Basin Valve Actuator with Constant Rest Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for basin drains protrude significantly above the worktop, creating a barrier and visually unattractive, and can lead to liquid and dirt accumulation due to varying heights in different operating states.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with an actuating element that remains at a consistent height relative to the guide throughout its operation, utilizing a prestressing device like a spring element to maintain the element's position, ensuring it does not obstruct the sink's usability and preventing liquid accumulation, with features such as a stop to adjust the position and air ducts for pressure equalization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the actuating element is designed as a rotary eccentric or pull knob, then the valve can be opened and closed, but the actuating element protrudes significantly above the worktop creating a barrier and visual drawback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional actuating element design by using a push button that moves vertically instead of a rotary eccentric or pull knob that protrudes horizontally. The push button actuating element moves along a vertical guide path, allowing the valve to be operated while maintaining a low profile above the worktop surface, thus eliminating the barrier effect and visual drawback of protruding elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from horizontal protrusion (rotary eccentric/pull knob extending outward) to vertical movement (push button moving up and down along a guide). This dimensional change allows the actuating element to operate the valve without creating a horizontal barrier, as the movement occurs in the vertical dimension where it does not interfere with objects placed in the sink area.
2Ease of operation
If the actuating element is designed as a push button with varying heights in different operating states, then the valve can be opened and closed, but liquid and dirt accumulate above the lowered actuating element
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies equipotentiality by ensuring the push button actuating element maintains a constant height above the worktop surface in both the closed and open valve states. The guide mechanism constrains the actuating element to move vertically during actuation but return to the same resting position, creating an equipotential surface that prevents liquid and dirt from accumulating in low points around the actuator.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide mechanism is designed to return the actuating element to its original position before the actuation cycle begins. This preliminary resetting action ensures that the actuating element is always in the same position relative to the worktop surface, preventing the formation of pockets where liquid and dirt could accumulate between operating cycles.
3Ease of operation
If the actuating element protrudes above the worktop, then the valve can be actuated, but it forms a barrier that restricts sink usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using a low-profile push button that moves vertically rather than a protruding rotary or lever-type actuator. This inversion allows the valve to be actuated efficiently while maintaining the sink surface open and accessible, thereby preserving sink usability for placing and moving objects without encountering a physical barrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the actuation dimension from horizontal protrusion to vertical movement. The push button actuating element moves along a vertical guide path, confining its motion to the vertical dimension while leaving the horizontal workspace above the worktop surface unobstructed, thus maintaining full sink adaptability and versatility.
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 actuating device ensures unobstructed sink usage and prevents liquid accumulation by maintaining a consistent height and position, facilitating easy cleaning and maintaining a consistent visual appearance, while allowing for efficient operation with minimal deflection of the actuating element.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating device comprises a pre-tensioning device by means of which the actuating element is pre-tensioned into its rest position. The spring element can be supported, in particular, on the actuating element on one side and on the first detent element on the other.
Implementation Method 2
the guide and the actuating element enclose a guide chamber, and that the guide and/or the actuating element has at least one air channel for venting or ventilating the guide chamber. This prevents the formation of overpressure or underpressure in the guide chamber when the actuating element is moved
Data Source
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AI summary
To create an actuating device for opening and closing a valve of a drain assembly for a basin, comprising a detent device (154) which includes a first detent element and a second detent element (236) which can be locked together in at least a first detent position and a second detent position of the detent device (154), an actuating element (178) which can be manually moved by an operator from a rest position to a working position in which the actuating element (178) interacts with the first detent element to move the detent device (154) from the first detent position to the second detent position or from the second detent position to the first detent position, and a guide (172) on which the actuating element (178) is slidably guided, which neither impairs the usability of the basin and its surroundings nor promotes the accumulation of liquids and dirt, it is proposed thatthat the actuating element (178) is arranged at the same height relative to the guide (172) in the rest position, regardless of whether the detent device is in the first detent position or in the second detent position.