Diaphragm Flush Valve With Rotating Relief Valve Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The unpredictability of the opening in the relief valve of existing flush valves due to variations in pressure and actuation methods leads to control and precision issues in fluid flow and flush cycle timing, making it difficult to manage the amount of fluid flowing through and the duration of the flush cycle.
Innovation Solution
A flush valve design featuring a diaphragm assembly with a primary and bypass opening, a relief valve with a stationary and rotatable valve element, and a motor-driven mechanism to precisely control fluid flow, allowing for accurate flush volume regulation and improved durability by removing components from the fluid outlet flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional relief valve with a laterally displacing valve stem is used, then the valve can be actuated by manual or automated mechanisms, but the opening of the relief valve becomes unpredictable due to pressure variations and actuation method differences
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional laterally displacing valve stem mechanism with a rotatable valve element that opens by rotation rather than lateral movement. This substitution eliminates the unpredictability caused by lateral displacement while maintaining actuation flexibility through the motor-driven mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameter from lateral displacement to rotational movement. The valve element rotates about an axis to open and close, transforming the mechanical action from linear to angular, which provides more predictable and controllable opening characteristics.
2Device complexity
If components are placed in the fluid outlet flow path, then the valve structure can be compact, but the components suffer from reduced durability due to exposure to high-velocity fluid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the valve elements from the direct fluid outlet flow path. The rotatable valve element and stationary valve element are positioned such that they modulate flow without being directly in the high-velocity discharge path, thereby improving durability while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a fluid communication passage as an intermediary between the valve elements and the fluid outlet. This passage allows the valve elements to control flow without being directly exposed to the high-velocity fluid, acting as a protective mediator that extends component life.
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 provides precise control over the opening of the relief valve, enhancing the predictability and control of fluid flow and flush cycle timing, while also improving the durability of the valve components.
Implementation Method 1
The diaphragm assembly is disposed in the fluid passageway and moves between an opened position in which the disc of the diaphragm assembly is not in contact with the diaphragm valve seat and a closed position in which the disc of the diaphragm assembly is in contact with the diaphragm valve seat
Implementation Method 2
The relief valve is opened to permit a flow of water from the chamber into the fluid outlet. The opening of the relief valve relieves fluid pressure in the chamber and causes diaphragm assembly to move from the closed position to the opened position
Data Source
AI summary
A flush valve includes a valve housing defining a fluid passageway between a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet. The fluid passageway includes a diaphragm valve seat disposed between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The flush valve additionally includes a diaphragm assembly including a diaphragm and a disc. The diaphragm includes a primary opening and a bypass opening. The primary opening receives the disc therein and the bypass opening allowing water under pressure supplied to the fluid inlet to pass from a fluid inlet side of the diaphragm into a chamber in the fluid passageway. The flush valve additionally includes a relief valve configured to selectively control fluid flow from the chamber to the fluid outlet. The relief valve comprises a stationary valve element and a rotatable valve element each having at least one opening and being rotationally positionable relative to one another to regulate fluid flow.