Electronic Faucet Cable Protector and Sensor Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing, assembling, installing, and using electronic plumbing fixture fittings, such as electronic faucets, present several difficulties due to complex configurations and sensor integration.
Innovation Solution
An electronic plumbing fixture fitting comprising a housing, electronic valve, sensor, control, wand hose, cable, and cable protector, where the sensor triggers a signal to activate/deactivate the valve, and a hose sensor monitors the wand hose's movement to control water flow, with proximity sensors for user interaction and cable protection to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sensor and cable are integrated inside the housing, then the device functionality is improved, but the device complexity and difficulty of assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the device into modular components: the housing assembly, the wand assembly, and the cable assembly. The sensor is integrated into the housing while the cable runs through a separate protective conduit. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing and assembly of each module, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining integrated functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cable protector as an intermediary component that shields the cable from the wand hose and positions the cable within the spout. This intermediary element simplifies the integration of the cable system by providing a dedicated protective structure, thereby reducing assembly difficulty while maintaining device functionality.
2Reliability
If the cable protector extends between the cable and wand hose, then the cable is protected from damage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protector is integrated with the housing structure rather than being a completely separate component. The protector extends from the housing to provide continuous protection along the cable path, merging the protective function with the existing housing design. This approach provides reliable cable protection while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable protector serves multiple functions: it protects the cable from the wand hose, positions the cable within the spout, and provides structural support. By combining multiple functions into a single component, the patent achieves reliable cable protection without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If the wand hose extends through the inside of the spout, then the water flow path is optimized, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protector is installed and positioned within the spout before the wand hose is routed through it. This preliminary action establishes the correct positioning path for the hose, ensuring that when the hose is later installed, it follows the predetermined trajectory. This approach optimizes water flow efficiency while reducing the manufacturing precision requirements for hose positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable protector acts as an intermediary structure that guides and positions the wand hose as it passes through the spout. By providing a pre-formed protective conduit with built-in positioning features, the patent enables the hose to achieve correct positioning without requiring high manufacturing precision in the hose installation process itself.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an electronic plumbing fixture fitting, such as an electronic faucet.