At Sedal, we have the solution.
In our effort to bring digitalization closer to the sanitary industry, our engineering team has developed and patented a full-fit system that allows the end user to operate the faucet and its lever normally, but with greater benefits.
Our iDC iTOP cartridge is a fully digital cartridge that converts the movement of the handle into digital information, which is sent to one of our mixing boxes. With this information, the box can control the water flow with high precision and send it to the faucet. As a manufacturer, this unique combination allows you to maintain the same functionality of a mechanical faucet while adding a digital scope of possibilities.
What Are the Main Advantages of Our iDC iTOP Cartridge?
When we look at the mechanical benefits of this cartridge, we can easily see:
- Dry Faucet: As a manufacturer, the material you use to produce your faucet is key to meeting certifications, establishing the price, and determining the weight. With the iTOP system, water never passes through the cartridge. Instead, the digital cartridge only reads and sends information to the mixing box, which acts as the mechanical cartridge by mixing the water and then, sending it through the faucet with a connection. This means you can have your faucet dry with no contact between the water and the faucet. With this feature, we also solve the lead-free concept, allowing the manufacturer to create the faucet with any material desired.
- Cold Start Mirror Cartridge: If you are producing a kitchen faucet, you will find this interesting. The iTOP can be easily configurated and turn the handle direction, having the cold and hot water mixing in reverse. By adapting the code to the new position, we ensure it correctly reads the handle position. This means that the cartridge itself doesn’t change its body nor does it require any changes to the faucet. Also, with this flexibility, we can convert your iTOP into an iTOP Cold Start Mirror faster than producing a mirror mechanical cartridge.
On the other hand, if we focus on the digital benefits of the iTOP cartridge, we can achieve:
- Clicks: The iTOP cartridge has special clicks on the sides and up and down that allow further configuration, like setting up users (in case of a shower) or dispensing a specific amount of water to fill a glass or a pot (in case of a kitchen). You can choose among no clicks, 2 (up and down), or 4 clicks, to have more or less freedom of configuration, or you can custom your clicks as fits best for your design and usability.
- WiFi and App: depending on the mixing box you choose, your system can have WiFi, allowing it to send all the information to your cloud. With the correct app (which we can also offer), your client can read and compare their information and understand their water usage, how many liters are used by each user, standard temperature, and more. They can also control the water flow, turning it on and off.
- Alarms: Our iDC and mixing box system includes different detection modes to ensure the end user is safe. These alarms can detect leaks, water failure, temperature sensor malfunctions, or communication errors, among others. These alarms are determined by the box, as this part of the system changes depending on the functionality and the application of the digital cartridge.
- Temperature and Flow Limitation: We can digitally program the cartridge to have a maximum temperature or water flow as a standard setup, to prevent scalding or misuse of water.
- Smoothness and Timings: Since no water flows through this digital cartridge, the user will enjoy a smooth, stable and comfortable operation for years.
- One-Time Calibration: This cartridge is calibrated during its fabrication process, ensuring the best quality and meeting our clients’ specifications. The cartridge will not require further calibration.
Let’s Unfold the Whole Family
This digital cartridge is available in both 25 and 35 mm, matching the most popular and used cartridges in the market.
25 mm
This is the smallest digital cartridge with all the functionalities we offer in the market. With a 25 mm diameter, it is one of the best options if you want to produce a modern and slim faucet. It can work well for kitchen, bathroom, and shower applications. Its wire connection is a standard plug of 3.5 mm, connected to an electronic mixing box with a Modbus RTU and open memory map.
As you can see in the following technical dimensions, the lever has a 90º rotation and a 0-23 opening angle, like a standard faucet. The dimensions are also very similar to a standard 25 mm cartridge, and it includes three position pins for steady machining.
35 mm
This digital cartridge has the most popular size, capable of switching most faucets with mechanical cartridges to a digital faucet. The main attraction of this cartridge is the ability to have clicks on both sides, up and down. These clicks can have standard features, or we can customize them according to our client’s specifications, providing a full OEM configuration.
With the standard features, you can have a variety of functionalities:
- Boost and ECO Mode: Limiting the flow rate by default, and enabling a maximum customizable flow rate when using the Boost mode.
- Toothbrush: Which lets cold water flow for 2 seconds.
- Glass Fill: Which gives you a customized quantity of cold water, normally around 250 ml.
- Outlet Selection: In applications like shower or kitchen, you can have up to 4 outlets.
- Temperature Increase: Increasing temperature by 2ºC at a time.
- Pot Fill: Which gives you a customized quantity of cold water at high flow rate, normally around 1 l.
Like the iTOP 25 mm, the 35 mm also works with a standard plug of 3.5 mm wire connection, connected to an electronic mixing box as well as with a Modbus RTU and open memory map.
Another great advantage of this 35 mm digital cartridge is the ability to incorporate an iHandle, a special screen-type handle that can show you the feature you are using and provide real-time information like water temperature and flow. This iHandle also works with the clicks for a better user experience. Thanks to the flexible flat cable (FFC) added in the cartridge, we can connect it to the dot screen and show the information the customer wants. *(You will be able to find more information about the iHandle soon on our blog.)
As demonstrated, we can easily adapt our iTOP to the manufacturer’s needs, ensuring all checks are covered. If you need more information, contact us, and our engineering and sales team will help you with further concerns. Become a pioneer in the industry and start your digitalization process with Sedal.
