Reverse osmosis membrane end cover and water treatment equipment
By designing a detachable reverse osmosis membrane end cap, the problem of sanitary dead corners at the central water channel joint of traditional end caps is solved, achieving stable connection and sealing effect, and improving the stability and efficiency of the water treatment system.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHUTIAN HUATONG PHARM EQUIP CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-05-27
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-01
AI Technical Summary
Traditional reverse osmosis membrane end caps are prone to creating sanitary dead zones at the central water channel joint, leading to poor sealing performance, corrosion problems, and uneven water flow distribution.
Design a reverse osmosis membrane end cap including a first end cap and a second end cap, achieve stable connection through detachable connection and locking element, and set a sealing element at the connection position to ensure the airtightness between channels.
This improves the connection stability between the membrane element and the end cap, reduces the risk of loosening, avoids stagnant water accumulation, and enhances the operational stability and efficiency of the water treatment system.
Smart Images
Figure CN224180643U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Reverse osmosis membrane end caps and water treatment equipment Technical Field
[0001] This application relates to the field of water treatment technology, and in particular to a reverse osmosis membrane end cap and water treatment equipment. Background Technology
[0002] Reverse osmosis membrane end caps are an important component of reverse osmosis membrane modules. Their main function is to seal and fix the membrane element, ensuring the sealing and stability of the water treatment process. They are mainly related to the field of water treatment technology, and play a key role in reverse osmosis membrane systems.
[0003] Reverse osmosis membranes are a type of semi-permeable membrane separation technology that uses pressure difference as the driving force. They purify and separate water by allowing water molecules in a solution to pass through the membrane while trapping other impurities. Their pore size is extremely small, typically less than 0.001 micrometers, enabling them to effectively remove dissolved salts, colloids, microorganisms, organic matter, and other impurities from water.
[0004] However, with the continuous expansion of reverse osmosis technology applications and the increasing demands for water quality, the traditional design of reverse osmosis membrane end caps has revealed problems such as poor sealing performance, corrosion, and uneven water flow distribution.
[0005] Most existing reverse osmosis membranes use a central tube connection, which can easily lead to stagnant water accumulation at the central tube connection point of the end cap, creating a sanitary dead zone. Summary of the Invention
[0006] The purpose of this application is to provide a reverse osmosis membrane end cap and water treatment equipment, so as to solve to a certain extent the technical problem that sanitary dead corners are easily formed at the central water channel joint of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap in the prior art.
[0007] This application provides a reverse osmosis membrane end cap, comprising:
[0008] A first end cap, the first end cap including a first channel;
[0009] A second end cap, the second end cap including a second channel; the second end cap is detachably connected to the first end cap;
[0010] A first locking element is disposed on the first end cap;
[0011] A second locking element is disposed on the second end cap; the second locking element can lock or unlock with the first locking element.
[0012] A sealing element is disposed between the first channel and the second channel when the first locking element and the second locking element are locked to each other.
[0013] In the above technical solution, the first end cap further includes:
[0014] A first main body portion, the first main body portion being annular, and the first channel being coaxially disposed within the first main body portion;
[0015] A first support member is located between the first channel and the first main body portion;
[0016] The number of the first support members is multiple, and the multiple first support members are arranged at circumferential intervals along the first channel.
[0017] In any of the above technical solutions, the second end cap further includes:
[0018] The second main body is annular, and the second channel is coaxially disposed within the second main body.
[0019] A second support member is located between the second channel and the second main body portion;
[0020] The number of the second support members is multiple, and the multiple second support members are arranged at circumferential intervals along the second channel.
[0021] In any of the above technical solutions, the first support member is plate-shaped, one end of the first support member is connected to the outer wall of the first channel, and the other end of the first support member extends toward the first main body; the width of the first support member is less than the axial length of the first channel.
[0022] The second support member is plate-shaped, with one end of the second support member connected to the inner wall of the second main body, and the other end of the second support member extending toward the second channel;
[0023] The width of the second support member is greater than the axial length of the second channel.
