Integrated Carbon-UV Water Filter Assembly for Microbial Disinfection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filters in kitchen appliances provide limited microbial disinfection, failing to effectively remove smaller microbiological organisms, and require separate treatment units that add complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A water filter system with a housing containing a filter portion and a reservoir portion, where water is filtered through activated carbon and then exposed to UV radiation in the reservoir, enhancing microbial disinfection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If activated carbon filtration is used, then mechanical and chemical filtration is improved, but microbial disinfection capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines activated carbon filtration and UV disinfection into a single integrated filter assembly. The carbon filter cartridge and UV chamber are merged into one unit where water sequentially passes through carbon filtration and then UV treatment, achieving both mechanical/chemical filtration and microbial disinfection without requiring separate treatment units.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: mechanical filtration of particulates, chemical filtration through activated carbon, and microbial disinfection via UV radiation. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate treatment units while providing comprehensive water purification.
2Reliability
If separate treatment units are added for microbial disinfection, then microbial disinfection capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate treatment units (carbon filter and UV disinfection device) into a single integrated assembly. The housing contains both the carbon filter cartridge and UV chamber, with water flowing sequentially through both treatments, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining effective microbial disinfection.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated filter assembly provides universal water treatment functionality by combining mechanical filtration, chemical filtration, and microbial disinfection in one unit, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatment devices and reducing overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If separate treatment units are added for microbial disinfection, then microbial disinfection capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines carbon filtration and UV disinfection components into a single manufactured unit. The housing is designed to accommodate both the carbon filter cartridge and UV chamber as an integrated assembly, allowing for streamlined manufacturing and reduced costs compared to producing and installing separate treatment units.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-functional filter assembly provides comprehensive water purification (mechanical filtration, chemical filtration, and microbial disinfection) in a single manufactured product, reducing the total cost of manufacturing, installation, and maintenance compared to multiple separate treatment units.
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 system achieves higher levels of microbial disinfection by inactivating microorganisms with UV radiation, improving upon conventional carbon filtration alone.
Implementation Method 1
The filter cartridge 130 contains a carbon filter block 132 that is generally cylindrical in shape with a central channel 135 at the inner core of the filter block 132 of activated carbon. Activated carbon is porous, so the level of filtration is directly related to the pore size.
Implementation Method 2
The activated carbon filter cartridge 130 provides mechanical (particulate) and chemical filtration.
Implementation Method 3
A window in the housing conveys ultraviolet light into the reservoir from an external light source. A light source within the enclosure is arranged to direct light into the reservoir portion.
Implementation Method 4
The system achieves higher levels of microbial disinfection by inactivating microorganisms with UV radiation, improving upon conventional carbon filtration alone.
Data Source
AI summary
A water filter system includes a water filter assembly and an enclosure. The water filter assembly has a housing with a water inlet and a water outlet, a filter portion within the housing, and a reservoir portion within the housing apart from the filter portion. A window in the housing conveys ultraviolet light into the reservoir from an external light source. A water channel conveys water from the inlet to the outlet through the filter and the reservoir portions. The enclosure removably receives the water filter assembly in a cavity within the enclosure. An enclosure water inlet mates with the filter water inlet, and an enclosure water outlet mates with the filter water outlet. A light source within the enclosure is arranged to direct light into the reservoir portion.