Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED HANDLE-TYPE FLUSH VALVE
Background of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to flush valves of the type commonly used
to operate
toilets and urinals and more specifically to an actuator which moves a valve
handle in either a
manual operation or an automatic operation. The flush valve may be a diaphragm-
type valve,
such as that sold by Sloan Valve Company of Franklin Park, Illinois, under the
trademark
ROYAL, and which is shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,216,730, or it may be a piston-
type of
flush valve sold by Sloan Valve Company under the trademarks GEM and CROWN and
shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,881,993.
[0003] It is known to use an automatic actuator with a flush valve. Some
devices of this
type require that the standard manual valve handle be removed and replaced
with some sort of
electric or hydraulic motor. Such devices are inconvenient and expensive to
install, especially
if they are used to retrofit standard manual flush valves to automatic
operation. Other
automatic actuators allow the manual flush valve handle to be retained but the
actuators are
complicated to install as they require multiple parts or components that must
be at least
partially disassembled to permit them to be attached to the flush valve. Some
automatic
actuators provide for automatic operation only, which means if the automatic
system becomes
inoperative, the entire valve is useless until repairs can be made. Other
actuators that do
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permit either automatic or manual operation are designed such that operation
of one type
interferes with the components involved in the other type. Battery life,
sensor aiming and
structural integrity are other areas of concern with prior art automatic
actuators.
Summary of the Invention
[0004]
The present invention relates to toilet room flush valves and more
specifically to an
actuator that allows manual or automatic operation of the flush valve.
[0005] The present invention is more specifically directed to a combined
automatic/manual
actuator for a handle-operated flush valve which may be installed without
replacing, removing
or disassembling any of either the flush valve components or the actuator
components. All of
the above types of flush valves have a handle which is mounted on the flush
valve body for
pivotal movement about a handle axis. The actuator of the present invention
provides a
housing including a handle assembly which adjoins the valve handle. A sensor
and a drive
motor are mounted in the handle assembly. When sensor action has been
initiated, the sensor
will connect a battery pack to the drive motor, with the drive motor causing
movement of a
push rod in the handle assembly. This provides automatic operation of the
flush valve by
movement of the flush valve handle about its normal or conventional axis. The
handle
assembly is pivotally movable, independent of the push rod, and may be used to
manually
operate the handle in the event the automatic system is temporarily
inoperative or if a user
wishes to initiate a flush apart from a sensor-initiated one.
[0006] Of particular advantage in the invention is the fact that the actuator
can convert a
flush valve from manual only operation to automatic or manual operation.
Furthermore, this
conversion can be completed through the mounting of a single additional unit
on the existing
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flush valve. Installation does not require removing or altering any components
of the flush
valve or disconnecting the water supply to the flush valve. And the unit
itself need not be
opened, disassembled or altered in any way in order to install it. It simply
slips directly over
the valve handle and is fastened to the flush valve body.
[0007] A primary object of the invention is a flush valve actuator as
described which may
be installed without the removal, disassembly or alteration of any flush valve
components or
any actuator components and without disconnecting the water supply to the
flush valve.
[0008] Another object of the invention is an actuator of the type described
which mounts on
the flush valve body and has a manually-movable handle assembly in which is
mounted a
motor-driven push rod movable to cause operation of the flush valve handle
when such
operation is initiated by an automatic sensor.
[0009] Still another object of the invention is an actuator as described
including a manual
override which is pivotally movable independently of the motor-driven push
rod.
[0010] A further object of the invention is an actuator as described in which
the motor-
driven push rod is mounted for movement with the manual override.
[0011] A still further object of the invention is an actuator as described in
which the manual
override is stationary during operation of the motor-driven push rod.
[0012] Yet another object of the invention is an actuator which is suitable
for right or left
handle operation.
[0013] Another object of the invention is an actuator as described in which
the motor-
driven push rod when at rest has some slack between the valve handle and the
drive motor so
the motor current upon start up is reduced, thereby significantly increasing
battery life.
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[0014] Another object is an actuator as described in which the handle assembly
includes a
handle interface that contacts the flush valve handle when the unit is at rest
so the motor-
driven push rod is not loaded during a manual actuation of the handle
assembly.
