JP2010508108A - Toilet seat assembly powered by magnet device - Google Patents

Abstract

The toilet seat assembly powering device uses a force that passes through the support wall of the toilet seat assembly. The movable magnet (1) disposed under the wall surface (7) has a crescent-like shape in which the toilet seat (8) and the lid (9) move along at least from a horizontal position to a vertical position along a circular arc. And the toilet seat assembly includes magnetic means (2) disposed opposite the movable magnet.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  Public toilet users on the ground and in vehicles (such as airplanes or trains) do not like to touch the toilet seat assembly (meaning the toilet seat itself and the lid), especially the toilet seat itself.

  It is an object of the present invention to disclose a means for activating the toilet seat assembly to allow the toilet seat and lid to be raised and lowered without having to be moved by hand.

  There are various patented means. They require a mechanical connection between the toilet seat assembly and the actuating device, as in WO 96/06558 and WO 03/086161.

  We provide a means to avoid any mechanical connection between the toilet seat assembly and the power plant. The advantage of said means is that the support surface of the toilet seat can be completely cleaned without using any inserts or surface reliefs.

  The motorizing means of FIG. 1 uses the force of the magnetic attraction means through the wall that supports the toilet seat assembly.

  A crescent-shaped movable magnetic attraction means (1) located under the wall moves at least one (lid or such) auxiliary assembly of the toilet seat assembly through a circular arc from at least a horizontal position to a vertical position. The toilet seat assembly includes magnetic attraction means (2) disposed opposite the movable magnetic attraction means (1).

  The actuator moves at least one movable magnetic attraction means (1).

  Other features may be found in the detailed description of the invention.

A housing (6) contained within a magnetic attraction means (2), such as a toilet magnet assembly and a permanent magnet, electromagnet or ferromagnetic material which it itself contains, said toilet seat assembly comprising a supporting wall (7) ). A movable ferromagnetic attracting means (1) such as a permanent magnet moves around this support wall. Shown is the toilet seat (9) itself of a toilet seat assembly comprising a lid (8), part of a wall surface (7) and movable magnets (101, 101 ', 102). The components of the toilet seat assembly, showing the toilet seat itself or lid in the horizontal position and the magnetic attraction means (101, 101 ', 102 and 201, 201', 202). A component of the toilet seat assembly, showing the toilet seat itself or the lid in a vertical position. A cam (10) with two protrusions (4) and (5) is shown. Fig. 3 shows the movement of the lid moving from a horizontal position A to at least one vertical position B; The cam which moves a movable magnet (101,102) alternately is shown. Fig. 2 shows a movable magnet support mounted on a base. 1 shows a flange with a bearing device. Figure 3 shows an apparatus for opening and closing a toilet seat assembly. Figure 2 shows a toilet seat assembly consisting of one form of support wall and two independent parts. Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative toilet seat / lid combination with a flange shape to allow rotation of the lid from a horizontal position to at least a vertical position. Fig. 4 shows a toilet seat with a groove (17) designed to accommodate a lid pivot (19). Figure 3 shows a lid with a rotating pivot (19). The form of the wall surface which raised the front part which accept | permitted the movement expanded by the magnetic attraction means (1) is shown. Fig. 5 shows a lid housing with a slot (27) for inserting a support projection (25) into the housing (6) of the lid (8). Shown is a housing (6) with a projection (25) for supporting the housing (6) of the lid (8) during rotation. Fig. 5 shows an axial motorization device for a toilet seat assembly.

  The present invention is a motorizing device for a toilet seat assembly comprising at least one magnetic attraction means (1) moved by an actuator separated by at least one wall, said wall comprising a toilet seat (9) and Supporting the other magnetic attraction means (2) connected to the toilet seat assembly with a rotating base (6) enabling the lid (8) to move from a horizontal position to at least a vertical position, and The actuator is activated by the controller.

  In a preferred embodiment, the toilet seat assembly of FIG. 1 comprises a rotating roller (6) that forms a rotating base as described in WO2005 / 055791A1. The toilet seat assembly lies on a wall (7) shaped in part in a circular arc. The magnet (2) is arranged in at least one of the toilet seat itself and the lid housing which are partly or wholly shaped like a roll. The other magnet (1) arranged opposite the attracting means (2) can move.

  The circular arc shaped wall surface is intended to allow the magnet (1) to maintain a certain proximity distance to the magnet (2) when moving.

  If the toilet seat assembly is heavy, a plurality of movable magnets may be used as shown in FIG. For example, the toilet seat (9) shown in FIG. 2 is actuated by two magnets (101, 101 ') and the lid (8) is actuated by an elongated movable magnet (102).

