Self-Closing Sanitary Fitting with Ceramic Valve Discs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Self-closing sanitary fittings with ceramic valve disks face issues of high maintenance requirements, short service life, and hygiene problems due to stagnant water in counter-pressure chambers, which are not compatible with the conventional operation principle of self-closing fittings.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing sanitary fitting with a valve assembly featuring ceramic valve disks, a mechanically coupled linearly displaceable damper element, and a restoring element, which reduces frictional forces and pressure between the disks, and includes a pressure compensation surface to maintain constant forces independently of position and line pressure, along with a hydraulic damper for efficient closing and improved hygiene.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a self-closing fitting uses a counter-pressure chamber with elastic seal, then the valve can close automatically, but stagnant water in the chamber forms germs and causes hygiene problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the counter-pressure chamber entirely from the system. Instead of using a chamber that traps stagnant water, the invention employs a different mechanism (spring-loaded piston with ceramic disks) that achieves automatic closing without requiring a water-filled pressure chamber, thereby eliminating the hygiene problem while maintaining the self-closing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring-loaded piston mechanism with ceramic sealing disks that operate through mechanical force rather than hydraulic pressure from stagnant water. The restoring force from the spring replaces the need for counter-pressure water, eliminating the hygiene issue while maintaining automatic closing capability.
2Reliability
If a self-closing fitting uses ceramic sealing disks with high pressing forces, then the valve ensures long service life and maintenance-free operation, but resetting the operating lever requires high restoring force and large user effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a piston with variable pressing force against the ceramic disks. The pressing force is not constant but varies dynamically based on the piston position and spring compression. This allows the valve to maintain high sealing force when closed while requiring less force to open, as the piston can be pushed past the point of maximum spring resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a spring-loaded piston that can be pushed beyond the point where the spring force is maximum. By applying slightly excessive force momentarily to overcome the spring compression, the valve opens easily, and then the spring provides continuous restoring force to close it automatically without requiring sustained high user effort.
3Reliability
If a single-lever mixer uses a hollow body actuating lever with self-closing device, then automatic closing is achieved, but the device complexity increases and compatibility with conventional self-closing fitting operation principle is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the valve mechanism to work with a simple external actuator that can be operated in the conventional manner (pushing down to open). The complex spring-piston-ceramic disk mechanism is contained within the valve body itself, allowing the external interface to remain simple and compatible with standard self-closing fitting operation while achieving automatic closing through the internal mechanism.
4Ease of operation
If ceramic valve disks are used with smooth surfaces, then frictional forces are reduced, but the pressing forces required to keep the valve tight must be compensated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a spring-loaded piston that provides dynamic pressing force against the ceramic disks. The spring ensures continuous contact force to maintain sealing, while the smooth ceramic surfaces minimize friction. The system balances these by using the elastic recovery of the spring to maintain pressure without requiring excessive force, as the smooth surfaces reduce the friction component that would otherwise require even higher pressing forces.
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 solution reduces frictional forces and wear, allows for lower actuating forces, and enhances hygiene by eliminating stagnant water, resulting in a durable, reliable, and cost-effective self-closing fitting that meets higher hygiene standards.
Implementation Method 1
a self-closing device which consists of a damper filled with hydraulic oil and a return spring
Implementation Method 2
a return spring, which automatically moves the mixer lever from an open position back to a closed position
Implementation Method 3
Due to the smooth surfaces of ceramic components, the frictional forces acting between them are reduced
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 2e~3b
AI summary
A self-closing sanitary fitting is proposed, comprising a valve arrangement with ceramic valve discs. This arrangement includes a movable valve disc (23) that is axially displaceable and at least one static valve disc (21, 22). The movable valve disc is mechanically coupled to a linearly displaceable damper element of a damper via an axially acting actuating element (17). When the damper element is deflected from a starting position to an end position to open the sanitary fitting, and the valve disc is moved into an open position via the actuating element, the damper element automatically moves back to its starting position against the resistance of the damper due to the restoring force exerted by a return element, thereby returning the movable valve disc to the closed position via the actuating element.