Water purification device capable of suppressing scale adhesion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Water purification devices and washing apparatuses face issues with scale adhesion due to mineral components, leading to pipe blockages and malfunctions, and nanobubble water causing bacterial proliferation and reduced sanitation.

Innovation Solution

A water purification device with a microbubble generating system and control device that alternates between a purified water supply mode and a maintenance mode to suppress scale adhesion, using microbubbles to bypass the filtration filter and maintain sanitation without chemicals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If raw water flows continuously through the filtration filter to provide purified water, then water supply function is maintained, but scale adheres and deposits on pipe inner surfaces blocking pipes and causing malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepurified water supplyVSAvoidpipe blockage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system alternates between a first mode (purified water supply mode) and a second mode (maintenance mode for suppressing scale adhesion). During the second mode, the microbubble generating device generates microbubbles and the bypass pipe allows raw water with microbubbles to flow through the pipe, creating periodic maintenance action to prevent scale accumulation while maintaining overall water supply productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Microbubbles act as an intermediary substance introduced into the raw water flowing through the pipe. The microbubbles attach to scale particles and prevent them from adhering to the pipe inner surface, serving as a mediating mechanism to suppress scale deposition without interrupting the water flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If nanobubble water containing microbubbles remains in the filtration filter during device stoppage, then scale adhesion is suppressed, but bacteria proliferate reducing sanitation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale adhesion suppressionVSAvoidbacterial proliferation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic mode switching to resolve the contradiction. During the first mode (purified water supply mode), the microbubble generating device stops generating microbubbles and the filtration filter processes water normally, preventing bacterial proliferation by maintaining water flow and filtration. During the second mode, microbubbles are generated to suppress scale adhesion. This periodic alternation prevents continuous microbubble presence that would cause bacterial growth while still achieving scale suppression during maintenance periods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The control device automatically manages the alternation between modes based on operational conditions, making the system self-regulating. The system serves itself by automatically switching between water supply and maintenance modes without external intervention, balancing scale suppression and sanitation maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If chemical solutions are used to suppress scale adhesion, then scale removal effectiveness is improved, but additional devices and chemical solutions are required increasing system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescale adhesion suppressionVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces chemical scale suppression methods with a physical mechanism using microbubbles. The microbubble generating device creates microbubbles that physically attach to and lift scale particles from the pipe surface through buoyancy and adhesion forces, substituting mechanical/physical action for chemical solutions and eliminating the need for chemical agents and associated delivery systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Effectively suppresses scale adhesion and bacterial growth, extending the life cycle of the device, improving maintenance convenience, and reducing the need for additional devices and chemical solutions.

Implementation Method 1

a microbubble generating device that generates microbubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMicrobubble generation: Bubble

Implementation Method 2

raw water containing microbubbles joins the join part through the bypass pipe

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS20250243085A1Water purification device capable of suppressing scale adhesion

Publication Date: 2025.07.31 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A water purification device capable of suppressing scale adhesion includes a water inlet port through which raw water flows in, a filtration filter that purifies the raw water to generate purified water, and a pipe through which the raw water and the purified water flow; a microbubble generating device that generates microbubbles, a water supply port through which the purified water is output, a branch part that branches off the pipe, and a join part where the pipe joins, the pipe connecting the water supply port and the join part; a bypass pipe that has one end connected to the branch part and another end connected to the join part to bypass the filtration filter; and a control device that controls a supply timing of the microbubbles and a flow path of the branch part.