WO2022031249A1

WO2022031249A1 - A system controlled in a non-contact manner and also enabling to inform the user and a method of mounting for said system

Info

Publication number: WO2022031249A1
Application number: PCT/TR2021/050582
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bogac Simsir; Fatih Gerenli; Halil Ibrahim KEMANECI; Seyhan Cicek; Emre Ibrahim TALSIK
Original assignee: Eczacibasi Yapi Gerecleri Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2020-08-05
Filing date: 2021-06-14
Publication date: 2022-02-10
Also published as: TR202012262A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a system, which enables a user to control a bidet system in a non-contact manner, informs the user via visual warning mechanisms, and to a method of mounting for said system. The system developed within the scope of the invention comprises at least one body (6), at least one electronic component (7) positioned inside the body (6) and including at least one sensor (A1) and/or at least one illumination member (A2), at least one light carrier (4) enabling the light sent from the electronic component (7) to reach the user, and at least one light transmitter (2) enabling the lights reaching at least one receiver or at least one transceiver or transmitted by at least one transmitter or at least one transceiver to exit the system or enter the system.

Description

A SYSTEM CONTROLLED IN A NON-CONTACT MANNER AND ALSO ENABLING TO INFORM THE USER AND A METHOD OF MOUNTING FOR SAID SYSTEM

Subject of the Invention

The invention relates to a system, which enables a user to control a bidet system in a noncontact manner, informs the user via visual warning mechanisms, and is positioned on a toilet surface, and to a method of mounting for said system.

State of the Art

Restoring the personal hygiene after the use of a toilet is of great importance from the perspective of health. While it is possible to provide the hygiene by means of the cleansing papers, the use of water is also an option preferred by a great number of users. For cleansing with water, a bidet tap located on the surface where the ceramic sanitary ware are generally mounted is used. When the tap is turned on, the water flows via the bidet system hose to the water outlet located in the bowl of the ceramic sanitary ware.

According to the state of the art, in order to use a bidet tap, the users start and stop the operation of said bidet tap by turning, pressing/pulling or raising and lowering said bidet tap generally positioned on a wall or on a toilet, depending on the operating principle of said tap. In short, it is necessary to contact the bidet tap in order to use the same. This leads to hesitation of the users in terms of hygiene as well as being a situation not preferred by the users in the toilets located especially in the public areas.

Various sensors and/or electronic equipment are employed in some ceramic sanitary ware for the purpose of cleansing as well as for other different purposes as preferred. With the help of such equipment, the users are able to carry out various functions in a non-contact manner. The functions like the flushing of the toilet bowl and the control of the bidet system may be given as the examples of said functions controlled in a non-contact manner. Such equipment are generally positioned at the points on the ceramic sanitary ware that cannot be seen by the user during the use. In particular, the bidet system is generally positioned on the side surface of the toilet and the users try to enable the sensor to detect their presence by way of groping, without seeing the equipment. The users act gropingly in order to realize the function they prefer and this constitutes inconvenience for the users.

According to the state of the art, there is not present any embodiment, which achieves a function with the help of a sensor/electronic equipment while also informing the user about whether the system is operating. If there is a problem in the system, the user may become aware of the situation only by trying the same before use or only when they get no result from the attempt to use the same. This in turn causes an undesirable condition especially from the point of view of hygiene. In particular, the user feels the need to make sure that there is not any failure present in the system by obtaining the information that the system is ready for use.

As a result, the presence of the problems mentioned above and the inadequacy of the existing solutions have made it necessary to provide an innovation in the relevant art. With this invention, a system is developed, which enables a user to control a bidet system in a noncontact manner, informs the user via visual warning mechanisms, and is positioned on a toilet surface.

Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to develop an information system, which informs the user about the current status of a bidet system via visual warning means.

Another object of the invention is to develop a system, which is mounted on the toilet surface, which comprises the electronic components enabling a bidet tap to be operated in a noncontact manner by a user and which further enables the user to be informed.

Another object of the invention is to develop an information system, which provides different warnings for different states of the system to the user.

Another object of the invention is to develop a mounting system, the components of which are not visible from the outside, i.e., which does not have an unpleasant appearance from the point of view of aesthetics.

The structural and characteristic features and all the advantages of the invention will be understood more clearly from the figures provided below and the detailed description written with reference to these figures. Accordingly, the evaluation should be made taking these figures and detailed description into consideration.

