Pneumatic Drain Valve Driving Device Linkage Trigger Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pneumatic drain valve mechanisms require a large stroke and significant force to operate, which hampers their performance and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
A pneumatic drain valve driving device incorporating a cylinder, pilot valve, and linkage trigger mechanism, where the linkage trigger mechanism allows for the compression and release of air with reduced force and stroke by using a piston to jack up water pressure, enabling efficient operation of the pneumatic drain valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a handle is used to push the cylinder to supply atmospheric pressure air, then the pneumatic drain valve can be opened, but the required stroke is large and the required force is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a piston-cylinder mechanism where water pressure acts on the piston to generate force, replacing the manual handle operation. The piston moves within the cylinder to compress air in the air chamber, which then opens the drain valve. This pneumatic-hydraulic system reduces both the operation force and stroke required compared to direct manual handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by using water pressure (a readily available resource in toilets) to drive the piston instead of manual force. The system transforms the available water pressure into mechanical work that compresses the air chamber, thereby reducing the physical effort and movement distance needed from the user.
2Ease of operation
If a handle is used to push the cylinder to supply atmospheric pressure air, then the pneumatic drain valve can be opened, but the required force to push the handle is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The piston-cylinder assembly utilizes water pressure acting on the piston surface to generate the force needed to compress air. This hydraulic principle converts the available water pressure into sufficient mechanical force, eliminating the need for the user to apply large push forces directly to a handle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the toilet's own water supply to provide the driving force for opening the drain valve. The water pressure automatically acts on the piston when the trigger mechanism is activated, making the system self-powered and eliminating the need for external manual force application.
3Ease of operation
If the linkage trigger mechanism is used to control the pilot valve and slide valve, then the operation force and stroke are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pilot valve as an intermediary control element that uses a small amount of water pressure to control the main slide valve. The linkage trigger mechanism connects the user's simple trigger action to the pilot valve, which then amplifies the control effect to move the larger slide valve. This intermediary approach reduces the direct force and stroke requirements while managing the overall system complexity through functional decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is segmented into distinct functional components: the linkage trigger mechanism for user input, the pilot valve for control signal amplification, and the slide valve for main flow control. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, reducing the operational requirements of the user interface while distributing the complexity across manageable subsystems.
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 facilitates easier operation with less required force and stroke, enhancing the performance and usability of the pneumatic drain valve by utilizing the linkage trigger mechanism to compress and release air efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
air in an air chamber can be compressed by a piston
Implementation Method 2
the slide valve opens the drain hole... the slide valve closes the drain hole
Data Source
AI summary
A pneumatic drain valve driving device includes a cylinder, including a cylinder body and an air chamber. The air chamber includes an air chamber communication port in air communication with an outside of the cylinder body; and an air chamber exhaust port configured to be connected to a pneumatic drain valve. The cylinder also includes a liquid chamber, including a drain hole configured to receive a slide valve. The cylinder also includes a piston disposed in the cylinder body. The device also includes a pilot valve, connected to the liquid chamber through a waterway and including a pilot valve control port. The device also includes a linkage trigger mechanism disposed between the pilot valve control port and the slide valve and configured to control an opening and a closing of the pilot valve control port and the slide valve.