Device and method for flushing a toilet

Abstract

 A device for flushing a toilet comprises a flushing mechanism having a first lifting device (150) for manually initiating a large volume flush, and a second lifting device (160) for manually initiating a small volume flush. The device further comprises a sensor means (120) arranged to generate a signal upon registration of input data, and at least one motor (190) configured to receive the signal and being coupled to the first lifting device (150) or the second lifting device (160), said at least one motor (190) being operable to initiate either a large volume flush or a small volume flush upon receipt of the signal from the sensor means (120).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for flushing a toilet comprising a flushing mechanism having a first lifting device for manually initiating a large volume flush, and a second lifting device for manually initiating a small volume flush. The device further comprises sensor means arranged to generate a signal upon registration of input data.

PRIOR ART

[0002] Toilets typically include a toilet bowl, which is adapted to receive solid and liquid waste and water, and a cistern providing a reservoir for the water for flushing the bowl. A flushing device is mounted within the cistern, wherein the flushing device is operable from the outside of the cistern to initiate flushing. The flushing device may also be arranged to control the amount of water entering the bowl during the flushing process. Usually, a fill valve is mounted in the cistern to refill the tank with a predetermined amount of water to be used during a subsequent flushing.

[0003] Dual-flush toilets may provide a selection between a flush with a first water volume for liquid waste and a second water volume for solid waste.

[0004] US-A-6 081 938 discloses a dual-flush toilet. A flush valve is adapted to be mounted in the cistern of a toilet and includes a selector assembly. The selector assembly is accessible from outside the cistern and provides for initiation of the flushing operation and an alternative choice between a large flush water volume and a small flush water volume.

[0005] Such a selector assembly is, when accessed, exposed to bacteria present on a user's hand. During frequent use of a toilet having such a selector assembly, the amount of bacteria transferred to the selector assembly is increased and consequently, the selector assembly may act as a disease carrier.

[0006] A dual-flush toilet enables a reduction of the amount of water used for flushing, and thus meets an increasing demand for fresh water preservation. However, there is still a need for toilets providing improved hygienic conditions, as well as facilitating service and maintenance.

[0007] Other dual flushing systems are disclosed in FR 2 770 547, FR 2 740 793, FR 2 835 550, and DE 102 22 193. These documents describe flushing mechanisms being electronically controlled by operatable motors. Even though such systems might address the problems of hygienic improvements, a major drawback is the need for batteries or other power sources. When the power is lost, the flushing mechanism will not function at all. Hence, there is a need for accurate monitoring of internal power status or in case external power is used, cost and time consuming wiring. A drawback with external power is that the toilet will not work in the event of a power failure.

[0008] There is thus a need for a dual flushing mechanism being manually operatable, as well as allowing improved hygienic conditions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a mechanism for a flushing device of a toilet, which overcomes the above mentioned problems.

[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a modular mechanism for providing sensor based flushing that can be easily mounted to interact with existing manual flushing mechanisms.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, a device for flushing a toilet is provided. The device comprises at least one motor configured to receive a signal generated by a sensor means, said at least one motor being connected to a first means for manually initiating a large volume flush. Said at least one motor is being operable to initiate either a large volume flush or a small volume flush upon receipt of the signal from the sensor means.

[0012] The flushing mechanism may effect large flushing by the motor performing a first motion sequence and a small flushing by the motor performing a second motion sequence. This is advantageous in that the amount of electronic equipment is reduced, thus providing a cost efficient and space reducing device.

[0013] The first motion sequence may comprise performing a continuous back-and-forth movement of a lever arm connected to a rotational axis of said motor such that said lever arm urges a first or second lifting device to move, and the second motion sequence may comprise

a) performing a first movement of the lever arm from an idle position,

b) waiting for a pre-programmed time, and

c) performing a second movement of the lever arm for returning said lever arm to its idle position. Hence, a solitary motor can be used to perform two operations.

[0014] The device may further comprise a valve being lifted when a first or second lifting device is moved, and a float connected to a levered hook engageable with said valve for preventing said valve from moving in a downward direction when engaged with the levered hook, wherein the motor, during a part of the first and second motion sequence, prevents the float from moving in an upward direction such that the valve is released from the levered hook. This is advantageous in that programming the waiting time to different values may control the amount of water corresponding to the second volume flush.

