Multi-stage water saving toilet

A multi-stage water saving toilet includes a toilet bowl, a toilet tank, a flushing device, and a control device includes a drive member, a rechargeable battery, a display, a set and operation unit including a set button, a selection button, an increase button, a decrease button, a test button, a urine flushing button, and an excrement flushing button, a microprocessor for controlling the display and the drive member, a power unit being either deactivated when the set and operation unit is not activated or activated to supply power from the battery to the microprocessor, the drive member, and the display. The toilet can be set to a minimum quantity of water for flushing urine or excrement.

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Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to water saving toilets and more particularly to a multi-stage (e.g., three-stage) water saving toilet.

2. Description of Related Art

Various devices for limiting the quantity of water used by flush toilets in order to conserve water (i.e., water saving devices for toilets) are well known in the art. Water required for a single flushing of toilet is in the range of 20 to 30 liters about 20 to 30 years ago. Fortunately, the required quantity of water has been decreased to about 4.5 to 9 liters due to, in part, the availability of various water saving devices for toilets.

Disposing human excrement and urine is the function of a toilet. However, many typical water saving toilets are not effective in the disposal in a single flushing due to factors, for example, long sewerage pipes.

It is understood that water is a precious resource. Therefore, how to further decrease the quantity of water used by flush toilet without the ineffective disposal experienced by the conventional water saving toilets is an issue to be addressed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a multi-stage water saving toilet comprising a toilet bowl; a toilet tank mounted on the toilet bowl and comprising a valve seat on a bottom; a control device comprising a drive member; and a flushing device comprising a bracket provided on an inner surface of the toilet tank, a trip lever pivotably secured to the drive member, a rope pivotably secured to the trip lever, and a flap pivotably secured to the valve seat and attached to the rope; wherein the control device further comprises a rechargeable battery; a display; a set and operation unit including a set button, a selection button, an increase button, a decrease button, a test button, a urine flushing button, and an excrement flushing button; a microprocessor for controlling the display and the drive member; a power unit being either deactivated when the set and operation unit is not activated or activated to supply power from the battery to the microprocessor, the drive member, and the display; wherein a setting of the set and operation unit comprises pressing the set button to activate the power unit, releasing the set button, a first pressing the selection button to set a quantity of water of a first stage by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, a second pressing the selection button to set a quantity of water of a second stage by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, a third pressing the selection button to set a quantity of a third stage by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, and a fourth pressing the selection button to set delay time by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, pressing the test button to confirm the settings and activate the control device for testing, and pressing the set button to store the settings in the microprocessor; wherein in an excrement flushing operation a pressing of the excrement flushing button supplies power from the battery to the power unit which powers the microprocessor to rotate the drive member a predetermined angle, counterclockwise rotate the trip lever about the drive member to lift both the rope and the flap to flow the quantity of water of a first stage through the valve seat to reach an entry of the toilet bowl so that a partial vacuum is created at the entry of the toilet bowl, the flap is lowered to close the valve seat for the delay time with excrement being sucked to the entry of the toilet bowl, and the flap is lifted again to flow the quantity of water of a third stage through the valve seat and the toilet bowl to completely flushing the excrement out of the toilet bowl; and wherein in a urine flushing operation a pressing of the urine flushing button supplies power from the battery to the power unit which powers the microprocessor to rotate the drive member a predetermined angle, counterclockwise rotate the trip lever about the drive member to lift both the rope and the flap to flow the quantity of water of a first stage through the valve seat to reach an entry of the toilet bowl so that a partial vacuum is created at the entry of the toilet bowl, the flap is lowered to close the valve seat for the delay time with urine being sucked to the entry of the toilet bowl, and the flap is lifted again to flow the quantity of water of a second stage through the valve seat and the toilet bowl to completely flushing the urine out of the toilet bowl.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a multi-stage water saving toilet according to the invention;

FIG. 1B is a view similar to FIG. 1A schematically showing the flushing device in the toilet tank;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the control device;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing the flushing device in the toilet tank;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the flushing device in the toilet tank and the control device disposed externally of the toilet tank in an inoperative state;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the control device being activated to open the toilet valve;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the control device being activated to close the toilet valve;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the display, the microprocessor, the set and operation unit, the drive member, and the flushing device for opening or closing the toilet valve; and

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the display, the microprocessor, the set and operation unit, and the power unit.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 9, a multi-stage water saving toilet in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

A toilet tank 3 is mounted on a toilet bowl 4. A flushing device 1 is mounted inside the toilet tank 3. A control device 2 is adapted to control the flushing device 1.

