Adjustable Flush Valve Float Assembly for Toilet Tank
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet tank flush valve structures lack adjustability to accommodate varying flushing characteristics of different toilet models, leading to inefficiencies in water usage and waste removal, and are prone to water leakage due to sealing member deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A flush valve structure with a valve base, adjustable float assembly, and guide member that includes an overflow tube and stop member, allowing for adjustable buoyancy, upward travel, and overflow tube positioning to customize flush volume and prevent sealing member deterioration, featuring a guide member with a passageway connecting to the water supply valve and a stop member to limit float assembly travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional flush valve structures are used, then the structure is simple, but the adaptability to different toilet models is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The float assembly is made adjustable in buoyancy through an adjustable float chamber volume, allowing the flush valve to adapt to different flushing characteristics of various toilet models. The guide member can be extended or repositioned to change the upward travel distance of the float assembly, providing dynamic adaptability without requiring a completely different valve structure for each toilet model.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows adjustment of key parameters including float assembly buoyancy (via float chamber volume), upward travel distance (via guide member extension), and overflow tube positioning. These parameter changes enable the same flush valve structure to be adapted to different toilet models and flushing requirements without changing the basic structural design.
2Reliability
If conventional flush valve structures are used, then the structure is simple, but water leakage occurs due to sealing member deterioration
Solution Approach 1:
The float assembly's upward travel is limited by an adjustable stop member on the guide member, preventing excessive movement that could damage the sealing member. The guide member itself protects the sealing member from direct contact with the float assembly, distributing mechanical stress and reducing deterioration from repeated sealing cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member acts as a protective intermediary between the float assembly and the sealing member, cushioning and distributing mechanical stresses before they reach the sealing member. This preliminary protection reduces wear and deterioration of the sealing member over time.
3Productivity
If the float assembly upward travel is increased to improve waste removal, then the flush volume increases, but the sealing member deteriorates faster
Solution Approach 1:
The stop member on the guide member provides a controlled limit to the float assembly's upward travel, allowing optimization of flush volume while preventing excessive movement that would damage the sealing member. This dynamic control enables achieving good waste removal efficiency without compromising sealing member durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide member protects the sealing member from direct contact with the float assembly during operation, cushioning mechanical stresses and reducing wear. This allows the float assembly to travel sufficiently for effective waste removal while the guide member absorbs the protective function, preserving sealing member durability.
4Productivity
If the overflow tube is positioned higher to increase flush volume, then the waste removal improves, but the water level in the tank increases
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow tube can be adjusted to different heights on the guide member, allowing optimization of flush volume while controlling the water level in the tank. By changing the overflow tube height parameter, the system can achieve adequate waste removal without excessively high water levels that would increase water consumption.
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 adaptable flush valve performance across multiple toilet models by adjusting flush volume and preventing water leakage through customizable buoyancy and sealing adjustments, ensuring efficient waste removal and minimizing sealing member deterioration.
Implementation Method 1
a float assembly that is movable relative to the valve base between a sealing position in which a second valve member at a lower end of the float assembly engages the first valve member
Data Source
AI summary
A toilet tank flush valve structure includes a valve base. A float assembly that is adjustable in buoyancy is movable between a sealing position and a flushing position. An overflow tube is attached to the float assembly and extends from a lower end in communication with a water outflow passage of the valve base to an upper end in communication with the interior space of the toilet tank. The upper end of the overflow tube is adjustable relative to the float assembly independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly. A guide member guides movement of the float assembly. A stop member on the guide member limits upward travel of the float assembly from its sealing position. The stop member is adjustable in position lengthwise of the guide member or by extension of the guide member independently of the buoyancy of the float assembly.