Intelligent toilet tank water storage method and implementation device

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and implementation device for storing water in a smart toilet tank. An air storage chamber is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank. The cleaning tank is built into the flushing tank and located below the float of the inlet valve. Before the initial water storage, water fills the cleaning tank and overflows downwards into the flushing tank. The cleaning tank floats on the surface of the flushing tank and rises with it. Finally, the cleaning tank causes the float of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve. When only the flushing tank is replenished with water, the rising water level in the flushing tank causes the cleaning tank to float, which in turn causes the float of the inlet valve to rise, thus closing the inlet valve. Similarly, when only the cleaning tank is replenished with water, the rising water level in the cleaning tank causes the float of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve. By placing the cleaning tank inside the flushing tank, the smart toilet seat can save installation space for the cleaning tank, allowing for a thinner smart toilet seat.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for storing flush water in a smart toilet, and particularly to a method and apparatus for storing water in a smart toilet tank. Background Technology

[0002] Smart toilets have two independent water circuits: one connecting the flush tank and the ceramic body for rinsing the toilet bowl, and the other connecting the cleaning tank and the smart toilet seat cleaning assembly for washing the user. The cleaning circuit requires high water quality, while the flushing circuit is susceptible to backflow. Therefore, to prevent contamination of the cleaning circuit, the flushing and cleaning circuits must be independent. Typically, the flushing circuit is supplied by the flush tank, which is installed in the smart toilet's ceramic body, while the cleaning circuit is supplied by the cleaning tank, which is installed in the smart toilet seat. Alternatively, the cleaning tank can be directly connected to the external water circuit via a solenoid valve, but each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and consumers can choose according to their needs. For the cleaning circuit supplied by the cleaning tank, the cleaning tank, valve, and water pump require significant installation space, resulting in a bulky rear casing for the smart toilet seat. This prevents the creation of ultra-thin or mini smart toilet seats, impacting the product's competitiveness. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention provides a method and apparatus for storing water in a smart toilet tank, which uses a cleaning tank to supply water to the cleaning circuit and effectively reduces the volume of the smart toilet seat. The technical solution adopted by this invention to solve its technical problem is as follows:

[0004] The smart toilet tank's water storage method involves an air storage chamber at the bottom of the flushing tank, which is housed within the main flushing tank and located below the float of the inlet valve. When the inlet valve is opened, water first enters the flushing tank, overflowing before entering the main flushing tank. Before the initial water storage, the inlet valve is open due to the float's downward movement. Water flows from the inlet valve downwards into the flushing tank. Once the flushing tank is full, water overflows and flows downwards into the main flushing tank, causing the water level to rise continuously. The flushing tank floats on top of the flushing tank and rises along with it. Finally, the flushing tank causes the inlet valve's float to rise, closing the inlet valve. When the main flushing tank drains, the flushing tank is flushed with the water. As the liquid level in the tank drops, the inlet valve switches to the open state after its float falls, and water overflows from the cleaning water tank and flows into the flushing water tank. After the flushing water tank stops draining, as the liquid level in the flushing water tank rises, the cleaning water tank floats on the flushing water tank and rises together with the liquid level in the flushing water tank. The cleaning water tank drives the float of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve. When the cleaning water tank drains, in the initial stage of drainage, the cleaning water tank floats to the upper limit position. At this time, the inlet valve remains in the closed state. When the float of the inlet valve drops along with the liquid level in the cleaning water tank, the inlet valve switches to the open state. After the cleaning water tank stops draining, the liquid level in the cleaning water tank rises and drives the float of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment: when the inlet valve fails to stop the water flow, causing the liquid level in the flushing tank to rise, the water in the flushing tank flows out from the overflow hole of the flushing tank before the liquid level in the flushing tank reaches the top of the cleaning tank.

[0006] In a preferred embodiment: the cleaning water tank floats up and down along the limiting post inside the flushing water tank, and the cleaning water tank is at its upper limit position when it rises to the point where it comes into contact with the upper baffle of the limiting post.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment: the flush tank is installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet; the flush tank is drained by a water pump installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet.

