Flush Valve Overflow Protection for Cisterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flushing systems with concealed or wall-mounted cisterns face issues of overfilling and uncontrolled water flow due to malfunctioning filling valves, leading to potential water damage, and existing overflow protection mechanisms are not suitable for all types of flushing systems, particularly those under pressure flushing.
Innovation Solution
A flushing system incorporating an overflow protection float that actively controls the flushing valve to open and divert water when an upper fill level is reached, preventing overfilling, and featuring a Venturi nozzle for pressure flushing and gravity-assisted operation, with adjustable buoyancy for flexibility across different applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an overflow pipe is used to divert flushing water in case of fill valve malfunction, then overflow protection is provided, but this solution cannot be used with pressure flushing systems where the flush valve is supplied with flushing water under line pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The flush valve is designed to serve dual functions: its primary function of controlling flushing water flow to the sanitary fixture, and a secondary function as an overflow protection valve. When the float reaches the upper fill level, it actuates the flush valve to open, diverting water to prevent cistern overflow. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate overflow pipes, making the system adaptable to both gravity-fed and pressure flushing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the overflow protection function with the existing flush valve mechanism. Instead of having separate components (overflow pipe and flush valve), the system combines these functions into a single valve that responds to float actuation. This integration allows the same valve body to handle both normal flushing operations and emergency overflow protection, regardless of whether the system operates under gravity or line pressure.
2Reliability
If the flush valve is actively controlled by the overflow protection float to open at upper fill level, then overflow protection is ensured, but the device complexity increases due to additional actuator elements
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a self-service mechanism where the float directly actuates the flush valve through simple mechanical connection. The float's buoyancy-driven movement automatically triggers the valve opening without requiring external control systems, complex sensors, or additional power sources. This self-actuating design provides reliable overflow protection while minimizing device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If the cistern is filled to a higher upper fill level for overflow protection, then the flush valve has more water to divert, but the risk of water damage increases if the float mechanism fails
Solution Approach 1:
The float mechanism is positioned and adjusted so that it actuates the flush valve before the cistern reaches a dangerous overflow level. The upper fill level is set as a safety margin above the normal operating level, ensuring that the float has sufficient travel distance to reliably trigger the valve opening. This preliminary action prevents water damage by activating protection before critical conditions occur.
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 safe and controlled water flow, preventing overflows and water damage by actively managing fill levels and providing effective overflow protection across various flushing system configurations, including those under line pressure or gravity operation.
Implementation Method 1
an overflow protection float with which the flush valve can be actuated. The overflow protection float is arranged such that in the event of a malfunction of the fill valve, in which the fill valve remains open uncontrollably and thus flushing water flows uncontrollably into the cistern, the flush valve can be opened when an upper fill level is reached
Implementation Method 2
featuring a Venturi nozzle for pressure flushing
Implementation Method 3
with adjustable buoyancy for flexibility across different applications
Data Source
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AI summary
A flushing system (1) comprises a cistern (2) for receiving flushing water, a fill valve (3) with which the cistern (2) can be filled with flushing water, a flush valve (4) with which a sanitary article (5) fluidically connected to the cistern (2), such as a toilet bowl or a urinal, can be flushed, and an overflow protection float (6) with which the flush valve (4) can be actuated, wherein the overflow protection float (6) is arranged such that in the event of a malfunction of the fill valve, in which the fill valve remains open uncontrollably and flushing water flows uncontrollably into the cistern (2), the flush valve (4) can be opened when an upper fill level is reached, whereby flushing water flows from the cistern (2) via the flush valve (4) to the sanitary article (5).