Filtered Water Dispenser Layout Without Reservoir Tanks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water dispensers for home or office use require constant maintenance to prevent bacteria and algae growth in reservoir systems, which adds complexity and cost, and often lack efficient space utilization and the ability to provide filtered hot, cold, and carbonated water.
Innovation Solution
A compact water dispenser design utilizing an ice bank for continuous cooling of filtered water, eliminating the need for a reservoir and incorporating a carbonator within the ice bank assembly to maintain cold temperatures, while minimizing space requirements and incorporating a unique faucet design for easy maintenance and filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a reservoir tank is used to accumulate filtered water, then the dispenser can provide continuous water supply, but bacteria and algae growth occurs requiring constant maintenance and UV or ozone systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the reservoir tank entirely from the system. Instead of storing filtered water in a reservoir, the system uses an ice bank to cool water on-demand as it passes through the dispensing mechanism. This extraction of the reservoir eliminates the bacterial growth problem while maintaining continuous supply capability through the ice cooling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the water by using an ice bank to cool it to near-freezing temperatures. This temperature change not only provides cold water for dispensing but also creates an environment that prevents bacterial and algae growth, replacing the need for chemical treatment systems.
2Reliability
If UV or ozone systems are added to prevent bacterial growth in reservoirs, then reliability improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the entire reservoir system that would require UV or ozone treatment. By eliminating the standing water reservoir, the system removes the need for these complex maintenance systems while still achieving reliable bacterial prevention through the ice bank's cold temperature mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional dispenser components are arranged separately, then each component can be optimized independently, but space requirements on countertop increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The ice bank serves both as a cooling mechanism for water and as a space-efficient structural element. The dispenser head integrates the filtering, cooling, and dispensing functions in a compact arrangement that minimizes countertop footprint while maintaining component effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs nested arrangements where components are placed within or alongside each other to maximize space utilization. The ice bank is positioned to serve the dispensing mechanism, and the filter is integrated into the water flow path without requiring separate large-volume housing, creating a compact nested configuration.
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 provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance, and space-efficient means to dispense filtered hot, cold, and carbonated water, reducing bacterial growth concerns and optimizing space usage without the need for UV or ozone systems.
Implementation Method 1
an array of cold water coils at one side of the tank immersed in the bath and spaced from a generally flat array of refrigeration or evaporator coils at an opposite side of the tank
Implementation Method 2
The evaporator coils form a generally planar ice bank extending rectilinearly in a direction between the front and rear faces of the housing
Implementation Method 3
A compressor is mounted on the bottom wall of the housing and is coupled to one end of the evaporator coils
Implementation Method 4
A condenser coil is mounted at the rear face of the housing and is coupled between the compressor and an opposite end of the evaporator coils
Implementation Method 5
A filter is mounted in the housing and has a rear end connectable to a source of water
Data Source
AI summary
A water dispenser is provided for dispensing hot water, cold water, and carbonated water, all of which is filtered. The dispenser includes a housing defining a front dispensing face, a rear face, opposite side walls and a bottom wall. A filter is mounted in the housing and has a rear end connectable to a source of water and a front end accessible at the front face of the housing to facilitate replacing the filter. A dispensing faucet is disposed at the front face of the housing. A hot water tank is located at one side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a hot water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering hot water thereto. An ice bank assembly is located at an opposite side of the housing and has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and a cold water outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering cold water thereto. A compressor is mounted on the bottom wall of the housing and is coupled to one end of the ice bank evaporator. A condenser coil is mounted at the rear face of the housing and is coupled between the compressor and an opposite end of the evaporator. A carbonator has an inlet for receiving filtered water from the filter and an outlet near the dispensing faucet for delivering carbonated water thereto.