Offset Cylindrical Valve With Peripheral Linkage For Independent Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucet valves with unified handle-spout combinations face challenges in achieving independent control of temperature and flow rate due to their design, which often results in complex mechanisms and inefficient fluid flow management.
Innovation Solution
A valve design featuring a cylindrical housing with offset end portions, multiple inlet and outlet ports, and a disk system that uses a peripheral linkage to independently control the mixing and flow rate of fluid, allowing for precise temperature and flow adjustments through rotational and translational movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a unified handle-spout combination valve design is used, then the valve structure is simplified and easier to manufacture, but the control precision for independent temperature and flow rate adjustment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve control mechanism is segmented into two independent control systems: a rotational disk control for temperature adjustment and a peripheral linkage for flow rate control. This segmentation allows each control to be optimized independently while maintaining an integrated valve body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control mechanism transitions from planar two-dimensional disk rotation to three-dimensional operation by adding peripheral linkage that moves along the valve body circumference. This dimensional expansion enables independent flow rate control without interfering with temperature adjustment.
2Ease of operation
If a single handle valve is used to control both temperature and flow, then the number of user interfaces is reduced, but the operational complexity and mechanism complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single handle operation is segmented into two independent control motions: rotational movement for temperature and peripheral translation for flow rate. This segmentation simplifies the control mechanism by eliminating the need for complex interconnected linkages while maintaining single-handle operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism incorporates dynamic control where the disk can rotate independently for temperature adjustment while the peripheral linkage translates along the valve body for flow rate control. This dynamic independence reduces mechanical complexity compared to rigid interconnected systems.
3Device complexity
If traditional planar disk mixing valves are used, then the valve design is simple, but the flow rate control efficiency and mixing precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The control mechanism transitions from planar two-dimensional disk rotation to three-dimensional operation by adding peripheral linkage that moves along the valve body circumference. This dimensional expansion enables independent flow rate control without interfering with temperature adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
A peripheral linkage acts as an intermediary between the user's flow rate adjustment input and the internal valve mechanism. This intermediary translates peripheral motion into precise flow control while maintaining simple overall valve design.
4Volume of moving object
If unified handle-spout combination valves are used, then the overall valve size can be reduced, but the flow disruptions and flow rate precision deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The flow control path is segmented into independent temperature and flow rate control channels. The rotational disk controls temperature mixing while the peripheral linkage independently controls flow rate, preventing flow disruptions and maintaining precision in compact valve design.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve includes a generally cylindrical housing including first and second end portions that are offset from each other along a longitudinal axis of the generally cylindrical housing. First and second inlet ports are arranged on one of said first or second end portions, and at least one outlet port is arranged on one of said first or second end portions. A disk is disposed in the generally cylindrical housing and is configured to independently control both mixing and flow rate of fluid flowing into at least one of the first and second inlet ports.