Method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume

A flush water control arrangement includes a water control pusher alignedly extended towards a flushing shaft, and an automated actuation unit which includes a motorized unit and an automated plunger arm movably extended towards the water control pusher. When the motorized unit is activated in responsive to a presence of a user, the automated plunger arm is driven by the motorized unit to move the water control pusher so as to actuate the flushing shaft between the first and second positions for complete a flushing operation. The water control pusher is actuated to push at the second position of the flushing shaft to complete the flushing operation with a relatively high volume of water. The water control pusher is actuated to push at the first position of the flushing shaft to complete the flushing operation with a relatively low volume of water.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a flush system, and more particularly to a flush system comprising a flush water control arrangement which is capable of effectively controlling a flow volume of flush water by a motorized device during a flushing operation in responsive to a presence of a user.

2. Description of Related Arts

A conventional manual flush apparatus for a sanitary system comprises a valve body, a water valve, and a manual operation mechanism. The valve body has a water inlet communicating with a water source, a water outlet for the water flushing out of the valve body, and a manual handle opening communicating with the manual operation mechanism. The water valve comprises a diaphragm member sealing between the water inlet and the water outlet, and a diaphragm shaft downwardly extended from the diaphragm member to move the diaphragm member between a sealed position and an unsealed position.

The manual operation mechanism comprises a driving unit, a retention ring coupled with the valve body at the manual handle opening to hold the driving unit thereat, and a manual handle movably mounted at the retention ring via a ball joint. The driving unit comprises a dish-shaped pushing platform disposed in the retention ring and a plunger pin extended from the pushing platform towards the diaphragm shaft through the manual handle opening. When the manual handle is manually moved through an arc-path from its first position to push the pushing platform, the plunger pin is laterally moved to push a bottom portion of the diaphragm shaft in a tilted manner, thereby unsealing the diaphragm member to let the water flushing out of the water outlet and thus flushing the sanitary system.

The main advantage of the manual flush apparatus is that the manual operation of the manual operation mechanism is accurate and simple. Accordingly, since the pushing platform provides a relatively large pushing surface for the manual handle, the pushing platform can transmit the pushing force at any direction from the manual handle to a lateral pushing force at the plunger pin. In other words, no matter which contacting point at the pushing surface of the pushing platform is hit by the manual handle, the plunger pin will always laterally move to push the diaphragm shaft. Therefore, the user can move the manual handle at any direction for completing the flushing operation of the manual flush apparatus.

For hygiene purposes, an improved flush apparatus provides an automated operation mechanism for flushing the sanitary system in a hand free manner. The automated operation mechanism comprises a solenoid operated pusher for utilizing a latching solenoid to limit power drain on the battery. Accordingly, when an infrared sensor detects the presence of a user of the sanitary system, the solenoid operated pusher is automatically driven to move the diaphragm shaft for flushing the sanitary system. However, the automated operation mechanism has several common drawbacks.

The presence of the user sensed by the infrared sensor will cause the solenoid to move the diaphragm member to the unsealed position. It is known that the solenoid is made of a number of circular wire loops to generate a magnetic force when an electric current is passed through the wire loops. The solenoid may come in contact with water such that the solenoid may accumulate rusting particles from the water, which may remain on the solenoid. It is one of the common problems to cause a failure of operation of the automated operation mechanism. In other words, the conventional manual operation mechanism is more reliable than the automated operation mechanism. Thus, the maintenance cost of the automated operation mechanism is higher than that of the conventional manual operation mechanism.

In addition, the structural design of the automated operation mechanism is different from that of the manual operation mechanism. In other words, when the flush apparatus is incorporated with the automated operation mechanism, the flush apparatus will lose the mechanical-manual operated feature. Therefore, there is no alternative to flush the sanitary system when the automated operation mechanism has failed to operate.

The solenoid operated pusher is retracted by a spring force. Accordingly, a compression spring is coaxially mounted at the solenoid operated pusher and arranged in such a manner that when the solenoid operated pusher is pushed forward to move the diaphragm shaft, the compressed spring will apply the spring force to push the solenoid operated pusher back to its original position. Accordingly, the spring will gradually generate a weak spring force after a period of continuous use.

In order to install the automated operation mechanism into the conventional flush apparatus, the manual operation mechanism of the flush apparatus must be totally removed, which is a waste of resources in order to incorporate with the automated operation mechanism. In other words, the driving unit, the retention ring, and the manual handle must be disassembled from the flush apparatus in order to install the automated operation mechanism.

Furthermore, the solenoid must be electrically linked to a power source. The solenoid can be electrically linked with an external AC power source that an electric cable must be properly run from the external power source to the solenoid. Alternatively, the solenoid can be powered by a battery that the battery must be frequently replaced before the solenoid is out of battery.

In addition, a conventional toilet or urinal flush system comprises a valve body having a water inlet and a water outlet, a diaphragm having a water channel communicating between the water inlet and the water outlet, a relief valve disposed at the diaphragm for blocking the water flowing from the water inlet to the water outlet through the water channel, and a flush actuator arranged to move the relief valve at a position where the water is allowed flow to the water outlet for completing the flushing operation.

Conventionally, the relief valve has a pivotal pin member longitudinally and downwardly extended therefrom in the water channel, whereas the flush actuator comprises an elongated actuating member transversely and pivotally extended from the valve body, and a pusher pin transversely and movably extended in the valve body to align with the pivotal pin, in such a manner that when the elongated actuating member is pivotally moved in a predetermined direction (such as a downward direction with respect to the valve body), the pusher pin is transversely pushed to drive the pivotal pin to pivotally move within the valve body so as to open the relief valve for allowing water flowing through water channel. As a result, a user is able to flush the toilet by actuating the flush actuator.

A major drawback for this conventional toilet flush system is that the user is unable to control the volume of water flow so that unnecessary waste of water is prevalent. In other words, the conventional flush system will allow a standard time and volume of flushing regardless of purpose thereof. For example, when the user wishes to flush away a certain piece of toilet paper in the toilet bowl, he or she is unable to adjust the volume of flushing water so that the flushing cycle in this particular instance is exactly the same as any usual flushing cycle for this particular flush system. This is obviously undesirable from environmental as well as economical point of view.

There exist several types of flush systems which include certain types of water adjustment mechanisms which are claimed to be capable of controlling the volume of water during a typical flush cycle. However, the major problem for these kinds of water adjustment mechanisms is that their efficacy of effectively controlling the volume of flushing water among a plurality of operation modes is in doubt. For example, a conventional flush system equipped with a conventional water adjustment mechanism may have two modes of operations, namely a regular flush cycle and a water-saving flush cycle, in which the latter is supposed to require less water than the former. However, the reality is that very often, there is no noticeable or significant difference in water consumption between these two modes of operations so that there is no practical distinction between these two modes of operations. From engineering point of view, when the water adjustment mechanism produces no significant difference in water consumption, there is actually no reason or incentive to produce a flush system having such a water adjustment mechanism because it will certainly increase the manufacturing cost of that flush system.

It is submitted that the main reason for this ineffectiveness in controlling the volume of flush water is that one is hard to accurately control the period for which the relief valve is opened by one single actuating member. Thus, it is possible that the time of opening the relief valve in the two modes of operations is very much the same so that there is no noticeable difference in water volume between these two modes of operation.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, which is capable of effectively controlling a flow volume of flush water during a flushing operation.

Another advantage of the invention is to method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, which is adapted for incorporating with the flush apparatus to selectively actuate the flush apparatus automatically by a motorized device in responsive to a presence of a user.

Another advantage of the invention is to method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, which is adapted for coupling with the conventional flush apparatus by only detaching the manual handle. In other words, the driving mechanism is adapted to maximize the use of the components of the conventional flush apparatus.

Another advantage of the invention is to method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, which is adapted to mount at the retention ring and to actuate the driving unit of the conventional manual operation mechanism. Therefore, the present invention will provide an accurate and simple flush operation as the manual flush apparatus provides.

Another advantage of the invention is to method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, wherein the automated plunger arm is automatically driven by a motorized unit in a lateral direction that the automated plunger arm is laterally moved towards the diaphragm shaft and is laterally moved back from the diaphragm shaft. Therefore, no spring force is applied at the automated plunger arm to retract the automated plunger arm back to its original position.

Another advantage of the invention is to method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, wherein the motorized unit is used as a replacement of the solenoid to control a flow of water, so as to enhance the reliable of the operation of the driving mechanism in comparison with the conventional solenoid mechanism. Thus, the motorized unit avoids water damage and to enhance performance and reliability.

