Self-Powered Flush Valve Using Water Flow Energy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flush water tank apparatuses for toilets require an external power source to operate, making them unsuitable for environments without electricity and increasing maintenance burdens due to high power consumption and battery replacement needs.
Innovation Solution
A flush water tank apparatus that generates electrical power using municipal water flow to operate an electromagnetic valve, which drives a discharge valve using hydraulic pressure, eliminating the need for an external power source and reducing maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electric motor is used to drive the discharge valve, then the discharge valve can be opened automatically, but electrical power is required which is not available in all environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electric motor-driven mechanical system with a water pressure-driven hydraulic system. The discharge valve is opened automatically by water pressure acting on a diaphragm or piston, eliminating the need for electrical power while maintaining automatic operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the incoming water supply itself to provide the force needed to open the discharge valve. The water pressure from the supply line directly actuates the valve mechanism, making the system self-sufficient and adaptable to environments without external power sources.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a primary battery is used to power the electric motor, then the apparatus can operate without external power, but power consumption is high requiring high capacity battery and periodic replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the electric motor and battery system entirely by using a hydraulic actuation mechanism. Water pressure from the supply line directly drives the discharge valve, reducing power consumption to near zero and removing the need for battery replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the kinetic energy of the incoming water supply to actuate the discharge valve, converting the water flow itself into the actuating force. This self-service approach eliminates external power requirements including batteries.
3Reliability
If electrical power is generated using water flow, then self-generated power is available, but the amount of power generated is small and insufficient to operate electric motors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent abandons the approach of generating electricity from water flow and instead uses the water flow directly as a hydraulic actuator. This avoids the power generation bottleneck entirely by using mechanical hydraulic force rather than converting to and from electrical energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs hydraulic principles where water pressure and flow directly actuate the discharge valve through a diaphragm or piston mechanism. This hydraulic approach efficiently transfers the energy from water flow to valve actuation without the intermediate step of electrical generation.
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 flush toilet operation in environments without external power, minimizes maintenance by using self-generated power and reducing battery replacement needs, and efficiently manages water supply and discharge.
Implementation Method 1
an electric generator for generating electrical power using the flow of supplied municipal water
Implementation Method 2
an electromagnetic valve operated by electrical power generated by the generator
Implementation Method 3
a discharge valve hydraulic drive portion which drives the discharge valve by using the supply pressure of supplied municipal water
Data Source
AI summary
A flush water tank apparatus capable of opening and closing a discharge valve without the use of an external power source. A flush water tank apparatus includes a reservoir tank having a discharge opening; a discharge valve which opens and closes to supply and shut off the supply of flush water to the flush toilet; a discharge valve hydraulic drive portion, which uses the supply pressure of supplied municipal water to drive the discharge valve; an electric generator for generating electrical power using the flow of supplied municipal water; an electromagnetic valve operated by electrical power generated by the generator; and a water supply control device for controlling the supply of water to the discharge valve hydraulic drive portion based on the operation of the electromagnetic valve, and for controlling the supply of water to the reservoir tank.