Manual Water Filter System with Movable Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water filtration systems are either loud and bulky due to electric power requirements or large and inefficient due to reliance on gravity, limiting their ability to filter and store water effectively.
Innovation Solution
A compact, manually powered water filter system that uses a spring-powered or hand-powered mechanism to pressurize water, allowing the filter element to move within a single container and separate unfiltered and filtered water, eliminating the need for separate containers and reducing noise and bulk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If passive water filtration systems are used, then the system is quiet and does not require electric power, but the system takes up a relatively large volume and filters water relatively slowly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the unfiltered water reservoir and filtered water reservoir into a single integrated container, eliminating the need for two separate containers. The filter element is positioned within this single container to separate water as it passes through, thereby reducing overall system volume while maintaining passive filtration functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is designed to be movable within the container rather than fixed. This dynamic configuration allows the filter element to be repositioned or removed as needed, improving accessibility for maintenance while maintaining compact system volume. The movability also enables flexible water flow paths that can enhance filtration efficiency without increasing system size.
2Use of energy by moving object
If passive water filtration systems are used, then the system does not require electric power, but the filtration speed is relatively slow since filtration relies only on gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-pressurizes the unfiltered water before it reaches the filter element by allowing water to accumulate in the unfiltered water reservoir first. This creates hydrostatic pressure that drives water through the filter element more quickly than gravity alone would allow, thereby increasing filtration speed without requiring electric power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pressure parameter of the water by utilizing the height difference and volume of water in the unfiltered reservoir to create hydrostatic pressure. This pressure parameter change accelerates water flow through the filter element, significantly improving filtration speed while maintaining passive operation without electric power.
3Productivity
If active water filtration systems are used, then water is filtered quickly with pressure from electric pump or line pressure, but the system becomes loud and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the water itself to generate the pressure needed for filtration. By allowing unfiltered water to accumulate in the reservoir, the system creates hydrostatic pressure that drives water through the filter element without requiring an external electric pump. This self-service mechanism eliminates the noise associated with electric pumps while maintaining effective filtration speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by employing hydrostatic pressure from the water column in the unfiltered reservoir to drive water through the filter element. This hydraulic approach replaces the need for mechanical electric pumps, thereby eliminating noise generation while maintaining sufficient filtration speed through pressure-driven flow.
4Quantity of substance
If separate containers are used for unfiltered and filtered water, then the system can store more water, but the system becomes bulky and requires installation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the unfiltered water reservoir and filtered water reservoir into a single integrated container with internal separation. The filter element is positioned within this single container to divide the water into unfiltered and filtered portions, thereby maintaining water storage capacity while significantly reducing system volume and eliminating the need for two separate containers.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element and filtered water space are nested within the single container structure. The filter element acts as an internal divider that creates functional separation while occupying minimal space within the overall container volume. This nesting approach allows the system to maintain water storage capacity without requiring external separate containers, thereby reducing bulkiness.
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 filters water quickly and efficiently, maximizing storage capacity while being quiet and compact, suitable for use as a tabletop filter, and can be easily transported.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element configured to filter the water and movable within the container
Implementation Method 2
A compact, manually powered water filter system that uses a spring-powered or hand-powered mechanism to pressurize water
Data Source
AI summary
A water filter system comprising a container configured to contain water, a lid configured to attach to the container, a filter element configured to filter the water and movable within the container, and a plunger coupled to the filter element and movable through the lid. The water filter system is at least one of powered by a mechanical force directly from a user or self-powered and is not electrically powered.