[0015] A further object is an actuator having a housing that transfers any
mechanical loads
on the unit to the flush valve body without loading the motor-driven drive
train, the handle
assembly or the fasteners holding the actuator together.
[0016] Still another object is an actuator as described having the sensor
mounted as close as
possible to the vertical centerline of the flush valve so it can sense the
presence or absence
users.
[0017] A still further object is an actuator as described that can be
applied to flush valves
having any style handle, whether long, short or otherwise.
[0018] Other objects will appear in the ensuing specification, drawings and
claims. These
and other desired benefits and objects of the invention, including
combinations of features
thereof, will become apparent from the following description. It will be
understood, however,
that a device could still appropriate the claimed invention without
accomplishing each and
every one of these desired benefits, including those gleaned from the
following description.
The appended claims, not these desired benefits, define the subject matter of
the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0019] Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a flush valve with the actuator
of the present
invention mounted thereon.
[0020] Fig. 2 is a right side elevation view of the actuator mounted on a
flush valve.
[0021] Fig. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2.
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[0022] Fig. 4 is a rear elevation view of the actuator with the battery hatch
cover removed
to show the interior of the rear cover.
[0023] Fig. 5 is a section taken along line 5-5 of Fig. 4.
[0024] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting strap.
[0025] Fig. 7 is a side elevation view of the mounting strap.
[0026] Fig. 8 is a section through the rear cover, taken along line 8-8 of
Fig. 4.
[0027] Fig. 9 is a section through the front cover taken on a horizontal
plane, similar to
line 5-5 of Fig. 4.
[0028] Fig. 10 is a rear elevation view of the front cover, looking at the
interior of the
cover.
[0029] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the handle collar.
[0030] Fig. 12 is a right side elevation view of the handle collar.
[0031] Fig. 13 is a rear elevation view of the handle collar.
[0032] Fig. 14 is a section taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 13.
[0033] Fig. 15 is a section taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 12.
[0034] Fig. 16 is a right end elevation view of the actuator assembly, with
parts shown
schematir_ally in section to illustrate the mating of the housing components.
[0035] Fig. 17 is left end elevation view of the actuator assembly, with
parts shown
schematically in section to illustrate the mating of the housing components.
In this figure one
of the lower torpedo tube projections is shown rotated out of its actual
position for the purpose
of illustrating the telescopic connection of the rear cover pillars and the
torpedo tubes.
[0036] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle assembly
with the
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electronics package and drive train removed to show only the case and its
internal walls.
[0037] Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the interior of the handle assembly
with the
electronics package removed to show drive train.
[0038] Fig. 20 is a horizontal section of the handle assembly and valve
handle, taken
through the centerline of the motor shaft, with the electronics package shown
schematically.
[0039] Fig. 21 is a left end view, on an enlarged scale, of the handle
assembly, with the
cam and push rod shown in schematic section to highlight these parts.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0040] The present invention relates to an actuator that may be attached to a
toilet room
flush valve so that it may be operated either automatically by means of a
sensor or manually
by means of a handle assembly. The flush valve may be of the diaphragm type or
of the
piston type. A diaphragm-type flush valve is shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,967,182, and is
sold by Sloan Valve Company, the assignee of the present application, under
their trademark
ROYAL. The piston-type flush valve may be of the type shown in U.S. Patent No.
5,881,993, and may be sold by Sloan Valve Company under their trademarks GEM
or
CROWN.
[0041] The actuator utilizes a sensor, which may be of the infrared type, and
is preferably
battery powered. The sensor may be as shown in U.S. Patent No. 6,161,814, also
owned by
Sloan Valve Company. Sensor-operated, battery powered flush valves are known
in the art
from the '261 patent and others. The present invention utilizes the technology
in the '261
patent or similar technologies
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for infrared operation of a flush valve which may be of the types described in
the above-
referenced patents. The particular disclosure shown herein illustrates a valve
of the ROYAL
type.
[0042] Looking at Figs. 1 - 4, the flush valve is shown generally at 10 and
mounted thereon
is the actuator 12 of the present invention. The flush valve has a body 14
which includes a
water inlet 16, a water outlet 20 and a vacuum breaker 18 beneath the outlet.
