Faucet Coupling Device with Metal Reinforcing Plate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional faucet devices experience loose engagement between the faucet body and switch base due to wear of the plastic coupling member over time, leading to durability issues.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device comprising a metal fixing plate, a plastic connecting plate with engaging grooves, and a metal reinforcing plate with guiding holes, which provides enhanced structural strength and secure engagement through rotational alignment and frictional contact, ensuring durability and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a plastic coupling member is used to connect the faucet body to the switch base, then the coupling member provides flexibility and ease of assembly, but the plastic material wears out over time causing loose engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device combines plastic and metal materials in a composite structure. The plastic connecting plate provides flexibility and ease of assembly, while the metal reinforcing plate prevents wear and ensures long-term durability. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by leveraging the advantages of both material types.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is divided into multiple components: a plastic connecting plate and a metal reinforcing plate that work together. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function - the plastic part for easy assembly and the metal part for durable engagement - thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
2Reliability
If a metal coupling member is used to prevent wear, then durability is improved, but the complexity of the coupling structure increases
Solution Approach 1:
By using a composite structure where the metal reinforcing plate is integrated with the plastic connecting plate, the patent achieves durability without excessive complexity. The metal plate is positioned strategically to provide wear resistance while the overall structure remains relatively simple for assembly and disassembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal reinforcing plate is applied locally to the specific areas of the coupling device that require wear resistance, rather than making the entire coupling member metal. This localized approach provides durability where needed while keeping the overall structure simple and easy to manufacture.
3Ease of manufacture
If the coupling member is made entirely of plastic for cost-effectiveness, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but wear occurs leading to loose engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling device uses a composite material approach where the majority of the structure remains plastic for cost-effectiveness, with a metal reinforcing plate added only to the specific areas requiring wear resistance. This balances manufacturing cost with engagement stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastic connecting plate serves as the primary structural component that is cost-effective to manufacture, while the metal reinforcing plate is a smaller, more expensive component that provides durability. This approach accepts that the plastic part may need replacement over time while minimizing overall cost through the use of inexpensive plastic material.
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 coupling device maintains a secure and durable connection between the faucet body and switch base, preventing wear and ensuring long-term reliability by utilizing metal components for strength and plastic for flexibility, with securing blocks providing frictional contact for firm engagement.
Implementation Method 1
securing the faucet body on the switch base through frictional contact
Data Source
AI summary
A coupling device includes a metal fixing plate adjacent to a faucet body, a plastic connecting plate having a surrounding portion that is connected to the fixing plate, an extending portion that extends from the surrounding portion through the fixing plate, and an engaging portion that is formed with a plurality of engaging grooves adapted to be engaged with engaging portions of a switch base, and a metal reinforcing plate connected to the engaging portion and formed with a plurality of guiding holes being respectively in spatial communication with the engaging grooves. Each guiding holes is adapted for withdrawal of a respective engaging portion of the switch base therethrough from a respective one of the engaging grooves.