TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to toilet system. More particularly, it pertains to a toilet system for cleaning the retrofit toilet seat automatically in the absence of the user.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] A toilet system is a toilet that disposes of human excreta by using water to flush it through a drainpipe to another location for disposal, thus maintaining a separation between humans and their excreta. Such a toilet system includes a body portion which is installed on a toilet and a toilet seat and a toilet lid which are provided to be pivotable with respect to the body portion. The most common problem associated with the existing toilet is an improper cleaning of the toilet seat. Many attempts have been made to improve the maintenance, the cleanliness and the sanitation of the toilet system. However, most of the existing approaches use a plenty of water for cleaning of the toilet system, resulting in efficient utilization of the resources. Moreover, there are no existing toilet system that automatically cleans the toilet seat to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need in the art, for an easy to implement, cost-effective and efficient toilet system that can overcome the above-mentioned problems in the art.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved toilet system that automatically cleans the retrofit toilet seat to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet system that cleans the toilet seat without use of the water.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a simple and cost-effective toilet system that dries the toilet seat without the use of heating elements to reduce the use of power. [0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet system that is provided with guideways to manipulate the air stream to cover the entire seat and ensure cleaning of the seat.

[0009] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a toilet system that is provided with a UV source for sterilizing the toilet seat for sanitizing the seat.

SUMMARY

[0010] The present disclosure generally relates to toilet system. More particularly, it pertains to a toilet system for cleaning the toilet automatically in the absence of the user.

[0011] In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a self-cleaning toilet system that comprises a guide assembly comprising a support frame and one or more sensors configured with the support frame to detect presence of a user within a predefined distance; a seating element pivotally coupled to the support frame and configured to rotate between a deployed position and a raised position, wherein the seating element moves to the deployed position when the user is detected, and wherein the seating element moves to the raised position when the user is not detected, wherein the guide assembly comprises one or more blowers configured to, on actuation, blow air stream on an upper surface of the seating element when the seating element is moved to the raised position.

[0012] In an embodiment, the guide assembly comprises a guiding member coupled to the support frame, the one or more blowers being movably configured on the guiding member to move along a guideway of the guiding member to blow the air stream on the upper surface of the seating element, and wherein the guide assembly comprises a gear mechanism coupled with the one or more blowers to enable movement of the one or more blowers along the guideway of the guiding member.

[0013] In another embodiment, the gear mechanism comprises a pair of gears including an input gear and an output gear meshed with the input gear, a motor connected to the input gear, and a connecting arm, one end of the connecting arm being coupled to the output gear and another end of the connecting arm being coupled with the one or more blowers, and wherein the connecting arm is configured to move between an extended position and retracted position during the movement of the one or more blowers along the guideway.

[0014] In another embodiment, the connecting arm comprises a first member and a second member movably coupled with the first member through a spring, wherein the first member is coupled to the output gear and the second member is fixed to the one or more blowers, wherein during the expanded position, the second member moves with respect to the first member in an outward direction, wherein in the retracted position, the second member moves with respect to the first member in an inward direction.

[0015] In another embodiment, the one or more blowers comprises a first set of blowers, a second set of blowers, and a third set of blowers to blow air streams on the upper surface of the seating element when the seating element is moved to the raised position, wherein the second set of blowers and the third set of blowers are configured at the inner wall of the support frame, and wherein the first set of blowers are configured at the outer wall of the support frame.

[0016] In another embodiment, the guide assembly comprises a first UV light source configured with the guiding member, a second UV light source configured at periphery of the support frame.

[0017] In another embodiment, the toilet system comprises a lid rotatably configured with the support frame, to rotate between a first position and a second position when the user is not detected for a predefined time period, wherein the first position refers to a position in which the lid is moved towards the support frame and the second position refers to a position in which the lid is moved away from the support frame, wherein each of the lid and the seating element is configured with the support frame through a hinge mechanism configured to allow movement/rotation of the seating element between the deployed and the raised positions and movement of the lid between the first and the second positions.

[0018] In another embodiment, the toilet system comprises one or more actuators configured with the hinge mechanism, and configured to move/rotate the lid between the first and the second positions and the seating element between the deployed and the raised positions.

