Actuator Clutch Assembly for Torque Limiting in Toilet Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic toilet flushing systems often require new or substituted toilet fixtures and can suffer from excessive torque issues, leading to motor overheating due to stuck flapper valves, making them difficult and costly to install on conventional toilets.
Innovation Solution
An automatic toilet flushing system with a sensor-actuator mechanism featuring a clutch assembly that disengages the drive shaft from the flapper valve when excessive torque is applied, preventing motor damage and allowing for easy installation using existing toilet fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional automatic flushing system is installed, then automatic flushing function is achieved, but the system requires new or substituted toilet fixtures making installation difficult and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator assembly is designed with a universal mounting bracket that can be installed on both conventional toilets and wall-hung toilets, allowing a single product to serve multiple installation scenarios without requiring fixture substitution
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator assembly is divided into separate modular components including the motor unit, clutch assembly, and mounting bracket, enabling easy installation and removal without disturbing the existing toilet fixtures
2Reliability
If the flapper valve gets stuck, then the flushing function fails, but excessive torque is applied to the motor causing overheating
Solution Approach 1:
A clutch assembly with spring-loaded disengagement mechanism is incorporated before the motor, which预先 provides torque limitation protection. When excessive torque is detected (indicating a stuck flapper valve), the clutch automatically disengages to prevent motor overheating and damage
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch assembly acts as an intermediary between the motor and the flapper valve mechanism, mediating the torque transmission and providing a safety buffer that protects the motor from direct exposure to excessive loads
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
The system effectively prevents motor damage from excessive torque and allows for easy installation on conventional toilets, ensuring reliable and efficient automatic flushing without requiring new fixtures.
Implementation Method 1
the clutch assembly is capable of disengaging the actuator from a drive arm of the flushing mechanism should a predetermined torque applied to this drive arm be exceeded to prevent damage to the motor of the actuator
Data Source
AI summary
A clutch assembly is provided for coupling a drive shaft with a drive arm of an actuator for use with an automatic toilet flushing system, wherein the drive shaft is adapted for rotation via a motor in the actuator. The clutch assembly includes a rotatable body extending between the drive shaft and the drive aim and having a first engaging member. A clutch disk is secured to the drive shaft and includes a second engaging member adapted for cooperating with the first engaging member of the body. A fastener secures the clutch disk to the drive shaft and a biasing member is provided for biasing the body toward the clutch disk. The body is adapted to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member should a predetermined torque on the drive shaft be exceeded to disengage the first and second engaging members and prevent damage to the drive shaft.