A handle
opening 22 (Fig. 3) in the water outlet is surrounded by a laterally-
extending, annular boss 24
which is externally threaded. Inside the valve body 14 there is either a
movable diaphragm or
a piston (not shown) which will control the flow of water between the inlet 16
and the outlet
18 in the conventional manner. The diaphragm or piston has associated with it
the usual relief
valve whose depending stem (not shown) extends to a point opposite the handle
opening 22.
[0043] A valve handle 26 is mounted to the boss 24 by a handle mounting
member. In this
case the handle mounting member includes a handle socket 28. The handle socket
has a
generally cylindrical cup 30 and an end face formed by a flange 32. A lip on
the opposite end
of the cup is trapped by a coupling nut 34. The coupling nut is threaded to
the boss 24. The
valve handle 26 is pivotally movable about a three dimensional pivot when the
handle is used
to cause operation of the flush valve. A shank 35 inside the handle socket 28
captures the
inner end of the valve handle 26. A plunger 36 joins the shank and extends
into the valve
body where it can act on the relief valve stem. Tilting of the valve handle 26
causes
movement of the shank 35 and plunger 36 that in turn trips the relief valve
and begins a
flushing cycle. The parts and operation described thus far are all
conventional.
[0044] The primary components of the actuator 12 of the present invention
include a
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housing and a handle assembly. The housing, shown generally at 38, is
preferably a three-part
structure that includes a front cover 40, a rear cover 42, and a handle collar
44. Screws fasten
the front and rear covers together, with the handle collar disposed between
them. The housing
defines a receptacle for the valve handle 26, with the handle collar providing
an abutment that
mates with the end face of the handle socket 28. The handle assembly is shown
generally at
46. It is pivotally mounted on bearings formed in the housing 38. An interior
portion of the
handle assembly resides within the housing while an exterior portion extends
through an
opening in the front cover to the outside of the housing. One aspect of the
present invention is
that the motor and drive train used to effect automatic operation of the flush
valve are mounted
in the handle assembly 46, as will be described in detail below. This
arrangement affords a
compact package for the actuator. Another aspect of the invention is the
simple and efficient
manner in which the actuator can be attached to a flush valve. Neither the
flush valve nor the
actuator has to be disassembled or altered in any way in order to mount the
actuator on the
flush valve. The actuator simply slips over the valve handle and into
operative engagement
therewith. This is made possible by the housing receptacle and a mounting
strap 48.
[0045] Details of the mounting strap 48 are shown in Figs. 5 - 7. The strap
includes an
arcuate body portion 50 bounded on one end by a hinge sleeve 52 and on the
other end by a
folded back tab 54. The tab has an aperture 55 which receives an internally
threaded clinch
nut 56 (Fig. 5). An end portion of the clinch nut fits through the aperture 55
and is crimped
to the tab. The hinge sleeve 52 has a pin hole through it. The hinge sleeve 52
fits between a
pair of ears on the front cover 40. The ears also have pin holes which align
with that of the
sleeve 52. A hinge pin 58 (Fig. 5) fits through the pin holes to pivotally
attach the strap to the
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front cover. The body portion 50 wraps around the water outlet 20 of the valve
body as seen
in Figs. 1 and 3. At the rear cover the clinch nut 56 is threadedly engaged by
a mounting
screw 60. The mounting screw is rotatably fixed in the rear cover. It has a
head 62
protruding from the rear cover where it can be tightened or loosened by a
screwdriver.
Preferably the screw head will accept either Phillips or straight
screwdrivers. A retaining ring
64, which can be a simple rubber 0-ring, captivates the mounting screw in the
rear cover and
prevents it from falling out of the rear cover.
[0046] The installation procedure for the actuator is as follows. With the
body of the
mounting strap 48 pivoted away from the centerline of the actuator, the
housing 38 is moved
laterally over the free end of the valve handle 26 in a direction parallel to
the axis of the
handle. This movement continues until the collar mounting grommet 134
surrounds the handle
socket and the handle collar 44 abuts the end face 32 of the handle socket 28.
