Flush Valve Pulse Release Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush valves for sanitary items do not efficiently provide a pulse-like release of flushing water, which is necessary for effective gush-like flushing, especially in applications requiring a rapid and large volume of water flow.
Innovation Solution
A flush valve design featuring a valve seat, valve body, actuating element, and spring unit with a locking mechanism that allows for a pulse-like opening movement, utilizing a compression spring to rapidly open the valve body from a closed to an open position, enabling a gush-like outflow of water, and adjustable criteria for opening and closing via floats and time delay elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional flush valve is used, then the valve structure is simple, but it cannot provide a pulse-like release of flushing water
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is designed to transition from a static closed position to a dynamic open position through spring-driven movement. The valve body is movable between a closed position blocking the flow passage and an open position allowing water flow, enabling pulsed water release through dynamic position changes rather than continuous flow control
Solution Approach 2:
The flush valve operates through periodic cycles of compression and release. The spring unit is periodically compressed during the closed state and then releases stored energy to rapidly open the valve, creating a pulsed periodic action that delivers flushing water in controlled surges rather than continuous flow
2Speed
If a spring-driven rapid opening mechanism is implemented, then the flushing water can be released in a surge, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring unit is pre-compressed and stored in a compressed state during the valve closed period. This preliminary action stores potential energy that is rapidly converted to kinetic energy when released, enabling the valve body to quickly transition from closed to open position and deliver flushing water in a surge
Solution Approach 2:
The spring unit acts as an intermediary energy storage and transfer mechanism between the actuating element and the valve body. It mediates the conversion of mechanical compression energy into rapid valve opening motion, enabling fast water release without requiring complex direct actuation mechanisms
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 valve achieves a rapid and efficient gush-like flushing by ensuring a large amount of water flows over a short period, enhancing flushing performance in various applications by controlling the flow through mechanical engagement and disengagement mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
a spring unit (6) with a spring housing (7), a spring (8) mounted in the spring housing (7) and a stop surface (9) on which the spring rests. When the actuating element (5) is actuated, the spring (8) in the spring housing (7) is compressed or tensioned towards the stop surface (9)
Implementation Method 2
In the lower position, an opening pawl (10) locks the spring housing (7) in such a way that the spring housing (7) is held in the lower position against the spring force of the spring (8)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 1c~1d
Figure 2
AI summary
A flush valve (1) for a sanitary article (2), such as a toilet or a urinal, comprises a valve seat (3), a valve body (4) which is located on the valve seat (3) in a closed position and spaced apart from the valve seat (3) in an open position, an actuating element (5), and a spring assembly (6) with a spring housing (7), a spring (8) mounted in the spring housing (7), and a stop surface (9) on which the spring (8) rests, wherein when the actuating element (5) is actuated, the spring (8) in the spring housing (7) is compressed towards the stop surface (9), and wherein the spring housing (7) is moved from an upper position to a lower position, wherein in the lower position an opening pawl (10) engages the spring housing (7) such that the spring housing (7) is held in the lower position against the spring force of the spring (8), and wherein in the lower position a closing pawl (11) is engaged between the spring housing (7) and the valve body (4) locked, in such a way,that the valve body (4) is latched to the spring housing, wherein, upon reaching an opening criterion, the opening latch (10) can be disengaged with an opening element (12), such that the spring (8) relaxes and the spring housing (7) as well as the valve body (4) latched to the spring housing (7) can be moved into the upper position, so that the valve body (4) can be moved from the closed position to the open position, and wherein, upon reaching a closing criterion, the closing latch (11) can be disengaged with a closing element (13), such that the valve body (4) can be moved from the open position towards the valve seat (3) into the closed position.