Self-locking water level adjusting mechanism

A self-locking water level adjusting mechanism includes a partition plate, an adjusting clamping structure arranged on one side of the partition plate, and an adjusting lock. The adjusting clamping structure is slidably connected with the partition plate in a vertical direction. The adjusting lock is elastically connected with the partition plate through an elastic piece. The adjusting lock is clamped with the adjusting clamping structure under restoring force of the elastic piece.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure claims foreign priority to Chinese Patent Application No. CN202011596667.4, filed on Dec. 29, 2020 in the State Intellectual Property Office of China, and the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a technical field of drain valves of toilet water tanks, and in particular to a self-locking water level adjusting mechanism.

BACKGROUND

A volume of water drained from internal chambers of conventional drain valves is generally adjusted by controlling a size of openings on the conventional drain valves. As shown inFIG.1, which discloses a drain valve having a drainage hole defined on one side of a drain chamber of the drain valve and a plurality of clamping teeth arranged on two sides of the drainage hole. A clamping plate defining two elastic arms is mounted in the drainage hole. The two elastic arms are cantilever-shaped. The elastic arms are fastened in the clamping teeth on the two sides of the drainage hole. When a drainage amount of the drain valve needs to be adjusted, a certain force is applied to the clamping plate, causing elastic deformation of the elastic arms, so that the clamping plate is released from the clamping teeth on the two sides of the drainage hole, and a position of the clamping plate in the drainage hole is changed. Therefore, a volume of the clamping plate in the drainage hole is changed accordingly. Due to the change of the volume of the clamping plated in the drainage hole, a flowing speed and time of the water in the drain chamber of the drain valve changes accordingly, thus affecting a falling speed and time of a float in the drain chamber, and finally leading to changes in the volume of water drained from the drain valve.

However, there are some defects in actual use. Fit between the elastic arms of the clamping plate and the clamping teeth of the drainage hole cannot be too tight, otherwise the elastic arms are hardly pushed, which further make it difficult to adjust the relative position of the clamping plate and the drainage hole; nor can the fit between the elastic arms and the clamping teeth be too loose, otherwise the clamping plate is easy to loosen and unable to be locked in the drainage hole to adjust the relative position of the clamping plate and the drainage hole. Further, a specific height of the drain valve generally needs to be adjusted in advance before sending to a user. In a process of transportation or under an action of external force, the clamping plate may slide with respect to the drainage hole, causing a change of the relative position of the clamping plate and the drainage hole, so that a drainage volume is changed. If the drainage volume is large, a waste of water is caused, and if the drainage volume is small, the flushing effect on the toilet is affected.

SUMMARY

The technical problems to be solved by the present disclosure are to overcome defects of the prior art and provide a self-locking water level adjusting mechanism that is small in size and easy to adjust.

The present disclosure provides a self-locking water level adjusting mechanism. The self-locking water level adjusting mechanism comprises a partition plate, an adjusting clamping structure arranged on one side of the partition plate, and an adjusting lock. The adjusting clamping structure is slidably connected with the partition plate in a vertical direction. The adjusting lock is elastically connected with the partition plate through an elastic piece. The adjusting lock is clamped with the adjusting clamping structure under restoring force of the elastic piece.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the partition plate comprises a vertical plate. The vertical plate defines a drainage hole. The vertical plate defines clamping grooves above the drainage hole. The adjusting clamping structure is of a U-shaped structure. The adjusting clamping structure comprises an adjusting plate and an elastic arm. The adjusting plate and the elastic arm are integrally formed. Sliding buckles are arranged on an inner wall of the adjusting plate along the vertical direction. The sliding buckles of the adjusting plate are clamped in the clamping grooves under restoring force of the elastic arm.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the vertical plate defines a fixed hole. The adjusting lock comprises two clamping buckles arranged opposite to each other. The clamping buckles are snapped on a position of the fixed hole, so the adjusting lock is connected with the vertical plate.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the elastic piece comprises two elastic sheets arranged opposite to each other. A first end of each of the elastic sheets is fixedly connected with the adjusting lock. A second end of each of the elastic sheets abuts against a corresponding side of the fixed hole of the vertical plate.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the adjusting clamping structure comprises clamping teeth arranged along the vertical direction. The adjusting lock comprises locking teeth matched with a shape of the clamping teeth. The locking teeth of the adjusting lock are engaged with the clamping teeth of the adjusting clamping structure under the restoring force of the elastic piece.

Optionally, in one embodiment, a vertical cross-section of each of the clamping grooves and a vertical cross-section of each of the sliding buckles are trapezoidal. The clamping grooves and the sliding buckles define inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces of the clamping grooves are matched with the inclined surfaces of the sliding buckles.

Optionally, in one embodiment, an angle between each of the inclined surfaces of the clamping grooves and a vertical plane is greater than 90 degrees. An angle between each of the inclined surfaces of the sliding buckles and the vertical plane is greater than 90 degrees.

