Water Dispenser Orifice Protection with UV Sanitization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water coolers and fountains are prone to contamination at their output orifices, which can be transmitted to users through the water stream, as existing filtration systems do not address contamination left behind on the orifices or surrounding areas.

Innovation Solution

An orifice protection device with a housing, a movable door, an ultraviolet (UV) purification mechanism, a sensor for touchless operation, and an indicator light to sanitize the output orifice, preventing contamination and ensuring user safety by enclosing the orifice when not in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the orifice is exposed for user access, then ease of operation is improved, but contamination risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser access to orificeVSAvoidcontamination of orifice

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary sanitization of the orifice before each use by detecting user approach via sensor and automatically activating the UV purification mechanism, ensuring the orifice is cleaned in advance before the user makes contact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary protective barrier (the door) between the user and the orifice, along with a UV purification mechanism that acts as a mediator to eliminate contaminants without requiring direct user contact with the orifice

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a movable door is added to enclose the orifice, then contamination protection is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from contaminationVSAvoidstructure with housing and door

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing serves multiple functions: it encloses the orifice to prevent contamination, houses the UV purification mechanism, provides structural support for the sensor and indicator light, and creates a controlled environment for all components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple protective and functional elements (housing, door, UV purification mechanism, sensor, indicator light) into a single integrated assembly that attaches to the water dispenser, consolidating what could be separate components into one unified device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If touchless operation is implemented, then contamination transmission is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination transmissionVSAvoidsensor and control system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operation (pressing buttons or touching controls) with an automated sensor-based detection system that triggers the door opening and UV sanitization functions, eliminating the need for physical contact with controls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If UV purification mechanism is added, then sanitization capability is improved, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesanitization of orificeVSAvoidenergy consumption of UV mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The UV purification mechanism operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the sensor detects user presence and the door opens, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining effective sanitization when needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

Effectively reduces contamination risk by sanitizing the orifice and surrounding areas with UV light, preventing the transmission of contaminants between users and maintaining a clean water stream.

Implementation Method 1

an ultraviolet (UV) purification mechanism, configured to sanitize the output orifice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light sanitization: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS20220161289A1Systems, devices, and methods for drinking apparatus orifice protection

Publication Date: 2022.05.26 ELKAY MANUFACTURING CO

AI summary

An orifice protection device for a water dispensing device is disclosed. The device includes a housing configured to surround an output orifice of the water cooler or fountain through which water is ejected, a door movably attached to the housing and configured to move from an open position in which the output orifice is exposed, and a closed position in which the output orifice is enclosed within the housing, an actuator configured to move the door between the open position and the closed position, a purification mechanism positioned within the housing and configured to sanitize the output orifice, and a sensor configured to enable touchless operation of the door.