Pneumatic Toilet Flushing Using Water-Driven Air Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet flushing systems rely on electricity for aerosolization and powering accessories, which increases safety risks and complexity due to the presence of electricity near water, and there is a need for an alternative drive system to improve the siphon effect and power sanitary facility devices without electrical hazards.
Innovation Solution
An air drive system that utilizes water pressure to generate pressurized air, which is used to flush the toilet, actuate accessories, and provide a safer alternative to electrical systems by using a chamber with a float to control air supply and venting, allowing for efficient flushing and operation of devices like bidets and air fresheners without electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If electricity is used for aerosolization and powering accessories in sanitary facilities, then functionality and convenience are improved, but safety risks and system complexity increase due to the presence of electricity near water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical components from the sanitary facility environment by using a pneumatic system instead. The air drive system uses compressed air stored in a tank to power aerosolization and accessories, completely removing electricity from the wet environment while maintaining all desired functionalities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the electrical system with a pneumatic system. Instead of using electric motors, heaters, or pumps, the invention uses compressed air to drive all functions including aerosol generation, water heating, and accessory operation, substituting mechanical/pneumatic power for electrical power.
2Ease of operation
If electricity is used for aerosolization and accessories, then convenience is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional shielding and waterproofing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electrical components from the system entirely, extracting the source of complexity (shielding, waterproofing, circuit protection) and replacing it with a simple pneumatic tank and valve system that has no such requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses pneumatic principles to power all functions. A compressed air tank provides the energy source, and pneumatic valves control the distribution of air to various accessories, eliminating the need for complex electrical wiring, circuit breakers, and waterproof connectors.
3Productivity
If line pressure is increased to improve siphon effect, then flushing performance is improved, but the requirements for line pressure become more stringent and system reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by storing compressed air in a tank before the flush cycle. This pre-stored energy is released during flushing to augment the siphon effect, allowing reliable flushing performance without depending on variable line pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic action by accumulating air pressure during non-flush periods and releasing it during flush cycles. This periodic charging and discharging of the air tank provides consistent flushing performance regardless of instantaneous line pressure variations.
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 air drive system effectively enhances the siphon effect for flushing and powers sanitary facility devices safely, reducing electrical hazards and complexity while leveraging existing water pressure, thus improving toilet functionality and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a water passage configured to carry a flow of water to the base orifice, wherein the flow of water increases an air pressure associated with the air space
Implementation Method 2
a float between the fluid space and the air space in the chamber, wherein the float moves in response to the increase in the fluid space in the chamber
Implementation Method 3
an air drive passage configured to supply pressurized air from the chamber to a toilet
Implementation Method 4
Water may be released, which displaces air in a trapway to form a vacuum and cause a siphon to quickly cause the water to flow from the bowl and out of the toilet
Data Source
AI summary
An air drive system for a toilet includes a compression cylinder including an air space, a fluid space, a base orifice adjoining the fluid space, and an outlet orifice adjoining the air space, and an air drive passage configured to carry pressurized air to the toilet. The flow of water increases the fluid space of the compression cylinder or increases an air pressure associated with the air space of the compression cylinder.