Toilet Seat Hinge Spring Torque for Automatic Seat Tilting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional toilets often leave the toilet seat in a lowered position when a man urinates upright, leading to residual urine and hygiene issues, and existing solutions are complex in design, assembly, and costly.
Innovation Solution
A toilet seat that tilts automatically towards the lid when the lid is lifted, utilizing a torque-generating mechanism, such as a spring, housed in the hinged joint between the lid and seat, ensuring the seat remains against the lid unless an opposing force is applied, thus maintaining hygiene without requiring complex modifications or additional components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the seat is allowed to remain in the lowered position when the lid is lifted, then the design remains simple and成本低, but hygiene is compromised due to residual urine on the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically tilts the seat towards the lid when the lid is lifted, without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by using the lid's movement to trigger the seat's automatic adjustment, eliminating the need for complex control systems or additional components while maintaining hygiene
Solution Approach 2:
A spring mechanism is introduced to generate a counter-torque that opposes the gravitational torque. When the lid is lifted, the spring's torque exceeds gravity's torque, automatically tilting the seat towards the lid. This counterbalancing approach resolves the contradiction by adding a simple mechanical element rather than complex automation
2Object-affected harmful factors
If an automatic lifting system with pushbutton is implemented, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a pushbutton or automated sensor system, the invention uses the natural movement of the lid during normal operation to trigger the seat's automatic tilting. The system leverages the user's existing action (lifting the lid) to achieve the hygiene function, eliminating the need for additional control mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines the lid-lifting action with the seat-tilting function. The same mechanical movement that lifts the lid also triggers the seat to tilt towards the lid through the spring mechanism. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate control systems while achieving the desired hygiene outcome
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a removable mechanical device is added to lift the seat, then hygiene is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is integrated directly into the existing hinge joint between the lid and seat. The same hinge that allows the lid to rotate also houses the spring mechanism that generates the tilting torque. This merging eliminates the need for separate removable devices and simplifies both manufacturing and assembly
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge joint serves multiple functions: it allows the lid to rotate independently, houses the spring mechanism, and enables the automatic tilting function. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional components or complex assembly procedures while achieving the hygiene objective
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 solution ensures the seat is always in a position against the lid, maintaining hygiene and simplifying design and assembly, while avoiding residual urine issues, even if a user forgets to lift the seat during urination.
Implementation Method 1
The means for generating a torque can be a spring, which in turn can be a spring that acts by means of torsion or a leaf-type spring that fulfils the same function as the torsion springs
Implementation Method 2
a spring that acts by means of torsion
Implementation Method 3
the torque generated by separating the seat from the lid is greater than the torque generated in the hinge joining the lid and the seat due to the action of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a toilet that comprises a bowl, a lid and a seat, wherein the seat and the lid are hingedly connected to one another, comprising means for generating a torque housed in the hinged joint between the lid and the seat of the toilet, wherein said means for generating the torque are such that the torque generated by separating the seat from the lid is greater than the torque generated in the hinge joining the lid and the seat due to the action of gravity, allowing the use of a torsion spring secured by the two ends thereof to separate portions and secured to the lid and to the seat, or a leaf spring that can be twisted, wherein each of the ends of the torsion spring or of the leaf spring is housed and secured in a first bushing and a second bushing, both of which are independent, and wherein the first and second bushings have means for securing to housings formed on the lid or the seat that make up the hinged joint.