FAUCET AND FAUCET ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A faucet and a faucet assembly. The faucet includes a faucet body and a washing mechanism rotatably connected to the faucet body. A bottom of the faucet body is connected to a fixing sleeve, and a sleeve wall of the fixing sleeve is provided with a wall opening extending along a circumferential direction. The washing mechanism comprises a washing bracket with a water cavity and a connecting sleeve, a water jet provided at a top of the washing bracket, a control valve core connected between the water cavity and the water jet, and a water supply pipe for supplying water to the water cavity. The connecting sleeve rotates smoothly relative to the fixing sleeve, and the rotation of the connecting sleeve will not be affected by the static pressure of water, which enhances the smoothness of the rotation of the washing mechanism relative to the body.

Claims

1. A faucet assembly, comprising: a faucet body; a washing mechanism operably coupled to the faucet body, wherein the washing mechanism is configured for rinsing vessels, and wherein the washing mechanism is rotable with respect to the faucet body.

2. The faucet assembly of claim 1, wherein a first end of the faucet body is coupled to a fixing sleeve configured to rotatably couple the washing mechanism to the faucet body, wherein a sleeve wall of the fixing sleeve includes structure defining a wall opening extending along a circumferential direction of the fixing sleeve.

3. The faucet assembly of claim 2, wherein the washing mechanism comprises a washing bracket configured to couple at a first end to the faucet body, a control valve core, a jet fluidly coupled to a first end of the control valve core, and a water supply conduit fluidly coupled to a second end of the control valve core.

4. The faucet assembly of claim 3, wherein the washing bracket includes structure defining a water cavity, and wherein the control valve core is fluidly coupled at a second end to the water cavity and is positioned between the water cavity and the water jet.

5. The faucet assembly of claim 3, wherein the first end of the washing bracket includes a connecting sleeve configured to be pivotally sleeved on an outer side of the fixing sleeve.

6. The faucet assembly of claim 4, wherein a first end of the water supply conduit passes through the wall opening of the fixing sleeve and is fluidly coupled to the water cavity, and a second end of the water supply conduit extends below the fixing sleeve.

7. A washing mechanism configured to be coupled to a faucet body, the washing mechanism comprising: a washing bracket configured to couple at a first end to the faucet body; a control valve core; a jet fluidly coupled to a first end of the control valve core; and a water supply conduit fluidly coupled to a second end of the control valve core.

8. The washing mechanism of claim 7, wherein the washing bracket includes a connecting sleeve configured to rotatably couple the washing mechanism to the faucet body.

9. The washing mechanism of claim 8, wherein the connecting sleeve is configured to be pivotally sleeved on an outer side of a fixing sleeve coupled to an interior of the faucet body.

10. The washing mechanism to claim 8, wherein the washing bracket includes structure defining a water cavity, and wherein the control valve core is fluidly coupled at a second end to the water cavity and is positioned between the water cavity and the water jet.

11. The washing mechanism of claim 9, wherein the washing bracket includes structure defining a bracket channel in communication with the water cavity, and wherein a sleeve wall of the connecting sleeve includes structure defining a sleeve wall through hole in communication with the bracket channel.

12. The washing mechanism of claim 9, wherein the water supply conduit passes through the bracket channel and the sleeve wall through hole.

13. The washing mechanism of claim 8, wherein at least one of the water supply conduit and an inner surface of the connecting sleeve is provided with a stop protrusion, and wherein the stop protrusion is configured to contact a surface of the faucet body when the washing bracket rotates to a limiting position to stop rotation.

14. The washing mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the control valve core is a push-type valve core.

15. The washing mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the connecting sleeve is configured to be assembled between a retaining ring at each an upper end and a lower end of the fixing sleeve.

16. The washing mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the washing bracket comprises a connecting bracket and a washing carrier, wherein the connecting sleeve is formed at one end of the connecting bracket, and the washing carrier is connected to an opposite end of the connecting bracket, wherein the water cavity is formed in the connecting bracket, and wherein the water jet is connected to a top end of the washing carrier.

