Temperature-Adjusting Adapter for Faucet Hose Mixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current faucet hose systems for mixing hot and cold water are prone to scalding, especially in single faucet sinks, and require professional installation of mechanical mixing valves, which is costly and inaccessible to laypeople.
Innovation Solution
A modified faucet hose system with a temperature-adjusting adapter system that includes one-way check valves and adjustable ball or disc valves, allowing for easy in-line installation and adjustment of hot and cold water mixing ratios, reducing the risk of scalding and eliminating the need for professional plumbing expertise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If mechanical mixing valves are installed to control hot and cold water mixing, then water temperature control is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to requiring professional plumbing expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pre-assembled mixing valve unit with integrated connectors that serves as an intermediary component. This unit combines the mixing valve mechanism with pre-installed connection ports, allowing it to be inserted into existing faucet assemblies without requiring complex field installation or professional plumbing expertise, thus resolving the contradiction between temperature control capability and installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valve and its connectors are pre-assembled and pre-tested before delivery to the consumer. This preliminary action eliminates the need for professional installers to perform complex assembly work during installation, as the unit is ready to operate immediately upon insertion into the faucet, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining temperature control functionality
2Temperature
If mechanical mixing valves are installed to control hot and cold water mixing, then water temperature control is improved, but installation cost increases due to requiring professional plumbers
Solution Approach 1:
The pre-assembled mixing valve unit acts as a mediator that bridges the gap between professional installation requirements and consumer accessibility. By integrating all necessary components into a single unit with pre-installed connectors, the system eliminates the need for expensive professional labor while maintaining temperature control capabilities, thus reducing installation cost
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valve unit is designed to be self-installing by consumers without requiring professional plumbing services. The unit includes all necessary connectors and mechanisms pre-assembled, allowing end-users to install it themselves in existing faucet assemblies, thereby eliminating professional installation costs while preserving temperature control functionality
3Adaptability or versatility
If single faucet sinks use hot and cold water supply lines, then water supply versatility is improved, but scalding risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing valve unit serves as an intermediary safety mechanism between the hot and cold water supply lines and the faucet outlet. It actively mixes hot and cold water in controlled proportions before delivery to the user, thereby maintaining water supply versatility while reducing scalding risk through temperature regulation
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing valve performs preliminary temperature mixing before water reaches the faucet, preventing the harmful effect of scalding in advance. By pre-mixing hot and cold water in appropriate ratios, the system counteracts the potential harmful thermal effect before it can affect the user, thus maintaining versatility while mitigating scalding risk
4Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable valves are used to control mixing ratio, then temperature adjustment flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing valve mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a flow control valve for regulating water flow, a mixing mechanism for blending hot and cold water, and temperature adjustment controls. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, providing temperature adjustment flexibility while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through modular design
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 system effectively reduces the risk of scalding by allowing users to easily adjust the mixing ratio of hot and cold water, providing a safe and cost-effective solution for home use without requiring specialized plumbing knowledge or tools.
Implementation Method 1
The adapter system may include one or more valves, such as mechanical mixing valves, one-way check valves
Implementation Method 2
adjustable ball or disc valves, allowing for easy in-line installation and adjustment of hot and cold water mixing ratios
Data Source
AI summary
A system, a method, and an apparatus for a temperature-adjusting adapter is described. The adapter includes first and second connectors coupled to first and second supply lines, wherein each of the first and second connector comprise an input, an output, and an adjustment port; a tube and an adjustment mechanism positioned between the adjustment ports of the first and second connectors, wherein the adjustment mechanism is movable between an open position and a closed position for selecting a temperature of a third fluid exiting the output port of the first or the second connector, wherein the third fluid is one of the first fluid, the second fluid, or a mixture of the first fluid and the second fluid, and wherein a mixing ratio of the mixture is based at least in part on the position of the adjustment mechanism.