Bathroom Deviator Peg-Slot Control Rod Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deviator devices for bathroom fittings, especially multifunction showers, face challenges with rotary movement manoeuvrability when wet, increased wear over time, and high costs due to complex assembly of small parts, which affect reliability and safety.
Innovation Solution
A deviator device with a control rod that rotates up to 180°, utilizing a kinematic mechanism of pegs and slots for movement, allowing for improved sensitivity and reduced operating force, and incorporating elastic tongues for a snap mechanism instead of springs or spheres, enabling cost-effective and reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If rotary movement is used in deviator devices, then aesthetic appeal and design are improved, but manoeuvrability with wet hands deteriorates and wear increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static rotary movement into a dynamic progressive movement where the control rod travels along a predetermined path from a first position through a central position to a second position. This dynamic path allows the system to maintain aesthetic rotary appearance while improving operational ease by providing a more intuitive and less slippery motion pattern that is easier to control with wet hands.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the movement parameter from simple rotation to a constrained linear path following motion. The control rod is guided to move along a specific trajectory that passes through a central position, transforming the operational characteristics while maintaining the external aesthetic of rotary movement. This parameter change reduces wear by distributing contact forces more evenly.
2Reliability
If small mechanisms are inserted in rotary deviator to ensure closing position, then closing reliability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the closing function with the main control rod mechanism itself. The control rod's movement along the predetermined path through the central position inherently provides the closing action, eliminating the need for separate small mechanisms like fingers, spheres, or wedges. This integration maintains closing reliability while significantly reducing device complexity and assembly difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The control rod serves multiple functions: it deviates water flow to different outlets and simultaneously ensures the closing position through its predetermined path movement. By making the control rod multi-functional, the invention eliminates the need for dedicated closing mechanisms, thereby reducing part count and assembly complexity while maintaining reliable closing operation.
3Ease of operation
If alternating movement is used in deviator mechanisms, then manoeuvrability is improved, but device complexity increases compared to rotary movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dragging device as an intermediary mechanism that converts the user's input motion into the control rod's movement along the predetermined path. This dragging device, equipped with pegs that follow slots in the rod support, acts as a mediator that provides smooth alternating movement for improved manoeuvrability while keeping the overall mechanism relatively simple and easy to manufacture.
Data Source
AI summary
A deviator device, particularly for bathroom fittings such as showers, baths and the like, comprising a control rod rotatably movable in a support associated to a mixing cartridge; said control rod has at least two supply positions in which the mixed water flow is directed to one or another of two or more separate lines corresponding to two or more separate users; said rod is integral with a rod support and turns in the cover and further comprises a closing position; said deviator device being characterized in that said movement is guided and is obtained by fixed paths of pegs in slots.