Straight Shower Switching Valve With Side Inlet and Dual Outlets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing straight switching valves have limited directional control and space efficiency, allowing water inflow only from the lower side and restricting the switching mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A straight switching device with a body portion, water dividing shaft sleeve, and rotating switching housing that defines two water dividing passages with sealing portions, allowing water inflow from a middle side and outflow in both upward and downward directions, utilizing a handle to control the sealing of water dividing holes for switching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If water inflow is restricted to lower side only in existing straight switching valves, then the switching mechanism is simplified, but the directional control and space efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The water dividing shaft sleeve is segmented into two isolated water dividing passages (first and second passages) that can independently control water flow directions. Each passage has its own water dividing hole and sealing portion, allowing separate control of upward and downward water outflow, thereby achieving multi-directional control without significantly increasing overall mechanism complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-direction (lower side inflow only) to multi-directional water flow control by introducing vertical dimension with upward and downward water dividing passages. The switching housing can rotate to independently control sealing portions in both passages, enabling water to inflow from middle portion and outflow in multiple directions simultaneously
2Volume of moving object
If the switching mechanism uses traditional rotating shaft design, then the structure is conventional, but the occupied space is larger and design flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The switching housing is nested within the mounting groove and surrounds the water dividing shaft sleeve, creating a compact concentric arrangement. The sealing portions are nested within the water dividing passages, and the handle is rotatably connected to the switching housing, forming a nested structure that minimizes occupied space while maintaining functional independence of each component
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the rotating shaft rotate within a fixed housing, the patent inverts the design by having the switching housing rotate relative to the fixed water dividing shaft sleeve. This inversion allows the sealing portions to be fixed on the rotating housing while the water dividing holes remain stationary on the sleeve, simplifying the sealing mechanism and reducing manufacturing complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a straight switching device and a shower. The straight switching device comprises a body portion, a water dividing shaft sleeve and a switching housing. The body portion is disposed with an inlet waterway and a mounting groove. The water dividing shaft sleeve is configured to be relatively secured in the mounting groove, the water dividing shaft sleeve defines two water dividing passages oppositely isolated, and each water dividing passage is concave to define a water dividing hole. The switching housing is rotatably disposed in the mounting groove and surrounds an outer side of the water dividing shaft sleeve; the switching housing is disposed with one or more water inlets, a water dividing cavity configured to be in communication with the water dividing holes is defined between the switching housing and the water dividing shaft sleeve, the inlet waterway is in communication with the water dividing cavity by the mounting groove and the one or more water inlets; the switching housing is disposed with sealing portions configured to hermetically cooperate with the water dividing holes, the switching housing rotates to control the sealing portions to seal the water dividing holes whether or not to at least achieve switching. Which has the following advantages: water inflow from a side of a middle portion and water outflow flows upward and downward. A structure is simple, an occupied space is small, and a product is simple and beautiful.