Flow Rate Regulator with Pivoting Control Disk for Variable Dimming

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing outflow regulators have limited modularity and dimming characteristic adjustment, restricting their universal use and adaptability to different liquid containers.

Innovation Solution

The outflow regulator allows the control disk to be connected to the base disk in various positions, enabling changes in the distance between control curve points and the base disk axis, facilitating extensive dimming characteristic modification through radial displacement and pivoting, enhancing modularity and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the control disk is limited to pivoting only about the horizontal axis of the base disk, then the structure is simple, but the dimming characteristic adjustment range is narrow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimming characteristic adjustment rangeVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control disk is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be pivoted about both the horizontal axis of the base disk and a second axis arranged at an angle to the horizontal axis. This dynamic multi-axis pivoting mechanism enables extensive adjustment of the control curve points' distances from the base disk axis, providing wide dimming characteristic adjustment range while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through standardized pivot mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds another dimension of movement by introducing a second pivot axis at an angle to the horizontal axis. This transforms the control disk's movement from a single-degree-of-freedom rotation to a two-degree-of-freedom system, enabling the control curve points to be positioned at multiple distances from the base disk axis and creating diverse dimming characteristics.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the control disk position is fixed relative to the base disk, then the device structure is simple, but the modularity and universal use capability is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodularity and universal use capabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control disk is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be pivoted about both the horizontal axis of the base disk and a second axis arranged at an angle to the horizontal axis. This dynamic multi-axis pivoting mechanism enables extensive adjustment of the control curve points' distances from the base disk axis, providing wide dimming characteristic adjustment range while maintaining reasonable structural complexity through standardized pivot mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flow rate regulator is designed with a standardized base disk and control disk assembly that can be universally applied to different liquid containers. By allowing the control disk to be positioned at multiple angles and distances through the dual-axis pivoting mechanism, a single regulator design can serve multiple applications with different dimming requirements, enhancing modularity and universal use capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3399115B1Flow rate regulator for an outlet of a liquid container
Publication Date: 2019.06.05 STEINHARDT JORG MICHAEL
  • EP3399115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3399115B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3399115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a flow rate regulator (1) for an outlet of a liquid container, in particular for an outlet of a basin, wherein the flow rate regulator (1) has a float (9) and an orifice (10; 28) that can be controlled by means of the float (9) for variably dimming an outlet opening (11) for the liquid, as well as means (12) for changing the flow characteristics of the orifice (10; 28), wherein the means (12) comprise a base disk (13) that can be pivoted about a stationary, horizontally arranged axis (6) and a control disk (10) that can be arranged in different positions relative to this base disk (13), wherein the control disk (10) is provided with a control cam (14).According to the invention, such a flow rate regulator is designed so that the control disc (10) can be connected to the base disc (13) in different positions such that the distance of several points (15, 16) of the control cam (14) to the axis (6) of the base disc (13) is changed. Such a flow rate regulator is universally applicable and can be designed modularly; furthermore, its dimming characteristics can be extensively modified.