Self-cleaning toilet device

Abstract

 A self-cleaning toilet device comprises a toilet bowl (2) equipped with a toilet seat (3) and with a seat cover (4).
The device (1) further comprises a structure (5) connected to the rear part of the toilet bowl (2) and inside supporting a washing means (6), using water and/or cleaning solution, for cleaning the toilet seat (3).
The toilet seat (3) is constrained to slide along a first guide means (51) interposed between the toilet bowl (2) and the washing means (6).
The first guide means (51) is associated with first actuator means (53) for moving the toilet seat (3) between a stand by condition (A) or in use condition (B), in which the toilet seat (3) lies onto the toilet bowl (2), and a cleaning condition (C) in which the seat (3) is at least partially housed into the washing means (6).
The seat cover (4) is constrained to slide along a second guide means (52) housed inside the structure (5) and connecting the latter (5) to the toilet bowl (2). The second guide means (52) is associated to second actuator means (54) for moving the seat cover (4) between a stand by condition (A), in which the seat cover lies onto the toilet seat (3) and over the toilet bowl (2), and an in use condition (B) or cleaning condition (C), in which the seat cover (4) is at least partially retracted inside the structure (5); were the toilet seat (3) and the seat cover (4) comprise at least respective first (31) and second (41) sliding means assigned to slide along the guide means respectively first (51) and second (52).

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to the technical field concerning the automatic sanitary devices and in particular refers to a self-cleaning toilet device.

[0002] There are several known automatic toilet devices installed in in high crowd hygienic service areas that perform a cleaning and/or disinfection of the main contact surfaces at the end of each use of such service.

[0003] In the typical case of the bowl toilets a cleaning automatic device of the toilet seat placed in covering of the bowl uses a spray supplying to supply any cleaning or disinfectant substance after each use.

[0004] An evolution of the above-mentioned known device has a second toilet seat hinged and matchable to the toilet seat i.e. that on which sits the user of the sanitary bowl. Said second toilet seat is provided with a series of nozzles supplying of detergent substances and a series of brush elements placed in correspondence with the surface facing towards the sitting toilet seat. In an use condition of the sanitary bowl by the user the second toilet seat is in a vertical condition leaving free access to the sitting toilet seat by the user. In a cleaning condition the second toilet seat is rotated by suitable actuators until it overlaps the sitting toilet seat, then the detergent substance is supplied and the brushing elements are moved with respect to the sitting toilet seat. At the end of the cleaning condition the second toilet seat is carried in a vertical position to allow again the use of the sanitary bowl.

[0005] A further known device provide the use of a partially elastic sitting toilet seat which is slidingly constrained to the toilet bowl edge of the sanitary bowl and which has a portion in nearness of the rear part of the sitting partially surmounted by a brush means for the cleaning of the toilet seat. At the end of the use of the sanitary bowl the toilet seat is rotated with respect to the toilet bowl so that each portion of the toilet seat passes under the brushing means to carry out the cleaning of the toilet seat itself.

[0006] One of the drawbacks of the known devices consists in that the toilet seat after the cleaning cycle cannot be completely cleaned and dried in all its parts.

[0007] Further drawback of the known devices refers to that the cleaning operations don't take place in a confined environment, and therefore some contamination of the surrounding environment with any excrement or residues present on the toilet seat to be cleaned can occurs.

[0008] Another drawback of the known devices refers to that the cleaning operations can be performed in the presence of the user without offer at the latter an adequate protection from possible contamination with the substances present on the toilet seat or the ones supplied by the cleaning means or a suitable protection from impacts with moving parts of the cleaning device itself.

[0009] The main object of the present invention is to propose a self-cleaning toilet device which limits the possible contamination with the external environment or with any people in the closeness during the cleaning phase of the toilet seat.

[0010] Further object is to propose a device which allows to improve the level of cleaning and sanitation obtainable by the self-cleaning toilet device providing high standards of cleanliness and repeatability of the cleaning process.

