U.S. patent application number 15/366245 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-01 for toilet bowl venting system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Hani A. Abunameh, Mutaz O. MANGO. Invention is credited to Hani A. Abunameh, Mutaz O. MANGO.
Application Number | 20170152655 15/366245 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57391863 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170152655 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abunameh; Hani A. ; et
al. |
June 1, 2017 |
TOILET BOWL VENTING SYSTEM
Abstract
A damp-proof venting device comprising a proximity sensor
switch, fan blower, two solenoid valves and a control unit, powered
by an external power supply, vents toilet bowl malodour directly
into the toilet's sewerage drain, bypassing the toilet's primary
water trap via an independent pressure-driven air passage sealed by
a secondary independent water trap. Said control unit regulates the
operation of venting unit's air blower and two solenoid valves,
thus ensuring directionality of displaced air during the venting
stage as well as sealing the venting passage after use under all
possible circumstances, all in synchronicity with the toilet's
engagement by user. A slight variation of said device allows for
retrofitting onto geometry and space-accommodating market-available
toilet models.
Inventors: |
Abunameh; Hani A.; (Amman,
JO) ; MANGO; Mutaz O.; (Amman, JO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Abunameh; Hani A.
MANGO; Mutaz O. |
Amman
Amman |
|
JO
JO |
|
|
Family ID: |
57391863 |
Appl. No.: |
15/366245 |
Filed: |
December 1, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E03D 9/052 20130101;
E03D 9/05 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E03D 9/052 20060101
E03D009/052 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 1, 2015 |
CN |
201510866691.8 |
Claims
1) A ventilating toilet device attached to a prepared toilet
commode that includes a tank and a bowl, said toilet assembly
material of construction can be of ceramic, plastic, metal or any
other solid material acceptable for attachment of said ventilating
device according to the relevant buildings and sanitary codes and
standards; said prepared toilet commode provides sufficient space
and geometry to accept the invention's ventilating device and its
associated parts on the horizontal surface lying between toilet
seat and flush water tank behind it; aforementioned prepared
commode is a typical toilet commode, albeit with two vertical
thru-holes on the horizontal surface between the back of toilet
seat and the flush water tank on either side of the commode's flush
water supply duct, that match said venting device's dedicated pipe
locations at said device's bottom face; said vertical thru-holes
may be part of the toilet commode's manufacturing stages or said
thru-holes may be, if technically possible and without negatively
affecting commode's integrity and performance, be drilled into a
suitable commode; said container is fastened shut via screws
penetrating from the case's bottom surface that connect with the
cover via adjacent screw sockets to prevent tampering with said
unit's contents; said ventilating unit's air inlet port protrudes
from the front of the device and is deployed underneath the rear
end of the toilet seat at a level above the bowl's overflow line;
attachment means for said ventilation device casing onto toilet
commode is achieved via the toilet's seat fastening anchor bolts
passing through said venting unit's two fastening slots flanking
said venting unit's air inlet port. Furthermore, the vent unit's
mains water inlet and air outlet pipes run vertically downwards
through the commode's adjacent vertical thru-holes to connect (and
securely fit) with their respective piping emanating from the
venting device's bottom face; access to said device's components
entails the dismantling of the connected plumbing accordingly.
2) The device according to claim 1 made of matching top and bottom
waterproof container covers, resulting in a damp proof container
once closed; said venting unit container, when closed, has three
openings of differing dimensions: the smallest to accommodate an
electric power supply wire (present at one side of the casing, near
the bottom) another for a mains water supply pipe and a third (and
largest) for a vented air exit pipe; said device's water and vented
air pipes are positioned at opposite lateral ends of the container,
at a distance prescribed by limitations imposed by the available
space within the container, whose shape and size is dictated by
ergonomic and aesthetic design parameters related to the toilet
commode; all openings seal around their respective conduits to
prevent water/humidity entering said container.
3) The device according to claim 2 with an ancillary pipe
communicating the venting device's vented air exit pipe, passing
through commode's matching thru-hole at the exit point at the lower
side past said thru-hole, with a secondary water trap of
appropriate seal height dictated by relevant dwelling's buildings
and sanitary codes; said secondary water trap securely bypasses
said toilet's primary water trap and communicates in a
unidirectional manner the venting device's vented air outlet pipe
that runs vertically down through the commode's thru-hole to a
connection point with the toilet's drain pipe downstream of
toilet's primary water trap, irrespective of said primary water
trap's type; in the case of a prepared toilet commode, said
secondary water trap is manufactured as part of said commode using
suitable material and space-saving methods.
4) The device according to claim 3 wherein communication between
said secondary water trap and toilet drain outlet, downstream of
toilet's primary water trap, is achieved via an appropriately-sized
hole present in said toilet drain pipe; Said hole may be drilled
using a suitable method that is compatible with said drain pipe
material and is fastened appropriately to ensure no leakage of
sewerage gas or contamination into the toilet room space.
5) The device according to claim 4 wherein said toilet ventilating
device houses a low voltage fan air blower; said ventilation unit's
fan blower provides for at least two pressure head and flow rate
requirements: one to evacuate said secondary water trap's seal and
the other for proper, yet comfortable, ventilation of toilet bowl
malodorous gasses, as dictated by local relevant dwelling's
buildings and sanitary codes.
6) The device according to claim 5 whereby mains water feeds the
venting device via a water inlet pipe passing through one of the
commode's thru-holes and vertically upward through said venting
device case's bottom. Said mains water replenishes the secondary
water trap's seal upon culmination of fan blower's ventilation;
said mains water flow is controlled by a normally-closed solenoid
valve.
7) The device according to claim 6 whereby mains electricity via an
appropriate power supply) or a battery supply provides low voltage
power sufficient for the safe operation of the ventilating unit's
electric components.
8) The device according to claim 7 further comprising a
normally-closed solenoid air valve, contained within the
ventilation unit's casing; said normally-closed solenoid air valve
lies between said fan unit outlet and said secondary water trap,
ensuring unidirectional air flow from said fan unit towards said
secondary water trap.
9) The device according to claim 8 with a proximity sensor switch
located on the front outside surface of said ventilation unit to
sense, and hence signal the venting device's control unit, the
presence of a seated toilet user; position of said proximity sensor
switch is such that its field of view registers the presence of a
seated toilet user and is not obstructed by the toilet seat cover
and/or toilet seat in both the raised and lowered positions;
proximity sensor switch must be suitable to register the presence
and departure of a human; said proximity sensor switch's sensing
range covers the distance between said sensor's tip and the front
tip of the toilet bowl rim.
