Donut-Shaped Additive Tablet in Filter Cartridge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fluid filtering and dispensing systems face challenges in introducing additives without impairing flow rates, particularly in systems where filtered water is needed quickly, such as filter-as-you-pour (FAYP) systems, as additives can slow down the filtration process when introduced into axial passageways of filter cartridges.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additive tablet with a donut-shaped configuration within the filter cartridge, allowing filtered fluid to pass through an opening in the additive material as it exits, ensuring a consistent concentration of additives in the dispensed fluid without affecting flow rates, and using an aspiration process with an eductor to introduce additives into the filtered water stream.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additives are introduced into the axial passageway of the filter cartridge, then the additive can be delivered to the filtered fluid, but the flow rate through the filter cartridge is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cartridge is divided into multiple flow paths: a first axial passageway for additive delivery and a second axial passageway for filtered fluid delivery. This segmentation allows the additive to be introduced without blocking the main fluid flow path, thereby maintaining flow rate while achieving additive delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
A separate carrier fluid path is introduced as an intermediary medium. The additive is dissolved in a carrier fluid that flows through the first axial passageway, which is distinct from the second axial passageway carrying the filtered water. This intermediary approach allows additive delivery without impeding the main water flow.
2Quantity of substance
If additives are introduced into systems requiring fluid to pass through filter into reservoir before dispensing, then additive delivery is achieved, but the system becomes slower to provide filtered water
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into parallel flow paths where the additive carrier fluid and the filtered water travel through separate axial passageways. This allows the filtered water to reach the user quickly through the second passageway while the additive is simultaneously delivered through the first passageway, eliminating delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The additive is pre-dissolved in the carrier fluid before entering the filter cartridge. This preliminary preparation allows the additive to be delivered simultaneously with the filtered water without requiring additional time for dissolution or mixing after filtration.
3Quantity of substance
If additive concentration is increased to provide desirable benefits, then health and taste benefits are improved, but flow rate through the filter is further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is segmented into two separate axial passageways: one for additive carrier fluid and one for filtered water. This allows high additive concentration in the carrier fluid without affecting water flow rate, as the two streams remain separate until recombination at the dispensing point.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the filter cartridge are assigned different functions: the first axial passageway is optimized for additive delivery with appropriate concentration, while the second axial passageway is optimized for water flow. This local differentiation allows each path to operate at optimal conditions without compromising the other.
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
This approach allows for the introduction of additives into filtered water without reducing flow rates, providing a consistent concentration and extending the life of the additive to match the filter media, while ensuring rapid and efficient dispensing of filtered water.
Implementation Method 1
using an aspiration process with an eductor to introduce additives into the filtered water stream
Implementation Method 2
unfiltered water is introduced into a filter cartridge, and as the unfiltered water exits the filter cartridge, the unfiltered water is filtered to become filtered water
Data Source
AI summary
On example of a fluid dispensing system includes an unfiltered water container body defining an internal storage volume configured to hold a volume of water, a fluid outlet arranged for fluid communication with the internal storage volume, and a filter element positioned in the internal storage volume. With this configuration, a water dispensing process can be performed in which a single continuous stream of unfiltered water from the unfiltered water container body can pass through the filter element and be dispensed from the unfiltered water container body as a stream of filtered water. A water soluble tablet with an additive is positioned in the internal storage volume downstream of the filter medium such that the filtered water can pass out of the filter element and into contact with the water soluble tablet before being dispensed from the fluid outlet.