Foam faucet system and self-cleaning control method thereof

Abstract

The invention discloses a foam faucet system and a self-cleaning control method thereof, and relates to the technical field of kitchen water equipment, the foam faucet system comprises a faucet, a foam outlet mechanism, a first clear water pipeline and a second clear water pipeline, the faucet is provided with a clear water outlet head and a cleaning liquid spray head, and the faucet is further provided with a cleaning liquid key; the bubble outlet mechanism comprises a cleaning liquid storage tank, a cleaning liquid pipeline, an air pump, a water pump, a mixer, a switch valve and a controller, the mixer forms a mixing cavity, the mixing cavity is provided with a clean water inlet, a cleaning liquid inlet, a gas inlet and a mixed liquid outlet, the cleaning liquid pipeline is connected with the mixed liquid outlet and the cleaning liquid nozzle, and the cleaning liquid storage tank is connected with an inlet of the water pump; an outlet of the water pump is connected with the cleaning liquid inlet, an outlet of the air pump is connected with the air inlet, and the switch valve is used for connecting or disconnecting the clean water inlet and the mixing cavity. The foaming effect of the cleaning liquid can be improved, the consistency and fineness of foam of the cleaning liquid can be controlled, the self-cleaning function can be achieved, and pipeline blockage is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of kitchen water equipment technology, and in particular to a foam faucet system and its self-cleaning control method. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, users need to manually press the cleaning solution bottle to dispense the solution when they need it in the kitchen, which is quite inconvenient. While some faucets on the market can dispense cleaning solution directly from the bottle, this results in poor foaming, insufficiently rich and fine foam, and an inability to control the consistency of the cleaning solution or foam. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention proposes a foam faucet system and its self-cleaning control method, which mainly improves the foaming effect and controls the consistency and fineness of the foam, and also includes a self-cleaning function.

[0004] A foam tap system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: The faucet is equipped with a clean water outlet and a cleaning solution spray nozzle, and the faucet also has a cleaning solution button; The foaming mechanism includes a cleaning liquid storage tank, a cleaning liquid pipeline, an air pump, a water pump, a mixer, a switching valve, and a controller. The mixer forms a mixing chamber with a clean water inlet, a cleaning liquid inlet, a gas inlet, and a mixed liquid outlet. The cleaning liquid pipeline connects the mixed liquid outlet to the cleaning liquid nozzle. The cleaning liquid storage tank is connected to the inlet of the water pump, the outlet of the water pump is connected to the cleaning liquid inlet, and the outlet of the air pump is connected to the gas inlet. The switching valve is used to open or close the clean water inlet to the mixing chamber. The controller is electrically connected to the air pump, the water pump, the cleaning liquid button, and the switching valve. The first clean water pipeline is used to supply clean water to the clean water outlet; The second clean water pipeline is used to supply clean water to the clean water inlet; When the cleaning fluid button is pressed, the controller starts the air pump and the water pump, and opens the switch valve, so that the cleaning fluid, air, and water are mixed in the mixing chamber to form cleaning fluid foam, and the cleaning fluid foam is delivered to the cleaning fluid nozzle through the cleaning fluid pipeline; when the cleaning fluid button is pressed again, the controller shuts off the air pump and the water pump, keeps the switch valve open for a first time, and then closes the switch valve, so that water can enter the mixing chamber and be delivered to the cleaning fluid nozzle through the cleaning fluid pipeline, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the pipeline.

[0005] The foam faucet system according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: 1. Compared with the traditional manual pressing foam dispensing method, this solution is more labor-saving and worry-free to operate. The first press of the cleaning liquid button will dispense cleaning liquid foam, and the second press will turn off the foam dispensing. When the cleaning liquid button is pressed for the first time, the cleaning liquid mixes with air and water to produce cleaning liquid foam, which can make the cleaning liquid foam rich and delicate, thereby improving the user experience. By controlling the speed of the air pump, the air supply can be controlled, thereby adjusting the fineness of the cleaning liquid foam. By controlling the speed of the water pump, the water supply to the cleaning liquid can also be controlled, thereby controlling the consistency of the cleaning liquid or foam. 2. Most of the components are integrated into the bubble-ejection mechanism, resulting in a smaller overall module footprint; 3. When the user presses the cleaning fluid button for the second time, the controller can control the air pump and water pump to shut off first, stop the supply of cleaning fluid and air, and control the switch valve to remain open for a period of time, so that clean water can rinse the mixing chamber and the cleaning fluid pipeline to remove the residual cleaning fluid, thereby achieving the self-cleaning function and preventing the residual cleaning fluid from hardening and clogging the pipeline.

