Integrated Faucet Neck With Separate Soap Line to Prevent Cross-Contamination
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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 distinctly deliver either water or soap, leading to safety and hygiene concerns.
Innovation Solution
A faucet system with a neck assembly that integrates a separate soap outlet and water spout, utilizing a sensor-activated soap delivery system to prevent cross-contamination, featuring a soap storage tank with a concentrate solution to reduce refilling frequency and incorporating a control module for managing soap dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If liquid soap dispensers are integrated into faucet systems, then soap dispensing function is added, but cross-contamination between soap and water occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The faucet system is divided into separate functional components: a water delivery system and a soap delivery system. The soap delivery line is a distinct passage separate from the water passageway, allowing independent control and delivery of soap and water without cross-contamination. This segmentation enables the faucet to perform both water dispensing and soap dispensing functions while maintaining hygiene separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The soap delivery line is extracted as a separate integrated component within the faucet assembly rather than using a standalone dispenser. This extraction allows the soap delivery mechanism to be removed from the water delivery path, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining a compact integrated design.
2Adaptability or versatility
If standalone soap dispensers are used, then soap dispensing is provided, but they are cumbersome and unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The soap delivery system is merged with the faucet assembly by integrating the soap delivery line within the faucet body. This combination creates a unified, streamlined appearance that is aesthetically pleasing and eliminates the need for separate standalone dispensers, reducing visual clutter and improving overall appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The faucet assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: water dispensing through the spout and soap dispensing through the integrated soap delivery line. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace both a traditional faucet and a separate soap dispenser, reducing the number of components needed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual pump dispensers are used, then soap can be dispensed, but pump members become contaminated by soiled hands
Solution Approach 1:
The manual pump mechanism is replaced with an electronically controlled pump system that is activated by a sensor. This substitution eliminates the need for direct mechanical contact between the user's hand and the pump component, preventing contamination of the pump member while maintaining automated soap dispensing functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A sensor acts as an intermediary between the user and the pump system. The sensor detects the user's presence or gesture and triggers the pump to dispense soap without requiring physical contact. This intermediary mechanism breaks the direct contact chain, preventing contamination of the pump components.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If separate soap and water outlets are used, then cross-contamination is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The soap delivery line is nested within the faucet assembly structure, utilizing the existing faucet body and internal passages. This nesting approach allows the separate soap delivery system to be accommodated within the compact faucet structure without significantly increasing external dimensions or overall complexity, while maintaining cross-contamination prevention.
Data Source
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.