Adjustable Flapper Valve Mounting for Universal Flush Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flapper valves for gravity-operated flush toilets lack ease of use and adjustability, making them incompatible with various flush valve models and sizes, which affects sealing efficiency and water conservation.
Innovation Solution
A flapper valve with rotatable leg clips providing two-way adjustment and a variably adjustable air outlet, allowing the same valve to fit different flush valve models and sizes, and controlling buoyancy by regulating air flow through a rotating vent band.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flapper valves use fixed mounting arms, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different flush valve models is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arms are designed to be rotatable and adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the flapper valve to adapt to different peg positions and spacings on various flush valve models. The mounting arms can rotate around the pegs and be positioned at different angles to accommodate different mounting configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The flapper valve is designed with universal mounting capabilities that allow it to be installed on multiple makes and models of flush valves. The adjustable mounting arms and clips provide a standardized interface that can accommodate different peg diameters and spacings, making the same flapper valve compatible with various flush valve types.
2Ease of operation
If the flapper valve has fixed mounting arms, then the manufacturing is simple, but the ease of operation for different installations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting arms incorporate rotatable joints and adjustable clips that allow easy installation on different flush valve models. The clips can be opened, positioned around the pegs, and locked into place, providing simple adjustment without requiring custom manufacturing for each application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the ballast has a fixed aperture size, then the structure is simple, but the controllability of buoyancy is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The ballast incorporates a rotatable vent band with multiple aperture positions instead of a fixed aperture. By rotating the vent band to different positions, the effective aperture size changes, allowing control over the rate at which air escapes from the ballast, thereby controlling the buoyancy of the flapper valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The buoyancy of the flapper valve is controlled by changing the aperture size parameter of the ballast. The rotatable vent band allows the aperture size to be adjusted between different positions, which changes the rate of air escape and thereby controls the buoyancy force acting on the flapper valve.
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
Enables easy installation and adjustment of the flapper valve across multiple flush valve models, improving sealing efficiency and water conservation by accommodating varying peg diameters and spacings, while optimizing air flow for efficient tank emptying.
Implementation Method 1
Located forwardly of the flapper valve mounting arms is also a ballast structure which controls the buoyancy of the flapper valve. The buoyancy of a flapper valve is an important function because it determines how much or how little water is used to empty the water tank upon flushing
Implementation Method 2
The flapper valve is often formed of a soft elastomeric material and is hinged to allow the valve to be pivotally moved upwardly and away from the main flush valve orifice. Once the tank empties, the flapper valve then returns to a position where it seals the main flush valve orifice, the rim of soft elastomeric material forming a sealing area about that main flush valve orifice.
Data Source
AI summary
An improved toilet flapper valve is used to cover and seal a main flush valve orifice, which flapper valve comprises a pair of rotatable legs and leg clips having two-way adjustment capabilities and which serve to function as mounting arms. The two-way adjustment of the rotatable leg clips allows for use of the same flapper valve with a variety of makes and models of flush valves, and flush valves having pegs that may be spaced apart so as to adjust for pegs that may have different diameters or that may be separated from one another by different distances depending on the flush valve used in the toilet. The flapper valve of the present invention also includes a variably-adjustable air outlet capability.