Apparatus for controlling supply of cleansing water in urinal and method for controlling same

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SUPPLY OF WASHING WATER TO URINAL

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus and method for controlling supply of water to a urinal, and more particularly, to apparatus and method for controlling supply of water to a urinal in which a shielding film forming emulsion is filled in a urine outlet such that odor due to urine remaining in a urine outlet is not generated particularly even when a user does not flush the urinal after urine, which allow supply of washing water at a predetermined interval based on the frequency of use of the urinal by a user.

[0002] A general urinal installed in a men's room is provided with a drain formed in a lower side thereof and a washing means provided to an upper side thereof to allow supply of washing water. Such a urinal is also provided with a sensor box sensing a user's approach such that after urine, water may be automatically supplied. Therefore, when a user approaches the urinal, a sensor installed in the sensor box senses the approach of the user, and when the user moves away from the urinal, the sensor senses this movement to drive the washing means.

[0003] Meanwhile, recently, installation of a urinal which does not use washing water in order to reduce waste of water has been increased. In such a urinal, a shielding film forming emulsion having a relatively low specific gravity to urine is filled in a urine outlet, a reverse flow prevention trap, or the like such that urine passes through the shielding film forming emulsion and is then drained through the urine outlet in a state that the shielding film forming emulsion floats on an upper layer of urine remaining in the urine outlet. Thus, since a shielding film is formed in an upper layer of urine remaining in the urine outlet or the reverse flow prevention trap, although a user does not flush the urinal after urine, the cleanness of the urinal is maintained to some degree. The above-described shielding film forming emulsion is also supplied in the form of a cartridge. [0004] However, as described above, even in such a urinal which does not washing water, at the time when the shielding film forming emulsion should be filled or exchanged, the urinal outlet should be cleaned with water in order to maintain the cleanness to some degree. That is, since urinals which do not use washing water are also required to perform periodical water cleaning, when a washing means for supplying washing water to such urinals is not installed, there is inconvenience in that washing water should be transported by using a separate container and cleaning should be then performed.

[0005] The present invention has been made considering the above-described circumstances, and provides apparatus and method for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal, which reduce consumption of washing water used in the urinal by allowing the washing water to be supplied at a predetermined interval based on the frequency of use of the urinal by users.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide apparatus and method for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal in which a shielding film forming emulsion is filled in a urine outlet such that odor due to urine remaining in the urine outlet is not generated even when a user does not flush the urinal after urine, which allow washing water to be supplied at a predetermined interval based on the frequency of use of the urinal by a user.

[0007] The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above descriptions, and other objects that are not mentioned will be apparently understood to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

[0008] To accomplish the above objects, an apparatus for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal which includes a sensor box sensing a user and is configured such that after the user's urine, the washing water is supplied toward a urine outlet according to sensing of a sensor installed in the sensor box, the apparatus includes: a counter counting the frequency of use of the urinal based on a sensing result of the sensor; a counter setting means for setting a target value of the counter; and a control means controlling supply of the washing water when the number counted by the counter arrives at the target value.

[0009] The above apparatus may further include: a shielding film forming emulsion tank in which a shielding film forming emulsion filled in the urine outlet is stored; and a shielding film forming emulsion valve installed to induce supply of the shielding film forming emulsion such that the shielding film forming emulsion is supplied toward the urine outlet by a predetermined amount.

[0010] The shielding film forming emulsion valve may be opened or closed by the control means.

[0011] The control means may be set such that the shielding film forming emulsion is supplied after the washing water is supplied.

[0012] The shielding film forming emulsion tank may be installed inside the sensor box.

[0013] The shielding film forming emulsion tank may be installed outside the sensor box.

[0014] The counter setting means may include a rotary switch [0015] The counter setting means may include a dip switch.

[0016] The counter setting means may include a digital input unit.

[0017] To accomplish the above objects, a method for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal according to another aspect of the present invention includes: setting a target value of a counter through a counter setting means;

sensing a user of the urinal at a sensor installed around the urinal; counting the frequency of use of the urinal at a counter based on a sensing result of the sensor; and controlling supply of the washing water toward an outlet of the urinal at a control means when the count value of the counter arrives at the target value.

[0018] The above method may further include controlling supply of a shielding film forming emulsion at the control means such that the shielding film forming emulsion stored in a shielding film forming emulsion tank is supplied toward the outlet by a predetermined amount.

[0019] The counter setting means may include a rotary switch [0020] The counter setting means may include a DIP switch.

[0021] The counter setting means may include a digital input unit.

