Integrated Faucet Valve for Manual and Sensor Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucets with multiple inlets and outlets require complex operation due to single water guiding channels, leading to poor user experience, especially for new users, and lack integrated manual and automatic flow control for temperature regulation.
Innovation Solution
A faucet design with integrated manual and automatic flow control, featuring a valve with movable and static pieces, a sensing unit, and a control device, allowing for simplified operation through a handle connected to the valve and control device, with multiple water outlet modes and a compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single water guiding channel is used in the valve, then the structure is simpler, but the operation complexity increases and user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve body is segmented into multiple independent water guiding channels (first water guiding channel and second water guiding channel), each controlling a separate water outlet. This segmentation allows users to independently control different water outlets, simplifying the operation logic and improving user experience while maintaining reasonable structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two separate faucets (one automatic, one manual) are provided, then flow control functionality is improved, but the device complexity and space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges automatic flow control and manual flow control functionalities into a single integrated faucet system. The valve incorporates both automatic sensing control and manual operation capabilities, allowing one faucet to perform the functions previously requiring two separate faucets, thereby reducing device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an automatic flow control device and a manual flow control device. The same valve body accommodates both automatic sensing mechanisms and manual operation interfaces, making the system universally applicable for different control preferences and scenarios.
3Device complexity
If multiple water outlets are controlled by one valve, then device integration is improved, but temperature regulation precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is segmented into separate water guiding channels for different water outlets, with independent temperature regulation capabilities for each channel. This allows precise temperature control for each outlet while maintaining the integrated valve structure, resolving the contradiction between integration and precision.
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet with integrated manual and automatic flow control, which includes a faucet body, a valve, a handle, a cold water inlet pipe, a hot water inlet pipe, a water outlet pipe, a sensing unit and a control device. The valve and the control device are both arranged inside the faucet body. The handle is arranged on one side of the faucet body and is connected with one end of the valve, the other end of the valve is connected with the control device. The sensing unit is arranged on the faucet body and is electrically connected with the control device. The cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe are both connected to one end of the water outlet pipe through the valve.