Another advantage of the invention is to method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, which does not require to alter the original structural design of the flush apparatus, so as to minimize the manufacturing cost of the flush apparatus incorporating with the driving mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flush system comprising a water control arrangement, wherein a flushing shaft extended from a valve seat of the flush system is pushed at two spacedly apart positions on the flushing shaft so as to effectively control the period for which the valve seat is opened for effectively controlling the volume of flush water at two separate modes of operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flush system comprising a water control arrangement, which does not in any way interfere with a normal operation of the flush system (except an adjustment of the volume of flush water), so as to allow the water control arrangement to be incorporated into a wide range of conventional flush systems without undue burden on the part of flush system manufacturers. In other words, the present invention can be kept to have the minimal manufacturing cost.

Another advantage of the invention is to method and arrangement for controlling flush water volume, wherein no expensive or complicated structure is required to employ in the present invention in order to achieve the above mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfully provides an economic and efficient solution for not only providing an automated flush operation for the flush apparatus to control the flush water volume but also providing an accurate and simple flush operation as the manual flush apparatus does.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by an arrangement for controlling flush water volume, which comprises:

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the present invention comprises

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring toFIG. 1toFIG. 6of the drawings, a flush system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, in which the flush system for a toilet comprises a valve body10, a valve seat20, a flushing shaft30, and a water control arrangement40.

The valve body10has a water inlet11communicating with a water source, a water outlet12, and a water chamber13communicating between the water inlet11and the water outlet12.

The valve seat20is supported in the valve body10to move between a normal idle position and a flushing position, wherein at the idle position, the valve seat20is sealed at the water chamber13for retaining a water pressure within the water chamber13so as to block flush water flowing from the water inlet11to the water outlet12, wherein and at the flushing position, the valve seat20is moved to relief the water pressure for allowing the flush water flowing towards the toilet through the water outlet12so as to complete a flushing operation.

The flushing shaft30is extended from the valve seat20in the valve body10for being moved to drive the valve seat20to move between the idle position and the flushing position, wherein the flushing shaft30defines a lower pushing position31as a first position and a higher pushing position32as a second position. Furthermore, the flushing shaft30comprises a main shaft member33and a movable pin34movably provided on a lower portion thereof so that the movable pin33is capable of longitudinally moving along the flushing shaft30with respective to the main shaft member33.

The flush water control arrangement40comprises a flush actuator41and a water control pusher42. The flush actuator41comprises an actuator handle411movably extended from the valve body10for being actuated to activate the flushing operation, wherein the flush actuator41is adapted to move between a high volume actuating position and a low volume actuating position.

On the other hand, the water control pusher42comprises a low volume pusher member421and a high volume pusher member422spacedly supported and extended from the flush actuator41, in such a manner that when the flush actuator41is moved to the high volume actuating position, the high volume pusher member422is driven to move by the flush actuator41to pivotally move the flushing shaft30at the higher pushing position32for allowing a high volume of water flowing through the valve seat20, wherein when the flush actuator41is moved to the low volume actuating position, the low volume pusher member421is driven to move by the flush actuator41to pivotally move the flushing shaft30at the lower pushing position31for allowing a low volume of water flowing through the valve seat20, thereby a user is able to control a flush volume of the water by actuating the flush actuator41between the high volume actuating position and the low volume actuating position. Normally however, the low volume pusher member421and the high volume pusher member422are spacedly apart from the flushing shaft30so as to close the valve seat20for blocking water from flowing through the valve body10.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flush actuator41further comprises a driving member412received within the valve body10and operatively connected with the actuator handle411, in such a manner that when the flush actuator41is in the high volume actuating position, the flush actuator41is driven to drive the driving member412to push the high volume pusher member422of the water control pusher42. On the other hand, when the flush actuator41is in the low volume actuating position, the flush actuator41is driven to drive the driving member412to push the low volume pusher member421of the water control pusher42.

The high volume pusher member422of the water control pusher42comprises a biasing head4221extended to align with the driving member412of the flush actuator41, and a tubular member4222defining a central cavity transversely extended from the biasing head4221to align with the higher pushing position32for pushing the lower pushing position31of the flushing shaft30when the flush actuator41is driven to move at the high volume actuating position. It is worth mentioning that when the tubular member4222is pushed to bias against the flushing shaft30, the movable pin34is arranged to be pushed to move upwardly along the flushing shaft30while the main shaft member33is pivotally pushed to open the valve seat20for allowing a high volume of water flowing through the valve body10.

In order to precisely control the volume of the water to complete the flushing operation, the time period of the valve seat20being stayed at the flushing position should be concerned. In other words, the longer time of the valve seat20being stayed at the flushing position, the relatively higher volume of water is used for completing the flushing operation. Therefore, the shorter time of the valve seat20being stayed at the flushing position, the relatively lower volume of water is used for completing the flushing operation.

Accordingly, the time period of the valve seat20being stayed at the flushing position can be controlled by the time of the flushing shaft30being actuated to move back to its vertical orientation. It is worth to mention that when the movable pin34of the flushing shaft30is moved back to its vertical orientation, the valve seat20is sealed back at its idle position to block the water flushing out of the water outlet12.

When the high volume pusher member422is driven to move by the flush actuator41to pivotally move the flushing shaft30at the higher pushing position32, the movable pin34requires longer time to return back to its vertical orientation, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. When the low volume pusher member421is driven to move by the flush actuator41to pivotally move the flushing shaft30at the lower pushing position31, the movable pin34requires shorter time to return back to its vertical orientation, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, by actuating one of the low volume pusher member421and the high volume pusher member422, the time period of the movable pin34returning back to its vertical orientation can be controlled so as to control the volume of water for completing the flushing operation.

Another way to precisely control the volume of the water to complete the flushing operation is to control the inclination angle of the flushing shaft30being actuated.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high volume pusher member422is arranged to be longitudinally pushed to bias against the flushing shaft30until the movable pin34is moved to a position above the high volume pusher member422. In other words, the flushing shaft30is pivotally moved to a high volume flushing angle of inclination with respect to a vertical axis of the flushing shaft30so that a time period for which the valve seat20is opened is maximized.

On the other hand, the low volume pusher member421comprises a pusher head4211extended between the driving member412of the flush actuator41and the high volume pusher member422, and an elongated pusher pin4212transversely extended from the pusher head4211to align with the lower pushing position31for pushing the lower pushing position31of the flushing shaft30when the flush actuator41is driven to move at the low volume actuating position. It is worth mentioning that the elongated pusher pin4212has a circular cross section and is arranged to movably and coaxially disposed into the central cavity of the high volume pusher member422such that the low volume pusher member421is capable of pushing the lower pushing position31of the flushing shaft30by longitudinally sliding along the central cavity of the high volume pusher member422. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the low volume pusher member421is arranged to be longitudinally pushed to bias against the flushing shaft30until the movable pin34is moved to a position above the low volume pusher member421. In other words, the flushing shaft30is pivotally moved to a low volume flushing angle of inclination with respective to a vertical axis of the flushing shaft30so that a time period for which the valve seat20is less than that when the flushing shaft30is pivotally moved to the high volume flushing angle. Since the low volume flushing angle of inclination is less than the high volume flushing angle of inclination, the time period for which the valve seat20is opened is less than that when the flushing shaft30is pivotally moved to the high volume flushing angle, and the volume of flush water will be accordingly less than when the flushing shaft30is pivotally moved to the high volume flushing angle.

Thus, when the higher pushing position32of the flushing shaft30is longitudinally pushed, a relatively high volume of flush water is allowed to pass through the valve body10because there is an extended time of opening of the valve seat20. When the lower pushing position31of the flushing shaft30is longitudinally pushed, a relatively low volume of flush water is allowed to pass through the valve body10because the time of which the valve seat20is opened is less than that when the higher pushing position31of the flushing shaft30is pushed.

It is important to mention that when the high volume pusher member422is pushed by the driving member412, the driving member412is arranged to push both the low volume pusher member421and the high volume pusher member422for driving them to move longitudinally toward the flushing shaft30.

Accordingly, the pusher head4211of the low volume pusher member421has a top semi-circular portion4213and a lower transverse portion4214extended from the semi-circular portion4213, wherein the when the flush actuator41is moved to the low volume actuating position, the driving member412is arranged to push the semi-circular portion4213of the low volume pusher member421so as to push the elongated pusher pin4212to bias against the flushing shaft30.