10) The device according to claim 9 with a control unit housed
within said unit's container that orchestrates the
electromechanical components' operations so as to achieve the
ventilation unit's venting cycle; said venting cycle is comprised
of: 1) control unit confirming the presence of a seated toilet user
based on proof-positive signal/s from proximity sensor switch, 2)
opening of normally-closed air solenoid valve in tandem with
momentary operation of fan unit at high pressure to evacuate
secondary water trap seal downstream to sewerage and hence
communicate device's exiting vented air with sewerage drain pipe,
3) air solenoid valve remains open while fan unit operates at low
pressure for toilet bowl malodorous air continuous ventilation, 4)
control box confirming proximity sensor switch's signal that user
has dismounted the toilet seat, 5) a timer commences, maintaining
venting for a set period of time, 6) air solenoid valve closes and
fan unit turn off in tandem, 7) water solenoid valve opens to allow
mains water to flow into and through vented air exit pipe so as to
replenish the ejected secondary water trap's seal for a pre-set
period of time to ensure complete sealing, 8) water solenoid valve
closes to end the venting cycle.
11) The device according to claim 10 whose secondary water trap's
water seal is replenished at the end of said unit's venting
procedure via a normally-closed water solenoid valve enclosed
within said ventilation unit. Said solenoid water valve is
connected to mains water supply; said water valve is controlled by
said venting unit's control unit such that the necessary amount of
water is replenished to satisfy the necessary depth of said trap's
water seal by controlling the duration of said water valve's; said
water valve's outlet communicates with blower fan's outlet pipe
within the ventilation unit's casing downstream of the ventilating
fan unit at point lower in elevation than said blower fan's outlet
point.
12) The device according to claim 11 retrofitted onto a
non-prepared toilet by attaching the venting unit case onto any
available surface on the toilet; said venting device has its mains
water inlet pipe and vented air exit pipes both laterally extending
from opposite side faces of the device's casing via threaded pipe
ends; said protruding threaded pipe ends extend via holes present
on the sides of said case so as to allow for unobstructed opening
and closing of the top part of said unit's casing. All openings
seal around their respective conduits to prevent water/humidity
entering said container; said protruding pipes extend laterally
just enough to connect with flexible pipe attachments outside the
venting device's container, thus communicating with their
respective connections (mains water pipe and secondary water trap)
via piping circumnavigating the commode's torso lying between the
toilet bowl and flush tank, to reach the lower end of the
horizontal surface between the toilet bowl and flush tank, to reach
the same connection locations as in the case of the prepared toilet
commode detailed in the claims above.
13) The device according to claim 11 or 12 with a control unit that
compares two or more proximity sensor's readings separated by a
brief time interval to differentiate between the time period the
sensor's field of view is momentarily obstructed upon
raising/lowering of toilet seat/cover and that of a user mounting
the toilet. For greater accuracy, further timed proximity sensor
sweeps can be programmed into the control unit, reducing the chance
of unwanted activation of venting system's venting cycle.
14) The device according to claim 11, 12 or 13 whose venting system
is installed for wall-mounted toilets, whereby said venting unit is
placed within the wall cavity behind toilet seat, having its
proximity sensors protruding from the surface of the enclosed wall
cavity.
15) The device according to claim 11, 12, 13 or 14 whereby the
invention is integrated into an "intelligent" electromechanical
toilet seat system, or "smart" toilet, whereby said system will
provide a signal for user's presence; said venting unit is
integrated within the "intelligent" toilet/"smart" toilet casing
for ergonomic and aesthetic purposes.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the comfortable, hygienic,
efficient, practical and reliable redirection of toilet bowl
malodour directly from the toilet bowl into the toilet's sewerage
drain via a geometrically-compatible venting device incorporated
within a prepared toilet commode or retrofitted onto a regular
toilet commode. Said device is economical to mass produce, install
and operate, offering a reliable solution to the age-old problem of
toilet odours.
[0002] Many attempts have been made to provide a solution to toilet
molodour. These attempts can be grouped into three vent exit-point
categories: 1) Ejecting toilet room volume air via an extraction
fan to outside of toilet room space, 2) Filtering or deodorising
toilet bowl air prior to ejecting it into, or outside of, toilet
room space, and 3) Directly venting toilet bowl air outside of
toilet room space.
[0003] Firstly, ejection of toilet room volume air is the least
convenient as well as the least efficient. This is due to the need
for evacuating the toilet room's complete air volume as a result of
malodour's diffusion--as opposed to the limited malodorous air
volume within the toilet bowl. Furthermore, additional construction
work is required, resulting in the creation of holes within windows
and masonry as well as obtrusive ducting in some cases.
[0004] Secondly, malodour treatment requires the replacement of
consumable filtering or deodorising cartridges, which incurs a
continuous expense and produces unnecessary waste. Also, said
consumables' effectiveness diminishes with time, resulting in
incomplete odour treatment when nearing the end of the consumable's
life, while said consumable cannot be guaranteed to be readily
available throughout said toilet's lifetime. Meanwhile, deodorisers
cause discomfort to many, irritating air passages and triggering
allergic-type reactions.
[0005] Thirdly, direct toilet bowl malodour ejection is carried out
either via the toilet's sewerage drain, via specially-installed
dedicated piping other than the toilet's direct sewerage drain, or
via external air ducting network. Exiting via toilet's sewerage
drain can be the most ideal method, as it does not involve the
installation of dedicated venting ducts with all associated expense
and obtrusiveness. The aforementioned is, of course, provided that
all aspects related to the total screening of the venting apparatus
(and the user) from contamination from the sewerage system are
properly addressed under all circumstances. Various attempts have
been made to address this sealing issue, but most, if not all, fail
to provide complete practicable ergonomic and economic solutions,
which explains the obvious failure of these systems to succeed in
the market.
[0006] Further to the methods of vented malodour exit points are
the methods of malodorous air uptake from toilet bowl. Said methods
include air intake via toilet seat, via the toilet's flush water
apertures or via singular or plural air inlets within the toilet
bowl. Many of such methods directly expose toilet excreta with
locales favourable to the proliferation of bacteria and viruses,
such as edges, channels, openings and baffles. Said locales are
also challenging to clean.
[0007] An inevitable consequence of having piping and tubing that
channel malodorous air flow from the seat is the operational
wear-and-tear of the seat's hinged piping point/s, as well as the
system's dependence on the integrity of the seat itself--an
unnecessary, costly and bothersome inconvenience in the case of its
replacement.