Then the body
50 of the strap 48 is pivoted around the water outlet 20 of the flush valve.
The clinch nut 56
is aligned with the end of the mounting screw 60 so the screw may be threaded
into the nut.
Turning the screw tightens the strap about the water outlet 20. The actuator
is clamped onto
the body of the valve. Only one tool is required. There are no loose, dangling
or separate
parts for the installer to deal with. Nothing has to be removed or
disassembled on either the
actuator or flush valve. Installation is quick and so straightforward it can
be performed by
personnel of any skill level.
[0047] Turning now to a discussion of the housing 38, the rear cover 42 is
shown in Figs. 2
- 5 and 8. The rear cover has an outer shell 66 including generally horizontal
top and bottom
walls 66A, 66B, a curved distal end wall 66C and a proximal end wall 66D. The
inside edges
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of these walls define a large battery access hatch 66E (Fig. 4). A battery
hatch cover 68 (Fig.
5) has tabs on its ends that engage the end walls in a snap fit. The inside
edge of the distal
end wall 66C has an extension 70 having a hollow recess 72 on its outer
surface. The recess
defines a wall 73 (Fig. 16) with a bore therethrough which receives the
mounting screw 60.
The retaining ring 64 on the inside of the extension may cooperate with the
wall in the
extension or with the web 86 in the tray 82 to captivate the mounting screw in
the rear cover.
The other end of the mounting screw extends to an upset portion 74 on the
proximal end wall
66D. At the corners where the distal end wall 66C meets the top and bottom
walls 66A, 66B
there are upper and lower mounting posts 76 on the inside of the shell which
cooperate with
recesses 78 on the outside of the shell. Self tapping screws 80 whose heads
are in the recesses
78 and whose shanks extend through bores in the mounting posts 76 fasten the
rear cover to
the front cover 40, as will be explained more fully below.
[0048] The interior of the shell 66 houses a tray 82. The tray is made of two
U-shaped
troughs 84 connected by a central web 86. The web has a slot 88 that permits
passage of the
mounting screw 60. The troughs each have a cutout 90 near the proximal wall
66D for
receiving a portion of the handle collar 44. Opposite ends of the troughs 84
mount a battery
contact spring 92, while the other ends carry battery contact clips 94. The
troughs are sized to
support two C-sized batteries end to end. On the convex side of the troughs
there are upper
and lower mounting pillars 96. These engage the torpedo tubes of the handle
collar 44 as will
be explained below. As seen in Fig. 8 the pillars are hollow with end walls
having bores
therethrough. Figs. 4 and 17 show the mounting screws 97 that fit in the bores
of the pillars
to join the front and rear covers with the handle collar between. Details of
this connection are
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shown below.
[0049] Details of the front cover 40 are shown in Fig.1, 2, 5, 9- 10 and
16. The front
cover has a shell 98, somewhat similar in shape to the shell 66, which has top
and bottom
walls 98A, 98B, a distal end wall 98C and a proximal end wall 98D. The inside
edges of
these walls define a large handle assembly opening 98E. The proximal end wall
98D has a
pair of ears 100 formed thereon. As described above, ears 100 cooperate with
the mounting
strap sleeve 52 to form a hinge that joins the mounting strap 48 to the front
cover 40. At the
corners where the distal end wall 98C meets the top and bottom walls 98A, 98B
there are
upper and lower mounting posts 102 on the inside of the shell 98. These posts
have bores
which receive the screws 80 to fasten the distal ends of the front and rear
covers together.
The bores in posts 102 do not extend through to the front of the shell. Near
the proximal end
wall 98D there are upper and lower mounting pillars 104. These engage the
torpedo tubes of
the handle collar as will be explained below. The pillars 104 are hollow but
the bores therein
do not extend through to the front of the shell 98. Upper and lower saddles
106 have semi-
circular cutouts in their free edges. The saddles cooperate with similar
structures on the
handle collar to form bearings on which the handle assembly pivots.