On the other hand, the biasing head4221of the high volume pusher member422comprises a pusher seat4223having two spacedly apart biasing members4224and a blocking member4225spacedly formed from the two biasing members4224to define a pusher cavity4226between the two biasing members4224and the blocking member4225, wherein when the flush actuator41is moved to the high volume actuating position, the driving member412is arranged to push the biasing members4224so as to push the elongated tubular member4222to bias against the flushing shaft30. It is worth mentioning that the pusher head4211of the high volume pusher member422is capable of longitudinally moving in the pusher cavity4226so that a distance by which the pusher head4211can be longitudinally moved in the valve body10is dictated by a longitudinal length of the pusher cavity4226(i.e. the longitudinal distance between the biasing members4224and the blocking member4225).

Accordingly, the lower transverse portion4214is integrally extended from the semi-circular portion4213such that when the actuator handle411is actuated to push at the biasing members4224for moving the high volume pusher member422, the actuator handle411will also push at the lower transverse portion4214for moving the low volume pusher421at the same time. Therefore, both the low and high volume pusher members421,422will be moved at the same time to complete the high volume flushing operation. It is worth to mention that the lower transverse portion4214can be omitted, as shown inFIG. 9A, such that when the actuator handle411is actuated, only the high volume pusher member422is pushed to complete the high volume flushing operation while the low volume pusher member421is remained at its original position without being pushed.

The water control arrangement40further comprises a sealing ring43received within the high volume pusher member422for preventing backflow of flush water from within the valve body10to the flush actuator41. As shown inFIG. 7, two spaced apart sealing rings43are mounted between the outer surface of the low volume pusher member421and the inner surface of the high volume pusher member422, wherein lubricant is applied at the outer surface of the low volume pusher member421between the two sealing rings43to ensure the smooth sliding movement of the low volume pusher member421within the high volume pusher member422and to seal the gap between the outer surface of the low volume pusher member421and the inner surface of the high volume pusher member422.

Moreover, the water control arrangement40further comprises a resilient element44as an outer resilient element provided in the pusher cavity4226for normally applying an urging force to the low volume pusher member421and the high volume pusher member422for restoring a position thereof so as to normally keep the low volume pusher member421and the high pusher member422to be spacedly apart from the flushing shaft30.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 7, the water control arrangement40further comprises an inner resilient element47provided in the pusher cavity4226for applying an urging force to the high volume pusher member422only so as to normally keep the high volume pusher member422in an idle position when the low volume pusher421is actuated. Accordingly, the outer and inner resilient elements44,47are two compression springs, wherein a diameter of the outer resilient element44is larger than a diameter of the inner resilient element47.

When the actuator handle411is moved to actuate the high volume pusher member422, both the low and high volume pusher members421,422are driven to move. When the actuator handle411is moved to actuate the low volume pusher member421, the inner resilient element47will push against the high volume pusher member422to keep the high volume pusher member422at its original position. In other words, the inner resilient element47ensures only the low volume flushing operation being completed when only the low high pusher member421is actuated.

It is worth mentioning that according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the actuator handle411is adapted to move upwardly and downwardly with respective to the valve body10in order to actuate the flush operation for having either the high volume of flush water or the low volume of flush water. However, one having ordinary skill in the art must appreciate that the direction of actuation for the actuator handle411can also be forward or backward with respective to the valve body10.

The operation of the present invention is as follows: a user is free to actuate the actuator handle411upwardly or downwardly for driving the driving member to bias against the low volume pusher member421or the high volume pusher member422.

When the low volume pusher member421is pushed, the flushing shaft30is pushed at the lower pushing position31so as to release a relatively low volume of flush water. On the other hand, when the high volume pusher member422is pushed, the flushing shaft30is pushed at the higher pushing position32so as to release a relatively high volume of flush water.

Referring toFIG. 7of the drawings, a first alternative mode of the flush system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The first alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the low volume pusher member421′ further comprises a supplemental pusher member4215′ attached onto an outer end of the elongated pusher pin4212, so that by adjusting a size of the supplemental pusher member4215′, the time opening the valve seat20can be optimally adjusted. For example, when the size of the supplemental pusher member4125′ is smaller than the size of the elongated pusher pin4212, the time for releasing the valve seat20can further be reduced so as to further reduce the flow of the flush water.

Referring toFIG. 8of the drawings, a second alternative mode of the flush system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The alternative mode is similar to the preferred embodiment except the low volume pusher member421″ and the high volume pusher member422″. According to the alternative mode, each of the low volume pusher member421″ and the high volume pusher member422″ is an elongated member, wherein the low volume pusher member421″ and the high volume pusher member422″ are slidably supported within the valve body10in a side-by-side manner for being driven to move for pushing the lower pushing position31and the higher pushing position32respectively.

FIGS. 9 to 14illustrate the actuator handle411of the flush water control arrangement40and its alternative modes according to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS. 9A,10A,11A,12A,13A, and14A, the actuator handle411is the manual handle manually moved through an arc-path at its idle position to the high volume actuating position or the low volume actuating position. Accordingly,FIGS. 9A and 10Aillustrate the manual handle at its idle position.FIGS. 11A and 12Aillustrate the manual handle at its high volume actuating position.FIGS. 13A and 14Aillustrate the manual handle at its low volume actuating position. It is appreciated that the actuator handle411can be pivotally moved downward to its high volume actuating position as shown inFIGS. 11A and 12A. Likewise, it is appreciated that the actuator handle411can be pivotally moved upward to its low volume actuating position as shown inFIGS. 13A and 14A. The modification of the manual handle is obvious to change the actuation direction to its high and low volume actuating position, as shown inFIG. 16. In other words, by self-rotating the flush water control arrangement40at 180° with respect to the valve body10, the actuator handle411can be pivotally moved upward to its high volume actuating position while the actuator handle411can be pivotally moved downward to its low volume actuating position.

It is worth to mention that the low volume pusher member421and the high volume pusher member422are individually moved by the actuator handle411. In other words, the high volume flushing operation is completed when only the high volume pusher member422is driven to move while the low volume flushing operation is completed when only the low volume pusher member421is driven to move.

FIGS. 9B,10B,11B,12B,13B, and14B illustrate a first alternative mode of the actuator handle411A, wherein the actuator handle411A comprises a lower button4111A and an upper button4112A. Accordingly, the lower and upper buttons4111A,4112A are two half-buttons. The lower button4111A is manually pressed to drive the high volume pusher member422towards the higher pushing position32of the flushing shaft30, as shown inFIGS. 11B and 12B. The upper button4112A is manually pressed to drive the low volume pusher member421towards the lower pushing position31of the flushing shaft30, as shown inFIGS. 13B and 14B. Therefore, instead of pivotally moving the manual handle up and down, the user is able to selectively press one of the lower and upper buttons4111A,4112A to select the high and low volume flushing operations.

FIGS. 9C,10C,11C,12C,13C, and14C illustrate a second alternative mode of the actuator handle411B, wherein the actuator handle411B comprises an outer button4111B and an inner button4112B. Accordingly, the outer button4111B has a hollow shape for the inner button4112B slidably disposed therein, wherein the user is able to selectively press one of the outer and inner buttons4111B,4112B for completing the flushing operation. A compression spring4113B is disposed in the outer button4111B for applying an urging force between the outer and inner buttons4111B,4112B.

In particularly, the outer button4111B is manually pressed to drive the high volume pusher member422towards the higher pushing position32of the flushing shaft30, as shown inFIGS. 11C and 12C. The inner button4112B is manually pressed to drive the low volume pusher member421towards the lower pushing position31of the flushing shaft30, as shown inFIGS. 13C and 14C. In addition, the inner button4112B can be integrated with the low volume pusher member421. It is worth to mention that when the outer button4111B is pressed, the inner button4112B is also driven to be pressed at the same time such that the low and high volume pusher members421,422are driven to move at the same time. However, the high volume flushing operation is completed when both the low and high volume pusher members421,422are driven to move at the same time.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 15, the flush water control arrangement40further comprises a locking ring45detachably locking the flush actuator41at the opening of the valve body10in a movable manner, and a flush indicator46provided on the locking ring45to indicate the direction of the flush actuator41between the high volume actuating position and the low volume actuating position. As shown inFIG. 15, when the actuator handle411of the flush actuator41is remained at a horizontal orientation, the valve seat20is remained at the idle position. The flush indicator46contains a low flush indication and a high flush indication located below the low flush indication. Therefore, when the actuator handle411of the flush actuator41is moved upwardly towards the low flush indication, the flushing operation with low volume of water is completed. When the actuator handle411of the flush actuator41is moved downwardly towards the high flush indication, the flushing operation with high volume of water is completed.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the present invention also provides a method of actuating a flush system. The flush system comprises a valve body10, a valve seat20and a flushing shaft30extended from the valve seat20, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

(a) providing a flush actuator41comprising an actuator handle411movably extended from the valve body10for being actuated to activate the flushing operation, wherein the flush actuator41is adapted to move between a high volume actuating position and a low volume actuating position;

(b) providing a water control pusher42comprising a low volume pusher member421and a high volume pusher member422spacedly supported and extended from the flush actuator41; and

(c) actuating the flushing actuator41in such a manner that when the flush actuator41is moved to the high volume actuating position, the high volume pusher member422is driven to move by the flush actuator41to pivotally move the flushing shaft30at the higher pushing position32for allowing a high volume of water flowing through the valve seat20, wherein when the flush actuator41is moved to the low volume actuating position, the low volume pusher member421is driven to move by the flush actuator41to pivotally move the flushing shaft30at the lower pushing position31for allowing a low volume of water flowing through the valve seat20, so that a user is able to control a flush volume of the water by actuating the flush actuator41between the high volume actuating position and the low volume actuating position.

