Power generation devices and methods for use with toilets is disclosed. A number of power generation devices are provided that can be used in combination to power various features in a toilet which will be particularly useful for portable potties that are off the grid. The power generation devices and methods include, for example, using a cell battery inside the toilet bowl or flush tank, a wind turbine, solar panels, and piezoelectricity. The features include, for example, lighting up the toilet with light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to make it easier for users to find the toilet, an audio/video setup for entertainment, and a toilet status light indicator to let the next user know when the toilet paper is out.

The device includes a pressure-sensing pad which measures a load distribution across its surface and a rigid layer which measures total mass. The mass measurement may be used as a ground-truth measurement with which to calibrate the measurements collected by the pressure-sensing pad. Accordingly, a more accurate pressure distribution may be created using calibrated pressure distribution data. The pressure-sensing pad may include an array of sensors which may be in connection with a flexible layer. When pressure is applied to any of the sensors within the array of sensors, the flexible layer may compress and change the capacitance at the sensors on which the pressure is applied. The rigid layer may include strain gauges which measure the total mass on the device. A controller may include instructions for performing calculations to convert the measurements into a pressure map using calibrated measurements of the pressure distribution across the pressure-sensing pad.

The device includes a pressure-sensing pad which measures a load distribution across its surface and a rigid layer which measures total mass. The mass measurement may be used as a ground-truth measurement with which to calibrate the measurements collected by the pressure-sensing pad. Accordingly, a more accurate pressure distribution may be created using calibrated pressure distribution data. The pressure-sensing pad may include an array of sensors which may be in connection with a flexible layer. When pressure is applied to any of the sensors within the array of sensors, the flexible layer may compress and change the capacitance at the sensors on which the pressure is applied. The rigid layer may include strain gauges which measure the total mass on the device. A controller may include instructions for performing calculations to convert the measurements into a pressure map using calibrated measurements of the pressure distribution across the pressure-sensing pad.

According to an embodiment, a toilet device includes a detector configured to detect at least one of a water level inside a flush toilet or an indicator associated with the water level, a clog determiner determining a clog state of the flush toilet based on a detection result of the detector, and a controller determining, based on a determination result of the clog determiner, whether or not to prohibit a flushing water supply to the flush toilet. The controller sets a flush prohibition time at least after the flushing water supply to the flush toilet has ended. A flush operation for flushing the flush toilet not is accepted temporarily in the flush prohibition time. The clog determiner determines the clog state of the flush toilet based on the detection result of the detector within the flush prohibition time or directly after the flush prohibition time.

According to an embodiment, a toilet device includes a detector configured to detect at least one of a water level inside a flush toilet or an indicator associated with the water level, a clog determiner determining a clog state of the flush toilet based on a detection result of the detector, and a controller determining, based on a determination result of the clog determiner, whether or not to prohibit a flushing water supply to the flush toilet. The controller sets a flush prohibition time at least after the flushing water supply to the flush toilet has ended. A flush operation for flushing the flush toilet not is accepted temporarily in the flush prohibition time. The clog determiner determines the clog state of the flush toilet based on the detection result of the detector within the flush prohibition time or directly after the flush prohibition time.

A device for transporting a plumbing tool that includes an outer housing defining an interior cavity, the outer housing having at least one rigid panel member having an outer periphery with the rigid panel forming a support base. The outer housing also has at least one reclosable drain hole and at least one reclosable access aperture defined therein as well as member mounted on the outer housing that is, movable between a first position in which the at least one reclosable access aperture is open and a second position in which the movable member is in watertight sealed relationship with the outer housing. The device also has at least one first anchor clamp connected to the rigid panel member of the outer housing and projecting into the interior of the interior cavity defined in therein. The at least one first anchor clamp is configured to releasably engage a toilet auger and maintain the toilet auger in fixed relationship relative to the at least one rigid panel.

A device for transporting a plumbing tool that includes an outer housing defining an interior cavity, the outer housing having at least one rigid panel member having an outer periphery with the rigid panel forming a support base. The outer housing also has at least one reclosable drain hole and at least one reclosable access aperture defined therein as well as member mounted on the outer housing that is, movable between a first position in which the at least one reclosable access aperture is open and a second position in which the movable member is in watertight sealed relationship with the outer housing. The device also has at least one first anchor clamp connected to the rigid panel member of the outer housing and projecting into the interior of the interior cavity defined in therein. The at least one first anchor clamp is configured to releasably engage a toilet auger and maintain the toilet auger in fixed relationship relative to the at least one rigid panel.

The present invention is an actuation apparatus that is adapted such that when a water level sensor senses water at above a predetermined level by means of a float of a float valve floating or rising to a predetermined level based on a corresponding increase in a water level, a diaphragm valve turns on or repositions such that water is allowed to flow from a pressurized water source to an actuator and the actuator actuates. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a toilet having auxiliary discharge path and valve in preventing the toilet from overflowing.

Methodologies, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for containing fluid from an overflowing toilet. An annular fluid containment basin is located near the base of a toilet and is configured to encircle the base of the toilet and collect fluid flowing down the exterior surface of the toilet. A moisture sensor is located within the annular fluid containment basin and configured to sense a spill. A drain is also located within the annular fluid containment basin to direct fluid to bypass an S-bend or trap connected to the toilet.

The pressure pad which pressure-sensing fabric which is within a gasket and which measures the distribution of pressure on the gasket. Thus, the gasket protects the pressure-sensing fabric from damage due to water or mechanical trauma. The pressure pad includes multiple piezoresistive depositions of piezoresistive depositions ink or paste which act as individual pressure-sensing points. Conductive tracks between the piezoresistive depositions transmit the pressure measurements in the form of electrical signals. The pressure-sensing fabric is connected to a controller and transmits pressure measurements to the controller. Algorithms stored on the controller create a map of absolute mechanical loading to each pressure-sensing point of the pressure pad. The gasket may be mounted beneath a toilet or between plumbing joints. The pressure pad may detect weaknesses in the gasket, a toilet user's weight, a weight of excrement added to the toilet, or a toilet user's posture.