One-Piece Toilet Flush Valve Layout to Reduce Expansion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
One-piece toilets face challenges in flush valve installation and efficiency due to sudden fluidic expansion, leading to energy losses and increased water consumption, as existing solutions require enlarged open volumes that induce these losses.
Innovation Solution
The flush valve is mounted to relocate the clamping/retaining feature above the seal, eliminating the enlarged open volume that causes sudden fluidic expansion, thereby reducing energy losses and water usage during each flush cycle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flush valve is installed with the retaining structure below the seal, then the valve can be securely retained, but it creates an enlarged open volume that causes sudden fluidic expansion and energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure is moved from a vertical position below the seal to a horizontal position above the seal, changing the spatial dimension of retention. This dimensional shift allows the valve to be securely retained without creating the harmful enlarged open volume below the seal that causes sudden fluidic expansion and energy losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking flange acts as an intermediary retaining mechanism positioned above the seal. It provides secure valve retention through engagement with the retaining structure, while the seal maintains its position below to prevent the fluidic expansion issue. This intermediary arrangement separates the retention function from the sealing function in space.
2Ease of manufacture
If the retaining structure is positioned below the seal, then installation is simplified, but water consumption increases due to energy losses from fluidic expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining structure is repositioned from below the seal to above the seal, changing the vertical dimension of installation. This maintains installation simplicity while eliminating the enlarged open volume that causes fluidic expansion and subsequent water consumption increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the retaining structure is changed from a low position (below seal) to a high position (above seal). This parameter change eliminates the harmful fluidic expansion zone while preserving the ease of installation through the same locking flange mechanism.
3Reliability
If the locking flange is positioned below the seal, then the valve body can be retained, but it creates a large open volume that reduces flush efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The locking flange is repositioned from a vertical position below the seal to a horizontal position above the seal. This dimensional change allows the valve body to be securely retained without creating the enlarged open volume that reduces flush efficiency by causing sudden fluidic expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking flange serves as an intermediary retaining element positioned above the seal. It provides secure valve body retention through engagement with the retaining structure, while the seal positioned below prevents the fluidic expansion that would reduce flush efficiency.
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
This configuration enhances flush efficiency by minimizing energy losses and water consumption while maintaining effective flushing performance, offering both practical and economic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
The seal, which can have any suitable shape (e.g., annular) is disposed between the bottom wall and the locking flange.
Implementation Method 2
The inner wall extends from a first end in fluid communication with the internal compartment to a second end in fluid communication with the fluid channel
Implementation Method 3
The locking flange is retained between the retaining structure and the bottom wall in a locking position
Data Source
AI summary
A toilet having a one piece structure, a flush valve, and a seal. The structure includes a base having a fluid channel in fluid communication with a bowl; a tank having an internal compartment; a wall disposed between the tank and the base, the wall having an opening fluidly connecting the internal compartment and the fluid channel; and a retaining structure in the internal compartment. The flush valve has a valve body including an inner wall, which is disposed in the opening and extends from a first end in fluid communication with the internal compartment to a second end in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a locking flange extending radially outward from the inner wall, the locking flange being retained between the retaining structure and the wall in a locking position. The seal is disposed between the locking flange and one of the wall or the retaining structure.