WO2013095020A1

WO2013095020A1 - Automatic toilet flushing device

Info

Publication number: WO2013095020A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/011209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sung-Chun Choi; Joong-Keun AN
Original assignee: Coway Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-12-21
Filing date: 2012-12-20
Publication date: 2013-06-27

Abstract

There is provided an automatic toilet flushing device. The automatic toilet flushing device includes an operating unit opening a flushing water outlet of a water tank to flush a toilet, a driving unit providing driving force to operate the operating unit, a power transmission unit connected to the driving unit and the operating unit to transmit power from the driving unit to the operating unit, and a clutch unit including a clutch gear, a position of which being movable, to be engaged with a plurality of gears of the power transmission unit or disengaged therefrom and a buoyancy member ascending and descending by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank to move the clutch gear, wherein the buoyancy member is provided such that a height thereof is varied when the buoyancy member descends, to thereby regulate a quantity of discharged flushing water in flushing the toilet.

Description

AUTOMATIC TOILET FLUSHING DEVICE

The present invention relates to an automatic toilet flushing device and, more particularly, to an automatic toilet flushing device which is automatically restored in the occurrence of a power failure, regulates a quantity of flushing water according to urine and excrement, and controls a flushing operation in the occurrence of a malfunction to effectively save water.

In general, when a user uses a toilet, the user may press a manual lever to flush the toilet. Then, a siphon cover is rotated upwardly from a lower end portion of an overflow pipe to open flushing water outlet, and flushing water (or washing water) stored in a water tank is drained to the bowl of the toilet through the opened flushing water outlet to flush away excrement or urine deposited within the bowl of the toilet.

Recently, however, in order to make up for the weakness of manual flushing devices, an automatic flushing device and a manual flushing device are separately provided in a toilet, in particular, a toilet having a bidet, so that when the automatic flushing device malfunctions, the extra manual flushing device may be connected to be driven so as to be used instead.

However, in case of the related art automatic flushing device, if a malfunction or power failure occurs during flushing, the cover cannot close the flushing water outlet of the water tank and water from the water tank is continuously drained, resulting in water being wasted. Namely, if the automatic flushing device malfunctions or power failure occurs while the automatic flushing device is in operation, the already operated automatic flushing device is not returned to its original state, failing to block leakage of supplied flushing water, and thus, water leakage continues.

In addition, the related art automatic flushing device drained the entirety of flushing water stored in the water tank to wash the bowl of the toilet regardless of whether excrement or urine has been deposited therein. Thus, since the same quantity of flushing water as that for excrement is drained in case of flushing urine, it is not effective.

In addition, in the related art automatic flushing device, when the user continuously manipulates a flush button within a certain period of time, a flushing operation is continuously performed. Namely, if the flush button is continuously operated due to child’s play (as a prank) or a user’s erroneous operation, the flushing water is drained in a greater amount than is necessary.

An aspect of the present invention provides an automatic toilet flushing device capable of preventing leakage of flushing water discharged to a toilet by restoring a position of an operation bar in the occurrence of malfunction or a power failure during an automatic flushing operation.

An aspect of the present invention also provides an automatic toilet flushing device capable of regulating a quantity of water discharged to flush a toilet according to whether excrement or urine is present.

An aspect of the present invention also provides an automatic toilet flushing device capable of regulating a quantity of discharged flushing water for flushing a toilet and particularly regulating a water level of a residual quantity of flushing water within a water tank after a user urinates, thus maximizing a water saving effect.

An aspect of the present invention also provides an automatic toilet flushing device capable of maximizing a water saving effect by limiting an operation of an operating unit when a flush button is continuously manipulated within a certain period of time.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic toilet flushing device, including: an operating unit opening a flushing water outlet of a water tank to flush a toilet; a driving unit providing driving force to operate the operating unit; a power transmission unit connected to the driving unit and the operating unit to transmit power from the driving unit to the operating unit; and a clutch unit including a clutch gear, a position of which being movable, to be engaged with a plurality of gears of the power transmission unit or disengaged therefrom and a buoyancy member ascending and descending by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank to move the clutch gear, wherein the buoyancy member is provided such that a height thereof is varied when the buoyancy member descends, to thereby regulate a quantity of discharged flushing water in flushing the toilet.

