Faucet Assembly with Detachable Stop Valve Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wall thermostatic faucets require replacement or pipe conversion when hot and cold water pipes are installed reversely, leading to waste and loss of commonality and increased size due to conversion sleeves.
Innovation Solution
A faucet assembly with detachable hot and cold water stop valve assemblies, each comprising a stop valve body, one-way valve, and positioning steps, allowing for easy exchange of water types without replacing the entire faucet, and featuring a mixing chamber for temperature control and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conversion sleeve is disposed at the thermostatic valve cartridge to enable hot and cold water exchange, then the faucet can realize exchange of hot water and cold water, but the size of the faucet body increases and commonality is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The faucet is divided into separable components: the faucet body and detachable stop valve assemblies. The stop valve assemblies can be independently removed and replaced, allowing hot and cold water exchange without modifying the faucet body. This segmentation enables versatility while maintaining a compact, standardized faucet body design.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop valve assemblies are designed to be dynamically replaceable. The faucet transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic system where the stop valve assemblies can be swapped based on installation requirements. This dynamic design allows the same faucet body to adapt to different hot/cold water configurations without permanent modification.
2Reliability
If conventional wall thermostatic faucet is used with reversely installed hot and cold water pipes, then the faucet can function, but the pipes need to be converted or replaced leading to waste
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the faucet into a permanent body and replaceable stop valve assemblies, the design allows the stop valve to be swapped to match the actual pipe configuration. This eliminates the need to replace the entire faucet or convert pipes, reducing material waste while maintaining reliable functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows changing the functional parameters of the faucet by replacing the stop valve assembly rather than changing the physical structure. The same faucet body can serve different purposes (hot water only, cold water only, or both) by simply changing the stop valve assembly configuration.
3Reliability
If the entire faucet assembly is replaced to accommodate reversed pipe installation, then the faucet can function correctly, but wall destruction and replacement cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The faucet is segmented into a wall-mounted body and detachable stop valve assemblies. This segmentation allows the stop valve to be replaced independently without affecting the wall-mounted portion, eliminating the need for wall destruction or complete replacement while ensuring correct water flow configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The stop valve assembly is extracted as a separate, replaceable component from the faucet body. This extraction allows the stop valve to be removed and replaced without disturbing the installed faucet body or wall connections, significantly simplifying installation and avoiding the need for wall destruction.
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
Enables easy switching between hot and cold water without destroying the wall or replacing the faucet, allowing for different properties and pressure balance adjustments without full assembly replacement, reducing waste and maintaining commonality.
Implementation Method 1
a one-way valve (404, 504)
Implementation Method 2
the valve cartridge (20) defines a mixing chamber (200) and hot water from the hot water inlet (100) and cold water from the cold water inlet (102) are mixed in the mixing chamber (200)
Implementation Method 3
a first filter (408) is seated at the hot water hole (402) connecting the hot water stop valve body (400) and the mixing chamber (200), and a second filter (508) is seated at the cold water hole (502) connecting the cold water stop valve body (500) and the mixing chamber (200)
Implementation Method 4
a first sealing ring (410) is seated between the hot water stop valve body (400) and the faucet body (10), and a second sealing ring (510) is seated between the cold water stop valve body (500) and the faucet body (10)
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet assembly includes a faucet body defining a hot water inlet, a cold water inlet and at least one water outlet; a valve cartridge detachably received in the faucet body, the valve cartridge defines a mixing chamber and the hot water from the hot water inlet and the cold water from the cold water inlet is mixed in the mixing chamber and flows out via the water outlet; and a valve plate detachably assembled to the faucet body. The faucet body is provided with a hot water pipe connecting the hot water inlet and the mixing chamber. The hot water pipe is formed with a hot water stop valve assembly detachably assembled thereto. The faucet body is provided with a cold water pipe connecting the cold water inlet and the mixing chamber. The cold water pipe is formed with a cold water stop valve assembly detachably assembled thereto.