Drinking Water Fitting Torque Limiter for Secure Valve Closure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Frost-proof outlet fittings for drinking water often lead to user error due to the false impression of valve contact, causing excessive torque on the valve body or seat, and lack effective security measures against unauthorized operation.
Innovation Solution
A drinking water fitting with a torque transmitter and locking mechanism that limits torque transmission to prevent over-tightening, featuring a torque-receiving side with elastically deformable regions and a locking pawl system that generates an acoustic signal upon correct closure, combined with a locking cylinder for secure operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the rotary handle is directly coupled to the shaft, then torque transmission is efficient, but the valve body or seat may be damaged due to excessive torque from user error
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmitter is pre-configured with elastically deformable regions and locking pawls that automatically engage to limit torque transmission. This preliminary setup ensures that when the user operates the rotary handle, the torque limitation mechanism is already in place to prevent excessive torque from reaching the valve body or seat, eliminating the need for user awareness or careful control.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque transmitter acts as an intermediary component between the rotary handle and the shaft. It includes elastically deformable regions and locking pawls that mediate the torque transmission, allowing normal operation while automatically limiting excessive torque. This intermediary mechanism protects the valve body and seat without interfering with legitimate user operations.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent unauthorized operation, then security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the torque transmitter components. The locking pawls are integrated into the torque transmitter's elastically deformable regions, and the same acoustic signal mechanism serves both torque limitation and authentication functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining security functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The torque transmitter serves multiple functions: it limits excessive torque to prevent damage, provides an acoustic signal for authentication, and enables both authorized operation and security protection. By making the torque transmitter multi-functional, the patent reduces device complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function.
3Reliability
If the torque transmitter limits torque transmission, then damage prevention is achieved, but the user may not receive clear feedback on proper valve closure
Solution Approach 1:
The torque transmitter includes an acoustic signal generation mechanism that provides immediate feedback to the user. When the locking pawls engage with the elastically deformable regions during normal operation, an acoustic signal is generated to confirm proper valve closure. This feedback mechanism ensures users receive clear information about closure status even though torque transmission is being limited.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses acoustic signals (analogous to color changes in visual systems) to provide feedback. The locking mechanism generates distinct acoustic signals that indicate different operational states: normal engagement confirms proper closure, while abnormal sounds would indicate potential issues. This acoustic feedback compensates for the torque limitation by providing sensory information to the user.
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
Prevents damage from excessive torque and ensures secure operation by limiting torque to the necessary level for proper closure while providing a secure authentication mechanism against unauthorized use.
Implementation Method 1
The torque-absorbing side (72) has at least one elastically deformable region (76)
Implementation Method 2
generates an acoustic signal upon correct closure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Drinking water fitting with a housing (20) having: - an inlet opening and an outlet opening with a valve seat provided between them, - a valve body that can be sealed against the valve seat and adjusted via a shaft (22), - a rotary handle (2) for manual operation of the drinking water fitting by means of torque transmission to the shaft (22), - a torque limiter (36, 90) between the rotary handle (2) and the shaft (22), and - a safety device (12, 64) against unauthorized operation of the drinking water fitting. Protection of the drinking water fitting against water theft and vandalism.