Faucet Handle Valve Cartridge Layout for Non-Rotating Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucet handles often require the valve body to rotate when removing the valve cartridge, leading to a bulky aesthetic due to integrated spouts, and lack a compact design that allows for separate spout compatibility.
Innovation Solution
A faucet handle design where the valve cartridge extends parallel to the mounting surface, allowing for independent rotation and removal without rotating the valve body, featuring a fluid supply and return line system with a control handle that opens and closes the cartridge, enabling fluid flow between lines without integrating a spout.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of repair
If the valve cartridge is removed by unthreading in conventional faucet handles, then the valve cartridge can be serviced or replaced, but the valve body rotates around its axis causing installation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the valve cartridge from the valve body by using a set screw that fastens the cartridge to the body at a specific orientation. This allows the cartridge to be removed independently without causing the valve body to rotate, as the set screw maintains the relative positional relationship between the two components.
Solution Approach 2:
The set screw is pre-installed to fasten the valve cartridge to the valve body before removal operations. This preliminary action secures the cartridge in place, preventing the valve body from rotating during the cartridge removal process, thereby maintaining the valve body's orientation stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If integrated spouts are added to achieve parallel valve cartridge orientation, then compact mounting is achieved, but the faucet becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spout from the integrated faucet body, making it a separate component. This allows the valve cartridge to be oriented parallel to the mounting surface for compact mounting without requiring an integrated spout, thereby reducing the overall size and bulk of the faucet while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal valve cartridge design that can be mounted in different orientations (parallel to the mounting surface) without requiring integrated spouts. This multi-functional approach allows the same valve cartridge to be used in various configurations, achieving compact mounting while maintaining versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet handle includes a fluid supply line, fluid return line, and valve cartridge. A first portion of the valve cartridge provides a connecting passage between fluid supply line and fluid return line and allows fluid flow when the valve cartridge is open. A valve body having first and second openings houses the first portion of the valve cartridge. A second portion of the valve cartridge extends through first opening and extends from first portion to second portion in a direction that is substantially parallel to a mounting surface. A control handle contacts second portion of the valve cartridge. When control handle is rotated in a first direction around an axis along which the valve cartridge extends the valve cartridge is opened allowing flow from supply line to return line, and when the valve cartridge is rotated around the axis in an opposing direction the valve cartridge is closed.