Thermostatic Mixer Single-Part Envelope and Mixing Cylinder
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Solution Overview
Problem
The manufacturing and assembly of thermostatic mixer devices are complicated due to the separation of the skirt envelope and the mixing member, leading to increased costs and production organization challenges.
Innovation Solution
The skirt envelope and the inner mixing member are integrated into a single piece, forming both the containment and mixing components, with the outer portions forming the envelope and inner portions forming the cylinder, which simplifies assembly and manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the skirt envelope and mixing member are manufactured separately and assembled, then the manufacturing process is simpler for each individual part, but the overall assembly complexity and production organization difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the skirt envelope and the inner mixing member into a single integrated component made from formed plastic material. The outer portions form the containment envelope while the inner portions form the mixing cylinder, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing and assembly of these two parts. This merging approach reduces assembly complexity and production organization difficulties while maintaining the functional separation of containment and mixing operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the skirt envelope and mixing member are manufactured separately, then the manufacturing precision requirements for each part are lower, but the assembly precision and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated design allows the component to be manufactured in a single molding process, eliminating multiple assembly steps. Although the mold itself is complex, the single-shot formation of both the envelope and mixing cylinder improves productivity by reducing assembly time and the number of production steps required.
3Device complexity
If separate components are used for containment and mixing, then the device can be assembled from simpler individual parts, but the overall manufacturing cost increases due to multiple parts and assembly operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the containment envelope and mixing cylinder into a single formed plastic component. While the mold required is particularly complex, this merging eliminates the need for separate manufacturing of multiple parts, reduces assembly operations, and simplifies production organization, ultimately reducing manufacturing costs despite the sophisticated molding process required.
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
This integration simplifies the assembly process and reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the device's functionality, allowing for a more organized and cost-effective production process.
Implementation Method 1
a thermometric element of the expansion type, provided for displacing said distributing slide valve against the action of a return spring accordingly to the temperature taken by the mixed water
Data Source
AI summary
A thermostatic mixer device for sanitary appliances, includes: a cartridge envelope; a distributor bottom member with intake openings for cold and hot water, a delivery opening for mixed water, and elements for controlling and intercepting the delivered flow rate; a mixing member located inside the envelope, forming a cylinder, control openings and passageways for directing hot water and cold water from the intake openings to the respective control openings; a distribution slide valve, sealingly sliding in the axial direction within the cylinder of the mixing member, and cooperating with the control openings in order to partially shut the control openings in opposite senses; a thermometric element for displacing the distributing slide valve against the action of a return spring; and control elements for establishing the temperature desired for the delivered mixed water. The envelope and mixing member form, in a single piece, a sole containment and mixing member which, with its outer portions, forms the envelope containing the mixer device, with its inner portions forms the cylinder cooperating with the distribution slide valve and the control openings, and by cooperation of the outer and inner portions determines the passageways.