Capacitive Cistern Fill-Level Control for Variable Flush Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet and urinal cisterns fail to adjust flushing water flow rates based on fill level, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential water wastage, with conventional devices only using fill level information to trigger and terminate the filling process without adjusting the flushing water flow rate, resulting in splashing and insufficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A system with a capacitive measuring device for continuous and discontinuous fill level detection, using multiple sensor elements to adjust the flushing and filling processes dynamically, allowing for variable water flow rates and optimal cleaning without unnecessary water usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional float-controlled fill valve and mechanically operated flush valve are used, then the cistern can be manufactured with simple structure, but the flushing water flow rate cannot be adjusted based on fill level leading to inefficient cleaning and water wastage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical float-controlled fill valve and mechanically operated flush valve with an electrical measuring device for fill level detection and an electronically controlled system for adjusting flushing water flow rate. This substitution enables dynamic adjustment of water flow based on real-time fill level measurements, significantly improving cleaning efficiency while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular electronic components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic change of flushing water flow rate parameter based on fill level parameter. The electrical measuring device continuously monitors fill level, and the control system adjusts the flushing water flow rate accordingly - using higher flow rates when fill level is high for efficient cleaning, and reducing flow rates when fill level is low to prevent water wastage. This parameter coupling resolves the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and cleaning efficiency
2Device complexity
If conventional fill level detection with two sensors is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the detection precision is insufficient for continuous monitoring throughout the flushing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fill level detection into multiple discrete measurement points using several electrical measuring devices positioned at different heights within the cistern. Each sensor detects fill level at its specific position, and the control system processes these segmented measurements to determine overall fill status. This segmentation approach provides continuous monitoring capability throughout the flushing process without requiring an overly complex single-sensor system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the electrical measuring devices continuously provide fill level information to the control system, which then adjusts the flushing water flow rate in real-time. The multiple sensors create a feedback loop that maintains precise awareness of fill level throughout the flushing process, enabling the system to respond appropriately at each stage of flushing rather than relying on limited two-sensor detection
3Productivity
If high flushing water flow rate is used throughout the process, then cleaning performance is maintained, but water consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control to the flushing water flow rate, transitioning from static high flow rate to variable flow rate based on real-time fill level conditions. The system starts with high flow rate when fill level is high to ensure effective cleaning, then dynamically reduces flow rate as fill level decreases. This dynamic adjustment maintains cleaning performance during the critical initial phase while significantly reducing water consumption during the latter phase when lower flow rates are sufficient
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial action by applying high flushing water flow rate only when necessary (when fill level is high), rather than maintaining excessive high flow rate throughout the entire flushing process. The control system determines the appropriate duration and intensity of high flow rate application based on fill level measurements, ensuring adequate cleaning performance while avoiding unnecessary water consumption during phases where reduced flow rate is sufficient
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 system ensures efficient cleaning by maintaining a consistent water flow rate throughout the flushing process, reducing water consumption by allowing partial flushes, and preventing splashing, while maintaining optimal cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
the measuring device is designed as an electrical measuring device... The level sensor can be designed as a capacitive sensor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (2) for flushing a sanitary basin, in particular a toilet or urinal basin, comprising a cistern (6) for receiving water, which has an inlet (7) and an outlet (8), a control unit (9), and a measuring device (10) for measuring a fill level in the cistern (6), wherein the measuring device (10) is designed as an electrical measuring device, and wherein the measuring device (10) is configured for a temporally and spatially continuous detection of the fill level and/or for a temporally and spatially discontinuous detection of the fill level and/or for a temporally and spatially discontinuous detection of the fill level and/or for a temporally discontinuous and spatially continuous detection of the fill level in order to improve flushing and/or filling processes, wherein the measuring device (10), if configured for a spatially discontinuous detection of the fill level, has more than twopreferably has more than three sensor elements (6.1, 6.2, 10.1) for detecting the fill level. Furthermore, the invention relates to a water supply system, in particular for rinsing a sanitary fixture, comprising a device (2) of the aforementioned type, a fill valve (3), a drain valve (4), and an actuating device (5) for triggering the drain valve (4), wherein the control unit (9) is configured for actuating and/or regulating the fill valve (3) and the drain valve (4), and wherein the drain valve (4) is controllable such that it allows a variable flow rate of rinsing water.