[0008] The intelligent toilet tank water storage device includes a flushing tank, a cleaning tank, and an inlet valve. The flushing tank is connected to the ceramic toilet bowl via a flushing water path, and the cleaning tank is connected to an intelligent toilet seat cleaning assembly via a cleaning water path. The inlet valve is located within the flushing tank. An air storage chamber is located at the bottom of the cleaning tank. The cleaning tank is floating within the flushing tank and directly below the float of the inlet valve. After water enters through the inlet valve, water first enters the cleaning tank and overflows before entering the flushing tank. Initially, both the flushing and cleaning tanks are empty. The float of the inlet valve naturally falls, opening the inlet valve. Water fills the cleaning tank and then overflows into the flushing tank. The liquid level in the flushing tank rises, and the cleaning tank floats on the surface of the flushing tank and rises together until the cleaning tank drives the float of the inlet valve to rise and close the inlet valve. During daily use, when it is necessary to replenish water to both the cleaning tank and the flushing tank, the replenishment process is the same as the initial state. When only the flushing tank is replenished, the liquid level in the flushing tank rises, causing the cleaning tank to float. The cleaning tank drives the float of the inlet valve to rise and close the inlet valve. When only the cleaning tank is replenished, the liquid level in the cleaning tank rises and drives the float of the inlet valve to rise and close the inlet valve.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment: the flushing water tank is provided with a vertical limiting post, and the cleaning water tank is movably sleeved on the limiting post.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment: the limiting post is provided with an upper baffle. During daily use, when only the cleaning water tank is drained, in the initial stage of drainage, the cleaning water tank floats up against the upper baffle, and the water inlet valve remains closed. When the float of the water inlet valve drops along with the liquid level in the cleaning water tank, the water inlet valve switches to the open state.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment: the limiting post is provided with a lower baffle plate. During daily use, when the flushing water tank drains, the cleaning water tank falls onto the lower baffle plate.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment: the flushing water tank is provided with an overflow hole, the height of which is higher than the liquid level in the flushing water tank during normal use, and lower than the liquid level in the cleaning water tank during normal use.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment: a water pump is provided in the cleaning water line, and the water pump is installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet; the flushing tank is installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this technical solution has the following advantages:

[0015] 1. By placing the cleaning water tank inside the flushing water tank, and ensuring that the cleaning water tank can rise and fall with the flushing water tank to prevent water from the flushing water tank from mixing back into the cleaning water tank, the smart toilet seat not only saves installation space for the cleaning water tank, allowing for a thinner smart toilet seat, but also controls the water supply for both the cleaning and flushing water tanks through the same inlet valve. This simplifies the internal structure of the smart toilet seat, allowing it to be made even thinner, and resulting in fewer components in the entire smart toilet.

[0016] 2. If the inlet valve malfunctions and fails to stop the water flow properly, the liquid level in the flush tank will rise and eventually overflow from the overflow hole. Similarly, if water in the ceramic toilet bowl flows back into the flush tank, the water in the flush tank will also eventually overflow from the overflow hole, preventing the liquid level in the flush tank from continuously rising and mixing into the cleaning tank.

[0017] 3. The water storage device is installed in the rear space of the ceramic body of the toilet, making the overall structure of the toilet simpler. Attached Figure Description

[0018] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0019] Figure 1 The diagram illustrates the installation of the water tank storage device in a smart toilet.

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the intelligent toilet tank water storage device is shown.

[0021] Figure 3 A schematic diagram illustrating the water storage process of a smart toilet tank in its initial state is shown.

[0022] Figure 4 The diagram illustrates the process of water replenishment in a smart toilet tank during flushing and drainage.

[0023] Figure 5 The diagram illustrates the process of water replenishment in a smart toilet tank during the tank cleaning and drainage process. Detailed Implementation

[0024] This invention proposes a smart toilet tank water storage method that links and controls the water storage or replenishment of both the washing tank and the flushing tank, simplifying the structure and saving installation space. Specifically:

[0025] An air storage chamber is installed at the bottom of the cleaning water tank. The cleaning water tank can be considered as a float structure with water storage function, meaning it can float on the water surface. The cleaning water tank is built into the flushing water tank and located below the float of the inlet valve. Because the cleaning water tank is below the inlet valve, when the inlet valve is opened for water replenishment or storage, the water flowing out of the inlet valve first enters the cleaning water tank, and only after overflowing from the cleaning water tank can it enter the flushing water tank.

[0026] Before the initial water storage, i.e., when neither the cleaning tank nor the flushing tank is filled, the inlet valve is open due to its float. Water flows from the inlet valve into the cleaning tank from top to bottom, causing the water level in the cleaning tank to rise continuously. Once the cleaning tank is full, water overflows and flows downwards into the flushing tank, where the water level continues to rise. The cleaning tank floats on top of the flushing tank and rises along with it. In other words, after the cleaning tank floats above the flushing tank, the water level in the cleaning tank rises as the cleaning tank rises. Finally, the cleaning tank causes the float of the inlet valve to rise, thus closing the inlet valve and stopping water replenishment. (The above process is described in detail below.) Figure 3 .

