GB2302623A - Electric motor drive device for operating a lever - Google Patents

Abstract

A device for operating a lever comprises an electric motor 101 and a timer 121 which deactivates the motor after a predetermined duration of operation. In one embodiment the device is for flushing a toilet and comprises a capacitor start 0.33 HP (240 W) electric motor 101 and a timer 121. On receipt of a signal from a remote control unit 124 the electric motor 101 is actuated for a predetermined period of time during which the electric motor 101 rotates sufficiently for an arm 103 to pull a Bowden cable 105 to depress the handle 107 sufficiently to flush the cistern 108. A modified device can be used for sequentially unlatching a door (208 Fig 2) and then pushing the door (208) open. A remote control receiver 122 (222) may be voice activated.

Description

Device for Operating a Lever This invention relates to a device for operating a lever and, more particularly but not exclusively, is concerned with a device for operating a toilet flush mechanism and for opening doors.

Conventionally toilets are flushed by depressing a lever pivotally mounted on a cistern. Unfortunately many disabled people are unable to operate such levers and a variety of electrically operated devices are available to depress the lever. These devices all rely on the use of a small electric motor with a gear box and a limit switch which deactivates the electric motor when the lever is sufficiently depressed. Whilst such devices function acceptably they require careful installation to ensure that the limit switch is correctly positioned to deactivate the electric motor at the appropriate time. If the limit switch is not activated by the time the lever reaches its maximum travel the electric motor stalls, overheats and burns out.

The present invention aims to reduce this problem.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for operating a lever, which device comprises an electric motor and a timer which, in use, will deactivate said electric motor after a predetermined duration of operation.

Preferably, said device further includes means for adjusting the duration of operation of said electric motor.

Preliminary experiments have indicated that the necessary duration of operation of the electric motor for a variety of cisterns only varies very slightly and it is thus possible to provide a device with correspondingly limited adjustment. If, for any reason, the device is incorrectly adjusted to provide a duration which is too long then the electric motor will simply stall for a fraction of a second which will not unduly damage most electric motors bearing in mind that the electric motor will be able to cool while the cistern is being refilled.

A second problem with the prior art devices is that they are relatively expensive. This is due to the presence of the gearbox and to the ancillary equipment associated with the limit switch.

Capacitor start electric motors with power outputs ranging from 0.25 to 0.75 HP (180 to 550 W) are readily available for use in domestic appliances and small power tools. As such they are relatively inexpensive.

If the end of the lever of a toilet is connected to the spindle of a capacitor start electric motor by a length of cord and the motor started the lever will move down smoothly and flush the toilet.

Advantageously, the electric motor is a capacitor start motor and such device includes a starting capacitor.

Preferably, said electric motor has a rated output of from 0.25 to 0.75 HP (180 to 550 W).

The present invention also provides a toilet provided with a device in accordance with the present invention.

The device thus far described can also be used for operating the lever of a door latch. However, in order to be really useful the door must be pushed open while the lever is depressed.

Prior art devices for solving this problem employ two electric motors, one for actuating the lever and one for opening the door. In both cases the electric motors are associated with limit switches to limit the travel of the lever and the door.

A basic improvement on this prior art would be to replace each prior art device with a device according to the present invention. However, we have found that a single electric motor can be used to achieve both functions.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for opening a door, which device comprises an electric motor, a timer which, in use, will deactivate said electric motor after a predetermined duration of operation, means for connecting said electric motor to a lever on a door, and means for opening said door, the arrangement being such that when said electric motor is actuated said electric motor will first operate said lever and then open said door.

Preferably, said device further includes means for adjusting the duration of operation of said electric motor.

Preferably, said electric motor has a power output of from 0.25 to 0.75 HP (180 to 550 W).

Preferably, said electric motor is a capacitor start electric motor and said device includes a starting capacitor.

The present invention also provides a door provided with a device according to the present invention.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a simplified view of a first embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention ready for use; and Fig. 2 shows a simplified view of a second embodiment of a device in accordance with the present invention, ready for use.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawing, there is shown a flushing device which is generally identified by reference numeral 100. The flushing device 100 comprises an electric motor 101 having a drive shaft 102 to which is fixed an arm 103. One end 104 of a Bowden cable 105 is connected to one of the arm 103, and the other end 106 of the Bowden cable 105 is connected to a handle 107 which operates the flushing mechanism of a cistern 108. The outer sheath 109 of the Bowden cable 105 is attached to the cistern 108.

The electric motor 101 is connected to an electric circuit comprising a capacitor 120, a timer 121, a receiver 122 and a source of power 123.

In operation, when it is desired to flush the cistern 108 a remote control unit 124 is actuated. The receiver 122 sends a signal to timer 121 which simultaneously initialises an internal clock and starts the electric motor 101 using the capacitor 120. As the drive shaft 102 rotates the arm 103 pulls Bowden cable 105 downwardly and pulls the handle 107 thereby flushing the cistern 108.

