Valve Actuation Control for Flush Urinal and Toilet Apparatus

• US 20170298608A1
• Filed: 04/17/2016
• Published: 10/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/17/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jorge Maercovich
• Original Assignee: Jorge Maercovich
• Inventors: Maercovich, Jorge
• Granted Patent: US 10,344,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 1/36 Associated working of inlet and outlet valves
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 13/00 Urinals without flushing devices A47K11/00 ; Means for connecting the urinal to the flushing pipe and the wastepipe; Splashing shields for urinals
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/0254 being operated by particular means
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 3/08 with circular plates rotatable around their centres
• CPC Class Codes: F16K 31/042 with electric means, e.g. for controlling the motor or a clutch between the valve and the motor

Abstract

An actuation control for a flush system includes a cartridge valve being actuated between an opened position and a closed position to compete a flushing cycle. The cartridge valve includes a cartridge housing having a valve inlet for communicating with a water source and the valve outlet for guiding water to flow to the flush system, and a control disc unit which is supported in the cartridge housing at the valve inlet thereof and is orientated perpendicular to a water-in direction of the water for biasing against water pressure from said water source. At the closed position, the valve inlet is closed by the control disc unit for blocking the water to pass through the valve inlet. At the opened position, the valve inlet is opened up for allowing the water passing to the valve outlet so as to complete the flushing cycle of the flush system.

Claims

1. A flush apparatus for a flush system, comprising:

a valve body having a water inlet for connecting to a water source to guide water to flow to said water inlet at a water-in direction, and a water outlet for connecting to the flush system; and

an actuation control, which comprises;

a cartridge valve comprising a cartridge housing stationary supported in said valve body at a position that a valve inlet of said cartridge housing is located at said water inlet and said valve outlet of said cartridge housing is located at said water outlet, and a control disc unit which is supported in said cartridge housing at said valve inlet thereof and is orientated transversely to the water-in direction for resisting water pressure from said water source, wherein said control disc unit is able to be driven to move between a closed position to close said valve inlet for blocking the water to pass through said valve inlet, and an opened position to open up said valve inlet for allowing the water passing to said water outlet through said valve outlet so as to complete a flushing cycle of the flush system.

2. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein said cartridge housing has a tubular surrounding wall defining an open end as said valve inlet and said valve outlet is formed at said surrounding wall of said cartridge housing to align with said water outlet.

3. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 2, wherein said control disc unit comprises a sealing disc rotatably coupled within said surrounding wall at said open end thereof to selectively close said valve inlet, and a control shaft extended from said sealing disc through a closed end of said surrounding wall to operatively couple with said power generator so as to drive said sealing disc to rotate between said closed position and said opened position.

4. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein said sealing disc has a flat pressuring surface perpendicular to the water-in direction for biasing against water pressure from said water source.

5. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 3, wherein said control disc unit further comprises a stationary disc non-rotatably coupled at said cartridge housing, wherein said stationary disc comprises a plurality of valve sectors spacedly sealed at said open end of said surrounding wall and a plurality of opening sectors alternating with said valve sectors, such that said control disc unit is moved at said closed position when said sealing disc is rotated to close said opening sectors.

6. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 4, wherein said sealing disc comprises a plurality of disc sectors corresponding to said valve sectors, such that when said sealing disc is rotated to align said disc sectors with said valve sectors respectively, said opening sectors are opened for allowing the water to pass through, and when said sealing disc is rotated to align said disc sectors with said opening sectors respectively, said opening sectors are sealed and closed for blocking the water to pass through.

7. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power generator, which is activated by said sensor, operatively linked to said cartridge valve to drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

8. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 7, wherein said power generator comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power and an output shaft operatively extended from said electric motor to couple with said cartridge valve so as to rotatably drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

9. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 7, wherein said power generator, which is a non-solenoid unit, comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power and an output shaft operatively extended from said electric motor to couple with said control shaft of said cartridge valve so as to rotatably drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

10. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 8, wherein said actuation control further comprises a power charging arrangement which comprises a power source electrically linked to said power generator, a propeller unit located at said water outlet and an electrical generator operatively linked between said propeller unit and said power source, such that when said propeller unit is driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet, said electrical generator is actuated to charge said power source.

11. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 9, wherein said actuation control further comprises a power charging arrangement which comprises a power source electrically linked to said power generator, a propeller unit located at said water outlet and an electrical generator operatively linked between said propeller unit and said power source, such that when said propeller unit is driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet, said electrical generator is actuated to charge said power source.

12. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 7, wherein said actuation control further comprises a control processor operatively linked to said power generator for controllably adjusting a time of said flushing cycle and water volume for said flushing cycle, wherein said control processor is activated in response to a presence of a user of said flushing system to actuate said cartridge valve for controllably adjusting said time of said flushing cycle by moving said cartridge valve between said opened position and said closed position.

13. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 5, further comprising a power generator, which is activated by said sensor, operatively linked to said cartridge valve to drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

14. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein said power generator comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power and an output shaft operatively extended from said electric motor to couple with said cartridge valve so as to rotatably drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

15. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein said power generator, which is a non-solenoid unit, comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power and an output shaft operatively extended from said electric motor to couple with said control shaft of said cartridge valve so as to rotatably drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

16. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 14, wherein said actuation control further comprises a power charging arrangement which comprises a power source electrically linked to said power generator, a propeller unit located at said water outlet and an electrical generator operatively linked between said propeller unit and said power source, such that when said propeller unit is driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet, said electrical generator is actuated to charge said power source.

17. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 15, wherein said actuation control further comprises a power charging arrangement which comprises a power source electrically linked to said power generator, a propeller unit located at said water outlet and an electrical generator operatively linked between said propeller unit and said power source, such that when said propeller unit is driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet, said electrical generator is actuated to charge said power source.

18. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 13, wherein said actuation control further comprises a control processor operatively linked to said power generator for controllably adjusting a time of said flushing cycle and water volume for said flushing cycle, wherein said control processor is activated in response to a presence of a user of said flushing system to actuate said cartridge valve for controllably adjusting said time of said flushing cycle by moving said cartridge valve between said opened position and said closed position.

19. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 6, further comprising a power generator, which is activated by said sensor, operatively linked to said cartridge valve to drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

20. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 19, wherein said power generator comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power and an output shaft operatively extended from said electric motor to couple with said cartridge valve so as to rotatably drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

21. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 19, wherein said power generator, which is a non-solenoid unit, comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power and an output shaft operatively extended from said electric motor to couple with said control shaft of said cartridge valve so as to rotatably drive said control disc unit between said closed position and said opened position.

22. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 20, wherein said actuation control further comprises a power charging arrangement which comprises a power source electrically linked to said power generator, a propeller unit located at said water outlet and an electrical generator operatively linked between said propeller unit and said power source, such that when said propeller unit is driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet, said electrical generator is actuated to charge said power source.

23. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 21, wherein said actuation control further comprises a power charging arrangement which comprises a power source electrically linked to said power generator, a propeller unit located at said water outlet and an electrical generator operatively linked between said propeller unit and said power source, such that when said propeller unit is driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet, said electrical generator is actuated to charge said power source.

24. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 19, wherein said actuation control further comprises a control processor operatively linked to said power generator for controllably adjusting a time of said flushing cycle and water volume for said flushing cycle, wherein said control processor is activated in response to a presence of a user of said flushing system to actuate said cartridge valve for controllably adjusting said time of said flushing cycle by moving said cartridge valve between said opened position and said closed position.

25. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a sensor for detecting a presence of a user of the flush system.

26. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 18, further comprising a sensor for detecting a presence of a user of the flush system.

27. The flush apparatus, as recited in claim 24, further comprising a sensor for detecting a presence of a user of the flush system.

33. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the step (a) further comprises the steps of:

(a.1) aligning said valve inlet of said cartridge housing with said water inlet which is connected to a water source; and

(a.2) aligning a valve outlet of said cartridge housing with said water outlet.

28. An actuation control for controlling volume of water used in a flushing cycle of a flush system, comprising:

a cartridge valve being actuated between an opened position and a closed position to compete said flushing cycle, wherein said cartridge valve comprises a cartridge housing having a valve inlet for communicating with a water source and said valve outlet for guiding water to flow to the flush system, and a control disc unit which is supported in said cartridge housing at said valve inlet thereof and is orientated transversely to a water-in direction of the water for resisting water pressure from said water source, wherein said cartridge valve is actuated at said closed position to close said valve inlet by said control disc unit for blocking the water to pass through said valve inlet, and at said opened position to open up said valve inlet for allowing the water passing to said valve outlet so as to complete said flushing cycle of the flush system; and

a control processor operatively linked to said cartridge valve for controllably adjusting a time of said flushing cycle and water volume for said flushing cycle, wherein said control processor is activated in response to a presence of a user of said flush system to actuate said cartridge valve for controllably adjusting said time of said flushing cycle by moving said cartridge valve between said closed position and said opened position.

29. The actuation control, as recited in claim 28, wherein said control processor controllably adjusts a time of said cartridge valve staying at said opened position, such that said control processor delays said time of said cartridge valve staying at said opened position for increasing said water volume of said flushing cycle.