Preferably, the buoyancy member may include: a float-installed bracket; a float installed on one surface of the float-installed bracket such that a height thereof is regulated, and ascending and descending by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank; and a link unit connected to the other surface of the float-installed bracket and interworking therewith, according to ascending and descending of the float.

Preferably, the power transmission unit may include: a housing in which the plurality of gears are installed, and the float-installed bracket may be slidably installed in the housing.

Preferably, the link unit may include: a connection link hinge-connected to the float-installed bracket; and a pressurizing link hinge-connected to the connection link and moved according to ascending and descending of the float to pressurize the clutch gear to move the clutch gear in position.

Preferably, the float-installed bracket may include a plurality of fixing recess portions formed in a vertical direction, and the float may include fixed protrusions inserted into some of the plurality of fixing recess portions.

Meanwhile, preferably, the driving unit may be provided as a DC motor, and a quantity of water discharged to flush the toilet may be regulated according to whether excrement or urine is present by regulating a rotation duration of the DC motor.

Preferably, the power transmission unit may include: a housing: a rotary gear provided within the housing and engaged with a driving shaft gear provided in the driving unit so as to be rotated in line with rotation of the driving shaft; a deceleration gear engaged with the rotary gear so as to be rotated and connected to or separated from the clutch gear; and an inner gear connected to the clutch gear and transmitting rotatory power to the operating unit.

Preferably, the operating unit may include a wheel gear enmeshed with the inner gear so as to be rotated, and having a pull strap connected to a cover for opening and closing the flush wash discharge opening, wherein the cover may be opened and closed according to rotation of the wheel gear.

Preferably, the wheel gear may have a discontinuous portion without gear teeth in one surface thereof in contact with the inner gear in order to prevent continuous rotation of the wheel gear.

Preferably, the operating unit may include a restoring member rotating the wheel gear to restore the wheel gear to an initial state.

Preferably, the restoring member may be a torsion spring installed on one surface of the wheel gear and applying elastic restoring force to the wheel gear.

Preferably, the power transmission unit may include a housing having a plurality of gears installed therein, and may further include an installation member for installing the housing within the water tank.

Preferably, the installation member may be coupled to the housing such that a position of the installation member is varied vertically through a height regulating unit disposed in the housing, whereby a height of the housing may be regulated within the tank.

Preferably, the automatic toilet flushing device may further include: a controller controlling driving of the driving unit, wherein the controller may set a delay time such that the driving unit is driven after the lapse of a pre-set period of time when an electrical signal is applied thereto, to thus prevent malfunction of the operating unit.

Preferably, the automatic toilet flushing device may further include: a controller controlling driving of the driving unit, wherein when a flushing operation is completed, the controller may apply an electrical signal for operating the driving unit for a certain period of time to disengage the plurality of gears of the power transmission unit and the clutch gear of the clutch unit.

In the case of the automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the automatic toilet flushing device malfunctions or a power failure occurs during an automatic flushing operation, a leakage of flushing water discharged to the toilet can be prevented by the buoyancy member as a control unit for cutting off power transmission from the driving unit.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a quantity of water discharged to flush the toilet may be regulated according to whether excrement or urine is present by controlling a rotation duration of the DC motor, saving water.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a quantity of discharged flushing water for flushing the toilet can be regulated by adjusting an installation position of the float with respect to the float-installed bracket, and in particular, since a water level of a residual quantity of flushing water within the water tank can be regulated after a user urinates, maximizing a water saving effect.

Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the wheel gear has the gear teeth discontinuous portion and the controller sets a delay time, even if the flush button is continuously manipulated within a certain period of time, an operation of the operating unit may be limited, maximizing the water saving effect.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the automatic toilet flushing device disclosed in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the automatic toilet flushing device disclosed in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are side views illustrating an operation of the automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a buoyancy member used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views illustrating regulating of a height of a lower surface of the buoyancy used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a rear view of a wheel gear illustrated in FIG. 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, embodiments described hereinafter are embodiments appropriate for understanding technical features of an automatic toilet flushing device of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinafter or technical features of the present invention are not limited by the embodiments described hereinafter and may be variously modified within the scope of the present invention.

An automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device for automatically flushing excrement determined based on a detection time, or the like, or a user of a toilet or a bidet, which is configured to automatically rotating or upwardly moving a cover by a rotation of a motor disposed in a driving unit to open a flushing water outlet of a water tank. Here, flushing water discharged through the flushing water outlet may flush the interior of the toilet.

Also, a toilet or a bidet to which the present invention is applied may include a manual flushing device that may be used when the automatic flushing device malfunctions or a power failure occurs, as well as the automatic toilet device.

Preferably, the automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is positioned on a rear surface of the toilet and installed in a water tank storing flushing water. However, an installation position of the automatic toilet flushing device is not limited thereto.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the automatic flushing device 100 of a toilet (or the automatic toilet flushing device 100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include an operating unit 200, a driving unit 300, a power transmission unit 400, and a clutch unit 500.

The operating unit 200 may open a flushing water outlet (not shown) of a water tank to flush the toilet.

Namely, the operating unit 200 may be connected to a cover (not shown) disposed on a lower surface of the water tank positioned on a rear surface of the toilet. The cover may be configured to cover the flushing water outlet communicating with the interior of the toilet. Accordingly, the cover may be rotated or upwardly moved by the operating unit 200 to open the flushing water outlet. Conversely, when the operation of the operating unit 200 is stopped, the cover is returned to its original position to close the flushing water outlet.

Meanwhile, the driving unit 300 may provide driving force for operating the operating unit 200. The driving unit 300 may be provided, for example, as a driving motor and may provide driving force to the operating unit 200 by the medium of the power transmission unit 400. Also, a driving shaft gear 311 may be provided in a driving shaft of the driving motor 310. The driving motor 310 may be disposed in a motor housing 320 having a motor cap 321.

The power transmission unit 400 may be connected to the driving unit 300 and the operating unit 200 to transmit power from the driving unit 300 to the operating unit 200. The power transmission unit 400 may include a plurality of gears.

Namely, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6, the plurality of gears enmeshed may be rotated to transmit rotatory power from the driving unit 300 to the operating unit 200. Since the plurality of gears are connected to the driving motor 310 of the driving unit 300, a speed of the motor can be reduced, and thus, a size of the driving unit 300 may be reduced to minimize the device.

Meanwhile, the clutch unit 500 may include a clutch gear 530, a position of which being movable, so as to be engaged with the plurality of gears of the power transmission unit 400 or separated therefrom and a buoyancy member 510 ascending and descending by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank to move the clutch gear 530.

Namely, the clutch gear 530 may be movably installed. Here, the clutch gear 530 enmeshed with the plurality of gears may transmit power from the driving unit 300 to the operating unit 200, and when the clutch gear 530 is moved to be separated from the plurality of gears, transmission of power from the driving unit 300 to the operating unit 200 may be interrupted.

In this manner, the operating unit 200 may be operated or may be stopped from operation by the clutch unit 500 having the clutch gear 530. Thus, in particular, after the automatic flushing device 100 performs a flushing operation, when a power failure occurs in a state in which the operating unit 200 is operated or when the operation of the driving unit 300 is stopped due to a breakdown of the automatic flushing device 100, the clutch unit 500 may interrupt a power transmission of the power transmission unit 400 to stop the operation of the operating unit 200.

Here, as described hereinafter, the operating unit 200 may be restored by gravity of the cover connected to the operating unit 200 so as to be reset. Also, as described hereinafter, the operating unit may be rotated by a restoring member, e.g., a torsion spring, or the like, so as to be restored to its original state.

Meanwhile, the buoyancy member 510 may ascend and descend by buoyancy, according to a water level within the water tank, to move the clutch gear 530.

Here, the clutch gear 530 may be connected to the buoyancy member 510 by a link unit 515 as described hereinafter, and thus, as the buoyancy member 510 ascends and descends, the clutch gear 530 may be moved forwards or backwards so as to be connected to the plurality of gears of the power transmission unit 400 or separated therefrom. However, a movement direction of the clutch gear 530 is not limited to the forward/backward movement and various operation methods may be applied to the clutch gear 530 as long as the clutch gear 530 is moved to be separated from the gears of the power transmission unit or connected thereto.

