Water container with floatable filter system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water filtration pitchers require multiple fills due to the small unfiltered water reservoir, leading to inefficiencies in filtering and dispensing water, as the filtering process occurs during filling or dispensing, resulting in wasted space and increased time consumption.
Innovation Solution
A floatable seal system that allows unfiltered water to pass through a filter while maintaining a separate compartment for filtered water, eliminating wasted space and reducing the need for multiple fills by using a gas-filled annular chamber to float the seal, enabling efficient filtration and dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the unfiltered water reservoir is enlarged to increase water capacity, then the unfiltered water storage increases, but the filtered water space decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water filtration system into two independent compartments: a large unfiltered water reservoir and a separate filtered water collection area. The floatable filter assembly acts as a movable partition that separates these two spaces, allowing each to be optimized independently for volume and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes vertical space by employing a floatable filter assembly that moves up and down within the pitcher. This creates three-dimensional utilization of space, allowing the unfiltered water reservoir to extend to the top of the pitcher while the filtered water collects in the bottom portion, effectively increasing both capacities simultaneously.
2Volume of stationary object
If filtering is performed during filling or dispensing, then space utilization improves, but the process time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary filtration by allowing unfiltered water to pass through the floatable filter assembly into the filtered water collection area before dispensing. This pre-filtering action separates the filtration process from the dispensing process, enabling rapid dispensing of already-filtered water without time-consuming filtration during the act of pouring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous filtration operation as the floatable filter assembly remains in constant contact with unfiltered water, continuously producing filtered water in the collection area. This continuous action eliminates idle time and ensures the filtered water reservoir is always replenished, maintaining uninterrupted useful action.
3Device complexity
If a fixed filter reservoir is used, then the structure is simple, but multiple fills are required to obtain full filtered water reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic floatable filter assembly that automatically adjusts its position based on water levels. As unfiltered water is added, the floatable assembly rises, maintaining the filtration interface at the optimal location. This dynamic adjustment eliminates the need for manual intervention and multiple fills, significantly improving productivity while maintaining relatively simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The floatable filter assembly is self-regulating, automatically positioning itself according to water levels without user intervention. The buoyancy mechanism causes the filter to rise as water is added and descend as water is dispensed, creating a self-service system that maximizes filtered water production efficiency while requiring minimal user action.
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 floatable seal system significantly reduces wasted space and time by allowing continuous filtration without interrupting the dispensing process, providing a more efficient and user-friendly experience by eliminating the need for multiple fills and minimizing the time required to fill the pitcher.
Implementation Method 1
a gas-filled annular chamber (236) providing buoyancy to floatable body (230)
Implementation Method 2
a filter (234) mounted to floatable body member (231) and forming a liquid seal therewith
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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AI summary
A portable drinking water filter system, such as a pitcher, having a sleeve and a floatable body including a filter opening configured to receive a water filter, the floatable body having a seal extending outward from an outer surface of the floatable body. The floatable body is disposed in a sleeve cavity such that a body seal engages the sidewall and restricts water from passing between the floatable body and the sidewall. The seal is configured to create friction with the sidewall, wherein the friction created when the floatable body rises in the sleeve is different than when the floatable body lowers in the sleeve. The friction created when the floatable body rises in the sleeve is greater than when the floatable body lowers in the sleeve, allowing the floatable body to auto-retract toward a cavity base without burping.