Modular Emergency Water Treatment Case Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing portable water treatment devices are cumbersome due to the integration of the water tank, making them difficult to transport and deploy effectively in emergency situations.

Innovation Solution

A portable emergency water treatment case with a separable water tank and delivery unit, where the tank and conveyor unit can be assembled and disassembled for fluid-tight operation and transport, allowing for easy handling and configuration of filters in series within the tank during transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the water tank is integrated with the treatment device, then the device structure is complete and functional, but the device becomes unwieldy and difficult to transport

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of transportVSAvoidIntegrated structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The water treatment device is divided into separate modular components: a water tank (2) and a pumping unit (3) with integrated filters. These modules can be transported independently and assembled at the usage location by connecting the water outlet (28) of the tank to the water inlet (16) of the pumping unit, resolving the contradiction between having a complete integrated structure and ease of transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the water tank and pumping unit are separate, then transport is easier, but assembly and disassembly operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveEase of transportVSAvoidAssembly operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The pumping unit (3) integrates multiple functions including pumping, filtration, and housing into a single compact module. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components that need to be assembled, simplifying the assembly operation while maintaining the benefits of modular transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs simple connection interfaces between the water tank and pumping unit, where the water outlet of the tank connects directly to the water inlet of the pumping unit. This intermediary connection design enables easy assembly and disassembly without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If filters are configured in series within the tank during transport, then filtration efficiency is improved, but the device becomes more cumbersome to handle

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveFiltration efficiencyVSAvoidEase of handling
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Filters are integrated into the pumping unit module rather than being separate components within the tank. This segmentation allows the filtration system to be configured in series within a compact housing, maintaining filtration efficiency while keeping the overall device manageable in size and easy to handle during transport.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables easy transportation and rapid deployment of a portable water treatment system, allowing for efficient filtration of water using separable components and flexible filter configurations, enhancing usability in emergency situations.

Implementation Method 1

a pumping unit (3) comprising a pump (14), a water inlet (16), a water outlet (19) and a line (17, 17') connecting the water inlet (16) to the outlet (19) via the pump (14) in a fluid-tight manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPump: Pump

Implementation Method 2

At least one filter (20, 20', 20'') is connected downstream from the water inlet (16) of the conveying unit (3) in a fluid-tight manner either upstream of the pump (14) or downstream of the pump (14), upstream of the water outlet (19)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3186193B1Portable emergency water treatment carrying case
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 SK ANLAGEN UND IMMOBILIENVERWALTUNG
  • EP3186193B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3186193B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3186193B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A portable emergency water treatment carrying case (1) is provided comprising a water container (2) which is connected to a water outlet (28), having at least one filter (20, 20', 20"), and having a conveying unit (3) which is equipped with a pump (14), a water inlet (16), a water outlet (19), and a line (17) which connects the water inlet (16) fluid-tight to the water outlet (19) via the pump (14). Said carrying case (1) is characterized in that the water container (2) and the conveying unit (3) represent separate units and are suitable for adopting an operating state and a transport state, in that the water container (2) and the conveying unit (3) are suitable for being assembled with each other in such a way as to produce the operating state, in that the water outlet (28) of the water container (2) is connected fluid-tight to the water inlet (16) of the conveying unit (3) and in that water flows out of the interior of the water container (2) into the line (17) of the conveying unit (3) via the water inlet (16) and the water container (2) and the conveying unit (3) are also suitable for being separated from each other again so that the water outlet (28) of the water container (2) is not connected to the water inlet (16) of the conveying unit (3), in that the water container (2) and the conveying unit (3) are suitable for being united with each other in such a way to produce the transport state, in that the water container (2) and the conveying unit (3) form a jointly manageable unit, and in that the at least one filter (20, 20', 20") is thus connected fluid-tight i) in the conveying unit (3) in the course of the line (17) or ii) in the operating state, downstream from the water outlet (19) of the conveying unit (3), and has a water outlet (24) downstream, and is mounted or can be mounted in the transport state in the interior of the water container (2).