[0050] Turning now to Figs. 11 - 15, details of the handle collar 44 are
shown. The collar
has a cylindrical sleeve 108 bounded at its distal end by a radially-extending
flange 110 and at
its proximal end by an annular ring 112 of enlarged diameter. The sleeve 108
has a pair of
central apertures 114 which receive tabs on a grommet as will be explained
later. Near the
junction between the ring and sleeve are upper and lower torpedo tubes 116. As
seen in Fig.
14 the torpedo tubes each has a cavity extending through. Each cavity includes
a front portion
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118A, a conical central portion 118B and a rear cylindrical portion 118C. The
front and
central portions are divided by a partition 120 which has an aperture in it.
Three projections
122 extend radially into the cavity and axially from the partition partially
onto the rear portion
118C. Adjoining the tubes 116 are upper and lower saddles 124. Each has a semi-
circular
cutout in its front edge. Saddles 124 cooperate with the saddles 106 on the
front cover to form
bearings for the handle assembly. The saddles are reinforced by gussets 126.
The ring 112
further includes a channel-shaped guide member 128 that has a U-shaped cutout
in one face for
receiving the mounting screw 60. An additional feature of the ring 112 is a
pair of
depressions 130 (Fig. 12) that fit in the cutouts 90 in the rear cover tray
82. The axial extent
of the ring is such that the ring fits through the cutouts. The depressions
maintain the concave
profile of the troughs 84 so the batteries will lie flush against the troughs.
[0051] Fig. 5 illustrates another component of the handle collar. A collar
mounting
grommet 132 fits inside the sleeve 108 of the collar 44. The grommet includes
a flange 134
and a ribbed skirt 136. The skirt has locating tabs 138 which extend into the
apertures 114 in
the sleeve 108. The flange 134 adjoins the flange 110 of the collar. The
grommet is made of
a pliant material such as rubber or a rubber compound.
[0052]
Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate how the housing components fit together and are
held fast
to one another. In Fig. 16 it can be seen that the ends of the upper and lower
mounting posts
76 abut the facing ends of the front cover mounting posts 102. Screws 80 have
heads that fit
in the recesses 78. The threads of the screws engage the inside surface of the
bores in posts
102. Fig. 17 illustrates the telescoping engagement of the rear cover pillars
96, the front
cover pillars 104 and the torpedo tubes 116. Specifically, the rear cover
pillars 96 fit inside
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the rear cavities 118C of the torpedo tubes 116 to a depth permitted by the
cavity projections
122. One of the projections in the lower torpedo tube is shown in phantom at
122A rotated
from its true position to illustrate how the ends of the projections limit the
penetration of the
rear pillars 96 into the tubes 116. On the front side of the tubes the pillars
104 fit inside the
front cavity portions 118A to the extent permitted by the partitions 120.
Mounting screws 97
fit in the bores of the rear pillars 104 with the screw heads in contact with
the end walls of the
pillars. The shanks of the screws pass through the central cavity portions
118B and the
partitions 120 without engaging them. The screw threads engage the inner walls
of the front
cover pillars 104. The telescoping engagement of the covers 40, 42 and the
collar 44
automatically aligns these three components. It also transfers all mechanical
loading on the
housing covers to the collar, which in turn transfers such loads to the valve
body. All abusive
loads applied to the housing end up directly on the collar. Furthermore, it is
important that
the structural members, namely the pillars and torpedo tubes, bear these
loads, not the
mounting screws 80, 97 and their associated threads. This provides a more
secure mounting
for the actuator.
[0053] Turning now to consideration of the handle assembly 46, this component,
much like
the front and rear covers has a generally five-side shell or case 140.
External features of the
case are visible in Figs. 1 and 2. These include a top wall 140A, a bottom
wall 140B, a distal
end wall 140C and a proximal end wall 140D. The case also has a front wall
140E. The
remaining features of the handle assembly will be described in conjunction
with Figs. 18 - 21.
The top and bottom walls 140A, 140B each have a longitudinally extending ledge
142. The
ledge is engageable with the interior edges of the front cover walls about the
large opening
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98E. This engagement prevents the handle assembly from coming completely out
of the
housing. Toward the proximal end of the case 140 the ledges 142 mount top and
bottom
stubshafts 144. The stubshafts are held between the saddles 106 of the front
cover and the
saddles 124 of the handle collar to mount the case 140 for pivoting motion
about a vertical
axis. The pivot axis is close to the pivot axis A (Fig. 3) of the valve handle
26.