Namely, the buoyancy member 510 is connected to the clutch gear 530, and when a water level of the water tank is lifted, the buoyancy member 510 ascends by buoyancy to move the clutch gear 530 to allow the clutch gear 530 to be engaged with the plurality of gears. Meanwhile, when the water level of the water tank is lowered, the buoyancy member 510 descends to move the clutch gear 530 downwardly so as to be separated from the plurality of gears. Accordingly, the operating unit 200 may be operated or an operation thereof may be stopped.

Meanwhile, the buoyancy member 510 may be provided such that a height thereof is varied when it descends in order to regulate a quantity of discharged flushing water in flushing the toilet.

Namely, the buoyancy member 510 descends when the water level of the water tank is lowered, and in this case, in an embodiment of the present invention, a height of a lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 when it descends may be varied. Here, a residual quantity after flushing water is discharged to flush the toilet may be determined according to the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 which descends.

Thus, when the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 is varied, the height of the residual quantity after the toilet is flushed is regulated. The regulating of the quantity of discharged flushing water according to the height of the buoyancy member 510 when descends is, in particular, useful in flushing the toilet after the user urinates. Details thereof will be described in detail hereinafter.

Meanwhile, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 6, the power transmission unit 400 may include a housing 410, a rotary gear 420 provided within the housing 410 and engaged with the driving shaft gear 311 provided in the driving unit 300 so as to be rotated according to rotation of the driving shaft, a deceleration gear 430 engaged with the rotary gear 420 so as to be rotated and connected to or separated from the clutch gear 530, and an inner gear 440 connected to the clutch gear 530 and transmitting rotatory power to the operating unit 200.

Thus, when the buoyancy member 510 ascends and the clutch gear 530 is connected to the power transmission unit 400, the rotary gear 420 is rotated according to rotation of the driving shaft, the deceleration gear 430 engaged with the rotary gear 420 is rotated, and the clutch gear 530 enmeshed with the deceleration gear 430 is rotated.

Thereafter, the clutch gear 530 rotates the inner gear 440 enmeshed therewith, and the operating unit 200 including a wheel gear 210 engaged with the inner gear 440 is rotated according to the rotation of the inner gear 400, to open the cover.

Meanwhile, the operating unit 200 includes the wheel gear 210 being enmeshed with the inner gear 440 so as to be rotated and having a pull strap to which the cover for opening and closing the flushing water outlet is connected. The cover may be opened and closed according to rotation of the wheel gear 210.

Namely, the wheel gear 210 includes a gear teeth formed on one surface thereof and being enmeshed with the inner gear, and a pull strap mounting portion 211 on which a pull strap connected to the cover is mounted and a pull strap rotation guide recess 213 formed on the other surface of the wheel gear 210.

Accordingly, when the wheel gear 210 is rotated according to rotation of the inner gear 440, the pull strap is wound in the pull strap rotation guide recess 213 and the cover is rotated or moved upwardly to open the flushing water outlet. Meanwhile, when the clutch gear 530 is separated from the inner gear 440, the wheel gear 210 may be rotated to be restored by gravity of the cover to close the flushing water outlet.

However, the restoring of the wheel gear 210 to its original state is not limited to the case of gravity moving the cover and various methods may be used as long as they easily restore the wheel gear 210 to its original state.

For example, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the operating unit 200 may further include a restoring member 230 rotating the wheel gear 210 to restore it into an initial state.

In detail, the restoring member 230 may be provided as a torsion spring installed on one surface of the wheel gear 210 and applying elastic restoring force to the wheel gear 210.

Namely, the torsion spring, having one end insertedly fixed to an installation recess 231 formed on one surface of the wheel gear 210 and the other end installed in a recess (not shown) formed on a wheel gear installation plate 220 (Please see FIG. 3), may receive power from the driving unit 300 to be compressed when the wheel gear 210 is rotated, and thereafter, when power transmission from the driving unit 300 is stopped, the torsion spring rotates the wheel gear 210 in the opposite direction by elastic restoring force thereof to restore the wheel gear 210 to its original state.

