Locking Yoke Mechanism for Rapid Filter Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification systems for home and light commercial use require frequent filter replacements, but lack an efficient mechanism for quickly and easily removing used filters and installing new ones.
Innovation Solution
A water purification system design featuring a filter assembly with a locking yoke mechanism that allows for easy installation and removal of filter units, utilizing a filter receptacle and locking yoke with radially-extending tabs and hooks to secure and release the filter unit, enabling quick filter changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional filter installation method is used, then the filter can be securely retained in the receptacle, but the filter replacement process becomes time-consuming and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The locking yoke is designed to move between a locked position (retaining the filter unit) and an unlocked position (releasing the filter unit). This dynamic mechanism allows the filter to be securely held during operation but quickly released when replacement is needed, resolving the contradiction between secure retention and easy replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is divided into separable components: the filter unit, the receptacle, and the locking yoke. This segmentation allows the filter unit to be independently removed and replaced without replacing the entire assembly, enabling quick filter changes while maintaining secure installation during use.
2Device complexity
If a simple filter receptacle design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the filter unit cannot be securely retained
Solution Approach 1:
The locking yoke acts as an intermediary component between the filter unit and the receptacle. It provides the necessary retention function without requiring complex integration into the receptacle structure itself, thus maintaining simplicity while ensuring secure filter retention through the locking mechanism.
3Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented, then the filter unit is reliably retained, but the ease of filter removal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The locking yoke transitions between locked and unlocked positions, providing secure retention during operation while allowing easy removal when needed. The dynamic nature of the locking mechanism ensures that the filter is reliably held during use but can be quickly released by actuating the release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through a release button or mechanism that allows the user to easily transition from locked to unlocked position. This self-service design enables quick filter removal without requiring complex tools or procedures, maintaining ease of operation while ensuring secure retention during normal use.
Data Source
AI summary
A water purification system includes: a housing; a reservoir mounted to the housing and configured to hold and provide unfiltered water to the housing; a dispensing spout mounted to the housing and configured to dispense filtered water; and a filter assembly. The filter assembly includes: a filter unit with an inlet fluidly connected with the reservoir, and the outlet fluidly connected with the dispensing spout; a filter receptacle configured to connect the filter unit inlet with the reservoir and the filter unit outlet with the dispensing spout; and a locking yoke. The locking yoke is configured to move between a locked position, in which the locking yoke engages the filter unit and retains the filter unit in the receptacle, and an unlocked position, in which the locking yoke disengages from the filter unit to enable the filter unit to be removed from the receptacle.