Optionally, in one embodiment, an upper frame is sleeved on the partition plate. The upper frame defines an adjusting opening corresponding to a position of the adjusting clamping structure and a locking opening corresponding to a position of the adjusting lock.

Optionally, in one embodiment, an outer end of the adjusting lock passes through the locking opening and extends outward. A distance between the outer end of the adjusting lock and an outer surface of the upper frame is less than a depth of each of the clamping teeth.

Optionally, in one embodiment, a handheld surface is defined on a lower portion of an outer surface of the adjusting clamping structure.

A structure design of the self-locking water level adjusting mechanism of the present disclosure is scientific and reasonable, making it easy to operate and stable in performance. In absence of external force, the adjusting lock and the adjusting clamping structure are in a locked state, so that the adjusting clamping structure is always in a predetermined position and is unable to be released from the adjusting lock to slide, avoiding displacement of the adjusting clamping structure during non-manipulated use, work, and transportation, and ensuring that a drainage volume of a drain valve does not change.

In the drawings:

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In order to enable those skilled in the art to understand technical solutions of the present disclosure, the following further describes the present disclosure in detail with reference to accompanying drawings and optional embodiments.

As shown inFIGS.2-9, the present disclosure provides a self-locking water level adjusting mechanism. The self-locking water level adjusting mechanism comprises a partition plate1, an adjusting clamping structure2arranged on one side of the partition plate1, and an adjusting lock3. The adjusting clamping structure2is slidably connected with the partition plate1in a vertical direction. In the embodiment, a handheld surface is defined on a lower portion of an outer surface of the adjusting clamping structure, enabling a user to push the adjusting clamping structure2. The adjusting lock3is elastically connected with the partition plate1through an elastic piece. The adjusting lock3is clamped with the adjusting clamping structure2under restoring force of the elastic piece.

A structure design of the self-locking water level adjusting mechanism of the present disclosure is scientific and reasonable, making it easy to operate and stable in performance. In absence of external force, the adjusting lock3and the adjusting clamping structure2are in a locked state, so that the adjusting clamping structure2is always in a predetermined position and is unable to be released from the adjusting lock3to slide, avoiding displacement of the adjusting clamping structure2during non-manipulated use, work, and transportation, and ensuring that a drainage volume of a drain valve does not change.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the partition plate1comprises a vertical plate1.3. The vertical plate defines a drainage hole1.1. The vertical plate1.3defines clamping grooves1.2above the drainage hole1.1. The adjusting clamping structure2is of a U-shaped structure. The adjusting clamping structure2comprises an adjusting plate and an elastic arm2.1. The adjusting plate and the elastic arm2.1are integrally formed. Sliding buckles2.2are arranged on an inner wall of the adjusting plate along the vertical direction. The sliding buckles2.1of the adjusting plate are clamped in the clamping grooves1.2under restoring force of the elastic arm2.1. In the embodiment, the elastic piece comprises two elastic sheets3.1arranged opposite to each other. A first end of each of the elastic sheets3.1is fixedly connected with the adjusting lock3. A second end of each of the elastic sheets3.1abuts against a corresponding side of a fixed hole of the vertical plate1.3. In the embodiment, the adjusting clamping structure2comprises clamping teeth2.3arranged along the vertical direction. The adjusting lock3comprises locking teeth3.2matched with a shape of the clamping teeth2.3. The locking teeth3.2of the adjusting lock3is engaged with the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2under the restoring force of the elastic piece.

Optionally, in one embodiment, the vertical plate1.3defines the fixed hole. The adjusting lock3comprises two clamping buckles3.3arranged opposite to each other. The clamping buckles3.3are snapped on a position of the fixed hole, so the adjusting lock3is connected with the vertical plate1.3. In the embodiment, the two clamping buckles3.3are clamped with the vertical plate1.3of the partition plate1, avoiding the adjusting lock3from separating from the fixed hole1.4of the partition plate1.

A working principle of the present disclosure is as follows.

In the absence of external force on the adjusting lock3, or the external force is unable to completely separate the locking teeth3.2of the adjusting lock3from the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2, the adjusting lock3and the adjusting clamping structure2are always in the locked state. That is, the adjusting clamping structure is unable to slide on the partition plate1. A position of the adjusting clamping structure2with respect to the fixed hole is fixed, which effectively avoids a change of the position of the adjusting clamping structure2caused by transportation, and thus ensuring that the drainage volume of the drain valve does not change.

When the drainage volume needs to be adjusted, the external force is applied on the adjusting lock3toward an inner side of the partition plate, so that the adjusting lock3moves inward under action of the external force. During inward movement of the adjusting lock3, the two elastic sheets3.1of the adjusting lock3undergo elastic deformation and generate elastic potential energy. During the inward movement of the adjusting lock3, the locking teeth3.2move away from the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2. When the adjusting lock3moves to a predetermined position under the action of the external force. The locking teeth3.2completely separate from the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2. That is, the adjusting lock3and the adjusting clamping structure2are in a separated state.

