Slow-Close Hinge Post Assembly for Accurate Toilet Weight Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet seat hinge posts disrupt weight transfer to load sensors when the toilet seat is in the lowered position, leading to inaccurate weight measurements, and they do not effectively prevent the toilet seat from slamming down, causing noise and wear.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of slow-close hinge posts with a damper mechanism that allows the pivot axis to remain stationary or move along a second axis, coupled with a slider that enables the toilet seat to move linearly, preventing weight absorption by the hinge posts and controlling the seat's descent to prevent slamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional hinge posts are used to couple the toilet seat to the toilet bowl, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the hinge posts disrupt weight transfer to load sensors leading to inaccurate weight measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge post is divided into multiple components: a first hinge post portion coupled to the toilet bowl, a second hinge post portion coupled to the toilet seat, and a separate slow-close mechanism. This segmentation allows the load sensor to directly measure user weight without interference from the hinge post structure, while the slow-close mechanism handles the damping function independently.
Solution Approach 2:
A load sensor is introduced as an intermediary component between the toilet seat and the toilet bowl. The load sensor directly receives and measures the user's weight, preventing the hinge post from disrupting the weight transfer path. This intermediary ensures accurate weight measurements while the hinge post focuses solely on mechanical coupling and slow-close functionality.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional hinge posts are used, then the manufacturing cost is low, but they do not effectively prevent the toilet seat from slamming down causing noise and wear
Solution Approach 1:
The slow-close mechanism incorporates a damper with a piston and fluid chamber that uses hydraulic principles to control the toilet seat's descent. As the toilet seat moves downward, the piston forces fluid through restricted passages, creating damping force that prevents slamming. This pneumatic/hydraulic approach effectively eliminates noise and wear from slamming while maintaining reasonable manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The slow-close mechanism is pre-installed on the hinge post to provide cushioning before the toilet seat reaches the closed position. The damper continuously dampens the motion during the entire closing process, preventing the sudden impact that would cause noise and wear. This beforehand cushioning ensures gentle closure without requiring complex active control systems.
3Measurement precision
If the hinge post is made stationary to simplify the structure, then the manufacturing is easier, but it disrupts the transfer of load to the load sensor
Solution Approach 1:
The load sensing function is extracted from the hinge post structure and placed in a dedicated load sensor component. This allows the hinge post to remain stationary and structurally simple while the load sensor independently and accurately measures the user's weight without interference from hinge post movements or stresses.
4Measurement precision
If the pivot axis is made moveable along a second axis to allow load sensor accuracy, then weight measurement is accurate, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge post system is segmented into a stationary first hinge post portion coupled to the toilet bowl and a movable second hinge post portion coupled to the toilet seat. This segmentation allows the second portion to move along the second axis for accurate load sensing while the first portion remains stationary, providing structural stability and simplifying the overall design compared to a completely movable pivot axis.
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
This design ensures accurate weight measurement by allowing unhindered weight transfer to load sensors and reduces noise and wear by smoothly lowering the toilet seat, maintaining the accuracy of weight measurements and enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a slow-close member coupled to the hinge post such that the pivot axis remains stationary relative to the hinge post. The slow-close member is also coupled to the toilet seat such that the toilet seat is moveable along a second axis relative to the hinge post. The slow-close member controls movement of the toilet seat about the pivot axis
Data Source
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AI summary
A toilet seat assembly includes a hinge post configured to be coupled to a toilet bowl, a toilet seat configured to move between a raised position and a lowered position about a pivot axis relative to the toilet bowl, and a slow-close member coupled between the hinge post and the toilet seat such that the toilet seat is moveable along a second axis relative to the hinge post. The slow-close member controls movement of the toilet seat about the pivot axis when the toilet seat moves from the raised position to the lowered position.