Thus, the restoring member 230 provides an effect of restoring the operating unit 200 to its original state more easily and quickly in comparison to the case in which the wheel gear 210 is restored to its original state by gravity of the cover.

However, the restoring member 230 is not limited to the torsion spring installed on the rear surface of the wheel gear 210 and may be variously modified as long as it can restore easily the wheel gear 210.

Meanwhile, the driving unit 300 may be provided as a DC motor, and a quantity of water discharged to flush the toilet may be regulated according to whether excrement or urine is present by regulating a rotation time of the DC motor.

Namely, when a use of the toilet by the user is sensed by a human body sensor, or the like, provided in a seat of the toilet, the driving unit 300 may be operated for a predetermined period of time under the control of the human body sensor, or the like. Here, the driving unit 300 may be provided as a DC motor to determine whether excrement or urine has been deposited, according to a toilet usage time (or a period of time during which the user is seated on a toilet bowl) sensed by the human body sensor, or the like, and regulate an operation time of the DC motor to regulate a quantity of water according to whether excrement or urine is present. Thus, excessive leakage of flushing water due to malfunction of the DC motor or in the case of urine may be prevented.

Meanwhile, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, the buoyancy member 510 may include a float-installed bracket 511, a float 513 installed on one surface of the float-installed bracket 511 such that a height thereof is regulated, and ascending and descending by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank, and a link unit 515 connected to the other surface of the float-installed bracket 511 and interworking therewith, according to ascending and descending of the float 513.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 5, and 6, the float-installed bracket 511 may be installed in the housing 410 of the power transmission unit 400 such that it is slidably moved.

Namely, referring to FIG. 3, a sliding projection (not shown) may be formed on one surface of the float-installed bracket 511, and a sliding recess 413 may be formed on the housing 410. Thus, the sliding projection may be inserted into the sliding recess and moved up and down, whereby the float-installed bracket 511 may be provided in the housing 410 such that it is slidably moved.

Thus, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the buoyancy member 510 including the float-installed bracket 511 may be moved vertically according to a water level within the water tank. Here, although not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the housing 410 may include a plurality of gears of the power transmission unit 400.

Meanwhile, the float 513 may be installed on one surface of the float-installed bracket 511 such that a height thereof is regulated, and may ascend and descend by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank.

Here, the float 513 may have a buoyancy generation space 513a as a hollow portion formed to be open downwardly so as to easily generate buoyancy. Thus, the float 513 may ascend as buoyancy is generated by air present in the buoyancy generation space 513a according to a water level of flushing water supplied to the interior of the water tank and stored therein. As the float 513 moves up and down, the float-installed bracket 511 fixedly coupled to the float 513 may slide up and down and the link unit 515 may operate accordingly.

Meanwhile, as mentioned above, the link unit 515 may be connected to the other surface of the float-installed bracket 511, and may operate cooperatively according to ascending and descending of the float 513.

In detail, referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the link unit 515 may include a connection link 516 hinge-connected to the float-installed bracket 511 and a pressurization link 517 hinge-connected to the connection link 516 and pressurizing the clutch gear 530, while moving according to ascending and descending of the float 513, to move the clutch gear 530 in position.

Namely, one side of the connection link 516 is hinge-connected to the float-installed bracket 511, and the other side of the connection link 516 is hinge-connected to the pressurization member, and when the buoyancy member 510 is moved up and down, the connection link 516 may interwork accordingly to move the pressurization member in forwards and backwards directions. Also, the pressurization member may be configured to be coupled to the clutch gear 530 to pressurize the clutch gear 530 according to a movement in the forward/backward direction.

Thus, moved in forwards and backwards directions according to a vertical movement of the buoyancy member 510, the pressurization member may connect the clutch gear 530 to the deceleration gear 430 or the inner gear 440 or separate the clutch gear 530 therefrom.

Hereinafter, regulating of a height of a lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 and regulating of a quantity of discharged flushing water according to the regulating of the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9.

