초록 ▼

A system and method for conditionally interfering with the operation of a conventional toilet tank fill valve prevents toilet overflow and conserves water. A controller connected to a water level sensor detects abnormal toilet tank water level over time and conditionally interferes with the normal o

A system and method for conditionally interfering with the operation of a conventional toilet tank fill valve prevents toilet overflow and conserves water. A controller connected to a water level sensor detects abnormal toilet tank water level over time and conditionally interferes with the normal operation of a toilet tank fill valve assembly, thereby preventing a further flush. The overflow and water conservation feature can be designed into a fill valve at time of manufacture and/or added later by a plumber or end user.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A method of conserving water comprising: (a) electronically monitoring the level of fluid within a toilet tank over time; (b) automatically detecting, in response to said monitoring, when the fluid level over time is inconsistent with a normal operation of the toilet and generating an

We claim: 1. A method of conserving water comprising: (a) electronically monitoring the level of fluid within a toilet tank over time; (b) automatically detecting, in response to said monitoring, when the fluid level over time is inconsistent with a normal operation of the toilet and generating an electrical control signal in response thereto; and (c) in response to said detecting, automatically non-hydraulically acting on a refill valve float within the tank to cause the float of said refill valve to rise and stay in an upward position thereby reducing or preventing further inflow of fluid into said tank by electrically actuating an interfering mechanism to conditionally interfere with the operation of said toilet tank fill valve in response to said electrical control signal. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting determines whether said fluid level remains low longer than expected. 3. The method of claim 1 wherein said detecting determines whether said fluid level cycles up and down at a rate that is inconsistent with expected flushing operation of said toilet. 4. For use with a toilet tank fill valve of the type comprising a float, a water valve that operates in response to position of said float to selectively admit water into a toilet tank, and a protective fill valve cap that at least in part protects said water valve, a method of retrofitting said fill valve with an electronic device that actively detects water flow in said toilet tank and conditionally interferes with the operation of said toilet tank fill valve in response to detected abnormal water flow to conserve water and/or reduce overflows, said method comprising: instructing a user to open said toilet tank to provide access to said toilet tank fill valve therewithin; instructing said user to install said electronic device in said toilet tank by attaching said electronic device onto said protective fill valve cap; using said electronic device to monitor water level within the tank over time and to determine in response to said monitored water level when water flow in connection with said toilet tank is abnormal; and automatically and conditionally changing, in response to determined abnormal water flow, how said fill valve operates in response to said float position by electrically actuating an interfering mechanism to conditionally interfere with the operation of said toilet tank fill valve in response to an electrical control signal. 5. A device for use with a toilet tank fill valve assembly of the type comprising a float, a water valve that operates in response to the position of said float, said water valve selectively admitting water into a toilet tank, and a protective fill valve cap that at least in part covers said water valve, said device comprising: an attaching structure supported by said protective fill valve cap; and an interfering mechanism supported by said attaching structure, said interfering mechanism acting to conditionally interfere with the operation of said toilet tank fill valve assembly in response to said float position, wherein said interfering mechanism includes an electric motor. 6. A device for use with a toilet tank fill valve assembly of the type comprising a float, a water valve that operates in response to the position of said float, said water valve selectively admitting water into a toilet tank, and a protective fill valve cap that at least in part covers said water valve, said device comprising: an attaching structure supported by said protective fill valve cap; and an interfering mechanism supported by said attaching structure, said interfering mechanism acting to conditionally interfere with the operation of said toilet tank fill valve assembly in response to said float position, wherein said device further includes an electrical actuator that actuates said interfering mechanism to conditionally interfere with the operation of said toilet tank fill valve assembly in response to an electrical control signal. 7. The device of claim 6 wherein said attaching structure comprises a structure that attaches onto said protective fill valve cap. 8. The device of claim 6 wherein said attaching structure comprises a dome shaped element that attaches over said protective fill valve cap. 9. The device of claim 6 wherein said attaching structure includes fingers that snap over and grip said protective fill valve cap. 10. The device of claim 6 wherein said attaching structure is manually attachable to said protective fill valve cap without use of tools. 11. The device of claim 6 wherein said interfering mechanism comprises an arm member that raises said float. 12. The device of claim 6 wherein said interfering mechanism comprises a member that retains said float in an upper position. 13. The device of claim 6 wherein said interfering mechanism includes a rod. 14. The device as in claim 6 wherein said attaching mechanism includes a portion for engaging a cylindrical surface of said protective fill valve cap, said engaging portion having a dimension in the range of approximately 50 cm in diameter and 25 cm in height. 15. The device of claim 6 wherein said device is dimensioned so as not to interfere with placement of a lid of said toilet tank. 16. The device of claim 6 wherein said device comprises materials that are designed to be substantially impervious to degradation by water and/or toilet tank contaminants. 17. The device of claim 6 wherein said attaching structure is non-destructively removable from said protective fill valve cap. 18. The device of claim 6 wherein said attaching structure can be manually snapped off said protective fill valve cap. 19. The device of claim 6 wherein there is no direct connection between said device and a flush handle of said toilet. 20. The device of claim 6 wherein said interfering mechanism is resettable to cease interfering with said fill valve operation. 21. The device of claim 6 wherein said interfering mechanism is manually resettable. 22. The device of claim 6 wherein said interfering mechanism is automatically resettable. 23. A toilet overflow and water conservation device for use with a toilet of the type having a fill valve disposed within a tank, said device comprising: a housing dimensioned to be disposed entirely within said tank; a sensor operatively coupled to said housing, said sensor detecting water level within said tank; a controller coupled to said sensor, said controller determining water flow associated with said tank in response to said detected water level and generating an electrical control signal; and an override mechanism automatically and selectively actuated by said controller and supported by said housing, said override mechanism in use conditionally, in response to said determined water flow, overriding the normal operation of said fill valve so as to change the quantity of additional water said fill valve admits into said tank, said override mechanism including an interfering mechanism and an electrical actuator that actuates said interfering mechanism to conditionally interfere with the operation of said toilet tank fill valve in response to said electrical control signal. 24. A toilet fill valve assembly for use within a toilet tank, said fill valve assembly comprising: a water valve that selectively admits water into said tank; a float operatively coupled to said water valve, said float being buoyant within water in said tank, said float position indicating water level within said tank; and a water conservation mechanism operatively coupled to said float, said water conservation mechanism conditionally, at least in response to water level within said tank, reducing the quantity of additional water said fill valve admits into said tank when said float is not floating, said water conservation mechanism including an electronic controller that estimates water flow in said tank in response to sensed water level and generates an electrical control signal, said water conservation mechanism further including an interfering mechanism that conditionally interferes with how said toilet tank fill valve operates based on said float position, and an electrical actuator that actuates said interfering mechanism in response to said electrical control signal. 25. A kit for retrofitting a toilet tank including a fill valve and float, said kit comprising: a housing attachable to said fill valve, said housing containing at least a water level sensor, an electronic controller coupled to said water level sensor that detects leakage and/or overflow condition in response to said water level sensor and generates a control signal, and an electromechanical actuator coupled to said electronic controller and responsive to said control signal; said electromechanical actuator including a linkage that is placeable to allow said electromechanical actuator to selectively and automatically act, in response to said control signal, on at least a portion of said fill valve or said float to force said float to rise to and stay in an upward position in response to said detected leakage and/or overflow condition irrespective of float buoyancy, thereby automatically reducing or eliminating further inflow of water into said toilet tank upon said detected leakage or overflow condition.