Valve Fitting Assembly With Adjustable Thermostat Head Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing valve fitting installations for low-temperature heaters are cumbersome to install and access, with large, inflexible installation boxes that do not adapt well to varying wall thicknesses and plaster depths, leading to incorrect alignment and time-consuming rework.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a valve fitting with adjustable connecting elements, such as screws and spacer sleeves, that allow precise depth adjustment of the thermostat head relative to the cover, along with position fixing means like guide pins, and improved line connections using detachable fittings, enabling easier installation and maintenance without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the thermostat head is made longer to accommodate varying wall thicknesses and plaster depths, then adaptability to different installation situations is improved, but the device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements adjustability mechanisms that allow the thermostat head position to be dynamically changed during installation. The connecting element between the thermostat head and valve body can be adjusted in length or position, enabling the system to adapt to different wall thicknesses and plaster depths without requiring multiple fixed-length head designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the thermostat assembly into separable components: the thermostat head, the connecting element, and the valve body. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each component's position and length, providing flexibility to accommodate varying installation conditions while keeping each individual component relatively simple in design.
2Ease of operation
If the installation box is made larger to accommodate the valve fitting, then ease of installation and accessibility is improved, but the loss of time for rework and the aesthetic appearance worsen due to extensive rework and large cover size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates adjustable connecting elements that allow the valve fitting to be positioned at optimal locations within the installation box during fine installation. This adjustability enables correct alignment to be achieved without extensive rework, reducing installation time while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates the RTL valve directly into the valve fitting housing, combining multiple functions into a single compact unit. This merging eliminates the need for separate housing structures and reduces the overall size of the installation box required, thereby reducing cover size and installation time while maintaining accessibility.
3Ease of operation
If the thermostat head protrusion is increased for accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and alignment correctness worsen due to incorrect alignment in finished installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides adjustable connecting elements that allow the protrusion distance of the thermostat head to be optimized during installation. This enables the head to protrude sufficiently for easy operation while maintaining precise alignment with the wall surface and cover, avoiding the alignment issues that arise with fixed, excessive protrusion lengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows for preliminary positioning and adjustment of the thermostat head during the installation process, before final fixation. This preliminary action enables correct alignment to be established while ensuring adequate protrusion for accessibility, resolving the conflict between precision and operability.
4Reliability
If the valve fitting is permanently installed in the installation box, then reliability is improved, but the ease of repair and maintenance worsen due to poor accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the valve fitting as a modular assembly with separable components including the valve body, connecting elements, and thermostat head. This segmentation allows the fitting to be reliably installed as a complete unit while enabling individual components to be accessed, removed, or replaced for maintenance by detaching the fitting from the installation box.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates adjustable and detachable connecting elements that allow the valve fitting to be securely fixed during operation for reliability, while also enabling easy detachment for maintenance. The dynamic nature of these connections transitions from a fixed reliable state during operation to an accessible detachable state during maintenance.
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 configuration allows for precise alignment and adjustment of the valve fitting during fine installation, reducing installation time and improving accessibility, while also reducing the size of the installation box by integrating the RTL valve into the fitting housing, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and functional design.
Implementation Method 1
The control element in the RTL valve is flowed around by the cooled heating water emerging from the underfloor heating loop and thus initially regulates the return temperature emerging from the system by preventing the temperature within the underfloor heating loop from becoming too high
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an installation arrangement for a valve assembly for a low-temperature heating system, comprising a return temperature limiter for limiting the return temperature of the low-temperature heating system and a thermostatic valve arranged downstream in series with the return temperature limiter. To simplify the installation of such a valve assembly in a housing of a mounting box 2, which can be closed by means of a removable cover 8 and wherein the thermostatic valve is adjustable via an actuating element arranged in the cover (8), it is proposed that this actuating element includes means which are adjustable such that the position of the valve assembly (the thermostatic head), the aperture, and the wall surface are independent of the position of the housing.