Adjustable Flush Valve With Trim Line Gasket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current flush valves are not adaptable to a wide range of toilet tank openings, specifically lacking a 3.00 inch diameter option that can universally fit openings from 3.25 inches to 3.95 inches, and existing solutions do not provide a suitable gasket for ensuring a good seal across this diameter range.
Innovation Solution
A 3.00 inch diameter flush valve with a unique soft elastomeric gasket featuring a circumferential 'cut ring' or 'trim line' for universal adaptation, allowing for adjustment to fit various toilet tank and bowl openings, ensuring a secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional flush valve is designed for a specific tank opening diameter, then it provides a precise fit for that specific size, but it cannot be adapted to other tank opening sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The flush valve incorporates an adjustable mechanism with movable components that allow the valve body to be repositioned or resized after installation. The adjustable tube can be extended or repositioned to accommodate different tank opening diameters, transforming a static valve into a dynamically adaptable component that maintains precise fit across multiple sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the flush valve assembly, specifically the length and position of the adjustable tube, to accommodate different tank opening diameters. By modifying these parameters, the same basic valve design can fit openings ranging from 3.25 to 3.95 inches without requiring multiple different valve models.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single-size flush valve is manufactured, then production is simplified and cost is reduced, but it cannot universally fit various toilet tank opening sizes
Solution Approach 1:
The flush valve is divided into separable components, including an adjustable tube that can be independently positioned and a valve body that remains relatively fixed. This segmentation allows the adjustable portion to be modified for different installations while keeping the main valve structure simple and manufacturable.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable tube serves multiple functions: it extends the reach of the valve, adjusts the positioning to accommodate different opening diameters, and provides a means for fine-tuning the fit. This multi-functionality allows a single basic design to serve universal installation requirements across various toilet models.
3Reliability
If a flush valve is designed to fit the smallest tank opening (3.25 inches), then it fits that size precisely, but it creates gaps and poor seals for larger openings (3.95 inches)
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable tube can be dynamically repositioned to maintain optimal contact and seal quality regardless of the tank opening diameter. By moving the tube to different positions, the valve creates a reliable seal for openings ranging from 3.25 to 3.95 inches, preventing the gaps that would occur with a fixed-size design.
Data Source
AI summary
A tank to bowl sponge gasket is provided for use with a flush valve used in the drain hole of a toilet tank, the tank sitting above the throat of a toilet bowl. The flush valve comprises a flange above the bottom wall, a lower externally threaded portion that extends through the drain hole and an internally threaded lock nut which complements the lower threaded portion of the flush valve, a tank seal disposed between the flange and the tank wall, and the gasket is disposed between the lower threaded portion of the flush valve, the lock nut and the tank wall and the throat of the toilet bowl. The gasket has a generally L-shaped upper portion with a circumferential outer surface, a circumferential inner surface and a bottom shelf, a lower portion comprising a circumferential inner surface and an inwardly tapered outer surface, and a circumferential trim line.