Soft-Close Faucet Spray Head Using Electromagnetic Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional retractable faucet spray heads often suffer damage and leaks due to the impact when retracting, leading to potential water damage and aesthetic issues, as the weight-driven retraction can be harsh and inconvenient for users.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a magnet and a non-ferretic, non-magnetic ring collar within the faucet spout to create a soft-close effect by slowing the retraction of the spray head through an electromagnetic field, reducing the impact and providing a gentle return to the retracted position.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a weight is used to drive the spray head retraction, then the spray head automatically returns to the retracted position, but the impact of the spray head on the spout tube causes damage and leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic retractionVSAvoidconnection integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a damping element (such as a spring or elastomeric material) between the spray head and the spout tube. This cushioning element is pre-installed to absorb the impact energy when the spray head returns to the retracted position, preventing damage to the connection point while maintaining automatic retraction functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary element (damping material or spring mechanism) positioned between the spray head and the spout tube. This intermediary absorbs and dissipates the collision energy, mediating the interaction between the retracting spray head and the fixed spout tube, thereby preventing direct impact damage while preserving the automatic return function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the weight on the hose is reduced to minimize impact, then damage risk decreases, but the spray head becomes harder for users to pull out for use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection durabilityVSAvoidpull-out ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is pre-installed in the system to cushion the return impact, allowing the use of sufficient weight for easy pull-out operation without causing damage. The cushioning ensures that even with higher weight for operational ease, the impact during retraction remains safe for the connection point.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent resolves the weight contradiction by adding a new dimension - the damping element - that decouples the relationship between weight and impact damage. This allows optimization of weight for pull-out ease independently from the impact risk, as the damping element manages the impact regardless of the weight used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the spray head collides with the spout tube during retraction, then the automatic retraction function is achieved, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised and user experience is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretraction speedVSAvoidaesthetic impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping element is pre-positioned to cushion the final stage of retraction, allowing rapid return motion while preventing harsh collision. This maintains the productivity benefit of quick retraction while eliminating the aesthetic and experiential harm of impact collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The damping material acts as an intermediary that allows the spray head to return quickly while mediating the final contact with the spout tube. This intermediary enables fast retraction (productivity) while preventing the harmful aesthetic impact and poor user experience associated with collision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 soft-close feature prevents damage to the faucet and reduces the risk of leaks by slowing the retraction speed, enhancing user convenience and aesthetics by minimizing the impact of the spray head on the spout tube.

Implementation Method 1

the magnet and the ring collar cause a soft-close retraction effect as a faucet spray head is retracted toward the faucet spout

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS11821184B2Soft-close spray head faucet

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 ASSA ABLOY AMERICAS RESIDENTIAL INC

AI summary

A soft-close pull-out faucet is disclosed. In one aspect, a faucet includes a faucet base, a faucet spout, and a spray head movable between a retracted position and an extended position. A hose extends through the faucet spout and connects to a water source and a spray head. A magnet is connected to the hose. A ring collar is fixed at least partially within the faucet spout and is formed of a non-ferretic and non-magnetic conductive material. The hose and the magnet are movable relative to the ring collar, and the magnet is positioned at least partially within the ring collar when the spray head is located in the retracted position.