Internal Screw Locking for Minimalist Water-Dispensing Units
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current locking devices for water-dispensing units result in significant material waste and are difficult to produce due to their complex geometry and thin thicknesses, especially in minimalist designs, and they detract from the aesthetic appeal with external protrusions.
Innovation Solution
A locking device that secures the bottom element to a tubular element using internal screw means and locking elements, eliminating external protrusions and allowing for simplified assembly without external access holes, thus reducing material waste and enhancing aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rest protrusion is created by removing material from a semifinished product, then the locking function is achieved, but material waste increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing material to create the rest protrusion, the invention inverts the approach by creating a recess in the bottom element and forming the rest protrusion as a positive feature on the tubular body through additive manufacturing or different forming processes. This eliminates material removal and associated waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters and formation method of the rest protrusion, transitioning from a material-removal process to a material-addition or different-forming process. This parameter change enables the same locking function with dramatically reduced material waste.
2Shape
If the body has thin thicknesses (1-4 mm) for minimalist design, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to casting limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces traditional casting processes with additive manufacturing (3D printing) technology. This substitution enables the production of thin-walled minimalist designs with complex internal geometries that would be impossible or extremely difficult to achieve through conventional casting, while maintaining structural integrity.
3Reliability
If a rest protrusion with extended surface is created, then the locking function is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the locking function into two separate components: the rest protrusion on the tubular body and the recess in the bottom element. This segmentation allows each feature to be optimized independently and simplifies the overall structure compared to a single complex protrusion design.
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
The solution provides a stable, efficient, and compact locking mechanism that minimizes material waste and simplifies production, while maintaining a minimalist design and preserving the product's aesthetic integrity.
Implementation Method 1
screw means (6) connected to the bottom element (4) and arranged for being screwed from the inside of the tubular element (3)
Implementation Method 2
one or more locking elements (7) housed in the bottom element (4) and movable, upon a tightening action of the screw means (6), in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis X against an inner surface of a wall (3a) of the tubular element (3) so as to lock the bottom element (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
A locking device (1) for a water-dispensing unit (2), such as a mixer tap, is disclosed. The locking device comprises: a tubular element (3) that extends with a longitudinal axis (X), a bottom element (4) positionable inside the tubular element to connect a hydraulic cartridge (5) to one or more conduits for the water withdrawal, screw means (6) connected to the bottom element and arranged for being screwed from inside the tubular element, one or more locking elements (7) housed in the bottom element and shaped to cooperate with the screw means, each locking element being movable, by tightening the screw means, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis against an inner surface of a wall (3a) of the tubular element to lock the bottom element, preventing an axial movement thereof and a rotation around the longitudinal axis with respect to the tubular element. A water-dispensing unit is disclosed comprising the locking device.