reception of the threaded stud 45 on a weighted head 46. As the operation of this special relay 26 controls the actuation of the flushing solenoid 10, by the variation of the capacitor 31, the importance of the weighting of the armature to regulate its bounce will be appreciated.

Should it be desired to vary the voltage range as for instance to use a .low voltage (e.g. 24 v.) for the flushing solenoid actuator 10, a voltage converter such as is shown in FIGURE may be employed. The 110 v. service line Wires 14 and 15 would connect also with

terminals

56 and 51 leading to the transformer 52. The control voltage from the memory device circuit hereinbefore described and illustrated in FIGURE 3 would run from

terminals

29, 21 and connect with terminals 53 and 54 and through a repeater relay 55 provide the output for the flushing actuator solenoid at the

terminals

56 and 57. Such a voltage converter could be installed either in or outside the control box 7 as circumstances might suggest.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be manifest that an electro mechanical unit for an automatic toilet flusher is provided that will fulfil all the necessary requirements of such a device, but as many changes could be made in the above description and many apparently widely diiferent embodiments of the invention may be constructed within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit or scope thereof, it is intended that all matters contained in the said accompanying specification and drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitative or restrictive sense.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In automatic toilet flushing apparatus, electrical circuit means for flushing a toilet including a normally open person-operated circuit closer, a time-delay thermoswitch actuated upon closing of said normally open person-operated circuit closer, a first relay energized by actuation of said time-delay thermoswitch, spaced contacts juxtaposed with respect to said first relay for mak ing and breaking thereof by said first relay, a capacitor energized upon making of said spaced contacts, and a second relay energized by said capacitor, said first relay including a weighted armature having an adjustable weighted head at the forward end thereof coacting with said spaced contacts in the making and breaking of said spaced contacts whereby to momentarily energize said second relay by the action of said weighted armature of said first relay immediately upon deenergizing of said first relay, said second relay completing the electrical circuit means for toilet flushing, said time-delay thermoswitch, first relay, spaced contacts, capacitor and second relay being assembled as a unit.

2. In automatic toilet flushing apparatus, electrical circuit means for flushing a toilet including a normally open person-operated circuit closer, a time-delay thermoswitch actuated upon closing of said normally open personoperated circuit closer, a first relay including a weighted armature having an adjustable weighted head at the forward end thereof, said weighted armature being energized by actuation of said time-delay thermoswitch, spaced contacts, said contacts being juxtaposed in operable relationship with respect to said weighted armature to coact with said weighted head of said weighted armature in momentarily making and then breaking said spaced contacts on the tie-energizing of said weighted armature, and a second relay energized momentarily by the action of said weighted armature on the de-energizing of said weighted armature and completing the electric circuit means for toilet flushing, said time-delay thermoswitch, first relay, spaced contacts and second relay being assembled as a unit.

3. In automatic toilet flushing apparatus, electrical circuit means for flushing a toilet including normally open person-operated parallel circuit closers, a time-delay thermoswitch actuated upon closing of any of said parallel circuit closers, a first relay including a weighted armature having an adjustable weighted head at the forward end thereof, said weighted armature being energiz d by actuation of said time-delay thermoswitch, spaced contacts, said spaced contacts being juxtaposed in operable relationship with respect to said weighted armature to coact with said weighted head of said weighted armature in momentarily making and then breaking said spaced contacts on the de-energizing of said weighted armature, and a second relay energized momentarily by the action of said weighted armature on the de-energizing of said weighted armature and completing the electric circuit means for toilet flushing, said time-delay thermoswitch, first relay, spaced contacts and second relay being assembled as a unit.

4. Automatic toilet flushing apparatus as specified in claim 3 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a charging capacitor energized by the making of said spaced contacts and said" charging capacitor momentarily energizes said second relay by the action of said weighted armature on the de-energizing of said weighted armature, and a capacitor juxtaposed with respect to said spaced contacts to prevent excessive arcing of said spaced contacts.

5. In automatic toilet flushing. apparatus, electrical circuit means for flushing a toilet including a normally open person-operated circuit closer; an electrically controlled fiushing device; and an electro-mechanical unit for actuation of said flushing device in response to the operation of said circuit closer, said electro-mechanical unit including a transformer actuated upon closure of said circuit closer, a time-delay thermoswitch actuated by said transformer, a first relay including a weighted armature having an adjustable Weighted head at the for- Ward end thereof, said weighted armature being operably interconnected to said time-delay thermoswitch for the energizing and holding inactive of said weighted armature upon closure of said circuit closer and. for a short time period after the opening thereof, spaced contacts, said spaced contacts being juxtaposed in operable relationship with respect to said weighted armature to coact with said weighted head of said weighted armature in momentarily making and then breaking said spaced contacts on the de-energi zing' of said Weighted armature, a capacitor energized by making of said spaced contacts, and a normally open second relay controlling actuation of said electrically controlled flushing device, said sec.- ond relay being momentarily energized by said capacitor and actuating said electrically controlled flushing device on the Clo-energizing of said armature.

