Side-Handle Ball Valve Enclosure for Leak-Resistant Faucet Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional faucets with side handles suffer from high leak risks due to ceramic-disc valves, which cannot be easily repaired, and ball valves are not suitable for side handle configurations, limiting clearance and accessibility for individuals with disabilities.
Innovation Solution
A novel valve enclosure design incorporating a ball valve with horizontal inlet and outlet configurations, minimizing leaks and enabling repair, and a vertical spout for increased clearance, allowing for a wheelchair-friendly and economically repairable faucet system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ceramic-disc valves are used in side handle faucets, then the faucet can be operated easily by physically impaired persons, but the leak risk increases due to scratches from particles in water supply
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ball valve from the traditional top-handle configuration and relocates it to a side-handle configuration. The ball valve is taken out of its conventional orientation and repositioned within the valve enclosure to accommodate the side handle, allowing the faucet to maintain leak resistance while improving accessibility for physically impaired users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the spatial dimension of the ball valve configuration by transitioning from a horizontal top-handle arrangement to a vertical side-handle arrangement. The ball valve is oriented with its inlet and outlet in different vertical levels, creating a compact footprint that fits within confined spaces while maintaining reliability and accessibility.
2Reliability
If ball valves are configured for top or back handle installation, then leak resistance is improved, but the footprint becomes too large for confined spaces with backsplashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reorients the ball valve from a horizontal configuration to a vertical configuration, utilizing the vertical dimension to reduce the horizontal footprint. The inlet and outlet are positioned at different heights, allowing the valve to fit within confined spaces near backsplashes while maintaining leak resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where the inlet and outlet of the ball valve are not positioned at the same horizontal level but rather at different vertical heights. This asymmetric configuration reduces the horizontal footprint while maintaining the functional integrity and leak resistance of the ball valve.
3Device complexity
If horizontal spouts are used in ball valve faucets, then the valve configuration is simplified, but clearance between spout outlet and sink surface is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the spout from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation, utilizing the vertical dimension to increase clearance between the spout outlet and the sink surface. This vertical configuration maintains simplified valve internals while providing adequate clearance for washing larger objects.
4Area of stationary object
If the spout is positioned close to the sink surface, then the footprint is reduced, but clearance for washing larger objects is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by positioning the spout vertically rather than horizontally. The vertical orientation allows the spout to extend upward from the valve enclosure, providing sufficient clearance for washing larger objects while maintaining a compact horizontal footprint that fits within confined kitchen spaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A valve enclosure and side handle faucet system comprising the valve enclosure. The valve enclosure comprises an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a valve cavity. The valve enclosure further comprises a ball valve and is mounted to the side of a spout such that fluid enters the valve cavity perpendicularly from a fluid inlet line and exits the cavity perpendicularly from an outlet such that the distance between the input and output flow to the cavity is minimized.