Off-Center Force Compensating Wheel for Automatic Toilet Flush Valves

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic flushing systems for toilets face challenges in matching the non-linear force characteristics of linear mechanical actuators to the variable mechanical loads required for flush valve operation, leading to inefficient operation and potential wear on actuators.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a force compensating wheel with an off-center axle and compound force compensating wheels to adjust the mechanical advantage, allowing the linear actuator to effectively match the force required for flush valve operation, incorporating an actuator rod, actuator chain, and flush valve chain to ensure efficient valve opening.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a linear mechanical actuator is used to open the flush valve, then the flush valve can be opened automatically, but the non-linear force characteristics of the actuator cannot be efficiently matched to the variable mechanical load of the flush valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic flush valve operationVSAvoidforce matching capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a cam mechanism that converts the linear motion of the actuator into rotational motion with variable radius, dynamically adjusting the mechanical advantage throughout the stroke to match the non-linear force requirements of the flush valve

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cam profile is designed with varying radius parameters that change throughout the rotation, allowing the mechanical advantage to be adjusted continuously to match the variable load characteristics of the flush valve operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If a linear mechanical actuator with fixed throw length is used, then the device structure is simple, but the force and throw cannot be efficiently matched to the required linear mechanical load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveactuator structure simplicityVSAvoidforce matching efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The cam mechanism serves as an intermediary between the linear actuator and the flush valve, transforming the simple linear motion into a motion pattern that efficiently matches the variable force requirements without complicating the actuator itself

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a larger linear actuator is used to ensure sufficient force, then the flush valve can be opened reliably, but the actuator size and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflush valve opening reliabilityVSAvoidactuator size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cam mechanism provides dynamic mechanical advantage multiplication, allowing a smaller actuator to generate sufficient force at critical points in the valve opening sequence by optimizing the force transmission at each stage of motion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution enables instantaneous and efficient operation of the flush valve, extends the lifespan of actuators by proper matching, and allows for the use of smaller, less expensive actuators, while being easily adaptable to both new and existing toilet systems.

Implementation Method 1

the force compensating wheel is configured to rotate about an off center axle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS7310832B2Apparatus for operating toilet flush valves

Publication Date: 2007.12.25 SPADOLA JOSEPH

AI summary

An automatic flush valve comprising: a linear actuator; an actuator rod in operable communication with the linear actuator; an actuator chain in communication with the actuator rod; a wheel anchor in communication with the actuator chain; a force compensating wheel in communication with the wheel anchor; a flush valve chain in communication with the wheel anchor; a actuated valve component in communication with the flush valve chain; a flush valve in operable communication with the actuated valve component; and where the force compensating wheel is configured to rotate about an off center axle. The disclosed apparatus also relates to an automatic toilet flush valve comprising: a linear actuator; an actuator rod in operable communication with the linear actuator; an actuator chain in communication with the actuator rod; a compound force compensating wheel in communication the actuator chain, the compound force compensating wheel comprising: a first wheel; a first wheel anchor in communication with the first wheel; a second wheel in fixed communication with the first wheel; a second wheel anchor in communication with the second wheel; a flush valve chain in communication with the compound force compensating wheel; a actuated valve component in communication with the flush valve chain; a flush valve in operable communication with the actuated valve component; and where the compound force compensating wheel is configured to rotate about an off center axle.