TRANSMISSION ARRANGEMENT AND METHOD FOR USING A DEVICE MOVED BY A HYDRAULIC CYLINDER

Abstract

The object of the invention is a transmission arrangement for a moveable device, such as a door (1) opening mechanism (2) and a method for using a device moved with a hydraulic cylinder (3). The method comprises at least the following steps: producing a signal for moving the device (1) in a first or second direction and sending the signal to the control device, if the signal was a signal to move the device (1) in the first direction, the first pump (11, 12) is started by means of a signal from the control device, and the pump produces fluid pressure on the first side of the hydraulic cylinder (3) in order to move the device (1) in the first direction, if the signal was a signal to move the device (1) in the second direction, the second pump (13, 14) is started by means of a signal from the control device, and the pump produces fluid pressure on the second side of the hydraulic cylinder (3) in order to move the device (1) in the second direction, monitoring the movement and/or position of the device with a sensor (18), which sends information to the control device about the position and/or movement of the device (1), making a decision in the control device about the necessary procedure, starting or stopping the first pump (11, 12) and/or the second pump (13, 14) with the aid of a signal from the control device based on the made decision.

Fluid pressure is produced with centrifugal pumps used with electric motors.

Claims

1. A transmission arrangement for moving a device, which transmission arrangement comprises: a hydraulic cylinder, which can be connected to the moveable device in order to move it, a first pump, which is connected via a liquid connection to a first side of the hydraulic cylinder in order to achieve movement of the device in a first direction, a second pump, which is connected via a liquid connection to a second side of the hydraulic cylinder in order to achieve movement of the device in a second direction, and a control device for using the first and/or second pump, wherein the first and second pump are centrifugal pumps used with an electric motor, and wherein the transmission arrangement comprises a sensor, for example a Hall sensor, which is arranged to monitor the movement and/or position of the device and connected to a control device in order to transfer a signal produced from the detected movement and/or position to the control device.

2. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a hydraulic fluid container, which is connected via a liquid connection to the hydraulic cylinder and the first pump and the second pump.

3. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein in said liquid connections are partly or completely made of plastic pipe.

4. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the arrangement further comprises an approach switch, which can be arranged to recognize movement of a user occurring near the device and which is connected to the control device in order to transfer a signal produced by the detected movement of the user to the control device.

5. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the first pump, the second pump and the hydraulic cylinder are in the same closed fluid circulation together.

6. The transmission arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the suction connections of the first pump and second pump are connected to two branches of a T-joint and the third branch is connected to the hydraulic fluid container.

7. The transmission arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the outlet connections of the first pump and second pump are connected to the inlet connections of the hydraulic cylinder, on different sides of the hydraulic cylinder.

8. A door opening mechanism, which comprises a transmission arrangement according to claim 1 for achieving the closing movement and opening movement of the door.

9. A door, to which an opening mechanism according to claim 8 has been connected.

10. A moveable seat of an automatic toilet, wherein a transmission arrangement according to claim 1 has been arranged to move the seat.

11. A seat module of an automatic toilet, which comprises a frame and a toilet actuator attached to the frame to be moveable in relation thereto, wherein the seat module comprises a transmission arrangement according to claim 1, which is arranged to move the actuator.

12. The seat module according to claim 11, wherein the moveable actuator is a seat.

13. The seat module according to claim 11, wherein the moveable actuator is a washing device for the seat and/or toilet bowl.

14. An automatic toilet, wherein the toilet comprises a door according to claim 9.

15. A method for using a device moved with a hydraulic cylinder, which method comprises at least the following steps producing a signal for moving the device in a first or second direction and sending the signal to the control device, if the signal was a signal to move the device in the first direction, a first pump is started by means of a signal from the control device, the pump producing fluid pressure on a first side of the hydraulic cylinder in order to move the device in the first direction, if the signal was a signal to move the device in the second direction, a second pump is started by means of a signal from the control device, the pump producing fluid pressure on a second side of the hydraulic cylinder in order to move the device in the second direction, whereby fluid pressure is produced with centrifugal pumps used with electric motors, wherein the method further comprises the following steps monitoring the movement of the device with a sensor, for example a Hall sensor, which sends information to the control device about the position and/or movement of the device, a decision is made in the control device about a necessary procedure, starting or stopping, based on the made decision, the first pump and/or the second pump with the aid of a signal from the control device.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein producing a fluid pressure of 0.1-2 bars.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein recognizing movement of a user occurring near the device with an approach switch, which sends a signal produced by the detected movement of the user to the control device, a decision is made in the control device about a necessary procedure, starting or stopping, based on the made decision, the first pump and/or the second pump with the aid of a signal from the control device.

