SEALED TOILET SEAT AND LID

FIELD

The present application relates generally to a toilet seat assembly to reduce or prevent an air plume from being expelled from a toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND

Generally, air includes very small particles or droplets that are suspended in the air. These aerosols are particularly prevalent in enclosed spaces, and even more prevalent in enclosed spaces with water usage. For example, in a bathroom aerosols may be expelled from several places, not the least of which is the toilet, which may be referred to as a toilet plume.

Aerosols may be removed from the air that humans breathe by the human body's respiratory system. However, some aerosols may be toxic or even carry a virus into the human body. The problem of aerosols may be mitigated through sanitization of the air. It would be advantageous to provide a toilet having internal sealing systems that prevent the toilet plume from being expelled from the toilet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are described herein with reference to the following drawings, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example toilet seat assembly.

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate example seals for the toilet seat assembly.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate an example operation of the toilet seat assembly.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example handle in a first position.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example handle in a second position.

FIG. 9 illustrate example misting system.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example toilet seat assembly including a lock and a controller.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example toilet seat assembly including a front display.

FIG. 12 illustrates example indicators for the display.

FIGS. 13A and B illustrate-example toilet seat assemblies including a rear display.

FIG. 14 illustrates example icons for the display.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example external projection display.

FIG. 16 illustrates another example display for the toilet seat assembly.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example cleaning cycle on a display.

FIG. 18 illustrates a controller for the toilet seat assembly.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flow chart for the controller of FIG. 18.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flow chart for the controller of FIG. 18.

FIG. 21 illustrates a release mechanism for the seal of the toilet seat assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following embodiments includes systems, apparatus, and method for sanitization and/or disinfection of one or more surfaces and/or one or more spaces. These cleaning techniques may be applied to a toilet or another device found in the bathroom. Regarding the toilet, two specific areas that are targeted include management of the plume and sanitization of the surfaces of the toilet, or at least the surfaces that the human body comes in contact with. The plume is a cloud of microscopic particles or droplets dispersed into the air as a result of flushing the toilet. The plume may include bacteria, germs, or fecal matter. Every person who uses a toilet comes in contact with either the seat or lid. That person not only potentially spreads their germs to those surfaces but also has the risk of spreading the germs to others.

The plume may include particles of various sizes. The size of the particles in the plume may impact the potential travel distance when expelled by the toilet. Further, the size of the particles may impact how quickly the particles may settle on surfaces after they are expelled. For example, a particle with a 100 micron diameter may settle in a few seconds and a particle with a 1 micron diameter or smaller may remain airborne for hours. Viruses and bacteria may have diameters of 1 micron or less. Particles that remain airborne for longer times are more likely to be taken in by the human body. Particles that remain airborne for longer are times are more likely to still be airborne after one user of a bathroom has left and another has entered.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example toilet seat assembly 10 attached to a toilet 100. The toilet 100 includes a bowl (e.g., base, pedestal, etc.) and an upper surface 16 (e.g., a deck, a ledge, etc.) of the bowl coupled to the toilet seat assembly 10, and a water source for supplying water to the bowl. The water source may include a commercial plumbing source such as a flushometer valve and supply, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The water source may include a tank. Further, it is noted that the toilet seat assembly 10 and the embodiments disclosed herein may be employed with any type of toilet (e.g., one-piece toilets, two-piece toilets, skirted toilets, smart toilets, etc.) and that the toilet 100 shown in FIG. 1 is an example implementation. That is, rather than flushometer valve, a tank that releases water into the bowl through gravity may be used. The tank may include a flush lever that mechanically, electrically, or wirelessly open the tank to rim channels and/or jetway channels to evacuate the contents of the bowl into the trapway.

Further, the toilet 100 may be employed with any type of toilet seat assembly and/or toilet attachment assemblies (e.g., bidet assemblies, heated seats, smart devices, etc.). The toilet seat assembly 10 may include a in the seat to make the comfortable to the user. The heater may include a resistive coil, which is provided with an electrical current, and embedded with the seat. The heater may be electrically connected to batteries or a wall outlet for power.

