Mechanical Air Release Valve for Reliable Toilet Tank Drainage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing air pressure driven toilet water tank drain valves rely on electromagnetic pressure relief valves, which are costly, power-consuming, and prone to failure, leading to unreliable operation.

Innovation Solution

An air release valve using a mechanical structure with a sliding block, push block, and compressed elastic element to control air release, eliminating the need for electromagnetic components and ensuring reliable operation without power consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an electromagnetic pressure relief valve is used to control air release, then the drain valve can be opened by air pressure, but the device becomes costly, power-consuming, and less reliable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair pressure driven operationVSAvoidvalve operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic pressure relief valve with a purely mechanical air release valve structure. The sliding block, pushed by the inner core tube, directly opens the air release channel without any electromagnetic components. This mechanical substitution eliminates power consumption concerns and improves reliability by removing electronic failure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The air release valve is designed to automatically activate when the inner core tube moves during drainage. The sliding block is pushed by the inner core tube itself, which then opens the air release channel without requiring external control signals or power sources. The system serves itself through its own operational movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If an electromagnetic pressure relief valve is used to control air release, then the drain valve can be opened by air pressure, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair pressure driven operationVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the electromagnetic pressure relief valve with a purely mechanical air release valve structure. The sliding block, pushed by the inner core tube, directly opens the air release channel without any electromagnetic components. This mechanical substitution eliminates power consumption concerns and improves reliability by removing electronic failure points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The air release valve is divided into distinct functional components: the valve seat with air release channel, the sliding block with sealing gasket, the push block for force transmission, and the spring for resetting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply and reliably, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a mechanical air release valve is used instead of electromagnetic components, then the device becomes simpler and more reliable, but the ability to control air release precisely may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidair release control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spring acts as an intermediary element between the push block and the sliding block. It provides controlled resistance that ensures the sliding block moves smoothly and seals properly against the valve seat. This mechanical intermediary ensures precise control through physical force balance rather than electronic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The air release valve is designed to automatically activate when the inner core tube moves during drainage. The sliding block is pushed by the inner core tube itself, which then opens the air release channel without requiring external control signals or power sources. The system serves itself through its own operational movements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 mechanical air release valve provides a simple, cost-effective, and reliable mechanism for opening and closing the drain valve, suitable for air pressure-driven toilet water tanks, without the drawbacks of electromagnetic systems.

Implementation Method 1

a compressed elastic element is arrangeable between a side of the sliding block away from an inner core tube of the drain valve and the valve seat

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the air pump inflates the telescopic airbag. The telescopic airbag expands and pushes the lifting cover on the inner core tube of the drain valve to drive the inner core tube to rise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

the inner core tube loses the hook support of the half drainage limit device or the full drainage limit device, the inner core tube is released from the hook and fall, the water sealing piece at the lower end of the inner core tube and the water outlet of the valve body are resealed

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4141178B1Air release valve and toilet water tank drainage valve opened by using air pressure
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 LAB XIAMEN SANITARY FITTINGS
  • EP4141178B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4141178B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4141178B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An air release valve and an air pressure driven toilet water tank drain valve are provided. The air release valve includes a valve seat, a sliding block, and a push block. A bottom of the valve seat is provided with an air release channel, one end of the air release channel is an air inlet, and the other end of the air release channel forms an air release nozzle.The sliding block is located above the air release nozzle and is slidably arranged on the valve seat.The air pressure driven toilet water tank drain valve includes a drain valve body, an inner core tube, a limit device, a telescopic airbag, an air pump, the air release valve, a controller and an electronic induction switch. The air release valve with mechanical structure does not require power consumption and has low cost.