# US 7,743,438 B2 · Anchor structure for sensors of faucets > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,438 B2 - Document ID: US7743438B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/646,311 - Filed: 2006-12-28 - Published: 2008-07-03 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-28 - Inventors: Jan-Sun Chen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743438B2 ## CPC - E03C 1/057: {touchless, i.e. using sensors} - Y10T 137/9464: Faucets and spouts - E03C: DOMESTIC PLUMBING INSTALLATIONS FOR FRESH WATER OR WASTE WATER (not connected to either water-supply main or to waste pipe A47K; devices of the kind used in the ground E03B, E03F); SINKS - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract An anchor structure for sensors of faucets is located in a sensing faucet. The sensor has a detection side and at least one notch on another side opposite to the detection side at an elevation same as an annular groove formed on an inner wall of a faucet body. An elastic clipping ring is provided to latch in the annular groove and the notch of the sensor to form a bucking effect to anchor the sensor at a selected location in the faucet. The elastic clipping ring is hollow and annular to provide a passage for watering piping and electric wiring. The structure is simpler and can be installed and removed rapidly. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An anchor structure for sensors of faucets adopted for use on a sensing faucet which has a hollow body with a port formed thereon, the faucet housing a water supply valve and a sensor which has a detection side on one side to be wedged in the port, comprising: an annular groove on a circumference on an annular inner wall of the body where the port is located, the sensor having at least one notch on an anchor side opposite to the detection side at an elevation same as the annular groove; and an elastic clipping ring that is latched in the annular groove and latched in the notch of the sensor in order to anchor the sensor on a selected location in the faucet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the annular groove is an indented annular groove formed on the inner wall of the body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the annular groove has a cross section selectively formed in a shape of a saw, a curve, a rectangle or a desired geometric shape. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the notch of the sensor is selectively formed in a shape of a saw, a curve, a rectangle or a desired geometric shape. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic clipping ring is a non-closed annular elastic element and has an opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic clipping ring has a closed portion which has two straight end portions opposing each other to form an opening therebetween. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic clipping ring has a closed portion wedged in the annular groove and an opening latched in the notch of the sensor. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The anchor structure of claim 7, wherein the closed portion of the elastic clipping ring is latched tightly with the annular groove. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The anchor structure of claim 7, wherein the closed portion of the elastic clipping ring is partially latched in the annular groove. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The anchor structure of claim 9, wherein the closed portion of the elastic clipping ring has at least two points in contact simultaneously with the annular groove. ### Claim 11 (depends on 6) The anchor structure of claim 6, wherein each of the two straight end portions of the elastic clipping ring is fitted into the notch on the anchor side of the sensor. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The anchor structure of claim 1, wherein the elastic clipping ring is biased outwardly into the annular groove on the inner wall of the hollow body and into the notch of the sensor. ### Claim 13 An anchor structure for sensors of faucets adopted for use on a sensing faucet which has a hollow body with a port formed thereon, the faucet housing a water supply valve and a sensor which has a detection side on one side to be wedged in the port, comprising: an annular groove on a circumference on an annular inner wall of the body where the port is located, the sensor having at least one notch on an anchor side opposite to the detection side at an elevation same as the annular groove; and an elastic clipping ring having an outer side thereof that is latched in the annular groove on the inner wall of the body and latched in the notch of the sensor in order to anchor the sensor on a selected location in the faucet. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The anchor structure of claim 13, wherein the elastic clipping ring is biased outwardly into the annular groove on the inner wall of the hollow body and into the notch of the sensor.