Water purifier and control method thereof

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water purifiers face issues with the repeated separation and coupling of the water discharge part, leading to potential damage and leaks, and limited adjustability of the water discharge position, restricting installation flexibility and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A water purifier design featuring a rotatable water discharge part with a rotator mechanism, allowing for adjustable positioning without the need for separate coupling and decoupling, and a tray system for water collection, which enhances user flexibility and reduces the risk of damage and leaks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the water discharge part is separated and coupled again to change position, then the water discharge position can be adjusted, but the coupling part may be damaged and leaks may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharge position adjustmentVSAvoidcoupling part durability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The water discharge part is made rotatable around the rotation axis of the rotator, transforming from a static fixed position to a dynamic adjustable position. The rotator mechanism allows continuous rotation to adjust the water discharge position without separation and coupling, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the water discharge part is separated and coupled again to change position, then the water discharge position can be adjusted, but repeated rotational operation may damage the fitting part and cause leaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharge position adjustmentVSAvoidfitting part integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rotator mechanism provides a dedicated rotation axis that allows the water discharge part to rotate smoothly without damaging the fitting part. The dynamic rotation capability enables position adjustment while maintaining the structural integrity of the fitting part, even with repeated operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the water discharge part position is determined by a groove of a coupling hole, then the position is fixed, but the water discharge part cannot be positioned at a random point

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater discharge position accuracyVSAvoidposition flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rotator mechanism replaces the fixed groove-based positioning with a dynamic rotation system. The water discharge part can be rotated to any angle around the rotation axis, enabling positioning at random points while maintaining manufacturing precision through the controlled rotation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotator mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides precise positioning through controlled rotation, enables random point positioning, and maintains the coupling relationship between parts. This multi-functional mechanism resolves the contradiction between positioning precision and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10408533B2Water purifier and control method thereof

Publication Date: 2019.09.10 LG ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A water purifier having a small size and compact internal structure and enabling a water discharge part through which water is extracted to be rotation-operated, and a control method thereof.