Here, regulating of a quantity of discharged flushing water according to a height of a lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 may be meaningful in case of flushing after urine (or after the user urinates). This is because, in an embodiment of the present invention, after excrement is deposited, the cover is closed as water from the water tank is mostly released by the cover opened for an operation time (e.g., two seconds) of the motor 310, but for an operation time (e.g., one second) of the motor 310 after urine is deposited, the cover is opened at a predetermined angle, and when operation of the motor 310 is stopped, water is released, the buoyancy member 410 descends, and the cover is closed by the clutch unit 500.

As mentioned above, the float 513 may be installed on one surface of the float-installed bracket 511 such that a height thereof is regulated.

In detail, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the float-installed bracket 511 may include a plurality of fixing recess portions 512 formed in a vertical direction, and the float 513 may include fixing projections 514 inserted into some of the plurality of fixing recess portions 512.

Thus, an installation position of the float 513 with respect to the float-installed bracket 511 may be changed up and down. Thus, a height of a lower surface of the float 513 is varied when the float 513 descends, and accordingly, a height of the buoyancy member 510 may be varied when the buoyancy member 510 descends.

Namely, when the fixing protrusions 514 are inserted into some upper fixing recess portions 512 among the plurality of fixing recess portions 512, a height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 may be adjusted upwardly when the buoyancy member 510 descends as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 (Please see position ‘A’) and 8. Here, position ‘A’ in FIG. 6 indicates a water level of the residual quantity of water within the water tank after urine.

Accordingly, when the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 reaches position ‘A’ as water in the water tank is released out, the clutch gear 530 is separated from the gear of the power transmission unit 400, and thus, the wheel gear 210 of the operating unit 200 is rotated and the cover may close the flushing water outlet. Thus, position ‘A’ in FIG. 6 may be a water level of residual quantity of water within the water tank after urine in case that the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 410 is adjusted upwardly.

Meanwhile, when the fixing projections 514 are inserted into some lower fixing recess portions 512 among the plurality of fixing recess portions 512, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 6 (please see position ‘B’) and 9, the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 may be adjusted downwardly. Here, position ‘B’ in FIG. 6 indicates a water level of the residual quantity of water within the water tank after urine.

Thus, when the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 reaches position ‘B’, the cover may close the flushing water outlet. Thus, position ‘B’ in FIG. 6 may be a water level of residual quantity of water within the water tank after urine when the height of the lower surface of the buoyancy member 510 is adjusted downwardly.

In this manner, by adjusting the installation position of the float 513 with respect to the float-installed bracket 511, the discharge amount of flushing water for flushing the toilet may be adjusted in case of urine.

In this case, in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, the positions of the lower surface of the float 513 are illustrated as ‘A’ and ‘B’, but the height of the lower surface of the float 513 is not limited thereto and may be regulated to be varied, according to a usage environment of the toilet and a shape of the water tank.

Hereinafter, a malfunction preventing function of the automatic flushing device 100 of a toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.10. FIG. 10 is a rear view of the wheel gear 210 illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6.

As shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the wheel gear 210 may have a discontinuous portion 223 without gear teeth 221 formed in one surface thereof in contact with the inner gear 440 in order to prevent a continuous rotation of the wheel gear 210.

In detail, the wheel gear 210 has gear teeth 221 enmeshed with gear teeth of the inner gear 440, formed on a surface thereof in contact with the inner gear 440 and, in this case, the gear teeth 221 of the wheel gear 210 are discontinuously formed, rather than being continuously formed in a circumferential direction, such that they are not formed in a portion of the wheel gear 210 as illustrated.

Namely, the inner gear 440 is placed in position ‘C’ of the wheel gear 210 at an initial stage of a flushing operation, and when the wheel gear 210 is rotated upon receiving power from the driving unit 300, the inner gear 440 is placed in position ‘D’ at a final stage of the flushing operation. When power transmission from the driving unit 300 is completed, the inner gear 440 is restored to position ‘C’ by gravity of the cover or the restoring member 230, completing a single flushing operation.