  In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the toilet seat assembly is determined such that it is actuated by only two movable magnets, one for the toilet seat itself and the other for the lid. The magnetic force of the movable magnet (1) is calculated so as not to be disengaged from the movable magnet (2) arranged opposite to it as shown in FIG. The attracting means are arranged opposite each other so that their polarities are as strong as possible and so as not to disengage from each other.

  The action of the movable magnet is to move the toilet seat assembly to the vertical position of FIG. 4 at least far away from the horizontal position (A) shown in FIG. The French NF standard requires that the toilet seat can be raised to at least 98 °.

  The movable magnet is preferably moved by an electric motor. However, they can also be moved by any other actuator such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder or the like.

  In a particularly preferred embodiment, the movable magnet is moved by a single motor connected to the cam.

  In one effective embodiment, the actuator comprises the cam (10) shown in FIG. 5 with two protrusions (4, 5) on two levels. When the device is activated, the projection (4) of the cam (10) is carried over the magnet (102) as in FIG. 7 and pushed down, resulting in the lid (8) as shown in FIG. If the user continues to operate the device, the projection (5) will then drive the movable magnet (101) down as shown in FIG. 7, resulting in the toilet seat itself (9).

  Conversely, the cam (10) made of ferromagnetic material causes the magnet (101, 102) to be attracted by the cam when it moves upward and the toilet seat assembly is raised to 98 ° and thereby Driven. The torque that must be generated to begin closing the toilet seat assembly at 98 ° is small.

  As soon as the toilet seat itself and the lid are in the closed position of less than 90 °, they assist the actuator by gravity.

  In a preferred embodiment, the movable magnets (101, 102) are mounted on the magnet support arm (11) as shown in FIG. These arms are connected on the support plate (12). These arms rotate freely around a circular arc of at least 98 ° in the housing (15). The strength of the attractive force of the magnets (1) and (2) allows the magnets to be freely arranged so that they face each other, so that the magnet (101) faces the magnet (201), and so on.

  Advantageously, the part of the wall (7) that supports the housing (9) is slightly in the front to form a recess that enlarges the area for the magnet (1) to move, as shown in FIG. It is exciting.

  If a person skilled in the art wants to use a flat toilet seat assembly such as a wooden toilet seat assembly, the wall shape will be continuous as described in French patent FR 06/01871 (FIG. 11). The motorized device is connected to the toilet seat itself and to its lid.

  In a preferred embodiment, the toilet seat assembly comprises a flange (13) of FIG. 9 that allows rotation of the toilet seat and prevents friction of the toilet seat on the support wall (7).

  The flange mouth (16) is inserted into the housing (6) of the magnet (2). Friction between the toilet seat assembly and the flange advantageously occurs on the inner wall surface of the housing, making scratches and wear invisible from the outside.

  The flange may conveniently comprise a rotary bearing element such as a needle roller bearing (14).

  The use of a flange is recommended according to the configuration that holds the toilet seat assembly on the wall. If the toilet seat assembly is held by a rotary cage, such as PCT / FR2004 / 003148, a partially or fully circular flange prevents friction of the toilet seat assembly within the cage. When held by a magnet, such as FR06 / 01871, the use of a flange is desirable for satisfactory operation of the power plant. The flange can be of any shape and can advantageously act as a stopper for holding the magnetic attraction means (2) in its housing (6). The structure of the housing (6) is related to the shape of the magnetic attraction means (2), the shape of the flange support method, the pivot shape, and the like.

  In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the flange is greater than the diameter of the housing (6), thus preventing any friction of the toilet seat assembly in the groove (17). Of course, the thickness of the housing is equal to or larger than the toilet seat itself or the lid, which is a subassembly attached thereto.

  In one preferred embodiment of FIG. 13, the housing of the lid (8) is carried by a groove (17) formed in the toilet seat (9) itself. The advantage of this design is aesthetic as it allows the toilet seat itself (9) to be completely hidden by the lid (8) when viewed from above and in a horizontal plane.

  The pivot (19) of the lid (8) sits in the groove (17). The lid housing (20) is advantageously provided with magnetic attraction means arranged in the immediate vicinity of the magnetic attraction means contained in the housing (6) of the toilet seat (9) itself, so that the groove (17) Help hold the pivot (19) in it.

  In order to be able to raise the lid (8) without lifting the toilet seat itself from the wall surface (7), the thickness (24) of the flange (13) shown in FIG. (8) By making it larger or equal to the thickness of the edge (23), the housing (6) of the toilet seat itself is separated from the wall surface (7). The edge (18) of the housing (17) is preferably arranged at the level of the flange edge (24). The flange edge (24) shown in FIG. 12 is located at a level below the center of rotation “R” common to the flange and the housing of the toilet seat (9) itself.

