Collapsible Water Container Leakage Prevention via Intermediary Foil
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gravity water filtration systems for outdoor use face challenges in safety, durability, and versatility, particularly due to leakage issues in collapsible containers made from laminates of fabric and water-impermeable polymer foil, and the need for improved manufacturing methods to prevent water seepage.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, collapsible water container with a pre-filter chamber and a purification unit using porous membranes or adsorptive materials, combined with a manufacturing method that overlays and welds or glues thermoplastic polymers and fabrics to prevent water leakage, featuring a quick connector system and a backwash function for cleaning the filtration system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If a flexible collapsible container is made from laminate of fabric and water-impermeable polymer foil, then the container is lightweight and portable, but water leakage occurs through the laminate structure
Solution Approach 1:
An additional water-impermeable polymer foil layer is introduced as an intermediary sealing layer between the fabric laminates at the welding seam. This additional foil layer acts as a mediator to prevent water from penetrating through the welding seam, while the main laminate structure remains lightweight and flexible for portability.
Solution Approach 2:
The container structure is segmented into distinct functional layers: the main laminate structure for flexibility and weight reduction, and a separate additional polymer foil layer specifically for sealing and leakage prevention at critical welding seam areas. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function.
2Volume of moving object
If purification unit is placed inside the flexible container, then the system is compact for transportation, but the purification media cannot be easily replaced or maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The purification unit is segmented from the main container body and placed in a dedicated compartment or attached to the exterior. This segmentation allows the purification unit to be independently removed and replaced without disassembling the entire container, enabling easy maintenance while maintaining compact integration during use.
Solution Approach 2:
The purification unit is designed with dynamic positioning capability - it can be integrated with the container during operation for compactness, but can be easily detached or accessed for maintenance. This dynamic design allows the system to switch between compact transportation mode and maintenance mode.
3Productivity
If tube length is increased to improve water flow, then filtration efficiency increases, but the system becomes more complex and harder to store
Solution Approach 1:
The tube is designed with curved or coiled configurations instead of straight lines, allowing it to achieve the necessary length for effective filtration while being compactly stored. The curved design optimizes space utilization and reduces complexity during storage and transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The tube is designed to be nested or coiled within itself or within the container structure when not in use. This nesting approach allows a long tube required for effective filtration to be stored in a compact form factor, reducing apparent complexity during storage while maintaining full functionality during operation.
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 enhances safety and durability by preventing water leakage and improving the filtration process, ensuring effective removal of bacteria, sub-micron particles, and viruses, while allowing for easy maintenance and versatility in use.
Implementation Method 1
The pre-filter material has a porosity of a predetermined limit preventing particles larger than the predetermined limit to pass the pre-filter material
Implementation Method 2
a purification unit that comprises purifying media configured for purifying water through removal of bacteria and sub-micron particles by gravity-forced flow of water through the water purification unit
Implementation Method 3
Alternatively, also adsorptive material can be used, such as electropositive attracting fibrous or granular material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for water purification comprising a flexible, collapsible water container (2a, 2b) to which a purification unit (4) is connected by a tube (3) for purification of water driven through the purification unit (4) by gravity. The container is produced by welding or gluing a laminate with an overlay region.