Water Purifying Filter with Nested Insulation to Prevent Freezing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water purifying filters in refrigerators face issues with freezing, damage from external impacts, and water leakage, as well as a decline in performance over time due to accumulated foreign materials, requiring frequent replacement and unstable connection to the connection valve.
Innovation Solution
A water purifying filter design featuring a circular inner housing and a rectangular outer housing with an insulation space filled with air to reduce heat transfer and prevent freezing, along with a support rib and rotary guide for stable connection to the connection valve, enhancing durability and pressure resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the filter is used in a refrigerator environment, then the filter can purify water in the refrigerator, but the filter may freeze due to low temperature
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is nested within an inner housing that is surrounded by an outer housing, creating a multi-layer protective structure. The insulation space between the inner and outer housings provides thermal protection to the filter while maintaining its functional exposure to water flow.
Solution Approach 2:
An insulation layer filled with insulating material acts as an intermediary between the cold refrigerator environment and the filter. This intermediary layer reduces heat transfer and prevents the filter from freezing while allowing the filter to perform its water purification function.
2Device complexity
If the filter is made with a single housing structure, then the structure is simple, but it is vulnerable to damage from external impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The filter housing is designed as a nested structure with an inner housing containing the filter and an outer housing providing structural protection. This nested configuration allows the filter to be protected from external impacts by the outer housing while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation space between the inner and outer housings acts as a cushioning layer that absorbs external impacts before they reach the filter. This beforehand cushioning protects the filter from damage while keeping the structural design relatively simple.
3Volume of moving object
If the inner housing and outer housing are closely fitted, then the structure is compact, but heat transfer occurs causing freezing
Solution Approach 1:
An insulation layer filled with insulating material is introduced as an intermediary between the inner and outer housings. This intermediary layer significantly reduces heat transfer while occupying minimal space, preventing the filter from freezing without substantially increasing the overall housing volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulation is applied locally in the critical areas where heat transfer would occur, such as the walls and ends of the housings. This localized insulation approach prevents freezing while minimizing the increase in overall housing volume.
4Ease of operation
If the filter connection to the connection valve is simplified, then the installation is easier, but the connection becomes unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The connection structure employs asymmetric features including a protrusion on one housing and a corresponding recess on the other, along with positioned engagement protrusions and recesses. This asymmetric design provides stable, foolproof connection while remaining simple to install, as the asymmetric features guide proper alignment during installation.
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 design effectively reduces freezing, prevents water leakage from external impacts, and ensures a stable connection to the connection valve, improving the filter's performance and longevity by maintaining insulation and structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the inner housing and the outer housing are spaced apart from each other to form an insulation space configured to suppress heat transfer therebetween
Data Source
AI summary
A water purifying filter has a cylindrical inner housing to receive a filter therein, and an outer housing to receive the inner housing. The inner housing and the outer housing are spaced apart from each other to form an insulation space configured to suppress heat transfer and to reduce the filter freezing inside the inner housing.