Push-Push Sanitary Valve With Intermediate Water-Saving Positions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary valves lack the ability to provide finely adjusted intermediate switching positions between fully open and fully closed states, limiting their water-saving capabilities and requiring excessive actuation force or smooth switching behavior.
Innovation Solution
A push-push mechanism is integrated into the sanitary valve, allowing the valve tappet to switch between at least three positions, including intermediate positions, by connecting it to a mechanical guide that enforces cyclical alternation with uniform actuation, enabling a graded arrangement of throttle opening cross sections and accommodating idle travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional two-position valve mechanism is used, then the valve structure is simple, but the valve cannot provide intermediate switching positions for water-saving modes
Solution Approach 1:
The push-push mechanism divides the single actuation path into multiple discrete switching positions (at least three positions including intermediate positions). The mechanical guide segments the continuous motion into distinct stop positions, enabling the valve to provide multiple switching states (fully open, intermediate, fully closed) from a single actuator, thus increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism transitions from a static two-position system to a dynamic multi-position system. The push-push mechanism with mechanical guide allows the valve tappet to dynamically switch between at least three positions, including intermediate positions, enabling adaptive control of water flow for different saving modes while maintaining a relatively compact structure.
2Loss of substance
If only fully open and fully closed positions are provided, then the valve structure is simple, but water-saving capabilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical guide segments the valve travel into multiple discrete positions including intermediate positions between fully open and fully closed. This segmentation allows the user to select from at least three switching positions, enabling water-saving modes by stopping at intermediate throttle positions rather than only full open or full closed, thus reducing water consumption while maintaining ease of operation through uniform actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-push mechanism with mechanical guide provides self-aligning stops that automatically position the valve at predetermined switching positions. The mechanical guide enforces cyclical alternation and provides uniform actuation, allowing the valve to automatically achieve precise intermediate positions without requiring complex user input or additional control systems, thus improving water-saving capability while maintaining ease of operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a push-push mechanism with multiple intermediate positions is added, then water-saving modes are enabled, but the actuation mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The push-push mechanism merges the functions of multiple independent valves or actuators into a single integrated mechanism. By combining the actuation force application, mechanical guide, and multi-position switching in one unified system, the patent achieves at least three switching positions including intermediate positions without requiring separate actuators for each position, thus increasing adaptability while limiting the increase in overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-push mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the actuating force, guides the valve tappet through a mechanical guide, defines multiple switching positions including intermediate positions, and enables both water-saving modes and reliable closure. This multi-functionality allows the single mechanism to achieve adaptability for multiple switching positions without requiring separate specialized components for each function, thereby limiting complexity increase.
4Measurement precision
If the valve provides graded throttle opening cross sections, then water-saving precision is improved, but the valve structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical guide segments the continuous throttle opening into multiple discrete graded positions corresponding to at least three switching positions. This segmentation provides precise flow rate control by defining specific throttle opening cross sections at each position, enabling water-saving precision through graded control stages while maintaining relatively simple valve structure through the use of a straightforward mechanical guide with stops.
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
This solution enhances the use properties of sanitary valves by allowing for precise water-saving modes through multiple intermediate settings, reducing actuation force, and ensuring smooth switching behavior, while ensuring the main valve closes reliably.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical guide enforces a preferably cyclical alternation between the achievable switching states by repeated, uniform actuation (for example by pressing) of an actuation element
Implementation Method 2
the valve tappet, in one switching position of the at least three switching positions, forms a stop for the movable diaphragm
Implementation Method 3
when the diaphragm makes contact with the valve tappet, a pressure builds up in a pressure chamber acting on the diaphragm, which has the effect that the diaphragm detaches itself from the valve tappet and moves toward the valve seat
Implementation Method 4
a valve seat which is closable by the diaphragm is arranged between at least one valve inlet and at least one valve outlet
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary valve (1) having a movable diaphragm (4) of a main valve (3) that is actuable using a push-push mechanism (8) which defines at least three discrete switching positions of the main valve (3) controlled via a pilot valve (6), and/or a flowrate regulator (34), preferably adjustable by the push-push mechanism (8), arranged permanently downstream from the main valve (3).