Sanitary Mixing Valve Layout for Wall-Close Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sanitary fittings require significant distance from walls for lever operation and additional effort to activate water removal, as water removal is tied to mixing valve operation.
Innovation Solution
A sanitary fitting design with a setting element for adjusting mixed water temperature, integrated into the fitting housing, allowing for close mounting to walls and independent activation of water removal, using a mixing valve and valve system that remains open for effortless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lever is used to actuate the mixing valve, then the mixed water temperature can be set, but the sanitary fitting must be disposed at a relatively great distance from a wall to ensure free movability of the lever
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the temperature setting function from the traditional lever mechanism and implements it through a setting element with temperature indication markings. This allows the fitting to be mounted close to the wall while maintaining ease of temperature adjustment through a different operational mechanism that doesn't require the same clearance space as a lever.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a lever that moves to control temperature, the patent inverts the approach by using a setting element that is adjustable along the surface of the fitting housing, with temperature indication markings that show the mixed water temperature directly. This inversion of the control mechanism eliminates the need for significant clearance distance.
2Ease of operation
If a valve is used to control water removal, then the removal of mixed water can be activated and deactivated, but additional operating effort is required since the mixing valve must be simultaneously opened via the lever
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control functions into independent components: the setting element for temperature control and the valve for water removal control. This segmentation allows each function to be operated independently without requiring simultaneous action, reducing the operating effort and time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valve is designed to be automatically opened when the valve for water removal is activated, eliminating the need for the user to manually open the mixing valve first. This preliminary action reduces the operating steps required and decreases the time and effort needed to control water removal.
Data Source
AI summary
A sanitary fitting having a fitting housing, a mixing valve for mixing cold water and hot water to produce mixed water, a setting element for setting a mixed water temperature of the mixed water, the setting element being adjustable along a surface of the fitting housing, and a mixed water channel through which the mixed water can be conveyed from the mixing valve to a valve, it being possible to set a removal volume of the mixed water via said valve.