Universal Water Filter Assembly for Multi-Fitting Coffee Makers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filter assemblies for coffee makers, such as Keurig 1.0 and Keurig 2.0, require different filter cartridges due to keyed surfaces, leading to compatibility issues, increased complexity, and a higher risk of leaks and malfunctions when using incompatible filters.
Innovation Solution
A universal water filter assembly with an adapter sleeve that includes mounting features for both Keurig 1.0 and Keurig 2.0 fittings, allowing a single filter assembly to be used across different coffee makers, reducing parts and simplifying installation while minimizing leaks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If keyed surfaces are used on reservoir fittings to prevent incompatible filter cartridges, then installation errors are reduced, but device complexity and the number of required filter types increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter cartridge is designed with a universal adapter assembly that can interface with multiple different reservoir fitting types (Keurig 1.0, 2.0, and other keyed surfaces). This allows a single filter cartridge design to serve multiple functions across different coffee maker models, eliminating the need for multiple specialized filter types while maintaining reliable prevention of incompatible installations through the adapter's designed interface compatibility
2Reliability
If multiple specialized filter cartridges are required for different coffee maker models, then compatibility is ensured, but ease of operation and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter assembly incorporates multiple interface configurations that can accommodate different coffee maker models (Keurig 1.0, 2.0, and others). Users no longer need to determine which specific filter type is required for their model - a single universal filter cartridge with the adapter assembly will physically only fit compatible reservoirs, maintaining model-specific compatibility while dramatically simplifying the user experience
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal adapter sleeve is added to the filter assembly, then adaptability to multiple fittings is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter sleeve is integrally formed with the filter cartridge housing as a single unified component rather than being a separate attachable part. This merging of the adapter function into the existing filter cartridge structure achieves adaptability to multiple reservoir fitting types while minimizing the number of discrete parts. The integral design eliminates the need for separate adapter assemblies, reducing part count and simplifying the overall filter assembly
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 the use of a single water filter assembly across multiple coffee makers, reducing the risk of leaks and improving filtration performance by simplifying installation and reducing the number of parts required.
Implementation Method 1
filter the unfiltered water by passing it through filter media to remove contaminants and debris
Implementation Method 2
volatile organic compounds such as chloroform, lindane, and atrazine can be adsorbed into pore surfaces as water moves through the carbon block
Data Source
AI summary
A water filter assembly for a beverage dispenser. The water filter assembly may generally include filter media positioned within a filter housing which may be attachable to a first fitting or a second fitting of a water storage reservoir to provide filtered water to a reservoir outlet. The filter housing includes an adapter sleeve that defines mounting features that correspond with the first fitting and the second fitting to enable the water filter assembly to connect to either of the first fitting or the second fitting. In this manner, a single water filter assembly may be used in beverage dispensers having different reservoir fittings.