US20100031431A1

US20100031431A1 - Direct flushing type auto-flushing device for toilets

Info

Publication number: US20100031431A1
Application number: US12/515,509
Authority: US
Inventors: Jae Tong Lee
Original assignee: Auto Flush Co Ltd
Current assignee: AF CO Ltd
Priority date: 2006-11-30
Filing date: 2007-11-29
Publication date: 2010-02-11
Also published as: WO2008066336A1; WO2008066336A9; JP2010511810A

Abstract

A direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets is disclosed. The device includes a flush valve, which guides washing water from a water supply to a bidet tank and an actuating unit, and discharges the washing water into a toilet so as to dispose of excrement therein. A sensor is mounted to the underside of a bidet seat, and determines whether excrement is urine or feces according to a user sensing time. An actuating unit opens a solenoid valve and drains washing water, stored in a pressure chamber of the flush valve, through a drain hose into the toilet, thus disposing of excrement in the toilet using washing water fed from a water supply, according to the result of detection by the sensor. The device simplifies a construction by which washing water is fed through the water supply to the bidet tank and the pressure chamber.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates, in general, to a flush valve for toilets and, more particularly, to a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, which is operated such that washing water, fed from a water supply is guided into a water tank of a bidet and an actuating unit, and, simultaneously, the washing water is discharged into a toilet through a flush valve by the operation of the actuating unit, thus disposing of excrement in the toilet.

