Water Filtration and Sterilization Device with UV Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional domestic water filtration jugs waste space and do not effectively remove biological contaminants like bacteria, and filtered water can become stale due to prolonged storage.
Innovation Solution
A water filtration and sterilization device with a container system featuring a filter upstream of the inlet conduit, an ultra-violet radiation source for sterilization, and a flow prevention mechanism to deliver sterilized water on demand, ensuring both filtration and sterilization before dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional filtration jug design is used with nested inlet container, then filtration function is achieved, but refrigerator space is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into two separate containers: an upper container for untreated water and a lower container for filtered and sterilised water. This segmentation eliminates the need for nested structures, maximizing refrigerator space utilization while maintaining the filtration function through the dedicated filtration element in the upper container.
2Device complexity
If filtration element only removes particles and chemicals, then simple filtration is achieved, but biological contaminants are not removed
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges two distinct water treatment functions into a single integrated system: mechanical/chemical filtration through the filtration element and biological sterilisation through UV radiation. The UV sterilisation chamber receives water from the filtration element and exposes it to ultraviolet light, effectively killing bacteria and other biological contaminants while maintaining overall system simplicity.
3Quantity of substance
If filtered water is stored in lower region for prolonged period, then storage capacity is maximized, but water freshness is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The UV sterilisation system operates periodically to re-sterilise water in the lower container. A timer controls the UV lamp to illuminate at regular intervals (e.g., every 4 hours), preventing bacterial growth and maintaining water freshness throughout storage. This periodic action allows prolonged storage capacity while preserving water quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous protection against biological contamination through either continuous UV illumination or frequent periodic cycles, ensuring that the sterilisation function operates without interruption throughout the storage period, thereby preserving water freshness indefinitely.
4Productivity
If valve opens for extended period to fill container, then filling speed is increased, but sterilisation time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is opened briefly to rapidly fill the lower container with filtered water, then closed immediately to allow the UV sterilisation process to begin. This preliminary rapid filling action separates the filling phase from the sterilisation phase, ensuring that the UV lamp has sufficient uninterrupted time to effectively sterilise the water without compromising filling productivity.
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 device efficiently filters and sterilizes water, preventing biological contamination and maintaining water freshness by ensuring sterilization occurs before dispensing and periodically re-sterilizing residual water, thus addressing space inefficiency and water quality issues.
Implementation Method 1
an ultra violet radiation source within said container, whereby the valve is adapted to be opened for a first time period to admit water into the container via the filter means, the ultra violet radiation source is operable for a second time period to sterilise water in said chamber
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a water filtration and sterilization device comprising a container having an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit, a closure valve at said inlet conduit, a filter means upstream of said inlet conduit, a flow prevention means in said outlet conduit and an ultra violet radiation source within said container. The valve is adapted to be opened for a first time period to admit water into the container via the filter means. The ultra violet radiation source is operable for a second time period to sterilize water in said chamber. The first time period is shorter than said second time period. The flow prevention means is operable to deliver sterilized water on demand from the container.