Water Purification Cartridge Connector Layout for Reverse-Flow Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purification systems face difficulties in safely and efficiently replacing cartridge-type modules and establishing fluid connections, often resulting in undesirable reverse fluid flow and complex manual handling processes.

Innovation Solution

A connecting mechanism with movable connector elements and driver elements that allow for translational or rotational movement to establish and release fluid connections, ensuring a uni-directional flow and simplified, tool-free attachment and detachment of modules, while protecting fluid ports from damage and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two connectors are inserted simultaneously perpendicular to the cartridge longitudinal direction, then fluid connection is established, but the operation becomes difficult and requires additional manual handling

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid connectionVSAvoidcartridge installation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of inserting connectors perpendicular to the cartridge longitudinal direction, the invention orients connectors parallel to the longitudinal direction, allowing sequential insertion along the cartridge axis. This inversion of the connection direction simplifies the installation process while maintaining reliable fluid connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The connectors are pre-positioned on the cartridge body in a retracted state, allowing the cartridge to be easily inserted into the housing first. The connectors then extend automatically or manually to establish fluid connection with the housing ports, separating the mechanical insertion from the fluid connection steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If connectors project from end plates perpendicular to longitudinal direction, then fluid connection is possible, but simultaneous insertion of two connectors becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid connectionVSAvoidconnector alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connector orientation is inverted from perpendicular to parallel relative to the cartridge longitudinal direction. This allows the two connectors to be positioned at different locations along the cartridge axis, enabling sequential rather than simultaneous insertion, thereby reducing alignment complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The fluid connection process is segmented into separate steps for each connector. The first connector establishes connection at one end, followed by the second connector at another location, allowing independent positioning and insertion without requiring precise simultaneous alignment of both connectors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If bottom-up flow through mixed bed media is used, then water purification is achieved, but resin beads separate and purification efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater purificationVSAvoidresin bead mixing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The flow direction through the mixed bed cartridge is inverted from bottom-up to top-down. Water enters through the top connector and flows downward through the resin beads, exiting through the bottom connector. This reversed flow direction prevents resin bead separation while maintaining effective water purification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Ease of operation

If fluid ports are exposed on cartridge exterior, then connection is simplified, but ports are vulnerable to damage and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector accessVSAvoidport contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The connectors are nested within recesses or cavities in the cartridge body rather than projecting externally. The connector tips extend only far enough to engage with corresponding ports in the housing, keeping the majority of the connector protected within the cartridge structure. This reduces exposure to damage and contamination while maintaining connection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11020708B2Connecting mechanism for a water purification cartridge

Publication Date: 2021.06.01 MERCK PATENT GMBH

AI summary

A connecting mechanism (1) for a cartridge-type replaceable module (2) that has at least one fluid port (2a, 2b) at each of opposite sides of the module (2) in a longitudinal direction of the module (2). The connecting mechanism (1) comprises two connector elements (3) spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the module (2) and each provided with at least one fluid connector (3b) configured to releasably inter-engage with a complementary fluid port (2a, 2b) of the module (2) at the respective side thereof, wherein at least one of the connector elements (3) is movable to perform a translational movement in the longitudinal direction of the module (2). The connecting mechanism (1) further comprises at least one driver element (4) arranged to engage with the module (2) and with the at least one movable connector element (3) such that a rotational or translational movement of the module (2) engaged with the driver element (4) causes the translational movement of the movable connector element (3) via the driver element (4) to establish/release the inter-engagement of the fluid connector(s) (3b) of that connector element (3) with the associated fluid port(s) (2a, 2b) of the module (2).