Automatic Bathroom Flushers with Photovoltaic Power and Modular Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic bathroom flushers lack efficiency in water conservation and user interaction, as they often operate with fixed flush volumes and lack modular designs for easy servicing and adjustment.

Innovation Solution

The development of automatic bathroom flushers using photovoltaic cells for power, enabling multiple flush volumes in automatic or manual modes, with user interfaces including buttons and LEDs, and a modular design for easy servicing and adjustments, incorporating sensors like capacitive or infrared sensors for enhanced operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If fixed flush volumes are used in automatic flushers, then the device structure is simple, but water conservation efficiency is poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater conservation efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flusher system dynamically adjusts flush volume based on detected user presence and interaction. The controller modifies operational parameters in real-time, transitioning from fixed to variable flush volumes, thereby improving water conservation without requiring complete structural redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of flush volume from a fixed value to a variable parameter that responds to sensor inputs. By monitoring user presence and interaction patterns, the controller adjusts water delivery parameters to optimize conservation while maintaining adequate flushing performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If automatic sensor operation is implemented, then user convenience is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor system operates periodically rather than continuously, activating detection cycles based on environmental conditions and usage patterns. This periodic operation maintains user convenience while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates self-adjusting features where the controller learns from usage patterns and automatically optimizes sensor activation timing. This self-service capability reduces energy consumption by minimizing active sensor periods while maintaining responsive user interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of repair

If modular design is applied, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of maintenanceVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flusher system is divided into distinct modular components including sensor modules, control modules, and actuator modules. This segmentation enables independent servicing of each component, improving maintenance ease while the modular architecture itself provides a systematic framework that manages overall complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple flush volumes are enabled, then adaptability is improved, but control system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is designed with multi-functionality to handle various flush volume requirements through a single integrated controller. This universal controller manages multiple operational modes (different flush volumes) without requiring separate control circuits for each function, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through consolidation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

This solution allows for efficient water conservation by adjusting flush volumes based on user presence and action, providing a user-friendly interface, and facilitating easy maintenance and adjustments, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of bathroom flushers.

Implementation Method 1

automatic bathroom flushers using photovoltaic cells for supplying electrical power

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS9169626B2Automatic bathroom flushers

Publication Date: 2015.10.27 SLOAN VALVE CO

AI summary

An automatic bathroom flusher includes a flusher body, a valve assembly, an electronic control system, and a flusher cover. The flusher body includes an inlet and an outlet, and is designed to accommodate the valve assembly that controls water flow between the inlet and the outlet. The valve assembly includes a valve member movable with respect to a valve seat providing a sealing action. The bathroom flusher may include a user sensor, and one or more photovoltaic cells for supplying electrical power to the electronic control system. The bathroom flusher enables two or multiple flush volumes in automatic or manual modes, depending on a user action. The bathroom flusher may include a user interface including a button and visible LEDs.