Sanitary Installation Float Valve Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical flushing systems in sanitary facilities require excessive energy, leading to high operational costs and reduced battery life, making them unsustainable for long-term use in battery-powered applications.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a flushing system that utilizes a floating body within the cistern to open the drain valve via Archimedes' principle, eliminating the need for electrical energy to overcome the lifting force, and incorporating an electrically controllable solenoid valve to manage water flow for efficient flushing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an electrically operated servo motor is used to trigger the flushing process, then the flushing mechanism can be activated reliably, but the electrical energy consumption becomes too high for battery applications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflushing activation reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electrical servo motor with a purely mechanical floating body system. The floating body responds to water level changes and directly actuates the drain valve through mechanical buoyancy forces, eliminating the need for electrical energy consumption while maintaining reliable flushing activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The floating body system is self-actuating based on water level changes. When the water level rises after filling, the floating body automatically rises and opens the drain valve without requiring external electrical control, making the system self-regulating and energy-free.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If a pneumatic actuation device with transmitter and slave bellows is used, then the flushing function can be activated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflushing activationVSAvoidactuation device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the complex pneumatic bellows system from the actuation mechanism. Instead, a simple floating body directly responds to water level changes and actuates the valve, reducing structural complexity while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by employing a floating body that responds to water level (hydrostatic pressure) changes. This simpler hydraulic approach replaces the complex pneumatic bellows system, achieving the same flushing activation function with reduced complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

3Reliability

If the drain valve is opened using electrical energy to overcome lifting force, then the valve can be actuated reliably, but the operational costs and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve actuation reliabilityVSAvoidelectrical energy requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The floating body provides an upward buoyant force that counteracts the downward weight of the drain valve. This mechanical counterbalancing allows the valve to be opened reliably using minimal energy to initiate the floating body's movement, eliminating the need for continuous electrical energy to overcome the lifting force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The system exploits the asymmetry between the relatively small force needed to initiate the floating body's movement and the larger buoyant force that subsequently acts to open the valve. This asymmetric force relationship allows reliable valve actuation with minimal energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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

This solution reduces the electrical energy requirement for flushing, lowers operational and manufacturing costs, and extends the lifespan of battery-powered sanitary systems by leveraging buoyancy to open the drain valve, ensuring efficient and cost-effective operation.

Implementation Method 1

the floating body is set up and arranged in the cistern in such a way that the drain valve can be opened by floating the floating body (6)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectArchimedes' principle (buoyancy): Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Data Source

PatentEP4257762A1Sanitary installation with rinsing function

Publication Date: 2023.10.11 GROHE AG

Figure 1~2

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanitary installation (1) with a flushing function, comprising a flushing system (2) with a cistern (3) for storing flushing water, a water supply line (4) for supplying water to the cistern (3) and a drain valve (5) for dispensing flushing water from the cistern (3) as required, characterized in that the flushing system (2) has at least one float (6) which is arranged and positioned in the cistern (3) in such a way that the drain valve (5) can be opened by means of the float (6) rising to the surface.