Description of the Figures

Figure 1: An exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the user information system according to the invention

Figure 2: An exploded view of the user information system according to the invention along with a view of the surface where the system is to be mounted

Figure 3: A side sectional view of the user information system according to the invention

Figure 4a: An overall view of the body in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 4b: A top view of the body in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 5a: A front view of the body in the user information system according to the invention Figure 5b: A side sectional view of the body in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 6a: An overall view of the light carrier in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 6b: A side sectional view of the light carrier in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 6c: A front view of the light carrier in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 7a: An overall view of the front rosette in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 7b: A side sectional view of the front rosette in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 7c: A front view of the front rosette in the user information system according to the invention

Figure 8: A view of the user information system according to the invention in a state after being mounted to the surface

Figure 9a: A view showing the illumination member in the lower section of the electronic component

Figure 9b: A view showing the illumination member in the upper section of the electronic component

Reference Numerals

1 : Cover

11 : Tab

2 : Light transmitter

3 : Splitter

4 : Light carrier

41 : Fixing tabs

42 : Mounting channel

43 : Fixing legs

5 : Sealing member 6 : Body

61 : Outer body

62 : Inner body

63 : Channel

7 : Electronic component

M : Mounting surface

D : Hole

Al : Sensor

A2 : Illumination member

Y : Surface

Detailed Description of the Invention

The system developed within the scope of the invention comprises at least one body (6) to be positioned on at least one mounting surface (M), at least one electronic component (7) positioned inside the body (6) and including at least one sensor (Al) and/or at least one illumination member (A2), at least one light carrier (4) enabling the light sent from the electronic component (7) to reach the user in a certain direction or in a certain geometry, and at least one light transmitter (2) enabling the lights reaching at least one receiver or at least one transceiver or transmitted by at least one transmitter or at least one transceiver to exit the system or enter the system.

In this detailed description, the preferred alternatives of the user information system according to the invention and of the mounting method for said system are described only to enable a better understanding of the subject matter, without leading to any limiting effect.

The system according to the invention, which enables the user to control a function in a noncontact manner and which further informs the user, is fixed on at least one mounting surface (M). Within the scope of the invention, said mounting surface (M) is, but not limited to, a ceramic sanitary ware, preferably a toilet.

In Figure 2, an exploded view of the system according to the invention is provided along with the mounting surface (M) on which it is to be mounted. The system according to the invention is positioned inside at least one hole (D) on the mounting surface (M). A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a cover (1) part, which is positioned on the exterior surface of the system visible to the user, which enables the light transmitter (2) and the splitter (3) to be fixed, and which provides a pleasant appearance from the aesthetic point of view.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one sealing member (5). Said sealing member (5) is preferably an o-ring or a gasket.

Said electronic component (7) enables the non-contact control of the bidet process by means of the sensor (Al) it includes and enables the user to be informed about the status of the system by means of the illumination member (A2) it includes.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said sensor (Al) comprises a group of at least one receiver and at least one transmitter, and/or at least one transceiver. More particularly, said sensor (Al) is an optical sensor. Said sensor (Al) is an infrared sensor in a preferred embodiment, and said receivers and/or transmitters are infrared receivers and/or transmitters in a preferred embodiment.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said illumination member (A2) is preferably a RGB LED capable of lighting in multiple colors. In this way, the illumination member (A2) emits light in different colors for different conditions and the light carrier (4) may be illuminated with different colors for different conditions.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the illumination members (A2) are positioned in both the lower and upper sections of the electronic component (7). In this way, it is possible to provide more effective illumination.

The body (6) comprises the outer body (61) portion, which is visible to the user after the mounting of the system on the mounting surface (M) is completed. The body (6) comprises at least one inner body (62), which is fixed in the hole (D) on the mounting surface (M) and which is not visible to the user. The outer body (61) is connected via one surface thereof to the inner body (62) and preferably has a diameter/width greater than that of the inner body (62). Thus, it is not possible for the outer body (61) to pass in an undesirable manner through the hole (D) where the mounting is to be performed. The light-reflecting surface (Y) of the body (6) is preferably concave. Owing to the body (6) having such a surface, the light intended to be transmitted to the user is not scattered and is gathered at a certain center and visually provides a clear information about the status of the system to the user. The inner body (62) preferably has a diameter/width smaller than that of the hole where it is to be mounted. As a result, it is able to readily pass through the hole (D). The body (6) has at least one channel (63) that is preferably positioned into the inner body (62). Said electronic component (7) is positioned in said channel (63). Said channel or channels (63) ensure(s) that the electronic component (7) is positioned in a secure manner and at the required location when it is disposed inside the body (6). The light transmitter (2) is preferably positioned on said cover (1) and allows the passage of the lights reaching at least one receiver and/or at least one transceiver or transmitted by at least one transmitter and/or at least one transceiver positioned on the electronic component (7).

