Automatic Flush Actuator Housing for Multi-Tank Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure-assisted flushing systems lack efficient methods of communicating between electronic inputs and associated components, leading to higher energy consumption and reduced battery life.
Innovation Solution
An automatic flush actuator with a housing that includes differently arranged mounting holes for versatile connection to various flush tanks, a motor, actuator, and gear assembly, and a low-power flush detection sensor using infrared signals to optimize communication and reduce energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electronic input methods are used in pressure-assisted flushing systems, then the system can detect user presence and initiate flush cycles, but energy consumption increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor operates in periodic intervals rather than continuously, transmitting infrared signals at specific times to detect user presence. This periodic operation significantly reduces energy consumption while maintaining effective flush detection capability, directly addressing the contradiction between detection reliability and energy usage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces continuous electronic sensing with intermittent infrared signal transmission and reception mechanisms. This substitution of the sensing approach reduces power consumption while maintaining the ability to detect user presence and trigger flush cycles appropriately.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the actuator is designed to accommodate multiple tank configurations, then mounting versatility improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing is designed with multiple sets of mounting holes arranged in different patterns, allowing the same actuator to be mounted on various tank configurations (e.g., different tank sizes and mounting positions). This universal design enables one actuator to serve multiple functions and applications without requiring different actuator types, thereby improving versatility while managing complexity through standardized mounting interfaces.
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 enhances mounting versatility and reduces energy consumption while maintaining efficient communication between electronic inputs, improving battery life and flush actuation performance.
Implementation Method 1
an electronic input device configured for mounting on the toilet and having a sensor configured for sensing infrared signals
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic flush actuator unit is configured for connection to a first pressure-assist flush tank having a first mounting structure and a second pressure assist flush tank having a second mounting structure different from the first flush tank. The unit includes a housing for connection to the first and second flush tanks, having first and second sets of mounting holes for connection to the the first flush tank and the second flush tank, a motor, an actuator moveable to actuate a flush valve, and a gear assembly to transfer power from the motor to the actuator. The unit may include an infrared (IR) flush detection sensor that operates in a single-pulse mode until an object is detected, and then initiate a multi-pulse mode and transmit pulses of IR light to detect an activation condition, then initiating an asynchronous communication algorithm to trigger a flushing function.