BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a faucet, and more particularly to a faucet
with an ultrasonic generator.
Description of Related Art
[0002] In order to increase the cleaning effect of the residual dirt on the surface of the
cleaned items and avoid wasting too much water resources during the cleaning process,
ultrasonic cleaning is used to improve the cleaning effect currently, and also because
ultrasonic cleaning does not require a large amount of water flow, more water saving.
[0003] The principle of ultrasonic cleaning is to provide an ultrasonic generator in a receiving
groove. When the ultrasonic generator is activated, the liquid in the receiving groove
will produce a pressure difference, which produces many tiny bubbles in the liquid.
When the tiny bubbles touched the object to be cleaned, an impact will be generated
on the surface of the object to be cleaned, in this way, the dirt will leave the surface
of the object along with the liquid to achieve the effect of cleaning.
[0004] The ultrasonic cleaning can be found in all walks of life. For example, the medical
industry cleans medical equipment by ultrasonic cleaning to avoid virus residue; the
manufacturing industry removes rust and oil on the surface of metal workpieces by
ultrasonic cleaning; or, the ultrasonic generator can be also used when cleaning the
dirt on glasses, vegetables, or dinner plates, which not only increases the effect
of cleaning, but also reduce the use of detergent. However, if the user needs to use
the ultrasonic cleaning, the user must purchase an ultrasonic generator by themselves,
but there is no specific space for receiving the ultrasonic generator, which causes
inconvenience in access or placement. The aforementioned problems are necessary to
be solved.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the above, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide
a faucet with an ultrasonic generator, wherein the ultrasonic generator is detachably
engaged with a base of the faucet, increasing the convenience of access and makes
the operation faster.
[0006] The present invention provides a faucet including a base, an outlet pipe, and an
ultrasonic generator. The base has a receiving groove, wherein the receiving groove
has an opening formed on an outer surface of the base. The outlet pipe is engaged
with the base, wherein the outlet pipe has an inlet end and an outlet end. The ultrasonic
generator is detachably disposed in the receiving groove via the opening.
[0007] With the aforementioned design, the ultrasonic generator is detachably engaged with
the base of the faucet, which facilitates the storage of the ultrasonic generator,
and could increase the convenience of taking and placing and make the operation faster.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention will be best understood by referring to the following detailed
description of some illustrative embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the faucet according to a first embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partially front view of the faucet according to the first embodiment of
the present invention;
FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1, showing the ultrasonic generator located outside the
receiving groove;
FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of the faucet according to the first embodiment
of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the 5-5 line in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of a marked region A in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 5, showing the pressing unit is pressed to drive the locking
unit located in a second position to release the ultrasonic generator; and
FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of a marked region B in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A faucet 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and includes a base 10, an outlet pipe 20, and an ultrasonic generator
30.
[0010] As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the base 10 has a receiving groove 11, a first receiving
groove 12, a second receiving groove 13, a notch 14, and a positioning groove 15,
wherein the receiving groove 11 is recessed into an outer surface of the base 10 along
a first axial direction A1 to form an opening on the outer surface of the base 10,
and the first receiving groove 12 is recessed into the outer surface of the base 10
along the first axial direction A1 to form an opening on the outer surface of the
base 10. The second receiving groove 13 is recessed into a groove wall of the receiving
groove 11 along a second axial direction A2 and communicates with the first receiving
groove 12, that is the first axial direction and the second axial direction perpendicularly
intersect. A bottom surface of the second receiving groove 13 has a projection 132.
The notch 14 is disposed on a peripheral edge of the opening of the receiving groove
11 and is located on a side of the receiving groove 11 opposite to the second receiving
groove 13.
[0011] As shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, a fixing mechanism 40 is disposed in the first receiving
groove 12 and the second receiving groove 13, and includes a pressing unit 42 and
a locking unit 44, wherein the pressing unit 42 has a first spring 422 and a pressing
member 424. An end of the first spring 422 is connected to a bottom surface of the
first receiving groove 12, and another end of the first spring 422 is connected to
the pressing member 424. The pressing member 424 has an abutting section 424a adapted
to be coupled with the locking unit 44, wherein the abutting section 424a has a first
abutting surface 424b. The pressing unit 42 could be moved from a third position P3
to a fourth position P4 when the pressing unit 42 is pressed by an external force
F (as shown in FIG. 8), wherein at this time, the pressing member 424 moves along
the first axial direction A1 toward the bottom surface of the first receiving groove
12, and the first spring is compressed.