18. The method according to claim 15, wherein if the control device finds that the movement of the device has stopped in the middle of an expected movement, such as a door opening movement or closing movement, the first pump and/or the second pump is stopped.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein keeping the liquid to be pumped mainly pressure-free, when the first pump and the second pump are not pumping.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the moveable actuator is one or more of the following actuators of an automatic toilet: a door; a seat; a washing device of a seat and/or toilet bowl.

21. An automatic toilet, wherein the toilet comprises a moveable seat according to claim 10.

22. An automatic toilet, wherein the toilet comprises a seat module according to claim 11.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0073] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a door according to the invention from the front,

[0075] FIG. 2 shows section W-W of FIG. 1,

[0076] FIG. 3 shows a door according to the invention from the back and partly opened,

[0077] FIG. 4 shows section R-R of FIG. 1,

[0078] FIG. 5 shows detail U of FIG. 3 as an enlargement,

[0079] FIG. 6 shows detail X of FIG. 2 as an enlargement,

[0080] FIG. 7 shows an opening mechanism of the door according to the invention seen from above,

[0081] FIG. 8 shows the opening mechanism of FIG. 7 from the front, and

[0082] FIG. 9 shows a seat module of the automatic toilet according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES OF THE FIGURES

[0083] Sometimes the same reference numbers are for the sake of clarity used for corresponding parts in different figures and embodiments.

[0084] FIGS. 1-6 show an automatic toilet's door 1, to which an opening mechanism 2 according to the invention has been connected. The door opening mechanism comprises a hydraulic cylinder 3, the piston rod 4 of which is connected in a prior art manner via an opening shaft 5 and joints 6 to a vertical axis pole 7 of a door hinge. The movement of the piston rod 4 of the cylinder is thus arranged to open and close the door 1. The front surface 8 of the door is meant to be toward the outside and a toilet sign has been attached thereto. The rear surface 9 of the door is meant to be toward the inside of the toilet. Both sides of the door have a handle 10.

[0085] The opening mechanism 2 comprises four electrically driven centrifugal pumps 11, 12, 13 and 14 and a hydraulic fluid container 15. The pumps, the hydraulic fluid container and the cylinder 3 are connected into liquid connection via plastic pipes 16. For the sake of clarity, the plastic pipes are drawn to be visible only in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0086] It is worth noting that in the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8 the opening mechanism is drawn the other way around than in FIGS. 1-6, i.e. the piston rod 4 of the hydraulic cylinder 3 and the vertical axis pole 7 of the door hinge are on the right in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0087] FIGS. 7 and 8 show how the opening and closing pumps, the hydraulic cylinder and the hydraulic fluid container are in the same closed fluid circulation together. From the hydraulic fluid container 15 a fluid pipe branches out in a T-branch toward the closing pumps 11 and 12 and toward the opening pumps 13 and 14. The first fluid pipes lead from the T-branch 17 to the suction connection of the pump 11, out from the outlet connection of the pump 11 and from there to the suction connection of the pump 12, out from the outlet connection of the pump 12 and from there to the inlet of the first chamber of the hydraulic cylinder. The second fluid pipes lead from the T-branch 17 to the suction connection of the pump 13, out from the outlet connection of the pump 13 and from there to the suction connection of the pump 14, out from the outlet connection of the pump 14 and from there to the inlet of the second chamber of the hydraulic cylinder.

[0088] The function of the hydraulic cylinders is as such prior art. Thus the first and second chambers of the hydraulic cylinder are for example not shown separately in the figures. The first chamber of the hydraulic cylinder means the chamber, where the supplied fluid pressure causes the piston rod 4 to protrude out from the hydraulic cylinder 3, i.e. causes the door closing movement in the examples of the figure. For example in the situation in the figures, the piston rod 4 is protruded and the toilet door 1 is thus closed. The second chamber of the hydraulic cylinder means the chamber, where the supplied fluid pressure causes the piston rod 4 to retract into the hydraulic cylinder 3, i.e. causes the door opening movement in the examples of the figure.

[0089] The closing pumps 11 and 12 are connected into a series with each other, so that when running, both produce a liquid flow in the same direction. In the same way, the opening pumps 13 and 14 are connected into a series with each other, so that when running, both produce a liquid flow in the same direction. The centrifugal pumps allow a liquid flow through them, when they are in the free mode. This makes it possible that the force of the opening and closing can be conveniently adjusted. When a smaller force is needed, only one of the opening or closing pumps can be started. If more force is needed, both opening or closing pumps can be started.

[0090] The closing pumps 11 and 12 and opening pumps 13 and 14 are centrifugal pumps used with an electric motor. The function of the centrifugal motors is prior art as such, and is not described further here. The figures do not show the control device, such as a computer, which is arranged to control the opening mechanism 2, i.e. the pumps 11, 12, 13 and 14. The figures also do not show necessary electricity or data transfer means. Controlling doors with a computer or the like is prior art as such.

