Claims:I/We claim:

1. A toilet system, comprising:
a bowl for receiving human excreta;
a vacuum system arranged in fluid communication with the bowl and adapted to create a suction inside the bowl to eject the human excreta from the bowl;
a water system fluidly connected to the bowl to provide water to the bowl for removing the human excreta from the bowl; and
a knob adapted to be rotated to a first position and a second position, wherein
in the first position, the knob actuates the vacuum system to facilitate the removal of the human excreta from the bowl, and
in the second position, the knob actuates the water system to facilitate a flow of water to the bowl to facilitate the removal of the human excreta from the bowl,
wherein the knob is prevented from moving to the second position when the toilet system is operating in a normal mode, and the knob is allowed to be moved to the second position upon an electric failure of the toilet system.

2. The toilet system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vacuum system includes
a first conduit coupled to the bowl to receive the human excreta from the bowl,
a vacuum source arranged in fluid communication with the bowl and adapted to create a suction inside the bowl via the first conduit to pull the human excreta from the bowl through the first conduit, and
a first switch to activate the vacuum system, wherein the knob actuates the first switch when rotated to the first position and activates the vacuum system during the normal mode of the toilet system.

3. The toilet system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the knob includes a first lever adapted to contact and actuate the first switch when the knob is moved to the first position.

4. The toilet system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the vacuum system includes a first valve adapted to move between an open position and a close position and is biased to the close position, wherein
in the open position, the first valve allows a flow of the human excreta to the first conduit from the bowl, and
in the close position, the first valve prevents a flow of the human excreta from the bowl to the first conduit, wherein
the first valve moves to the open position, during the normal mode of the toilet system, in response to the actuation of the first switch.

5. The toilet system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water system includes
a second conduit coupled to the bowl for discharging the human excreta from the bowl,
a water source fluidly connected to the bowl to provide water to the bowl to facilitate a removal of the human excreta from the bowl through the second conduit, and
a second valve adapted to move between an open position and a close position and is biased to the open position, wherein
in the open position, the second valve allows a flow of the human excreta to the second conduit from the bowl, and
in the close position, the second valve prevents a flow of the human excreta from the bowl to the second conduit, wherein the second valve moves to the open position in response to an electric failure of the toilet system.

6. The toilet system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the water system includes
a third valve adapted to move between an open position and a close position to control a flow of water to the bowl from the water source, the third valve being biased to the close position, and
a second switch to move the third valve to the open position to allow the flow of water to the bowl from the water source, wherein the third valve moves to the open position in response to an actuation of the second switch, wherein
the knob is adapted to engage and actuate the second switch when the knob is arranged in the second position.

7. The toilet system as claimed in claim 6, wherein the knob includes a second lever adapted to contact and actuate the second switch when the knob is moved to the second position.

8. The toilet system as claimed in claim 1 includes a stopper adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position and control a movement of the actuator to the second position, wherein
in the extended position, the stopper prevents the rotation of the knob to the second position, the stopper is arranged in the extended position when the toilet system is operating in normal mode, and
in the retracted position, the stopper allows the rotation of the knob to the second position, the stopper moves to the retracted position upon the electric failure of the toilet system.

9. The toilet system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the knob includes a second lever adapted to contact the stopper to prevent the rotation of the knob to the second position during the normal mode of the toilet system.

10. The toilet system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the toilet system includes a biasing member engaged with the knob to bias the knob to a free position.
, Description:Technical Field
The present disclosure relates, generally, to a toilet system. More particularly, the present disclosure pertains to a toilet system in a rail adapted to provide a flushing system in an event of a power failure.

Background
Recently, Indian railways started to use the vacuum toilet systems for its rails. However, Indian railways are facing challenges in the toilet system because the vacuum toilet system requires continuous power for maintaining a reservoir of compressed air. In addition, maintaining continuous supply of electricity has been a humongous challenge for the Indian railways resulting into failure of a flushing system resulting in dirty and unhygienic toilets.

Summary
According to an aspect of the disclosure, a toilet system is disclosed. The toilet system includes a bowl for receiving human excreta, a vacuum system arranged in fluid communication with the bowl and adapted to create a suction inside the bowl to eject the human excreta from the bowl. In addition, the toilet system includes a water system fluidly connected to the bowl to provide water to the bowl for removing the human excreta from the bowl, and a knob adapted to be rotated to a first position and a second position. In the first position, the knob actuates the vacuum system to facilitate the removal of the human excreta from the bowl, and in the second position, the knob actuates the water system to facilitate a flow of water to the bowl to facilitate the removal of the human excreta from the bowl. The knob is prevented from moving to the second position when the toilet system is operating in a normal mode, and the knob is allowed to be moved to the second position upon an electric failure of the toilet system.

