Cylindrical Filter Structure to Block Air Bubbles and Dust Backflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filtration devices risk air bubbles flowing out of the tank and dust falling into the tank during filtration and filter element replacement, leading to potential pump malfunctions and component damage.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a first filtration unit protruding from the tank's upper surface and a second filtration unit positioned below, featuring a filter case with side surface openings and a detachable lid, and an inner tube with a cylindrical shape and distinct opening regions to prevent air bubbles and dust from entering the tank.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If liquid flows from a position higher than the liquid surface to the first filtration unit, then the filtration process can be initiated, but air bubbles may flow out of the tank together with the liquid causing pump malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration process initiationVSAvoidpump operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner tube is positioned to extend from the bottom of the filter case upward, creating a predetermined flow path that forces liquid to rise along the inner tube before exiting. This preliminary structural arrangement ensures that air bubbles are excluded from the outlet flow before the filtration process begins, preventing pump malfunction while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The inner tube acts as an intermediary structure between the filter case and the outlet. It mediates the liquid flow by providing a controlled path that separates liquid from air bubbles, allowing liquid to pass through while blocking air bubbles from reaching the pump, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining flow and preventing air ingestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the filter element is made with openings for filtration, then liquid can pass through the filtration material, but dust trapped by filtration may fall into the tank when the filter element is replaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration efficiencyVSAvoiddust contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element is designed as a detachable component that can be easily removed from the filter case. This extraction capability allows the filter element to be taken out for replacement without disassembling the entire filtration device, maintaining productivity while enabling safe disposal of trapped dust outside the tank.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The lid member with sealing structure is designed to prevent dust from falling into the tank during filter element replacement. By providing a sealed closure that can be opened and closed during maintenance operations, the system takes preliminary action to protect against dust contamination before the harmful effect can occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Productivity

If the filter case is provided with opening portions in the side surface, then liquid can be filtrated effectively, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectivenessVSAvoidfilter case structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter case is segmented into functional zones: the inner tube creates a separate flow path zone, while the side surface opening portions create filtration zones. This segmentation allows liquid to be filtrated effectively through multiple openings without creating a monolithic complex structure, as each opening serves a specific filtration function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding complex three-dimensional structures, the invention uses simple opening portions in the side surface of the filter case. This dimensional approach (creating openings in the side surface rather than adding protruding structures) achieves effective filtration while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Prevents air bubbles from flowing out of the tank during filtration and dust from falling in during filter element replacement, ensuring operational safety and reducing the risk of pump malfunctions and component damage.

Implementation Method 1

a cylindrical filtration material and filtrates liquid to be filtrated by passing the liquid to be filtrated from the inside to the outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3581253B1Filter device and filtration device
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 YAMASHIN FILTER CORP
  • EP3581253B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3581253B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3581253B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Air bubbles can be prevented from flowing out of a tank together with liquid during filtration, and dust and the like trapped by the filtration can be prevented from falling into the tank when a filter element is replaced. A filter element having a substantially cylindrical shape is provided inside a filter case that is provided with a plurality of opening portions in a side surface and has a bottomed substantially cylindrical shape. A fluid flows into a hollow portion of the filter element from an inflow portion provided between a bottom surface of the filter case and the filter element in a height direction. Further, an inner tube provided inside a filtration material having a substantially cylindrical shape includes a first region that is formed with an opening portion substantially on the entire surface and a second region that is not formed with an opening portion. The second region is provided below the first region to include a lower end of the inner tube.