Precision ceramics control valve with thermal expansion temperature limiting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional faucet control valves lack temperature detecting and regulating functions, leading to the risk of scalding from hot water when the temperature is too high.
Innovation Solution
A precision ceramics control valve with a temperature limiting device that includes a water dividing member, cap, support sleeve, temperature detector, water stop sleeve, and spring, which adjusts to prevent excessive hot water flow by using a chemical substance with thermal expansion and contraction properties to control water flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional control valve is used without temperature detecting function, then the device complexity is low, but the safety is compromised due to risk of scalding from excessive hot water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex electronic temperature detection and control systems with a simple chemical-based temperature sensing mechanism. The chemical substance changes state (expands/contracts) in response to temperature changes, mechanically actuating the water stop sleeve to regulate hot water flow without requiring electronics, microprocessors, or complex control circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The temperature limiting device is self-regulating through the chemical substance's automatic response to temperature changes. When hot water temperature exceeds a certain threshold, the chemical substance expands and automatically blocks the hot water flow path, eliminating the need for external control systems, sensors, or power sources.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is operated excessively or by children, then the ease of operation is high, but the temperature control is lost leading to scalding risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary protective action by pre-configuring the temperature limiting device to automatically counteract excessive handle operation. Regardless of how the handle is operated, if the resulting hot water temperature exceeds the safe threshold, the chemical substance expands and blocks the hot water flow, preventing scalding before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The chemical substance provides immediate feedback on water temperature by expanding when temperature exceeds the safe threshold and contracting when it returns to normal. This automatic feedback mechanism continuously monitors and adjusts hot water flow to maintain safe temperature levels.
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
Effectively prevents scalding by regulating water temperature and ensuring safe output, even when the handle is operated excessively or by children, maintaining a constant water output.
Implementation Method 1
The chemical substance has a thermal expansion and contraction feature due to a temperature change of an ambient environment. When the chemical substance is heated and expanded, the push rod is pushed outward from the opening of the temperature detector by the chemical substance, and when the chemical substance is cooled and contracted, the push rod is retracted into the opening of the temperature detector.
Data Source
AI summary
A precision ceramics control valve includes a valve housing, a rotary base mounted in the valve housing, a slide mounted in the valve housing and located under the rotary base, a valve lever pivotally mounted in the rotary base and having an upper end protruding from the valve housing and a second end provided with a drive portion connected with the slide, a movable valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the slide, a fixed valve plate mounted in the valve housing and located under the movable valve plate, a valve seat mounted on a lower end of the valve housing to stop the fixed valve plate, the movable valve plate, the slide and the rotary base, and a temperature limiting device mounted in the valve seat.