Water Purifier Filter Module Layout for Tool-Free Replacement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional water purifiers require skilled technicians for filter replacement due to potential malfunctions and increased volume from separate attachment/detachment mechanisms, which are inconvenient and do not meet miniaturization trends.
Innovation Solution
A water purifier design allowing filter modules to be moved backward in a filter housing for separation from a connector, with a separation distance greater than the overlapping length between the connector and fixture, and a movable filter cap for easy detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a separate attachment/detachment device (lever member) is provided to enable user replacement of filters, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the filter module from a complex attachment/detachment mechanism. Instead of using a lever member that requires rotation and separate accommodation space, the filter module is designed to be directly removable from the filter housing by simply pulling it outward. This extraction of the filter replacement function from the complex mechanism eliminates the need for additional components while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter assembly is segmented into the filter module and the filter housing as separate, independently removable components. The filter module includes the filter element and connector, which can be detached as a single unit from the filter housing. This segmentation allows users to easily replace only the filter module without manipulating complex attachment mechanisms, thereby improving ease of operation while avoiding additional device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a lever member is provided for filter detachment, then ease of operation is improved, but the volume of the water purifier increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lever member and its accommodation space from the water purifier design. The filter module is designed with a direct-release connection to the filter housing, allowing users to detach the filter by simply pulling it outward without requiring any lever mechanism. This extraction eliminates the volume occupied by the lever member and its housing, maintaining compact dimensions while preserving ease of filter replacement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a locking lever is rotated for filter removal, then attachment/detachment function is achieved, but the risk of damage from excessive rotation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the locking lever mechanism entirely, replacing it with a direct-release connection system. The filter module connects to the filter housing through a simple interface that requires only outward pulling force for detachment, with no rotational motion involved. This extraction of the lever mechanism completely removes the risk of damage from excessive rotation while maintaining the attachment/detachment function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a locking mechanism that requires rotation to engage or disengage, the patent inverts the approach by using a direct-release connection where the filter module is held in place by a simple interface and removed by pulling outward. This inversion eliminates the rotational motion that could cause damage, providing a more reliable and damage-free attachment/detachment system.
Data Source
AI summary
A water purifier includes: a filter module having filters filtering raw water to provide purified water, and a filter connector having a filter connection passage allowing the filters to communicate with each other; and a filter housing having an open top and providing a filter accommodating space accommodating the filter module. The filter housing includes a filter fixture that is detachably coupled to one side of the filter connector, the filter fixture providing a flow path supplying the raw water to the filter module or discharging the purified water from the filter module to an outside. When the filter module accommodated in the filter accommodating space is coupled to the filter fixture, a separation distance between the filter connector and an inner wall of the filter housing facing the other side of the filter connector may be greater than an overlapping length of the filter connector and the filter fixture.