Drain Valve Layout With Lateral Actuation for Low-Loss Outflow
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain arrangements for washstands face a conflict between achieving good hydraulic outflow performance and compactness, often requiring large installation spaces due to inadequate diversion designs in outflow pipes.
Innovation Solution
A drain arrangement with a compact design featuring a drain valve housing, a movable valve body, and an actuating unit with an actuator element that extends laterally alongside the outflow pipe, minimizing structural height and reducing flow losses by minimizing diversion, while maintaining effective hydraulic outflow performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the outflow pipe is designed with multiple diversions to connect to the channel sections, then the drain arrangement can be compact, but the hydraulic outflow performance deteriorates due to flow losses from bends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the actuator element laterally alongside the outflow pipe rather than vertically above or below it. This lateral arrangement in a different spatial dimension allows the water flow to move directly from the first channel section through the valve body to the second channel section and outflow pipe without requiring 90° bends, thus maintaining hydraulic performance while achieving compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the actuator element's path with the lateral space alongside the outflow pipe, merging the actuation mechanism with the flow path geometry. This allows both the actuator element and the water flow to coexist in the same lateral space without interfering with each other, eliminating the need for separate vertical spaces that would require bends.
2Loss of energy
If the actuator element is positioned vertically above or below the outflow pipe, then the hydraulic flow path can be direct, but the structural height increases requiring more installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the actuator element from a vertical position (above or below the outflow pipe) to a lateral position (alongside the outflow pipe). This dimensional change from vertical to lateral arrangement reduces the structural height requirement while maintaining a direct flow path for the water, as the actuator element no longer occupies the vertical space that would be needed for bend connections.
3Area of stationary object
If 90° bends are used in the outflow pipe connections, then the drain arrangement can be compact in plan view, but flow losses increase due to the bends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges the actuator element and channel sections in a lateral configuration that allows water to flow in a substantially straight line from the first channel section through the valve body to the second channel section and outflow pipe. This lateral arrangement in three-dimensional space eliminates the need for 90° bends in the plan view, maintaining both compact footprint and low flow losses.
Data Source
AI summary
A drain arrangement that comprises a housing which has a first channel section with an inlet opening, a second channel section with an outlet opening, and a valve seat situated between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. It also has a valve body which is movable from the valve seat, an actuating unit to move the valve body, and an outflow pipe into which the second channel section opens. A first central axis extends centrally through the first channel section, and an outflow pipe central axis extends centrally through the outflow pipe. The outflow pipe central axis intersects the first central axis or alternatively the outflow pipe central axis is at a distance from the first central axis. The actuating unit has an actuating lever acting on the valve body, and an actuator element for actuating the actuating lever, wherein the actuator element extends laterally alongside the outflow pipe.