Baths – closets – sinks – and spittoons – Flush closet – Urinals only
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-03
2003-12-16
Fetsuga, Robert M. (Department: 3751)
Baths, closets, sinks, and spittoons
Flush closet
Urinals only
C004S305000, C004SDIG003
Reexamination Certificate
active
06662382
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for the automatic release of a flushing process in urinals or, respectively, similar sanitary engineering installations, such as toilets, after their use.
The invention relates to a device for automatic release of a flushing process after using of a urinal or similar sanitary technological installations, such as toilets, wherein at least one target is disposed in a stink trap (siphon) exhibiting an inlet and an outlet, wherein the target changes its position in case of level changes of the liquid contained in the siphon and wherein the position change is captured by a sensor, wherein the sensor causes the generation of a switching pulse then, when the liquid level changes by a predetermined amount, and wherein the switching pulse triggers an electro-water valve or, respectively, magnet controlled water valve, whereby the opening of the water valve and the initiation of the flushing process is caused.
2. Brief Description of the Background of the Invention Including Prior Art
It is desirable for reasons of hygiene to flush urinals automatically and contact free after their use. Numerous embodiments are known for this purpose, wherein the use is recognized and the flushing activated by an evaluation electronics through an electromagnetic water valve.
The conventional principles of sensors for the purpose of releasing of flushing processes in urinals are predominantly based on the recognition of a user. Devices with the passive infrared sensors are known, which detect the thermal radiation of human beings in front of the urinal and thereby release the flushing. Furthermore devices with active infrared sensors are known, which emit an infrared signal, which is reflected by the human being in front of the urinal. The reflection signal provides indirectly information if a usage has taken place. Finally, devices with radar sensors are known, which devices emit microwaves, wherein the microwaves are reflected by the human being in front of the urinal.
Devices with thermal sensors are based on the detection of changes of the liquid contained in the urinal upon use. These devices are incorporated in the stink trap and detect the temperature change upon urine feeding into the water of the stink trap.
It is common to all methods that the permanent operation of the sensors and the permanent operations of the electronic use up electrical energy, which is furnished in general by a battery. The lifetime of the battery is limited by the continuous, even though small flow of current, which requires expensive service interventions for purposes of exchanging the battery.
Based on the relative frequent change of batteries, the change of batteries has to be performable without a large technical expenditure, which forces to place the battery at an accessible location.
Urinals are frequently installed in picnic areas or other public installations. The problem of vandalism exists here, and for this reason as little operating parts or equipment parts as possible should be visible from the outside of the urinal or, respectively, be present as separate construction elements. In an ideal situation the device for controlling the flushing is therefore completely incorporated into the urinal and in this respect completely integrated and is from the outside neither visible nor accessible. This requirement can however only be fulfilled, if the energy use of urinal is so low that without further actions a reliable operation of 5 to 10 years can be assured with a single battery.
A device for automatic releasing of a flushing process after using of a urinal has become known through the Japanese printed patent document JP-A-07 1893 15, wherein a float switch or target is disposed in a siphon of the urinal, wherein the float switch changes its position upon level changes of the liquid contained in the siphon and generates thereby a switching pulse, with which switching pulse a magnet controlled water valve is triggered, whereby the opening of the magnet controlled water valve is caused and the initiation of the flushing process is caused.
A urinal with stink trap and an automatic flushing device has become known from the German printed patent document DE-A-2445223, wherein the flushing device comprises an electronic control unit, wherein the electronic control unit triggers a magnet valve disposed in the water inlet and exhibits a pulse generator exciting the control unit. A measurement sensor is disposed between the level of the overflow edge of the stink trap and the liquid level disposed lower after each flushing, wherein the measurement sensor conducts a switching signal to an electronic control unit upon the flushing of liquid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
1. Purposes of the Invention
It is therefore an object of the invention to furnish a device for the automatic release of a flushing process in urinals or, respectively, similar sanitary engineering installations after their use under avoiding of these recited disadvantages, wherein the device for automatic release is completely integrated into the installations and exhibits a small maintenance expenditure.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the description which follows.
2. Brief Description of the Invention
The present invention provides a device for the automatic release of a flushing process after using of a urinal or a similar sanitary engineering installation, such as toilet according to the initially recited kind, wherein according to the invention a discharge barrier is disposed in the outset of the siphon, wherein the discharge barrier is furnished with an opening, wherein the cross-section of this opening is dimensioned such that only a volume stream smaller than the average amount of urine delivered per time unit is possible, and wherein the target is disposed in the region in front of the discharge barrier.
The sensor is here an active sensor, for example a proximity switch, or preferably a passive element for reasons of energy savings, in particular an electrical or mechanical contact, wherein the electrical or mechanical contact is closed or actuated upon level changes.
The sensor initiates a flushing processes then, when the liquid level changes by a predetermined amount. The liquid level can increase based on a use according to the purposes or can be lowered by a long nonuse. In both cases, but at least during the increase of the level, the flushing is activated.
The apparatus comprises a target, in particular a float or an element attached to a float, which changes its position upon level changes of the liquid contained in the siphon. The changing position of the target is captured by the sensor and causes the generation of a switching pulse.
In order to amplify the increase of the liquid level with external feed of liquid, a discharge barrier is disposed in the discharge outlet of the siphon according to the present invention. This discharge barrier is furnished with an opening or, respectively, the discharge barrier together with the internal wall of the siphon forms an opening. The cross-section of this opening is dimensioned such that the opening allows only a volume stream, wherein the volume stream is smaller than the average amount of urine per time unit. Therefore the level upon external liquid feed increases in the space formed by the barrier and the inner wall of the siphon, which is detected by the sensor according to the present invention. The opening is here disposed preferably below the level of the discharge barrier and enables the discharge of the water to the level of the discharge channel.
An energy-saving detection principle provides that the sensor includes a float, wherein at least one magnet is disposed at the float, as well as a magnet contact. Here the float is disposed movably in the region in front of the discharge barrier. The magnet contact is fixed in position. The position of the float can be determined through the magnet contact.
The magnet contacts closed by a magnet
Kotte Rainer
Rump Hanns
Fetsuga Robert M.
Kasper Horst
Rosemarie Brand-Gerhart
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