DESC:INTEGRATED FAUCET FOR COPPER RELEASE
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present disclosure generally relates to faucet arrangements. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a faucet arrangement capable of supplying water treated with copper ions.
BACKGROUND
Historically, it is proven that intake of water treated with copper ions have several health and skin benefits. For example, a few people are recommended to drink water that is stored in copper vessels for a short period. However, considering a busy schedule of people these days, it is many a times not feasible to store water in the copper vessels.
One such solution of the aforementioned problem relates to employing an integrated copper ion treating unit in a water purifying system. The copper ion treating unit releases copper ions to purified water, to be supplied as treated drinking water. The treated drinking water may then be consumed by a user. Although, such water purifying systems have proven to be effective, however it utilizes a lot of space in kitchen area.
Furthermore, as copper ions have good antioxidant properties, it may be beneficial for using water treated with copper ions for handwashing purposes, bathing purposes, and/or hygiene purposes. However, the aforementioned water purifying systems are suitable only for drinking purposes, and are unsuitable for handwashing purposes, or bathing purposes, or other such purposes. Moreover, such copper ion treating unit in the water purifying systems is based on a relatively complex structure and arrangement, which increases a cost associated with the water purifying systems.
Accordingly, in light of the aforementioned drawbacks and several other inherent in the existing arts, there is a well-felt need to provide faucet arrangement capable of supplying water treated with copper ions.
SUMMARY
One object of the present invention relates to a faucet arrangement capable of supplying water treated with copper ions.
Another object of the present invention relates to a faucet arrangement including a faucet unit for releasing water, and an electrolytic cell unit integrated with the faucet unit, wherein the electrolytic cell unit is adapted to release a controlled dosage of copper ions to water released by the faucet unit.
Yet another object of the present invention relates to a faucet arrangement including a faucet unit and an electrolytic cell unit, wherein the faucet unit includes a faucet housing defining a cell mounting space, and wherein the electrolytic cell unit is disposed within the cell mounting space defined in the faucet housing of the faucet unit. This arrangement provides relatively easily installation/removal of the electrolytic cell unit from the faucet unit.
Yet another object of the present invention relates to a faucet arrangement including a faucet unit, an integrated copper electrolytic cell unit, and a control unit. The faucet unit release water. The electrolytic cell unit releases a dosage of copper ions to water released by the faucet unit. The control unit controls the dosage of copper ions released by the electrolytic cell unit, based on a user-selected mode of operation among a plurality of modes of the faucet unit. The plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102] includes, such as but not limited to, drinking mode, bathing mode, handwashing mode, and/or a hygiene mode.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. These and other details of the present invention will be described in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are furnished only by way of illustration and not in limitation of the invention, and in which drawings:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a faucet arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 2 illustrates a section view of a faucet arrangement, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a faucet arrangement, in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure 4 illustrates a schematic view of the faucet arrangement, in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, various specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. Several features described hereafter can each be used independently of one another or with any combination of other features. An individual feature may not address any of the problems discussed above or might address only one of the problems discussed above. Some of the problems discussed above might not be fully addressed by any of the features described herein. Example embodiments of the present invention are described below, as illustrated in various drawings in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the different drawings.
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a faucet arrangement [100], in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 illustrates a section view of a faucet arrangement [100], in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 shows a schematic of the faucet arrangement [100], in accordance with the concepts of the present disclosure. Figure 1, figure 2, and figure 4, should be referred to in conjunction with each other, in order to clearly understand a scope of the present disclosure related to the faucet arrangement [100]. The faucet arrangement [100] is adapted to supply water treated with copper ions. The faucet arrangement [100] includes a supply line [101], a faucet unit [102], an electrolytic cell unit [104], and a control unit [106].
The faucet unit [102] is similar to a conventionally known faucet that is fluidly connected to a water supply, via the supply line [101]. The faucet unit [102] is adapted to intake water from supply line [101], and release water through the water outlet [103], as and when required. In one embodiment, the faucet unit [102] is a valve actuated faucet unit, wherein water is released upon actuation of the valve actuated faucet unit [102]. In another embodiment, the faucet unit [102] is a solenoid actuated faucet unit [102], wherein water is released upon actuation of the solenoid actuated faucet unit [102]. Although, the concepts of the present disclosure will be described as applied to the solenoid actuated faucet unit [100], it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the concepts of the present disclosure may also extend to manual valve actuated faucet unit [102]. The solenoid actuated faucet unit [102] is automatically actuated to supply water at the water outlet [103], upon receiving input at a portion of the control unit [106]. The faucet unit [102] includes a faucet housing [108], a faucet supply line [110], and a solenoid valve [112].