[0008] In the case of withdrawing air through the toilet's
pre-existing flush water apertures, the method requires a complex
venting system that traverses through the toilet's flush system,
which, in the case of bowl flooding, may suck water into the
venting apparatus and would also be an additional burden to deal
with during any form of toilet maintenance. This method also
results in an interruption in venting during the flushing stage,
which might render the whole venting operation useless.
[0009] Other forms of air intake methods, such as tubing associated
within the toilet bowl area, favour bacterial proliferation and are
difficult to clean.
[0010] Many venting systems are located within the flush tank or in
a chamber beneath the toilet commode's bowl. Said venting units'
locations--and their relevant components'--accessibility, affects
the unit's practicality and convenience relating to any maintenance
work.
[0011] In cases of toilet bowl overflow, all of the aforementioned
direct bowl air-venting methods are at risk of intake of waste
water into their venting systems. This can damage the system's
electromechanical and electrical parts. If the system is not
rendered unserviceable, it will require considerable cleaning and
maintenance to remove all traces of excreta particulates, which
will become a continuous source of malodour as well as a haven for
bacteria, viruses and other causes of disease. Therefore, malodour
extraction point should lie above toilet bowl's flood level to
protect the venting system's components from excreta-laden
water.
[0012] Furthermore, a reliable control system is vital to having a
reliable venting system. Automatic control of a venting system
relies on sensors to signal the user's presence and departure.
Various sensing methods have been proposed, such as pressure
switches on or below toilet seat, but such switches rely on
mechanical triggers, which increase the chance of wear and faults.
Motion sensors have been proposed, but these create a signal when
there is a change in field of view and therefore cannot properly
measure presence, or lack thereof, a seated person. In the case of
cheap, reliable and ubiquitous proximity sensors such as infrared
or ultrasonic types, practical control steps are rarely addressed
that prevent unwanted activation and/or deactivation of the
ventilation system caused by irrelevant triggers such as toilet
seat or cover raising/lowering or fleeting movements in the
vicinity of the toilet seat.
[0013] In all cases relating to venting units integrated into
public toilets, the venting unit and its supporting components need
to be tamper and theft-resistant.
PRIOR ART
[0014] WIPO patent WO2015087100 A1 describes an infrared
sensor-activated system that evacuates toilet bowl via an
extraction nozzle adapted to the shape of the toilet rim.
Primarily, the system fails to address the issue of toilet malodour
removal, opting for the inadequate costly and impractical method of
filtration. Though the invention avoids toilet bowl flood level
with its toilet rim top surface shape-adapted nozzle, the nozzle
itself has no fixed fastening method, making it flimsy and
impractical. Even though the invention proposes the use of the
system in public toilets, it fails to address the matter of
tampering and theft of said system and its components.
[0015] US patent US 2015/0074886 A1 describes the evacuation of
toilet gasses via an inlet nozzle positioned behind toilet seat and
guided to a sensor-activated fan unit within the toilet commode,
where it is filtered and further guided to a sewer pipe in
communication with the invention and the toilet itself. Albeit for
a one-way gate and an insect screen, the invention fails to satisfy
common sanitary and building codes appropriately-sized water trap
requirements between sewerage and spaces within dwellings--US
patents US 2015/0107009 A1 and US 2015/0211222 A1 fail to provide
an appropriate sealing method as well. Furthermore, having the
invention's electromechanical components placed in a body beneath
flush tank and below bowl flood level is inappropriate, as already
mentioned above. Said invention also fails to address the specific
geometric constraints posed by various toilet models.
[0016] Aforementioned US patent US 2015/0074886 A1 refers to a
sensor that controls the invention but fails to describe how it
functions.
[0017] US patent US 2015/0211222 A1 describes a system for toilet
odour elimination that sucks in bowl gasses via a connection point
inserted in the flush water pipe between flush tank and toilet
bowl. Again, the system is in communication with toilet's drain
without an adequate sealing method. Said patent mentions the
presence of either a pressure switch under the toilet seat or an
infrared sensor but fails to describe its detailed operation steps
or how to deal with unwanted activating signals resulting.
[0018] WIPO patent WO2013/010293 directly collects toilet gasses
through its flush water apertures. Similarly, Chinese patent CN
104302850A extracts toilet bowl gasses via a complicated system,
posing manufacturing and installation challenges as well as
increasing production costs.
[0019] Apart from pursuing the inconvenient and inefficient method
of filtration and deodorisation, Chinese patent CN104379847
describes a system whose exhaust pipe outlet is located outside of
the toilet room, necessitating the creation of an opening in the
toilet room's walls or windows, which is generally intrusive, and
usually prohibited in rented and multi storey buildings.
[0020] European patent EP 2 239 380 A2 describes an air ventilation
fan that draws malodorous air from the toilet bowl through the
toilet's flush holes and conduits and then through an air outlet in
the toilet bowl to be ejected through one or more ventilation ducts
in the toilet's wall and/or ceiling spaces. Limitations of this
method have already been described above.
[0021] U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,213 B2 offers, without providing a
sealing backup, a secondary water trap through a flapper check
valve, which may prove insufficient in the event of the drying up
of the water seal in the secondary water trap due to prolonged
power failure. Also, the constraint of having to use a
specifically-manufactured toilet commode with lack of provisions to
retrofit the system onto non-prepared toilets limits its commercial
viability.
[0022] The aforementioned invention also fails to provide practical
control system operating steps that avoid the unintended operation
of the venting unit such as the opening/closing of toilet seat
cover--a point inadequately and impractically addressed by the
removal of seat cover--which will result in the inefficient and
unreliable operation of the ventilating unit.