[0019] In another embodiment, the toilet system comprises a control circuitry comprising one or more processors, the one or more processors being configured to actuate the one or more actuators to allow rotation of at least one of the lid and the seating element between the corresponding first and second positions when the user is not detected, and wherein the control circuitry configured to actuate the one or more blowers to blow the air stream on the upper surface when the seating element is moved to the raised position.

[0020] In another embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to actuate the motor to allow movement of the one or more blowers along the guideway.

[0021] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0023] In the figures, similar components and/or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

[0024] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary schematic diagram of the proposed toilet system with movable blower, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIGs. 2A and 2B illustrate exemplary schematic diagrams of the proposed toilet system with stationary blowers, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0027] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0028] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0029] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0030] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. This disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. These embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure).

[0031] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

[0032] Embodiments explained herein relate to a toilet system for cleaning the toilet automatically in the absence of the user. In particular, the toilet system cleans and sanitizes the seating element in the absence of the user. The proposed toilet system comprises one or more sensors that detects whether a user is present within a predefined distance from the one or more sensors. In case when the user is not detected within the predefined distance, the seating element of the toilet system is moved to the raised position towards the support frame to allow cleaning of the toilet seat. The toilet system includes one or more blowers that blow an air stream to the upper surface of the seating element, thus facilitating cleaning, drying and maintaining the hygiene within the toilet system.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1, the self-cleaning toilet system 100 may provide cleaning, drying, and sanitizing the toilet seat. The toilet system may include a guide assembly 101 comprising a support frame 102 and one or more sensors 104 such as infrared sensor, ultrasonic sensor, and so on, configured with the support frame 102 at the predefined positions. The sensors 104 may be configured to sense one or more attributes to detect whether a user is present within a predefined distance of the toilet system. The toilet system 100 may also include a seating element 103 that is pivotally coupled to the support frame. The toilet system 100 may include a retrofit kit, and can be installed on a plurality of toilet seats with varying designs or structures. Additionally, the support frame may include a base plate 102-1 configured vertically and at which all the components of the support frame are configured. The seating element 103 is configured to rotate between a deployed position in which the seating element moves away from the support frame and a raised position in which the seating element moves towards the support frame. FIG. 1 shows the deployed position of the toilet system. The seating element 103 may be configured as a hollow disc. In an embodiment, the seating element 103 moves to the deployed position when the presence of the user is detected within the predefined distance, whereas the seating element 103 moves to the raised position when the user is not detected within the predefined distance. In an exemplary embodiment, upon detection, the seating element is allowed to wait for a predetermined time period before starting the movement of the seating element.

[0034] In an embodiment, the toilet system 100 may include a lid 105 rotatably configured with the support frame 102. In an embodiment, the lid 105 may be configured to rotate between a first position and a second position in the same manner as of the seating element 103. The first position may refer to a position in which the lid is moved towards the support frame, whereas the second position refers to a position in which the lid is moved away from the support frame. In an example, the lid 105 may be configured as a solid disc. In an exemplary embodiment, the lid 105 may rotate between the first position and the second position when the user is not detected for a predetermined time period. The control circuitry, as described below, is configured to determine a predetermined time period and upon elapse of the time period, the control circuitry is configured to actuate actuators 111 to rotate the lid from the second position to the first position.

[0035] In another embodiment, each of the lid 105 and the seating element 103 may be configured with the support frame through a hinge mechanism 106. The hinge mechanism 106 allows movement of the seating element between the deployed and the raised positions and movement of the lid between the first and the second positions. The hinge mechanism may include a first shaft and a second shaft concentrically configured within the first shaft. In other words, the second shaft resides inside the first shaft. In an embodiment, the first shaft may be connected with the seating element 103 and the second shaft may be connected with the lid 105. In an alternate embodiment, the first shaft may be connected with the seating element 103 and the second shaft may be connected with the lid 105. Each of the first shaft and the second shaft may be configured to rotate by the means of one or more actuators 111. The movement of the first shaft is independent to the movement of the second shaft. The one or more actuators 111 may be configured with the hinge mechanism, and configured to move the lid between the first and the second positions, and the seating element between the deployed and the raised positions. The one or more actuators may include any or a combination of a servo motor, DC motor, and so on.

