One-Piece Toilet Flush Valve Layout to Reduce Expansion Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
One-piece toilets face challenges in flush valve installation and efficiency due to sudden fluidic expansion, leading to energy losses and increased water consumption, as existing solutions require enlarged open volumes that induce these losses.
Innovation Solution
The flush valve is mounted above the seal, relocating the clamping/retaining feature to reduce or eliminate the open volume that causes sudden fluidic expansion, using a valve body with a locking flange that complements the retaining structure's profile, and a seal to secure the valve body in place, ensuring efficient water flow without energy loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flush valve is mounted with the clamping/retaining feature below the seal, then the valve body can be securely retained, but sudden fluidic expansion occurs leading to energy losses and increased water consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional mounting arrangement by positioning the clamping/retaining feature above the seal rather than below it. This reversal eliminates the open volume that causes sudden fluidic expansion and energy loss, while the valve body remains securely retained through the alternative mounting configuration
2Reliability
If the open volume is increased to accommodate the retaining structure, then the valve body can be retained, but energy losses increase due to sudden fluidic expansion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reverses the conventional approach by positioning the retaining structure above the seal rather than below it. This inversion allows the valve body to be securely retained while minimizing the open volume, thereby eliminating sudden fluidic expansion and improving flush efficiency
3Productivity
If water consumption is increased to ensure effective flushing, then flush performance is maintained, but water conservation goals are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of energy loss from sudden fluidic expansion into a benefit by eliminating the open volume that causes expansion. This allows effective flushing to be achieved with less water, supporting water conservation goals while maintaining flush performance
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 configuration enhances flush efficiency by minimizing energy losses during each flush cycle, allowing for effective flushing with less water, thereby reducing overall water consumption while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
The seal, which can have any suitable shape (e.g., annular) is disposed between the bottom wall and the locking flange
Implementation Method 2
a locking flange, which extends radially outward from the inner wall and is retained between the retaining structure and the bottom wall in a locking position
Data Source
AI summary
A toilet having a one piece structure, a flush valve, and a seal. The structure includes a base having a fluid channel in fluid communication with a bowl; a tank having an internal compartment; a wall disposed between the tank and the base, the wall having an opening fluidly connecting the internal compartment and the fluid channel; and a retaining structure in the internal compartment. The flush valve has a valve body including an inner wall, which is disposed in the opening and extends from a first end in fluid communication with the internal compartment to a second end in fluid communication with the fluid channel, and a locking flange extending radially outward from the inner wall, the locking flange being retained between the retaining structure and the wall in a locking position. The seal is disposed between the locking flange and one of the wall or the retaining structure.