[0006] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the outer shell of the faucet is provided with an upwardly facing first mounting cylinder, the first mounting cylinder being located below the clean water outlet head, the cleaning liquid button being installed inside the first mounting cylinder, and the outer wall of the first mounting cylinder being provided with a downwardly facing second mounting cylinder, the cleaning liquid nozzle being installed inside the second mounting cylinder.

[0007] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning fluid nozzle includes a universal ball, an annular cap, a water outlet cap, a gasket, and a sealing ring. The universal ball has a hollow structure to form a liquid passage, which is connected to the cleaning fluid pipeline. The universal ball includes a ball head and a cylindrical part. The cylindrical part is threadedly connected to the second mounting cylinder. The annular cap is sleeved on the outer periphery of the ball head and can rotate relative to the ball head. The sealing ring is located between the annular cap and the ball head. The water outlet cap is threadedly connected to the annular cap. The gasket is located between the water outlet cap and the annular cap. The water outlet cap has a water outlet hole that communicates with the liquid passage.

[0008] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner peripheral wall of the liquid passage in the ball head is provided with an internal hexagonal hole, which is used to cooperate with an internal hexagonal wrench.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the clean water inlet is connected to the mixing chamber through a flow control channel, the mixer is provided with a mounting hole, and the foaming mechanism further includes a water volume adjusting screw, the water volume adjusting screw is threadedly connected to the mounting hole, and the end of the water volume adjusting screw extends into the flow control channel to control the size of the flow area of ​​the flow control channel.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner wall of the flow control channel is provided with a groove, and the end of the water volume adjusting screw can extend into the groove to completely isolate the flow control channel.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the foaming mechanism further includes multiple layers of filter screens arranged at the outlet of the mixture.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the foaming mechanism further includes a check valve arranged at the clean water inlet to prevent liquid in the mixing chamber from flowing back into the clean water inlet.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the foaming mechanism further includes a power adapter electrically connected to the controller, the power adapter being used to connect to an electrical outlet to supply power to the foaming mechanism.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a self-cleaning control method is applied to control the foam faucet system described in the first aspect embodiment, the self-cleaning control method comprising: In response to receiving a first signal from the cleaning fluid button, the first signal indicating that the output of cleaning fluid is stopped; After shutting down the air pump and the water pump, the switch valve is closed after being kept open for a first period of time.

[0015] The self-cleaning control method according to embodiments of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: When the user needs to stop the output of cleaning fluid, the controller can control the air pump and water pump to shut down first, stop the supply of cleaning fluid and air, and control the switch valve to remain open for a period of time, so that clean water can flush the mixing chamber, cleaning fluid pipeline and cleaning fluid nozzles to remove residual cleaning fluid, thereby achieving a self-cleaning function and preventing residual cleaning fluid from hardening and clogging the pipeline.

[0016] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, wherein: Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a faucet in a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 4 for Figure 3 Enlarged view of point A in the middle; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the foam dispensing mechanism of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 6 This is an exploded view of the internal structure of the foam dispensing mechanism of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the foam dispensing mechanism of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the foam dispensing mechanism of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention; Figure 9 This is an exploded view of the internal structure of the mixer of the foam dispensing mechanism in some embodiments of the foam faucet system of the present invention. Figure 10 This is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the mixer of the foam dispensing mechanism in some embodiments of the foam faucet system of the present invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram showing the connection of the switching valve of the foam dispensing mechanism of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention. Figure 12 This is a flowchart illustrating the control method of a foam faucet system according to some embodiments of the present invention.

