Pressure-Assist Toilet Flush Actuator for Staged Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure-assist toilets generate excessive noise during flushing due to high water velocity, and existing sound deadening modifications are costly and require factory installation, limiting retrofitting options.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system for pressure-assist toilets that includes a pilot valve and a cam mechanism to control the flush sequence, reducing pressure in the flush vessel in stages, thereby minimizing noise and turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional pressure-assist toilets use high water velocity for strong flushing, then flushing power is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flush sequence is divided into multiple stages: initial pressure build-up phase, controlled pressure release phase through pilot valve, and main flush phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve strong flushing power when needed while controlling noise during pressure transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot valve performs preliminary action by releasing a portion of the pressure before full flush actuation. This preliminary pressure relief reduces the noise generated during the main flush while maintaining sufficient flushing power through the controlled water release sequence.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sound deadening material is added to reduce noise, then noise level is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses its own operational sequence and pressure control mechanisms to achieve noise reduction without requiring external sound deadening materials. The multi-stage flush process with pilot valve control inherently reduces noise while maintaining flushing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the flush system by introducing staged pressure release through the pilot valve. This parameter change in the pressure control sequence reduces noise levels without requiring additional physical materials or complex modifications to the toilet structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If factory modifications are required for noise reduction, then noise level is reduced, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator with integrated pilot valve is designed as a universal component that can be installed in various pressure-assist toilet models. The standardized design allows for easier manufacturing and installation while achieving noise reduction through its multi-functional pressure control capabilities.
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 actuator system significantly reduces flushing noise and turbulence by controlling pressure differentials, enhancing operational silence and efficiency without requiring factory modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a cam coupled to the motor and configured to rotate about a cam axis. The cam defines an outer periphery including a first arc configured to move the pilot valve to a first height, a second arc configured to move the pilot valve to a second height below the first height
Implementation Method 2
The actuator system significantly reduces flushing noise and turbulence by controlling pressure differentials, enhancing operational silence and efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A tank assembly for a pressure-assist toilet includes a flush assembly having an outer chamber and an inner chamber disposed in the outer chamber. The flush assembly further includes a flush valve disposed in the inner chamber, and a pilot valve disposed in the inner chamber and extending through the flush valve. The tank assembly further includes an actuator engaging the pilot valve and configured to hold the pilot valve at each of a first height, a second height offset a first distance from the first height, and a third height offset a second distance from the first height greater than a first distance.