Filter Plate Retaining Elements for Leakage Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter press designs require separate cleaning and assembly processes for filter and membrane plates, leading to increased operational effort and potential leakage due to filter cloths extending to the edges of the plates.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates holding elements on the plates, allowing filter elements to be detachably attached, facilitating simultaneous removal and cleaning of filter and membrane plates, with filter elements cut smaller than the plates to prevent edge leakage and reduce the need for additional sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter cloths extend to the edge of the plates, then they can be securely held in place, but liquid leakage occurs from the edge area
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful edge area is extracted and removed from the functional surface. Filter elements are deliberately cut smaller than the plate dimensions, creating a setback from the edge. This extracts the problematic edge region where leakage occurs, allowing the filter element to end before reaching the plate edge, thus preventing liquid leakage while maintaining secure holding through the retaining element.
2Ease of manufacture
If filter cloths are removed and cleaned separately, then cleaning can be thorough, but operational effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is merged with the plate assembly as an integrated unit. The retaining element directly attaches the filter element to the plate base body, creating a unified assembly where the filter element remains positioned during operation but can be easily removed together with the plate. This merging eliminates the need for separate removal and cleaning steps, reducing operational effort while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection between filter element and plate is made dynamically reversible through the retaining element mechanism. During operation, the filter element is securely held in place. During cleaning, the retaining element allows easy detachment. This dynamic capability enables the system to switch between secure attachment and easy removal states, optimizing both operational reliability and maintenance efficiency.
3Reliability
If additional sealing elements are provided to prevent leakage, then sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding sealing elements to the edge area, the solution extracts the filter element's edge from reaching the plate edge. By cutting the filter element smaller and setting it back from the plate perimeter, the harmful leakage-prone edge area is eliminated entirely. This approach achieves sealing without adding any extra components, maintaining device simplicity while improving reliability.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If filter elements are cut smaller than plates, then edge leakage is prevented, but securing filter elements becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
A retaining element is introduced as an intermediary component between the filter element and the plate base body. This mediator facilitates the connection by providing a simple attachment mechanism that secures the filter element's smaller, setback dimensions. The retaining element acts as the intermediary that makes assembly easy despite the filter element being cut smaller than the plate, resolving the contradiction between preventing leakage and simplifying assembly.
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 design simplifies the cleaning and assembly process, reduces operational effort, and prevents leakage by ensuring filter elements are securely attached and do not protrude beyond the plate edges, enhancing the sealing and hygiene in applications like blood filtration.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic membranes are inflated with a pressure medium, causing them to expand and narrow the cake space. This compresses the cake embedded within
Data Source
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AI summary
The plate (30) has a base body with two side surfaces and a margin, and a flexible material membrane arranged on two sides of the base body, where the plate is outfitted with a filter element i.e. filter cloth, on a top of the membrane on the two side surfaces. Retaining elements e.g. retaining pegs, are arranged at distance from the margin on which the filter elements are removably secured. An undercut i.e. annular groove, is provided on the retaining element between a truncated cone section of the retaining element and the side surfaces of the base body. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a liquid filter press (2) a method for using a filter press.