Monolithic Water Purification Module with Segmented Cartridges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purification modules are difficult to use and costly due to the need for replaceable, custom-made pretreatment elements, which complicates their design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic, disposable water purification module with a cylindrical container divided into external and internal spaces, utilizing standard off-the-shelf pretreatment and treatment means such as reverse osmosis cartridges with selectively permeable membranes, and pretreatment elements like activated charcoal, allowing for separate operations and easier assembly and use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If custom-made pretreatment elements are used in water purification modules, then purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The module is divided into separate functional components: a reusable housing and replaceable cartridges (pretreatment and reverse osmosis). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the housing provides structural integrity while cartridges contain the purification media, simplifying both design and operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed as a universal platform that can accommodate different types of cartridges. The standardized interface allows the same housing to work with various pretreatment and reverse osmosis cartridges, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining purification effectiveness.
2Reliability
If custom-made pretreatment elements are used in water purification modules, then purification effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cartridges are designed as disposable or easily replaceable units. Users simply replace the entire cartridge when it needs maintenance or replacement, eliminating the need for complex cleaning or maintenance procedures. This dramatically improves ease of operation while maintaining high purification effectiveness through fresh media.
Solution Approach 2:
The module design allows users to easily replace cartridges themselves without requiring specialized tools or technical expertise. The simple snap-in/snap-out cartridge replacement mechanism enables end-users to maintain the system independently, improving usability.
3Ease of manufacture
If replaceable cartridges are used in water purification modules, then cost is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the expensive housing from the cheaper replaceable cartridges, the system allows cost-effective replacement of consumable materials without replacing the entire module. This segmentation enables economical operation while the simple replacement mechanism maintains ease of use.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire module replaceable (which would be expensive and complex), the invention inverts the approach by making only the consumable cartridges replaceable. This reversal achieves cost reduction while minimizing operational complexity through simple cartridge changes.
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 module provides efficient and economical water purification by using standard components, simplifying assembly and use, while achieving ultrapure water through sequential purification operations.
Implementation Method 1
one or more selectively permeable membranes for dividing, by virtue of permeation through the membrane or membranes due to the action of a pressure gradient, the flow of fluid that has undergone the first purification operation
Implementation Method 2
by virtue of permeation through the membrane or membranes due to the action of a pressure gradient
Implementation Method 3
the treatment means include a cartridge known in the art of the kind including one or more selectively permeable membranes for dividing... the flow of fluid... into a flow of permeate consisting of purified fluid that has passed through the membrane
Implementation Method 4
the pretreatment means are generally chosen from the group comprising activated charcoal, polyphosphates and frontal filtration elements
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid purifying module including a monolithic container, a pretreatment filter, and a selectively permeable membrane treatment cartridge, respectively housed in an external cylindrical space and an internal cylindrical space of the container, communicating with each other via one or more passages in the vicinity of one axial end of the container. The external space communicates at the same end as the opposite axial end with a first connector orifice for feeding fluid to be purified to the pretreatment filter, and the internal space communicates separately, at the same end as the aforementioned axial end, with a second connector orifice for evacuating from the module a flow of permeate (purified fluid) and with a third connector orifice for evacuating from the module a flow of retentate (residual fluid).