Wall Fitting Vandalism Protection via Segmented Guide

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wall fittings are insufficiently protected against vandalism, as impacts can cause breaks between the locking plate and the fitting body, leading to leaks and inadequate security.

Innovation Solution

A wall fitting design featuring a connection device with a support element and guide section that provides mechanical support and protection, ensuring the fitting body is securely attached to a bearing part, with a fluidic connection sealed by a sealing element, enhancing resistance to impacts and vandalism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the fitting is attached to a thin locking plate with radial play sealed by an O-ring, then the fitting can be supplied with water, but the fitting is insufficiently protected against vandalism and impacts cause breaks between the locking plate and fitting body

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against vandalismVSAvoidresistance to impact
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is divided into a front section and a rear section with a guide opening between them. The guide opening receives the guide section of the fitting body, creating a segmented structure that distributes impact forces. This segmentation allows the front section to absorb impacts while the guide opening protects the water connection interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide opening acts as a cushioning element positioned before the water connection interface. When impacts occur on the fitting body, the guide section moves within the guide opening, absorbing and dissipating impact energy before it can reach the water connection between the locking plate and fitting body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Reliability

If the guide section projects into the guide opening with planar contact, then the fitting body is supported and braced against the support element, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural robustnessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide opening serves multiple functions: it provides mechanical support and bracing for the fitting body through planar contact with the guide section, protects the water connection interface from impacts, and guides the fitting body during installation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The support element combines the front section, rear section, and guide opening into a single integrated component. This merging of functions into one element avoids increasing the number of separate parts while still providing comprehensive support and protection for the fitting body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3168375B1Wall fitting
Publication Date: 2019.07.17 GEBERIT INT AG
  • EP3168375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3168375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3168375B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wall-mounted fitting (1) comprises a connection device (3) attachable to a stationary bearing part (2), which includes at least one pipe section (4) with a pipe section inlet (5) and a pipe section outlet (6), and a fitting body (7) comprising a water channel (8) with a water channel inlet (9) and a water channel outlet (10), wherein the water channel inlet (9) is fluidically connectable to the pipe section outlet (6). The wall-mounted fitting (1) further comprises a support element (11) connectable to the bearing part (2), which support element (11) has a guide opening (12) extending along a central axis (M), and wherein the fitting body (7) has a guide section (13), wherein the guide section (13) projects into the guide opening (12) in the installed position and is in planar contact with the guide opening (12).