[0054] The interior of the case is divided by a double wall partition 146.
This partition
defines an electronics 'compartment 148 and a drive train compartment 150 in
the case 140.
The electronics compartment contains suitable mounting locations for a printed
circuit board
which is shown schematically at 152 in Fig.20. This board will include a
sensor 154 and
associated electronics for detecting a user near the flush valve. The board is
electrically
connected to the battery terminals 92, 94. The front wall 140E has a window
portion 140F
(Fig. 20) which is transparent to the signals for the sensor. It will be
understood the window
may be opaque to visible light but allow other types of electromagnetic
energy, e.g., infrared
light, to pass freely.
[0055] The drive train compartment 150 incorporates several structures for
mounting drive
train components. These include a pair of motor mounts 156 having semi-
circular cutouts
therein. First and second panels 158, 160 define a cam chamber between them.
The first
panel 158 has an arcuate cutout 162 for receiving the cam drive gear. A guide
channel 164 is
formed in the partition 146.
[0056] The drive train itself is shown in Figs. 19 - 21. It includes a
mounting tube 166.
This is a generally cylindrical tube with an enlarged portion 166A near its
open end. The tube
rests in the cutouts of the motor mounts 156. Brackets 166B on the exterior of
the tube 166
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allow the tube to be screwed to posts built in to the motor mounts. The
exterior of the tube
also has an interface or pad 166C which is sized and located to be in
engagement with the
valve handle 26 when the drive train is inactive. The enlarged portion 166A of
the tube
receives an electric motor 168 therein. The motor is, of course, electrically
connected to the
printed circuit board 152 for control by the electronics thereon. The output
shaft of the motor
is connected to a planetary gear train. In the illustrated embodiment this is
a three-stage
planetary drive but it will understood that different numbers of stages could
be used. Indeed,
other types of gear trains could be substituted for the planetary drive so
long as they provide
the necessary speed reduction and torque. The planetary drive shown includes a
fixed ring
gear 170 in the closed end of the mounting tube 166. The ring gear has
internal teeth on its
inner surface. These teeth mesh with those of plural planetary gears 172 which
are mounted
on carriers 174 the usual sun gears 176 on the centerline of the motor shaft.
The output of the
planetary gear train is an externally splined shaft which engages the internal
splines of a cam
drive gear 178. This gear is fixed to a cam 180. The gear 178 is supported by
the arcuate
cutout 162 in the first panel 158. A cam shaft (not shown) attached to the cam
180 on the side
opposite gear 178 is mounted for rotation on the second panel 160. The cam in
this
embodiment includes two lobes, each having a curved actuating surface 180A and
a neutral
surface 180B. Different numbers of lobes could be used. The cam is operatively
engageable
with a push rod shown generally at 182. The push rod is preferably an integral
member which
includes a cam follower 184, an arcuate shoe 186 and a guide plate 188. The
push rod is
mounted for linear motion in a horizontal plane. The guide plate 188 is
slidably mounted in
the guide channel 164 and constrains the push rod to linear motion. The shoe
186 is
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engageable with the valve handle 26 to impart a pivoting motion thereto when
the motor 168 is
activated by the sensor 154.
[0057] It is important that the drive train have some slack between the motor
and the valve
handle. This can be achieved by spacing the surface of the push rod's shoe 186
slightly from
the valve handle when the motor is at rest. Or the cam actuating surface 180A
might be
spaced slightly from the follower 184 when the motor is at rest. Or there
might be a
combination of these two. Leaving some slack in the drive train will
significantly increase
battery life by allowing the gear train to begin movement while not under
resistance from the
valve handle. This no-load startup movement lasts only an instant but it is
enough to get the
entire drive train moving before encountering resistance from the valve
handle. Another
benefit to having slack in the drive train while at rest is when a manual
actuation of the handle
assembly 46 occurs the drive train experiences no load at all. It simply goes
along for the ride
with the case 140. Using separate structures to effect the automatic and
manual actuation
increases the life of the drive train components.
