Compact Tapping Device with Pressure-Controlled Valve
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water tapping devices are not suitable for use on commercially available sanitary facilities like wash basins and sinks due to space constraints and installation difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A water tapping device with a directional valve equipped with a pressure switch that uses liquid pressure to control the valve, eliminating the need for separate control lines, and featuring a compact design with jet nozzles or an aerator for a soft, non-splashing output, along with a flexible housing for easy disinfection and integration with existing fixtures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional water tapping device is installed, then liquid control functionality is provided, but the device requires considerable installation space that is not available in commercially available sanitary facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into functionally independent modules: a directional control valve with integrated pressure switch, a separate housing unit with jet nozzles, and modular connection components. This segmentation allows compact arrangement and flexible installation in limited spaces while maintaining full liquid control functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element is integrated within the directional control valve housing, and the pressure switch is nested within the valve structure. The jet nozzles are positioned within the housing opening, creating a compact nested arrangement that minimizes overall device footprint for installation in space-constrained sanitary facilities.
2Reliability
If separate control lines are used for the directional control valve, then precise valve control is achieved, but the device complexity and installation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure switch is integrated directly into the directional control valve and uses the liquid pressure from the liquid inlet itself as the control signal. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external control lines, reducing device complexity and installation requirements while maintaining reliable valve control based on actual liquid pressure conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure switch and directional control valve are merged into a single integrated unit, with the pressure switch positioned within the valve housing and connected directly to the liquid inlet. This combination eliminates separate control line connections while ensuring precise valve control through direct pressure sensing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the directional control valve operates at intermediate pressures, then the valve may flutter causing unstable operation, but maintaining a wide pressure range is desirable for versatility
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure switch provides feedback control by sensing liquid pressure and automatically switching the directional control valve between discrete positions. The hysteresis effect in the pressure switch creates stable switching thresholds that prevent flutter at intermediate pressures, while the valve can still operate across a wide pressure range by switching between stable on/off states based on pressure feedback.
4Strength
If the housing opening is made rigid for structural strength, then durability is improved, but disinfection access and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing opening is made flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to deform elastically under mechanical load from the jet nozzle. This dynamic flexibility enables the housing to open during normal operation for disinfection access while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the flexible material properties and design.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing opening is constructed from flexible material that can elastically deform to open and close. This flexible shell structure provides both the required mechanical strength and the ability to open for disinfection purposes, eliminating the need for rigid construction that would compromise accessibility.
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 device is compact and easily integratable with existing sanitary facilities, providing efficient liquid control and disinfection capabilities while preventing valve flutter and ensuring disinfectant containment.
Implementation Method 1
the directional valve has at least one pressure switch which is arranged at the liquid inlet and switches the directional valve as a function of the liquid pressure present at the liquid inlet
Implementation Method 2
these together form a jet regulator which is used to mix the liquid emerging from the dispensing outlet with the ambient air to form a voluminous, soft and non-splashing mixed jet
Implementation Method 3
the housing has at least one housing part that forms the housing opening and is made of a flexible material. The soft elastic material offers the possibility of forming a housing opening which opens or closes depending on the mechanical loads acting on the material
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The device has a liquid inlet (1), a tapping outlet (2) and a liquid drain (3) which are connected over a directional valve (4). The directional valve comprises pressure switch (5) which is arranged at the liquid inlet. The tapping outlet is provided with jet nozzle (6). The directional valve is provided with casing (8) made of soft elastic material, control element (7) and closing elements (11) cooperating with the tapping outlet.