Cistern Bracket with Elastic Locking Tongues

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cistern designs face difficulties in quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the drain valve seat and filling valve, particularly due to the complexity of removing pins that can become lost during disassembly, leading to potential damage to locking tongues and mounting plates.

Innovation Solution

The cistern features a bracket with undercuts on the box body for secure attachment and elastically deflectable securing elements, such as rods with grip tabs, allowing for easy handling and secure positioning of the holder, which supports the drain valve seat and filling valve, enabling quick assembly and disassembly without tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pins are driven in between the locking tongues to secure the mounting plate, then the mounting plate is reliably secured, but the pins become difficult to remove and may be lost during disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of mounting plateVSAvoiddisassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The securing mechanism is divided into two independent parts: locking tongues that engage with openings in the rear wall, and corresponding locking slots in the mounting plate. This segmentation allows the mounting plate to be securely fastened during assembly while enabling easy removal by simply pulling the plate out of the locking slots without needing to remove pins.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using pins that must be driven in and removed, the design inverts the approach by using elastic locking tongues that automatically engage and disengage. The locking tongues are deflected during assembly to engage with the openings, and during disassembly they automatically release when the mounting plate is pulled out, eliminating the need for pin removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the mounting plate is forcibly separated from the cistern rear wall for dismantling, then the pins can be removed, but the locking tongues or locking lugs may tear off and the mounting plate cannot be reinstalled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedismantling processVSAvoidreinstallsability of mounting plate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking tongues are designed to be elastically deflectable, allowing them to dynamically adapt during assembly and disassembly. During assembly, the tongues are deflected to engage with the openings in the rear wall. During disassembly, the tongues flex to release from the openings, enabling smooth removal and reinstallation of the mounting plate without forcing or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic deflectability of the locking tongues provides built-in cushioning that prevents forced separation. The tongues are designed to flex and absorb the forces of assembly and disassembly, preventing damage to the locking lugs and ensuring the mounting plate can be reliably reinstalled after maintenance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If multiple components are used for securing the holder, then the holder is reliably secured, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecuring of holderVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking tongues and locking slots are merged into an integrated elastic securing mechanism. The locking tongues are formed as integral parts of the holder structure, and the locking slots are correspondingly integrated into the mounting plate. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining reliable securing, as the elastic tongues automatically engage and disengage without requiring multiple separate fasteners.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 design facilitates quick and reliable assembly and disassembly of the holder, ensuring secure attachment and precise setting of the maximum fill level, while preventing damage during maintenance, and allows for easy handling and secure positioning of the holder.

Implementation Method 1

the bracket or the cistern having at least one elastically deflectable securing element, which secures the bracket in an assembly position against loosening or displacement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

undercuts being formed on the inside of the box body, to which the bracket can be positively attached

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP1932972B1Cistern with combined filler and drain valve mount

Publication Date: 2009.12.02 VIEGA GMBH & CO KG

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 5~6

AI summary

The cistern has a holder (6), and a draining valve seat (5.3) fastened at a box body, where a retainer secures the valve seat. The holder includes a locking unit for detachably fastening a filling valve (2). The holder is detachably fastened at the box body, where undercuts (1.6) are formed at an inner side of the box body. The holder is fastened at the undercuts in a form-fit manner, where the holder or the box body includes an elastically movable securing unit (6.3), which secures the holder against loosening or displacement in a mounted condition.