Sensor Assembly Shutter and Flexible Harness for Pull-Out Faucet
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor mounting arrangements in fixed faucets are not suitable for pull-out faucets due to the stresses encountered, which can damage the sensor components during attachment and detachment of the pull-out spray head.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-operated pull-out faucet design featuring a spout with a retractable hose and a sensor assembly that includes a shutter and lens bezel, allowing for hands-free automatic operation and manual control modes, with a flexible wire harness and hose guide to minimize stress on the sensor components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If sensor mounting arrangements from fixed faucets are used in pull-out faucets, then the sensor can detect hands for automatic operation, but the sensor components are damaged by stresses during attachment and detachment of the spray head
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is separated from the spray head and positioned in the spout body, creating independent functional modules. This segmentation ensures that sensor stresses are decoupled from spray head attachment/detachment cycles, allowing automatic operation while protecting sensor reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
A flexible wire harness acts as an intermediary connection between the sensor assembly and control electronics. This flexible intermediary accommodates movements and stresses, transmitting electrical signals while isolating the fragile sensor from mechanical stresses during spray head operations.
2Ease of operation
If the spray head is detachably docked with the spout for pull-out functionality, then cleaning accessibility is improved, but the sensor and spout are subject to shocks and strains
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is positioned in the spout body separate from the detachable spray head, creating independent structural zones. This segmentation allows the spray head to be freely attached/detached for cleaning access while the sensor assembly remains structurally isolated from these mechanical cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is pre-positioned and secured in the spout body with mounting structures that absorb and distribute stresses. This beforehand cushioning protects the sensor from shocks and strains that occur during spray head attachment and detachment, maintaining structural integrity.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor assembly is positioned in the spout proximate the end, then hands-free detection is effective, but the sensor is vulnerable to stresses from spray head docking
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible wire harness serves as an intermediary that electrically connects the sensor assembly to control electronics while mechanically isolating the sensor from stresses. This intermediary allows the sensor to remain positioned for effective hand detection while protecting it from harmful stresses during spray head operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor assembly is extracted from the spray head and positioned independently in the spout body. This extraction removes the sensor from the stress environment of the detachable spray head while maintaining its positioning for effective hand detection, separating the detection function from the mechanical stress zone.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor-operated pull-out faucet can include a spout having a hose disposed therein, a pull-out spray head fluidly coupled to the hose and configured to dock at an end of the spout, and a sensor assembly disposed at least partially in the spout proximate the end of the spout. The sensor assembly can include a sensor and a shutter disposed adjacent the sensor. The shutter can be operable to obscure the sensor in a closed state and expose the sensor in an open state. The faucet can also include a control unit communicatively coupled to the sensor and configured to control fluid flow through the hose and the pull-out spray head based on control signals generated by the sensor.