Pressurized Flush Tank Air Inducer Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pressure-assisted flushing systems for toilets face challenges in achieving low flush volumes, particularly below 0.8 gallons per flush (GPF), over extended periods and multiple cycles, due to limitations in air drawing capabilities and water conservation.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a tank with specific structural features such as a cylindrical wall surrounding the outlet, retention trays, and an improved air inducer assembly that utilizes the Venturi effect to enhance air draw, allowing for reduced water and air flow, thereby decreasing flush volume. The tank includes a volume reduction mechanism with passages and retention trays to control fluid flow, and the air inducer assembly is optimized with specific tube and passage configurations to increase air draw and air/water ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional air inducer assemblies are used, then air can be drawn into the pressure tank, but the air drawing capability is insufficient to achieve consistent flush volumes below 0.8 GPF
Solution Approach 1:
The air inducer assembly incorporates a venturi tube with specific dimensional parameters (tube diameter, throat area, length) that are optimized to create sufficient pressure differential for reliable air drawing. The passage cross-sectional area ratio between the venturi tube and air inlet is controlled within specific ranges to ensure consistent air volume intake across multiple flush cycles.
2Loss of substance
If water flow is reduced to achieve lower flush volumes, then water conservation is improved, but the flushing performance and air drawing capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes the venturi effect where water flowing through the constricted venturi tube creates a pressure differential that draws air into the tank. This pneumatic mechanism allows the system to achieve adequate flush pressure with reduced water volumes by converting water flow energy into air intake, thereby maintaining flushing performance while improving water conservation.
3Quantity of substance
If the air inlet passage area is increased to improve air drawing, then air volume increases, but water flow restriction and flush volume control become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The air inducer assembly features localized geometric features including a venturi tube with varying cross-sectional area, a throat section, and an air inlet positioned at specific locations. These local structural characteristics create the necessary pressure differential for air drawing while maintaining simple overall device design without complex flow control mechanisms.
4Loss of substance
If flush volume is reduced to improve water conservation, then water usage decreases, but achieving consistent performance below 0.8 GPF over extended periods becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The air inducer assembly is pre-configured with optimized geometric parameters including venturi tube dimensions, passage areas, and inlet positions that are calculated to provide reliable air drawing capability from the outset. This preliminary optimization of structural parameters ensures consistent low flush volume performance below 0.8 GPF across multiple flush cycles without degradation over time.
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 achieves average flush volumes of 0.8 GPF or lower, ensuring efficient water conservation and improved flushing performance across various water inlet pressures, with consistent results across multiple cycles.
Implementation Method 1
The air inducer assembly connects to the inlet water conduit and to air at atmospheric pressure, such that the flow of water from a conventional water supply will draw air into the tank to pressurize the tank
Data Source
AI summary
A tank for a pressure-assist toilet flush system includes a base having an outlet configured for discharging water from the tank and a cover connected to the base, such that the cover and the base define a cavity to hold water to be discharged through the outlet. The tank may have a wall having a passage therethrough and extending upward from the bottom of the base and at least partially surrounding the outlet. The tank may also have a tray engaged with the base within the cavity and spaced upward from the bottom of the base. The tank may further have an air inducer assembly including a housing having a chamber and an outlet connected to the tank, a water inlet, and an air inlet, with a tube extending into the chamber and toward the outlet. The tube has a passage extending from the water inlet through the tube.