Toilet Cover Pivot Assembly With Visible Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing toilet installation structures lack clear alignment visibility between the inserting column and embedding hole, leading to blind installation and low efficiency during the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

The design includes a convex column with a first slope and a through hole with a second slope for smooth alignment, combined with a locking mechanism using a locking button and elastic element to ensure secure and visible alignment of the inserting column with the embedding hole, facilitating easy assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a traditional insertion structure with an inserting column and embedding hole is used, then the structure is simple, but the alignment visibility is poor leading to blind installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment visibilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color contrast between the inserting column and embedding hole to improve alignment visibility. The inserting column is made in a different color (e.g., red) than the embedding hole (e.g., blue), allowing clear visual detection of alignment status during installation without adding complex alignment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a guiding structure with slopes as an intermediary mechanism between the inserting column and embedding hole. The first slope on the inserting column and second slope in the embedding hole guide the insertion process, making alignment visible and controllable without requiring complex alignment tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If clear alignment visibility is achieved through visual indicators, then installation efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By using color-coded components (inserting column in one color, embedding hole in another), the patent enables immediate visual confirmation of alignment status. This simple visual indicator system dramatically improves installation efficiency without requiring complex alignment mechanisms, tools, or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent divides the insertion structure into distinct colored segments (inserting column and embedding hole with different colors). This segmentation makes the alignment relationship visually apparent, allowing installers to quickly identify and complete the alignment process, thereby improving installation efficiency with minimal added complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If a locking mechanism is added to secure the toilet cover plate, then the reliability of fixation improves, but the ease of disassembly may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixation reliabilityVSAvoiddisassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a dynamic locking mechanism that can easily transition between locked and unlocked states. The locking component responds to simple user actions (such as pressing or rotating) to engage or disengage the lock, ensuring reliable fixation during normal use while allowing easy disassembly when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through simple user input. Once the inserting column is aligned with the embedding hole, the locking component automatically engages to secure the connection. For disassembly, a simple user action (such as pressing a release button or rotating a release mechanism) automatically triggers the unlocking process, eliminating the need for complex tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 solution allows for clear alignment and secure fixation of the toilet cover plate, significantly improving installation efficiency and preventing blind installation, while ensuring reliable locking and easy disassembly.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic element (46) arranged between the connector (43) and the locking button (45)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3158906B1A toilet convenient to assemble and disassemble
Publication Date: 2020.04.22 XIAMEN BEEWILL SANITARY
  • EP3158906B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3158906B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3158906B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A toilet convenient to assemble and disassemble includes a toilet body (10) of which the upper end is provided with a supporting seat (30) and a toilet cover plate (20) of which the rear end is provided with a pivot shaft (40), wherein the supporting seat (30) is provided with an embedding hole (31) and the pivot shaft (40) is provided with an inserting column (41), the inserting column (41) being embedded into the embedding hole (31). In this way, whether the inserting column (41) is aligned to the embedding hole (31) or not can be seen clearly during the installation process, thereby the inserting column (41) may be directly aligned and embedded, thus, the operation is very convenient, blind installation is avoided and the installation efficiency is obviously improved.