Sanitary Fitting Pull-Turn Mechanism for Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sanitary fittings with operating elements arranged below the outlet face user discomfort and mechanical strength issues due to unconventional placement and complex connections, leading to leakage risks and compromised tightness.

Innovation Solution

A pull-turn mechanism with an actuating knob on the upper end of the fitting body, connected via a link sleeve that converts linear and rotational movements into the necessary actuating lever movements, eliminating the need for disruptive distances and providing complete internal protection against dirt and water ingress.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the operating element is arranged below the fitting outlet as in conventional designs, then the connection mechanism is simplified, but user comfort deteriorates and the design becomes unconventional

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection mechanism complexityVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by placing the operating element (actuating knob) at the upper end of the fitting body instead of below the outlet. This inversion resolves the contradiction by providing both user comfort through familiar upper-position operation and maintains mechanical simplicity through the direct link sleeve connection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of operation

If the operating element is arranged at the upper end of the fitting body as in single-lever mixers, then user comfort is improved, but the connection between operating element and adjusting lever becomes complex and prone to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidconnection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the operating element and the adjusting lever connection through the link sleeve, which directly transmits both linear and rotational movements. This merging eliminates the need for complex intermediate connections and reduces leakage risks while maintaining upper-position operation for user comfort

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If free spaces, exposures, bevels and recesses are created to avoid collisions between moving components, then collision avoidance is achieved, but mechanical strength and tightness deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidmechanical strength and tightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the connection mechanism into the link sleeve and adjusting lever components, allowing controlled relative movement without requiring large free spaces. The segmented design enables collision avoidance while maintaining structural integrity through precise geometric relationships between components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Strength

If a compact design is achieved by reducing free spaces between components, then mechanical strength is improved, but the risk of collisions between moving components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcollision risk
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested arrangement where the link sleeve contains the adjusting lever, and both are positioned within the fitting body. This nesting enables compact design with reduced free spaces while maintaining collision avoidance through the hierarchical arrangement of moving components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 allows for a compact design with improved user familiarity, enhanced mechanical strength, and reduced leakage risks by directly converting knob movements into actuating lever movements, ensuring effective water temperature and volume control without compromising tightness.

Implementation Method 1

by means of which the linear displacement of the link sleeve can be converted into the pivoting of the adjusting lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical linkage: Lever

Implementation Method 2

the rotary movement of the link sleeve into the rotation of the adjusting lever

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical linkage: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP2957682B1Sanitary fitting with a train rotation mechanism for operating them
Publication Date: 2016.12.28 IDEAL STANDARD INT
  • EP2957682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2957682B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

A sanitary fitting with a fitting body (10) and with a mixing cartridge (16) arranged in the fitting body (10) and connected at its base to a cold water supply line and a hot water supply line, and having a mixed water outlet connected to a fitting spout, wherein an operating element for adjusting the quantity and temperature of the mixed water to be produced in the mixing cartridge (16) is arranged on the fitting body (10), which is coupled to an adjusting lever (17) arranged on the mixing cartridge (16), with which the flow rate can be adjusted by pivoting about a horizontally arranged pivot axis and the mixing ratio of the incoming cold and hot water can be adjusted by rotating about a central axis, is characterized in that the operating element is designed as a pull-turn mechanism with an actuating knob (25) that is linearly displaceable on the fitting body (10) and rotatable about its central axis,wherein, by means of a cam sleeve (22) arranged between the actuating lever (17) of the mixing cartridge (16) and the actuating knob (25), the linear relative displacement of the cam sleeve (22) can be converted into the pivoting of the actuating lever (17) and the rotational movement of the cam sleeve (22) can be converted into the rotation of the actuating lever (17).