Water Purification Cartridge Coupling for Tool-Free Leak-Tight Replacement
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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 that allow for translational movement in the longitudinal direction, driven by rotational movement of the module, ensuring a uni-directional fluid flow and intuitive, tool-free connection and disconnection process, protecting fluid ports from damage and contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If connectors project perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cartridge, then fluid connection can be established, but simultaneous insertion of two connectors is difficult and requires complex manual handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the projection direction of connectors from perpendicular to longitudinal, aligning them with the cartridge's longitudinal axis. This dimensional reorientation allows sequential insertion along the longitudinal direction rather than requiring simultaneous perpendicular insertion, significantly simplifying the connection process and reducing manual handling complexity
2Productivity
If bottom-up flow through mixed bed media is used, then fluid purification is achieved, but anionic and cationic resin beads become separated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional bottom-up flow direction and implements top-to-bottom flow through the mixed bed cartridge. This reversal prevents the separation of anionic and cationic resin beads by maintaining proper flow direction through the mixed media, preserving the stability of the mixed bed composition while achieving effective water purification
3Productivity
If purified water flows back through permeate plenum, then water is collected, but water contacts cartridge material walls and becomes contaminated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the permeate collection function from the permeate plenum wall contact path. By implementing a separate collection mechanism that does not require water to contact the cartridge material walls during return flow, the design eliminates contamination while maintaining efficient permeate collection through dedicated collection ports and channels
4Reliability
If multiple control steps are required for fluid-tight connection, then connection reliability is improved, but operation time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple control steps into a single integrated connection action. By designing the connector and cartridge interface to achieve fluid-tight sealing through one unified insertion and locking motion, the system maintains high connection reliability while significantly reducing the time and complexity of the connection process
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
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).