[0024] In any of the above technical solutions, further, the ends of the plurality of second support members enclose a receiving space at one end port of the second channel for accommodating the first channel.
[0025] In any of the above technical solutions, the sealing element is further described as an EPDM gasket.
[0026] In any of the above technical solutions, the first locking element further includes:
[0027] A ring-shaped body, which is coaxial with and surrounds the first channel;
[0028] It also includes a first locking part and a second locking part set at an angle, the first locking part and the second locking part being disposed on the outer ring surface of the annular body, the first locking part and the second locking part defining a locking space;
[0029] The number of the first locking elements is multiple, and the multiple first locking elements are arranged at intervals.
[0030] In any of the above technical solutions, the number of the second locking members is adapted to the number of the first locking members, and the second locking members are disposed at the end of the second support member near the second main body.
[0031] The second locking member includes a third locking part and a fourth locking part. The third locking part extends along the length direction of the second main body and is capable of being confined within or removed from the locking space.
[0032] In any of the above technical solutions, both the first end cap and the second end cap are made of polysulfone material.
[0033] This application also provides a water treatment device, including the reverse osmosis membrane end cap described in any of the above technical solutions, and thus has all the beneficial technical effects of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap, which will not be repeated here.
[0034] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this application are as follows:
[0035] The reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in this application includes: a first end cap, the first end cap including a first channel; a second end cap, the second end cap including a second channel; the second end cap being detachably connected to the first end cap; a first locking member, the first locking member being disposed on the first end cap; a second locking member, the second locking member being disposed on the second end cap; the second locking member being capable of locking or unlocking with the first locking member; and a sealing member, wherein the sealing member is disposed between the first channel and the second channel when the first locking member and the second locking member are locked together.
[0036] The reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in this application can lock the first end cap and the second end cap, enhance the stability of the first end cap and the second end cap in the connected state, reduce the risk of the first end cap and the second end cap loosening, thereby improving the connection stability between the membrane element and the end cap, reducing the risk of membrane element displacement or damage, and setting a sealing element at the connection position of the first channel and the second channel to enhance the sealing effect of the two channels at the connection position, avoiding the accumulation of stagnant water at the connection position and the generation of sanitary dead corners.
[0037] The water treatment equipment provided in this application includes the aforementioned reverse osmosis membrane end cap. Therefore, the stability between the membrane element and the end cap is enhanced by the reverse osmosis membrane end cap, thereby improving the stability of system operation and water treatment efficiency, and reducing the probability of system malfunctions. Attached Figure Description
[0038] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the specific embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the specific embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.
[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the first end cap and the second end cap of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in the embodiment of this application;
[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first end cap of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0041] Figure 3 is an enlarged structural schematic diagram of the first end cap of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in Figure 2 at point A;
[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second end cap of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0043] Figure 5 is an enlarged structural diagram of the second end cap of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in Figure 4 at point B.
[0044] Figure label:
[0045] 1-First end cap, 101-First channel, 102-First main body, 103-First support member, 104-Insertion part, 2-Second end cap, 201-Second channel, 202-Second main body, 203-Second support member, 204-Insertion interface, 3-First locking member, 301-Annular main body, 302-First locking part, 303-Second locking part, 4-Second locking member, 401-Third locking part, 402-Fourth locking part. Detailed Implementation
[0046] The technical solutions of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of this application, but not all embodiments.
[0047] The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of this application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed application, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the application.
[0048] Based on the embodiments in this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.
[0049] In the description of this application, it should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this application. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.
[0050] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.
[0051] The reverse osmosis membrane end cap and water treatment equipment according to embodiments of this application are described below with reference to Figures 1 to 5.
