Water Pitcher Valve and Meter for Contamination-Free Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Portable water filtering systems are inefficient in allowing immediate consumption of filtered water without contamination, lack convenience in dispensing within refrigerators, and fail to provide real-time indication of filter efficiency and 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 tilting, and a meter housing for testing water quality using a water meter, allowing for continuous filtration and storage without contamination and providing analytical measurements of filtering efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the user fills the upper reservoir with unfiltered water and waits for complete filtration, then the filtered water is collected in the lower region, but the user is prevented from dispensing filtered water during and after the filtration process
Solution Approach 1:
The container is divided into two separate regions: an upper reservoir for unfiltered water and a lower region for filtered water. This segmentation allows simultaneous filtration and dispensing operations to occur independently without interference, resolving the contradiction between filtration speed and availability of filtered water.
2Ease of operation
If the user tips the container to dispense water during filtration, then small amounts of filtered water can be dispensed, but plain tap water from the upper reservoir transfers to the lower region contaminating the filtered water
Solution Approach 1:
A valve assembly is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the lower region and the dispensing spout. This valve allows controlled dispensing of filtered water without requiring the container to be tipped, thereby preventing contamination from the upper reservoir while maintaining ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If the user removes the system from the refrigerator to dispense filtered water, then water can be dispensed from the dispensing region, but repeated removal causes water spills and collisions with other refrigerator items
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing function is extracted from the main container body and implemented through an integrated valve assembly with spout. This allows the container to remain stationary in the refrigerator while enabling convenient dispensing operations, eliminating the harmful effects of repeated removal and placement.
4Ease of manufacture
If the manufacturer provides visual indicators like date labels for filter replacement, then users can estimate filter lifetime, but users may unnecessarily replace filters too soon or discover filter failure when water taste becomes unacceptable
Solution Approach 1:
A water quality testing system with a meter is integrated into the filtration system to provide real-time feedback on filter efficiency. The meter measures parameters such as total dissolved solids and provides immediate information to the user about filter performance, enabling timely filter replacement based on actual condition rather than estimates or taste changes.
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, facilitates easy dispensing from a refrigerator, and provides accurate real-time monitoring of filter efficiency and water quality, ensuring effective filtration and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a filter adapted to filter water flowing from the reservoir into the second region of the container
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.