Toilet Cistern Spacer for Wall Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Concealed cisterns often require precise installation distance from the wall to accommodate actuation plates, and incorrect positioning can lead to costly reworking after tiling, as the plumber typically recognizes errors only after the wall structure is completed.
Innovation Solution
A cistern arrangement with a spacer that can be moved from a starting position to a stop position, creating a sufficient distance from the rear wall to prevent collision with the wall, allowing for correct installation of actuation plates without errors during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the cistern is installed close to the wall to save space, then the installation space is optimized, but the actuator plate cannot be properly installed as its rear edge collides with the wall surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a spacer as an intermediary element between the cistern and the wall. This spacer provides the necessary gap distance (typically 2-5 cm) to allow the actuator plate to be installed without its rear edge colliding with the wall, while enabling the cistern to be positioned as close to the wall as possible. The spacer acts as a mediator that resolves the conflict between space optimization and proper component installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is pre-installed on the wall surface before the cistern is mounted. This preliminary action ensures that the correct gap distance is established in advance, preventing installation errors. By preparing the spacer position beforehand, the system ensures that when the cistern and actuator plate are installed, the proper clearance is already in place, avoiding the need for rework after tiling or wall completion.
2Area of stationary object
If the cistern is installed without a spacer to maximize space utilization, then the installation area is optimized, but incorrect positioning is not detected until after wall structure completion, leading to expensive reworking
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer serves as a preliminary positioning aid that is installed before the cistern and wall structure. It establishes the correct gap distance in advance, making the installation position visible and verifiable during the construction process. This preliminary action allows plumbers and installers to detect and correct positioning errors before the wall structure is completed, preventing expensive rework.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer can be made with a distinct color or visual marking that makes it easily visible during installation and wall construction. This visual indication helps plumbers and builders notice the correct positioning of the cistern relative to the wall, ensuring that the gap distance is maintained. The visual cue acts as a warning signal that draws attention to the critical dimension, preventing installation errors from going unnoticed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the actuator plate is designed with standard dimensions, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot be installed when the cistern depth is smaller than the plate width due to wall collision
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer acts as a mediator that enables the use of standard-sized actuator plates even when the cistern depth is smaller than the plate width. By providing the additional gap distance, the spacer allows the standard plate to be installed without modifying the plate dimensions or the cistern design. This maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving installation compatibility across different cistern configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer provides a universal solution that works with various cistern depths and standard actuator plate sizes. Rather than requiring custom-designed plates for each cistern configuration, the spacer creates a universal installation environment where standard components can be used. This multi-functional approach allows the same actuator plate design to be installed on different cistern types by simply adjusting the spacer position or size.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cistern assembly (1) comprises a cistern (2) with an interior (3) bounded by a front wall (4), a rear wall (5) and a side wall (6), wherein the front wall has a front opening (7) and the side wall (6) has a top opening (8), a closing plate (9) for closing one of the openings (7, 8), a cover plate (10) for covering the other opening (8, 7), wherein the cover plate (10) has at least one passage (11) for the passage of actuating means for actuating a flush valve arranged in the cistern, and bearing elements (12, 13) arranged in the area of the openings (7, 8) with bearing structures (14) for supporting the closing plate (9) and the cover plate (10), wherein the cistern assembly (1) further comprises a spacer (15) mounted on the cistern (2) with a stop surface (16),which spacer (15) is movable from a starting position to a stop position relative to the back wall (5) such that in the stop position the stop surface (16) is at a distance (A) from the back wall (5), so that during assembly a minimum distance (A) of the back wall (5) to an existing wall (W) is ensured by the spacer (15).