Shower Valve Body Extension for Out-of-Wall Component Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional 'behind wall rough' shower assemblies restrict the placement of shower valve components, limiting space and functionality, as they constrain the valve cartridge and other components to fit within the shower wall, preventing the integration of additional features like batteries, motors, controls, and user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A valve body extension that extends the waterways beyond the conventional valve rough, allowing for the placement of components such as batteries, motors, controls, and user interfaces outside the wall, with an adapter that connects to a remote rough, enabling mixed water diversion and additional outlets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the valve rough is recessed within the shower wall (conventional behind wall rough), then the plumbing is hidden and the wall structure is maintained, but the valve cartridge and functional components are constrained to fit within the rough housing, greatly reducing allowable space and limiting potential features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the valve rough perpendicular to the shower wall, creating additional space in the depth dimension. This allows the valve cartridge and functional components to be positioned outside the wall plane while maintaining a compact profile, thereby increasing allowable space without compromising the concealed plumbing appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve assembly is divided into modular components: the in-wall rough housing, the extendable valve cartridge, and the external functional components (batteries, motors, controls, user interfaces). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and positioned in the most suitable location, increasing overall versatility while managing space efficiently.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the valve rough is recessed within the shower wall, then the installation is concealed and aesthetically pleasing, but additional features like batteries, motors, controls, and user interfaces cannot be integrated
Solution Approach 1:
By extending the valve rough perpendicular to the wall, the patent creates a new spatial dimension for component placement. This allows batteries, motors, controls, and user interfaces to be positioned in the extended space outside the wall, enabling integration of additional features without increasing in-wall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The extended valve rough design serves multiple functions: it maintains the concealed installation appearance, provides space for the valve cartridge, and accommodates additional functional components (batteries, motors, controls, user interfaces, diverters). This multi-functionality increases features while managing overall device complexity through integrated design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If components are placed within the conventional rough housing, then the assembly remains compact, but the placement of batteries, motors, controls, and user interfaces is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the rough housing perpendicular to the wall, utilizing the depth dimension to accommodate additional components. This increases component placement flexibility without significantly increasing the overall volume of the stationary rough housing structure, as the extension uses otherwise unused space.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve cartridge and functional components are positioned within the extended rough housing structure, with components nested in the available space. This nesting approach allows multiple components (batteries, motors, controls, user interfaces) to be accommodated within the extended volume without requiring additional external space.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve body extension including an in-wall rough assembly fluidly coupled to an extension valve assembly. The in-wall rough assembly includes a rough valve body receiving an adapter. The extension valve assembly includes an extension valve body receiving a valve cartridge. A diverter valve assembly may be fluidly coupled to the extension valve assembly.