Timed Faucet with Dual Timeout Settings for Water Conservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional timed faucets for public use are not adaptable to varying user needs, leading to excessive water consumption due to fixed timing intervals that are difficult to adjust and often confused between different modes.
Innovation Solution
A self-closing faucet design with a handle or push buttons allowing users to choose between two distinct time delays for water delivery, enabling selection of either short or long volumes of water without altering the timing settings, allowing for direct switching between modes to optimize water usage based on needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed timing interval is used in conventional timed faucets, then the device structure remains simple, but water consumption increases due to inability to adapt to varying user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The single timing mechanism is segmented into two independent timing circuits with different time intervals (first time interval and second time interval). Each circuit can be independently activated by the control means, allowing users to select between short and long water delivery durations based on their specific needs, thereby improving adaptability while preventing unnecessary water consumption.
2Loss of substance
If multiple timing modes are provided to accommodate different user needs, then water consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate timing circuits are merged into a single integrated control system. The control means can activate either the first timing circuit or the second timing circuit depending on user selection, combining multiple timing functions into one unified device structure. This approach provides multiple timing modes for water conservation while maintaining relatively simple device complexity through shared components and unified control architecture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If two separate water circuits are used as in dual-flush toilet systems, then timing versatility is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single water circuit is designed to perform multiple timing functions through the use of two independent timing circuits that share common components. The control means can direct water flow through the same circuit with different timing durations, eliminating the need for separate water circuits while maintaining timing versatility. This universal approach improves manufacturing simplicity by reducing the number of separate water pathways and associated components.
Data Source
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Figure 6A~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a timed faucet formed by: a faucet body (1) comprising a water inlet (3), in particular in the lower part, and a water outlet (2), in particular in the upper part; water circuit means between the inlet and the outlet; and timed valve means (4) disposed in the water circuit and controlled by opening-control means (18). When a user actuates the opening-control means water is supplied for a finite period of time. The faucet is characterised in that the arrangement is such that, during operation, the user can actuate the opening-control means in two actuation modes, namely a first actuation mode in which the water is supplied for a first non-zero time period and at least a second actuation mode in which the water is supplied for a second non-zero time period different from the first, and the user can switch directly from one mode to the other without having to alter the timeout settings of the faucet.