Capacitive Flush Plate with Conductive Adhesive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet flush triggering devices are expensive to produce, difficult to clean, and lack hygiene due to bacterial and dust accumulation, especially with metal-coated glass plates that require complex application processes and have through-holes for screws.
Innovation Solution
A device with a glass or non-conductive actuating plate that is flush-mounted over an inspection opening, featuring a sensor button on the back for easy assembly and cleaning, using a fastening frame that eliminates the need for metal coatings and screw holes, and a base frame with a chrome or tile-finish peripheral web for aesthetic and hygienic purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal coatings are applied to glass plate for sensor functionality, then electrical conductivity is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the metal coating layer from the glass plate structure, replacing it with a separate adhesive layer that provides electrical conductivity. This eliminates the complex metal coating application process while maintaining the sensor functionality through conductive adhesive material.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the material parameter of the adhesive layer from non-conductive to conductive, transforming it into an electrically conductive adhesive that serves dual purposes: bonding the glass plate to the sensor button and providing electrical conductivity for the capacitive sensor.
2Ease of manufacture
If through-holes are provided in glass plate for screw mounting, then assembly is enabled, but hygiene and cleanability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the through-holes from the glass plate by using a different mounting approach. The glass plate is mounted using peripheral adhesive application, which eliminates the need for through-holes and prevents bacteria and dirt accumulation in hole regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating holes through the glass plate for mounting, the invention inverts the approach by applying adhesive at the periphery of the glass plate and using a mounting frame that secures the plate without penetrating it, thereby maintaining surface integrity for hygiene purposes.
3Strength
If inspection opening is covered with protruding plate, then structural support is provided, but dust accumulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates an asymmetric mounting structure where the mounting frame extends beyond the glass plate periphery, providing structural support while the glass plate itself remains flush with the wall surface. This asymmetric design allows the support structure to be separated from the cleanable surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the mounting structure into two distinct parts: the mounting frame that provides structural support and extends beyond the plate, and the glass plate that remains flush with the wall surface. This segmentation allows the support function to be separated from the surface that contacts dust.
4Reliability
If complex metal coating application process is used, then electrical functionality is achieved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the metal coating process entirely and replaces it with conductive adhesive material applied in the peripheral region. This eliminates the complex metal coating application equipment and processes while achieving electrical functionality through the conductive properties of the adhesive.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a simple adhesive layer instead of expensive metal coatings, opting for a cost-effective material solution that provides the necessary electrical conductivity without requiring complex manufacturing processes or expensive materials.
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 provides a cost-effective, easy-to-assemble, and easy-to-clean toilet flush trigger with improved hygiene, as dust accumulation is minimized and the glass surface is optimal for cleanliness, while the flush mounting and absence of metal coatings simplify production and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor button is made of a glass-ceramic plate, which is provided with metal coatings on both sides as capacitor plates
Data Source
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AI summary
An electrical release device has a basic fame (1) for fixture on an inspection opening of a flush-mounted wash-box with a covering actuating plate (2) made of glass etc. The front face of the actuating plate (2) is made without perforations, and the actuating plate (2) rear-face has a fixture element releasable joined to the basic frame (1) and in the assembled state set into the basic frame (1), where the front face of the actuating plate (2) is surface-bonded with the front face of the basic frame.