WO1998003740A1

WO1998003740A1 - Urinating indicator

Info

Publication number: WO1998003740A1
Application number: PCT/IL1997/000247
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emanuel Mendes; Ziv Rashman
Original assignee: Advantech Technologies (1991) Ltd.
Priority date: 1996-07-21
Filing date: 1997-07-21
Publication date: 1998-01-29
Also published as: IL118901A0; AU3556197A

Abstract

An improved urinating indicator (10) of simple construction which operates efficiently and which may be constructed much more simply than the prior art. The present invention employs two electrodes (18) spaced apart, which protrude from a sealed transparent housing (12). The electrodes (18) are connected to a power source (20) and an indicator device (14), such as a light and/or buzzer. If a stream of urine is directed onto the outer surface of the housing (12) between the electrodes (18), the urine acts as an electrolyte between the electrodes (18), thereby forming a closed electrical circuit and causing the indicator device (14) to flash and/or buzz. One or both electrodes (18) are constructed of dissimilar metals, i.e., metals which have different electromotive potential and which therefore create an electromotive force therebetween. This electromotive force is strong enough to overcome any non-conductive corrosive build-up at either of the electrodes (18).

Description

I URINATING INDICATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an electrical urinating indicator which provides a visual and/or audible indication upon a stream of urine contacting said indicator, thereby encouraging young male toddlers in the process of potty training

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Electrical devices for helping young male toddlers in the process of potty training are known. For example, U S. Patent 4,162,490 to Fu describes a device that includes a nursery training chair and a non-contact electronic sensor with a sensing board mounted at the bottom of the nursery training chair to provide a support for a receptacle and to detect the presence of urine and stool in the receptacle A battery-powered toy is provided to reward toddlers and to signal the trainer when the toddler's elimination begins The battery-powered non-contact electronic sensor consists of three subsystems' pulse generator, capacitance comparator and output interface. There are two pieces of conducting material insulated from each other and arranged to provide multiple small gaps scattered over the sensing board The urine and stool in the receptacle dielectrically bridge those gaps so that the capacitance between those two pieces of conducting material increases. The capacitance comparator is used to detect the change of capacitance to bias the output transistor for energizing a battery powered toy. U.S. Patent 4,773,853 to Douglas describes a urine detector which senses a urine flow from a human and provides an electrical signal for activating a sensory stimulus device A control unit connected to the urine detector converts the electrical signal to a signal for activating the appropriate indicator A number of pressure and temperature sensors are imbedded in a plastic base which is disposed in close proximity to the urinal or toilet bowl drain. Disposed alongside each temperature and pressure sensor is an associated LED lamp or buzzer which is activated by that sensor. The device may be connected to a video screen or a speaker disposed above the urinal for providing additional audible and visual stimulation to the user. Alternatively a plastic base may be disposed entirely within the toilet bowl or urinal in close proximity to the toilet or urinal drain. A number of supports extend upward from the base and terminate in a corresponding number of rotatable members horizontally connected to the supports for rotating in response to a urine flow from a human.

German Patent Document 3640897 describes a unit that includes a sensor for producing an electrical signal upon the presence of stools or urine, and a circuit that receives the electrical signal to supply a device producing an optical, acoustic or radio signal The sensor is at the lowest point of a hollow in the base of the unit The circuitry and alarm may be immediately under the seat area or may be within a cover The sensor consists of two contact elements sensing the presence of an electrically conductive medium, and each sensor has a lens shaped head protruding slightly above the base of the unit An integrated circuit producing a set sound sequence drives a loudspeaker upon receiving the alarm signal

Dutch Patent Document 8400591 describes a double-walled potty th.ιt has a temperature sensing resistor set into the bowl The resistor and a pressure sw tch are connected to a circuit set into the back of the potty When an infant sits on the potty, the pressure switch switches on the battery-powered circuit When urine or excreta reach the bottom of the bowl, the increased temperature causes the circuit to generate a signal, such as an electronically produced melody

There is a common problem of the prior art that employs electrodes for contacting uπne Since the urine acts as an electrolyte between the electrodes, it is possible that a non-conducting film may form at one or both of the electrodes, such as due to o ιdatιon or electroplating of non-conducting materials thereupon, thereby preventing formation of the closed circuit and hampering operation of the unit

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide an improved urinating indicator of simple construction which operates efficiently and which may be constructed much more simply than the prior art The present invention employs two electrodes spaced apart, which protrude from a sealed transparent unit The electrodes are connected to a power source and an indicator, such as a light and/or buzzer If a stream of urine is directed onto the outer surface of the unit between the electrodes, the uπne acts as an electrolyte between the contacts, thereby forming a closed electrical circuit and causing the indicator to flash and/or buzz

The present invention solves the aforementioned problem of formation of a non-conducting film on the electrodes by constructing one or both electrodes of dissimilar metals, I e , metals which have different electromotive potential and which therefore create an electromotive force therebetween This electromotive force is strong enough to overcome any non-conductive corrosive build-up at either of the electrodes

