Ceiling-Mounted Kitchen Faucet with Rotatable Arm for Extended Reach

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen faucets have limited range and impose restrictions on water supply to all areas, particularly inhibiting the filling or washing of tall items due to fixed mounting and extendable components that require user support, leading to tangling issues with hose storage.

Innovation Solution

A ceiling-mounted faucet system with a flexible hose and rotatable arm, allowing precise positioning and adjustment, featuring a mixing valve, cord management system, and control fixtures for temperature and flow control, enabling water supply to extended ranges without user support and minimizing hose tangling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed counter-mounted faucet design is used, then the structure is simple and stable, but the water supply range is limited and cannot reach extended areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply rangeVSAvoidfaucet structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a rotatable arm mechanism that allows the spray head to be dynamically repositioned to different locations and angles. The arm can rotate 360 degrees and is adjustable to various heights, transforming the static faucet into a dynamic system that adapts to different water supply needs while maintaining structural simplicity through standardized mechanical components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds rotational and vertical adjustment dimensions to the traditional linear faucet design. The rotatable arm introduces angular positioning capability, while the adjustable height mechanism adds vertical dimension control, enabling water supply to reach areas in multiple spatial directions beyond the limited range of fixed faucets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extendable hose components are added to increase reach, then the water supply range is extended, but the hose requires perpetual user support and becomes prone to tangling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply reachVSAvoidhose management ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded retraction mechanism automatically manages the hose by pulling it back into a compact position when not in use, eliminating the need for manual hose management. The system serves itself by using spring force to prevent tangling and maintain hose organization, reducing user burden while preserving extended reach capability when needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If extendable portions are added to reach tall items, then the water supply capability is improved, but the components require perpetual support by a user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to tall itemsVSAvoiduser support requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded retraction mechanism acts as a counterbalancing force that supports the weight of the extended hose and spray head assembly. When the hose is extended to reach tall items, the spring provides continuous supportive force, eliminating the need for user hands to hold the extendable portions in place while maintaining accessibility to elevated areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

4Area of stationary object

If the hose is stored beneath the sink when not extended, then space is saved, but the hose components become tangled or snagged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoidhose functionality reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spring mechanism automatically performs the hose storage function by retracting it into a neat, compact position within the faucet housing when not in use. This self-service action prevents tangling and snagging while efficiently utilizing the available internal space, eliminating the need for separate external storage areas beneath the sink

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3926109B1Ceiling mounted kitchen faucet
Publication Date: 2023.08.16 KOHLER CO(US)
  • EP3926109B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3926109B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3926109B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A faucet system (100) includes a housing assembly (103) configured to be coupled to a ceiling structure (107), wherein the housing assembly (103) includes a mixing valve (135) disposed therein. The faucet system (100) further includes a hose assembly (109) coupled to the housing assembly (103). The hose assembly (109) includes a flexible hose (115) being fluidly coupled to the mixing valve (135) and configured to hang below the housing assembly (103), a rotatable arm (120) coupled to the housing assembly (103), and a control knob communicably coupled to the mixing valve (135). The rotatable arm (135) is configured to facilitate rotation and adjustment of the hose (115) and the control knob configured to control at least one of a temperature or a flow of water within the faucet system (100).