[0011] Another object is to propose a device that is safe and easy to use even by persons with limited mobility, and which guarantees a high level of security with regard of the people and surrounding objects, limiting the moving parts and performing the cleaning in an environment separated from the environment in which the user temporarily stays.

[0012] Further object is to propose a device which is immediately ready for use, which can be easily installed in replacement of the preceding toilet devices without needs of important building work and that it can be moved to create installations for public bathrooms closeness to concerts or public events.

[0013] The characteristics of the invention are highlighted in the following with particular reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• figure 1 shows a front view of the self-cleaning toilet device object of the invention;
• figure 2 shows a sectional view of the device of figure 1 according to the plane II-II;
• figure 3 shows an exploded view of the device of figure 1;
• figure 4 shows the device of figure 1 in a first operating condition;
• figure 5 shows the device of figure 1 in a second operating condition;
• figure 6 shows the device of Figure 1 in a third operating condition;
• figures 7 and 8 show sectional views of two hydraulic connections alternatives for the feeding and discharging;
• figure 9 shows a front view of a variant of the device of the previous figures;
• figures 10-13 show sectional views according to the plane A-A of the device of figure 9 in various operation steps;
• figure 14 shows a sectional view of a variant of the device of figure 1;
• figure 15 shows a sectional view of a further variant of the device of figure 1.

[0014] With reference to figures 1 to 13, with 1 is indicated the self-cleaning toilet device object of the present invention.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment, the device 1 comprises a sanitary bowl 2 to which are slidably associated a toilet seat 3 and a seat cover 4.

[0016] The device 1 also comprises a structure 5 connected to the rear part of the sanitary bowl 2 and supporting in its internal a washing means 6 for washing the toilet seat 3 with water and/or detergent solution.

[0017] The toilet seat 3 is slidingly constrained to first guide means 51 which connect the toilet bowl 2 and the washing means 6. In particular, the first guide means 51 have a portion which extends almost vertically closeness to a rear portion of the structure 5, opposite to that which is connected to the toilet bowl 2.

[0018] Furthermore, the device comprises first actuator means 53, arranged above the upper part of the washing means 6 and associated with the first guide means 51 with which cooperate to move the toilet seat 3 between a waiting condition A or an using condition B of the device 1, in which the toilet seat 3 is overlapped to the toilet bowl 2, and a cleaning condition C, in which the toilet seat 3 is at least partially arranged in the washing means 6.

[0019] The seat cover 4 is slidingly constrained to second guide means 52 which connect the toilet bowl 2 and the structure 5 and extending almost vertically in nearness of a front portion of the structure next to the toilet bowl 2.

[0020] Furthermore the second guide means 52 are associated with second actuator means 54 for moving the seat cover 4 between a waiting condition A of the device 1, in which the cover is overlapped to the toilet seat 3 and the toilet bowl 2, and an using B or a cleaning C, condition in which the seat cover 4 is at least partially retracted inside the structure 5.

[0021] The toilet seat 3 and the seat cover 4 further comprise respective first 31 and second 41 sliding means, preferably of bearing or bushing rolling type, suitable for sliding respectively within the first 51 and second 52 guide means.

[0022] A protection means 42 is interposed between the seat cover 4 and the structure 5 and it consists of a sheet rolling-up about a roller within the structure 5. This sheet is fixed to the rear edge of the seat cover 4 and follows the movement between the waiting condition A and the using and cleaning C conditions.

[0023] The first 53 and second 54 actuator means can be consisting of rollers up driven by electric motors for winding cords, ribbons or sheets having one end fixed to the same roller up and the other end fixed to the toilet seat 3 or to the seat cover 4.

[0024] In particular is provided that the protection means 42 can optionally be connected to the respective second actuator means 54 that roll and unroll it to raise and lower the seat cover 4.

