Freezing Resistant Liquid Filter with Compressible Interstice Elements

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid filters are not effective in maintaining functionality and integrity when exposed to freezing conditions, as they often experience compression or distortion that disrupts liquid flow and housing integrity.

Innovation Solution

A freezing compensating filter element with a folded filter medium and compressible elements located at interstices, which are retained by channel elements, allowing for compression without displacing or distorting the filter medium and maintaining liquid flow, even in frozen states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional liquid filters are used in freezing conditions, then the filter structure is simple, but the filter experiences compression or distortion that disrupts liquid flow and housing integrity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter functionality and integrityVSAvoidfilter element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element incorporates compressible elements that change their physical state (compressibility) in response to temperature changes during freezing. This parameter change allows the filter to adapt to freezing conditions by accommodating expansion of the filter medium without compromising structural integrity or liquid flow capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Compressible elements are introduced as intermediary components between the folded filter medium and the housing. These intermediaries absorb the stress of freezing expansion, preventing direct transmission of compressive forces to the filter medium and housing, thereby maintaining filter functionality during freezing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the filter element is made rigid to maintain structure, then structural integrity is improved, but the filter cannot accommodate freezing expansion without distortion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter medium stabilityVSAvoidfreezing compression and distortion

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filter element employs flexible compressible elements rather than rigid structures. These flexible components can deform and compress during freezing, accommodating the expansion of the filter medium while preventing distortion. The flexibility allows the structure to adapt to thermal stress without compromising the stability of the filter medium

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

Compressible elements are positioned within the filter element structure in advance to provide cushioning against freezing forces. These elements act as a buffer that absorbs expansion stresses before they can transmit to the filter medium or housing, preventing distortion and maintaining structural stability during freezing conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Reliability

If compressible elements are added to the filter, then freezing resistance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefreezing resistanceVSAvoidfilter element components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The compressible elements are designed with a porous structure that allows liquid flow to pass through while providing compression capability. This porous design enables the elements to perform multiple functions (structural support, liquid filtration, and freezing compensation) without significantly increasing device complexity, as the porosity is inherent to the material structure rather than requiring additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 solution ensures that the filter element's functionality and integrity are preserved during freezing, preventing outward pressure on the housing and maintaining liquid flow, thus addressing the limitations of conventional filters.

Implementation Method 1

the freezing compressible elements are configured and mounted within the freezing compensating filter element such that the functionality and integrity of the freezing compensating filter element are not compromised by compression thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP3042707B1Freezing resistant liquid filter

Publication Date: 2020.03.18 A L FILTER

Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2

AI summary

A freezing resistant liquid filter (100) including a housing (102) having a liquid inlet (106) and a liquid outlet (108) and a freezing compensating filter element (110) disposed within the housing and including a folded filter medium (120) having a plurality of interstices (122) and freezing compressible elements (124) located at the interstices.