Push Switch Valve Core Structure for Stable Low-Pressure Faucet Opening

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing push switch valve cores with ballpoint pen ratchet wheel structures face issues with low water pressure causing sealing difficulties and reduced flow rates due to the pilot valve not opening easily, leading to unstable operation forces and shaking of the push rod.

Innovation Solution

A push switch valve core design featuring a rotating diverting member with first ratchet wheel inclined surfaces and a low-position positioning member with second ratchet wheel inclined surfaces, along with a sealing member comprising a sealing cup and plug, ensures consistent operation by maintaining the work spring in a compressed state and interlocking the switch shaft with the sealing cup base to ensure water outlet opening even at low pressures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the conventional ballpoint pen ratchet wheel structure is used, then the push rod can be separated from the movable ratchet wheel to achieve a suspended state, but the push rod shakes to some degree and the operation force is unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepush rod operation stabilityVSAvoidpush rod shaking
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The push switch is divided into two independent parts: the push operate member and the low-position positioning member. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, with the positioning member providing stable positioning without causing the shaking issues of the conventional integrated ratchet wheel structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using a conventional ratchet wheel structure where the push rod connects to a movable ratchet wheel, this invention inverts the approach by using a low-position positioning member with ratchet blocks that engage with the push operate member. The work spring remains continuously compressed, inverting the conventional approach where the spring only compresses during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If the pilot valve structure is used, then the valve can be actuated, but when water pressure is low the sealing cup is not easily opened and the flow rate is small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater outlet opening reliabilityVSAvoidflow rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The switch shaft acts as an intermediary mechanism that directly connects the push operate member to the sealing cup base. When the push operate member moves to the high position, the switch shaft drives the sealing cup base upward, reliably opening the water outlet regardless of water pressure conditions. This mechanical intermediary ensures consistent operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The work spring is pre-compressed to store energy before operation. When the push operate member is actuated to the high position, the pre-compressed spring provides the necessary force to reliably open the sealing cup and ensure the water outlet opens even when water pressure is low, eliminating the need for high water pressure to initiate opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If the conventional ratchet wheel structure with movable and fixed ratchet wheels is used, then the valve core can provide limiting positions, but the structure becomes complex and the operation force changes suddenly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation force stabilityVSAvoidratchet wheel structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the functions of the movable ratchet wheel and fixed ratchet wheel into a single low-position positioning member. The ratchet blocks on this positioning member provide both the limiting function and the positioning function that were previously distributed across two separate wheels, simplifying the structure and eliminating sudden changes in operation force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The low-position positioning member serves multiple functions: it provides limiting positions through ratchet blocks, maintains continuous spring compression, and enables smooth up-down switching. This multi-functional component replaces the conventional multi-component ratchet wheel assembly, reducing structural complexity while maintaining or improving operational characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 design allows for smooth up-down switching without shaking, ensures the water outlet opens reliably at low pressures, and maintains a large flow rate, addressing the limitations of existing technologies by stabilizing the operation force and enhancing flow regulation.

Implementation Method 1

whenever the push operate member is in the high position or the low position, the reset spring is always in a compressed state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic potential energy: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

pressure of stored water in a pressure holding cavity disposed between the sealing cup and the valve body increases, and the sealing cup is driven to move downward

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

the rotating diverting member and the diverting matching member are first ratchet wheel inclined surfaces

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentEP3916279B1Push switch, push switch valve core and faucet
Publication Date: 2024.09.04 XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH TECH INDUSTRIES CO LTD
  • EP3916279B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3916279B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3916279B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a push switch (24), which comprises a push operate member (241) and a low-position positioning member (242). The push operate member (241) moves between a high position or a low position along an axial direction; the push operate member (241) comprises a rotating diverting member configured to cooperate with the low-position positioning member (242) and a limiting member configured to be locked to the low-position positioning member. The low-position positioning member (242) comprises a diverting matching member and a limiting matching member disposed up and down along the axial direction and a giving passage penetrating in the axial direction. When the push operate member (241) is disposed in the high position, the limiting member is aligned with the giving passage, and the diverting member is separated from the diverting matching member by a certain distance along the axial direction; when the push operate member is disposed in the low position, the limiting member passes through the giving passage, and the diverting member cooperates with the diverting matching member to drive the low-position positioning member to rotate about the axial direction at a certain angle, so that the limiting member and the limiting matching member are upwardly limited along the axial direction. In the push switch, an up-down push switching can be achieved by two parts, and the structure is simple and compact. The present disclosure further discloses push switch valve core and a faucet.