BACKGROUND ART

Recently, as cultural standards are raised, a restroom is undergoing many changes so that it can be used hygienically and conveniently. In a restroom of a building or public facility that many people use is installed a drain valve, which controls the supply of washing water so as to dispose of excrement.
When a lever 11 of the drain valve 10, which is installed in a toilet, is pressed, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lever 11 compresses a spring 11′, and a pressure rod 11 a presses a discharge control rod 21 of a piston 20. Further, the discharge control rod 21 compresses a spring 21′, while it is on an incline. Simultaneously, a discharge hole 22 is opened, so that washing water is discharged from a pressure chamber 30 through the discharge hole.
When the washing water stored in the pressure chamber is discharged through the discharge hole 22, the pressure in the pressure chamber 30 is rapidly reduced. Simultaneously, the piston 20 is moved up along the inner surface of a valve body 12 by the pressure of washing water fed through a water pipe, and a flushing pipe 13 is opened. The washing water, which is fed from a water supply to the open flushing pipe 13, is discharged into the toilet, and thus disposes of excrement.
Further, when pressing force is released from the lever 11 of the drain valve 10, the pressure rod 11 a is restored by the restoring force of the spring 11′, and the discharge control rod 21 of the piston 20 is restored by the restoring force of the spring 21′. At this time, the discharge hole 22 is closed, and some of the washing water fed from the water supply is fed through a filter net 23 and an inlet 24 of the piston 20 to the pressure chamber 30.
By the washing water fed into the pressure chamber 30, the water pressure in the pressure chamber 30 is increased, and the piston 20 is pressed. The piston 20 moves down along the inner surface of the valve body 12, thus closing the flushing pipe 13. Thereby, the supply of washing water from the water pipe is blocked. In this state, the drain valve waits for a subsequent operation.
The drain valve, operated as described above, is constructed so that washing water stored in the pressure chamber is discharged to the flushing pipe by pressing the lever, so that water pressure is reduced, and the piston is moved up along the inner surface of the valve body by the water pressure of the washing water supplied through the water pipe, so that the flushing pipe is opened. However, the drain valve is problematic in that if the lever is dirty, it may be pressed not by the hand but by the foot, or a user may even not flush a toilet after defecating.
Further, when the lever is pressed by the foot, an impact is applied to the lever, so that internal parts of the lever may be damaged. As the internal parts are damaged, washing water leaks out, thus wasting the washing water. Further, it is complicated to replace a damaged part with a new one, so that maintenance is difficult.
The amount of washing water that is discharged through the drain valve is determined in proportion to the amount of time that the lever is pressed. The conventional drain valve is problematic in that the lever may be pressed for too long, so that washing water may be undesirably wasted. Further, an amount of water required to wash away feces is discharged regardless of whether urination or defecation occur, and thus washing water is wasted in the case where a user urinates, and thereby economic efficiency is low.
In order to solve the problems, Korean U.M. Registration No. 262169, which is entitled Automatic flush valve for toilets, has been proposed.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the automatic flush valve 40 for toilets, which was previously registered, determines whether a user's excrement is urine or feces, according to the time detected by an optical sensor 31. If a solenoid diaphragm valve 42 is actuated, the solenoid diaphragm valve 42 moves up and opens a path 43 which communicates with a pressure chamber 30 of a drain valve 10. Simultaneously, washing water stored in the pressure chamber 30 is discharged through the path 43 to a flushing pipe 13, so that pressure in the pressure chamber 30 is abruptly reduced.
At this time, by the pressure of washing water fed from a water pipe, the piston 20 is moved up along the inner surface of a valve body 12. Simultaneously, the flushing pipe 13 is opened and the washing water is discharged through the flushing pipe to a toilet, thus disposing of excrement. A proper amount of washing water, which is set depending on whether urination or defecation occurs, is discharged for a set operation time of the solenoid diaphragm valve 42, to thus dispose of excrement.
Further, when the set operation time of the solenoid diaphragm valve 42 has passed, the solenoid diaphragm valve 42 moves down, thus closing the path 43 which communicates with the pressure chamber 30 of the drain valve 10. At this time, some of the washing water fed from a water supply flows through a filter net 23 and an inlet 24 of the piston 20 into the pressure chamber 30.
By the washing water fed into the pressure chamber 30, the water pressure of the pressure chamber 30 is increased, and simultaneously the piston 20 is pressed. The piston 20 moves down along the inner surface of the valve body 12, thus closing the flushing pipe 13, therefore blocking the supply of the washing water from the water pipe. In this state, the flush valve waits for a subsequent operation.
The automatic flush valve, which is operated as described above and was registered previously, is advantageous in that it solves the problems of the prior art. However, after a main water supply valve in a building is closed, the entire flush valve having the solenoid diaphragm valve and the optical sensor must be replaced with a new one, so that a long installation time is required. Further, since the main water supply valve is kept closed, it is impossible to use washing water in the building during the installation period. Furthermore, since the construction of internal parts is complex, assembly is complex and the manufacturing cost is high. Therefore, economic efficiency is low.
Meanwhile, power that is supplied to the optical sensor uses a battery. However, when the battery is exhausted, and a user is thus not detected by the optical sensor, the conventional problems are not solved. Further, toilets installed in a restroom vary with respect to the number of uses and the time for replacement of a battery. Thus, it is virtually impossible for a manager to determine the exact replacement time and replace the battery with a new one, so that maintenance is difficult.
Further, in the case of installing the automatic flush valve for toilets which was registered previously in a bidet, the bidet and the flush valve must be coupled to each other via a hose. In order to mount the hose to the flush valve, a hole must be drilled in a predetermined portion of the flush valve. However, residue may be produced because of the drilling process. It is difficult to get rid of the residue. Moreover, in the case where the flush valve has been installed, the operation of removing the residue is very difficult. That is, after the flush valve is separated from the bidet and the drilling operation is performed, the operation of removing the residue is executed. Thereafter, the flush valve must be mounted to the bidet again. Thus, the conventional flush valve is problematic in that the work process is complicated.
Further, when a bidet cover is rotated upwards to use the bidet, the bidet cover is placed in front of the optical sensor, so that it is impossible to sense a user who sits on a seat and performs excretion, and thus the automatic flush valve may not function as desired.
Further, the piston is moved up and down along the inner surface of the valve body by the water pressure of washing water which is stored in the pressure chamber. When the washing water is fed into the pressure chamber through the filter net provided at a predetermined position on the piston, the piston moves down. However, the piston may not be moved down vertically by the washing water fed through the filter net. In this case, the leakage of washing water undesirably occurs.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 and 2 are sectional views showing the operating state of a general flush valve;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing the operating state of an automatic flush valve for toilets, which was registered previously;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing an auto-flushing device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the auto-flushing device, according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan sectional view showing the state in which a protective unit of the present invention is rotated and installed;

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the installation state of the present invention;

FIGS. 9 to 11 are views showing the operating state of the auto-flushing device, according to the present invention; and

FIGS. 12 and 13 are views showing the operating state of the auto-flushing device, according to the present invention, when the flushing device is manually operated.


