Remote control device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9790677-B2
Application number	US-201514633922-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 27, 2015
Priority date	Mar 6, 2014
Publication date	Oct 17, 2017
Grant date	Oct 17, 2017

Abstract

A remote control device for remotely controlling a toilet device is provided. The remote control device includes a casing, a power generation device, buttons, and a link mechanism. The casing forms a contour of the remote control device. The power generation device is housed in the casing and is capable of generating a power by being pressed. The buttons is provided on a surface of the casing and each is configured to activate a function of the toilet device. The link mechanism is configured to move so as to press the power generation device when one of the buttons is pressed. The buttons is supported on the casing by an elastic member so that, when one of the buttons is pressed to cause motion of the link mechanism, one other of the buttons not pressed is not affected by the motion of the link mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A remote control device for remotely controlling a toilet device, the remote control device comprising:
a casing forming a contour of the remote control device;
a power generation device housed in the casing and being capable of generating power by being pressed;
a plurality of buttons provided on a surface of the casing and each configured to be independently depressable relative to the one or more other buttons and to activate a respective function of the toilet device; and
a link mechanism configured to move so as to press the power generation device when each of the buttons is pressed,
the buttons being supported on the casing by an elastic member so that, when one of the buttons is pressed to cause motion of the link mechanism, another of the buttons not pressed is not affected by the motion of the link mechanism.

2. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising:
a plurality of pushing parts, each of the pushing parts provided on a respective one of the buttons and configured to push the link mechanism; and
a plurality of receptacles provided on the link mechanism and each configured to engage with a corresponding one of the pushing parts,
wherein, when one of the buttons is pushed, the pushing part of the pushed one of the buttons pushes the receptacle, thereby moving the link mechanism.

3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein:
each of the pushing parts is shaped like a protrusion,
each of the receptacles includes a depression configured to engage with one of the pushing parts, and
when one of the pushing parts engages with one of the depressions, the other pushing parts do not engage with the other depressions.

4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein:
the pushing part includes a first protruding part extending toward the receptacle,
the receptacle includes a second protruding part extending opposite to the first protruding part, and
a first slope surface and a second slope surface are formed opposite to each other on opposed surfaces of the first protruding part and the second protruding part.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the power generation device includes an input part capable of self-power generation by being pressed by the link mechanism, and a stopper part configured to physically regulate a position of the link mechanism.

Assignees

• Toto Ltd

Inventors

• Hashimoto Shingo
• Maeno Takashi
• Hayashida Daisuke

Classifications

• G08C17/00 Primary

  Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link · CPC title

• G08C2201/112

  Mechanical energy, e.g. vibration, piezoelectric · CPC title

• E03D5/10

  operated electrically (E03D5/01, E03D5/12 take precedence), {e.g. by a photo-cell; also combined with devices for opening or closing shutters in the bowl outlet and/or with devices for raising/or lowering seat and cover and/or for swiveling the bowl} · CPC title

• E03D9/08 Primary

  Devices in the bowl producing upwardly-directed sprays; Modifications of the bowl for use with such devices (showers A47K3/28; bathing devices for special therapeutic or hygienic purposes A61H33/00, for specific parts of the body A61H35/00 ){; Bidets; Combinations of bowls with urinals or bidets; Hot-air or other devices mounted in or on the bowl, urinal or bidet for cleaning or disinfecting} · CPC title