[0023] In conclusion, the ideal toilet bowl venting system combines
all the aforementioned advantages into one compact, affordable unit
that directly removes malodourous gasses from their origin (the
toilet bowl) from above the toilet bowl's overflow line, and to
provide the greatest level of reliability, comfort and energy
saving for said purpose. Furthermore, said ideal system directs the
removed malodorous gasses into the toilet's sewer direct drain
connection, confidently sealed from said sewerage by an appropriate
water trap and backed up by a normally-closed mains water solenoid
valve for water replenishment, all using low-cost market-available
components housed in a non-obtrusive damp-proof container. Said
system should be directed by a reality-based control system,
operating under fail-to-seal conditions, be tamper and
theft-proof--in the case of public toilets--, be easy to
manufacture and install and can be retrofitted onto pre-existing
toilet installations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The figures of the drawings are briefly described as
follows:
[0025] FIG. 1a is a conceptual perspective view illustration of an
assembled and closed toilet venting device case having an automatic
venting system according to the present invention that can be
attached to a prepared toilet commode to receive said device's
water inlet and ventilation outlet within said modified toilet
commode's horizontal plane between toilet seat rear and water flush
tank
[0026] FIG. 1b is a front view illustration of an assembled and
closed toilet venting device case having an automatic venting
system according to the present invention that can be retrofitted
onto a non-prepared toilet commode's horizontal plane surface
between toilet seat rear and water flush tank
[0027] FIG. 2a is a perspective view illustration of the present
invention's toilet venting device case for a prepared toilet
commode with top cover removed to show components housed within
said casing for a prepared toilet commode
[0028] FIG. 2b is a top view of the present invention's toilet
venting device for a prepared toilet commode with case cover
removed to reveal its components, indicating cross sectional view
A-A location of mains water replenishment pipe supply in
communication with vented air pipe
[0029] FIG. 2c is section view along A-A in FIG. 2b of the present
invention's toilet venting device's vented air pipe communicating
with the water replenishment pipe that feeds the device's secondary
water trap downstream of the device upon completion of a venting
cycle
[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prepared toilet commode
with vertical thru-holes to accommodate the present invention's
water and vented air pipes
[0031] FIG. 4a is a perspective view of toilet venting device
attached to a modified toilet commode without an assembled toilet
seat or cover to illustrate the invention's location and the
relevant connections
[0032] FIG. 4b is similar to FIG. 4a but with attached toilet seat
in the lowered position and the cover in the raised position to
illustrate the installation's appearance during use relative to the
invention and indicating proximity sensor's direction of field of
view
[0033] FIG. 4c is a perspective view of the device retrofitted onto
a generic toilet commode with assembled toilet seat and cover in
the lowered position to illustrate the invention's location and the
relevant connections
[0034] FIG. 5a is a perspective view of the device attached to a
modified toilet commode with an assembled seat cover in the raised
position and seat in the lowered position to illustrate the
invention's position during its operation
[0035] FIG. 5b is a right perspective view of the device
retrofitted onto a generic toilet commode with an assembled toilet
seat cover in the lowered position to illustrate the invention's
location and connection with the secondary water trap
[0036] FIG. 6a is a top view of the present invention attached to a
modified toilet commode illustrating the venting unit's position
and indicating cross section line B-B
[0037] FIG. 6b is a section cut along B-B to illustrate the flow of
malodorous air from toilet bowl to sewerage drain, bypassing the
toilet's primary water trap via the invention and its associated
attachments
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0038] The invention describes an electronically-controlled toilet
bowl direct-venting device attached--geometry- and
space-permitting--to the horizontal space between the rear side of
the toilet seat and toilet flush water tank. Upon installation, the
device's rear face is directed towards the toilet flush tank, while
its front faces the direction of the toilet seat.
[0039] Housed within a solid damp-proof container, said device
sucks in toilet bowl gases directly via an intake port protruding
from the lower front of the device and deployed underneath the rear
end of the toilet seat at a level above the bowl's overflow line.
The sucked gases, driven by an electric fan within the device's
container, bypasses the toilet's main water trap and is
communicated, via a relatively-smaller secondary water trap, with
the toilet's sewerage drain, and hence ejected safely out of the
toilet room space.
[0040] Said venting unit container, when closed, has three openings
of differing dimensions: the smallest to accommodate an electric
power supply wire, another for a mains water supply pipe and a
third (and largest) for a vented air exit pipe. Said water and
vented air pipes are positioned at opposite lateral ends of the
container, at a distance prescribed by limitations imposed by the
available space within the container, whose shape and size is
dictated by ergonomic and aesthetic design parameters related to
the toilet commode. All openings seal around their respective
conduits to prevent water entering said container.
[0041] Also housed within said container are low voltage
electromechanical components: an electric venting fan blower and
two normally-closed solenoid valves. One of said solenoid valves is
deployed onto the vented bowl gases pipe and the other onto the
water supply line.
[0042] Externally, a proximity sensor switch's tip protrudes from
the front face of said container.
[0043] All aforementioned components are connected, via appropriate
wiring, to a control unit also housed within said container.
[0044] The invention's toilet venting unit can--geometry and space
allowing--either be incorporated into a prepared toilet commode or
retrofitted onto an existing standard toilet commode.
[0045] In the case of a prepared toilet commode, the venting unit's
case has its aforementioned mains water entry pipe and vented air
exit pipe located at the case's bottom face.
[0046] Said aforementioned prepared commode is a standard toilet
commode, albeit with a secondary water trap as well as two vertical
thru-holes on the horizontal surface between the back of toilet
seat and the flush water tank on either side of the commode's flush
water supply duct that match said venting unit's dedicated pipe
locations at its bottom face.
[0047] Said thru-holes and secondary water trap can be produced
during the toilet commode's manufacturing stages via a minor
alteration of the mould in the case of ceramic-based toilets.
Furthermore, many existing toilet commodes allow for the
aforementioned thru-holes to be drilled into them without
negatively affecting said commode's performance or integrity, thus
rendering the commode suitable for the standard aforementioned
attachment method for the venting unit's mains water and vented air
pipes. While said secondary water trap can be attached to the
toilet commode.
[0048] Said thru-holes and secondary water trap must not interfere
with the commode's function or penetrate or expose any internal
cavities within the commode that will adversely affect the
commode's function and sanitary conditions as well as user
safety.
[0049] In the case of a prepared commode, if the owner opts not to
have the venting feature installed, said thru-holes can be sealed
with specially-provided tight fitting plugs of suitable matching
colour and material.
[0050] An ancillary pipe communicates the venting device's vented
air exit pipe, through its matching aforementioned thru-hole (at
the exit point at the lower side, past said thru-hole), with said
secondary water trap of appropriate seal height, which prevents
sewerage gasses, bacteria and insects from moving upstream from
sewerage into the toilet venting device, and hence into toilet room
space. Water seal height inside said secondary water trap is
dictated by local relevant dwelling's buildings and sanitary
codes.
[0051] In turn, said secondary water trap communicates with the
sewerage drain at a point downstream of the toilet's primary water
trap. Communication between venting device's vented air exit pipe
and toilet sewerage drain allows the sucked toilet bowl air to
safely bypass the toilet's primary water trap and evacuate into the
sewerage system, eliminating the spread of malodour and
contamination within the toilet room space.
[0052] Said secondary water trap can be any of various possible
permissible trapping methods, such as U-, S-, J-, P-shaped pipe or
bottle-type, or any suitable form of plumbing trap, according to
the relevant buildings and sanitary codes. Said secondary water
trap is produced as part of the toilet in the case of a
specifically-manufactured toilet commode.
