Modular Flush Valve Poppet Assembly Buoyancy Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a reliable and interchangeable flush valve assembly that can convert between 1.6 gallons per flush (gpf) and 1.28 gpf configurations without altering the fill valve or tank water volume, while allowing for component maintenance to ensure water conservation efforts are not compromised by potential valve failures such as seal leakage.
Innovation Solution
A modular poppet assembly system for a toilet tank flush valve, comprising an upper float and a lower float that can be removably attached, with varying buoyancy determined by the size and shape of the lower float, allowing for reconfiguration to achieve different flush volumes without changing the tank's water level, and featuring a first float portion that can couple with multiple second float portions to form various poppet assemblies with distinct buoyancies, thereby controlling the flush volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed buoyancy poppet assembly is used, then the flush valve provides consistent performance, but it cannot be converted between different flush volumes (1.6 gpf and 1.28 gpf)
Solution Approach 1:
The poppet assembly is divided into separate buoyancy components (upper float and lower float) that can be independently attached or detached. This segmentation allows the lower float to be removed or replaced to change the overall buoyancy of the assembly, enabling conversion between different flush volumes without redesigning the entire poppet assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The poppet assembly transitions from a static, fixed-buoyancy design to a dynamic, adjustable-buoyancy design. The ability to attach or detach the lower float allows the assembly to adapt its buoyancy characteristics based on the desired flush volume, making the system flexible and convertible between 1.6 gpf and 1.28 gpf configurations.
2Quantity of substance
If the tank water level is altered to change flush volume, then different flush volumes can be achieved, but the fill valve and tank water volume must be altered
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of altering the tank water level or fill valve configuration to change flush volume, the invention extracts and removes the lower float component from the poppet assembly. This isolation of the buoyancy adjustment mechanism to the poppet assembly alone allows flush volume changes without affecting the fill valve or tank water volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the buoyancy parameter of the poppet assembly by attaching or detaching the lower float, rather than changing the tank water level. This parameter change in the poppet assembly's buoyancy directly controls the flush volume while keeping the fill valve and tank configuration unchanged.
3Ease of repair
If a non-removable poppet assembly is used, then the structure is simpler, but component maintenance becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The poppet assembly is segmented into removable components, including the lower float that can be detached from the upper float. This segmentation enables easy access to internal components like seals for maintenance and replacement, while the modular design keeps the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular design with removable lower float enables users to perform basic maintenance tasks themselves, such as replacing seals or cleaning components, without requiring complete disassembly of the poppet assembly or specialized service intervention.
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 reliable conversion between different flush volumes without altering the tank's water level, ensuring consistent performance and allowing for maintenance of components, thereby maintaining water conservation efforts and preventing valve failures.
Implementation Method 1
a buoyancy of the poppet assembly is dependent on a size and/or shape of the removable lower float
Implementation Method 2
the first float portion is configured to removably attach to each of the two or more second float portions to form two or more poppet assemblies, each of the two or more poppet assemblies comprise a different buoyancy
Data Source
AI summary
A modular poppet assembly system for a toilet tank flush valve assembly, the modular system comprising a first float portion; and two or more second float portions; wherein, the first float portion is configured to removably attach to each of the two or more second float portions to form two or more poppet assemblies, each of the two or more poppet assemblies comprise a different buoyancy, each of the two or more poppet assemblies allow the toilet tank to fill to substantially a same water volume, and as the poppet assembly buoyancy increases, an increase in flush volume is provided.