In one embodiment, the vacuum system includes a first conduit coupled to the bowl to receive the human excreta from the bowl, a vacuum source arranged in fluid communication with the bowl and adapted to create a suction inside the bowl via the first conduit to pull the human excreta from the bowl through the first conduit, and the vacuum system includes a first switch to activate the vacuum system. The knob actuates the first switch when rotated to the first position and activates the vacuum system during the normal mode of the toilet system.

In one embodiment, the knob includes a first lever adapted to contact and actuate the first switch when the knob is moved to the first position.

In one embodiment, the vacuum system includes a first valve adapted to move between an open position and a close position and is biased to the close position. In the open position, the first valve allows a flow of the human excreta to the first conduit from the bowl, and in the close position, the first valve prevents a flow of the human excreta from the bowl to the first conduit. The first valve moves to the open position, during the normal mode of the toilet system, in response to the actuation of the first switch.

In one embodiment, the water system includes a second conduit coupled to the bowl for discharging the human excreta from the bowl. In addition, the water system includes a water source fluidly connected to the bowl to provide water to the bowl to facilitate a removal of the human excreta from the bowl through the second conduit, and a second valve adapted to move between an open position and a close position and is biased to the open position. In the open position, the second valve allows a flow of the human excreta to the second conduit from the bowl, and in the close position, the second valve prevents a flow of the human excreta from the bowl to the second conduit. The second valve moves to the open position in response to an electric failure of the toilet system.

In one embodiment, the water system includes a third valve adapted to move between an open position and a close position to control a flow of water to the bowl from the water source, the third valve being biased to the close position. In addition, the water system includes a second switch to move the third valve to the open position to allow the flow of water to the bowl from the water source. The third valve moves to the open position in response to an actuation of the second switch. The knob is adapted to engage and actuate the second switch when the knob is arranged in the second position.

In one embodiment, the knob includes a second lever adapted to contact and actuate the second switch when the knob is moved to the second position.

In one embodiment, the toilet system includes a stopper adapted to move between an extended position and a retracted position and control a movement of the actuator to the second position. In the extended position, the stopper prevents the rotation of the knob to the second position, the stopper is arranged in the extended position when the toilet system is operating in normal mode. In the retracted position, the stopper allows the rotation of the knob to the second position, the stopper moves to the retracted position upon the electric failure of the toilet system.

In one embodiment, the knob includes a second lever adapted to contact the stopper to prevent the rotation of the knob to the second position during the normal mode of the toilet system.

In one embodiment, the toilet system includes a biasing member engaged with the knob to bias the knob to a free position.

Brief Description of the Drawings
In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a toilet system having a vacuum system and a water system coupled with a bowl, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of toilet system depicting a knob disposed in a free position, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates the knob positioned in a first position and depicting a first lever of the knob in engagement with a first switch, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates the knob disposed in a second position depicting a second lever of the knob in engagement with a switch to actuate the water system, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the portion of toilet system of FIG. 2 depicting a biasing element engaged with the knob, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the portion of the toilet system of FIG.2 depicting the first switch and the second switch, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the knob, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Detailed Description

Referring to FIG. 1, a toilet system 100, according to an embodiment, is shown. The toilet system 100 may be positioned in a rail vehicle or any other location. The toilet system 100 includes a bowl 102 for receiving and collecting human excreta, a vacuum system 104 for removing excreta from the bowl 102, a water system 106 for facilitating a removal/discharge of excreta from the bowl 102, and a knob 110 adapted to selectively actuate the vacuum system 104 and the water system 106 for removal of the excreta from the bowl 102. It may be appreciated that the knob 110 is adapted to activate/actuate the vacuum system 104 for flushing the bowl 102 in normal mode of operation of the toilet system 100, while the knob 110 is adapted to activate/actuate the water system 106 for discharging the human excreta from the bowl 102 during a failure mode of the toilet system 100. In the failure mode, an electricity failure of the toilet system 100 has occurred.

