Subject of the Invention

The invention relates to a system whereby after a toilet cover, which is capable of automatically opening and likewise automatically closing by means of at least one sensor and an actuator without the need for user contact, performs an opening or closing movement via the actuator, the connection of the cover with the actuator is terminated and said system enables the cover to be opened and closed mechanically, or in other words, enables the same to be opened and closed manually by the user and relates to a toilet comprising said system and relates to a method of operation for the system.

State of the Art

The situations occasionally arise where it is required or preferred that the toilet covers, which are triggered by means of a sensor, opened by the user in a non-contact manner by means of an actuator and closed after the use by a movement also provided by the actuator, again without the user's contact, are able to be also manually opened and closed by a user. In the toilet covers that are automatically open or closed upon the instruction from a sensor and by means of an actuator, the opening or closing movement of the cover usually occurs upon the execution of certain instructions and the satisfaction of certain prerequisites. Since the control of the system is enabled by means of instructions generated in a certain order in the systems where the opening and closing movements are controlled automatically, the user needs the systems where the toilet cover is enabled to be opened also manually, for instance only for performing the cleaning process without using the toilet. Likewise, a toilet cover is required to have the ability of being closed also manually, even if it has been opened via the movement of the actuator. For example, it is necessary to manually close an automatically opening toilet cover in case of power outage or in case of any failure in the mechanism. The inability to manually close an open cover in case of failure in an automatically controlled system also leads to the adverse conditions from the perspective of hygiene.

According to the state of the art, the actuator is directly connected with the toilet cover. Following the opening or closing of the toilet cover, the actuator remains mechanically connected with the toilet cover. In cases where an automatically opened cover is manually forced by a user to close, the force externally applied by the user on the cover is directly transmitted to the actuator and this damages the product and actuator mechanism, resulting in technical problems in the product. According to the state of the art, the gear mechanisms are employed to reduce the force applied by the user and transmitted to the actuator for the purpose of minimizing said damage that would occur; however, the noise generated in this case by the mechanism upon the application of the force by the user leads to unfavorable conditions of use. According to the state of the art, another solution for meeting the abovementioned needs involves the systems where, in case a user attempts to manually open or close a toilet cover, the movement of the cover is directly transmitted to the actuator and the actuator enables the cover to be opened or closed upon said actuator detecting the externally applied action. However, it is necessary in this case to supply power to the actuator from a power supply.

In addition, since the actuator system needs a power supply in order to operate, in case of a system failure, power outage or run-down of the energy storage unit, the abovementioned problems are again encountered when it is desired to manually open or close the toilet cover due to the direct connection of the same and the actuator and the cover remains open or closed when the movement of the cover is not possible without the actuator.

With the invention, a system, which enables an automatically opened toilet cover to be manually closed and likewise enables a toilet cover to be manually opened by a user without damaging the actuator mechanism, is developed for the solution of said problems.

Object of the Invention

An object of the invention is to develop a system, which enables a toilet cover automatically opening and closing via at least one sensor and actuator to be also manually opened and closed by a user in case it is required.

Another object of the invention is to develop a system where, after the opening and/or closing movement of a toilet cover with automatically controlled opening-closing movement, the mechanical connection between the actuator and the cover is terminated and thus the cover is enabled to be manually opened and closed without causing damage to the actuator.

Another object of the invention is to develop a system where, in case of a technical system failure or in case of power outage in an automatically opening and closing toilet cover, it is possible to manually close the toilet cover that has remained open or it is possible to manually open the toilet cover that has remained closed, without any need for a movement triggered by the actuator.

Figure 1: An overall view showing the toilet, toilet cover, sensor and panel

Figure 2: An exploded view showing the actuator, actuator power transmission shaft, lower body, upper body and cover shaft of the system according to the invention

Figure 3: A sectional view showing the cover shaft and the cover shaft protrusion

Figure 4: A sectional view showing the actuator position sensor and the cover position sensor

Figure 5: An exploded view showing the members of the system according to the invention Figure 6: A perspective view of the actuator power shaft

Figure 7: An exploded view of the actuator position detection member and the key positioned on the actuator power shaft

Figure 8A: A view of the cover shaft

Figure 8B: A view showing the shaft housing, first surface and second surface on the cover shaft

