Liquid Discharge Apparatus with Flow Limiting Device

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Liquid discharge apparatuses that handle liquids of different temperatures through a shared pipe orifice often result in abnormal surface temperatures, making manual operation hazardous due to the risk of burns or freezing, as seen in faucets and similar devices.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus features an outer pipe that partially wraps the inner pipe, with a one-way valve controlling the flow between them, ensuring that non-normal temperature liquid from the inner pipe cannot flow into the outer pipe, thus maintaining a safe operating surface temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If non-normal temperature liquid is delivered through the inner pipe to the shared discharge orifice, then the liquid discharge function is improved, but the operating surface temperature becomes abnormal causing safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid discharge functionVSAvoidabnormal operating surface temperature
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid discharge system is segmented into two independent channels: an inner pipe for non-normal temperature liquid and an outer pipe for normal temperature liquid. This segmentation allows each channel to function independently, preventing temperature cross-contamination while maintaining efficient liquid discharge capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner pipe is nested within the outer pipe, with the inner pipe disposed inside the outer pipe and both sharing a common discharge orifice. This nested structure enables space-efficient design while maintaining thermal isolation between the two liquid channels, as the outer pipe acts as a thermal barrier protecting the operating surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the outlet for non-normal temperature liquid is spaced from the outlet for normal temperature liquid, then burn prevention is improved, but water flow control reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveburn preventionVSAvoidwater flow control reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The outlets are spatially separated with the inner pipe outlet positioned inside the outer pipe outlet structure. This nested outlet arrangement prevents direct flow interaction between the two liquid streams, eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining reliable flow control through pressure-dependent valve mechanisms in each channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

A flow limiting device acts as an intermediary mechanism at the shared discharge orifice, controlling the interaction between liquids from inner and outer pipes. This intermediary structure ensures that non-normal temperature liquid cannot freely mix with normal temperature liquid, maintaining flow control reliability while preventing thermal hazards.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a one-way valve is added to prevent inner pipe liquid from flowing into the outer pipe, then flow control reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow control reliabilityVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flow limiting device operates autonomously based on pressure differential between the inner and outer pipe liquids. When outer pipe liquid flows, the pressure differential automatically opens the flow limiting device; when inner pipe pressure exceeds outer pipe pressure, the device automatically closes to prevent backflow, eliminating the need for complex controlled valve mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The flow limiting device utilizes changes in pressure parameters to control flow direction. The device responds dynamically to pressure differential changes between the two liquid channels, opening when outer pipe pressure is higher and closing when inner pipe pressure exceeds outer pipe pressure, providing reliable flow control through simple parameter-based actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents the inner pipe's liquid from entering the outer pipe, allowing safe operation by maintaining a stable surface temperature, thereby enhancing user safety and comfort when handling liquids of varying temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

The opening, closing and the opening scope of the one-way valve is controlled through the liquid flow pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

The opening scope of the one-way valve is further controlled by an elastic material of the one-way valve itself or an additionally provided elastic member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2937477B1Liquid discharge apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.08.04 KWC GROUP AG
  • EP2937477B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2937477B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2937477B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a liquid discharge apparatus, especially a liquid discharge apparatus for the discharge of both normal temperature liquid and non-normal temperature liquid. The liquid discharge apparatus comprises a liquid channel, wherein the liquid channel comprises one or more inner pipes (1), and an outer pipe (2) wrapping the inner pipes and spaced apart from the inner pipes, each of the inner pipes and the outer pipe have a shared liquid discharge pipe orifice (10), and a flow limiting device (3) for limiting flow of liquid in the inner pipes into the outer pipe is arranged at the shared liquid discharge pipe orifice (10). The liquid discharge apparatus can effectively prevent liquid in an inner pipe from flowing into the outer pipe by means of a specific limiting device thereof, thereby enabling a user to safely and reliably operate the liquid discharge apparatus.