Compact Two-Way Valve Layout for Integrated Sanitary Fittings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary fittings with two-way valves have a high space requirement, making it difficult to integrate them into the fittings or requiring larger designs, which limits design freedom and increases material needs.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary fitting design that incorporates a two-way valve with a compact valve body arrangement, allowing the valve to be rotatably mounted between two valve seats within a dash housing, thereby reducing space requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional two-way valves are used in sanitary fittings, then the valve function is achieved, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve functionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the two-way valve with the jet former into a single integrated component. The valve body is formed as one piece with the jet former, eliminating the need for separate valve housing and reducing installation space. The valve seats are integrated into the valve body structure itself, further consolidating the design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The valve body is designed with nested internal structures where the valve seats are positioned within the valve body cavity. The actuator mechanism is nested within the valve body, with the piston moving inside the cylindrical cavity. This nested arrangement minimizes the external dimensions while maintaining full valve functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If conventional two-way valves are used in sanitary fittings, then the valve function is achieved, but the material requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve functionVSAvoidmaterial requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The valve body and jet former are manufactured as a single integrated component, reducing the total material quantity needed. The integration eliminates the need for separate valve housing, mounting brackets, and connecting elements, thereby reducing overall material consumption while maintaining structural integrity and valve functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If conventional two-way valves are used in sanitary fittings, then the valve function is achieved, but the design freedom is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve functionVSAvoiddesign freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve employs a rotatable valve body that can be positioned at different angles to control fluid flow direction. The actuator mechanism allows dynamic adjustment between different jet types by rotating the valve body to different positions, providing design flexibility for multiple jet patterns including rain jet, full jet, massage jet, and pearl jet configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated valve-jet former design serves multiple functions: it acts as a two-way valve for flow control, a jet generator for different spray patterns, and a mounting component for the actuator. This multi-functionality enhances design freedom by consolidating several components into one versatile element.

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

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 compact design enables the integration of the two-way valve into the sanitary fitting without increasing its size, enhancing design flexibility and reducing material requirements while maintaining functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The valve body (6) is rotatably mounted about an axis of rotation (11) in a valve housing (25) of the two-way valve (5) between a first valve seat (7) of a first outlet (8) and a second valve seat (9) of a second outlet (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3935224B1Sanitary fitting having a two-way valve
Publication Date: 2025.04.30 GROHE AG
  • EP3935224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3935224B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3935224B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanitary fitting (1), at least comprising: - a fitting housing (2), - a first jet-forming element (3), - a second jet-forming element (4), and - a two-way valve (5), by means of which a liquid can be fed selectively to the first jet-forming element (3) or to the second jet-forming element (4), the two-way valve (5) being arranged in the fitting housing (2) and comprising a valve body (6), which is mounted in a valve housing (25) of the two-way valve (5) for rotation about an axis of rotation (11) between a first valve seat (7) of a first outlet (8) of the two-way valve (5) and a second valve seat (9) of a second outlet (10) of the two-way valve (5).