Toilet Tank Filling Device Bead Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling devices for flush tanks often experience leaks due to faulty mounting or over time, particularly between the tap and the tank, or through the hole in the tank wall.
Innovation Solution
A filling device with a sealing element that includes a bead inserted into a peripheral groove, ensuring a watertight seal between the tap and the tank. The device also features a telescopic main body for height adjustment and an annular seal to prevent leaks between the first and second parts of the main body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element is inserted between the orifice and the main body of the tap, then the tightness of the tap with the tank is improved, but water leaks may still appear along the lower end of the tap or through the hole in the tank wall over time
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is divided into two distinct functional parts: a bead portion that seals the peripheral groove between the tank wall and tap body, and a sealing portion that seals the orifice. This segmentation allows each part to address specific leakage paths independently, improving overall sealing reliability and durability
Solution Approach 2:
The bead acts as an intermediary sealing element that fills the peripheral groove and creates a watertight barrier between the tank wall and the tap body. This intermediary structure prevents water from leaking along the lower end of the tap by providing an additional sealing interface
2Ease of manufacture
If the tap is fixed rigidly to the tank, then the installation is simple, but the height of the tap cannot be adjusted to meet various standards or prevent siphoning issues
Solution Approach 1:
The tap body is made telescopic with movable parts that allow height adjustment along the vertical axis. The first and second parts can slide relative to each other within a mobility zone, enabling the tap height to be adjusted to meet different installation standards and prevent siphoning issues while maintaining a relatively simple installation process
3Device complexity
If the sealing element is positioned fixedly on the main body, then the structure is simple, but repeated movement damages the sealing element and reduces its effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element is segmented into a bead portion and a sealing portion, where the bead portion remains fixed in the peripheral groove while the sealing portion can move with the telescopic body. This segmentation protects the critical sealing interface from damage while allowing necessary movement
Solution Approach 2:
The bead is pre-positioned in the peripheral groove to create an initial seal before the tap is fully installed. This preliminary sealing action ensures that even if the telescopic body moves, the fundamental seal between the tank wall and tap body remains intact
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 solution effectively prevents water leaks by creating a secure seal between the tap and the tank, while the telescopic design allows for easy height adjustment to meet various standards and prevent siphoning issues.
Implementation Method 1
the cooperation of the sealing element with the internal face of the tank causes the bead to be pushed into the peripheral groove which receives it. The insertion of the bead into the peripheral groove then causes the peripheral groove to fill, which has the effect of preventing the passage of water
Implementation Method 2
When filling, the float, which floats on the surface of the water, rises with the water level and drives the shut-off means
Implementation Method 3
the tap comprises an annular seal ensuring sealing between the first part and the second part
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filling device (1) intended to be installed in a toilet tank (2), the device (1) comprising a tap (3) including: - a main body (31), - a connecting end (32), the filling device (1) also comprising a sealing element (6) intended to form a watertight barrier between the main body (31) of the tap (3) and the inner face (23) of the tank (2), the sealing element (6) having a bead (61) extending radially inwards, the bead (61) being intended to fit into a peripheral groove (31211) of the main body (31) of the tap (3).