Sanitary Valve Handle Alignment for Precise Rotary Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional rotary handle devices for sanitary valves lack the ability to adjust the handle operating element's rotary position precisely relative to a defined functional position of the rotary adjustable unit, limiting their adjustability and alignment capabilities.

Innovation Solution

A rotary handle device with a user-operable alignment unit that allows the handle body parts to rotate steplessly within an alignment angle range, enabling continuous rotation and precise alignment of the handle operating element relative to the rotary adjustable unit, even when the handle body is coupled in a single or multiple discrete rotational positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the handle body is coupled to the rotary-adjustable unit in discrete rotational positions, then the coupling is simple and reliable, but the handle operating element cannot be positioned precisely relative to the rotary-adjustable unit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of handle operating elementVSAvoidcomplexity of coupling mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The handle body is divided into two separable parts: a first handle body part that couples to the rotary-adjustable unit, and a second handle body part that carries the handle operating element. This segmentation allows independent positioning of each part, enabling precise alignment while maintaining simple coupling mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment unit enables dynamic adjustment of the rotational position of the second handle body part relative to the first handle body part. This dynamic capability allows the handle operating element to be positioned precisely at any desired angular position, not just at discrete coupling positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the handle body can only be coupled in a single rotational position, then the coupling structure is simple, but the handle operating element lacks adjustability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustability of handle operating elementVSAvoidcomplexity of handle body structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing the handle body into two parts with an alignment unit between them provides adjustability without requiring multiple coupling positions. The first part maintains simple single-position coupling, while the second part can be independently aligned through the alignment unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The alignment unit acts as an intermediary mechanism between the two handle body parts. It provides the necessary adjustment capability while keeping the coupling to the rotary-adjustable unit simple and straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If adjacent coupling rotational positions are spaced apart by a fixed angular distance, then the coupling positions are well-defined, but continuous adjustment of the handle operating element is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of aligning handle markingsVSAvoidprecision of handle positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment unit introduces dynamic adjustability, allowing the second handle body part to be rotated to any angular position within an alignment angle range. This enables continuous positioning of the handle operating element, making precise alignment of markings possible while maintaining well-defined coupling positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3557104B1Rotating handle device and sanitary valve
Publication Date: 2021.08.18 HANS GROHE GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3557104B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3557104B1 patent drawingFigure 7~11

AI summary

1. Rotary handle device and sanitary valve. 2.1. The invention relates to a rotary handle device for rotary actuation of a rotatable unit and to a sanitary valve equipped therewith, wherein the rotary handle device comprises a handle body (1) with a handle control element (2) as a user interface and a rotary coupling structure (3) for rotationally fixed coupling of the handle body to the rotatable unit in a single coupling rotary position or optionally in one of several coupling rotary positions spaced apart from each other in the direction of rotation. 2.2. According to the invention, the handle body comprises a first handle body part (1a) which has the rotary coupling structure, and a second handle body part (1b) which has the handle control element, wherein the first and the second handle body parts are rotatable relative to each other within an alignment angle range (AW).The rotary handle device has a user-operated alignment unit (4) that couples the first and second handle body parts in a rotationally fixed manner and, when actuated, continuously rotates the first and second handle body parts relative to each other within the alignment angle range. 2.3. Use e.g. for shut-off, mixing and diverter valves of sanitary fittings.