Multi-phase Flushing System with Pump and Diverter Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet designs face challenges in efficiently removing liquid and solid waste while maintaining bowl cleanliness within water conservation limits, often resulting in clogging, excessive water usage, noise, and inadequate cleaning, especially with reduced water volumes.
Innovation Solution
A flushing system that uses an electric pump to precisely control water flow, employing rim and jet diverter means to optimize water distribution, ensuring effective waste removal and cleaning with minimal water consumption, and integrating a sensor and timer for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If water volume is reduced to comply with water conservation regulations, then water consumption is decreased, but waste removal effectiveness and bowl cleaning capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing system employs multi-phase periodic action with distinct timing sequences: an initial rim spray phase followed by a jet flush phase, and optionally a second rim spray phase. This temporal segmentation allows the same water volume to perform multiple functions sequentially - wetting the rim and bowl surface first, then flushing waste, and finally cleaning the bowl - thereby maintaining cleaning effectiveness while using reduced water volume compared to continuous flushing systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by spraying water onto the rim and bowl interior before the main flush occurs. This pre-wetting of the bowl surface and rim area prepares the surface for more effective waste removal during the subsequent jet phase, and prevents staining from occurring in the first place, thereby maintaining cleaning capability with less total water.
2Loss of substance
If water volume is reduced, then water consumption is decreased, but the risk of clogging in the exhaust pipe increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic multi-phase flushing creates intermittent high-velocity jet pulses that effectively clear the exhaust pipe of waste material. The repeated cycling of spray and jet phases generates sufficient hydraulic force to prevent waste accumulation and clogging, even with reduced overall water volume, by delivering concentrated flush forces at critical moments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes water delivery parameters by using high-velocity jet flow rather than high-volume continuous flow. The jet phase delivers water at elevated pressure and velocity to maintain adequate flushing force and prevent clogging, while the overall water volume is reduced through the timed, intermittent nature of the phases.
3Device complexity
If conventional gravity-based flushing is used, then system complexity is minimized, but flushing performance and cleaning effectiveness are insufficient with reduced water volume
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces pure gravity-based mechanical flushing with an electrically controlled pump-driven system. The pump enables precise control of water delivery timing, pressure, and distribution through the rim spray and jet phases, achieving superior flushing performance with reduced water volume. This mechanical-to-electrical substitution allows for programmable multi-phase operation that optimizes cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic sensor detection and electronic control that enables self-service operation. The sensor detects when flushing is needed, and the controller automatically sequences the rim spray and jet phases without user intervention, maintaining optimal performance while simplifying user interaction despite increased internal system complexity.
4Reliability
If high water volume is used for flushing, then waste removal is effective, but noise level and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic multi-phase flushing system delivers water in controlled intervals rather than continuous high-volume flow. The pump operates intermittently through the timed spray and jet phases, significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation, while maintaining effective waste removal through the concentrated delivery of water at critical moments in the flushing sequence.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by delivering water in segmented phases rather than all at once. The rim spray phase wets surfaces partially before the jet phase completes the waste removal, and the second rim spray phase provides additional cleaning if needed. This partial, staged delivery reduces peak energy demand and total water volume while maintaining effectiveness.
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 system achieves efficient waste removal and comprehensive bowl cleaning with reduced water usage, minimizing noise and clogging, and allowing for compact, affordable, and aesthetically flexible toilet designs suitable for various applications.
Implementation Method 1
a pump in communication with the tank and in communication with each of the rim and the jet
Implementation Method 2
a sump defined in a bottom bowl extent that leads to a discharge pipe... capable of removing a load within a siphon action
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of operating a flushing system for efficient waste removal from and cleaning of a toilet bowl. In the disclosed method, a flushing system is provided that includes a pumping means having each of a rim diverter means and a jet diverter means in fluid communication therewith; a sensor means; a control means; a switching means; and a spray means. Activation of the switching means initiates at least a single flush schedule that comprises the steps of initiating operation of the pumping means; opening the jet diverter means for delivery of water to a jet delivery means in fluid communication therewith; subsequently closing the jet diverter means and simultaneously opening the rim diverter means; and directing water from the rim diverter means to a toilet rim in fluid communication therewith for terminal delivery of the water through the spray means.