Pressurized Flush Tank Air Inducer Structure for Higher Air Draw
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure-assisted flushing systems for toilets face challenges in improving air drawing capabilities of air inducer assemblies, leading to inefficient water usage and flush volume.
Innovation Solution
The air inducer assembly features a housing with a tube and ribs that enhance air draw by allowing air to be drawn from the air inlet through the tube and into the outlet via the Venturi effect, with ribs spaced around the tube to define spaces for water passage and a check valve to control airflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the air inducer assembly uses a simple tube structure, then the device complexity is low, but the air draw capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The air inducer assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: a housing, a tube with multiple ribs extending from it, and spaces defined between the ribs. This segmentation allows each component to serve a specific function in enhancing air draw while maintaining overall system manageability and relatively simple construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a spatial dimension by extending multiple ribs from the tube in different directions, creating three-dimensional spaces between them. This dimensional expansion allows water to flow through multiple pathways simultaneously, significantly increasing air draw capability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Reliability
If more water is drawn into the tank to ensure proper flushing, then the flushing reliability is improved, but the water conservation benefit is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes pneumatic principles by drawing air into the pressure tank to create an air head that provides pressure for water discharge. The air-water mixture in the pressure tank enables reliable flushing performance while reducing the amount of water that needs to be stored, as the air pressure assists in forcing water through the toilet bowl during flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the composition parameter of the pressure tank contents by introducing air alongside water. This parameter change from pure water storage to air-water mixture allows the system to achieve reliable flushing with reduced water volume, as the compressible air provides pressure assistance during the flush cycle.
3Quantity of substance
If the tube extends deeper into the chamber, then the air draw capability is improved, but the risk of water ingress into the air inlet increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is segmented with multiple ribs extending from it, creating separate zones: an air intake region above the tube, and water flow regions through the spaces between ribs. This segmentation allows the tube to extend deeper for better air draw while the rib structures act as barriers preventing water from reaching the air inlet, thus isolating the air intake from water contamination risks.
Solution Approach 2:
The ribs extending from the tube act as intermediary structures between the air inlet and the water flow path. These ribs create physical barriers and define spaces that guide water flow away from the air inlet while allowing air to be drawn through the tube, thus mediating the interaction between air intake and water flow to prevent contamination.
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 enhanced air inducer assembly increases air draw by up to 90% compared to existing systems, reducing flush volume and conserving water.
Implementation Method 1
The tube is configured to permit air to be drawn from the air inlet through the tube and into the outlet by a flow of the water past a distal end of the tube
Data Source
AI summary
An air inducer assembly includes a housing having a chamber, an outlet located downstream from the chamber for connection to an inlet of a flush tank, a water inlet and an air inlet in communication with the chamber, and a tube extending into the chamber and toward the outlet. The tube has a passage therethrough extending from the air inlet through the tube to place the air inlet in communication with the outlet, and air is drawn from the air inlet through the tube and into the outlet by a flow of the water past a distal end of the tube. The assembly further includes features such one or more ribs extending from the tube to the wall(s) defining the chamber and spaced around a periphery of the tube and/or the tube having a distal end that extends out of the chamber and into the outlet.