Fluid-Line Ball Joint With Anti-Twist Jet Regulator Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ball joints in fittings with jet regulators experience slippage during rotation, preventing the activation of the jet regulator's switching function and requiring additional engagement surfaces for a tight connection, which is prone to errors due to friction tuning issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an anti-twist device in the joint elements that prevents the first joint element from rotating about its longitudinal axis within the second joint element, allowing independent rotating and pivoting movements, thus enabling the jet regulator to be operated without causing the joint to rotate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the jet regulator is rotated to switch between flow rates or flow types, then the switching function is activated, but the ball joint slips and rotates unintentionally, preventing proper activation
Solution Approach 1:
The joint is divided into two independent rotational degrees of freedom: one for pivoting the joint element and another for rotating the jet regulator. The anti-twist device segments these movements by preventing rotation about the longitudinal axis while allowing pivoting about transverse axes, ensuring that jet regulator rotation does not cause joint slippage.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-twist device introduces asymmetric constraints by allowing rotation in specific directions (pivoting about transverse axes) while preventing rotation in other directions (about the longitudinal axis). This asymmetric freedom of movement enables the jet regulator to be operated without causing the joint to rotate unintentionally.
2Reliability
If additional engagement surfaces are added to prevent joint rotation during jet regulator operation, then joint stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The anti-twist device serves multiple functions simultaneously: it prevents unwanted rotation about the longitudinal axis, maintains joint stability, and allows the necessary pivoting movement. This multi-functional design achieves connection stability without requiring separate engagement surfaces, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The anti-twist function is merged into the existing joint structure rather than being implemented as a separate component. By integrating the anti-twist mechanism into the joint elements themselves, the patent achieves enhanced reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If friction of the ball joint is carefully tuned to match the rotational switching mechanism, then proper operation is achieved, but the system becomes prone to errors due to wear and usage changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static friction-based system to a dynamic system with defined rotational degrees of freedom. Instead of relying on carefully tuned friction coefficients that degrade over time, the anti-twist device provides dynamic constraints that adapt to usage conditions, maintaining operational consistency despite wear and usage changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A joint (1) having a fluid line (9) disposed in the interior of the joint (1) is provided, with the joint (1) including a first joint element (2) and a second joint element (3) for receiving the first joint element (2), the first joint element (2) in the second joint element (3) being freely pivotable in space about a pivot point. The first joint element (2) and/or the second joint element (3) include an anti-twist device which prevents the first joint element (2) rotating within the second joint element (3).