Sanitary Plug Rotor Mechanism for Quiet Low-Force Closing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitary fitting closing mechanisms, such as lever mechanisms and snap devices, face issues with calibration, corrosion, mechanical clearances, noise, high actuation force, and stiffness, leading to suboptimal operation and unattractive design.
Innovation Solution
An opening/closing device for sanitary fittings featuring a body connected to a closing plug via a prismatic coupling, with a rotating rotor and actuating spring, allowing smooth and quiet operation by minimizing friction and noise, and utilizing a softer spring to reduce actuation force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If snap-closing devices with stiff internal springs are used to ensure reliable opening/closing, then the plug always snaps open/close reliably, but the actuating force required increases and noise is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a rotor mechanism that rotates during plug actuation, transforming the linear motion into rotational motion. This dynamic conversion allows the spring force to be applied more efficiently, reducing the actuating force required while maintaining reliable operation. The rotor's rotation also prevents the stiff spring from directly transmitting high forces to the user.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotor mechanism creates a periodic engagement and disengagement pattern during actuation. As the rotor rotates, it periodically engages with the plug body, allowing the spring to release energy in controlled increments rather than as a single high-force impulse. This periodic action reduces peak actuating force while ensuring reliable plug operation.
2Reliability
If stiff internal springs are used to enable opening under maximum load, then the plug can be opened even with water column weight, but internal friction increases and the mechanism becomes unyielding
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor mechanism introduces dynamic motion that reduces internal friction during actuation. By converting linear force into rotational motion, the rotor allows components to move more freely against the spring pressure, making the mechanism more yieldable and easier to actuate even under maximum load conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the spring system by introducing the rotor mechanism. This allows the spring to operate at optimal compression levels while the rotor's rotation reduces the effective friction, enabling the plug to be opened under maximum load with reduced actuating force.
3Reliability
If snap mechanisms are used for tight closure, then reliable sealing is achieved, but perceptible click noise is generated during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The rotor mechanism transforms the abrupt snap action into a smoother rotational motion. As the rotor turns, it gradually engages the plug body, reducing the sudden impact that causes the characteristic click noise. The tight closure is maintained through the rotor's final engagement position, while the noise is eliminated by the smoother transition.
4Ease of operation
If lever mechanisms are used for plug actuation, then mechanical advantage is provided, but calibration and adjustment are required and exposed components become unattractive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotor mechanism with the plug body and cover assembly, creating an integrated unit that eliminates the need for separate lever mechanisms and their associated exposed components. The rotor is housed within the plug assembly, concealing all mechanical elements while maintaining the mechanical advantage needed for easy actuation without requiring external calibration or adjustment.
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 device ensures reliable, quiet, and easy operation with reduced actuation force, maintaining a tight seal over time while avoiding the drawbacks of prior art, such as noise and stiffness, and maintaining attractiveness by preventing rotation of exposed components.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element disposed and configured for exerting an elastic action, parallel to said actuating axis, on said actuating member for biasing said actuating member away from said stem
Implementation Method 2
a rotor rotating about said actuating axis with respect to said stem
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
An opening/closing device (4) for sanitary fittings comprises: - an actuating member (8, 28) integrally associated or associable to a closing plug (12); - a stem (16) integrally connected or connectable to a drain (18) adapted to be closed by said plug (12), said actuating member (8, 28) being movable with respect to the stem (16) along an actuating axis (X-X) of the opening/closing device (4) between a first equilibrium position, corresponding to a retracted configuration of the actuating member, and a second equilibrium position, corresponding to an extended configuration of the actuating member, by passing through an intermediate position corresponding to a stop configuration of the actuating member; - an actuating spring (32) adapted to bias said actuating member (8, 28) towards said second equilibrium position; - a rotor (36) rotating around said actuating axis (X-X) and comprising thrusting means (40) having an upper outline (44) and a lower outline (48) opposite to the upper outline (44), wherein the actuating member (8, 28) comprises upper catches (56) adapted to interact with the upper outline (44) of said thrusting elements (40) of the rotor (36), and further lower catches (64) and recesses (68), at a level different from said lower catches (64), adapted to interact with the lower outline (48) of said thrusting elements (40) of the rotor (36) in order to generate thrusts suitable for rotating the rotor (36) around the actuating axis (X-X) due to said interactions, wherein: - in the retracted configuration, the lower outline (48) of the thrusting elements (40) engages the lower catches (64) of the actuating member - in the extended configuration, the lower outline (48) of the thrusting elements (40) engages the recesses (68) of the actuating member; - in the stop configuration of the actuating member, the upper outline (44) of the thrusting element (40) engages the upper catches (56) of the actuating member.