Air Filter Element Change With Covered Filter Cake Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices for air flow require process interruption to change filter elements, which is inefficient and can lead to contamination and damage from dislodged particles during the replacement process, especially in continuous production processes.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with an insertion chamber and output chamber system that allows for filter element replacement without interrupting the process, using a cover to secure the filter cake and prevent particle dislodgment, along with a locking mechanism to ensure correct operation and prevent contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the filter element is completely removed from the filter device for changing, then the filter element can be replaced, but the production process must be interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter element replacementVSAvoidproduction process continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter device is segmented into a stationary housing and a removable filter element module. The filter element can be independently extracted from the housing through a filter element opening, allowing replacement without removing the entire filter device or interrupting the air flow path. This segmentation enables maintenance operations while the system remains operational.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A cover is attached to the filter element before removal from the housing. This preliminary action seals the filter cake on the filter element, preventing particle dislodgment during the replacement process. The cover is positioned in advance to ensure that when the filter element is extracted and reinserted, no contaminants are released into the air flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the filter element is removed without a cover, then the replacement process is simpler, but particles on the filter cake can be dislodged and enter the air flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter element replacement simplicityVSAvoidparticle contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cover acts as an intermediary component between the filter element and the external environment during replacement operations. It provides a protective interface that prevents direct exposure of the filter cake to air currents, thereby eliminating the harmful effect of particle dislodgment while allowing the filter element to be easily removed and reinstalled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover is attached to the filter element, then particle dislodgment is prevented, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle dislodgment preventionVSAvoidfilter element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed as a simple, inexpensive component that can be easily attached and removed with the filter element. It is a basic structural element without complex mechanisms, making the overall device complexity minimal while effectively preventing particle dislodgment during filter element replacement operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables seamless filter element replacement without interrupting the process, reducing contamination and damage, and allowing for use in high-purity air applications like fiber production by securing the filter cake and ensuring correct operation through locking mechanisms.

Implementation Method 1

a surface of the drum filter is cleaned via a suction nozzle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

at least one filter element through which the air can flow and which is replaceably held in a flow channel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11549704B2Filter device and method for changing a filter element

Publication Date: 2023.01.10 OERLIKON TEXTILE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

A filter device for filtering particles from an air flow has an inlet channel through which the air to be cleaned flows, at least one filter element through which the air can flow and which is held replaceably in a flow channel, and an outlet channel through which the cleaned air flows. The filter device has an insertion chamber which can be closed by a door and from which a filter element can be fed to the flow channel, and an output chamber which can be closed by a closure element and into which a filter element can be fed from the flow channel. A cover is attachable to the filter element, which covers a filter cake on the filter element so that the unit of filter element and cover is removable from the output chamber together.