Filter Housing Coupling Element Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter housing systems require cumbersome and insecure separately provided brackets for connecting multiple filter capsules, leading to instability and increased handling issues, particularly in larger single-use bag systems with gamma irradiatable components.

Innovation Solution

Integration of coupling elements directly or unitarily formed on the filter housing, allowing for form-closed or force-fitting connections between filter housings without the need for external brackets, enabling secure and easy assembly of multiple filter capsules as a single unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separately provided brackets are used to connect filter capsules, then multiple filter capsules can be connected together, but the connection becomes cumbersome and insecure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to connect multiple filter capsulesVSAvoidease of connection

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling elements are integrally formed on the filter housing, merging the connection function directly into the filter housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and simplifies the connection process by having coupling elements that are part of the filter housing itself, allowing direct connection between filter housings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separately provided brackets are used to connect filter capsules, then multiple filter capsules can be connected together, but the connection becomes insecure and unstable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to connect multiple filter capsulesVSAvoidconnection stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling elements are integrally formed on the filter housing, merging the connection function directly into the filter housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and simplifies the connection process by having coupling elements that are part of the filter housing itself, allowing direct connection between filter housings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling elements are pre-formed on the filter housing during manufacturing, so they are already in place and ready for connection. This preliminary preparation ensures that the coupling elements are properly positioned and integrated before the filter housing is used, improving connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If separately provided brackets are used, then filter capsules can be connected, but the assembly becomes complex and handling becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to connect filter capsulesVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The coupling elements are integrally formed on the filter housing, merging the connection function directly into the filter housing structure. This eliminates the need for separate brackets and simplifies the connection process by having coupling elements that are part of the filter housing itself, allowing direct connection between filter housings.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3060325B1Capsule body attachment

Publication Date: 2020.10.28 SARTORIUS STEDIM BIOTECH GMBH

Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A filter housing comprising an accommodation space for accommodating a filter is disclosed, wherein the filter housing further comprises at least one connector-like coupling element configured to indirectly or directly mate with at least one mating coupling element of a mating filter housing; and wherein the coupling element is integrally formed on a portion of the filter housing.