Pull-Out Faucet Mechanism for Automatic Water Path Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pull-out faucets require electronic components like sensors and solenoid valves, leading to high production costs and energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out faucet design that uses a non-electrically-driven water outlet assembly, where a movable plug is opened and closed by a driving mechanism on the pull-out pipe, allowing water output when the spray head is pulled out and closing when reset.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic components (sensor and solenoid valve) are used to control water output automatically when the spray head is pulled out, then water output control is improved, but production cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electronic control system (sensor and solenoid valve) with a pure mechanical driving mechanism. The driving mechanism includes a driving component on the pull-out pipe that mechanically interacts with a movable plug to open/close the water path, eliminating the need for electronic components while achieving automatic water output control based on spray head position
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the electronic components (sensor and solenoid valve) from the faucet system, retaining only the essential mechanical structures needed for water output control. This simplifies the overall device structure and reduces production costs while maintaining the core functionality
2Ease of operation
If electronic components (sensor and solenoid valve) are used to control water output automatically when the spray head is pulled out, then water output control is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrically-powered solenoid valve with a passive mechanical driving mechanism that uses no energy. The driving mechanism relies on mechanical interaction between the moving pull-out pipe and the movable plug, eliminating continuous electrical energy consumption while achieving automatic water output control based on spray head position
3Extent of automation
If a magnetic reed switch and solenoid valve are used for intelligent control, then water output automation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic reed switch and solenoid valve-based intelligent control system with a straightforward mechanical driving mechanism. The automation is achieved through mechanical coupling between the pull-out pipe and movable plug, eliminating complex electronic sensing and actuation components while maintaining automatic water output control
Solution Approach 2:
The driving mechanism is designed to automatically control water output based on the natural movement of the spray head and pull-out pipe. The mechanical interaction between components self-regulates the water path opening/closing without requiring external electronic control systems, sensors, or power supply
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
The solution eliminates the need for electrical components, reducing production and operational costs while providing a stable, versatile, and energy-efficient water output mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a movable plug elastic member is disposed between the movable plug and the valve body; the movable plug elastic member biases the movable plug to close the water path
Implementation Method 2
both the driving part and the movable plug are made of materials that magnetically attract each other; when the driving part approaches the movable plug, the driving part magnetically attracts the movable plug to move so that the movable plug overcomes an elastic force of the movable plug elastic part
Implementation Method 3
the spray head can be automatically restored to an original position on the pull-out faucet through the counter force provided by the counter weight or the counter weight component
Data Source
AI summary
A pull-out faucet including a faucet body, a spray head whose one end is connected to the faucet body, a pull-out pipe, and a non-electrically-driven water outlet assembly disposed in the faucet body and having a movable plug; another end of the pull-out pipe is in communication with a water outlet end of the non-electrically-driven water outlet assembly. The spray head drives a driving mechanism on the pull-out pipe to move up and down so as to be positioned corresponding to or away from the movable plug whose movements will open and close a water path. No electricity is required and so the pull-out faucet is widely applicable and has a low cost of use.