<Description of reference characters of important parts>

	100: flush valve	110: supply guide unit
	120, 120′: supply hoses	130: protective unit
	140: fastening member	200: sensor
	300: actuating unit	310: solenoid valve
	320: drain hose

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, which simplifies the construction by which washing water fed from a water supply is supplied through a flush valve to both a water tank of a bidet and a pressure chamber, and by which washing water is drained from the pressure chamber, thus simplifying installation work and shortening the working period.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, in which a supply hose mounted to a flush valve may be installed in a desired direction, thus preventing the supply hose from being damaged, and providing a good appearance.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, in which an actuating unit is operated by power supplied to a bidet, thus being used stably, in addition to affording easy maintenance.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, in which whether urination or defecation occurs is determined in response to a user sensing time, and a proper amount of washing water is discharged according to whether urination or defecation occurs, thus saving washing water which might otherwise be discharged unnecessarily.
In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, including a flush valve for guiding washing water from a water supply to a water tank of a bidet and an actuating unit, and discharging the washing water into a toilet so as to dispose of excrement in the toilet; a sensor mounted to a underside of a seat of the bidet, and determining whether excrement is feces or urine with reference to a user sensing time; and the actuating unit for opening a solenoid valve so that washing water stored in a pressure chamber of the flush valve is drained through a drain hose into the toilet, thus disposing of excrement in the toilet using the washing water fed from the water supply according to a kind of excrement detected by the sensor.