[0018] Figure label: Foam tap system 1000; 100. Faucet, 101. Clean water outlet, 102. Cleaning liquid spray nozzle, 103. Cleaning liquid button, 104. Universal ball joint, 105. Ball head, 106. Column body, 107. Liquid passage, 108. Inner hexagonal hole, 109. Annular pressure cap, 110. Water outlet cap, 111. Washer, 112. Sealing ring, 113. Pressure ring, 114. First mounting cylinder, 115. Second mounting cylinder, 116. Water outlet hole; Foaming mechanism 200, cleaning liquid storage tank 201, cleaning liquid pipeline 202, air pump 203, water pump 204, mixer 205, switch valve 206, mixing chamber 207, clean water inlet 208, cleaning liquid inlet 209, gas inlet 210, mixed liquid outlet 211, flow control channel 212, groove 213, mounting hole 214, water volume adjusting screw 215, filter screen 216, check valve 217, valve body 218, flange 219, cylinder 220, gas inlet 221, cleaning liquid inlet 222, annular step 223, cover 224, mixed liquid outlet 225, power adapter 226, controller 227, box 228, top cover 229; First clean water pipeline 300; Second clean water pipeline 400; Hot water pipe 500; Sink 600. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Reference Figure 1 As shown, a foam faucet system 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present invention includes a faucet 100, a foaming mechanism 200, a first clean water pipe 300, a second clean water pipe 400, and a water tank 600. The first clean water pipe 300 is used to supply cold water to the faucet 100, and the second clean water pipe 400 is used to supply cold water to the faucet 100. The first clean water pipe 300 and the second clean water pipe 400 can be separated from the same tap water pipe.

[0020] Reference Figure 2 As shown, the faucet 100 is equipped with a clean water outlet 101 and a cleaning liquid spray head 102. The cold water provided by the first clean water pipeline 300 finally flows out from the clean water outlet 101. The faucet 100 is also equipped with a cleaning liquid button 103, which is used to control whether the cleaning liquid spray head 102 sprays cleaning liquid foam.

[0021] Reference Figure 1 as well as Figures 5 to 7 As shown, the foaming mechanism 200 includes a cleaning fluid storage tank 201, a cleaning fluid pipeline 202, an air pump 203, a water pump 204, a mixer 205, a switching valve 206, and a controller 227. (Refer to...) Figure 8As shown, a mixing chamber 207 is formed inside the mixer 205. The mixing chamber 207 has a clean water inlet 208, a cleaning liquid inlet 209, a gas inlet 210, and a mixed liquid outlet 211. The cleaning liquid pipeline 202 connects the mixed liquid outlet 211 to the cleaning liquid nozzle 102. The cleaning liquid storage tank 201 is connected to the inlet of the water pump 204. The outlet of the water pump 204 is connected to the cleaning liquid inlet 209. The outlet of the air pump 203 is connected to the gas inlet 210. The water pump 204 is used to pump the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid storage tank 201, and the air pump 203 is used to pump air. The switch valve 206 is used to control the connection or disconnection between the clean water inlet 208 and the mixing chamber 207. The controller 227 is electrically connected to the air pump 203, the water pump 204, the cleaning liquid button 103, and the switch valve 206 respectively. The cleaning liquid button 103 is used to control the switch valve 206 to open or close. When the switch valve 206 is open, the clean water inlet 208 is connected to the mixing chamber 207. When the switch valve 206 is closed, the clean water inlet 208 is disconnected from the mixing chamber 207.

[0022] The working principle of this system is briefly described below: When the user triggers the cleaning liquid button 103 for the first time, it indicates that the user needs foam. The controller 227 receives the foam signal from the cleaning liquid button 103. The controller 227 controls the air pump 203 and water pump 204 to turn on and opens the switch valve 206, so that air, water and cleaning liquid are mixed in the mixing chamber 207, and finally cleaning liquid foam is obtained. Because air is incorporated for foaming, the air is cut into multiple tiny bubbles by the high-speed water flow and fully combines with the cleaning liquid to form stable and uniform foam. This process can improve the fineness of the cleaning liquid foam and improve the foaming effect. Moreover, the dilution of the cleaning liquid with water can also control the consistency of the cleaning liquid foam. When the user triggers the cleaning fluid button 103 for the second time, it indicates that the user needs to turn off the foam. At this time, the controller 227 first turns off the air pump 203 and the water pump 204, stopping the delivery of gas and cleaning fluid to the mixing chamber 207. However, the switch valve 206 remains open for a period of time, so that clean water can clean the mixing chamber 207, the cleaning fluid pipeline 202, and the cleaning fluid nozzle 102. This prevents the residual cleaning fluid from hardening and clogging the pipeline, thus achieving the self-cleaning function.

