Automatic Toilet Flusher

[Pic_User]

Hi everyone maybe you can help me out

My room mates never flush the toilet and no matter how much I yell at them
they still do not flush the toilet.

I want to build an automatic toilet flusher so all they have todo is pass there hand by it or just have a timer when it detected someone.

Here's what I have an idea of what I need

1 servo

1 Pic micro controller 16F627A

1 Ir receiver

1 Ir led

and I already know the resistors and caps I need.

Should I go with a different approach for programing or do you think that this sounds like a pretty solid toilet flusher?

Hi Techbuilder,

No sense “re-inventing the wheel”.
To get an idea of various ways, already in use.

Paste this:
automatic flush infrared

Into here:
http://www.google.com/patents

It is perfectly legal and acceptable to adopt patent ideas for your own use, but not for resale or distribution.
(Edit: For the record. The above statement is incorrect. It is NOT “legal and acceptable to adopt patent ideas for your own use”. The law allows some very special exceptions but I was in error stating this so broadly. Thanks to tenaja for correcting my mistake. –Adam-)

You can get an idea of what is needed to “do the job”. The whole mechanical side may be a problem.

-Adam-

[sayzer]

Here is another idea.

Install all your IR equipment there.

But, connect the circuit to the door lock.

If the toilet is NOT flushed, the door remains locked.


This way, your roomies will learn to listen to you and also will learn to flush it.

When they eventually flash, play an MP3 saying "AHAA !"


--------------------

[Luciano]

Hi,

On Monday, Lego celebrated the 50th anniversary of the day
it filed its first patent for the iconic plastic brick....

Lego Mindstorms NXT automatic toilet flusher:
http://www.battlebricks.com/roboflush/index.html

Link to the video:


Best regards,

Luciano

[Techbuilder]

lol that would be funny to lock them in


Although the patents didn't have the simplicity I was looking for

I know the mechanical way I want to set it up I just don't know what would be easier to program.

Any ideas?

I was thinking about purchasing the Sharp GP2D12
but instead I already have an IR receiver and IR Led.

What do you think the best approach is?

[Acetronics2]

I was thinking about purchasing the Sharp GP2D12
but instead I already have an IR receiver and IR Led.

What do you think the best approach is?

Best or simpliest ???

for "private" use the sharp module will HIGHLY simplify the thing ( and the programming ! ) ...

looking to the cost ... an IR Led, plus a phototrans. will make it.

Alain

[Techbuilder]

Well I do want the simplest
but I don't have very much money either.

I have a book that kind of describes what I want to do but it is in assembly or c,
I can't tell but it's not in basic.

What would you describe the level of difficulty of the programming going with the cheap option?

[skimask]

Well I do want the simplest
but I don't have very much money either.
I have a book that kind of describes what I want to do but it is in assembly or c,
I can't tell but it's not in basic.
What would you describe the level of difficulty of the programming going with the cheap option?

A momentary switch bolted to the door frame connected to a solenoid that throws the flush handle and/or lifts the trap at the bottom of the tank.
Door opens one way, it brushes the lever, but it's the wrong way to close the contacts. Maybe the lever is on a one-way hinge so it can flip the one way without a problem.
Door closes the other way, it brushes the lever, and it's the right way to close the contacts.
The solenoid is bolted to the wall behind the toilet. The arm of the solenoid is connected to a cable that pulls the trap at the bottom of the toilet tank.
Use a solenoid like one from a trunk release of a car, or door lock or something...anything.

I think that's about as simple as you can get...1 12v battery pack + small charger, 1 level switch and attaching hardware, 1 junk solenoid from a salvage yard, some wires and a piece of cable.

No programming, no PIC, no nothing, just a bit of hardware...done...
That and kicking your roommates square in the ding-ding.
I mean, that's just plain nasty...

[Pic_User]

What if, Techbuilder’s next step was to get them to close the door…

[tenaja]

It is perfectly legal and acceptable to adopt patent ideas for your own use, but not for resale or distribution....

Actually, this is not a true statement. Sure, it is highly unlikely you will get caught or sued, but if you do get caught, you may find yourself in court (or settling).