Liquid Filtration Pressure Control for Filter Life Extension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filtration devices struggle to maintain consistent filtration performance over the lifetime of the filter medium, leading to inefficient use and premature replacement.

Innovation Solution

A filtration device with sensors to monitor the parameter relation between unfiltered and filtered liquid, adjusting the gauge pressure to optimize filtration performance by reducing flow velocity through the filter medium when performance decreases, using a control unit to manage pump capacity based on sensor feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a membrane filter with small pore size is used to achieve sterile filtration, then filtration precision is improved, but filtration speed deteriorates and clogging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration precisionVSAvoidfiltration speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration device is divided into multiple filtration chambers arranged in series, each containing a membrane filter. This segmentation allows the liquid to be filtered through multiple stages, with each stage handling a portion of the filtration load, thereby maintaining high filtration precision while improving overall filtration speed and reducing clogging of individual filters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-plane filtration approach to a multi-chamber series arrangement, adding the dimension of sequential processing. This dimensional change allows the system to maintain the precision of small pore size filters while achieving higher productivity through the series configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Manufacturing precision

If a membrane filter with small pore size is used to achieve sterile filtration, then filtration precision is improved, but the membrane filter clogs easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration precisionVSAvoidfilter clogging resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the filtration system into multiple chambers with individual membrane filters, the invention distributes the filtration burden across multiple units. This segmentation prevents any single filter from becoming completely clogged, as particles are progressively removed across stages, maintaining filtration precision while improving clogging resistance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The series arrangement of multiple filtration chambers performs preliminary filtration actions in sequence, with earlier chambers removing larger particles and preparing the liquid for subsequent finer filtration stages. This preliminary action protects the final high-precision filters from rapid clogging

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple membrane filters are connected in parallel, then filtration speed is improved, but filtration precision deteriorates due to uneven flow distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration speedVSAvoidfiltration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses series-connected filtration chambers instead of parallel connection, segmenting the filtration process into sequential stages. This segmentation ensures uniform flow distribution through each chamber while maintaining high filtration precision, as each stage processes the liquid sequentially rather than simultaneously with uneven distribution

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If a single large membrane filter is used, then device complexity is reduced, but filtration precision deteriorates and clogging occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of filtersVSAvoidfiltration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the filtration function into multiple smaller membrane filters arranged in series chambers. This segmentation achieves high filtration precision by using multiple stages of filtration, while the modular chamber design keeps device complexity manageable through standardized, repeatable units

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Extends the usable life of the filter medium by maintaining consistent filtration performance, reducing waste and resource consumption through adaptive pressure regulation.

Implementation Method 1

a hollow fiber membrane, each having a plurality of hollow fibers formed in parallel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

an ultrasonic generator, ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generator being applied to the hollow fiber membrane

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4054983B1Filtration device for filtering a liquid and method for filtering a liquid
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 BRITA GMBH
  • EP4054983B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4054983B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4054983B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a filtration device (1) for filtering a liquid, the filtration device (1) comprising ▪ a storage container (10) for unfiltered liquid, ▪ a mounting (11) for a filter container (30), ▪ a filter container (30) filled with a filter medium (31) being mounted in the mounting (11), ▪ a first sensor (40) that is configured to determine a first value y1 of a parameter of the unfiltered liquid and ▪ a pump (20) fluidically coupled to the storage container (10) and communicatively coupled to the first sensor (40), wherein the pump (20) is configured to generate a gauge pressure Pg in the storage container (10) during the filtering of the unfiltered liquid, characterized in that the filtration device (1) comprises a second sensor (42), which is configured to determine a second value y2 of the parameter of the filtered liquid and that the pump (20) is communicatively coupled to the second sensor (42) and is configured to reduce the gauge pressure Pg during the filtration process if a parameter relation D of the first value y1 and the second value y2 is lower than a preset first specific parameter relation D1.