Flat Jet Regulator Frictional Attachment Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary outlet fittings with non-circular water outlets face challenges in securely attaching flat jet regulators without visible fastening means, as traditional threads are not feasible and existing solutions restrict usability due to visible fasteners or excessive resistance.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary outlet fitting design where a flat jet regulator is positioned downstream of a cross-sectional enlargement in the flow guide, with a flow rate regulator or limiter upstream to manage water pressure, and a distribution surface with numerous flow holes followed by an impact surface and flow guide walls to create a homogeneous jet pattern, allowing for frictional attachment without additional fasteners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flat jet regulator is used in a non-circular water outlet, then the jet regulator can produce a flat band-shaped water jet, but the jet regulator cannot be attached with an external thread on the outer circumference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflat band-shaped water jetVSAvoidthread attachment
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The jet regulator is divided into a flat plate-like body and a separate attachment component (flange or mounting structure). The flat plate produces the band-shaped jet while the separate attachment component provides the threaded connection interface, resolving the conflict between non-circular jet shape and threaded attachment requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment interface is moved from the outer circumference (2D perimeter) to a separate dimensional plane, allowing the flat plate to maintain its non-circular shape for jet production while incorporating threading in a different spatial configuration that doesn't compromise the jet shape

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

2Ease of operation

If frictional attachment without threads is used, then the jet regulator can be easily attached and detached, but the attachment is not secure enough under high water pressure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeasy attachment and detachmentVSAvoidsecure attachment under pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The design merges frictional attachment (for ease of installation) with threaded fastening (for security under pressure) into a single integrated attachment mechanism. The threaded holes in the flange allow secure fastening while the overall design maintains simplicity and ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A flange or mounting bracket serves as an intermediary component between the jet regulator body and the water outlet. This intermediary provides the threaded attachment interface while allowing the main jet regulator body to remain a simple flat plate that is easy to attach and detach

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If visible fastening means are used to secure the jet regulator, then the attachment is secure under pressure, but the fastening means appear disruptive to the appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The threaded attachment mechanism is extracted and integrated into the flange structure itself, allowing the fastening means to be concealed within the design rather than visible on the exterior. The flange's threaded holes provide secure attachment while remaining aesthetically acceptable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Productivity

If a flow rate regulator is placed close to the jet regulator, then water pressure can be controlled, but the jet regulator experiences excessive resistance and requires stronger fastening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate controlVSAvoidholding force on jet regulator
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The flow control function is separated from the jet regulator body into a distinct flow rate regulator component positioned upstream. This segmentation allows the jet regulator to focus on jet production while the separate regulator handles pressure control, reducing the force requirements on the jet regulator's attachment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 design reduces the effort required to secure the aerator, maintains a homogeneous and non-splashing jet pattern, and allows for easy detachment of the jet regulator without visible fastening means, even under high water pressure.

Implementation Method 1

The jet regulator has a distribution surface with a large number of flow holes for distributing the water jet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow distribution through perforated surface:

Implementation Method 2

The distribution surface is followed by an impact surface arranged in a central area of the jet cross-section

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid deflection by impact surface: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

several flow guide walls oriented in the direction of flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid guidance through channel walls:

Implementation Method 4

a spring bar (9) acting on the inner circumference of the water outlet (8) is provided on the outer circumference of the jet regulator housing (2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP2631377B1Jet regulator
Publication Date: 2020.01.22 NEOPERL GMBH
  • EP2631377B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2631377B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The regulator (1) has a distributor surface comprising a set of through flow holes (4) for distributing water. The distributor surface and a deflector surface (5) are arranged in a central region of a beam cross section, and flow guidance walls (6) oriented in a flow direction are connected in series, where the regulator is provided directly downstream to a cross section extension of a flow guidance in the flow direction. The walls are arranged parallel to each other, and are connected by a central connecting wall (7), which run along a longitudinal axle of the guidance walls.