Sanitary Functional Unit With Nutless Oversized Grip

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Solution Overview

Problem

Sanitary functional units often require nuts for holding functions, leading to prolonged assembly times and loose fittings that compromise user comfort due to unintentional movement.

Innovation Solution

The use of a holding element that contacts the housing in a gripping portion, oversized relative to the housing, eliminates the need for nuts and ensures rapid, exact fitting without additional fastening elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If nuts are used as holding elements, then the holding function is established, but assembly time is significantly prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding functionVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the nut component from the assembly by integrating the holding function directly into the housing structure through the oversized gripping portion. This removes the separate fastening element and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining the holding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding function is merged with the housing structure by creating an oversized gripping portion that directly engages with the holding element. This integration eliminates the need for separate nuts and combines multiple functions into a single structural feature.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If nuts are used as holding elements, then the holding function is established, but the assembly becomes loose over time due to unintentional freedom of movement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding functionVSAvoidassembly stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The gripping portion is designed with localized oversized dimensions specifically at the contact area with the holding element. This local quality enhancement provides precise fitting and eliminates play or freedom of movement in the critical engagement zone while maintaining overall structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If an oversized gripping portion is used, then assembly time is minimized and exact fit is achieved, but the complexity of the housing structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidhousing structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is segmented into functional zones, with the oversized gripping portion being a distinct feature within the housing. This segmentation allows the complexity to be localized to a specific area rather than distributed throughout the entire structure, making the added complexity more manageable and focused.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12454814B2Sanitation functional unit and corresponding design series and modular construction kit

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 NEOPERL GMBH

AI summary

In a sanitary functional unit (1) having a housing (5) and a holding element (2) which at least in portions encompasses the housing, the holding element contacts the housing in a gripping portion (6) and this gripping portion (6) is manufactured to be oversized in relation to the housing.