Toilet Flushing Device With Eccentric Plate Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toilet flush actuation devices are complex to assemble and lack efficient mechanisms for adjusting water consumption, particularly in achieving limited vertical displacement for double rocker button actuation.

Innovation Solution

A flush actuation mechanism featuring a housing with a plate that moves between rest and actuation positions, utilizing central and lateral bearings that undergo translational movements, guided by slots in the side walls, allowing for adjustment between large and small flush volumes with minimal vertical displacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a double rocker button actuation mechanism is used to adjust water consumption, then water consumption adjustment capability is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater consumption adjustment capabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism is divided into modular components: a plate with integrated bearings, guide slots in the housing, and distinct actuation positions. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining the double rocker button functionality for water consumption adjustment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The plate serves multiple functions: it acts as the actuation interface for both large and small flushes, provides bearing surfaces for rotational movement, and guides the motion through its interaction with the guide slots. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby simplifying assembly while preserving adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If the plate is allowed to move between rest and actuation positions with bearing displacement, then actuation functionality is improved, but vertical displacement control becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation functionalityVSAvoidvertical displacement control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide slots act as intermediary elements between the plate and housing, constraining the plate's movement path. These slots are precisely engineered to guide the bearings through controlled trajectories, ensuring limited vertical displacement while maintaining smooth actuation functionality. The guide slots mediate between the need for movement and the need for precision control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the central bearing is offset laterally during plate movement, then motion flexibility is improved, but positioning precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemotion flexibilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The central bearing's lateral offset is not fixed but varies dynamically during plate movement. As the plate transitions between rest and actuation positions, the bearing naturally offsets laterally to follow the curved path defined by the guide slots. This dynamic behavior provides motion flexibility while the guide slots ensure the offset remains within precise tolerances, maintaining positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2568088B1Flushing device
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 RACCORDS & PLASTIQUES NICOLL SA
  • EP2568088B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2568088B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP2568088B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The mechanism has a plate (20) swinging between a rest position and an actuation position and comprising a central stage (21), a first side stage and a second side stage. The central stage and the side stages are placed in displacement with respect to a support case (1) during movement of the plate between the rest and actuation positions, where the central stage is laterally eccentric during movement of the plate. The case comprises guiding units (32a, 32b) guiding the plate between the rest and actuation positions. A side wall of the guiding unit is formed with openings.