Sanitary Fitting Lateral Insertion Plate Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fittings require disassembly or removal of parts to replace utility elements, which is inconvenient for maintenance and replacement, especially in applications like shower systems where access is limited.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting with an insertion plate that is insertable and extractable laterally into a stationary insertion duct, allowing for easy access to the water conduit channel without disassembling the fitting, and equipped with a releasable latching mechanism, water stop mechanism, and clip mechanism for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If utility elements are attached by releasable screw connection, then they can be removed and replaced, but the fitting requires disassembly and tools for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion body is segmented from the fitting housing, allowing it to be independently inserted and removed through the insertion opening without disassembling the fitting housing itself. This segmentation enables utility element replacement while maintaining the integrity of the main fitting structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility elements are extracted from the traditional screw-attached configuration and integrated into a removable insertion body that can be taken out through the insertion opening. This extraction eliminates the need for tools and complex disassembly procedures while maintaining replaceability.
2Ease of repair
If insertion duct is made movable for access, then utility elements can be reached, but the insertion opening becomes inaccessible in operating position
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion opening is positioned on the lateral surface of the fitting housing rather than on the end surface. This dimensional change allows the insertion opening to remain accessible from the side while the insertion body is completely inserted into the water conduit channel in its operating position, resolving the conflict between maintenance access and operational accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If insertion body is made laterally insertable, then no disassembly is needed, but secure positioning and sealing become challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion body incorporates a self-latching mechanism with latching elements that automatically engage with the fitting housing when the insertion body is inserted laterally. This self-latching system provides secure positioning without requiring additional tools or complex assembly procedures, maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal element is introduced as an intermediary between the insertion body and the fitting housing to ensure water-tight sealing. The seal element mediates the connection, providing reliable sealing while allowing the lateral insertion and extraction movement of the insertion body.
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary fitting including a water conduit channel. The sanitary fitting illustratively further includes an insertion duct extending into the water conduit channel and including a user-accessible insertion opening, and an insertion plate including at least one sanitary utility element and exhibiting, in a flow-through region in which the plate has flow-through capability from its one plate main side (H1) to its other plate main side (H2), a smaller plate thickness (PD) as compared to its lateral plate dimension (PL), the insertion plate being insertable in a lateral insertion direction (SL) into the insertion duct via the insertion opening and extractable from the insertion duct counter the insertion direction. The insertion duct remains stationary in an operating position, when the insertion plate is inserted or extracted, and the insertion opening remains user-accessible in the stationary operating position of the insertion duct.