Pull-out Sprayhead Magnet Sealing via Covering Nut
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Solution Overview
Problem
Magnetic coupling systems for pull-out sprayheads in faucets are prone to corrosion due to their wet environment, leading to surface damage and reduced magnetic attraction, and existing protective solutions are costly and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A pull-out sprayhead design featuring a magnet housed in a sealed chamber within the inlet fitting, protected by a covering nut that creates a closed environment, preventing water infiltration and corrosion, while maintaining a simple and low-cost fixing system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a magnet is exposed in the sprayhead connection, then magnetic coupling strength is maximized, but corrosion resistance deteriorates due to direct water contact
Solution Approach 1:
A covering nut is introduced as an intermediary component between the magnet and the water environment. This nut creates a protective barrier that prevents direct water contact with the magnet, thereby maintaining corrosion resistance while allowing the magnetic field to extend through the nut material to maintain coupling strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet is nested within a housing chamber formed by the inlet fitting and the covering nut. This nested structure protects the magnet from direct exposure to water while maintaining a compact design. The covering nut screws onto the inlet fitting to enclose the magnet in a protected space.
2Reliability
If a plastic shell is used to protect the magnet, then corrosion resistance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to overmoulding and mechanical fixing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using expensive plastic overmoulding, the invention employs a simple metallic covering nut that can be easily manufactured through conventional threading processes. This nut provides adequate protection without requiring complex moulding operations or additional mechanical fixing means, significantly reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective function is extracted from a complex plastic overmoulding system and implemented through a simple threaded nut. This extraction of the essential protective function eliminates unnecessary complexity and cost while maintaining effectiveness.
3Reliability
If a plastic shell is used to protect the magnet, then corrosion resistance is improved, but magnetic attraction force decreases due to reduced field intensity through the shell
Solution Approach 1:
The covering nut is designed with specific material and dimensional properties to optimize magnetic field transmission. By controlling the nut's thickness, material composition, and geometric features, the design maintains adequate magnetic attraction force while providing necessary corrosion protection.
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 effectively prevents corrosion of the magnetic element, maintains a strong magnetic attraction, and reduces costs by using a sealed chamber for the magnet, ensuring reliable and aesthetically pleasing operation.
Implementation Method 1
A magnet fixed at the inlet fitting and designed to allow releasable connection of said pull-out sprayhead to a faucet neck
Implementation Method 2
said magnet is arranged in a housing chamber defined between an outer wall of said inlet fitting and a covering nut fastened to said inlet fitting
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Pull-out sprayhead (1) for a faucet, comprising: an inlet fitting (10) provided with a coupling end (11a) which can be connected to an extractable water supply pipe; a supply mouth (10d) in fluid communication with said coupling end (10d); and a magnet (12) fixed at the inlet fitting (10) and designed to allow releasable connection of said pull-out sprayhead (1) to a faucet neck (20), said magnet (12) being arranged in a housing chamber (13) defined between an outer wall of said inlet fitting (10) and a covering nut (14) fastened to said inlet fitting (10).