Cistern Actuator Button with Pressure Point Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Actuating devices for cistern drain valves lack clear haptic feedback, making it difficult for users to determine if they have successfully triggered the flush, as they rely on force application until the button reaches a stop or hear the flushing noise.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a movable actuation button and a mechanical pressure point element, comprising latching elements, provides resistance that can be perceived by the user, ensuring ergonomic operation and clear feedback through haptic means.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a simple button actuation mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the haptic feedback and user feedback are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a pressure point element that provides tactile feedback to the user during button actuation. This feedback mechanism allows the user to感知 the actuation progress and confirm flush activation through haptic means, directly addressing the insufficient user feedback problem while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure point element acts as an intermediary between the actuation button and the internal actuator mechanism. It translates the user's button press into a perceivable haptic signal while still transmitting the actuation force to trigger the flush, thereby enhancing user feedback without requiring complete redesign of the actuation mechanism.
2Reliability
If the button travels a long distance to reach the stop, then the actuation force can be distributed, but the user cannot determine if activation is successful until hearing the flush noise
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure point element provides immediate haptic feedback during the button travel process, allowing the user to感知 actuation progress in real-time. This eliminates the uncertainty of whether activation was successful, as the user can feel the pressure point engagement before the flush actually occurs, significantly reducing activation confirmation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure point element engages and provides feedback during the button travel phase, before the actual flush activation occurs. This preliminary haptic feedback allows the user to confirm proper actuation in advance, ensuring reliable activation confirmation without waiting for the flush noise.
3Ease of operation
If a mechanical pressure point element with latching elements is added, then the haptic feedback is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure point element is implemented as a localized mechanical feature within the existing actuation mechanism rather than a complete separate system. By concentrating the haptic feedback function in a specific local area (the pressure point element with its latching elements), the patent improves ergonomics without requiring complex changes to the overall device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure point element serves as a focused intermediary component that provides haptic feedback functionality without requiring comprehensive redesign of the entire actuation system. This localized intermediary approach enhances ergonomics while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 enhances user ergonomics by providing clear haptic feedback during operation, ensuring correct activation of the flush and improving the overall user experience by making the operation more intuitive and safe.
Implementation Method 1
the first latching element and/or the second latching element are connected to a spring element
Implementation Method 2
The two locking elements are cams and are in contact with each other in the starting position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An actuating device (1) for a flush valve of a cistern, comprising a mounting frame (2), an actuating button (3), and at least one actuator element (4) for actuating the flush valve in the cistern, the actuator element (4) being actuated by the actuating button (3), wherein the actuating button (3) is movable, in particular pivotable, from a starting position to an end position relative to the mounting frame (2) when the flush is triggered. The actuating device (1) further comprises at least one pressure point element (36) which, when the actuating button (3) is pressed from the starting position towards the end position, provides resistance perceptible to the user, this resistance being overcome as the actuating force increases.