As shown in FIG. 1, the vacuum system 104 is arranged in fluid communication with the bowl 102, and is adapted to create a suction inside the bowl 102 for facilitating the ejection/suction of the human excreta from the bowl 102. In an embodiment, the vacuum system 104 includes a vacuum source 120 to create a suction for removing/pulling the excreta from the bowl 102, a first conduit 122 coupled to the bowl 102 and adapted to receive the human excreta from the bowl 102 when the suction is applied to the bowl 102, and a first valve 126 to control an application of suction inside the bowl 102 and flow of excreta from the bowl 102 to the first conduit 122. Further, the vacuum system 104 may include a collection tank 144 for receiving the human excreta from the first conduit 122. Accordingly, the first conduit 122 may extend from the bowl 102 and the collection tank 144 and facilitates delivery of the human excreta from the bowl 102 to the collection tank 144. The collection tank 144 may also be in fluid communication with the vacuum source 120 to facilitate a flow of the human excreta to the collection tank 144.

In an embodiment, the vacuum system 104 may include a screen (not shown) between the vacuum source 120 and the collection tank 144 to prevent a flow of the human excreta from the collection tank 144 to the vacuum source 120, while allowing a creation of suction inside the bowl 102 through the first conduit 122. In an embodiment, the vacuum source 120 may be a suction pump, a compressor, or any other system suitable for creating a low pressure or suction inside the bowl 102 through the first conduit 122. In an embodiment, the vacuum or suction inside the first conduit 122, and subsequently inside the bowl 102, by providing a jet of high velocity air proximate/adjacent to an outlet 140 of the first conduit 122 and inside the collection tank 144 in a direction substantially perpendicular to a central axis (not shown) of the outlet 140. Due to passage of high velocity air at the outlet 140, a low pressure is created at the outlet 140 and/or inside the collection tank 144, causing a suction/flow of human excreta from the bowl 102 and through the first conduit 122.

Further, the first valve 126 is adapted to move between an open position and a close position to respectively allow and prevent the flow of the human excreta from the bowl 102 to the first conduit 122. In an embodiment, the first valve 126 is biased to the close position by a biasing member (not shown). In an embodiment, the biasing member may be a spring. In such a case, the first valve 126 may be an electromechanical valve. Although the first valve 126 is contemplated as the electromechanical valve, it may be appreciated that the first valve 126 may be an electromagnetic valve, or any other valve suitable to move to the open position upon application of an electrical signal and moves to the close position upon removal of the electrical signal. Accordingly, the first valve 126 is adapted to remain in the close position until the first valve 126 is actuated by applying an electric signal. Upon actuation i.e. the application of the electric signal, the first valve 126 moves to the open position and moves to the close position upon removal of the actuation force or the electrical signal. In an embodiment, the first valve 126 moves to open position when a first switch 150, for example, a push button 150 (shown in FIGS. 2, 3 4, and 6) is actuated or pressed and moved to a second position from a first position.

The push button 150 may be biased to the first position, and therefore returns to the first position upon/subsequent removal of the actuation/pressing force on the push button 150. In an embodiment, the push button 150 is biased to the first position by a spring (not shown). Further, the vacuum source 120 is actuated/ activated when the push button 150 is moved to the second position and is deactivated when the push button 150 moves away from the second position. Accordingly, the vacuum system 104 is activated/ actuated when the push button 150 is moved to the second position and is deactivated when the push button 150 remains at the first position. The vacuum system 104 is activated only when the toilet system 100 is working normally, i.e. in the normal mode. In the failure mode, i.e. when there is an electric failure of the toilet system 100, the vacuum system 104 remains deactivated even upon actuation/movement/pressing of the push button 150 to the second position.

Further during failure mode, the water system 106 is activated by the knob 110 for flushing the excreta from the bowl 102. The water system 106 includes a water source 160 for providing water to the bowl 102 to facilitate a discharge of the excreta from the bowl 102, a second conduit 162 fluidly coupled to the bowl 102 and adapted to receive excreta along with water from the bowl 102, and a second valve 166 to control a flow of excreta from the bowl 102 to the second conduit 162. In an embodiment, the water source 160 may be a reservoir 168 positioned at a higher elevation relative to the bowl 102 and is connected to the bowl 102 via a third conduit 170. The water is adapted to flow to the bowl 102 from the water source 160 under gravity. To control a flow of the water from the water source 160 to the bowl 102, the water system 106 may include a third valve 180 disposed between the water source 160 and the bowl 102 and mounted on the third conduit 170. The third valve 180 is adapted to move between an open position and a close position. In the open position, the third valve 180 allows a flow of water from the water source 160 to the bowl 102, while in the closed position, the third valve 180 prevents the flow/passage of water from the water source 160 to the bowl 102. In an embodiment, the third valve 180 is biased to the close position via a biasing member, such as, a spring (not shown), and may move to the open position upon application of a force against the biasing force. To move the third valve 180 to the open position from the close position, the water system 106 may include a second switch 184 (shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6), for example an actuation button 184, which when pressed, moves the third valve 180 to the open position. The actuation button 184 is adapted to move to a depressed position upon removal of the pressing force, causing the third valve 180 to move back to the close position.