[0015] The sensor means may comprise a photo detector registering movements of a user, a digital processor registering a timer alarm, or a revolution counter registering the number of revolutions of the rotational shaft. Hence, hygienic conditions are improved and flushing operations can be initiated without the presence of a user. Further, specific maintenance alarms can be generated automatically.

[0016] According to a second aspect of the invention, a toilet comprising a device according to the first aspect of the invention is provided. The advantages of the first aspect of the invention are also applicable for this second aspect of the invention.

[0017] According to a third aspect of the invention, a method for flushing a toilet comprising a device according to the first aspect is provided. The method comprises the steps of registering input data by means of a sensor means, generating a signal corresponding to the registered input data, transmitting the signal to a motor connected to said first means, and operating the at least one motor for initiating said large volume flush or said small volume flush. The advantages of the first aspect of the invention are also applicable for this third aspect of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dual flush sensor mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, shown in a resting state,

Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, shown in an initiated state of a first or second flushing mode,

Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, shown in a further state of the first flushing mode,

Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, shown in a later state of the first flushing mode, and

Fig. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a dual flush sensor mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0019] In Fig. 1, a flushing device 100 according to the present invention is shown. The flushing device 100, hereinafter referred to as the dual flush mechanism, is adapted to be installed in a flush water cistern (not shown) of a water closet in a way well known by persons skilled in the art. The flushing device 100 comprises a manual control knob 110 having first and second control surfaces 110a, 110b, upon depression of which a small or a large flush, respectively, can be chosen. The control knob 110 is levered in a central portion, such that when the first control surface 110a is pushed downwards, the second control surface 110b will move in an upwards direction.

[0020] With reference to both Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the dual flush mechanism 100 further comprises a valve 130, which opens a passageway 140 from the flush water cistern to a toilet bowl (not shown) upon being lifted. The opening of the passageway results in the toilet bowl being flushed. In a particular embodiment, the valve 130 may be an overflow valve, i.e. a pipe allowing drainage of excess water in case of flooding of the cistern.

[0021] In order to control the opening and closing of the passageway 140 by lifting and lowering the valve 130, a small flush lifting device 160 and a large flush lifting device 150 are arranged on opposite sides of the valve 130. Both lifting devices 150, 160 are levered around shafts 165, 155, respectively, such that a pressing movement from either of the control surfaces 110a or 110b will be translated to a lifting movement of the valve 130. However, the lifting movement of the valve 130 will be limited if the valve is lifted by the small flush lifting device 160; as can be seen in Fig. 1, the valve 130 is provided with a raise restriction knob 135. The raise restriction knob 135 will interact with a fork-like counter support 167 fastened to the small flush lifting device 160 if this lifting device is actuated to lift the valve 130, and hence limit its upward movement. If the small flush lifting device 160 is in its resting position, which it will be if the valve 130 is raised by the large flush lifting device 150, there will be no interaction between the raise restriction knob 165 and the counter support 167 as the valve 130 raises.

[0022] The valve 130 is further provided with a float 132 that acts to raise the valve 130 as long as a water level in the flush water cistern is above a certain level.

[0023] A levered hook 170 is connected between a second float 180 and the valve 130 such that the levered hook 170 will lock the valve 130 in a raised position provided that:

a. the valve 130 has been lifted sufficiently to allow a locking engagement between the levered hook 170 and the valve 130, and

b. the flush water level in the flush water cistern is above a certain level (which can be controlled by moving the position of the second float 180 along an elongate rod 182).

[0024] Below, the mechanisms behind a small and a large flush will be described; it is assumed that the flush water level in the flush water cistern is at its highest level when a flushing sequence commences.

[0025] In a resting state, i.e. before a small or large flush is initiated, the water contained in the flush water cistern subjects the valve 130 to a water pressure on its upper surface, hence urging the valve 130 in a downward direction, and sealing the passageway 140.

