Integrated Faucet Flow Path Layout for Compact Purification Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing faucet devices with separate hot water/water mixing valves and water purification cartridges result in longer flow paths, leading to a larger device size.
Innovation Solution
The hot water/water mixing valve and water purification cartridge are disposed side by side, with the primary and secondary flow paths integrated between them, allowing for a more compact design by shortening these paths and simplifying the device structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of stationary object
If the hot water/water mixing valve and water purification cartridge are disposed apart from each other, then the device structure is simplified and ease of manufacture is improved, but the primary side flow path and secondary side flow path become longer, resulting in a larger device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the hot water/water mixing valve and water purification cartridge into a closely integrated configuration, where the flow paths of both components are combined and routed through shared channels. This merging approach shortens the overall flow path length and reduces the device volume while maintaining functional independence of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs three-dimensional routing of flow paths, where the primary side flow path and secondary side flow path are arranged in different spatial dimensions and levels. By utilizing vertical stacking and multi-level positioning, the flow paths are shortened without increasing the horizontal footprint, effectively reducing the overall device size
2Ease of manufacture
If the hot water/water mixing valve and water purification cartridge are disposed apart from each other, then each component can be independently manufactured, but the primary side flow path and secondary side flow path become longer, leading to increased device volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the manufacturing processes of the hot water/water mixing valve and water purification cartridge into a single integrated assembly operation. The components are manufactured separately but assembled together in one operation with shared flow path structures, maintaining ease of manufacture while reducing device volume through compact integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the device into modular components (hot water/water mixing valve and water purification cartridge) that can be independently manufactured, then assembled together with pre-configured flow paths. This segmentation allows independent manufacturing while the integrated flow path design minimizes the overall device volume
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet device includes a hot water/water mixing valve, a water purification cartridge, a primary side flow path that supplies water to the hot water/water mixing valve and the water purification cartridge, and a secondary side flow path that discharges mixed water flowing out from the hot water/water mixing valve and purified water flowing out from the water purification cartridge to a water discharge port. The primary side flow path and the secondary side flow path are disposed between the hot water/water mixing valve and the water purification cartridge.