Reinforced Jerrycan with Integrated Water Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Delivering clean drinking water over long distances is time-consuming and expensive, and using untreated water from the environment can lead to diseases due to bacterial and viral contamination, with existing water containers not providing adequate filtration solutions.
Innovation Solution
A jerrycan made from high-density polyethylene with integral hollow tube brace members for structural reinforcement and pressure differential creation, equipped with a manually operated piston pump and a water filter capable of nanofiltration or reverse osmosis, ensuring effective removal of microbiological matter and impurities from water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is delivered over long distances, then clean drinking water can be supplied, but it is time-consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the filtration function from the water delivery system by providing a self-contained filter within the container. This allows water to be filtered at the source rather than requiring complex long-distance delivery infrastructure, thereby reducing delivery time while maintaining water quality reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary between the water source and the user. It enables the use of local environmental water by removing pathogens, eliminating the need for long-distance clean water delivery while ensuring reliable water quality through on-site filtration
2Adaptability or versatility
If water from the surrounding environment is used, then water availability is improved, but disease risk increases due to bacterial and viral contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The filter employs porous filtration media with pore sizes specifically designed to physically block bacteria and viruses while allowing water molecules to pass through. This enables the system to adapt to various water sources while effectively removing pathogenic contaminants
Solution Approach 2:
The filter changes the physical parameters of the water by removing particles and pathogens based on size exclusion. This transformation converts contaminated environmental water into safe drinking water, maintaining source adaptability while eliminating harmful factors
3Reliability
If a water filter with high retention is used, then water purity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter combines multiple filtration functions (sediment removal, bacterial filtration, viral filtration) into a single integrated component within the container. This merger maintains high water purification effectiveness while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate filtration systems
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously performs mechanical filtration, biological filtration, and pathogen removal. This universal design achieves comprehensive water purification in a single device, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high reliability
4Productivity
If the jerrycan is pressurised with air, then water filtration efficiency is improved, but structural deformation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The container is segmented into multiple reinforced sections with internal brace members that divide and distribute the pressurization loads. This segmentation prevents stress concentration, allowing higher pressures for improved filtration efficiency while maintaining structural integrity
Solution Approach 2:
The container uses composite construction combining plastic material with integrated internal brace members. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for pressurization and the strength to resist deformation, enabling efficient water filtration under pressure
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 solution provides a portable, structurally reinforced water container that effectively filters water using pressure differential, ensuring safe drinking water by removing bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens, enhancing water transport efficiency and safety, especially in military or humanitarian operations.
Implementation Method 1
the water filter capable of nanofiltration or reverse osmosis, ensuring effective removal of microbiological matter and impurities from water
Implementation Method 2
the water filter capable of nanofiltration or reverse osmosis, ensuring effective removal of microbiological matter and impurities from water
Implementation Method 3
Water is passed through the water filter under a pressure differential
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A jerrycan (10) comprises a container housing (11) having four sidewalls (12-15), a base (16) and a top (17). The jerrycan (10) includes a manual pump unit (18) and a water filter cartridge disposed within the housing (1 1 ), together with an externally mounted tap (20) coupled to the water filter cartridge. A carrying handle (21 ) is integrally formed with the top (17). When constructed the jerrycan (10) is sealed and is both water- and air-tight. The container housing (1 1) includes at least one internal brace member (30) consisting of a hollow tube (31 ) integral with the sidewalls (13,15).