Patent Application
20220098845
The disclosure generally relates to a bidet washing apparatus, and more particularly to a bidet washing apparatus with a LED (light-emitting diode) display system.
A bidet washing apparatus for washing and cleaning body parts, e.g., genital and/or anal, was initially developed in the form of a bidet that provided a single spray of water and was permanently built into the toilet bowl. However, such bidets were expensive, and a new generation of bidets was developed that were attachable to the toilet, and included a plurality of nozzles for multiple water sprays for washing the private parts as well as the bidet itself. Such bidets can be attached to the seat of an existing toilet bowl for washing the private parts of a person sitting on it, using washing water sprayed from the bidet nozzles, without the use of toilet paper.
Various bidet designs have addressed some of the desired effects, such as washing with temperature-regulated water, and drying features. However, existing bidets fail to address all concerns related to the designs and functions in the general field of bidets. For example, convenience and safety for the user, particularly by infirm or sick people, who need guidance during the dark hours of the night.
Currently there aren't any bidet washing apparatuses that include a LED display system. Therefore, there remains a need to provide bidets with such features.
The disclosed embodiments are directed to solving one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, described above, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
In an embodiment, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus light emitting diode (LED) display system, having a bidet washing apparatus equipped with a control unit, wherein the control unit regulates a flow of water through the apparatus and the LED display system; a passive infrared (PIR) sensor supported by the apparatus or control unit, wherein the PIR sensor measures infrared light radiating from objects in its field of view, wherein the PIR sensor includes a time delay adjustment for determining how long an output of the PIR sensor remains after detecting motion; a light-dependent resistor (LDR) supported by the apparatus or control unit, wherein the LDR decreases resistance with respect to receiving light on its surface; one or more LEDs arranged around the apparatus or control unit; an electrical power source; and a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the electrical power source, the PIR sensor, the LDR, and the one or more LEDs, wherein a combination of the PIR sensor and the LDR allows the LED display system to turn on only when in a dark environment and when someone comes nearby.
Further features and advantages of the disclosure, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the disclosure, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The disclosure, in accordance with one or more various embodiments, is described in detail with reference to the following figures. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the disclosure. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosure and should not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability of the disclosure. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.
The following description is presented to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the embodiments described herein. Descriptions of specific devices, techniques, and applications are provided only as examples. Various modifications to the examples described herein will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other examples and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the examples described herein and shown but is to be accorded the scope consistent with the claims.
As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example illustration.” Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.
Reference will now be made in detail to aspects of the subject technology, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.
It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the devices and/or processes disclosed herein is an example of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the devices and/or processes can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the disclosure. Any accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.
The embodiments disclosed herein describe a bidet washing apparatus having a LED display system. The various embodiments include one or a plurality of water inlets, a control means housing one or a plurality of control valves to control the flow of water from the water inlet(s) to one or a plurality of water tubes, one or a plurality of washing nozzles, a protective shield gate, a securing unit configured to securing the sanitary washing device to the toilet seat, and a LED display system for illuminating the bidet and environment surrounding the bidet for the convenience and safety of the user.
As described herein, the term “bidet”, “bidet apparatus”, or “bidet washing apparatus” means a toilet attachment for cleaning body parts of the user.
As described herein, the term “water inlet” means any structure that may provide water to the bidet washing apparatus.
As described herein, a “control unit” (aka “control panel”) means the housing which includes “control switche(s)” thereon, for controlling the various functionalities of the bidet, including but not limited to, flow of water, adjusting the angle of the nozzles, opening and closing the protective shield gate, and the LED display system.
As described herein, “control valves” are controller parts located inside the control unit housing which control the flow of water or other fluids from the water inlet(s) to one or more “water tubes” by opening, closing or partially obstructing various passageways.
As described herein, “water tubes” or “water channels” are pathways that connect the control valves to a “nozzle assembly,” wherein, the “nozzle assembly” includes a single nozzle or a collection of nozzles including at least one “washing nozzle.”
As described herein, a “nozzle” is a device designed to eject water or other fluids into the surrounding medium as a coherent controlled spray.
As described herein, the “washing nozzle” is the nozzle that can be used to wash the body parts of a user.