[0053] Said venting device is connected to a mains water supply to
replenish the secondary water trap's seal (preferably via a tee
junction shared with the toilet's flush tank water supply valve),
via piping that passes through the lower part of the commode's
second vertical thru-hole to communicate with the device's inlet
water pipe. Said inlet water pipe connects with the aforementioned
normally-closed water solenoid valve deployed within the venting
device, furthermore to a point along the air exit point downstream
from the air fan.
[0054] Said device's lower front is secured onto the commode via
two slots flanking the device's inlet air port, whose locations are
adjacent to the toilet commode's seat attachment bolts. Said slots
receive the toilet seat's bolts and hence will become fastened
between the commode's surface and the toilet seat hinge.
[0055] Installation location of venting unit onto a non-prepared
toilet commode is similar to the aforementioned prepared commode
method except for the following: the venting device will have its
mains water inlet pipe and vented air exit pipe both laterally
extending from opposite side faces of the device's casing, as
opposed to from below said casing. Due to the lack of thru-holes,
as in the case of the aforementioned prepared commode, said inlet
and exit pipes will communicate with their respective connections
(mains water pipe in the case of the former and the secondary water
trap in the case of the latter) via piping circumnavigating the
commode's torso lying between the toilet bowl and flush tank, to
reach the lower end of the horizontal surface between the toilet
bowl and flush tank, i.e. to reach the same piping locations below
toilet commode unit attachment surface as in the case of the
prepared toilet commode detailed above.
[0056] In the case of a prepared commode, apart from said two
thru-holes, said secondary water trap is manufactured as part of
the commode in the most compact and concealed way possible so as to
prevent any accidental damage due to handling as well as to be
aesthetically pleasing. This also applies to "smart"/"intelligent"
toilets whereby the whole venting device, along with said secondary
water trap, are concealed within the toilet's casing.
[0057] In the case of a retrofit venting device, an
appropriately-sized third hole is deployed downstream of the
toilet's primary water trap to attach, and hence communicate, the
toilet's vented malodour exiting a retrofit secondary water trap
with the toilet's sewerage waste pipe downstream.
[0058] Said secondary water trap hole downstream of the toilet's
primary water trap is carefully drilled in, using a drilling method
appropriate to the commode's material of construction, to assure
commode's integrity and to ensure a suitable connection seal via an
appropriate internally-sealed joint.
[0059] For said retrofit venting device, said casing's pipe holes
are positioned in the lateral sides--as opposed to the bottom--of
the casing so as to allow for opening and closing of unit without
undue obstruction that will result from the pipes passing through
said unit's casing.
[0060] Said pipes extending from the device unit's lateral sides
are threaded pipe ends protruding just enough to connect with
flexible pipe attachments outside the container that communicate
each pipe with its relevant component: secondary water trap (in the
case of the vented air outlet) and mains water (in the case of the
mains water inlet).
[0061] To prevent tampering with the venting device's container and
its contents, said container is fastened shut via screws
penetrating from the bottom surface of the case bottom part and
connects with the cover via adjacent screw sockets. Once the unit
is installed onto the toilet commode and its piping secured, access
to the unit's components is only possible by dismantling the
plumbing accordingly. This applies to both prepared and
non-prepared toilet configurations.
[0062] Said venting unit houses a suitably-sized fan, a
normally-closed solenoid air valve, a normally-closed water valve,
a proximity sensor switch and a control unit, all connected with
suitable piping and wiring to allow for the unit to function
according to the invention's purpose.
[0063] Malodorous air is sucked from the toilet bowl via the
device's air inlet port by an electric fan, and is vented through a
normally-closed air solenoid valve (which is switched open
simultaneously with the activation of the air fan) to the vented
air exit pipe passing through the base of the container (in the
case of the prepared toilet configuration, otherwise, it will pass
through the side of the container), where it communicates with the
similarly-dimensioned secondary water trap.
[0064] Mains water connected to the device's container passes from
the opening below the container through an appropriate pipe
connection (in the case of the prepared toilet, otherwise it will
pass from the side of the container) and is piped to flow through
the water solenoid valve (which opens up for a sufficient pre-set
time interval) and into the relatively-larger vented air exit pipe
via a connection downstream of the vented air solenoid valve to
replenish the secondary water trap's seal downstream of the air
exit pipe at the end of the venting operation. Any excess water
will safely flow downstream into the sewerage drain. Due to the
small amount of water needed to complete the water seal, the
diameter of the mains water piping is minimal.
[0065] Both normally-closed solenoid valves ensure the device
faulting into a safe mode: In the case of the water valve, the
closed valve will prevent mains water inadvertently flowing through
the device during the venting operation, while the closed air valve
will act as a backup seal to the secondary water trap from the
sewerage in case the secondary water trap seal is compromised, such
as due to prolonged power loss, the device's complete failure, or
the device being left unused over a long period that allows for the
drying up of its water seal.
[0066] Low voltage electric power, sufficient to power the venting
unit's electromechanical components, is supplied to the venting
unit via an external power supply connected to the mains in a
suitable manner to ensure safety according to the relevant
buildings and sanitary codes. An On/OFF switch can be part of said
power supply. Instances where electric mains power is not available
in a toilet room, batteries can be used (but not favoured in view
of environmental considerations). Said batteries can be placed in a
suitably-sized separate container, concealed in available space
behind or under the toilet torso. Space-permitting, said batteries
may also be accommodated within the venting unit's damp-proof
container. In this case, the power supply wire conduit in the
device's container can be excluded.
[0067] A proximity sensor switch protrudes from the venting unit's
front face that is directed towards the front part of the toilet
seat. Its location is such that its field of view is not restricted
by the raised or lowered positions of both toilet seat cover and
toilet seat, allowing for said field of view to register the
presence of a seated toilet user.
[0068] In cases where toilet seat and/or cover obstructs said
proximity sensor's field of view, said sensor may be placed in any
suitable location that has its field of view directed towards
seated toilet user.
[0069] Infrared proximity switch sensors are most suited for the
job as they are commercially-available, reliable and relatively
cheap. Ultrasonic proximity switch sensors are also suitable, but
are usually more costly.
[0070] A control unit housed within the venting device casing
oversees the venting cycle. Said venting cycle is comprised of: 1)
control unit confirming the presence of a seated toilet user based
on proof-positive signal/s from proximity sensor switch, 2) opening
of normally-closed air solenoid valve in tandem with momentary
operation of fan unit at high pressure to evacuate secondary water
trap seal into sewerage and hence communicating device's exiting
vented air with sewerage drain pipe, 3) air solenoid valve remains
open while fan unit operates at low pressure for toilet bowl
malodorous air continuous ventilation, 4) control box confirming
proximity sensor switch's signal that user has dismounted the
toilet seat, 5) a timer commences, maintaining ventilation for a
set period of time, 6) air solenoid valve closes and fan unit turns
off in tandem, 7) water solenoid valve opens momentarily to allow
mains water to flow into and through vented air exit pipe so as to
replenish the ejected secondary water trap's seal for a pre-set
period of time to ensure complete sealing, 8) water solenoid valve
closes to end the venting cycle.
