Distributor pipe for a distributor pipeline
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water distribution systems face challenges with temperature regulation, as the cold water pipe is often heated by the hot water pipe, potentially allowing legionella bacteria to thrive, and require extensive space for separate hot and cold water cabinets, limiting the number of outlets and increasing the risk of damage from leakage.
Innovation Solution
A distributor pipe design with connections staggered outside the center axis of the main bore, allowing for up to twice as many outlets in the same length, and integrated with a thermostatic mixing valve for temperature control, reducing cabinet height by 30% while maintaining space for each tap point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If separate hot and cold water cabinets are installed with separate pipelines to each tap point, then temperature control is improved and legionella growth is prevented, but the cabinet height and wall space required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines hot and cold water distribution into a single cabinet by using a distributor pipe with staggered connections that serve both temperature zones. The pipe design allows hot and cold water outlets to be distributed from one integrated manifold, merging previously separate systems into a compact unified structure that maintains temperature control while reducing cabinet height to under 650mm.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor pipe employs staggered connections arranged in two different rows or planes rather than a single plane. This dimensional arrangement allows outlets to be distributed more efficiently in three-dimensional space, enabling more connections within the same cabinet footprint and reducing the required cabinet height while maintaining access to all tap points.
2Quantity of substance
If a large number of outlets are installed in the distributor pipe to serve each tap point, then the number of tap points increases, but the available space for pipelines extending to tap points decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The distributor pipe utilizes staggered connections arranged in two different rows, creating a three-dimensional distribution pattern. This allows outlets to be positioned at different depths and heights within the pipe structure, maximizing the number of outlets that can be accommodated while leaving sufficient radial and longitudinal space for connection pipes to extend to various tap points without crowding.
Solution Approach 2:
The connections on the distributor pipe are segmented into two distinct staggered rows rather than being uniformly distributed in a single plane. This segmentation creates organized zones for different outlet connections, allowing systematic routing of pipes to tap points while maintaining adequate spacing. The segmented arrangement facilitates efficient space utilization and simplifies the routing of connection pipes to various locations.
3Device complexity
If connections are arranged in the same plane as the center axis of the main pipe, then the structure is simple, but the number of outlets that can be accommodated is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-plane connection arrangement to a multi-row staggered arrangement. Connections are positioned in two different rows at different angles or depths relative to the main pipe axis, utilizing three-dimensional space rather than confining all connections to a single plane. This dimensional expansion dramatically increases the number of outlets that can be accommodated while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing through standard piping techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributor pipe (1, 12, 12) for a distributor pipeline to distribute water to various places in a building structure. The distributor pipe has a through bore (15, 23) and two or more connections (3, 4, 24, 25) for connection of metal or plastic lubes or a valve (28), on the upper and/or the lower side of the 5 distributor pipe. The distributor pipe (1, 12, 22) connections (3, 4, 24, 25) are arranged in fluid communication with the through bore (15, 23) of the distributor pipe (1, 12, 22) on both sides of the distributor pipe through bore (15, 23) so that the centre axis of the bore of the connections (21) is situated outside of the through bore (15, 23). The connections (3, 4, 24, 25) on both sides of the 10 through bore are displaced in the longitudinal direction relative to each other.