Air Trap Chamber Filter with Gradient Openings for Flow Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air trap chambers in extracorporeal circulation circuits face high resistance issues due to the flow of liquids through filters, which can lead to inefficiencies in blood purification and debubbling processes during hemodialysis.
Innovation Solution
The air trap chamber design features a cylindrical chamber body with a filter that has multiple stages of openings, where the circumferential width of the upper stage is larger than the lower stage, and includes ribs to manage flow velocity and reduce resistance, allowing for a swirl flow that decreases resistance as liquid passes through.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the filter has uniform openings throughout, then the manufacturing is simple, but the resistance of liquid passing through the filter is high
Solution Approach 1:
The filter applies local quality by varying the opening dimensions at different locations. Specifically, the upper stage openings have larger circumferential widths than the lower stage openings, creating locally optimized flow paths that reduce resistance where the liquid flow velocity is lowest, while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through a structured gradient design
2Loss of energy
If the opening width in the upper stage is larger, then the resistance of liquid passing through the filter is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is segmented into multiple stages with distinct opening characteristics. The cylindrical section contains openings arranged in multiple stages along the central axis, with each stage having progressively different circumferential widths. This segmentation allows the complex geometry to be broken down into manageable, repeatable units that are easier to manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The filter structure incorporates dynamic adaptation to the flow conditions by varying opening sizes according to the radial flow velocity profile. The opening dimensions change dynamically (gradually) from the lower stage to the upper stage, matching the decreasing flow velocity and reducing resistance where it is most needed
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
This design effectively reduces the resistance of liquids passing through the filter, enhancing the efficiency of blood purification and debubbling processes by minimizing retention and flow velocity, thus improving the overall performance of the extracorporeal circulation circuit.
Implementation Method 1
the flow of the liquid flowing from the inlet swirls along the inner circumferential surface of the chamber body
Implementation Method 2
the resistance of a liquid passing through the filter can be suppressed
Data Source
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AI summary
An air trap chamber (10) is provided with a chamber body (12) and a filter (40). An introduction pipe (21) of the chamber body (12) is provided so as to extend to the inside of the chamber body (12), and an inlet port (23) which is an end opening of the introduction pipe (21) is provided, on the inner circumferential surface of the chamber body (12), so as to be directed toward the circumferential direction. The filter (40) is provided inside the chamber body (12), and covers an outlet port (31) of the chamber body (12). In the filter (40), a cylindrical portion (41) surrounding the outlet port (31) and extending in the center axis direction of the chamber body (12), and a ceiling portion (42) covering the upper end of the cylindrical portion (41) are formed. Openings (47) are formed, at multiple stages along the center axis direction, in the cylindrical portion (41) of the filter (40). An opening (47) at an upper stage on the ceiling portion (42) side of the filter (40) has a circumferential width greater than that of an opening (47) at a lower stage on the outlet port (31) side.