In this respect, in case that the gear teeth 221 of the wheel gear 210 are continuously formed in the circumferential direction, if the user manipulates the flush button or the lever before the single flushing operation is completed, the driving unit 300 is driven for a pre-set period of time and the wheel gear 210 is continuously engaged with the inner gear 440 so as to be rotated, and thus, the inner gear 440 passes position ‘D’ as a single flushing operation section. Then, the cover opens the flushing water outlet for more than a necessary period of time, wasting flushing water.

Thus, in an embodiment of the present invention, the discontinuous portion 223 without the gear teeth 221 is formed in a partial section (d) of the wheel gear 210 to prevent the wheel gear 210 from being continuously rotated to a range outside the single operation section.

Namely, although the user manipulates the flush button again before the single flushing operation of the operating unit 200 is completed so the inner gear 440 passes position ‘D’ in FIG. 10, since the inner gear 440 comes into contact with the discontinuous portion 223, the wheel gear 210 is prevented from being continuously rotated further.

Thus, even when the flush button is continuously manipulated within a certain period of time by a child through an erroneously operation, the wheel gear 210 can be prevented from being continuously rotated, and thus, a degree of opening of the cover connected to the operating unit 200 can be limited.

Meanwhile, the automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a controller. In order to prevent malfunction of the operating unit 200, the controller may set a delay time to allow the driving unit 300 to be driven after the lapse of a pre-set time, when an electrical signal is applied to the driving unit 300.

Namely, when a flushing operation signal is input according to a user manipulation, the controller may rotate the driving motor of the driving unit 300 after a pre-set time (e.g., about 8 seconds). Thus, when the user manipulates the flush button, the flushing operation starts as the operating unit 200 is operated after the lapse of the delay time.

Thus, even when the user manipulates the flush button continuously within the delay time, a single flushing operation may be performed after the delay time has lapsed. Thus, even if the flush button is continuously manipulated within a certain period of time by a child due to an erroneous operation, a continuous operation of the operating unit 200 may be limited to prevent a waste of water.

Meanwhile, when the flushing operation is completed, the controller may apply an electrical signal to the driving unit 300 to enable the driving unit 300 to be operated to disengage the clutch gear 530 of the clutch unit 500 from the plurality of gears of the power transmission unit 400.

Accordingly, even after the flushing operation is completed and the buoyancy member 510 descends, although the deceleration gear 430 and the inner gear 440 of the power transmission unit 440 are enmeshed with the clutch gear 530 according to the internal environment, the driving unit 300 may be temporarily operated for a predetermined period of time (e.g., about 0.2 seconds) to separate the gears and the clutch gear 530.

Thus, the clutch gear 530 may be smoothly moved and the buoyancy member 510 may smoothly ascend and descend.

Meanwhile, as shown in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the automatic flushing device 100 of a toilet according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an installation member 600 for installing the housing 410 of the power transmission unit 400 within the water tank.

Namely, the housing 410 may be coupled to the installation member 600, and the installation member 600 may be fixedly installed on an inner surface or an overflow pipe of the water tank of the toilet to allow the housing 410 to be installed within the water tank of the toilet. However, an installation position of the installation member 600 is not limited thereto and the installation member 600 may be variously modified as long as it can fixedly install the housing 410 within the water tank.

Here, the installation member 600 may be coupled to the housing 410 through a height regulating unit 411 formed on the housing 410 such that a position thereof varies vertically, whereby a height of the housing 410 can be regulated within the water tank.

Namely, the height regulating unit 411 provided in the float-installed bracket 411 may include a plurality of recesses formed in a vertical direction, and a projection 610 may be formed on the installation member 600, so the projection 610 may be coupled to any one of the plurality of recesses. Thus, an installation height of the housing 410 may be regulated.

Thus, in particular, an installation position of the buoyancy 510, i.e., a position of a lower surface of the float 513, is regulated when the float 513 descends, whereby a quantity of discharged flushing water for flushing the toilet can be regulated after urine.

In this manner, when the automatic toilet flushing device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used, even if the automatic flushing device malfunctions or a power failure occurs during the automatic flushing operation, leakage of flushing water discharged to the toilet by the buoyancy member as a controller for interrupting power transmission from the driving unit can be prevented. Also, a quantity of water discharged for flushing the toilet may be regulated according to whether excrement or urine is present by regulating a rotation time of the DC motor, obtaining a water saving effect.

