Flush Valve Actuating Hinge With Retaining Tab Bolt Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for toilet or urinal cisterns suffer from the issue of the hinge pin being forced out of the hinge receptacle when large forces are applied to the actuating button.
Innovation Solution
The actuating unit features a hinge configuration with a bolt receptacle that includes a retaining tab to prevent the bolt from being pushed out, utilizing an elastically resilient retaining tab and spring tabs to provide a stop mechanism, ensuring the bolt remains secured even under significant force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple hinge connection is used between the actuating button and the actuating plate, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the reliability deteriorates when large forces are applied as the hinge pin can be forced out of the hinge receptacle
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining tab is pre-positioned on the bolt receptacle edge before the bolt is inserted. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the bolt is installed, the retaining tab is already in place to prevent the bolt from being forced out during operation, thus solving the reliability issue without adding complex assembly steps
Solution Approach 2:
The bolt receptacle is segmented into functional zones: the through opening for bolt insertion, the retaining tab on the edge for bolt retention, and the stop mechanism. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function efficiently - the retaining tab prevents bolt ejection while the through opening allows easy insertion, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability
2Reliability
If the clear opening width of the bolt receptacle is reduced by positioning the retaining tab, then the bolt retention is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates as bolt insertion becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining tab is positioned locally at the edge of the bolt receptacle opening rather than reducing the entire opening width. This localized retention feature provides sufficient stop for the bolt while maintaining adequate clearance for insertion. The retaining tab projects only far enough to prevent bolt ejection under load, but not so far as to block insertion, thus resolving the contradiction between retention and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining tab provides more retention force than minimally required for normal operation, ensuring that even under large forces the bolt cannot be forced out. This excessive retention action is achieved through the elastic resilience of the retaining tab, which flexes during insertion but provides strong resistance during operation, solving both retention reliability and insertion ease
3Reliability
If the retaining tab is made elastically resilient, then the reliability of bolt retention under high force is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the elastic mounting requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining tab is made from elastic material or designed with elastic mounting that changes its physical parameters - it is flexible during insertion to accommodate the bolt, then becomes rigid when the bolt is in place to provide retention. This parameter change allows a single component to fulfill both insertion ease and retention reliability functions without increasing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining tab combines multiple functions into a single component: it serves as both the retention mechanism and the mounting element. The elastic resilient tab integrates the retention function with the structural mounting, eliminating the need for separate retention mechanisms and reducing overall device complexity while improving reliability under force
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 effectively prevents the bolt from being dislodged from the hinge receptacle, maintaining structural integrity and functionality under high force application, thereby enhancing the durability and reliability of the actuating mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the retaining tab is elastically resilient and/or elastically mounted such that it moves elastically when the bolt is inserted into the bolt receptacle
Implementation Method 2
the wall sections of the bolt receptacle adjoining the opening are designed as elastic spring tabs, with the wall sections projecting away from the bearing plate. When the bolt is inserted, the wall sections designed as spring tabs flex radially away from the bolt. Once the bolt is fully inserted, the spring tabs spring back to their original position.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
An actuating unit (1) for actuating a flushing valve comprises a bearing plate (2) and at least one actuating element (3) movable relative to the bearing plate (2), the actuating element having a front surface (4) and a rear surface (5). The at least one actuating element (3) is pivotably connected to the bearing plate (2) via at least one hinge (6). The at least one hinge (6) has a bolt receptacle (7) and a bolt (8) pivotably mounted in the bolt receptacle (7) about a pivot axis (S). The bolt receptacle (7) has a through opening (9) through which the bolt (8) can be inserted into the bolt receptacle (7) in a direction transverse to the pivot axis (S). The bolt receptacle (7) has a retaining tab (11) on at least one of the edges (10) that define the opening (9), which, when the bolt (8) is inserted, provides a stop to prevent the bolt (8) from moving out of the bolt receptacle (7).