Thermostatic Faucet Thermal Insulation Bushings Heat Conduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thermostatic faucets with copper materials often have surface temperatures that are too high, leading to scalding risks due to heat conduction from hot water passages to the faucet body, despite existing designs attempting to mitigate this with temperature control valves and insulation.
Innovation Solution
A thermostatic faucet design featuring a housing with thermal insulation bushings and a fixing device that creates a gap between the inner main body and the housing, along with a thermostatic valve positioned close to the hot water inlet to shorten the hot water passage, and a cold water passage that wraps the hot water passage for heat insulation, combined with a plastic rear end cover to prevent heat conduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If copper material is used for the faucet body, then heat conductivity is improved, but the surface temperature becomes too high causing scalding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces thermal insulation bushings as an intermediary substance between the inner main body (which contains hot water passages) and the housing. These bushings are made of thermal insulation material and are fitted onto the ends of the inner main body, preventing direct thermal contact and blocking heat conduction to the housing, thereby reducing surface temperature and scalding risk while maintaining the beneficial heat conductivity of copper in the water passages
2Ease of operation
If the hot water passage is made long, then water flow control is improved, but heat conduction to the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hot water passage from direct contact with the housing by introducing thermal insulation bushings that wrap around or cover the hot water passage at its connection points to the housing. This separation removes the harmful heat conduction path while preserving the functional length of the hot water passage for proper water flow control
3Device complexity
If the inner main body is directly connected to the housing, then structural simplicity is improved, but heat conduction to the housing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies thermal insulation material locally at the connection points between the inner main body and the housing, rather than insulating the entire structure. The thermal insulation bushings are fitted only at the ends of the inner main body where it connects to the housing, providing targeted heat blocking while maintaining overall structural simplicity and avoiding unnecessary complexity
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
Effectively reduces scalding accidents by minimizing heat conduction from the inner main body to the housing, providing a safer user experience while allowing for the placement of articles.
Implementation Method 1
The inner main body is connected to the housing through two thermal insulation bushings fitted at two ends thereof
Implementation Method 2
a cold water passage that wraps the hot water passage for heat insulation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
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AI summary
A thermostatic faucet comprises a housing (1), an inner main body (2), a hot water inlet connector (4) and a cold water inlet connector (5). The inner main body (2) is formed with a hot water passage (21) connected with the hot water inlet connector (4), a cold water passage (22) connected with the cold water inlet connector (5), and a mixed water passage (23). The hot water passage (21) and the cold water passage (22) are communicated with the mixed water passage (23) through a thermostatic valve (6). The thermostatic valve (6) is disposed at one end of the inner main body (2) close to the hot water inlet connector (4). Another end of the inner main body (2) is provided with a flow valve (7). The inner main body (2) is connected to the housing (1) through two thermal insulation bushings (3) fitted at two ends thereof and fixed through a fixing device. A gap is formed between the inner main body (2) and the housing (1). The thermostatic valve (6) is disposed at one end of the inner main body (2) close to the hot water inlet connector (4) so as to shorten the hot water passage (21). The inner main body (2) is connected to the housing (1) through the thermal insulation bushings (3) and the fixing device. A gap is formed between the inner main body (2) and the housing (1). This can prevent the heat of the inner main body (2) from being conducted to the housing (1) so as to effectively reduce scalding accidents caused by the thermostatic faucet.