The toilet seat assembly 10 may include a bidet that includes a sprayer integrated with the toilet seat. The bidet may include a water connection or hose connected to the water tank or another source of water. The bidet may include a water tank that fills during the flush cycle. The bidet may include one or more valves controlled by the user to turn the sprayer on and off or change the spraying angle. The bidet also may include a heater to warm the water.

The toilet seat assembly 10 may include other sensors to detect the user or determine the identity of the user to provide one or more functions in response to the user identity. The user functions may include preferences for bidet settings or heater settings.

The toilet seat assembly 10 includes a hood 12, a seat 14, a first seal 11 between the hood 12 and the seat 14, and a second seal 13 between the seat 14 and the toilet 100. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrates a cross sectional view for the first seal 11 and the second seal 13 for the toilet seat assembly. The toilet seat assembly 10 may also include a cover 17 (or lid) incorporated in the hood 12. The cover 17 may be transparent or semi-transparent. The toilet seat assembly 10 may also include a cleaning system 18, which may include a controller, a misting system, a bidet, and one or more other devices. The toilet seat assembly 10 may also include a hinge (e.g., a double hinge having a first hinge for the hood 12 and a second hinge for the seat 14). Additional, different, or fewer components may be included.

When at least partially transparent, the cover 17 provides a window into the toilet bowl even when the cover 17 is closed. The user may see through the window as a visual indication of the cleaning system 18. For example, if the misting system is currently expelling mist into the toilet bowl, the mist may be visible through the cover 17. Likewise, if mist remains in the space of the toilet bowl, the mist may be visible through the cover 17.

The seat 14 may be oval or circular in shape (e.g., round or elongated). Additionally, in many countries including the United States, the toilets in the public bathrooms are designed to include a gap in the toilet seats, in other words, in U-shape (“open-front seat”). In the United States, such an open-front seat is required by the local rules and regulations for hygiene reasons. However, the gap in the toilet seat leaves a space between the toilet lid and the toilet bowl. The excrement particles containing the pathogens may escape from the gap and spread in the form of the aerosols and thus may increase the risks for the users to get infected with the pathogens when the toilet is flushed.

The hood 12 encloses and covers the seat 14 and, if applicable, a gap in the toilet seat and/or an open-front seat. That is the hood 12 is configured to enclose the open-front seat style. The hood 12 is coupled to the first seal 11. The hood 12 is movable up and down (e.g., rotated) in order to place the first seal 11 in either a sealing position or an open position. The first seal 11 has a predetermined height that allows for the first seal 11 to extend between the hood 12 and the seat 14 and be enclosed by the hood 12. The seat 14 may have a predetermined depth and the first seal 11 has approximately the same depth so that the first seal 11 extends from the bottom of the seat 14 to the top of the hood 12.

The first seal 11 is a rubber gasket including a first section (e.g., the top edge of first seal 11) in contact with an outer circumference of the toilet seat 14 and a second section (e.g., the bottom or side of the first seal 11) in contact with the inner circumference of the toilet seat 14 when the hood is in a closed position.

The second seal 13 is configured to seal a space 19 between the hood and the toilet seat. The second seal 13 may be a gasket. The gasket may substantially be aligned with the outline of the toilet seat 14. The second seal 13 may track a cross section of the toilet seat 14. The second seal 13 may include an inner U-shaped portion that tracks the inside perimeter of the toilet seat 14 and an outer U-shaped portion that tracks the outer perimeter of the toilet seat 14. FIGS. 2 and 3 provide additional views of the first seal 11 and the second seal 13.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate an example operation of the toilet seat assembly. The toilet seat assembly includes three operational states of the toilet seat assembly. FIG. 4 includes a closed state where the toilet seat 14 and the hood 12 are closed. FIG. 5 includes a seat down open state where the toilet seat 14 is down, resting on the rim of the toilet bowl, and the hood 12 is raised or opened. FIG. 6 includes a fully open state where the toilet seat 14 and the hood 12 are both raised on opened.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the operation of the handle 15. The handle 15 includes a first handle lift position associated with lifting the hood 12 and a second handle lift position associated with lifting both the hood 12 and the toilet seat 14. In FIG. 7 (first handle lift position), which corresponds to the seat down open state of FIG. 5, the handle 15 is attached only to the hood 12 and is configured to raise the hood 12 and the first seal 11. The handle 15 is coupled to the hood 12 in a first handle position. In FIG. 8 (second handle lift position), which corresponds to the fully open state of FIG. 6, the handle 15 is attached to the hood 12 and the toilet seat 14. The handle 15 is coupled to the hood 12 and the toilet seat 14 in a second handle lift position. In one example, for the first handle lift position the handle is pushed in or rotated in a first direction (e.g., counter clockwise) and for the second handle lift position the handle is pulled out or rotated in a second direction.

