ODOR ELIMINATION SYSTEM ATTACHABLE TO A TOILET

Abstract

An odor elimination system includes a tank adapter with passages through which odors from a toilet bowl are drawn. A fan draws the odors from the bowl through the tank adapter into a passage that includes a trap. While the fan is running, the trap is empty. A barrier moves to expose a reservoir. Water from the trap is received in the reservoir, to evacuate the trap. The barrier is moved back into the reservoir to displace water from the reservoir into the trap to block sewer odors from the drain pipe. A sipper diverts a portion of flush water to maintain the trap full.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to odor elimination from toilets, and, more particularly, to an odor elimination system that can be attached to toilets.

BACKGROUND

Over the years, many systems have been devised to attempt to mitigate odors from a toilet. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,386,594 describes a ventilation system that mounts on existing toilets. The system includes a secondary P-trap. Before the toilet is flushed, while a user is seated, water from the secondary P-trap is forced into the drain pipe using pressure from a fan, to provide a clear path for evacuating gases. When the user stands, the fan shuts off. When the toilet is flushed, the secondary P-trap refills. Whether a fan can generate pressure sufficient to empty a P-trap is far from clear. Also unclear is how effectively the secondary P-trap refills.

As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,730,560 describes an adapter ring compressed between a toilet horn and a sewer pipe flange and having a hollow core, an adapter inlet and an exhaust vent. A seat has at least one intake port, a gas cavity and a gas cavity exhaust port. A fan has a fan inlet and a fan exhaust. The fan inlet is connected to the gas cavity exhaust port and the fan exhaust connected to the adapter inlet. An electrically actuated one-way check valve is connected between the fan inlet and the gas cavity exhaust port. The valve remains open only when the fan is operating. When the fan is operating, a negative pressure develops in the seat gas cavity, and the odor is pulled into the seat gas cavity and exhausted from the gas cavity exhaust port to the adapter inlet and then channeled into a sewer pipe through the exhaust vent. The exhaust vent of the adapter ring extends below the sewer pipe flange.

As another example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,656 describes a toilet venting apparatus that includes an upper insert mountable between a toilet tank and a toilet bowl, and a lower insert mountable between the bowl and a floor sewer pipe. The upper insert cooperates with the toilet bowl for removal of gases in the bowl through apertures in the bowl rim. A motor driven fan extracts the gases through the upper insert and forces the gases along the lower insert into the sewer. The fan is remotely activated. Flushing the toilet disables the fan until reactivated following flushing.

As yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,955,579 describes a specially manufactured toilet that evacuates foul gasses through a vent pipe. A trap is configured to collect any moisture in the foul gasses. When the trap fills, it overflows into the drain pipe.

What is needed is an odor elimination system that can fit modern toilets, of the kind used in the United States. The system should be reliable. A P-trap should be included in the system to block odors from the drain pipe. A device for controlling the fill level of the P-trap should ensure that the P-trap is empty when odoriferous gas is evacuated from the toilet, and that the P-trap is full after odoriferous gas has been evacuated from the toilet.

The invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems and solving one or more of the needs as set forth above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve one or more of the problems set forth above, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, an odor elimination system includes a tank adapter with passages through which odors from a toilet bowl are drawn. A fan draws the odors from the bowl through the tank adapter into lines that include a trap. While the fan is running, the trap is empty. The lines lead to a drain flange seal ring with a passage for the odoriferous gas to enter the drain pipe. An adjustable valve opens to receive water into a reservoir from the trap to evacuate the trap. The adjustable valve returns water from the reservoir to the trap to block sewer odors from the drain pipe, when the valve closes. The adjustable valve may include an adjustable storage volume, provided by a piston in a cylinder, a bellows, a diaphragm or the like. An actuator expands the storage volume to receive water from the trap. The actuator compresses or contracts the storage volume to force water from the storage volume back into the trap. In this manner the trap water is selectively removed and restored. A controller actuates the fan and valve. A motion sensor may provide a signal to actuate the fan and valve. Power may be supplied by a utility power supply, a battery and/or a solar panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of an exemplary toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of an exemplary toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a front schematic view of an exemplary toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a plan schematic view of an exemplary toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of an exemplary toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic of an exemplary flow path toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic of an exemplary trap and Carson valve in a closed position for a toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic of an exemplary trap and Carson valve in an opened position for a toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic of an exemplary trap and another Carson valve in a closed position for a toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 10 is a schematic of an exemplary trap and the Carson valve of FIG. 9 in an opened position for a toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of an exemplary toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 12 is a first perspective view of an exemplary toilet odor elimination system with a solar panel on the top exterior of the nearest connected plumbing vent stack pipe to create negative venting pressure for malodor removal to house exterior, according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an exemplary control circuit for a toilet odor elimination system according to principles of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale; nor are the figures intended to illustrate every embodiment of the invention. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the specific components, configurations, shapes, relative sizes, ornamental aspects or proportions as shown in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention is an odor mitigation system that can be attached to a conventional toilet of the type used in the US. The system comprises adapters, plumbing and a fan to draw odoriferous gasses from the bowl and direct the gasses to the sewer drain. One unique aspect of the system is a valve and reservoir configured to empty water from the trap in the plumbing when odoriferous gasses are being produced and drawn through, and afterwards to refill the trap with the same water. Another unique aspect is an in-line electronically controlled exhaust fan. Yet another unique aspect is a diverter that diverts a portion of flush water to the toilet side of the trap to keep the trap full.