[0071] The venting fan blower is programmed to operate at two
speeds. Upon a relatively higher pressure ejection of secondary
water trap's seal, pressure head will decrease to a sufficient
value that allows for toilet bowl malodorous air to freely flow
into sewerage yet within a suitable air flow rate that produces
noise below buildings and sanitary codes standards, as well as at
an optimum pressure comfortable to toilet user seated on the toilet
commode, and sufficient for efficient toilet bowl venting without
excess that may cause excessive burden on the drain's vent under
simultaneous use of multiple toilet commodes connected to the same
sewer.
[0072] Variable speed centrifugal fans are generally more suited
for this duty as they provide greater head in comparison with axial
fans, therefore taking up relatively less space within the venting
unit to ensure said unit's compact design. Centrifugal fans are
also more suited to providing multiple airflow-pressure
combinations, as well as being able to process several airflow
conditions, including clean, dry and wet air.
[0073] The control system can be "read only" or programmable. In
the case of a programmable logic circuit (PLC), which is more
costly for production, the user may be able to modify the control
system's timers' durations to suit specific needs and requirements,
such as in installations in dwellings with high pressure mains
water that will require opening the mains water solenoid valve for
a shorter time period to seal the secondary water trap.
[0074] Depending on type of proximity sensor, the raising and/or
lowering of toilet seat cover and/or toilet seat may provide a
false signal to the control unit. In such a case, said control unit
compares two or more proximity sensor's readings separated by a
brief time interval to differentiate between the time period the
sensor's field of view is momentarily obstructed upon
raising/lowering of toilet seat/cover and that of a user mounting
the toilet. For greater accuracy, further timed proximity sensor
sweeps can be programmed into the control unit, reducing the chance
of unwanted activation of venting system's venting cycle.
[0075] The invention can also be integrated into an "intelligent"
toilet seat or "smart" toilet systems, whereby said system will
provide the signal for user's presence. In this case, the
invention's venting system can do away with the proximity sensor
switch. Also, In this case, the venting unit can be integrated
within the "intelligent" toilet seat/"smart" toilet casing for
ergonomic and aesthetic purposes.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0076] Referring to the figures, in which like numerals and letters
indicate like parts, and particularly to FIG. 1a, which is a
diagrammatic perspective view of the present invention for a
prepared toilet commode, and is the reference design unless
otherwise specified.
[0077] Toilet venting unit in FIG. 1a is attached to a toilet
commode 301--made of ceramic, coated-porcelain, plastic, metal, or
any suitable solid material--that contains a water trap (siphon)
313, bowl 302 and flush tank 309 (illustrated in FIG. 4a). Said
toilet is either a prepared toilet that communicates with the water
supply line 318 and the toilet's sewerage conduit 315 downstream of
said venting unit, or a generic toilet that has sufficient space
and geometric configuration to cater for the retrofit unit in FIG.
1b.
[0078] Said venting unit (FIG. 1a) is housed within a solid
damp-proof container 101 of suitable dimensions so as to fit onto
the horizontal space 305 between the toilet seat 311 and flush tank
309, with sufficient dimensional allowances for the venting unit's
intake port 110 to fit under said toilet seat 311 and to protrude
just above the toilet bowl 302 rim 303 to enable toilet bowl's air
intake but to prevent water intake in the case of said toilet bowl
water overflow (FIG. 4a).
[0079] Said unit's container 101 is designed so as to ensure proper
closure of both cover 102 and bottom piece 103, such as a securing
male-female perimeter lip 122 that also prevents water/humidity
entering said container.
[0080] Said venting unit container 101, when closed, has three
openings of differing dimensions:
[0081] the smallest 105 to accommodate an electric power supply
wire 123, another for a mains water supply pipe 107 and a third
(and largest) for a vented air exit pipe 108. Said water and vented
air pipes are positioned at opposite lateral ends of the container,
at a distance prescribed by limitations imposed by the available
space within the container, whose shape and size is dictated by
ergonomic and aesthetic design parameters related to the toilet
commode 301. All openings seal around their respective conduits to
prevent water entering said container.
[0082] Said container's cover 102 is fastened onto the bottom piece
103 via screws driven through said bottom's base 103 vertically
upwards into adjacent equally-spaced screw sockets in the top cover
102 around the case's perimeter.
[0083] The front area of the device is secured onto the commode 301
via two slots 104 flanking the device's inlet air port, whose
locations are placed adjacent to the toilet commode's seat
attachment bolts holes 306. Said slots 104 receive the toilet
seat's bolts and hence will become fastened between the commode's
surface 305 and the toilet seat hinge anchor 320.
[0084] Said venting unit (FIG. 1a) is powered by an external power
supply 125 plugged into an available socket 126 that provides
suitably-conditioned electric supply to the electric and
electro-mechanical components within the venting unit via a wire
124 extending from said unit's casing's power conduit 105, which is
an extension of wire 123 connected to the unit's control unit 113.
For the sake of safety, commonly-available 12 VDC or 24 VDC
electric and electro-mechanical components are suitable.
[0085] In the case of battery operation, said venting unit may
either house a suitably-sized battery pack or such a pack can be
concealed in a suitable location on the commode.
[0086] Said venting unit has a mains-water inlet pipe 107 connected
to the toilet's water mains pipe 316, ideally via a "tee" fitting
319 that connects both the toilet's flush water tank 309 (via line
317) and said water inlet pipe 107 (via line 318) to said mains
water 316. Said mains water will replenish the secondary water
trap's 321 seal during the operation of the venting unit.
[0087] Said venting unit (FIG. 1a) contains a vented-air outlet
pipe 108 that is a conduit for the toilet bowl's extracted
malodorous air, directing said air to the toilet's sewerage conduit
315 via the aforementioned secondary water trap 321. Within said
container 101, said vented-air outlet pipe 108 contains a smaller
mains water pipe 115 (downstream of water solenoid valve 114)
described by FIG. 2c A-A cross section of vented air pipe, thus
resulting in a mains water-fed vented air pipe 120.
[0088] At the end of the venting operation, said water mains-fed
vented air pipe 120, connected to vented air pipe 118 at point
lower in elevation to fan blower 112 outlet, supplies water to the
secondary water trap 321 under the force of gravity.
