Pressure-Balanced Mixing Valve for Stable Hot-Cold Water Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hot and cold water mixing faucets with balanced modules struggle to effectively adjust water flow rates in response to changes in water pressure, leading to potential accidents from sudden changes in flow rates.
Innovation Solution
A pressure-balanced mixing device with a movable element comprising two cups and a cylinder, connected by rods, which adjusts the coverage of hot and cold water inlets to equalize water pressures and maintain stable flow rates by moving in response to pressure changes, ensuring that hot and cold water flow rates remain balanced.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional balanced module with a movable spool is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively adjust water flow rates in response to pressure changes
Solution Approach 1:
The movable spool is segmented into multiple functional sections: a first movable section with a first through hole for hot water flow, and a second movable section with a second through hole for cold water flow. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of hot and cold water flow rates in response to pressure changes, improving flow rate stability while maintaining a manageable structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable spool is designed to dynamically respond to pressure changes by moving between different positions. The first movable section and second movable section can independently adjust their positions based on hot and cold water pressure differences, enabling real-time flow rate adjustment to maintain stable mixing despite pressure fluctuations.
2Reliability
If the balanced module does not respond to pressure changes, then the structure remains simple, but sudden changes in flow rates can cause accidents
Solution Approach 1:
The balanced module incorporates a feedback mechanism where pressure changes in the hot and cold water supply automatically move the movable spool sections to appropriate positions. The first movable section responds to hot water pressure changes, while the second movable section responds to cold water pressure changes, creating a self-regulating system that prevents sudden flow rate changes and potential accidents.
3Temperature
If a conventional movable spool design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but the ability to maintain constant outlet temperature is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The movable spool is divided into functionally independent sections: the first movable section controls hot water flow through the first through hole, and the second movable section controls cold water flow through the second through hole. This segmentation enables precise independent control of hot and cold water mixing ratios, maintaining constant outlet temperature while using standard manufacturing processes for each section.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the movable spool are designed with locally optimized characteristics: the first movable section has a first through hole positioned and sized to optimize hot water flow control, while the second movable section has a second through hole optimized for cold water flow control. This local quality optimization maintains temperature stability without requiring complex integrated manufacturing.
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 device automatically adjusts the flow rates of hot and cold water in response to pressure changes, preventing accidents by maintaining balanced flow rates and providing cushioning effects through the base plates, enhancing the stability and safety of the mixing process.
Implementation Method 1
a movable element (2) movably disposed inside the fixed tube (1), wherein the movable element (2) can move in response to pressure changes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses a pressure balanced mixing device comprising a balanced module including a fixed tube and a movable element including a cylinder which connects with two cups and is between the two cups blocking a cold-water inlet and a hot-water inlet of the fixed tube, wherein each cup has an opening and a base plate, each opening is in communication with a cold-water outlet and a hot-water outlet of the fixed tube. The cylinder has two side walls and two connecting rods. One of the two side walls is separated from the base plate of one of the two cups by a cold-water space, the other side wall is separated from the base plate of the other cup by a hot-water space. The cold-water space and the hot-water space are in communication with the cold-water inlet and the hot-water inlet of the fixed tube, respectively.