Water Filter Cartridge Flow Reversal Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing non-pressurized domestic water filter systems suffer from dead water zones, particularly at the bottom and edges of the filter cartridge, which are not in direct contact with the filter medium, leading to inefficiencies in water flow and residual water accumulation.

Innovation Solution

A filter cartridge design with a housing featuring an upper inlet and lower outlet, incorporating flow reversal means and a peripheral seal to prevent dead water zones, along with separate chambers for different filter media and a siphon for flow stabilization and residual water removal, and an outlet positioned above the cartridge bottom to facilitate efficient water discharge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water flows through a conventional filter cartridge from top to bottom, then filtration is achieved, but dead water zones form at the bottom and edges of the cartridge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoidresidual water accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements flow reversal by providing means that redirect water flow from the conventional top-to-bottom direction to a bottom-to-top direction through the filter cartridge. This inversion eliminates dead water zones at the bottom and edges by ensuring all water passes through the filter medium, thereby maintaining filtration efficiency while removing residual water accumulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of manufacture

If the outlet is positioned at the bottom of the cartridge, then water discharge is simplified, but dead water zones form below the cartridge

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoutlet positioningVSAvoidresidual water

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the outlet not at the bottom but at the top of the filter cartridge, changing the vertical dimension of outlet placement. This dimensional change allows water to be discharged from the top after flow reversal, eliminating dead water zones below the cartridge while maintaining ease of manufacture through straightforward outlet integration into the cartridge structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If flow rate increases with water column height, then filtration capacity improves, but flow rate becomes unstable during filtration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltration capacityVSAvoidflow rate stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates flow reversal means that create a feedback mechanism to stabilize flow rate. As water level decreases during filtration, the flow reversal system activates to maintain consistent flow through the filter medium, ensuring stable filtration capacity throughout the entire filtration process rather than relying solely on gravity-driven flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of manufacture

If the cartridge is designed for simple filtration, then manufacturing is easy, but addition of minerals and trace elements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge design simplicityVSAvoidmineral addition capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the filter cartridge into multiple chambers that can be independently filled with different filter media. This segmentation allows the cartridge to maintain simple manufacturing through modular construction while enabling versatility by allowing different chambers to contain different media for filtration, mineral addition, and trace element enhancement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Reliability

If silver ions are released by the filter medium, then ion exchange occurs, but silver ions remain in the filtration output

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveion exchange functionVSAvoidsilver ion contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes silver ions from the filtration output by providing a specific chamber filled with filter medium that targets and captures silver ions released during filtration. This extraction function is separated from the main filtration process, allowing silver ions to be removed while maintaining the primary filtration and ion exchange functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 design significantly reduces dead water zones, stabilizes water flow, allows for the addition of minerals and flavorings, and effectively removes silver ions released by the filter medium, ensuring efficient filtration and minimal residual water.

Implementation Method 1

means for flow reversal (in particular a siphon) are provided between the inlet and the outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSiphon effect: Syphon

Implementation Method 2

filter cartridge for a water filtration device... water passes through the filter solely by gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

filter cartridge for a water filtration device... addition of minerals, trace elements or flavorings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon exchange: Ion Exchange

Implementation Method 4

water passes through the filter solely by gravity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Implementation Method 5

The housing preferably has at least one circumferential seal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP2022760B1Filter cartridge for a water filtration device

Publication Date: 2019.01.16 BWT AG

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AI summary

The filter cartridge for a water filter device e.g. household water filter, comprises a housing (2) with an upper part, which includes an inlet (5) and a lower part, which is filled with a filtering medium and includes an outlet (8), a means intended between the inlet and the outlet for reversing the flow, and two chambers (3, 4) arranged in the housing. The housing comprises a circumferential seal (7) and is closed below the seal, which is arranged at a top edge of the filter cartridge. The chamber is arranged between the means for reversing the flow and the outlet. The filter cartridge for a water filter device e.g. household water filter, comprises a housing (2) with an upper part, which includes an inlet (5) and a lower part, which is filled with a filtering medium and includes an outlet (8), a means intended between the inlet and the outlet for reversing the flow, and two chambers (3, 4) arranged in the housing. The housing comprises a circumferential seal (7) and is closed below the seal, which is arranged at a top edge of the filter cartridge. The chamber is arranged between the means for reversing the flow and the outlet, and is filled with a silver, heavy metal and/or arsenic-adsorbing medium. The outlet is arranged 10 mm above a base of the filter cartridge. The base of housing is filled with a filtering medium. The filter cartridge includes inner and outer housings, which are closed at the lower surface. The inner and outer housings form a pipette. The chambers are separated in section-wise manner and arranged next to each other and are filled with different filtering mediums. Another inlet is arranged below the inlet, adjoins to an edge-lateral seal, and is arranged below the level with a filtering medium. The seal forms a gutter connected with another inlet.