Shower Hose Retaining Bracket Backflow Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retaining assemblies for shower hoses do not meet the requirements for preventing backflow of contaminated water, especially in healthcare settings, as they can be loosened by hand and do not provide a secure physical air gap, failing to comply with standards like EN 1717.
Innovation Solution
A retaining assembly with a one-piece retaining bracket and holder featuring a positive-locking or non-positive-locking connection, where the holder is mounted to a wall, and the retaining bracket is assembled without additional tools, ensuring the hose coupling element cannot be moved through the opening, and the bracket can only be disassembled with a special tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the retaining bracket is fixed to the holder with screws, then the connection is secure and reliable, but additional tools are needed for assembly and the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting section integrates the bracket mounting means directly into the retaining bracket structure, merging the bracket and mounting means into a single integrated component. This eliminates the need for separate screws and tools while maintaining secure connection through the integrated mounting section that engages with the holder.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining bracket is designed to be self-mounting through its integrated mounting section that automatically engages with the holder when the bracket is positioned correctly. The bracket serves its own mounting function without requiring external fasteners or tools, making the assembly process tool-free and simplified.
2Ease of operation
If the retaining ring allows easy hand-loosening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of preventing backflow is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining bracket features different functional zones with distinct properties: the mounting section allows controlled adjustment during installation, while the retaining section provides fixed, tool-secure confinement for the hose. The opening dimensions are specifically designed to allow hose passage while preventing coupling element removal, creating localized quality differences that satisfy both adjustability and reliability requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the opening diameter is large enough to allow hose passage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the hose coupling element may be moved through the opening
Solution Approach 1:
The opening dimensions are precisely controlled within specific ranges: large enough to allow flexible hose passage during installation and use, but small enough to prevent the stiffer hose coupling element from being moved through. This parameter optimization enables the system to accommodate hose movement while maintaining coupling element retention.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an retaining bracket (1) for a shower hose (2) to be mounted on a holder (3) and having a retaining section (4) and a mounting section (5), the retaining section (4) forming an opening (6) for guiding the hose (2) so that the hose (2) is moveable in its axial extension through the opening (6) and a hose coupling element (7) connected to the hose (2) is prevented from being moved through the opening (6), the opening (6) having a lateral aperture (8) so that the hose (2) is to be inserted through the lateral aperture (8) into the opening (6), wherein the holder (3) can be assembled with the mounting section (5) of the retaining bracket (1) so that the aperture (8) is closed by the assembled holder (3).