Figure 8C: A view showing the cover shaft protrusion on the cover shaft

Figure 8D: A view showing the shaft housing, first surface, second surface and cover shaft protrusion on the cover shaft

Figure 8E: A view showing the shaft housing, first surface and second surface on the cover shaft

Figure 9A: A sectional view showing the actuator position sensor and cover position sensor while the cover is open

Figure 9B: A detailed sectional view showing the actuator position sensor and cover position sensor while the cover is open

Figure 10A: A sectional view showing the actuator position sensor and cover position sensor while the cover is closed

Figure 10B: A sectional view showing the actuator position sensor and cover position sensor while the cover is closed

Figure 11: A view showing the keyway on the actuator power shaft

Figure 12: A detailed view of the actuator position sensor and cover position sensor

Figure 13: A view showing the surface where the second surface on the cover shaft contacts the lower body

Reference Numerals

1 : Toilet

2 : Toilet cover

3 : Actuator

31 : Actuator shaft

4 : Cover shaft 41 : Cover shaft protrusion

42 : Shaft housing

43 : First surface

44 : Second surface

5 : Actuator position sensor

6 : Cover position sensor

7 : Lower body

8 : Upper body

9 : Panel

10 : Sensor

11 : Energy storage unit

12 : Electronic unit

13 : Actuator power transmission shaft

131 : Actuator position detection member housing

132 : Actuator shaft housing

133 : Keyway

14 : Actuator position detection member

141 : Actuator position detection member protrusion

142 : Fixing protrusion

15 : Key (wedge)

Y : Surface

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention relates to a system whereby after a toilet cover, which is capable of automatically opening and likewise automatically closing by means of at least one sensor and an actuator without the need for user contact , performs an opening or closing movement via the actuator, the connection of the cover with the actuator is terminated and said system enables the cover to be opened and closed mechanically, or in other words, enables the same to be opened and closed manually by the user and relates to a toilet comprising said system and relates to a method of operation for the system.

The system according to the invention is a system enabling a user to open and close also manually, in case desired, a toilet cover (2), the movement of which may be controlled in a contact-free manner and which may be enabled to automatically open by detecting the presence of a user via at least one sensor (10) and to automatically close in the absence of a user, wherein the user does not cause any damage to the system elements enabling said toilet cover (2) to automatically open and close while manually opening and closing said toilet cover

(2).

The system according to the invention comprises at least one cover position sensor (6) enabling whether toilet cover (2) is open or closed to be detected, at least one actuator (3) for the automated opening and closing of the cover, at least one actuator position sensor (5) enabling the position of the actuator (3) to be detected, and at least one electronic unit (12).

Owing to the position detections performed for the toilet cover (2) and the actuator (3) with the system according to the invention, whether there is any connection between the toilet cover (2) and the actuator (3) is enabled to be detected, thereby enabling the toilet cover (2) to be manually opened and closed by the user without causing any damage to the actuator

(3) and without leading to any inconvenience for the user.

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the invention, the movement received from the actuator (3) is transmitted to at least one cover shaft (4) by means of at least one actuator shaft (31) and to the toilet cover (2) by means of cover shaft (4).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one actuator power transmission shaft

(13) is disposed, which enables the movement received from the actuator (3) to be transmitted to the cover shaft (4) and/or the toilet cover (2). In this embodiment of the invention, the actuator power transmission shaft (13) is positioned on the actuator shaft (31) by means of at least one actuator shaft housing (132) present on said actuator power transmission shaft (13).

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one actuator position detection member (14), which is to be positioned on the actuator power transmission shaft (13) and used in detecting the position of the actuator (3). Said actuator position detection member

