Powered toilet & seat assembly

Abstract

The invention comprises a motorised toilet seat assembly allowing for the raising and lowering of the lid (102) or seat (101) in relation to user requests or automatic sensing (110). A remote control device (200) with touch switches or sensors (201) can be provided, which can communicate with control apparatus by wired or wireless communication. Alternatively, or additionally, sensors mounted on the various components of the toilet can effect certain operations automatically, including raising or lowering the seat lid, flushing of the toilet, and the operation of auxiliary devices such as sanitary sprays, occupancy indicators, or emergency call systems. Described are embodiments which can be retrofitted to existing toilet seat assemblies as well as ready to install embodiments.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed to a toilet seat assembly which provides for the powered raising and / or lowering of either or both the lid and seat. Remote control of these operations may be provided for, though may also rely on provision for operation in response to certain sensed actions or other predetermined criteria. BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION [0002] Commonly, toilet seats and lids are manually raised according to user preference—often dictated by gender. Domestic arguments about leaving toilet seat lids up or down appear to occur be an international. While such disagreements may be based on convenience, in public restrooms it is often for sanitary reasons that patrons are reluctant to touch and raise or lower seats. [0003] A solution to this problem would ideally be simple so that retrofitting to existing toilets, and without substantial modification to the toilet, was possible. Ideally such a solution would be able to be applied to an existing or avail...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0046] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided control apparatus, substantially as described above, in which there is provided a proximity sensor and a sanitary spray device wherein operation of the sanitary spray device is prevented if the proximity sensor detects a presence in its detection area.

[0131] These will be seen in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment, in which the motor and associated gearbox are positioned axially (with the axis of pivoting for the seat and lid) and ideally connected such that the motor is fastened with respect to the securing portion of the assembly (which fastens the toilet seat assembly to the bowl). The output shaft of the gearbox is then ideally fastened with respect to the seat and / or lid with which it is associated. Typically the motor and gearbox are positioned at the outer ends of the hinge portion of the toilet seat assembly. This generally leaves a cavity near or in between the two motor / gearbox arrangements and into which the control apparatus and suitable power source may be fitted. In the preferred arrangement, the entire apparatus apart from the remote control unit for the user, can be fitted and hidden within the existing structure of the toilet seat assembly. Furthermore, this enables fitting of the seat assembly in the normal traditional manner and does not require any additional installation steps, or variations from standard practice, for the installer. This is quite a significant feature, as in many countries the need to vary from standard installation practice can have a significant effect on installation costs, and the commercial viability and acceptability of plumbing products. As can be appreciated, this also simplifies substitution of a powered toilet seat assembly (according to the present invention) for an existing non-powered toilet seat assembly.

Problems solved by technology

While such disagreements may be based on convenience, in public restrooms it is often for sanitary reasons that patrons are reluctant to touch and raise or lower seats.

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