Sensor-Activated Faucet Neck With Isolated Soap and Water Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid soap dispensers, including integrated and standalone systems, suffer from issues such as cross-contamination, unsanitary conditions, frequent refilling, spillage, and unsightly design, and lack of adjustable water-soap delivery control.
Innovation Solution
A faucet system with a neck assembly integrating a separate soap outlet and water spout, using sensor-activated soap delivery isolated from the water stream, allowing distinct control over soap and water delivery, and featuring a soap storage tank with reduced refilling needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If liquid soap and water are dispensed from the same outlet or adjacent outlets, then the system is simpler, but cross-contamination occurs and water quality is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the dispensing system into separate outlets: a water outlet and a soap outlet positioned at different locations on the faucet neck. This spatial segmentation prevents soap from contaminating the water stream while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The soap dispensing function is extracted from the water outlet and placed into a separate soap outlet. This extraction eliminates the harmful mixing of soap and water while keeping the overall device structure integrated and compact.
2Ease of operation
If a mechanical pump is used in wall-mounted or countertop dispensers, then soap can be dispensed, but the pump member becomes contaminated and requires frequent cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the mechanical pump component entirely from the system. Instead, it uses water pressure from the faucet to drive soap through the delivery line and out the soap outlet, eliminating the contamination issue associated with mechanical pump members.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing water pressure from the faucet to automatically propel soap through the delivery line and out the outlet. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for mechanical pumps and their associated maintenance issues.
3Area of stationary object
If soap and water outlets are closely positioned, then the design is more compact, but soap residue stains and slip hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the soap outlet and water outlet at distinct locations on the faucet neck structure. This spatial segmentation creates separate delivery zones that prevent soap residue from mixing with water, thereby reducing staining and slip hazards while maintaining a compact overall design.
4Device complexity
If soap is dispensed near the water outlet, then the system is more integrated, but user safety is compromised due to accidental soap contact with water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates spatially separated delivery zones with distinct water and soap outlets positioned at different locations on the faucet neck. This segmentation maintains integration within a single faucet structure while ensuring physical separation of soap and water streams to protect water quality and user safety.
Data Source
AI summary
A water faucet system, including a neck comprising at least one water passageway and at least one additional delivery line for a dispensable material; both passageway and delivery line are integrated within the neck assembly. The faucet system includes a plurality of delivery spouts for the delivery of dispensable materials. The water faucet system comprises at least two sensor systems configured to recognize at least one gesture provided by the user for the selection of a predetermined dispensable material delivery through a predetermined spout.