As described herein, the “nozzle assembly” may also have other types of nozzles such as a “self-cleaning nozzle,” which is used to clean the nozzle assembly itself, a “toilet cleaning nozzle,” which is used to clean the bidet and/or the toilet, and a “shield cleaning nozzle,” which is used for cleaning the “protective shield gate.”
As described herein, the “protective shield gate” is a structure placed at least partially in front of the nozzle assembly (e.g., between the user and the nozzle assembly) to protect the nozzle assembly from pollutants.
As described herein, the “protective shield gate” can have a “hinged” edge. The term “hinged” here means a joint that allows the turning or pivoting of the gate, by any conventional turning or pivoting mechanism.
As described herein, the term “fluidically coupled” means a connection or a passageway which allows fluid to flow therethrough.
As described herein, the term “reservoir” means a fluid holding tank.
As described herein, the term “LED display system” means a light-emitting diode (a semiconductor diode which glows when a voltage is applied) display system.
Motion detection can be achieved by both mechanical and electronic methods. In addition to discrete, on or off motion detection, motion detection can also consist of magnitude detection that can measure and quantify the strength or speed of this motion or the object that created it. Further, motion can be detected by: sound (acoustic sensors), opacity (optical and infrared sensors and video image processors), geomagnetism (magnetic sensors, magnetometers), reflection of transmitted energy (infrared laser radar, ultrasonic sensors, and microwave radar sensors), electromagnetic induction (inductive-loop detectors), vibration (triboelectric, seismic, and inertia-switch sensors), and any other motion detecting technology now known or later developed. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that motion, in the sense of this invention, can include sound waves whereby acoustic detecting devices can be utilized. Acoustic sensors are based on: electret effect, inductive coupling, capacitive coupling, triboelectric effect, piezoelectric effect, and fiber optic transmission.
In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus light emitting diode (LED) display system, having a bidet washing apparatus equipped with a control unit, wherein the control unit regulates a flow of water through the apparatus and the LED display system; a passive infrared (PIR) sensor supported by the apparatus or control unit, wherein the PIR sensor measures infrared light radiating from objects in its field of view, wherein the PIR sensor includes a time delay adjustment for determining how long an output of the PIR sensor remains after detecting motion; a light-dependent resistor (LDR) supported by the apparatus or control unit, wherein the LDR decreases resistance with respect to receiving light on its surface; one or more LEDs arranged around the apparatus or control unit; an electrical power source; and a printed circuit board in electrical communication with the electrical power source, the PIR sensor, the LDR, and the one or more LEDs, wherein a combination of the PIR sensor and the LDR allows the LED display system to turn on only when in a dark environment and when someone comes nearby.
In one aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having a battery case in the control unit, and a battery as the electrical power source.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having a timer electrically connected to the power source, wherein the timer is configured to be turned on to measure a predetermined amount of time when the LED display system is turned on, and the timer is configured to turn off the LED display system after the predetermined amount of time.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having the LED display system configured to turn off when an amount of ambient light is greater than a predetermined amount of ambient light.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having one or more LED cutouts in the control unit for emitting light from the one or more LEDs in the control unit.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having one or more LEDs arranged around the apparatus for emitting light around or into a toilet bowl.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having one or more LEDs arranged around the control unit for emitting light around the control unit.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having a projecting cover including cut outs for projecting a light pattern onto an upper, side or lower surface.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, wherein the cut outs are stars, hearts, moons, clovers, rainbows, and combinations thereof.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, wherein the one or more LEDs is selected from an indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LED; an aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP) LED; an aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) LED; a gallium phosphide (GaP) LED, and combinations thereof.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, further having a clear or translucent acrylic tab attached to the control unit, that can be highlighted by the one or more LEDs when the LED display system is turned on.
In another aspect, the disclosure provides a motion activated bidet washing apparatus LED display system, wherein the acrylic tab is colored from colored light from the one or more LEDs.
As shown in this figure, a control unit 105 can be provided for easy access for the user, and houses control switches 106a and 106b for providing operational instructions to the bidet washing apparatus. The depicted example shows two switches; however, one of ordinary skill in the art would realize that any number of switches can be provided for performing various operations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Some examples of operational instructions include, but are not limited to, controlling the flow of water from a water inlet, and changing the angle of washing nozzles for cleaning a user and/or the apparatus. The type of control switches can be selected from knobs, dials, levers, depressible buttons, and combinations thereof, or any other conventional control mechanism.
