Modular Shower Valve Assembly for Easy Function Upgrades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-wall shower valves are complex and costly to produce, making them difficult to modify or upgrade, and they lack modular design to accommodate different shower functions.
Innovation Solution
A modular split design shower apparatus comprising an upper and lower body with a mixing valve, where the upper body is replaceable and integrates an automatic stop valve group, using a thermostatic valve with a pressure balancing module for temperature control, and made partly with plastic to reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a one-piece copper body molding is used for shower valves, then the structure is integrated and reliable, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The shower valve is divided into multiple separate components: a lower body (platform), upper bodies with different functions (mixing valve, shower valve, bathtub valve), and connection pieces. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using simpler processes while maintaining overall structural reliability through precise connection interfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a one-piece copper body molding is used for shower valves, then the structure is integrated, but the cost increases and platform unfolding is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The lower body is designed as a universal platform that can support multiple types of upper bodies (mixing valve, shower valve, bathtub valve). This multi-functional design allows a single lower body structure to serve different purposes by simply changing the upper body component, reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining structural integration.
3Stability of the object's composition
If existing shower valves are used, then the structure is fixed, but function changes and upgrades are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the lower body and upper bodies uses detachable connection pieces with threaded interfaces, allowing the system to transition from a static fixed structure to a dynamic reconfigurable system. Users can easily remove and replace upper bodies to change functions or upgrade components while keeping the stable lower body platform.
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
The modular design allows for easy function changes and cost reduction while ensuring simple structure and convenient assembly, with integrated automatic stop valves and thermostatic control for consistent temperature and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the mixing valve is a thermostatic valve group; the thermostatic valve group comprises a switch bolt group, a temperature control ring, a valve spool body and a temperature sensitive spool
Implementation Method 2
a temperature sensitive spool, the temperature sensitive spool is fixedly connected to the temperature control ring
Implementation Method 3
the adapter seat body has a pressure balancing module embedded in it. the pressure balancing module comprises a body section, a balancing shaft and a piston
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a shower apparatus, which comprises an upper body, a lower body and a mixing valve, the upper body and lower body are interconnected and fixed, the upper body is provided with a capacious space, the mixing valve is placed within the capacious space; the lower body comprises a cold water inlet channel, a hot water inlet channel and a mixing water outlet, the upper body comprises a cold water crossing channel, a hot water crossing channel and a mixing water crossing channel, the upper body comprises a cold water crossing channel, a hot water crossing channel and a mixing water crossing channel, the cold inlet channel, the hot inlet channel and the mixed water outlet are hermetically connected to the cold water crossing channel, the hot water crossing channel and the mixed water crossing channel, respectively. The shower apparatus adopts modular split design, which takes the lower body as the base platform, so that the upper body can be replaced with different functions, with simple structure and low cost, and satisfy the matching of platform functions at the same time; in addition, the shower apparatus integrates the automatic stop valve group into the upper body to realize modular assembly, with simple structure and convenient structure.