Float Lock Mechanism for Dual Flush Valve Reservoir

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Solution Overview

Problem

End users can inadvertently alter float settings in dual flush valves, risking non-compliance with water usage regulations and potentially reducing the efficiency of the flush valve assembly, leading to resource wastage.

Innovation Solution

A lock mechanism with bias arms and locking members is integrated into the dual float flush assembly, allowing for adjustable float positioning while preventing unauthorized changes by engaging with fixed positions on a slide rail, ensuring the float is securely locked in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If float settings are made adjustable by end-users, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of non-compliance with water usage regulations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of float adjustmentVSAvoidcompliance with water usage standards

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The float assembly is segmented into a float body and a separate lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes locking members that can engage with fixed positions on the slide rail, allowing the float to be positioned at different heights while preventing unauthorized changes to the settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock mechanism is designed to prevent unauthorized adjustment of the float settings before non-compliance can occur. The locking members engage with the slide rail at predetermined positions, creating a preliminary barrier against improper modification of the flush valve settings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If float settings are made adjustable, then adaptability is improved, but loss of substance increases due to potential waste from inefficient flush volumes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustability of float settingsVSAvoidwater waste from inefficient flush

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The float mechanism provides dynamic adjustability through the slide rail with multiple fixed positions, allowing adaptation to different flush requirements. The lock mechanism then freezes the setting at the desired position, preventing further adjustment and ensuring consistent, efficient water usage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If lock mechanism is added to prevent float adjustment, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of unauthorized float adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of lock mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking function is extracted as a separate, modular lock mechanism that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This allows the locking features to be added to the float assembly without redesigning the entire float mechanism, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9650772B2Float lock for a flush valve reservoir

Publication Date: 2017.05.16 FLUIDMASTER INC

AI summary

A flush valve system may comprise a rail guide configured to extend between upper and lower portions of the flush valve system in a toilet tank. A float may be slidably coupled to the rail guide and be configured to be received by a reservoir associated with the float. The float may comprise a closed upper surface with a mating pocket and one or more circumferential walls extending from the closed upper surface. A lock mechanism may be slidably received by the mating pocket of the float. The lock mechanism may comprise one or more bias arms to fixedly engage the lock mechanism to the float and one or more locking members to fixedly engage the lock mechanism to the rail guide.