Eccentric Pivot Gate Valve for Toilet Discharge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet trap valves require excessive water for flushing and often suffer from clogging, maintenance issues, and wear due to continuous abrasion of the sealing gasket, as well as being expensive and unreliable, especially when closing against the gravity of bowl waste.
Innovation Solution
A trap valve assembly with a pivotable gate valve housed in a clamshell cartridge, positioned to close eccentrically and above the normal trap water level, using a linkage and ball-and-socket joint to minimize abrasion and power required for closure, and allowing for easy maintenance by being replaceable without replacing the bowl or trap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a trap valve closes directly into the face of the bowl discharge outlet flow, then the waste can be effectively blocked, but the gate continuously abrades the sealing gasket leading to wear and loss of fluidic seal
Solution Approach 1:
The gate valve is designed to close onto a shoulder or ledge of the valve body rather than directly onto the sealing gasket. This inverts the traditional closure mechanism where the gate supports its own weight on the seal, instead having the valve body structure support the gate while the seal provides only a fluid barrier function.
Solution Approach 2:
A shoulder or ledge structure acts as an intermediary between the gate valve and the sealing gasket. This intermediate structural element bears the mechanical load of the closed gate, preventing direct contact and abrasion between the gate and the soft sealing gasket material.
2Ease of operation
If the gate valve is positioned horizontally to close the discharge outlet, then the closure can be achieved, but the leading edge must move against gravity force of the bowl waste
Solution Approach 1:
The gate valve is positioned vertically so that during closure it moves in the direction of gravity rather than against it. The leading edge of the gate begins closing when within 25° of vertical, allowing the gate to utilize gravitational force to assist closure rather than fighting against it.
Solution Approach 2:
The gate valve is oriented vertically rather than horizontally, changing the dimensional orientation of the closure mechanism. This vertical positioning allows the gate to close by moving downward under gravity, fundamentally changing the force dynamics from horizontal sliding against gravity to vertical movement with gravity.
3Productivity
If conventional toilets use a valve upstream of the bowl to flush water into the bowl, then the flushing cycle can be initiated, but there is a delay before most waste is removed requiring excessive flushing water
Solution Approach 1:
The trap valve is positioned downstream of the bowl outlet to preemptively block waste from entering the trap. By positioning the valve at the optimal location and timing its closure to begin when the gate is within 25° of vertical, the system prevents waste accumulation before it becomes a problem, enabling faster evacuation with less water.
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
Reduces water usage during flushing, minimizes wear on the sealing gasket, and enhances reliability by reducing the force needed for closure and maintaining a fluid seal, while allowing for easy maintenance and assembly adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the gate valve is pivotable about a center of rotation offset from said center of curvature
Implementation Method 2
using a linkage and ball-and-socket joint to minimize abrasion and power required for closure
Data Source
AI summary
A valve for a toilet includes an inlet and a gate configured to prevent fluid flow through the inlet. The gate includes an at least partially spherical surface and is configured to pivot eccentrically relative to the spherical surface.