Kitchen Sink Sprayer Actuation Tab Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 'pull-out' kitchen sink sprayers have complex and cumbersome actuation means, making them difficult to handle and maneuver effectively due to their location at the water outflow end, requiring users to twist the sprayer to operate it advantageously.
Innovation Solution
A redesigned 'pull-out' sprayer with a simplified actuation mechanism featuring a rod with a protruding tab connected by a threaded bushing, allowing for easy grip and operation, and a central element that enables the selection between central and peripheral jet modes with reduced encumbrance, allowing for miniaturization and improved user handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the actuation means are located at the water outflow end, then the sprayer can be provided with jet mode switching capability, but the sprayer becomes cumbersome and difficult to handle requiring users to twist it to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation means are repositioned from the lateral water outflow end to the longitudinal water entry end of the sprayer body. This spatial repositioning along the longitudinal axis allows the user's thumb to naturally access the actuation tab during gripping, eliminating the need for twisting motions while maintaining jet mode switching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation tab is positioned at the water entry end where the user's thumb naturally rests during gripping. This preliminary positioning of the actuation interface at the optimal location enables immediate operation without requiring additional manipulating actions such as twisting the sprayer body.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex actuation means are used for jet mode switching, then the sprayer can provide complete functionality, but the sprayer size increases and miniaturization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation tab is integrated directly into the rod structure that controls jet mode switching. This merging of the actuation interface with the functional rod eliminates separate complex mechanisms while maintaining the ability to switch between central and peripheral jet modes, thereby reducing overall sprayer volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The rod serves multiple functions: it acts as both the jet mode switching mechanism and the actuation element itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate actuation components, reducing the sprayer's overall size while maintaining complete functionality.
3Device complexity
If the actuation means are positioned away from the grip area, then the internal structure can be simplified, but the user must twist the sprayer to access the actuation mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The actuation tab is repositioned from the lateral dimension (water outflow end) to the longitudinal dimension (water entry end) of the sprayer body. This positional change places the actuation mechanism within the user's natural grip zone, allowing direct access without twisting while maintaining structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Kitchen sink sprayer, comprising a body provided at one end with a coupling to a flexible hose extending from a faucet for adjusting the flow-rate and connected at its other end to a water outflow plug having an axis inclined with respect to the water flow direction. The body comprises a rod that has at one end a tip adapted to open selectively the access of the water to at least one duct for forming a central jet and to at least one duct for forming a peripheral jet, and has means for actuation by the user. The means for actuation of the rod comprise a tab connected directly to the rod and protruding from the body's enclosure to an extent that is sufficient for contact gripping by the user, in a position located in proximity to the end for entry of the water into the sprayer.