[0022] According to apparatus and method for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal according to embodiments of the present invention, washing water may be supplied according to the period of use based on the frequency of use of the urinal to save water for cleaning the urinal and to maintain the cleanness of the urinal at a predetermined level through periodic water cleaning.

[0023] Also, according to apparatus and method for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal according to embodiments of the present invention, when the present invention is applied to a urinal in which a shielding film forming emulsion is filled in a urine outlet such that odor due to urine remaining in the urine outlet is not generated even when water is not used, water cleaning is performed based on the frequency of use of the urinal, thus maintaining the cleanness of the urinal at a predetermined level.

[0024] In addition, apparatus and method for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal according to embodiments of the present invention may be applied to urinals that have been installed.

[0025]The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above descriptions, and other effects that are not mentioned will be apparently understood to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an apparatus for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing a structure of a sensor box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an apparatus for controlling supply of washing water according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling supply of washing water according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a side view of a sensor box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a side view of a sensor box according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a side view of a sensor box according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Objects and effects of the present invention, and technical configurations to achieve such effects and characteristics will be apparent with reference to exemplary embodiments described later in detail together with the accompanying drawings. Moreover, detailed descriptions related to well-known functions or configurations will be ruled out in order not to unnecessarily obscure subject matters of the present invention. Terms to be described later are defined in consideration of structures, roles and functions in the present invention, and may be changed according to users, users' intention or practice.

[0034] However, the present invention may have different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the descriptions set forth herein. The invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art. Further, the present invention is only defined by scopes of claims. Therefore, the terms used herein must be understood based on the descriptions made herein.

[0035] Throughout the specification, when it is said that a part "includes" an element, it means that the part may further include other elements unless it is said that the part does not include other elements. Also, terms, such as "··· unit", "··· part", and the like described in the description indicate unit of processing at least one function or operation.

[0036] Hereinafter, configurations, operations and effects of an apparatus for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0037] In the drawings, reference numeral 100 indicates a urinal, and reference numeral 200 indicates a sensor box in which an apparatus for controlling supply of washing water is built.

[0038] The apparatus for controlling supply of washing water according to an embodiment of the present invention may be provided to the sensor box 200 installed over the urinal 100. A water supply pipe 120 is installed on the urinal 100 such that washing water may be supplied to the urinal 100, and the sensor box 200 provided with a sensor 210 for sensing the use of the urinal 100 when a user is positioned in front of the urinal 100 in order to use the urinal 100 is installed on one end of a path through which the water supply pipe 120 pass. Therefore, when the user stays in front of the urinal 100 for a predetermined time and then moves away from the urinal 100, the sensor 210 provided to the sensor box 200 senses this movement to allow washing water to be supplied through the water supply pipe 120.

[0039] Particularly, a counter 220 counting a sensing result of the sensor 210 is included as one of elements in the apparatus for controlling supply of washing water such that the washing water may be supplied at a predetermined interval based on the frequency of use of the urinal 100. Meanwhile, a counter setting means 230 is equipped in one side of the sensor box 200 such that a urinal manager may set a target value of the counter 220.

[0040] The counter setting means 230 may be a rotary switch 230a as shown in FIG. 5, may be a DIP switch 230b as shown in FIG. 6, and may be a digital input unit 230c, such as a keypad as shown in FIG. 7.

[0041] The rotary switch 230a, the DIP (Dual Inline Package switch) 230b, the digital input unit 230c, and the like are switch type parts embedded on a circuit board or the like to change a function of a hardware, and since these parts are widely used in various industrial fields, their detailed description will be omitted.

[0042] As described above, in a state that the target value of the counter 220 is set to one of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and the like by using the counter setting means 230, such as the rotary switch, the DIP switch, or the like, or that the target value is set by using the counter setting means 230, such as the digital input unit 230c, when the value counted by the counter 220 arrives at the target value, a washing water valve 250 installed on the water supply pipe 120 is opened for a predetermined time so that washing water is supplied.

[0043] Particularly, as shown in FIG. 7, since the digital input unit 230c has a relatively wider target value set range than the rotary switch 230a or the DIP switch 230b, it may be more advantageous to use the digital input unit 230c as the counter setting means 230 than to use the rotary switch 230a or the DIP switch 230b.

[0044] Some of the constituent elements, for example, the above-described counter 220, the control means 230, and the like may be provided on a electronic circuit board.

[0045] The apparatus for controlling supply of washing water according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to general urinals in which cleaning is performed using washing water after a user urinates.

