Toilet Ventilation Apparatus

Abstract

A toilet ventilation apparatus for a toilet includes a toilet seat coupled to the toilet bowl and selectively movable between raised and lowered configurations. A pressure sensor is coupled to the toilet seat and is capable of detecting a weight indicative of a person being seated on the toilet seat. A fan is coupled to the toilet seat and electrically connected to the battery and pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor actuates the fan when pressure indicative of a person sitting on the toilet seat is detected. A proximal end of a conduit is in fluid communication with the fan, the conduit carrying odorous air away from the toilet bowl. The toilet seat includes a heating element and a motion sensor, the motion sensor actuating the heating element when motion is detected proximate the toilet seat. A moisture sensor is also configured to actuate the fan when energized.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to toilet devices and, more particularly, to a toilet ventilation apparatus that includes a toilet seat having a plurality of sensors that detect conditions such as motion, ambient moisture, and seat pressure and, when detected, energize a fan to direct ambient air into the interior space of a wall proximate the toilet.

Removing unpleasant odors from a bathroom generated primarily by bodily functions of a person is traditionally accomplished by masking the odor with a different smell, such as by spraying a pleasant aerosol from a can, by lighting a candle, or by cracking open a window. However, masking one smell with another can create an overpowering smell that is itself undesirable. Similarly, the heavy steam and humidity generated in a bathroom as a result of running a hot shower for several minutes can also be undesirable, especially after ending the shower and attempting to use a fogged up mirror while grooming, shaving, or applying makeup.

Various devices have been proposed for redirecting toilet odor or for an anti-steam fan mounted to a ceiling that vents ambient air into an attic or area above the ceiling. Although presumably effective for their intended use, the existing devices and proposals do not operate a fan positioned within a toilet bowl upon detection of predetermined conditions, including sensing a person seated on the toilet seat, detecting motion around the toilet, or detecting a predetermined level of steam in the room.

Therefore, it would be desirable to have a toilet ventilation system that includes a toilet seat having one or multiple sensors configured to energize a fan to suction ambient air around the toilet bowl and direct it into an inner space behind a wall. Further, it would be desirable to have a toilet ventilation system that includes a seat pressure sensor, a motion sensor, a heating element, and a moisture sensor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A toilet ventilation apparatus for a toilet according to the present invention includes a toilet seat coupled to the rim of the toilet bowl and selectively movable between raised and lowered configurations. The toilet seat includes a top section defining an interior area for holding a battery and electronic components. A pressure sensor is coupled to the top section of the toilet seat, the pressure sensor being electrically connected to the battery and capable of detecting a weight indicative of a person being seated on the toilet seat. A fan is operatively coupled to the toilet seat and electrically connected to the battery and pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is configured to actuate the fan when pressure indicative of a person sitting on the toilet seat is detected. A proximal end of a conduit is in fluid communication with the fan, the conduit carrying odorous air away from the toilet bowl. In addition, the toilet ventilation apparatus may include a speaker configured to emit audio files when the pressure sensor indicates a person is seated on the toilet seat.

Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a toilet ventilation apparatus for collecting and directing odorous air away from a toilet bowl.

Another object of this invention is to provide a toilet ventilation apparatus, as aforesaid, that includes a moisture sensor configured to detect a predetermined level or presence of moisture, humidity, or steam in an area proximate a toilet and, as a result, to energize the fan to direct air away from the toilet and bathroom, e.g. into a wall.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a toilet ventilation apparatus, as aforesaid, that includes a pressure sensor on the toilet seat configured to detect a weight on the seat indicative of a person sitting thereon and, as a result, to energize the fan to direct air away from the toilet and bathroom, e.g. into a wall.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a toilet ventilation apparatus, as aforesaid, having a motion sensor situated on the toilet seat and configured to detect motion proximate the toilet seat, as a result, to energize the fan to direct air away from the toilet and bathroom, e.g. into a wall.

A further object of this invention is to provide a toilet ventilation apparatus, as aforesaid, having a speaker on the toilet seat and configured to play audio files when the pressure sensor detects a weight presumably indicative of a person sitting thereon.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet ventilation apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrating a cover of the top section in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 1, shown with the cover in an open configuration;

FIG. 3a is an exploded view of the toilet ventilation apparatus as in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of the toilet ventilation apparatus as in FIG. 2 from another angle and with the toilet removed for clarity;

FIG. 4b is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4a;

FIG. 4c is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5a is a side view of the toilet ventilation apparatus as in FIG. 4a;

FIG. 5b is a sectional view taken along line 5b-5b of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5c is a sectional view of the toilet seat taken along line 5c-5c of FIG. 5b;

FIG. 5d is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 5c; and

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the electronic components according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A toilet ventilation apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. The toilet ventilation apparatus 10 includes a toilet seat 20, a pressure sensor 42, a motion sensor 44, a speaker 54, and a hose 30 for use with a toilet 11 that includes a toilet bowl 12 having a rim 14 that define an interior space.

