Rotatable Control Plate Support for Flushing Tank Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing control plate assemblies for flushing tanks hinder access to the tank's interior for inspection and maintenance, and prevent the flush valve from passing through the opening, requiring the counterplate to be removed.

Innovation Solution

A rotatable support system for control members that can be switched between an operative working position and an inspection/maintenance position, allowing the flush valve to pass through without removing the counterplate, combined with a flexible fastening system for easy assembly and access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a support for control members is provided that projects into the inspection opening, then the control members are properly supported and positioned, but access to the interior of the tank for inspection and maintenance is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol member supportVSAvoidaccess to tank interior
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The support for control members is made rotatable about an axis, allowing it to dynamically change position between an operative position where it supports control members and an inspection position where it is rotated away to clear the inspection opening, enabling easy access to the tank interior

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the support for control members projects into the inspection opening, then the control members are properly supported, but the flush valve cannot pass through the opening without removing the counterplate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol member supportVSAvoidvalve installation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support is designed to be rotatable, allowing it to be positioned away from the inspection opening during valve installation to permit the flush valve to pass through freely, then rotated into its operative position afterward to provide control member support

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the plate is made removable or movable to allow refill access, then the sanitizing device can be refilled, but the structural integrity and stability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefill accessVSAvoidplate structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The control plate assembly is segmented into separable components including the control plate, counterplate, and support, allowing the control plate to be selectively removed for refill access while the counterplate remains mounted to maintain structural stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2775049B1Control plate assembly of a flushing tank
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 OLI SISTEMAS SANITARIOS SA
  • EP2775049B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2775049B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2775049B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A control plate assembly (1) of a flushing tank comprises a mounting counterplate (2) and a control plate (3) connected to the counterplate (2) via a fastening system 4; the counterplate (2) comprising an annular frame (10) that delimits an opening (11) and is provided with a support (20) for at least one control member (7) that connects a button (6) supported by the plate (3) to a flush valve; the plate assembly being characterized in that the support (20) comprises a rotatable body (22) provided with at least one seat (23) formed to pass through the body (22) and shaped to receive a control member (7).