A hands-free faucet works by using a sensor to detect your presence, which then activates a solenoid valve to turn the water on and off automatically.
The Core Mechanism
The magic behind a hands-free faucet lies in the collaboration of two primary components:
- The Sensor: Usually located on the faucet's spout or base, this infrared or motion sensor detects objects (like your hands) within its range.
- The Solenoid Valve: This is an electromechanical device connected to the water supply lines inside the faucet.
How the Process Unfolds
Here's a breakdown of how these components interact to provide water flow without needing to touch a handle:
- Detection: When the presence sensor detects something underneath the spout, it triggers a signal.
- Signal to Valve: This signal is sent to the solenoid valve.
- Valve Action (Open): According to the reference, solenoid valves are electromagnets that pull or push the faucet's water valve. When the sensor signals presence, it tells the solenoid to open the water valve.
- Water Flow: With the valve open, water flows through the faucet spout.
- No Detection: Once someone moves away from the sensors and the sensor no longer detects an object.
- Valve Action (Close): The sensor stops sending the "presence" signal, and the solenoid is triggered to close the valve.
- Stop Flow: The closed valve stops the flow of water.
This simple loop of sensing presence, activating the solenoid electromagnet to open the valve, and then deactivating it to close the valve is what makes hands-free faucets so convenient and water-efficient.
