Granular Filter Cartridge With Expanding Compression Against Channel Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter cartridges experience channel formation due to pressure drop and flow rate changes, leading to reduced filtration efficiency and contamination, and current expansion media like nonwovens have limitations in restoring force, supplier risks, and material contamination issues.

Innovation Solution

A compression device with a balloon-shaped element enclosed within the filter chamber housing applies a compressive force to filter media using an expansion movement, preventing channel formation and adapting to volume changes, without the need for nonwoven layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the flow rate of the liquid through the filter medium is increased, then the filtration speed is improved, but channel formation occurs within the filter medium reducing filtration efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration speedVSAvoidfiltration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion medium is pre-installed in the filter chamber and automatically compresses the filter medium upon contact with liquid, creating preliminary resistance against channel formation before high-flow conditions occur during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion medium changes its physical state from compressed to expanded when exposed to liquid pressure, dynamically adjusting the compression force on the filter medium to maintain optimal filtration efficiency across varying flow rates

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If nonwoven layers are used as expansion media to compress the filter medium, then channel formation is reduced, but the restoring force decreases sharply after longer periods of use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechannel preventionVSAvoidservice life
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion medium utilizes reversible phase changes or elastic deformation to maintain consistent restoring force throughout the service life, unlike nonwoven layers that fatigue and lose elasticity over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion medium automatically re-compresses the filter medium whenever it expands, providing continuous compression force without external intervention or degradation over time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Force

If nonwoven layers are used as expansion media, then compressive force is applied to the filter medium, but material contamination and supplier risks are introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompressive forceVSAvoidmaterial contamination
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The expansion medium function is extracted from the nonwoven layer and implemented through a different mechanism (e.g., elastic membrane, spring, or pneumatic system) that eliminates contamination risks while maintaining the necessary compressive force

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The expansion medium uses physical state changes or elastic properties to generate compressive force without introducing foreign materials that could contaminate the filtration system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents channel formation, maintains filtration efficiency over extended use, reduces material costs, and facilitates recycling, while ensuring consistent compressive force application.

Implementation Method 1

a compression force can be exerted on the filter medium in order to compress the filter medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the compression device is designed in such a way that the compression device can carry out an expansion movement and a compressive force is thereby exerted on the filter medium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4384300B1Filter cartridge for filtration of liquids
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 BRITA GMBH
  • EP4384300B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4384300B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4384300B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A filter cartridge for the filtration of liquids has a filter chamber housing (3) with an inlet opening (7) and with an outlet opening (8) for a liquid flowing through the filter chamber housing (3). At least one filter medium (4) for the filtration of the liquid flowing through is arranged within a filter chamber volume (5) enclosed by the filter chamber housing (3). The filter cartridge has a compression device (2) with at least one compression element (9), with which a compression force can be exerted on the filter medium (4) in order to compress the filter medium (4). The filter cartridge has two filter chamber sections (6) which are each filled with a granular filter medium (4) and between which the compression device (2) is arranged. The compression device (2) forms a separating device (15) with which the two filter media (4) in the two filter chamber sections (6) are separated from one another, the separating device (15) allowing for or being bypassed by a fluid-conductive connection between the filter chamber sections (6). The compression device (2) is designed in such a way that the compression device (2) can carry out an expansion movement and a compressive force is thereby exerted on the filter medium (4) in each of the two filter chamber sections (6). The at least one compression element (9) is arranged between two pressure elements (10), each of which is pressed into a respective filter chamber section (6) by the expansion movement. Wilhelm-Nesen-Straβe 61 56355 Nastätten