The toilet seat 20 is operatively coupled to the rim 14 of a toilet bowl 12 and is movable between raised and lowered configurations in a traditional manner. More particularly, a rear end 24 of the toilet seat 20 is pivotally coupled to the toilet bowl 12 proximate a back of the rim 14, such as with bolts or similar fasteners 16, and is pivotally movable between an upstanding raised configuration that is generally perpendicular to a horizontal plane defined by the rim 14 and a lowered configuration that is generally parallel to the horizontal plane.

The toilet seat 20 includes a top section 26, also referred as an “active section” or “smart section” that includes various electronic components that make the toilet seat 20 more functional or like a “smart” electronic device. The top section 26 may be constructed in the form of a cover 28 that is pivotally mounted to the toilet seat 20 and is pivotally movable between an open configuration enabling access into an interior area 29 (FIG. 2) defined by the top section 26 and a closed configuration not allowing access into the interior area (FIG. 1). In an embodiment, the entire toilet seat 20 may be hollow, so as to receive a heating element 49 as will be described later.

More particularly, a battery 40 may be situated in the interior area 29 defined by the top section 26 and may be replaced, as needed, when the cover 28 is at the open configuration. In an embodiment, a pressure sensor 42 may be coupled to the top section 26 and be capable of detecting when a predetermined amount of weight is placed on the pressure sensor 42. For instance, the pressure sensor 42 may be a load cell. The pressure sensor 42 may be positioned beneath a top surface of the cover 28. In the present invention, a predetermined amount of weight is assumed to indicate that a person is sitting on the toilet seat 20. The pressure sensor 42 may be electrically connected to the battery 40 as its source of electrical current.

Further, a fan 48 may be operatively coupled to the toilet seat 20, such as to a rear end 24 of the toilet seat 20 (FIGS. 1 and 3a) and electrically connected to the pressure sensor 42 and battery (FIG. 6). The fan 48 may include an integrated motor and fan blades (not shown) and be configured to suck or draw odorous air or gas from the toilet bowl area of the toilet 11 and direct it away from the toilet 11. The pressure sensor 42 may be configured to actuate (i.e. send a signal of activation) to the fan 48 or, more accurately, to allow current to flow from the battery 40 to the fan 48 whereby to energize it into operation. In other words, the fan 48 may be activated to draw odorous air from the interior area of the toilet bowl 12 when a person sits down on the toilet seat 20. It is understood that actuation signals referenced in this application may be through wires or through wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, transmitters, receivers, and the like.

A conduit, such as a sealed hose 30 (flexible or inflexible), may be coupled to the fan 48 and extends away from the toilet seat 20. More particularly, the hose 30 may have an elongate configuration and extend from the fan 48 to a position coupled to a wall structure. For instance, a proximal end 32 of the hose 30 may be coupled to a back side of the fan 48 while a distal end 34 of the hose 30 may be coupled to a wall structure with a tubular body portion extending therebetween. When the fan 48 is energized, air from within the interior of the toilet bowl 12 is drawn by the fan 48 into the hose 30 and channeled up the natural interior spaces of a wall, such as into an attic or through an outlet.

In an embodiment, the toilet ventilation apparatus 10 may also include a motion sensor 44 operatively coupled to a front end 22 of the toilet seat 20, such as with a bracket 46 or other fastener (FIGS. 1 and 3a). The motion sensor 44 is configured and positioned to detect movement proximate the toilet bowl 12. For instance, the motion sensor 44 may be configured to detect when a person enters the bathroom, is standing in front of the toilet bowl 12, or is sitting down on the toilet seat 20. The motion sensor 44 may be electrically coupled to the battery 40 and to the fan 48. The motion sensor 44 may be configured to actuate the fan 48 when motion is detected proximate the toilet bowl 12 or toilet seat 20.

Further, the toilet seat 20 may include a heating element 49, such as a heating coil, situated within a hollow cavity defined by the toilet seat 20 (FIG. 3). The heating element 49 may be coupled to the battery 40 although an alternative power source (such as AC power) is possible if more current than a battery is needed. The motion sensor 47 is configured to actuate the heating element 49 (or to allow current from the battery 40 to energize the heating element 49 when it detects motion or movement proximate the toilet seat 20. For instance, the motion sensor 44 may actuate the heating element 49 to heat the toilet seat 20 upon detecting a person has entered the bathroom or is seemingly preparing to sit down upon the toilet seat 20.

