Automatic flush actuation unit and automatic flush detection sensors

Abstract

An automatic flush actuator unit is configured for connection to a first pressure-assist flush tank having a first mounting structure and a second pressure assist flush tank having a second mounting structure different from the first flush tank. The unit includes a housing for connection to the first and second flush tanks, having first and second sets of mounting holes for connection to the the first flush tank and the second flush tank, a motor, an actuator moveable to actuate a flush valve, and a gear assembly to transfer power from the motor to the actuator. The unit may include an infrared (IR) flush detection sensor that operates in a single-pulse mode until an object is detected, and then initiate a multi-pulse mode and transmit pulses of IR light to detect an activation condition, then initiating an asynchronous communication algorithm to trigger a flushing function.

1 . An automatic flush actuator configured for connection to a first pressure-assist flush tank having a first mounting structure and a second pressure assist flush tank having a second mounting structure different from the first flush tank, the automatic flush actuator comprising:
 a housing configured for connection to the first flush tank and the second flush tank, the housing having a first set of first mounting holes configured for connection to the first mounting structure of the first flush tank by receiving fasteners therethrough, and a second set of second mounting holes arranged differently from the first mounting holes and configured for connection to the second mounting structure of the second flush tank by receiving the fasteners therethrough;   a motor supported by the housing;   an actuator supported by the housing and selectively moveable to an actuation position where the actuator is configured to actuate a first flush valve of the first flush tank in the first mounting configuration, and to actuate a second flush valve of the second flush tank in the second mounting configuration; and   a gear assembly supported by the housing and coupled to the motor and the actuator, the gear assembly configured to transfer power from the motor to the actuator to cause movement of the actuator to the actuation position.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises mounting projections extending downward from an underside of the housing, each of the mounting projections having one of the first mounting holes extending axially therethrough, wherein the mounting projections are configured to engage the first mounting structure of the first flush tank. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 2 , wherein each of the mounting projections has a plurality of fins extending outward around the respective mounting projection, wherein the plurality of fins have ends extending downward beyond a distal end of the respective mounting projection, and wherein each mounting projection is configured to engage the first mounting structure of the first flush tank by having a portion of the first mounting structure received between the ends of the plurality of fins. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 2 , wherein the housing further comprises mounting recesses on the underside of the housing, the mounting recesses spaced from the mounting projections, each of the second mounting holes being open within one of the mounting recesses, wherein the mounting recesses are configured to receive portions of the second mounting structure of the second flush tank. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 4 , wherein each of the mounting recesses is defined by a ridge extending around the respective second mounting hole on the underside of the housing. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the housing further comprises mounting recesses on the underside of the housing, each of the second mounting holes being open within one of the mounting recesses, wherein the mounting recesses are configured to receive portions of the second mounting structure of the second flush tank. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 6 , wherein each of the mounting recesses is defined by a ridge extending around the respective second mounting hole on the underside of the housing. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the first mounting holes comprise four first mounting holes arranged in a first quadrilateral shape, and the second mounting holes comprise four second mounting holes arranged in a second quadrilateral shape that is different from the first quadrilateral shape. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic flush actuator of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotating cam that is selectively moveable by rotation between a retracted position and the actuation position, where the rotating cam has an engagement portion that extends out of the housing in the actuation position and is configured to engage the first flush valve, and wherein the rotating cam is biased to the retracted position. 
     
     
         10 . A pressure assist toilet flushing system comprising:
 a flush tank defining an internal cavity with an inlet configured for intake of water into the internal cavity, an outlet configured for discharge of water from the internal cavity, and a flush valve configured to control discharge of water through the outlet, the flush valve having a plunger accessible on a top of the flush tank, the flush tank having a plurality of mounts arranged on the top of the flush tank around the plunger; and   an automatic flush actuator comprising:
 a housing having a first set of first mounting holes and a second set of second mounting holes arranged differently from the first mounting holes, wherein the housing is mounted on the flush tank such that a plurality of fasteners are received in the first mounting holes and engage the mounts of the flush tank, and wherein the second mounting holes are configured for connection to another flush tank having a different mounting structure from the flush tank; 
 a motor supported by the housing; 
 an actuator supported by the housing and operably coupled with the motor, wherein the actuator is selectively moveable to an actuation position where the actuator is configured to engage the plunger of the flush valve. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the actuator comprises a rotating cam that is selectively moveable by rotation between a retracted position and the actuation position, where the rotating cam has an engagement portion that extends out of the housing in the actuation position to engage the plunger, and wherein the rotating cam is biased to the retracted position. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the housing further comprises mounting projections extending downward from an underside of the housing, each of the mounting projections having one of the first mounting holes extending axially therethrough, wherein the mounting projections are configured to engage the mounts of the flush tank. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the mounting projections has a plurality of fins extending outward around the respective mounting projection, wherein the plurality of fins have ends extending downward beyond a distal end of the respective mounting projection, and wherein the mounting projections are configured to engage the mounts of the flush tank by having the mounts received between the ends of the plurality of fins. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the housing further comprises mounting recesses on the underside of the housing, each of the first mounting holes being open within one of the mounting recesses, wherein the mounting recesses are configured to receive portions of the mounts of the flush tank. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein each of the mounting recesses is defined by a ridge extending around the respective first mounting hole on the underside of the housing. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the first mounting holes comprise four first mounting holes arranged in a first quadrilateral shape, and the second mounting holes comprise four second mounting holes arranged in a second quadrilateral shape that is different from the first quadrilateral shape. 
     
     
         17 . A method comprising:
 sending, by an infrared sensor and using a first pulse mode, a first signal;   determining, by the infrared sensor and based on sending the first signal, that an object is located within a threshold distance from the infrared sensor;   activating, based on determining that the object is located within the threshold distance, a second pulse mode for the infrared sensor;
 sending, using the second pulse mode, a second signal from the infrared sensor; 
 determining, based on sending the second signal, that an activation condition corresponding to the object is satisfied; 
 sending, to a first device, a request to cause execution of a flushing function; and 
 receiving, from the first device, a message confirming execution of the flushing function. 
   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein determining that the object is located within the threshold distance comprises:
 detecting an amount of infrared light received, based on sending the first signal, by the infrared sensor; and   determining whether the amount of infrared light satisfies a threshold amount of infrared light.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the first pulse mode comprises a single-pulse mode and the second pulse mode comprises a multi-pulse mode. 
     
     
         20 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein activating the second pulse mode comprises:
 charging a capacitor for a predetermined period of time;   determining a pulse sequence corresponding to the second pulse mode; and   determining, for each pulse of a plurality of pulses in the pulse sequence, a pulse width.   
     
     
         28 - 48 . (canceled)