Referring toFIGS. 17 to 19of the drawings, a flush apparatus according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the flush apparatus, such as a conventional manual flush apparatus for a sanitary system, comprises a valve body A10, a water valve A20and an operation device A30.

The valve body A10has a water inlet A11communicatively linked to a water source, a water outlet A12, and a water chamber A13provided between the water inlet A11and the water outlet A13.

The water valve A20comprises a diaphragm member A21sealing at the water chamber A13between the water inlet A11and the water outlet A12, and a diaphragm shaft A22extended from the diaphragm member A21to move the diaphragm member A21between a sealed position and an unsealed position. Accordingly, at the sealed position, the diaphragm member A21is sealed at the water chamber A13via the water pressure inside the valve body A10to block the water flowing from the water inlet A11to the water outlet A12. At the unsealed position, the diaphragm member A21is moved by the diaphragm shaft A22to allow the water passing from the water inlet A11to the water outlet A12, thereby flushing the sanitary system.

The operation device A30comprises a driving unit A31and a retention ring A32coupled with the valve body A10at an operation opening A101thereof, wherein the driving unit A31comprises a pushing platform A311movably disposed in the retention ring A32and a plunger pin A312extended from the pushing platform A311towards the diaphragm shaft A22. Therefore, when the pushing platform A311is pushed towards the diaphragm shaft A22, the plunger pin A312is driven to hit a bottom portion of the diaphragm shaft A22so as to move the diaphragm member A21from the sealed position to the unsealed position. The operation device A30further comprises a spring A33supported in the retention ring A32for applying an urging force against the pushing platform A311to push the plunger pin A312back to its original position after the plunger pin A312is laterally moved towards the diaphragm shaft A22. It is worth to mention that the pushing platform A311will only be slid within the retention ring A32and will be blocked at the surrounding edge of the operation opening A101of the valve body A10to prevent the further forward sliding movement of the pushing platform A311. In other words, the pushing platform A311will not be slid into the valve body A10through the operation opening A101.

It is worth to mention that when the operation device A30incorporates with a manual handle as the conventional manual flush apparatus, the manual handle is actuated to push the pushing platform A311at a pushing surface thereof towards diaphragm shaft A22so as to move the diaphragm member A21from the sealed position to the unsealed position.

According to the preferred embodiment, the flush apparatus further comprises a driving mechanism incorporating with the operation device A30, wherein the driving mechanism comprises an actuation housing A50and an automated actuation unit A60.

The actuation housing A50, having an actuation channel A501, is coupling with the valve body A10. Accordingly, the actuation housing A50is mounted at the valve body A10through the retention ring A32such that the actuation housing A50is positioned adjacent to the valve body A10. As shown inFIG. 17, the actuation housing A50comprises a housing body A51defining the actuation channel A501at a bottom portion thereof and a tubular mounting ring A52encirclingly mounting at the retention ring A32to align the actuation channel A501with the pushing platform A311.

The automated actuation unit A60is received in the housing body A51at a position above the actuation channel A501, wherein the automated actuation unit A60comprises a motorized unit A61received in the housing body A51of the actuation housing A50and an automated plunger arm A62transversely extended along the actuation channel A501. Accordingly, the motorized unit A61is received in the housing body A51at a position above the actuation channel A501. When the motorized unit A61is activated in responsive to a presence of a user, the automated plunger arm A62is driven by the motorized unit A61to move towards the pushing platform A311, such that the pushing platform A311is pushed by the automated plunger arm A62to move the diaphragm member A21at the unsealed position, as shown inFIG. 18. Accordingly, the diaphragm member A21is then moved back to its sealed position as shown inFIG. 19.

As shown inFIG. 17, the motorized unit A61comprises a power source A611, a servo unit A612electrically coupled with the power source A611, a sensor A613controllably activating the servo unit A612in responsive to a presence of the user, and a gear transmission unit A614coupling the servo unit A612with the automated plunger arm A62to transmit a servo power from the servo unit A612to a transverse force at the automated plunger arm A62so as to drive the automated plunger arm A62towards the pushing platform A311.

According to the preferred embodiment, the power source A611is a rechargeable battery supported in the housing body A51. Alternatively, the power source A611can be a power outlet electrically linking with an external AC power supply or a solar energy collector for converting solar energy into electrical energy to supply the power to the servo unit A612.

The servo unit A612, according to the preferred embodiment, comprises an electric motor electrically connected to the power source A611, wherein the servo unit A612is actuated to drive the automated plunger arm A62to move laterally. It is worth to mention that the electric motor is more reliable than the solenoid because the electric motor provides simple mechanical work rather than using the magnetic force, so as to minimize the failure operation of the servo unit A612and to reduce the maintenance cost of the present invention. In addition, the size of the electric motor is so small in comparison with the solenoid so as to reduce the overall size of the actuation housing A40to house the automated actuation unit A60of the present invention. Therefore, the electric motor is preferred to be used to not only ensure the reliable of the automated actuation unit A60but also enhance the smooth operation thereof.

The sensor A613, such as an infrared sensor, is arranged to detect the presence of the user by means of infrared signal in such a manner that when the sensor A613transmits an infrared signal for detecting the presence of the user of the sanitary system, the sensor A613activates the servo unit A612to actuate the automated plunger arm A62to push the pushing platform A311forward so as to move the diaphragm member A21at the unsealed position. Accordingly, the housing body A51has a transparent window aligned with the sensor A613for allowing the infrared signal sending out through the transparent window. It is worth to mention that the sensor A613activates the servo unit A612to stop the automated plunger arm A62once the operation of the flush apparatus is completed.

Accordingly, a CPU A615is operatively connected to the sensor A613to receive the signal therefrom, wherein the servo unit A612is controlled by the CPU A615such that once the CPU A615receives the signal from the sensor A613, the CPU A615will activate the servo unit A612to drive the automatic plunger arm A62for completing the automatic operation. It is worth to mention that the CPU A615can be programmed to the time period of the presence of the user via the sensor A613and to control the flush volume of the water via the automated actuation unit A60by means of the time period of the opening of the diaphragm member A21at the unsealed position.

The gear transmission unit A614comprises a gear set A6141coupling with an output of the servo unit A612and a driving arm A6142having one end rotatably coupling with the gear set A6141and an opposed end pivotally coupling with the automated plunger arm A62in such a manner that when the servo unit A612is activated, the automated plunger arm A62is driven to laterally move in a reciprocating manner.

As shown inFIGS. 18 and 19, the corresponding end of the driving arm A6142is rotatably coupled with one gear of the gear set A6141, wherein when the corresponding gear is rotated, the automated plunger arm A62is driven to laterally move in a reciprocating manner. Accordingly, when the corresponding gear is rotated in a half revolution, the automated plunger arm A62is laterally moved forward to push the pushing platform A311at a position that the diaphragm member A21is moved at the unsealed position. When the corresponding gear is rotated in one full revolution, the automated plunger arm A62is laterally moved backward at a position that the diaphragm member A21is moved back to the sealed position. Therefore, the automated plunger arm A62is driven to laterally move in a reciprocating manner via the rotation of the gear set A6141. It is worth to mention that the time of the automated plunger arm A62traveling back and forth can be controlled by the rotational speed of the gear set A6141. In addition, the automated plunger arm A62is laterally pulled back by the driving arm A6142after the pushing platform A311is pushed forward so as to ensure the automated plunger arm A62returning back to its original position once the flush operation is completed.

