Patent Publication Number: US-2010115688-A1

Title: Lavatory seat assembly motorization by means of a magnetic device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     Users of public lavatories both on the ground and in vehicles (such as airplanes or trains) would prefer not to have to handle the seat assembly (meaning the seat proper and the lid), especially not the seat proper. 
     The object of this patent is to disclose a means of motorizing the seat assembly so that the seat and lid can be raised and lowered without having to be moved by hand. 
     (2) Prior Art 
     There are various patented means in existence. They all require a mechanical link between the seat assembly and the actuating device, as in patent WO 96/06558 and patent WO 03/086161. The devices described are large and represent dirt traps. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     We provide a means which avoids any mechanical connection between the seat assembly and the motorization device. The advantage of said means is that it makes it possible to completely clean the supporting surface of the seat assembly, which has no insert or surface relief. 
     Our motorization means,  FIG. 1 , consists in using the power of a magnetic attraction means through the wall supporting a lavatory seat assembly. 
     A crescent-shaped movable magnetic attraction means located under the wall moves at least one subassembly of the seat assembly (the lid or the like) through an arc of a circle from at least the horizontal position to the vertical position, said seat assembly being provided with a means ( 2 ) of magnetic attraction located opposite the movable magnetic attraction means ( 1 ). 
     An actuator moves at least one movable magnetic attraction means ( 1 ). 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features will be found in the presentation of the description of the present invention: 
         FIG. 1  shows a housing ( 6 ) contained within the seat assembly and itself containing a means ( 2 ) of magnetic attraction such as a permanent magnet, an electromagnet or a ferromagnetic material, said seat assembly resting on a supporting wall ( 7 ). A movable ferromagnetic means ( 1 ) of attraction such as a permanent magnet moves around this supporting wall. 
         FIG. 2  shows the lid ( 8 ) and the seat proper ( 9 ) of a seat assembly with part of a wall ( 7 ) and with movable magnets ( 101 ,  101 ′,  102 ). 
         FIG. 3  shows one component of the seat assembly, the seat proper or the lid, in a horizontal position and the means  101 ,  101 ′,  102  and  201 ,  201 ′,  202  of magnetic attraction. 
         FIG. 4  shows one component of the seat assembly, the seat proper or the lid, in the vertical position. 
         FIG. 5  shows a cam ( 10 ) with two projections ( 4 ) and ( 5 ). 
         FIG. 6  shows the movement of the lid from a horizontal position A to at least one vertical position B. 
         FIG. 7  shows a cam moving the movable magnets  101 ,  102 , one after the other. 
         FIG. 8  shows a movable-magnet support mounted on a base. 
         FIG. 9  shows a flange provided with a bearing device. 
         FIG. 10  shows the device for opening and closing the seat assembly. 
         FIG. 11  shows one form of supporting wall and a seat assembly consisting of two independent parts. 
         FIG. 12  shows an alternative seat/lid combination provided with a flange shaped to permit rotation of the lid from the horizontal to at least the vertical. 
         FIG. 13  shows a seat provided with a groove ( 17 ) designed to accommodate the rotary pivot ( 19 ) of the lid. 
         FIG. 14  shows a lid with a rotary pivot ( 19 ). 
         FIG. 15  shows a form of wall that rises at the front, allowing increased movement by the magnetic attraction means ( 1 ). 
         FIG. 16  shows a housing ( 6 ) provided with a projection ( 25 ) for supporting the housing ( 6 ) of the lid ( 8 ) during rotation. 
         FIG. 17  shows a housing of the lid provided with a slot ( 27 ) for the insertion of the supporting projection ( 25 ) into the housing ( 6 ) of the lid ( 8 ). 
         FIG. 18  shows an axial motorization for the seat assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The present invention is a motorization device for a lavatory seat assembly comprising at least one magnetic attraction means ( 1 ) moved by an actuator separated by at least one wall ( 7 ) supporting another means ( 2 ) of magnetic attraction connected to a seat assembly comprising a rotary base ( 6 ) enabling the lavatory seat ( 9 ) and lid ( 8 ) to be moved from the horizontal position to at least the vertical position, said actuator being activated by a control. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the seat assembly,  FIG. 1 , is provided with rotary rollers ( 6 ) forming a rotary base as described in patents WO 2005/055791A1. The seat assembly rests on a wall ( 7 ) which is partially shaped into an arc of a circle. A magnet ( 2 ) is placed in at least one of the housings of the seat proper and of the lid which are shaped partly or wholly as rollers. Another magnet ( 1 ) positioned opposite the attraction means ( 2 ) is movable. The shaping of the wall into an arc of a circle is intended to enable the magnet ( 1 ) to maintain a constant proximity to the magnet ( 2 ) as it moves. 
