Dual-Path Faucet Connector for Pressure-Stable Wand Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Faucets with pull-out wands face manufacturing and operational challenges, including difficulty in assembly, need for multiple hands to adjust water attributes, time delays in attribute changes, and pressure loss leading to excess water discharge, especially when switching between different fluid paths.
Innovation Solution
A faucet system with a wand hose that provides two flow paths via a single hose, one of which is continuously pressurized, and includes a shutoff mechanism to control fluid flow, allowing seamless adjustment of water attributes without pressure loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate hoses are used for different fluid paths (treated water and mixed water), then fluid delivery functionality is achieved, but device complexity and stress/strain on the system increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate hoses (treated water hose and mixed water hose) into a single integrated wand hose assembly. The inner hose for treated water and outer hose for mixed water are nested within a single hose assembly that connects to the wand, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall system while maintaining the ability to deliver different fluid paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested hose configuration where the inner hose (carrying treated water) is placed inside the outer hose (carrying mixed water). This nested arrangement allows multiple fluid paths to coexist within a single hose assembly, reducing system complexity while preserving functional versatility for delivering different water types to the wand.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate hoses are used for different fluid paths, then fluid delivery functionality is achieved, but stress and strain on the system increase when manipulated
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple hoses into a single integrated wand hose assembly, the patent reduces the cumulative stress and strain that would occur with multiple separate hoses. The unified structure distributes mechanical loads more effectively and reduces the overall stress on the connection points and mounting hardware when the wand is manipulated.
3Ease of operation
If wand is pulled away from faucet body for manipulation, then ease of operation is improved, but maintaining continuous pressure becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a shutoff mechanism positioned upstream in the fluid path that can be activated before the wand is pulled away or before fluid flow is needed. This preliminary action maintains pressure readiness in the system by controlling when flow occurs, ensuring that pressure is maintained without continuous discharge when the wand is repositioned or manipulated.
4Reliability
If shutoff mechanism is added to control fluid flow, then pressure control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shutoff mechanism is integrated into the existing wand hose assembly and fluid delivery system, serving multiple functions: controlling pressure, regulating flow, and enabling on-demand delivery. By making the shutoff mechanism multi-functional rather than a separate single-purpose component, the patent minimizes the increase in overall system complexity while achieving reliable pressure control.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a connector for a faucet that provides a single wand hose having two separate flow paths extending therethrough to a wand. The connector directs a first fluid supply through a first inlet and a second fluid supply through a second inlet. The first fluid supply is directed through an inner hose extending through the wand hose defining a first flow path. The second fluid supply is directed through a second flow path extending through the wand hose. The second flow path may extend between the inner hose and an outer hose.