Sanitary Fitting with Nested Channels and Check Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fittings with separate hoses for mixed and hot water limit design options and cause flow resistance, leading to incomplete separation of water temperatures, potentially resulting in undesirable mixing and safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting design featuring a housing with integrated liquid channels, a connecting piece, and check valves that prevent flow reversal, allowing for separate guidance of mixed and hot water through a single outlet without separate hoses, ensuring safe and adjustable temperature mixing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate hoses are used for mixed water and hot water, then the liquids can be conveyed separately, but the spout diameter must be large and design possibilities are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested hose configuration where the second hose (for hot water) is positioned inside the first hose (for mixed water). This nesting arrangement allows both hoses to share the same spatial pathway through the spout, enabling separate liquid conveyance without requiring a large spout diameter or complex multi-hole structure.
2Reliability
If separate hoses are used for mixed water and hot water, then the liquids can be conveyed separately, but the number of hoses increases installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the conveyance function of two separate hoses into a single integrated assembly where the second hose is inserted through the first hose. This combining approach maintains the functional separation of hot water and mixed water while simplifying installation, as the nested hose configuration can be installed as a unified component rather than managing two independent hose routes.
3Ease of operation
If a radiation regulator is placed at the end of two hoses, then water flow can be regulated, but flow resistance causes water to flow back and mix undesirably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces check valves as intermediary components at the openings of the first and second hoses into the connector. These check valves act as mediators that allow water to flow in the desired direction while preventing reverse flow. This solution maintains the benefits of flow regulation while eliminating the harmful backflow and mixing that occurs with radiation regulators.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flow regulation function from the radiation regulator and relocates it to the connector component. By moving the regulation mechanism away from the hose ends and into the connector, the system avoids the flow resistance problems at the hose terminations while maintaining operational control over water flow.
4Reliability
If check valves are added to prevent backflow, then liquid separation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service check valves that automatically respond to flow direction and pressure differential without requiring external control mechanisms. The check valves open automatically when water flows in the correct direction and close automatically when reverse flow occurs, providing reliable liquid separation through passive mechanical action rather than complex active control systems.
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
Enables safe and efficient separate delivery of mixed and hot water, eliminating the need for separate hoses and reducing the risk of scalding, while simplifying installation and enhancing design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
at least one check valve (7, 8) that prevents the first liquid (4) from flowing from the aerator (13) into the second liquid channel (5) or the second liquid (5) from the connector (6) into the first liquid channel (4)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Sanitary fitting (1), comprising at least a housing (2) with an outlet (3), a first liquid channel (4) for a first liquid, wherein the first liquid channel (4) extends through the outlet (3), a second liquid channel (5) for a second liquid, wherein the second liquid channel (5) extends through the outlet (3) in the first liquid channel (4), a connecting piece (6) into which the first liquid channel (4) and the second liquid channel (5) open, and at least a check valve (7, 8) that prevents the first liquid from flowing from the connecting piece (6) into the second liquid channel (5) or the second liquid from the connecting piece (6) into the first liquid channel (4).