The first handle lift position and the second handle lift position may be defined according to a sliding position of the handle 15. For example, the handle 15 may be movable along a track that is parallel or substantially parallel to the rim of the toilet bowl. When the handle 15 is pulled out, in the first handle lift position, as shown by FIG. 7, the handle 15 slides along the track to latch onto only the hood 12. When the handle 15 is pushed in, in the second handle lift position, as shown by FIG. 8, the handle 15 slides along the track to latch onto the hood 12 and the toilet seat 14.

The handle 15 and/or the hood 12 may include an anti-bacterial material that may reduce or completely kill the pathogens deposited thereon by the toilet plume or after the toilet user touches an associated surface. The anti-bacterial material may include copper. The copper may be inlayed in the handle 15. The antibacterial material is not limited to copper. In another embodiment, any other antibacterial material may be used. In some examples, the handle 15, or outer layer of the handle 15, is formed from a copper sheet. The handle 15 may be in any shapes and sizes that offer the toilet user a firm grip when the user lifts up or drops down the toilet seat 14 and/or the hood 12. The handle 15 may be in any shape and size suitable for a normal human hand size, e.g. having an ergonomic design.

The anti-bacterial material may be a coating. For example, the copper may be plated on the handle in a process in which the copper is placed electrolytically on the surface of the handle 15. For example, a direct current in an electrolytic cell may be used to dissolve copper and transfer copper ions to the handle 15. The copper may be applied using a copper rod, which acts as an anode, through electrical current flow to the handle 15, which acts as a cathode.

The hood 12 may be formed of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) that is soft or pliable. The TPU may be coated with the anti-bacterial coating. The hood 12 may be formed of other plastics, silicone, or other materials.

FIG. 9 illustrates example misting system 20 configured to produce mist 21 that is expelled in a space between the toilet bowl and the hood 12. The hood 12, the first seal 11 and the second seal 13 enclose the mist 21 within the toilet bowl and the toilet bowl assembly. The misting system 20 may be located within the hinge for the toilet seat assembly.

The misting system 20 may include a tank for storing disinfectant or another solution. The tank includes an opening configured to receive the disinfectant into the tank. The disinfectant may be hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is antiviral and antibacterial. Other solutions that may be stored in the tank may include quaternary ammonium, tetraacetyl ethylenediamine, phenolic, isopropyl alcohol, sodium carbonate, peroxyhydrate; tetraacetyl ethylenediamine, ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, octanoic acid, or sodium chlorite.

Connected to the tank or one or more other location of the toilet is a misting distribution system that provides the disinfectant to the bowl. The mist 21 may operate as a gas that expands in the enclosed space off the toilet bowl assembly. The distribution system may include a filling and control valve. For example, an opening may be opened or closed by cover.

As discussed in more detail below, a user input may include a button, switch, or keyboard for controlling the operation of the misting distribution system. The user input may turn the misting distribution system on or off. The user input may cause the distribution system to generate the mist or cloud. In addition or in the alternative, a sensor may detect one or more characteristics of the ambient environment or the toilet. The sensor may detect the existence of aerosols or particles in the vicinity of the toilet. The sensor may detect an operation of the toilet (e.g., flush cycle). A controller may receive sensor data collected by the sensor, analyze the sensor data, and control the distribution system in responses to the analysis.

FIG. 10 illustrates another example toilet seat assembly including a lock 42 and a controller 40. The lock 42 may be incorporated with the handle 15. The lock 42 is configured to mechanically couple the hood 12 to the toilet seat 14. The lock 42 may include an actuator such as a magnetic latch, a solenoid, or another type of electronic lock. The lock 42 may be integrated with the track for the handle 15. That is, the lock 42 may place the handle 15 in the first handle lift position associated with lifting the hood 12 and the second handle lift position associated with the hood 12 and the toilet seat 14 according to the position of the actuator.

