Sensor Kitchen Faucet Cushioning Structure for Water Hammer Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sensor-operated faucets experience unbalanced water pressure due to differences in hot and cold water sources, leading to water hammer vibrations and difficulties in smooth operation of the solenoid valve, resulting in inconvenient use and complex, costly adjustment structures.
Innovation Solution
A sensor-operated kitchen faucet design featuring a mixing valve, control assembly with a cushioning member, and solenoid valve, where the cushioning member comprises concentric outer and inner tubings that change the water flow direction, reducing excessive pressure and stabilizing outlet pressure through a cushioning conduit with a closed and open end, annular wall, and separate passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If conventional sensor-operated faucets use solenoid valve control with direct connection to hot and cold water sources, then the faucet can be operated automatically via sensor, but unbalanced water pressure causes water hammer vibration and prevents smooth opening/closing of the solenoid valve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cushioning member as an intermediary component between the water sources and the solenoid valve. This cushioning member includes a cushioning chamber that receives water from both hot and cold sources, allowing pressure equalization before the water reaches the solenoid valve. The intermediary cushioning chamber prevents direct pressure transmission that causes water hammer, while still enabling automatic sensor operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member is positioned beforehand in the water flow path to pre-cushion the pressure from hot and cold water sources before they reach the solenoid valve. The cushioning chamber accumulates water and equalizes pressure in advance, preventing sudden pressure changes that would cause water hammer vibration and ensure smooth solenoid valve operation.
2Extent of automation
If conventional sensor-operated faucets use solenoid valve control, then automatic operation is achieved, but the flow rate or pressure cannot be adjusted between opening and closing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the solenoid valve movable between fully open and fully closed positions, allowing dynamic control of water flow. The valve can be actuated by the sensor to open, and manually adjusted to control flow rate, providing both automatic operation and flexible flow adjustment capabilities.
3Reliability
If conventional water pressure adjustment structures are used to balance hot and cold water pressure, then pressure balance can be achieved, but the structures become complicated, increasing assembly costs and maintenance difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the pressure balancing function into a single integrated cushioning member that receives both hot and cold water sources. Instead of using separate adjustment mechanisms for each water line, the cushioning chamber combines both flows and equalizes pressure through its internal structure, significantly simplifying the overall device while maintaining pressure balance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cushioning member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a pressure equalization chamber, a flow mixer, and a cushioning element to prevent water hammer. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pressure adjustment mechanisms, reducing device complexity while achieving reliable pressure balance.
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 effectively reduces excessive water pressure, prevents water hammer, and enhances user comfort by providing a stable and balanced water flow, simplifying maintenance and assembly while improving the overall usability of the faucet.
Implementation Method 1
the cushioning member comprises an outer tubing and an inner tubing, and the outer tubing and the inner tubing are configured to dispose concentrically and extend along a second direction. The outer tubing and the inner tubing are respectively radially communicated to the inlet conduit and the outlet conduit.
Implementation Method 2
The solenoid valve is electrically connected to the sensor and movably disposed at a connecting port communicated between the outer tubing and the inner tubing.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor-operated kitchen faucet comprises a base, a mixing valve, a control assembly and a spout. The base extends vertically to define an inner space. The mixing valve is disposed in the inner space and communicated to a cold source and a hot source to supply a combined fluid. The control assembly comprises a inlet conduit, a outlet conduit, a cushioning member, a solenoid valve and a sensor. The inlet conduit is connected to the mixing valve to receive the combined fluid, the cushioning member comprises an outer tubing and an inner tubing, and the solenoid valve is electrically connected to the sensor and movably disposed at a connecting port communicated between the outer tubing the inner tubing. The spout is fluidly connected to the outlet conduit of the control assembly through a connecting conduit to supply the combined fluid.