[0025] Alternatively, the first 53 and second 54 actuator means can comprise electrical or electrically driven actuators of linear or rotating type and associated with chain transmissions or endless belt.

[0026] The face of the seat cover 4 that in the waiting condition A is directed toward the inside of the toilet bowl 2 is centrally provided with a supplying means 9 provided with a hollow head, for example spherical or cylindrical shaped, freely rotatable, possibly with a game which enables a precession between 1° and 20° or a motion with a chaotic component, and provided with one or more sprinkles, for example consisting of holes made in the wall of the head itself and oriented so that the outgoing jet or jets have a direction with a tangential component to cause head rotation itself. The supplying means is fed with water and/or with a detergent under pressure through a flexible conduit connected to a electric valve or a electropump.

[0027] The toilet bowl is also provided with flushing means electrically controlled for the cleaning of the bowl itself, preferably in cooperation with the supplying means 9.

[0028] The washing means 6, housed in the rear portion of the structure 5, is constituted by casing that below and nearness of the passage of the first guide means 51 is open or openable, and inside said casing is housed at least one supplying nozzle means 61 to sprinkle a cleaning solution or water on the toilet seat 3 in correspondence of the cleaning condition C.

[0029] The supplying nozzle means 61 can be of the type provided with a hollow head mounted freely rotating with play on a support assigned to supply water or solution under pressure; said hollow head is provided with one or more inclined sprinklers assigned to cause a rotatory motion to the head. Alternatively, the supplying nozzle means 61 can be of blade type.

[0030] Furthermore, the washing means 6 is provided with a dryer means 7 comprising an electric fan arranged in the upper part of the washing means to insufflate into the inner portion of the casing, air, possibly also heated in order to dry the toilet seat 3 after the supplying of the cleaning solution or water.

[0031] For the correct operation of the device 1, the structure 5 provides the necessary hydraulic connections both for the water loading 81 assigned to wash and for the drain 8 of wastewater. In addition there are also the needed electrical connections for the power supply and control of all electrical components of the device 1 including valves and supplying that are of electrically controlled type.

[0032] The device 1 further comprises a set of end stroke detectors arranged nearness of the extreme positions of the first guide means 51 and/or second guide means 52 to detect the extreme positions of the toilet seat 3 and the seat cover 4.

[0033] The device 1 also comprises at least one sensor means for detecting the presence of a user nearness of the device 1 itself. Such sensor can be selected from those of type infrared, radar, photocells or any other type of sensor suitable for the object.

[0034] The signals from the end stroke and presence sensors are processed by a control means, for example of programmable microprocessor and provided with inputs for the sensors and detectors signals and with ports for the control signals of the electrical organs or electric control. Such control means controls the carrying out of the different conditions of operation of the device 1 in function at least of the device status and of the presence or absence of the user nearness of the device 1.

[0035] In a variant of the preferred embodiment, suitable for standalone installations, the device 1 is provided with water tanks and/or for the detergent solution and for the wastewater arranged within the structure 5 so that is not necessary the connection of the device 1 to a pre-existing water supply and drainage system. Furthermore, to allow the operation of all actuator dryers and washing means, the device 1 variant is provided with a group of autonomous power supply for example of the battery type.

[0036] In the case of standalone outdoor installations in addition to the batteries, the electrical power supply may comprise one or more photovoltaic panels arranged externally to the structure 5 to recharge the batteries and thus ensure greater autonomy of use.

[0037] The operation of the device 1 is determined by the programming of the control means and, for example, includes the following sequence of operating conditions.

[0038] In a waiting condition A in which the seat cover 4 is overlapped to the toilet seat 3 and to the toilet bowl 2, the device 1 is waiting to detect the presence of a user.

[0039] When the device detects, by means of the suitable sensors, the presence of a user, the control means starts a work cycle and controls the translation of the seat cover 4 until the reaching use condition B in which the toilet seat 3 is directly accessible by the user that can use the device 1.