[0046] Meanwhile, the apparatus for controlling supply of washing water may be also applied to urinals which are recently installed in public institutions and do not use water. Additionally, the apparatus for controlling supply of washing water according to an embodiment of the present invention may be applied to urinals in which a predetermined amount of shielding film forming emulsion having a relatively low specific gravity to urine is filled in the urine outlet 110 or a reverse flow prevention trap such that after a user urinates and urine is drained through the urine outlet 110, a shielding film is formed to prevent rise of urine smell from the remaining urine.

[0047] A shielding film forming emulsion tank 300 is provided around a sensor cover 200 such that the above-described shielding film forming emulsion is automatically supplied at a period. While the shielding film forming emulsion tank 300 is installed inside the sensor cover 200 as shown in FIG. 2, the shielding film forming emulsion tank 300 may be installed outside the sensor cover 200.

[0048] A shielding film forming emulsion valve 260 which is opened or closed by the control means 240 is installed on the water supply pipe 120 such that a predetermined amount of the shielding film forming emulsion stored in the shielding film forming emulsion tank 300 may be automatically supplied at a period.

[0049] Particularly when washing water is supplied after the shielding film forming emulsion is supplied, the control means 24 0 is set such that the shielding film forming emulsion may be supplied at a predetermined time interval after the washing water is supplied, in order to prevent the shielding film forming emulsion from being washed away.

That is, the control means 24 0 is set such that after the washing water valve 250 is opened, the shielding film forming emulsion valve 260 is opened at a predetermined time interval [0050] Meanwhile, each of the washing water valve 250 and the shielding film forming emulsion valve 260 may be a solenoid valve.

[0051] In the drawings for explaining the apparatus for controlling supply of washing water to a urinal according to an embodiment of the present invention, a power supply unit is omitted, which supplies power necessary for operations of the sensor 210, the counter 220, the counter setting means 230, the control means 240, the washing water valve 250, and the shielding film forming emulsion valve 260.

[0052] Hereinafter, a process in which washing of a urinal is performed by a method for controlling supply of washing water according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0053] First, a urinal manager sets a target value of the counter using the counter setting means (S110).

[0054] Whenever a user uses the urinal, the sensor 210 senses whether or not the user has used the urinal (S120) and the counter 220 counts the frequency of use of the urinal based on a sensing result of the sensor 210 (S130).

[0055] Thereafter, when the value counted by the counter 220 arrives at the target value, the washing water valve 250 is opened and driven by control of the control means 240. As the washing water valve 250 is opened, washing water is supplied to wash foreign matters such as urine remaining in the urinal (SI40) .

[0056] Meanwhile, in the case of the apparatus for controlling supply of washing water according to another embodiment of the present invention, after washing water is supplied, the shielding film forming emulsion valve 260 is opened by control of the control means 240. Thus, as the shielding film forming emulsion valve 260 is opened, the shielding film forming emulsion is supplied (S150).

[0057] Therefore, the supplied shielding film forming emulsion forms a shielding film at predetermined thickness in the top layer of the washing water or urine remaining in the urine outlet 110.

[0058] As described above, since the shielding film is formed in the top layer of the washing water or urine remaining in the urine outlet 110 of the urinal by the shielding film forming emulsion, it can be prevented that smell generated in urine remaining in the urine outlet 110 is diffused into a toilet

[0059] Particularly, since washing water is not supplied until the counted value arrives at a set target value, waste of water which is caused in urinals which always supply washing water after a user urinates can be prevented.

[0060] Also, when the present invention is applied to urinals in which a reverse flow prevention trap and the like are installed to allow washing water not to be used, since washing water is supplied when the counted value arrives at the set frequency of use, the toilet manager can mitigate inconvenience due to separate water washing.

[0061] Particularly, since the toilet manager can easily arbitrarily set the target value according to the frequency in use of the urinal, the cleanness, and the like, the toilet manager can easily maintain and manage the toilet.

[0062]Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, those skilled in the art will understand that the present disclosure may be implemented in various ways without changing the necessary features or the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, although those skilled in the art can change the material, size, etc. of each component according to an application field and implement the disclosed embodiments of the present invention by combination or replacement in a manner that is not clearly disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure, such changes, combinations or substitutions will fall within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above embodiments are therefore to be construed in all aspects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, not by the above description, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.

[Description of Reference]

100 : Urinal Toilet

120 : Water Supply Pipe

210 : Infrared Sensor

230 : Counter Selector

250 : Washing Water Valve

110 : Urinal Drain

200 : Sensor Box

220 : Counter

240 : Control Method

260 · Shielding Film Forming Emulsion

Valve

300 · Shielding Film Forming Emulsion Tank