Membrane Valve Control Rod Adjustment for Variable Supply Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary valves are sensitive to varying liquid supply pressures, leading to issues such as failure to open at low pressures, oscillation of the diaphragm, increased water consumption, and reduced adjustable flow rate ranges.

Innovation Solution

A valve design featuring a membrane valve with a control rod adjustable by a push button and rotary handle, allowing for variable adjustment of the minimum flow position to accommodate different supply pressures, ensuring reliable operation and optimal flow control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the control rod is designed to keep the diaphragm open wide at minimum flow position, then the valve can operate reliably at low supply pressures, but the minimum flow rate increases and water consumption rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The control rod is made adjustable between a first minimum flow position and a second minimum flow position, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different supply pressure conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables optimization between reliability and water consumption based on actual operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positional parameter of the control rod by providing multiple adjustable minimum flow positions. This parameter change allows the valve to operate reliably at low supply pressures while minimizing water consumption by selecting the appropriate position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the control rod is designed to keep the diaphragm open wide at minimum flow position, then the valve can operate reliably at low supply pressures, but the adjustable flow rate range is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevalve operation reliabilityVSAvoidadjustable flow rate range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustable control rod position enables the system to adapt dynamically to different supply pressure conditions, maintaining reliability while preserving maximum adjustable flow rate range by selecting the appropriate minimum flow position

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control rod serves multiple functions by being adjustable between different minimum flow positions, allowing it to accommodate both low supply pressure conditions and maintain a wide adjustable flow rate range across different operating scenarios

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

3Device complexity

If the control rod position is fixed, then the valve structure is simpler, but the valve cannot adapt to different supply pressures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol rod structureVSAvoidadaptability to supply pressure
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The control rod is designed with adjustable positions that can be set according to different supply pressure conditions, providing adaptability while maintaining relatively simple valve structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the positional parameter of the control rod by providing multiple adjustable minimum flow positions, enabling adaptation to different supply pressures without significantly increasing structural complexity

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

The valve is adaptable to varying supply pressures, preventing oscillation and minimizing water consumption while maximizing the adjustable flow rate range, ensuring consistent performance across different installation conditions.

Implementation Method 1

a diaphragm valve (5) with a diaphragm (6) and a backpressure chamber (7) connected to the at least one inlet (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP4051933B1Valve for a sanitary fitting, comprising a membrane valve and an adjustable control rod
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 GROHE AG
  • EP4051933B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4051933B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a valve (1) for a sanitary fitting, having: • a liquid guide (2) with at least one feed (3) and at least one discharge (4) for a liquid; • a membrane valve (5) with at least one membrane (6) and a counter pressure chamber (7) connected to the at least one feed (3); and • a control rod (8) for controlling the membrane valve (5), wherein the control rod (8) can be adjusted by a push button (9) between a closed position, in which the membrane valve (5) is closed, and an open position (10), in which the membrane valve (5) is at least partly opened, and in the open position (10), the control rod (8) can be adjusted by a rotary handle (11) between a minimum throughflow position (12), in which a minimum flow rate of the liquid flows through the at least one discharge (4), and a maximum throughflow position (13), in which a maximum flow rate of the liquid flows through the at least one discharge (4), said minimum throughflow position (12) of the control rod (8) being variably adjustable.