Similar to the third valve 180, the second valve 166 is adapted to move between an open position and a close position. In an open position, the second valve 166 allows the flow of excreta along with water to the second conduit 162 from the bowl 102, while in the close position, the second valve 166 prevents a flow of the excreta along with water to the second conduit 162 from the bowl 102. In an embodiment, the second valve 166 is biased to the open position and moves to the close position upon application of the force against the biasing force. In an embodiment the second valve 166 may be an electromechanical valve, and adapted to move to the close position under an influence of the electrical force or when electricity is supplied to the second valve 166. Also, during the normal mode of the toilet system 100, the second valve 166 remains in the closed position, and therefore remains actuated by applying the electrical signals. However, during the electric failure of the toilet system 100, the second valve 166 automatically moves to the open position under the influence of the biasing force applied by a biasing member. Accordingly, the second valve 166 allows the flow of the excreta to the second conduit 162, thereby facilitates the discharge of the excreta from the bowl 102, and hence the toilet system 100, though the second conduit 162 upon the electrical failure of the toilet system 100. Further, in an embodiment, the second conduit 162 may include an inverted U-shaped portion 186 disposed downstream of the second valve 166 and proximate to the bowl 102 to prevent a back flow of the excreta to the bowl 102 from the second conduit 162. The second valve 166 may be disposed proximate to the bowl 102.

Referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7, an actuator assembly 190 to selectively activate the vacuum system 104 and the water system 106 is shown. The actuator assembly 190 includes the knob 110 adapted to rotate to a first position and a second position. In the first position, the knob 110 is adapted to contact and move/push the push button 150 to the second position and activates the vacuum system 104 to flush the excreta from the bowl 102 via the first conduit 122, while in the second position, the knob 110 is adapted to abut and press the actuation button 184 to move the third valve 180 to the open position, thereby allowing the flow of water from the water source 160 to the bowl 102. Further, the knob 110 is manually operated knob adapted to be rotated to the first position and the second position by a user. To facilitate a rotation of the knob 110 by the user, the knob 110 includes a hand lever 192 to be operated by the user. As shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 7, the knob 110 includes an elongated member 194 rotatably mounted to a panel 198 and having a first end 200 and a second end 202, the hand lever 192 extending at an angle relative to the elongated member 194 and disposed at the first end 200 of the elongated member 194, a first lever 206 connected to the elongated member 194 and extending at an angle relative to the elongated member 194, and a second lever 210 connected to the elongated member 194. The first lever 206 is adapted to contact the push button 150 and press the push button 150 to the second position when the knob 110 is rotated to the first position (shown in FIG. 3).

As shown in FIG. 7, the first lever 206 may be disposed proximate to the second end 202 of the elongated member 194 and may extend at an obtuse angle relative to the hand lever 192. Similar to the first lever 206, the second lever 210 is disposed at the second end 202 of the elongated member 194, and may extend at an angle from the first lever 206. In an embodiment, the hand lever 192 is adapted to extend downwardly from the elongated member 194, while the first lever 206 and the second lever 210 are adapted to extend upwardly from the elongated member 194 when the knob 110 is disposed at a free position. In an embodiment, the second lever 210 is adapted to abut and press the push button 150 when the knob 110 is arranged at the second position (shown in FIG. 4). Accordingly, the second lever 210 moves the third valve 180 to the open position, when the knob 110 moves to the second position. In an embodiment, a length of the first lever 206 is smaller than a length of the second lever 210, and the second lever 210 stays at distance from the push button 150 during rotation of the knob 110 from the free position to the first position. Moreover, the actuator assembly 190 includes a biasing element 212, such as, a torsional spring 214, to bias the knob 110 to the free position. Accordingly, the knob 110 moves back to the free position when the user leaves the hand lever 192, thereby facilitates in disengagement of the first lever 206 from the push button 150 and/or the second lever 210 from an actuation button 184.

