Mixing Cartridge Temperature Limiter External Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mixing cartridges for single-grip faucets with temperature limiters are complex to maintain and disable, as the resilient elements are concealed within the cartridge body, making replacement and feature toggling difficult and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A mixing cartridge design where the spring-loaded temperature limiter is accessible from the outside, with a protruding rigid element and resilient element that can be easily removed and reinstalled, allowing for simple replacement and toggling of the temperature limitation feature without disassembling the cartridge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the spring-loaded member is concealed inside the cartridge body, then the temperature limiter provides a compact structure, but the resilient element becomes difficult to replace and the temperature limitation feature becomes difficult to disable or enable
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded member is divided into two separate components: a rigid element that remains fixed in the cartridge body and a resilient element that can be independently removed and replaced. This segmentation allows the resilient element to be accessed and replaced without disassembling the entire cartridge body, resolving the contradiction between compact structure and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient element is extracted as a separate, removable component from the concealed spring-loaded member. By taking out the resilient element as an independent part that can be accessed from the outside, the patent enables easy replacement and toggling of the temperature limitation feature without requiring full disassembly, thus maintaining structural compactness while improving repairability.
2Device complexity
If the resilient element is concealed inside the cartridge body, then the temperature limiter maintains a simple external structure, but the feature cannot be easily disabled or enabled by users
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded member is segmented into a fixed rigid element and a removable resilient element. This allows users to simply remove or reinstall the resilient element from the outside to disable or enable the temperature limitation feature, providing ease of operation while maintaining a simple external structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables users to perform maintenance and feature toggling themselves without requiring technical expertise or disassembly tools. By making the resilient element externally accessible, users can independently disable or enable the temperature limitation feature and replace worn components, embodying the self-service principle.
3Reliability
If the mixing cartridge requires disassembly for resilient element replacement, then the internal structure can be protected, but the replacement process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded member is segmented into a permanently fixed rigid element that protects the internal structure and a removable resilient element that can be quickly replaced. This segmentation allows the rigid element to remain in place protecting internal components, while the resilient element can be rapidly swapped without disassembly, eliminating time loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid element is pre-installed and permanently fixed in the cartridge body during manufacturing, preparing the structure for future resilient element replacements. This preliminary action ensures internal structure protection is already in place, while allowing quick resilient element changes without requiring disassembly or reassembly of the entire cartridge.
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 quick and easy replacement of worn-out parts and flexible operation by allowing users to enable or disable the temperature limitation feature as needed, reducing energy and water wastage while preventing scalding.
Implementation Method 1
a spring-loaded member (7) that limits the rotation range of the top element (4) to an intermediate angular position... a resilient element (10) arranged on the external surface of the cylindrical neck portion (3) and that is mechanically coupled to the rigid element (9)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a mixing cartridge (1), comprising: a cartridge body (2) including a cylindrical neck portion (3); a top element (4) including a cylindrical portion (5) rotatably coupled to said cylindrical neck portion and comprising a pivotable actuation lever (6); a fixed plate comprising hot and cold water flow openings; a movable plate coupled to the pivotable actuation lever, so that rotating the top element causes a rotation of the movable plate on the fixed plate varying progressively the mixture of hot and cold water; and a temperature limiter comprising a spring-loaded member (7) provided in said cylindrical neck portion and which protrudes from the internal surface of said cylindrical neck portion towards the cylindrical portion of the top element; wherein the spring-loaded member interferes with an abutment (11) of the cylindrical portion of the top element when it reaches an intermediate angular position; and wherein the spring-loaded member comprises a rigid element (9) arranged in a cavity (8) provided in the cylindrical neck portion and that protrudes through inner and outer openings of said cavity, and a resilient element (10) arranged on the external surface of the cylindrical neck portion and coupled to the rigid element at the outer opening of the cavity.