[0040] After use by the user, the device 1 detects, by suitable sensors, that the user is no more sitting on the toilet seat 3 or present nearby, and the control means controls the return of the seat cover 4 in the waiting condition A and the rinsing of the toilet bowl 2.

[0041] At the end of the rinsing of the toilet bowl 2, carried out by the flushing means and by the supplying means 9, the control means controls in sequence the operation first of the seat cover 4 in the in the use condition B and then of the toilet seat in the cleaning condition C in which the toilet seat 3 is placed inside the washing means 6 where it is initially sprayed with a detergent solution or with water and then dried through the dryer means.

[0042] After drying, the toilet seat is carried back in the overlapping position onto the toilet bowl 2 and thereafter is restored the initial position of the seat cover 4, at the initial waiting condition A.

[0043] The variant of figures 9-12 comprises use detector means 11 assigned to detect the user position during the device use or rather to discriminate the standing use from sitting use and to send data relating to the use position to the control means.

[0044] Such use detector means 11 can comprise one or more photocells or distance ultrasonic detectors applied to the structure 5 above the toilet bowl or one or more loading cells placed under the toilet bowl or a light emitter, such as a LED pointed towards a light detector and whose line of sight passes transversely over the toilet bowl to intercept the user's body only if he is sitting. In this variant, the control system, which receives an information pertinent to the possible use of the sanitary bowl by the by sitting user, is programmed to perform different cycles depending on the type of use. This allows to prevent that the contamination of the toilet seat as a result of a standing use causes the consequent contamination of the cover seat and subsequent contamination of the toilet seat after its cleaning.

[0045] An operation of the variant of the device 1, according to a possible programming of the control means, for example, provides the following sequence of operating conditions. In a waiting condition A, nothing is overlapped to the toilet bowl 2 and the device 1 is waiting to detect the presence of a user.

[0046] As soon as the device detects the presence of a user the control means controls the movement of the toilet seat 3 up to the use condition B in which the utilizer can use the device.

[0047] It is detected by the use detector means 11, if the user uses the device in sitting position on the toilet seat or in upright position or standing.

[0048] In the case in which the use is carried out in a seated position on the toilet seat, at the end of use by the user, the control means controls translation of the seat cover 4 until its overlaps to the toilet seat and to the sanitary bowl, and, after the achievement of said overlap, controls the operation of the flushing and of the supplying means 9 getting the washing and cleaning of the toilet bowl.

[0049] At the end of the rinsing of the toilet bowl 2 the control means controls in sequence before the translation of the seat cover 4 in the use condition and subsequently the translation of the toilet seat in the cleaning condition C, in which the toilet seat 3 is internal to washing the means 6 where it is washed and dried.

[0050] After the toilet seat 3 drying, the device is in the initial waiting condition A.

[0051] In the case in which the use is carried out in upright position, at the end of use by the user, the control means controls the execution of the rinsing by means of the flushing only. At the end of the rinsing of the toilet bowl 2 the control means controls the translation of the toilet seat in the cleaning condition C, in which the toilet seat 3 is placed inside the washing means 6 where it is washed and dried.

[0052] After the toilet seat 3 drying, the device is in the waiting condition A. Obviously this variant is assigned to the sites where it is provided the use by people of masculine gender but can also be used by the other sex. Advantageously, the device allows the management in a completely autonomous way of one or more toilets especially in areas of high density of users such as fast-food, motorway service areas, stadiums, theaters eliminating the need for the presence of an operator to perform a quick and timely cleaning of the toilets. In such way it is possible to consistently provide a highly cleaning level regardless from the flow of the users.

[0053] Furthermore, the variant of the preferred embodiment, allows to easily install, even in areas not equipped, toilet immediately accessible and constantly cleaned.

