Tap Rotation Restraint Using Screw-Formed Mechanical Interlock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tap installations face issues with rotational unsecurity due to loosening of nuts or reduced friction over time, leading to free rotation of taps, which can be exacerbated by vandalism or accidental tampering, especially in automatic taps.
Innovation Solution
A device with an engagement formation and attachment means, featuring elongate fastening screws with a tip and head configuration that forms a depression in the tap's pipe, irrotatably securing the device to the tap and work surface, preventing rotational movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a nut is used to secure the tap to the work surface, then the tap can be initially secured, but over time the nut loosens or friction reduces causing the tap to become rotationally unsecured
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the attachment function into two independent mechanisms: (1) a nut on the pipe for initial securing, and (2) a separate rotational restraint mechanism with arms that engage the cylindrical body of the tap. This segmentation ensures that if the nut loosens, the rotational restraint mechanism continues to prevent rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device performs preliminary action by providing the rotational restraint mechanism as a backup that is already in place and engaged with the tap's cylindrical body before the nut can loosen. The arms with engagement features are pre-positioned to contact the tap body, preventing rotation from the outset and maintaining security even as the nut deteriorates over time.
2Reliability
If the nut is tightened to secure the tap, then rotational security is achieved, but the repeated turning of the handle causes the nut to loosen or wear the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The device separates the rotational restraint function from the axial securing function. The arms with engagement features provide rotational restraint independent of the nut's clamping force, allowing the nut to be tightened sufficiently for axial security without excessive force that would cause loosening or surface wear, while the arms maintain rotational security.
Solution Approach 2:
The arms act as intermediary elements between the device body and the tap's cylindrical body. These arms transfer and distribute the restraint forces, reducing stress concentration on any single point of the work surface and preventing the nut from bearing excessive loads that would cause loosening or surface damage.
3Reliability
If the device uses elongate fastening screws to irrotatably secure to the work surface, then rotational security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The arms serve multiple functions simultaneously: they engage the cylindrical body of the tap to prevent rotation, provide structural support for the device body, and distribute mechanical loads to the fastening screws. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, offsetting the complexity introduced by the elongate fastening screws.
Solution Approach 2:
The device merges the rotational restraint mechanism with the mounting structure. The arms are integrally formed with or attached to the device body, combining the functions of rotation prevention and structural support into a single unified component, thereby minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 device effectively prevents tap rotation by attaching irrotatably to the work surface, ensuring the tap remains secured even if the nut loosens, and can replace the nut's function to resist both rotational and axial movements, thus addressing the issue of taps becoming loose.
Implementation Method 1
the screw (110) has a length from the tip to the head such that the tip extends by a predetermined distance from the channel to form a depression into the pipe of the tap or a rod of the tap when the head abuts the body (112) for irrotatably attaching the body (112) of the device to the tap
Implementation Method 2
The compressive force between the abutment portion 2 and the nut 5, combined with the friction between the nut 5 and the rough lower surface of the work surface 1, holds the tap 3 in its place
Implementation Method 3
The compressive force between the abutment portion 2 and the nut 5, combined with the friction between the nut 5 and the rough lower surface of the work surface 1, holds the tap 3 in its place
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
A device for resisting rotation of a tap fitted to a work surface comprises a body;an engagement formation for engaging with a part of the tap; and an attachment means for irrotatably attaching the device to the tap. The device further comprises fastening means for irrotatably fastening the device to a work surface.