[0052] Referring to Figures 1 to 5, an embodiment of this application provides a reverse osmosis membrane end cap. This reverse osmosis membrane end cap includes a first end cap 1, a second end cap 2, and a sealing element (not shown in the figures). The first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 are connected by a detachable connection. The first end cap 1 has a first channel 101, and the second end cap 2 has a second channel 201. After the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 are assembled together, the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 face each other and communicate, allowing the permeate water treated by reverse osmosis to flow through the first channel 101 and the second channel 201. The first end cap 1 is provided with a first locking element 3, and the second end cap 2 is provided with a second locking element 4. The first locking element 3 and the second locking element 4 can lock or unlock each other, thereby keeping the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 in a locked state or an unlocked-locked state. A sealing element is disposed on the end face of the first channel 101 or the end face of the second channel 201. After the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 are connected and locked together, the sealing element is located between the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 to seal the gap between the first channel 101 and the second channel 201, preventing leakage of the permeate flowing through the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 through the gap. It should be noted that the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 are part of the central tube, through which the permeate treated by reverse osmosis flows. The membrane element that performs reverse osmosis is connected to the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2, and the connection method can be, but is not limited to, adhesive bonding.
[0053] Specifically, the first end cap 1 includes a first main body 102 and a first support member 103. The first main body 102 has an annular structure, and the first support member 103 has a flat plate structure. The width of the first support member 103 extends axially along the first main body 102, and the length of the first support member 103 extends radially along the first main body 102. The first channel 101 has a cylindrical structure with openings at both ends. The first channel 101 is located at the center of the first main body 102 and is coaxially arranged with the first main body 102. There are multiple first support members 103, which are evenly spaced along the circumference of the first channel 101 on the outer wall surface of the first channel 101. The length of each first support member 103 extends radially along the first main body 102. One end of each first support member 103 is connected to the outer wall surface of the first channel 101, and the other end of each first support member 103 is connected to the inner wall surface of the first main body 102.
[0054] The width of the first support member 103 is less than the axial length of the first channel 101. The end port of the first channel 101 facing the second channel 201 is defined as the first port, and the end port of the first channel 101 away from the second channel 201 is defined as the second port. One of the two longest sides of the first support member 103 is roughly aligned with the middle height position of the first channel 101, so that the first port protrudes relative to the long side of each first support member 103 to form the insertion part 104.
[0055] Further, the first locking member 3 includes: an annular body 301, a first locking part 302, and a second locking part 303. The diameter of the annular body 301 is smaller than the diameter of the first body part 102. The annular body 301 is disposed inside the first body part 102, and a gap is formed between the annular body 301 and the first body part 102. The annular body 301 is disposed around the first channel 101 and is coaxially disposed with the first body. The annular body 301 is located on the side of the first support member 103 near the second end cap 2. The annular body 301 is connected to each of the first support members 103. Preferably, the first support member 103, the first body part 102, the annular body 301, and the first channel 101 are integrally formed and have an integral structure.
[0056] The number of first locking parts 302 and second locking parts 303 is the same, both being multiple. Preferably, the number of first locking parts 302 and the number of second locking parts 303 are the same as the number of first support members 103. Each first locking part 302 is grouped with one second locking part 303, and the multiple first locking parts 302 are evenly spaced along the circumference of the annular body 301. The first locking part 302 is elongated or block-shaped and is disposed on the outer ring surface of the annular body 301. The second locking part 303 is angled to the first locking part 302 and is plate-shaped. The length of the second locking part 303 extends along the length direction of the annular body 301. Each group of first locking parts 302, second locking parts 303, and part of the wall surface of the annular body 301 together enclose a locking space.
[0057] Furthermore, the second end cap 2 includes a second main body 202 and a second support member 203. The second main body 202 has an annular structure, and the second support member 203 has a flat plate structure. The width of the second support member 203 extends axially along the second main body 202, and the length of the second support member 203 extends radially along the second main body 202. The second channel 201 has a cylindrical structure with openings at both ends. The second channel 201 is located at the center of the second main body 202 and is coaxially arranged with the second main body 202. There are multiple second support members 203, which are evenly spaced along the circumference of the second channel 201 on the outer wall surface of the second channel 201. The length of each second support member 203 extends radially along the second main body 202. One end of each second support member 203 is connected to the outer wall surface of the second channel 201, and the other end of each second support member 203 is connected to the inner wall surface of the second main body 202.
