Faucet Neck Assembly With Separate Soap Outlet to Prevent Cross-Contamination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid soap dispensers, both standalone and integrated into faucet systems, suffer from issues such as contamination, frequent refilling, leakage, and the inability to request solely water or soap without cross-contamination, posing safety and hygiene concerns.

Innovation Solution

A water faucet system with a neck assembly integrating a separate soap outlet and water spout, utilizing a sensor-activated soap delivery system that prevents cross-contamination, includes a soap storage tank with a concentrate solution to reduce refilling frequency, and features a control module for managing soap dispensing and water flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If liquid soap dispensers are integrated into faucet systems, then space efficiency is improved, but cross-contamination between soap and water occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace efficiencyVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The faucet system is divided into separate functional zones: a first outlet for water and a second outlet for soap dispensing. The neck assembly contains distinct internal passageways that separate water flow from soap delivery, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining integrated space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The soap dispensing function is extracted as a separate outlet and delivery system from the main water faucet structure. This allows independent control and separation of soap and water streams, eliminating cross-contamination risks while keeping both functions within the same faucet body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If manual pump members are used in soap dispensers, then soap dispensing is achieved, but pump contamination occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoap dispensing operationVSAvoidpump contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The manual mechanical pump system is replaced with an electronic pump mechanism controlled by a control module. The pump is activated electronically via sensor detection or user interface, eliminating the need for manual manipulation that causes contamination of mechanical pump members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates sensor-activated automatic soap dispensing that detects user presence or hand positioning and automatically dispenses the required amount of soap without requiring manual pump operation. This self-service mechanism eliminates contact between soiled hands and the dispensing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If soap and water outlets are closely positioned, then compact design is achieved, but soap residue contamination of water occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign compactnessVSAvoidsoap residue contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The outlet structure is segmented into distinct first and second outlets with separate internal passageways leading to each. This segmentation maintains compact external dimensions while ensuring internal separation of water and soap flow paths, preventing soap residue from contaminating the water supply.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Separate internal passageways act as intermediaries between the reservoir and the outlets. These dedicated channels ensure that soap and water flows remain isolated throughout their entire path through the faucet, preventing cross-contamination even when outlets are positioned close together externally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If standalone soap dispensers are used, then soap dispensing function is provided, but frequent refilling is required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoap dispensing functionalityVSAvoidrefilling frequency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The soap dispenser reservoir is merged with the faucet system as an integrated component. This combination allows the faucet to serve dual purposes: water delivery through the first outlet and soap dispensing through the second outlet, eliminating the need for separate standalone dispensers and their associated frequent refilling requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11350798B2Faucet system comprising a liquid soap delivery line

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 NEOGATE TECH LLC

AI summary

A water faucet system including a faucet having a neck comprising a water passageway and liquid soap delivery line, both integrated within the neck assembly. The water faucet system features a streamlined neck assembly that includes a water outlet or spout, located at the distal portion of the neck assembly, and additionally includes a separate soap outlet located at a predetermined location. The soap delivery (soap dispensing) is initiated by a user performing an activation event directed to a sensor system located in the neck assembly. In preferred embodiments, the sensor system utilizes touchless type sensors so to avoid any physical contact with the neck assembly.