Flush Valve Vent Cover Diverts Flow to Prevent Air Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-efficiency flush valve designs for high-performance toilets face issues with water turbulence and air trapping, which can block the overflow tube and prevent air from escaping, compromising flow dynamics and water conservation goals.
Innovation Solution
A vent cover with a curved, semi-circular configuration is designed to divert fluid flow and facilitate air escape from the valve body, installed above the inlet of the overflow or vent tube, ensuring efficient air release and maintaining high flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If high-efficiency flush valve designs are used to reduce water consumption, then water conservation is improved, but water turbulence and air trapping increase which can block the overflow tube
Solution Approach 1:
A vent cover is introduced as an intermediary component between the valve body and the overflow tube. This vent cover includes a vent passage that provides a dedicated pathway for air to escape from the valve body during flush operation, preventing air trapping and turbulence-related blockages in the overflow tube while maintaining the high-efficiency flush valve design
2Productivity
If high flow rates are maintained for effective flushing, then flush performance is improved, but air escape is prevented due to water blocking the overflow tube inlet
Solution Approach 1:
The venting function is segmented from the main flush flow path. The vent cover creates a separate vent passage that is independent from the overflow tube inlet, allowing air to escape through this dedicated pathway while the main flush water flow continues through the valve body without interfering with air escape functionality
3Reliability
If the overflow tube inlet is positioned low to facilitate air escape, then air release is improved, but water flow blocks the inlet more easily
Solution Approach 1:
The vent cover acts as a mediator that separates the air escape pathway from the water flow path. By providing a dedicated vent passage through the vent cover, air can escape from the valve body without water blocking the overflow tube inlet, as the vent passage provides an alternative air escape route that is not subject to water blockage
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 vent cover enhances the performance of flush valve assemblies by reducing turbulence and air trapping, allowing for faster and more consistent water flow while adhering to water conservation standards.
Implementation Method 1
A vent cover with a curved, semi-circular configuration is designed to divert fluid flow and facilitate air escape from the valve body
Implementation Method 2
facilitate air escape from the valve body, installed above the inlet of the overflow or vent tube, ensuring efficient air release
Data Source
AI summary
An elevated flush valve comprising a vent cover may be used with various assemblies, particularly for high efficiency and high performance toilets, which vent cover has a wall that includes an upper portion, a lower portion configured to define a vent cover inlet opening for receiving air and/or liquid passing upwardly from within a valve body and/or from within a toilet through a toilet inlet when the vent cover is installed on a valve body, an exterior surface, and an interior surface defining a vent cover passage for air passing upwardly from the vent cover inlet opening. At least the upper portion of the vent cover wall is configured for contacting an interior surface of a valve body at a location above an inlet of an overflow or venting tube on a valve body when the vent cover is installed on a valve body and wherein the valve cover wall is configured to at least partially divert flow of fluid from entering an inlet of an overflow tube or a venting tube on a valve body when the vent cover is installed on a valve body.