An automatic
toilet flushing
system for use with toilets in either commercial or private dwellings and which comprises a replaceable water tank top or tank lid carrying the major components of the automatic
toilet flushing
system. In this case, the
toilet flushing
system is an
adaptive system, since it converts a conventional toilet into an automatic flushing toilet. The
adaptive system also comprises a pair of
infrared light sources and sensors located on forwardly protruding portions of the tank lid. The sensors are located forwardly of the water tank or water chest of the toilet and the timing is adjusted so that raising and lowering of the lid of the toilet seat will not interfere with operation of the sensors. A
control circuit is also provided and mounted on the underside of the replaceable water tank cover plate. The circuit is connected to the sensors and operated by batteries so that when a
light beam is interrupted for at least a predetermined time period, the
control circuit will automatically initiate a flushing operation. The circuit initiates a flushing
signal to a solenoid which shifts a connecting rod and which, in turn, is connected to a
flapper valve at the lower end of the water chest. Thus, when the
light beam is interrupted for the predetermined time period, the
control circuit causes the solenoid to operate the rod which opens the
flapper valve and thereby causes a flushing operation of the toilet.