Water Purification Filter Element With Self-Stopping Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purifiers face issues with complex filter element installation, residual water leakage during disassembly, lack of water quality detection, and high resource waste due to disposable filter elements.
Innovation Solution
A water purification filter element with a detachable filter material, a self-stopping and passing structure using elastic blocks and springs, and an annular water inlet channel for easy mounting and alignment-free installation, along with an intelligent faucet for quality monitoring and filter replacement reminders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filter element is fixed in a rotary mode requiring screwing and rotating by multiple turns, then the mounting and fixing purposes can be achieved, but the installation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is divided into a filter bottle and a detachable end cover assembly. The end cover can be separated from the filter bottle, allowing the filter material to be replaced independently without rotating or unscrewing the entire filter element. This segmentation enables tool-free replacement by simply pulling the end cover off and on, dramatically simplifying the installation process while maintaining secure mounting.
2Ease of repair
If the filter element is disassembled to replace filter material, then the filter material can be replaced, but a large amount of residual water flows out causing water stains and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
A water stop structure is built into the filter element that automatically stops water flow before the user disassembles the end cover. The water stop structure includes a water stop member that can be activated in advance to seal the water passage, preventing residual water from flowing out during the filter material replacement process. This preliminary action eliminates the harmful water leakage effect while enabling easy filter material replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the filter material is integrated with the filter bottle as a disposable filter element, then specialization and convenience are achieved, but great waste of resources occurs and use cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is segmented into a reusable filter bottle and a replaceable end cover containing the filter material. This segmentation allows the filter bottle to be kept and reused multiple times, while only the end cover with the consumable filter material needs to be replaced. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the convenience of specialized filter elements while eliminating the resource waste of disposable designs, as the bulk of the filter element (the bottle) is not discarded.
4Ease of operation
If the filter element is mounted without an annular water inlet channel for alignment, then mounting simplicity can be achieved, but users cannot find the right position and need to rotate by multiple turns
Solution Approach 1:
An annular water inlet channel is designed into the filter element with an asymmetric structure that provides visual and functional alignment guidance. The channel has a specific orientation and shape that allows users to quickly identify the correct mounting position without trial and error rotation. This asymmetric design feature enables intuitive alignment, eliminating the time loss associated with finding the right position while maintaining mounting simplicity.
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
Reduces resource waste and consumable costs, prevents water leakage during assembly and disassembly, and enhances user experience with automatic water stopping and quick filter replacement, while providing effective water quality monitoring and convenient filter element management.
Implementation Method 1
water-stopping elastic blocks which are arranged in the water flow channels via water-stopping springs respectively; when the filter element is mounted, the water-stopping elastic blocks are pressed, the water-stopping springs are contracted, and the water-stopping elastic blocks move to open the water flow channels; and when the filter element is disassembled, the water-stopping springs stretch, the water-stopping elastic blocks reset, the water flow channels are sealed by the water-stopping elastic blocks
Data Source
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AI summary
A water purification filter element is provided. The water purification filter element mainly includes a filter bottle, a filter material, an end cover and a water self-stopping and passing structure. The filter element is reasonable in structural design, the filter material is detachably mounted in the filter bottle, the filter material can be independently replaced through opening the end cover, the consumable replacement cost is reduced, and resource waste is avoided; further, through arranging the water self-stopping and passing structure, the automatic water-stopping function of the filter element is achieved, water flow channels are automatically closed when the filter element is disassembled, and in the disassembly and assembly process, residual water in the filter element is prevented from flowing out to cause machine or furniture pollution. According to a household water purifier including the water purification filter element, due to the fact that the water purification filter element adopts the design of an annular water inlet channel, alignment is not needed in the mounting process, and the quick assembling and disassembling function of blind insertion of the filter element can be achieved. After the water purification filter element is inserted into a water purifier shell, sliding buckle assemblies are started to fix the water purification filter element in the water purifier shell, so that the water purification filter element is easy and convenient in operation to disassemble and assemble.