(14) is positioned in at least one actuator position detection member housing (131) on the actuator power transmission shaft (13). The actuator position detection member (14) enables whether there is a connection between the actuator (3) and the toilet cover (2) to be detected when the toilet cover (2) is open or closed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one actuator position detection member protrusion (141) is positioned on said actuator position detection member (14) for enabling the position of the actuator (3) to be detected. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said actuator position detection member (14) is positioned within at least one actuator position detection member housing (131) on the actuator power transmission shaft (13), via at least one fixing protrusion (142) present on said actuator position detection member (14).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one cover shaft (4) is positioned, which enables the movement received from the actuator (3) to be transmitted to the toilet cover (2). Said cover shaft (4) is positioned on the one hand at the center of rotation of the toilet cover (2) and on the other hand on the actuator power transmission shaft (13) via at least one shaft housing (42) present on said cover shaft (4). The cover shaft (4) performs the rotational movement together with the toilet cover (2). Moreover, the rotational axes of the cover shaft (4) and the actuator power transmission shaft (13) are the same. It is also possible within the scope of the invention that the cover shaft (4) be positioned directly on the actuator shaft (31) in the case where the actuator power transmission shaft (13) is not used.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one cover shaft protrusion (41), which is to enable the position of the toilet cover (2) to be detected, is positioned on the cover shaft (4).

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one key (wedge) (15) on the actuator power transmission shaft (13). In this embodiment of the invention, the actuator power transmission shaft (13) comprises at least one keyway (133) in which said key (wedge) (15) is to be positioned. Said key (wedge) (15) may be fixed on the actuator power transmission shaft (13) via means including but not limited to close fit and/or adhesion and/or at least one fixing member and/or welding method. Said fixing member is for instance a screw.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key (wedge) (15) has a structure integral with the actuator power transmission shaft (13).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator power transmission shaft (13) may be fixed on the actuator shaft (31) via close fit and/or use of at least one fixing member and/or welding method. Said fixing member is for instance a screw.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator power transmission shaft (13) has a structure integral with the actuator shaft (31).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator position detection member (14) may be fixed on the actuator power transmission shaft (13) via means including but not limited to close fit and/or adhesion and/or use of at least one fixing member and/or welding method. Said fixing member is for instance a screw.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the actuator position detection member (14) has a structure integral with the actuator power transmission shaft (13). The cover shaft (4) present in the system according to the invention comprises thereon at least one first surface (43) and at least one second surface (44). While the first surface (43) enables the movement received from the actuator (3) to be transmitted to the toilet cover (2) in order for the toilet cover (2) to open or close, the second surface (44) forms a contact surface after the opening of the toilet cover (2) has been completed to prevent the toilet cover (2) from opening by more than the desired angle.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one energy storage unit (11). The electrical energy needed by the system components is stored in said energy storage unit (11). Owing to the energy stored in the energy storage unit (11), the system is able to continue operating without being affected by the likely outages in the power grid. Further, the system's instant requirement for high energy during the initial movement of the toilet cover (2) and under the similar circumstances is supported by the energy storage unit (11) in addition to the power supplied from the grid and thus, it becomes possible for the system to operate with a power supply with lower power.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises at least one upper body (8) where the system components like the actuator (3), actuator power transmission shaft (13), electronic unit (12), cover position sensor (6) and actuator position sensor (5) are fixed. Said components are fixed along with the upper body (8) on at least one lower body (7) present on the toilet (1). The lower body (7) is positioned on the toilet (1) and enables the system components to be positioned on the toilet (1).

In the embodiment of the invention comprising an actuator position detection member protrusion (141) on the actuator position detection member (14), said actuator position detection member protrusion (141) is positioned such that it is detected by the actuator position sensor (5) at the zero position of the actuator (3). Within the scope of the invention, the position of the actuator (3) and hence the position of the actuator shaft (31) and the actuator power transmission shaft (13) at which there is no mechanical connection with the toilet cover (2) is defined as the zero position. In case where the actuator (3) is not at this position, the actuator shaft (31) and hence the actuator power transmission shaft (13) are enabled to get to this predetermined position upon energizing the actuator (3).

In the embodiment of the invention comprising a cover shaft protrusion (41) on the cover shaft (4), the toilet cover (2) is detected to be closed upon said cover shaft protrusion (41) being detected by the cover position sensor (6) at the position where the toilet cover (2) is closed.