MODE FOR INVENTION

Hereinafter, a construction according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing a auto-flushing device, according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the auto-flushing device, according to the present invention.
The auto-flushing device according to the present invention includes a flush valve 100, which guides washing water from a water supply into a water tank 52 of a bidet 50 and an actuating unit 300, and discharges the washing water into a toilet 60 so as to dispose of excrement in the toilet 60. A sensor 200 is mounted to the underside of a seat 51 of the bidet 50, and determines whether excrement is urine or feces according to a user sensing time. The flushing device also includes the actuating unit 300. The actuating unit opens a solenoid valve 310 and drains washing water, stored in a pressure chamber 30 of the flush valve 100, through a drain hose 320 into the toilet 60, in response to the result of detection by the sensor 200, thus disposing of excrement in the toilet 60 using washing water fed from a water supply. The parts will be described below in detail.
The flush valve 100 is provided with a supply guide unit 110, supply hoses 120 and 120′, a protective unit 130, and a fastening member 140. The supply guide unit is mounted to the upper portion of a valve body 12, which accommodates the piston 20 such that it is moved up and down by the pressure of the washing water fed from the water supply, thus adjusting the vertical moving distance of the piston 20, and supplies the washing water to the water tank 52 of the bidet 50 and the actuating unit 300, respectively. The supply hoses couple the supply guide unit 110 to the water tank 52 of the bidet 50 and the actuating unit 300, respectively. The protective unit is seated on the upper portion of the supply guide unit 110, and covers and protects ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′. The fastening member fastens the protective unit 130 to the supply guide unit 110.
The supply guide unit 110 includes a guide body 111 which is seated on the upper end of the valve body 12. Hose insert holes 112 and 112′ are formed through the guide body 111, so that the supply hoses 120 and 120′ are inserted into the corresponding hose insert holes. A fastening hole 113 is formed in the center of the guide body 111.
The supply guide unit may further include a height adjusting member 114 which is fastened to the lower end of the fastening hole 113 and adjusts the vertical moving height of the piston 20.
The protective unit 130 includes a protective body 131 which is open at the bottom thereof to accommodate the supply guide unit 110. A fastening hole 132 is formed in the upper surface of the protective body 131 along the same line as the fastening hole 113 of the supply guide unit 110. A protective hole 133 is formed in the outer circumference of the protective body 131, and receives and protects ends; of the supply hoses 120 and 120′.
Further, the flushing device may further include a circular filter net 150, which is mounted to accommodate an inlet of the piston 20, and filters contaminants from the washing water fed into the inlet.
The flushing device may further include a fastening part 160, which fastens the supply guide unit 110 to the valve body 12. The fastening part 160 has on the outer circumference of the upper end thereof an external threaded part 161, and the supply guide unit 110 has on the inner circumference of the lower end thereof an internal threaded part 162.
Further, the flushing device may include a rotation preventing part 170, which prevents the rotation of the protective unit 130, which is seated on the upper portion of the supply guide unit 110. The rotation preventing part 170 includes rotation preventing grooves 171 and one or more rotation preventing protrusions 172. The rotation preventing grooves are radially formed on the outer circumference of the guide body 111 of the supply guide unit 110. The rotation preventing protrusions are provided on the inner circumference of the protective body 131 of the protective unit 130, and engage with the rotation preventing grooves 171.
Further, the flushing device may also include a covering part 180, which functions to isolate the fastening member 140, which fastens the protective unit 130 to the supply guide unit 110, from the exterior. The covering part 180 includes a depression 181 and a covering piece 182. The depression is formed in the upper surface of the protective body 131 in such a way as to be concentric with the fastening hole 132 of the protective unit 130. The covering piece is detachably installed in the depression 181.
The flushing device may further include a play prevention unit 190 which holds the supply hoses 120 and 120′ inserted into the hose insert holes 112 and 112′ of the supply guide unit 110 so as to prevent the movement of the supply hoses. The play prevention unit 190 includes a play prevention piece 191 and a play prevention ring 192. The play prevention piece couples ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′, inserted into the hose insert holes 112 and 112′, to respective play prevention holes 191′, thus preventing the movement of the supply hoses 120 and 120′. The play prevention ring accommodates the supply hoses 120 and 120′, coupled to the play prevention holes 191′ of the play prevention piece 191, and couples the supply hoses to the protective hole 133 of the protective unit 130.
The process of assembling the auto-flushing device, according to the present invention, which is constructed as described above, will be described below.
When the present invention is applied in practice, the addition or elimination of parts is possible.
First, as shown in FIG. 6, a pressure rod 11 a, a spring 11′, and a lever 11 are mounted to a mounting hole 12′, which is formed horizontally through the valve body 12 of the flush valve 100. In this state, the piston 20, which is mounted such that the circular filter net 150 surrounds the inlet 24 of the piston, is seated in the valve body 12. Next, the supply guide unit 110 is seated on the upper portion of the valve body 12, with the height adjusting member 114 fastened to the lower end of the fastening hole 113 of the supply guide unit 110.
