Rotating Selector Flush Button Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional push-button flush mechanisms for toilets lack flexibility in selecting flush volumes and offer limited aesthetic and functional variations, with complex designs being impractical for industrial production.

Innovation Solution

A push-button flush control device featuring a selector member that rotates to choose flush volumes, incorporating a secondary opening and stop mechanism within the hollow body, allowing for easy selection and reduced part count, enabling simpler assembly and lower manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a dual push-button system is used to provide small flush and large flush options, then water saving functionality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflush volume selection capabilityVSAvoidnumber of push buttons and internal mechanisms
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The single push button is segmented into two independently actuable domes: a first dome for small flush and a second dome for large flush. This segmentation allows the button to provide multiple flush volume options while maintaining a unified external structure, reducing the perceived complexity compared to separate buttons.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges the functionality of two separate push buttons into a single integrated button structure. The first and second domes are combined in one button housing, sharing common internal components such as the rod and valve mechanism, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining dual flush capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional dual push buttons are used, then flush volume selection is provided, but aesthetic variations and functional flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional and aesthetic variationsVSAvoidstandardized button layout
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The selector member is made rotatable, allowing dynamic reconfiguration of the relationship between the first and second domes. Users can rotate the selector to change which dome corresponds to small flush and which corresponds to large flush, providing functional flexibility and aesthetic variation while maintaining a simple standardized button layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex selector mechanisms are implemented, then flush volume selection capability is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflush volume selectionVSAvoidassembly simplicity and production cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The selector member features self-aligning notches that automatically engage with corresponding features on the button housing during assembly. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex alignment procedures or additional fastening operations, significantly simplifying assembly while maintaining precise flush volume selection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3523488B1Flushing tank control device comprising rotatable selecting means
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 WIRQUIN PLASTIQUES
  • EP3523488B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3523488B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3523488B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a device for controlling a toilet flusher, to be mounted on the water tank of the toilet, comprising a push-button (1) mounted such that it moves translatably along a thrust axis (A) inside a hollow body (2) to be mounted on a cover of the tank, the control device comprising a selector body mounted such that it moves rotatably about the thrust axis (A) in order to select a flushing volume, the hollow body (2) comprising a bottom (22) having at least one main opening (220) for the passage of a connection body (10) for connecting the push-button (1) to a flushing mechanism, characterised in that the bottom (22) of the hollow body has at least one secondary opening (221), and in that the push-button (1) has at least one abutment (11) that can be engaged through the secondary opening (221) of the bottom, the selector body being rotatably movable between at least two positions: a position authorising the engagement of the abutment (11) through the secondary opening (221) of the bottom; and a position blocking the engagement of the abutment (11) through the secondary opening (221) of the bottom.