Filter cartridge for a filter assembly, filter assembly and domestic appliance with a filter assemly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air filter assemblies for domestic refrigerators are inefficient, prone to movement, and difficult to track, leading to inconsistent performance and maintenance challenges, with current solutions either detaching from walls or requiring frequent replacement.
Innovation Solution
An air filter cartridge with a spring element and moveable interaction element that securely attaches to the filter housing, allowing for controlled expulsion and easy replacement, featuring a bendable plate for expelling force and a locking mechanism to maintain position within the housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If filter assemblies are loosely placed within the domestic refrigerator, then they can be easily installed and removed, but they can freely move within the refrigerator causing inconveniences and losing track of their position
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is divided into a filter cartridge and a filter housing that can be separately assembled. The filter cartridge contains the filtering elements while the filter housing provides structural support and mounting features, allowing easy handling of the cartridge while the housing remains固定在 the refrigerator wall.
Solution Approach 2:
An interaction element is introduced as an intermediary component between the filter cartridge and the refrigerator wall. This element can be engaged or disengaged to secure the filter assembly in position during operation, preventing movement, while allowing easy removal when needed for maintenance or replacement.
2Reliability
If filter assemblies are attached to inner walls, then position stability is improved, but they may detach from the inner walls during their lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing incorporates a detachable mounting mechanism that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. The interaction element allows the filter assembly to be securely attached during operation but can be easily detached for maintenance, providing dynamic adaptability rather than permanent fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates potential detachment issues by incorporating a robust interaction element with proper engagement features. The filter housing and mounting structure are designed to distribute mechanical stresses and prevent premature detachment during the service life of the filter assembly.
3Reliability
If filter assemblies require frequent replacement, then filtering performance is maintained, but maintenance time and effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into a reusable filter housing and replaceable filter cartridge. The housing with its mounting mechanism remains installed in the refrigerator, while only the cartridge needs to be replaced periodically. This reduces maintenance time significantly compared to replacing entire filter assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cartridge is designed with pre-assembled filtering elements and an integrated interaction element that enables quick engagement and disengagement. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid replacement without requiring complex assembly or disassembly operations during maintenance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filter assemblies are used, then coverage of different food products is improved, but tracking which filter is placed where becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing or cartridge can incorporate color coding or visual indicators that correspond to different refrigerator zones or food types. This allows users to easily identify and track which filter is installed in which location, maintaining organization when multiple filters are used simultaneously.
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
Ensures safe and reliable placement and easy removal of the filter cartridge, maintaining consistent performance and reducing maintenance frequency by providing a controlled expelling force and secure locking mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element configured to interact with a portion of the filter housing and to exert an expelling force on the filter cartridge
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~7
Figure 3~4
AI summary
There is described a filter assembly (2) comprising a filter housing (15) and a removable filter cartridge (16) arranged and/or arrangeable within the filter housing (15). The filter assembly (2) comprises an expelling device configured to exert an expelling force onto the filter cartridge (16) when being arranged within the filter housing (15) for at least partially directing the filter cartridge (16) out of the filter housing (15) and a control device controllable into a locking configuration for blocking the filter cartridge (16) within the filter housing (15) and/or for counter-acting against the expelling force and an unlocking configuration for allowing the expelling force to at least partially expel the filter cartridge (16) from the filter housing (15). The control device comprises at least a first interaction element (20) and a second interaction element (21) interacting and/or being configured to interact with one another with the control device being controlled into the locking configuration. The first interaction element (20) and the second interaction element (21) are configured such that the interaction between the first interaction element (20) and the second interaction element (21) is interrupted and/or released with the control device being controlled into the unlocking configuration and the filter cartridge (16) is provided with the first interaction element (20) and the filter housing (15) is provided with the second interaction element (21).