Push-Button T-Joint for Flush Water Outlet Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional T-joints with knob-type or wrench-type regulating valves protrude from the surface, limiting installation positions and requiring inconvenient direction adjustments before water flow can be turned on or off, reducing their applicability.
Innovation Solution
A T-joint with a push-button switch that integrates a pressed member and an outlet-selecting member, allowing for convenient installation and automatic resetting between two outlet openings based on flow direction, without protruding from the joint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a knob-type or wrench-type regulating valve is installed on the T-joint, then the valve can regulate water flow, but the valve protrudes from the surface which limits installation positions and directions
Solution Approach 1:
The push-button switch is nested within the T-joint body, with the pressed member and outlet-selecting member positioned inside the joint's internal cavity. This nesting approach allows the switching mechanism to be contained within the joint structure itself, eliminating the need for external protruding components while maintaining full operational functionality for flow direction control
2Ease of operation
If a conventional T-joint with regulating valve is used, then the valve can control water flow direction, but the outlet direction must be confirmed and adjusted before each use which is inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The T-joint system performs self-service through automatic resetting functionality. After water flow stops, the outlet-selecting member automatically returns to its initial position through the resetting mechanism, preparing the system for the next use without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates the time loss associated with manual direction adjustment before each use
3Adaptability or versatility
If a push-button switch is integrated into the T-joint without protrusion, then installation convenience is improved, but the switching mechanism must be compact which increases design complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The switching mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the pressed member for actuation, the outlet-selecting member for flow direction control, and the isolating member for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled within the compact T-joint structure, managing design complexity through modular functional division
Data Source
AI summary
A T-joint includes a pipe body and a switch. The pipe body includes an inlet opening, a first outlet opening, a second outlet opening and a switch accommodating space communicating with each other. The switch is positioned into the switch accommodating space of the pipe body, and includes a pressed member and an outlet-selecting member. The pressed member and the outlet-selecting member are connected to each other. By pressing either a first pressed portion or a second pressed portion of the pressed member, the isolating member of the switch could be positioned to lead the inlet opening to communicate with a corresponding one of the first outlet opening and the second outlet opening.