Filter Device Flow Guide Partitioning for Cost Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of curved fluid channels in filter heads is complex and cost-intensive due to the need for separate filter heads with defined channel cross sections, leading to high manufacturing costs and complexity in filter device solutions.

Innovation Solution

A filter device with a hollow cylindrical channel sleeve that serves as a fixing sleeve, allowing for straight fluid channels and a wedge-shaped gap opening, which simplifies the flow guide system, reducing manufacturing effort and costs, and enables unobstructed filtration with continuous pressure reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If curved fluid channels are produced in filter heads, then the filtration function is achieved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration functionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter head is divided into a basic housing structure and a separate flow guide device. The flow guide device is inserted into the filter head and contains internal curved channels, while the filter head itself requires only simple straight channels or no channels at all. This segmentation allows the complex curved channel geometry to be achieved through the modular flow guide component rather than through complex machining of the filter head.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide device acts as an intermediary component between the connection points and the filter element. It provides the necessary fluid guidance and channeling function without requiring the filter head itself to have complex curved channels. The flow guide device mediates the fluid flow path, enabling simple filter head manufacturing while achieving the required filtration functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If separate filter heads with defined channel cross sections are produced for each filter device solution, then the filtration performance is optimized, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single standardized flow guide device can be used with multiple different filter element types and configurations. The flow guide device provides universal functionality for guiding fluid flow and can accommodate various filter element designs without requiring custom filter head manufacturing for each application. This universality significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized filtration performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The filtration system is segmented into standardized components: a universal filter head with simple geometry, replaceable flow guide devices for different applications, and interchangeable filter elements. This segmentation allows the expensive customized part (flow guide with specific channel geometry) to be replaced with standardized, mass-producible components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If complex curved access channels are provided in the filter head, then the fluid flow is directed properly, but the pressure losses increase and turbulence occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefluid flow directionVSAvoidpressure losses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The fluid flow guidance function is segmented from the filter head structure and placed in the separate flow guide device. This allows the filter head to use simple straight channels with minimal pressure losses, while the flow guide device contains the necessary flow direction changes and geometry optimizations to guide fluid properly without significant energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow guide device serves as an intermediary that optimizes fluid flow between the connection points and the filter element. It provides smooth transitions and proper flow direction without the need for complex curved channels in the filter head, thereby reducing turbulence and pressure losses while still achieving proper fluid flow direction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution allows for cost-effective production of filter devices with reduced pressure losses and turbulence, enabling efficient particle cleaning and easy replacement of filter elements, while accommodating various channel cross-sections with a standardized flow guide device.

Implementation Method 1

the flow guide also serves to direct the filtrate stream within the filter housing and has a partition wall which, with its opposing wall sides, directs the unfiltrate stream and the filtrate stream separately from each other when flowing towards them, and which is penetrated by a fluid channel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow through channels:

Implementation Method 2

a filter element comprising a filter material, which is connected between the two respective connection points and is accommodated in the filter housing for filtering particle contaminants from the unfiltrate stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3838372B1Filter device
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 HYDAC FILTERTECHNIK GMBH
  • EP3838372B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3838372B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3838372B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

1. Filter device 2. A filter device is disclosed comprising a filter housing (10) having a connection point (12) for the supply of an unfiltrate stream and another connection point (14) for the discharge of a filtrate stream, a hollow cylindrical filter element (16) comprising a filter material (18) which is connected between the respective connection points (12, 14) for the filtration of the unfiltrate stream, and a flow guide device (20) for guiding the unfiltrate stream within the filter housing (10), characterized in that the flow guide device (20) also serves to guide the filtrate stream within the filter housing (10) and has a partition (22) which, with its opposing wall sides (24, 26), guides the unfiltrate stream and the filtrate stream separately from each other when flowing towards them, and which is penetrated by a fluid channel (30).which opens at one end into the interior (32) of the filter element (16) and at the other end towards one of the two connection points (12, 14).