Flow Regulator With Elastic Walls For Constant Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary installation parts, such as jet regulators and flow rate regulators, face challenges in regulating water flow to a fixed maximum volume per unit of time regardless of pressure while maintaining a compact and simple structure, often requiring additional components or complex designs.
Innovation Solution
A flow-regulating functional element with nozzle-shaped formations and a carrier part, where the circumferential walls change shape under water pressure to reduce the hole cross-section, ensuring a constant maximum volume flow without additional flow rate regulators, utilizing the restoring force of the material and potential spring elements for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow regulator is installed upstream of an aerator or between an aerator and an inlet-side screen, then the flow rate can be regulated to a fixed maximum value independent of pressure, but the installation length becomes comparatively long or the structure becomes complex and multi-part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the flow regulator and aerator into a single integrated component. The flow-regulating functional element with deformable circumferential walls is merged with the aerator housing, eliminating the need for separate flow regulator and aerator units. This integration reduces the overall installation length while maintaining the flow rate regulation function independent of pressure.
2Reliability
If an elastic throttling element is used to define a control gap, then flow rate regulation is achieved, but a corresponding installation length and diameter are required which are not always available in the water outlet of a sanitary fitting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic flow regulation mechanism where the circumferential walls are made of elastic material that can deform under water pressure. This dynamic adaptation allows the flow holes to automatically adjust their cross-sectional area in response to pressure changes, eliminating the need for a fixed control gap and reducing the required installation length and diameter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state of the circumferential walls from rigid to elastic, allowing them to dynamically alter their shape and the cross-sectional area of flow holes based on water pressure. This parameter change enables compact design while maintaining effective flow rate regulation independent of pressure.
3Productivity
If the clear flow cross-section increases with increasing pressure, then the flow rate increases, but the flow rate cannot be regulated to a constant maximum value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the elastic circumferential walls sense the water pressure and automatically adjust the flow hole cross-sectional area in response. As pressure increases, the walls deform to reduce the cross-sectional area, creating a negative feedback loop that maintains a constant maximum flow rate independent of pressure variations.
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 solution allows for a compact and simple design that regulates water flow to a fixed maximum volume independently of pressure, eliminating the need for additional flow rate regulators and preventing flow rate increases with pressure, while ensuring the flow holes return to their open position at low pressure.
Implementation Method 1
the circumferential walls surrounding each flow hole, each of which encloses a flow hole, can be deformed under the pressure of the inflowing water against a restoring force
Implementation Method 2
under the pressure of the inflowing water
Implementation Method 3
can be deformed under the pressure of the inflowing water against a restoring force
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 9~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a sanitary installation component (1) with an insert housing (2), which (2) has in its interior a flow-controlling functional element (3) with at least one flow hole (4). A characteristic feature of the installation component according to the invention is that at least one flow hole (4) is bounded by a circumferential wall which, under the pressure of the inflowing water, can be deformed against a restoring force such that the at least one flow hole (4) has a variable cross-sectional area which, depending on the pressure of the inflowing water, can be changed between an open position and a minimum position with a correspondingly reduced cross-sectional area (see Fig. 1).