Water Pitcher With Segmented Chambers And TDS Meter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable water filtering systems are inefficient in allowing immediate consumption of filtered water without contamination, lack a method for easy dispensing within refrigerators, and fail to provide real-time indication of filter effectiveness or water quality.
Innovation Solution
A water pitcher system with a container design that includes separate regions for unfiltered and filtered water, a valve assembly for dispensing filtered water without removing the system from storage, and a meter housing for testing water quality using a total dissolved solids meter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the user waits for water to completely filter through the filter before dispensing, then the filtered water quality is maintained, but the user experiences loss of time and reduced productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into an upper chamber for unfiltered water and a lower chamber for filtered water, with the filter positioned between them. This segmentation allows filtered water to be dispensed from the lower chamber while unfiltered water continues to filter above, enabling simultaneous dispensing and filtering operations without contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-filters water into the lower chamber before dispensing is needed. Once filtered water accumulates in the lower chamber, it can be dispensed immediately without waiting for the filtering process to complete, as the filter continues operating on unfiltered water in the upper chamber.
2Loss of time
If the user tips the container to dispense small amounts of water during filtering, then immediate consumption is possible, but plain tap water contaminates the filtered water
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into an upper chamber for unfiltered water and a lower chamber for filtered water, with the filter positioned between them. This segmentation allows filtered water to be dispensed from the lower chamber while unfiltered water continues to filter above, enabling simultaneous dispensing and filtering operations without contamination risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter acts as an intermediary barrier between the upper chamber containing unfiltered water and the lower chamber containing filtered water. This intermediary structure prevents direct contact and potential contamination between the two water types, allowing independent access to either chamber.
3Ease of operation
If the system is removed from the refrigerator for dispensing, then easy access to filtered water is achieved, but water spills and collisions with other items occur
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing valve assembly is extracted from the main container body and positioned separately, allowing the user to operate the valve to dispense water without removing the entire container from the refrigerator. This separates the dispensing function from the storage function, enabling easy access while maintaining stable storage.
4Ease of operation
If the filter is replaced based on estimated usage or visual indicators, then the system is simple to operate, but the consumer may replace the filter too soon or too late
Solution Approach 1:
A TDS meter is integrated into the system to provide real-time feedback on the quality of filtered water by measuring total dissolved solids. This objective measurement allows the user to determine when the filter actually needs replacement based on its performance rather than estimates, preventing both premature and delayed replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The subjective visual indicators or calendar-based filter replacement systems are replaced with an objective electronic TDS measurement system. This substitution provides accurate, real-time data on filter effectiveness, replacing the mechanical/calendar-based estimation method with a scientific measurement approach.
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
Enables immediate consumption of filtered water without contamination, allows easy dispensing from a refrigerator, and provides real-time measurement of filter effectiveness, ensuring the quality of filtered water.
Implementation Method 1
a filter adapted to filter water flowing from the reservoir into the second region of the container
Implementation Method 2
a water meter disposed within the meter housing for testing the quality of the effluent of the filter to determine a filtering efficiency of the filter
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a water dispensing system comprising a container having a first region adapted to store unfiltered water, a second region adapted to store filtered water, and a spout region, a meter housing adapted to receive a water meter, a reservoir disposed within the first region of the container, a filter coupled to the reservoir, the filter being adapted to filter water flowing from the reservoir into the second region of the container, a valve assembly disposed in the second region of the container, the valve assembly being adapted to dispense filtered water from the second region of the container, and a lid coupled to the reservoir. In addition, the invention provides a system for filtering and testing water, comprising a water filtering system used in combination with a water meter for testing the quality of the effluent.