Fish Tank Filtration Layout to Prevent Clogging and Reentry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fish tank cleaning methods, such as pipette droppers, manual and electric siphons, are cumbersome and inefficient in removing fish excrement and food without water exchange, and existing filters quickly clog or allow filtered foreign matter to reenter the tank.
Innovation Solution
A device with a filter surrounding an inlet pipe, an outlet below the filter, and a sponge-like filter design that accumulates filtered foreign matter, preventing reentry into the tank, allowing water discharge without supplementary water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter made of cotton is used to filter foreign matter, then foreign matter can be filtered to some extent, but the filter quickly clogs and filtered foreign matter floats back into the aquarium
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into multiple layers with different pore sizes, including a coarse filter layer and a fine filter layer. This segmentation allows the coarse layer to capture large particles first, preventing rapid clogging of the fine layer, while the fine layer provides effective filtration. The multi-layer structure extends filter service life while maintaining filtration effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter is designed with a vertical arrangement where the coarse filter layer is positioned at the upper end and the fine filter layer at the lower end, creating a height dimension for staged filtration. This vertical dimensioning allows water to flow downward through progressively finer layers, preventing foreign matter from floating back while extending filter durability.
2Measurement precision
If a mesh filter is used in electric siphon, then filtration is achieved, but fine foreign matter cannot be filtered out and the filter clogs quickly due to small surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous sponge materials for both the coarse and fine filter layers instead of mesh structures. These porous materials provide large surface areas for filtration, enabling fine foreign matter to be captured effectively while preventing rapid clogging. The porous structure allows water to pass through while trapping particles, extending filter service life without sacrificing filtration precision.
3Productivity
If manual siphon or pipette dropper is used for cleaning, then foreign matter can be removed, but the process is cumbersome requiring continuous pumping and water replenishment
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning device is designed to be self-operating using the siphon effect. Once positioned, the device automatically creates water flow through the filter without requiring continuous manual pumping. The siphon mechanism self-regulates the water flow, and the collected water can be discharged automatically, eliminating the need for continuous user intervention and water replenishment during the cleaning process.
4Productivity
If water is discharged during cleaning process, then foreign matter is removed, but supplementary water is needed after cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The device collects and retains the water that passes through the filter during the cleaning process. Instead of discharging this filtered water immediately, it is stored in the device's reservoir. After cleaning is complete, the collected water can be discharged in one action, minimizing water loss and eliminating the need for supplementary water addition to the aquarium.
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
The device effectively removes fish excrement and food without water exchange, prevents filter clogging, and keeps the tank clean continuously by filtering foreign matter without reentry.
Implementation Method 1
a sponge-like filter design that accumulates filtered foreign matter
Implementation Method 2
The device effectively removes fish excrement and food without water exchange, prevents filter clogging, and keeps the tank clean continuously by filtering foreign matter without reentry
Implementation Method 3
A device with a filter surrounding an inlet pipe, an outlet below the filter, and a sponge-like filter design that accumulates filtered foreign matter
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for extracting foreign matter in a fish tank and, more particularly, to a device for extracting foreign matter in a fish tank, wherein excrement of and food for fish, remaining in the fish tank, may be removed without a water exchange process, a filter is inhibited from being clogged, and foreign matter filtered by the filter is inhibited from entering the fish tank again. To this end, the device comprises a body into which water is introduced through an inlet pipe provided downward from the inside of the body and from which the introduced water is discharged through an outlet via a filter provided in the body, wherein the filter is spaced apart from the side of the body while surrounding the inlet pipe, and the outlet is formed beneath the filter, whereby foreign matter filtered by the filter is accumulated in the body through the space between the filter and the side of the body, and the water passing through the filter is discharged into the fish tank through the outlet.