Further, the toilet system 100 includes a stopper 220 (shown in FIG. 3) adapted to move between an extended position (shown in FIG. 3) and a retracted position and control the movement of the knob 110 to the second position. In the extended position, as shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 220 is adapted to abut the second lever 210 the knob 110 when the knob 110 is rotated towards the second position, and therefore prevents the rotation of the knob 110 to the second position, while in the retracted position, the stopper 220 is disposed/arranged at a distance from the second lever 210 (i.e. the knob) when the knob 110 is rotated to the second position, thereby allowing the movement of the knob 110 to the second position, and hence the pressing of the actuation button 184 by the second lever 210. It may be appreciated that the stopper 220 is biased to the retracted position, and is moved to the extended position by actuating an actuator. In an embodiment, the actuator may be a solenoid actuator 222 adapted to move the stopper 220 to the extended position when an electricity is supplied to the actuator. Accordingly, the stopper 220 moves to the retracted position when the electric failure of the toilet system 100 occurs, allowing the movement of the knob 110 to the second position.

A working of toilet system 100 in the normal mode is now explained. After discharging the excreta inside the bowl 102, the user may want to flush the excreta from the bowl 102. For so doing, the user may grasp the hand lever 192 and rotates the knob 110 by rotating the hand lever 192. In so doing, the knob 110 may reach the first position. As the knob 110 reaches the first position, the first lever 206 may abut the push button 150 and press the push button 150 to second position. Further, at the first position, the second lever 210 contacts the stopper 220 that is arranged at the extended position, thereby preventing further rotation of the knob 110 towards the second position. Due to the movement of the push button 150 to the second position, a supply of electricity is enabled to the first valve 126 and the vacuum source 120, thereby actuating the vacuum system 104. Accordingly, the first valve 126 is moved to the open position and the vacuum source 120 is started. In so doing, a suction force is created that pully the excreta from the bowl 102 to the collection tank 144 via the first conduit 122. In this manner, the vacuum system 104 facilitates in discharge of the excreta from the bowl 102 during the normal mode of operation. Further, as the electricity supply to the second valve 166 is not disabled, the second valve 166 remains in the close position during normal mode of the toilet system 100. Accordingly, the flow of the excreta so the second conduit 162 from the bowl 102 is prevented.

A working of toilet system 100 in the failure mode is now explained. In the failure mode, the electricity supply to the toiler system 100 has interrupted. In this situation, the stopper 220 automatically moves to the retracted position, and the second valve 166 moves to the open position. Also, the first valve 126 moves to the close position, preventing a flow of excreta to the first conduit 122 from the bowl 102. As the user, now, moves to knob 110 by rotating the hand lever 192, the knob 110 moves to the second position, causing the second lever 210 to abuts and press the actuation button 184. In response to the pressing of the actuation button 184, the third valve 180 moves to the open position, thereby allowing the flow of water from the water source 160 to the bowl 102. In so doing, the human excreta is washed away from the bowl 102 along with the water. Further, as the second valve 166 is in the open position and the first valve 126 is in the closed position, the human excreta moves from the bowl 102 to the second conduit 162, and then discharges to an outside of the second conduit 162. In this manner, the water system 106 facilitates in discharging the excreta from the bowl 102 even during the failure mode.

The advantage of the toilet system 100 is now explained. The toilet system 100 functions during the power failure. In addition, the toilet system 100 may require very less water in comparison to the water based flushing system due to actuation of the vacuum system 104 during power failure. As water system 106 is activated only during failure of electricity, the the size of the reservoir 168 is also reduced.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present disclosure and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

It is to be noted that the figures and the above description have shown the example embodiments in a simple and schematic manner. Many of the specific mechanical details have not been shown since the person skilled in the art should be familiar with these details and they would just unnecessarily complicate this description.

List of Elements
100 toilet system
102 bowl
104 vacuum system
106 water system
110 knob
120 vacuum source
122 first conduit
126 first valve
140 outlet
144 collection tank
150 push button
160 water source
162 second conduit
166 second valve
168 reservoir
170 third conduit
180 third valve
184 actuation button
186 inverted U-shaped portion
190 actuator assembly
192 hand lever
194 elongated member
198 panel
200 first end
202 second end
206 first lever
210 second lever
212 biasing element
214 torsional spring
220 stopper
222 solenoid actuator