Water Filter with Nutrient Enrichment Capsules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water filtration systems, such as reverse osmosis and nano-membrane filters, effectively remove contaminants but also eliminate beneficial minerals and nutrients like calcium and magnesium, necessitating a method to remineralize and enhance filtered water without requiring multiple filter apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A compact water filter apparatus that uses interchangeable capsules containing nutrients, minerals, ions, and hydrogen to enrich filtered water, employing a dynamic flow mechanism to mix and blend these additives with filtered water, allowing users to choose desired enrichments without needing separate filters, and operates without electricity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If reverse osmosis or nano-membrane filters are used to remove contaminants, then water purification is improved, but beneficial minerals and nutrients are also removed
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the water treatment process into separate functional modules: a filtration module for contaminant removal and an enrichment module for mineral addition. The filtration module uses reverse osmosis or nano-membrane technology to purify water, while the enrichment module separately adds back beneficial minerals through capsules or cartridges, allowing each function to be optimized independently
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary enrichment module that acts as a bridge between the filtration process and the final water output. This module contains capsules or cartridges with mineral supplements that are added to the purified water, serving as a mediator that restores beneficial substances removed during filtration without interfering with the purification process
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filter apparatuses are used to provide different enrichment options, then water enrichment flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs a universal enrichment module that can accommodate multiple types of capsules or cartridges containing different mineral combinations. This single multi-functional module replaces the need for multiple separate filter apparatuses, allowing users to switch between different enrichment options by simply changing the capsule or cartridge while using the same base unit
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the filtration function and enrichment function into a single integrated apparatus. The filtration module and enrichment module are combined in one device, with the enrichment module receiving purified water from the filtration module and adding minerals before dispensing. This consolidation provides multiple enrichment options without requiring multiple separate devices
3Volume of moving object
If a compact water filter apparatus is designed, then ease of installation and space utilization are improved, but internal volume for enrichment components is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a nested structure where capsules or cartridges are placed inside the enrichment module, which itself is integrated within the filtration housing. The capsules contain minerals in a compact form factor, allowing maximum enrichment capacity within minimal space. The nested arrangement of components enables the system to maintain a small external footprint while providing sufficient internal volume for enrichment functions
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 solution provides a flexible, cost-effective, and aesthetically designed water filtration system that enhances the nutritional quality of filtered water by reintroducing desired minerals and nutrients, ensuring ease of maintenance and operation, while avoiding the need for multiple filter apparatuses.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element having an interior volume and an exterior surface
Implementation Method 2
Some of the filtered water flows down an interior volume of the stick capsule 160, in which is disposed granules/balls containing desirable nutrients
Implementation Method 3
granules/balls containing desirable nutrients, inorganic ions, organic ions, anti-bacterial surfaces, vitamins, herbs, flavouring
Implementation Method 4
The filtered water enriched, enhanced and/or infused with some of the desired nutrients, ions, vitamin, herbs or flavour and treated with anti-bacteria, anti-chlorine and so on is dynamically sucked or drawn out
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention describes a water filter apparatus (100, 100a) with integrated nutrient enrichment and/or enhancement. Desired nutrients, ions, hydrogen ions, ceramic, stones, metal etc. packed in granules or balls are selectively disposed inside a stick capsule (160), shell capsule (180) or hydrogen capsule (190). One or two stick capsules (160) are located inside a filter element (150). The stick capsule has a tapered end (162) and in association with T-shaped posts (157) formed on an inside of a cap (151) of the filter element, dynamic flow of water along the tapered end (162) induces nutrient-rich water to flow through perforations (165) at the end of the stick capsule (160), mixes/blends the two streams of water before water is discharged through a faucet (144). The filtered water is also enhanced by treating the water through flavor treatment, anti-bacterial, anti-chlorine, activated carbon and so on.