Spring-Loaded Flushing Mechanism for Water Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilet flushing mechanisms face challenges in reducing water consumption, safety, and structural durability, particularly due to high pressure fluctuations and potential damage from compressed air systems, which can lead to accidents and increased water usage.
Innovation Solution
A flushing mechanism utilizing the elasticity of a loading spring and water pressure to reduce water consumption, featuring a housing with a first and second piston, sealed modules, and a pressure-relief/ejection-proof part to ensure safety and flexibility in mounting, allowing for efficient water use and secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If compressed air is used to store energy for flushing, then the flushing effect is improved, but high pressure fluctuations cause noise and potential safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the pneumatic system (compressed air) with a mechanical spring-based energy storage system. The spring loading mechanism stores energy mechanically, eliminating the harmful effects of compressed air while maintaining the flushing effect. This substitution resolves the contradiction by removing the source of noise and safety hazards while preserving the useful function.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by storing energy in advance and releasing it gradually. The spring's elastic properties cushion the water flow, preventing sudden pressure fluctuations and high-impact discharge that cause noise and safety issues. This cushioning effect maintains flushing power while eliminating harmful pressure spikes.
2Reliability
If spring energy storage is used instead of compressed air, then safety is improved, but water pressure fluctuations still occur during drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of water pressure through a valve mechanism that adjusts the release of stored spring energy. The valve dynamically regulates the water flow, preventing excessive pressure fluctuations during drainage. This dynamic control maintains safety while smoothing out pressure variations that would otherwise occur with spring-based energy storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve acts as an intermediary between the spring energy storage system and the water flow. It mediates the interaction by controlling and smoothing the pressure fluctuations, allowing the spring's energy to be released in a controlled manner. This intermediary component protects the system from excessive pressure variations while maintaining the benefits of spring energy storage.
3Power
If water pressure is increased to achieve expected flushing impact, then flushing effect is improved, but water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism performs preliminary action by storing energy in advance during the filling phase. This pre-stored energy is then used during the flushing phase to maintain adequate pressure without requiring additional water. The preliminary energy storage allows the system to achieve expected flushing impact while minimizing water consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the energy storage parameter from water pressure to spring mechanical energy. By storing energy in the spring rather than maintaining high water pressure, the system achieves flushing impact without proportionally increasing water consumption. This parameter change allows decoupling of pressure and water consumption relationships.
4Quantity of substance
If a complex hydraulic actuation system is used, then water consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex hydraulic actuation system components while maintaining low water consumption through a simpler spring-based mechanism. By removing unnecessary hydraulic components and focusing on the essential spring energy storage and release function, the system achieves water savings without the complexity of full hydraulic actuation systems.
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 mechanism achieves reduced water consumption of 4 liters per cycle while ensuring safety and convenience in installation, with a simple and compact design that adapts to various toilet bowl configurations, addressing the limitations of previous systems.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing the elasticity of a loading spring and water pressure to reduce water consumption
Implementation Method 2
the piston is pressured by the water (equivalent to the water pressure in conduit) to overcome the downward elasticity of the spring to move upwards
Data Source
AI summary
A flushing mechanism includes a housing, an upper cover on the housing, a sleeve, a first piston, a first piston sealed module, a first piston loading spring, a second piston and a second piston loading spring. Wherein a pressure-relief and/or ejection-proof part is provided in the housing, the second piston sealed module are respectively provided surround the periphery of the bottom end and the central hole of the second piston. The bottom end of the second piston, the second piston sealed module and the lower end of the housing define an exterior lower cavity and an interior lower cavity used for cooperating with the second piston loading spring in course of drainage, sequentially the second piston are moved upward and the outlet is opened. A toilet bowl employing said flushing mechanism can reduce the flushing water consumption.