Sanitary Mixer-Distributor Cartridge Layout for Flush-Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing functional units for sanitary facilities, combining mixers and distributors, require a large installation space due to their design and arrangement, making them not optimally compact for flush-mounting applications.
Innovation Solution
A compact functional unit design featuring cartridges with axial and/or radial inlets and outlets, connected via a connecting channel, incorporating electronic control and electromotive actuators, with axially rotatable sleeves and gear-driven stepper motors for efficient space utilization, allowing for a compact and space-saving solution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional functional units with separate mixer and distributor components are used, then the functional unit can perform mixing and distribution functions, but the installation space required is large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixer and distributor into a single integrated cartridge assembly where both functional units share common components including the actuator, valve body, and mounting structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate mixer and distributor units, significantly reducing the installation space while maintaining both mixing and distribution functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The distributor is nested within the mixer cartridge structure, with the distributor cartridge positioned inside or adjacent to the mixer cartridge. The actuator and control mechanisms are nested within the valve body, creating a compact hierarchical arrangement that minimizes the overall volume required for installation.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple valves and control elements are housed in separate compartments, then each component can be optimized independently, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator serves multiple functions: it controls both the mixer valve and distributor valves, integrates the control mechanism, and provides the driving force for all valve operations. The electronic control unit performs multiple control tasks including temperature regulation, flow control, and coordination of multiple valves, eliminating the need for separate control compartments.
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 enables a compact and space-saving functional unit that can be easily mounted on a fitting connection piece, optimizing installation space and facilitating flush-mounting in sanitary installations like bathrooms, with improved operational control and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
electromotive actuators connected thereto, wherein the mixer and the distributor are designed as cartridges with electromotive actuators
Implementation Method 2
one disc is rotatable on a stator disc, wherein the rotatable disc engages with a sleeve arranged axially in the respective valve
Implementation Method 3
sleeve arranged axially in the respective valve, through which flow can take place in its cavity and which is axially rotatable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a functional unit (1) for sanitary facilities, having a cold water inflow (2) and a hot water inflow (3) and at least one mixed water outlet (4, 4'), which unit comprises a mixer (5), a distributor (7) connected to the mixer (5) by a connection channel (6) and an electronic control (8) to which are connected sensors (9) and electromotive actuators (10), wherein the mixer (5) and the distributor (7) are designed as cartridges having electromotive actuators (10) and the cartridges are designed as valves, which can be flowed through axially, having axial and/or radial inlets and outlets (11, 12) which have disks (13, 14) that are arranged in the interior radially and on top of one another and each have at least one outlet opening, one of these disks (13) being rotatable on a stator disk (14), wherein the rotatable disk (13) engages with an axially rotatable sleeve (15) which is axially arranged in the respective valve and the cavity of which can be flowed through, and the outer circumference (16) of said sleeve (15) is operatively connected to the respective electromotive actuator (10).