As shown inFIG. 17, the driving mechanism further comprises a manual actuation unit A70which is received in the housing body A51of the actuation housing A50. The manual actuation unit A70comprises a push button A71movably mounted at the housing body A51of the actuation housing A50and a manual plunger arm A72transversely extended along the actuation channel A501from the push button A71towards the pushing platform A311. When the push button A71is manually pressed, the pushing platform A311is pushed by the manual plunger arm A72to move the diaphragm member A21at the unsealed position.

According to the preferred embodiment, the actuation housing A50has a button slot provided at a sidewall thereof for the push button A71slidably mounted at the button slot. The push button A71is aligned with the pushing platform A311through the actuation channel A501such that when the push button A71is manually pressed, the pushing platform A311is directly pushed in a lateral direction through the manual plunger arm A72.

As shown inFIG. 17, the manual plunger arm A72has an enlarged pressing end extended to bias against the push button A71and an opposed pusher end extended towards the pushing platform A311through the actuation channel A501in such a manner that when the push button A71is manually pressed, the manual plunger arm A72is directly pushed towards the pushing platform A311.

In order to correspondingly guide the lateral movement between the automated plunger arm A62and the manual plunger arm A72, the automated plunger arm A62has a hollow structure defining a sliding channel A621that the manual plunger arm A72is slidably extended through the sliding channel A621. Therefore, at the manual flush operation, the automated plunger arm A62will guide the sliding movement of the manual plunger arm A72when the automated plunger arm A62is stationary. Likewise, at the automated flush operation, the manual plunger arm A72will guide the sliding movement of the automated plunger arm A62when the manual plunger arm A72is stationary.

As shown inFIG. 23, the automated plunger arm A62and the manual plunger arm A72can be two individual pins extending side by side to push the pushing platform A311. However, two guiders should be included to guide the sliding movement of each of the automated plunger arm A62and the manual plunger arm A72.

As shown inFIGS. 17 to 19, the automated plunger arm A62comprises a sliding stopper A622protruded outwardly, wherein when the automated plunger arm A62is laterally moved forward, the sliding stopper A622is blocked by a first stopper A502of the housing body A51so as to stop the further forward movement of the automated plunger arm A62. When the automated plunger arm A62is laterally moved backward, the sliding stopper A622is blocked by a second stopper A503of the housing body A51so as to ensure the automated plunger arm A62returning back to its original position. Accordingly, the housing body A51has a guiding slot A504provided at a bottom wall of the actuation channel A501, wherein the sliding stopper A622is downwardly extended from the automated plunger arm A62to slidably engage with the guiding slot A504. The two ends of the guiding slot A504form the first and second stoppers A502, A503respectively, such that the traveling distance of the automated plunger arm A62is limited by the length of the guiding slot A502between the two ends thereof.

Accordingly, a contact switch A505is provided at the housing body A51at the second stopper A503and arranged in such a manner that when the sliding stopper A622is slid along the guiding slot A504at the second stopper A503, the sliding stopper A622contacts with the contact switch A505to generate a stopping signal so as to deactivate the servo unit A612.

As shown inFIG. 17, the mounting ring A52has an enlarged mounting opening A521encirclingly mounting at the retention ring A32and an opposed guiding opening A522aligning with the actuation channel A501. The automated plunger arm A62is extended through the guiding opening A522of the mounting ring A52to push the pushing platform A311. As it is mentioned above, the manual plunger arm A72is coaxially coupled with the automated plunger arm A62such that the automated plunger arm A62and the manual plunger arm A72are slidably extended through the guiding opening A522of the mounting ring A52. In other words, the guiding opening A522of the mounting ring A52not only provides a support for the automated plunger arm A62and the manual plunger arm A72within the actuation channel A501but only ensures the correct alignment of the automated plunger arm A62and the manual plunger arm A72to push the pushing platform A311.

According to the preferred embodiment, the driving mechanism further comprises a power charging arrangement A40for charging the power source A611every time during the flush operation, including both automated flush operation and manual flush operation. The power charging arrangement A40comprises an electrical generator A41operatively linked to the power source A611and a propeller unit A42extended from the electrical generator A41to the water outlet A12of the valve body A10in such a manner that when the propeller unit A42is driven to rotate in responsive to a flush of water coming out at the water outlet A12, the electrical generator A41is actuated to charge the power source A611.

The electrical generator A41, according to the preferred embodiment, is an alternator or a DC generator converting mechanical energy (rotational force) of the propeller unit A42to the electrical energy. Accordingly, a rectifier can be used to convert AC current to DC current if the alternator is used.

As shown inFIG. 17, the propeller unit A42comprises a propeller shaft A421transversely extended with respect to the actuation channel A501and a propeller blade A422coupled at a free end of the propeller shaft A421at the water outlet A12such that the propeller blade A422is driven to be rotated in responsive to a flush of water so as to transmit a rotational power to the electrical generator A41through the propeller shaft A421.

Accordingly, during the flush operation, the diaphragm member A21is moved at the unsealed position by the diaphragm shaft A22to allow the water passing from the water inlet A11to the water outlet A12, thereby flushing the sanitary system. When the water flushes out at the water outlet A12, the flush power of the water will drive the propeller blade A422to rotate. In other words, the propeller blade A422provides a torque to the propeller shaft A421during the water flushing movement at the water outlet A12. The electrical generator A41, which is an induction device, comprises a coil body encircling with a magnet such that when the propeller unit A42generates the rotational force, the electrical generator A41will convert the rotational force into an electrical force for charging the power source A611.

The propeller unit A42translates water flush energy to the rotational torque directly related to the total blade area, i.e. more blades equal more torque. Multiple propeller blades A422contain a greater surface area on the propeller blades A422allowing a small diameter propeller size to be effective.

As shown inFIG. 17, the propeller shaft A421is extended parallel to each of the manual and automated plunger arms A62, A72. Accordingly, the power charging arrangement A40can be an add-on device externally coupled with the valve body A10. It is worth to mention that the propeller shaft A421, which is made of rigid and durable material, has a relatively small size in diameter. Even though the propeller shaft A421is extended from the housing body A51to the water outlet A12of the valve body A10, the flush operation of the flush apparatus will not be affected. It is appreciated that the power charging arrangement A40can be an integrated device that the propeller unit A42is extended through the actuation channel A501to support the propeller blade A422at the water outlet A12.

In order to mount the driving mechanism to the valve body A10which is the conventional manual flush apparatus, the user is able to remove the manual handle from the retention ring A32only. Then, by mounting the mounting opening A522of the mounting ring A52at the retention ring A32, the actuation housing A60is supported adjacent to the valve body. The installation of the driving mechanism is completed. Therefore, the user is able to selectively operation the flush apparatus manually by pressing the push button A71or automatically by detecting the presence of the user via the sensor A612. It is worth to mention that both manual and automated flush operation via the driving mechanism of the present invention act like the conventional manual flush operation by pushing the pushing platform A311to move the diaphragm member A21at the unsealed position through the diaphragm shaft A22. Therefore, the present invention provides an accurate, reliable, and simple manual/automated flush operation as the manual flush apparatus provides.

FIGS. 20 to 22illustrates alternative mode of the driving mechanism incorporating with the button-type conventional manual flush apparatus. As it is mentioned above, the handle type conventional manual flush apparatus is that the manual handle is actuated to push the pushing platform A311at the pushing surface thereof towards diaphragm shaft A22so as to move the diaphragm member A21from the sealed position to the unsealed position. Accordingly, the button-type conventional manual flush apparatus is that operation device A30further comprises a manual depressible button A34coupling with the pushing platform A311of the driving unit A31. Therefore, when the manual depressible button A34is manually depressed, the pushing platform A311is pushed by the manual depressible button A34at the pushing surface thereof towards diaphragm shaft A22so as to move the diaphragm member A21from the sealed position to the unsealed position.

The driving mechanism of the present invention is adapted to incorporate with both the handle type conventional manual flush apparatus, as shown inFIGS. 17 to 19, and the button-type conventional manual flush apparatus, as shown inFIGS. 20 to 22. As shown inFIG. 20, the automated plunger arm A62and the manual plunger arm A72are slidably extended to the manual depressible button A34. Therefore, for manual operation, the manual plunger arm A72is actuated to push at the manual depressible button A34. For automatic operation, the automated plunger arm A62is actuated to push at the manual depressible button A34. In other words, both the manual and automatic operations for the handle type conventional manual flush apparatus are the same as the manual and automatic operations for the button-type conventional manual flush apparatus.

