Toilet Float Valve with Additional Outlet

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water supply systems for toilets require modifications to the inlet tap and external water inlet pipe, posing installation challenges, especially when space is limited, and often necessitate professional intervention to access and modify the water supply circuit.

Innovation Solution

A float valve system that can be easily installed inside the toilet tank without modifying the external water inlet circuit, featuring a metal supply system with threaded connections that allow for an additional water intake, enabling power to external equipment without altering the existing setup, using existing holes in the tank for installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If an additional water intake is added to the existing system, then external equipment can be powered, but the installation complexity increases and requires professional intervention

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional water intake capabilityVSAvoidinstallation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The float valve assembly is inserted into the existing tank through the pre-existing inlet hole, nesting the new functionality within the existing structure without requiring external modifications or complex installation procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The float valve incorporates multiple outlets that can serve different functions - the main outlet for tank filling and additional outlets for powering external equipment like bidets or showers, allowing a single component to provide multiple water supply functions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the inlet tap is modified to add additional outlets, then external equipment can be powered, but the installation requires professional intervention and circuit access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional water outletVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The float valve assembly is extracted as a complete pre-assembled unit that can be installed independently without modifying the inlet tap or requiring access to the water supply circuit, separating the additional outlet functionality from the main water supply modification

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The float valve is pre-assembled with all necessary connections and outlets configured before installation, so that during installation only the insertion into the tank is required, eliminating the need for on-site modifications or professional circuit access

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If space is limited near the tank, then additional outlets cannot be added externally, but internal float valve installation provides alternative space utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional water intakeVSAvoidavailable installation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The float valve utilizes the vertical space inside the tank by extending upward from the bottom, rather than requiring horizontal external space, thereby providing additional outlets without occupying valuable external installation space

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3231949B1Float valve for a three-way toilet flush
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 BENESSIANO VERONIQUE
  • EP3231949B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3231949B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

float valve for supplying a toilet cistern (2), comprising an inlet (18) intended to be connected to an external water supply pipe (8), and an automatic water level control valve (12) supplied by this inlet (18), intended to be installed in the cistern, this float valve comprising between its inlet (18) and the outlet (20) to the automatic valve (12), a water inlet intended to form in the cistern an additional outlet (34).