IP Library › Patent Application 12456690
Patent Application
App. No. 12/456,690

System and method for converting manually operated flush valves

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
12/456,690
Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for converting or retrofitting manually-operated flush valves. A conversion system for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve includes a power module, a control module, and a driver module mechanically coupled to a manual handle to externally activate the converted flush valve.

Claims (39)

1 . A conversion assembly for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve used with a urinal or toilet, comprising:

a power module;

a driver module arranged for mechanical coupling to a manual handle of said manually-operated flush valve;

an optical sensor; and

a control module constructed to activate said driver module based on a signal from said passive optical sensor.

2 - 3 . (canceled)

4 . The conversion assembly of claim 1 wherein said optical sensor includes a light source and a light detector constructed to detect reflected light arriving to said detector from a detection field, and said control module is constructed to determine activation of said driver module by executing a detection algorithm employing detection of increase and decrease of said light due to the presence of a user within said detection field.

5 . The conversion assembly of claim 4 wherein said control module is constructed to determine each activation based on a background level of said detected light measured over several time intervals by said light detector.

6 . The conversion assembly of claim 1 , wherein said optical sensor includes a passive optical sensor including a light detector constructed to detect ambient room light arriving to said detector from a detection field, and said passive optical sensor includes an optical element located in front of said light detector arranged to partially define a detection field and eliminate invalid targets.

7 - 9 . (canceled)

10 . The conversion assembly of claim 6 wherein said optical element includes a lens.

11 . The conversion assembly of claim 6 wherein said optical element includes a pinhole.

12 . The conversion assembly of claim 6 wherein said optical element includes a slit.

13 . The conversion assembly of claim 6 wherein said optical element includes an optical filter.

14 . The conversion assembly of claim 6 wherein said optical element includes a collimation plate.

15 - 17 . (canceled)

18 . The conversion assembly of claim 6 wherein said optical element is constructed so that said light detector receives light in the range of 1 lux to 1000 lux.

19 . The conversion assembly of claim 1 wherein said driver module includes a gear mechanism mechanically coupled to a displacement member having a proximal region coupled to said gear mechanism and a distal end shaped to provide contact with said manual handle.

20 . The conversion assembly of claim 1 wherein said power module includes a battery and said driver module includes an electromotor, powered by said battery, and an activation arm.

21 . The conversion assembly of claim 20 wherein said activation arm is constructed and arranged to move linearly when acting on said manual handle.

22 . The conversion assembly of claim 20 wherein said activation arm is constructed and arranged to rotate when acting on said manual handle.

23 . The conversion assembly of claim 20 wherein said activation arm is constructed and arranged to execute a combined linear and rotational motion when acting on said manual handle.

24 - 29 . (canceled)

30 . A conversion assembly for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve, comprising an externally mounted conversion assembly comprising:

a power module,

a driver module mechanically coupled to an activation arm arranged to externally activate said manually-operated flush valve using a manual valve handle;

an attachment lock-in module co-operatively constructed with said driver module and designed for slidable attachment of said conversion assembly to said flush valve; and

a control module constructed to activate said driver module.

34 . The conversion assembly of claim 30 wherein said manually-operated flush valve includes a diaphragm-type valve mechanism.

35 . The conversion assembly of claim 30 wherein said manually-operated flush valve includes a piston-type valve mechanism.

36 - 45 . (canceled)

46 . A method for converting a manually-operated flush valve used with a urinal or toilet, comprising the acts of:

providing a manually-operated flush valve including a valve mechanism located within a valve body constructed and arranged to control water flow between a water inlet and a water outlet, and a manual handle mechanically coupled to said valve mechanism which is constructed to operate said valve mechanism upon pivotable displacement;

providing a conversion assembly including a power module, a control module, a driver module and an activation arm;

mounting fixedly said conversion assembly onto said valve body thereby providing a mechanical coupling between said displacement member and said manual handle;

actuating said control module and thereby triggering said driver module constructed to displace said activation arm; and

pivotably displacing said manual handle by said activation arm to actuate said valve mechanism and cause water flow between said water inlet and said water outlet.

47 . The method of claim 46 wherein said acts of mounting and positioning are performed without breaking a water seal of said flush valve.

48 - 49 . (canceled)