Electronic Faucet Valve Assembly With Integrated Control and Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic faucets with solenoid valves and temperature sensors are costly and prone to damage due to complex wiring and encapsulated sensors, and systems with multiple dispensing devices require multiple processors, increasing complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
An integrated solenoid valve assembly with a controller mounted directly to the circuit board, a temperature sensor positioned outside the valve housing with a heat transfer device, and a port for connecting secondary devices, reducing wiring and enabling centralized control and power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the controller is located away from the solenoid valve with wired connections, then the control function is achieved, but the wiring complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is integrated directly into the solenoid valve assembly, combining the control electronics and the valve mechanism into a single unit. This eliminates the need for separate wiring between the controller and solenoid valve, reducing wiring complexity while maintaining full control functionality through wireless communication between the faucet handle and the integrated assembly.
2Reliability
If the temperature sensor is encapsulated in epoxy-filled casing within the waterway, then the sensor is protected, but the sensor and wiring become susceptible to damage and leaking
Solution Approach 1:
The temperature sensor is extracted from the waterway environment and positioned in a location outside the water flow path. The sensor is mounted on the solenoid valve assembly where it can detect water temperature through thermal conduction from the valve body, eliminating the need for epoxy encapsulation and wired connections through the water seal, thereby removing the susceptibility to damage and leaking.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple processors are used to control multiple dispensing devices, then each device can be controlled independently, but the system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single processor in the faucet handle is designed to universally control multiple solenoid valve assemblies through wireless communication. The processor can selectively address and control different valve assemblies (e.g., hot water valve, cold water valve, aerator valve) without requiring separate processors in each device, thereby maintaining independent control capability while reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces costs and complexity by minimizing wiring and sensor susceptibility to damage, while allowing for efficient control and power management of multiple dispensing devices through a single controller.
Implementation Method 1
a heat transfer device. The heat transfer device extends between the temperature sensor and the interior region to transfer heat from fluid in the interior region to the temperature sensor
Implementation Method 2
The solenoid valve includes a solenoid coil and a moveable valve member operably coupled to the moveable valve member
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic faucet includes a spout, a fluid supply conduit supported by the spout, and a valve assembly including an electrically operable valve. A controller is coupled to the valve assembly and includes a processor operative to control the electrically operable valve to control fluid flow through the fluid supply conduit. The controller includes a port in communication with the processor, the port being releasably coupled to electronics of a secondary device.