As shown in this figure, water inlets 109a and 109b can be used to feed water into the bidet. The water inlets can be controlled by the user using the control switches 106a and/or 106b situated on the control unit 105. The water from the water inlets can be ultimately provided to the nozzle assembly 104 via water tubes or water channels as shown and described in detail below. In some embodiments, during use, the washing nozzles can be extended below the shield gate by hydraulic force of the washing water and water is sprayed for cleaning purposes. When the water flow is stopped, the nozzles are retracted and hidden behind the shield gate.
In one embodiment, a bidet washing apparatus includes a LED display system that automatically lights up the bidet's control unit, toilet bowl and/or surrounding environment when someone comes nearby and when it is in a dark environment. In an embodiment, the system includes a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, which measures infrared (IR) light radiating from objects in its field of view. In order to detect the user in proximity to the plumbing fixture, the sensory control member must be sensitive to the temperature of a human body, about 93 degrees Fahrenheit, and a wavelength between 9 and 10 micrometers. The PIR sensor can be used to detect when people enter a bathroom or come near the bidet. In addition, a time delay adjustment can be utilized that determines how long the output of the PR sensor module will remain after detecting motion. In some embodiments, the range can be from about 1 second to about five minutes. Alternatively, the time period between LEDs on and off can be adjusted by changing the values of the resistors connected through a printed circuit board.
In addition, the system includes a photoresistor (acronymed LDR for light decreasing resistance, or light-dependent resistor, and also known as a photo-conductive cell), which is a passive component that decreases resistance with respect to receiving luminosity (light) on the component's sensitive surface. The LDR can be used as a darkness sensor so that the LEDs only turn on in dark environment, e.g at night. The combination of PIR sensor and LDR allows the LED display system to turn on only when both conditions are satisfied: a dark environment and when someone comes nearby.
In some embodiments, the LED is a semiconductor device that emits light when electric current passes through it. Light is produced when the particles that carry the current (known as electrons and holes) combine together within the semiconductor material. Since light is generated within the solid semiconductor material, LEDs are described as solid-state devices. The term solid-state lighting, which also encompasses organic LEDs (OLEDs), distinguishes this lighting technology from other sources that use heated filaments (incandescent and tungsten halogen lamps) or gas discharge (fluorescent lamps).
In other embodiments, the electrons and holes of the semiconductor material of the LED are contained within energy bands. The separation of the bands (i.e. the bandgap) determines the energy of the photons (light particles) that are emitted by the LED. The photon energy determines the wavelength of the emitted light and hence, its color. Different semiconductor materials with different bandgaps produce different colors of light. The precise wavelength (color) can be tuned by altering the composition of the light-emitting, or active, region.
In some embodiments, the LED emits UV light for killing and/or destroying microorganisms and bacteria around the bidet washing apparatus.
In some embodiments, the LEDs are comprised of compound semiconductor materials, which are made up of elements from group III and group V of the periodic table (these are known as III-V materials). Examples of III-V materials commonly used to make LEDs are gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium phosphide (GaP). Until the mid-90s LEDs had a limited range of colors, and in particular commercial blue and white LEDs did not exist. The development of LEDs based on the gallium nitride (GaN) material system completed the palette of colors and opened up many new applications. The main semiconductor materials used to manufacture LEDs are and their colors include: Indium gallium nitride (InGaN): blue, green and ultraviolet high-brightness LEDs; Aluminum gallium indium phosphide (AlGaInP): yellow, orange and red high-brightness LEDs; Aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs): red and infrared LEDs; and Gallium phosphide (GaP): yellow and green LEDs.
While the inventive features have been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those in the art that the foregoing and other changes can be made therein without departing from the sprit and the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, the various diagrams may depict an example architectural or other configuration for the disclosure, which is done to aid in understanding the features and functionality that can be included in the disclosure. The disclosure is not restricted to the illustrated example architectures or configurations but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Additionally, although the disclosure is described above in terms of various exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should be understood that the various features and functionality described in one or more of the individual embodiments are not limited in their applicability to the particular embodiment with which they are described. They instead can be applied alone or in some combination, to one or more of the other embodiments of the disclosure, whether or not such embodiments are described, and whether or not such features are presented as being a part of a described embodiment. Thus, the breadth and scope of the disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.
