Integrated Manifold Valve Assembly for Hot Tub Plumbing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot tub plumbing systems are complex, prone to failures, and occupy significant space due to the need for numerous pipes and fittings, leading to inefficient hose layouts and constrained design options.
Innovation Solution
The integration of dual-extrusion manifolds and valves with air and water channels, allowing for a more compact and efficient plumbing system with reduced connections, enabling easier installation and maintenance, and allowing for air and water control from a single assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional plumbing systems use separate air manifolds and water manifolds with multiple valves and fittings, then the system can provide independent control of air and water flow, but the system complexity and number of components increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate air manifolds and water manifolds into a single integrated manifold assembly. The manifold body includes both air outlets and water outlets, with internal passages that separately conduct air and water from their respective sources to the appropriate outlets. This merging eliminates the need for separate manifold components and reduces the number of connections required to the jet assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated manifold assembly serves multiple functions within a single component structure. It provides both air flow distribution and water flow distribution through its dual-outlet design, accommodates multiple jet configurations, and integrates valve mounting surfaces. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count while maintaining independent control capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If conventional systems position valve controls adjacent to the top side of the shell for user accessibility, then user access is improved, but the hose layout becomes less efficient and occupies more space
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated manifold assembly is designed with a compact, vertically-oriented structure that optimizes space utilization within the hot tub shell. By stacking functional components vertically and integrating air and water channels in a layered configuration, the assembly reduces the horizontal footprint while maintaining accessibility. The valve mounting surfaces are positioned to allow control access without requiring extensive lateral space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional plumbing systems use multiple fittings and long hose lengths to connect components, then the system can accommodate complex jet configurations, but the number of potential failure points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated manifold assembly merges multiple connection functions into a single component. The manifold body includes multiple outlets (both air and water) that can be configured to serve different jet locations. By providing multiple outlets from a single centralized component, the system reduces the number of intermediate fittings and connections required, thereby reducing potential failure points while maintaining flexibility in jet placement.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional systems use separate air and water manifold assemblies, then each manifold can be optimized for its specific fluid, but the overall system occupies more space and is more difficult to install
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates air manifold and water manifold functions into a single manifold assembly. The manifold body contains separate internal passages for air and water that converge at different outlet locations. This integration reduces the total volume occupied by plumbing components while maintaining the ability to optimize flow paths for each fluid type within the unified structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated valve and manifold assembly includes a water valve configured to control water flow from one or two valve outlets. At least one of the outlets is coupled to a manifold. In some examples, the manifold is a dual-extrusion manifold having at least one air channel and at least one water conduit, and the water valve has a pair of air channels attached to a periphery of the water valve and configured to couple to the manifold air channels. In examples wherein at least one of the manifolds is a dual-extrusion manifold, a top portion of the assembly includes an air valve configured to control flow of air to air channel(s) of the dual-extrusion manifold. In other examples, the assembly includes a one-outlet or two-outlet water valve configured to couple to water manifolds, with no attached air channels or air valves.