Cartridge Faucet Valve Assembly for Adjustable Handle Torque
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucet valve technologies lack the ability to provide tailored torque and frictional resistance, limiting the design flexibility of faucet handles in terms of size, shape, and weight, which restricts aesthetic and operational improvements.
Innovation Solution
The development of a cartridge valve assembly with a stem adapter and stem assembly that includes a threaded screw and a spherical portion, allowing for customizable frictional resistance through adjustable thread lengths and expansion, enabling tailored torque for various handle configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing faucet valve technologies are used, then the valve structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the ability to provide tailored torque and frictional resistance is limited, restricting handle design flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The valve stem is divided into multiple segments including a first stem component with a spherical portion and a second stem component that can be independently adjusted. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for specific functions - the spherical portion provides frictional resistance while the second component allows torque adjustment, thereby achieving tailored torque characteristics without requiring complete redesign of the entire valve structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve incorporates adjustable and expandable components that allow dynamic modification of frictional resistance and torque characteristics. The spherical portion can expand in size, and the second stem component can be positioned at different locations, enabling the valve to adapt to various handle configurations and provide customized operational characteristics without sacrificing structural simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If the spherical portion expands in size, then the frictional resistance increases for better handle control, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second stem component is nested within or alongside the first stem component, with the spherical portion positioned to interact with both components. This nesting arrangement allows the expansion mechanism to be integrated within the existing stem structure rather than adding external complexity, enabling increased frictional resistance through controlled expansion while maintaining a compact and manageable assembly.
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
This solution allows for greater design freedom in faucet handle configurations, supporting longer and heavier handles while providing improved smoothness and comfort in operation, while maintaining compatibility with existing faucet designs.
Implementation Method 1
a screw configured to be threaded in the bore and configured to compress the plug against the stem assembly in response to tightening the screw to increase a normal force between the plug and the stem assembly
Implementation Method 2
The spherical portion is configured to expand in size (e.g., diametrically) in response to the first end inserting a portion of the body of the second stem component into the opening in the first stem component, which increases a frictional resistance induced by relative rotation between the stem assembly and the stem adapter
Implementation Method 3
The screw is threaded to the threaded hole of the stem and the threaded hole of the stem adapter to rotatably couple the stem to the stem adapter at a first predetermined frictional resistance in response to rotation of the stem relative to the stem adapter
Data Source
AI summary
A cartridge valve for a faucet that includes a housing; a stem adapter at least partially received in the housing and comprising a body defining a slotted hole, which extends in a longitudinal direction, and a threaded hole, which extends in a radial direction; a stem received in the slotted hole and having a central portion that defines a threaded hole; and a screw threaded to the threaded hole of the stem and the threaded hole of the stem adapter to rotatably couple the stem to the stem adapter at a first predetermined frictional resistance in response to rotation of the stem relative to the stem adapter.