[0026] For large flush, the user presses the first control surface 110a; as a result of this, the control knob 110 will move to actuate the large flush lifting device 150. The actuation of the large flush lifting device 150 will lift the valve 130 from the passageway 140, and the valve 130 will continue to rise due to the first float floating in the water in the cistern. When the valve 130 is raised, water will begin to escape through the passageway 140. The water contained in the flush water cistern thus subjects the valve 130 to a water pressure on both its upper and lower surfaces, and the valve 130 is no longer urged solely in the downward direction. Hence, the valve 130 is allowed to rise due to the lifting force of the first float. The valve 130 rising will continue to an elevation sufficient to allow a locking movement between the valve 130 and the levered hook 170. The locking movement between the levered hook 170 and the valve 130 will continue until the water level in the cistern has reached a predetermined level, which, as mentioned, can be adjusted by altering the position of the second float 180 along the elongate rod 182. As the flush water level in the cistern has decreased below the predetermined level, the second float 180 will be moving downwards, thus forcing the levered hook 170 to release from the valve 130, and the valve 130 will fall back to the position where it blocks the passageway 140. After the large flush, the cistern will be filled once more.

[0027] For a small flush, the user presses the second control surface 110b. As a result of this, the control knob 110 will move to actuate the small flush lifting device 160. As mentioned above, the counter support 167 of the small flush lifting device 160 will then move to a position where it will stop the valve 130 from moving upwards by interaction with the raise restriction knob 135 (the valve 130 will continue to rise if it is lifted without interference between the raise restriction knob 135 and the counter support 167, due to the lifting force of the first float being submerged in flush water in the cistern). Due to the limitation of the raise of the valve 130, the levered hook 170 will not lock the valve 130 and as a result, the valve 130 will fall back to the position where it blocks the passageway 140 as soon as the flush water level has reached a level where the first float does not provide any lifting force acting on the valve 130.

[0028] So far, a manual dual flush system according to the prior art has been described for facilitating the understanding of the invention, which relates to a flushing mechanism comprising a motor and a sensor, the function of which devices will be described hereinafter.

[0029] With reference to Figs. 1 to 5, a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The embodiment is identical to the previously described manually operated embodiment with the exception that the first embodiment is provided with means for allowing an automatic dual flush.

[0030] According to the first embodiment, a sensor 120 is electrically connected to a motor 190. The motor 190 is connected to a lever arm 192. The lever arm 192, which extends from a first end to a second end, is at the first end eccentrically connected to a rotational shaft 194 of the motor 190. The lever arm 192 is at its second end connected to the large flush lifting device 150. The lever arm 192 is provided with an elongate opening at the end connected to the large flush lifting device 150. The arrangement with the elongate opening makes it possible to perform manual flushes without energizing the motor 190, since the large flush lifting device 150 is free to move in the elongate opening when the flushing device 100 is manually operated.

[0031] The second float 180 is connected to a rod 196 that extends vertically towards the upper portion of the dual flush mechanism 100.

[0032] Now referring to Fig. 2, the dual-flush mechanism is shown at a resting position, i.e. a closed mode. The valve 130 is positioned such that the passageway 140 is closed, i.e. no water is drained out through the passageway 140. Consequently, neither the large flush lifting device 150, the small flush lifting device 160 nor the motor 190 acts on the valve 130.

[0033] With reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5, a large volume flush will be described. When a large volume flush is initiated, the motor 190 performs a first motion sequence, corresponding to a fast revolution of the rotational shaft 194. During the first half-turn of the rotational shaft 194, the large flush lifting device 150 pushes the valve 130 in an upward direction, such that the passageway 140 is opened. This is particularly shown in Fig. 3. At the same time the elongate rod 196 is urged in a downward direction by means of the lever arm 192, thus forcing the second float 180 to move downwards. Hence, the levered hook 170 connected to the second float 180 is tilted away from the valve 130. When the motor has made its 180° revolution, the first float 132 attached to the valve 130 causes the valve 130 to move even further up. The total movement of the valve 130 is about 20 mm, of which the large flush lifting device 150 causes 12 mm movement, and the float causes 8 mm movement. When the motor 190 performs the subsequent 180° revolution, the large flush lifting device 150 is released from the valve 130 and the large flush lifting device 150 is returned to its resting position. This is particularly shown in Fig. 4. At the same time, the lever arm 192 reduces the force applied to the elongate rod 196, and the second float 180 is allowed to move upward. By this movement, the levered hook 170 will return to its position where it is able to engage with the valve 130. Hence, the complete rotation must occur before the water level within the cistern is below the first float 132; otherwise no large flush will be initiated.