After a predetermined duration the timer 121 isolates the supply of power 123 from the electric motor 101. Ideally this occurs when the handle 107 has moved sufficiently for the cistern 108 to flush but before the extremity of travel of the handle 107.

When the flush is complete the flushing mechanism returns the handle 107 to its initial position and this, in turn, returns the arm 103 to its initial position.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is shown a device for opening a door.

The device, which is generally identified by reference numeral 200, comprises a motor 201 having an upwardly extending drive shaft 202 to which is fixed a horizontally extending arm 203. One end 204 of a Bowden cable 205 is connected to one end of the arm 203. The other end 206 of the Bowden cable 205 is connected to a handle 207 of a hinged door 208. The outer sheath 209 of the Bowden cable is attached to the door 208 and to the wall adjacent the door 208.

One end of a telescopically extendible arm 210 is pivotally mounted on the drive shaft 202 and the other end is pivotally mounted on the door 208. A rubber stop 211 is mounted on the telescopically extendible arm 210 as shown.

In use, when a remote control unit 224 is actuated a signal is transmitted which is received by receiver 222. The receiver 222 simultaneously initialises a clock in timer 221 and connects the motor 201 to a source of power 223. The electric motor 101, which is conveniently a 0.33 HP (240 W) capacitor start motor (manufactured by under model number starts turning drive shaft 202.

As the drive shaft 202 rotates the arm 203 rotates causing Bowden cable 205 to pull the handle 207 downwardly and unlatch the door 208. Further rotation of the drive shaft 202 brings the arm 203 into contact with the rubber stop 211. The arm 203 and telescopically extendible arm 210 then move together to open the door 208.

The timer 221 is adjusted so that the source of power 223 is isolated from the electric motor when the door 208 is about two thirds the way open. This is generally about 4 seconds. The inertia of the door 208 will then carry the door 208 to its fully open position which is generally determined by a rubber stop screwed to the floor. After the electric motor 201 is isolated from the source of power 203 the arm 204 is returned to its initial position by the return mechanism associated with the latch.

When it is desired to close the door 208 the remote control unit 224 is actuated a second time. The electric motor 201 is actuated in the opposite direction for a predetermined period of time during which the drive shaft 202 rotates nearly 360" in the opposite sense before striking the opposite side of the rubber stop 211 and urging the door into its closed position.

Various modifications to the embodiment described are envisaged for example, if desired, a strong spring could be inserted between the handle 207 and the other end 206 of the Bowden cable 205. This spring would be sufficiently strong to open the handle 207 but would expand if further movement of the arm 203 was required beyond that permitted by the handle 207.

It will be noted that in the case of the flushing device 100 the lever 107 can be depressed manually to flush the cistern 108 by an able-bodied person. Similarly, the door 208 can also be opened and closed without detaching the telescopically extendible arm 210 from the door 208.

If desired, the receiver 122 or the receiver 222 could be voice activated.

At the present time we have found that a 0.33 HP (240 W) capacitor start motor is quite suitable for flushing most cisterns and opening most doors. In one test it was found that a 0.33 HP (240 W) capacitor start motor 101 associated with an 8 MFD capacitor 120 would not flush a particular cistern 108. However, when the capacitor 120 was replaced by a 10 MFD capacitor 120 the flushing device 100 worked extremely well. For most domestic doors a 10 MFD capacitor appears quite satisfactory although a 15 MFD or 20 MFD capacitor may be required for heavier doors.

It is also envisaged that a D.C. motor could also be used.

Claims (11)

Claims

1. A device for operating a lever, which device comprises an electric motor and a timer which, in use, will deactivate said electric motor after a predetermined duration of operation.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1, including means for adjusting the duration of operation of said electric motor.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein said electric motor is a capacitor start motor and said device includes a starting capacitor.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said electric motor has a rated output of from 0.25 to 0.75 HP (180 to 550 W).

5. A toilet provided with a device as claimed in any preceding claim.

6. A door provided with a door opening mechanism comprising a device as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 4.

7. A device for opening a door, which device comprises an electric motor, a timer which, in use, will deactivate said electric motor after a predetermined duration of operation, means for connecting said electric motor' to a lever on a door, and means for opening said door, the arrangement being such that when said electric motor is actuated said electric motor will first operate said lever and then open said door.

8. A device as claimed in Claim 7, including means for adjusting the duration of operation of said electric motor.

9. A device as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein said electric motor has a rated output of from 0.25 to 0.75 HP (180 to 550 W).

10. A device as claimed in Claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein said electric motor is a capacitor start electric motor and said device includes a starting capacitor.

11. A door provided with a device as claimed in any of Claims 7 to 10.