Closestool with low aerosol diffusion and exhaust control method

Abstract

The invention discloses a low aerosol diffusion toilet bowl and an exhaust control method, and relates to the field of sanitary wares, the toilet bowl is configured to be an exhaust type toilet bowl based on a multi-mode independent airway, and the exhaust type toilet bowl comprises a toilet bowl body and an integrated exhaust system, the closestool body is any one of a split closestool, a one-piece closestool, a wall-mounted closestool or a closestool without a water tank; the integrated exhaust system comprises at least one first exhaust structure formed in the closestool body and at least one second exhaust structure arranged or formed in a seat ring matched with the closestool body for use. The at least one third exhaust structure is arranged or formed in a seat gasket matched with the closestool body for use; according to the closestool and the exhaust control method, the amount of aerosol escaping to the toilet environment is substantially reduced from the source, the problem that traditional overall exhaust efficiency is low is solved, meanwhile, generation of unpleasant odor in a toilet can be avoided through timing exhaust setting, and air is kept clean.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of sanitary ware, specifically a low aerosol diffusion toilet and an exhaust control method. Background Technology

[0002] In the fields of public and personal health, the quality of the restroom environment has a significant impact on human health. As people's demands for a healthy quality of life continue to rise, air pollution in restrooms is gradually gaining attention, with aerosol diffusion generated during toilet use becoming a significant health hazard.

[0003] During the use of traditional toilets, especially during flushing, the impact of the water flow strongly agitates sewage, waste residue, and sediment in the toilet bowl, generating a large number of tiny droplets and solid particles suspended in the air, forming aerosol particles with diameters between 0.001 and 100 micrometers. These aerosol particles not only contain water vapor but may also carry bacteria (such as E. coli and Salmonella), viruses (such as norovirus, adenovirus, and SARS-CoV-2), fungal spores, and organic components from excrement, forming potentially infectious bioaerosols.

[0004] Studies have shown that aerosols generated during flushing can significantly increase the concentration of particulate matter in the bathroom air within a short period (seconds to minutes). Some tiny aerosol particles can even remain suspended in the air for hours, spreading to every corner of the bathroom through airflow and even to other areas of the building through the bathroom's ventilation system. Users are easily exposed to these pathogen-carrying aerosol particles while using the toilet, especially when in close proximity to the toilet bowl, increasing the risk of respiratory infections, gastrointestinal diseases, and other health problems. In special locations such as hospitals, nursing homes, and childcare facilities, aerosol transmission can lead to cross-infection events, threatening the health of vulnerable populations.

[0005] To address this problem, existing technologies have proposed several solutions. The most common is to install a separate exhaust fan in the bathroom to dilute and remove odors and pollutants by enhancing ventilation throughout the entire bathroom. However, this method involves global ventilation, which is inefficient, cannot effectively capture aerosols at their source (the toilet bowl), and is energy-intensive and noisy.

[0006] Therefore, developing a toilet that can effectively reduce aerosol diffusion and has intelligent sensing and adaptive adjustment capabilities is of great significance for improving the hygiene level of the bathroom environment and protecting the health of users. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide a low aerosol diffusion toilet and an exhaust control method to solve the problems of existing technologies that cannot accurately capture aerosol sources and lack intelligent adaptive adjustment capabilities.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a low aerosol diffusion toilet, wherein the toilet is configured as a venting toilet based on multi-mode independent air ducts, the venting toilet comprising:

[0009] The toilet body can be any one of the following: a two-piece toilet, a one-piece toilet, a wall-hung toilet, or a tankless toilet, and its flushing method can be direct flush, super vortex, jet siphon, or vortex siphon.

[0010] An integrated exhaust system includes at least one first exhaust structure formed in the toilet body, at least one second exhaust structure disposed in or formed in the seat ring used in conjunction with the toilet body, and at least one third exhaust structure disposed in or formed in the seat ring liner used in conjunction with the toilet body.

[0011] The airflow outlets of the first, second, and third exhaust structures are configured to connect to an external auxiliary exhaust device to generate negative pressure and discharge polluted gas. The external auxiliary exhaust device includes a control unit, an exhaust fan, and an exhaust pipe. The input side of the exhaust pipe is connected to each exhaust structure, and a gas purification device is installed on the exhaust pipe. The output side of the exhaust pipe is connected to the outside via a check valve and is connected to the exhaust fan.

