Sanitary Fitting Turbine Maintenance via Segmented Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary fittings with turbines for energy generation are difficult to maintain and replace without significant effort, especially in applications prone to vandalism, as the turbine components are not easily accessible and require shutting down the water supply.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting design with a second actuator for shutting off the water line within the fitting housing, allowing the turbine and generator to be easily accessed and maintained through a removable assembly cover, even during operation, and a separate water line for the turbine, enabling maintenance without shutting down the water supply and securing components against vandalism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the turbine and generator are integrated into the fitting housing, then the energy generation function is achieved, but the maintenance and replacement of turbine components become difficult and require significant effort
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting housing is divided into a stationary fitting holder and a removable fitting housing that contains the turbine and generator. This segmentation allows the turbine components to be easily accessed and maintained by simply detaching the fitting housing, without requiring disassembly of the entire fitting system or shutdown of the water supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The turbine and generator are extracted as separate, removable components from the fitting housing. The turbine can be easily removed and replaced by accessing it through the removable fitting housing, eliminating the need for complex maintenance procedures and enabling quick replacement of worn turbine components.
2Ease of operation
If the fitting housing is made easily detachable for maintenance, then component replacement is simplified, but the fitting becomes vulnerable to vandalism and removal in public spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting housing is designed with a dynamic connection system that allows easy detachment for authorized maintenance while providing resistance to unauthorized removal. The connection mechanism can be quickly released with proper tools or authorization but requires significant force or tool intervention for unauthorized removal, thus protecting against vandalism while enabling maintenance.
3Ease of operation
If angle valves are installed under sinks for water supply control, then water flow can be shut off for maintenance, but the valves become inaccessible or vulnerable to vandalism in public spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply control function is extracted from traditional angle valves located under sinks and integrated directly into the fitting housing. The shut-off mechanism is now accessible through the removable fitting housing, allowing water supply control to be performed at the fitting location itself rather than requiring access to concealed angle valves under sinks, thereby eliminating inaccessibility and reducing vulnerability to vandalism.
4Ease of repair
If the turbine is positioned for easy accessibility, then maintenance is simplified, but the components become more exposed and vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting system is segmented into an exposed but protected fitting housing and the turbine components housed within. The removable fitting housing acts as a protective enclosure that provides easy access to the turbine for maintenance while simultaneously protecting the turbine from environmental damage and vandalism when in the closed position.
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
This design facilitates easy maintenance and repair of turbine components, reduces the need for angle valves, and enhances security against vandalism by allowing access and replacement of components without shutting down the water supply, improving accessibility and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
at least one turbine (18) for using the flow energy of the water flow (4)
Implementation Method 2
turbine (18) with an electric generator
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention relates to a sanitary fitting comprising a fitting housing and an electrical control unit for controlling the water flow through at least one water conduit, the electrical control unit having at least one electrically actuatable control element, in particular a flow valve, for closing and opening the water conduit, wherein the fitting housing is to be arranged at an installation site, particularly a wall, an installation platform and/or a sanitary body such as a water basin, a bathtub or the like. The aim of the invention is to provide a sanitary fitting that can be serviced or repaired at particularly little expense, even in applications in which the requirements with regard to vandalism are of significant importance. Said aim is achieved according to the invention in that the fitting housing comprises at least one sanitary base body that can be solidly fixed to the installation site and a mounting cover that can be detached from the sanitary base body and covers a housing opening for opening the fitting housing for maintenance and/or service purposes. Also, at least one turbine driving an electrical generator is provided inside the sanitary base body for utilizing the flow energy of the water flow.