Concentric Water Valve Assembly for Compact Hot-Cold Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water valve assemblies for mixing hot and cold water are bulky due to separate inlet chambers and mixing chambers, which occupy excessive space and require large cross-sectional areas to prevent pressure drops and ensure proper temperature mixing.
Innovation Solution
A compact water valve assembly design where the first inlet chamber and mixing chamber are arranged concentrically within a single housing, with the mixed-water outlet positioned on one side, allowing for a smaller overall depth and length, and utilizing separate valves for each water inlet to control the flow efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate inlet chambers and mixing chambers are used for water valve assembly, then effective mixing of hot and cold water can be achieved, but the overall size of the assembly becomes bulky and occupies excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the first inlet chamber and mixing chamber concentrically within the same housing, with one chamber positioned inside the other. This nested arrangement allows both chambers to occupy overlapping spatial volumes, significantly reducing the overall assembly size while maintaining separate functional zones for water intake and mixing operations
2Stress or pressure
If large cross-sectional area is provided for inlet chambers, then pressure drops are prevented, but the assembly requires larger overall volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional concentric configuration, allowing the inlet chambers to be positioned at different radial distances from the central axis. This dimensional reorganization enables adequate cross-sectional flow areas to be achieved within a compact volumetric envelope, preventing pressure drops without increasing overall assembly volume
3Reliability
If mixing chamber has large flow length, then temperature sensor is exposed to well-mixed water, but the assembly depth increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the mixing chamber concentrically around the inlet chamber, creating a annular flow path that provides sufficient flow length for effective mixing within a compact depth. The temperature sensor can be positioned in the mixed-water outlet where well-mixed water flows, achieving reliable temperature sensing without requiring excessive assembly depth
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
This design achieves efficient mixing of hot and cold water in a compact form, reducing the overall size of the assembly while maintaining effective temperature control and flow, and allows for easier integration of control mechanisms and electrical components.
Implementation Method 1
a mixing chamber connected to the first inlet chamber so as to receive water from the first inlet chamber... defining a mixed-water outlet from which a mixture of water from the first inlet chamber and the supplementary water inlet may be provided
Data Source
AI summary
A water valve assembly including a housing, an inlet chamber defining a water inlet for receiving a flow of water into the inlet chamber and a valve for controlling the flow of water through the inlet into the inlet chamber. A mixing chamber is connected to the inlet chamber so as to receive water from the inlet chamber, the mixing chamber defining a supplementary water inlet for receiving a supplementary flow of water and defining a mixed water outlet from which a mixture of water from the inlet chamber and the supplementary water inlet may be provided. The inlet chamber and the mixing chamber are both provided within the first housing and are arranged one within the other. A second housing may be provided with an inlet chamber, a valve for controlling flow of water into the inlet chamber and a supplementary water outlet for connection to the supplementary water inlet of the first housing. The two housings can be arranged in a relatively flat configuration with water connections at an inlet end of the assembly and control connections at a control end of the assembly.