The lock 42 may operate under commands from the controller 40. The lock 42 may be actuated under a magnetic field generated by the magnet. The lock 42 may include a latch that is biased (e.g., under the force of a spring) to hold the handle 15 closed. The controller 40 may generate a release command to energize the magnet and open the latch. Alternatively, the latch may be biased to hold the handle 15 open, and the lock 42 is actuated to hold the handle 15 closed.

The release command from the controller 40 may be generated in response to user input. The user input may originate with a button or other switch at the toilet seat assembly. The user input may originate with a gesture from the user. The gesture may be detected by a camera, a proximity sensor, or another sensor. The release command from the controller 40 may be generated in response to a timer. For example, a cleaning operation or a cycle of the misting system may include a predetermined time where the lock 42 is released.

In addition or in the alternative, a second lock may couple the toilet seat assembly to the toilet bowl so that neither the toilet seat 14 nor the hood 12 can be rotated away from the toilet bowl. The second lock may include any of the mechanism described with respect to lock 42 and may receive commands from the controller 40.

In addition, a sensor 41 may detect a position of the toilet seat assembly. FIG. 10 illustrates a sensor mounted (e.g., in a recess) on the toilet bowl 100 but the sensor 41 may also be on the underside of the toilet seat 14, incorporated with handle 15 or integrated or attached to the first seal 11 or the second seal 13.

The sensor 41 may be a variety of types of sensors. Proximity sensors may be employed to detect the presence of an object within a zone of detection without physical contact between the object and the sensor. Electric potential sensors, capacitance sensors, projected capacitance sensors, and infrared sensors (e.g., projected infrared sensors, passive infrared sensors) are non-limiting examples of proximity sensors that may be employed with the systems of this application. Motion sensors may be employed to detect motion (e.g., a change in position of an object relative to the objects surroundings). Electric potential sensors, optic sensors, radio-frequency (RF) sensors, sound sensors, magnetic sensors (e.g., magnetometers), vibration sensors, and infrared sensors (e.g., projected infrared sensors, passive infrared sensors) are non-limiting examples of motion sensors that may be employed with the systems of this application.

The controller 40 may perform a variety of functions in response to data generated at the sensor 41. For example, the controller 40 may generate a flush command in response to the sensor data. The flush command may be a message, an electrical signal, or a circuit connection that causes a valve to be opened. The sensor data causing the flush command may indicate the presence of the closed hood 12 and seat 14. The sensor data causing the flush command may indicate the closed position of the handle 15. The sensor data causing the flush command may indicate a gesture or other input from the user. The flush command may be sent to a flush valve that opens a flow of water. The valve may be a flushometer type valve or an inline valve. Other types of valves may be used.

In another example, the sensor data may indicate the presence or lack of the presence of the user (i.e., the user has set on the seat 14 or stood from the seat 14) based on pressure on the sight or proximity of the user. The flush command may be timed from this user event. That is, the controller 40 may generate the flush command after a predetermined time has elapsed since the user started using the toilet or left the toilet.

The controller 40 may generate a cleaning command in response to the sensor data. The cleaning command may start a cleaning sequence for the misting distribution system 20. The cleaning command may start the release of mist (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) into the chamber formed by the first seal 11 and the second seal 13. The controller 40 may receive information from multiple sensor before starting the cleaning sequence. The controller 40 may first determine that sensor data has been received indicated that the handle 15 has been latches or locked, and/or determine that the seat 14 and the hood 12 have been closed, and/or determine that the user has left the proximity of the toilet 100.

Alternatively, or in addition, an external indicator may indicate that the toilet is in use, or the cleaning cycle is being performed, based on the sensor data. The external indicator may be placed on an entrance door to the bathroom or a stall associated with the toilet seat assembly 10. When the toilet seat assembly 10 is in use, the external indicator provides a light, LED, or a message to other users.

The sensor 41 may include any type of sensor configured to detect certain actions and/or to provide functionality (e.g., dispensing, flushing, etc.). Odor sensors, proximity sensors, and motion sensors are non-limiting examples of sensors that may be employed with the systems of this application. Odor sensors, such as volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors, may be employed to detect organic chemicals and compounds, both human made and naturally occurring chemicals/compounds.

