Cistern Drain Fitting Snorkel Float Chamber Noise Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain fittings for cisterns produce loud noises due to high-speed valve body movement from flushing to closing positions, leading to undesirable noise levels.
Innovation Solution
A drain fitting design featuring a valve body with a sealing element and float chamber, where the float extends into a snorkel section with a smaller cross-sectional area than the base section, allowing air to equalize pressure and reduce the water pressure on the float, thereby minimizing noise during closure, and incorporating a control unit for adjustable flushing volumes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the valve body moves quickly from flushing position to closing position, then the flushing function is efficient, but loud noises are generated when the closing body hits the valve seat
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the float chamber with controlled air intake through the snorkel section) that mediates between the rapid valve closure and the float return. The air intake equalizes pressure gradually, allowing the float to return to its initial position in a controlled manner rather than directly impacting the valve seat, thus reducing noise while maintaining flushing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by pre-arranging the float chamber and control passage to equalize pressure before the valve body completes its closure. The air intake through the snorkel section creates a pressure balance that cushions the float's return movement, preventing direct impact and noise generation while the valve body is already in the closed position
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the float chamber volume is increased to reduce water pressure on the float, then noise is reduced, but the size of the drain fitting increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by extending the float chamber vertically with a snorkel section that protrudes above the base section. This vertical extension increases the float chamber volume and allows the float to have greater submersion depth without increasing the horizontal footprint of the drain fitting, thus reducing noise while maintaining compact dimensions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the float chamber into two distinct sections: a base section that forms the main body and a snorkel section that extends upward. This segmentation allows the float chamber to achieve increased volume for noise reduction while the snorkel section's smaller cross-section ensures the overall drain fitting size remains compact and functional
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 design significantly reduces noise during the closing process and optimizes the closing mechanism without increasing the size or affecting the functionality of the drain fitting, allowing for quieter operation and flexible flushing control.
Implementation Method 1
air can enter the float chamber from areas outside the float chamber, such that the pressure conditions between the float chamber and the areas outside the float chamber can be equalized
Implementation Method 2
the float being movable within the float chamber along the central axis and working hydraulically with the float chamber
Data Source
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AI summary
A flushing assembly (1) for a cistern, comprising a valve body (2) with a sealing element (4) cooperating with a valve seat (3) and a float (5), wherein the valve body (2) with the sealing element (4) is movable from the valve seat (3) along a central axis (M) from a rest position to a flush position and from the flush position to a rest position, and a float chamber (6) with an opening through which the valve body (2) extends, wherein the float (5) is movable within the float chamber (6) along the central axis (M) and hydraulically cooperates with the float chamber (6).The float chamber (6) comprises at least one control passage (7) through which, as soon as the flushing water level (S) surrounding the drain assembly (1) has dropped to the level of the control passage (7), air from areas (8) outside the float chamber (6) can enter the float chamber (6) in such a way that the pressure conditions between the float chamber (6) and the areas (8) outside the float chamber (6) can be equalized, whereby the float (5) can be moved from the flushing position to the rest position when the pressure conditions are equalized. The float chamber (6) has a base section (9) extending completely around the central axis (M) and a snorkel section (10) adjoining the base section (9).Preferably, the cross-section of the snorkel section (10) is smaller when viewed transversely to the central axis (M) than the cross-section of the base section (9), wherein the float (5) extends into the snorkel section (10) with a column section (11).