     If the seat assembly is heavy, it is wise,  FIG. 2 , to use several movable magnets. For example, the seat proper ( 9 ),  FIG. 2 , is actuated by two magnets ( 101 ,  101 ′) and the lid ( 8 ) by a movable magnet ( 102 ) of increased length. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the seat assembly is determined such that it can be activated by two movable magnets only, one for the seat proper and the other for the lid. The strength of the movable magnet ( 1 ) is calculated so as not to disengage from the movable attraction means ( 2 ) positioned opposite it,  FIG. 1 . The attraction means are positioned opposite each other so that their poles attract as strongly as possible and do not disengage from each other. 
     The job of the movable magnets is to move the seat assembly from the horizontal position (A),  FIG. 3 , at least as far as the vertical position (B),  FIG. 4 . The French NF standard requires the seat assembly to be raised to at least 98°. 
     The movable magnets are advantageously moved by an electric motor. However, they can also be moved by any other actuator such as a hydraulic or pneumatic thrust cylinder or the like. 
     Advantageously, in a preferred embodiment, the movable magnets are moved by a single motor connected to a cam. 
     In one effective embodiment the actuator is provided with a cam ( 10 ),  FIG. 5 , comprising two projections ( 4 ,  5 ) on two levels. When the device is actuated, the projection ( 4 ) of the cam ( 10 ),  FIG. 7 , bears on the magnet ( 102 ) and pushes it down, which has the effect of raising the lid ( 8 ),  FIG. 6 . If the user continues to activate the device, the projection ( 5 ) in turn drives the movable magnet ( 101 ),  FIG. 7 , down, which has the effect of raising the seat proper ( 9 ). 
     Conversely, with the cam ( 10 ) made of ferromagnetic material, the magnets ( 101 ,  102 ) are attracted by said cam and are driven by it when it moves upward and when the seat assembly is raised at 98°. At 98° the torque that has to be generated to begin to close the seat assembly is low. 
     As soon as the seat proper and lid are in a closing position of less than 90°, their mass helps the actuator because of gravity. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the movable magnets ( 101 ,  102 ),  FIG. 8 , are mounted on magnet supporting arms ( 11 ). These arms are connected to a supporting plate ( 12 ). These arms are free to rotate around an arc of a circle of at least 98° within the housing ( 15 ). The strength of attraction of the magnets ( 1 ) and ( 2 ) is such that they position themselves freely opposite one another so that  101  is facing  201 , etc. 
     Advantageously, the segment of wall ( 7 ) supporting the housing ( 6 ),  FIG. 15 , rises slightly at the front to form a groove which gives the magnet ( 1 ) an increased area in which to move. 
     If a person skilled in the art wishes to use flat seat assemblies, such as a wooden seat assembly, the shape of the wall will be in series ( FIG. 11 ) as described in patent application FR06/01871. The motorization is connected to the seat proper and to the lid. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the seat assembly is provided with flanges ( 13 ),  FIG. 9 , that allow it to rotate and prevent it rubbing on the supporting wall ( 7 ). 
     The mouth ( 16 ) of the flange is inserted into the housing ( 6 ) of the magnet ( 2 ). The rubbing between the seat assembly and the flange advantageously takes place on the inside wall of said housing, rendering any marks and wear which this may produce invisible from the outside. The flange may conveniently be provided with a rolling-element bearing, such as a needle roller bearing ( 14 ). 
     The use of flanges is advisable according to the form of keeping the seat assembly on the wall. If the seat assembly is held by a rotary cage as in PCT/FR2004/003148, the use of partially or totally circular flanges prevents rubbing of the seat assembly inside said cage. When it is held by magnets, as in patent application FR 06/01871, satisfactory operation of the motorization device makes it desirable to use flanges. The flange, which may be of any shape, advantageously can act as a stopper to keep the magnetic attraction means ( 2 ) in its housing ( 6 ). The geometry of the housing ( 6 ) is related to the shape of the magnetic attraction means ( 2 ) and that of the flange to its method of support—the shape of the pivot etc. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the diameter of the flange is greater than that of the housing ( 6 ) thus avoiding any rubbing of the seat assembly in the groove ( 17 ). Naturally, the thickness of the housing is equal to or greater than the subassembly to which it is attached, the seat proper or the lid. 
     In one preferred embodiment,  FIG. 13 , the housing of the lid ( 8 ) is carried by a groove ( 17 ) formed in the seat proper ( 9 ). The advantage of this design is aesthetic, as it allows the seat proper ( 9 ) to be completely concealed by the lid ( 8 ) in the horizontal plane and when seen from above. 