[0058] The width of the second support member 203 is greater than the axial length of the second channel 201. The end port of the second channel 201 facing the first channel 101 is defined as the third port, and the other end port of the second channel 201 is defined as the fourth port. One of the two long sides of the second support member 203 protrudes relative to the third port, so that all the second support members 203 enclose a receiving space at the third port of the second channel 201. The receiving space is adapted to the shape of the insertion part 104, so that when the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 are assembled, the insertion part 104 of the first channel 101 can be inserted into the receiving space, thereby allowing the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 to dock and communicate at the receiving space.
[0059] The second main body 202 is provided with an insertion interface 204. The outer diameter of the insertion interface 204 is smaller than the inner diameter of the first main body 102, so that the insertion interface 204 can be inserted into the gap between the first main body 102 and the annular body 301. A plurality of second locking members 4 are evenly distributed on the inner wall surface of the insertion interface 204.
[0060] A first connecting portion is formed between two adjacent first support members 103, and a second connecting portion is formed between two adjacent second support members 203. The number of first connecting portions and the number of second connecting portions are the same. After the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 are assembled, each first connecting portion is positioned opposite a second connecting portion, and each first support member 103 is positioned opposite a second support member 203.
[0061] Furthermore, the end face of the first port of the first channel 101 and / or the end face of the third port of the second channel 201 are provided with mounting grooves, and the sealing element is disposed in the mounting grooves. When the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 are connected to each other, the sealing element is located between the end faces of the first channel 101 and the second channel 201, thereby playing a sealing role and preventing the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 from mixing with the water purification chamber of the reverse osmosis membrane, which would result in stagnant water accumulation at the interface of the first channel 101 and the second channel 201, affecting the water purification quality.
[0062] Furthermore, the sealing element is specifically a sealing ring. Preferably, the sealing element is made of EPDM (Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer) material, which can adapt to different working pressure and temperature conditions and reduce the risk of leakage.
[0063] Furthermore, each of the second support members 203 is provided with a second locking member 4 at one end near the second main body 202. The number of second locking members 4 is the same as the number of first locking members 3 and they are provided in a one-to-one correspondence. The second locking member 4 includes a third locking part 401 and a fourth locking part 402. The third locking part 401 is elongated and its length extends along the length direction of the second main body 202. The fourth locking part 402 is connected to the third locking part 401. The shape of the third locking part 401 is adapted to the shape of the locking space. After the first end cover 1 and the second end cover 2 are assembled together, rotating the first end cover 1 or the second end cover 2 causes the third locking part 401 to move relative to the locking space, allowing the third locking part 401 to move into the locking space, thereby completing the locking of the first end cover 1 and the second end cover 2. The fourth locking part 402 is L-shaped with the third locking part 401, so that the fourth locking part 402 can prevent the second end cover 2 from excessively rotating with the first end cover 1, thus limiting the rotation. The third locking part 401 disengages from the locking space. When it is necessary to unlock the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2, the first end cap 1 or the second end cap 2 is rotated in the opposite direction to move the third locking part 401 out of the locking space, thereby unlocking and separating the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2. It is evident that this reverse osmosis membrane end cap can lock the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2, thus preventing the membrane element connected to the reverse osmosis membrane end cap from becoming loose due to reduced stability or loosening of the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2, which could alter the water flow path, reduce water purification efficiency, and enhance the stability of the two end cap connections. It also prevents damage caused by mechanical collisions during transportation or installation, especially at temperatures and pressures above normal, where a loose end cap could further exacerbate membrane element misalignment or mechanical damage. Furthermore, the detachable connection between the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 greatly improves the timeliness of installation and disassembly, facilitating the maintenance and repair of the membrane system. Furthermore, it should be noted that the reverse osmosis membrane end caps provided in this embodiment do not require special tools for disassembly and assembly of the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2. This effectively avoids the possibility that if professional tools are not used or the operation is not carried out according to specifications during the installation of traditional end caps, the end caps may not be tightened evenly, leading to leakage or structural fatigue after long-term operation.