Also, a quantity of discharged flushing water for flushing the toilet can be regulated by adjusting an installation position of the float with respect to the float-installed bracket, and in particular, a water level of residual quantity of flushing water within the water tank after urine can be adjusted to maximize a water saving effect.

In addition, by forming the gear teeth discontinuous portion in the wheel gear and setting the delay time of the controller, even when the flush button is continuously manipulated within a certain period of time, an operation of the operating unit can be limited, maximizing the water saving effect.

Claims

An automatic toilet flushing device, the device comprising:

an operating unit opening a flushing water outlet of a water tank to flush a toilet;

a driving unit providing driving force to operate the operating unit;

a power transmission unit connected to the driving unit and the operating unit to transmit power from the driving unit to the operating unit; and

a clutch unit including a clutch gear, a position of which being movable, to be engaged with a plurality of gears of the power transmission unit or disengaged therefrom and a buoyancy member ascending and descending by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank to move the clutch gear,

wherein the buoyancy member is provided such that a height thereof is varied when the buoyancy member descends, to thereby regulate a quantity of discharged flushing water in flushing the toilet.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 1, wherein the buoyancy member comprises:

a float-installed bracket;

a float installed on one surface of the float-installed bracket such that a height thereof is regulated, and ascending and descending by buoyancy according to a water level within the water tank; and

a link unit connected to the other surface of the float-installed bracket and interworking therewith, according to ascending and descending of the float.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein the power transmission unit comprises a housing in which the plurality of gears is installed, and the float-installed bracket is slidably installed in the housing.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein the link unit comprises:

a connection link hinge-connected to the float-installed bracket; and

a pressurizing link hinge-connected to the connection link and moved according to ascending and descending of the float to pressurize the clutch gear to move the clutch gear in position.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 2, wherein the float-installed bracket includes a plurality of fixing recess portions formed in a vertical direction, and

the float includes fixed protrusions inserted into some of the plurality of fixing recess portions.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 1, wherein the driving unit is provided as a DC motor, and

a quantity of water discharged to flush the toilet is regulated according to whether excrement or urine is present by regulating a rotation duration of the DC motor.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 1, wherein the power transmission unit comprises:

a housing:

a rotary gear provided within the housing and engaged with a driving shaft gear provided in the driving unit so as to be rotated in line with rotation of the driving shaft;

a deceleration gear engaged with the rotary gear so as to be rotated and connected to or separated from the clutch gear; and

an inner gear connected to the clutch gear and transmitting rotatory power to the operating unit.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 7, wherein the operating unit includes a wheel gear enmeshed with the inner gear so as to be rotated, and having a pull strap connected to a cover for opening and closing the flush wash discharge opening,

wherein the cover is opened and closed according to rotation of the wheel gear.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 8, wherein the wheel gear has a discontinuous portion without gear teeth in one surface thereof in contact with the inner gear in order to prevent continuous rotation of the wheel gear.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 8, wherein the operating unit includes a restoring member rotating the wheel gear to restore the wheel gear to an initial state.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 10, wherein the restoring member is a torsion spring installed on one surface of the wheel gear and applying elastic restoring force to the wheel gear.
The automatic toilet flushing device of any one of claim 1 to 11, wherein the power transmission unit comprises a housing having a plurality of gears installed therein, and further comprises an installation member for installing the housing within the water tank.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 12, wherein the installation member is coupled to the housing such that a position of the installation member is varied vertically through a height regulating unit disposed in the housing, whereby a height of the housing is regulated within the tank.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller controlling driving of the driving unit,

wherein the controller sets a delay time such that the driving unit is driven after the lapse of a pre-set period of time when an electrical signal is applied thereto, to thus prevent malfunction of the operating unit.
The automatic toilet flushing device of claim 1, further comprising:

a controller controlling driving of the driving unit,

wherein when a flushing operation is completed, the controller applies an electrical signal for operating the driving unit for a certain period of time to disengage the plurality of gears of the power transmission unit and the clutch gear of the clutch unit.