Rotatable Faucet Spout Arm with Sealed Coupler
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing faucet designs with rotating spouts often interrupt water flow when adjusting positions, lacking the flexibility to rotate seamlessly without disrupting fluid delivery.
Innovation Solution
A faucet assembly featuring a cantilevered spout arm supported by a spout coupler that allows for rotation relative to the uprights, maintaining fluid communication through o-rings and a spout coupler design enabling 360-degree mobility without interrupting water flow, fabricated using additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional rotating spout design is used, then the spout can be adjusted to different positions, but the water flow is interrupted during position adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The spout arm is designed with a dynamic rotation mechanism that allows continuous movement through multiple positions (0°, 45°, 90°, 135°, 180°) while maintaining fluid connection. The rotating joint with sealed bearings enables the spout to dynamically adjust positions without interrupting water flow, resolving the contradiction between position adaptability and flow continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
A rotating coupler assembly acts as an intermediary between the fixed faucet body and the movable spout arm. This intermediate component contains internal fluid passages and sealing elements that rotate with the spout while maintaining fluid-tight connections, allowing position adjustment without breaking the water flow path.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additive manufacturing is used to create complex spout designs, then aesthetic and functional design flexibility is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes additive manufacturing parameters (layer thickness, infill density, material selection) to create complex internal fluid passages and external aesthetics that would be impossible with traditional manufacturing. The spout arm incorporates integrated fluid channels, mounting features, and aesthetic elements all created in a single printing process, achieving high design flexibility while managing manufacturing complexity through parameter optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet assembly including a spout arm supported by a spout hub and configured to rotate about a vertical axis. In an illustrative embodiment, the faucet assembly is formed through additive manufacturing.