Sanitary Fitting Shower Head Valve for Pull-Out Scalding Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sanitary fittings pose a high risk of scalding when the shower head is accidentally pulled out, especially when hot water is released.

Innovation Solution

A sanitary fitting with a first valve that automatically closes the hot water channel when the shower head is pulled out, and opens when returned to the original position, using mechanical actuating elements and springs to control the valve mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the shower head is pulled out from the outlet, then the flexibility and reach of water delivery is improved, but the risk of scalding increases due to accidental hot water release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility of water deliveryVSAvoidrisk of scalding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring a valve mechanism that automatically closes the hot water channel when the shower head is pulled out. The valve is positioned and designed to detect the pulled-out state and prevent hot water flow before scalding can occur, thereby counteracting the potential harmful effect in advance while maintaining the flexibility benefit

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If a valve mechanism is added to prevent hot water release when shower head is pulled out, then the safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety against scaldingVSAvoidcomplexity of valve mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing a valve mechanism that automatically detects and responds to the shower head's position without requiring external control systems. The valve uses the mechanical state of the shower head connection itself to trigger the closing action, making the system self-regulating and minimizing additional complexity while ensuring safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the shower head is returned to the original position, then the normal water delivery function is restored, but the valve must be reliably re-opened to resume hot water flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestoration of water deliveryVSAvoidreliability of valve re-opening
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies feedback by incorporating a mechanism that continuously monitors the shower head's position and automatically adjusts the valve state accordingly. When the shower head returns to its original position, the feedback mechanism detects this state change and triggers the valve to reopen, ensuring reliable restoration of hot water flow without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Prevents the dispensing of hot water when the shower head is pulled out, reducing the risk of scalding by ensuring hot water is only dispensed when the shower head is in the correct position.

Implementation Method 1

a first spring arranged in the shower head and acting on the first actuating element in a first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a second spring arranged in the shower head and acting on the second actuating element in a second direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4190983B1Sanitary fitting with a shower
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 GROHE AG
  • EP4190983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4190983B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Sanitary fitting (1), comprising at least: - a fitting body (2) with a spout (3); and - a shower head (4) with at least one first liquid channel (5) for guiding a first liquid to a spout opening (6), wherein the shower head (4) can be pulled from a first operating position (7), in which the shower head (4) is at least partially arranged in the spout (3), into a second operating position (8) and wherein the shower head (4) has a first valve (9) that closes the at least one first liquid channel (5) when the shower head (4) is pulled into the second operating position.