     The pivot ( 19 ) of the lid ( 8 ) sits in the groove ( 17 ). The housing ( 20 ) of the lid is advantageously provided with a magnetic attraction means located in the immediate vicinity of the magnetic attraction means contained in the housing ( 6 ) of the seat proper ( 9 ), thus helping to keep the pivot ( 19 ) in the groove ( 17 ). 
     In order to allow the lid ( 8 ) to be raised without lifting the seat proper from the wall ( 7 ), the flange ( 13 ),  FIG. 12 , is advantageously shaped in such a way as to separate the housing ( 6 ) of the seat proper from the wall ( 7 ) by a thickness ( 24 ) of greater than or equal to that of the lip ( 23 ) of the lid ( 8 ),  FIG. 14 . The edge ( 18 ) of the housing ( 17 ) is advantageously positioned level with the edge ( 24 ) of the flange. The edge of the flange ( 24 ),  FIG. 12 , is advantageously situated below the level of the center of rotation “R” common to said flange and the housing ( 6 ) of the seat proper ( 9 ). 
     Examination of  FIG. 12  will reveal that a flange ( 13 ) with a load-bearing right section assists the positioning of said flange. In the case of accidental displacement, the flange moves back into position when the lid is closed. 
     In another embodiment, the lid ( 8 ) is connected to the seat proper ( 9 ),  FIG. 17 , by projections ( 25 ) positioned in the axis of the housing ( 6 ) or connected to said housing by a pin type interface. The lid ( 8 ),  FIG. 16 , is provided with a housing ( 6 ) in the shape of a rotary cage ( 26 ). The two parts are connected together by inserting the housing ( 6 ) of the lid ( 8 ) between the two housings ( 6 ) of the seat proper ( 9 ). During assembly of the lid and seat proper, the slot ( 27 ) is presented face on to the projection ( 25 ) which is inserted into the housing ( 6 ) of the lid ( 8 ). The projection ( 25 ) acts as a rotary means, the inner wall of the housing ( 6 ) of the lid ( 8 ) resting on the end ( 28 ) of said projection ( 25 ). 
     In a preferred embodiment, to reduce friction, the projection ( 25 ) is provided with at least one rolling-element bearing ( 28 ). 
     This design, coupled with a wall in the form of a semi-closed rotary cage as described in patent PCT/FR 2004/003148 is particularly suitable for use in air transport as the seat assembly will be held in place in the event of in-flight incidents (air pockets, etc.). 
     One of the magnetic attraction means ( 1 ) or ( 2 ) does not have to be a permanent magnet. A magnetic material, or an electromagnet, for instance, can be used. 
     As far as implementation is concerned, in order that the magnetic components are not too voluminous, or the housing ( 6 ) too large, a person skilled in the art has means of making adjustments which are the weight of the seat proper and of the lid, the strength of the magnetic attraction means ( 1 ) and ( 2 ), and the distance between the center “C” of the housing ( 6 ),  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 raising and lowering torque of the seat assembly. 
     If the person skilled in the art opts for a heavy seat assembly, he can double the motorization; an actuator is fitted adjacent to each rotary roller of the seat assembly ( FIG. 2 ). 
     In another embodiment, each magnetic attraction means ( 1 ) is connected to its own actuator. 
     In a first embodiment, the seat assembly is operated,  FIG. 10 , by the user activating it through the interface of a button or photoelectric cell. This emulation initiates operation of the actuator which then moves the magnet ( 1 ). 
     In another embodiment, seat assembly closure can be automated by providing an electronic device. This embodiment is particularly pertinent in the case of lavatory bowls installed in a public lavatory. Closure of the seat assembly can be linked to the unlocking of the door from the inside. Thus, if a user unthinkingly forgets to close the seat assembly, this operation would be performed automatically when he leaves the lavatory room. 
     In another embodiment, the seat assembly may be fitted with a third part, such as a child&#39;s seat. 
     Another form of motorization for the seat assembly,  FIG. 18 , is to place the movable magnetic attraction means ( 1 ) in the axial continuation of the housing of the magnetic attraction means ( 2 ) located in the housing ( 6 ). The magnetic attraction means ( 1 ) operated by an actuator ( 28 ) such as a geared motor executes reciprocating movements whose effect is to raise or lower one of the components of the seat assembly (the seat proper or the lid). The housings of the lid and seat proper are combined in such a way that each can benefit from a motorization at the end of the housing. Thus, when the seat assembly is resting on only one groove, the lid and the seat proper each have a housing situated at one end of the groove.