Lever Valve Resilient Latching Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lever valves are expensive to manufacture and require significant space due to complex latching mechanisms, which hinder efficient production and usage.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates recesses in the bushing for resilient latching bodies and locking lugs on the actuating lever, allowing for cost-effective production using injection molding and space-efficient placement, with optional spring support and ratchet teeth for enhanced locking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a complex latching mechanism with multiple separate components is used, then the valve can achieve reliable positioning, but the manufacturing cost increases and the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve positioning reliabilityVSAvoidlatching mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate latching components into a single integrated latching body made of resilient material. The latching body incorporates both the latching cam and the detent element that engages with locking lugs on the actuating lever, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms and reducing overall component count while maintaining reliable positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the latching mechanism by using a resilient material that can elastically deform. This allows the latching body to flex during engagement and disengagement, providing automatic latching action when the actuating lever is positioned correctly, and enabling the mechanism to accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If a complex latching mechanism with multiple separate components is used, then the valve can achieve reliable positioning, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve positioning reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate latching components into a single integrated latching body made of resilient material. The latching body incorporates both the latching cam and the detent element that engages with locking lugs on the actuating lever, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms and reducing overall component count while maintaining reliable positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the latching mechanism by using a resilient material that can elastically deform. This allows the latching body to flex during engagement and disengagement, providing automatic latching action when the actuating lever is positioned correctly, and enabling the mechanism to accommodate manufacturing tolerances while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If a complex latching mechanism with multiple separate components is used, then the valve can achieve reliable positioning, but the space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve positioning reliabilityVSAvoidspace requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate latching components into a single integrated latching body made of resilient material. The latching body incorporates both the latching cam and the detent element that engages with locking lugs on the actuating lever, eliminating the need for separate attachment mechanisms and reducing overall component count while maintaining reliable positioning functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient latching body is received within a recess in the valve housing, allowing the latching mechanism to be nested within the existing valve structure rather than requiring additional external space. The latching body fits into the recess and engages with locking lugs on the actuating lever, providing reliable positioning without increasing the overall valve footprint.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 significantly reduces manufacturing costs and space requirements while ensuring reliable valve operation, preventing unwanted self-closure with heavy control handles.

Implementation Method 1

a resilient latching body acting radially to the pivot axis is provided as a stop that can be overcome when the adjusting lever is pivoted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the locking body interacts with a spring element arranged on the actuating handle, so that a stop that can be overcome is formed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP1837568B1Lever valve

Publication Date: 2008.09.03 GROHE AG

Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4

AI summary

The valve has an adjusting lever (3) led through a valve housing (1), where the lever is held by a socket (2), which is arranged in the housing on a pivoting axis, so that an adjusting parameter is produced in a swiveling path (20) of the socket. A recess is designed in side walls of the path, where the recess extends over half of a length of the path that is from an external front side of the socket until the proximate of the axis. A springy locking body (6) with a locking cam (60) is arranged in the recess, where the locking body works together with a locking latch planned at the lever.