Water Purifier Front Panel Design for Outlet Cleaning Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional water purifiers require users to separate the upper or side plates of the housing for cleaning or replacement, which can be cumbersome and leads to neglect of the front side, increasing the risk of bacterial or microorganism contamination.

Innovation Solution

A water purifier design that allows for easy cleaning and replacement by selectively opening the front panel unit through linear or rotational motion, exposing the internal components for intuitive access and minimizing interference with surrounding structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the upper plate or side plate of the housing is separated for cleaning, then the internal components can be accessed, but the front side (outlet side) cannot be properly cleaned and the user must work with head down

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to internal componentsVSAvoiduser convenience during cleaning

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple detachable sections: the front panel unit can be separated from the main housing, and the upper plate can be detached. This segmentation allows the front panel to be removed independently for cleaning the outlet area, while the upper plate can be accessed separately for internal component maintenance, eliminating the need to work with head down

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the outlet is placed on the front side for user convenience, then users can easily access purified water and ice, but foreign substances can easily flow inside due to water splashing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser access to outletVSAvoidcontamination from water splashing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel unit is designed to be detachably coupled to the housing, allowing it to be removed when contamination occurs. This dynamic configuration enables users to easily access and clean the outlet area by simply detaching the front panel, preventing accumulation of foreign substances while maintaining convenient user access during normal operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If detachable parts are used for the outlet to facilitate cleaning, then cleaning access is improved, but the parts require re-engagement after cleaning which is cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning access to outletVSAvoidtime for disassembly and reassembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The front panel unit is pre-configured with a detachable coupling mechanism that aligns with corresponding interfaces on the housing. This preliminary design of the coupling structure allows for quick connection and disconnection without complex alignment procedures, reducing the time and effort required for cleaning operations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250121307A1Water purifier

Publication Date: 2025.04.17 COWAY CO LTD

AI summary

The water purifier according to an aspect of the present invention may include a housing; a first module unit configured to generate purified water or ice; a second module unit connected to the first module unit to discharge purified water or ice to the outside; and a front panel unit having a size and shape capable of covering the opening of the housing and coupled to the housing to be opened and closed through linear or rotational motion to conceal the opening in a closed state and to expose the opening in an open state.