The faucet housing [108] of the faucet unit [102] includes a vertical section and a horizontal section, such that the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108] defines a cell mounting space [108a] therein. The cell mounting space [108a] defined in the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108] is accessible through a cavity [108b] defined a bottom portion of the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108]. Notably, the electrolytic cell unit [104] is disposed within the cell mounting space [108a] defined in the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108]. Furthermore, a cover [108c] is provided to cover/uncover the cavity [108b], to restrict and/or allow an access to the electrolytic cell unit [104] disposed within the cell mounting space [108a] defined in the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108]. A fluid connection of the electrolytic cell unit [104], will be explained later in details. Although, the present disclosure describes an embodiment of the faucet unit [112], wherein the electrolytic cell unit [104] is disposed within the cell mounting space [108a] defined in the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108]. In an alternate embodiment of the faucet unit [112], as is shown in Fig. 3, the electrolytic cell unit [104] may be disposed within the supply line [101]. Although, in the present disclosure, the cell mounting space [108a] is explained to be defined in the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108] to house the electrolytic cell unit [104], however, it may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the cell mounting space [108a] may also be defined in the vertical section of the faucet housing [108] to house the electrolytic cell unit [104] therein.
The faucet supply line [110] is housed and routed within the faucet housing [108]. Notably, the faucet supply line [110] is fluidly disposed between the supply line [101] and the water outlet [103], such that the faucet unit [102] is capable of releasing water at the water outlet [103]. In case of the valve actuated faucet unit [102], the faucet supply line [110] release water at the water outlet [103], upon activation of the valve actuated faucet unit. In case of the solenoid actuated faucet unit [102], the faucet supply line [110] release water at the water outlet [103], upon activation of the solenoid valve [112] of the solenoid valve actuated faucet unit [102].
The solenoid valve [112] and the electrolytic cell unit [104] are integrally defined in the faucet supply line [110], such that water passes through the solenoid valve [112] as well as the electrolytic cell unit [104] while flowing through the faucet supply line [110]. The solenoid valve [112] is adapted to allow and/or restrict a supply of water therethrough, based on instructions from the control unit [106]. Moreover, the electrolytic cell unit [104] is adapted to release a dosage of copper ions flowing therethrough, based on instructions from the control unit [106].
In working operations, the faucet unit [102] can be used in a plurality of modes including, such as but not limited to, a drinking mode, a bathing mode, a handwashing mode, and/or a hygiene mode. In each of the drinking mode, the bathing mode, the handwashing mode, and/or the hygiene mode of the faucet unit [102], water is received from the supply line [101] and supplied to the water outlet [103] through the faucet supply line [110]. Notably, a quantity of water released by the faucet unit [102] may vary based on a user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. Furthermore, while water flows through the faucet unit [102], a dosage of copper ions is released therein, by the electrolytic cell unit [104].
The electrolytic cell unit [104] is a compact electrolytic cell that employs an anode and a cathode, housed in a cell housing. An inlet of the electrolytic cell unit [104] is fluidly connected to the faucet supply line [110] to receive water therefrom, while an outlet is fluidly connected to the water outlet [103] to exit water thereto. Each of the anode and the cathode are at least partially housed within the electrolytic cell unit [104], to interface with water flowing therethrough. One or more of the anode and the cathode is electrically connected to and controllably powered by at least one portion of the control unit [106], to release the dosage of copper ions to the water reaease by the faucet unit [102]. Notably, the dosage of to the water flowing therethrough is dependent inter alia on one or more electric parameters of electric supply supplied to the one or more of the anode and the cathode of the electrolytic cell unit [104]. The electric parameters of electric supply include, but is not limited to, an electric voltage, an electric current, and/an electric power of the electric supply supplied to the one or more of the anode and the cathode of the electrolytic cell unit [104]. The dosage of copper ions released by the electrolytic cell unit [104] is controlled by the control unit [106], by controlling the one or more electric parameters of electric supply supplied to the one or more of the anode and the cathode of the electrolytic cell unit [104].
The control unit [106] is adapted to control the solenoid valve [112], for controlling the quantity of water released by the faucet unit [102], based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. Additionally, the control unit [106] is adapted to control the dosage of copper ions released by the electrolytic cell unit [104] based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. The control unit [106] includes an input/output (I/O) unit [114], a power source [116], and a controller [118]. The controller [118] is electrically connected to each of the power source [116], the I/O unit [114], the solenoid valve [112], and the electrolytic cell unit [104].
The I/O unit [114] may be a touch panel that provides a functionality to activate the faucet unit [102]. The I/O unit [114] is adapted to receive a user input corresponding to the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. The plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102] including, such as but not limited to, the drinking mode, the bathing mode, the handwashing mode, and/or the hygiene mode.
