Water purifying apparatus and filter structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purifying apparatuses with bypass structures for filter replacement have complex designs that reduce productivity and assembly workability, and can deteriorate due to the use of elastic members, leading to compromised water flow performance.
Innovation Solution
A filter structure with a housing body and cap, featuring an upper supporter with a supporter extending portion, projection, and flow paths, coupled using ultrasonic welding or adhesives, and optionally including a connector and spacer, to simplify the bypass mechanism and enhance assembly and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flow path switching plunger supported by an elastic member is used to enable bypass flow path switching, then the bypass function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the flow path switching plunger and elastic member from the system entirely. Instead, the housing cap itself forms the bypass flow path, which is always open and does not require any moving parts or switching mechanisms. This extracts the problematic components while preserving the bypass functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is divided into a housing body and a housing cap, with the bypass flow path integrated into the housing cap structure. This segmentation allows the bypass function to be achieved through the static housing cap design rather than requiring a complex integrated switching mechanism.
2Reliability
If a flow path switching plunger with sliding structure is used, then bypass flow path switching is enabled, but the bypass path becomes complicated and water flow performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding plunger structure is completely removed from the system. The bypass flow path is formed directly in the housing cap as a simple, straight channel that allows water to flow freely without navigating around complex mechanical components.
3Ease of operation
If an elastic member is used to support the flow path switching plunger, then the bypass switching mechanism functions, but reliability decreases when the elastic member deteriorates or becomes abnormal
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is completely removed from the system. The bypass flow path is formed as a static structure in the housing cap that remains open regardless of the filter cartridge's presence or state, eliminating any components that could deteriorate or fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing cap's own structure provides the bypass flow path, requiring no additional components or mechanisms. The bypass function is inherent to the housing cap design itself, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating parts that could fail.
4Reliability
If a complex flow path switching mechanism is used, then bypass functionality is achieved, but assembly workability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
All flow path switching components (plunger, elastic member, sliding structures) are removed. The bypass flow path is formed as an integral part of the housing cap, requiring no separate assembly steps for switching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass flow path functionality is merged directly into the housing cap structure. The housing cap simultaneously serves as a protective cover and as the bypass channel, eliminating the need for separate bypass components and simplifying assembly.
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 proposed filter structure simplifies the bypass mechanism, improves assembly workability, and maintains effective water flow performance, even when the elastic member's performance deteriorates, ensuring continuous water supply during filter replacement.
Implementation Method 1
the housing cap is coupled to the opening of the housing body by ultrasonic welding or an adhesive
Data Source
AI summary
A filter structure comprises a filtering member, a housing, and an upper supporter. The housing comprises a housing body comprising an opening portion and a housing cap coupled to the opening portion of the housing body. The upper supporter is coupled to the filtering member and disposed on an inner surface of the housing cap. The upper supporter comprises a supporter extending portion extending from the upper supporter portion, the supporter extending portion comprises a filter inlet flow path, a projection portion formed on an inner surface of the filter inlet flow path, and a filter outlet flow path separated from the first filter inlet flow path in the supporter extending portion.