In another example, the sensor 41 may include a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) that servers as a proximity sensor. The controller receives sensor data such as a point cloud, from the sensor 41 and analyzes the sensor data to determine when a user is approaching or has approached the toilet 10.

FIG. 11 illustrates another example toilet seat assembly including a front display 50. The display 50 may be coupled to the hood 12. The display 50 is configured to display information for a cleaning operation for the toilet seat assembly. FIG. 12 illustrates example indicators 51 for the display 50.

FIGS. 13A and B indicate additional toilet seat assemblies with the display near the rear of the toilet seat assembly. The displays may be electrically connected to a controller and a power supply internal to the rear housing of the toilet seat assembly. The display may share a housing with the misting device. One example toilet seat assembly 130 includes display 60 that is elongated and includes alphanumeric messages including “ready to use,” “the number of seconds remaining in the cleaning cycle,” or “stop.” Another example toilet seat assembly 131 includes display 61 that is round and includes a rotating timer icon, a ready to use icon, or a cleaning in progress icon. Any of the various display embodiments may be applied to both consumer (e.g., tank) or commercial (e.g., flushometer) systems as well as active (e.g., misting and automatic closing in combination with the seal) or passive (e.g., seal only) systems.

The display may be integrated with a bidet housing. The bidet housing may include a controller for operation of the bidet (e.g., rotation, extension, and operation of a water nozzle or sprayer), a nozzle mount for securing the nozzle or sprayer to the toilet seat assembly 10, a heater for heating the water sprayed by the nozzle, or a water tank.

The information for the display (e.g., display 50, 60, 61) may include a cycle timer, a status indicator, and/or a user instruction. The cycle timer may indicate an amount of time remaining in the cycle. The cycle may be the operation of the misting system. The cycle timer information may also indicate the name of the cycle (e.g., disinfecting). The status indicator may include available or not available. For example, FIG. 12 illustrates a message of “ready to use.” The user instruction indicate may mean that the user has requested a manual interruption of the cycle. The user may interrupt the cycle through a hand gesture or an attempted opening of the handle 15 against the lock.

FIG. 14 illustrated additional example icons 140 for the display (e.g., display 50, 60, 61). The icons may indicate an amount of remaining battery (e.g., when a battery is included in the toilet seat assembly) or a battery alert when the amount of remaining battery falls below a threshold. The icons may indicate an amount of remaining chemical (e.g., cleaning solution or hydrogen peroxide when a tank is included in the toilet seat assembly) or a chemical alert when the amount of remaining chemical falls below a threshold. The icons may include a cleaning in process icon or a cleaning completed icon.

The icons may include a service required icon to indicate to the user that the toilet seat assembly requires service. The controller may trigger the service alert when a sensor reading is out of bounds, a clog is detecting in the misting, the lock is malfunctioning, or another error is determined.

The icons may include a numbers icon as a placeholder to indicate error codes, a time remaining in the cleaning cycle, a model number, or another service process.

FIG. 15 illustrates a projected display 71 external to the toilet seat assembly. A projector 72 may include a light source, a lens, a mirror, and/or a retractable cover. The controller 40 may provide image data to the light source that generates a light beam reflected by the mirror and through the lens to produce the projected display 71. The projector 72 may be integrated into the toilet seat assembly 10. The projected display 71 may be projected on a wall, a floor, or on the side of the toilet 100. The projected display 71 may include any of the indicators or information described herein with display 50.

The projected display 71 may include a color only. For example, a first color may indicate cleaning, a second color may indicate ready, and a third color may include an error.

FIG. 16 illustrates a projected display 81 on a projection surface of the toilet seat assembly (e.g., cover 17). A projector 82 may be internal to the toilet seat assembly and located under the toilet seat 14 and the hood 12. The projector 82 may provide the light beam through a window hidden or covered by the toilet seat 14 and hood 12. The projected display 81 may include any of the indicators or information described herein with display 50.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example cleaning cycle on a display 91. The cleaning cycle includes a first indicator for washing in progress (i.e., the misting distribution system), a second indicator that the toilet seat assembly 10 is read to use (e.g., a predetermined time has passes since the washing stage), and a third indicator for warning the user. The warning may indicate that there is a malfunction or other problem detected. The warning may indicate that the user should wait before opening the toilet seat assembly 10.

