Dust Extraction Filter Sealing for Safe Hazardous Material Changes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing suction devices for hazardous materials fail to prevent contact with extracted substances when changing filters, leading to potential exposure risks for operators.

Innovation Solution

The device ensures that the filter body is flushed from the inside out, and the fine filter is sealed before removal, using a closing element with a spherical shape and a holding rod system to maintain containment and minimize flow losses, with additional features like a locking device and safety mechanisms to secure the fine filter in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the filter body and fine filter are changed in conventional suction devices, then the filters can be replaced, but the extracted hazardous materials may escape and contact the operator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator safetyVSAvoidfilter replacement safety

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The closing element is inserted into the fine filter before removal to seal the inlet opening, preventing material escape during the filter replacement process. This preliminary sealing action ensures that hazardous materials remain contained even when the filter body is being changed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The closing element acts as an intermediary component between the fine filter and the operator. By sealing the inlet opening, it mediates the potential hazard of material escape, allowing filter replacement without direct exposure to hazardous materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a closing element is added to seal the fine filter, then material escape is prevented, but the device structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainment effectivenessVSAvoidclosing device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The closing device is segmented into separate functional components: a closing element for sealing the inlet opening and a holding rod for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of making the fine filter itself removable and reusable, the invention makes the closing element removable and reusable. The fine filter remains in place while the closing element is taken out for cleaning or replacement, inverting the traditional approach to component maintenance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Loss of energy

If the closing element has a spherical shape for good flow around it, then flow losses are minimized, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow lossVSAvoidspherical shape tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The closing element is given a spherical shape that allows the airflow to flow around it smoothly, minimizing turbulence and energy losses. The curved surface guides the air flow effectively while maintaining containment, resolving the contradiction between flow efficiency and manufacturing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 prevents the escape of hazardous materials during filter changes, reducing operator exposure and maintaining low flow losses, thus enhancing safety and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a suction unit (5), in particular an electric motor, for producing a suction draft in the suction line (4)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Implementation Method 2

a filter body (8) for filtering coarse dust, wherein the suction draft enters the filter body (8) via an opening (10, 11) and flows through the filter body (8) through a wall thereof from the inside to the outside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

a fine filter (9) arranged in the direction of the suction draft between the filter body (8) and the suction unit (5) for filtering fine dust

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2467047B1Device for extracting material in the form of powder or dust

Publication Date: 2013.06.05 BERNHARD RINGLER APPBAU

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (1) for extracting material in the form of powder or dust, particularly materials that are hazardous to health, comprising a housing (2), a collecting tank (3) for receiving the extracted material, an extraction line (4) leading to the collecting tank (3), a suction unit (5) generating an induced draft in the extraction line, a filter body (8) disposed between the extraction line and the suction unit in the direction of the induced draft, and a fine filter (9) disposed between the filter body and the suction unit in the direction of the induced draft. The extraction line opens into the filter body such that the induced draft enters the filter body through an opening, and permeates the filter body from inside to outside through a wall of the same. The fine filter comprises an inlet opening (23) facing the filter body that can be closed by means of a closure device (21) and comprising a closure element (22) closing the inlet opening and comprising a sealing surface (22a).