The circular filter net 150 is mounted to surround the outer circumference of the piston 20, thus safely guiding the vertical movement of the piston 20 and preventing interference with the inner circumference of the valve body 12.
The lower end of the guide body 111 accommodates the upper end of the valve body 12. At this time, the internal threaded part 162 of the fastening part 160, which is formed on the inner circumference of the lower end of the supply guide unit 110, is on the same line as the external threaded part 161 of the fastening part 160, which is formed on the outer circumference of the upper end of the valve body 12. When the guide body 111 of the supply guide unit 110 is rotated in one direction, the internal threaded part 162, which is formed on the inner circumference of the supply guide unit 110, engages with the external threaded part 161 formed on the outer circumference of the valve body 12. Thereby, the supply guide unit 110 is secured to the valve body 12.
An internal threaded part may be formed on the inner circumference of the upper end of the valve body, while an external threaded part may be formed on the outer circumference of the lower end of the supply guide unit, so that the internal threaded part. engages with the external threaded part.
As described above, the first ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′ are inserted into the hose insert holes 112 and 112′ of the supply guide unit 110. In this state, the play prevention piece 191 of the play prevention unit 190 is coupled to the second ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′. After the supply hoses 120 and 120′ are inserted into the play prevention holes 191′ of the play prevention piece 191 and the play prevention piece is moved to the first ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′, the play prevention ring 192 is coupled to the second ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′. Thereafter, the play prevention ring is moved to the first ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′ and is in close contact with the play prevention piece 191.
Meanwhile, the play prevention ring 192 of the play prevention unit 190 may be coupled to the supply hoses 120 and 120′ to accommodate the first ends of the supply hoses. In this state, the first ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′ may be inserted into the play prevention holes 191′ of the play prevention piece 191. Thereafter, the first ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′ may be secured to the hose insert holes 112 and 112′ of the supply guide unit 110.
When the play prevention unit 190 is located at the first ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′, the second ends of the supply hoses 120 and 120′ are coupled to the protective body 131 of the protective unit 130 in such a way as to protrude out of the protective hole 133. After the play prevention ring 192 of the play prevention unit 190 is located at the protective hole 133, the protective body 131 of the protective unit: 130 is moved downwards to be seated on the guide body 111 of the supply guide unit 110.
At this time, one or more rotation preventing protrusions 172 of the rotation preventing part 170, which are provided on the inner circumference of the protective body 131 of the protective unit 130, engage with the rotation preventing grooves 171, which are radially provided on the outer circumference of the guide body 111 of the supply guide unit 110, thus preventing the rotation of the protective unit 130. Further, the inner surface of the protective body 131 of the protective unit 130 is in close contact with the upper surface of the fastening hole 113 of the supply guide unit 110. At this time, the fastening hole 132 in the protective unit 130 and the fastening hole 113 in the supply guide unit 110 are positioned along a vertical line.
Here, as shown in FIG. 7, since the rotation preventing grooves 171 are radially formed on the outer circumference of the guide body 111 of the supply guide unit 110, the protective body 131 is rotated at a predetermined angle so as to adjust the position of the protective hole 133 in the protective unit 130 relative to the rotation preventing grooves 171. In this state, assembly may be executed through the above-mentioned process.
Further, when the inner surface of the protective body 131 of the protective unit 130 is seated on the upper surface of the fastening hole 113 of the supply guide unit 110, the fastening hole 113 in the supply guide unit 110 and the fastening hole 132 in the protective unit 130 are placed on the vertical line. After the fastening member 140 is inserted into the fastening holes, the fastening member is rotated in one direction. Thereby, the fastening member 140 is fastened to the fastening hole 132 in the protective unit 130 and the fastening hole 113 in the supply guide unit 110. As a result, the protective unit 130 is secured to the supply guide unit 110.
The covering piece 182 is mounted to the depression 181 of the covering part 180, which is provided in the upper surface of the protective body 131 of the protective unit 130 so as to isolate the fastening member 140, fastened to the fastening holes 132 and 113 of the protective unit 130 and the supply guide unit 110, from the exterior. Thereby, the fastening hole 132 is closed, and the fastening member 140 is hidden so as to be isolated from the exterior.
An advertising description or logo may be printed on the upper surface of the covering piece 182. Finally, the second ends of the supply hoses :120 and 120′ are connected to the water tank 52 of the bidet 50 and the solenoid valve 310 of the actuating unit 300, respectively. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the installation of the present invention is completed.
The operation of the auto-flushing device, according to the present invention, which is assembled in this way, will be described below in detail.
First, when a user sits on the seat 51 of the bidet 50, which is installed in the toilet 60, the user is detected by the sensor 200. Simultaneously, a user sensing time is measured, so that it is determined whether excrement is feces or urine.
