Vertical Drive Unit for Low-Silhouette Flush Toilet
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low-silhouette one-piece flush toilets, the compact reservoir tank portion limits internal space, making it difficult to install an automatic flush drive unit for a direct-drive discharge valve apparatus, leading to variability in valve operation and aesthetic issues when the drive unit is placed outside.
Innovation Solution
A drive unit is positioned vertically below or near the discharge valve apparatus within the reservoir tank, with an elongated operating member constrained by an attaching portion on the toilet or reservoir tank, ensuring accurate operation and reducing variability in valve opening and closing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the reservoir tank portion is made compact with short up-down vertical width dimension, then the external appearance and aesthetics are improved and vertical installation space is reduced, but the internal space becomes limited making it difficult to install an automatic flush drive unit
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is repositioned from a horizontal arrangement to a vertical arrangement below the reservoir tank, utilizing the vertical dimension for installation while keeping the reservoir tank's vertical width dimension short for aesthetic purposes. This dimensional change allows the drive unit to be installed without increasing the reservoir tank's vertical width.
Solution Approach 2:
An elongated operating member serves as an intermediary component connecting the drive unit positioned below the reservoir tank to the discharge valve apparatus inside the reservoir tank. This intermediary component enables the transmission of driving force over a longer pathway while maintaining compact external dimensions.
2Volume of stationary object
If the automatic flush drive unit is disposed outside the reservoir tank portion, then installation space inside the reservoir tank is sufficient, but toilet aesthetic appeal is compromised due to visible exterior components
Solution Approach 1:
The drive unit is extracted from the interior of the reservoir tank and positioned externally below the reservoir tank, where it does not compromise the aesthetic appearance of the toilet. The drive unit is strategically positioned to be less visible while still functioning effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated operating member acts as an intermediary that connects the externally positioned drive unit to the internal discharge valve apparatus, enabling the drive unit to be placed outside the reservoir tank without losing functional connectivity.
3Reliability
If the pathway length between the discharge valve apparatus and the drive unit increases, then the drive unit can be positioned to constrain slack of the operating member, but tolerances and variability in length and sliding resistance have larger influence on discharge valve body operation
Solution Approach 1:
The operating member is designed with flexible characteristics allowing it to accommodate dynamic variations in length and positioning while maintaining reliable operation. The flexibility compensates for tolerances and variability in the longer pathway configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated operating member serves as a flexible intermediary that can absorb variations and tolerances in the extended pathway between the drive unit and discharge valve apparatus, maintaining operational reliability despite the increased distance.
Data Source
AI summary
A flush toilet apparatus includes: a toilet main body portion, a reservoir tank portion, a discharge valve apparatus including a valve body for opening and closing a discharge opening in the reservoir tank portion, and an automatic flush drive unit for driving the discharge valve apparatus portion to open and close the valve body; wherein the drive unit includes a drive unit main body portion including an actuator for electrically driving the discharge valve apparatus portion, and an elongated operating member for connecting a discharge valve apparatus portion and a drive unit main body portion and operating the opening and closing action of a valve body by driving an electrically powered drive portion; and wherein the toilet main body includes an attaching portion disposed on the back surface side thereof, to which the drive unit main body portion is attached.