Toilet Flow Adjuster with Segmented Key for Precise Refill Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gravity-operated flush toilets lack a precise mechanism to control water flow from the fill valve to the overflow tube, making it difficult to adjust the refill ratio accurately, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential spillage.
Innovation Solution
A fluid flow control device with an adjuster body and a key mechanism that allows for precise control of water flow, featuring an adjuster knob and a hub-like key with indicia-marked fingers to set the correct refill percentage, ensuring optimal toilet bowl fill without overflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a conventional flow device is used to control water flow from fill valve to overflow tube, then flow control is possible, but the flow ratio cannot be controlled precisely
Solution Approach 1:
The key is divided into multiple key fingers (typically 5-10 fingers) with different widths, each corresponding to a specific flow ratio setting. This segmentation allows precise control of the flow ratio by selecting different key fingers, while the overall device structure remains relatively simple and easy to manufacture.
2Ease of operation
If no flow adjuster is used, then the device is simple, but the refill ratio cannot be adjusted and weir line spillage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The key fingers are designed with different widths that directly correspond to specific flow ratio settings. The installer can self-adjust the refill ratio by simply inserting the key to the appropriate position without requiring complex calibration or adjustment mechanisms, making the device easy to operate while maintaining structural simplicity.
3Measurement precision
If the flow control range is extended from fully open to fully closed, then flow control flexibility is improved, but the ability to carefully control specific flow ratios is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different key fingers have different local qualities (widths) that correspond to different flow ratio settings. This allows the device to provide precise control at specific flow ratio points while maintaining the ability to control the full range from fully open to fully closed, achieving both precision and versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid flow control adjuster device controls fluid flow ratios when placed in-line with a tube that runs from a toilet fill valve to the overflow tube of a flush valve. The device comprises an adjuster having an adjuster body with an inlet and an outlet. The body includes an adjuster knob and a receiver gap, which is a gap between a body rotation stop and another edge at a top surface of the adjuster knob. A key is also provided which can be inserted between the body rotation stop and the edge of the adjuster so that the installer can dial in the correct percentage of fill. The key is a hub-like planar structure that matches the curvature of the receiver and includes a plurality of key fingers with each finger including indicia that correlate to settings for selecting a proper toilet bowl refill range.