Water Dispenser UV Sterilization with Funnel Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drinking water dispensers face inefficiencies in sterilizing water in the cold water tank, particularly when high concentrations of pathogens are present or UV radiation is turned off, and there is a risk of unsterilized water being dispensed due to active mixing with untreated water from the source.
Innovation Solution
A drinking water dispenser with a UV sterilization system that includes a funnel to isolate untreated water from the sterilized water, using UV radiation sources above the water level to treat both water and air, and a flow sterilizer to ensure all water entering the tank is sterilized before cooling, with optional uncooled water dispensing through a separate tap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV LED radiation is used to sterilize water in the cold tank, then sterilization is achieved with low power, but it is only effective with low concentrations of pathogens and insufficient when pathogen load is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the water treatment process into two segments: (1) pre-sterilization of incoming water using a high-power UV lamp before it enters the cold tank, and (2) maintenance sterilization of water already in the tank using low-power UV LEDs. This segmentation allows each UV source to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between sufficient power for high pathogen loads and low power for continuous maintenance sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by sterilizing the incoming water with a high-power UV lamp before it enters the cold tank. This pre-sterilization prevents pathogen introduction into the tank, thereby maintaining low pathogen concentrations that allow the use of low-power UV LEDs for continuous maintenance sterilization, thus resolving the power effectiveness contradiction.
2Power
If a lamp is used as the UV radiation source in the cold tank, then high radiation power is achieved, but the design of the cold tank is significantly complicated and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high-power UV lamp from the cold tank environment and places it in a separate sterilization chamber for treating incoming water. This extraction eliminates the need for complex protective structures within the cold tank, as the harsh high-power UV source is isolated from the water storage environment, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high sterilization power where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary sterilization chamber that mediates between the high-power UV lamp and the cold tank. The lamp sterilizes water in this intermediate chamber before the treated water enters the cold tank, allowing the use of high-power radiation without directly exposing the cold tank to associated safety risks and design complexities.
3Ease of operation
If water is dispensed from the cold water tank, then cooled water is provided to consumers, but unsterilized water from the source mixes with tank water and can be dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by sterilizing all incoming water with a high-power UV lamp before it enters the cold tank. This ensures that any water subsequently dispensed from the tank, whether mixed during filling or drawn during dispensing, has already been sterilized, maintaining reliability without interfering with ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous sterilization action by keeping the UV lamp operating throughout the water filling process. This continuous sterilization ensures that as water continuously enters the tank during normal operation, it is constantly being sterilized, preventing any unsterilized water from mixing with and contaminating the tank water, thereby maintaining reliability during continuous operation.
4Adaptability or versatility
If UV radiation sources are placed above the water level in the cold tank, then both water and air are sterilized, but the sterilization of water in the lower part of the tank may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sterilization function into two parts: (1) UV radiation sources above the water level sterilize the air and water surface, and (2) the high-power UV lamp in the separate sterilization chamber sterilizes all incoming water before it enters the tank. This segmentation ensures complete water sterilization through the pre-treatment of incoming water, while the above-water UV sources provide additional air and surface sterilization, achieving both versatility and reliability.
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
Ensures efficient sterilization of water and air within the dispenser, preventing the dispersion of unsterilized water to consumers, and allows for uncooled water dispensing without redesigning the dispenser.
Implementation Method 1
It is known to use UV radiation, for example from UV LEDs located in the cold tank, to sterilize water in the cold tank or to suppress the development of microbiological environment in the cold tank
Implementation Method 2
Water from the external source, for example, a bottle or water-pipe, enters the cold water tank, where it is cooled to a set temperature, usually 4-10 degrees
Data Source
AI summary
A water dispenser with built-in UV sterilization system includes a tap, and a water tank with a cooling device. An inlet connects the tank to a water source. A UV radiation source is installed inside the cold water tank. A cooled water outlet is connected to the tap. The dispenser contains a flow sterilizer with an inlet connected to an outlet of the tank for uncooled water. An outlet of the sterilizer is connected to a sterilized water inlet of the tank. A funnel is installed inside the cold water tank under a water source inlet. An upper edge of the funnel is above a water level in the tank, to isolate water in a lower part of the tank from unsterilized water coming from the source. A narrow lower part of the funnel is connected to the outlet for uncooled water.