Hinged Faucet-Door Assembly for Concealed Sink Countertops
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional faucets integrated with sinks disrupt the aesthetic continuity of kitchen countertops, as they cannot be easily folded away to hide the sink cavity, especially when the sink is occupied with objects, and their design is not harmoniously integrated with the countertop.
Innovation Solution
A faucet-door system that hinges to the edge of the sink or countertop, allowing the faucet to fold away and cover the sink cavity, using water-resistant materials with integrated ducts for water and soap supply, and tactile sensor controls for operation, maintaining a seamless countertop appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If conventional faucets are integrated with sinks, then the faucet functionality is provided, but the aesthetic continuity of the countertop is disrupted and the sink cavity remains visible
Solution Approach 1:
The faucet is designed as a movable door assembly that can pivot between a closed position (hiding the sink cavity and maintaining countertop continuity) and an open position (providing faucet accessibility). The door rotates about a vertical hinge axis, allowing dynamic transformation between aesthetic and functional states.
Solution Approach 2:
The faucet components are nested within the door structure. The door itself acts as a container that houses the faucet body, spout, and controls, allowing the faucet to be concealed within the door when in the closed position while remaining accessible when opened.
2Shape
If the faucet is folded away into the sink cavity, then the countertop appearance is improved, but the sink must be empty or minimal space must be taken up
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of folding the faucet horizontally into the sink cavity (consuming sink space), the door assembly rotates vertically about a hinge axis. This vertical dimension allows the faucet to be concealed without occupying horizontal sink space, enabling the sink to remain usable even when the door is closed.
3Shape
If a lid is placed over the sink to hide objects, then the sink cavity is concealed, but the faucet and controls remain exposed and the lid cannot be placed in certain faucet positions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the faucet assembly with the door structure into a single integrated unit. The door serves dual functions: as a lid to conceal the sink cavity and as a housing for the faucet components. This eliminates the need for separate lid and faucet elements, resolving the conflict between concealment and exposure.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the faucet door is made with integrated ducts and fold-away dispensers, then additional functionality is provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The door assembly is designed as a multi-functional unit that combines faucet delivery, soap dispensing, and sink concealment capabilities. The same door structure houses water supply ducts, soap dispensers, and control mechanisms, allowing a single component to perform multiple functions rather than requiring separate devices for each feature.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a faucet-door for coupling to kitchen sinks or countertops primarily, although it can also be coupled to bathroom sinks, basins, etc. The object of the invention consists of combining a faucet and a door in a single element, with the particularity that the pivot shafts of the faucet-door are hollow, defining the hot water connection and cold water connection, faucet-door in the central core of which ducts are defined for hot water and cold water passage which open into a main casing established on the inner face of said central core, being of little thickness, for being re-conducted towards a diffuser that can be folded away on said casing, the ducts being associated with the corresponding flow rate-regulating means.