Water Connection Arrangement with Front-Access Clamping Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of connection devices, such as water filters or softening systems, in water networks is complicated due to the difficulty in accessing and tightening screws behind a building wall, requiring special tools and making the process laborious.
Innovation Solution
A water connection arrangement that uses a connection unit with clamping means to indirectly apply force between the connection unit and device, allowing for a non-positive connection without direct attachment, enabling easy access and simplifying the assembly process by using screws or clamping elements that can be accessed from the front, reducing the need for complex tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If screws are used to fasten the connection device to the connection piece, then a secure connection is achieved, but the assembly process becomes complicated and requires special tools due to difficult accessibility behind the building wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connection unit as an intermediary component between the connection device and the connection piece. This connection unit features a flange with fastening elements that can be accessed from the front side, eliminating the need to reach behind the building wall. The connection unit mediates the connection by providing a accessible interface while maintaining the secure fastening function through its flange and fastening elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of access by moving the fastening elements from a rear-access configuration (behind the building wall) to a front-access configuration. The connection unit's flange is positioned such that fastening elements can be inserted and tightened from the front side of the connection device, fundamentally changing the accessibility dimension from rear to front.
2Device complexity
If the connection device is directly attached to the connection piece, then a simple structure is achieved, but the assembly becomes laborious and may require special tools due to limited access space
Solution Approach 1:
The connection unit is pre-assembled with the connection device in a factory setting, including the positioning of the flange and fastening elements. This preliminary assembly allows the fastening elements to be optimally positioned for front-side access, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly operations and special tools, thereby improving assembly speed without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
3Reliability
If multiple fastening elements are used to secure the connection, then connection reliability is improved, but the number of elements to tighten increases, making the assembly process more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connection unit's flange is designed with fastening elements distributed around its circumference, allowing selective fastening. The local quality of the flange structure provides multiple attachment points, but the front-access design allows installers to work efficiently on a limited number of fastening elements at a time, reducing overall assembly time while maintaining connection security through the distributed fastening pattern.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a water connection arrangement (1) comprising - a connection piece (3) for installation into the pipeline (2) of a water network, - a connection device (5), such as for example a valve, wherein the connection piece (3) has a flange for connecting the connection device (5) and the connection device (5) has a counterpart flange adapted thereto, wherein the flange forms both a connection for a water supply (22) to the connection device (5) and also a connection for a water return (23) from the connection device (5), - and one or more fastening elements (6), wherein an attachment unit (7) is provided, wherein the one or more fastening elements (6) are or can be fastened to the attachment unit (7) and to the connection piece (3) such that the maximum spacing of the attachment unit (7) and connection piece (5) is limited, and wherein one or more clamping means (12) are provided by means of which the attachment unit (7) and the connection device (5) can be clamped against one another in a clamping direction (SR), such that the connection device (5) is pulled or pushed relative to the attachment unit (7) in the direction of that side of the connection device on which the counterpart flange is formed (rear side). By means of the invention, the connection of a connection device, in particular of a water treatment appliance, to a connection piece of a pipeline can be simplified and expedited.