Outlet Fitting with Thermostatic Mixing and Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing outlet fittings lack the ability to regulate the temperature of fluid output within a specific range while maintaining safety standards, particularly in applications where cold water is insufficient, such as in the food industry, agriculture, and swimming pools, and do not effectively prevent contamination of drinking water systems.
Innovation Solution
The outlet fitting incorporates a mixing valve with a thermostatic element and a system separator, allowing for the mixing of fluids from two pipes of different temperatures and ensuring the safety of drinking water systems by preventing backflow, with a compact design that includes a drain valve and non-return valves for enhanced safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a mixing valve with thermostatic element is added to regulate fluid temperature, then the temperature regulation capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing valve with thermostatic element directly into the outlet fitting housing, merging multiple functions (temperature mixing, temperature regulation, and backflow prevention) into a single integrated device. This eliminates the need for separate external mixing valves and thermostatic controls, thereby improving temperature regulation capability while actually reducing overall system complexity through consolidation.
2Reliability
If a system separator is added to prevent backflow and contamination, then the safety of drinking water system is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system separator is integrated within the outlet fitting housing, combining backflow prevention and drinking water protection functions with the main fitting structure. This integration maintains high safety standards by ensuring proper separation between drinking water and process water systems, while avoiding the need for separate external backflow prevention devices.
3Volume of moving object
If multiple valves and separators are integrated in a compact design, then the space efficiency is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs modular component design where the mixing valve, thermostatic element, system separator, and shut-off devices are designed as separate manufacturable modules that are subsequently assembled into the final integrated fitting. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured using optimized processes for that specific component, then joined together through standardized connection interfaces, thereby achieving compact integration while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.
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 solution allows for precise temperature adjustment of the fluid output, ensures the safety of drinking water systems by preventing contamination, and maintains a compact design that meets safety standards and operational requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the mixing valve having a thermostatic element
Implementation Method 2
two non-return valves in the direction of flow, each of which is assigned to one of the pipe connection pieces
Implementation Method 3
In the event of unfavorable pressure conditions between the drinking water system and the consumer system connected via the outlet fitting, the system separator of the present invention prevents water from entering the drinking water system from the consumer system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispensing valve comprising a valve body with a pipe connection (2) that can be connected to a pipeline and forms an inlet opening in the valve body. The dispensing valve also has a hose connection (30) that forms an outlet opening and is suitable for connecting a dispensing hose. A shut-off device is provided between the inlet opening and the outlet opening, which interacts with a valve seat provided in the valve body to shut off the dispensing valve. Furthermore, a system separator (26) is provided downstream of the shut-off device in the valve body. The present invention aims to provide a dispensing valve with the most compact design possible, which can regulate the temperature of the fluid flowing from the valve within a certain range without lowering the safety standard.To solve the problem, the outlet fitting according to the invention has a second pipe connection (4) which can be connected to a second pipeline and forms a second inlet opening. According to the present invention, a mixing valve (10) is provided in the fitting housing for mixing the fluids passed through the two pipe connection ports (2, 4), wherein the mixing valve (10) has a thermostatic element.