Adapter for Basin Sanitary Fittings with 90-Degree Flow Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In healthcare environments, connecting water guiding tubes to sanitary fittings mounted in basins with rear-accessible hollow cavities poses a challenge due to limited space and the need for bending tubes, complicating the mounting process.
Innovation Solution
An adapter with a main body featuring inlet and outlet openings arranged laterally and upperly, respectively, with a connection mechanism allowing mechanical fastening to the sanitary fitting, enabling 90-degree water stream diversion without bending tubes, and utilizing antibacterial copper-based alloy surfaces and nipple elements for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If water guiding tubes are directly connected to sanitary fitting in the hollow cavity, then connection is achieved, but the tubes need to be bent which complicates the mounting process
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter acts as an intermediary component between the water guiding tubes and the sanitary fitting. It provides threaded connection openings that accept the tubes without requiring bending, while its outlet connects to the sanitary fitting tail. This mediator eliminates the need for tube bending operations during mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the adapter body with inlet openings for tubes, water guiding channels for flow diversion, and outlet openings for sanitary fitting connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall mounting process.
2Area of stationary object
If the hollow cavity is accessed from the rear of the basin, then connection can be made, but the space available is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter utilizes the vertical dimension within the limited hollow cavity space by positioning its inlet openings on the lateral side and outlet openings on the upper side. This three-dimensional arrangement allows water flow diversion within the confined space without requiring extensive horizontal clearance, making rear-accessible installation feasible.
3Adaptability or versatility
If water streams are diverted by 90 degrees, then connection flexibility is improved, but the space required for diversion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water guiding channels within the adapter body provide curved pathways that divert water streams by approximately 90 degrees. The curved channel design achieves the necessary flow direction change within a compact volume, avoiding the need for large-radius bends that would consume excessive space in the hollow cavity.
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
Facilitates efficient and flexible connection of water guiding tubes to sanitary fittings within confined spaces, reducing operational complexity and ensuring secure, antibacterial performance during mounting.
Implementation Method 1
Each outlet opening is connected to one inlet opening by a water guiding channel within the main body. The two water guiding channels preferably guide the respective water stream by approximately 90 degrees from the lateral side to the upper side.
Implementation Method 2
The surface of the water guiding channels comprises preferably material with antibacterial properties. This material is preferably a copper based alloy. The surface of the water guiding channel might be coated with copper or an alloy comprising of copper.
Implementation Method 3
Preferably inner threads are formed on the inlet openings and the outlet openings for connecting the adapter to the water guiding tubes or to other water guiding elements. The nut comprises an inner thread which can be screwed on an outer thread of the sanitary fitting.
Implementation Method 4
In order that the above-mentioned nut is captively attached to the main body the adapter comprises a clamping plate that is attached to the upper side of the main body. An inwardly extending projection of the nut engages with that part of the clamping plate that radially extends over the main body.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an adapter (1) for connecting water guiding tubes of a building to a sanitary fitting (16) mounted to a basin (15), comprising a main body (2) with two inlet openings (3) for receiving the water from the water guiding tubes and two outlet openings (4) for providing the water to the sanitary fitting, wherein each outlet opening (4) is in fluid connection with one inlet opening (3) for diverting a water stream, the inlet openings (3) being arranged on a lateral side of the main body (2) and the outlet openings (4) being arranged on a upper side (6) of the main body (2), wherein the adapter (1) further comprises a connection means (7) with which the adapter (1) can be mechanically fastened to the sanitary fitting.