Toilet Cistern Filling Valve Logic to Prevent Supply Pressure Drop

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling valves for cisterns are not flexible enough, particularly when used in flushing systems operated with line pressure, as they can negatively influence the flushing process by causing pressure drops if opened during flushing.

Innovation Solution

A filling valve system with two control elements, where the inflow valve is actuated only when both control elements provide a command, allowing for flexible control via logical AND or OR operations, and is designed to remain closed during flushing to maintain consistent pressure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If the filling valve is controlled by a float to automatically open when water level drops, then the cistern can be filled automatically, but the filling valve may open during flushing causing pressure drops in the supply line

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic filling controlVSAvoidpressure drop in supply line
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A control valve is introduced as an intermediary between the float control element and the inlet valve. The control valve receives control water from the cistern and uses this water to actuate the inlet valve, thereby mediating the control signal to prevent direct opening during flushing operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses control water from the cistern itself as feedback to control the filling valve. The control water pressure in the control line reflects the cistern water level and flushing state, providing automatic feedback control that prevents the inlet valve from opening during flushing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Stability of the object's composition

If the filling valve remains closed during flushing to maintain pressure, then pressure stability is improved, but the cistern cannot be filled simultaneously with flushing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepressure stabilityVSAvoidfilling speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system dynamically adjusts the inlet valve state based on real-time flushing conditions. The control valve responds to changing control water pressure during flushing, automatically coordinating the filling operation with the flushing cycle to optimize both pressure stability and filling efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables more flexible and efficient cistern filling by preventing pressure drops in the supply line, ensuring the filling valve remains closed during flushing, thus maintaining stable operation of the flushing system.

Implementation Method 1

When the control valve (19) is open, the membrane element (14) with the valve stem (13) can be moved from a closed position to a flow position in the direction of the second chamber area (17) due to the water pressure in the first chamber area (16)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

The membrane element (14) divides the valve chamber (11) into a first chamber region (16) and a second chamber region (17)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4095325B1Filling valve
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP4095325B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4095325B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4095325B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A filling valve (1) for filling a toilet cistern (2) comprises a valve housing (3), a water guide channel (4) arranged in the valve housing (3) with an inlet (5) and an outlet (6), a first control element (7), and an inlet valve (8) arranged in the water guide channel (4), wherein the first control element (7) is operatively connected to the inlet valve (8) such that the inlet valve (8) can be actuated, and wherein the filling valve (1) has a second control element (9) which is arranged in addition to the first control element (7), and which second control element (9) is also operatively connected to the inlet valve (8) such that the inlet valve can be actuated.