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 the user;
- stopping the usage timer upon the cessation of detection of the presence of the user, thereby generating a usage time tx representing elapsed time;
- comparing the usage time tx to an average usage time tp or, if tp does not exist, to a preset usage time Tp;
- selecting a flush volume to be used for a flush event based on the comparison, and
- if Tp was used for the comparison, averaging Tp and tx to generate average usage time tp;
- if tp was used for the comparison, averaging tp and tx to generate a new average usage time which becomes tp.
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 a 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 a 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 usage timer upon the cessation of detection of the presence 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.