Sprayer Seating Assembly With Flexible Snap Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sprayer docking systems face challenges in securely positioning sprayers between uses, particularly when obstructed by items under the sink or when aesthetics are compromised by complex designs or reliability issues.
Innovation Solution
A sprayer seating assembly incorporating a flexible snap member and tapered bore/seat design, which assists in maintaining the sprayer head in an upright position and provides tactile feedback during docking, using a flexible snap member and tapered walls to securely engage the sprayer head with the escutcheon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a weighted hose is used to automatically drag the sprayer back to its seat, then the sprayer positioning is improved, but the system can be defeated by boxes and bottles stored under the sink stopping the weight from properly performing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weight-based positioning system with a magnetic positioning system. The magnet embedded in the escutcheon creates magnetic attraction to hold the sprayer head in its seated position, eliminating the need for a weighted hose that could be obstructed by items under the sink. This substitution maintains ease of operation while improving adaptability to different storage conditions.
2Ease of operation
If a magnet is associated with the seat to use magnetic force to help properly seat the sprayer, then the sprayer docking is improved, but the effectiveness is limited if the spray head is accidentally bumped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a tapered bore and tapered portion in the sprayer head base, creating a conical interface that guides the sprayer into proper alignment during docking. This geometric constraint provides mechanical guidance that complements the magnetic force, ensuring the sprayer docks correctly even when bumped. The tapered design creates a self-aligning mechanism that improves reliability while maintaining ease of docking.
3Ease of operation
If a spring loaded ball is used to facilitate positioning of a spout part, then the positioning function is improved, but the system is complicated to install and suffers from maintenance and reliability concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complex spring-loaded ball mechanism from the positioning system. Instead, it uses a simple magnet embedded directly in the escutcheon combined with a tapered geometric interface. This removal of the complex mechanical component significantly reduces installation and maintenance complexity while maintaining the positioning function through the simpler magnetic and geometric mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If flex tabs are used on a spray head to facilitate mounting through side walls of a mounting base, then the mounting function is improved, but the aesthetics of the design are significantly affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an escutcheon as an intermediary component between the mounting base and the sprayer head. The escutcheon contains the magnetic positioning mechanism and tapered bore, allowing the sprayer to be mounted through the side wall while maintaining a clean aesthetic appearance. The escutcheon acts as a mediator that hides the mounting complexity while providing the necessary positioning function, preserving the visual appearance of the spray assembly.
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 solution ensures reliable and aesthetically pleasing secure docking of the sprayer head, providing a defined resistance feedback during operation and maintaining the sprayer in an upright position, even when bumped, at a low cost and with long-term reliability.
Implementation Method 1
A flexible snap member is mounted in one of the recesses such that it can flex at least partially into the other of the recesses when the recesses are aligned
Data Source
AI summary
A sprayer seating assembly is disclosed for more securely docking a sprayer head to an escutcheon positioned on a countertop or the like. The escutcheon has a bore extending there through and a recess adjacent the bore. A sprayer head is linked to a supply hose and has a recess adjacent a base portion of the sprayer head. A flexible snap member is mounted in one of the recesses such that it can flex at least partially into the other of the recesses when the recesses are aligned. The escutcheon forms a rest seat for the sprayer head and the flexible snap member assists in removably retaining the sprayer head against the rest seat.