Flush Valve Actuating Unit With Integrated Magnetic Position Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating units for flush valves lack additional functionalities such as detecting the actuation of the flushing position and providing data for hygiene flushes, predictive maintenance, and water consumption monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An actuating unit with a support element, actuating element, and integrated sensor unit that detects the flushing position, transmitting signals to a processor for triggering hygiene flushes, recording flush counts, and monitoring water consumption, using Hall or Reed sensors encapsulated to prevent moisture exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If sensor units are integrated into the actuating unit, then detection capability for flush actuation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor unit is integrated into the actuating unit by mounting the active sensor part on the support element and the passive sensor part on the actuating element, combining detection functionality with the existing actuation mechanism. This merging approach enables flush actuation detection without requiring a completely separate detection system, thus improving measurement capability while controlling the increase in device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If sensor units are mounted on separate elements requiring alignment, then detection precision is improved, but ease of installation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor system is designed as an integrated unit where the active sensor part is mounted on the support element and the passive sensor part is mounted on the actuating element. This merging approach ensures that both sensor components are installed together as a single assembly, eliminating the need for separate alignment procedures and making installation straightforward while maintaining detection precision.
3Ease of repair
If passive sensor part is detachably connected to actuating element, then ease of repair is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The passive sensor part is designed as a separate, detachably connected component on the actuating element, allowing it to be removed and replaced independently. This segmentation enables easy repair or replacement of the passive sensor part without affecting other components of the actuating unit, thus improving ease of repair while adding minimal complexity through the detachable connection mechanism.
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
Enables detection of flush actuation for various purposes, including hygiene flushes and predictive maintenance, while simplifying installation and allowing easy retrofitting or manufacturing with sensor capabilities, optimizing assembly, and reducing the need for cabling.
Implementation Method 1
the active sensor component is a Hall sensor or a reed sensor, and the passive sensor component is a magnet
Implementation Method 2
The magnet is detected by the Hall sensor or the reed sensor as soon as the magnet is moved into the effective sensor range
Data Source
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AI summary
Actuating unit (1) for actuating a flushing valve (2), comprising a support element (3) with at least one bearing point (4), and at least one actuating element (5) movably mounted at the bearing point (4), which is movable from an initial position to a flushing position and which is designed such that the movement from the initial position to the flushing position provides an actuating movement for the flushing valve (2) such that the flushing valve (2) is movable from a closed position to an open position, wherein the actuating unit (1) further comprises at least one sensor unit (6) which is designed and arranged such that the sensor unit detects the achievement of the flushing position of the at least one actuating element (5).