FIG. 18 illustrates a controller 40 for the toilet seat assembly. The controller 40 may include a processor 300, a memory 352, and a communication interface 353 for interfacing with devices or to the internet and/or other networks 346. In addition to the communication interface 353, a sensor interface may be configured to receive data from the sensors described herein or data from any source. The components of the control system 40 may communicate using bus 348. The control system 40 may be connected to a workstation or another external device (e.g., control panel) and/or a database for receiving user inputs, system characteristics, and any of the values described herein.

Optionally, the control system 40 may include an input device 355 and/or a sensing circuit in communication with any of the sensors. The sensing circuit receives sensor measurements from as described above. The input device 355 may include a mechanical switch, a button, a remote control, a touchscreen, a keyboard, a microphone for voice inputs, a camera for gesture inputs, and/or another mechanism.

Optionally, the control system 40 may include a drive unit 340 for receiving and reading non-transitory computer media 341 having instructions 342. Additional, different, or fewer components may be included. The processor 300 is configured to perform instructions 342 stored in memory 352 for executing the algorithms described herein.

The display 350 may be combined with the user input device 355. The display 35o may include any of the features of displays described herein (e.g., display 50, 60, 61). In addition or in the alternative of display 350, a speaker 351 may present audible indication of the status of the cleaning system, locking system, or other features of the toilet seat assembly 10.

A power supply 360 may be controller by the processor 300 to provide electrical power to the various components of the toilet seat assembly 10.

FIG. 19 illustrates a flow chart for the controller of FIG. 18. Additional, different of fewer acts may be included.

At act S101, the controller 40 (e.g., through processor 300) receives usage information related to the toilet bowl. A variety of functions may be started in response to the usage information. The controller 40 may start a flush cycle in response to the usage information. The usage information may be sensor data. The sensor data may indicate that the user has walked away or stood up from the toilet. The controller 40 may start the flush cycle in response to this detection. The usage information may be user input. Example user inputs may involve a flush lever or a gesture in the vicinity of the toilet. The controller 40 may start the flush cycle in response to the user input.

The flush cycle may evacuate the contents of the toilet bowl after one or more of the following acts.

At act S103, the controller 40 causes locking a toilet seat assembly 10 in response to the usage information or the initiation flush cycle. The toilet seat assembly 10 may be locked/sealed to the toilet bowl before the contents of the bowl are evacuated (i.e., toilet flushed). The controller 40 may send a command to a lock mechanism. The command may turn on an electromagnet or solenoid to lock the hood 12 and/or seat 14. The command may actuate a latch or shaft that holds the hood 12 and/or seat 14 in place.

At act S105, the controller 40 performs a toilet plume mitigation operation at the toilet seat assembly. For example, by sending a command to a misting system. The misting command may be generated in response to confirmation that the toilet seat assembly has been locked or closed (e.g., electrical contact) or in response that a time period has elapsed since the locking command was sent by the controller 40.

The misting command may include opening a valve to release the mist. The misting command may include generating the mist. The misting command may switch on or otherwise provide power to an ultrasonic, piezoelectric mister, or an atomizer.

The controller 40 may perform one or more maintenance operations that occur after the toilet plume mitigation operation. The controller 40 may check the battery level in the misting system (e.g., voltage sensor). The controller 40 may check the level of cleaning solution (e.g., level solution) in the tank of the misting system.

At act S107, the controller causes unlocking the toilet seat assembly 10 after the toilet plume mitigation operation. For example, by sending another command to the lock mechanism. The unlocking command may deenergize the electromagnet or solenoid that is holding the toilet seat assembly 10 in the locking state. The unlocking command may move a lever or latch that is holding the locking state.

FIG. 20 illustrates a flow chart for the controller of FIG. 18 including automatic closing of one or more components of the toilet seat assembly 10 (e.g., hood 12, seat 14, and/or attached seals 11, 13). Additional, different of fewer acts may be included.

