Refrigerator Water Filter Door Assembly for Easy Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water filter assemblies in refrigerators occupy valuable space in the fresh food compartment and are difficult to reach and replace.
Innovation Solution
A water filter assembly with a pivotally joined housing door that allows for easy access and removal of the filter, featuring a manifold assembly with a removable filter that is only in fluid communication when the door is closed, optimizing space usage and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the removable filter is located in the fresh food compartment, then the water filter assembly can be easily accessed, but it occupies valuable storage space and is difficult to reach and replace
Solution Approach 1:
The water filter assembly is divided into separate components: a housing that can be detached from the refrigerator body, and a removable filter element within the housing. This segmentation allows the filter to be accessed and replaced without removing the entire assembly, improving accessibility while minimizing space occupation in the fresh food compartment.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed to be mounted on the refrigerator door or exterior surface rather than occupying internal fresh food compartment space. This dimensional relocation moves the filter assembly from the three-dimensional internal storage space to the external surface, effectively removing it from the usable storage volume while maintaining easy accessibility.
2Reliability
If the housing door is closed, then the removable filter is held in fluid communication with the manifold assembly, but the filter cannot be accessed for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The housing door is designed to be movable between closed and open positions. When closed, the door maintains the seal and fluid connection between the filter and manifold assembly. When opened, it allows access to the removable filter element. This dynamic design enables the system to switch between maintaining reliability and enabling ease of operation as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable door acts as an intermediary element between the fluid system and the user. It provides a controlled interface that maintains the sealed fluid connection when closed, yet allows easy access to the filter element when opened, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable fluid communication and enabling easy filter replacement.
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 enables efficient and easy replacement of the water filter while minimizing space consumption in the fresh food compartment, enhancing user convenience and storage capacity.
Implementation Method 1
The water filter includes filter media and a cylindrical body for housing the filter media
Data Source
AI summary
In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a water filter assembly for a refrigerator is described. The water filter assembly includes a door that includes a mover element for engaging a removable water filter such that in the closed position the mover element holds the removable water filter water inlet and water outlet in fluid communication with the water inlet and water outlet, respectively, of a manifold assembly, and in the open position the mover element allows for removal of the removable water filter which is not in fluid communication with the manifold assembly.