[0054] In the variant of figure 14 of the device, the dryer means 7 comprises a fan or compressor connected, via an air adduction duct, at a blowing mouth 10 having a thin and elongated shape and assigned to dry the toilet seat 3 with an air knife jet as the latter passes in front of the blowing mouth 10; for this object the longitudinal extension of said first guide means 51 above the blowing mouth 10 is greater than that of the device of the previous figures and is such as to allow at the whole toilet seat and in particular to the face of use of said toilet seat to transit in front of the supplying nozzle means 61 and of the blowing mouth 10.

[0055] The blowing mouth 10 is placed over the supplying nozzle means 61 transversely to the first guide means 51 and has a longitudinal extension equal to or greater than the width of the toilet seat.

[0056] The supplying nozzle means 61 and the blowing mouth 10 are directed towards the face of the toilet seat assigned to the sitting of the users and are preferably oriented slightly downwardly inclined as regard to the horizontal.

[0057] In this variant, the supplying nozzle means 61 is not rotating but is of single or multiple type able to generate a cleaning jet of fan or blade form.

[0058] The drying means 7 further comprises a gutter means 12, in the shape of gutter superiorly open, fixed and adhering to the inner wall of a watertight container 13 of the washing means 6 and placed transversally to the first guide means 51 under the supplying nozzle means 61.

[0059] Such gutter means 12 is assigned to the collection of drops and/or the condensation that forms on the inner face of the container avoiding dripping on the toilet seat during the return motion of the latter above the toilet bowl 2.

[0060] At least one of the ends of the gutter means 12 flows into the container 13 whose bottom collects the washing water and the water collected from the gutter means. Such bottom has a hydraulic connection 14, for example a tube, in communication with the interior of toilet bowl or with the discharge.

[0061] The variant of the device in question also comprises an air extractor, for example of a centrifugal fan driven by an electric motor, connected to the inside of the toilet bowl 2 via the container 13 and a connection 15 directing in the toilet bowl or, preferably, in direct way via such connection 15 consisting of a pipe or other conduit for the extract air.

[0062] The variant of figure 15 provides, alternatively or in addition the characteristics of the embodiments previously described, a piping for sanitary water 20 fed, by a manually operated control, with water or with an aqueous solution preferably heated. The piping for sanitary water 20 flows into the toilet bowl via a respective nozzle 21 facing toward the back of the user sitting on the toilet seat completing the function of the bidet with command of the user himself.

[0063] The variant in question also provides a generator of a hot air flow 23, for example a fan heater, whose output is connected to a duct 24 for the hot air flow flowing into the toilet bowl directing immediately below the toilet seat. The generator of hot air flow 23 can be manually activated by the user to heat it or to dry the backs.

[0064] The main advantage of the present invention is to provide a self-cleaning toilet device which limits the possible contaminations with the external environment or any persons in the nearness during the cleaning phase of the toilet seat.

[0065] Further advantage is to provide a device which allows improving the level of cleaning and sanitizing obtainable for the toilet devices of automatic type ensuring high standards of cleanliness and repeatability of the cleaning process.

[0066] Another advantage is to provide a device that is safe and easy to use by people with limited mobility and that ensures high levels of security to people and to the surrounding objects, limiting the moving parts and performing the cleaning in a separate environment than that in which the user resides temporarily.

[0067] Further advantage is to provide a device which is immediately ready for use, which can be easily installed in replacement of the previous toilet devices without having to carry out important building work and that it can be moved to create installations for public bathrooms nearness of concerts or public events.

