Faucet where the flow may be controlled mechanically or electronically

The faucet integrates mechanical and electronic controls to address water leakage and adjustability issues, providing precise flow and temperature control while preventing wastage.

WO2026142544A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-07-02ECZACIBASI YAPI GERECLERI SANAYI VE TICARET AS
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
ECZACIBASI YAPI GERECLERI SANAYI VE TICARET AS
Filing Date
2024-12-30
Publication Date
2026-07-02

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing faucets face issues with water leakage, flooding due to worn controllers, inability to adjust water temperature and flow rate precisely, and undesirable water consumption from touchless controls, lacking continuous flow options.

Method used

A faucet design incorporating both mechanical and electronic controls, featuring a mechanical on/off arm that triggers an electronic controller or sensor, allowing touchless control deactivation/mechanical activation, and enabling independent control of water flow rate and temperature.

Benefits of technology

Enables precise control of water flow and temperature, prevents water wastage, and ensures reliable operation by integrating mechanical and electronic mechanisms for seamless operation.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a faucet (1) where the water flow may be controlled mechanically or electronically or the start of the flow may be prevented mechanically or electronically. More particularly, the invention relates to a faucet (1) where the touchless control is deactivated in the case where the water flow is started mechanically and the touchless control is activated in the case where the water flow is prevented mechanically.
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Description

[0001] FAUCET WHERE THE FLOW MAY BE CONTROLLED MECHANICALLY OR ELECTRONICALLY

[0002] Subject of the Invention

[0003] The invention relates to a faucet where the water flow may be controlled mechanically or electronically or the start of the flow may be prevented mechanically or electronically.

[0004] State of the Art

[0005] In every area where we need water, such as bathrooms, toilet rooms and kitchens, we use the faucets, which enable the water to be provided for use in a controlled manner, more particularly, enable the water flow to be started and stopped and enable the water flow rate to be controlled.

[0006] With the advancing technology, the use of the faucets able to be controlled in a touchless manner has become extensive today. Most of the time, a sensor is located on the faucet body and the water flow is initiated or terminated as a result of said sensor being triggered. Due to the space occupied by the electronic components and some design-related limitations, it is usually not possible to include the components that enable the water flow rate or the mixture temperature to be adjusted, and as a result, it is not possible to adjust the water temperature and the flow rate in said faucets. Although the ability to adjust only the water temperature is provided in some applications, the adjustment members employed in such applications do not allow the water temperature to be adjusted with the required precision.

[0007] Both in the faucets with mechanical control and in the faucets with electronic control, the water flow is controlled by only one controller and this may cause the water leakage and the flooding as a result of the wear and tear of said controller. In the faucets with touchless control, the water flow may start due to the triggering during a cleaning process or due to some other undesirable triggering actions and this may in turn result in the undesirable consumption of water. Another drawback of the state of the art is the inability to providea continuous water flow or a water flow at a desired flow rate in said faucets with touchless control.

[0008] Object of the Invention

[0009] An object of the invention is to present a faucet where it is possible to start and stop the water flow by means of a mechanical controller or in a touchless manner by means of an electronic controller.

[0010] Another object of the invention is to present a faucet where the touchless control is deactivated in the case where the water flow is started by means of a mechanical controller.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to present a faucet where the touchless control is activated in the case where the water flow is prevented by means of a mechanical controller.

[0012] Another object of the invention is to present a faucet where it is possible to start the water flow by means of a mechanical controller or in a touchless manner by means of an electronic controller depending on the preference.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to present a faucet where it is possible to control the water flow rate by means of a mechanical controller and the water temperature by means of a mixer.

[0014] Description of the Figures

[0015] Figure 1: A representative exploded view of the faucet according to the invention Figure 2: A representative sectional view of the faucet according to the invention Figure 3: A representative closeup view of the moving member of the faucet according to the invention

[0016] Figure 4: A representative view of the switching member according to the inventionReference Numerals

[0017] 1 : Faucet 11 : Switching Wall

[0018] 2 : On / Off Arm 12 : Inclined Surface

[0019] 3 : Electronic Controller 13 : Switching Plane

[0020] 4 : Sensor 14 : Gland

[0021] 5 : Switching Member 15 : Mixer Control Arm

[0022] 6 : Moving Leg 16 : Mixer Body

[0023] 7 : Protrusion 17 : Electronic Water Line Outlet

[0024] 8 : Body Member 18 : Mechanical Water Line Outlet 9 : Switching Member Seat 19 : Flow Restrictor

[0025] 10 : Moving Member

[0026] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0027] The invention relates to a faucet (1) where the water flow may be controlled mechanically or electronically or the start of the flow may be prevented mechanically or electronically. More particularly, the invention relates to a faucet (1) where the touchless control is deactivated in the case where the water flow is started mechanically and the touchless control is activated in the case where the water flow is prevented mechanically.