[0027] During normal use, when the flushing tank drains, the water volume decreases rapidly, causing the liquid level in the flushing tank to drop. The cleaning tank's liquid level drops along with the flushing tank's liquid level. The inlet valve float, losing support from the cleaning tank, falls, and the inlet valve switches to the open position, allowing water to overflow from the cleaning tank and flow into the flushing tank. When the flushing tank stops draining, the liquid level in the flushing tank rises, causing the cleaning tank to float on top of the flushing tank's liquid level and rise along with it. The cleaning tank then raises the inlet valve's float, thus closing the inlet valve. (The above process is described in detail below.) Figure 4 .

[0028] During daily use, when the cleaning water tank drains, initially, as water is discharged, the weight of the cleaning water tank decreases. Due to buoyancy, the tank rises further until it reaches its upper limit, where it is blocked from rising further. Although the water volume decreases initially, the tank rises simultaneously, so the water level doesn't drop, and the inlet valve float doesn't fall; the inlet valve remains closed. As water continues to drain, the water level decreases. When the inlet valve float falls along with the water level, the inlet valve opens. Afterward, the tank stops draining, and the water level rises, eventually causing the inlet valve float to rise and close. (The above process is described in detail below.) Figure 5 .

[0029] Please refer to the following. Figures 1 to 5 The water storage device used to implement the smart toilet tank water storage method is further described.

[0030] The water storage device includes a cleaning water tank 10, a flushing water tank 20, and an inlet valve 30. The inlet valve 30 is located inside the flushing water tank 20 and at its top. The cleaning water tank 10 is floating inside the flushing water tank 20 and directly below the float 32 of the inlet valve 30; floating means it can rise and sink, i.e., move up and down. The flushing water tank 20 is connected to the potty 52 of the ceramic body 50 via a flushing water passage 40. The cleaning water tank 10 is connected to the cleaning component 72 of the smart toilet seat 70 via a cleaning water passage 60. The ceramic body and its potty, as well as the smart toilet seat and its cleaning component, are all existing structures. An air storage chamber 12 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning water tank 10, so that the cleaning water tank 10 not only stores water but can also float on the water surface. When water enters through the inlet valve 30, the water first enters the cleaning water tank 10 and overflows before entering the flushing water tank 20.

[0031] Initially, both the flushing water tank 20 and the cleaning water tank 10 are empty, and the float 32 of the inlet valve 30 naturally falls down to open the inlet valve (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown). After water begins to enter, once the cleaning water tank 10 is full, the water overflows into the flushing water tank 20 (as shown). Figure 3 As shown in small figure a), the liquid level in the flushing water tank 20 rises, causing the cleaning water tank 10 to float above the flushing water tank 20 (as shown in small figure a). Figure 3 (As shown in small figure b), then, the cleaning water tank 10 floats on the surface of the flushing water tank 20 and rises together with the flushing water tank until the cleaning water tank drives the float 32 of the inlet valve 30 to rise and close the inlet valve (as shown in small figure b). Figure 3 As shown in the small diagram (c), the liquid level in the flushing tank 20 reaches the working water level line WL. Since the float 32 uses a structure with counterweight water in this embodiment, after the inlet valve 30 is closed, as the counterweight water flows out of the float 32, its weight decreases. Under the action of buoyancy, the float 32 will rise further to ensure the inlet valve stably stops the water flow (as shown in the small diagram). Figure 3 (As shown in the small diagram d). The structure of the pontoon with the water for storing counterweight is an existing structure and will not be described in detail.

[0032] During normal use, when it is necessary to replenish water to both the cleaning water tank 10 and the flushing water tank 20, that is, when both the flushing water path 40 and the cleaning water path 60 are opened, the water replenishment process is the same as the initial state. Figure 3 The process is shown.

[0033] When only the flushing water tank 20 is replenished, that is, when only the flushing water passage 40 is opened, during the replenishment process, the liquid level in the flushing water tank 20 rises, causing the cleaning water tank 10 to float. The cleaning water tank 10 then causes the float 32 of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve 30. Specifically, when the flushing water tank 20 drains water, the water volume in the flushing water tank decreases rapidly, and the liquid level in the flushing water tank drops below the working water level line WL (e.g., Figure 4 As shown in small figure b), the water level in the cleaning tank 10 drops along with the water level in the flushing tank 20. The inlet valve float 32, losing its support from the cleaning tank 10, falls. After the float falls, the inlet valve 30 switches to the open state, and water overflows from the cleaning tank 10 and flows into the flushing tank 20. When the flushing tank 20 stops draining, as the water level in the flushing tank 20 rises, the cleaning tank 10 floats on the flushing tank's surface and rises along with it. The cleaning tank causes the inlet valve float to rise, thus closing the inlet valve (as shown in small figure b). Figure 4 (See small figures c and d).

