IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0720427
(2010-03-09)
|
등록번호 |
US-8316883
(2012-11-27)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
대리인 / 주소 |
Montgomery Patent & Design, LLC
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
0 인용 특허 :
17 |
초록
▼
A water faucet providing a digital temperature readout indicating the temperature of the water exiting the faucet is herein disclosed. The faucet provides a switch to change the display between Fahrenheit and Celsius and is powered by a small integral solar cell and an internal battery for periods o
A water faucet providing a digital temperature readout indicating the temperature of the water exiting the faucet is herein disclosed. The faucet provides a switch to change the display between Fahrenheit and Celsius and is powered by a small integral solar cell and an internal battery for periods of low ambient light. The display and corresponding circuitry is mounted inside of a waterproof enclosure which is removably mounted to the faucet spout by locking fasteners. The display is removable and allows for replacement or maintenance should it malfunction or break. During use, an internal thermocouple senses a change in temperature to activate the apparatus, thereby conserving energy. Such features are ideal for measuring the temperature of water used to wash hands or dishes to ensure compliance with health department requirements.
대표청구항
▼
1. A combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display for sensing and displaying a temperature of outlet water exiting from said water faucet, said combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display comprising: a faucet assembly having a base, a spout connected to said base, a hot water
1. A combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display for sensing and displaying a temperature of outlet water exiting from said water faucet, said combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display comprising: a faucet assembly having a base, a spout connected to said base, a hot water handle connected to said base, and a cold water handle connected to said base; and,a temperature display assembly attached to said faucet assembly and including a thermocouple wire, further comprising: a protruding spigot attachment feature attached to said spout such that said temperature display assembly extends horizontally from said spigot attachment feature;a housing;a display screen attached to said housing;a solar cell attached to said housing;a control button attached to said housing; and,an internal battery located inside said housing;wherein said temperature display assembly is attached to a side surface portion of said spout such that said thermocouple wire detects a temperature of water flowing through said faucet assembly;wherein said temperature display assembly is tilted in a rearward orientation at an approximate angle of forty-five degrees relative to said spout thereby improving a user viewing angle;wherein said spigot attachment feature comprises a pair of mechanically locking fasteners, and a plurality of fastener apertures formed in said housing, said locking fasteners being engaged with said fastener apertures and a side surface of said temperature display assembly;wherein said locking fasteners comprise diametrically sized ball-end appendages engaged into said fastener apertures; and,wherein said locking fasteners are passed through said fastener apertures and protrude into an inner space of said display assembly and thereby provide a secure snap-fit. 2. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 1, wherein said temperature display assembly further comprises: a sealing gasket affixed to a side perimeter edge of said temperature display assembly and thereby contacting said spigot attachment feature in a coplanar fashion along a vertical plane and thereby sealing said temperature display assembly. 3. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 2, wherein said spigot attachment feature is electrically connected to said temperature display assembly; wherein said spigot attachment feature comprises a first male connector and a second male connector;wherein said temperature display assembly comprises a first female connector and a second female connector;wherein said first and second male connectors and said first and second female connectors are coincidentally engaged and establish electrical communication between said thermocouple wire of said faucet assembly and said temperature display assembly; and,wherein electrical communication between said faucet assembly and said temperature display assembly enables temperature measurement within said faucet assembly to be displayed on said temperature display assembly. 4. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 3, wherein said temperature display assembly provides numeric display of said water temperature as water flow through said spout; wherein said solar panel provides an electrical current to display said water temperature as well as charge said internal battery; and,wherein said internal battery powers temperature sensing and displaying functions of said temperature display assembly during times of low ambient light. 5. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 4, wherein said temperature display assembly further comprises: a circuit board located inside said housing and having a voltage regulator circuit;a probe well portion located inside said spigot attachment feature; and,an insulating potting fluid located inside said spigot attachment feature;wherein electric power received from said solar panel is conducted to said voltage regulator circuit which in turn conducts a charging voltage to said internal battery; and,wherein connection of said first and second male connectors with said first and second female connectors conducts a signal voltage from said thermocouple wire within said spigot attachment feature to said circuit board within said temperature display assembly. 6. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 5, wherein said thermocouple wire is located within said probe well integral to a wall portion of said spout adjacent to said spigot attachment feature; wherein said thermocouple wire extends from said first and second male connectors through said spigot attachment feature and into said probe well portion of said spout; and,wherein said thermocouple wire is held in close proximity to the flowing water by using said insulating potting fluid within said spigot attachment feature and said probe well. 7. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 6, wherein said thermocouple wire measures said temperature of said outlet water and in turn transmits an input signal to said circuit board; and, wherein, following a change in sensed water temperature, said circuit board remains in an off state to conserve power when said faucet assembly is not being utilized to provide water. 8. A combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display for sensing and displaying a temperature of outlet water exiting from said water faucet, said combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display comprising: a faucet assembly having a base, a spout connected to said base, a hot water handle connected to said base, and a cold water handle connected to said base; and,a temperature display assembly attached to said faucet assembly and including a thermocouple wire;wherein said temperature display assembly is removably attached to a side surface portion of said spout such that said thermocouple wire detects a temperature of water flowing through said faucet assembly;wherein said temperature display assembly further comprises: a protruding spigot attachment feature attached to said spout such that said temperature display assembly extends horizontally from said spigot attachment feature;a housing;a display screen attached to said housing;a solar cell attached to said housing;a control button attached to said housing; and,an internal battery located inside said housing;wherein said temperature display assembly is tilted in a rearward orientation at an approximate angle of forty-five degrees relative to said spout thereby improving a user viewing angle;wherein said spigot attachment feature comprises a pair of mechanically locking fasteners, and a plurality of fastener apertures formed in said housing, said locking fasteners being engaged with said fastener apertures and a side surface of said temperature display assembly;wherein said locking fasteners comprise diametrically sized ball-end appendages engaged into said fastener apertures; and,wherein said locking fasteners are passed through said fastener apertures and protrude into an inner space of said display assembly and thereby provide a secure snap-fit. 9. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 8, wherein said temperature display assembly further comprises: a sealing gasket affixed to a side perimeter edge of said temperature display assembly and thereby contacting said spigot attachment feature in a coplanar fashion along a vertical plane and thereby sealing said temperature display assembly. 10. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 9, wherein said spigot attachment feature is electrically connected to said temperature display assembly; wherein said spigot attachment feature comprises a first male connector and a second male connector;wherein said temperature display assembly comprises a first female connector and a second female connector;wherein said first and second male connectors and said first and second female connectors are coincidentally engaged and establish electrical communication between said thermocouple wire of said faucet assembly and said temperature display assembly; and,wherein electrical communication between said faucet assembly and said temperature display assembly enables temperature measurement within said faucet assembly to be displayed on said temperature display assembly. 11. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 10, wherein said temperature display assembly provides numeric display of said water temperature as water flow through said spout; wherein said solar panel provides an electrical current to display said water temperature as well as charge said internal battery; and,wherein said internal battery powers temperature sensing and displaying functions of said temperature display assembly during times of low ambient light. 12. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 11, wherein said temperature display assembly further comprises: a circuit board located inside said housing and having a voltage regulator circuit;a probe well portion located inside said spigot attachment feature; and,an insulating potting fluid located inside said spigot attachment feature;wherein electric power received from said solar panel is conducted to said voltage regulator circuit which in turn conducts a charging voltage to said internal battery; and,wherein connection of said first and second male connectors with said first and second female connectors conducts a signal voltage from said thermocouple wire within said spigot attachment feature to said circuit board within said temperature display assembly. 13. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 12, wherein said thermocouple wire is located within said probe well integral to a wall portion of said spout adjacent to said spigot attachment feature; wherein said thermocouple wire extends from said first and second male connectors through said spigot attachment feature and into said probe well portion of said spout; and,wherein said thermocouple wire is held in close proximity to the flowing water by using said insulating potting fluid within said spigot attachment feature and said probe well. 14. The combined water faucet and temperature gauge and display of claim 13, wherein said thermocouple wire measures said temperature of said outlet water and in turn transmits an input signal to said circuit board; and, wherein, following a change in sensed water temperature, said circuit board remains in an off state to conserve power when said faucet assembly is not being utilized to provide water.
※ AI-Helper는 부적절한 답변을 할 수 있습니다.