[0023] In some other embodiments, a control panel electrically connected to the controller 227 can also be provided. The control panel has buttons to control the rotation speed of the water pump 204 and the air pump 203, thereby controlling the consistency of the cleaning solution foam. For example, three levels—"low," "medium," and "high"—can be set. At the "low" level, the controller 227 reduces the rotation speed of the water pump 204, decreasing the amount of cleaning solution pumped out, while potentially increasing the rotation speed of the air pump 203 to produce a sparser, lighter foam, suitable for cleaning dishes with small amounts of oil or light stains. At the "high" level, the rotation speed of the water pump 204 is increased, pumping out more cleaning solution and producing a denser, thicker foam, specifically for cleaning heavily soiled cookware. This adjustability greatly enhances the product's applicability and the user's control. Alternatively, you can set three modes with progressively increasing foam concentration: daily handwashing mode, low-foam mode, and powerful degreasing mode. You can switch to the "daily handwashing mode" for daily handwashing, switch to the "low-foam mode" for rinsing dishes with a small amount of oil or light oil stains, and switch to the "powerful degreasing mode" for stubborn oil stains, which improves cleaning efficiency while reducing water waste.

[0024] It should be noted that the controller 227 is typically a circuit board with an integrated microprocessor unit, which has a pre-set control program that can precisely coordinate the start-stop sequence and working status of various electronic control components. The cleaning fluid reservoir 201 can preferably be made of a semi-transparent material, and its surface can have graduation lines to allow users to intuitively understand the remaining amount of cleaning fluid and replenish it in a timely manner.

[0025] It should also be noted that the controller 227 can also control the air pump 203 and the switch valve 206 to close, so that the cleaning fluid nozzle 102 can simply spray out the cleaning fluid.

[0026] It should be noted that the first clean water pipe 300 and the cleaning liquid pipe 202 are independent of each other, enabling the faucet 100 to perform both general cleaning and oil stain cleaning functions.

[0027] It should be noted that the cleaning solution can be dish soap or other types of cleaning soap. This system has good compatibility and is suitable for most liquid kitchen detergents, hand soaps, etc. on the market. Users can choose freely according to their brand preferences and usage habits. This system can produce good foaming effects for each type of cleaning solution.

[0028] It should also be noted that the water pump 204 and air pump 203 use high-quality, durable, and quiet motors, ensuring stable and uninterrupted long-term operation.

[0029] It should be noted that the cleaning fluid button 103 can be either a touch-sensitive button or a press-type button. Touch-sensitive buttons have a more modern design, a smooth, seamless surface that is easy to clean, and effectively prevent water seepage caused by wet hands. Press-type buttons provide clearer physical feedback and a more tactile feel. Both methods can achieve reliable signal triggering.

[0030] It should be noted that this product is specifically designed for female users, offering cost-effectiveness, convenience, and ease of use. The phrase "designed for female users" emphasizes user-friendliness and optimizing the housework experience, aiming to reduce the burden of kitchen work through technological innovation, making the cleaning process elegant and effortless. Its "cost-effectiveness" is reflected in its foam technology, which reduces cleaning solution usage by approximately 70%; its "convenience" is reflected in its integrated design and self-cleaning function; and its "ease of use" is reflected in its instant foaming and one-handed operation. These advantages significantly enhance the experience for all family members.

[0031] It should also be noted that, referring to Figure 1 As shown, the foaming mechanism 200 is installed below the water tank 600, as per reference. Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, the foaming mechanism 200 includes a housing 228 and a top cover 229, which are detachably connected to the housing 228. Components such as the air pump 203, water pump 204, mixer 205, and switching valve 206 are all installed inside the housing 228, significantly reducing the space occupied by the foaming mechanism 200 and making it suitable for various installation environments with strong compatibility. The housing 228 adopts a modular design, with all core components highly integrated to form a compact "black box." Its dimensions have been carefully optimized to easily fit into most standard-sized under-sink spaces without conflicting with the installation of other under-sink devices such as water purifiers and garbage disposers. The removable top cover 229 or side panel design makes replenishing cleaning fluid or performing potential maintenance exceptionally simple, requiring no special tools from the user.

[0032] In actual use, if the foam faucet system is complicated to install or difficult to maintain, it can easily affect the user experience and even lead to the product being abandoned.