[0028] Said faucet (1) is characterized by comprising in its most basic form at least one on / off arm (2), which enables to control the start, the stop, and the flow rate of the water flow mechanically; at least one electronic controller (3), which enables the water flow to be started and stopped in a touchless manner; at least one sensor (4), which enables said electronic controller (3) to be controlled in a touchless manner; and at least one switching member (5), which is triggered based on the physical movement of said on / off arm (2) and which, as a result of being triggered, enables said electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) to be energized or deactivated. In this way, owing to the switching member (5) that is triggered by means of the on / off arm (2), it is made possible to deactivate the touchless use while the faucet (1) is being used mechanically. When the on / off arm (2) is in the off position, i.e., when the faucet (1) is not being used mechanically, the touchless useis in the active state. Accordingly, the touchless use of the faucet (1) is enabled owing to the electronic controller (3) triggered by means of the sensor (4).

[0029] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said embodiment comprises at least one gland (14), which enables the passage of the water to be controlled based on the movement of said on / off arm (2); and at least one moving member (10), which is associated with said gland (14) and / or said on / off arm (2) in a way to move based on the movement of said gland (14) and / or said on / off arm (2). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said embodiment comprises at least one body member (8), which is fixed inside the body of the faucet (1).

[0030] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said embodiment comprises a mixer, said mixer having at least one mixer body (16), which enables to control the temperature of the water mixture coming from at least two water inlets, and at least one mixer control arm (15). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said mixer comprises a mechanical water line outlet (18) as well as an electronic water line outlet (17). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said embodiment comprises at least one flow restrictor (19), which is positioned at the electronic water line outlet (17) of said mixer.

[0031] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said switching member (5) is configured to deactivate said electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) while the on / off arm (2) is in the position where it permits the passage of the water.

[0032] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said switching member (5) is configured to enable said electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) to be energized while the on / off arm (2) is in the position where it prevents the passage of the water.

[0033] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said switching member (5) is a mechanical switch, which is triggered based on the physical movement of the on / off arm (2). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said mechanical switch is positioned into a switching member seat (9) in at least one body member (8), which is fixed inside the body of the faucet (1).A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said mechanical switch comprises at least one moving leg (6), which has the ability to stretch along at least one axis and which provides the switching. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said mechanical switch has at least one protrusion (7) on said moving leg (6).

[0034] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said moving member (10) comprises a switching wall (11), which is configured to enable the triggering of said mechanical switch. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said switching wall (11) is configured to apply pressure on the protrusion (7) positioned on the moving leg (6) of the mechanical switch, as a result of the movement of the moving member (10). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said switching wall (11) comprises at least one inclined surface (12), which is configured to apply pressure on the protrusion (7) positioned on the moving leg (6) of the mechanical switch, as a result of the movement of the moving member (10).

[0035] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said switching member (5) is a switching member (5), which is configured to interrupt the transmission in case said moving leg (6) moves in the downward direction.

[0036] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that the inclined surface (12) of said switching wall (11) of said moving member (10) is configured to apply a pressure in the downward direction on the protrusion (7) on the moving leg (6), and thus on said moving leg (6), while said on-off arm (2) is in a position where it prevents the water flow. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said switching wall (11) of said moving member (10) is configured such that it will not apply a pressure in the downward direction on the moving leg (6) while said on-off arm (2) is in a position where it permits the water flow.

[0037] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said embodiment comprises a switching plane (13), which extends from the location where the inclined surface (12) of said switching wall (11) terminates. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said switching member (5) is configured to interrupt the transmission at the point at which the protrusion (7) reaches the switching plane (13) as a result of the inclinedsurface (12) sliding over said protrusion (7) during the movement of the moving member (10).

[0038] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said switching member (5) comprises at least one rotating member, which enables the inclined surface (12) to slide over the protrusion (7) during the movement of the moving member (10). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said rotating member is positioned at the peak point of the protrusion (7).

[0039] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said switching member (5) is a normally closed circuit switching member (5). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said switching member (5) is a switching member (5), which completes the electric circuit when the water flow is prevented and which does not complete the electric circuit when the water flow is enabled.

[0040] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said embodiment comprises at least one control unit, which, based on the signal received from said switching member (5), enables the electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) to be energized or deactivated.

[0041] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said on / off arm (2) is an on / off arm (2), which is capable of moving in a rotary manner.

[0042] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said electronic controller (3) is a solenoid valve.

[0043] A possible embodiment of the invention is characterized in that said embodiment comprises at least one flow restrictor (19) on the water line where the touchless water flow, controlled by means of said electronic controller (3), is enabled. A possible embodiment is characterized in that said flow restrictor (19) is positioned at a water inlet section of the electronic controller (3). A possible embodiment is characterized in that said flow restrictor (19) is positioned at a water outlet section of the electronic controller (3). Apossible embodiment is characterized in that said flow restrictor (19) is a flow restrictor

[0044] (19), which permits the passage of 3 liters of water per minute.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A faucet (1) where the water flow may be controlled mechanically or electronically or the start of the flow may be prevented mechanically or electronically characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises• at least one on / off arm (2), which enables to control the start, the stop, and the flow rate of the water flow mechanically;• at least one electronic controller (3), which enables the water flow to be started and stopped in a touchless manner;• at least one sensor (4), which enables said electronic controller (3) to be controlled in a touchless manner; and• at least one switching member (5), which is triggered based on the physical movement of said on / off arm (2) and which, as a result of being triggered, enables said electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) to be energized or deactivated.

