Flush Valve Plate Structure for Debris-Free Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush valve plates in vacuum toilets fail to fully close due to debris accumulation in seal grooves, leading to leakage and odor issues.
Innovation Solution
A flush valve plate design with an opening aligned with the port in the open position and a spring element between inner and outer plates to ensure continuous sealing, eliminating seal grooves and debris accumulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional flush valve plate with a solid plate design is used, then the valve can block flow effectively, but debris accumulates in the groove around the waste line port when the valve is open, preventing full closure
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plate is divided into two distinct portions: a first plate portion with an opening therethrough and a second plate portion that is solid. This segmentation allows the first portion to prevent debris accumulation by maintaining an open groove alignment with the port, while the second portion ensures effective sealing when closed
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the valve plate are assigned different functional qualities: the first plate portion has an opening to prevent debris accumulation in the groove, while the second plate portion is solid to provide sealing capability. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between preventing debris accumulation and ensuring effective closure
2Ease of operation
If the valve plate is rotated by an electric motor via a gear mechanism, then the valve can switch between open and closed positions, but inaccuracies in the mechanism can lead to incomplete closure
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element is pre-loaded between the inner and outer plates to exert a continuous closing force on the valve plate. This preliminary action ensures that the valve plate is constantly biased toward the closed position, compensating for any inaccuracies in the motor-gear positioning mechanism and ensuring reliable closure
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element provides a cushioning force that ensures complete closure of the valve plate even if the motor-gear mechanism has positioning inaccuracies. The spring absorbs any gaps or misalignments, guaranteeing that the solid second plate portion makes full contact with the port for effective sealing
3Device complexity
If a single plate design is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot maintain continuous sealing under varying vacuum conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve plate is segmented into inner and outer plates with a spring element between them. This segmentation allows the spring to maintain continuous sealing pressure under varying vacuum conditions while keeping the overall structure relatively simple
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element dynamically adjusts the sealing pressure between the inner and outer plates in response to varying vacuum conditions. This parameter change ensures continuous reliable sealing without requiring a complex active control system
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
Ensures proper closure and prevents leakage and odor by maintaining a seal between the plate and the port, even in varying vacuum conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The spring element may comprise a springy material e.g. a sponge material having a spring structure. Alternatively, the spring element comprises one or more springs such as one or more conical springs or a wave spring.
Data Source
AI summary
A flush valve plate having an opening therethrough in a first plate portion and a solid plate area in a second plate portion such that in a first position, the opening can be aligned with a port of a flush valve to which the valve plate is, in use, mounted and in a second position, the solid plate area is moved into alignment with the port.