[0064] Preferably, the second main body 202, the second support member 203, and the second locking member 4 are integrally formed to have an integral structure.
[0065] More preferably, the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 are made of the same material, both being made of polysulfone, which has high strength and good corrosion resistance, improving the wear resistance and anti-pollution ability of the end caps.
[0066] In summary, the reverse osmosis membrane end cap provided in this application can lock the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2, enhance the stability of the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 in the connected state, reduce the risk of the first end cap 1 and the second end cap 2 becoming loose, thereby improving the connection stability between the membrane element and the end cap, reducing the risk of membrane element displacement or damage, avoiding leakage of the central tube at the end cap, and setting a sealing element at the connection position of the first channel 101 and the second channel 201 to enhance the sealing effect of the two channels at the connection position, avoiding the accumulation of stagnant water at the connection position and the generation of sanitary dead corners.
[0067] The embodiments of this application also provide a water treatment device, including the reverse osmosis membrane end cap described in any of the above embodiments, and thus have all the beneficial technical effects of the reverse osmosis membrane end cap, which will not be repeated here.
[0068] The water treatment equipment provided in this application enhances the stability between the membrane element and the end cap by using the aforementioned reverse osmosis membrane end cap, thereby improving the stability of system operation and water treatment efficiency, and reducing the probability of system malfunctions.
[0069] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this application, and are not intended to limit them. Although this application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some or all of the technical features therein. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application.
Claims
1. A reverse osmosis membrane end cap, characterized in that, include: A first end cap, the first end cap including a first channel; a second end cap, the second end cap including a second channel; the second end cap being detachably connected to the first end cap; a first locking member, the first locking member being disposed on the first end cap; A second locking element is disposed on the second end cap; The second locking element can lock or unlock with the first locking element; A sealing element is disposed between the first channel and the second channel when the first locking element and the second locking element are locked to each other.
2. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first end cap includes: a first main body portion, the first main body portion being annular, and the first channel being coaxially disposed within the first main body portion; a first support member, the first support member being disposed between the first channel and the first main body portion; the number of the first support members is multiple, and the multiple first support members are disposed at circumferential intervals along the first channel.
3. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second end cap includes: a second main body portion, the second main body portion being annular, and a second channel being coaxially disposed within the second main body portion; a second support member, the second support member being disposed between the second channel and the second main body portion; the number of the second support members is multiple, and the multiple second support members are disposed at circumferential intervals along the second channel.
4. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first support member is plate-shaped, with one end connected to the outer wall of the first channel and the other end extending toward the first main body; the width of the first support member is less than the axial length of the first channel. The second support member is plate-shaped, with one end connected to the inner wall of the second main body and the other end extending toward the second channel; the width of the second support member is greater than the axial length of the second channel.
5. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to claim 3, characterized in that, The ends of the plurality of second support members enclose a receiving space at one end port of the second channel for accommodating the first channel.
6. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sealing element is an EPDM gasket.
7. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first locking element includes: an annular body, which is coaxial with and surrounds the first channel; it also includes a first locking part and a second locking part arranged at an angle, which are disposed on the outer annular surface of the annular body and define a locking space; there are multiple first locking elements, which are spaced apart.
8. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to claim 7, characterized in that, The number of the second locking members is adapted to the number of the first locking members. The second locking members are disposed at the end of the second support member near the second main body. The second locking member includes a third locking part and a fourth locking part. The third locking part extends along the length direction of the second main body and can be confined within the locking space or moved out of the locking space.
9. The reverse osmosis membrane end cap according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, Both the first end cap and the second end cap are made of polysulfone material.
10. A water treatment device, characterized in that, Includes the reverse osmosis membrane end cap as described in any one of claims 1 to 9.