At said zero position of the actuator (3), the key (wedge) (15) positioned on the actuator power transmission shaft (13) is positioned such that it is disposed angularly in the middle of said first surface (43) on the cover shaft (4).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said sensor (10) maybe an optical sensor and/or a radio frequency (RF) sensor and/or an ultrasonic sensor. Said sensor (10) is used for the purpose of detecting that a user has approached the toilet (1) and/or the toilet (1) is being currently used by a user and/or a user has moved away from the toilet (1). In this way, the toilet cover (2) is enabled to automatically open when the user approaches the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) is enabled to automatically close when the user moves away from the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) is prevented from closing in case the toilet (1) is being currently used by a user, that is, in case a user has been detected by the sensor (10).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said sensor (10) is positioned on at least one panel (9). While said panel (9) may be located on the toilet (1), it may also be positioned on any surface in the environment and may perform wireless and/or wire communication with the toilet cover (2) depending on the preference. While said sensor (10) may be located on the panel (9), it is also possible for the same to be located on the toilet (1) and/or the toilet cover (2) and/or toilet (1) seat.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the panel (9) may perform wireless communication with at least one portable device, thereby enabling the functions that are able to be controlled via the panel (9) to be controlled also from the portable device. Said portable device may be a remote control as well as a smart device like phone, tablet, smart watch and the like.

In a method of operation of an alternative embodiment of the system according to the invention for opening the toilet cover (2), after it is detected by means of the sensor (10) that a user has come in front of the toilet (1) while the toilet cover (2) is in closed position, the information regarding the presence of the user is transmitted to the actuator (3). Upon receiving the signal, the actuator (3) starts to rotate starting from the zero point and the key (wedge) (15) present on the actuator power transmission shaft (13) continues with the rotational movement until contacting the first surface (43) on the cover shaft (4). No movement is observed in the toilet cover (2) up to this moment. The key (wedge) (15) on the actuator power transmission shaft (13) continues to rotate after contacting the cover shaft (4) and the toilet cover (2) begins to open. The toilet cover (2) continues to open until the second surface (44) that is present on the cover shaft (4) contacts the surface (Y) that is present on the lower body (7). The instant the cover shaft (4) contacts said surface (Y) on the lower body (7) is the position in which the toilet cover (2) has opened by the maximum extent. A strain develops in the actuator shaft (31) when the second surface (44) on the cover shaft (4) contacts the surface (Y) on the lower body (7) and owing to this strain, it is recognized by the electronic unit (12) that the actuator (3) has completed the opening movement for the toilet cover (2). After the toilet cover (2) has completed the opening movement, the actuator shaft (31) and/or the actuator power transmission shaft (13) and the actuator (3) return to the zero position upon an instruction given by the electronic unit (12). That the actuator (3) has reached said position is verified upon the detection of the same by means of the actuator position sensor (5). In this position of the actuator (3), the user may easily close the toilet cover (2) manually. Since in this state the actuator shaft (31) and/or the actuator power transmission shaft (13) and the key (wedge) (15) on the same have returned to the zero position and thus there is not present any connection between the cover shaft (4) and the actuator shaft (31) and/or the actuator power transmission shaft (13), hence between the actuator (3) and the toilet cover (2), the toilet cover (2) has came to a position in which it is able to be manually closed by the user. The position at which the toilet cover (2) is open can be seen in Figure 9A and Figure 9B.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, that the actuator (3) and the actuator shaft (31) and/or the actuator power transmission shaft (13) have returned to the zero position in the state where the toilet cover (2) is open is detected upon the detection of the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) by means of the actuator position sensor (5). Since at this position the toilet cover (2) is not detected to be closed by the cover position sensor (6), it is understood that the toilet cover (2) is open.

In an alternative embodiment of the system according to the invention, in the method of operation for closing the toilet cover (2) while said toilet cover (2) is open, the movement of the actuator (3) is triggered via a signal sent from the sensor (10) when the user has moved away from the ambience and the actuator shaft (31) starts to move from the zero point, in a direction opposite to that of the rotational movement it performs while the toilet cover (2) is opening. The rotational movement continues until the key (wedge) (15) contacts the first surface (43) on the cover shaft (4). During this movement, the toilet cover (2) does not move. The actuator shaft (31) continues with the rotational movement when the key (wedge) (15) contacts the first surface (43) on the cover shaft (4) and the toilet cover (2) begins to close. That the toilet cover (2) has closed is recognized by means of the cover position sensor (6) and the electronic unit (12). When the closing process of the toilet cover (2) is completed, the actuator shaft (31) and/or the actuator power transmission shaft (13) and the key (wedge) (15) connected to the actuator shaft (31) return to the zero position. That the actuator (3) has returned to the zero position is detected by the actuator position sensor (5). When the user attempts to manually open the toilet cover (2) while said toilet cover (2) is closed, since there is not present any connection between the actuator shaft (31) and/or the actuator power transmission shaft (13) and the cover shaft (4), and hence between the actuator (3) and the toilet cover (2), said toilet cover (2) may be readily opened, that is, it may be opened like a toilet cover that is mechanically opened and closed by a user.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, that the toilet cover (2) has closed is detected upon the detection of the cover shaft protrusion (41) located on the cover shaft (4) by the cover position sensor (6). This position of the cover shaft protrusion (41) can be seen in Figure 10A and Figure 10B. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, that the actuator shaft (31) and/or the actuator power transmission shaft (13) and hence the actuator (3) have returned to the zero position in the state where the toilet cover (2) is closed is verified upon the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) on the actuator position detection member (14) being detected by the actuator position sensor (5). The position at which the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) is detectable by the actuator position sensor (5) at the zero position of said actuator (3) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13), both while the toilet cover (2) is open and while the toilet cover (2) is closed, can be seen in Figure 9A, Figure 9B, Figure 10A and Figure 10B.