[0091] A so-called Hall sensor 18 is arranged in the top end of the axis pole of the door hinge. It monitors movement of the door 1 and is connected with data transfer means to the control device of the arrangement. The sensor 18 sends the signal it has produced from the movement of the door to the control device.

[0092] FIG. 1 shows above the door an approach switch 19, which recognizes movement of a possible user occurring near the door 1. The approach switch 19 is connected to the control device in order to transfer the signal produced from the detected movement of the user to the control device.

[0093] The invention can for example be used in the following manner. If the approach switch 19 detects movement of a user near the door 1, it sends a signal about this to the control device. A decision is made in the control device about the opening of the door, whereby the second pump 13 is started, which pump achieves retracting of the piston rod 4 of the hydraulic cylinder inside the hydraulic cylinder 2 and thus opening of the door 1. The Hall sensor 18 monitors the movement of the door and sends information about the position and/or movement of the door to the control device. When the door 1 is in the fully open position, a decision is made in the control device about the necessary procedure, i.e. the second pump 13 is stopped and the first pump 11 is started. Thus the protrusion of the piston rod 4 of the hydraulic cylinder out of the hydraulic cylinder and thus the closing of the door 1 is achieved. When the door is fully closed, the control device sends a signal to the door lock in order to lock it.

[0094] FIG. 9 shows the seat module of the automatic toilet according to the invention. The seat module frame comprises a backrest element 32. The toilet bowl 31 is attached to the bottom part of it. On top of the toilet bowl is a moveable seat 30, which is hinged to the backrest element. A washing device shaft 28 and the washing device 29 at the end of it is attached in a moveable manner via a hinge to the top part of the backrest element.

[0095] The movement of the washing device 29 and seat 30 is controlled with mutually identical transmission arrangements. The transmission arrangements mainly correspond to the ones presented in FIGS. 4-8 when it comes to their function, and all details of the arrangement are thus not shown in FIG. 9. The transmission arrangements in FIG. 9 comprise a hydraulic cylinder 21 and two centrifugal pumps 25 used with an electric motor. The first pump is connected via a liquid connection to the first side of the hydraulic cylinder 21 in order to achieve movement of the device in the first direction. The second pump is connected via a liquid connection to the second side of the hydraulic cylinder 21 in order to achieve movement of the device in the second direction. An expansion container 26 stores the hydraulic fluid. The invention further comprises a control device, such as a computer (not shown), with which the use of the pumps is controlled.

[0096] The piston rod 22 of the hydraulic cylinder moves a lever arm 23, which is attached via an axis to the moveable device, i.e. the seat 30 or shaft 28 of the washing device. A sensor 27, for example a Hall sensor, is attached to the hinge axis of both the seat 30 and the shaft 28 of the washing device. The sensor monitors the movement of the seat 30 and the shaft 28 of the washing device, and transfers the signal produced by the detected movement to the control device. A counterweight 24 has been attached to the lever arm 23. It is dimensioned to compensate for the weight of the seat and the washing device and its shaft. The counterweight produces a moment of approximately the same magnitude as the device moved around the axis. Thus moving the moveable device around the axis does not require great force. The counterweight can for example be dimensioned so that if the pumps 25 are not producing pressure, the moveable device stays in its place.

[0097] FIG. 9 does not show connections for water, detergent and drying air to be led into the washing device. The washing unit has nozzles, with which water and/or detergent and drying air is steered onto the seat, into the toilet bowl and/or onto another part of the toilet meant to be washed.

[0098] The arrangement in FIG. 9 can function for example in the following manner: When the automatic toilet is in use, i.e. not being washed, the shaft 28 of the washing device is in an upright position. Thus the washing device 29 or its shaft 28 does not impede the use of the toilet. The washing device 29 can for example be placed above the backrest element 32. When the washing program of the automatic toilet begins, the seat 30 is driven into a particular washing position, for example the approximately 45 degree angle shown in FIG. 9. The shaft 28 of the washing device is turned down and the washing device 29 washes the seat with the aid of the detergent and/or water spraying from its nozzles. The seat 30 can at some stage be lifted into an upright position, out of the way of the washing device.

[0099] The washing device can also wash the inner and/or outer surface of the toilet bowl 31 or other parts of the toilet, such as the floor. The seat and washing device can be controlled separately. The washing device 29 can have a drying air nozzle, with which the seat 30 or other parts can be dried. When the washing program is finished, the seat 30 is returned to the lower position and the shaft 28 of the washing device is lifted into the upright position.

[0100] It is not intended to limit the invention to the presented examples, but the scope is defined by the independent claims. The dependent claims present some preferred embodiments of the invention.