The controller [118] is adapted to receive a signal corresponding to the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102] from the I/O unit [114]. Upon receipt of the signal from the I/O unit [114], the controller [118] further sends a control signal to the solenoid valve [112], to controllably allow the release of water at the water outlet [103] of the faucet unit [102], based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. Notably the controller [118] of the control unit [106] activates the solenoid valve [112] of the faucet unit [102] for a predefined time period based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit, to release a predefined quantity of water for the predefined time period based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. It may be worth noting that the controller [118] keeps the solenoid valve [112] active for the predefined period of time, based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. For example, in the hygiene mode and the handwashing mode, the solenoid valve [112] is kept active for 5 minutes. Whereas, in the drinking mode, the solenoid valve [112] is kept active for 10 minutes. In a preferred embodiment, as disclosed in the present disclosure described the controller [118] directly sends control signals to the solenoid valve [112] to allow the supply of water from the supply line [101] to the water outlet [103]. It may be obvious to a person skilled in the art that, in an alternate embodiment, the control unit [106] may employ a flow controller [118] electrically disposed between the controller [118] and the solenoid valve [112], such that the controller [118] sends signals to the solenoid valve [112] via the flow controller [118], to allow the supply of water from the supply line [101] to the water outlet [103]. Concurrent to actuation of the faucet unit [102], upon such receipt of the signal from the I/O unit [114], the controller [118] supplies controlled electric supply to the electrolytic cell unit [104] based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102], to allow the electrolytic cell unit [104] to release the controlled dosage of copper ions to water based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. For example, the dosage of copper ions released to water during drinking mode of operation of the faucet unit [102], is greater than the dosage of copper ions released to water during handwashing mode of operation of the faucet unit [102]. Accordingly, appropriate amount of copper treated water is obtained, based on the requirements in each mode of operation of the faucet unit [102]. For example, in the hygiene mode of operation of the faucet arrangement [100], the electrolytic cell unit [104] releases the dosage of copper ions in a range of 0.4 – 2 PPM. Moreover, in the handwashing (or facewashing) mode of operation of the faucet arrangement [100], the electrolytic cell unit [104] releases the dosage of copper ions in a range of 0.3 – 0.6 PPM. Additionally, in the drinking mode of operation of the faucet arrangement [100], the electrolytic cell unit [104] releases the dosage of copper ions in a range of 0.05 – 1.3 PPM. With such defined dosage of copper ions, the electrolytic cell unit [104] enables prevention of microorganism growth and kill bacteria & viruses present in water and internal surfaces, prevention of microorganism growth, killing of bacteria & viruses present in water and internal surfaces, in the hygiene mode of operation of the faucet arrangement [100]. Additionally, with such defined dosage of copper ions, the electrolytic cell unit [104] provides antioxidant fighting free radicals to promote anti-aging, in the handwashing (or facewashing) mode of operation of the faucet arrangement [100]. Moreover, with such defined dosage of copper ions, the electrolytic cell unit [104] provides health benefits by providing a controlled amount of copper in drinking water to detoxify, promote formation of blood cells, etc.
In the preferred embodiment, as described in the present disclosure, the controller [118] directly varies the electric voltage of the electric supply supplied to the electrolytic cell unit [104]. It may be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that, in an alternate embodiment, the control unit [106] may employ a voltage regulator disposed between the controller [118] and the electrolytic cell unit [104], such that the controller [118] supplies the electric supply to electrolytic cell unit [104] via the voltage regulator. It may be worth noting that the controller [118] keeps the electrolytic cell unit [104] active for the predefined period of time, based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. For example, in the hygiene mode and the handwashing mode, electrolytic cell unit [104] is kept active for 5 minutes. Whereas, in the drinking mode, the electrolytic cell unit [104] is kept active for 10 minutes. Although, in the present disclosure, the control unit [106] is described to vary the electric voltage of the electric supply supplied to the electrolytic cell unit [104], to vary the dosage of copper ions released to water flowing therethrough based on the mode of operation of the faucet arrangement [100], it may be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the control unit [106] may also vary other parameters, such as but not limited to, the electric current supplied to electrolytic cell unit [104], the flow of water supplied through the electrolytic cell unit [104], and/or a duration of activation of the solenoid valve [112] and the electrolytic cell unit [104], to vary the dosage of copper ions released to water flowing therethrough based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102]. Although, in the present disclosure, each of the solenoid valve [112] and the electrolytic cell unit [104] are kept active, in each of the drinking mode, the bathing mode, the handwashing mode, and/or the hygiene mode, for same duration, it may be obvious to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that in one of the modes of operation, the solenoid valve [112] is kept active while the electrolytic cell unit [104] is kept inactive.
One advantage of the present disclosure relates to positioning of the electrolytic cell unit [104] within the cell mounting space [108a] defined in the horizontal section of the faucet housing [108]. As the cell mounting space [108a] is relatively easily accessible through the cavity [108b], the electrolytic cell unit [104] is relatively easily accessible through the cavity [108b], for servicing purposes.
Another advantage of the present disclosure relates to the controlled release of the dosage of copper ions by the electrolytic cell unit [104], in the water flowing through the faucet unit [102]. In particular, use and/or intake of water with the dosage of copper ions released therein has several health and skin benefits. Moreover, another advantage of the present disclosure relates to the control of the release of the dosage of copper ions by the electrolytic cell unit [104], in the water flowing through the faucet unit [102]. In particular, the dosage of copper ions released by the electrolytic cell unit [104] is controlled based on the mode of operation of the faucet unit 102, selected from either of the drinking mode, the bathing mode, the handwashing mode, and/or the hygiene mode. Accordingly, appropriate amount of copper ion fused in water is ensured. This provides for a relatively efficient use of the electrolytic cell unit [104].
While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations, and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.
List of Components:
100- Faucet Arrangement
101 – Supply Line
102- Faucet Unit
103 – Water Outlet
104 - Electrolytic cell unit
106 - Control Unit
108 - Faucet Housing
108a - Cell Mounting Space
108b –Cavity
108c –Cover
110 - Faucet supply line
112 - Solenoid Valve
114 – I/O Unit
116 – Power Source
118 - Controller