While said actuator position sensor (5) and/or cover position sensor (6) may be an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor, an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a resistive sensor, a radio frequency (RF) sensor, a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, an inclination sensor and/or an angle sensor, it is also possible for the same to be a mechanical switch, or an actuator (3) the position of which may be detected.

In an embodiment where said cover position sensor (6) is an inclination sensor and/or angle sensor, the inclination sensor and/or the angle sensor is/are fixed to the toilet cover (2) and/or to at least one member, which moves depending on the rotational movement of the toilet cover (2) and which preferably performs rotational movement, and the inclination sensor and/or the angle sensor measure(s) the inclination and/or angle of the toilet cover (2). Thus, the inclination and/or angle sensor move(s) together with the movement of the toilet cover (2), and it is possible to detect whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed by a comparison of the angle and/or inclination detected by the sensor to the predefined inclination and/or angle.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention where the cover position sensor (6) is an optical sensor, the movement and/or position of the cover shaft (4), which is fixed to the toilet cover (2) and which rotates with the toilet cover (2), is/are detected by the optical sensor.

In an embodiment of the invention where the cover position sensor (6) is an optical sensor, said optical sensor detects the movement of at least one cover shaft protrusion (41), which is positioned on the cover shaft (4) and which rotates depending on the rotational movement of the cover shaft (4). More specifically, the optical sensor is located at a position where it is able to see the cover shaft protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position, while the cover shaft protrusion (41) is positioned on the cover shaft (4) such that it is disposed opposite the optical sensor when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position. Accordingly, it is determined that the toilet cover (2) is closed when the cover shaft protrusion (41) is detected by the optical sensor and that the toilet cover (2) is open in case the cover shaft protrusion (41) is not detected.

In an embodiment of the invention where the actuator position sensor (5) is an optical sensor, said optical sensor detects the movement of at least one actuator position detection member protrusion (141), which is located on the actuator position detection member (14) and which rotates depending on the rotational movement of the actuator (3). More specifically, the optical sensor is positioned such that it is able to see the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) when the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position, while the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) is positioned such that it is disposed opposite the optical sensor at this position. Thus, when the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) is detected by the optical sensor, it is detected that the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position and it becomes possible for the toilet cover (2) to be readily opened and closed by the user manually.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention where the cover position sensor (6) is a magnetic sensor, at least one cover shaft protrusion (41) with magnetic characteristic is positioned on the cover shaft (4) that rotates together with the toilet cover (2) in a state connected to the toilet cover (2), said cover shaft protrusion (41) with magnetic characteristic rotating depending on the rotational movement of said cover shaft (4). In this way, said cover shaft protrusion (41) may be detected by the magnetic sensor. While the toilet cover (2) is in the closed position, the cover shaft protrusion (41) with magnetic characteristic gets to the position closest to the magnetic sensor and creates a maximum magnetic effect on the magnetic sensor, and it moves away as the toilet cover (2) is being opened. Similarly, the magnetic sensor is positioned such that it will be closest to the cover shaft protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it will be farthest from the cover shaft protrusion (41) when the toilet cover (2) is open. Accordingly, it is possible to detect that the toilet cover (2) is closed when the effect on the magnetic sensor is at the predefined maximum value and that the toilet cover (2) is open when the effect on the magnetic sensor is smaller than the predefined maximum value.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention where the actuator position sensor (5) is a magnetic sensor, said magnetic sensor detects the presence of at least one actuator position detection member protrusion (141), which is positioned on the actuator position detection member (14) and which rotates depending on the rotational movement of the actuator (3). In this embodiment, said actuator position detection member protrusion (141) is a protrusion with magnetic characteristic. In this embodiment, when the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position, the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) gets to the position closest to the magnetic sensor and creates a maximum magnetic effect on the magnetic sensor. Accordingly, when the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) is detected by the magnetic sensor, that the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position is verified and it becomes possible for the toilet cover (2) to be readily opened and closed by the user manually. As the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) move away from the zero position, the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) moves away from the magnetic sensor and the magnetic effect it creates on the magnetic sensor decreases. Likewise, the magnetic sensor is positioned such that it will be closest to the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) when the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position and it will be farthest from the actuator position detection member protrusion (141) when the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are not at the zero position. Accordingly, it is possible to detect that the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position when the effect on the magnetic sensor is at the predefined maximum value and that the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are not at the zero position when the effect on the magnetic sensor is smaller than the predefined maximum value.

