Faucet Joystick Handle With Biasing Spring

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing plumbing valves with single lever handles often experience loosening and wobbling under pressure, require excessive force for operation, and are susceptible to wear and environmental contamination, lacking an aesthetically pleasing joystick-type control and integration into cabinet housings.

Innovation Solution

A faucet design featuring a joystick handle linked to a lever with a biasing member outside the housing, providing resilient loading and sealing, and a self-lubricating bearing to minimize wear and prevent contamination, while allowing for axial movement and aesthetically pleasing control, suitable for integration into cabinet housings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a single lever handle is used to control volume and mixing, then the device is easy to operate, but the handle connection loosens and wobbles under pressure over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidreliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The control mechanism is divided into separate functional components: a joystick handle for volume control, a lever for temperature/mixing control, and a control valve. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the joystick providing precise axial movement control without the loosening issues of traditional integrated lever handles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A biasing member (spring) is introduced as an intermediary element between the joystick handle and the control valve. This spring provides resilient loading that maintains consistent contact pressure, preventing the handle connection from loosening while allowing the joystick to return to its neutral position after actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If pressure is applied to the control handle during actuation, then the valve can be controlled, but the handle connection loosens and allows inadvertent actuation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidstability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing spring is pre-loaded to provide cushioning force that absorbs pressure variations during actuation. This pre-loaded spring maintains stable connection between the joystick and control valve, preventing loosening while allowing controlled movement during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If a conventional control handle is used, then the valve can be controlled, but environmental water, soap and dirt can enter the valve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcontamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The joystick handle and lever are extracted from the traditional integrated handle design and positioned to extend through the front of the housing. This extraction allows the control mechanism to be sealed within the housing, preventing water, soap, and dirt from entering while maintaining ease of operation from the front.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A seal is positioned at the interface between the control valve and housing to create a barrier that prevents environmental contaminants (water, soap, dirt) from entering the valve mechanism, while still allowing the joystick and lever to move freely for operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of operation

If excessive force is applied to move valve components, then the valve can be actuated, but wear and tear on internal components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoiddurability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The biasing spring acts as a mediator that provides controlled resilient loading to the control valve components. This eliminates the need for excessive force by maintaining optimal contact pressure throughout the range of motion, reducing wear on internal components while ensuring reliable actuation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 resilient connection reduces wear on internal parts, minimizes pressure on housing, and effectively seals out water and debris, providing a joystick-type feel with improved durability and aesthetic appeal, while allowing for easy assembly and maintenance.

Implementation Method 1

a biasing member positioned outside the housing between the lever and joystick so as to resiliently bias the joystick away from the control valve

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a self-lubricating bearing to minimize wear and prevent contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS7658206B2Plumbing valve with stick control handle

Publication Date: 2010.02.09 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

Faucets are provided with joystick type control handles. The joysticks are provided with springs outside the main valve housing either between the joystick handle and lever stick, or between the joystick handle and an associated ball. In the latter case the ball retains a sliding disk.