CLAIMS:

I/We claim:
1. A faucet arrangement [100], comprising:
a faucet unit [102] adapted to release water;
an electrolytic cell unit [104] integrated with the faucet unit [102], and adapted to release a controlled dosage of copper ions to water released by the faucet unit [102].

2. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 1, wherein the faucet unit [102] includes a faucet housing [108] defining a vertical section and a horizontal section, and a faucet supply line [110] routed therethrough.

3. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the faucet supply line [110] is fluidly connected to a supply line [101], for receiving water therefrom and controllably release at a water outlet [103].

4. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the faucet unit [102] is a valve actuated faucet unit [102], such that the faucet unit [102] releases water at the water outlet [103] upon activation of the valve actuated faucet unit [102].

5. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 3, wherein the faucet unit [102] is a solenoid actuated faucet unit [102], such that the faucet unit [102] releases water at the water outlet upon activation [103] of the solenoid actuated faucet unit [102].

6. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 5, wherein the solenoid actuated faucet unit [102] includes a solenoid valve [112], which can be activated/deactivated to allow and/or restrict the release of at the water outlet [103].

7. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 2, wherein the faucet housing [108] defines a cell mounting space [108a], accessible through a cavity [108b].

8. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claims 7, wherein the electrolytic cell unit [104] is disposed within the cell mounting space [108a] defined within the faucet housing [108], and is fluidly disposed within the faucet supply line [110], such that water flows through the faucet supply line [110] via the electrolytic cell unit [104].

9. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claims 7, wherein the cavity [108b] is covered/uncovered by a cover [108c].

10. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claims 7, wherein the electrolytic cell unit [104] is disposed external to the faucet housing [108], and is fluidly disposed within the supply line [101], such that water flows through the supply line [101] via the electrolytic cell unit [104].

11. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 1, further includes a housing [108] for controllably operating the faucet unit [102] and the electrolytic cell unit [104].

12. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 11, wherein the control unit [106] is electrically connected to the solenoid valve [112] of the faucet unit [102], to controllably operate the faucet unit [101] between one of a plurality of modes, including a drinking mode, a bathing mode, a handwashing mode, and/or a hygiene mode.

13. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 12, wherein the control unit [106] includes an input/output (I/O) unit to receive a user input corresponding to a user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102].

14. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claims 12 and 13, wherein the control unit [106] activates the solenoid valve [112] for a predefined time period based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102], to release a predefined amount of water for the predefined time period based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102].

15. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 14, wherein the control unit [106] is adapted to controllably operate the electrolytic cell unit, to control the dosage of copper ions released by the electrolytic cell unit [104], based on the user selected mode from the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102].

16. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 15, wherein the control unit [106] controls one or more electric parameters of electric supply supplied to the electrolytic cell unit [104], to control the dosage of copper ions released by the electrolytic cell unit [104] based on the user selected mode amongst the plurality of modes of the faucet unit [102].

17. The faucet arrangement [100] as claimed in claim 15, wherein one or more electric parameters includes an electric voltage, an electric current, and/or an electric power of electric supply supplied to the electrolytic cell unit [104].