Filtered Water Cooler With Peltier Cooling and Overflow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water coolers lack effective filtration and cooling mechanisms, leading to inconsistent water quality and temperature control, and do not have efficient overflow management systems.
Innovation Solution
A water cooler design incorporating a removable filter with filtration media and a Peltier cooling device, along with an overflow tank, which ensures filtered water delivery and maintains optimal temperature through a combination of filtration and cooling, and addresses overflow issues with a separate overflow chamber.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a removable filter with filtration media is added to the water passage, then water quality is improved through effective filtration, but device complexity increases due to additional components and assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The filter assembly is segmented into separate components: a filter housing, a removable filter cartridge containing filtration media, and a mounting mechanism. This segmentation allows the filter to be easily installed, removed, and replaced without disassembling the entire water cooler system, thereby improving water quality while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
A filter housing acts as an intermediary component that interfaces between the water passage and the removable filter cartridge. This intermediary structure simplifies the integration of the filtration system into the existing water cooler design, allowing effective filtration without significantly complicating the overall device architecture.
2Temperature
If a Peltier cooling device is incorporated to cool water in the tank, then temperature control is improved, but use of energy increases due to the additional cooling mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The Peltier cooling device replaces traditional mechanical compression-based refrigeration systems. By using the Peltier effect (electrothermal effect), the system achieves cooling through direct electrical-to-thermal energy conversion without moving parts, thereby improving temperature control while potentially reducing energy consumption compared to conventional mechanical cooling systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The Peltier device changes the thermal parameters of the water by applying electrical current, which creates a temperature difference across the device. This parameter change approach allows for precise temperature control of the water in the tank, achieving the desired cooling effect with efficient energy utilization.
3Reliability
If an overflow tank is added to manage excess water, then reliability is improved by preventing spills, but device complexity increases due to additional tank and connection components
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow tank is merged with the main water tank structure, forming an integrated dual-chamber system. The overflow channel directly connects the two chambers, allowing excess water to be automatically redirected without requiring separate overflow management components. This merging approach improves reliability by preventing spills while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The overflow system operates on a self-service basis, where the overflow channel automatically redirects excess water from the main tank to the overflow tank without requiring external control mechanisms. This passive overflow management system improves reliability by preventing spills while avoiding the addition of complex active control components.
4Ease of operation
If the filter is made removable for easy maintenance, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may worsen due to potential improper reinstallation or contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is segmented into a permanent filter housing and a removable filter cartridge. This segmentation allows users to easily remove and replace only the filter cartridge without disturbing the housing or other system components, improving ease of operation while maintaining filtration effectiveness through proper sealing interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter housing serves as an intermediary that provides a controlled interface for filter cartridge installation and removal. This intermediary structure includes sealing mechanisms and alignment features that ensure proper reinstallation, thereby maintaining filtration effectiveness while enabling easy filter replacement by the end user.
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 reliable source of filtered and cooled water while preventing spills, ensuring consistent water quality and temperature control, and allowing for easy maintenance and filter replacement.
Implementation Method 1
A cooling device is preferably provided adjacent the tank. This cooling device is preferably a Peltier cooler having a cooling plate that draws heat from the contents of the tank.
Implementation Method 2
A water cooler design incorporating a removable filter with filtration media
Data Source
AI summary
A water cooler (10) comprises an internal tank (400) that is normally connected to an inverted reservoir (200) and to a delivery spout (122). A cup shaped filter (300) is placed in the water passage (138, 152, 402) leading from the reservoir to the tank. The filter contains filtration material. It also has microscopic openings (323) in its cover and base (306) through which water passes into and out of a filter cup.