[0089] In FIG. 2a, said venting unit houses a suitably-sized air
fan blower 112, a normally-closed solenoid air valve 117, a
normally-closed water valve 114, a proximity sensor switch 105 and
a control unit 113, all connected with suitable piping and wiring
to allow for the unit to function according to the invention's
purpose. Therefore, air fan blower 112 is connected to control unit
113 via wire 113a, normally-closed solenoid air valve 117 is
connected to control unit 113 via wire 113b, normally-closed water
valve 114 is connected to control unit 113 via wire 113c and
proximity sensor switch 105 is connected to control unit 113 via
wire 113d.
[0090] The aforementioned components are assembled in a way such
that gases sucked from toilet bowl via venting unit's air intake
port 110 enters the venting unit and passes through a
suitably-sized air fan blower unit 112 via a sufficiently-sized
reducer 111. Said air fan blower 112 would ideally be a
variable-speed fan that can provide two pressure heads, one for the
initial stage of venting secondary water trap's 321 water seal--to
provide direct communication of venting unit's exit air with
sewerage conduit 315--and another for the venting of toilet bowl's
malodorous air, as shown in FIG. 6b.
[0091] A proximity sensor switch 105 is disposed on the front face
of venting unit's either upper or lower part (cover or bottom),
depending on the casing's ergonomically-based design (seen here to
be on the cover 102) such that it is activated when a toilet user
is seated on toilet seat, yet does not activate when toilet seat
and/or cover is raised. This is achieved by locating the active
face of the proximity sensor 109 at a height that is above toilet
seat 311 and seat cover 312 when in the lowered position, yet has a
clear unobstructed direction of field of view 124 when toilet seat
cover 312 is raised. Therefore, both toilet seat 311 and cover 312
should be of suitable geometry to allow for proximity sensor's
field of view 124 to be unobstructed when in the raised or lowered
positions (see FIG. 4b).
[0092] In cases where said proximity sensor's 109 field of view is
obstructed, said proximity sensor switch may be placed in a
suitable location such that said field of view is directed towards
toilet user.
[0093] Sensing can also be carried out by toilet seat skin
inductance sensors, as present on commercially-available
"intelligent" or "smart" toilets. If used, it will forego the
proximity sensor switch 105 (and relevant casing 101 holes)
directly sending a signal indicating user presence to control box
113, which will carry out all control operations as in the complete
ventilating cycle for this invention.
[0094] To ensure that proximity sensor switch is not triggered by
simply raising toilet seat cover 312, control unit 113 is
programmed to register at least two active signals from said
proximity sensor's range separated by a suitable duration to
differentiate accordingly.
[0095] Malodorous gases exit fan unit 112 and travels through a
normally-closed air solenoid valve 117. Both air fan blower unit
112 and normally-closed air solenoid valve 117 work in tandem such
that the air solenoid valve is open when the fan is operational and
closed when the fan is off.
[0096] Upon malodorous air exiting the normally-closed air solenoid
valve 117, said air flows through the vented air outlet pipe 118,
past mains-fed pipe 120 and out of venting unit via 108 towards the
secondary water trap 321. Said secondary water trap 321 (of
suitable geometry such as U-, S-, J-, P-shaped pipe, bottle-type,
etc., that satisfies required sanitary standards dictating specific
minimum water seal height) thus separates said venting unit and the
building's sewerage.
[0097] Said secondary water trap 321 has its water seal content
discharged down the sewer at a sufficient pressure head by air fan
blower 112 upon initial operation of said fan, ejecting said trap's
water content downstream into sewerage conduit 315. Upon evacuation
of secondary water trap 321 water seal, fan unit 112 pressure head
is reduced--upon signal from control box 113--to a sufficient value
that allows for toilet bowl malodorous air to freely flow into
sewerage yet within a suitable air flow rate that produces noise
below buildings and sanitary codes standards as well as at a
pressure comfortable to toilet user seated on the toilet commode
301 and the lowest discharge rate sufficient for an efficient
toilet bowl 302 venting operation.
[0098] Once toilet user dismounts toilet seat 311, as signalled by
venting unit's proximity switch sensor 105, a pre-programmed timer
within control unit 113 dictates the duration for which the fan
unit 112 resumes its venting operation in tandem with the air
solenoid valve 117 open state. Upon culmination of said timer's
countdown, a signal from control box 113 turns off fan unit 112 and
releases air solenoid valve 117 into its normally-closed position.
Immediately thereafter, the secondary water trap 321 is sealed by
the control box 113 signalling the normally-closed water solenoid
valve 114 to open up briefly to replenish the secondary water trap
321.
[0099] Upon a predetermined duration of time, a signal is sent from
said control unit 113 to said water solenoid valve 114 to return to
its normally-closed position. This ends the operational cycle of
the invention.
[0100] Installation of the invention onto a toilet is described for
two types of toilets: a prepared toilet and a non-prepared toilet.
In the case of a prepared toilet, two thru-holes 307 and 308 are
present in the area 305 on either side of the flush tank duct 304
between toilet seat anchor holes 306 and water flush tank 309. Said
thru-holes are of diameters suitable to receive a mains water inlet
pipe 107 and a vented air outlet pipe 108 respectively and allow
for secure sealing around said pipes to ensure a sanitary
environment on the toilet's surface. Locations of said thru-holes
are such that the invention's venting device can be centred behind
the toilet seat in a neat fashion. Said holes do not interfere with
the function of the toilet's other components.
[0101] Said thru holes 307 and 308, can either be manufactured as
part of the toilet or are safely and suitably drilled onto the
horizontal surface 305 between toilet seat and flush tank without
harming the integrity of the commode or any of its components.
[0102] Said specifically-manufactured toilet commode can be used as
a regular toilet without the venting unit by sealing the two
thru-holes 307 and 308 disposed behind the seat 311 at either side
of the flush water duct 304 with the use of suitably-dimensioned
seal caps.
[0103] Mains water is supplied to the device by connecting toilet
mains water outlet point 316 with the venting unit's connecting
pipe 107 (via pipe connection 318) protruding from the lower point
of the toilet commode's thru-hole 308. Sharing mains water with
toilet flush tank inlet pipe 317 via a tee junction 319 is the most
convenient method.
