Filter structure and water purifying apparatus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purifying apparatuses with bypass structures have complex designs that hinder productivity and assembling workability, and can suffer from deteriorated flow performance due to elastic member issues, making filter attachment and detachment cumbersome and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A water purifying apparatus with a simplified bypass flow path switching structure that uses a rotatable filter mounting system, allowing for easy attachment and detachment of filters and maintaining smooth water flow by rotating the filter along a shaft that switches between filtering and bypass flow paths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a flow path switching plunger supported by an elastic member is used to open and close the flow path during filter attachment and detachment, then the bypass flow path can be switched, but the structure becomes complicated and productivity and assembling workability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebypass flow path switching capabilityVSAvoidflow path switching structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the flow path switching plunger and elastic member from the system. Instead of using a mechanical switching mechanism, the bypass flow path is designed to be automatically opened when the filter cartridge is detached, eliminating the need for complex switching components while maintaining the bypass functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The flow path is segmented into a main flow path through the filter and a bypass flow path. The bypass flow path includes a bypass inlet and bypass outlet that are spatially separated and positioned to allow direct water flow when the filter is removed, avoiding the need for a unified complex switching mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flow path switching plunger structure is used, then bypass flow path switching is enabled, but the bypass path becomes complicated and water flow performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebypass flow path switching capabilityVSAvoidwater flow performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The plunger mechanism that complicated the bypass path geometry is completely removed. The bypass flow path is simplified to a direct connection between bypass inlet and bypass outlet, allowing smooth water flow without the geometric complications introduced by sliding plunger structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If an elastic member is used to support the flow path switching mechanism, then flow path switching is enabled, but reliability decreases when the elastic member performance deteriorates or becomes abnormal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow path switching capabilityVSAvoidflow path switching reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The elastic member is completely removed from the system. Flow path switching is achieved passively through the structural design of the bypass flow path that automatically opens when the filter cartridge is detached, eliminating reliability concerns associated with elastic member degradation or failure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the filter cartridge itself as the switching mechanism. When the filter is attached, it blocks the bypass flow path and directs water through the filter. When detached, the bypass path automatically opens without requiring any additional switching components or elastic members.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If a complex flow path switching plunger structure is used, then bypass functionality is achieved, but assembling workability and productivity are poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebypass flow path functionalityVSAvoidassembling workability and productivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex flow path switching plunger structure and elastic member are removed, significantly reducing the number of components that need to be assembled. The simplified bypass flow path structure requires fewer assembly steps and improves productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3222337B1Filter structure and water purifying apparatus
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3222337B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3222337B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3222337B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A filter structure comprises: a housing body formed in a cylindrical shape to have a first accommodating space and having an upper opening portion; a housing cap coupled to the upper opening portion of the housing body by a portion thereof being formed in a cylindrical shape to have a second accommodating space, wherein a coupling projection and an upper opening portion are formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof, and a housing fastening portion is formed on an inner circumferential surface thereof; a filtering member having a cylindrical shape accommodated in the first accommodating space; and an upper supporter coupled to an upper portion of the filtering member and an inner surface of the housing cap respectively, and accommodated in the second accommodating space.