Weight-Actuated Air Valve for Automatic Toilet Flushing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automatic flushing toilet systems face issues with determining waste type accurately, water pressure distribution, complexity leading to clogging, unsanitary conditions, high manufacturing costs, and reliability problems due to fluid leakage and temperature variations.
Innovation Solution
An unpowered automatic water flushing toilet bowl seat with an adjustment unit that controls air discharge and intake solely by user body weight, using seat springs to sense the user and adjust flushing time through an air exhaust hole, cover member, anti-separation member, and vertical guide member, simplifying the system and reducing parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If water pressure is used to operate the cylinder rod for determining excreta type, then automatic flushing can be achieved, but when water pressure is low or distributed, the cylinder rod cannot move properly causing flushing failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the water-pressure-based mechanical operation system with a body-weight-based mechanical system. When the user sits on the toilet seat, their body weight directly compresses the seat spring, which in turn operates the cylinder rod to determine excreta type and trigger flushing, eliminating dependence on water pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's own body weight as the operating force. The seat spring is compressed by the user's weight, automatically triggering the cylinder rod movement and flushing sequence without requiring external water pressure or manual intervention.
2Extent of automation
If a complex operation unit with water pressure control is used, then flushing function can be achieved, but productivity decreases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex water pressure control operation unit from the system. Only the essential components remain: the seat spring, cylinder rod, and flushing mechanism, significantly simplifying the structure and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism. The seat spring simultaneously detects user presence, operates the cylinder rod for excreta determination, and triggers the flushing sequence, eliminating the need for separate water pressure control systems.
3Extent of automation
If many parts are used in the operation unit, then flushing control can be achieved, but water leaks at joints and dirt accumulates in pipes causing malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex multi-part operation unit with its associated joints and pipes. The simplified mechanism uses fewer components, reducing the number of potential leak points and dirt accumulation areas that cause malfunction.
4Extent of automation
If fluid is supplied to control cylinder movement, then excreta determination can be achieved, but fluid leakage and temperature variations cause malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fluid-based control with direct mechanical compression. The user's body weight directly compresses the seat spring, which mechanically operates the cylinder rod without requiring fluid supply, eliminating issues of fluid leakage and temperature-induced malfunction.
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 solution allows for accurate excreta removal with reduced parts and manufacturing costs, preventing malfunctions from oil leakage and temperature changes, and adjusting flushing time by controlling air intake, enhancing economical efficiency and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
senses a user through seat springs compressed by the weight of the user
Implementation Method 2
an adjusting body fixed to the toilet seat and having an air exhaust hole for sucking and discharging air in response to upward and downward movement of the toilet seat
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
The present invention relates to an adjustment unit of an unpowered automatic water flushing toilet bowl seat having a function of controlling air discharge and intake only by body weight, which can adjust a water flushing time when excrement is cleaned while interworking with a rising operation of a toilet bowl seat moved by weight of a toilet user