Automatic flusher for tank-type toilet

• US 7,415,737 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2005
• Issued: 08/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mark Y.F. Chow, Raymond Yinghui Hung
• Original Assignee: Mark Y.F. Chow, Raymond Yinghui Hung
• Inventors: Hung, Raymond Yinghui, Chow, Mark Y. F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Huynh; Khoa D
• Application Number:
  US11/075,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20050217014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,265 Days
• Field of Search: 440/5, 440/6, 4302-305, 431/3, 431/4
• US Class Current: 4/405
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors

Abstract

An automatic flushing system is equipped with a buoyancy mechanism to unseat a valve set in a tank of a toilet. The automatic flushing system, equipped with battery power, includes sets of sensing, actuating, latching, buoyancy, unseat/seat and valve members. The battery power only provides electrical power to sensing and actuating members to release a float from an engaged position to a release position. Thus, the buoyancy of the float may unseat a valve to open a drain of the tank.

Claims

1. An automatic flushing system,

adapted to be installed within a tank of a toilet, the automatic flushing system comprising:

sensing means for detecting the toilet usage, generating and sending an actuating signal;

driving means for receiving said actuating signal to actuate a latching means;

said latching means for engaging and releasing a buoyancy means;

said buoyancy means for applying buoyancy of water in the tank to an actuating means, wherein said buoyancy means comprises a float;

said actuating means for unseating and seating a valve means with the help of said buoyancy means; and

said valve means adapted to a drain of the tank so as to open the drain by said actuating means, wherein said latching means releases said float, the force for opening of said drain of the tank is solely provided by the buoyancy force of said float.

2. The automatic flushing system of claim 1, further comprising a battery-power means for providing said sensing means and said driving means with electric power.

3. The automatic flushing system of claim 1, wherein said sensing means comprises a battery-operated wireless or wired sensor.

4. The automatic flushing system of claim 3, wherein said sensing means further comprises a transmitter for sending said actuating signal.

5. The automatic flushing system of claim 1, wherein said driving means comprises a micro-controller circuit, a set of rotary members and receivers to receive said actuating signal for driving movement of said latching means.

6. The automatic flushing system of claim 1, wherein said latching means comprises:

a pivotal member adapted to pivot on a central shaft;

a stop shaft fixed on said pivotal member and arranged in an offset position to said central shaft on said pivotal member; and

a latch lever adapted to be urged away from said central shaft by said stop shaft when said pivotal member is driven to pivot and said stop shaft attaches to said latch lever.

7. The automatic flushing system of claim 6, wherein said buoyancy means further comprises:

a first gear pivotally fixed in the tank, said first gear adapted to pivot when said latch lever is at a release position away from said central shaft; and

a guiding member fixed on said first gear and used as joint said float, wherein said float emerges out of water when said latch lever is at said release position.

8. The automatic flushing system of claim 7, wherein said actuating means comprises:

a second gear pivotally fixed in the tank, said second gear adapted to engage said first gear and pivot when said latch lever is at said release position;

a jointer to connect said valve means; and

a member pivotally fixed on said second gear and unseats said valve means when said latch lever is at said release position.

9. The automatic flushing system of claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises a valve deposited on a drain of the tank.

10. The automatic flushing system of claim 1, wherein said buoyancy means is further configured for applying buoyancy of water in the tank to said valve means.

11. An automatic flushing system, adapted to be installed within a tank of a toilet, the automatic flushing system comprising:

sensing means for detecting the toilet usage, generating and sending an actuating signal;

a set of rotary members and receivers for receiving said actuating signal to actuate a pivotal member;

said pivotal member adapted to pivot on a central shaft;

a stop shaft fixed on said pivotal member and arranged in an offset position to said central shaft on said pivotal member;

a latch lever adapted to be urged away from said central shaft by said stop shaft when said pivotal member is driven to pivot and said stop shaft attaches to said latch lever;

a first gear pivotally fixed in the tank, said first gear adapted to pivot when said latch lever is at a release position away from said central shaft;

a float;

a guiding member fixed on said first gear and used as joint said float, wherein said float emerges out of water when said latch lever is at said release position;

a second gear pivotally fixed in the tank, said second gear adapted to engage said first gear and pivot when said latch lever is at said release position;

a jointer to connect said valve means;

a member pivotally fixed on said second gear and unseats said valve means when said latch lever is at said release position;

said valve means adapted to a drain of the tank so as to open the drain by said actuating means, wherein the force for opening of said drain of the tank is solely provided by the buoyancy force of said float; and

a battery-power set to provide said sensing means and said pivotal member with electric power.