Outlet Aperture Divider Arrangement for Toilet Cistern Flush Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Close-coupled toilet cisterns often fail to achieve the stipulated average flush flow rate due to lower pressure head and increased vortex formation, and cisterns of varying shapes and sizes can induce turbulence, leading to unsatisfactory flushing performance.
Innovation Solution
An outlet aperture arrangement featuring a flow promotion device with divider members that divide the outlet entrance into multiple parts, including insertion and extension parts, to enhance flow stability and reduce vortex formation, while maintaining submersion and vertical flow direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If close-coupled cisterns are used to reduce space, then space utilization is improved, but pressure head and suction effect are reduced leading to insufficient flush flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet aperture is divided into multiple segments using divider members arranged radially. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths that prevent vortex formation and maintain stable flow, enabling close-coupled cisterns to achieve sufficient flush flow rates despite reduced pressure head
Solution Approach 2:
Divider members are positioned specifically at the outlet aperture entrance to create localized flow control. The dividers extend into the aperture to create separate flow channels, improving flow stability at the critical outlet region without affecting the overall cistern design
2Adaptability or versatility
If cistern size is reduced to fit designated spaces, then adaptability is improved, but vortex formation increases and flush performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet aperture is divided into multiple segments using divider members arranged radially. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths that prevent vortex formation and maintain stable flow, enabling close-coupled cisterns to achieve sufficient flush flow rates despite reduced pressure head
Solution Approach 2:
The flow regime at the outlet aperture is changed from a single large flow path to multiple smaller flow paths. This parameter change in flow structure prevents vortex formation and maintains reliable flush performance across different cistern sizes
3Quantity of substance
If outlet aperture size is reduced to meet flow rate regulations, then water usage is reduced, but vortex formation increases and flow stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The outlet aperture is divided into multiple segments using divider members arranged radially. This segmentation creates multiple flow paths that prevent vortex formation and maintain stable flow, enabling close-coupled cisterns to achieve sufficient flush flow rates despite reduced pressure head
Solution Approach 2:
Divider members are positioned to create flow channels that are sufficiently separated to prevent vortex interaction. This partial division of the flow path ensures each channel maintains stable laminar flow, preventing the excessive vortex formation that would occur in a single undivided aperture
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 solution significantly increases the average flush flow rate, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and improving flush effectiveness by minimizing vortex formation and turbulence, regardless of cistern size or shape.
Implementation Method 1
As the amount of water in the cistern reduces, it is easier for vortices to form above an outlet aperture of the cistern, entraining air into the water flow and reducing the volumetric flow rate of water
Implementation Method 2
the size of the cistern is constrained by having to fit into a designated space. In hydraulic terms, the outlet aperture of the cistern is usually close to one pair of side walls of the cistern and further away from another pair, which again acts to induce turbulence and vortices in the water flow
Implementation Method 3
vortices to form above an outlet aperture of the cistern, entraining air into the water flow and reducing the volumetric flow rate of water
Implementation Method 4
the size of the cistern is constrained by having to fit into a designated space. In hydraulic terms, the outlet aperture of the cistern is usually close to one pair of side walls of the cistern and further away from another pair, which again acts to induce turbulence and vortices in the water flow
Data Source
AI summary
An outlet aperture arrangement (100) includes a flow promotion device (10) which, in use, is located at an outlet aperture (12) defined by a liquid container (14), for example, a toilet cistern. The device (10) includes a divider arrangement (16). The divider arrangement (16) includes one or more divider members (18). In use, the divider arrangement (16) is located at or in an entrance (20) to the outlet aperture (12), so that the or each divider member (18) divides the entrance (20) into a plurality of outlet entrance parts (22).