Cuttable Shower Valve Adapter for Handle Distance Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plumbing solutions for connecting shower or tub handles to valves often require cutting metallic stop tubes, which is difficult and can result in deformation and sharp edges, especially when remodeling alters the distance between the handle and valve.
Innovation Solution
A series of stackable adapters made from a cuttable thermoplastic rubber material that can be customized to fit various lengths, allowing the handle to be connected to the valve without cutting the original stop tube, using a rotatably locked configuration with raised notches or ridges for compatibility with existing center tubes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metallic stop tube is used for handle-to-valve connection, then structural strength and durability are improved, but difficulty of cutting and risk of deformation/injury increase when length adjustment is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The stop tube is divided into multiple sections: a metallic portion for structural strength and connection to the valve, and a separate plastic extender portion for easy length adjustment. This segmentation allows each material to fulfill its optimal function - metal provides durability while plastic provides ease of customization without cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure combining metallic material and thermoplastic material in a single stop tube assembly. The metallic portion provides structural integrity and connection strength, while the thermoplastic extender portion provides ease of length adjustment through cutting or extension, resolving the contradiction between strength and ease of manufacture.
2Productivity
If the stop tube length is fixed during rough plumbing, then installation efficiency is improved, but adaptability to remodeling changes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The stop tube design incorporates a dynamic extender portion made of thermoplastic material that can be easily cut or extended to accommodate changing distance requirements during remodeling. This allows the initially installed fixed-length metallic portion to remain intact while the plastic extender is adjusted to meet new spatial requirements, maintaining both installation efficiency and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for parameter changes in the stop tube length by providing a thermoplastic extender portion that can be easily cut or extended. This enables the stop tube to adapt to different distance parameters required during initial installation or subsequent remodeling, while the metallic portion maintains its original installation efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If extension kits are used to accommodate distance changes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stop tube is designed as a universal component with an integrated extender portion that combines the functions of both the original stop tube and the extension kit into a single unit. The thermoplastic extender portion can be adjusted to provide the necessary extension, eliminating the need for separate extension kits and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to an adapter or extender that can be used in plumbing applications in which the adapter or extender, either singly or coupled together in a series of at least two or more of the same, can cooperatively engage with other plumbing devices (e.g., a stop tube) to complete a shower or tub handle to valve connection. The adapter or extender can be made (e.g., by injection molding) from any suitable hard material (e.g., a material comprising an elastomer or thermoplastic rubber (TPR)), or a dynamically vulcanized polymer alloy of cured EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber in a polypropylene (PP) matrix), which can optionally be further blended with additional polymer such as polypropylene to control hardness to a desired level). The material may be formulated and manufactured such that it can be easily cut or shortened (e.g., with a utility knife) to any desired size.