In general, an exemplary odor elimination system according to principles of the invention includes an odor duct, a water supply line, a valve assembly, a control module, a sensor and a drain. The odor duct includes an inlet module and a conduit. The inlet module, which extends to the bowl, includes one or more intakes for odoriferous gases, and a flush water inlet. The conduit extends from the inlet module to an inlet on the valve assembly. The odor duct provides a flow path for odoriferous gases, from the bowl to a passage in the valve assembly. The valve assembly contains a passage for odoriferous gases to flow to a drain, i.e., the same sewage drain to which the toilet is coupled. The passage is a fluid flow path defined by structural elements within the valve assembly. A fan and trap are provided in the passage. The fan produces a pressure differential that draws odoriferous gases from the bowl, through the conduit, into the passage and to the drain, when the trap is evacuated. The trap (e.g., a p-trap) is a U-shaped segment of the passage that holds water to impede the flow of sewer gases from the drain through the passage. The trap is located downstream of the fan. Through an aperture, the trap is in fluid communication with a reservoir. The reservoir is located and sized for fluid in the trap to evacuate into the reservoir under the influence of gravity, when the reservoir is not blocked. A movable object (i.e., barrier) is sized and shaped to occupy substantially all volume of the reservoir. The barrier is similar to a piston and the reservoir is similar to a cylinder. The barrier may be moved between a closed position, in which it occupies substantially all volume of the reservoir, to an open position, in which it does not occupy substantially any volume of the reservoir needed to hold water evacuated from the trap. Thus, in an open position, the barrier is removed from the reservoir and allows water to flow from the trap, through the aperture into the reservoir. When moved from the open position to the closed position, the barrier displaces water in the reservoir. The displaced water flows from the reservoir through the aperture back into the trap, where it remains until the barrier is again moved to an open position. The valve module includes an actuator, which moves the barrier between the closed position and the open position (i.e., from the closed position to the open position, and vice versa). The actuator is operated by the control module. A sensor detects the presence of a user. When a user is detected, the control module activates the fan and the actuator in the valve assembly. This causes the actuator to move the barrier from the closed position to the open position. This causes the evacuation of water from the trap. The water flows through the aperture into the reservoir under the influence of gravity. Under the influence of the fan, odoriferous gases from the bowl flow through the conduit, through the passage, past the evacuated trap, and to the drain. When the user departs, the control module again actuates the actuator, this time causing the actuator to displace water in the reservoir, thereby refilling or substantially refilling the trap. When the toilet is flushed, a portion (e.g., a small portion) of the fresh flush water is diverted to the trap, to ensure the trap remains full when the barrier is in the closed position. Any excess water in the trap overflows to the drain.

Referring to the Figures, a system according to principles of the invention includes a water tank adapter 105 attached between the water tank and the toilet 10. The adapter 105 includes a passageway 108 extending through the adapter 105. The passageway 108 is aligned with the inlet to the toilet 10. The passageway 108 is shaped and sized to overlay the inlet to the toilet 10. A channel 106 extends from a side of the adapter 105 to the passageway 108. The direction of flow through the channel 106 where the channel meets the passageway 108 is generally orthogonal to the direction of flow through the passageway 108. The channel 106 provides a conduit through which odors are evacuated. Odoriferous gasses from the toilet 10 are drawn through flush water holes 11 in the bowl, into the passageway 108 of the adapter 105, and through the channel 106.

The adapter 105 also includes a diverter 107, aka sipper. The diverter 107 is a small funnel-shaped inlet configured to extend partially into the passageway 108. As flush water flows through the passageway, the diverter 107 diverts a small portion of the water to a line 109 fluidly coupled to a trap 120 (discussed below), or fluidly coupled to a pipe section downstream of the fan assembly 115 but upstream of the trap 120. The sipper 107 replenishes water lost to evaporation and provides a backup source of water if the Carson valve 120 fails to operate. In FIG. 6, the sipper line 109 is conceptually shown within the pipes. The line 109 may be integrated with or separate from the pipes, internal or external to the pipes.

