Adapter for a radiator valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for attaching a thermostatic head to a water radiator valve are cumbersome due to the variety of valve types and diameters, requiring multiple adapters or sets of adapter rings, and existing adapters are difficult to mount.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a longitudinal axis, comprising a body, a movable slider, parallel bars, a return element, and a screw with a central bore, featuring combined movement means between the slider and body, allowing for easy installation and compatibility with all types of taps, including flexible flaps for centering and a complementary rod for pressing against the needle valve.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a standard adapter design is used for thermostatic valves, then the adapter structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate all types of taps with different shapes and diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter incorporates a slider that can move between a close position and a remote position, allowing the adapter to dynamically adjust its configuration. This dynamic element enables the same adapter structure to accommodate different valve types and diameters without requiring multiple specialized adapters, thus improving versatility while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter is divided into separable components including a body, a movable slider, and a thermostatic head that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing universal compatibility across different valve types.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing adapters are designed to fit various valve types, then adaptability is improved, but the mounting process becomes difficult and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is pre-configured with the slider in a specific position and the thermostatic head aligned for straightforward attachment. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for complex adjustment procedures during installation, making the mounting process simple and intuitive while maintaining universal compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable slider acts as an intermediary element between the adapter body and the thermostatic head, facilitating easy connection and disconnection. By providing a mechanical interface that can accommodate different valve configurations, the slider simplifies the mounting operation without compromising adaptability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple adapter rings are provided for different valve types, then compatibility with all valve types is achieved, but the quantity of components and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed as a universal component that can function with all types of thermostatic valves through the movable slider mechanism. Instead of requiring multiple specialized adapter rings for different valve types, a single multi-functional adapter design achieves the same coverage, reducing the quantity of components needed while maintaining comprehensive compatibility.
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 adapter allows for a standard thermostatic head to be mounted on any type of tap, ensuring secure fixation and easy installation by utilizing the combined movement means and flexible flaps, overcoming the complexity of different valve types and diameters.
Implementation Method 1
a return element which constrains the slider in the remote position
Implementation Method 2
a screw with a central bore and which is screwed into the nut... a complementary rod housed in the central bore and which is mounted so as to move in translation in the central bore parallel to the longitudinal axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter (100) for a radiator and comprises: - a body (104) having an opening (152), - a slider (102) having an opening (150) and a coaxial nut having a longitudinal axis (10), and mounted to move in translation on the body (104) parallel to the longitudinal axis (10) between a near position in which the slider (102) approaches the valve and a remote position in which the slider (102) moves away from the valve, - two parallel bars arranged on either side of the longitudinal axis (10), - a return element which constrains the slider (102) in the remote position, and - a screw (108) with a central bore and which screws into the nut, said body (104) having, for the end of each bar, a guiding means ensuring a movement of said bar perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (10), said slider (102) having, for each bar, two opposing parallel slots, each in a clamping plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (10), the two slots which are arranged in the same clamping plane are disposed as a V in which the tip is orientated towards the openings (150, 152), and the spaced ends are orientated on the opposite side.