[0034] When only the cleaning water tank 10 is replenished, that is, when only the cleaning water passage 60 is opened, the liquid level in the cleaning water tank 10 rises, causing the float 32 of the inlet valve to rise and thus close the inlet valve. Specifically, during the initial drainage of the cleaning water tank 10, as the water in the cleaning water tank 10 is discharged, the weight of the entire cleaning water tank 10 is reduced. Thus, under the action of buoyancy, the cleaning water tank 10 will float further upwards as its weight decreases (e.g., ...). Figure 5 (As shown in small figure a). Although the water volume in the cleaning tank decreases during the initial drainage, the cleaning tank also rises further. Therefore, the liquid level in the cleaning tank does not decrease relative to the float 32, so the inlet valve float does not fall, and the inlet valve 30 remains closed. Afterwards, as water is continuously discharged from the cleaning tank, the liquid level in the cleaning tank 10 continues to decrease. When the inlet valve float 32 falls along with the liquid level in the cleaning tank, i.e., the float finally falls, the inlet valve 30 switches to the open state (as shown in small figure a). Figure 5 (As shown in small diagram b). Afterwards, the cleaning water tank 10 stops draining, and the liquid level in the tank rises, eventually causing the float of the inlet valve to rise and close the inlet valve (as shown in small diagram b). Figure 5 (As shown in small diagram c). Finally, the counterweight water inside float 32 flows out, and float 32 will rise further to ensure stable water stoppage of the inlet valve (as shown in small diagram c). Figure 5 (as shown in the small diagram d).

[0035] Although the water storage device of the present invention has the cleaning water tank 10 built into the flushing water tank 20, the cleaning water tank 10 can float in the flushing water tank 20, ensuring that the cleaning water path 60 is relatively independent.

[0036] Preferably, the flushing water tank 20 is provided with a vertical limiting post 22, and the cleaning water tank 10 is movably sleeved on the limiting post 22. Therefore, the cleaning water tank 10 floats up and down along the limiting post 22 inside the flushing water tank. This ensures that the cleaning water tank is located below the inlet valve float when the cleaning water tank is small, and the water flow enters the cleaning water tank first when replenishing water.

[0037] Preferably, the limiting post 22 is provided with an upper baffle 24. During normal use, when only the cleaning water tank 10 is drained, in the initial stage of drainage, the cleaning water tank 10 floats up against the upper baffle 24, and the cleaning water tank 10 rises to an upper limit position, while the inlet valve remains closed. When the float of the inlet valve drops along with the water level in the cleaning water tank, the inlet valve switches to the open position. Of course, if the cleaning water tank 10 rises and is close to the inlet valve itself, it can also remain at an upper limit position, that is, the upper limit position of the cleaning water tank 10 is limited by the inlet valve. Alternatively, if the space inside the flushing water tank is large enough, an upper limit position is not required; as long as the water in the cleaning water tank 10 is drained, the float 32 will naturally fall down.

[0038] Preferably, the limiting post 22 is provided with a lower baffle 26. During daily use, when the flushing water tank 20 drains, the cleaning water tank 10 falls onto the lower baffle 26.

[0039] Preferably, the flushing water tank 20 is provided with an overflow hole. The height of the overflow hole is higher than the liquid level in the flushing water tank 20 during normal use, i.e., the working water level line WL, but lower than the liquid level in the cleaning water tank 10 during normal use. Therefore, when the inlet valve 30 fails to stop the water flow, causing the liquid level in the flushing water tank to rise, the water in the flushing water tank 20 will flow out from the overflow hole before reaching the top surface of the cleaning water tank 10.

[0040] Preferably, the flushing tank 20 is installed at the rear of the ceramic body 50 of the toilet.

[0041] Preferably, the cleaning water tank 10 is drained by a water pump 14, that is, a water pump 14 is provided on the cleaning water path 60 and the water pump 14 is installed at the rear of the ceramic body 50 of the toilet.

[0042] Preferably, the flushing water tank 20 is drained by a water pump 28, that is, a water pump 28 is provided on the flushing water channel 40 and the water pump 28 is installed at the rear of the ceramic body 50 of the toilet.