[0033] Therefore, this system is designed with modular installation and ease of maintenance in mind. The foaming mechanism 200 is detachably connected to the housing 228 and top cover 229. Opening the top cover 229 reveals the air pump 203 and water pump 204. Both the air pump 203 and water pump 204 use quick-connect electrical and hydraulic interfaces, a highly integrated design that facilitates maintenance and simple installation—just plug and screw—making future repairs or replacements easier. The entire supply module has a compact layout, optimized for the space beneath the sink 600, ensuring functional integrity while occupying minimal area, and is compatible with most sinks 600 currently on the market.

[0034] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 1 As shown, the faucet 100 can be set as a hot and cold water faucet 100, and the clean water outlet 101 can be a hot and cold dual-function shower head. The clean water outlet 101 can dispense either cold or hot water. The foam faucet system 1000 also includes a hot water pipe 500, which is used to provide hot water to the faucet 100. The cold and hot water first flow into the mixing valve core inside the faucet 100 for mixing before flowing out through the clean water outlet 101.

[0035] In some embodiments, refer to Figures 2 to 4 As shown, the outer casing of the faucet 100 has a first mounting cylinder 114 facing upwards or diagonally upwards. The first mounting cylinder 114 is located below the clean water outlet 101. The cleaning fluid button 103 is installed inside the first mounting cylinder 114. This arrangement is for the user's convenient access to the cleaning fluid button 103. The outer wall of the first mounting cylinder 114 has a second mounting cylinder 115 facing downwards or diagonally downwards. The inner diameter of the second mounting cylinder 115 is smaller than that of the first mounting cylinder 114, thus occupying less space. The cleaning fluid nozzle 102 is installed inside the second mounting cylinder 115. This arrangement is to ensure that the foam output direction of the cleaning fluid nozzle 102 is downwards, so as to aim at the sink 600 and prevent the cleaning fluid foam from spraying directly at the user. This effectively prevents foam from splashing onto the countertop, floor, or the user's clothing, keeping the kitchen dry and clean. In this embodiment, installing the cleaning fluid button 103 and the cleaning fluid nozzle 102 inside the faucet 100 also reduces the space occupied by the faucet 100.

[0036] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 4As shown, the cleaning fluid nozzle 102 includes a universal ball joint 104, an annular cap 109, a pressure ring 113, a water outlet cap 110, a gasket 111, and a sealing ring 112. The universal ball joint 104 has a hollow structure to form a liquid passage 107 inside, which is connected to the cleaning fluid pipeline 202, allowing the cleaning fluid to pass through. The universal ball joint 104 includes a ball head 105 and a column portion 106, which is threadedly connected to the second mounting cylinder 115. The universal ball joint 104 is installed in the second mounting cylinder 115 by tightening. The annular cap 109 is sleeved on the outer periphery of the ball head 105 and can rotate relative to the ball head 105. That is, the annular cap 109 and the ball head 105 are spherically hinged. The sealing ring 112 is located between the annular cap 109 and the ball head 105 and can play a sealing role. The water outlet cap 110 is threadedly connected to the annular cap 109. The water outlet cap 110 is provided with a water outlet hole 116 that communicates with the liquid passage 107. The diameter of the water outlet hole 116 is smaller than the diameter of the liquid passage 107. The cleaning liquid foam can flow out from the water outlet hole 116. Because the diameter of the water outlet hole 116 is small. The washer 111 is located between the water outlet cap 110 and the annular pressure cap 109, and the pressure ring 113 is located between the washer 111 and the sealing ring 112. After tightening the water outlet cap 110, the water outlet cap 110 squeezes the washer 111. In this way, the annular pressure cap 109 can be pressed by the washer 111 and the pressure ring 113, so that the annular pressure cap 109 and the ball head 105 are fixed. This can also be understood as forming a rotational damping force. When the water outlet cap 110 is not rotated, the water outlet cap 110 can keep spraying cleaning liquid foam in a certain direction.

[0037] By configuring this embodiment, the water outlet cap 110 can be rotated to spray cleaning foam in a specific direction. The omnidirectional ball 104 structure is key to achieving adjustable nozzle angle, allowing users to freely adjust the foam spray direction within a certain range (e.g., 15-20 degrees up, down, left, and right, depending on actual needs). When users need to clean larger pots or the corners of the sink 600, they can manually adjust the nozzle angle to precisely cover the target area with foam, greatly improving the flexibility and thoroughness of cleaning. Because the water outlet cap 110 is locked in position by the friction generated by the pressure ring 113 and the washer 111, it prevents the nozzle from deflecting due to liquid impact on the internal channels during use. The size design of the water outlet hole 116 is also quite sophisticated; the smaller diameter not only helps to create pressure, allowing the foam to spray a certain distance, but also plays a secondary role in refining the foam generated in the mixer 205, making it denser.

