Fan Filter System Color Code Pneumatic Resistance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blower filter systems inaccurately display the remaining capacity of filters due to the use of fixed, fictitious parameters for pneumatic resistance, leading to reduced trust and incorrect treatment of filters as defective.

Innovation Solution

A blower filter system with a filter holder and optical sensor device that uses color coding specific to the pneumatic resistance of the filter, allowing for accurate calculation of remaining capacity by directly reading the real pneumatic resistance and adapting blower control accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a fixed parameter value (e.g., 3 mbar) is used as the starting value for calculating remaining filter capacity, then the calculation is simple, but the display accuracy of remaining capacity is incorrect when filters with different pneumatic resistances are used

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of calculation systemVSAvoidaccuracy of remaining capacity display

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the filter's actual pneumatic resistance value before calculating remaining capacity. An optical sensor reads a color code on the filter that corresponds to its specific resistance value, and this information is stored in memory for subsequent accurate calculations, eliminating the need for fictitious fixed starting values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter used for calculation from a fixed fictitious value to a variable actual value. By reading the color code and retrieving the corresponding pneumatic resistance from memory, the system adapts the calculation to match the specific filter characteristics, ensuring accurate remaining capacity display for different filter types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the blower filter system uses a color code with optical sensor to identify filter pneumatic resistance, then the remaining capacity display accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of remaining capacity displayVSAvoidcomplexity of filter identification system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses color coding on the filter to represent different pneumatic resistance values. Each color corresponds to a specific resistance value that is stored in the system's memory. The optical sensor reads this color information to automatically identify the filter type, providing an intuitive and reliable method for accurate identification without complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex mechanical identification methods with an optical sensing mechanism. Instead of using physical keys, shapes, or manual input, the system uses light to read the color code on the filter, converting optical information into electrical signals for automatic parameter retrieval and calculation, thereby simplifying the overall identification process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If fixed parameter values are used for all filters, then the calculation system is simple, but filters with different pneumatic resistances receive incorrect remaining capacity readings leading to reduced user acceptance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of calculation systemVSAvoiduser acceptance and confidence in indicator

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary identification of the filter's actual pneumatic resistance value before calculating remaining capacity. An optical sensor reads a color code on the filter that corresponds to its specific resistance value, and this information is stored in memory for subsequent accurate calculations, eliminating the need for fictitious fixed starting values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter used for calculation from a fixed fictitious value to a variable actual value. By reading the color code and retrieving the corresponding pneumatic resistance from memory, the system adapts the calculation to match the specific filter characteristics, ensuring accurate remaining capacity display for different filter types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 method provides a more accurate and unadulterated display of remaining filter capacity, increasing user acceptance and preventing incorrect treatment of filters as defective.

Implementation Method 1

a blower filter system with a filter holder and optical sensor device that uses color coding specific to the pneumatic resistance of the filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3003505B1Fan filter system

Publication Date: 2020.05.06 DRAGER SAFETY AG & CO KAAA

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a fan filter system (10) having a fan filter device (20) with a fan (22), a filter receiving area (24), and a hose connection (26) for connecting a respiratory protection device (40) by means of a hose (42). The filter receiving area (24) is designed to receive a filter (30) on which a color coding (32) with a color specific to the pneumatic resistance of the filter (30) is arranged. The fan filter device (20) also has an optical sensor device (50) for detecting different colors of the color coding (32).