Fixing structure for protective cover of valve assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing temperature control valve assemblies in bathroom equipment face difficulties in easily and accurately connecting or removing the protective cover, leading to inconvenient and error-prone depth adjustments during installation and water leakage testing.
Innovation Solution
A fixing structure comprising a body with coupling portions and a positioning plate with flexible feet and indication parts allows for quick and secure connection and removal of the protective cover, facilitating correct installation and depth adjustment by using threaded holes and flexible feet to align and secure the cover.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the protective cover is connected with screw bolts, then the cover is securely fixed, but the connection and removal process becomes troublesome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is divided into a snap-fit component that provides quick connection and a screw bolt component that provides secure fixation. This segmentation allows the system to achieve both quick connection and reliable fixation by combining two simpler mechanisms rather than using a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The snap-fit structure performs the preliminary action of quickly connecting the protective cover to the valve body, positioning it correctly before the screw bolts are used to secure it. This preliminary action eliminates the need for manual positioning and alignment that would otherwise be required when using only screw bolts.
2Measurement precision
If the protective cover depth is measured with a ruler, then the depth can be determined, but measurement errors occur and the process is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly structure itself provides the measurement reference through the front fence depth indicator. Instead of requiring an external ruler or measurement tool, the system uses its own structural feature (the front fence) as a built-in depth reference that aligns with the wall surface, making the measurement self-evident and eliminating the need for separate measurement tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The front fence is designed with a specific depth that creates a visual reference point. When the protective cover is correctly installed, the front fence aligns with the wall surface, providing a clear visual indicator of correct installation depth without requiring complex measurement tools or procedures.
3Ease of repair
If the protective cover is removed for water leakage testing, then testing can be performed, but the process becomes troublesome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The testing lid is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently installed and removed from the accommodation chamber, independent of the protective cover. This segmentation allows testing to be performed by simply removing the small testing lid rather than removing the entire protective cover, simplifying the testing process while maintaining the ability to perform water leakage tests.
Solution Approach 2:
The testing function is extracted as a separate operation using a dedicated testing lid component. Instead of requiring removal of the main protective cover to access the accommodation chamber for testing, the testing lid provides a dedicated access point for water leakage testing, separating the testing function from the protective cover installation/removal process.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve assembly capable of indicating a depth contains: a body includes a holder. The holder includes a cold-water inflow connector, a hot-water inflow connector, a first outflow connector, and a second outflow connector. The cold-water inflow connector has a cold-water inflow seat configured to connect with a cold-water inflow pipe, and the hot-water inflow connector has a hot-water inflow seat configured to connect with a hot-water inflow pipe. The holder further includes a first coupling portion and a second coupling portion. The positioning plate includes the opening for fitting with the holder, a first fixing portion formed around the opening, a second fixing portion formed around the opening, and at least two recesses arranged around the opening, wherein the first fixing portion is configured to connect with the first coupling portion, and the second fixing portion is configured to couple with the second coupling portion.