[0012] The locking unit 44 of the fixing mechanism 40 includes a second spring 442 and a
locking member 444, wherein an end of the second spring 442 fits around the projection
132 at the bottom surface of the second receiving groove 13, and another end of the
second spring 442 is connected to the locking member 444. The locking member 444 has
a through hole 444a and a protrusion 444b, wherein the through hole 444a is formed
along the first axial direction A1, and the protrusion 444b protrudes in a direction
away from the second spring 442 along the second axial direction A2. The pressing
unit 42 passes through the through hole 444a, and the abutting section 424a of the
pressing member 424 abuts against a hole wall of the through hole 444a. The hole wall
of the through hole 444a has a second abutting surface 444c corresponding to the first
abutting surface 424b of the abutting section 424a. When the pressing unit 42 moves
from the third position P3 to the fourth position P4, the locking unit 44 is driven
from a first position P1 to a second position P2. When the locking unit 44 is located
at the first position P1, the first abutting surface 424b of the pressing member 424
abuts against the second abutting surface 444c of the locking member 444, and the
locking member 444 protrudes out of the second receiving groove 13. When the locking
unit 44 is located at the second position P2, the locking member 444 is located in
the second receiving groove 13, and the second spring 442 is compressed.
[0013] The positioning groove 15 of the base 10 is recessed into a bottom surface of the
receiving groove 11 along the first axial direction A1, wherein a projection 152 protrudes
from a bottom surface of the positioning groove 15. The base 10 has a disengaging
unit 16 configured corresponding to the positioning groove 15, wherein the disengaging
unit 16 includes a spring 162 and a disengaging member 164. An end of the spring 162
of the disengaging unit 16 fits around the projection 152 of the positioning groove
15, and another end of the spring 162 of the disengaging unit 16 is connected to the
disengaging member 164. When the disengaging member 164 is pushed toward the bottom
surface of the positioning groove 15 by an external force, the disengaging member
164 drives the spring 162 to compress, thereby the disengaging member 164 is located
in the positioning groove 15. When the external force exerted on the disengaging member
164 is released, the spring 162 restores to its natural length and pushes the disengaging
member 164 outward to make the disengaging member 164 protrudes from the positioning
groove 15. The disengaging unit 16 is not limited by the aforementioned design. In
other embodiments, the disengaging unit 16 could be, but not limited to, an elastic
plate.
[0014] The outlet pipe 20 penetrates the base 10 and has an inlet end 20a and an outlet
end 20b, wherein the inlet end 20a is adapted to be connected to an external water
source (not shown), so that water flows through the inlet end 20a and flows out from
the outlet end 20b.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic generator 30 is detachably disposed in the receiving
groove 11 of the base 10 and includes a case 32 and an ultrasonic vibration element
34 disposed inside the case 32, wherein the case 32 has a first surface 322 and a
second surface 324 which faces opposite directions. The first surface 322 faces the
opening of the receiving groove 11, and the second surface 324 faces the bottom surface
of receiving groove 11. The case 32 has a recess 32a corresponding to the second receiving
groove 13 on a side of the case 32 facing the second receiving groove 13. The recess
32a is recessed along the second axial direction A2, and a projection 32b is formed
between the recess 32a and the second surface 324. The case 32 has a block 32c on
a side opposite to the projection 32b formed between the recess 32a and the second
surface 324. The block 32c is configured corresponding to the notch 14 of the base
10. An end of the disengaging member 164 is pushed by the second surface 324 to make
the disengaging unit 16 located in the positioning groove 15, and the spring 162 of
the disengaging unit 16 is compressed.
[0016] A power switch 50 is disposed on the base 10 of the faucet 100 and is electrically
connected between the ultrasonic generator 30 and an external power (not shown) by
a wire. The power switch 50 has an operating portion 52 disposed on the outer surface
of the base 10. The user could turn on or off the power from the external power to
the ultrasonic generator 30 by operating the operating portion 52. In the current
embodiment, the operating portion 52 is, but not limited to, a button. In other embodiments,
the operating portion could be a touch panel.
[0017] As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the ultrasonic generator 30 is located in the receiving
groove 11, and the pressing unit 42 is located at the third position P3, thereby to
make the locking unit 44 be located at the first position P1. At this time, the protrusion
444b of the locking member 444 is located in the recess 32a of the ultrasonic generator
30 and abuts against the projection 32b of the ultrasonic generator 30. The block
32c abuts against a wall surface of the notch 14, thereby restricting the ultrasonic
generator 30 in the receiving groove 11, and the ultrasonic generator 30 does not
protrude from the outer surface of the base 10 due to being pushed by the disengaging
unit 16. The disengaging unit 16 is pressed by the second surface 324 of the ultrasonic
generator 30 to be located in the positioning groove 15, and the spring 162 of the
disengaging unit 16 is in a compressed state.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, during a process that the user presses the pressing
member 424 to move the pressing member 424 from the third position P3 to the fourth
position P4, the pressing member 424 exerts an external force F to the first spring
422 to make the first spring 422 compresses toward the bottom surface of the receiving
groove 12. The first abutting surface 424b of the pressing member 424 obliquely pushes
the second abutting surface 444c of the locking member 444 upward to gradually moves
the locking member 444 upward. In addition, the locking member 444 exerts a pushing
force on the second spring 442 to compress the second spring 442 toward the bottom
surface of the second receiving groove 13, thereby moving the locking member 444 from
the first position P1 to the second position P2.