It is worth to mention that the operator must replace the manual handle from the handle type conventional manual flush apparatus in order to install the driving mechanism of the present invention. For the button-type conventional manual flush apparatus, the operator does not require to replace any part of the button-type conventional manual flush apparatus, i.e. keeping the manual depressible button A34, in order to install the driving mechanism of the present invention.

As shown inFIGS. 24 to 26, a flush apparatus of a third preferred embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the second embodiment, wherein the flush apparatus of the third preferred embodiment has the same configuration except the operation device A30shown in the second embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, the driving mechanism comprises an actuation housing A50′, an automated actuation unit A60′, a manual actuation unit A70′, and power charging arrangement A40′.

The actuation housing A50′, having an actuation channel A501′, is supported by the valve body A10. Accordingly, the actuation housing A50′ is mounted at the valve body A10at a position that the actuation housing A50′ is positioned adjacent to the valve body A10. As shown inFIG. 24, the actuation housing A50′ comprises a housing body A51′ defining the actuation channel A501′ at a bottom portion thereof and a tubular mounting element A52′ mounting at said valve body to align the actuation channel A501′ with the diaphragm shaft A22′. Accordingly, the actuation channel A501′ is transversely extended to communicate with the bottom portion of the diaphragm shaft A22′.

The automated actuation unit A60′ is received in the housing body A51′ at a position above the actuation channel A501′, wherein the automated actuation unit A60′ comprises a motorized unit A61′ received in the housing body A51′ of the actuation housing A50′ and an automated plunger arm A62′ transversely extended along the actuation channel A501. When the motorized unit A61′ is activated in responsive to a presence of a user, the automated plunger arm A62′ is driven by the motorized unit A61′ to move towards the diaphragm shaft A22′, such that the diaphragm shaft A22′ is pushed by the automated plunger arm A62′ to move the diaphragm member A21′ at the unsealed position, as shown inFIG. 25. Accordingly, the diaphragm member A21′ is then moved back to its sealed position as shown inFIG. 26.

As shown inFIG. 24, the motorized unit A61′ comprises a power source A611′, a servo unit A612′ electrically coupled with the power source A611′, a sensor A613′ controllably activating the servo unit A612′ in responsive to a presence of the user, and a gear transmission unit A614′ coupling the servo unit A612′ with the automated plunger arm A62′ to transmit a servo power from the servo unit A612′ to a transverse force at the automated plunger arm A62′ so as to drive the automated plunger arm A62′ towards the diaphragm shaft A22.

According to the second embodiment, the power source A611′ is a rechargeable battery supported in the housing body A51′. The servo unit A612′ comprises an electric motor electrically connected to the power source A611′. The sensor A613′ is an infrared sensor to detect the presence of the user by means of infrared signal. The gear transmission unit A614′ comprises a gear set A6141′ coupling with an output of the servo unit A612′ and a driving arm A6142′ driving the automated plunger arm A62′ to laterally move in a reciprocating manner.

A CPU A615′ is operatively connected to the sensor A613′ to receive the signal therefrom, wherein the servo unit A612′ is controlled by the CPU A615′ such that once the CPU A615receives the signal from the sensor A613′, the CPU A615′ will activate the servo unit A612′ to drive the automatic plunger arm A62′ for completing the automatic operation. It is worth to mention that the CPU A615′ can be programmed to the time period of the presence of the user via the sensor A613′ and to control the flush volume of the water via the automated actuation unit A60′ by means of the time period of the opening of the diaphragm member A21′ at the unsealed position.

The automated plunger arm A62′ comprises a sliding stopper A622′ blocked by a first stopper A502′ of the housing body A51′ to stop the further forward movement of the automated plunger arm A62′ and blocked by a second stopper A503′ of the housing body A51′ to ensure the automated plunger arm A62′ returning back to its original position. Accordingly, the housing body A51′ has a guiding slot A504′ provided at a bottom wall of the actuation channel A501′, wherein the sliding stopper A622′ is downwardly extended from the automated plunger arm A62′ to slidably engage with the guiding slot A504′. The two ends of the guiding slot A504′ form the first and second stoppers A502′, A503′ respectively, such that the traveling distance of the automated plunger arm A62′ is limited by the length of the guiding slot A502′ between the two ends thereof.

In other words, the automated actuation unit A60′ of the second embodiment has the same configuration of the second embodiment, except that the automated plunger arm A62′ of the third embodiment is extended to the diaphragm shaft A22′ while the automated plunger arm A62of the second embodiment is extended to the pushing platform A311.

The manual actuation unit A70′ is received in the housing body A51′ of the actuation housing A50′. The manual actuation unit A70′ comprises a push button A71′ movably mounted at the housing body A51′ of the actuation housing A50′ and a manual plunger arm A72′ transversely extended along the actuation channel A501′ from the push button A71′ towards the diaphragm shaft A22′. When the push button A71′ is manually pressed, the diaphragm shaft A22′ is pushed by the manual plunger arm A72′ to move the diaphragm member A21′ at the unsealed position.

The push button A71′ is extended to align with the diaphragm member A21through the actuation channel A501′. The manual plunger arm A72′ has an enlarged pressing end extended to bias against the push button A71′ and an opposed pusher end extended towards the diaphragm shaft A22through the actuation channel A501′ in such a manner that when the push button A71′ is manually pressed, the manual plunger arm A72′ is directly pushed towards the diaphragm shaft A22′. The automated plunger arm A62′ has a hollow structure defining a sliding channel A621′ that the manual plunger arm A72′ is slidably extended through the sliding channel A621′.

Therefore, the manual actuation unit A70′ of the second embodiment has the same configuration of the second embodiment, except that the manual plunger arm A72′ of the third embodiment is extended to the diaphragm shaft A22′ while the manual plunger arm A72of the second embodiment is extended to the pushing platform A311.

As shown inFIG. 24, the mounting element A52′ having a ring shape defines two mounting openings to mount at the valve body A10′ and the actuation housing A50′ respectively to align the actuation channel A501′.

The power charging arrangement A40′ of the second embodiment, having the same configuration of the second embodiment, comprises an electrical generator A41′ operatively linked to the power source A611′ and a propeller unit A42′ extended from the electrical generator A41′ to the water outlet A12′ of the valve body A10in such a manner that when the propeller unit A42′ is driven to rotate in responsive to a flush of water coming out at the water outlet A12′, the electrical generator A41′ is actuated to charge the power source A611′. Accordingly, the power charging arrangement A40′ can be an integrated device internally built-in with the housing body A51′.

The electrical generator A41′ is an alternator or a DC generator. The propeller unit A42′ comprises a propeller shaft A421′ transversely extended along the actuation channel A501′ and a propeller blade A422′ coupled at a free end of the propeller shaft A421′ at the water outlet A12′ such that the propeller blade A422′ is driven to be rotated in responsive to a flush of water so as to transmit a rotational power to the electrical generator A41′ through the propeller shaft A421′.

It is worth to mention that the power charging arrangement A40, A40′ can be incorporated with any conventional automated flush apparatus having a rechargeable power supply. Therefore, the user does not require frequently replacing the power supply or running any electrical cable to the power supply in order to installation the conventional automated flush apparatus.

Referring toFIGS. 27 to 29, a flush system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the flush system, for a toilet as an example, comprises a valve body B10, a valve seat B20, a flushing shaft B30, and a water control arrangement B40.

The valve body B10has a water inlet B11communicating with a water source, a water outlet B12, and a water chamber B13communicating between the water inlet B11and the water outlet B12.

The valve seat B20is supported in the valve body B10to move between a normal idle position and a flushing position, wherein at the idle position, the valve seat B20is sealed at the water chamber B13for retaining a water pressure within the water chamber B13so as to block flush water flowing from the water inlet B11to the water outlet B12, wherein and at the flushing position, the valve seat B20is moved to relief the water pressure for allowing the flush water flowing towards the toilet through the water outlet B12so as to complete a flushing operation.

The flushing shaft B30is extended from the valve seat B20in the valve body B10for being moved to drive the valve seat B20to move between the idle position and the flushing position, wherein the flushing shaft B30defines a first position B31and a second position B32. Accordingly, the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30is set at a lower pushing position while the second position of the flushing shaft B30is set at a higher pushing position thereof. In other words, the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30is lower than the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30.

Furthermore, the flushing shaft B30comprises a main shaft member B33and a movable pin B34movably provided on a lower portion thereof so that the movable pin B34is capable of longitudinally moving along the flushing shaft B30with respective to the main shaft member B33.

The flush water control arrangement B40comprises a water control pusher B42alignedly extended towards the movable pin B34of the flushing shaft B30, and an automated actuation unit B50operatively controlling a movement of the water control pusher B42. In particularly, the water control pusher B42is alignedly extended towards the flushing shaft B30.

