Flush Tank Discharge Valve Clutch for Precise Volume Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush water tank apparatuses struggle to accurately set the amount of flush water due to variations in piston descent speed and timing, making it difficult to control the discharge valve opening time consistently.
Innovation Solution
A flush water tank apparatus with a clutch mechanism that couples and disconnects the discharge valve and hydraulic drive unit at predetermined timings, using water pressure to control the discharge valve's operation, and a timing control mechanism to adjust the valve's closing based on selected flush water amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder device to push up the piston, then the discharge valve is opened and flush water is discharged, but the piston descent speed varies due to outflow rate and sliding resistance, making it difficult to accurately control the discharge valve closing timing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve control system into two independent parts: the discharge valve opening control (via hydraulic cylinder) and the discharge valve closing control (via clutch mechanism). The clutch mechanism engages and disengages at specific positions to control valve closing, separating this function from the hydraulic piston descent speed, thereby eliminating the dependency on variable piston speed for timing control accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism acts as an intermediary between the hydraulic drive unit and the discharge valve. It transmits the driving force from the hydraulic cylinder to open the valve, then disengages to allow controlled closing. This intermediary component enables independent control of opening and closing actions, resolving the timing control issue caused by variable piston descent speed.
2Manufacturing precision
If the solenoid valve is closed to stop water supply, then the piston descends and the discharge valve closes gradually, but the gradual descent makes it difficult to set the discharge valve open time short
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the valve opening and closing control mechanisms. The opening is controlled by hydraulic pressure while the closing is controlled by the clutch mechanism's engagement/disengagement timing. This segmentation allows the discharge valve open duration to be precisely controlled by the clutch timing rather than being determined by the gradual piston descent speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism is designed to disengage at a predetermined position before the piston completes its descent. This preliminary disengagement action ensures that the discharge valve closes at the desired timing, allowing accurate control of the flush water amount and open duration independent of the piston's gradual descent characteristics.
3Ease of operation
If the discharge valve is opened using water pressure of supplied water, then the valve operation is simple, but the piston descent speed is dependent on outflow rate and sliding resistance causing variation and change over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the valve control into two independent functions: opening (hydraulic pressure-driven) and closing (clutch mechanism-driven). This segmentation allows the simple water pressure opening operation to be maintained while the closing timing is controlled by the clutch mechanism, eliminating the stability issues caused by variable piston descent speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clutch mechanism serves as an intermediary that controls the connection between the hydraulic drive unit and the discharge valve. It transmits power for opening while enabling controlled disconnection for closing, thus maintaining the ease of water pressure operation while stabilizing the overall valve operation timing through independent closing control.
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
Enables precise control over the amount of flush water discharged, independent of hydraulic drive unit speed variations, allowing for accurate setting of flush water volumes.
Implementation Method 1
a discharge valve hydraulic drive unit for driving the discharge valve by using a water supply pressure of tap water that is supplied
Implementation Method 2
a clutch mechanism coupling the discharge valve and the discharge valve hydraulic drive unit to pull up the discharge valve by a driving force of the discharge valve hydraulic drive unit, and disconnecting at a predetermined timing to lower the discharge valve
Implementation Method 3
disconnecting to lower the discharge valve... a timing control mechanism stopping lowering of the discharge valve while engaging with the discharge valve and controlling a timing of closing the drain port
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(d)
AI summary
There are provided a flush water tank apparatus capable of accurately setting the amount of flush water to be discharged while opening a discharge valve by a discharge valve hydraulic drive unit. A flush water tank apparatus includes a valve controller, where, in a case where a first amount of flush water is selected, the valve controller causes the timing control mechanism to be engaged with the discharge valve and causes the timing control mechanism to operate such that engagement is released after a lapse of a first period of time, and in a case where a second amount of flush water is selected, the valve controller causes the timing control mechanism to be engaged with the discharge valve and causes the timing control mechanism to operate such that engagement is released after lapse of a second period of time shorter than the first period of time.