Membrane Plumbing Valve With Rotary Flow Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary valves with membrane valves lack a straightforward and efficient mechanism to adjust flow when the valve is open, often resulting in a complex structure and unclear operation for users.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary valve design featuring a flow element with multiple openings that can be adjusted via a rotary movement, where the control piston is connected to an actuating cap for pressure and rotary actuation, allowing the flow cross-section to be changed by aligning flow openings with the water inlet or outlet, and utilizing a connecting link design to stabilize the control piston in different positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a stop is adjustable by rotary movement to define the position of the diaphragm valve in its open state, then the flow rate can be adjusted when the valve is open, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate adjustment capabilityVSAvoidvalve structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating cap is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be pressed axially to open the valve and rotated to adjust the flow rate. This integrates the stopping mechanism and flow adjustment mechanism into a single component, eliminating the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining full flow control capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a push button and rotary element are provided separately to control the diaphragm valve and adjust flow, then flow adjustment is possible, but the operation becomes unclear and the design more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow adjustment capabilityVSAvoidoperational clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The actuating cap combines the push button function (for opening the valve) and the rotary element function (for adjusting flow rate) into a single integrated component. Users can press the cap axially to open the valve and then rotate the same cap to adjust the flow rate, providing clear and intuitive operation with a single component rather than requiring coordination between multiple separate controls

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If the control piston is directly connected to the flow element for rotary adjustment, then the structure is simplified, but axial movement and rotary movement cannot be independently controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol mechanism structureVSAvoidindependent control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the control piston and flow element is segmented into two independent functional paths: the actuating cap can move axially to control the piston for valve opening, and can also rotate independently to control the flow element for flow rate adjustment. This segmentation allows each control function (opening and flow adjustment) to operate independently without interfering with the other

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

Enables easy adjustment of flow rates through the valve by changing the alignment of flow openings, providing a simple and intuitive operation while maintaining effective flow control between maximum and minimum flow settings.

Implementation Method 1

pressure actuation in the axial direction, wherein the control piston closes the control orifice in the first position and keeps it open (allowing flow) in the second position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure actuation: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

pressure builds up in a pressure chamber opposite the valve seat, originating from the water pressure at the water inlet and passing through the compensating orifice. This pressure in the pressure chamber holds the diaphragm valve in its closed position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentEP3599399B1Plumbing valve with membrane valve
Publication Date: 2022.07.13 IDEAL STANDARD INT
  • EP3599399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3599399B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3599399B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a sanitary valve with - a water inlet (1), - a water outlet (2), - a diaphragm valve (3) which is arranged between the water inlet (1) and the water outlet (2), wherein the diaphragm valve (3) has - a valve seat (5), - a compensating opening, - a control opening (6) and - a control piston (7), wherein the control piston (7) can be moved into a first and a second stable position by means of pressure actuation, wherein the control piston (7) closes the control opening (6) in the first position and keeps it open in the second position, and - an adjusting device with which the flow through the sanitary valve can be changed by means of a rotary movement when the diaphragm valve (3) is open.