Automatic flushing device

• US 5,482,250 A
• Filed: 09/26/1994
• Issued: 01/09/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: URO Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Original Assignee: URO Denshi Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
• Inventors: Kodaira, Makoto
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Kevin L.
• Application Number:
  US08/312,148
• Time in Patent Office: 470 Days
• Field of Search: 251/129.04, 4/623, 4/304, 4/305, 4/DIG. 3, 4/313, 137/624.11
• US Class Current: 251/129.04
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors

Abstract

There is provided a device attached to the flush valve of an existing stool and adapted for automatically carrying out flushing. This automatic flushing device comprises: a first sensor section for detecting approach and withdrawal of the human body; a second sensor section having a predetermined sensing range and operative to output a detection signal when a portion of the human body exists within the sensing range; a signal processing circuit operative to output a drive signal when the first sensor section detects withdrawal of the human body after more than a predetermined time is passed from the time point when the first sensor section detects approach of the human body, or when the second sensor section outputs the detection signal; an electromagnetic valve mechanism for opening an electromagnetic valve when the drive signal is outputted from the signal processing circuit; and attachment means adapted for accommodating the first and second sensor sections, the signal processing circuit and the electromagnetic valve mechanism, and for attaching them to an existing flush valve.

Claims

1. An automatic flushing device comprising:

first sensor means for detecting presence of a human body in a first predetermined sensing range and withdrawal of the human body from the first predetermined sensing range;

second sensor means for outputting a detection signal when a portion of the human body exists within a second predetermined sensing range that is shorter than the first predetermined sensing range;

a signal processing circuit operative to output a drive signal when the first sensor means detects the withdrawal of the human body after more than a predetermined time elapses from the time point when the first sensor means detects the approach of the human body, or when the second sensor means outputs the detection signal;

an electromagnetic valve mechanism; and

attachment means for attaching a unit of the first and second sensor means, the signal processing circuit and the electromagnetic valve mechanism to a flush valve,

wherein the electromagnetic valve mechanism responds to the drive signal by operating the flush valve when the attachment means has attached the unit to the flush valve.

2. An automatic flushing device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the second predetermined sensing range of the second sensor means is such that the portion of the human body is a hand extended toward the unit.