Sanitary Fitting Handle Cap Lifting Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary fittings allow foreign matter to enter the device and lack aesthetic appeal when the handle cap is open, due to separate arrangement of the handle cap and hand lever.

Innovation Solution

The handle cap is designed to linearly displace between closed and open positions on a non-rotatable guide sleeve, with the hand lever connected to the cartridge's operating lever, and a screen covering the gap created by the cap's movement, ensuring no foreign matter enters and maintaining a visually appealing appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the handle cap is arranged separately from the hand lever, then the hand lever can be connected to the cartridge's operating lever for functional control, but foreign matter can enter through the gap created when the handle cap is in the open position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidforeign matter entry
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A screen is introduced as an intermediary element between the handle cap and the fitting body interior. The screen is arranged on the fitting body and overlapped by the handle cap in the closed position, covering the opening to prevent foreign matter entry while allowing the handle cap to move freely for operational control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the handle cap is arranged separately from the hand lever, then the hand lever can be connected to the cartridge's operating lever, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates when the handle cap is in the open position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoidvisual appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The screen serves as a visual intermediary that maintains aesthetic continuity. When the handle cap is in the open position, the screen remains visible and covers the gap area, preserving the visual appeal of the fitting while allowing the handle cap to be separately positioned for operational access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the handle cap is fixed in a closed position, then foreign matter is prevented from entering, but the hand lever cannot be operated to control water flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveforeign matter preventionVSAvoidhand lever operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The handle cap is designed to be dynamically positionable between a lower closed position and an upper open position along the longitudinal axis of the fitting body. In the closed position, it overlaps and covers the screen to prevent foreign matter entry. In the open position, it allows access for hand lever operation while the screen remains in place to maintain protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If the handle cap is made integrally with the hand lever, then the structure is simplified, but the handle cap cannot be independently positioned to maintain aesthetic appearance when open

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidaesthetic appearance in open position
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The handle cap is segmented from the hand lever, allowing independent positioning and function. The handle cap can be separately arranged in the closed position to cover the screen and maintain aesthetic appearance, while the hand lever remains independently operable for controlling water flow through the cartridge.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2863094B1Sanitary fitting with a handle cap lifting mechanism
Publication Date: 2016.08.31 IDEAL STANDARD INT
  • EP2863094B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2863094B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2863094B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A sanitary fitting (10) with a fitting body having a water outlet (12) and with a cartridge (20) arranged therein, connected to supply lines (15) for cold water and hot water, wherein a sealed outflow path from the cartridge (20) to the water outlet (12) is provided and a handle cap (16) with a hand lever (17) for adjusting the water quantity and water temperature, coupled to an actuating lever (19) of the cartridge (20) is arranged on the fitting body (11), wherein the handle cap (16) is placed on the fitting body (11).The handle cap (16), which is designed separately from the hand lever (17), is linearly displaceable between a lower closed position and an upper open position of the sanitary fitting (10) on a guide sleeve (23) fixed inside the fitting body (11), and a cover plate (28) is arranged in the fitting body (11). In the closed position, the cover plate (28) is overlapped by the handle cap (16), and in the upper open position, it is visible by displacement of the handle cap (16). The hand lever (17), which is connected at one end to the actuating lever (19) of the cartridge (20), is guided through a receiving part (32) inserted in an opening (18) arranged on the circumference of the handle cap (16).