Mixing Valve Control Disc with Rising Base for Sensitivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary mixing fittings face challenges in achieving high sensitivity while maintaining a high flow rate, as existing solutions often result in increased wear or assembly costs and reduce flow in cold and hot water stops.

Innovation Solution

A control disc with a passage channel that decreases in cross-section in the direction of movement, featuring a base that extends over an angle of 25° to 80°, allowing for a longer channel length and a rising floor, which enhances sensitivity by distributing the change from open to closed cross-section over a larger angular range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If sensitivity cams are used to increase sensitivity, then the mixing valve becomes more sensitive and easier to adjust, but the flow cross-section is reduced resulting in lower flow rate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidflow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the passage channel, specifically extending the channel length and adjusting the base angle to between 25° and 80°. This parameter modification allows the channel to distribute the closure action over a larger angular range, increasing sensitivity without requiring flow-reducing sensitivity cams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a dimensional change by extending the passage channel in the circumferential direction around the control disc. By increasing the channel length and using a rising base design, the closure action is distributed over a larger angular range, achieving sensitivity enhancement without reducing the flow cross-section.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If the passage channel cross-section is reduced to increase sensitivity, then the mixing valve becomes more sensitive, but the flow rate at cold and hot water outlets is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidflow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the geometric parameters by extending the passage channel length and setting the base angle between 25° and 80°. This allows the channel to distribute the closure action over a larger angular range, achieving sensitivity enhancement without reducing the flow cross-section, thus maintaining high flow rate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rising base design creates a dynamic geometry where the passage channel cross-section changes gradually along its length. This dynamic configuration allows the channel to distribute the closure action over a larger angular range, achieving sensitivity without flow rate reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If a longer passage channel is used to increase sensitivity, then the mixing valve becomes more sensitive, but the assembly effort and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesensitivityVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the passage channel with the control disc structure itself, integrating the sensitivity-enhancing features directly into the disc geometry. The rising base and extended channel are formed as part of the control disc, eliminating the need for separate sensitivity cams or additional components, thus reducing assembly effort despite the longer channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2767744B1Control disc for mixing valve
Publication Date: 2019.07.31 GROHE AG
  • EP2767744B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2767744B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2767744B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The control disk (2) has passage channels for cold water and for warm water and an outlet for mixing water. The passage channel includes a smaller cross-section in movement direction of a movable control disk (3). The passage channel extends over an angle of 15 degrees or over length. The length is equal to 0.15 times of total movement length of the movable control disk. The angle lies between 25 and 80 degrees, preferably between 50 and 70 degrees.