Hybrid Fiber Filter with Nested Strainer for Compact Water Purification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fiber filtering apparatuses face challenges such as increased space occupation, inefficient filtering due to uneven tensile force distribution, and difficulty in maintaining the filtering performance over time, especially when dealing with high concentrations of suspended solids or sludge, and the complexity of multi-layer fiber filters leads to increased manufacturing costs and flocculation issues.

Innovation Solution

A hybrid type fiber filtering apparatus is designed with a duplex structure comprising an upper case fiber filter and a lower case fiber ball filter, where the filtered water from the upper case is evenly distributed to the fiber ball filter surface, and the apparatus includes a driving part for adjusting the fiber filter's pore size and a backwash system to maintain the filtering performance by circulating and washing the fiber ball filters and fiber filters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a pore control fiber filter is arranged outside the strainer in a strainer method, then the fiber filter structure is simple, but the filtering path is short and filtering performance is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter structure complexityVSAvoidfiltering performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber filter is nested inside the strainer, with the fiber filter positioned within the strainer's internal space. This nesting arrangement allows the filtering path to extend through the strainer's length, significantly increasing the effective filtering path length while maintaining a compact overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a radial filtering arrangement (outside the strainer) to an axial filtering arrangement (inside the strainer). By utilizing the longitudinal dimension of the strainer, the filtering path is extended along the length of the strainer, effectively increasing the filtering path without increasing the radial footprint.

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

2Productivity

If multi-layer fiber filters are formed to increase filtering path, then filtering performance is improved, but manufacturing costs increase and flocculation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering performanceVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fiber filter is divided into multiple filtering layers with different pore sizes arranged in sequence along the water flow path. Each layer performs a specific filtering function, with coarser layers handling larger particles and finer layers handling smaller particles, achieving enhanced filtering performance through functional segmentation rather than physical multi-layer stacking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the fiber filter have different pore sizes and filtering characteristics optimized for specific particle size ranges. The filtering structure transitions from coarse to fine pores along the flow direction, creating local quality variations that enhance overall filtering efficiency while using a single continuous filter element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If fiber filters are twisted and wound around a perforated pipe to control pores, then pore control is improved, but tensile force is not evenly applied and filtering performance deteriorates over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepore control precisionVSAvoidfiltering performance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses a mandrel or support structure during manufacturing to maintain the fiber filter's cylindrical shape and uniform pore distribution. The mandrel is removed after manufacturing, leaving the fiber filter with a stable, pre-formed cylindrical structure that maintains its shape and pore characteristics during operation without requiring continuous tensile force application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The fiber filter is pre-formed with its final cylindrical shape and pore structure during manufacturing, using a mandrel or support structure to establish the correct geometry. This preliminary shaping ensures that the fiber filter maintains its intended pore distribution and structural integrity during operation, eliminating the need for continuous tensioning that causes uneven force distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If sand or anthracite filtering materials are used, then filtering capability is provided, but floating materials are limited to the surface layer and blockage occurs easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering capabilityVSAvoidcleaning difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses fiber filters with controlled porosity and pore size distribution to replace traditional sand or anthracite filtering materials. The fibrous structure provides a three-dimensional filtering network that allows uniform distribution of water flow throughout the filter depth, preventing surface layer blockage and enabling effective filtering of floating and suspended materials.

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 hybrid apparatus reduces space occupation, enhances filtering performance by expanding the filtering path, maintains efficient filtering over time by evenly distributing tensile force, and reduces flocculation and maintenance costs by promoting the removal of contaminants and extending the lifespan of the filters.

Implementation Method 1

raw water may be filtered by an upper-layer fiber filter and a lower-layer fiber ball filter so as to enhance filtering performance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a backwash system to maintain the filtering performance by circulating and washing the fiber ball filters and fiber filters

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBackwash:

Data Source

PatentEP2889070B1Hybrid type fiber filtering apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.11.14 DOOSAN HEAVY IND & CONSTR CO LTD
  • EP2889070B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2889070B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2889070B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hybrid type fiber filtering apparatus includes an enclosure, a strainer, a first filtering layer and a second filtering layer. The enclosure has an upper case and a lower case coupled to the upper case. The strainer is mounted inside the upper case in a longitudinal direction. The first filtering layer includes a plurality of fiber filters fixed between upper and lower fixing units and surround an outer circumferential surface of the strainer. The second filtering layer includes a plurality of fiber ball filters disposed inside the lower case. Raw water introduced into the upper case through a raw water inflow pipe passes through the first filtering layer, flows into the strainer, drops downwardly from an inside of the strainer, is introduced into the lower case, passes through the second filtering layer, and then, is discharged out through a filtered water discharge pipe.