System and method for converting manually operated flush valves

Abstract

Disclosed is a method and system for converting or retrofitting manually-operated flush valves. A conversion system for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve includes a power module, a control module, and a driver module mechanically coupled to a manual handle to externally activate the converted flush valve.

1 . A conversion assembly for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve used with a urinal or toilet, comprising:
 a power module;   a driver module arranged for mechanical coupling to a manual handle of said manually-operated flush valve;   an optical sensor; and   a control module constructed to activate said driver module based on a signal from said passive optical sensor.   
   
   
       2 - 3 . (canceled) 
   
   
       4 . The conversion assembly of  claim 1  wherein said optical sensor includes a light source and a light detector constructed to detect reflected light arriving to said detector from a detection field, and said control module is constructed to determine activation of said driver module by executing a detection algorithm employing detection of increase and decrease of said light due to the presence of a user within said detection field. 
   
   
       5 . The conversion assembly of  claim 4  wherein said control module is constructed to determine each activation based on a background level of said detected light measured over several time intervals by said light detector. 
   
   
       6 . The conversion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said optical sensor includes a passive optical sensor including a light detector constructed to detect ambient room light arriving to said detector from a detection field, and said passive optical sensor includes an optical element located in front of said light detector arranged to partially define a detection field and eliminate invalid targets. 
   
   
       7 - 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . The conversion assembly of  claim 6  wherein said optical element includes a lens. 
   
   
       11 . The conversion assembly of  claim 6  wherein said optical element includes a pinhole. 
   
   
       12 . The conversion assembly of  claim 6  wherein said optical element includes a slit. 
   
   
       13 . The conversion assembly of  claim 6  wherein said optical element includes an optical filter. 
   
   
       14 . The conversion assembly of  claim 6  wherein said optical element includes a collimation plate. 
   
   
       15 - 17 . (canceled) 
   
   
       18 . The conversion assembly of  claim 6  wherein said optical element is constructed so that said light detector receives light in the range of 1 lux to 1000 lux. 
   
   
       19 . The conversion assembly of  claim 1  wherein said driver module includes a gear mechanism mechanically coupled to a displacement member having a proximal region coupled to said gear mechanism and a distal end shaped to provide contact with said manual handle. 
   
   
       20 . The conversion assembly of  claim 1  wherein said power module includes a battery and said driver module includes an electromotor, powered by said battery, and an activation arm. 
   
   
       21 . The conversion assembly of  claim 20  wherein said activation arm is constructed and arranged to move linearly when acting on said manual handle. 
   
   
       22 . The conversion assembly of  claim 20  wherein said activation arm is constructed and arranged to rotate when acting on said manual handle. 
   
   
       23 . The conversion assembly of  claim 20  wherein said activation arm is constructed and arranged to execute a combined linear and rotational motion when acting on said manual handle. 
   
   
       24 - 29 . (canceled) 
   
   
       30 . A conversion assembly for converting an installed manually-operated flush valve, comprising an externally mounted conversion assembly comprising:
 a power module,   a driver module mechanically coupled to an activation arm arranged to externally activate said manually-operated flush valve using a manual valve handle;   an attachment lock-in module co-operatively constructed with said driver module and designed for slidable attachment of said conversion assembly to said flush valve; and   a control module constructed to activate said driver module.   
   
   
       34 . The conversion assembly of  claim 30  wherein said manually-operated flush valve includes a diaphragm-type valve mechanism. 
   
   
       35 . The conversion assembly of  claim 30  wherein said manually-operated flush valve includes a piston-type valve mechanism. 
   
   
       36 - 45 . (canceled) 
   
   
       46 . A method for converting a manually-operated flush valve used with a urinal or toilet, comprising the acts of:
 providing a manually-operated flush valve including a valve mechanism located within a valve body constructed and arranged to control water flow between a water inlet and a water outlet, and a manual handle mechanically coupled to said valve mechanism which is constructed to operate said valve mechanism upon pivotable displacement;   providing a conversion assembly including a power module, a control module, a driver module and an activation arm;   mounting fixedly said conversion assembly onto said valve body thereby providing a mechanical coupling between said displacement member and said manual handle;   actuating said control module and thereby triggering said driver module constructed to displace said activation arm; and   pivotably displacing said manual handle by said activation arm to actuate said valve mechanism and cause water flow between said water inlet and said water outlet.   
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 46  wherein said acts of mounting and positioning are performed without breaking a water seal of said flush valve. 
   
   
       48 - 49 . (canceled)