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one splitter (3) part. Said splitter (3) prevents both the outward leakage of light from within the system and the leakage of light between the receiver and/or the transmitter. The light splitter (3) preferably comprises thereon at least one hole for each receiver and transmitter contained in the electronic component (7). In this way, the lights are prevented from mixing together between the receiver and/or the transmitter. Moreover, the outer diameter of the splitter (3) part serves the function of a seal to prevent ingress of water to the body (6).

The cover (1) comprises at least one tab (11) on its inner surface. The cover (1) is fitted to the light carrier (4) and is fixed to the light carrier (4) by means of the tabs (11) it contains, by way of positioning said tabs (11) inside at least one mounting channel (42) on the light carrier (4). Once the cover (1) is fitted on the light carrier (4), it may be secured by way of being pushed or turned.

The light carrier (4) comprises at least one fixing tab (41) on its outer surface and at least one fixing leg (43) on its inner surface. By means of these fixing tabs (41) and fixing legs (43), the light carrier (4) is secured to the body (6) as seen in Figure 3.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the body (6) is preferably made from a lightreflecting material and/or is rendered capable of well transmitting the light via methods of coating, painting and the like. In this way, a great portion of the light delivered by the illumination member (A2) located on the electronic component (7) is enabled to be transmitted to the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one sealing member (5) is positioned between the light carrier (4) and the body (6). In this way, water leakage is prevented from the junction zone of the light carrier (4) and the body (6).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one sealing member (5) is positioned between the inner body (62) and the mounting surface (M). In the embodiment where the mounting surface (M) is a toilet, the inclined structure of the ceramic sanitary ware is also straightened by means of said sealing member (5).

The method of mounting for the system according to the invention is achieved by way of placing the light transmitter (2) on the inner surface of the cover (1), fitting the splitter (3) to the cover (1) via the surface where the light transmitter (2) is placed, • fitting the cover (1), to which the light transmitter (2) and the splitter (3) is fixed, to the light carrier (4),

• securing the cover (1) to the light carrier (4),

• placing at least one sealing member (5) between the light carrier (4) and the body (6) to which it is to be fixed,

• fitting the light carrier (4) to the body (6) via its side where it is not fitted to the cover (1),

• securing the light carrier (4) on the body (6),

• placing the electronic component (7) in the channel (63) within the body (6), by way of driving the same from the inner body (62) side towards the outer body (61),

• positioning at least one sealing member (5) between the body (6) and the mounting surface (M), and

• placing the body (6) in the hole (D) present on the mounting surface (M).

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the light transmitter (2) is placed on the inner surface of the cover (1) and then the splitter (3) is fitted on the same. Owing to the tabs (11) present on the inner surface of the cover (1) being positioned in at least one mounting channel (42) on the light carrier (4), the fixation to the light carrier (4) is achieved. The light carrier (4) comprising the light transmitter (2), the cover (1) and the splitter (3) is fixed to the body (6) with the help of the fixing tabs (41) present on its outer surface. Meanwhile, at least one sealing member (5) is placed between the light carrier (4) and the body (6). In this way, water leakage is prevented from occurring from the junction points of the light carrier (4) and the body (6).

The cavity contained in the inner body (62) is used for the mounting of the electronic component (7) to the system. When the electronic component (7) is driven into the body (6) by way of pushing the same from the inner body (62) section, it is positioned at the correct location by means of the channels (63) inside the inner body (62). Before the body (6) is mounted to the mounting surface (M), at least one sealing member (5) is placed between said body (6) and the mounting surface (M). In this way, it is made possible to preclude any leakage as well as straighten the inclined surface in the embodiment where the mounting surface (M) is a ceramic sanitary ware.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the light carrier (4) may be illuminated in different colors. Similarly, the blinking rate of the light may also be varied. In this way, the user information system is able to generate different responses for different conditions. The lights blinking in different colors or different frequencies are preferred to indicate the situations where the water has reached, where the system is ready and/or where the system is malfunctioning, though the options are not limited to these. That the system is ready, that the water has reached and that a failure has developed may be shown as the examples of the situations about which the user is to be informed. The examples like the change of the light color, the continuously flashing light, the blinking light and the variation of the light blinking rate may be employed separately or in various combinations. In this way, the user is able to readily understand that the light is malfunctioning, the system is ready for use or the flow of water has started from the system, owing to the fact that the color assigned to each process is different. In an exemplary embodiment, that the system is ready for use may be indicated to the user with a blue light, that there is a failure in the system by a red light and that the water flow is available from the system by a green light. In another exemplary embodiment, the presence of a failure in the system may be communicated to the user by means of a warning in the form of blinking. When the mounting procedure according to the invention is completed, the overall view provided in Figure 8 is obtained.