[0104] At the opposite side of the commode, at the device's vented
air exit point 108 side, a suitably-sized secondary water trap 321
is communicated to the vented air exit point 108 through the
thru-hole 308 directly beneath it. The other end of said secondary
water trap is attached to a suitable point 322 downstream of the
toilet's primary water trap 313. This safely communicates device's
vented air with the sewerage conduit 315. FIGS. 4a and 5a
illustrate an assembled venting device onto a prepared toilet
commode. Said secondary water trap 321 is manufactured as part of
the prepared commode (FIG. 3) in the most compact way possible,
with communication point 322 connecting drainage pipe 314 to the
closest possible point to the primary water trap 313 upstream
without affecting said secondary water trap's 321 function.
[0105] All pipe connections must be sealed in a way so as to meet
sanitary codes and standards.
[0106] In the case of retrofitting the device to an unprepared
toilet commode, since thru-holes 307 and 308 as well as secondary
water trap 321 are not present, the venting unit's mains water
inlet 207 and vented air outlet 208 pipes circumnavigate the
commode's torso 310 and attach to their relevant attachment points
(mains water inlet pipe 207 and retrofit secondary water trap 323
respectively) beneath the commode's horizontal surface 305 that
lies between toilet seat anchor bolt holes 306 and flush tank 309
in a manner similar to the aforementioned prepared commode.
[0107] In the case of said retrofit device, all components and
their relevant connections within the venting unit are the same as
described for the prepared toilet version apart from retrofitted
device's casing 201 protruding mains water inlet 207 and vented air
outlet 208 pipes, which are positioned laterally on the case's 203
bottom so as to allow for assembly and for opening and closing of
unit without undue obstruction that will result from the pipes
passing through them.
[0108] To allow for various geometric and dimensional
configurations pertaining to different commode models, as well as
the relevant in-situ toilet room connections and fittings (wall
positioning, mains water pipes, primary water trap shape and
location, etc.), said case's protruding pipe connections 207 and
208 are made so that they minimally-protrude from said casing 201
and hence allow for flexible pipe connections to communicate with
their relevant links (secondary water trap 323 in the case of the
vented air pipe 208 and mains water pipe 318 in the case of the
mains water inlet pipe 207), as in FIG. 4c.
[0109] Said retrofit secondary water trap 323 is of suitable
material so as to maintain its integrity throughout its operational
lifetime and is of minimal possible size and obtrusiveness so as to
remain inconspicuous and out of harm's way.
[0110] Similar to the prepared commode's device in Fig la, retrofit
venting device's proximity sensor tip 209 will protrude from the
casing's front face, albeit from the bottom casing 203, so as to
allow unobstructed opening and closing of said casing 201.
[0111] Thus, the only difference between the piping of an
unprepared toilet commode and a prepared commode is that in the
prepared commode, the two pipes 107 and 108 connected to the device
pass through the commode's horizontal surface 305, while in the
retrofitted version they circumnavigate the commode's structure to
achieve the same goal.
[0112] For said retrofit assembly, a third hole 324 is disposed
downstream of the toilet's primary water trap 313 on sewerage
channel 314, at a location upstream of toilet's sewerage drain 315
and to communicate with secondary water trap 323. Said third hole
324 is appropriately-drilled into the toilet's sewerage channel at
314.
[0113] The representative version of the invented device (for
prepared toilet commodes) presents an orientation whereby the mains
water inlet 107 is located on the left side and the vented air
outlet 108 is on the right side when the device is viewed from the
front face, as in Fig la (or 207 and 208 respectively for the
retrofit version in Fig lb). All illustrations in this description
of the invention describe such a version. The device can be
mirrored, which will in turn require all connections to the device
to be mirrored as well, and hence, all illustrations related to
this description will correspondingly be mirror images of
themselves.
[0114] In the case the type of said proximity sensor requires for
the differentiation between the rising/lowering toilet seat cover
312 and/or toilet seat 311 and the presence of a user sitting on
the toilet 301--and hence limit the operation cycle of the venting
unit to instances when a user sits on the toilet seat--, the
control unit 113 can be programmed such that the proximity sensor
switch 105 takes readings at pre-set intervals and compares two
simultaneous readings. Therefore, in the case that both of the
sensor's readings register the presence of an object within the
pre-set range of said sensor's field of view, it would be with a
higher degree of confidence that a user is sitting on the toilet
seat, as opposed to a fleeting movement in the sensor's field of
view.
[0115] Fastening of venting unit's closure can be either
easy-access or not. In the case of easy access, the cover can be
easily removed by removing screws or releasing latches that are
easy to access while the venting unit is attached to toilet. In the
case of application in public toilets, removal of cover is achieved
via screws at the base of the bottom unit's cover, which can only
be accessed by releasing venting said unit from the toilet, a step
that requires the disconnection of mains water pipe 107 and vented
air pipe 108, making it much harder for unwanted access and/or
removal.
[0116] The control is summarised according to the following, using
the configuration of the prepared toilet's venting unit in FIG. 2a
as well as FIG. 4c and FIG. 5a as a reference: 1) control unit 113
confirming the presence of a seated toilet user based on
proof-positive signal/s from proximity sensor switch 105, 2)
opening of normally-closed air solenoid valve 117 in tandem with
momentary operation of fan unit 112 at high pressure to evacuate
secondary water trap's 321 seal downstream into sewerage via
sewerage conduit 315 and hence communicate device's exiting vented
air with sewerage conduit 315, 3) air solenoid valve 117 remains
open while fan unit 112 operates at low pressure for toilet bowl
302 malodorous gases continuous ventilation, 4) control unit 113
confirming proximity sensor switch's 105 signal that user has
dismounted the toilet seat, 5) control unit's 113 timer commences,
maintaining venting for a set period of time, 6) air solenoid valve
117 closes and fan unit 112 turns off in tandem, 7) water solenoid
valve 114 opens to allow mains water to flow into (at a point in
elevation below fan blower 112 outlet to prevent flow of water into
said fan) and through vented air exit pipe 120 so as to replenish
the ejected secondary water trap's 321 seal for a pre-set period of
time to ensure complete sealing, 8) water solenoid valve 114 closes
to end the venting cycle.
[0117] The control unit's 113 is either read only printed circuit
board (PCB) or a programmable logic device (PLD). A PLD is more
versatile to accommodate specific toilet needs, such as timers'
durations--off signal to fan 112 after user gets off of toilet seat
as well as water solenoid valve 114 opening duration to replenish
secondary water trap 321 seal--requirements, but is relatively
larger in size and more costly. As read-only PCBs are cheaper, yet
do not allow for program alterations, selection relies on market
segment as well as product range.
[0118] In the case of wall-fitted toilets, the venting unit may be
placed in the wall cavity behind the toilet commode, which will
require extra wall space to accommodate it. All connections and
operation methods remain the same, save for some dimensional
variations.
* * * * *