  The discussion of FIG. 12 will reveal that the flange (13) with the right-hand side supporting the load helps to position the flange. In case of accidental movement, the flange returns to the position when the lid is closed.

  In another embodiment, the lid (8) is connected to the toilet seat itself by projections (25) arranged in the shaft of the housing, as shown in FIG. 17, or by means of pin-type connection means Connected to the housing. The lid (8) is attached to a housing (6) in the form of a rotating cage (26) as shown in FIG. The two parts are connected to each other by inserting the housing (6) of the lid (8) between the two housings of the toilet seat (9) itself. During the assembly of the lid and toilet seat itself, the slot (27) provides a surface facing the projection (25) which is inserted into the housing (6) of the lid (8). The protrusion (25) acts as a rotating means, and the inner wall surface of the housing (6) of the lid (8) is seated on the end (28) of the protrusion (25).

  In a preferred embodiment, the protrusion (25) comprises at least one rotating element bearing (28) to reduce friction.

  This design in combination with a semi-closed rotating cage shaped wall as described in PCT / FR2004 / 003148 allows the toilet seat assembly to be pre-defined in the event of an in-flight event (such as entering an air pocket). Since it is held in position, it is particularly suitable for use in air transport.

  One of the magnetic attraction means (1) or (2) need not necessarily be a permanent magnet. For example, a magnetic material or an electromagnet can be used.

  As far as realization is concerned, those skilled in the art will know that the weight of the toilet seat itself and the weight of the lid, the magnetic attraction means (1) and (2), And it has means for adjusting the distance between the center “C” of the housing (6) shown in FIG. 1 and the magnetic attraction means (1). The greater the distance between the center “C” and the magnetic attraction means (1), the greater the torque that causes the toilet seat assembly to rise and fall.

  If one skilled in the art chooses a heavy toilet seat assembly, he can double the powering means and the actuator is mounted in close proximity to each rotating roller in the toilet seat assembly (FIG. 2).

  In another embodiment, each magnetic attraction means (1) is connected to its own actuator.

  In a first embodiment, the toilet seat assembly is activated by a user activating via a button or photovoltaic interface as shown in FIG. This emulation activates the actuator and then moves the magnet (1).

  In other embodiments, closing of the toilet seat assembly can be automated by providing an electronic device. This embodiment is particularly suitable for toilets that are installed in public toilets. The closure of the toilet seat assembly can be linked from the inside to the unlocking of the door. Thus, if the user forgets to close the toilet seat assembly without noticing, this will be done automatically when he leaves the bathroom.

  In other embodiments, the toilet seat assembly can be adapted to a third part, such as a children's toilet seat.

  Another form of motorized apparatus for the toilet seat assembly is shown in FIG. 18, in which the movable magnetic attraction means (1) is replaced with a magnetic attraction means (2) housing disposed within the housing (6). It is to be installed in the continuation of the shaft. The magnetic attraction means (1) actuated by an actuator (28), such as a geared motor, performs a reciprocating motion that raises or lowers one of the lower components of the toilet seat assembly (the toilet seat itself and the lid). The housing of the lid and the toilet seat itself are joined in such a way that each can benefit from motorization at the end of the housing. Thus, when the toilet seat assembly stays on only one groove, each of the lid and the toilet seat itself has a housing located at one end of the groove.

Claims (10)

A motorized toilet seat assembly comprising:
The motorized device for the toilet seat assembly is moved by an actuator and separated by at least one wall (7) supporting other magnetic attraction means (2) connected to the toilet seat assembly including the rotating base (6). At least one magnetic attraction means (1) and moving the toilet seat (9) and lid (8) from a horizontal position to at least a vertical position, said actuator being activated by a control device Said toilet seat assembly. The motorized toilet seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein the rotating base comprises a housing including magnetic attraction means and a flange. 3. A motorized toilet seat assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator comprises a cam with a protrusion. 4. A motorized toilet seat assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator is a motor. 4. A motorized toilet seat assembly according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuator is a push-in cylinder. 6. A motorized toilet seat assembly according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the toilet seat comprises a groove that functions as a housing for the lid. The lid (8) is connected to the toilet seat (9) by a projection (25) disposed in the shaft of the housing (6), and the lid is a housing having a shape like a rotating cage ( A motorized toilet seat assembly according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises 6). 8. A powered toilet seat assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control device for operating the toilet seat assembly is manual or automatic. The movable magnetic attraction means (1) is arranged in the continuation of the shaft of the housing of the magnetic attraction means (2) arranged in the housing (6). 9. A powered toilet seat assembly according to any one of 1 to 8. Motorized toilet seat assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuator moves at least one movable magnetic attraction means (1) mounted on a movable rod.

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