Sanitary Fitting Body with Membrane Air Cushion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sanitary fittings face challenges in installing space-saving soundproofing and pressure equalization components due to limited installation space, and existing solutions are prone to backwash, leading to reduced effectiveness and maintenance issues.

Innovation Solution

A fitting body with a base body and cover forming a water path, featuring a laterally open channel and an elastic membrane that forms an air cushion, allowing for sound absorption and pressure minimization without requiring maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If soundproofing components are installed in concealed fittings with limited space, then noise reduction is achieved, but the components are prone to backwash and require maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidmaintenance requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting body is divided into functional zones: a water pathway for water flow and a damping chamber for soundproofing. The membrane separates these zones, allowing the damping chamber to be filled with damping material while keeping the water pathway clear. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each function and prevents water from entering the damping chamber, eliminating backwash issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A membrane acts as an intermediary barrier between the water pathway and the damping chamber. This membrane prevents water from entering the damping chamber while allowing sound vibrations to be dampened, thus protecting the damping material from backwash and eliminating maintenance requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If damping material is placed in the water pathway, then soundproofing effectiveness is improved, but flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidflow resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fitting body is divided into functional zones: a water pathway for water flow and a damping chamber for soundproofing. The membrane separates these zones, allowing the damping chamber to be filled with damping material while keeping the water pathway clear. This segmentation enables independent optimization of each function and prevents water from entering the damping chamber, eliminating backwash issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The damping material is extracted from the water pathway and placed in a separate damping chamber. This extraction eliminates the flow resistance caused by damping material in the water pathway while maintaining soundproofing effectiveness, as the damping chamber is acoustically coupled to the water pathway through the membrane.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If soundproofing components are installed in surface-mounted fittings, then noise reduction is achieved, but installation space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The damping chamber utilizes the vertical dimension by extending downward from the water pathway. This allows the damping material to be positioned in the vertical space below the water pathway, effectively using installation space that would otherwise be unused and enabling soundproofing in space-constrained applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution provides effective soundproofing and pressure equalization with minimal maintenance, maintaining the durability of the connection and reducing noise and pressure fluctuations in sanitary fittings.

Implementation Method 1

featureing a laterally open channel and an elastic membrane that forms an air cushion, allowing for sound absorption and pressure minimization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSound absorption: Acoustic Absorption

Implementation Method 2

an elastic membrane that forms an air cushion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir cushion: Air Lubrication

Implementation Method 3

an elastic membrane that forms an air cushion, allowing for sound absorption and pressure minimization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3258018B1Fitting body for a sanitary fitting, comprising a cap with a cavity
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 GROHE AG
  • EP3258018B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3258018B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Fitting body (1) for a sanitary fitting, comprising a base body (2) with at least one at least partially open channel (3), wherein the at least one at least partially open channel (3) is at least partially closed by a cover (5) to form a water path (4), characterized in that a cavity (6) is formed in the cover (5) at least partially along the water path (4).