Universal Filling Valve Set with Mounting Adapter

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filling valves for cisterns are prone to frequent malfunctions due to high operational loads and limescale deposits, requiring frequent replacements, which is time-consuming and costly due to the variety of cistern variants and differing mounting devices.

Innovation Solution

A set including a filling valve with a mounting adapter that provides multiple mounting options via a nut and pipe socket, featuring a cylinder section with an external thread and a holding section with transverse ends and latching lugs, allowing the valve to be installed on various common cistern mounting devices without the need for specific adapters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a filling valve is designed for specific mounting devices of different cistern variants, then the valve can be properly installed in that specific cistern type, but the installer must procure and stock multiple different filling valve variants, increasing complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with specific cistern mounting devicesVSAvoidnumber of different filling valve variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filling valve is designed with a universal mounting adapter that can be attached to the valve body and adapted to multiple different cistern mounting devices. This single universal valve design replaces the need for multiple specialized valve variants, allowing installation in various cistern types without requiring different valve models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting system is divided into separate components: a universal filling valve body and a detachable mounting adapter. The adapter can be selected and attached based on the specific cistern type, while the main valve body remains standardized. This segmentation allows the valve to be universally compatible while adapting to specific mounting requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If filling valves are replaced frequently due to malfunctions from high operational loads and limescale deposits, then operational reliability is maintained, but the replacement process becomes time-consuming and costly due to the need to identify and procure specific valve variants

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional reliability of filling valveVSAvoidtime for identifying and procuring replacement valve
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The universal filling valve design allows any malfunctioning valve to be replaced with the same standardized valve model, regardless of the original cistern type. The mounting adapter is simply changed or adjusted to match the specific cistern, eliminating the need to identify and order different valve variants and enabling immediate replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The universal mounting adapter is designed to be pre-compatible with multiple cistern types, allowing the replacement valve to be prepared in advance without needing to match the specific cistern variant. This preliminary design compatibility eliminates the identification and procurement delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If an installer keeps multiple filling valve variants in stock to service different cistern types, then service capability is improved, but inventory costs and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice capability for different cistern typesVSAvoidinventory of different filling valve variants
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The universal filling valve with adaptable mounting adapter allows the installer to stock only one valve model and service multiple cistern types. The adapter component can be easily exchanged or adjusted to match different cistern mounting devices, eliminating the need to maintain inventory of multiple specialized valve variants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a mounting adapter with multiple mounting options is provided separately from the filling valve, then the filling valve can be universally installed on various cistern mounting devices, but the overall device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various mounting devicesVSAvoidnumber of separate mounting components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting adapter is designed to integrate with the filling valve body through a standardized connection interface. The adapter becomes an attached component of the valve assembly rather than a completely separate element, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining universal compatibility with various cistern mounting devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3366851B1Universal filling valve set
Publication Date: 2020.06.03 TECE GMBH
  • EP3366851B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3366851B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3366851B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~2d

AI summary

The set comprises a fill valve (1) for installation in a cistern, which has an inlet side for connecting a water supply and an outlet side for dispensing water into the cistern. The fill valve (1) has a pipe stub (10) extending axially with its axis on its inlet side. The set includes a mounting adapter with an axially extending connecting section (31) and a nut (2) corresponding to the pipe stub (10), by means of which the mounting adapter can be fixed in a mounting position with its connecting section (31) sealingly against the pipe stub (10). The mounting adapter has a cylindrical section (32) which has an external thread on its outer surface and which, in the mounting position, extends axially away from the pipe stub (10) starting from the connecting section (31), as well as a retaining section.