Filter Diaphragm Stud Attachment for Cleaner Recessed Plate Filters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recessed plate-type filters face issues with diaphragm attachment methods that require separate fasteners prone to corrosion and form discontinuities leading to decreased longevity and impurity accumulation, necessitating complex installation and premature wear.

Innovation Solution

A diaphragm filter plate assembly using studs and corresponding holes for attachment, allowing one-sided installation and eliminating the need for separate components, preventing impurity buildup, and eliminating stress concentrations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the diaphragm is attached to the filter plate by clamping with separate fasteners, then the attachment is secure, but the fasteners are susceptible to corrosion and the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the diaphragm and filter plate into a single integrated structure where the diaphragm is directly attached to the filter plate surface. This eliminates the need for separate fasteners, clamps, or other attachment components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining secure attachment through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the diaphragm is attached by inserting bead into groove, then the attachment is simple, but the groove forms a discontinuity causing local maximum of internal stresses and decreased longevity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment simplicityVSAvoidfilter plate longevity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the groove feature from the filter plate design. Instead of creating a discontinuity by inserting a bead into a groove, the diaphragm is attached to the continuous surface of the filter plate, removing the stress concentration point and extending the structural longevity of the filter plate while maintaining simple attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If the bead and groove form a pocket for impurity accumulation, then the attachment structure is formed, but impurities build-up causing premature wear of the diaphragm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment structure formationVSAvoidimpurity accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the harmful pocket formation by redesigning the attachment interface. The diaphragm is attached in a manner that prevents pocket formation between the diaphragm and filter plate, thereby converting the potential harm of impurity accumulation into a benefit where no such accumulation can occur, extending diaphragm life and maintaining hygiene.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Reliability

If access to both sides of the filter plate is required for attachment, then secure attachment can be achieved, but the installation complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment securityVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional attachment approach by enabling attachment from a single side of the filter plate rather than requiring access to both sides. This is achieved through the integrated design where the diaphragm can be attached to the filter plate surface from one side only, significantly reducing installation time and complexity while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4349447B1A filter diaphragm for a recessed plate -type filter, a diaphragm filter plate, a diaphragm filer plate assembly and a recessed plate -type filter
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 METSO OUTOTEC FINLAND OY
  • EP4349447B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4349447B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4349447B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a filter diaphragm (1) for a filter plate assembly (10) of a recessed plate -type filter, such as a filter press or a tower press. The diaphragm (1) comprises a sheet-like body (2) having a flexible structure, and, at least on a side of the body (2), a plurality of distinct attachment studs (3) to be inserted into corresponding distinct attachment holes (9) of a respective filter plate (5) for attaching the diaphragm (1) to the filter plate (5). The attachment studs (3) are arranged along a sealing region (4) extending along a periphery of the filter diaphragm (1) and extend in a direction perpendicular to the diaphragm body (2). The attachment studs (3) are equipped with an opening (3a) extending through the filter diaphragm (1), between the opposing sides thereof. A diaphragm filter plate (5) and -assembly (10), and filter are also concerned.