Faucet Locking Assembly for Above-Countertop Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional faucet installations require professionals to bend over or lie under countertops, are laborious, and necessitate high-strength materials, leading to increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A faucet design featuring a locking assembly that allows installation from above the countertop, utilizing a support frame connected to the faucet body, which can be made of thin-walled materials, and includes a guiding base and operating member to control abutment with the countertop, separating operation and pipeline spaces to prevent entanglement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional faucet installation methods are used (requiring assembly under the countertop), then the faucet can be securely installed, but the installation process becomes laborious and time-consuming requiring professionals to bend over or lie in narrow spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional installation approach by performing assembly from above the countertop instead of below. The support frame is assembled on the upper surface, and the faucet body is installed through the mounting hole from above, eliminating the need for installers to work in the confined space under the countertop.
Solution Approach 2:
The faucet assembly is segmented into distinct components: the support frame (with legs and crossbars), the faucet body, and the mounting base. This segmentation allows the support frame to be pre-assembled above the countertop and then integrated with the faucet body, simplifying the installation process.
2Strength
If the faucet housing is used for supporting the faucet body, then the housing provides structural support, but high-strength materials are required increasing manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is segmented from the faucet housing to a dedicated support frame structure consisting of legs and crossbars. This allows the housing to be made from lower-cost materials while the support frame provides the necessary structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support frame acts as an intermediary structure between the mounting base and the faucet body. It transfers and distributes the mechanical loads, eliminating the need for the housing to provide primary structural support.
3Ease of operation
If a quick installation mechanism is used from above the countertop, then installation becomes simpler and faster, but the mechanism occupies space in the installation hole affecting hose passage
Solution Approach 1:
The installation sequence is inverted: the support frame is assembled above the countertop first, then the faucet body is installed through the mounting hole. This eliminates the need for complex locking mechanisms within the installation hole, freeing up space for hose passage.
4Device complexity
If the operating member and pipeline structure share the same space, then the structure is more compact, but the pipeline may become entangled with the operating member
Solution Approach 1:
The lower space under the support frame is segmented into distinct functional zones: the first space for the operating member and the second space for the pipeline structure. This spatial segmentation prevents entanglement while maintaining overall structural compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The guiding wall acts as an intermediary structure that separates and guides the operating member in the first space, while the pipeline structure passes through the second space. This intermediary partition ensures independent movement of each component without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet comprises a faucet body and a locking assembly. The locking assembly is connected to the faucet body, and the locking assembly is configured to pass through a mounting hole of a countertop. At least part of the locking assembly is configured to be controlled to abut a lower side of the countertop, and the faucet body comprises a faucet housing, a support frame, and a valve. The support frame is disposed in the faucet housing, and the support frame is configured to be supported on an upper side of the countertop. The support frame is connected to the locking assembly, and the support frame forms a valve seat configured to be connected to the valve. The locking assembly comprises an operating member rotatably disposed on the support frame, and the operating member is configured to control the locking assembly to abut the lower side of the countertop.