[0036] In an embodiment, the toilet system may include one or more blowers 107 configured to blow air stream on an upper surface of the seating element 103 when the seating element is moved to the raised position. The one or more blowers are actuated by the control circuitry as described below. The blowing of the air stream cleans as well as dries the upper surface of the seating element 103. In case when the blowers are not stationary, a guiding member 108 and gear mechanism 109 is provided.

[0037] In an embodiment, the guide assembly may also include the guiding member 108 coupled to the support frame 102. The guiding member 108 may be configured as a closed shape structure. The guiding member 108 provides a guideway at the outer periphery of the guiding member 108. In an example, the guiding member 108 may be configured at the middle part of the frame. The guideway guides a path for movement of the one or more blowers 107 over the guiding element to blow air streams and direct them towards every portion of the seating element 103. In other words, the one or more blowers 107 may be movably configured on the guiding member 108 to move along a guideway of the guiding member to blow the air stream on the upper surface of the seating element. In an exemplary embodiment, the one or more blowers 107 may be configured at the outer periphery of the guiding member 108. The structure of the guiding member 108 allows the air stream generated by the one or more blowers to direct towards the seating element 103.

[0038] In an embodiment, the guide assembly may include the gear mechanism 109 coupled with the one or more blowers 107 to enable movement of the one or more blowers 107 along the guideway of the guiding member. In an embodiment, the gear mechanism is supported by the guiding member 108. In an example, the gear mechanism resides inside the closed structure of the guiding member 108 as shown in FIG. 1. The gear mechanism 109 may include a pair of gears 109-1, a motor 109-2, and a connecting arm 109-3. The pair of gears 109-1 may include an input gear and an output gear meshed with the input gear, where the motor 109-2 may be connected to the input gear. One end of the connecting arm 109-3 may be coupled to the output gear and another end of the connecting arm 109-3 may be coupled with the one or more blowers 107.

[0039] In an embodiment, due to the non-circular shape of the guideway, the length of the connecting arm should be variable so that the connecting arm would be able to adapt its length according to the shape of the guiding element/guideway when the blower(s) moves along the guideway. The connecting arm 109-3 may be configured to move between an extended position and retracted position during the movement of the one or more blowers along the guideway. In an example, when the large length of the connecting arm is required, the connecting arm moves in the expanded position, whereas when the small length of the connecting arm 109-3 is required, the connecting arm moves in the retracted position. In an embodiment, the connecting arm 109-3 may include a first member and a second member, where the second member is movably coupled with the first member through a spring. The first member may be coupled to the output gear and the second member is fixed to the one or more blowers. During the expanded position, the second member moves with respect to the first member in an outward direction away from the first member and thus the spring moves in the expanded position. Further, during the retracted position, the second member moves with respect to the first member in an inward direction towards the first member and the spring thus moves in the normal position.

[0040] In an alternate embodiment, referring to FIGs. 2 A and 2B, the one or more blowers 107 may be stationary at the predefined positions in the support frame 102. When the one or more blowers are stationary, the one or more blowers can include any number of the blowers. All the blowers may be placed either on inner portion/wall of the support frame or the outer portion/wall of the support frame or both. FIGs. 2A and 2B show the blowers present in the outer portion as well as inner portion of the support frame. The one or more blowers 107 comprises a first set of blowers 107-1 , a second set of blowers 107-2 and a third set of blowers 107-3 to blow air streams on the upper surface of the seating element, when the seating element is moved to the raised position. The second set of blowers 107-2 and the third set of blowers 107-3 are configured at the inner wall of the support frame, whereas the first set of blowers 107-1 is configured at the outer wall of the support frame.

[0041] In an embodiment, the guide assembly may include a first UV light source 113-1 and a second UV light source 113-2 (collectively termed as UV light sources 113 and individually termed as UV light source 113) for sanitizing one or more portions of the seating element and other parts of the toilet system. The first UV light source may be configured with the guiding member, whereas the second UV light source may be configured at the periphery of the support frame. In an example, the first UV light source may include a strip of LED configured with the guiding member. In an exemplary embodiment, the guiding member may have a reflective surface to maximize utilization of the UV light emitted by the first UV light source. Each of the first and second UV light sources is configured to emit UV light to sanitize the seating element and other parts of the toilet system. The UV light sources 113 do not require any type of heat sinks as the air stream generated by the blowers provides cooling to the UV light sources 113.