The automated actuation unit comprises a motorized unit B50and an automated plunger arm B60movably extended towards the water control pusher B42, wherein when the motorized unit B50is activated in responsive to a presence of a user, the automated plunger arm B60is driven by the motorized unit B50to move the water control pusher B42so as to actuate the flushing shaft B30between the first and second positions B31, B32for complete a flushing operation.

According to the preferred embodiment, the motorized unit B50comprises a servo unit B51, a sensor B52controllably activating the servo unit B51in responsive to a presence of the user, and a processor B53operatively linked to the servo unit B51for determining a time usage of the user, so as to controllably move the water control pusher B42to actuate the flushing shaft B30between the first and second positions B31, B32.

Accordingly, the water control pusher B42is actuated to push at the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30to complete the flushing operation with a relatively low volume of water. The water control pusher B42is actuated to push at the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30to complete the flushing operation with a relatively high volume of water.

The water control pusher B42comprises a low volume pusher member B421and a high volume pusher member B422alignedly extended towards the first position B31and the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30respectively, in such a manner that when the automated plunger arm B60is actuated to push the high volume pusher member B422, as shown inFIG. 29, the high volume pusher member B422is actuated to push at the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30to complete the flushing operation with a relatively high volume of water for allowing a high volume of water flowing through the valve seat B20. When the automated plunger arm B60is actuated to push the low volume pusher member B421, as shown inFIG. 28, the low volume pusher member B421is actuated to push at the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30to complete the flushing operation with a relatively low volume of water for allowing a low volume of water flowing through the valve seat B20. Therefore, the system of the present invention can control a flush volume of the water by automatically actuating the automated plunger arm B52between the high volume actuating position and the low volume actuating position. Normally, the low volume pusher member B421and the high volume pusher member B422are spacedly apart from the flushing shaft B30so as to close the valve seat B20for blocking water from flowing through the valve body B10.

As shown inFIGS. 27 to 30, the automated plunger arm B60comprises a driving member B61coupled at an output shaft of the servo unit B51of the motorized unit B50in such a manner that when the driving member B61is actuated by the motorized unit B50, the driving member B61is driven to selectively actuate one of the high volume pusher member B422and the low volume pusher member B421to complete the flushing operation.

In particularly, the driving member B61is driven to rotate by the motorized unit B50, such that when the driving member B61is rotated at a first rotation direction, the driving member B61actuates the high volume pusher member B422, and when the driving member B61is rotated at an opposite second rotation direction, the driving member B61actuates the low volume pusher member B421.

The automated pusher member B60further has first and second inclined actuating surfaces B62, B63spacedly and coaxially formed at the driving member B61to couple with the high volume pusher member B422and the low volume pusher member B421respectively, such that when the driving member B61is rotated at the first rotation direction, the first inclined actuating surface B62pushes at the high volume pusher member B422, and when the driving member B61is rotated at the second rotation direction, the second inclined actuating surface B63pushes at the low volume pusher member B421.

As shown inFIG. 30, the automated pusher member B60further comprises a corresponding first included pushing surface B64provided at the high volume pusher member B422to contact with the first inclined actuating surface B62, and a corresponding second included pushing surface B65provided at the low volume pusher member B421to contact with the first inclined actuating surface B62. Therefore, when the driving member B61is rotated at the first rotation direction, the first inclined actuating surface B62engages and pushes the first pushing surface B64to drive the high volume pusher member B422at the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30. When the driving member B61is rotated at the second rotation direction, the second inclined actuating surface B63engages and pushes the second pushing surface B65to drive the low volume pusher member B421at the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30.

It is worth mentioning that the first and second inclined actuating surfaces B62, B63are coaxially protruded from the driving member B61which has a circular disc shape. The first inclined actuating surface B62is inclined and extended from the driving member B61in a manner that a distance between the first inclined actuating surface B62and the driving member B61is gradually increased at the second rotation direction. The first inclined pushing surface B64is inclined and extended from the high volume pusher member B422in a manner that a distance between the first inclined pushing surface B64and the high volume pusher member B422is gradually increased at the first rotation direction.

The second inclined actuating surface B63is inclined and extended from the driving member B61in a manner that a distance between the second inclined actuating surface B63and the driving member B61is gradually increased at the first rotation direction. The second inclined pushing surface B65is inclined and extended from the low volume pusher member B421in a manner that a distance between the second inclined pushing surface B65and the low volume pusher member B421is gradually increased at the second rotation direction.

In other words, when the driving member B61is rotated at the first rotation direction, the second inclined actuating surface B63will not engage and push the second pushing surface B65to prevent the actuation of the low volume pusher member B421. Likewise, when the driving member B61is rotated at the second rotation direction, the first inclined actuating surface B62will not engage and push the first pushing surface B64to prevent the actuation of the high volume pusher member B422.

As shown inFIG. 27, the high volume pusher member B422, having a generally L-shaped configuration, has a front high volume biasing head B4221aligning with the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30, an enlarged rear high volume flat end B4222arranged to be pushed by the automated pusher member B60, and an elongated central cavity B4223extended between the high volume biasing head B4221and the high volume flat end B4222. In particularly, the first inclined pushing surface B64is formed at the high volume flat end B4222of the high volume pusher member B422.

It is worth mentioning that when the high volume pusher member B422is pushed to bias against the flushing shaft B30, the movable pin B34is arranged to be pushed to move upwardly along the flushing shaft B30while the main shaft member B33is pivotally pushed to open the valve seat B20for allowing a high volume of water flowing through the valve body B10.

The low volume pusher member B421, having a generally L-shaped configuration, has a front low volume biasing head B4211aligning with the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30, an enlarged rear low volume flat end B4212arranged to be pushed by the automated pusher member B60, and an elongated pusher pin B4213, preferably a solid pin, extended between the low volume biasing head B4211and the low volume flat end B4212. The pusher pin B4213is slidably received in the central cavity B4223of the high volume pusher member B422. In other words, the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421form a tube-in-tube structural configuration. In particularly, the second inclined pushing surface B65is formed at the low volume flat end B4212of the low volume pusher member B421.

Therefore, when the high volume pusher member B422is pushed, the high volume pusher member B422is slid with respect to the stationary low volume pusher member B421, such that the front high volume biasing head B4221will push at the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30. When the low volume pusher member B422is pushed, the pusher pin B4213is slid within the central cavity B4223of the high volume pusher member B422while the high volume pusher member B422is stationary, the front low volume biasing head B4211will push at the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30.

Alternatively, each of the low volume pusher member B421and the high volume pusher member B422is an elongated member, as shown inFIG. 31, wherein the low volume pusher member B421and the high volume pusher member B422are slidably supported side-by-side for being driven to move for pushing the first position B31and the second position B32respectively, as shown inFIG. 31. In other words, the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421can be identical that each of the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421has a generally L-shaped configuration with the flat end, the biasing head, and the solid pusher pin extending side-by-side.

In order to precisely control the volume of the water to complete the flushing operation, the time period of the valve seat B20being stayed at the flushing position should be concerned. In other words, the longer time of the valve seat B20being stayed at the flushing position, the relatively higher volume of water is used for completing the flushing operation. Therefore, the shorter time of the valve seat B20being stayed at the flushing position, the relatively lower volume of water is used for completing the flushing operation.

Accordingly, the time period of the valve seat B20being stayed at the flushing position can be controlled by the time of the flushing shaft B30being actuated to move back to its vertical orientation. It is worth to mention that when the movable pin B34of the flushing shaft B30is moved back to its vertical orientation, the valve seat B20is sealed back at its idle position to block the water flushing out of the water outlet B12.

When the high volume pusher member B422is driven to move to pivotally move the flushing shaft B30at the second position B32, the movable pin B34requires longer time to return back to its vertical orientation. When the low volume pusher member B421is driven to move to pivotally move the flushing shaft B30at the first position B31, the movable pin B34requires shorter time to return back to its vertical orientation. Therefore, by actuating one of the low volume pusher member B421and the high volume pusher member B422, the time period of the movable pin B34returning back to its vertical orientation can be controlled so as to control the volume of water for completing the flushing operation.

