Modular Mixing Valve Assembly With Concentric Temperature and Flow Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixing valve designs can be overly complex and costly, lacking a compact and efficient solution for manual temperature control and flow diversion of hot and cold water.

Innovation Solution

A modular mixing valve design featuring concentric handles for independent temperature and flow control, with a pressure balancer and temperature controller module separate from the flow diverter module, allowing for compact installation and easy serviceability, and accommodating back-to-back configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional mixing valve designs are used, then temperature control and flow diversion functions are achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve design complexityVSAvoidtemperature control and flow diversion functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve assembly is divided into separate functional modules: a mixing valve body with temperature control features and a diverter valve body with flow diversion features. These modules can be independently manufactured, assembled, and serviced, reducing overall complexity while maintaining full functionality for both temperature control and flow diversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mixing valve body is designed to accommodate multiple outlet configurations (tub, shower, handheld) through universal port arrangements and interchangeable diverter modules. This allows a single base design to serve multiple functions and applications without requiring completely different valve systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If compact modular design is used, then installation space is reduced and serviceability is improved, but manufacturing complexity may increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve assembly sizeVSAvoidmodular assembly manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The diverter valve body is positioned within or adjacent to the mixing valve body in a nested or integrated configuration. This nesting approach reduces the overall volume of the valve assembly while maintaining separate functional zones, allowing compact installation without sacrificing the manufacturability of individual modules

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Productivity

If larger outlet sizes are used, then flow capacity is improved, but the device volume and installation space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow capacityVSAvoidvalve assembly volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The valve design optimizes flow capacity by utilizing three-dimensional space efficiently within the compact housing. Internal passageways and outlet configurations are arranged in multiple dimensions to maximize flow capacity without increasing the external footprint of the valve assembly, allowing large effective outlet areas in a small package

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS11555548B2Mixing valves, valve modules, and valve module assemblies

Publication Date: 2023.01.17 MASCO CANADA

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed to a mixing valve pressure balancer and temperature controller module, a mixing valve flow diverter module, a modular assembly including the pressure balancer and temperature controller module and the flow diverter module, and a mixing valve including the modular assembly.