Mixer Tap with Three Mixed Water Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixer taps with multiple water outlets are complex to operate and require additional casting tools for channel changes, making them cumbersome and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A mixer tap design featuring a single-lever mixer for quantity and temperature setting, combined with a 3-way switch cartridge, arranged on the end faces of the tap body, allowing for simplified operation and space-saving integration of three mixed water outlets for a tub, overhead shower, and hand shower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If channels are embedded in the fitting body, then the structure is integrated, but it becomes complex and requires new casting tools for each channel change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water distribution system into separate functional components: the fitting body and detachable outlet elements. This allows the channels to be formed in the outlet elements rather than being embedded in the fitting body, enabling channel changes without creating new casting tools for the main body.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting body is designed with universal features that can accommodate different outlet elements with various channel configurations. This multi-functional design allows a single fitting body to support multiple channel arrangements by simply changing the outlet elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If three mixed water outlets are integrated into the battery body, then all outlets are available, but the battery body requires more space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical arrangement of outlets along the battery body's height rather than spreading them out horizontally. The first outlet extends from the top surface, the second from the bottom surface, and the third from the lateral surface, effectively using the third dimension to accommodate multiple outlets in a compact footprint.
3Ease of operation
If multiple adjustment elements are provided for each outlet, then each outlet can be independently controlled, but the operation becomes relatively complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the control functions for multiple outlets into a single integrated adjustment element. This single element can control the water flow distribution among the first, second, and third outlets, reducing the number of separate controls while maintaining independent adjustability of each outlet.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A bath filler tap (10) with three mixed water outlets (21, 24, 25), namely a bath spout (11) and one mixed water outlet each for a shower head (14) and a hand shower (15), wherein an elongated tap body (20) has a water connection (22, 23) on one longitudinal side for the cold and warm water to be supplied to the tap body (20) and on the opposite end faces of the tap body (20) is arranged, on the one hand, an adjustment device for the quantity and temperature of a mixed water to be dispensed via the mixed water outlets (21, 24, 25) and, on the other hand, a diverter cartridge (32) to be actuated by means of a rotary handle (31) for selectively connecting a mixed water outlet to the adjustment device, wherein the adjustment device is designed in the form of a single-lever mixer with a hand lever (27) and a mixing cartridge (26) to be actuated by it.