Liquid Treatment Cartridge Cap with Asymmetric Locking Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Liquid treatment cartridges often suffer damage during insertion into the treatment system due to improper alignment, leading to broken locking parts and rendering the cartridge unusable, resulting in unnecessary disposal and additional costs for recycling.
Innovation Solution
A cap with protruding locking parts is used as a support element for the cartridge head section, allowing for easy and guided insertion while protecting the cartridge from damage, with the cap being releasable to prevent damage to the cartridge itself and allowing for replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cartridge head section is inserted into the head part without proper alignment guidance, then the insertion process is simple, but the locking parts may be damaged due to improper alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is attached to the cartridge head section before insertion into the head part. This preliminary action provides alignment guidance during the insertion process, ensuring that the locking parts engage properly with the receiving part without damage. The cap acts as a guiding element that pre-establishes the correct insertion path.
2Reliability
If a cap is placed on the cartridge head section to protect ports and provide alignment, then the cartridge is protected from damage, but the cap must be removed before insertion which adds an extra step
Solution Approach 1:
The cap is designed to remain attached to the cartridge head section during the entire insertion process and is not removed beforehand. The cap's locking parts integrate with the receiving part's locking mechanism, allowing the cap to stay in place while providing both protection and alignment functions simultaneously.
3Reliability
If the cap remains on the cartridge during insertion, then the locking parts are protected from damage, but the cap material must be food-safe which increases manufacturing cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into two distinct components: the cap made from non-food-safe, cost-effective materials, and the cartridge head section that contacts the liquid. This segmentation allows the cap to be manufactured from inexpensive materials while the cartridge head section uses food-safe materials where required by regulations.
4Manufacturing precision
If the cap provides alignment guidance during insertion, then the locking parts engage properly, but the cap design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cap incorporates asymmetric locking parts with specific geometric features that provide alignment guidance during insertion. The locking parts have asymmetric shapes that guide the cartridge head section into the correct orientation as it is inserted into the head part, ensuring proper engagement with the receiving part.
Data Source
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AI summary
A liquid treatment cartridge (1) comprises a cap (17) for placement on a cartridge head section (3) of the liquid treatment cartridge (1). The cartridge head section (3) includes at least one liquid inlet port (6) and at least one liquid outlet port (7) for enabling a fluid-tight connection to a head part (12) of a liquid treatment system (2). The cap (17) comprises at least one port opening (18) that allows for establishing the liquid-tight connection with the at least one liquid inlet port (6) and the at least one liquid outlet port (7) of the cartridge head section (3) without removing the cap (17) from the cartridge head section (3). Furthermore, the cap (17) comprises at least one protruding locking part (19) for releasably locking the cartridge head section (3) within the head part (12) of the liquid treatment system (2).