[0012] Preferably, the first exhaust structure includes an independent exhaust channel located on the left side wall, right side wall, or bottom of the toilet bowl of the toilet body. The air inlet of the independent exhaust channel faces the center of the inner cavity of the toilet bowl or the area where pollutants tend to accumulate. The air inlet of the independent exhaust channel is higher than or level with the water surface of the toilet bowl, and is used to specifically extract aerosol particles generated in the toilet bowl.

[0013] Preferably, the first exhaust structure also includes branch exhaust pipes that are independently connected to the left, right and bottom exhaust channels of the toilet bowl, and each branch exhaust pipe is connected to the exhaust pipe.

[0014] Preferably, the second exhaust structure includes an annular / distributed air passage disposed inside or on the edge of the seat ring, with the inlet of the annular / distributed air passage facing the non-contact area at the connection between the seat ring and the toilet bowl or the space below the seat ring, for collecting humid air and suspended particles below the seat ring and around the contact surface with the human body.

[0015] Preferably, the third exhaust structure includes micro-air channels disposed inside the seat ring liner, with the micro-air channel inlets distributed inside the liner for further extraction of local air and any aerosol particles that may be carried.

[0016] Preferably, the control unit is located indoors and electrically connected to the exhaust fan, and is used to control the start and stop of the exhaust fan and adjust its speed.

[0017] Preferably, the vented toilet also includes a sensing module electrically connected to the control host and providing environmental sensing signals to the control host. The sensing module includes a flush switch sensor, an aerosol sensor, and a human body sensor disposed in the toilet body or the surrounding environment. The flush switch sensor is used to detect the flushing action of the toilet and can be linked to the physical flush button / handle of the toilet, or it can be a flow sensor to detect the flushing water flow. The aerosol sensor is used to detect the aerosol concentration in the bathroom, and the human body sensor is used to detect the user's approach or sitting state.

[0018] An exhaust control method for achieving low aerosol diffusion in toilets, comprising the following steps:

[0019] Step 1: Power on the host and the system enters a low-power standby monitoring mode. The host continuously receives signals from the sensing modules, including proximity signals from the human body sensor and environmental concentration reference signals from the aerosol sensor.

[0020] Step 2: When the human body sensor detects that a user has entered the sensing area, the control host determines that it is in toilet preparation state and generates a first trigger signal. Based on the first trigger signal, the control host starts the exhaust fan and runs it at a first preset speed (low wind speed mode).

[0021] Step 3: When the flush switch sensor detects the flushing action, the control host generates a second trigger signal. Based on the second trigger signal, the control host switches the operation mode of the exhaust fan to the second preset speed (high wind speed mode) for powerful suction.

[0022] Step 4: The host controller performs delayed purification based on the real-time monitoring data of the aerosol sensor: If the aerosol concentration is higher than the preset threshold, the exhaust fan is controlled to continue running at the third preset speed (medium wind speed mode) until the aerosol concentration drops below the threshold. After the concentration value stabilizes, the exhaust fan is controlled to stop, and the system returns to the standby monitoring mode of Step 1.

[0023] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following beneficial effects: By setting independent and collaborative exhaust structures in the toilet body, seat ring, and seat ring liner, and combining them with intelligent sensing modules and control hosts, this invention constructs a three-dimensional, multi-level aerosol control solution from the source to the surrounding environment, and from during use to after use. Through precise sensing and intelligent control strategies, it can proactively intervene in and efficiently capture the entire process of aerosol generation and diffusion, significantly improving the hygiene and safety of the bathroom environment and the user experience. Simultaneously, the timed exhaust setting overcomes the generation of unpleasant odors in the bathroom, maintaining clean air. Specific technical effects include the following:

[0024] 1. By setting independent first exhaust structures on the side wall and bottom of the toilet bowl, and precisely positioning its air inlet in the area where pollutants tend to accumulate and above the water surface, direct and efficient capture of aerosol generation sources is achieved, which significantly reduces the amount of aerosols released into the bathroom environment from the source and overcomes the problem of low efficiency of traditional global ventilation.

