Shower Temperature Valve Backflow Prevention and Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional constant temperature control devices with pressure balanced valves in showering equipment face issues such as broken ceramics members requiring complete replacement, inconvenient maintenance, water leaks, and noise due to backflow, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A constant temperature control device with a base having a central and peripheral wall, a pressure balanced valve, and a controlling assembly that includes an operating shaft and stainless steel piece, along with check valves to prevent backflow, allowing for easy maintenance and leak-proof operation by guiding mixed water effectively between a faucet and shower head.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first ceramics member and second ceramics member are broken after being used for a period of time, then the constant temperature control device can not be operated normally, but the device has to be replaced completely, thereby having an inconvenient maintenance and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the constant temperature control device into separable modules: the base with ceramics members and the cover with the lever assembly. This segmentation allows the cover assembly to be easily removed and replaced independently when the lever or handle needs maintenance, while the base with the fragile ceramics members can remain in place. The base includes a mounting structure with positioning protrusions and recesses that enable quick attachment and detachment of the cover assembly, facilitating convenient maintenance without complete device replacement.
2Productivity
If the mixed water is not guided toward the faucet, then the temperature control device can generate mixed water, but one part of mixed water from the temperature control device flows toward the shower head still, having a water leak from the shower head
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a guide structure as an intermediary element between the mixed water outlet and the faucet. This guide structure includes a guide channel or directional outlet that actively directs the flow of mixed water toward the faucet, preventing unintended flow to the shower head. The guide structure acts as a mediator that ensures water follows the intended path, eliminating the water leak problem at the shower head while maintaining proper temperature control functionality.
3Reliability
If the water supply is closed, then the water flow stops, but the cold water and the hot water in the mixed room flow back to generate water hammer, thereby having a noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates check valves or one-way flow restrictors in the water supply lines before the mixed water chamber. These components prevent backflow of cold and hot water into their respective supply lines when the water supply is closed or when there is a pressure differential. By preventing the backward flow in advance, the system avoids the water hammer effect and the associated noise, maintaining system stability without generating harmful sounds during shutdown or pressure equalization phases.
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 enables efficient temperature control, prevents water leaks, and reduces maintenance costs by allowing for easy replacement of components and eliminating water hammer noise through the use of check valves and a well-designed flow mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
Conventional constant temperature control device with a pressure balanced valve
Implementation Method 2
check valves to prevent backflow, allowing for easy maintenance and leak-proof operation by guiding mixed water effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A constant temperature control device contains a base including a central wall and a peripheral wall to define a chamber; the peripheral wall including a tunnel and hooks; the central wall including a first and a second holes and two grooves; a pressure balanced valve engaged in the chamber and including a first and a second inflow orifices and a first and a second outflow orifices; a controlling assembly including an operating shaft and a stainless steel piece; two plug sets, each including two springs and two stoppers, and each stopper including an aperture; a covering member including projections and a pore; between the covering member and the disk being defined with a second cavity; an outlet member fixed in the tunnel of the base and including a twisted passageway arranged therein so that the mixed water flows vertically from the tunnel and then is guided to jet horizontally.