How Does a Touchless Kitchen Faucet Work?
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How Does a Touchless Kitchen Faucet Work?
Of all kitchen fixtures, one of the most used in any given household is the kitchen sink and kitchen faucet. We all know that things can get a little hectic and/or messy in a kitchen, which makes a touchless kitchen faucet a convenient feature for any kitchen.
Touchless kitchen faucets use technology that allow you to start the flow of water without touching the faucet. Instead, just placing your hand under the spout will start the water flow, and the water will stop when you take your hand away.
Automatic kitchen faucets or touchless faucets are both convenient and enhance hygiene. For more details on touchless faucets, keep reading.
Parts of a Touchless Kitchen Faucet
There are four main parts that make up a touchless or automatic kitchen faucet. These parts include a spout, a sensor window, a solenoid valve, and a power source.
1. Sensor
The sensor on an automatic faucet is usually placed at the lip or base of the faucet’s spout. Instead of having a motion sensor, these kitchen faucets use presence sensors, which are designed to detect the presence of a hand under the spout, Hunker explains. When the sensor detects hands under the spout, it turns the faucet on. Removing your hands will trigger the sensor to turn the faucet off again.
According to Yuanjing Intelligent, most automatic faucet sensors have a small infrared light, which sits next to an infrared detector. The sensor works to signal the faucet valve to turn on when your hands come within a few inches of the lip of the spout, bouncing the infrared light off of your skin and to the detector.
While this is a common method, other automatic faucet models will use an ultrasonic field sensor. An ultrasonic field sensor turns on the faucet valve when your hands make movement in the field, disrupting the sensor.
2. Valve
The solenoid valve is usually controlled by a faucet sensor. According to Hunker, “the solenoid is an electromagnet that can push or pull, depending on electric polarity”. Water flow is controlled by a rubber-like disc in the diaphragm valves. The valve stays closed until it receives a signal from the sensor, indicating that hands are present. When this happens, the solenoid pulls the valve open, allowing water to flow. Then, the solenoid pushes the valve closed when the sensor detects and signals that hands are no longer present.
3. Power source
Every touchless or automatic faucet needs a power source in order to work, though the power sources can vary. While some models get their power from dry-cell batteries, other faucets will use a low-voltage current from an AC transformer, Yuanjing Intelligent says.
4. Spout
The spout of an automatic faucet holds all the working parts. You can find spouts of different materials. Less expensive models are often made of zinc, while higher end faucets are available in brass or copper. For durability and appearance purposes, you will likely find nickel or chrome-plated spouts.
Kevin Hou
Kevin Hou