Retractable Faucet Height-Adjustable Water Outlet Pipe

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water fittings in mobile homes, caravans, and boats occupy excessive space due to protruding water outlet pipes, which is problematic in areas with limited space, such as kitchen areas, and do not allow for efficient use of available space when not in use.

Innovation Solution

A height-adjustable water outlet pipe that can be raised for use and lowered to be stowed partially in a recess, with a guide device to ensure precise adjustment and prevent rotation when not in use, and a flexible hose for fluid connection, allowing the water outlet pipe to be moved vertically without moving the mixer, thus maintaining a compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the water outlet pipe is fixed in a protruding position to ensure easy access and usage, then the ease of operation is improved, but the installation space occupied increases excessively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of accessVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The water outlet pipe is designed to be height-adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to be raised to a protruding position for easy access during use and lowered to a retracted position to minimize installation space when not in use. This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and space occupation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The water outlet pipe can be moved vertically between raised and lowered positions, utilizing the vertical dimension to achieve both easy access (when raised) and compact storage (when lowered), thereby resolving the space-operation contradiction through dimensional movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the water outlet pipe is made height-adjustable to reduce installation space, then the volume of moving object is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to additional adjustment mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidadjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water outlet pipe is divided into multiple sections that can be telescoped or adjusted relative to each other, allowing height adjustment through segmented movement rather than a complex single-mechanism system. This segmentation reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the space-saving benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If the water outlet pipe is lowered into a recess to minimize space occupation, then the installation space is reduced, but the reliability may be compromised due to potential rotation or misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidposition stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide device provides geometric constraints and feedback that prevent rotation and ensure proper alignment of the water outlet pipe when lowered into the recess. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability by ensuring the pipe returns to and remains in the correct position, eliminating misalignment issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3450639B1Retractable faucet
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 REICH KG REGEL UND SICHERHEITSTECHN
  • EP3450639B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3450639B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3450639B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a water fitting (12), in particular for a caravan, motorhome, or boat, comprising a mixer (26) supplied with hot and cold water for mixing the hot water with the cold water, and a water outlet pipe (32) supplied by the mixer (26) with both hot and cold water, wherein the water outlet pipe (32) is height-adjustable in the vertical direction (24) relative to its installation position. The invention further relates to an arrangement (10) of a water fitting (12) on a piece of equipment (14), as well as a trailer and a vehicle.