ANTI-BURN DEVICE WITH SHAPE MEMORY SPRING

Abstract

Anti-scald devices and tap assemblies comprising anti-scald devices are provided.An anti-scald device may include a housing having a cylindrical interior space comprising a first cavity, a second cavity, a mixing chamber, a hot water inlet, and a cold water inlet; a plunger provided within the cylindrical interior space and comprising a cylindrical protrusion portion separating the first cavity from the second cavity; a counter-spring in the first cavity; and a shape memory alloy (SMA) spring in the second cavity. The anti-scald device is in an inactive configuration when the temperature of the mixed water is below a threshold temperature. When the mixed water reaches or exceeds a threshold temperature and comes into contact with the SMA spring, the SMA spring is configured to expand to reduce or restrict the flow of hot water, thereby placing the anti-scald device in a fully active configuration.

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