The flushing device 1 comprises a bracket 11 provided on a wall. The control device 2 as the subject of the invention is capable of controlling flushing, setting quantity of water for flushing, and showing operating state and is discussed in detail below. The control device 2 comprises a drive member (e.g., servo motor) 21 provided on a most effective position of the bracket 11, a rechargeable battery 22 electrically connected to an external power source via a power cord and plug 26, a display 23 on an upper central portion, an excrement flushing button 246 to the right of the display 23, and a urine flushing button 247 below the excrement flushing button 246.

The flushing device 1 further comprises a trip lever 12 having one end pivotably secured to a motor shaft of the drive member 21, a rope 13 having one end pivotably secured to the other end of the trip lever 12, and a bifurcated flap 14 having a point attached to the other end of the rope 13. The flap 14 has two arms pivotably secured to a valve seat 31 provided on a central portion of a bottom of the toilet tank 3.

Within the housing of the control device 2, there are further provided a power unit 25, a microprocessor 26 for controlling the display 23 and the drive member 21, and a set and operation unit 24 comprising, in addition to the excrement flushing button 246 and the urine flushing button 247, a set button 241, a selection button 242, an increase button 243, a decrease button 244, and a test button 245 all being disposed under the display 23 and to the left of the urine flushing button 247. The power unit 25 can regulate DC from the battery 22 and supply power to all components of the control device 2 except and the battery 22.

Setting of the set and operation unit 24 is described below. For a first time, a person should perform the following setting steps. The person may press the set button 241 to activate the power unit 25 of the flushing device 2 with “SET” being shown on the display 23 after two seconds. Next, the set button 241 is released and the selection button 242 is pressed. As such, “SET1: XX” representing quantity of water of a first stage will be shown on the display 23. A next pressing of the selection button 242 will show “TIME: XX” representing delay time on the display 23. A further next pressing of the selection button 242 will show “SET2: XX” representing quantity of water of a second stage (i.e., for flushing urine) on the display 23. A yet further pressing of the selection button 242 will show “SET3: XX” representing quantity of water of a third stage (i.e., for flushing excrement) on the display 23. A yet another further pressing of the selection button 242 will show “SET1: XX” representing delay time on the display 23 (i.e., returned to the starting point). The person may press the increase button 243 or the decrease button 244 one or more times to adjust the value of XX which is temporarily stored in memory of the microprocessor 26 until a desired value is obtained. Further, the person may press the test button 245 to confirm the final settings of “TIME”, “SET1”, “SET2”, and “SET3” and activate the control device 2 for testing. The person may press the selection button 242 again to start another setting if he/she does not satisfy the test result. After finding the optimum settings, the person may press the set button 241 again to store the settings in the memory of the microprocessor 26 with “READY” being shown on the display 23 for confirmation and the power unit 25 being deactivated.

It is noted that the power unit 25 is deactivated when none of the buttons of set and operation unit 24 is pressed (i.e., power to the power unit 25 being cut by the battery 22) so as to save energy.

Operation of the invention will be discussed in detail below. For flushing human excrement, a person may press the excrement flushing button 246 to activate the power unit 25 by supplying power from the battery 22 to the power unit 25. The microprocessor 26 is thus powered by the power unit 25. And in turn, the drive member 21 is activated by the microprocessor 26 to rotate a predetermined angle. And in turn, the trip lever 12 counterclockwise rotates about the drive member 21 to lift the rope 13. And in turn, the flap 14 is lifted by the rope 13 to flow a quantity of water of a first stage through the valve seat 31 to reach the entry of the toilet bowl 4. A partial vacuum is created at the entry of the toilet bowl 4. The flap 14 is lowered to close the valve seat for a period of time equal to the set delay time. In the meantime, the excrement is sucked to the entry of the toilet bowl 4. Next, the flap 14 is lifted again to flow a quantity of water of a third stage through the valve seat 31 and the toilet bowl 4 to completely flushing the excrement out of the toilet bowl 4.

