Faucet Handle Axial Restraining Device for Stable Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucet designs face challenges in providing smooth operation for fine adjustments of water temperature and flow rate, often resulting in unstable handle movement due to friction issues during rotational and linear movements.
Innovation Solution
A faucet user interface with a rotatable and axially movable handle, supported by a delivery spout with an electrically operable valve and sensors, utilizes an axial restraining device to introduce controlled friction, allowing for smooth operation by converting translational motion into rotational motion using dual friction rings, preventing the handle from unscrewing and ensuring stable control of water parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If friction is introduced to prevent handle unscrewing and provide stable control, then handle stability is improved, but operation smoothness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The handle assembly is segmented into multiple functional components: the handle body, the axial restraining device with friction rings, the sensor, and the valve mechanism. This segmentation allows the friction device to provide stability independently while the sensor-handle interface maintains smooth operational response.
Solution Approach 2:
The axial restraining device with friction rings acts as an intermediary between the handle and the valve stem. It provides the necessary friction for stability without directly interfering with the sensor's ability to detect handle position and the valve's response to user input.
2Ease of operation
If the handle is allowed to rotate and translate freely for fine adjustments, then operation smoothness is improved, but handle stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The axial restraining device changes the friction parameter dynamically - providing high static friction to prevent unscrewing and handle drift, while allowing controlled movement when sufficient force is applied by the user. This parameter change enables both stability and operational smoothness.
3Device complexity
If a single handle controls both temperature and flow rate, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The single handle is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a rotational control for temperature adjustment and a translational control for flow rate adjustment. The sensor system detects both rotational and translational movements, enabling precise control of multiple water parameters through a unified interface.
4Measurement precision
If dual handles are used for temperature and flow rate control, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of two separate handles into a single handle that performs both rotational (temperature) and translational (flow rate) movements. This consolidation reduces device complexity while maintaining precise control through the sensor system that detects both types of motion.
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 precise control of water temperature and flow rate with smooth operation, preventing handle instability and allowing for fine adjustments, enhancing user experience by maintaining handle position and providing resistive feedback during rotation.
Implementation Method 1
An axial restraining device illustratively introduces friction for yielding a stable faucet while providing smooth operation
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet user interface illustratively includes a support extending along a longitudinal axis, and a handle operably coupled to the support. In an illustrative embodiment, the handle is rotatable about the longitudinal axis for controlling a first water parameter (e.g., water temperature), and the handle is axially movable along the longitudinal axis for controlling a second water parameter (e.g., water flow rate). In another illustrative embodiment, a first handle is rotatable about a longitudinal axis of a delivery spout for controlling a first water parameter, and a second handle is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the delivery spout for controlling a second water parameter.