Offset Faucet Valve Housing for Rigid Line Installation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing faucet designs face limitations in valve placement due to rigid water inlet and outlet lines that cannot be inserted around tight angles, restricting the orientation of valves relative to the faucet body, particularly for vertically-oriented valves.

Innovation Solution

A faucet assembly with a valve housing projecting perpendicularly from the faucet body, allowing for a vertically-oriented valve offset from the body, where the valve is fluidly connected to rigid inlet and outlet lines through a cap-covered opening, enabling the valve to reach water lines within the faucet body.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the valve is positioned vertically within the faucet body, then the valve can control fluid flow effectively, but the rigid water inlet and outlet lines cannot be inserted around tight angles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalve control capabilityVSAvoidline insertion flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve housing projects perpendicularly from the faucet body, creating a spatial offset that allows the valve to rotate about an axis parallel to and offset from the mounting axis. This dimensional repositioning enables the valve to control fluid flow in a non-vertical direction while maintaining compatibility with rigid inlet and outlet lines that extend vertically within the faucet body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the valve is offset from the mounting axis, then installation flexibility is enhanced, but the structural complexity of the faucet assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidfaucet assembly structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The faucet assembly is divided into distinct functional components: the faucet body containing the mounting point, the separately positioned valve housing that projects from the body, and the valve within the housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the valve housing can be positioned to provide installation flexibility while the rigid inlet and outlet lines maintain structural simplicity within the faucet body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid inlet and outlet lines are used, then structural stability is improved, but the lines cannot accommodate tight angles required for vertically-oriented valves

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveline structural stabilityVSAvoidline orientation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The valve housing acts as an intermediary structure between the rigid inlet and outlet lines and the valve. The housing projects perpendicularly from the faucet body and contains the valve, which rotates about an offset axis. This intermediary positioning allows the rigid lines to maintain their stable, straight configuration while the valve achieves the necessary orientation for fluid control through its offset rotation axis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10815650B2Faucet with offset valve

Publication Date: 2020.10.27 KOHLER CO(US)

AI summary

A faucet assembly includes a valve housing having a first side defining first and second openings, the second opening configured to receive a valve. The valve housing further includes a second side defining a third opening configured to receive at least one fluid inlet line and at least one fluid outlet line therethrough. The assembly further includes a cap configured to cover at least a portion of the third opening.