[0042] In an embodiment, the guide assembly may include a control circuitry 114 electrically configured with the one or more sensors 104, the one or more actuators, the motor of the gear assembly and various other components of the toilet system to control one or more parameters. In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuitry may be fixed at the upper portion of the support frame. The control circuitry may include a power source 115 configured to supply power to the various components such as but not limited to motor 109-2 and so on in the toilet system. The power source can be alternating current source or direct current source.

[0043] In an exemplary embodiment, the control circuitry may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, logic circuitries, and/or any device that manipulates data based on operational instructions. Among other capabilities, the control circuitry can be configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory connected to the control circuitry. The memory may store one or more computer-readable instructions or routines, which may be fetched and executed to create or share the data units over a network service.

[0044] In an embodiment, the control circuitry may actuate one or more elements configured in the support frame based on the presence of the user. Thus, based on the detection of the presence/absence of the user, the control circuitry may be configured to actuate the one or more elements of the toilet system. In particular, the control circuitry may determine the presence of the user based on the one or more attributes sensed by the one or more sensors 104. When the user is not detected, the control circuitry may be configured to actuate the one or more actuators 111 to allow movement of at least one of the lid and the seating element between the corresponding first and second positions. When the seating element is moved to the raised position or when there is no detection of the user, the control circuitry may be configured to actuate the one or more blowers 107 to blow the air stream on the upper surface when the seating element is moved to the raised position. Further, the control circuitry may be configured to activate the first 113-1 and the second 113-2 UV light sources to emit UV light when the seating element is moved to the raised position or when there is no detection of the user. Further, Additionally or alternatively, when the user is not detected and when the blowers are movably configured with guiding element, the control circuitry may be configured to actuate the motor 109-2 of the gear assembly to allow movement of the one or more blowers along the guideway. The one or more control actions as mentioned above, may be performed simultaneously or in a particular sequence. Additionally, the one or more control actions performed by the control circuitry may be independent or dependent on each other.

[0045] In an embodiment, the toilet system 100 may include a display device 116 that displays a message that indicates the process of the sanitization being started. The displayunit may display a warning message to the users so as not to come close to the unit during UV sterilization for safety of the user. In an example, the message shows “do not enter the toilet room”. In another embodiment, the support frame may include vents 117 at one or more positions to provide cooling of the control circuitry. In an embodiment, the toilet system may also include a manual button on the support structure to trigger the cleaning cycle according to the requirement of the user.

[0046] Thus, the present disclosure provides the toilet system that facilitates cleaning, drying, and sanitizing the seating element automatically. In particular, the toilet system is provided with one or more blowers that blow the air stream with an intense pressure to provide cleaning and drying of the seating element. In addition, the toilet system is also provided with the UV light sources to allow sanitization of the toilet system. In this manner, the proposed toilet system improves the maintenance, the cleanliness and the sanitation of the toilet system.

[0047] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patient matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ... .and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0048] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The present disclosure provides an improved toilet system that automatically cleans the toilet seat to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

[0050] The present disclosure provides a toilet system that cleans the toilet seat without use of the water.

[0051] The present disclosure provides a simple and cost-effective toilet system that dries the toilet seat without the use of heating elements to reduce the use of power.

[0052] The present disclosure provides a toilet system that is provided with guideways to manipulate the air stream to cover the entire seat and ensure cleaning of the seat.

[0053] The present disclosure provides a toilet system that is provided with a UV source for sterilizing the toilet seat for sanitizing the seat.

List of components of the toilet system

101 - Guide Assembly

102 - Support Frame

102-1 - Base Plate

103 - Seating Element 104- Sensors

105 - Lid

106 - Hinge Mechanism

107 (107-1, 107-2, 107-3) - Blower(s) 108 - Guiding member

109 - Gear Mechanism

109-1 - Pair of gears of gear mechanism

109-2 - Motor of gear mechanism

109-3 - Connecting arm of gear mechanism 111- Actuators

113 (113-1, 113-2) -UV light sources

114 - Control circuitry

115 - Power Source

116- - Display device 117- Vents