17. The washing mechanism according to claim 16, wherein a top surface of the washing carrier includes structure defining a water chute.

18. A faucet assembly comprising: a faucet including a faucet body having a faucet valve core positioned therein, and a washing mechanism operably coupled to the faucet body, wherein the washing mechanism is configured for rinsing vessels, and wherein the washing mechanism is rotable with respect to the faucet body; a cold water inlet pipe; and a hot water inlet pipe, wherein the cold water inlet pipe and the hot water inlet pipe are respectively coupled to the faucet valve core.

19. The faucet assembly according to claim 18, further comprising: a three-way valve, wherein the cold water inlet pipe is couplable to one water outlet of the three-way valve, and the water supply conduit is couplable to another water outlet of the three-way valve.

20. The faucet assembly according to claim 18, further comprising: a pull-out hose, and wherein the faucet body comprises a detachable nozzle coupled to one end of the pull-out hose, and wherein the other end of the pull-out hose is connected with a water outlet pipe of the faucet valve core.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] By reference to the drawings, the contents disclosed by the present application will be more easily understood. It should be understood that these drawings are merely used for illustration, and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present application. In the drawings:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a faucet according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the faucet according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fixing sleeve according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a washing mechanism according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the washing mechanism of FIG. 4, wherein a control valve core is in a closed state;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the washing mechanism of FIG. 4, wherein the control valve core is in an open state;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a faucet according to an example of the present disclosure; and

[0017] FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a faucet assembly according to an example of the present disclosure.

[0018] While various examples are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the claimed inventions to the particular examples described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The specific implementation of the present application will be further described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. Same parts are denoted by same reference numerals. It should be noted that, the terms of front, back, left, right, up and down used in the following description refer to directions in the drawings, and the terms of inner and outer refer to directions toward and away from the geometric centers of the specific parts, respectively.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7, an example of the present disclosure provides a faucet, which generally, may comprise a faucet body 1 and a washing mechanism 2 operably coupled to the faucet body 1. In use, for example, the faucets provided by the present disclosure may be assembled on a kitchen sink and used as a kitchen faucet, and when configured with the washing mechanism 2, provides convenience for users to clean objects, such as dishes and cups.

[0021] In non-limiting examples, the faucet body 1 may comprise a pipe body 10, a fluid outlet such as a spray head or nozzle 11 connected to an end of the pipe body 10, a faucet valve core 13 connected to a lower end of the pipe body 10, a handle 12 connected to a side of the pipe body for operating the valve core to control water temperature and/or flow rate, and a fixing sleeve 14 connected to a bottom of the pipe body 10, as described in more detail infra. The assembly method of the pipe body 10, the nozzle 11, the faucet valve core 13, and the handle 12 is known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and will not be repeated here.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 2, a bottom end 1A of the faucet body 1 may be connected with a fixing sleeve 14, and a sleeve wall 15 of the fixing sleeve 14 may be provided with structure defining a wall opening 141 extending along a circumferential direction of the fixing sleeve 14. The fixing sleeve may further include one or more projections 16 at a top end for securing the fixing sleeve within the faucet body 1.

[0023] In a non-limiting example as shown in at least FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the washing mechanism 2 may comprise a washing bracket 21, a water jet 22, a control valve core 23, and a water supply conduit or pipe 24. Referring to FIG. 5, the washing bracket 21 may be provided with a water cavity 213, and the water jet 22 may be connected to a top of the washing bracket 21. The control valve core 23 may include a fluid pathway extending between between the water cavity 213 and the water jet 22 so as to fluidly couple the control valve core 23 and water jet 22 with the water supply conduit 24. In examples, one end of the water supply conduit 24 may pass through the wall opening 141 of the fixing sleeve 14 and be connected to the water cavity 213, while the other end of the water supply pipe 24 may extend below the fixing sleeve 14.

