Spindle Receptacle Slots Prevent Valve Self-Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

One-hand lever cartridges in sanitary fittings experience unwanted self-adjustment of the upper valve part when used with heavier operating levers, due to temperature fluctuations and material expansion differences between metal and plastic components.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an arcuate expanding groove in the spindle mount with radially prestressed spring elements and strategically placed slots in the spindle receptacle to increase contact pressure and prevent unintentional self-adjustment, ensuring a higher force is required to adjust the valve.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If slots are provided in the spindle mount to create expansion joints, then the smooth operation is improved, but the self-adjustment of the upper valve part occurs unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmooth operationVSAvoidunintentional self-adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spindle mount is segmented by providing slots that interrupt the inner contour of the lead-through, creating discrete expanding sections that allow controlled thermal expansion while maintaining structural integrity and preventing unwanted movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The slots are strategically positioned only in specific areas of the spindle mount where expansion is needed, while other regions maintain full structural continuity to prevent self-adjustment. This localized approach allows expansion joints to function without compromising overall stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Force

If a heavier operating lever is used, then the operating force is increased, but the upper part of the valve adjusts itself unintentionally

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperating forceVSAvoidunintentional self-adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The slots are positioned locally in the spindle mount to allow expansion only where necessary, while maintaining structural rigidity in other areas to prevent the heavy operating lever from causing unintentional valve adjustment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

By segmenting the spindle mount structure with slots, the design allows controlled flexibility to absorb thermal stresses from heavy lever operation while preventing the transmission of these forces to the upper valve part

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the spindle mount is made of plastic and the spindle of metal, then the manufacturing cost is reduced, but temperature expansion differences cause sluggishness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidsluggishness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The slots in the spindle mount are designed to accommodate thermal expansion differences between the plastic mount and metal spindle. The interrupted contour creates expanding sections that move with thermal cycles, preventing binding and sluggish operation while maintaining the cost-effective plastic-metal material combination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #37Thermal expansion

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 effectively prevents unintentional self-adjustment of the upper valve part by distributing contact pressure forces evenly, enhancing the stability and smooth operation of the cartridge even under heavy lever use.

Implementation Method 1

two spring elements (91, 92) which are radially prestressed in opposite directions to one another

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a contact pressure in the direction of the spindle and also in the direction of the head piece is achieved

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

an expanding groove, preferably arcuate, is arranged in the spindle mount at a distance from the lead-through and into which at least one expanding body is introduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal Expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 4

there can be stresses between the spindle holder made of plastic on the one hand and the spindle made of metal or the head piece made of metal on the other hand due to the different temperature expansion coefficients of the materials

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDifferential Thermal Expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3064812B1Single hand lever cartridge

Publication Date: 2017.01.25 FLUHS DREHTECHN GMBH

Figure 1a~1d
Figure 2a~2d
Figure 3a~3f

AI summary

The invention relates to a single-hand lever cartridge comprising a head (1) that receives a base (8), and a disc control with a control disc (5) which is rotatably and/or pivotably mounted in a spindle receptacle (3), wherein the spindle receptacle has a passage (33) for the spindle (2), wherein at least two slots (37) are provided in the spindle receptacle (3) in the region of the passage (33), thereby interrupting the inner contour of the passage (33) in an end section of the spindle receptacle (33). A spreading groove (38) is arranged in the spindle receptacle (3) spaced apart from the passage (33), into which at least one spreading element is inserted.