With the system according to the invention, the non-contact control of a function, for example of a bidet system, is enabled, while it is also possible to provide to a user the information including but not limited to information about whether the system is operational and/or whether the system is ready for use.

Claims

1. A system, which is positioned on at least one mounting surface (M), which enables the users to control a function in non-contact manner and which further enables the users to be informed about the continuity of a function, characterized in that the system comprises

• at least one body (6) positioned on the mounting surface (M),

• at least one electronic component (7), which is positioned inside the body (6) and which includes at least one sensor (Al) comprising a group of at least one receiver and at least one transmitter and/or at least one transceiver,

• at least one illumination member (A2) enabling the user to be informed about the status of the bidet system,

• at least one light carrier (4) enabling the light sent from the illumination member (A2) to be delivered in a certain direction and geometry, and

• at least one light transmitter (2) where the entrances to and exits from the system are provided for the lights transmitted by at least one transmitter or at least one transceiver or reaching at least one receiver or at least one transceiver.

2. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that said mounting surface (M) is a ceramic sanitary ware.

3. A system according to Claim 2 characterized in that said ceramic sanitary ware is a toilet.

4. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the body (6) comprises at least one outer body (61), at least one inner body (62) and at least one channel (63).

5. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the body (6) is manufactured from a light-reflecting material or is coated/painted with a material for enabling said body (6) to reflect the light.

6. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the group of receiver and transmitter and/or at least one transceiver which said sensor (Al) includes is a transmitter and/or receiver for infrared light.

7. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that said illumination member (A2) comprises the multicolor RGB LED illuminators.

8. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that said illumination member (A2) is positioned on both the lower surface of the electronic component (7) and the upper surface of the electronic component (7).

9. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the light carrier (4) comprises the fixing tabs (41) on its outer surface.

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10. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises at least one cover (1).

11. A system according to Claim 10 characterized in that the cover (1) comprises the tabs (11) on its inner surface.

12. A system according to Claim 1 or 10 characterized in that the light carrier (4) comprises at least one mounting channel (42) where said cover (1) is fixed.

13. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that said light carrier (4) comprises the fixing legs (43).

14. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises at least one splitter (3).

15. A system according to Claim 14 characterized in that the system comprises at least one hole on the splitter (3) for the receivers and/or transmitters that the electronic component (7) includes.

16. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the system comprises at least one sealing member (5).

17. A system according to Claim 16 characterized in that the sealing member (5) is positioned between the light carrier (4) and the body (6).

18. A system according to Claim 16 characterized in that the sealing member (5) is positioned between the body (6) and the mounting surface (M).

19. A system according to Claim 16 characterized in that said sealing member (5) is a gasket.

20. A system according to Claim 16 characterized in that said sealing member (5) is an o-ring.

21. A system according to Claim 1 characterized in that the body (6) comprises a lightreflecting concave surface (Y).

22. A method for mounting the system, which enables the users to control a function in noncontact manner and which further enables the users to be informed about the continuity of a function, on the surface of a ceramic sanitary ware characterized in that the method for mounting the system comprises the process steps of

• placing the light transmitter (2) on the inner surface of the cover (1),

• fitting the splitter (3) to the cover (1) via the surface where the light transmitter (2) is placed,

• fitting the cover (1), to which the light transmitter (2) and the splitter (3) is fixed, to the light carrier (4),

• securing the cover (1) to the light carrier (4), • placing at least one sealing member (5) between the light carrier (4) and the body (6) to which it is to be fixed,

• fitting the light carrier (4) to the body (6) via its side where it is not fitted to the cover (1), • securing the light carrier (4) on the body (6),

• positioning at least one sealing member (5) between the body (6) and the mounting surface, and • placing the body (6) in the hole (D) present on the ceramic sanitary ware.

23. A mounting method according to Claim 22 characterized in that the cover (1) is fixed to the light carrier (4) by means of the tabs (11) on said cover (1).

24. A mounting method according to Claim 22 characterized in that the light carrier (4) is fixed to the body (6) by means of the fixing tabs (41) located on the outer surface of said light carrier (4).

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