Pressure-Assist Toilet Flush Actuator for Quiet Pressure Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pressure-assist toilets generate a louder flush sequence due to high water velocity, and existing sound reduction methods are expensive and ineffective when retrofitted to existing toilets.
Innovation Solution
An actuator system for pressure-assist toilets that gradually releases pressure in the flush vessel before full valve actuation, using a motor and cam mechanism to control the pilot valve's position, reducing the pressure differential and noise during the flush sequence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If pressure-assist toilets use high water velocity for strong flushing, then flushing performance is improved, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flush sequence is segmented into multiple phases: initial pressure buildup phase, controlled pressure release phase through pilot valve, and main flush phase. This segmentation allows the system to achieve strong flushing performance while controlling noise by managing pressure release in stages rather than all at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The pilot valve performs preliminary action by releasing a portion of the pressure buildup in the pressurized flush vessel before full actuation of the flush valve. This preliminary pressure release reduces the pressure differential that would otherwise cause excessive noise during the main flush, while still maintaining adequate flushing performance.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sound deadening material is added to reduce noise, then noise level is reduced, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the noise control function from the structural components (sound deadening material, vitreous composition modifications) and implements it through a functional control mechanism (pilot valve system). This allows noise reduction to be achieved through operational control rather than structural modification, reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/passive approach of sound deadening material with an active control system (pilot valve regulated by actuator) that dynamically manages pressure release. This substitution allows for more effective noise control without the bulk and complexity of extensive sound deadening materials.
3Power
If pressure release is delayed until full valve actuation, then flushing power is maximized, but noise level increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pilot valve performs partial pressure release action by releasing a portion (not all) of the pressure buildup before full flush valve actuation. This partial action is sufficient to reduce the pressure differential and associated noise while maintaining adequate flushing power for the main flush event.
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 actuator system significantly reduces the noise of the flush sequence by managing the pressure release and flow rates, making the flush quieter without the need for costly modifications.
Implementation Method 1
a cam coupled to the motor and configured to rotate about a cam axis. The cam defines an outer periphery including a first arc configured to move the pilot valve to a first height, a second arc configured to move the pilot valve to a second height below the first height, and a third arc configured to move the pilot valve to a third height below the first height and different than the second height
Implementation Method 2
relieves a portion of the pressure built up in a pressurized flush vessel prior to full actuation of a flush valve to provide a much quieter flush sequence
Data Source
AI summary
A tank assembly for a pressure-assist toilet includes a flush assembly having an outer chamber and an inner chamber disposed in the outer chamber. The flush assembly further includes a flush valve disposed in the inner chamber, and a pilot valve disposed in the inner chamber and extending through the flush valve. The tank assembly further includes an actuator engaging the pilot valve and configured to hold the pilot valve at each of a first height, a second height offset a first distance from the first height, and a third height offset a second distance from the first height greater than a first distance.