Claims

1. Self-cleaning toilet device comprising a toilet bowl (2) equipped with a toilet seat (3) and with a seat cover (4), said device (1) being characterized in that:

- the device (1) comprises a structure (5) connected to the rear part of the toilet bowl (2) and inside supporting a washing means (6), using water and/or cleaning solution, for cleaning the toilet seat (3);

- the toilet seat (3) is constrained to slide along a first guide means (51) interposed between the toilet bowl (2) and the washing means (6); the first guide means (51) is associated with first actuator means (53) for moving the toilet seat (3) between a stand by condition (A) or in use condition (B), in which the toilet seat (3) lies onto the toilet bowl (2), and a cleaning condition (C) in which the seat (3) is at least partially housed into the washing means (6);

- the seat cover (4) is constrained to slide along a second guide means (52) housed inside the structure (5) and connecting the latter (5) to the toilet bowl (2); the second guide means (52) is associated to second actuator means (54) for moving the seat cover (4) between a stand by condition (A), in which the seat cover lies onto the toilet seat (3) and over the toilet bowl (2), and an in use condition (B) or cleaning condition (C), in which the seat cover (4) is at least partially retracted inside the structure (5); were the toilet seat (3) and the seat cover (4) comprise at least respective first (31) and second (41) sliding means assigned to slide along the guide means respectively first (51) and second (52).

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the second guide means (52) extends almost vertically close to a front portion of the structure close to the toilet bowl (2) and in that the first guide means (51) has at least a portion extending almost vertically close to a back portion of the structure (5).

3. Device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in comprising a protection means (42) of the kind that may be rolled up and interposed between the seat cover (4) and the structure (5).

4. Device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the washing means (6) comprises at least an supplying nozzle means (61) for the cleaning solution or for water and it (6) comprises at least a drying means (7), preferably of the fan kind, for drying the toilet seat (3) after washing phase.

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims and to claim 4 characterized in that the surface of the seat cover (4), that in the stand by condition (A) faces the inside of the toilet bowl (2), is centrally provided with a supplying means (9) fed by pressurized water and/or detergent for washing at least the inside of the toilet bowl (2); at least one between supplying nozzle means (61) and supplying means (9) is equipped with a hollow freely rotating head provided with one or more sprinklers.

6. Device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in comprising at least one sensor means for detecting an user being near to the device (1); in comprising a plurality of end stroke sensors for detecting the end positions of the toilet seat (3) and of the seat cover (4) when they are in the respective possible extreme positions and in comprising at least a control means receiving data from the sensor means, that commands the operations of electric actuated devices and carry out the different conditions of the device (1) depending on the presence, or not, of the user.

7. Device according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the structure (5) comprises a plurality of hydraulic linkages (8), for the loading of the rinsing water di and the output of the waste water, and electric connections for feeding and possibly controlling the device (1) and in that the structure (5) optionally comprises at least a water and/or cleaning solution tank, a waste water tank and a power source for the standalone installation and use of the device.

8. Device according to claim 6 characterized in comprising use detector means (11) assigned, in the device use condition, to detect the user position to distinguish the stand-up use and the sit down use and to provide the control means with data on said use positions.

9. Device according to claims 4 and 7 characterized in that the drying means (7) comprises a fan or air compressor connected, by means of an air flow duct, to a blowing mouth (10) assigned to dry the toilet seat (3), said blowing mouth (10) is elongate shaped and transversally positioned in respect to the first guide means (51) above the supplying nozzle means (61), the latter (61) and the blowing mouth (10) being oriented towards the surface of the seat assigned to the sitting of the users, where the longitudinal development of said first guide means (51) above the blowing mouth (10) allows all the sitting surface of the seat to translate in front of the supplying nozzle means (61) and of the blowing mouth (10); the drying means (7) further comprises a gutter means (12) fixed adherent to an inner wall of a container (13) housing the washing means (6) and oriented perpendicular in respect to the first guide means (51) and located below the supplying nozzle means (61); said gutter means (12) is assigned to collect drops and/or condensations and at least one of its ends flows into the container (13) the bottom thereof is provided with a water pipe (14) flowing into the inside of the toilet bowl (2) or into an exhaust tube (8).

10. Device according to claim 9 characterized in comprising an air extractor fan connected to the inside of the toilet bowl (2) through the container (13) and a linkage means (15) flowing, directly or through said linkage means (15), into the toilet bowl.

Drawing