Temperature Control Valve Asymmetry and Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional temperature controlling devices with pressure balance valves in showering equipment face issues such as increased rotating resistance, water hammer noises, and leakage due to unsymmetrical forces and pressure differences, leading to unsmooth handle rotation and water flow irregularities.

Innovation Solution

A temperature controlling device with a symmetrical design featuring a base with noise eliminating posts, a temperature balance valve, and wing-shaped cavities in ceramic members, along with a control shaft and housing, which reduces rotating resistance through lubrication and guides water flow to prevent leakage, using noise eliminating posts for shock absorption and pressure balancing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the cavity of the lower ceramic member is fixed on one side, then the structure is simple, but water pressure generates unsymmetrical force causing increased rotating resistance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidhandle rotation smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by positioning the cavity and noise eliminating posts on only one side of the base rather than symmetrically on both sides. This asymmetric arrangement creates pressure balancing that reduces unsymmetrical forces during rotation, thereby decreasing rotating resistance and improving handle rotation smoothness while maintaining structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If the inflow chamber communicates with the first hole, then cold water flows smoothly, but pressure difference impacts the cavity causing water hammer noises

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater flow efficiencyVSAvoidwater hammer noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The noise eliminating posts act as intermediary elements positioned within the cavity. When cold water flows from the inflow chamber through the first hole, these posts serve as a mediator that absorbs pressure differences and dampens water hammer noises, allowing smooth water flow while eliminating the harmful noise effect.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful water hammer noise into a beneficial damping effect by using the noise eliminating posts to absorb and dissipate the pressure energy that would otherwise create noise. The posts transform the harmful pressure impact into a controlled damping action that protects the system from noise while maintaining flow efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of operation

If lubricating oil is applied on the contacting surface, then rotating resistance decreases, but the oil disappears over time causing unsmooth rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandle rotation smoothnessVSAvoidrotation stability over time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the noise eliminating posts to automatically provide lubrication functionality without requiring external maintenance. The posts are positioned to contact the rotating components and provide continuous friction reduction through their structural design, eliminating the need for periodic oil replenishment while maintaining reliable smooth rotation over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 smooth and stable handle rotation, reduces water hammer noises, stabilizes water flow, and prevents leakage by lowering rotating resistance and utilizing noise eliminating posts for shock absorption and pressure balancing, ensuring efficient water distribution.

Implementation Method 1

noise eliminating posts for shock absorption and pressure balancing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShock absorption: Damping

Implementation Method 2

lubricating oil is applied on a contacting surface of the upper ceramic and the lower ceramic, but the lubricating oil will disappear after a period of time

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS8375974B2Temperature controlling device

Publication Date: 2013.02.19 GLOBE UNION INDAL

AI summary

A temperature controlling device contains a base including a top wall and a peripheral wall; the top wall including a first hole and a second hole; a temperature balance valve retained in the base and including a first inlet, a second inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet; a lower ceramic member installed on the top wall and including a second cavity, a first orifice, and a second orifice to flow the hot water; an upper ceramic member fixed on a top end of the lower ceramic member and including a third cavity; the third cavity including a close face; a control shaft including an extension, a radial extending disc, and a forcing end disposed on a top end thereof to input a rotating power; a housing served to cover the base, between the housing and the base being defined a receiving space, and the housing includes an aperture.