Light ring for plumbing fixtures

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11828449-B2
Application number	US-202117377669-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 16, 2021
Priority date	Jul 17, 2020
Publication date	Nov 28, 2023
Grant date	Nov 28, 2023

Abstract

A light ring assembly for a bathroom fixture. The light ring may illuminate one or more light sources in a predetermined sequence and/or in an overlapping manner to create a pulse of light that traverses the circumference of the light ring. Different patterns, colors, and/or sequences of light may be used to convey messages and signals to owners, maintenance, and/or users.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a sensor configured to detect an object in proximity to a sensor;
a light ring assembly comprising:
an annular circuit board comprising:
at least one light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit;
a plurality of LEDs arranged on the annular circuit board equidistant from each other;
a controller configured to illuminate, via the at least one LED driver circuit, one or more of the plurality of LEDs based on the sensor detecting the object in proximity to the sensor; and
a memory configured to store instructions for illuminating the plurality of LEDs, wherein the instructions are configured to illuminate the plurality of LEDs to convey one or more messages; and

a light pipe connected to a circumference of the annular circuit board, wherein the light pipe is configured to:
bend the light produced by the plurality of LEDs for delivery to an edge of the light pipe; and
diffuse light produced by the plurality of LEDs.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of LEDs are arranged on one half of the annular circuit board.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light pipe is configured to bend the light produced by the plurality of LEDs 90 degrees.

4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a flushing mechanism configured to effectuate a flushing operation of a fixture based on the object's detected position or actions.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a soap dispenser configured to dispense soap in response to the sensor detecting the object in proximity to the sensor.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a faucet configured to start a flow of water in response to the sensor detecting the object in proximity to the sensor.

7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the faucet is configured to stop the flow of water in response to the sensor no longer detecting the object in proximity to the sensor.

8. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a hand dryer configured to commence a flow of hot air in response to the sensor detecting the object in proximity to the sensor.

9. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a paper towel dispenser configured to dispense a paper towel in response to the sensor detecting the object in proximity to the sensor.

10. The system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more messages are conveyed by illuminating each of the plurality of LEDs in a predetermined sequence.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light ring assembly further comprises:
a first waterproof housing, wherein the annular circuit board is mounted to the first waterproof housing.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of LEDs comprises a radiation angle between 105-130 degrees from a viewing perspective.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the radiation angle is 120 degrees.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the light pipe comprises a diffusive component of a certain concentration to diffuse light from each of the plurality of LEDs evenly.

15. The system of claim 1 , wherein conveying a first message, of the one or more messages, comprises:
illuminating a first LED of the plurality of LEDs;
illuminating, based on the first LED reaching a defined brightness, a second LED of the plurality of LEDs, wherein the second LED is gradually illuminated in an overlapping manner with the first LED;
decaying the illumination of the first LED in response to illuminating the second LED;
illuminating, based on the second LED reaching the defined brightness, a third LED of the plurality of LEDs, wherein the third LED is gradually illuminated in an overlapping manner with the second LED; and
decaying the illumination of the second LED in response to illuminating the third LED.

16. A light ring assembly comprising:
a circuit board comprising:
at least one light emitting diode (LED) driver circuit;
a plurality of LEDs arranged on the circuit board equidistant from each other;
a controller configured to illuminate, via the at least one LED driver circuit, one or more of the plurality of LEDs in response to a signal received from a sensor that is configured to detect objects proximate to the sensor; and
a memory configured to store instructions for illuminating the plurality of LEDs, wherein the instructions are configured to illuminate the plurality of LEDs to convey one or more messages; and

a light pipe connected to a circumference of the circuit board, wherein the light pipe is configured to:
bend the light produced by the plurality of LEDs for delivery to an edge of the light pipe; and
diffuse light produced by the plurality of LEDs.

17. The light ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein the circuit board is annular.

18. The light ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein the light pipe is configured to bend the light produced by the plurality of LEDs 90 degrees.

19. The light ring assembly of claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of LEDs comprises a radiation angle between 105-130 degrees from a viewing perspective.

Assignees

• Sloan Valve Co

Inventors

• Mo Xiaoxiong
• Herbert Kay
• Pradhan Reeshi
• Wu Haiou
• Chen Qiaohong
• Moulton Timothy L

Classifications

• F21V33/004 Primary

  Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers · CPC title

• A47K5/1217

  Electrical control means for the dispensing mechanism · CPC title

• A47K10/36

  with {mechanical dispensing, roll switching or} cutting devices · CPC title

• A47K10/48

  Drying by means of hot air · CPC title

• E03C1/057

  touchless, i.e. using sensors · CPC title