[0025] 2. By adding a second exhaust structure located in the seat ring and a third exhaust structure located in the seat ring liner, a three-dimensional exhaust network covering the inside of the toilet bowl, under the seat ring, and the surface in contact with the human body is constructed. This multi-mode collaborative layout can meet different differentiated exhaust needs. In application, the three exhaust structures can be started and stopped independently or in combination and their speeds adjusted in stages by the control unit to achieve precise on-demand exhaust, thus solving the problem of limited protection range of a single exhaust structure.

[0026] 3. By integrating flushing sensors, human body sensors, and aerosol sensors, and pre-setting intelligent control logic, fully automated intelligent control is achieved, which not only ensures the best exhaust effect and avoids energy waste, but also greatly improves the ease of use and user-friendly experience of the product.

[0027] 4. This invention can be flexibly adapted to various toilet structures such as split type, one-piece type, wall-mounted type and tankless type, and is not limited by flushing methods such as direct flush or super vortex type. Attached Figure Description

[0028] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the seat ring and its annular / distributed airways in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the distribution of the third exhaust structure in Embodiment 3 of the present invention.

[0033] In the picture:

[0034] 1. Toilet body; 2. First exhaust structure; 3. Second exhaust structure; 4. Third exhaust structure; 5. Control unit; 6. Exhaust pipe; 7. Seat ring; 8. Seat ring pad; 9. Heating coil. Detailed Implementation

[0035] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] As attached Figure 1 As shown:

[0037] Example 1: This invention provides a low aerosol diffusion toilet, configured as a multi-mode independent air duct venting toilet. The venting toilet includes: a toilet body 1 and an integrated venting system. The toilet body 1 can be any one of a two-piece toilet, a one-piece toilet, a wall-hung toilet, or a tankless toilet, and its flushing method is direct flush, super vortex flush, jet siphon, or vortex siphon. The integrated venting system includes at least one first venting structure 2 formed within the toilet body 1. The airflow outlet of the first venting structure 2 is configured to connect to an external auxiliary venting device to generate negative pressure and discharge air. The external auxiliary exhaust equipment for polluted gases includes a control host 5, an exhaust fan, and an exhaust pipe 6. The input side of the exhaust pipe 6 is connected to each exhaust structure. A gas purification device is installed on the exhaust pipe 6. The output side of the exhaust pipe 6 is connected to the outside via a check valve and is connected to the exhaust fan. The first exhaust structure 2 includes an independent exhaust channel located on the left side wall, right side wall, or bottom of the toilet bowl of the toilet body 1. The air inlet of the independent exhaust channel faces the center of the inner cavity of the toilet bowl or the area where pollutants tend to accumulate. The air inlet of the independent exhaust channel is higher than or level with the water surface of the toilet bowl, and is used to specifically extract aerosol particles generated in the toilet bowl.

[0038] 1. In one embodiment of the present invention, the first exhaust structure 2 further includes branch exhaust pipes that are independently connected to the left side, right side and bottom of the toilet bowl, and each branch exhaust pipe is connected to the exhaust pipe 6.

[0039] 2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the control host 5 is installed indoors and electrically connected to the exhaust fan, and is used to control the start and stop and speed adjustment of the exhaust fan.

[0040] 3. In one embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned vented toilet further includes a sensing module (not shown in the figure) electrically connected to the control host 5 and providing environmental sensing signals to the control host 5. The sensing module includes a flush switch sensor, an aerosol sensor, and a human body sensor disposed in the toilet body 1 or in the surrounding environment of the toilet body 1. The flush switch sensor is used to detect the flushing action of the toilet and can be linked with the physical flush button / handle of the toilet, or it can be a flow sensor for detecting the flushing water flow. The aerosol sensor is used to detect the aerosol concentration in the bathroom. The human body sensor is used to detect the user's approach or sitting state.

[0041] Working Principle: Example 1 provides a smart toilet solution with basic source venting functionality. Its core is a first exhaust structure 2 with a high-level air inlet at a key location in the toilet bowl. During flushing, negative pressure is generated by an external exhaust device, achieving targeted capture of aerosols at their source. The system intelligently senses usage status through a sensor module, automatically starting and stopping the exhaust fan via the control host 5. Multiple branch pipelines ensure suction efficiency, and the aerosols are finally treated by a purification device before being discharged outdoors, forming a complete closed-loop system for source aerosol control.