[0038] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 4As shown, the inner peripheral wall of the liquid passage 107 inside the ball head 105 is provided with an internal hexagonal hole 108, which is used to mate with an internal hexagonal wrench. Since the outer surface of the ball head 105 of the universal ball 104 is a smooth spherical surface, it is difficult to clamp and tighten it with ordinary tools. In this embodiment, by providing an internal hexagonal hole inside the ball head 105, installation workers can use a standard internal hexagonal wrench to apply sufficient torque during production line assembly or on-site installation, ensuring a secure connection between the universal ball 104 and the second mounting cylinder 115, preventing loosening or leakage during use, and greatly improving assembly efficiency and installation quality.

[0039] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, the clean water inlet 208 is connected to the mixing chamber 207 through the flow control channel 212. The mixer 205 is provided with a mounting hole 214. The foaming mechanism 200 also includes a water volume adjusting screw 215, which is threadedly connected to the mounting hole 214. The end of the water volume adjusting screw 215 extends into the flow control channel 212. By rotating the water volume adjusting screw 215, the flow area of ​​the flow control channel 212 can be controlled, thereby controlling the amount of clean water supplied to the mixing chamber 207.

[0040] This embodiment provides a manual fine-tuning method to adjust the consistency of cleaning solution foam, allowing for flexible adjustment and control of the foam consistency to meet different needs and scenarios.

[0041] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 10 As shown, the inner wall of the flow control channel 212 is provided with a groove 213. By rotating the water flow adjusting screw 215, the end of the water flow adjusting screw 215 can extend into the groove 213, thereby completely isolating the flow control channel 212. This prevents clean water from entering the mixing chamber 207 through the flow control channel 212, and the clean water does not mix with the cleaning liquid, allowing the cleaning liquid to reach its maximum concentration. The groove 213 can be set as a conical groove, and the end of the water flow adjusting screw 215 is designed with a matching conical structure.

[0042] This embodiment adds a function to completely shut off the water mixing. In certain special circumstances, such as when the system needs to be left unused for an extended period or for maintenance, the water flow adjusting screw 215 can be fully screwed in, its tapered end tightly engaging with the tapered groove 213 to form a reliable mechanical seal, physically preventing water from entering the mixer 205. This prevents water leakage in extreme situations such as unexpected failure of the solenoid valve, providing an additional layer of safety.

[0043] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9As shown, the foaming mechanism 200 also includes a multi-layer filter screen 216, which is arranged at the mixture outlet 211. The filter screen 216 can filter the foam of the cleaning liquid and prevent impurities from clogging the pipeline.

[0044] The multi-layer filter 216 serves a dual purpose. First, it acts as a final line of defense, intercepting tiny impurities that may be present in the cleaning solution or water, preventing them from entering the subsequent fine pipes and water outlets 116, thus avoiding blockages. Second, it also functions as a foam homogenizer. When the high-speed flowing mixture passes through the layers of fine mesh, larger air bubbles are further sheared and broken, resulting in a more uniform, delicate, and stable final foam, improving its quality and adhesion.

[0045] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown, the foaming mechanism 200 also includes a check valve 217, which is located at the clean water inlet 208 to prevent liquid in the mixing chamber 207 from flowing back into the clean water inlet 208. The check valve 217 is a key safety component to ensure drinking water safety. The check valve 217 is a one-way valve that only allows clean water to flow into the mixing chamber 207 from the clean water inlet 208. When the pressure in the mixing chamber 207 increases due to the pressure of the pump, the check valve 217 will automatically close to prevent the liquid mixed with cleaning solution from flowing back and contaminating the clean water supply system.

