Filter Cartridge With 1/4-Turn Attachment For Gravity Feed Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filter systems for gravity-fed containers, such as jugs and beverage making units, face challenges in providing a convenient and efficient means for filtering water as it is dispensed, with issues including small filter cartridge sizes, difficult attachment mechanisms, and residual unfiltered water remaining in the container.
Innovation Solution
A filter assembly with a fluid dispensing spigot and a filter housing that includes a filter media with pleated paper or extruded carbon, featuring a ¼-turn attachment scheme using angled protrusions for easy installation and removal, ensuring all water passes through the filter and minimizing residual unfiltered water through a low-profile design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter cartridge is installed in a gravity-fed container with a spigot, then water filtration is achieved, but the filter cartridge size is limited and residual unfiltered water remains in the container
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cartridge is designed with a low-profile configuration that extends horizontally rather than vertically, allowing it to maximize filtration surface area while minimizing vertical space occupation. This dimensional reorientation enables the filter to expose more filter media to the water supply without increasing the container's overall height requirement
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cartridge is divided into multiple filtration layers including pleated paper filter media and extruded carbon elements, arranged in series to provide comprehensive filtration. This segmentation allows each layer to target different contaminants while maintaining a compact overall structure
2Reliability
If a traditional filter attachment mechanism is used, then the filter can be secured to the spigot, but the attachment and removal process is difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cartridge incorporates a rotating engagement mechanism with angled protrusions that transition from a horizontal insertion position to a vertical locked position through a ¼-turn motion. This dynamic transformation enables secure attachment while maintaining ease of operation, as users can quickly replace filters with a simple quarter rotation rather than complex threading or clamping actions
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement interface uses angled protrusions and corresponding recesses that guide the filter cartridge into proper alignment and secure it through rotational motion. The curved or angled geometry of these engagement features provides mechanical advantage, allowing smooth transition from insertion to locked position with minimal user effort
3Volume of stationary object
If a small filter cartridge is used to fit within the container, then the container maintains its size, but the filter media exposure is limited reducing filtration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cartridge adopts a horizontal extension design that maximizes filter media exposure in the radial direction rather than the vertical direction. This allows the filter to present a large surface area to the incoming water flow while maintaining a low vertical profile that fits within the container's height constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cartridge is designed to nest within the container's existing structure, with the spigot passing through the filter housing. This nested configuration allows the filter media to extend outward from the central spigot area, maximizing filtration surface area without occupying excessive container volume
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 enables easy replacement of filter cartridges, ensures all water is filtered, and reduces residual unfiltered water in the container by allowing a larger exposure of filter media, improving the efficiency and convenience of water filtration in gravity-fed systems.
Implementation Method 1
a filter media enclosed therein, the body portion in fluid communication with the housing egress end and having a plurality of apertures for fluid ingress to the filter media
Implementation Method 2
a filter media enclosed therein, the fibrillated fibers may further include fibrillated adsorbent cellulose technology
Data Source
AI summary
Filters for use in conjunction with valves of the faucet or spigot type, and to filters for use in devices for withdrawing liquids from containers at relatively low pressures, such as gravity feed jugs or other gravity feed reservoirs. A ¼-turn attachment scheme for connecting a filter cartridge to a gravity feed reservoir, such as within a beverage making/dispensing device.