Toilet Flushing Nut Locking Rod System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The toilet flushing mechanism fails and refilling process is inefficient due to misalignment and loosening of the securing nut, leading to compromised flushing and refilling functionality, noise, and binding effects when over-tightened.
Innovation Solution
A locking nut and rod system that limits the rotational travel of the securing nut to less than 360 degrees, preventing it from becoming unsecured by securely connecting the rod to the nut and positioning it against the lifting arm, ensuring resistance and maintaining the flushing mechanism's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the securing nut is over-tightened to prevent loosening, then the reliability of the securing connection is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to binding effects and hindered movement of the flushing apparatus
Solution Approach 1:
A locking washer is introduced as an intermediary component between the securing nut and the toilet tank wall. The locking washer features a deformable body with a recess that receives the nut, and a protrusion that engages with a corresponding feature on the tank. When the nut is tightened, it deforms the locking washer, creating a mechanical lock that prevents nut rotation without requiring excessive tightening force that would bind the flushing apparatus components.
2Ease of operation
If the securing nut is allowed to rotate freely during flushing operation, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the reliability deteriorates as the nut loosens and becomes unsecured
Solution Approach 1:
The locking washer acts as a mediator that allows the nut to be installed and initially tightened without restricting flush handle rotation. Once installed, the deformation mechanism creates a mechanical interlock that prevents the nut from rotating during subsequent flushing operations, maintaining both ease of operation during installation and reliability during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking washer is pre-formed with a specific geometry that allows easy installation but automatically deforms during the tightening process to create the locking feature. This preliminary configuration enables the nut to be installed freely while the tightening action itself creates the restriction against loosening.
3Ease of repair
If the securing nut is repeatedly tightened and loosened during maintenance, then the ease of repair is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to thread wear and corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The locking washer absorbs the mechanical stress and deformation during tightening and loosening operations, protecting the threaded sleeve and nut threads from direct wear. The deformable body of the locking washer serves as a sacrificial element that maintains thread integrity over multiple maintenance cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking washer provides a cushioning effect between the nut and the tank surface, preventing direct metal-to-metal contact and corrosion. This protective layer is in place before any loosening or tightening occurs, cushioning against future degradation from maintenance operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A Toilet Flushing Apparatus Locking Nut System characterized by affixing a rigid rod to a securing nut that contains multiple rod receiving holes. The locking nut system maintains a secured position by means of resistance created when the rod contacts the toilet flushing apparatus's lifting arm, preventing rotational movement of the securing nut to less than 360 degrees. Multiple rod receiving holes within the body of the securing nut afford the ability to adjust the rod's position—to further reduce the securing nut's rotation travel to less than 360 degrees.