When the user desires to select an anus washing function or a genitalia washing function after defecating, an anus/genitalia washing button of a manipulation part 50′ of the bidet 50 is pushed. As the anus/genitalia washing button is pushed, a direction conversion valve 53 is rotated to communicate with a nozzle 54. The nozzle 54 is either of an anus washing nozzle or a genitalia washing nozzle.
For example, if the user pushes the anus washing button, warm water stored in the water tank 52 of the bidet 50 flows through the direction conversion valve 53, and thereafter, is sprayed through the nozzle 54, namely, the anus washing nozzle, thus washing the anus and the area around the anus.
When washing water is sprayed through the nozzle 54, which reduces, the level of the washing water stored in the water tank 52, as shown in FIG. 9, washing water is fed from the water supply under the control of a water level sensor (not shown), which is provided on the upper portion of the water tank 52. The washing water flows through the hose insert hole 112 of the supply guide unit 110 and the supply hose 120 to the water tank 52. Simultaneously, the level of the washing water which is supplied to and stored in the water tank 52 is detected by the water level sensor (not shown). When a proper amount of water has been supplied to the water tank, the supply of washing water is ceased. By repeating these processes, the level of washing water is kept constant.
When the user's anus has been washed through the above-mentioned process and then the user rises from the seat 51, the sensor 200, mounted to the underside of the seat 51 does not detect the user anymore. Thus, with reference to the user sensing time detected by the sensor 200, it is determined whether excrement is feces or urine. For example, when the user sensing time is 2 minutes or more, it is determined that excrement is feces. Conversely, when the user sensing time is 2 minutes or less, it is determined that excrement is urine.
According to the result detected by the sensor 200, the solenoid valve 310 of the actuating unit 300 is opened. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, washing water stored in the supply hose 120′ is discharged through the solenoid valve 310 to the drain hose 320. Simultaneously, as shown in FIG. 11, washing water contained in the pressure chamber 30 of the flush valve 100 is discharged through the hose insert hole 112′ of the supply guide unit 110, the supply hose 1201, and the solenoid valve 310 of the actuating unit 300 to the drain hose 320, and is drained into the toilet 60.
At this time, the washing water contained in the pressure chamber 30 is fed to the actuating unit 300, which abruptly reduces the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 30. Further, by the pressure of washing water fed through a water pipe, the piston 20 is moved up along the inner surface of the valve body 12. Simultaneously, the flushing pipe 13 is opened. Washing water fed through the water pipe is discharged through the open flushing pipe 13 to the toilet 60, thus disposing of excrement in the toilet 60.
In this case, the kind of excrement is determined by the user sensing time, which is detected by the sensor 200. A proper amount of washing water, which corresponds to the kind of excrement, is discharged by adjusting the opening time of the solenoid valve 310 of the actuating unit 300. Thereby, the unnecessary waste of washing water is prevented.
When a preset opening time of the solenoid valve 310 of the actuating unit 300 has elapsed, so that the solenoid valve 310 is closed, washing water fed from the water supply is discharged to the flushing pipe 13. Simultaneously, some of the washing water fed from the water supply is filtered by the circular filter net 150 so as to remove contaminants from the washing water. Afterwards, the filtered water is fed through the inlet 24 of the piston 20 to the pressure chamber 30 and the supply hose 120′. As the pressure of the washing water stored in the pressure chamber 30 and the supply hose 120′ increases, the upper surface of the piston 20 is pressed.
At this time, the piston 20 is moved downwards along the inner surface of the valve body 12, and simultaneously the flushing pipe 13 is closed. Thereby, in the state where the supply of washing water from the water supply is blocked, the flushing device waits for a subsequent operation.
Further, when the supply of power to the bidet 50 is blocked, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the toilet may be used in a conventional manner using the lever 11 of the flush valve 100.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention provides a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, which simplifies a construction by which washing water fed from a water supply is supplied to both a water tank of a bidet and a pressure chamber of a flush valve, thus simplifying installation work and shortening a working period.
Further, the present invention provides a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, in which supply hoses are mounted to a protective hole in a protective unit via a play prevention unit, thus preventing the supply hoses from being damaged, and allowing the installation direction of the supply hoses to be adjusted as desired, therefore providing a good appearance.
Further, the present invention provides a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, in which an actuating unit is operated by power supplied to a bidet, thus being used stably and affording easy maintenance, and which does not use a battery, thus reducing environmental pollution attributable to the battery.
Furthermore, the present invention provides a direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, in which whether urination or defecation occurs is determined with reference to a user sensing time, and a suitable amount of washing water is discharged according to whether urination or defecation occurs, thus saving washing water which might otherwise be discharged unnecessarily, and in which a circular filter net is mounted to surround the outer circumference of a piston, thus filtering contaminants, and a flushing pipe is precisely closed even if the piston is moved obliquely in a valve body, thus preventing the leakage of washing water.