In an embodiment of the invention where the cover position sensor (6) is an optical sensor, more specifically a light sensor, the quantity of light within the toilet (1) bowl is detected and the decision is made as to whether the toilet cover (2) is open or closed according to the quantity of light, more specifically, via a comparison of the quantity of light to the predefined reference light values.

In an embodiment of the invention where the cover position sensor (6) is a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch is positioned such that it completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position. Thus, the toilet cover (2) will be considered to have got to the closed position in case the circuit is completed by the mechanical switch, whereas the toilet cover (2) will be considered open in cases where the circuit is disconnected.

In an embodiment of the invention where the cover position sensor (6) is a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch is positioned such that it disconnects the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in closed position and it completes the circuit when the toilet cover (2) is in open position. Thus, the toilet cover (2) is considered closed in case the circuit is disconnected by the mechanical switch, whereas the toilet cover (2) is considered open in cases where the circuit is completed.

In an embodiment of the invention where the actuator position sensor (5) is a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch will disconnect the circuit when the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position and thus it will be possible to detect the position of the actuator (3). In this embodiment, it will be determined that the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are not at the zero position in case the circuit is completed.

In an embodiment of the invention where the actuator position sensor (5) is a mechanical switch, the mechanical switch will complete the circuit when the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position and thus it will be possible to detect the position of the actuator (3). In this embodiment, it will be determined that the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are not at the zero position in case the circuit is disconnected.

In an embodiment of the invention where the cover position sensor (6) is an actuator (3) the position of which may be detected, since the toilet cover (2) moves in connection with the actuator (3), more specifically with the actuator shaft (31), the position of the toilet cover (2) may be detected upon the detection of the position of the actuator shaft (31). In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said actuator (3) is a motor with optical encoder and/or resistive encoder and/or magnetic encoder. In this embodiment, it is possible to detect the position of both the actuator (3) and the toilet cover (2) connected to the actuator (3).

It is also possible for the actuator position sensor (5) to be an actuator (3) the position of which may be detected and said actuator (3) is a motor with optical encoder and/or resistive encoder and/or magnetic encoder in this embodiment of the invention.

A preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a visual warning system, which enables the user to obtain the information about the position of the actuator (3), i.e. about whether it is possible for the user to manually intervene the toilet cover (2) without causing damage to any mechanism, in other words, about whether the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) are at the zero position, in case the toilet cover (2) is completely open or closed. Said visual warning system is for example a light warning system wherein the information that the toilet cover (2) is able to be closed or opened manually by the user could be conveyed to the user via a light warning of certain color and the information that it is not possible to manually intervene the toilet cover (2), thus the information that a failure has occurred in the system and the actuator (3), actuator shaft (31) and/or actuator power transmission shaft (13) have not returned to the zero position could be conveyed to the user via a different light warning.

With the system developed within the scope of the invention, it will be possible for the automatically opening and closing toilet covers to be opened and closed manually by a user in case necessary, without causing any damage to the mechanisms, such as actuator, which enable the cover to open and close automatically.