A housing 100 contains a fan assembly 115 and a Carson valve 120. A line 110 fluidly couples the channel 106 to a fan assembly 115. The fan assembly 115 includes a fan housing and a fan contained in the fan housing. The fan may comprise an axial flow fan, centrifugal fan, cross-flow fan or any other machine capable of creating a flow with sufficient negative pressure to efficiently draw odoriferous gasses from the toilet bowl. The fan 115 may be activated manually by a switch or automatically by a switch or sensor. By way of example and not limitation, a motion sensor, such as, but not limited to a passive infrared (PIR) sensor may generate a digital pulse (e.g., 3V) when triggered. Upon receiving such a pulse, actuating circuitry (described below) may actuate the fan and the linear actuator of the Carson valve (described below).

A trap 120 is provided downstream of the fan assembly 115. The trap 120 is piping shaped with a bent path to retain water to prevent sewer gases from entering the bathroom through the system. In the exemplary embodiment, the trap includes a U-shaped section of pipe(s) that periodically fill with water. When filled with water, the trap prevents odors, from the drain, passing through the trap 120. When empty, the trap 120 allows odoriferous gasses to freely pass from the toilet bowl 10 to the drain 170.

A valve and reservoir assembly 125, referred to herein as a Carson valve 125, controls emptying and refilling the trap 120. The Carson valve 125 is fluidly coupled to the trap 120, at the lowest point of the U-shaped portion of the trap 120. The valve may comprise a piston or plunger movable in a cylinder from an extended (closed) position to a retracted (open) position, an elastomeric bellows configurable from an expanded to a contracted configuration, or a diaphragm in a cylinder configurable from an un-deformed (closed) configuration to a deformed (open) configuration. When the valve 130 is closed, water remains in the trap 120. When the valve opens, water from the trap empties into the volume (reservoir) defined or revealed by the open valve 130. When the valve 130 is moved from the open configuration to the closed configuration, water in the reservoir is urged back into the trap 120. Thus, the Carson valve 125 removes water from the trap 120 to evacuate odors from the toilet bowl. The Carson valve 125 also restores the previously removed water to the trap 120, when the evacuation cycle ends. When the water is restored to the trap 120, the trap 120 blocks sewer odors from the drain.

The Carson valve 125 and fan 115 operate asynchronously. The fan 115 does not operate when the Carson valve 125 is closed. When the Carson valve 125 is closed, the trap 120 contains water that would block the flow of gasses from the toilet bowl. The fan 115 operates when the Carson valve 125 is opened. When the Carson valve 125 is opened, the trap 120 does not contain water and does not block the flow of gasses from or to the toilet bowl. Thus, in one embodiment a control system (described below) may operate the fan 115 whenever the Carson valve 125 is opened, or within a determined time (e.g., one or 2 seconds) after the Carson valve is opened and until the Carson valve is closed. In the latter case, the slight delay allows time for the trap 120 to empty before the fan begins to operate. The control system may cause the Carson valve 125 to open when a user is detected.

FIGS. 7 and 8 conceptually illustrate a piston or plunger-style Carson valve 125 and trap 120, with the Carson valve 125 in a closed position and an open position, respectively. FIGS. 9 and 10 conceptually illustrate a bellows-style Carson valve 125 and trap 120, with the Carson valve 125 in a closed position and an open position, respectively.

An actuator moves the valve 130 from a closed to an open position. The actuator may be a single- or double-acting actuator. In the case of a single-acting actuator, a biasing mechanism (e.g., a spring) may urge the actuator from one position to another position. In an exemplary embodiment, the actuator is a linear actuator such as a lead screw, linear solenoid, rack and pinion, cam and pushrod, a scotch yoke, or any other mechanism that controllably provides linear motion.

One or more pipes 140, 150 fluidly couple the trap 120 to a drain adapter 160. The drain adapter 160 is disposed between a conventional toilet flange and the bottom of the toilet. A passageway 170 in the drain adapter 160 aligns with the drain opening at the bottom of the toilet and also with the drain opening in the toilet flange. The diameter of the passageway 170 is about the same as the diameters of the drain opening at the bottom of the toilet and the drain opening in the toilet flange.

A channel 165 extends through the drain adapter 160 to the passageway 170. Pipe 150 is fluidly coupled to the channel 165. Thus, odoriferous gasses may flow from the bowl, through the channel 106 of the adapter 105, through pipe 110 and fan 115, through the emptied trap 120, through the pipes 140, 150, through the channel 165 of the drain adapter 160, into the passageway 170, and then into the drain.

Electric power for the fan 115, Carson valve 125, and control circuitry 260 may be supplied by a battery, solar panel 250, or utility power supply (e.g., AC outlet) with appropriate voltage regulation, rectification and grounding.

FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates an exemplary control circuit 260. A microcontroller 300 receives signals from a motion sensor 255. Upon receiving a signal indicating the presence of a user in the immediate vicinity of the toilet 10, the microcontroller 300 activates a relay 320 that opens the Carson valve 125. At the same time or a short time thereafter, the microcontroller 300 activates a relay 315 that activates the fan 115. Power may be supplied from a solar panel 250 to a charge controller circuit 305, which maintains the battery 310 in a charged state. Power from the battery 310 is supplied to the microcontroller 300. When the motion sensor 255 no longer senses the presence of a user, the microcontroller 300 deactivates the relay 320 allowing the Carson valve 125 to close. Upon closing, the Carson valve 125 urges water from its reservoir into the trap. At the same time or a short time thereafter, the microcontroller 300 deactivates the relay 315, thereby deactivating the fan 115.

While the above description contemplates use of relays with one relaxed state, the invention is not limited to such relays. Other switches that may be controlled by a microcontroller may be used without departing from the scope of the invention. A nonlimiting example of such as switch is a latching relay with two relaxed states.

Prior art systems rely upon a one-way valve or flapper valve to prevent sewer gas from back flowing into the toilet. The mechanical seal will leak and eventually fail. The subject invention eliminates the predictable and certain partial or complete failure of the one-way valve, from a mechanical or seal failure, thus allowing sewer gas to enter. However, the trap of the present invention remains filled with clean water from the sipper, and with water reserved in the Carson valve. Even if the Carson valve fails to operate, the sipper provides a fail-safe source of water to block sewer gasses. While the unit, in fail mode, may no longer remove offending odors and will require repair, it will not allow noxious sewer gas into the house.

While an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been described, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the components and steps of the invention, including variations in order, form, content, function and manner of operation, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. The above description and drawings are illustrative of modifications that can be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is to be limited only by the following claims. Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

1. A method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl comprising: providing a flow path from a top of a toilet bowl to a valve assembly, the valve assembly including a passage in fluid communication with the flow path and a sewer drain, the passage including a trap in fluid communication with a reservoir, the reservoir having a volume, the trap containing water and the contained water blocking flow of gases through the passage;evacuating water from the trap, the trap not blocking the flow of gases through the passage when water is evacuated;producing a pressure differential that draws odoriferous gases from the toilet bowl, through the flow path, through the passage including the trap from which water has been evacuated, and into the sewer drain;returning evacuated water to the trap; anddiscontinuing production of the pressure differential.

2. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, wherein the step of evacuating water from the trap comprises, under the influence of gravity, draining water from the trap into the reservoir.

3. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, wherein the step of returning evacuated water to the trap comprises displacing water in the reservoir, said displacing causing the water to rise to a level from which the water flows into the trap.

4. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 3, wherein the step of displacing water comprising moving a barrier into the reservoir, the barrier occupying most of volume of the reservoir thereby displacing evacuated water.

5. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 4, wherein the step of moving a barrier into the reservoir comprising actuating an actuator operably coupled to the barrier, the actuated actuator causing the barrier to move into the reservoir.

6. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 5, the actuator being a linear actuator.

7. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 5, the actuator being magnetically coupled to the barrier.

8. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 5, the actuator being structurally coupled to the barrier.

9. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 5, the barrier being sized and shaped to move linearly in the reservoir.

10. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, the trap comprising a generally U-shaped segment of the passage, the generally U-shaped segment being configured to contain water.

11. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, further comprising a step of adding water to the trap.

12. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 11, the step of adding water to the trap comprising directing a portion of flush water to the trap.

13. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 12, further comprising a step of draining excess water from the trap.

14. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, the step of draining excess water from the trap comprising overflowing excess water from the trap towards the sewer drain.

15. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, the step of producing a pressure differential comprising actuating a fan, the fan causing flow of odoriferous gases through the passage.

16. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 15, the fan being within the passage upstream of the trap.

17. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, further comprising a step of sensing a user using the toilet.

18. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 17, the step of sensing a user using the toilet comprising one of activating a switch under weight of the user and producing a logical high output from a motion sensor due to motion of a user.

19. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 17, the step of sensing a user using the toilet further comprising sensing use of the toilet by the user until the user ceases use.

20. The method of evacuating odors from a toilet bowl according to claim 1, the trap comprising a generally U-shaped segment of the passage, the generally U-shaped segment being configured to contain water; wherein the step of evacuating water from the trap comprises, under the influence of gravity, draining water from the trap into the reservoir;the step of returning evacuated water to the trap comprises displacing water in the reservoir, said displacing causing the water to rise to a level from which the water flows into the trap;the step of producing a pressure differential comprising actuating a fan, the fan causing flow of odoriferous gases through the passage, the fan being within the passage upstream of the trap; andfurther comprising steps of:adding water to the trap by directing a portion of flush water to the trap;draining excess water from the trap by overflowing excess water from the trap towards the sewer drain; andsensing a user using the toilet until the user ceases use.