Faucet Air Gap Integration via Base Chamber and Gap Venting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucet designs with air gap devices compromise the appearance integrity due to visually unattractive vents, which are necessary to prevent wastewater siphonage from reverse osmosis systems.
Innovation Solution
A faucet design featuring a base with an internal chamber housing an air gap device, where a gap between the base and main body allows air to enter or leave through connecting passages, maintaining appearance integrity by eliminating visible vents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vent is installed in the main body to allow air flow for the air gap device, then the air gap device can function to prevent wastewater siphonage, but the appearance integrity of the faucet is compromised due to visible vents
Solution Approach 1:
The vent function is extracted from the main body and relocated to the base. The base now contains the chamber that extends to its bottom, allowing air to enter or leave through the base rather than requiring a visible vent in the main body. This separates the air flow function from the aesthetic main body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The air flow path is redirected from a horizontal or visible orientation in the main body to a vertical orientation through the base. The chamber extends to the bottom of the base, creating a vertical air path that is hidden from view, thus resolving the contradiction between functional air flow and aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If a movable cover is installed on the main body to block the vent, then the appearance integrity is improved, but the air gap device cannot function properly as the vent is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The vent function is extracted from the main body and relocated to the base. The chamber extends to the bottom of the base, allowing air to enter or leave through the base rather than requiring a visible vent in the main body. This separates the air flow function from the aesthetic main body structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base acts as an intermediary structure that houses the chamber and provides the air flow path. Instead of modifying the main body with covers or vents, the base mediates the air flow requirement, allowing the main body to maintain its appearance integrity while the chamber in the base handles the air gap device functionality.
3Shape
If the chamber extends to the bottom of the base with a gap for air flow, then the appearance integrity is maintained without visible vents, but the device complexity increases due to the additional gap structure
Solution Approach 1:
The gap structure is merged with the support block between the base and main body. The support block simultaneously provides structural support and creates the air flow gap. This combines multiple functions (support and air flow) into a single structural element, reducing overall device complexity despite the added functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support block serves multiple functions: it provides structural support between the base and main body, and simultaneously creates the air flow gap by positioning the main body at a distance from the base. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, offsetting the apparent complexity increase.
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
The design effectively prevents wastewater siphonage while maintaining the faucet's aesthetic integrity by allowing air to flow through a micro-sized gap, enhancing the overall appearance and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
An air gap device is arranged in the upstream water pipe of wastewater drain line, so as to prevent the wastewater from entering water system through the drain line due to siphonage
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet that can be equipped with an air gap device, which includes a base, a main body and a control valve, wherein a chamber is formed inside the base, and an air gap device is arranged in the chamber accordingly. The main body is set on the top edge of the base, and the control valve is set inside the main body; a gap is formed between the base and the main body, the gap communicates with the chamber, and the air enters or leaves the chamber through the gap. The overall appearance of the faucet has no visually attractive vents, so the integrity of the appearance can be maintained.