6. In automatic toilet, flushing apparatus, the combination of a toilet having a flushing supply; a source of electrical energy; and electrical circuit means interconnected to said source of electrical energy in operable relationship for flushing said toilet, said electrical circuit means including a solenoid device for flushing said toilet, an electric circuit for actuating said solenoid device, a. person-operated circuit closer disposed in juxtaposition to said toilet for actuation thereof by a person using said toilet, and an electro-mechanical unit controlling completion of said electric circuit for actuating said solenoid device, said electro-mechanical unit including a transformer, rectifier, first and second capacitors, first relay, normally open spaced contacts, charging capacitor, second relay, and time-delay thermoswitch, said transformer being interconnected with said source of electrical energy and with said. circuit closer for actuation thereof upon closure of said circuit closer, said rectifier being interconnected with said source of electrical energy and said first relay for supplying direct current to said first relay, said first capacitor being in the return path thereof, said first relay including an armature, said armature being in operable relationship with respect to said spaced con tacts and including means for momentarily closing and then opening said spaced contacts on de-energizing of said arr nature, said second capacitor being juxtaposed with respect to said spaced contacts to prevent excessive arcing of said spaced contacts, said charging capacitor being interconnected to said spaced contacts for momentary energizing thereof upon closure of said spaced contacts, said second relay being momentarily energized by said charging capacitor by the coaction of said armature and said spaced contacts on the de-energizing of said armature and interconnected with said electric circuit of said solenoid device for actuation of said solenoid device on energizing of said second relay, and said time-delay thermoswitch being actuated by said transformer and interconnected with said first relay through said rectifier for delaying the energizing of said armature of said first relay on the closure of said circuit closer and the de-energizing of said armature of said first relay on the opening of said circuit closer.

7. Automatic toilet flushing apparatus as specified in claim 6 wherein a low voltage converter is interposed in said electrical circuit means between said source of electrical energy and said electric circuit for actuating said solenoid device and between said source of electrical energy and said electro-mechanical unit, said low voltage converter being directly connected to said source of electrical energy with electrical energy to said solenoid device and said electro-mechanical unit being supplied through said low voltage converter.

8. In automatic toilet flushing apparatus, the combination of a flush toilet, an electric circuit, a solenoid device ship for flushing said toilet, person operated circuit closer means interposed in said electric circuit, and an electromechanical unit interposed in said electric circuit between said circuit closer and said solenoid device, said electro mechanical unit including a switch actuated upon closure of said normally open circuit closer, a first relay includ* ing an armature energized by actuation of said switch, spaced contacts juxtaposed with respect to said armature for actuation thereof by said armature, said armature having resilient means associated therewith in juxtaposition for loading said armature and maintaining said spaced contacts open when said armature is energized and relaxing of said resilient means for momentary closing of said spaced contacts when said armature is de-energized, and a second relay momentarily actuated by closure of said spaced contacts, said second relay momentarily completing the electric circuit leading to said solenoid device When said armature is de-energized.

9. Automatic toilet flushing apparatus as specified in claim 8 wherein said switch includes a time-delay heating element for delaying energization of said armature upon closing of said circuit closer and subsequently delays breaking the circuit to said armature for a short time period after said circuit closer has opened, and said armature includes a plate on the forward end thereof provided with a threaded aperture which receives a threaded stud attached to a weighted head.

10. In automatic toilet flushing apparatus, electrical circuit means for flushing a toilet including a normally open person-operated circuit closer, a time-delay thermoswitch actuated upon closing of said circuit closer, a first relay energized by actuation of said time-delay thermoswitch, said first relay including an armature having spring plates and an adjustable weighted head, a pair of spaced contacts juxtaposed with respect to said armature for actuation thereof by said armature, a capacitor energized upon making of said pair of spaced contacts, and a second relay energized by said capacitor, said armature coacting with said pair of spaced contacts and said capacitor whereby to momentarily energize said second relay on de-energizing of said first relay, said second relay completing the electrical circuit means for toilet flushing, and said time-delay thermoswitch, first relay, spaced contacts, capacitor and second relay being assembled as a unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

Claims

1. IN AUTOMATIC TOILET FLUSHING APPARATUS, ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS FOR FLUSHING A TOILET INCLUDING A NORMALLY OPEN PERSON-OPERATED CIRCUIT CLOSER, A TIME-DELAY THERMOSWITCH ACTUATED UPON CLOSING OF SAID NORMALLY OPEN PERSON-OPERATED CIRCUIT CLOSER, A FIRST RELAY ENERGIZED BY ACTUATION OF SAID TIME-DELAY THERMOSWITCH, SPACED CONTACTS JUXTAPOSED WITH RESPECT TO SAID FIRST RELAY FOR MAKING AND BREAKING THEREOF BY SAID FIRST RELAY, A CAPACITOR ENERGIZED UPON MAKING OF SAID SPACED CONTACTS, AND A SECOND RELAY ENERGIZED BY SAID CAPACITOR, SAID FIRST RELAY INCLUDING A WEIGHTED ARMATURE HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE