Multi-Outlet Water Valve for Independent Hose Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gardening water spray tools lack versatility in controlling multiple water hoses and sprinkler devices, leading to inconvenience and confusion in pipeline configuration, as they cannot be separately controlled or customized, and require multiple water sources for simultaneous use.
Innovation Solution
A water valve with a main body and multiple control valve sets, featuring an upper cover that can be customized with different materials and patterns, and control valves with knobs and valve tubes that allow independent control of water flow, enabling one-to-many connections and simplified operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple water sources are used to water different places simultaneously, then the watering coverage is improved, but the complexity of pipeline configuration increases and confusion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single water source system into multiple independently controllable sections by installing multiple control valves on one water pipe. Each control valve can independently control water flow to different sprinkler devices or hoses, enabling simultaneous watering of multiple areas without requiring multiple water sources or complex pipeline configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple water pipes are pulled from the water source to provide multiple gardening tools, then the versatility of gardening tools is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to inconvenience and confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water control function by installing multiple control valves along a single water pipe, allowing each gardening tool (hose or sprinkler) to have its own control valve. This enables users to independently control each tool without managing multiple separate water pipes, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining versatility.
3Device complexity
If water control is performed only at the water source, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity deteriorates due to time-consuming and labor-intensive operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the water control function from a centralized location (water source) to distributed locations along the pipeline. By installing multiple control valves at different positions on the water pipe, users can control water flow to specific areas directly at the valve location, eliminating the need to return to the water source and significantly improving water control efficiency.
4Ease of manufacture
If the upper cover has a single material and appearance, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but the adaptability deteriorates as users cannot customize based on personal preference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the upper cover a replaceable component, allowing users to swap between different covers with various materials, patterns, and colors. This dynamic configuration enables customization based on personal preference while maintaining simple manufacturing processes for each individual cover type.
Data Source
AI summary
A water valve has a main body and at least two control valve sets. The main body has an upper cover and a base, the upper cover and the base correspondingly form an enclosed space and are locked with screws. The main body further has an input portion, two controlling portions and a containing chamber. The input portion connects to a water source, each controlling portion has a controlling chamber located in the main body and an outputting space. Each controlling chamber has a through aperture on a side connected to the containing chamber. Each of the control valve sets has a control valve with a knob, the knob has an extending valve tube configured to sleeve onto the controlling chamber of the controlling portion, and the knob is exposed from the main body; each valve tube further has a through hole capable of being aligned with the through aperture.