Pneumatic Drain Valve Actuation via Single Hose Bellows Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for pneumatic actuation of toilet flushing tanks require complex designs with multiple hose lines and special bellows for full and partial flushes, leading to high costs and potential mixing of hose lines, which is undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A device that uses a single hose line for both full and partial flushes, with a bellows compression mechanism that allows for 75% volume reduction for partial flushing and complete compression for full flushing, and a mechanical holding device to manage the overflow pipe, including a float-controlled locking system to maintain the drain valve open during flushing and prevent accidental full flushing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple hose lines and special bellows are used for full and partial flushes, then the flushing function is reliable, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple hose lines into a single hose line that serves both full and partial flushing operations. The single hose line is connected to a bellows that can be compressed to different degrees (fully for partial flush, partially for full flush) to achieve different flushing modes, thereby eliminating the need for separate hose lines and reducing device complexity while maintaining functional reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single hose line and bellows assembly are designed to perform multiple functions: they can generate the manipulated variable for both partial flushing (when bellows is fully compressed) and full flushing (when bellows is partially compressed). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each flushing mode, reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple hose lines are used for full and partial flushes, then the flushing control is precise, but the risk of hose line mixing and installation errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple hose lines into a single hose line, the patent eliminates the possibility of hose line mixing and installation errors. The single hose line connects the actuating device to the bellows, and the different flushing modes are achieved through controlled compression of the bellows rather than through separate hose line connections, thereby improving installation ease while maintaining flushing control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The bellows acts as an intermediary element that translates the manipulated variable from the single hose line into different flushing modes. Instead of using multiple hose lines to directly control different valves, the bellows mediates the pneumatic signal, allowing precise control of the drain valve's opening degree through its compression state, while simplifying the connection system to a single hose line.
3Device complexity
If a single hose line is used for both full and partial flushes, then the device complexity is reduced, but the control precision for different flushing modes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic bellows element that can be compressed to different degrees to achieve different flushing modes. The bellows' compression state dynamically adjusts the pneumatic pressure and volume, thereby precisely controlling the drain valve's opening degree. This dynamic mechanism allows a single hose line to provide precise control for both partial and full flushing without compromising control precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls different flushing modes by changing the physical parameters of the bellows - specifically its compression degree and resulting volume. For partial flushing, the bellows is fully compressed; for full flushing, it is partially compressed. This parameter-based control method enables precise differentiation between flushing modes using a single hose line, maintaining control precision while reducing device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the bellows is compressed fully for partial flush and partially for full flush, then the flushing modes are differentiated, but the mechanical holding device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical holding device incorporates a float that provides feedback on the water level in the cistern. The float's position automatically triggers the appropriate flushing mode: when the water level drops to a certain point, the float activates the mechanism to initiate a full flush by releasing the overflow pipe. This feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation between flushing modes without requiring complex manual control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is designed to automatically determine and execute the appropriate flushing mode based on the water level condition. The float-controlled mechanical holding device self-activates to release the overflow pipe when a full flush is needed, eliminating the need for external intervention or complex control systems. The system serves itself by automatically switching between partial and full flushing modes based on real-time water level conditions.
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
Reduces the number of required bellows and hose lines, simplifies the design, and ensures accurate flushing modes without hose line confusion, maintaining consistent sealing force across varying water levels and interrupting full flushing if initiated mistakenly.
Implementation Method 1
the first actuating element for generating the manipulated variable for a partial flushing is to be compressed only partially, for a full flushing it is to be compressed completely
Implementation Method 2
the overflow pipe above the contact surface can be provided with an end area that is enlarged in diameter, so that the overflow pipe experiences a corresponding buoyancy in the cistern filled with water, such that the sealing force of the drain valve remains approximately constant at different water levels
Data Source
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AI summary
The device enables full flushing or partial flushing. It has first bellows (30) in an operating device (3) to produce a control variable and second bellows (20) at the drain valve (2) as a pneumatic lifter, the bellows can be connected via only one line (4), whereby the first bellows are only partly compressed to produce the control variable for partial flushing and fully compressed for full flushing.