Another way to precisely control the volume of the water to complete the flushing operation is to control the inclination angle of the flushing shaft B30being actuated.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the high volume pusher member B422is arranged to be longitudinally pushed to bias against the flushing shaft B30until the movable pin B34is moved to a position above the high volume pusher member B422. In other words, the flushing shaft B30is pivotally moved to a high volume flushing angle of inclination with respect to a vertical axis of the flushing shaft B30so that a time period for which the valve seat B20is opened is maximized.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the low volume pusher member B421is arranged to be longitudinally pushed to bias against the flushing shaft B30until the movable pin B34is moved to a position above the low volume pusher member B421. In other words, the flushing shaft B30is pivotally moved to a low volume flushing angle of inclination with respective to a vertical axis of the flushing shaft B30so that a time period for which the valve seat B20is less than that when the flushing shaft B30is pivotally moved to the high volume flushing angle. Since the low volume flushing angle of inclination is less than the high volume flushing angle of inclination, the time period for which the valve seat B20is opened is less than that when the flushing shaft B30is pivotally moved to the high volume flushing angle, and the volume of flush water will be accordingly less than when the flushing shaft B30is pivotally moved to the high volume flushing angle.

Thus, when the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30is longitudinally pushed, a relatively high volume of flush water is allowed to pass through the valve body B10because there is an extended time of opening of the valve seat B20. When the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30is longitudinally pushed, a relatively low volume of flush water is allowed to pass through the valve body B10because the time of which the valve seat B20is opened is less than that when the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30is pushed.

According to the preferred embodiment, the servo unit B51comprises an electric motor or a solenoid electrically connected to the power source, wherein the servo unit B51is actuated to drive the automated plunger arm B60to move laterally. It is worth to mention that the electric motor is preferred and is more reliable than the solenoid because the electric motor provides simple mechanical work rather than using the magnetic force, so as to minimize the failure operation of the servo unit B51and to reduce the maintenance cost of the present invention. In addition, the size of the electric motor is so small in comparison with the solenoid so as to reduce the overall size of the motorized unit B50. Therefore, the electric motor is preferred to be used to not only ensure the reliable of the motorized unit B50but also enhance the smooth operation thereof.

The sensor B52, such as an infrared sensor, is arranged to detect the presence of the user by means of infrared signal in such a manner that when the sensor B52transmits an infrared signal for detecting the presence of the user of the sanitary system.

The processor B53is operatively connected to the sensor B52to receive the signal therefrom. Accordingly, when the sensor B52detects the presence of the user, the sensor B52will send a first signal to the processor B53. The processor B53will then activate the servo unit B51in a standby mode. Once the user leaves the system, the sensor B52will send a second signal to the processor B53. The processor B53will then activate the servo unit B51to actuate the automated pusher member B60. Accordingly, the processor B53will determine the time usage of the user by determining the time difference between the first and second signals in order to actuate the automated pusher member B60to move the flushing shaft B30at one of the first position B31and the second positions B32. According to the preferred embodiment, the time threshold is preset in the processor B53such that when the time usage of the user is shorter and the time threshold, the servo unit B51is actuated to move the flushing shaft b30at the first position B31for completing the flushing operation with the relatively low volume of water. When the time usage of the user equal or is longer than the time threshold, the servo unit B51is actuated to move the flushing shaft b30at the second position B32for completing the flushing operation with the relatively high volume of water. In addition, the time threshold can be selectively adjusted in the processor B53, for example 30 to 60 seconds, by the user. Once the water control pusher B42is moved back to the original position, i.e. the flushing operation is completed, the processor B53will be returned to its initial state.

Accordingly, the flush water control arrangement further comprises an actuation housing B70having an actuation channel B71coupling with the retention ring of the valve body B10, wherein the automated plunger arm B60is slidably supported within the actuation channel B541. The power source, the sensor B52, and the processor B53of the motorized unit B50are received in the actuation housing B70. Therefore, the flush system of the present invention can mount at the retention ring and to actuate the flush water control arrangement of the conventional manual operation mechanism. Therefore, the present invention will provide an accurate and simple flush operation as the manual flush apparatus provides.

As shown inFIG. 32, a flush system according to a fifth embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the fourth embodiment, wherein the structure of the fifth embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment, except the automated plunger arm B60′.

As shown inFIGS. 32 to 34, the automated plunger arm B60′ comprises a driving disc B61′ driven to be rotated by the motorized unit B50, wherein the inner ends of said high and low volume pusher members B422, B421are pivotally and spacedly coupled at the driving disc B61′ in such a manner that when the driving disc B61′ is rotated at a first rotation direction, the low volume pusher member B421is pushed at the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30, and when the driving disc B61′ is rotated at an opposite second rotation direction, the high volume pusher member B422is pushed at the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30.

According to the preferred embodiment, each of the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421has an elongated pin structure that the inner ends of the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421is pivotally coupled at the driving disc B61′ while the outer ends of the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421are extended to align with the second and first positions B32, B31of the flushing shaft B30respectively. In particularly, the high volume pusher member B422and the low volume pusher member B421are slidably extended side-by-side to push at the second and first positions B32, B31of the flushing shaft B30respectively.

It is appreciated that the driving member B61′ can incorporate with the tube-in-tube structural configuration that the low volume pusher member B421is slidably coupled within the tubular high volume pusher member B422as it is mentioned above.

In addition, when the driving disc B61′ is rotated at the first rotation direction, the low volume pusher member B421is pushed towards the flushing shaft B30while the high volume pusher member B422is pulled away from the flushing shaft B30in a synchronized manner, as shown inFIG. 34. Likewise, when the driving disc B61′ is rotated at the second rotation direction, the low volume pusher member B421is pulled away from the flushing shaft B30while the high volume pusher member B422is pushed towards the flushing shaft B30in a synchronized manner, as shown inFIG. 33.

In order to drive the driving member B61′ to rotate, the servo unit B51can be operatively coupled with the driving member B61′ via the gear unit such that the servo unit B51can generate the rotational power at two opposite directions for selectively driving the driving member B61′ at the first and second rotation directions.

FIGS. 35 to 37illustrate an alternative mode of the fifth embodiment, wherein the automated plunger arm B60″ comprises a driving disc B61″ driven to be rotated by the motorized unit B50, and first and second driving members B62″, B63″ pivotally and spacedly coupled at the driving disc B61″ to align with the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421respectively. Therefore, when the driving disc B61″ is rotated at a the rotation direction, the first driving member B62″ is actuated to push at the high volume pusher member B422, and when the driving disc B61″ is rotated at the second to rotation direction, the second driving member B63″ is actuated to push at the low volume pusher member B421.

It is worth mentioning that the low volume pusher member B421can be slidably coupled within the central cavity B4223of the high volume pusher member B422to form the tube-in-tube configuration as it is mentioned above in order for the first and second driving members B62″, B63″ to selectively push at the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421. It is appreciated that the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421can be supported side-by-side for the first and second driving members B62″, B63″ to selectively push at the high and low volume pusher members B422, B421.

As shown inFIG. 38, a flush system of sixth embodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the second embodiment, wherein the automated plunger arm C60is driven to laterally move in a reciprocating manner via the output of the motorized unit B50through the rotation of the gear set. It is worth to mention that the time of the automated plunger arm C60traveling back and forth can be controlled by the rotational speed of the gear set by means of the output of the motorized unit B50. In addition, the automated plunger arm C60is laterally pulled back by the driving arm so as to ensure the automated plunger arm C60returning back to its original position once the flush operation is completed.

Accordingly, the traveling distance of the automated plunger arm C60will control the inclination angle of the flushing shaft B30being actuated so as to control the volume of the flushing water. The automated plunger arm C60is driven to slide between a first traveling distance and a second traveling distance by the motorized unit B50. When the automated plunger arm C60is slid at the first traveling distance, the water control pusher C42is actuated to push at the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30, as shown inFIG. 39, and when the automated plunger arm C60is slid at the second traveling distance, the water control pusher C42is actuated to push at the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30, as shown inFIG. 40. Accordingly, the first traveling distance is shorter than the second traveling distance.

In other words, by controlling the output of the motorized unit B50, the time period of the valve seat B20being stayed at the opened condition can be controlled. When the automated plunger arm C60travels a relatively longer the traveling distance, i.e. the second position B32of the flushing shaft B30, a relatively high volume of flush water is allowed to pass through the valve body B10because there is an extended time of opening of the valve seat B20. When the automated plunger arm C60travels a relatively shorter the traveling distance, i.e. the first position B31of the flushing shaft B30, a relatively low volume of flush water is allowed to pass through the valve body B10because there is a shorter time of opening of the valve seat B20.

FIG. 41illustrates an alternative mode of the automated plunger arm C60′, wherein the automated plunger arm C60′ is integrated with the water control pusher C24′ to form an elongated pushing member that the output of the motorized unit B50directly controls the traveling distance of the water control pusher C24′ towards the flushing shaft B30.