Universal Rough-In Valve Manifold for Compact Wall Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rough-in valves for plumbing installations are often cumbersome, costly to manufacture, and difficult to repair, with limited flexibility in accommodating different wall thicknesses and requiring larger faceplates, which complicates installation and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
A universal rough-in valve design featuring a valve chamber with co-axial or parallel inlets and outlets, a removable valve manifold for pressure balance or thermostatic valves, and an adjustable guide for varying wall thicknesses, along with a service stop mechanism for flow control and a compact footprint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional rough-in valve design is used, then the valve provides reliable fluid control, but the valve requires a large faceplate and is difficult to install in various wall thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The guide is designed with variable thickness to dynamically adapt to different wall thicknesses. The guide includes a first portion and a second portion with different thicknesses, allowing the installer to select the appropriate configuration based on the specific wall thickness encountered, thereby simplifying installation across diverse applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide is segmented into multiple portions with different thicknesses (first portion and second portion). This segmentation allows the guide to be configured for different wall thicknesses by selecting or positioning the appropriate portion, making the single guide component versatile for various installation scenarios without requiring multiple different guides.
2Ease of repair
If a universal rough-in valve with removable manifold is used, then the valve allows easier maintenance and repair, but the valve manifold connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve manifold is designed as a removable, separable component from the valve body. This segmentation allows the manifold to be detached for maintenance or replacement without replacing the entire valve assembly, significantly easing repair operations while the connection features (such as sealing surfaces and mounting structures) are designed to be straightforward despite the added capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve manifold includes pre-configured connection features such as sealing surfaces, mounting structures, and alignment elements that are prepared in advance during manufacturing. These preliminary actions ensure that when the manifold needs to be removed or reinstalled, the connection process is simplified and does not require complex field adjustments or procedures.
3Volume of moving object
If co-axial inlets and outlets are used, then the valve achieves a compact footprint, but the internal flow pathway complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve chamber incorporates curved or rounded flow pathways rather than sharp angular transitions. This spheroidality approach allows the fluid to flow smoothly between co-axial inlets and outlets through bent or curved channels within the valve body, achieving a compact footprint while managing the internal pathway complexity through smooth geometric transitions that reduce turbulence and manufacturing difficulty.
Data Source
AI summary
A universal rough-in valve (20) includes a valve chamber (34) configured to receive a valve manifold (72). The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve inlet (22) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a first supply line to the valve chamber and a second valve inlet (24) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from a second supply line to the valve chamber. The universal rough-in valve includes a first valve outlet (29) configured to provide a pathway for fluid from the valve chamber to a first outlet line, and a valve manifold (72) coupled to the valve chamber.