Mixing Valve Actuator Guide Element Reduces Jamming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for valve drain systems in mixing fittings often experience jamming and abrasion issues due to the setting element rubbing against the fitting housing, leading to unreliable and unsafe operation, and require complex machining for guidance, increasing costs and component count.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device with a separate guide element fixed to the fitting housing via a socket, providing improved guidance for the actuating element and reducing jamming risks, using a plastic guide element that can be connected positively or non-positively, with friction-reducing means and a positioning section to prevent accidental rotation, allowing for simpler and cost-effective manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adjusting element is directly mounted on the valve body without a separate guide element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adjusting element rubs against the valve body causing jamming and abrasion, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the guiding function from the valve body by introducing a separate guide element. The guide element is inserted into the valve body and provides a dedicated guiding path for the actuating element, while the valve body focuses on its primary sealing and control functions. This segmentation eliminates direct contact between the adjusting element and valve body, preventing jamming and abrasion.
2Manufacturing precision
If extensive machining is performed on the valve housing to provide guidance for the actuator, then the guidance precision is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element serves as an intermediary component between the valve body and the actuating element. Instead of machining complex guidance features directly into the valve housing, the guide element is inserted into a simple recess in the valve body and provides the necessary guiding surfaces. This approach achieves high guidance precision through the guide element's precise manufacturing while keeping the valve body's machining requirements minimal.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the guide element is integrated into the valve body, then the number of components is reduced, but the guide element cannot be independently manufactured and used with different valve housings
Solution Approach 1:
The guide element is designed as a separate, modular component that can be independently manufactured and replaced. This segmentation allows the same guide element to be used with different valve body types, improving versatility and adaptability across various mixing valve models while maintaining a manageable component count.
4Ease of operation
If friction-reducing means are incorporated between the actuating element and guide element, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the surface properties of the guide element and/or actuating element by incorporating friction-reducing means such as PTFE coatings or self-lubricating materials. This parameter change in surface friction characteristics enables smooth operation of the adjusting element without adding complex mechanical lubrication systems or moving parts, thus improving ease of operation with minimal increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
An actuating device (20) for a valve (19) of a drain assembly (18), comprising an adjusting element (22) that is manually movable relative to a valve housing (11) of a mixing valve (10), an actuating element (26) coupled to the adjusting element (22) which, depending on the adjusting movement of the adjusting element (22), effects an actuating movement to actuate the valve (19), and a guide element (34) separate from the valve housing (11) which guides the actuating element (26) and enables an actuating movement of the actuating element (26) along a first direction (30), wherein the guide element (34) is fixed to the valve housing (11) by a nozzle (40). The invention further relates to a mixing valve (10) with such an actuating device (20).