Alternatively, the motion sensor 44 may be configured to allow current to flow from the battery 40 to the pressure sensor 42 when motion is detected. For instance, the pressure sensor 42 may remain “asleep” when no person is in the bathroom so as to conserve battery usage and then to “wake up” only when a person is detected proximate the toilet.

In an embodiment, the toilet ventilation apparatus 10 may also include a moisture sensor 47 operatively coupled to the toilet seat 20, (FIG. 3). The moisture sensor 44 is configured and positioned to detect a moisture content, i.e. humidity or steam, proximate the toilet bowl 12. For instance, the moisture sensor 47 may be configured to detect a quantity of steam or a rapid or steady increase in a density of steam within the ambient air of the bathroom. It is understood that the moisture sensor 47 may be configured to “see” moisture or steam particles in a manner similar to a smoke detector detecting smoke particles. The moisture sensor 47 is configured to actuate or energize the fan 48 when a predetermined amount of steam, humidity, or moisture is detected proximate the toilet eat 20.

So far, the description of the electronic components has been described with the assumption of being wired together such as with circuitry. It is understood, however, that all electrical and electronic components may be in electrical and data connection to an electronic controller 50 which may also be integrally connected to a non-volatile memory 52 having data structures configured to include audio files (i.e. audio data) and/or programming instructions.

In this embodiment, the controller 50 may be electrically connected to the battery 40, memory 52, motion sensor 44, pressure sensor 42, and moisture sensor 47 and configured to monitor their operation and to actuate other components in response to their operation (FIG. 6). For instance, the controller 50 (via program control or integrated circuit) may cause actuation of the fan 48 when the motion sensor 44 detects movement proximate the toilet seat 20, the pressure sensor 42 detects a predetermined amount of weight on the toilet seat 20, or the moisture sensor 47 detects a predetermined level of steam or humidity in the ambient air.

In another aspect, the toilet ventilation apparatus 10 may include a speaker 54 coupled to the toilet seat 20 (such as to the top section) and electrically connected to the battery 40 and controller 50. The speaker 54 is configured to emit sound, such as an oral message or music, when respective audio files are streamed from the memory 52 to the speaker 54 for playback. More particularly, the controller 50 is configured to direct respective audio data to the speaker 54 for emission thereby when the pressure sensor 42 detects a predetermined weight indicative that a person is sitting upon the toilet seat 20. In other words, the toilet seat 20 (via the speaker) is configured to play music or an audio message while a person is using the toilet.

It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A toilet ventilation apparatus for a toilet that includes a toilet bowl having a rim, comprising: a toilet seat operatively coupled to the rim of the toilet bowl and selectively movable between a raised configuration perpendicular to the rim of the toilet bowl and a lowered configuration parallel to the rim of the toilet bowl;a battery operatively coupled to said toilet seat;a pressure sensor coupled to a top section of said toilet seat, said pressure sensor being electrically connected to said battery and capable of detecting a weight indicative of a person is seated on said toilet seat;a fan operatively coupled to said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and said pressure sensor, wherein said pressure sensor is configured to actuate said fan when pressure indicative of a person sitting on said toilet seat is detected;a conduit having a proximal end in fluid communication with said fan and having an elongate configuration extending away from said toilet seat for carrying odorous air away from the toilet bowl.

2. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising a motion sensor operatively coupled to a front end of said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and configured to detect motion a distance away from said toilet seat.

3. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 2, wherein said motion sensor is electrically coupled to said pressure sensor and configured to allow current to flow from said battery to said pressure sensor when motion is detected proximate said toilet seat.

4. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 2, further comprising a heating element situated inside said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery; wherein said motion detector is electrically connected to said heating element and configured to actuate said heating element when motion is detected proximate said toilet seat.

5. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a controller situated in said toilet seat;a non-volatile memory electrically connected to said controller and having data structures configured to store a plurality of audio files; anda speaker operatively coupled to said toilet seat and electrically connected to said pressure sensor and to said controller and configured to selectively emit sound;wherein said controller is configured to deliver respective audio files to said speaker for emission thereby when said pressure sensor detects a weight indicative of a person is seated on said toilet seat.

6. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a controller situated in said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery;wherein said controller is electrically connected to said pressure sensor and configured to actuate said fan when said processor detects a weight indicative of a person sitting on said toilet seat.

7. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 4, further comprising a controller situated in said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery; wherein said controller is electrically connected to said motion detector and configured to actuate said heating element when motion is detected proximate said toilet seat.

8. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 1, comprising a cover pivotally coupled to said toilet seat and movable between a closed configuration preventing access to an interior area of said top section of said toilet seat and an open configuration allowing access to an interior area of said top section of said toilet seat.

9. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 7, wherein said conduit is a flexible hose having a distal end coupled to a wall structure so that the odorous air is vented into the wall structure.

10. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 1, further comprising: a moisture sensor coupled to a top section of said toilet seat, said moisture sensor being electrically connected to said battery and capable of detecting a moisture content indicative of a predetermined level of steam in the ambient air proximate said toilet seat;wherein said moisture sensor is configured to actuate said fan when said predetermined moisture content is detected.

11. A toilet ventilation apparatus for a toilet that includes a toilet bowl having a rim, comprising: a toilet seat operatively coupled to the rim of the toilet bowl and selectively movable between a raised configuration perpendicular to the rim of the toilet bowl and a lowered configuration parallel to the rim of the toilet bowl;a battery operatively coupled to said toilet seat;a heating element situated in an interior space of said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and configured to emit heat when energized;a motion sensor operatively coupled to a front end of said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and configured to detect motion is detected proximate said toilet seat;wherein said motion sensor is configured to actuate said heating element when motion is detected proximate said toilet seat;a fan operatively coupled to said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and said pressure sensor, wherein said motion sensor is configured to actuate said fan when motion is detected proximate said toilet seat; anda conduit having a proximal end in fluid communication with said fan and having an elongate configuration extending away from said toilet seat for carrying odorous air away from the toilet bowl.

12. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising: a pressure sensor coupled to a top section of said toilet seat, said pressure sensor being electrically connected to said battery and capable of detecting a weight indicative of a person is seated on said toilet seat;wherein said pressure sensor is configured to actuate said fan when the pressure indicative of a person sitting on the toilet seat is detected.

13. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising a controller electrically connected to said battery and to said motion sensor and configured to actuate said fan when motion is detected by said motion sensor proximate said toilet seat.

14. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 12, further comprising: a controller electrically connected to said battery and to said pressure sensor;a non-volatile memory electrically connected to said controller and having data structures configured to store a plurality of audio files;a speaker operatively coupled to said toilet seat and electrically connected to said pressure sensor and to said controller, said speaker being configured to selectively emit sound;wherein said controller is configured to deliver respective audio files to said speaker for emission thereby when said pressure sensor detects a weight indicative that a person is seated on said toilet seat.

15. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 11, comprising a cover pivotally coupled to said toilet seat and movable between a closed configuration preventing access to an interior area of said top section of said toilet seat and an open configuration allowing access to the interior area of said top section of said toilet seat.

16. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 11, wherein said conduit is a flexible hose having a distal end coupled to a wall structure so that the odorous air is vented into the wall structure.

17. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 11, further comprising: a moisture sensor coupled to a top section of said toilet seat, said moisture sensor being electrically connected to said battery and capable of detecting a moisture content indicative of a predetermined level of steam in the ambient air proximate said toilet seat;wherein said moisture sensor is configured to actuate said fan when said predetermined moisture content is detected.

18. A toilet ventilation apparatus for a toilet that includes a toilet bowl having a rim, comprising: a toilet seat operatively coupled to the rim of the toilet bowl and selectively movable between a raised configuration perpendicular to the rim of the toilet bowl and a lowered configuration parallel to the rim of the toilet bowl;a battery operatively coupled to said toilet seat;a moisture sensor coupled to a top section of said toilet seat, said moisture sensor being electrically connected to said battery and capable of detecting a moisture content indicative of a predetermined level of steam in the ambient air proximate said toilet seat;a fan operatively coupled to said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and said moisture sensor, wherein said moisture sensor is configured to actuate said fan when said predetermined moisture content is detected; anda conduit having a proximal end in fluid communication with said fan and having an elongate configuration extending away from said toilet seat for carrying odorous air away from the toilet bowl.

19. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising: a heating element situated in an interior space of said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and configured to emit heat when energized;a motion sensor operatively coupled to a front end of said toilet seat and electrically connected to said battery and configured to detect motion proximate said toilet seat.

20. The toilet ventilation apparatus as in claim 18, further comprising: a pressure sensor coupled to a top section of said toilet seat, said pressure sensor being electrically connected to said battery and capable of detecting a weight indicative of a person is seated on said toilet seat;wherein said pressure sensor is configured to actuate said fan when the pressure indicative of a person sitting on the toilet seat is detected.