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a urinating detector including a housing an indicator device sealed inside the housing, a pair of electrically conductive electrodes protruding from the housing and in electrical communication with the indicator device, at least one of the electrodes being constructed of dissimilar metals characterized by different electromotive potentials, and an electrical power source disposed inside the housing and connected to the electrodes and to the indicator device. The electrical power source is preferably sealed inside the housing.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the indicator device includes a sound generator Additionally or alternatively, the indicator device may include a light, such as a flashing light.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an attachment device is provided for attaching the urinating detector to a toilet bowl. The attachment device may include a vacuum attachment device, an adhesive base, a mechanical fastener or a hanging strap, for example

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the housing is transparent and preferably substantially waterproof In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention the housing is pivotally attached to a base and the base is fixedly attachable to a toilet bowl

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of a urinating detector constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 2 is a simplified pictorial illustration of the urinating detector of Fi 1 attached to a toilet bowl

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to Fig. 1 which illustrates a urinating detector 10 constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention

Urinating detector 10 includes a housing 12 which is preferably transparent and substantially waterproof. Housing 12 may be constructed of glass or a transparent plastic, for example An indicator device 14 is preferably sealed inside housing 12 Indicator device 14 may be audible and comprise a sound generator, such as a buzzer or voice message generator

Additionally or alternatively, indicator device 14 may comprise a light, such as an LED.

Control circuitry 16 may be in electrical communication with indicator device 14 for controlling operation of indicator device 14, such as, in the case of a light, causing the light to flash

A pair of electrically conductive electrodes 18 protrude from housing 12 and are in electrical communication with indicator device 14 In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or both electrodes 18 are constructed of dissimilar metals characterized by different electromotive potentials so that an electromotive force can be formed between electrodes 18 by a stream of urine therebetween For example, one electrode may be constructed of copper and aluminum or one electrode may constructed of copper and the other electrode of aluminum Another example of a relatively active metal with a relatively noble metal is zinc with silver It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that many other suitable combinations of dissimilar metals mav be selected

Most preferably, an electrical power source 20, such as a battery is disposed inside housing 12 and connected to electrodes 18 and to indicator device 14 However, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the metals may be selected to produce an electromotive force of sufficient magnitude to cause an electrical current to flow to and activate indicator device 14 without need for electrical power source 20 Electπca, power source 20 is preferably sealed inside housing 12

Urinating detector 10 preferably includes an attachment device 22 for attaching to a toilet bowl 24, shown in Fig 2 Attachment device 22 may include any device suitable for attaching objects to a toilet bowl For example, as seen in Fig 1 , attachment device may be a vacuum attachment device 26 Vacuum attachment device 26 is a readily available device and preferably includes a base 28 fixedly attachable to toilet bowl 24. wherein housing 12 is pivotally attached to base 28 at a pivot 30

Alternatively, as seen in Fig 2, attachment device 22 may comprise an adhesive base 32 or a mechanical fastener 34, such as a screw suitable for porcelain, or a strap 36 for hanging urinating detector 10 over an edge of toilet bowl 24

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove Rather the scope of the present invention includes both combinations and subcombinations of the features described hereinabove as well as modifications and variations thereof which would occur to a person of skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description and which are not in the prior art

Claims

C L A I M S

What is claimed is:

1 A urinating detector ( 10) comprising: a housing (12) ; an indicator device ( 14) sealed inside said housing (12); a pair of electrically conductive electrodes (18) protruding from said housing (12) and in electrical communication with said indicator device ( 14), at least one of said electrodes (18) being constructed of dissimilar metals characterized by different electromotive potentials; and an electrical power source (20) disposed inside said housing (12) and connected to said electrodes ( 18) and to said indicator device (14)

2. A urinating detector according to claim 1 wherein said electrical power source (20) is sealed inside said housing (12).

3. A urinating detector according to claim 1 and wherein said indicator device ( 14) comprises a sound generator.

4. A urinating detector according to claim 1 and wherein said indicator device (14) comprises a light

5. A urinating detector according to claim 4 and wherein said light comprises a flashing light

6. A urinating detector according to claim 1 and comprising an attachment device

(22) for attaching said urinating detector to a toilet bowl (24)

7. A urinating detector according to claim 6 and wherein said attachment device (22) comprises a vacuum attachment device (26).

8. A urinating detector according to claim 6 and wherein said attachment device (22) comprises an adhesive base (32).

9. A urinating detector according to claim 6 and wherein said attachment device

(22) comprises a strap (36) for hanging over an edge of said toilet bowl (24).

10. A urinating detector according to claim 6 and wherein said attachment device (22) comprises a mechanical fastener (34).

11. A urinating detector according to claim 1 or claim 2 and wherein said housing (12) is transparent.

12. A urinating detector according to claim 1 or claim 2 and wherein said housing

(12) is pivotally attached to a base (28) and said base (28) is fixedly attachable to a toilet bowl (24).

13. A urinating detector according to claim 1 or claim 2 and wherein said housing ( 12) is substantially waterproof.

14. A urinating detector ( 10) comprising: a housing (12) ; an indicator device (14) sealed inside said housing (12); and a pair of electrically conductive electrodes (18) protruding from said housing

(12) and in electrical communication with said indicator device ( 14), at least one of said electrodes ( 18) being constructed of dissimilar metals characterized by different electromotive potentials so that an electromotive force is formable between said electrodes (18) by a stream of urine therebetween, said electromotive force causing an electrical current to flow to and activate said indicator device (14).