Automatically-cleaning sanitary module comprising a bowl and a seat back that are tiltable

Abstract

An automatically-cleaning sanitary module comprising: a structure; a toilet bowl pivotally mounted on the structure to pivot about an axis between a utilization position and a cleaning position; a seat back pivotally mounted on the structure above the bowl to pivot about an axis between a utilization position and a cleaning position; and a control mechanism for causing the bowl and the seat back to pass from the utilization position to the cleaning position, and vice versa, the control mechanism comprising: a motor coupled in rotation to the seat back; and a transmission coupling the seat back in rotation to the bowl.

1 . An automatically-cleaning sanitary module comprising: 
 a structure;    a toilet bowl pivotally mounted on the structure to pivot about an axis between a utilization position and a cleaning position;    a seat back pivotally mounted on the structure above the bowl to pivot about an axis between a utilization position and a cleaning position; and    a control mechanism for causing the bowl and the seat back to pass from the utilization position to the cleaning position, and vice versa;    wherein the control mechanism comprises:    a motor coupled in rotation to the seat back; and    a transmission coupling the seat back in rotation to the bowl.    
   
   
       2 . A sanitary module according to  claim 1 , in which the transmission comprises: 
 a gearwheel secured to the axis of the seat back;    a toothed wheel mounted to rotate on the structure and meshing with said gearwheel;    an eccentric secured to the toothed wheel;    a crank secured to the axis of the bowl; and    a connecting rod connecting the eccentric to the crank.    
   
   
       3 . A sanitary module according to  claim 1 , including a safety device preventing the control mechanism from being actuated when a weight greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold weight is acting on the bowl.  
   
   
       4 . A sanitary module according to  claim 3 , in which the safety device comprises: 
 a sensor;    a lever for actuating said sensor, the lever being movable under the effect of the bowl pivoting about its axis; and    a damper system enabling the bowl to move angularly independently of the action of the control mechanism.    
   
   
       5 . A sanitary module according to  claim 4 , in which the transmission comprises: 
 a gearwheel secured to the axis of the seat back;    a toothed wheel mounted to rotate on the structure and meshing with said gearwheel;    an eccentric secured to the toothed wheel;    a crank secured to the axis of the bowl; and    a connecting rod connecting the eccentric to the crank, which connecting rod comprises two portions, namely a top portion connected to the eccentric, and a bottom portion connected to the crank, with the damper system being in the form of a resilient link interconnecting the top and bottom portions.    
   
   
       6 . A sanitary module according to  claim 1 , including a compensation system for compensating the weight of the bowl.  
   
   
       7 . A sanitary module according to  claim 6 , in which the compensation system comprises: 
 a lever pivotally mounted on the structure about a pivot axis and coupled in rotation to the axis of the bowl; and    a thrust strut having a first end secured to the structure, and a second end secured to one end of the lever.    
   
   
       8 . A sanitary module according to  claim 7 , in which the lever and the axis of the bowl are coupled in rotation by means of a chain meshing with a first sprocket mounted on the axis of the bowl and with a second sprocket mounted on the axis of the lever.  
   
   
       9 . A sanitary module according to  claim 1 , including a dryer device for drying the bowl and the seat back.  
   
   
       10 . A sanitary module according to clam  9 , in which the dryer device comprises: 
 a carriage mounted on a side flank of the structure, said carriage being movable in vertical translation in register with a window formed through the flank, between a low position and a high position; and    a hose having a first end for connection to an air blower system and a second end secured to the carriage that is movable in register with the window.    
   
   
       11 . A sanitary module according to  claim 10 , in which the movable carriage has rotary wheels co-operating with guide rails mounted on the side flank of the structure on either side of the window.  
   
   
       12 . A sanitary module according to  claim 10 , in which the dryer device includes a system for driving the carriage, the system comprising: 
 a motor having an outlet shaft;    a first pulley wheel secured to the outlet shaft;    a second pulley wheel rotatably mounted on the structure; and    a belt passing over said pulley wheels and secured to the movable carriage.