Pull-Out Mixing Tap With Dual Conduits for Boiling Water Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mixing taps with pull-out nozzles do not effectively handle the dispensing of very hot or boiling water without mixing it with cold water, and lack efficient mechanisms to control the dispensing of different water types from a single spout.

Innovation Solution

A mixing tap design with a second water conduit in the hose allows for the separate dispensing of water from a dedicated water source, such as boiling water, without mixing it with cold water, using a position sensor and operating elements to control the water flow and ratio, and includes a ballast element to maintain the hose in a normal position for controlled dispensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single water conduit is used for dispensing mixed water and additional water types, then device complexity is reduced, but water quality purity deteriorates due to mixing of different water types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater conduit structureVSAvoidwater quality purity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the water supply system into separate conduits: a first water conduit for mixed water and a second water conduit for additional water types (boiling water, filtered cold water, carbonated water). This segmentation allows each water type to be delivered independently without contamination, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and water quality purity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the additional water supply function from the mixed water conduit by providing a dedicated second water conduit. This extraction enables the additional water source to be supplied separately and dispensed through the same nozzle without mixing, thereby maintaining water quality purity while avoiding significant increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a pull-out nozzle is provided for extended reach, then ease of operation is improved, but control precision deteriorates due to difficulty in stopping water flow when hose is pulled out

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenozzle reachVSAvoidwater flow control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a magnetic sensor that detects the position of the pull-out nozzle (whether retracted or extended) and provides feedback to a control unit. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically activates or deactivates the water flow from the additional water source, ensuring precise flow control regardless of nozzle position and resolving the contradiction between extended reach and flow control precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically controls water flow based on nozzle position detection, eliminating the need for manual intervention to start or stop water flow. The magnetic sensor and control unit work together to self-regulate the water dispensing process, maintaining precise control while allowing the nozzle to be freely pulled out for extended reach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If very hot or boiling water is dispensed through mixed water conduit, then device complexity is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to mixing with cold water

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater supply systemVSAvoidwater temperature mixing
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the water supply into thermally isolated conduits: the first water conduit carries mixed water while the second water conduit carries very hot or boiling water from a dedicated source. This thermal segmentation prevents unwanted heat transfer and temperature mixing, eliminating the harmful effect of diluted hot water while avoiding significant increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the hot water supply function from the mixed water system by providing a separate second water conduit connected to a dedicated hot water source. This extraction ensures that hot water is delivered without mixing with cold water, eliminating the harmful temperature mixing effect while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Enables the safe and controlled dispensing of very hot or boiling water without mixing it with cold water, ensuring fresh water quality and efficient water flow, while maintaining the flexibility of the hose for extended reach and easy operation.

Implementation Method 1

a ballast element is provided which pulls the hose with nozzle into the normal position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitation: Gravitation

Implementation Method 2

When the pull-out hose is pulled out of the tap body, this movement may be detected by the magnetic sensor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field sensing: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP4234823B1System for dispensing water
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 QUOOKER INT BV
  • EP4234823B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4234823B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4234823B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a mixing tap (1) for dispensing water, comprising a tap body (2) having a fitting end (3) for fitting the tap body in or on a fitting opening, a spout (32) fitted in or on the tap body and provided with a dispensing end, a mixing device (5) arranged in the tap body, in which the mixing device comprises a first inlet (6) for cold water, a second inlet (7) for hot water and an outlet (8) for mixed water, and an at least partly flexible hose (10), in which the flexible hose comprises a first water conduit with an inflow end connected to the outlet and an outflow end ending in a nozzle (14) provided near the dispensing end of the spout, wherein the mixing tap has an accommodation duct (13) which runs from the fitting end to the dispensing end for receiving at least a portion of the hose, wherein the hose with nozzle is displaceable with respect to the spout between a pulled-out position and a normal position, wherein the hose (10) has a second water conduit with a second inflow end to be connected to a water supply conduit (52) coming from a water source (50) and a second outflow end ending in the nozzle, characterized in that the mixing tap (1) is configured to dispense water from the water source (50) only when the hose (10) is in the normal position.