Filter Housing Lid Lifting Mechanism

Solution Overview

Problem

Large volume filtration vessels pose challenges due to the heavy and awkward nature of their lids, which are difficult to change, often requiring external lifting mechanisms that can be hazardous if improperly installed or if the chains slip off.

Innovation Solution

A filter housing design with a movable arm and rotational member that engages an inclined feature, allowing for controlled lifting and rotation of the lid, incorporating a ratchet mechanism with a spring-loaded pawl and threaded bushing to manage the weight and facilitate safe and efficient lid operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If external lifting mechanisms (cranes with chains) are used to lift the heavy lid, then the lid can be lifted, but the risk of injury increases due to improper installation or chain slippage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid weightVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting function is merged with the housing structure itself. The arm is secured to the lid and engages with the rotational member that is restrained to the vessel portion, creating an integrated lifting system where the housing structure provides both containment and lifting capability, eliminating the need for separate external lifting equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The arm and rotational member act as intermediary mechanical elements between the heavy lid and the housing structure. The arm with its inclined feature (threads) and the rotational member create a controlled mechanical interface that transfers the lifting force safely from the housing to the lid without requiring direct attachment of external chains

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Weight of moving object

If external lifting mechanisms are used, then the lid can be lifted, but the device complexity increases due to additional external equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelid weightVSAvoidlifting system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lifting function is merged with the housing structure itself. The arm is secured to the lid and engages with the rotational member that is restrained to the vessel portion, creating an integrated lifting system where the housing structure provides both containment and lifting capability, eliminating the need for separate external lifting equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure serves multiple functions: it contains the filtration vessel and simultaneously provides the lifting mechanism through the arm and rotational member assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated lifting equipment, simplifying the overall system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If the lid is made heavy for high pressure containment, then the pressure resistance improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in changing individual filter elements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure resistanceVSAvoidlid handling

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arm and rotational member act as intermediary mechanical elements between the heavy lid and the housing structure. The arm with its inclined feature (threads) and the rotational member create a controlled mechanical interface that transfers the lifting force safely from the housing to the lid without requiring direct attachment of external chains

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated lifting system allows the housing structure to lift its own lid without requiring external equipment. The arm and rotational member assembly provides a self-contained lifting mechanism that enables operators to handle the heavy lid safely using the housing's own structural components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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

Enables safe and efficient lifting and lowering of heavy lids within the filter housing, reducing the risk of injury and eliminating the need for external lifting mechanisms, by integrating a reliable and integrated lifting system that ensures secure and controlled operation.

Implementation Method 1

the inclined feature on the arm may be threads. In this case, threads on the rotational member mate with the threads on the arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

incorporating a ratchet mechanism with a spring-loaded pawl

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRatchet mechanism: Ratchet

Data Source

PatentUS8857646B1Filter housing with liftable lid

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 BLUE MARK

AI summary

A filter housing having a lid that is mateable with a vessel portion. An arm that is rotationally fixed relative to the housing having threads that mate with threads in a ratcheting mechanism. Rotating the ratcheting mechanism raises the lid because the ratcheting mechanism is fixed from longitudinal movement. A slot in which a pin rides is used to fix rotation, the slot has an aligned portion and an angled portion. The aligned portion is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the arm and the angled portion is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis of the arm. As the arm raises and the pin rides in the aligned portion of the slot, the lid raises without rotation, and as the pin rides in the angled portion the lid raises and rotates.