Nutless Flushometer Valve Tube-to-Body Coupling Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flushometer valve assemblies require a coupling nut for securing the outlet tube to the valve body, which can complicate assembly and potentially interfere with the vacuum breaker assembly, while also using a coupling nut is not always necessary for proper operation.
Innovation Solution
A nutless flushometer valve tube-to-body coupling design where the outlet tube is directly fastened to the valve body using radially extending lugs and flanges, eliminating the need for a coupling nut and allowing for a more straightforward assembly process, with vent slots integrated into the conduit or transition portion of the outlet tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a coupling nut is used to secure the outlet tube to the valve body, then the connection is reliable, but the assembly process becomes more complex and the coupling nut may interfere with the vacuum breaker assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coupling nut from the assembly, extracting the problematic component that caused interference with the vacuum breaker assembly. The outlet tube is instead directly coupled to the valve body through integrated threading, eliminating the intermediate coupling nut while maintaining connection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the coupling function directly into the valve body and outlet tube by providing internal threading in the valve body outlet and external threading on the outlet tube. This integration eliminates the separate coupling nut component and simplifies the overall assembly structure.
2Strength
If a coupling nut is used to secure the outlet tube, then the connection is secure, but the number of components increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling nut is extracted from the assembly, reducing the number of components that need to be handled during assembly. This directly reduces assembly time while the direct threading connection maintains adequate connection strength for the application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent discards the coupling nut component entirely, recovering assembly time by eliminating the steps required to install and secure the coupling nut. The connection strength is maintained through the direct threaded connection between the outlet tube and valve body.
3Shape
If vent slots are concealed by a skirt on the coupling nut, then aesthetics are improved, but the vacuum breaker assembly operation may be impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the coupling nut entirely, eliminating the need for a skirt to conceal vent slots. The vent slots remain exposed and functional, ensuring proper operation of the vacuum breaker assembly while the overall design achieves a clean aesthetic appearance through the nutless construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A flushometer valve assembly comprises a flushometer valve body including an outlet, an outlet tube including a conduit extending along a longitudinal axis, and a flushometer valve tube-to-body coupling that directly fastens the outlet tube to the flushometer valve body.