[0043] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent and the contents of the specification should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for storing water in a smart toilet tank, characterized in that: The cleaning water tank has an air storage chamber at the bottom. The cleaning water tank is built inside the flushing water tank and located below the float of the inlet valve. After the inlet valve is opened, water first enters the cleaning water tank and only after overflowing can it enter the flushing water tank. Before the initial water storage, the inlet valve is open due to its float being lowered. Water flows from the inlet valve downwards into the cleaning tank. Once the cleaning tank is full, water overflows and flows downwards into the flushing tank, causing the liquid level in the flushing tank to rise continuously. The cleaning tank floats on top of the flushing tank and rises along with the flushing tank. Finally, the cleaning tank causes the float of the inlet valve to rise, thus closing the inlet valve. When the flushing tank drains, the cleaning tank's water level drops along with the flushing tank's liquid level. After its float falls, the inlet valve switches to the open position, allowing water to overflow from the cleaning tank and flow into the flushing tank. Once the flushing tank stops draining, the cleaning tank floats on top of the flushing tank's liquid level and rises along with it. This movement of the cleaning tank causes the inlet valve's float to rise, thus closing the inlet valve. When the cleaning water tank drains, in the initial stage of drainage, the cleaning water tank floats to the upper limit position. At this time, the inlet valve remains closed. When the float of the inlet valve drops along with the liquid level in the cleaning water tank, the inlet valve switches to the open state. After the cleaning water tank stops draining, the liquid level in the cleaning water tank rises and drives the float of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve.

2. The method for storing water in a smart toilet tank according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the inlet valve fails to stop the water flow, the liquid level in the flushing tank rises. Before the liquid level reaches the top of the flushing tank, the water in the flushing tank flows out from the overflow hole.

3. The method for storing water in a smart toilet tank according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The cleaning water tank floats up and down along the limiting post inside the flushing water tank. When the cleaning water tank rises to the upper limit position and touches the upper baffle of the limiting post, it is in the upper limit position.

4. The method for storing water in a smart toilet tank according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that: The flush tank is installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet; the flush tank is drained by a water pump, which is also installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet.

5. A water storage device for implementing the intelligent toilet tank water storage method according to claim 1, comprising a flushing tank, a cleaning tank, and an inlet valve, wherein the flushing tank is connected to a ceramic toilet bowl via a flushing water path, the cleaning tank is connected to an intelligent toilet seat cleaning assembly via a cleaning water path, and the inlet valve is disposed within the flushing tank, characterized in that: The cleaning water tank has an air storage chamber at its lower part. The cleaning water tank is floating inside the flushing water tank and located directly below the float of the water inlet valve. After water enters through the water inlet valve, the water first enters the cleaning water tank and only after overflowing can it enter the flushing water tank. Initially, both the flushing and cleaning water tanks are empty. The float of the inlet valve naturally falls, opening the inlet valve. Water fills the cleaning water tank and then overflows into the flushing water tank, causing the liquid level in the flushing water tank to rise. The cleaning water tank floats on the surface of the flushing water tank and rises along with it until the cleaning water tank causes the float of the inlet valve to rise and close the inlet valve. During daily use... If it is necessary to replenish water to both the cleaning water tank and the flushing water tank, the replenishment process is the same as the initial state. When only the flushing water tank is replenished, the rising liquid level in the flushing water tank causes the cleaning water tank to float upwards. The cleaning water tank then causes the float of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve. When only water is added to the cleaning water tank, the liquid level in the cleaning water tank rises and causes the float of the inlet valve to rise, thereby closing the inlet valve.

6. The water storage device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The flushing water tank is equipped with a vertical limiting post, and the cleaning water tank is movably sleeved on the limiting post.

7. The water storage device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The limiting post is equipped with an upper baffle. During daily use, when only the cleaning water tank is drained, the cleaning water tank floats up against the upper baffle in the initial stage of drainage, and the water inlet valve remains closed. When the float of the water inlet valve drops along with the liquid level in the cleaning water tank, the water inlet valve switches to the open state.

8. The water storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The limiting post is equipped with a lower baffle. During normal use, after the flushing water tank drains, the cleaning water tank falls onto the lower baffle.

9. The water storage device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The flushing water tank is equipped with an overflow hole. The height of the overflow hole is higher than the liquid level in the flushing water tank during normal use, but lower than the liquid level in the cleaning water tank during normal use.

10. The water storage device according to claim 5, characterized in that: A water pump is provided in the cleaning water line, and the water pump is installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet; the flushing water tank is installed at the rear of the ceramic body of the toilet.

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