Integrated Diaphragm Multi-Way Valve for Compact Sanitary Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing control valves for sanitary fittings are bulky and difficult to operate, requiring significant installation space and lacking intuitive user control.
Innovation Solution
A compact control valve design featuring a membrane valve with a counter-pressure chamber, a multi-way valve downstream, and a controller with a control rod that is adjustable longitudinally for the membrane valve and rotatable for the multi-way valve, allowing for easy operation and integration of pressure control and flow adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional control valve design is used, then the valve can control liquid flow to different outlets, but the installation space required is relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the diaphragm valve and multi-way valve into a single integrated control valve unit with a common housing and shared inlet. The control rod serves dual functions by extending through the diaphragm's pilot opening to control both the diaphragm valve's opening/closing and the multi-way valve's flow direction, merging two separate valve functions into one compact device that reduces installation space while maintaining operational capability
Solution Approach 2:
The control rod is designed as a universal control element that performs multiple functions: it acts as both the actuator for the diaphragm valve (by moving longitudinally to open/close the main flow channel) and the actuator for the multi-way valve (by rotating to direct flow to different outlets). This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate control mechanisms, reducing overall device volume and simplifying operation
2Ease of operation
If a conventional control valve design is used, then the valve can direct liquid to different spray patterns and outlets, but the valve is not easy or intuitive to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the control mechanisms for the diaphragm valve and multi-way valve into a single unified control rod. The user operates both valves through one intuitive interface: pushing or pulling the control rod longitudinally opens or closes the flow, while rotating the same rod directs flow to different outlets. This unified control approach simplifies operation compared to conventional designs that require separate controls for each valve function
Solution Approach 2:
The control rod is designed with dynamic capabilities, allowing it to move in multiple degrees of freedom: longitudinal movement (pushing/pulling) to control the diaphragm valve opening, and rotational movement to control the multi-way valve flow direction. This dynamic control mechanism provides an intuitive user interface where simple physical actions (push, pull, rotate) directly correspond to the desired valve operations, enhancing ease of use
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 design results in a compact, user-friendly control valve that efficiently manages liquid flow to various outlets in sanitary fittings, reducing installation space requirements and enhancing operational simplicity.
Implementation Method 1
a diaphragm valve for opening and closing a flow channel of the control valve, wherein the diaphragm valve has a diaphragm and a back pressure chamber connected to the at least one inlet and wherein a pilot opening is formed in the diaphragm connecting the back pressure chamber to the flow channel
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a control valve (1) for at least one sanitary fitting, said control valve comprising at least: a housing (2) having at least one inlet (3) for a liquid; a diaphragm valve (4) for opening and closing a flow channel (5) of the control valve (1), the diaphragm valve (4) having a diaphragm (6) and a counterpressure chamber (7) connected to the at least one inlet (3), and a pilot opening (8) being formed in the diaphragm (6) and connecting the counterpressure chamber (7) to the flow channel (5); a multi-way valve (9) which is located downstream of the diaphragm valve (4) and has a plurality of outlets (10, 11) for the liquid; and a controller (12) for controlling the diaphragm valve (4) and the multi-way valve (9), the controller (12) comprising a control rod (13) extending through the pilot opening (8) of the diaphragm (6), the control rod (13) being adjustable in a longitudinal direction (14) in order to control the diaphragm valve (4) and being rotatable in order to control the multi-way valve (9).