Water Inlet Pipe Installation Structure with Resilient Limiting Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of faucets with two water inlet pipes is challenging due to the pipes being enveloped in an opaque shell, making it difficult for installers to visually align them with corresponding holes, and the copper pipes' softness tends to deform, complicating the insertion process.
Innovation Solution
An installation structure featuring a water inlet base with specific holes, copper pipes encompassed in a shell with a limiting device made of resilient material, maintaining a consistent center distance between the pipes to prevent deformation and facilitate alignment with the base's holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the two water inlet pipes are encompassed in an opaque shell, then the aesthetic appearance and protection of pipes are improved, but the alignment and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent or translucent template is introduced as an intermediary tool between the opaque shell and the installation process. The template allows installers to visually align the water inlet pipes with the water inlet holes through the opaque shell, solving the alignment difficulty while maintaining the aesthetic appearance of the opaque shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical alignment method (feeling and manual positioning) is replaced with an optical alignment method using a transparent template. This substitution allows visual confirmation of alignment through the opaque shell, eliminating the need to remove the shell for alignment purposes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the water inlet pipes are made of soft copper material, then the flexibility and adaptability are improved, but the deformation during installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
A limiting device is pre-installed within the opaque shell to define the precise position and orientation of the water inlet pipes before the actual connection is made. This preliminary positioning prevents deformation during the installation process while maintaining the flexibility of the copper pipes.
Solution Approach 2:
The limiting device changes the spatial parameters (position and orientation) of the water inlet pipes, constraining them to specific locations that match the water inlet holes. This parameter control prevents deformation while allowing the copper material to maintain its inherent flexibility for adaptation.
3Shape
If the installer inserts pipes by feeling without visual aid, then the opaque shell structure is maintained, but the installation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent template serves as an intermediary tool that enables visual alignment through the opaque shell without compromising the shell's integrity. The template can be removed after alignment, maintaining the complete opaque shell structure while dramatically reducing installation time.
Solution Approach 2:
The template is used to pre-align the water inlet pipes with the water inlet holes before final insertion. This preliminary visual alignment action eliminates the time-consuming trial-and-error process of inserting pipes by feeling, reducing overall installation time while keeping the shell intact.
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
This structure simplifies the installation by ensuring the pipes remain aligned and non-deformable during installation, making the process easier and reducing the risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
a limiting device made of resilient material
Data Source
AI summary
An installation structure for a water inlet pipe includes a first water inlet pipe and a second water inlet pipe disposed adjacent one another, a water inlet base with a first water inlet hole configured to receive the first water inlet pipe, and a second water inlet hole configured to receive the second water inlet pipe, a shell substantially surrounding the first water inlet pipe and the second water inlet pipe, and having a first end configured to engage the water inlet base, and a limiting device formed from a resilient material and disposed within the shell, the limiting device having a first limiting groove that receives the first water inlet pipe and a second limiting groove that receives the second water inlet pipe for limiting displacement of the first water inlet pipe and the second water inlet pipe within the shell.