Pneumatic Actuator Lever Redirects Button Motion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pneumatic actuating devices for drain valves require large installation spaces due to their design, limiting flexibility and efficiency in space utilization.

Innovation Solution

A pneumatic actuating device with an actuator plunger, actuating button, and pivoted actuating lever that redirects the movement of the actuation button to an angular direction relative to the actuator plunger, allowing for a more compact and flexible arrangement of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional pneumatic actuating device is used, then functional reliability is achieved, but installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating lever redirects the actuation movement from a linear direction to an angular direction, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions differently. The actuator plunger moves in a first direction while the actuating button moves in a second direction that is angularly inclined (preferably at right angles) to the first direction, optimizing the use of available installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating lever serves as an intermediary element between the actuating button and the actuator plunger. It transfers and redirects the actuation force from the button to the plunger, enabling the decoupling of the button's movement direction from the plunger's movement direction, thereby reducing the required installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a conventional pneumatic actuating device is used, then operational functionality is maintained, but arrangement flexibility decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperational functionalityVSAvoidarrangement flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing angular inclination between the actuation button's movement direction and the actuator plunger's movement direction, the device gains arrangement flexibility. The actuating lever enables the system to adapt to different spatial configurations while maintaining full operational functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The actuating lever is designed to pivot about a pivot axis, introducing dynamic movement capability. This allows the lever to adapt its angle during operation, accommodating different installation configurations and providing greater flexibility in arranging the actuating device within various spatial constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design optimizes installation space by redirecting the movement of the actuation button to an angular direction, enabling a more compact and flexible arrangement of components, thus reducing the required installation space while maintaining functional reliability.

Implementation Method 1

an actuating lever (5) which can be pivoted about a pivot axis (V), the actuating button (4) acting on the actuating lever (5) and the actuating lever (5) acting on the actuator plunger (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical leverage: Lever

Implementation Method 2

The actuator element (2) is a pneumatic actuator and the actuator plunger (3) is a piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2894265B1Pneumatic actuation device
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP2894265B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2894265B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2894265B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An actuating device (1) for a flush valve of a cistern comprises at least one actuator element (2) with an actuator plunger (3), which actuator element (2) serves to actuate a flush valve in the cistern, at least one actuating button (4) for actuating the actuator element (2), which actuating button (4) is movable along an actuating movement from an initial position to an end position, for each actuator element (2) an actuating lever (5) pivotable about a pivot axis (V), wherein the actuating button (4) acts on the actuating lever (5) and wherein the actuating lever (5) acts on the actuator plunger (3), and a receptacle (6) on which the at least one actuator element (2), the at least one actuating button (4) and the actuating lever (5) are mounted.The actuating lever (5) is designed as a deflecting element, wherein, during actuation, the actuating button (4) is movable along a first direction (R1) and acts on the actuating lever (5), and wherein the actuator plunger (3) is movable along a second direction (R2) by the actuating lever (5) acting as a deflecting element, which second direction (R2) is inclined at an angle, in particular at right angles, to the first direction (R1).