Pressure-Limiting Valve for Sanitary Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary components, such as shower heads with large-format shower surfaces and small shower openings, are prone to blockages by lime scale and dirt, leading to increased water pressure and potential deformation or breakage due to the risk of back pressure buildup.
Innovation Solution
A valve design with a valve housing and fluid line piece where the valve body is movable between open and closed positions in response to fluid pressure and counter-pressure, using a sliding guide between the valve housing and fluid line piece, and connected via webs with flow openings, to manage pressure and prevent excessive buildup.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If shower openings are made small to create fine thread-like jets, then shower quality is improved, but the risk of blockage by limescale and dirt increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve proactively prevents pressure buildup before it can cause damage to the shower head. By continuously monitoring and regulating pressure through the valve body's movement in response to pressure changes, the system counteracts the harmful effect of blockage-induced pressure increase before it reaches critical levels that could deform or break the shower head.
2Stress or pressure
If non-aerated jet regulators are used to avoid back pressure, then pressure sensitivity is improved, but the risk of pressure buildup downstream increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve employs a feedback mechanism where the valve body automatically responds to pressure changes downstream. When pressure increases due to blockages or other conditions, the valve body moves in response to the pressure differential, adjusting the valve opening to maintain pressure equilibrium and prevent excessive pressure buildup in the system.
3Ease of manufacture
If a simple valve structure is used, then manufacturing effort is reduced, but the ability to quickly respond to pressure changes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body performs dual functions: it serves as both the sealing element and the pressure-sensing component. The valve body's direct exposure to pressure differences on both sides enables automatic, self-regulating operation without requiring additional springs, actuators, or complex control mechanisms. This self-service design achieves rapid pressure response while maintaining structural simplicity and ease of manufacture.
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 valve effectively counters excessive internal pressure, preventing pressure-related malfunctions and damage by quickly responding to pressure changes and maintaining a stable flow, thus ensuring the longevity of sanitary components like shower heads.
Implementation Method 1
The valve body (4) can be moved by the pressure of the fluid flowing in the direction of flow (2) acting on the valve body (4) on the one hand and a counter-pressure acting on the valve body (4) in the opposite direction to the direction of flow on the other hand
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a valve (101) that can be used as a pressure limiter, for example in a sanitary supply line. The valve (101) according to the invention comprises a valve housing (1), a fluid line piece (2) being provided in the housing interior thereof, the downstream side circumferential edge area thereof forming a valve seat (3) for a valve body (4), wherein said valve body (4) can be displaced between an open position and a closed position, in which closed position the valve body (4) acts on the downstream circumferential edge area of the fluid line piece (2), by the pressure of the fluid flowing in through the fluid line piece (2) on one side, and a downstream side pressure acting on the valve body (4) opposite to the regular flow-through direction on the other side.