Patent ID: 8347423

Claim:
An apparatus to lift and lower a seat assembly of a toilet, the apparatus comprising: a motion sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to observed motion; a motor assembly comprising a motor driving unit and a motor, wherein the motor driving unit is configured to drive a shaft of the motor in a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction using a direction signal based on the detection signal; a first gear located on the shaft such that a rotation of the shaft, rotates the first gear; a second gear located on an axle within a case and interfaced with the first gear such that a rotation of the first gear rotates the second gear; a drive shaft interfaced with the second gear and coupled to a lever such that a rotation of the second gear rotates the drive shaft, and the rotation of the drive shaft lifts or lowers the lever; and a bearing housing comprising a movable lead screw with a detent, wherein, within the bearing housing, a first end of a first spiral spring is connected to a slot of the drive shaft, the first spiral spring is wrapped around the drive shaft, and a second end of the first spiral spring is located in a path of the detent.