Adjustable Mounting Assembly for Fluid Handling Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid handling devices face challenges when replacing valves in existing installations due to mismatched pipe spacings and projections, leading to aesthetic and operational issues.
Innovation Solution
A mounting assembly with adjustable and rotatable inlet tubes, allowing for telescopic and angular adjustments to accommodate various pipe configurations, ensuring proper alignment and spacing without compromising aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If screw threaded inlets are used to adjust spacing between inlets, then spacing adjustability is improved, but aesthetic quality deteriorates due to large bosses required for threads
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet tube is inserted into and telescopes along the boss, with the inlet tube being narrower than the boss interior diameter, creating a nested configuration that allows spacing adjustment without requiring large external bosses
Solution Approach 2:
The inlet tube is made movable relative to the boss through telescopic motion, allowing the spacing between inlets to be adjusted by moving the inlet tube along the boss rather than requiring fixed threaded connections
2Shape
If telescopic inlets are used to adjust spacing, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but adjustment range is limited due to sealing requirements at both ends
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented into two separate locations: one seal at the inlet tube end and another seal at the boss end, allowing the inlet tube to telescope along a greater portion of the boss length without compromising sealing integrity
Solution Approach 2:
A seal member is introduced as an intermediary element between the inlet tube and boss to enable telescopic motion with extended range, allowing the inlet tube to move further along the boss while maintaining fluid tight sealing
3Adaptability or versatility
If pipe lengths are altered to accommodate mismatched projections, then installation compatibility is improved, but difficulty of installation increases due to existing compression fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet tube is made movable and adjustable in length relative to the boss, allowing the effective connection length to be dynamically adjusted to match existing pipe projections without requiring physical modification of the pipes or removal of compression fittings
4Device complexity
If fixed spacing inlets are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to existing installations deteriorates due to mismatched pipe spacings
Solution Approach 1:
The inlet tube is designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing the spacing between inlets to be modified after the main valve body is manufactured, thereby providing adaptability to various existing installations without requiring multiple valve body designs
Data Source
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AI summary
A mounting assembly for a fluid handling device comprising: a base, configured to be secured to a surface; a waterway body comprising a first end and a second end, comprising: an inlet portion disposed at the first end, the inlet portion including one or more inlet tubes, the or each inlet tube being securable, at an inlet connection point, to a water supply pipe extending from the surface; and an outlet tube disposed at the second end, the outlet tube being configured to be connected to the fluid handling device, wherein a waterway body provides fluid communication from the inlet tube(s) to the outlet tube; wherein the waterway body is connected to the base at the second end; wherein the waterway body or a part thereof is rotatable with respect to the base about a first rotation axis extending in a perpendicular direction from the base; and wherein the waterway body is configured such that a first distance from the inlet tube(s) to the outlet tube may be adjusted and a second distance between the inlet connection point(s) and the surface may be adjusted.