2. A faucet (1) according to Claim 1 characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises at least one gland (14), which enables the passage of the water to be controlled based on the movement of said on / off arm (2); and at least one moving member (10), which is associated with said gland (14) and / or said on / off arm (2) in a way to move based on the movement of said gland (14) and / or said on / off arm (2).

3. A faucet (1) according to Claim 1 or 2 characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises at least one body member (8), which is fixed inside the body of said faucet (1).

4. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises a mixer, said mixer having at least one mixer body (16), which enables to control the temperature of the water mixture coming from at least two water inlets, and at least one mixer control arm (15).

5. A faucet (1) according to Claim 4 characterized in that said mixer comprises a mechanical water line outlet (18) as well as an electronic water line outlet (17).

6. A faucet (1) according to Claim 5 characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises at least one flow restrictor (19), which is positioned at the electronic water line outlet (17) of said mixer.

7. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said switching member (5) is configured to deactivate said electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) while the on / off arm (2) is in the position where it permits the passage of the water.

8. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said switching member (5) is configured to enable said electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) to be energized while the on / off arm (2) is in the position where it prevents the passage of the water.

9. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said switching member (5) is a mechanical switch, which is triggered based on the physical movement of the on / off arm (2).

10. A faucet (1) according to Claim 9 characterized in that said mechanical switch is positioned into a switching member seat (9) in at least one body member (8), which is fixed inside the body of the faucet (1).

11. A faucet (1) according to Claim 9 or 10 characterized in that said mechanical switch comprises at least one moving leg (6), which has the ability to stretch along at least one axis and which provides the switching.

12. A faucet (1) according to Claim 11 characterized in that said mechanical switch has at least one protrusion (7) on said moving leg (6).

13. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said moving member (10) comprises a switching wall (11), which is configured to enable the triggering of said mechanical switch.

14. A faucet (1) according to Claim 13 characterized in that said switching wall (11) is configured to apply pressure on the protrusion (7) positioned on the moving leg (6) of the mechanical switch, as a result of the movement of the moving member (10).

15. A faucet (1) according to Claim 13 characterized in that said switching wall (11) comprises at least one inclined surface (12), which is configured to apply pressure on the protrusion (7) positioned on the moving leg (6) of the mechanical switch, as a result of the movement of the moving member (10).

16. A faucet (1) according to any one of Claims 11-15 characterized in that said switching member (5) is a switching member (5), which is configured to interrupt the transmission in case said moving leg (6) moves in the downward direction.

17. A faucet (1) according to Claim 15 or 16 characterized in that the inclined surface (12) of said switching wall (11) of said moving member (10) is configured to apply a pressure in the downward direction on the protrusion (7) on the moving leg (6), and thus on said moving leg (6), while said on-off arm (2) is in a position where it prevents the water flow.

18. A faucet (1) according to any one of Claims 11-17 characterized in that said switching wall (11) of said moving member (10) is configured such that it will not apply a pressure in the downward direction on the moving leg (6) while said on-off arm (2) is in a position where it permits the water flow.

19. A faucet (1) according to any one of Claims 15-18 characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises a switching plane (13), which extends from the location where the inclined surface (12) of said switching wall (11) terminates.

20. A faucet (1) according to Claim 19 characterized in that said switching member (5) is configured to interrupt the transmission at the point at which the protrusion (7) reaches the switching plane (13) as a result of the inclined surface (12) sliding over said protrusion (7) during the movement of the moving member (10).

21. A faucet (1) according to any one of Claims 12-20 characterized in that said switching member (5) comprises at least one rotating member, which enables the inclined surface (12) to slide over the protrusion (7) during the movement of the moving member (10).

22. A faucet (1) according to Claim 21 characterized in that said rotating member is positioned at the peak point of the protrusion (7).

23. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said switching member (5) is a normally closed circuit switching member (5).

24. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said switching member (5) is a switching member (5), which completes the electric circuit when the water flow is prevented and which does not complete the electric circuit when the water flow is enabled.

25. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises at least one control unit, which, based on the signal received from said switching member (5), enables the electronic controller (3) and / or said sensor (4) to be energized or deactivated.

26. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said on / off arm (2) is an on / off arm (2), which is capable of moving in a rotary manner.

27. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said electronic controller (3) is a solenoid valve.

28. A faucet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims characterized in that said faucet (1) comprises at least one flow restrictor (19) on the water line where the touchless water flow, controlled by means of said electronic controller (3), is enabled.

29. A faucet (1) according to Claim 28 characterized in that said flow restrictor (19) is positioned at a water inlet section of the electronic controller (3).

30. A faucet (1) according to Claim 28 characterized in that said flow restrictor (19) is positioned at a water outlet section of the electronic controller (3).

31. A faucet (1) according to any one of Claims 28-30 characterized in that said flow restrictor (19) is a flow restrictor (19), which permits the passage of 3 liters of water per minute.