[0034] As the passageway 140 allows water to be drained, the first float attached to the valve 130 will eventually no longer cause the valve 130 to move upwards. However, the levered hook 170 that is connected to the second float 180 prevents the valve 130 to close the passageway 140. As the flush water level in the cistern has decreased below the predetermined level, which has been set by adjusting the position of the second float 180, the second float 180 will be moving downwards, thus forcing the levered hook 170 to release the valve 130. This is shown in Fig. 4. When the levered hook 170 is released from the valve 130, the valve 130 will fall back to the position where it blocks the passageway 140.

[0035] A small volume flush will be described with reference to Fig. 3. When the small flush is initiated, the motor 190 performs a second motion sequence, beginning with a fast half-turn revolution of the rotational shaft 194. After this, the motor 190 is configured to wait for a pre-programmed time, and subsequently perform a continuing half-turn revolution of the rotational shaft 194.

[0036] During the beginning half-turn of the rotational shaft 194, the device behaves in the same manner as described with reference to the large volume flush.

[0037] When the motor 190 is waiting for the pre-programmed time to lapse, a certain amount of water, namely an amount of water sufficient to cause the water level to be below the first float, is allowed to drain through the passageway 140. The pre-programmed time for the motor 190 to wait is such that the valve 130 is allowed to move downwards by means of the reducing water level to a position where the lever hook 170 is not able to lock the valve 130. Thus, when the pre-programmed time has passed, the motor 190 will make a continuing half turn revolution for releasing the force applied to the rod 196. The second float 180 will then move upwards, and since the valve 130 is located at a sufficiently low position, the levered hook 170 will not lock the valve 130 and the passageway 140 will be closed.

[0038] A second embodiment of a device for flushing a toilet will be described with reference to Fig. 6. The device, arranged within a cistern 200, comprises means for manually performing a large volume flush and a small volume flush, wherein said means are similar to the manual flushing means described with reference to Fig. 1. A motor 290 is electrically connected to a sensor (not shown). Further, the motor 290 is connected to a first lever arm 292 and a second lever arm 293, both lever arms 292, 293 being eccentrically connected to a rotational shaft 294 of the motor 290. The first lever arm 292 is connected to the large flushing device 150, and the second lever arm 293 is connectable to the small flushing device 160. The first lever arm 292 may be integrally formed with the second lever arm 293. The motor 290 is laterally arranged between the first and the second flushing device 150, 160.

[0039] The large flushing device 150 and the small flushing device 160 are free to move without engaging with first or second lever arms 292, 293. Hence, a manual flush may be performed without energizing the motor 290.

[0040] When no flushing is performed, the motor 290 is arranged in an idle position where the lever arms 292, 293 do not apply any pushing forces on the lifting devices 150, 160. The motor 290 is operable to initiate a large volume flush by performing a first motion sequence, and a small volume flush by performing a second motion sequence.

[0041] When a large volume flush is initiated, the motor 290 performs a 90° rotation clockwise, thus applying a pushing force on the first lifting device 150. During this motion, the second lever arm 293 moves away from the second lifting device 160. The motor 290 immediately performs a subsequent counter-clockwise rotation, for the motor 290 to return to the idle position. Due to the applied pushing force, the first lifting device 150 lifts the valve 130, and a large volume flush is initiated according to what has previously being described in connection to the manual flush.

[0042] When a small volume flush is initiated, the motor 290 performs a 90° rotation counter-clockwise from the idle position, thus applying a pushing force on the second lifting device 160. During this motion, the first lever arm 292 moves away from the first lifting device 150. The motor 290 immediately performs a subsequent clockwise rotation, for the motor 290 to return to the idle position. Due to the applied pushing force, the second lifting device 160 lifts the valve 130, and a small volume flush is initiated according to what has previously being described in connection to the manual flush.

[0043] In one embodiment, the first lever arm 292 is provided with an elongate opening at the end connected to the large flush lifting device 150. The second lever arm 293 is provided with an elongate opening at the end connected to the small flush lifting device 150. This makes it possible to perform manual flushes without energizing the motor 290.

[0044] In a yet further embodiment, the motor 290 is arranged on either side of the flushing mechanism, and the lever arms 292, 293 are interconnected.

