Reusable Water Filter Cartridge with Rotating Lock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter cartridges for water pitchers are not designed for easy media replacement and recycling, leading to waste and inefficiency in water filtration systems.

Innovation Solution

A reusable filter cartridge with a water-permeable housing and lid, featuring interlocking connectors for easy assembly and disassembly, and a removable divider for separating filter media components, allowing for the replacement of granular activated carbon and minerals without disposing of the entire cartridge.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If filter cartridges are designed as disposable units, then ease of operation is improved, but loss of substance worsens due to waste of functional materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of filter cartridge replacementVSAvoidwaste of filter media materials

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter cartridge is divided into separable components: a reusable housing and replaceable filter media elements. The housing contains interlocking connectors that securely hold removable filter media cartridges, allowing users to replace only the consumable filter media while retaining the durable housing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The design enables recovery and reuse of the housing component after the filter media becomes depleted. Users discard only the spent filter media cartridges and retain the housing for continued use with new filter media, thereby recovering valuable materials and reducing waste.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Loss of substance

If filter cartridges are designed for media replacement, then loss of substance is reduced, but device complexity increases due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaste of filter media materialsVSAvoidcomplexity of cartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter media is extracted as a separate, removable component from the housing. This extraction allows the filter media to be independently replaced without disposing of the entire cartridge, reducing waste while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through functional separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If interlocking connectors are added to the housing, then ease of operation is improved for assembly, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of lid and housing assemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of connector mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interlocking connectors utilize a simple rotational locking mechanism that replaces complex fastening systems. The connectors engage through straightforward rotation and locking actions, providing secure assembly while maintaining mechanical simplicity and ease of user operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 efficient filtration, reduces waste by allowing filter media replacement, and promotes recycling of organic materials like activated carbon, while maintaining a compact and efficient filtration system.

Implementation Method 1

a water permeable enclosure that contains filter media

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The first component of the filter media may comprise granular activated carbon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS10919780B2Reusable filter cartridge for water pitcher

Publication Date: 2021.02.16 SANTEVIA WATER SYSTEMS INC

AI summary

A reusable water filter cartridge comprises a housing having a water-permeable base and a body extending from the base. The base and the body define a cavity for receiving filter media. There is a water-permeable lid which is removably securable to the housing via interlocking connectors on the lid and the housing. The lid is securable to the housing by rotating the lid relative to the housing in a first rotational direction to engage the connectors on the lid and the housing with each other. The lid is releasable from the housing by rotating the lid relative to the housing in a second rotational direction which is opposite to the first rotational direction to disengage the connectors on the lid and the housing from each other. Water to be filtered enters the housing via the lid, passes through the filter media contained in the cavity, and exits the housing via the base.