US20100006166A1

US20100006166A1 - Drinking faucet with monitoring device

Info

Publication number: US20100006166A1
Application number: US12/171,284
Authority: US
Inventors: Jui-Chien Chen; Jui-Ching Chen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-10
Filing date: 2008-07-10
Publication date: 2010-01-14

Abstract

The present invention provides a drinking faucet with monitoring device, which resolves the shortcomings of a typical monitoring mechanism in the main valve body that is exposed to dampness and is vulnerable to damage. The monitoring mechanism is laterally assembled onto the switching control valve seat of the main valve body of the drinking faucet. So, it is possible to prevent any fault of electronic components from dampness, prolong their service life, and facilitate the repair and replacement in the event of damage or faulty components.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a drinking faucet, and more particularly to an innovative drinking faucet with a monitoring device.
2. Description of Related Art
Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
As a general rule, the filtering performance of common drinking water equipment degrades gradually, so the water with bacteria and impurities will pose a serious threat to the human health. Thus, currently available drinking water equipment is equipped with a monitoring device in the water control valve seat. When the filtering function of the filtering core becomes worse, a signaling element will give a warning for replacement of the filter core.
However, there are the following shortcomings are observed during actual application.
As the typical monitoring mechanism is assembled into the main valve body, where water flow passes through, the monitoring mechanism is prone to mechanical damage or failure or functional loss due to dampness.
Moreover, repair or maintenance or replacement is difficult since the monitoring mechanism is assembled in the main valve body.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement in the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is enhanced efficacy of the present invention.
Based on the present invention, the monitoring mechanism is laterally assembled onto the switching control valve seat of the main valve body. Thus, it is possible to prevent any fault of electronic components from dampness, thus prolonging their service life.
Since the monitoring mechanism is laterally assembled onto the switching control valve seat of the main valve body, and since the upper and lower cover seat are combined altogether, it is feasible to facilitate the disassembly or replacement of fuel cells, and to repair and replace conveniently the electronic components.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts an assembled perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts another perspective view of the operation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The features and the advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood upon a thoughtful deliberation of the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIGS. 1-4 depict preferred embodiments of a drinking faucet of the present invention with a monitoring device. The embodiments are provided for only explanatory purposes with respect to the patent claims.
The drinking faucet includes a main valve body 10, one end of which is provided with a valve seat 11. A coupling portion 12 is placed at one end of the valve seat 11. A valve rod 13 is assembled onto the valve seat 11. A switching control valve seat 20 is sleeved onto the valve rod 13 of the valve seat 11, enabling the rotation of valve rod 13 when the switching control valve seat 20 is activated. The switching control valve seat 20 is provided with a handle 21 or a rotating headstock. A sleeving member 14 is sleeved onto the coupling portion 12 of the valve seat 11. The sleeving member 14 is provided with an assembly portion 15 for mounting a magnetic member 16. A monitoring mechanism 30 includes an upper cover seat 31, which is fastened by the screwing member 50 and switching control valve seat 20. A lower cover seat 32 is provided with a fuel cell storage room 33 for accommodating a fuel cell 44. A magnetic device 34 is placed in the upper cover seat 31. The magnetic device 34 consists of a circuit board 35, which is provided with a control unit 36, a magnetic sensor 37, a gripping portion 38 and a positive conducting portion 39. The gripping portion 38 is provided with negative conducting portion 40.
A mounting hole 310 is arranged on the perimeter of the upper cover seat 31 for assembly of a signal display device 41. The signal display device 41 comprises a display element 42 (e.g. LED lamp) and a light guide plate 43. The lower cover seat 32 is made of rubber, enabling air-tightness and waterproofing when it is mated with the upper cover seat 31.
Based upon above-specified structures, the present invention is operated as follows.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, when the drinking faucet is under an idle state, the magnetic sensor 37 of the monitoring mechanism 30 is misaligned with the magnetic member 16 of the sleeving member 14 (e.g. 90° displacement between magnetic member 16 and magnetic sensor 37).
When the handle 22 of the switching control valve seat 20 is turned and rotated to a preset angle (e.g. 90°), and when the water flows through the main valve body 10 until discharging from the faucet 51, the monitoring mechanism 30 will be rotated with the switching control valve seat 20. After rotation is fixed, the magnetic sensor 37 and magnetic member 16 of the sleeving member 14 of valve seat 11 will generate an inductive action to activate the magnetic device 34. Then, a signal is transmitted via the control unit 36 to the signal display device 41, allowing the display element 42 to display the light source under normal operation (e.g. green color). The control unit 36 of the magnetic device 34 calculates the time interval from runoff time to a preset time or presets a time of replacing the filter core (e.g. replacing with a new filter core after 3 months). Once the preset time is reached, the control unit 36 transmits a signal to the signal display device 41, where the display element 42 will give a warning light source (turning from green to red light) for the replacement of the filter core.
Referring to FIG. 4, when the fuel cell 44 within the monitoring mechanism 30 is fully consumed, the lower cover seat 32 could be easily removed to replace the fuel cell 44 based upon the aforementioned structures. Moreover, since the monitoring mechanism 30 is locked securely on the valve casing 21, convenient repair or replacement is possible in the event of fault or damage of the monitoring mechanism 30.
Additionally, the upper cover seat 31 of the monitoring device 30 is integrally combined with the switching control valve seat 20, and the magnetic member 16 is arranged onto the coupling portion 12 of the valve seat 11.

Claims

1. A drinking faucet comprising:

a main valve body, having one end provided with a valve seat;

a coupling portion, being placed at one end of said valve seat;

a valve rod, assembled onto said valve seat;

a switching control valve seat, sleeved onto said valve rod; and

a monitoring device, comprising:

an upper cover seat, laterally arranged onto said switching control valve seat;

a lower cover seat, positioned together with said upper cover seat, said lower cover seat being provided with a fuel cell storage room;

a magnetic device, placed within said upper cover seat, said magnetic device being comprised of a circuit board, said circuit board being provided with a control unit, a magnetic sensor, a gripping portion and a positive conducting portion, said gripping portion being provided with a negative conducting portion;

a fuel cell, assembled within said fuel cell storage room; and

a magnetic member, arranged between said valve seat and said switching control valve seat, permitting induction the said magnetic device.

2. The drinking faucet defined in claim 1, wherein said magnetic member is arranged in said coupling portion of said valve seat.

3. The drinking faucet defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a sleeving member sleeved onto said coupling portion of said valve seat, said sleeving member being provided with an assembly portion mounting said magnetic member.

4. The drinking faucet defined in claim 1, wherein said upper cover seat of said monitoring device is integrally combined with said switching control valve seat.

5. The drinking faucet defined in claim 1, wherein said upper cover seat of said monitoring device and said switching control valve seat mates through a screwing member.

6. The drinking faucet defined in claim 1, further comprising:

a mounting hole arranged on a perimeter of said upper cover seat, assembling a signal display device, said signal display device comprises a display element and a light guide plate.

7. The drinking faucet defined in claim 1, wherein said lower cover seat is comprised of rubber, being air-tight and waterproof relation to said upper cover seat when mated with said upper cover seat.