[0045] In a yet further embodiment, sensor based flushing may be provided by arranging the motor such that it only is affecting the movement of the second lifting device, i.e. the lifting device being used for manually initiating a small flush volume. Such arrangement has a mechanical setup for manually initiating a large flush and a small flush, respectively.

[0046] In this particular embodiment, the motor receives a signal from the sensor corresponding to a large or a small flush. In case of a small flush, the motor makes a fast revolution. During the first half of the revolution, the lever arm connected to the motor urges the second lifting device to move, thus initiating a small flush. During the immediate subsequent returning half revolution, the lever arm will reduce the force on the second lifting device such that it may return to its idle position. Hence, a small flush is initiated according to what has previously been described. In case of a large flush, the motor makes a half revolution also in this case, urging the second lifting device to move for initiating a small flush. However, when the second lifting device is in this position, the motor is programmed to wait for a predetermined time. Thus, the second lifting device is kept in this position and the valve is prevented from moving down by means of the float. Water is then allowed to escape into the toilet bowl, until the motor makes a returning half revolution for allowing the second lifting device to move back into its idle position. Upon this, the valve is allowed to close due to the reduced amount of water in the cistern.

[0047] The pre-programmed time may be easily adjusted for determining the amount of water that should be used for a large flush. This is particularly advantageous, since the same system, having different times programmed, may be used in different countries where standards for large flush volumes are different.

[0048] In the following, the sensor 120 will be described in more detail. The sensor 120 may be implemented for all embodiments described above.

[0049] As can be seen on the figures, the sensor 120 is positioned adjacent to the control knob 110. The sensor 120 may e.g. be a photo detector that is programmed to detect if a user holds his or her hand above the sensor 120. Further, the sensor determines for how long the user's hand is above the sensor 120 and generates a signal that corresponds to if the user's hand is above the sensor 120 for a long or a short time.

[0050] In a specific embodiment, the sensor 120 generates a signal corresponding to a small volume flush if the user's hand is above the sensor for less than 1.5 seconds, and the sensor generates a signal corresponding to a large volume flush if the user's hand is above the sensor for 1.5 seconds or more.

[0051] The sensor 120 may be configured to detect movements occurring between 0 and 50 cm from the sensor 120, and particularly between 0 and 15 cm from the sensor 120.

[0052] In another embodiment, a sensor 120 is positioned such that it detects if a user is standing in front of the toilet or is sitting on the toilet. Hence, the sensor 120 generates a first signal that corresponds to a short detection if the user is standing in front of the toilet, and a second signal that corresponds to a long detection if the user is sitting on the toilet.

[0053] In a further embodiment, a sensor 120 is positioned such that it detects if a user is sitting on the toilet for a long or for a short time. E.g., the sensor 120 generates a first signal that corresponds to a short detection if the user is sitting on the toilet for less than 1 minute, and a second signal that corresponds to a long detection if the user is sitting on the toilet for more than 1 minute.

[0054] The motor may have a rotational speed of about 300 rpm. The pre-programmed time for the motor to wait may be about 1.5 seconds, allowing approximately 2.5 liters of water to be drained from the passageway 140.

[0055] The motor may be programmed to initiate a flushing operation on specific times, in certain time intervals, or after a specific number of performed flushing operations.

[0056] In one embodiment, the motor comprises a sensor counting the total number of revolutions made, i.e. the total number of performed flushing operations. The sensor may be communicating with a computer, and transmitting a signal when service or maintenance should be performed. This is advantageous in that the counted number of revolutions of the motor can be used to determine when cleaning of the toilet should be performed. This is of particular interest in public areas where a large number of toilets are cleaned on regular intervals. Thus, cleaning personnel can be informed of which toilets have been used thus improving the efficiency of the cleaning procedure. Further, the counted number of revolutions can be used to determine the need for refill of toilet paper. In an even further embodiment, the counting of number of revolutions can be divided to separately count the number of revolutions corresponding to a large volume flush, and the number of revolutions corresponding to a small volume flush. These two different numbers of revolutions can be used as a parameter to initiate the refill of toilet paper. For example, a large volume flush will most probably be correlated to a larger consumption of toilet paper as for a small volume flush. Hence, the efficiency of cleaning and maintenance of public toilets is further improved.