30. The actuation control, as recited in claim 28, further comprising an electric motor for generating a rotational power and an output shaft operatively extended from said electric motor to actuate said cartridge valve between said opened position and said closed position, wherein said control processor controllably adjusts a driven speed of said output shaft, that is a time said output shaft driving said cartridge valve to stay in said opened position, for controllably adjusting said volume of water used in said flushing cycle for said flush system, such that said control processor delays said driving time of said output shaft for increasing said water volume of said flushing cycle.

31. The actuation control, as recited in claim 30, wherein said control processor controls a rotational speed of said output shaft for controllably adjusting said volume of water used in said flushing cycle for said flush system.

32. A method of controlling a flushing cycle of a flush system via a flush apparatus which comprises a valve body having a water inlet and a water outlet, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a cartridge housing of a cartridge valve in said valve body and supporting a sealing disc of said cartridge valve in said cartridge housing at said valve inlet at a position that said sealing disc is orientated transversely to a water-in direction of a flow of water for biasing against water pressure from said water source;

(b) retaining said cartridge valve in a closed position that said valve inlet is sealed and closed by a sealing disc of said cartridge valve in said cartridge housing;

(c) actuating said cartridge valve from said closed position to an opened position that said sealing disc is moved to open up said valve inlet; and

(d) after completing said flushing cycle of said flush system, actuating said cartridge valve back to said closed position from said opened position that said sealing disc is moved to seal and close said valve inlet.

34. The method, as recited in claim 32, wherein the step (c) further comprises a step of, in response to a presence of a user, activating a power generator to actuate said cartridge valve from said closed position to said opened position that said sealing disc is moved to open up said valve inlet.

35. The method, as recited in claim 34, where the step (d) further comprises a step of automatically activating said power generator to actuate said cartridge valve back to said closed position from said opened position that said sealing disc is moved to seal and close said valve inlet.

36. The method, as recited in claim 32 wherein, in the step (a), said sealing disc is rotatably supported in said cartridge housing, such that said sealing disc is rotated at one direction to open up of said valve inlet and is rotated at an opposed direction to close said valve inlet.

37. The method, as recited in claim 36, wherein a rotational direction of said sealing disc is perpendicular to the water-in direction of water at said water inlet.

38. The method, as recited in claim 37 wherein, in the step (a), said sealing disc is rotatably supported in said cartridge housing, such that said sealing disc is rotated at one direction to open up of said valve inlet and is rotated at an opposed direction to close said valve inlet, wherein a rotational direction of said sealing disc is perpendicular to the water-in direction of water at said water inlet.

39. The method as recited in claim 35 wherein, in the step (c) and the step (d), said power generator comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power to rotatably actuate said sealing disc between said closed position and said opened position.

40. The method as recited in claim 38 wherein, in the step (c) and the step (d), said power generator comprises an electric motor for generating a rotational power to rotatably actuate said sealing disc between said closed position and said opened position.

41. The method, as recited in claim 32, wherein said sealing disc has a flat pressuring surface perpendicular to the water-in direction of water at said water inlet for biasing against water pressure from said water source.

42. The method, as recited in claim 40, wherein said sealing disc has a flat pressuring surface perpendicular to the water-in direction of water at said water inlet for biasing against water pressure from said water source.

43. The method, as recited in claim 35, further comprising a power charging step which comprises the steps of:

electrically linking a power source to said power generator;

supporting a propeller unit at said water outlet for being driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet; and

operatively linking an electrical generator between said propeller unit and said power source to convert a mechanical energy from said propeller unit into an electrical energy to be stored in said power source.

45. The method, as recited in claim 42, further comprising a power charging step which comprises the steps of:

electrically linking a power source to said power generator;

supporting a propeller unit at said water outlet for being driven to rotate in response to a flush of the water coming out at said water outlet; and

operatively linking an electrical generator between said propeller unit and said power source to convert a mechanical energy from said propeller unit into an electrical energy to be stored in said power source.

46. The method, as recited in claim 35, further comprising a step of controllably adjusting a time of said flushing cycle and water volume for said flushing cycle via a control processor which is operatively linked to said power generator.

47. The method, as recited in claim 42, further comprising a step of controllably adjusting a time of said flushing cycle and water volume for said flushing cycle via a control processor which is operatively linked to said power generator.

48. The method, as recited in claim 45, further comprising a step of controllably adjusting a time of said flushing cycle and water volume for said flushing cycle via a control processor which is operatively linked to said power generator.

49. The method, as recited in claim 47, wherein said control processor controllably adjusts a time of said cartridge valve staying at said opened position, such that said control processor delays said time of said cartridge valve staying at said opened position for increasing said water volume of said flushing cycle.

50. The method, as recited in claim 48, wherein said control processor controllably adjusts a rotational speed of said sealing disc between said opened position and said closed position.