Retrofit Faucet Water Treatment System with Modular Filtration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water treatment systems for home use are costly and require significant renovation of existing faucets and kitchens, often resulting in a cluttered sink area and high installation costs, deterring retrofitting of existing systems with improved water treatment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A multifaceted water treatment apparatus that can be retrofitted onto existing sink/faucet assemblies without requiring additional holes in the countertop, featuring modular water treatment options including filtration, instant hot and cold water, ozonation, and carbonation, controlled by a process control unit and NFC system for user selection and filter monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multifaceted water treatment systems are built into original kitchen design, then water treatment functionality is provided, but installation cost and complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The water treatment system is divided into separate functional modules (filtration module, ozonation module, carbonation module, heating module) that can be independently selected and installed. Each module connects to the existing faucet through standardized interfaces, allowing users to build their desired system configuration without requiring complete kitchen renovation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides multiple water treatment functions (filtration, ozonation, carbonation, heating) within a single integrated platform that can be installed on existing faucets. The universal design allows the same base unit to support various treatment modules, eliminating the need for separate systems for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing faucets are retrofitted with water treatment systems, then water treatment capability is added, but substantial construction and renovation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The water treatment modules are extracted as separate, self-contained units that attach to the existing faucet assembly rather than requiring integration into the faucet itself. This extraction approach allows the treatment functionality to be added without modifying the original faucet structure or requiring countertop modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment modules are designed to nest within or attach to the existing faucet assembly structure. The modules can be stacked or arranged in a compact configuration that fits within the space around the existing faucet, minimizing the need for additional installation space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If aftermarket water treatment systems are installed, then water treatment options are provided, but the sink area becomes cluttered with hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment modules are arranged in a vertical stacking configuration rather than spreading out horizontally across the sink area. This vertical arrangement utilizes the vertical space above the sink, keeping the horizontal sink surface clear while providing multiple treatment options.
4Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive water treatment systems are installed, then multiple treatment features are available, but cost increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with dynamic configurability, allowing users to start with a basic filtration module and add additional treatment modules (ozonation, carbonation, heating) as needed and affordable. The modular architecture enables incremental investment rather than requiring full system installation upfront.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective retrofitting of existing faucets with various water treatment options, preserving water quality and reducing clutter, while providing users with filtered, ozonated, and carbonated water on demand, with NFC monitoring for filter replacement.
Implementation Method 1
a near-field communication (NFC) system operatively connected to one or more modules of the apparatus which provides apparatus status information to the user by way of a NFC reader and an NFC tag token
Implementation Method 2
ozonation; one or more plumbing connections which operatively divert the original household hot or cold water flow to the user selected water treatment module
Data Source
AI summary
A water treatment apparatus that includes: at least one module which operatively and selectively treats one or both of an original household hot water received from the household hot water line and water flowing through the module and treats cold water received from an original household cold water line that flows through; a process control unit whereby a user selects a desired treatment option for the water flowing through the apparatus to be dispensed to the user; one or more plumbing connections which operatively divert the original household hot and cold water flow to the user selected water treatment module so as to dispense to the user the selected treated water; and one or more valves which operatively cooperate with the process control unit to direct the water flow within the apparatus so as to provide the user with the selected treated water.