[0058] The use, operation and function of the actuator are as follows. The
installation of
the actuator was described above. Once installed the unit can activate the
flush valve 10 either
automatically or manually. Automatic operation occurs when the sensor 154
detecis a
condition calling for a flush cycle. The sensor turns on the motor 168. The
motor shaft turn
the first sun gear 176 causing the planetary gears 172 and carriers 174 of the
drive stages to
rotate, ultimately resulting in rotation of the output shaft and the cam drive
gear 178. The
cam drive gear rotates the cam 180, causing its actuating surface 180A to
engage the end of
the cam follower 184, as seen in Fig. 21. The cam rotates in a clockwise
direction as seen in
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Fig. 21. The cam surface 180A drives the push rod 182 to the left, i.e.,
toward the valve
handle 26. After the slack between the in the drive train is taken up, the
push rod causes a
pivoting motion of the valve handle 26 about its axis A. This initiates the
flush cycle of the
valve 10 in the usual manner. When the cam surface 180A slides past the
follower 184 the
neutral surface 180B is parallel to the follower. A feedback switch (not
shown) turns off the
motor. The return spring in the valve that acts on the valve handle causes the
valve handle to
return to its rest position, which also moves the push rod 182 back to its
rest position. Once
the valve completes its flush cycle and the electronics resets, the valve is
ready for the next
operation.
[0059] If the automatic system is inoperative for some reason, e.g., dead
batteries, or if a
user wishes to flush the fixture separate from the normal time programmed into
the
electronics, the valve can be flushed manually as follows. The user presses on
the front wall
140E of the handle assembly 46 toward the rear of the unit. This causes the
entire case 140 to
pivot about the stubshafts 144. Since the mounting tube pad 166C is already
engaged with the
valve handle 26, this immediately causes a pivoting motion of the valve
handle. Sufficient
movement opens the flush valve at which point the user removes pressure from
the handle
assembly. The valve handle return spring causes the valve handle and the case
140 to return
to their normal, non-actuated positions. Even if the user doesn't release the
case, the plunger
36 disconnects from the relief valve, allowing the flush valve to cycle
normally, as is
conventional.
[0060] One of the advantages of the present invention is the arrangement of
the
compartments in the case 140. It will be noted that the electronics
compartment 148 is closer
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CA 02822299 2013-07-29
to the proximal end than the drive train compartment. This locates the sensor
154 closer to the
centerline of the valve body which in turn makes it much more likely that the
sensor will have
the user in its field of view. No special optics or aiming of the sensor need
be provided with
the electronics located as described.
[0061] Of particular importance in the invention is the fact that the actuator
assembly may
be mounted on the flush valve without removing, loosening or otherwise
altering any flush
valve components or actuator components. Neither is disconnecting the water
supply
necessary. Once the batteries are installed, the actuator simply slides over
the end of the
handle until the flanges 134 and 110 of the grommet 132 and handle collar 44
contact the end
face of the handle socket 28. Then the mounting strap is wrapped around the
water outlet 20
of the valve body and the mounting screw is tightened in the clinch nut 56.
This clamps the
actuator on to the end face of the handle mounting member. It will be
understood that the
term handle mounting member is intended to encompass any structure surrounding
the valve
handle, whether it be the socket 28, the coupling nut 34 or some alternate
component that
provides a solid mounting point for the collar. Alternate valve body
constructions might make
the body itself the component most available for clamping engagement with the
actuator. All
of these possibilities are within the contemplated scope of the invention.
[0062] While reference has been made herein to the advantages of the invention
in
retrofitting or converting manually-operated flush valves to automatic/manual
operation, it will
be understood that the actuator is not just for retrofitting previously-
installed valves. New
valves of standard construction can also benefit from the actuator of the
present invention.
[0063] Whereas the preferred form of the invention has been shown and
described herein, it
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CA 02822299 2013-07-29
should be realized that there may be many modifications, substitutions and
alterations thereto.
For example, while battery power is shown and preferred to make the unit self-
contained, it
would be possible to connect an external power supply.
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