Automatic dual flush activation
AssigneeSloan Valve Company
InventorsJohn R. Wilson, Peter J. Jahrling
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multi flush volume flush valve is in communication with an automatic flush control. The flush control determines the presence of a user and the amount of time the user uses the toilet. The usage time is compared to a predetermined time value to determine the appropriate flush volume based on an assumption regarding usage time and flush volume needs. The comparative value statistically adjusts to the restroom traffic.
Claims16
A method for controlling the flush volume of a flush valve, comprising the steps of:
- detecting the presence of a user;
- initiating a usage timer upon detection of a user;
- stopping the timer upon the detection of the absence of the user, thereby generating a usage time tx representing elapsed time;
- comparing the usage time tx to a preset usage time tp, the predetermined average usage time representing a usage time;
- selecting a flush volume based on the comparison of the usage time tx to a preset usage time tp;
- and
- modifying the preset usage time tp based upon the usage time tx.
A method for controlling the flush volume of a flushometer, comprising the steps of:
- monitoring for the presence of a user;
- detecting the presence of a user;
- initiating a usage timer upon detection of the user;
- generating a usage time tx that equals time elapsed as determined from the usage timer when the user is no longer detected;
- determining if the number of cycles nc that the flushometer has undergone is less than a predetermined number of cycles Np;
- if nc<Np,
- then determining if the usage time tx is greater than or equal to a preset usage time value Tp where if tx is greater than or equal to the preset value Tp, then a full volume flush is performed, and if tx is less than the preset value Tp, then a reduced volume flush is performed;
- if Nc>Np,
- then determining if the usage time tx is greater than or equal to a calculated average usage time tp where if tx is greater than or equal to the calculated average usage time tp, then a full volume flush is performed, and if tx is less than the predetermined average usage time tp, then a reduced volume flush is performed;
- and
- modifying tp according to the value of tx.
A computer program product for controlling the flush volume of a flush valve, the program product comprising machine readable program code for causing, when executed, one or more machines to perform the following method steps:
- determining the presence of a user;
- upon determination of the presence of a user, initiating a usage timer;
- stopping the timer upon the detection of the absence of the user, generating a usage time tx;
- and
- determining if the usage time tx is greater than or equal to a predetermined average liquid waste use time (tl), if tx is greater than or equal to tl, then a full volume flush is performed, if tx is less than tl, then a reduced volume flush is performed.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.