Cistern Inlet Valve With Universal Coupling For Lateral Or Lower Installation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cocks for filling cisterns lack the ability to be easily converted between lateral and lower extendable configurations, leading to increased production and storage costs due to the need for multiple types of cocks.

Innovation Solution

A cock design that allows for conversion between lateral and lower inlet configurations using a single type of cock, with coupling means on one free edge and closure means on the other, featuring a cylindrical body with adjustable zones for coaxial insertion and extendable connections, enabling water passage through internal pipes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of cocks are produced for lateral and lower inlet configurations, then functional versatility is achieved, but production and storage costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cock body is designed with universal coupling means that can accommodate both lateral and lower inlet configurations. The coupling means includes a coupling piece that can be positioned at different locations (lateral or lower) on the same cock body, allowing a single cock design to serve multiple installation purposes and eliminating the need for separate cock types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The cock is divided into functional segments: a main cock body, a detachable coupling piece, and a closure means. The coupling piece can be independently positioned or removed, allowing the same basic structure to adapt to different installation configurations (lateral or lower inlet) without requiring completely different cock designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple types of cocks are produced for lateral and lower inlet configurations, then functional versatility is achieved, but storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidstorage volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By designing a universal cock body that can function in both lateral and lower inlet configurations through repositioning the coupling piece, the inventory of different cock types is reduced to a single base model, significantly decreasing storage requirements for multiple specialized cock variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If a single cock design is used for both lateral and lower inlet configurations, then production costs are reduced, but adaptability to different installation positions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidinstallation adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling piece is designed to be dynamically repositionable along the cock body or between different mounting locations. This dynamic positioning capability allows the same cock body to adapt to fixed lateral or lower inlet installations as needed, providing installation flexibility without requiring multiple static cock designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables cost-effective production and storage by allowing a single cock to function as either a lateral or lower inlet cock, reducing the need for multiple designs and improving operational flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a float movable vertically with respect to the chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBuoyancy: Archimedes' Principle (Buoyancy)

Implementation Method 2

mechanical elements for transmitting movement between said float and said shutter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical transmission: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentEP3696333B1Inlet valve for cisterns
Publication Date: 2023.02.01 FOMINAYA SA
  • EP3696333B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3696333B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3696333B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cock for filling cisterns wherein a free edge (1a) of the hollow head (1) and the free and lower edge (11a) of the vertical tube (11) are configured to receive indistinctly coupling means (4, 7) with an external water inlet and means for closing (10) said free edges (1a, 11a) in such a way that a means for closing (10) is inserted into the free edge (1a, 11a) opposite the free edge (1a, 11a) where one of the coupling means (4, 7) is inserted; and because it also comprises a means for blocking (15, 16) configured to fix the position of the coupling means (4, 7) and the means for closure (10), blocking their axial movement in the free edge (1a) of the hollow head (1) and in the free lower edge (11a) of the vertical tube (11) respectively.