Rotary Disk Water Diverter for Low-Pressure-Loss Distribution

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water diverters in household appliances, such as washing machines and dishwashers, suffer from significant pressure loss and require large installation spaces due to their cylindrical designs, which are not suitable for flat rotating disks and result in inefficient fluid distribution.

Innovation Solution

A rotary disk-based water diverter with axially aligned through-openings and a Venturi effect-enhanced design, eliminating the need for additional mechanical sealing devices by using a flexible oval extension part to manage fluid flow with minimal pressure loss.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cylindrical housing with swivel pipe is used for water distribution, then the water flow can be directed to different outlets, but significant pressure loss occurs due to flow deflection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow direction controlVSAvoidpressure loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from a cylindrical three-dimensional housing to a flat two-dimensional disk structure. The through-openings are arranged in the plane of the disk, allowing water to flow axially through the disk without significant deflection. This dimensional reduction eliminates the need for swivel pipes and maintains pressure while enabling direction control through rotational positioning of the disk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of deflecting water flow laterally through swivel pipes as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by having water flow axially through the disk in the direction of the rotation axis. The outlets are positioned on the periphery of the disk, allowing water to exit in the radial direction without requiring 90-degree deflections, thus minimizing pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Quantity of substance

If a cylindrical housing with mechanical sealing device is used, then the water switch can be compact, but it is not suitable for flat rotating disks and requires large installation space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidcompatibility with flat rotating disk

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the cylindrical three-dimensional housing with a flat two-dimensional disk structure. The through-openings are arranged in the plane of the disk, allowing water to flow axially through the disk without significant deflection. This dimensional reduction eliminates the need for swivel pipes and maintains pressure while enabling direction control through rotational positioning of the disk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Ease of operation

If a rotary valve with 90° flow deflection is used, then water can be distributed to multiple outlets, but significant pressure drop occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater distribution to multiple outletsVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of deflecting water flow laterally through swivel pipes as in conventional designs, the invention inverts the approach by having water flow axially through the disk in the direction of the rotation axis. The outlets are positioned on the periphery of the disk, allowing water to exit in the radial direction without requiring 90-degree deflections, thus minimizing pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a cylindrical three-dimensional housing to a flat two-dimensional disk structure. The through-openings are arranged in the plane of the disk, allowing water to flow axially through the disk without significant deflection. This dimensional reduction eliminates the need for swivel pipes and maintains pressure while enabling direction control through rotational positioning of the disk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution reduces pressure loss to 20 mbar, allowing for a less powerful pump motor and efficient fluid distribution with reduced installation space, enabling the water diverter to operate with lower delivery rates and fewer mechanical components.

Implementation Method 1

a device producing a venturi effect is attached to the telescopic end of the inner tubular part, which serves to reduce the pressure and the temperature of the flowable medium at the sealing device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Data Source

PatentEP2404539B1Water distributor for a water conducting domestic appliance

Publication Date: 2013.03.20 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

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Figure 4~6

AI summary

The appliance (GS) has a water branching (WW) formed by a fluid distributor body adjustably provided with through-openings. A water supply path is connected with a water discharging path via the through-openings in such a manner that a water flow direction is specified into the through-openings inside and outside in an identical water flow direction. The fluid distributor body is designed as turntable. The through-openings are formed on a side of the turntable that is turned towards the water supply path with funnel-shaped extended entry regions.