At act S201, the controller 40 receives usage information related to the toilet bowl. At act S203, the controller 40 generates a command to close the lid of the toilet bowl. The command may instruct a motor to rotate and apply a rotational force to a portion of the toilet seat assembly 10. The motor may drive a first gear, cam, or other mechanism to rotate the hood 12, lid 17, and seal 11. The motor may drive a second gear, cam, or other mechanism to rotate the seat 14 and seals 13.

The controller 40 provide different commands. For example, a seat command may close the seat 14 and a lid command may close the lid 17. Any of the usage information that triggers the cleaning cycle for the toilet seat assembly 10 may trigger the lid command to close the lid 17. In addition, any usage information that indicates the flush cycle may trigger the lid command to close the lid 17. However, other commands may cause only the seat 14 to close.

At act S205, the controller 40 causes locking a toilet seat assembly in response to the usage information. For example, by sending a command to a lock mechanism. At act S207, the controller 40 performs a toilet plume mitigation operation at the toilet seat assembly. For example, by sending a command to a misting system. At act S209, the controller causes unlocking the toilet seat assembly after the toilet plume mitigation operation. For example, by sending another command to the lock mechanism.

FIG. 21 illustrates a release mechanism 402 for the second seal 13 of the toilet seat assembly 10 as shown in illustrative window 400. While the release mechanism 402 is illustrated in an example without active cleaning (e.g., the misting system), the release mechanism 402 may be used in any examples toilet seat assemblies described herein. Additional, different, or fewer components may be used.

The release mechanism 402 may include a one-way valve integrated with the second seal 13. The one way valve may allow air to be released. For example, when the toilet flushes, there is a positive pressure in the toilet bowl. When the siphon of the trapway breaks during flushing, there is an immediate change of pressure in the toilet bowl. The change in pressure may cause the toilet seat assembly 10 or lid to jump, rattle, or vibrate. The release mechanism 402, under such pressure, allows a small amount of air to escape, which prevents the jostling of the toilet seat assembly 10 or lid. Thus, the second seal 13 can prevent the flume or substantially all of the flume from being push out while still allowing the release mechanism 402 to prevent the unwanted reaction of the toilet seat assembly 10.

In addition or in the alternative, a third seal 401 may be a flexible sheet or flap that is configured to flex in one direction. The third seal 401 provides some give in the first seal 11 when the toilet flushes and pressure is applied to the toilet seat assembly 10.

Processor 300 may be a general purpose or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more programmable logic controllers (PLCs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. Processor 300 is configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 352 or received from other computer readable media (e.g., embedded flash memory, local hard disk storage, local ROM, network storage, a remote server, etc.). The processor 300 may be a single device or combinations of devices, such as associated with a network, distributed processing, or cloud computing.

Memory 352 may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memory devices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described in the present disclosure. Memory 352 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory 352 may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. Memory 352 may be communicably connected to processor 300 via a processing circuit and may include computer code for executing (e.g., by processor 300) one or more processes described herein. For example, memory 298 may include graphics, web pages, HTML files, XML files, script code, shower configuration files, or other resources for use in generating graphical user interfaces for display and/or for use in interpreting user interface inputs to make command, control, or communication decisions.

In addition to ingress ports and egress ports, the communication interface 353 may include any operable connection. An operable connection may be one in which signals, physical communications, and/or logical communications may be sent and/or received. An operable connection may include a physical interface, an electrical interface, and/or a data interface. The communication interface 353 may be connected to a network. The network may include wired networks (e.g., Ethernet), wireless networks, or combinations thereof. The wireless network may be a cellular telephone network, an 802.11, 802.16, 802.20, or WiMax network, a Bluetooth pairing of devices, or a Bluetooth mesh network. Further, the network may be a public network, such as the Internet, a private network, such as an intranet, or combinations thereof, and may utilize a variety of networking protocols now available or later developed including, but not limited to TCP/IP based networking protocols.

While the computer-readable medium (e.g., memory 352) is shown to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiple media, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by a processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or more of the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, the computer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatile read-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be a random access memory or other volatile re-writable memory.

Additionally, the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or optical medium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capture carrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmission medium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives may be considered a distribution medium that is a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalents and successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored. The computer-readable medium may be non-transitory, which includes all tangible computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, such as application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodiments described herein may implement functions using two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, and hardware implementations.

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