Water Diverter Assembly Selecting Filtered Unfiltered Flow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water filters have a limited useful life and require frequent replacement, leading to wastage of filtered water for non-essential uses, as they cannot selectively divert filtered water to only needed applications.

Innovation Solution

A water diverter assembly with a valve and selecting mechanism that allows users to choose between filtered and unfiltered water, including an auxiliary connection for appliances, enabling selective use of filtered water based on need.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filtered water is provided for all water uses, then water quality is improved, but filter media life is reduced due to excessive usage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater qualityVSAvoidfilter media life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic water delivery system with a diverter valve that allows users to switch between filtered and unfiltered water based on real-time needs. The selecting mechanism enables the system to adapt its state, providing filtered water only when necessary for drinking/cooking and unfiltered water for other uses, thereby extending filter media life while maintaining water quality where needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If filtered water is used for all tasks, then health safety is improved, but water wastage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehealth safetyVSAvoidwater wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments water delivery into two distinct pathways: one for filtered water and another for unfiltered water. The diverter valve separates the flow, allowing users to select the appropriate water type for each specific task. This segmentation ensures that filtered water is reserved for health-critical uses like drinking and cooking, while unfiltered water handles other tasks, thereby preventing water wastage while maintaining health safety.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Productivity

If a valve mechanism is added to select water types, then water usage efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater usage efficiencyVSAvoidvalve mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a diverter valve as an intermediary component between the water source and the user. This valve acts as a mediator that directs water flow based on user selection, enabling efficient water usage without requiring complex electronic controls or multiple separate systems. The mechanical selecting mechanism provides a simple, reliable interface that balances functionality with ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8869833B2Water diverter assembly for a water filter
Publication Date: 2014.10.28 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC
  • US8869833B2 patent drawing
  • US8869833B2 patent drawing
  • US8869833B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A water diverter assembly is provided. The water diverter assembly includes a valve and a selecting mechanism. The selecting mechanism permits adjustment of the valve. Such adjustment can selectively direct a flow of filtered water or a flow of unfiltered water through the valve. The water diverter assembly also includes an auxiliary filtered water connection.