Bladderless Accumulator and Suspended Pump Mount for Water Purification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water purification systems experience significant vibration and noise due to pumps used to boost water pressure, leading to wear and tear on components and reduced system lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A water purification device incorporating a bladderless accumulator and a pump mount that reduces pulsations and vibrations, featuring a pump mounted via a suspended metal pump mount and a one-way valve for self-draining, along with a diaphragm pump for reduced bulk and cost-effective design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pump is used to boost water pressure, then water supply efficiency is improved, but vibration and noise increase causing wear and tear on components
Solution Approach 1:
A bladderless accumulator is introduced as an intermediary device between the pump and the water distribution system. The accumulator absorbs pump-induced pressure pulsations and vibrations, acting as a buffer that protects downstream components from mechanical stress while maintaining the pump's pressure-boosting function
Solution Approach 2:
The pump mount incorporates vibration-dampening materials and isolated mounting structures that are designed beforehand to absorb and dissipate vibrations at their source. This preemptive cushioning prevents vibrations from propagating through the housing and damaging other components
2Ease of operation
If a bladderless accumulator is used for maintenance-free operation, then ease of operation is improved, but the accumulator may gradually fill with water requiring intervention
Solution Approach 1:
A one-way air inlet valve is integrated into the accumulator design that automatically opens when the device is in standby mode, allowing trapped water to drain and air to replenish the accumulator. This self-service mechanism maintains the air cushion without requiring manual intervention or maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The one-way valve operates periodically based on the operational state of the device - remaining closed during active pumping to maintain pressure, and automatically opening during standby mode to drain water and replenish air, creating a self-regulating cycle that prevents water accumulation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution significantly reduces wear and tear on components, increases system lifespan, and maintains a low-maintenance operation by minimizing oscillations and vibrations, while ensuring efficient water supply and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
The accumulator acts as an energy storage device, storing potential energy through the compression of air in a container open to the relatively incompressible water
Implementation Method 2
the shelf may be suspended away from the housing. This ensures that the pump mount acts as a suspended spring such that the vibrational frequency of the shelf chosen to counter vibrational modes introduced by the pump
Implementation Method 3
the pump mount is formed of a single sheet of metal... In some examples the metal is folded to form a shelf on which the pump is mounted. This reduces part complexity and points of failure. Furthermore, the shelf may be suspended away from the housing. This ensures that the pump mount acts as a suspended spring
Implementation Method 4
This is overcome by utilising a one-way valve to allow the inflow of air. This valve is generally formed in the top of the accumulator. This allows the accumulator to be self-draining
Data Source
AI summary
A water purification device includes a housing having an outlet for dispensing purified water; a filtration system for purifying water, and a pump mounted to the housing and fluidly coupled between the filtration system and the outlet; and a bladderless accumulator coupled to the pump for accumulating the water. The pump is mounted to the housing via a pump mount that is suspended above the housing. The combination of a bladderless accumulator and pump mount ensures that pulsations generated by the pump are greatly reduced.