[0024] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7, one end of the washing bracket 21 may be provided with a connecting sleeve 214 that may be pivotally sleeved on an outer side of the fixing sleeve 14 such that the washing mechanism can rotate or pivot with respect to the faucet body 1. As mentioned, the sleeve wall 15 of the fixing sleeve 14 may be provided with the wall opening 141 extending along the circumferential direction. A length of the wall opening 141 can account for a part of a circumference of the sleeve wall, so as to avoid the swinging of the washing mechanism 2 and limit a swinging amplitude of the washing mechanism 2. In a non-limiting example, the length of the wall opening 141 may account for to of the circumference of the sleeve wall 15. The washing mechanism 2 may swing relative to the fixing sleeve 14 at an angle in a range from about 90 to about 180.

[0025] In examples and referring to FIGS. 4 and 7, the washing bracket 21 may be a supporting bracket that extends substantially along a radial direction of the fixing sleeve 14. One end of the washing bracket 21 connected with the fixing sleeve 14 may be configured with or coupled to the connecting sleeve 214. The connecting sleeve 214 can be sleeved on the fixing sleeve 14 and may rotate relative to the fixing sleeve 14, as described above. The connecting sleeve 214 may cover part or all of the wall opening 141. The water cavity 213 may be arranged in the washing bracket 21, such as, for example, at one end distal from the connecting sleeve 214.

[0026] The water jet 22 may be provided at the top of the washing bracket 21, which is used for spraying water upwards to clean objects placed thereon. The water jet 22 may include a single nozzle or a plurality of nozzles.

[0027] The control valve core 23 may be a solenoid valve core or a mechanical valve core. The control valve core 23 may be connected between the water cavity 213 and the water jet 22 to control on-off of a waterway between the water cavity 213 and the water jet 22.

[0028] The water supply conduit 24 may be dedicated to supplying water to the water cavity 213. As discussed above, one end of the water supply conduit 24 may pass through the wall opening 141 and to connect to the water cavity 213, while the other end of the water supply conduit 24 extends out below the fixing sleeve 14 and may be connected with a valve or a water line. In a non-limiting example, and referring to FIG. 5, the water supply conduit 24 may comprise a horizontal pipe 241 and a vertical pipe 242. In this example, the horizontal pipe 241 passes through the wall opening 141 and is connected to the water cavity 213, and the vertical pipe 242 of the water supply pipe 24 extends out below the fixing sleeve 14. To facilitate connection of the vertical pipe 242 with a valve or other water line, a lower end of the vertical pipe 242 may be provided with a joint 243.

[0029] In use, as shown in FIG. 5, when the control valve core 23 is in a closed state, water may flow along an arrow A, and enter the water cavity 213 through the water supply conduit 24 until the water cavity 213 is full of water. As shown in FIG. 6, when a user desires to clean an object, the control valve core 23 is opened, such as by pressing the object down on the washing mechanism 212, and the water in the water cavity 213 is dispensed or sprayed from the water jet 22 along an arrow B for the user to clean the object.

[0030] In a non-limiting example, the control valve core 23 is a push-type valve core. The push-type valve core may be a valve core known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and may comprise a bouncing valve core, a structure of which will not be described herein. When the push-type valve core is under pressure, the push-type valve core is pressed to open. After the pressure disappears, the push-type valve core is reset and closed. When a user desires to clean an object, the object is placed on the water jet 22, and the push-type valve core is pressed to open under the action of gravity. After the washing is completed, the user takes away the object, and the push-type valve core is automatically reset and closed, which is convenient for using.

[0031] In a non-limiting example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the washing bracket 21 may be provided with a bracket channel 215 in communication with the water cavity 213. A sleeve wall of the connecting sleeve 214 may be provided with structure defining a sleeve wall through hole 2141 in communication with the bracket channel 215, and the water supply pipe 24 may pass through the bracket channel 215 and the sleeve wall through hole 2141.

[0032] In this example, the sleeve wall of the connecting sleeve 214 facing the washing bracket 21 may be provided with the sleeve wall through hole 2141, the washing bracket 21 may be provided with the bracket channel 215, and the bracket channel 215 may be in communication with the sleeve wall through hole 2141 and the water cavity 213. When assembling, the horizontal pipe 241 of the water supply pipe 24 may pass through the bracket channel 215 and the sleeve wall through hole 2141 to accommodate the horizontal pipe 241 in the washing bracket 21.

