Displaceable Retaining Tab Carrier for Cistern Cleaning Rods

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing insertion elements for cleaning rods into cisterns often result in jamming, preventing the cleaning rod from being fed into the cistern, which is inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

A support element with displaceable retaining tabs that clamp and release the cleaning element, allowing it to be safely inserted into the cistern, featuring a longitudinal guide for the first retaining tab and a pivoting second tab with spring action for secure holding and ejection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed retaining tab structure is used to hold the cleaning element, then the cleaning element is securely clamped, but the cleaning element may jam and fail to be fed into the cistern

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure clampingVSAvoidfeeding into cistern
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining tab is designed to be displaceable relative to the support element, transitioning from a holding position where it securely clamps the cleaning element to a release position where it allows the cleaning element to be fed into the cistern. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by providing both secure clamping and easy feeding operations at different stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the retaining tab structure is designed for secure clamping, then the cleaning element is held firmly, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefirm holdingVSAvoidcarrier element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The carrier element is divided into a support element and a separate displaceable retaining tab. This segmentation allows the retaining tab to be independently displaced for release while the support element maintains the cleaning element during storage and transport, achieving firm holding without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3587685B1Carrier element for a cleaning element to be inserted in a flush tank
Publication Date: 2022.06.22 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3587685B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3587685B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3587685B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~5b

AI summary

A carrier element (1) for a cleaning element (2) to be inserted into a cistern, in particular a water-dissolving cleaning element, comprises a support element (3), a first retaining tab (4) projecting from the support element (3), and a second retaining tab (5) projecting from the support element (3), wherein the space between the two retaining tabs (4, 5) defines a receiving area (6) for the cleaning element (2), wherein the cleaning element (2) can be clamped in the receiving area (6) by the two retaining tabs (4, 5), and wherein the first retaining tab (4) is arranged to be displaceable from a holding position to a release position relative to the support element (3), wherein in the holding position the cleaning element (2) is substantially firmly clamped between the two retaining tabs (4, 5), and wherein in the release position the cleaning element (2) is released and can fall out of the receiving area (6).