Water Outlet Structure With Flexible Button-Gap Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water outlet structures in sanitary products like faucets and showerheads have gaps between buttons and bodies that trap dust and debris, leading to bacterial growth and poor user experience.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cover is coupled to the through hole of the body to seal the button, preventing dust and debris accumulation, and may include a groove for assembly and a transparent design for aesthetics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a button is used to control fluid flow through a through hole in the body, then the control mechanism is simple and easy to operate, but gaps form between the button and body that trap dust and debris

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol operationVSAvoiddust and debris accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A flexible cover made of elastomeric material is used to cover the button and seal the through hole. The flexible cover deformably engages with the button, allowing the button to be pressed while maintaining a sealed closure that prevents dust and debris from entering the through hole.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of operation

If the button extends through the body to be accessible for control, then the control mechanism is easily accessible, but gaps allow bacteria to breed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol accessibilityVSAvoidhygiene

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible cover provides a sealed barrier over the button while allowing deformation during operation. This maintains hygiene by preventing bacteria breeding in gaps, while still allowing the button to be pressed for control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a flexible cover is added to seal the through hole, then dust and debris are prevented from accumulating, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebris preventionVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single flexible cover component made of elastomeric material is used to seal the through hole. The cover includes a body portion and a border portion that engages with the button, providing a simple yet effective sealing solution without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 flexible cover keeps the outlet structure clean, enhancing user experience by preventing debris buildup and maintaining hygiene.

Implementation Method 1

A flexible cover is coupled to the through hole to seal the button with the body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentUS12435496B2Water outlet structure

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 BEIJING KOHLER LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to an outlet structure having a body defining a fluid flow path and a control mechanism at least partially coupled to a through hole defined by the body. The control mechanism can control a flow of fluid in the fluid flow path. The control mechanism includes a button at least partially extending through the through hole of the body. A flexible cover is coupled to the through hole to seal the button with the body.