[0033] In a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 4, the water supply pipe 24 and/or an inner surface of the connecting sleeve 214 may be provided with a stop protrusion 216. When the washing bracket 21 rotates to a limiting position, the stop protrusion 216 is contacted with a wall surface of the wall opening 141.

[0034] In this example, a junction between the horizontal pipe 241 and the vertical pipe 242 of the water supply pipe 24 and/or the inner surface of the connecting sleeve 214 may be provided with the stop protrusion 216. Two opposite sides of the water supply pipe 24 respectively may be provided with one stop protrusion 216. The stop protrusion 216 may be used to be in contact-fit with the wall surface of the wall opening 141 to serve as a limiting function and prevent the pipe wall of the water supply pipe 24 from directly touching the wall surface of the wall opening 141.

[0035] Specifically, when the washing bracket 21 rotates to the limiting position to one side, the stop protrusion 216 on that side is contacted with the wall surface defining the wall opening 141 to serve as a limiting function. When the washing bracket 21 rotates to the limiting position to the other side, the stop protrusion 216 on the other side is contacted with the wall surface defining the wall opening 141 to serve as a limiting function.

[0036] In a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 7, an upper end and a lower end of the fixing sleeve respectively may be provided with a retaining ring 142, and the connecting sleeve 214 may be assembled between the two retaining rings 142 located at the upper end and the lower end. The two retaining rings 142 located at the upper end and the lower end provide an axial limiting for the connecting sleeve 214, which enhances the stability of the connecting sleeve 214 sleeved on the fixing sleeve 14. In one non-limiting example, the wall opening 141 may be located between the two retaining rings 142 located at the upper end and the lower end, and the connecting sleeve 214 may completely cover the wall opening 141.

[0037] In a non-limiting example, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-7, the washing bracket 21 may comprise a connecting bracket 211 and a washing carrier 212. The connecting sleeve 214 can be provided at one end of the connecting bracket 211, and the washing carrier 212 may be connected to the other end of the connecting bracket 211, as discuss previously. The water cavity 213 may be provided in the connecting bracket 211, and the water jet 22 may be connected to a top of the washing carrier 212.

[0038] In this embodiment, and as discussed above, the washing bracket 21 may comprise the connecting bracket 211 and the washing carrier 212. The connecting bracket 211 can substantially extend along a radial direction of the fixing sleeve 14, the connecting sleeve 214 may be connected to one end of the connecting bracket 211 fit with the fixing sleeve 14, and the washing carrier 212 may be connected to the other end of the connecting bracket 211 and located above the connecting bracket 211. The connecting bracket 211 serves as a supporting and connecting functions, as the water cavity 213 is provided in the connecting bracket 211. The washing carrier 212 is used to carry objects to be clean, and the water jet 22 is connected to a top of the washing carrier 212.

[0039] In one non-limiting example, as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a top surface of the washing carrier 212 may be provided with a water chute 2121. The water chute 2121 may be lower than the water jet 22 and an edge of the washing bracket 212, and the water chute 2121 is used for guiding the water to flow into a water tank or vessel positioned below the faucet.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 8, a faucet assembly 100 according to an example of the present disclosure can comprise a cold water inlet pipe 3, a hot water inlet pipe 4, the faucet 1 according to any one of the preceding examples along with the washing mechanism 2. Upper ends of the cold water inlet pipe 3 and the hot water inlet pipe 4 may be respectively connected with the faucet valve core 13 in the faucet body 1 to supply cold and hot water thereto. In one non-limiting example, the user may swing the handle 12 back and forth to switch the faucet valve core 13, and the user may swing the handle 12 left and right to adjust the water temperature. However, any such other configurations can be considered.

[0041] Lower ends of the cold water inlet pipe 3 and the hot water inlet pipe 4 may be respectively connected with a cold water pipe and a hot water pipe in a structure such as a building, and may also be connected with one or more valves (not shown). The water supply conduit 24 may be connected with a cold water pipe in the structure or building, and may also be connected with a valve. When using a washing function, the user may directly use the water supply conduit 24 to supply water to the washing mechanism 2 without opening the faucet. When mounting, the faucet body 1 or the fixing sleeve 14 may be fixed by means of a mounting base 9. The mounting base 9 may also be used to connect and fix a basin, a sink, and the like.