[0042] As attached Figure 2 To be continued Figure 3 As shown:

[0043] Example 2: This example is basically the same as the previous example, except that the integrated exhaust system also includes at least one second exhaust structure 3 disposed in or formed in the seat ring 7 used in conjunction with the toilet body 1. The airflow outlet of the second exhaust structure 3 is configured to communicate with an external auxiliary exhaust device to generate negative pressure and discharge polluted gas. The second exhaust structure 3 includes an annular / distributed air passage disposed inside or on the edge of the seat ring 7. The inlet of the annular / distributed air passage faces the non-contact area at the connection between the seat ring 7 and the toilet bowl or the space below the seat ring 7, for collecting humid air and suspended particles below the seat ring 7 and around the contact surface with the human body.

[0044] Working Principle: Embodiment Two expands upon Embodiment One by providing a collaborative exhaust system covering both the toilet bowl and the toilet seat 7. Its core is the addition of a second exhaust structure 3 integrated within the toilet seat 7, while retaining the first exhaust structure 2 within the toilet bowl. This second exhaust structure 3 includes annular / distributed air ducts located inside or at the edge of the toilet seat 7, with its inlet facing the non-contact area at the connection between the toilet seat 7 and the toilet bowl, or the space below the toilet seat 7. This is used to collect humid air and suspended particles from below the toilet seat 7 and around the contact surface with the user. An external auxiliary exhaust device connects to the airflow outlets of both the first exhaust structure 2 and the second exhaust structure 3 via multiple branch pipes, forming a combined suction system for both the toilet bowl and the toilet seat 7. The system uses a sensor module to monitor user status and environmental parameters in real time, and the control unit 5 intelligently adjusts the start / stop and speed of the exhaust fan based on the signals, prioritizing differentiated exhaust for high-pollution areas (such as enhanced exhaust at the bottom of the toilet bowl during flushing and activated exhaust around the toilet seat 7 during daily use).

[0045] As attached Figure 4 As shown:

[0046] Example 3: This example is basically the same as the previous example, except that the integrated exhaust system also includes at least one third exhaust structure 4 disposed in or formed in the seat liner 8 used in conjunction with the toilet body 1. The airflow outlet of the third exhaust structure 4 is configured to communicate with an external auxiliary exhaust device to generate negative pressure and discharge polluted gas. The external auxiliary exhaust device includes a control host 5, an exhaust fan and an exhaust pipe 6. The third exhaust structure 4 includes micro-air channels disposed inside the seat liner 8. The micro-air channel inlets are distributed inside the liner and are used to further extract local air and any aerosol particles that may be carried.

[0047] Working Principle: Example 3 further upgrades Example 2, providing a comprehensive venting solution covering the toilet bowl, seat 7, and the area in contact with the human body. Its core is the addition of a third venting structure 4 integrated within the seat liner 8, while retaining the first venting structure 2 for the toilet bowl and the second venting structure 3 for the seat liner 7. This third venting structure 4 includes micro-air channels located within the seat liner 8, with inlets distributed inside the liner. These channels further extract localized air and any aerosol particles that may be present in contact with the skin, effectively addressing the microenvironmental purification problem in the area where the human body contacts the seat liner 7. Through a comprehensive, multi-level aerosol diffusion blocking system, the air quality and public health safety level of the restroom are significantly improved.

[0048] An exhaust control method for achieving low aerosol diffusion in toilets as described in Examples 1, 2, and 3 above includes the following steps:

[0049] Step 1: Power on the host 5 and the system enters a low-power standby monitoring mode. The host 5 continuously receives signals from the sensing modules, including proximity signals from the human body sensor and environmental concentration reference signals from the aerosol sensor.

[0050] Step 2: When the human body sensor detects that a user has entered the sensing area, the control host 5 determines that it is in the toilet preparation state and generates a first trigger signal. According to the first trigger signal, the control host 5 starts the exhaust fan and runs it at a first preset speed (low wind speed mode).

[0051] Step 3: When the flush switch sensor detects the flushing action, the control host 5 generates a second trigger signal. Based on the second trigger signal, the control host 5 switches the operation mode of the exhaust fan to the second preset speed (high wind speed mode) for powerful suction.

