Pivot Fill Valve with Drip Emitter for Toilet Leak Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fill valves in toilets fail to prevent water wastage due to catastrophic leaks or slow leaks in the flush valve assembly, as they cannot effectively seal off the pilot orifice or shut off water supply in these conditions, leading to continuous or intermittent water loss.
Innovation Solution
A fill valve assembly with a pivot valve body that includes two compartments, one for water retention and another as a water flow restriction apparatus, allowing for controlled water flow and sealing, combined with a pressure compensating drip emitter to meter water flow into the float housing at a slow rate, ensuring the float is raised to shut off the pilot orifice.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional fill valve is used, then the tank refills normally, but water is wasted continuously when a catastrophic leak or tank leak prevents proper filling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the float's position (which reflects the tank's filling status) continuously monitors the system state. When the float fails to rise to the shut-off position due to a leak, the feedback loop detects this abnormal condition and triggers the alternative shut-off mechanism, converting the float's failure to rise into a diagnostic signal that activates the water-saving response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the alternative shut-off system involving the pivot valve body and flow restriction apparatus) that mediates between the float's inability to shut off water and the need to prevent wastage. This intermediary provides a backup control path that activates when the primary float mechanism fails, allowing the system to respond to leak conditions without requiring direct intervention.
2Reliability
If the fill valve allows continuous water flow to compensate for slow leaks, then the tank maintains water level, but water is lost intermittently over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic operation of the pivot valve body that can pivot between different positions based on the float's position. The system transitions from a static shut-off mechanism to a dynamic one where the pivot valve responds to changing conditions (float position) to modulate water flow, enabling the system to adapt to varying leak rates and tank filling conditions in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the flow parameter from unrestricted (normal operation) to restricted (leak compensation mode) through the flow restriction apparatus. By adjusting the flow rate parameter through the alternative shut-off path, the system can provide just enough water to compensate for slow leaks without allowing continuous wastage, effectively modulating the water supply parameter based on system needs.
3Loss of substance
If a pivot valve body with compartments is added, then water wastage is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the pivot valve body to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a flow control element and a structural support for the flow restriction apparatus, while also acting as a pivot point for the alternative shut-off mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting the increase in complexity despite adding the capability to prevent water wastage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where the flow restriction apparatus is positioned within or integrated with the pivot valve body compartments. The compartments are arranged to nest the various functional elements (float mechanism, pivot valve, flow restriction apparatus) in a compact configuration, minimizing the overall space required and reducing structural complexity while maintaining the water-saving functionality.
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 solution effectively prevents water wastage by allowing a controlled trickle of water to fill the float housing, raising the float to shut off the fill valve, thereby reducing water loss in cases of leaks or improper tank filling, and can be reset for normal operation.
Implementation Method 1
a float housing which allows water to trickle in at a slow rate
Implementation Method 2
the weight of water in the first compartment causes the pivot valve body to rotate to its first position
Implementation Method 3
a third compartment which serves as an air-trapping chamber for buoying that end of the pivot valve body
Data Source
AI summary
An improved fill valve has a pivot valve body that is pivotally suspended immediately below a float housing and is movable between two positions. In a first position, the pivot valve body blocks the flow of water from the float housing. In a second position, the pivot body allows the flow of water from the float housing. The pivot valve body has two top compartments, each separated from the other by a wall. The first compartment retains an amount of water in it. The second compartment functions as a water flow restriction apparatus and includes an upwardly-extending member for sealing off a check valve that is disposed within the bottom of the float housing. The fill valve also includes a pressure compensating drip emitter that allows water to trickle into the float housing at a very slow rate.