Composite Filter Cartridge Assembly for Water Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purification systems face challenges in miniaturization, high reliability, and long service life due to the separate placement of activated carbon filters and insufficient water pressure, which reduces water flux and leads to booster pump blockage.

Innovation Solution

A water purification system with a composite filter cartridge assembly that integrates a pretreating filter cartridge, a fine filter cartridge, and a mouthfeel-improving activated carbon filter, where the booster pump is placed downstream of the pretreating filter to filter incoming water, and a water storage device is used to store purified water, ensuring high water flux and extended system reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the activated carbon filter cartridge is placed outside the integrally composite filter cartridge, then the mouthfeel of water is improved, but the overall dimension of the machine increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemouthfeel qualityVSAvoidoverall dimension
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the activated carbon filter cartridge with the integrally composite filter cartridge into a unified structure. The activated carbon filter cartridge is positioned within the same housing as the RO membrane and pretreatment filters, with all components arranged in a compact cylindrical configuration. This merging eliminates the need for separate external mounting of the activated carbon filter, thereby improving mouthfeel quality while maintaining a compact overall dimension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stress or pressure

If the booster pump is placed before the pretreating filter cartridge, then water pressure is increased, but the pump becomes blocked during long-term use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater pressureVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
Stress or pressureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent arranges the filtration components in a specific sequence where the pretreating filter cartridge is positioned upstream of the booster pump. This preliminary filtration action removes suspended particles, sediments, and other impurities from the water before it reaches the pump. The filtered water then enters the pump, preventing blockage and extending the service life of the pump while still achieving the required water pressure for RO filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If water pressure is insufficient, then the water purification system operates, but the water flux is reduced and water yield is small

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem operationVSAvoidwater flux
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a booster pump that dynamically adjusts water pressure to maintain optimal flux through the RO membrane. The pump is positioned after the pretreatment filter and before the RO membrane, creating a dynamic pressure regulation system. When inlet water pressure is insufficient, the booster pump compensates by increasing the pressure, thereby maintaining high water flux and productivity through the RO filtration process while ensuring reliable system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 integrated design minimizes system dimensions, reduces joint risks, and enhances reliability by filtering water before it reaches the booster pump, thus preventing blockages and improving water yield and quality, while the water storage device maintains high water flux even at low pressure.

Implementation Method 1

a pretreating filter cartridge and a fine filter cartridge which are disposed in sequence from outside to inside and spaced apart from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a pretreating filter cartridge and a fine filter cartridge which are disposed in sequence from outside to inside and spaced apart from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a mouthfeel-improving activated carbon filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentEP3392200B1Water purification system
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 FOSHAN SHUNDE MIDEA WATER DISPENSER MFG
  • EP3392200B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3392200B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3392200B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A water purification system (100) is provided and includes: a composite filter cartridge assembly (1), a booster pump (4), a waste-water solenoid valve (7) and a water storage device. The composite filter cartridge assembly (1) includes a filter casing (11) and a composite filter cartridge (12). A pretreated-water outlet (114) of the filter casing (11) is connected with a water-output end of a pretreating filter cartridge (121) of the composite filter cartridge (12) and with the booster pump (4). A pretreated-water inlet (115) of the filter casing (11) is connected with a water-input end of a fine filter cartridge (122) of the composite filter cartridge (12) and with the booster pump (4). A purified-water port (116) of the filter casing (11) is connected with a water-output end of the fine filter cartridge (122), a water-input end of a mouthfeel-improving filter cartridge (123) of the composite filter cartridge (12) and the water storage device.