Soft-Touch Double-Drain Valve With Position-Limiting Mechanisms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double-drain valves require significant force for operation and lack a partial drain function, leading to water wastage when only a small amount of water needs to be drained.
Innovation Solution
A soft-touch double-drain valve with a full-drain push button, partial-drain push button, position-limiting mechanisms, and a partial-drain weight float that allows for both full and partial drainage by controlling the movement of the inner tube and sealing plates, enabling easy operation with minimal force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lift type or rotary knob type drain valve is used, then the valve can provide full drain function, but a large force is needed for operation making it inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lift-type or rotary knob-type operation with a soft-touch push-button operation. The push-button mechanism utilizes elastic deformation and pneumatic pressure changes rather than direct mechanical force transmission, allowing users to operate the valve with minimal force while maintaining full drain functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an inner tube as an intermediary element between the push-button and the sealing plate. This inner tube transmits the soft touch input from the user into effective mechanical action through pneumatic pressure changes, acting as a mediator that amplifies the user's input force without requiring complex mechanical mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a soft-touch drain valve with inner tube is used, then easy operation is achieved, but only full drain function is available causing water wastage when partial drain is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the drainage function into two distinct modes: full drain and partial drain. This is achieved by dividing the control mechanism into a full-drain push-button and a partial-drain push-button, each controlling different drainage outcomes. The segmentation allows users to select the appropriate drainage mode based on their needs, preventing water wastage when only partial drainage is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial drain function that allows users to drain only the necessary amount of water rather than always performing a full drain. The partial-drain push-button triggers a controlled partial drainage action, enabling users to perform less than a full drain when sufficient, thereby avoiding water wastage while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If position-limiting mechanisms are added to achieve partial drain function, then drainage control is improved, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the position-limiting mechanisms with the existing push-button structure. The first position-limiting mechanism is integrated into the full-drain push-button assembly, and the second position-limiting mechanism is integrated into the partial-drain push-button assembly. This merging approach allows the valve to achieve both full drain and partial drain functions without adding significant structural complexity, as the limiting mechanisms are combined with the control buttons rather than being separate components.
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 valve effectively achieves both full and partial drainage with reduced operational force, preventing water wastage by allowing precise control over the drainage amount, enhancing user convenience and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The inner tube is provided with a return spring
Implementation Method 2
a full-drain float, a partial-drain weight float
Data Source
AI summary
A soft-touch double-drain valve includes a full-drain float including a large water sealing plate covering a water discharging opening and a small water sealing plate mounted in an insertion hole. A main body includes an inner tube through hole and an adjustment hole formed therein. A partial-drain weight float includes a partial-drain adjustment press bar and an inner tube penetration hole. A first position-limiting mechanism is mounted in the main body. A second position-limiting mechanism is mounted to a full-drain push button or a partial-drain push button. An inner tube is inserted in the inner tube penetration hole, the through hole, and the insertion hole and is provided with a return spring and has a lower end operable in combination with the small water sealing plate and an upper end operable in combination with the full-drain and partial-drain push buttons to control downward movement.