Flush Tank Filling Tap With Self-Cleaning Integrated Filter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Filling devices for flushing tanks in sanitary appliances tend to accumulate deposits, leading to malfunctions, and are difficult to clean, especially when mounted in-wall or embedded, requiring disassembly from the mains water supply.

Innovation Solution

A tap with an integrated filter that allows for cleaning using the mains water flow without disassembly, enabling quick and simple assembly and mounting in various positions, and includes a removable cartridge with operating positions for filtration, cleaning, and manual inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an integrated filter is added to the tap, then deposit accumulation is prevented and reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprevention of deposit accumulationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter is integrated directly into the tap body, combining the filtration function with the tap structure. This prevents deposit accumulation in the filling device while avoiding the need for a separate filter unit, thus improving reliability without excessively increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tap is designed to perform multiple functions: water flow control, filtration, and self-cleaning. The integrated filter serves both filtration and easy-cleaning purposes, as the entire tap can be removed and cleaned under running water, reducing maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the filling device is mounted in-wall or embedded, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation for cleaning deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting position flexibilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The tap is designed as a removable, modular component that can be easily detached from the filling device. This segmentation allows the tap to be mounted in various positions (in-wall or embedded) while maintaining easy accessibility for cleaning by simply removing the tap under running water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tap incorporates a dynamic removal mechanism that allows it to be easily detached and reattached. This dynamic design enables flexible mounting positions while ensuring that cleaning remains simple and accessible, as the tap can be quickly removed and cleaned under running water without disassembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If manual cleaning requires disassembly and detachment from mains water, then manufacturing precision is maintained, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidcleaning time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The tap is designed as a separable component that can be easily removed from the filling device without complex disassembly. This segmentation maintains manufacturing precision through standardized connection interfaces while dramatically reducing cleaning time by allowing the tap to be quickly detached and cleaned under running water.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tap is pre-designed with a removable structure that anticipates cleaning needs. The connection interface is prepared in advance to allow easy detachment, so when cleaning is needed, the user can quickly remove and clean the tap under running water without time-consuming disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 integrated filter reduces the need for frequent cleaning, prevents deposit accumulation, and facilitates easy maintenance by using the water flow for self-cleaning, ensuring the tap remains functional and easy to maintain.

Implementation Method 1

The tap (1) is equipped with an integrated filter, which makes it possible to reduce, or even eliminate, the need for cleaning the filling device connected to the tap

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The cleaning of the tap of the invention is carried out by directly using the flow of water from the mains

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow cleaning: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP3971350B1Tap for filling valve of a flush tank of sanitary appliance
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 OLI SISTEMAS SANITARIOS SA
  • EP3971350B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3971350B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3971350B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A tap (1) for a filling device of a flushing tank of a sanitary appliance comprises a hollow body (2), provided with an internal seat (3), and a cartridge (4) housed and rotating in the seat (3); the body (2) comprises an inlet duct (15), an outlet duct (16), and a drain duct (17); the cartridge (4) is provided with an internal channel (30) that has a first, a second, and a third opening (31, 32, 33) angularly staggered from one another, and a shutter (39) angularly staggered with respect to the openings (31, 32, 33); the cartridge (4) is provided with a filter (36) arranged along the channel (30) and rotates in the seat (3) with respect to the body (2) to selectively align respective pairs of openings (31, 32, 33) and the shutter (39) to respective ducts (15, 16, 17) of the body (2).