Single-Piece Multifunction Valve for Compact Water Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing multifunction valve systems for distributing and metering hot/cold water in heating and sanitary applications are complex, costly, and difficult to assemble, requiring numerous components and extensive adaptation, which complicates their preparation and installation.
Innovation Solution
A single-piece multifunction valve with integrated filtering, bypass, shut-off, and balancing functions, featuring a compact design with a single-piece body that includes a filtering chamber, temperature measuring chamber, and shut-off chamber, allowing for automatic flowrate and temperature regulation, and metering of water consumption, reducing the need for extensive assembly and adaptation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components (three-way valve, bypass valve, balancing valve, meter, filter, shut-off valves) are used to achieve heating water distribution and control, then the system can perform comprehensive functions (flow regulation, temperature control, metering, filtration), but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate valve components (three-way valve, bypass valve, balancing valve, filter, and shut-off valves) into a single integrated valve body. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate components while maintaining all necessary functions for heating water distribution, flow regulation, temperature control, and metering.
Solution Approach 2:
The single-piece valve body is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a three-way valve for flow distribution, includes a bypass valve for recirculation, incorporates a balancing valve for flow regulation, integrates a filter for impurity removal, and provides shut-off capabilities. This multi-functionality reduces the overall system complexity while comprehensive control is maintained.
2Reliability
If numerous separate components and assembly components (pipes, unions, etc.) are used to create control circuits, then the desired technical effect (flow regulation and temperature control) can be achieved, but the preparation and assembly operations become complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple control functions into a single manufactured component - the valve body. This eliminates the need for assembling multiple separate components with various pipes and unions, significantly simplifying installation while maintaining reliable flow regulation and temperature control through the integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard multifunction valve designs are used with separately integrated filtering chamber and shut-off chamber, then the valve can perform multiple functions, but the overall dimensions and installation complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the filtering chamber and shut-off chamber to be nested within the single-piece valve body structure. The filter is positioned within the valve body, and the shut-off mechanism is integrated into the same structure, creating a compact arrangement that reduces overall valve dimensions while maintaining all multifunction capabilities.
Data Source
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AI summary
Single-piece multifunction valve for supplying and controlling hot water (C) supplied to user appliances (U) comprising a body (100) having formed inside it: a delivery branch (RM) for the hot fluid (C) substantially formed by an inlet aperture (101) and an outlet aperture (102) to the user appliances (U); a return branch (RR) for the cold fluid (F) from the user appliances (U), substantially formed by an inlet aperture (201) for the cold water (F); an outlet aperture (202) for return of the cold fluid to the boiler (CT); said delivery branch (RM) comprising at least a filtering chamber (110) terminating in an annular seat (111) for housing a filter (1000) and communicating with the exterior by means of an aperture (112) able to be closed/opened by means of an associated plug (113); a bypass chamber (120) communicating with the exterior by means of a substantially vertical aperture (121) able to house a bypass valve (2000) provided with an obturator (2001) able to come into contact with the seat (122a) of a first end of a vertical duct (122) suitable for connecting the delivery branch (RM) to the return branch (RR) of the valve; a temperature measuring chamber (130) which communicates with the exterior by means of a substantially vertical aperture (131) formed in the bottom side (100e) of the valve body and able to house a water temperature detection probe (3000) emitting a corresponding electric signal; and said return branch comprising at least a shut-off chamber (210) for the cold water (F) of the return branch (RR) communicating with the exterior by means of a substantially vertical aperture (212) and able to house a shut-off valve (4000) provided with an obturator (4001) which can be opened/closed by means of an associated actuator (4100) controlled by the control unit (5000) ; said shut-off chamber (210) being connected to the delivery branch (RM) by means of said vertical duct (122) of the bypass chamber (120) for recirculation of the fluid; a balancing chamber (220) communicating with the exterior by means of a substantially vertical aperture (221) formed in the upper side (100d) of the valve body and able to house a balancing valve (6000) provided with an obturator (6001) able to determine a greater/smaller flow of the cold return fluid.