[0019] When the pressing unit 42 is located at the fourth position P4 and the locking unit
44 is located at the second position P2, the protrusion 444b of the locking member
444 is located in the second receiving groove 13 and does not abut against the projection
32b of the ultrasonic generator 30. In this way, a top end of the ultrasonic generator
30 facing the fixing mechanism 40 in the second axial direction A2 is not restricted,
and the spring 162 of the disengaging unit 16 restores to its natural length and pushes
the ultrasonic generator 30 toward the opening of the receiving groove 11 to make
the ultrasonic generator 30 protrudes from the outer surface of the base 10, and the
disengaging unit 16 also protrudes from the bottom surface of the receiving groove
11 due to the spring 162 restores to its natural length. At the same time, the ultrasonic
generator 30 could be taken out from the opening of the receiving groove 11 by slightly
pulling the ultrasonic generator 30.
[0020] More specifically, when the user no longer applies the external force to the pressing
member 424, the first spring 422 pushes the pressing member 424 from the fourth position
P4 back to the third position P3. In addition, after the projection 32b of the ultrasonic
generator 30 leaves the protrusion 444b of the locking member 444, the second spring
162 restores to its natural length and pushes the locking member 444 to move toward
the recess 32a of the ultrasonic generator 30 in the second axial direction A2, thereby
pushing the locking member 444 from the second position P2 back to the first position
P1 (i.e., returns to the state that the protrusion 444b of the locking member 444
protrudes out of the second receiving groove 13).
[0021] After taking out the ultrasonic generator 30 with the aforementioned way, the ultrasonic
generator 30 could be placed in a sink. The ultrasonic waves generated when the ultrasonic
vibrating element 34 in the ultrasonic generator 30 is activated and makes the dirt
on the dishes remove easier and improve the effect of cleaning.
[0022] In addition, when there is no need to use the ultrasonic generator 30, the ultrasonic
generator 30 could be placed back by putting a bottom of the ultrasonic generator
30 having the block 32c into the receiving groove 11 first, and the block 32c of the
ultrasonic generator 30 could be abutted against the notch 14 to form a supporting
point, and the ultrasonic generator 30 is pushed into the receiving groove 11 by an
external force. During a process of pushing the ultrasonic generator 30 into the receiving
groove 11, the pressing member 424 could be pressed to drive the locking member 444
to move to the second position P2, so that the locking member 444 would not hinder
the ultrasonic generator 30 from entering the receiving groove 11. Alternatively,
the protrusion 444b of the locking member 444 could be move to the second position
P2 by being pushed by the ultrasonic generator 30, and the protrusion 444b of the
locking member 444 would move to the first position P1 when the recess 32a of the
ultrasonic generator 30 corresponds to the protrusion 444b of the locking member 444,
thereby restricting the ultrasonic generator 30 in the receiving groove 11.
[0023] In summary, the structural design of the ultrasonic generator engaged with the faucet
allows the ultrasonic generator to be conveniently received in the receiving groove
of the faucet, and the process of taking and placing the ultrasonic generator could
be also convenient for the user.
1. A faucet (100), comprising:
a base (10) having a receiving groove (11), wherein the receiving groove (11) has
an opening formed on an outer surface of the base (10);
an outlet pipe (20) engaged with the base (10), wherein the outlet pipe (20) has an
inlet end (20a) and an outlet end (20b); and
an ultrasonic generator (30) detachably disposed in the receiving groove (11) via
the opening.
2. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a disengaging unit (16) is disposed
on a bottom surface of the receiving groove (11); the disengaging unit (16) exerts
a force on the ultrasonic generator (30) to push the ultrasonic generator (30) in
a direction toward the opening.
3. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a fixing mechanism (40)
disposed on the base (10), wherein the fixing mechanism (40) is adapted to restrict
the ultrasonic generator (30) in the receiving groove (11).
4. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the fixing mechanism (40) comprises
a pressing unit (42) and a locking unit (44); the pressing unit (42) drives the locking
unit (44) to move between a first position (P1) to a second position (P2); when the
locking unit (44) is located at the first position (P1), the locking unit (44) abuts
against the ultrasonic generator (30) to restrict the ultrasonic generator (30) in
the receiving groove (11); when the locking unit (44) is located at the second position
(P2), the locking unit (44) is apart from the ultrasonic generator (30).
5. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the pressing unit (42) protrudes from
the outer surface of the base (10); the pressing unit (42) is movable along a first
axial direction (A1); the locking unit (44) is movable along a second axial direction
(A2); the first axial direction (A1) intersects the second axial direction (A2).
6. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the base (10) has a first receiving
groove (12) and a second receiving groove (13); the first receiving groove (12) is
recessed into the outer surface of the base (10); the second receiving groove (13)
is recessed into a groove wall of the receiving groove (11) and communicates with
the first receiving groove (12); the pressing unit (42) is disposed on the first receiving
groove (12); the locking unit (44) has a through hole (444a) and a protrusion (444b);
the locking unit (44) is disposed on the second receiving groove (13), and the pressing
unit (42) passes through the through hole (444a); the ultrasonic generator (30) has
a projection (32b) on a side facing the second receiving groove (13); when the locking
unit (44) is located at the first position (P1), the protrusion (444b) of the locking
unit (44) abuts against the projection (32b) of the ultrasonic generator (30); the
pressing unit (42) pushes a hole wall of the through hole (444a) when the pressing
unit (42) moves along the first axial direction (A1), thereby to drive the locking
unit (44) to move to the second position (P2); when the locking unit (44) is located
at the second position (P2), the protrusion (444b) of the locking unit (44) does not
abuts against the projection (32b) of the ultrasonic generator (30).
7. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the pressing unit (42) comprises a
first spring (422) and a pressing member (424); an end of the first spring (422) is
connected to a bottom surface of the first receiving groove (12), and another end
is connected to the pressing member (424); the locking unit (44) comprises a second
spring (442) and a locking member (444); an end of the second spring (442) is connected
to a bottom surface of the second receiving groove (13), and another end is connected
to the locking member (444); the locking member (444) has the through hole (444a)
and the protrusion (444b); the pressing member (424) passes through the through hole
(444a) of the locking member (444); when the pressing unit (42) is pressed by an external
force (F) to move from a third position (P3) to a fourth position (P4), the first
spring (422) is compressed, and the pressing member (424) abuts against the hole wall
of the through hole (444a) of the locking member (444), thereby driving the locking
member (444) to move in a direction toward the bottom surface of the second receiving
groove (13), and the second spring (442) is compressed to make the protrusion (444b)
of the locking member (444) apart from the projection (32b) of the ultrasonic generator
(30); when the external force (F) is released, the first spring (422) pushes the pressing
member (424) back to the third position (P3), and the second spring (442) pushes the
locking member (444) back to the first position (PI).
8. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pressing member (424) has an abutting
section (424a); the abutting section (424a) has a first abutting surface (424b); the
hole wall of the through hole (444a) of the locking member (444) has a second abutting
surface (444c) corresponding to the first abutting surface (424b); when the pressing
member (424) moves from the third position (P3) to the fourth position (P4), the first
abutting surface (424b) pushes the second abutting surface (444c) to move the locking
member (444) to the second position (P2).
9. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein a positioning groove (15) is formed
on the bottom surface of the receiving groove (11); the disengaging unit (16) is disposed
in the positioning groove (15); the disengaging unit (16) comprises a spring (162)
and a disengaging member (164); an end of the spring (162) is connected to a bottom
surface of the positioning groove (15), and another end is connected to the disengaging
member (164); when the locking unit (44) is located at the first position (PI) and
the ultrasonic generator (30) is located in the receiving groove (11), the disengaging
member (164) is located in the positioning groove (15) and abuts against the ultrasonic
generator (30), and the spring (162) is compressed; when the locking unit (44) is
located at the second position (P2), the spring (162) pushes the disengaging member
(164) to protrude from the bottom surface of the receiving groove (11) and pushes
the ultrasonic generator (30) in the direction toward the opening.
10. The faucet (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the groove wall of the receiving groove
(11) has a notch (14); the notch (14) is located on a side of the receiving groove
(11) opposite to the second receiving groove (13) and is adjacent to the opening;
the ultrasonic generator (30) has a block (32c) on a side opposite to the projection
(32b) of the ultrasonic generator (30); when the ultrasonic generator (30) is placed
in the receiving groove (11) and the locking unit (44) is located at the first position
(P1), the block (32c) of the ultrasonic generator (30) abuts against a wall surface
of the notch (14).