Dual-Flush Valve Body Height Adjustment Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dual-flush flushing devices face challenges in operating reliability, manufacturing simplicity, cost efficiency, and user-friendliness, particularly in accurately adjusting the water flow rate for full and partial flush modes.

Innovation Solution

A dual-flush flushing device with a support structure, valve body, and actuating mechanism that includes movable floats and a height adjustment system, allowing for simple and quick adjustment of the valve body's position to control water flow, enabling precise operation of full and partial flush modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If movable floats with triggers are used to selectively connect to the valve body for operating respective flush modes, then dual flush functionality is achieved, but operating reliability and manufacturing simplicity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual flush functionalityVSAvoidoperating reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complex trigger mechanism from the system by eliminating the movable floats and their associated triggers. Instead, it uses a single valve body that can be directly positioned at different heights to control flush modes, removing the unreliable selective connection mechanism while maintaining dual flush functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body is segmented into adjustable height positions that correspond to different flush modes. By dividing the valve body's movement into discrete positional segments (full flush position, partial flush position), the system achieves adaptability without requiring complex selective connection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If movable floats with triggers are used to selectively connect to the valve body, then dual flush functionality is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedual flush functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple components (floats, triggers, selective connection mechanisms) into a single integrated valve body system. The valve body itself performs both the selection and control functions by being positioned at different heights, eliminating the need for separate movable floats and triggers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: it controls water flow, determines flush mode through its position, and eliminates the need for separate selection mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while maintaining dual flush capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the valve body position is fixed, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but accuracy in adjusting water flow rate deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidaccuracy in adjusting water flow rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body transitions from a fixed position to a dynamically adjustable position. It can be set at different heights corresponding to full flush, partial flush, and intermediate positions, allowing accurate adjustment of water flow rate while maintaining simple manufacturing through a basic adjustment mechanism.

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

The device ensures reliable, cost-effective, and user-friendly operation with accurate adjustment of water flow rates, enhancing the simplicity and effectiveness of dual-flush functionality.

Implementation Method 1

a first float (5A) and a second float (5B), which buoyantly rise with water level

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP3388586B1Flushing device for a flush tank

Publication Date: 2020.09.23 OLI SISTEMAS SANITARIOS SA

Figure 1~3
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Figure 4

AI summary

A flushing device (1) for a flush tank comprises a support structure (2) extending along an axis (A); a valve body (3) extending and sliding along the axis (A) in the structure (2); an actuating mechanism (4) connected to the valve body (3) for raising the valve body (3) to two different heights; and a pair of movable floats (5A, 5B), selectively connectable to the valve body (3) for operating respective flush modes; the floats (5A, 5B) are provided with respective triggers (63A, 63B) rotatably hinged to respective floats (5A, 5B) and to the structure (2); the triggers (63A, 63B) are provided with respective joint members (68) cooperating with respective abutment portions (69) of the valve body (3) for axially fastening the valve body (3) selectively to either one or the other of the floats (5A, 5B) and releasing the valve body (3) from the floats (5A, 5B).