Cistern Valve Magnetic Coupling for Leak-Free Actuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sanitary cisterns face difficulties in installing functional parts due to small inspection openings, which can lead to water damage risks from mechanical actuation devices, especially with wear and tear.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic coupling system is used, where a magnet or magnetic metal piece in the wet area interacts with a magnetic counterpart in the dry area, held by a movable carrier, allowing for leak-free control of the valve body with a Bowden cable or actuating rod, reducing the risk of water damage and facilitating easier installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical actuating device with a shaft is used to control the valve body, then the valve can be operated reliably, but water damage risk increases due to wear and tear of the shaft seal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft-based actuating device with a magnetic coupling system. The magnetic field transmits rotational motion from the dry area through the housing wall to the valve body in the wet area without any physical contact or penetration, eliminating the shaft seal that was prone to wear and water leakage. This substitution of mechanical transmission with magnetic field transmission resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliable valve operation while eliminating the water damage risk associated with mechanical seals.
2Ease of operation
If a shaft seal is used to allow the shaft to pass through the housing wall, then the actuating device can be connected to the valve body, but the risk of water damage increases due to wear and tear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary to transmit motion across the housing wall without physical penetration. The magnetic coupling system uses magnetic attraction and repulsion forces to transfer rotational motion from the actuating device in the dry area to the valve body in the wet area, eliminating the need for a shaft seal that would otherwise be required to pass the shaft through the housing wall. This intermediary approach maintains ease of operation while eliminating water damage risks.
3Shape
If the access panel is made small for aesthetic reasons, then the design is more appealing, but installing functional components becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical shaft transmission system with a magnetic coupling system that requires no access panel for installation. The magnetic actuating device can be operated through the existing small access panel or even through the flush plate, as the magnetic field can penetrate these structures. This eliminates the need to enlarge the access panel for installation purposes while maintaining the aesthetic design with small panel dimensions.
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 solution ensures reliable, leak-free operation and easier installation of the valve body, reducing the risk of water damage and allowing for a compact, efficient valve design.
Implementation Method 1
the movable body in the wet area is provided with a magnet or magnetic metal piece, and wherein a magnetic or magnetized counterpart is arranged in the dry area which forms a magnetic coupling with the magnet or magnetic metal piece
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a sanitary object, in particular a cistern or a drain or fill valve (1) for a cistern, comprising a housing and a housing wall that separates a wet area from a dry area, wherein a movable body (16.1) is arranged in the wet area, which can be moved into different positions by means of an actuating device. In order to reliably control the movable body arranged in the wet area without risk of water damage, the invention proposes that the movable body (16.1) in the wet area be provided with a magnet (23) or magnetic metal piece, wherein a magnetic or magnetized counterpart (22) is arranged in the dry area, which forms a magnetic coupling (21) with the magnet or magnetic metal piece.