Integrated Pouch Capacitive Deionization Filter for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water softening methods, such as ion exchange resin and capacitive deionization, face challenges in efficiency and environmental impact, with ion exchange resin methods polluting the environment due to high sodium ion content and capacitive deionization methods having complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A capacitive deionization filter design that integrates a cation exchange membrane, an anion exchange membrane, and an electrode into a pouch structure using ultrasonic fusion, reducing the number of components to be laminated and enhancing assembly efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple components (cation exchange membrane, anion exchange membrane, spacer, electrode) are laminated separately, then assembly precision can be maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cation exchange membrane, anion exchange membrane, spacer, and electrode into a single integrated pouch structure. This merging of multiple separate components into one unified assembly reduces the number of lamination steps, simplifies the manufacturing process, and maintains alignment precision by pre-positioning all components relative to each other within the pouch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the membrane assembly into distinct functional regions (cation exchange region, anion exchange region, spacer region, and electrode region) that are integrated within the pouch. This segmentation allows each component to maintain its specific function while being manufactured as a single unit, reducing assembly complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple components are laminated separately, then manufacturing flexibility is maintained, but production time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple components into a single pouch structure, the patent reduces the number of separate lamination operations required. This integration streamlines the manufacturing process, reduces production time, and decreases labor requirements while maintaining the flexibility to manufacture the pouch as a complete unit.
3Ease of manufacture
If ion exchange resin method is used, then cost is reduced, but environmental pollution increases due to high sodium ion content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the water softening mechanism from chemical ion exchange (which releases sodium ions) to physical capacitive deionization using electric fields. This parameter change eliminates the source of environmental pollution while maintaining cost-effectiveness through the use of membranes and electrodes that can be manufactured at low cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical ion exchange resin system with a physical capacitive deionization system using electric fields and selective membranes. This substitution eliminates the harmful sodium ion release while maintaining the water softening function, and the system can be manufactured at comparable or lower cost.
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 integrated pouch structure simplifies assembly, improves alignment, and reduces environmental impact by minimizing the number of components, thereby enhancing the efficiency and ease of manufacturing the capacitive deionization filter.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of joints joining the edge of the cation exchange membrane and the edge of the anion exchange membrane may be formed by an ultrasonic fusion machine
Implementation Method 2
The ion exchange resin (IER) method uses ion exchange resins to exchange hard water components in an ionic state with Na ions attached on the ion exchange resins
Implementation Method 3
The capacitive deionization (CDI) method is a method of removing hard water components in an ionic state by applying voltage to the electrodes of a capacitive deionization filter and utilizing the electrical properties of ions
Implementation Method 4
the spacer may be porous to allow water to pass therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
A capacitive deionization filter includes a cation exchange membrane, a spacer positioned below the cation exchange membrane, an anion exchange membrane positioned below the spacer, and an electrode disposed above the cation exchange membrane or below the anion exchange membrane. An edge of the cation exchange membrane and an edge of the anion exchange membrane may be joined by a plurality of joints formed at a certain interval.