Faucet Generator Vibration Damping via Elastic Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing automatic faucet with a built-in generator experiences significant vibration due to increased electromagnetic force, leading to abnormal noise and potential water leaks, especially when downsized for improved design and space efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The faucet device incorporates a downsized impeller-driven generator with elastic members to absorb and redirect vibration, ensuring water-tightness and reducing noise by allowing relative displacement between the generator and its components, and orienting these members to excite vertical vibration components, thus minimizing horizontal disturbance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If the magnetic flux density of the power generating magnet is increased to generate sufficient electrical power from a downsized generator, then the power generation capability is improved, but the electromagnetic force acting between the magnet and coil increases, causing greater vibration and abnormal noise
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration suppressing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the generator and the device body. This member absorbs and attenuates the vibration generated by the electromagnetic force interactions within the downsized generator, preventing the vibration from being transmitted to the device body and causing abnormal noise, while allowing the generator to maintain its high power generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration generated by the electromagnetic force variations in the downsized generator is converted into a controllable mechanical phenomenon. By designing the vibration suppressing member with specific damping characteristics, the harmful vibration energy is dissipated through material damping and hysteresis, transforming the harmful effect into a controlled energy dissipation process that protects the overall system
2Volume of moving object
If the generator is downsized to improve design and space factor, then the device compactness is improved, but the impeller becomes lighter and more susceptible to vibration from electromagnetic force variations
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration suppressing member acts as a counterbalancing element that provides mechanical stability to the lightweight impeller. By positioning and designing this member to oppose the vibration forces generated during operation, it compensates for the reduced mass and structural rigidity of the downsized impeller, maintaining operational stability without increasing the overall generator volume
3Stability of the object's composition
If the generator is directly fixed to the main body by screws to ensure stable installation, then the structural stability is improved, but the vibration of the generator is propagated to the main body, causing abnormal noise
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration suppressing member is positioned between the generator and the device body, serving as a mediator that decouples the rigid mechanical connection. This intermediary component allows the generator to remain securely installed while blocking the transmission path of vibration forces, preventing noise propagation to the device body and installation wall
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
This configuration effectively suppresses abnormal noise and vibration propagation, maintaining water-tightness and improving the faucet's quality by reducing disturbance in the water stream and enhancing the durability of the elastic members.
Implementation Method 1
induced current would flow in the power generating coil to generate electrical power
Implementation Method 2
a first elastic member for ensuring water-tightness between the solenoid valve-side water-passage forming member and the generator and allowing relative displacement between the solenoid valve-side water-passage forming member and the generator
Data Source
AI summary
The faucet device (1) of the present invention includes a device body (2); a solenoid valve (12); a spout port forming portion (44); a generator (14) for generating electrical power by rotating an impeller; a solenoid valve-side water-passage forming member (52) for guiding water to the generator; a spout port-side water-passage forming member (42) for guiding water to a spout port; a first elastic member (52a) for sealing between the solenoid valve-side water-passage forming member and the generator and allowing relative displacement therebetween; a second elastic member (42b) for sealing between the spout port-side water-passage forming member and the generator and allowing relative displacement therebetween; a third elastic member (60) for coupling the solenoid valve-side water-passage forming member and the device body and allowing relative displacement therebetween; and a fourth elastic member (58) for coupling the spout port-side water-passage forming member and the device body and allowing relative displacement therebetween.