[0057] In another embodiment, the motor is connected to a computer means such that the pre-programmed time for the motor to wait can be set to different values. This may be performed remotely by connecting said motor to a server, or locally by connecting said motor to a computer by means of a wire. In such embodiments, the second volume flush will correspond to different flushing volumes depending on the pre-programmed time. In a previously described embodiment, the pre-programmed time is always set to 1.5 seconds. In another embodiment, the pre-programmed time may e.g. be set to 5 seconds at one occasion every 24 hours in order for the cistern to be completely emptied. The predetermined time may e.g. always be set to 3 seconds to always perform a large volume flush. In this case, the second volume flush corresponds to a flushing volume equal to the volume of the large volume flush.

[0058] In some installations, sewage pipes connected to the toilets may be narrow or particularly long. Hence, the flushing volume of a small flush will not be enough to flush the complete waste out from the pipes. To overcome this problem, the motor may be connected to a digital processor registering a timer alarm, upon which alarm a large volume flush is initiated by activating the motor to perform the large volume flush. The timer may alarm e.g. every 24 hours, resulting in a large volume flush automatically initiated one time every day. Another option to overcome the above problem is to initiate a small flush at specific time intervals, where the pre-programmed time is changed to allow for the complete emptying of the cistern. For hygienic purposes, the predetermined time may be set to increase the flushing volume of the small flush so that the volume of a small flush equals the volume of a large flush. Also, the sensor may be configured to always generate a signal corresponding to the large volume flush, independently of the detected signal. This is advantageous in hospitals or other facilities where hygienic conditions are important.

[0059] In an embodiment, the motor comprises a servomechanism including a servomotor. In another embodiment, the motor comprises a linear actuator.

[0060] It should be noted that the counting of revolutions as described above, as well as the setting of the pre-programmed time could be used as such to improve service and maintenance of toilets as well as the hygienic conditions, without being dependent on other features described herein.

[0061] It should also be noted that any of the mechanisms for effecting a small or large flush could be used in both wall-mounted and floor-standing toilets.

[0062] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific embodiments. However, other embodiments than the above described are equally possible within the scope of the invention. The invention is only limited by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A device for flushing a toilet, comprising

a flushing mechanism having a first lifting device (150) for manually initiating a large volume flush, and a second lifting device (160) for manually initiating a small volume flush, said device further comprising

a sensor means (120) arranged to generate a signal upon registration of input data,

characterized by

at least one motor (190) configured to receive the signal and being coupled to the first lifting device (150) or the second lifting device (160), said at least one motor (190) being operable to initiate either a large volume flush or a small volume flush upon receipt of the signal from the sensor means (120).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the flushing mechanism effects large flushing by the motor (190) performing a first motion sequence and a small flushing by the motor performing a second motion sequence.

3. The device according to according to claim 2, wherein the first or second motion sequence comprises performing a continuous back-and-forth movement of a lever arm (192) connected to a rotational axis (194) of said motor (190) such that said lever arm (192) urges the first or second lifting device (150, 160) to move, and wherein the other of said first or second motion sequence comprises

a) performing a first movement of the lever arm (192) from an idle position such that said lever arm (192) urges the first or second lifting device (150, 160) to move,

b) waiting for a pre-programmed time such that the first or second lifting device (150, 160) is kept in its urged position, and

c) performing a second movement of the lever arm (192) for returning said lever arm (192) to its idle position such that said lever arm (192) no longer urges the first or second lifting device (150, 160) to move.

4. The device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a valve (130) being lifted when the first or second lifting device (150, 160) is moved, and a float (180) connected to a levered hook (170) engageable with said valve (130) for preventing said valve (130) from moving in a downward direction when engaged with the levered hook (170), wherein the motor (190), during a part of the first and second motion sequence, prevents the float (180) from moving in an upward direction such that the valve (130) is released from the levered hook (170).

5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sensor means (120) comprises a photo detector registering movements of a user, a digital processor registering a timer alarm, or a revolution counter registering the number of revolutions of the rotational shaft (194).

6. A toilet, comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A method for flushing a toilet comprising a device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, said method comprising the steps of:

registering input data by means of a sensor means,

generating a signal corresponding to the registered input data,

transmitting the signal to at least one motor connected to the first or second lifting device, and

operating the at least one motor for initiating said large volume flush or said small volume flush.

Drawing