Jet Regulator Segmented Outlet Disk for Limescale Prevention

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jet regulators require significant production outlay due to the need for injection-molding soft, dimensionally elastic plastic material onto a hard plastic housing, limiting material selection and increasing complexity.

Innovation Solution

The jet regulator features a separable outlet disk with a perforated, grate, or mesh structure that can be inserted into a ring-shaped or sleeve-shaped housing, secured by a retaining device, allowing for independent material selection and simplified production using different processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If soft or dimensionally elastic plastic material is injection-molded onto the jet regulator housing, then limescale formation is prevented and adherent deposits are easily detachable, but production outlay increases and material selection is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelimescale preventionVSAvoidproduction outlay

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet face side is segmented into a separate outlet disk that can be produced independently from the jet regulator housing. This allows the outlet disk to be made from materials suitable for limescale prevention while the housing can be produced from different materials, eliminating the need for complex injection molding processes and reducing production outlay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The outlet disk combines a rigid base structure with a soft or dimensionally elastic plastic material layer, creating a composite structure that provides both structural integrity and limescale prevention properties. This allows the beneficial properties of different materials to be combined without requiring injection molding of one material onto another.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If soft or dimensionally elastic plastic material is injection-molded onto the jet regulator housing, then limescale formation is prevented, but the production process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelimescale preventionVSAvoidproduction process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet face side is segmented into a separate outlet disk that can be produced independently from the jet regulator housing. This allows the outlet disk to be made from materials suitable for limescale prevention while the housing can be produced from different materials, eliminating the need for complex injection molding processes and reducing production outlay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the outlet face side is produced as a single integrated component, then production is simpler, but material selection is limited and dimensional rigidity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction simplicityVSAvoidmaterial selection

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet face side is segmented into a separate outlet disk that can be produced independently from the jet regulator housing. This allows the outlet disk to be made from materials suitable for limescale prevention while the housing can be produced from different materials, eliminating the need for complex injection molding processes and reducing production outlay.

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 simplifies production, enhances stability, and allows for the use of materials that cannot be welded together, while maintaining high dimensional rigidity and enabling the creation of a sparkling, aerated water jet by incorporating a jet splitter and diffuser with aeration openings.

Implementation Method 1

the outlet face side of which jet regulator housing is formed as a perforated, grate and/or mesh structure with throughflow openings bordered by flow-guiding walls, wherein the perforated, grate and/or mesh structure on the outlet face side is produced at least in regions and at least on the surface from a manually deformable dimensionally elastic plastic material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

enabling the creation of a sparkling, aerated water jet by incorporating a jet splitter and diffuser with aeration openings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAeration: Aeration

Data Source

PatentUS9534361B2Jet regulator

Publication Date: 2017.01.03 NEOPERL GMBH

AI summary

A jet regulator includes a ring-shaped or sleeve-shaped jet regulator housing, the outlet face side of which is formed as a perforated, grate and/or mesh structure with throughflow openings bordered by flow-guiding walls. The perforated, grate and/or mesh structure on the outlet face side is produced at least in regions and at least on the surface from a manually deformable dimensionally elastic plastic material. The outlet face side of the jet regulator housing is in the form of an outlet disk which can be inserted into the jet regulator housing and which bears the perforated, grate and/or mesh structure. The separate configuration of the outlet disk on the one hand and the jet regulator housing on the other hand facilitates the separate production of said jet regulator constituents even from materials which cannot be welded or otherwise connected to one another, if appropriate in different production processes.