[0046] In some embodiments, refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the mixer 205 includes a valve body 218, a cylinder 220, and a cover 224. A flow control channel 212 and a mounting hole 214 are formed inside the valve body 218. The valve body 218 is provided with a flange 219. The switching valve 206 is fixedly connected to the flange 219 by screws. A positioning groove for positioning the switching valve 206 can be provided inside the flange 219. The cylinder 220 is an annular structure. A cleaning liquid inlet 222 and a gas inlet 221 are formed on the outer wall of the cylinder 220. The cleaning liquid inlet 222 is connected to the outlet of the water pump 204, and the gas inlet 221 is connected to the outlet of the air pump 203. A portion of the valve body 218 extends into the cylinder 220, and the cylinder 220 and valve body 218 are sealed by a sealing ring. A mixing chamber 207 is formed inside the cylinder 220, and an annular step 223 is provided inside the cylinder 220. A multi-layer filter screen 216 is located inside the cylinder 220 and is limited by the annular step 223. A cover 224 is fitted around one end of the cylinder 220, and the cover 224 is also sealed to the cylinder 220 by a sealing ring. A mixed liquid outlet 225 is formed on the cover 224, forming the aforementioned mixed liquid outlet 211, which is connected to the cleaning liquid pipeline 202.

[0047] This embodiment assembles the mixer 205 into several components, each forming a specific cavity and channel. This simplifies the structure of the mixer 205, and the separate manufacturing of each component reduces manufacturing difficulty. This modular, split-type mixer 205 design embodies advanced manufacturing concepts. Decomposing the complex internal flow channel structure into different parts for independent machining significantly reduces the machining complexity and cost of individual parts, improving yield. For example, the flow control channel 212 can be precision machined on the valve body 218, and the mixing cavity 207, cleaning fluid inlet 222, and gas inlet 221 can be simply formed on the cylinder 220. During assembly, sealing rings ensure reliable sealing between components. This design also greatly facilitates maintenance and repair; if a part malfunctions, only the corresponding module needs to be replaced, rather than replacing the entire expensive mixer 205 assembly, reducing after-sales costs.

[0048] In some embodiments, the bubble-generating mechanism 200 has a built-in battery that can power the internal components.

[0049] In some other embodiments, reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, the foaming mechanism 200 also includes a power adapter 226 electrically connected to the controller 227. The power adapter 226 is used to connect to an electrical outlet to supply power to the foaming mechanism 200. This configuration eliminates concerns about battery life and avoids frequent charging. It should be noted that the foaming mechanism 200 uses AC power. The power adapter 226 provides a "one-and-done" power supply solution. The adapter converts household 220V AC power into the low-voltage DC power (such as 12V or 24V) required by the system, ensuring both power supply stability and electrical safety in humid under-cabinet environments. For newly renovated homes or users with under-cabinet outlets, this is undoubtedly a better solution, completely eliminating battery anxiety and the hassle of charging, making the product a truly maintenance-free fixed device in the kitchen.

[0050] In some embodiments, the switching valve 206 is configured as a solenoid valve, and the connection method between the switch and the cleaning fluid button 103 and the power adapter 226 is as follows: Figure 11 As shown, the cleaning fluid button 103 determines whether the switch valve 206 is in the open state.

[0051] Reference Figure 12 As shown, this embodiment of the invention also provides a self-cleaning control method applied to control the foam faucet system of the above embodiment. The self-cleaning control method includes steps S100 and S200. Alternatively, it can be understood that the controller of the above embodiment is configured to perform the following steps.

[0052] S100: In response to receiving a first signal from the cleaning fluid button, the first signal indicates that the output of cleaning fluid is stopped; S200: Turn off the air pump and water pump, and close the switch valve after keeping it open for the first time.

[0053] It should be explained that the first duration can be set according to actual needs, such as 2 to 5 seconds.

[0054] By adopting the control method of this embodiment, a self-cleaning function can be achieved each time the foaming is turned off, so that clean water can rinse the mixing chamber, cleaning fluid pipeline and cleaning fluid nozzle to remove residual cleaning fluid, thereby achieving the self-cleaning function and preventing the residual cleaning fluid from hardening and clogging the pipeline.

[0055] In other embodiments, the controller can even have a learning function, dynamically adjusting the flushing duration based on the user's usage frequency and the local water hardness. For example, if the system has not been used for a long time, the self-cleaning flushing time before the next startup can be appropriately extended to ensure unobstructed flow. This intelligent control strategy integrates preventative maintenance into every daily use, allowing the system to perform self-maintenance without the user noticing—precisely the ultimate user experience pursued by modern smart home products.

[0056] Examples of the embodiments described above are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described above with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the invention, and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

[0057] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limitations on the present invention.