Keeping the external force applied on the adjusting lock3unchanged, downward/upward external force is applied on the adjusting clamping structure2to adjust an area of the drainage hole and thereby adjusting the drainage volume. In a sliding process of the adjusting clamping structure2, the sliding buckles2.2arranged on the adjusting clamping structure2move away from the elastic arm2.1. That is, the elastic arm2.1of the adjusting clamping structure2undergoes elastic deformation. When each of the sliding buckles2.2of the adjusting clamping structure2slides to a topmost end of a corresponding clamping groove1.2of the partition plate1, the sliding buckles2.2do not contact the clamping grooves1.2. Under the action of the restoring force of the elastic arm2.1, the sliding buckles2.2move into the clamping grooves1.2. Then continuing to apply the downward/upward external force on the adjustment clamping plate2, so that the sliding buckles2.2of the adjusting clamping structure2repeatedly slide out and slide into the clamping grooves1.2of the partition plate1. Stuttering sensation generated in a slide out and snap in process of the sliding buckles2.2allows an operator to clearly feel the change in position of the adjusting clamping structure2.

When the adjusting clamping structure2is adjusted to a desired position, the downward/upward external force applied to the adjusting clamping structure2and the external force applied to the adjusting lock3are removed, and the adjusting clamping structure2stops in a fixed position, the elastic sheets3.1of the adjusting lock3store a certain elastic potential energy under the action of the external force and undergo elastic deformation. When the external force is not applied on the adjusting clamping structure2anymore, the elastic sheets3.1of the adjusting lock3start to restore, driving the adjusting lock3to move outward, so the locking teeth3.2of the adjusting lock3move close to the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2. When the elastic sheets3.1of the adjusting lock3completely restore to an initial state, the locking teeth3.2are completely engaged with the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2. Namely, the adjusting clamping structure and the adjusting lock3are in the locked state.

If there is only the external force applied on the adjusting clamping structure2, since the locking teeth3.2of the adjusting lock3are engaged with the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2when no external force is applied on the adjusting lock3, and the adjusting lock3is fixed to the partition plate1, the position of the adjusting clamping structure2with respect to the partition plate1is fixed, which avoids the displacement of the adjusting clamping structure during non-manipulated use, work, and transportation.

Optionally, in one embodiment, a vertical cross-section of each of the clamping grooves1.2and a vertical cross-section of each of the sliding buckles2.2are trapezoidal. The clamping grooves1.2and the sliding buckles2.2both include inclined surfaces. The inclined surfaces of the clamping grooves are matched with the inclined surfaces of the sliding buckles2.2. In the embodiment, an angle between each of the inclined surfaces of the clamping grooves1.2and a vertical plane is greater than 90 degrees. An angle between each of the inclined surfaces of the sliding buckles2.2and the vertical plane is greater than 90 degrees. Each of the clamping grooves1.2of the partition plate1is configured to be a slope greater than 90 degrees, so each of the sliding buckles2.2of the adjusting clamping structure2slides along the slope of a corresponding clamping groove of the partition plate1under the action of external force.

Optionally, in one embodiment, an upper frame4is sleeved on the partition plate1. The upper frame4defines an adjusting opening corresponding to a position of the adjusting clamping structure and a locking opening corresponding to a position of the adjusting lock3. An outer end of the adjusting lock3passes through the locking opening and extends outward. A distance between the outer end of the adjusting lock3and an outer surface of the upper frame4is less than a depth of each of the clamping teeth2.3. If the adjusting lock3moves inward due to compression of other objects, since the distance between the outer end of the adjusting lock3and the outer surface of the upper frame4is less than the depth of each of the clamping teeth2.3(i.e., a height of the adjusting lock3exceeding the upper frame4is less than a distance required for the locking teeth3.2of the adjusting lock3to completely disengage from the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2), the adjusting lock is unable to move inward due to limitation of the upper frame4. At this time, the locking teeth3.2are still engaged with the clamping teeth2.3of the adjusting clamping structure2, which avoids the adjusting lock3from unlocking with the adjusting clamping structure2and effectively avoids the displacement of the adjusting clamping structure with respect to the drainage hole during transportation or under the external force.

The structure design of the self-locking water level adjusting mechanism of the present disclosure is scientific and reasonable, making it easy to operate and stable in performance. In the absence of external force, the adjusting lock and the adjusting clamping structure are in the locked state, so that the adjusting clamping structure is always in the predetermined position and is unable to be released from the adjusting lock to slide, avoiding the displacement of the adjusting clamping structure during non-manipulated use, work, and transportation, and ensuring that the drainage volume of the drain valve does not change.

The above are only the optional embodiments of the present disclosure. It should be pointed out that for those of ordinary skill in the art, improvements can be made without departing from the principle of the present disclosure, and these improvements fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.