Faucet Slow-Close Insert for Controlled Sprayer Docking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hand-held sprayers in faucets often experience excessive force during docking, leading to damage, or insufficient force resulting in improper docking, making the retraction process unreliable and inconsistent.
Innovation Solution
A slow-close insert assembly comprising an outer and inner sleeve with damping elements, such as springs, facilitates a controlled and consistent movement of the hand-held sprayer between retracted and extended positions, ensuring a smooth docking process without excess force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional hand-held sprayers are used in faucets, then the sprayer can extend and retract, but excessive force during docking leads to damage or insufficient force results in improper docking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a spring mechanism that cushions the docking process. The spring is positioned to engage with the sprayer assembly and provide controlled resistance during retraction, preventing excessive force while ensuring proper docking. This cushioning mechanism absorbs the shock and regulates the force applied during the docking operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the force characteristics during docking through the spring mechanism. The spring changes the force parameter from a sudden high-force impact to a controlled, progressive force application. This parameter change allows the docking process to be both reliable and gentle, preventing damage while ensuring proper engagement.
2Speed
If the hand-held sprayer retracts quickly, then the response time is fast, but the docking force is excessive causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning that moderates the retraction speed and force. As the sprayer assembly moves toward the docking position, the spring engages and provides progressive resistance, transforming the rapid movement into a controlled, slower approach that prevents excessive docking force while maintaining acceptable response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the docking process adaptive rather than static. The spring mechanism dynamically adjusts the force applied during retraction based on the position and velocity of the sprayer assembly. This dynamic response allows fast retraction overall while providing controlled force at the critical docking moment.
3Force
If the hand-held sprayer retracts slowly, then the docking force is reduced preventing damage, but the retraction time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism creates a dynamic retraction process that is fast during most of the movement but provides controlled resistance near the docking position. This dynamic approach allows the sprayer to retract quickly overall while applying reduced force only when needed for proper docking, balancing time and force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism introduces a periodic action pattern where the sprayer assembly experiences varying resistance levels during retraction. The spring engages and disengages in a controlled manner, creating periodic force application that maintains fast retraction while ensuring gentle docking force when the assembly reaches the docking position.
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 slow-close insert assembly provides a reliable and consistent mechanism for the hand-held sprayer to return to a docked position, reducing damage and ensuring proper retraction, enhancing the durability and functionality of the faucet assembly.
Implementation Method 1
The spring is coupled to the inner sleeve and configured to assist movement of the inner sleeve between the first position and the second position
Implementation Method 2
The one or more damping elements are configured to assist the slow close mechanism when the inner sleeve transitions between the open position and the closed position. Assisting the slow close mechanism includes at least one of damping movement of the inner sleeve between the open position and the closed position
Data Source
AI summary
A faucet assembly includes a spout, a hand-held sprayer, and a slow-close insert. The hand-held sprayer is coupled to a hose that extends through the spot and movable between a retracted position in which a portion of the hand-held sprayer is located within the spout and an extended position. The slow-close insert includes an inner sleeve and a spring. The inner sleeve is disposed at least partially within the spout and operable between a first position and a second position. The inner sleeve includes a jaw configured to engage the portion of the hand-held sprayer when the inner sleeve is in the first position and release the portion of the hand-held sprayer when the inner sleeve is in the second position. The spring is configured to assist movement of the inner sleeve between the first position and the second position.