Fitting Assembly Adjustable Crossbar Curved Pipe

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fitting arrangements for sanitary appliances struggle with setting optimal installation heights due to unwanted kinks or blockages in pipes and hoses, making it difficult to achieve a desired installation height during concealed or pre-wall installations.

Innovation Solution

A fitting arrangement featuring a first and second traverse element with a curvature in the installation pipe that allows for adjustable vertical spacing, preventing kinks by routing the supply hose through a 360° bent pipe, enabling controlled movement and easy adjustment of the hose length.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the vertical distance between crossbar elements is adjusted to achieve optimal installation height, then the installation height can be optimized, but kinks or blockages occur in the connected pipes and hoses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation height adjustmentVSAvoidpipe connectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The installation pipe is designed with a curvature that curves essentially 360° around an axis of curvature perpendicular to the vertical direction. This curved configuration allows the pipe to accommodate vertical adjustments between crossbar elements without creating kinks or blockages, as the curve provides flexibility while maintaining smooth fluid flow path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The bending radius of the installation pipe changes depending on the vertical distance between the first and second crossbar elements. When the vertical distance is adjusted, the pipe naturally adopts different bending radii, allowing optimal adaptation to various installation heights while preventing kinks through appropriate radius selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If variable vertical spacing is provided to accommodate different installation heights, then installation flexibility is improved, but the pipes and hoses become difficult to route correctly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation height variabilityVSAvoidpipe routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The 360° curvature around a horizontal axis provides a natural guiding path for the supply hose. This curved geometry simplifies the routing process by pre-establishing the spatial relationship between crossbar elements, eliminating the need for complex routing calculations or adjustments during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The installation pipe is designed to dynamically adapt its bending radius based on the vertical spacing between crossbar elements. This dynamic characteristic allows the pipe to automatically adjust to different installation configurations, making the routing process straightforward regardless of the specific vertical distance required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3896234B1Fitting assembly
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3896234B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3896234B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3896234B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A fitting assembly (1), particularly for concealed installation, comprises a first crossbar element (2), a second crossbar element (3), a fitting element (4), and at least one installation pipe (5). The first crossbar element (2) can be mounted at a variable vertical distance relative to the second crossbar element (3) along a vertical direction (V), such that at least a first vertical distance (ve1) and a second vertical distance (ve2) different from the first distance (ve1) can be adjusted between the first crossbar element (2) and the second crossbar element (3). The fitting element (4) is mounted on the first crossbar element (2) and is designed to be connected to at least one supply hose (8). The second crossbar element (3) includes a fresh water connection (9) which can be connected to the supply hose (8).The installation pipe (5) is connected to the first crossbeam element (2) and the second crossbeam element (3) and is designed such that the supply hose (8) can be routed through the installation pipe (5). The installation pipe (5) has a curvature (12) with respect to an axis of curvature (A) extending perpendicular to the vertical direction (V), which is bent substantially 360° around the axis of curvature (A).