Multi-Directional Touch Valve for Faucet Outlet Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional faucets require users to move their wet hands to the edge of the sink to operate the controls, leading to water dripping and wetting the countertop, and existing solutions with valves at the outlet only allow for upward or sideward operation, limiting usability.
Innovation Solution
A multi-directional touch valve with a valve body, support portions, and a pressing member that can be actuated from various directions to block or unblock the primary flow channel, allowing for on/off operation by pressing in axial, transverse, or oblique directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional faucets with separately arranged water outlets and controls are used, then the water outlets can be positioned above the sink, but the controls must be positioned near the sink edge requiring users to move wet hands, causing water to drip on the countertop
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the water outlet and control functions into a single integrated unit. The touch-sensitive surface is integrated directly into the faucet body, allowing users to control water flow without moving their hands away from the outlet area, thus preventing water from dripping on the countertop while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a touch-sensitive surface as an intermediary between the user and the water control mechanism. This intermediary allows for contactless or minimal-contact operation, enabling users to activate or deactivate water flow by touching the sensitive surface near the outlet rather than reaching for separate controls at the sink edge
2Ease of operation
If conventional valves mounted at water outlets are used, then on/off switch operation at the outlet is achieved, but the valve can only operate by upward or sideward pressing, limiting application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the touch-sensitive surface to respond to pressing forces from multiple directions (upward, sideward, and oblique angles). This multi-directional sensitivity makes the valve universally operable regardless of the user's hand position or approach angle, enhancing both ease of operation and adaptability to different usage scenarios
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic response mechanism where the switching element can be actuated by forces applied from various directions. The touch-sensitive surface and underlying mechanical structure are designed to translate multi-directional pressing forces into a consistent switching action, allowing the valve to adapt to different operational inputs while maintaining reliable on/off control
Data Source
AI summary
An arbitrary directional touch switch, having a valve body and a push member. The valve body includes a housing, a main flow passage and a switching mechanism. The housing has at least one support portion formed at a water outlet end that protrudes outwardly. The switching mechanism selectively blocks the main flow passage. The push member is connected to the valve body, and has a water passage portion, at least one suspension portion and a push-abutment portion. The suspension portion is movably connected to the support portion, and the push-abutment portion can drive the switching mechanism to block the main flow passage. As a motion space is formed on the inner side of the suspension portion, the switching mechanism can be driven to operate by pushing the push member in an axial, transverse and/or oblique direction, to switch the arbitrary directional touch switch between closed and open states.