[0042] In a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 8, the faucet assembly 100 may comprise a three-way valve 6. In this example, the cold water inlet pipe 3 is connected with one water outlet of the three-way valve 6, and the water supply pipe 24 is connected with another water outlet of the three-way valve 6. The water supply pipe 24 may be connected with one water outlet of the three-way valve 6 by means of a connecting pipe 5. In this example, the three-way valve 6 may be used to connect the cold water inlet pipe 3, the water supply pipe 24, and the cold water pipe in a structure or building, and no separate connection is needed, which is conducive to saving mounting space.

[0043] In a non-limiting example, as shown in FIG. 8, the faucet assembly may comprise a pull-out hose 7. The faucet body 1 may comprise a detachable nozzle 11, in which one end of the pull-out hose 7 is connected with the nozzle 11, and the other end of the pull-out hose 7 is connected with a water outlet/a water outlet pipe 8 of the faucet valve core 13.

[0044] In this example, the nozzle 11 may be detachably connected with a pipe body of the faucet body. One end of the pull-out hose 7 may be connected with the nozzle 11, and the other end of the pull-out hose 7 may be directly connected with the water outlet of the faucet valve core 13, and may also be connected with the water outlet pipe 8 of the faucet valve core 13. The water outlet pipe 8 may be connected with the pull-out hose 7 by means of a quick joint. The nozzle 11 may be pulled by the pull-out hose 7, and the user may also pull out the nozzle 11, which is convenient for use.

[0045] In the faucet and the faucet assembly provided by the present disclosure, by configuring one water supply conduit 24 to the washing mechanism 2 separately, there is no need to configure the water cavity at the junction between the connecting sleeve 214 and the fixing sleeve 14, and there is no need to use the sealing ring to seal between the connecting sleeve 214 and the fixing sleeve 14. The assembly method of the connecting sleeve 214 and the fixing sleeve 14 is simple, the rotation of the connecting sleeve 214 will not be affected by the static pressure of water, and the rotation of the connecting sleeve 214 relative to the fixing sleeve 14 may be relatively smooth, which enhances the smoothness of the rotation or the swinging of the washing mechanism 2.

[0046] The above technical solutions may be combined as required to achieve the best technical effect.

[0047] Various examples of systems, devices, and methods have been described herein. These examples are given only by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed inventions. It should be appreciated, moreover, that the various features of the examples that have been described may be combined in various ways to produce numerous additional examples. Moreover, while various materials, dimensions, shapes, configurations and locations, etc. have been described for use with disclosed examples, others besides those disclosed may be utilized without exceeding the scope of this disclosure.

[0048] Persons of ordinary skill in the relevant arts will recognize that the subject matter hereof may comprise fewer features than illustrated in any individual example described above. The examples described herein are not meant to be an exhaustive presentation of the ways in which the various features of the subject matter hereof may be combined. Accordingly, the examples are not mutually exclusive combinations of features; rather, the various examples can comprise a combination of different individual features selected from different individual examples, as understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. Moreover, elements described with respect to one example can be implemented in other examples even when not described in such examples unless otherwise noted.

[0049] Although a dependent claim may refer in the claims to a specific combination with one or more other claims, other examples can also include a combination of the dependent claim with the subject matter of each other dependent claim or a combination of one or more features with other dependent or independent claims. Such combinations are proposed herein unless it is stated that a specific combination is not intended.

[0050] Any incorporation by reference of documents above is limited such that no subject matter is incorporated that is contrary to the explicit disclosure herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is further limited such that no claims included in the documents are incorporated by reference herein. Any incorporation by reference of documents above is yet further limited such that any definitions provided in the documents are not incorporated by reference herein unless expressly included herein.

[0051] For purposes of interpreting the claims, it is expressly intended that the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112(f) are not to be invoked unless the specific terms means for or step for are recited in a claim.