Alternatively, for flushing human urine, a person may press the urine flushing button 247 to activate the power unit 25 by supplying power from the battery 22 to the power unit 25. The microprocessor 26 is thus powered by the power unit 25. And in turn, the drive member 21 is activated by the microprocessor 26 to rotate a predetermined angle. And in turn, the trip lever 12 counterclockwise rotates about the drive member 21 to lift the rope 13. And in turn, the flap 14 is lifted by the rope 13 to flow a quantity of water of a first stage through the valve seat 31 to reach the entry of the toilet bowl 4. A partial vacuum is created at the entry of the toilet bowl 4. The flap 14 is lowered to close the valve seat for a period of time equal to the set delay time. In the meantime, the excrement is sucked to the entry of the toilet bowl 4. Next, the flap 14 is lifted again to flow a quantity of water of a second stage through the valve seat 31 and the toilet bowl 4 to completely flushing the urine out of the toilet bowl 4.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A multi-stage water saving toilet comprising:

a toilet bowl;
a toilet tank mounted on the toilet bowl and comprising a valve seat on a bottom;
a control device comprising a drive member; and
a flushing device comprising a bracket provided on an inner surface of the toilet tank, a trip lever pivotably secured to the drive member, a rope pivotably secured to the trip lever, and a flap pivotably secured to the valve seat and attached to the rope;
wherein the control device further comprises a rechargeable battery; a display; a set and operation unit including a set button, a selection button, an increase button, a decrease button, a test button, a urine flushing button, and an excrement flushing button; a microprocessor for controlling the display and the drive member; a power unit being either deactivated when the set and operation unit is not activated or activated to supply power from the battery to the microprocessor, the drive member, and the display;
wherein a setting of the set and operation unit sets a quantity of water of a first stage, a quantity of water of a second stage, a quantity of water of a third stage, and a delay time;
wherein in an excrement flushing operation a pressing of the excrement flushing button flushes excrement out of the toilet bowl in three continuous stages by flushing the quantity of water of a first stage and the quantity of water of a third stage; and
wherein in a urine flushing operation a pressing of the urine flushing button flushes urine out of the toilet bowl in three continuous stages by flushing the quantity of water of a first stage and the quantity of water of a second stage.

2. The multi-stage water saving toilet of claim 1, wherein the drive member of the control device is provided on a most effective position of the bracket.

3. The multi-stage water saving toilet of claim 1, wherein the power unit is deactivated when none of the buttons of the set and operation unit is pressed so as to save energy, decrease the consumption of the battery, and decrease the frequency of replacing the battery.

4. The multi-stage water saving toilet of claim 1, wherein the display is capable of showing messages for viewer review so as to facilitate operation.

5. The multi-stage water saving toilet of claim 1, wherein the setting of the set and operation unit is done when first time operating the control device and the setting of the set and operation unit comprises pressing the set button to activate the power unit, releasing the set button, a first pressing the selection button to set the quantity of water of a first stage by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, a second pressing the selection button to set the quantity of water of a second stage by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, a third pressing the selection button to set the quantity of water of a third stage by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, and a fourth pressing the selection button to set the delay time by pressing the increase button or the decrease button one or more times, pressing the test button to confirm the settings and activate the control device for testing, and pressing the set button to store the settings in the microprocessor.

6. The multi-stage water saving toilet of claim 1, wherein in the excrement flushing operation the pressing of the excrement flushing button supplies power from the battery to the power unit which powers the microprocessor to rotate the drive member a predetermined angle, counterclockwise rotate the trip lever about the drive member to lift both the rope and the flap to flow the quantity of water of a first stage through the valve seat to reach an entry of the toilet bowl so that a partial vacuum is created at the entry of the toilet bowl, the flap is lowered to close the valve seat for the delay time with excrement being sucked to the entry of the toilet bowl, and the flap is lifted again to flow the quantity of water of a third stage through the valve seat and the toilet bowl to completely flushing the excrement out of the toilet bowl; and wherein in the urine flushing operation the pressing of the urine flushing button supplies power from the battery to the power unit which powers the microprocessor to rotate the drive member a predetermined angle, counterclockwise rotate the trip lever about the drive member to lift both the rope and the flap to flow the quantity of water of a first stage through the valve seat to reach an entry of the toilet bowl so that a partial vacuum is created at the entry of the toilet bowl, the flap is lowered to close the valve seat for the delay time with urine being sucked to the entry of the toilet bowl, and the flap is lifted again to flow the quantity of water of a second stage through the valve seat and the toilet bowl to completely flushing the urine out of the toilet bowl.

Patent History
Publication number: 20140109306
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 22, 2012
Publication Date: Apr 24, 2014
Inventor: Chih-Jen Chuan (Kaohsiung)
Application Number: 13/656,749
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Alternate Unicyclic Flush (4/325)
International Classification: E03D 3/12 (20060101);