Actuating Unit Arrangement With Parallel Lever Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuation unit arrangements for toilet or urinal flush mechanisms are user-unfriendly, expose unnecessary areas during maintenance, and lack stability, leading to uncontrolled movements and incompatibility with heavier plates like glass.
Innovation Solution
A storage unit with a support element connected via a lever element, allowing the actuation unit to move between a use and maintenance position, with two lever elements arranged to limit pivoting and prevent uncontrolled movements, while only exposing the necessary maintenance area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuation unit is connected via a single lever element allowing free pivoting, then access to areas behind the plate is improved, but large areas are exposed causing confusion and uncontrolled movements
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion that is released and accessible during maintenance, and a second portion that remains covered and protected. This segmentation allows selective access to only the necessary maintenance areas while keeping other areas hidden, thus preventing user confusion and uncontrolled movements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the support element have different accessibility characteristics. The first portion is designed to be accessible during maintenance operations, while the second portion remains protected and inaccessible. This local differentiation in accessibility ensures users can perform maintenance where needed without being exposed to or confused by other components they should not touch.
2Ease of operation
If the actuation unit is mounted on a lever element for pivoting movement, then maintenance access is improved, but the actuation unit becomes loose and can hit the wall uncontrolled
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing element is designed with dynamic movement capability along a defined actuation movement path from the use position to the maintenance position. This controlled dynamic movement allows the actuation unit to be accessed during maintenance while maintaining stability through guided motion, preventing loose or uncontrolled pivoting that could cause impact with the wall.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the lever elements are arranged to limit pivoting movement, then uncontrolled movements are prevented, but the maintenance area access is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The lever elements are arranged to enable partial movement of the bearing element along the actuation movement path, sufficient to expose the first portion of the support element for maintenance. The movement is limited by the second lever element to prevent excessive pivoting, achieving the right balance between accessibility and control.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the bearing element moves parallel to the support element with two lever elements, then stability is improved, but only a portion of the support element is released
Solution Approach 1:
The support element is segmented into a first portion for maintenance access and a second portion for specialist maintenance only. The two lever elements enable the bearing element to move parallel to the support element, releasing only the first portion while keeping the second portion covered, thus providing stable controlled access to the appropriate maintenance areas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enhances user-friendliness by restricting access to only necessary maintenance areas, preventing uncontrolled movements, and allowing for the use of heavier plates by maintaining structural stability and hiding non-user-accessible components.
Implementation Method 1
a bearing element (4) connected to the support element (2) via a lever element (3), which lever element is at least a lever arm (5) with a first bearing point (6) and a second bearing point (7)
Data Source
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AI summary
Actuating unit arrangement (1) for triggering a flush of a toilet or urinal comprising a support element (2) for connecting the support element (2) to a cistern, a bearing element (4) connected to the support element (2) via a lever element (3), the lever element (3) comprising at least one lever arm (5) with a first bearing point (6) and a second bearing point (7), wherein the first bearing point (6) is pivotably connected to the support element (2) and the second bearing point (7) is pivotably connected to the bearing element (4), and an actuating unit (8) mounted on the bearing element (4), wherein the bearing element (4) together with the actuating unit (8) is movable along an actuating movement (A) from a service position to a maintenance position and back relative to the stationary support element (2), wherein at least two or exactly two of the said lever elements (3) are arranged,which lever elements (3) are spaced apart from each other such that the bearing element (4) is movable substantially parallel to the support element (2) during the said actuating movement (A) and that in the maintenance position the bearing element (4) with the actuating unit (8) releases a maintenance area (W) which is formed only by a part of the support element (2) and that another part (V) of the support element (2) is covered by the bearing element (4) with the actuating unit (8).