Water purifying apparatus and filter structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water purifying apparatuses with bypass structures have complex designs that decrease productivity and assembling workability, and deteriorate water flow performance due to reliance on elastic members, which can fail or become abnormal, making it difficult to switch the bypass flow path during filter attachment and detachment.
Innovation Solution
A water purifying apparatus with a simplified bypass flow path switching structure that uses a rotatable shaft to communicate the water inlet and outlet portions, allowing for smooth water flow and easy filter attachment/detachment, eliminating the need for complex elastic members and separate valve structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flow path switching plunger supported by an elastic member is used to enable bypass flow path switching during filter attachment and detachment, then the bypass function is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated, decreasing productivity and assembling workability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the elastic member and flow path switching plunger from the system. Instead of using a complex switching mechanism, the patent creates a simple bypass flow path that is always open when the filter cartridge is detached, allowing water to flow directly from the inlet to the outlet without passing through the filter element.
Solution Approach 2:
The flow path is segmented into a main flow path through the filter element and a separate bypass flow path. The bypass flow path includes a bypass inlet, bypass passage, and bypass outlet that are structurally distinct from the main filtration path, allowing independent operation when the filter is removed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flow path switching plunger with sliding structure is used, then bypass flow path switching is enabled, but the bypass path becomes complicated, deteriorating the flow performance of water
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding plunger structure is completely removed from the system. The bypass flow path is designed as a direct, open channel that does not require any moving parts or switching mechanisms, thereby maintaining simple and efficient water flow performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a mechanism to actively switch the flow path when bypass is needed, the design inverts the approach by having the bypass path always available and open. The normal filtration operation blocks the bypass, and when filtration is not needed, the bypass is naturally open without requiring active switching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If an elastic member is used to support the flow path switching plunger, then the bypass flow path can be switched during filter attachment and detachment, but the flow path cannot be switched when the elastic member deteriorates or becomes abnormal
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic member is completely extracted from the system, eliminating the reliability issues associated with elastic member deterioration. The bypass flow path switching is achieved through the simple mechanical presence or absence of the filter cartridge itself, which physically blocks or opens the bypass path without requiring any additional components.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cartridge itself serves as the flow path switching mechanism. When the filter cartridge is attached, it blocks the bypass flow path and directs water through the filtration element. When detached, it automatically opens the bypass path without requiring any separate switching mechanism or elastic member.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex flow path switching structure with multiple components is used, then bypass functionality is achieved, but productivity and assembling workability are decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The bypass flow path components (bypass inlet, bypass passage, bypass outlet) are merged into the head structure as integral parts. The bypass flow path is formed directly within the head housing, eliminating the need for separate assemblies or complex sub-components, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Complex flow path switching components such as plungers, elastic members, and valve mechanisms are extracted and removed from the design. The bypass functionality is achieved through simple structural design of the head and filter cartridge interface, significantly reducing the number of parts and simplifying assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A water purifying apparatus including a head having a water inlet portion and a water outlet portion; a shaft provided in the head and rotatably mounted between the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion; a bypass flow path passing through a circumference of the shaft, and communicating the water inlet portion with the water outlet portion according to rotation of the shaft; a filter detachably mounted to the head, and having a filter inserting portion in which the shaft is inserted when being mounted on the head; and a filtering flow path in which an inlet port and an outlet port are formed on the circumference of the shaft in a direction intersecting the bypass flow path, and communicated between the filter, the water inlet portion and the water outlet portion with each other according to the rotation of the shaft.