Flush Valve Volume Control Under Variable Water Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flushometer flush valves in modern commercial sanitaryware suffer from inefficiencies due to fixed solenoid open times that do not account for variations in source water pressure or flow rate, leading to insufficient flushes, water wastage, and erratic behavior such as noise and vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A flush valve assembly equipped with a solenoid valve, presence sensor, controller, and flow and/or pressure sensors that dynamically adjust the flush cycle based on detected water volume to ensure optimal water usage, regardless of varying water pressure or flow rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed solenoid open time is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the flush reliability deteriorates due to insufficient flushes or water wastage when water pressure or flow rate varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by using flow sensors to detect actual water flow rate and pressure sensors to detect water pressure during the flush cycle. The controller receives this real-time data and dynamically adjusts the solenoid valve open time to ensure the target flush volume is achieved, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity through intelligent control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a static fixed open-time control system to a dynamic adaptive control system. The solenoid open time is no longer fixed but is dynamically adjusted based on real-time water pressure and flow rate conditions, allowing the system to maintain reliable flush performance across varying operational conditions
2Loss of substance
If a fixed solenoid open time is used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but water wastage increases when source water pressure or flow rate is high
Solution Approach 1:
The flow sensor provides real-time feedback on water flow rate, and the controller uses this information to terminate the flush cycle precisely when the target volume is reached, preventing water wastage during high-pressure conditions while maintaining adequate flush performance
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically monitors its own operational parameters and self-adjusts the flush duration based on detected conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention or pre-programmed fixed timings while optimizing water usage
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a fixed solenoid open time is used, then the device complexity is minimized, but noise and vibrations increase due to erratic flush behavior
Solution Approach 1:
Real-time monitoring of water pressure and flow rate allows the controller to make continuous adjustments during the flush cycle, smoothing out pressure fluctuations and preventing the erratic behavior that causes noise and vibrations
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes operational parameters (solenoid open time, flush duration) based on detected water pressure and flow rate conditions, ensuring consistent flush performance that eliminates the erratic behavior responsible for noise and vibrations
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 solution ensures consistent and efficient flush performance by adjusting the flush cycle to deliver a pre-set water volume, minimizing water waste and reducing noise and vibrations, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of flush operations.
Implementation Method 1
the flow sensor and/or pressure sensor is configured to detect a volume of flush water entering the flush valve inlet and/or exiting the flush valve outlet
Implementation Method 2
the flow sensor and/or pressure sensor is configured to detect a volume of flush water entering the flush valve inlet and/or exiting the flush valve outlet
Implementation Method 3
a solenoid valve is opened, allowing water to be released from an upper chamber through the main flush valve
Data Source
AI summary
A flush valve assembly for sanitaryware, comprising a flush valve having a valve inlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a water source inlet pipe and a valve outlet configured to be fluidly coupled to a flush water outlet pipe; a solenoid valve; a presence sensor; a controller; and a flow sensor and/or a pressure sensor, wherein the controller is configured to open the solenoid valve to initiate a flush cycle, the flow sensor and/or pressure sensor is configured to detect a volume of flush water delivered and to communicate the delivered flush water volume to the controller, and the controller is configured to close the solenoid valve when a pre-set delivered flush water volume has been reached.