[0052] Step 4: Based on the real-time monitoring data of the aerosol sensor, the host 5 performs delayed purification: if the aerosol concentration is higher than the preset threshold, the exhaust fan is controlled to continue running at the third preset speed (medium wind speed mode) until the aerosol concentration drops below the threshold. After the concentration value stabilizes, the exhaust fan is controlled to stop, and the system returns to the standby monitoring mode of Step 1.

[0053] The foregoing has only described certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention by way of illustration. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the foregoing drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A low aerosol diffusion toilet, wherein the toilet is configured as a venting toilet based on multi-mode independent air ducts, characterized in that: This ventilated toilet includes: The toilet body (1) is any one of the following: a split toilet, a one-piece toilet, a wall-hung toilet, or a tankless toilet, and its flushing method is direct flush, super vortex, jet siphon, or vortex siphon. An integrated exhaust system includes at least one first exhaust structure (2) formed in the toilet body (1), at least one second exhaust structure (3) disposed in or formed in the seat ring (7) used in conjunction with the toilet body (1), and at least one third exhaust structure (4) disposed in or formed in the seat ring liner (8) used in conjunction with the toilet body (1); the airflow outlets of the first exhaust structure (2), the second exhaust structure (3) and the third exhaust structure (4) are configured to communicate with an external auxiliary exhaust device to generate negative pressure and discharge polluted gas; The external auxiliary exhaust equipment includes a control host (5), an exhaust fan and an exhaust pipe (6). The input side of the exhaust pipe (6) is connected to each exhaust structure. A gas purification device is installed on the exhaust pipe (6). The output side of the exhaust pipe (6) is connected to the outside via a check valve and is connected to the exhaust fan.

2. A low aerosol diffusion toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first exhaust structure (2) includes an independent exhaust channel located on the left side wall, right side wall or bottom of the toilet body (1). The air inlet of the independent exhaust channel faces the center of the toilet bowl cavity or the area where pollutants tend to accumulate. The air inlet of the independent exhaust channel is higher than or level with the water surface of the toilet bowl.

3. A low aerosol diffusion toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first exhaust structure (2) also includes branch exhaust pipes that are independently connected to the left, right and bottom exhaust channels of the toilet bowl, and each branch exhaust pipe is connected to the exhaust pipe (6).

4. A low aerosol diffusion toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second exhaust structure (3) includes an annular / distributed air passage disposed inside or on the edge of the seat ring (7), with the inlet of the annular / distributed air passage facing the non-contact area at the connection between the seat ring (7) and the toilet bowl or the space below the seat ring (7).

5. A low aerosol diffusion toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The third exhaust structure (4) includes a micro-air passage disposed inside the seat ring liner (8), with the micro-air passage inlets distributed inside the liner.

6. A low aerosol diffusion toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control host (5) is installed indoors and electrically connected to the exhaust fan, and is used to control the start and stop and speed adjustment of the exhaust fan.

7. A low aerosol diffusion toilet according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vented toilet also includes a sensing module that is electrically connected to the control host (5) and provides environmental sensing signals to the control host (5). The sensing module includes a flush switch sensor, an aerosol sensor, and a human body sensor installed inside the toilet body (1) or in the surrounding environment of the toilet body (1).

8. A method for controlling exhaust gas in a toilet to achieve low aerosol diffusion as described in any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that: Includes the following steps: Step 1: Power on the host (5), and the system enters the low-power standby monitoring mode. The host (5) continuously receives signals from the sensing module, including the proximity signal from the human body sensor and the environmental concentration reference signal from the aerosol sensor. Step 2: When the human body sensor detects that the user has entered the sensing area, the control host (5) determines that the toilet preparation state is being prepared and generates a first trigger signal. The control host (5) starts the exhaust fan and runs it at a first preset speed according to the first trigger signal. Step 3: When the flushing switch sensor detects the flushing action, the control host (5) generates a second trigger signal. Based on the second trigger signal, the control host (5) switches the operation mode of the exhaust fan to the second preset speed for powerful suction. Step 4: The host (5) performs delayed purification based on the real-time monitoring data of the aerosol sensor: if the aerosol concentration is higher than the preset threshold, the exhaust fan is controlled to continue running at the third preset speed until the aerosol concentration drops below the threshold. After the concentration value stabilizes, the exhaust fan is controlled to stop and the system returns to the standby monitoring mode of Step 1.

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