Systems to automate adjustment of water volume release to a toilet bowl to correspond to bowl contents, toilets including the system and related methods
US11091903B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 17, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2037 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02A90/30
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method and system having a water-flush toilet having a toilet bowl that is in fluid communication with a water source and is mounted with a sensor. The sensor includes a transmitter to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a receiver to receive an ultrasonic signal. The sensor may measure a Time of Flight (ToF) of the signal to obtain a ToF measurement. A microcontroller is electrically connected to the sensor and may receive and process the ToF measurement using an algorithm to determine a bowl status. The toilet also includes at least one water valve that is disposed between the bowl and the water source, and that is electrically connected to the microcontroller for instructing the at least one water valve to move from a first position to a second position for a duration of time, wherein the duration of time corresponds to the bowl status.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.