Waterway Switching Mechanism Reducing Complexity and Cost
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterway switching mechanisms in sanitary ware, particularly those using rotating methods, are complex, occupy large space, and have high switching resistance, and often require secondary filling processes that increase production costs and rejection rates due to defects.
Innovation Solution
A waterway switching mechanism comprising a mounting portion, a water dividing plate, and a driving mechanism with a push rod, movable block, and elastic body, where the push rod and movable block cooperate to rotate the water dividing plate, reducing complexity, space, and switching resistance, and eliminating the need for secondary filling processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a knob is used to drive the water dividing plate to rotate, then the waterway switching function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated, occupies large space, and has high switching resistance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential rotating function from the complex knob mechanism and implements it through a simplified push rod and movable block system. The water dividing plate retains only its rotation capability while the driving mechanism is reduced to minimal components that achieve the same function with lower complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The driving mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the push rod for linear actuation, the movable block for motion conversion, and the water dividing plate for waterway switching. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and assembled into a compact overall structure.
2Ease of operation
If a button with ratchet shaft and ratchet wheel is used to drive the water dividing plate, then the waterway switching function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and requires secondary filling process increasing production cost and rejection rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the complex ratchet shaft, ratchet wheel, and inclined guide columns from the mechanism. Only the essential rotating function of the water dividing plate is retained, eliminating the need for secondary filling processes and reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining switching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex multi-component button mechanism that requires secondary filling, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple push rod that directly actuates the water dividing plate through a movable block, achieving the same function with fewer components and lower manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the water dividing plate is raised and rotated to switch waterways, then the water spray pattern switching is achieved, but the structure requires secondary filling process resulting in increased production cost and rejection rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the waterway switching function from the complex raised-and-rotated mechanism and implements it through a simplified rotation-only approach. The water dividing plate is designed to rotate directly within the mounting portion without requiring secondary filling processes, maintaining adaptability while reducing manufacturing complexity and defects.
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
The solution results in a compact, cost-effective, and easy-to-switch mechanism with improved assembly and stability, reducing production costs and defect rates.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body connected to the driving mechanism and the mounting portion to drive the driving mechanism to be reset
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a waterway switching mechanism comprising a mounting portion, a water dividing plate, and a driving mechanism. The mounting portion comprises at least one water dividing passage, and the water dividing plate cooperates with the at least one water dividing passage to switch a waterway through rotation of the water dividing plate. A third upper guiding surface of the movable block contacts and couples to a first inner guiding surface of the water dividing plate to enable the movable block to move to drive the water dividing plate to rotate in a first direction. The movable block cooperates with a fixing guiding surface of an upper matching portion of the mounting portion to enable the push rod to move to drive the movable block and the water dividing plate to rotate in the first direction.