[0058] In the description of this invention, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. The use of "first" and "second" in the description is merely for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0059] In the description of this invention, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "set up," "install," and "connect" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0060] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various changes can be made within the knowledge of ordinary technicians in the relevant technical field without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A foam faucet system, characterized in that, include: The faucet is equipped with a clean water outlet and a cleaning solution spray nozzle, and the faucet also has a cleaning solution button; The foaming mechanism includes a cleaning liquid storage tank, a cleaning liquid pipeline, an air pump, a water pump, a mixer, a switching valve, and a controller. The mixer forms a mixing chamber with a clean water inlet, a cleaning liquid inlet, a gas inlet, and a mixed liquid outlet. The cleaning liquid pipeline connects the mixed liquid outlet to the cleaning liquid nozzle. The cleaning liquid storage tank is connected to the inlet of the water pump, the outlet of the water pump is connected to the cleaning liquid inlet, and the outlet of the air pump is connected to the gas inlet. The switching valve is used to open or close the clean water inlet to the mixing chamber. The controller is electrically connected to the air pump, the water pump, the cleaning liquid button, and the switching valve. The first clean water pipeline is used to supply clean water to the clean water outlet; The second clean water pipeline is used to supply clean water to the clean water inlet; When the cleaning liquid button is pressed, the controller starts the air pump and water pump and opens the switch valve, so that the cleaning liquid is mixed with air and water in the mixing chamber to obtain cleaning liquid foam, and the cleaning liquid foam is delivered to the cleaning liquid nozzle through the cleaning liquid pipeline; When the cleaning fluid button is pressed again, the controller shuts off the air pump and the water pump, keeps the switch valve open for a first duration, and then closes the switch valve so that clean water can enter the mixing chamber and be delivered to the cleaning fluid nozzle through the cleaning fluid pipeline, thereby achieving self-cleaning of the pipeline.

2. The foam faucet system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The faucet's outer casing has an upward-facing first mounting cylinder located below the clean water outlet. The cleaning fluid button is installed inside the first mounting cylinder. The outer wall of the first mounting cylinder has a downward-facing second mounting cylinder, and the cleaning fluid nozzle is installed inside the second mounting cylinder.

3. The foam faucet system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cleaning fluid nozzle includes a universal ball, an annular cap, a water outlet cap, a gasket, and a sealing ring. The universal ball has a hollow structure to form a liquid passage, which is connected to the cleaning fluid pipeline. The universal ball includes a ball head and a cylindrical part. The cylindrical part is threadedly connected to the second mounting cylinder. The annular cap is sleeved on the outer periphery of the ball head and can rotate relative to the ball head. The sealing ring is located between the annular cap and the ball head. The water outlet cap is threadedly connected to the annular cap. The gasket is located between the water outlet cap and the annular cap. The water outlet cap has a water outlet hole that communicates with the liquid passage.

4. The foam faucet system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The inner peripheral wall of the liquid passage inside the ball head is provided with an internal hexagonal hole, which is used to cooperate with an internal hexagonal wrench.

5. The foam faucet system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clean water inlet is connected to the mixing chamber through a flow control channel. The mixer is provided with a mounting hole. The foaming mechanism also includes a water volume adjusting screw. The water volume adjusting screw is threadedly connected to the mounting hole. The end of the water volume adjusting screw extends into the flow control channel to control the size of the flow area of ​​the flow control channel.

6. The foam faucet system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner wall of the flow control channel is provided with a groove, and the end of the water volume adjusting screw can extend into the groove to completely isolate the flow control channel.

7. The foam faucet system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foaming mechanism also includes multiple layers of filter screens, which are arranged at the outlet of the mixture.

8. The foam faucet system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foaming mechanism also includes a check valve, which is arranged at the clean water inlet to prevent the liquid in the mixing chamber from flowing back into the clean water inlet.

9. The foam faucet system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The foaming mechanism also includes a power adapter electrically connected to the controller, the power adapter being used to connect to an electrical outlet to supply power to the foaming mechanism.

10. A self-cleaning control method, characterized in that, The self-cleaning control method, applied to the control of the foam faucet system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, comprises: In response to receiving a first signal from the cleaning fluid button, the first signal indicating that the output of cleaning fluid is stopped; After shutting down the air pump and the water pump, the switch valve is closed after being kept open for a first period of time.

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