Claims

1. A direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, comprising:

a flush valve for guiding washing water from a water supply to a water tank of a bidet and an actuating unit, and discharging the washing water into a toilet so as to dispose of excrement in the toilet;

a sensor mounted to a underside of a seat of the bidet, and determining whether excrement is feces or urine with reference to a user sensing time; and

the actuating unit for opening a solenoid valve so that washing water stored in a pressure chamber of the flush valve is drained through a drain hose into the toilet, thus disposing of excrement in the toilet using the washing water fed from the water supply according to a kind of excrement detected by the sensor.

2. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 1, wherein the flush valve comprises:

a supply guide unit, mounted to an upper portion of a valve body which accommodates the piston such that it is moved up and down by pressure of washing water fed from the water supply, thus adjusting a vertical moving distance of the piston, and supplying the washing water to the water tank of the bidet and the actuating unit, respectively;

supply hoses for coupling the supply guide unit to the water tank of the bidet and the actuating unit, respectively;

a protective unit seated on an upper portion of the supply guide unit, and covering and protecting ends of the supply hoses; and

a fastening member for fastening the protective unit to the supply guide unit.

3. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 2, wherein the supply guide unit comprises:

a guide body seated on an upper end of the valve body;

hose insert holes formed in the guide body so that the supply hoses are mounted to the corresponding hose insert holes; and

a fastening hole formed in a center of the guide body.

4. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a height adjusting member fastened to a lower end of the fastening hole, and adjusting a vertical moving height of the piston.

5. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 2, wherein the protective unit comprises:

a protective body open at a bottom thereof to accommodate the supply guide unit;

a fastening hole formed in an upper surface of the protective body along the same line as the fastening hole in the supply guide unit; and

a protective hole formed in an outer circumference of the protective body, and receiving and protecting ends of the supply hoses.

6. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a circular filter net, mounted to accommodate an inlet of the piston, and filtering contaminants from washing water fed into the inlet.

7. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a fastening part for fastening the supply guide unit to the valve body.

8. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 7, wherein the fastening part comprises:

an external threaded part provided on an outer circumference of the upper end of the valve body; and

an internal threaded part provided on an inner circumference of a lower end of the supply guide unit.

9. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 7, wherein the fastening part comprises:

an internal threaded part provided on an inner circumference of the upper end of the valve body; and

an external threaded part provided on an outer circumference of a lower end of the supply guide unit.

10. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a rotation preventing part. for preventing rotation of the protective unit which is seated on the upper portion of the supply guide unit.

11. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 10, wherein the rotation preventing part comprises:

rotation preventing grooves radially formed on an outer circumference of the guide body of the supply guide unit; and

at least one rotation preventing protrusion provided on an inner circumference of the protective body of the protective unit, and engaging with an associated rotation preventing groove.

12. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a covering part for isolating the fastening member, which fastens the protective unit to the supply guide unit, from an exterior.

13. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 12, wherein the covering part comprises:

a depression formed in the upper surface of the protective body in such a way as to be concentric with the fastening hole in the protective unit; and

a covering piece detachably installed in the depression.

14. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a play prevention unit for holding the supply hoses inserted into the hose insert holes in the supply guide unit so as to prevent movement of the supply hoses.

15. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 14, wherein the play prevention unit comprises:

a play prevention piece for coupling ends of the supply hoses, inserted into the hose insert holes, to respective play prevention holes, thus preventing the movement of the supply hoses; and

a play prevention ring for accommodating the supply hoses coupled to the play prevention holes in the play prevention piece, and coupling the supply hoses to the protective hole in the protective unit.

16. The direct water typed auto-flushing device according to claim 1, wherein the actuating unit controls an opening time thereof so as to discharge a proper amount of washing water corresponding to a kind of excrement, which is determined by the sensor.

17. A direct water typed auto-flushing device for toilets, having a flush valve comprising:

a supply guide unit mounted to an upper portion of a valve body which accommodates a piston such that it is moved up and down by pressure of washing water fed from a water supply, thus adjusting a vertical moving distance of the piston, and supplying the washing water to a water tank of a bidet and an actuating unit, respectively;

a protective unit seated on an upper portion of the supply guide unit, and covering and protecting ends of the supply hoses;

a fastening member for fastening the protective unit to the supply guide unit;

a fastening part for fastening the supply guide unit to the valve body;

a rotation preventing part for preventing rotation of the protective unit which is seated on the upper portion of the supply guide unit; and