Interlocking Brackets for Filter Capsule Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filter capsules used for filtering and purifying liquids are prone to instability and lack sufficient capacity, making it difficult to maintain them in an upright position and in relative positions for effective manifolding.
Innovation Solution
Interlocking brackets with permanent locking tabs that snap together around the filter capsules, allowing for secure retention in both series and parallel configurations without adhesives or welding, enabling pre-assembly and shipment to reduce stress and facilitate easy connection of multiple filters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If filter capsules are placed upright on one end during use, then the filter capsule can operate in a stable position, but the filter capsule tends to fall over onto its side due to its length being substantially greater than its diameter
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into multiple bracket portions (first bracket portion, second bracket portion, etc.) that can be separately assembled around the filter capsule. Each bracket portion has concave surfaces that wrap around the capsule, providing distributed support points that stabilize the upright position without requiring a single complex support structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket portions are pre-assembled with locking tabs and sockets before being installed on the filter capsule. The locking tabs with tapered leading edges are pre-formed to force the tab down and snap into the mating receptacle, creating a pre-prepared stable structure that simply needs to be positioned around the capsule.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple filter capsules are connected to increase filtering capacity, then the desired filtering efficiency is achieved, but it is difficult to maintain the capsules in predetermined relative positions
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket portions are designed with multiple sockets on different sides (first side, second side, third side, fourth side) that can accommodate multiple plugs from other bracket portions. This universal design allows the same bracket component to connect filter capsules in various configurations (series, parallel, or combination) while maintaining predetermined relative positions through the interlocking plug-socket mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If permanent joining of filter assemblies is used to stabilize multiple capsules, then the relative positions are maintained, but adhesives or welding are required which increase complexity and potential damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical bonding (adhesives) and thermal bonding (welding) with a purely mechanical interlocking system. The locking tabs with tapered leading edges force the tab down to snap into the mating receptacle, creating a permanent mechanical joint that is both stable and easy to manufacture without requiring adhesives or welding equipment.
4Volume of moving object
If filter capsules are assembled in a compact configuration, then space is reduced, but excessive stress may cause breakage during assembly and shipping
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket portions are pre-assembled with the locking tabs and sockets engaged before the filter capsule is installed. This preliminary assembly creates a stable framework that can be shipped in a compact, stress-resistant configuration. The filter capsule is then inserted into the pre-formed bracket structure, which already provides support and stress distribution, reducing the risk of breakage during handling and shipping.
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 interlocking bracket system effectively maintains filter capsules in an upright and stationary position, allowing for increased filtering capacity by enabling the connection of multiple filters in series or parallel configurations, reducing the risk of breakage and improving stability.
Implementation Method 1
The locking tabs may have a tapered leading edge for forcing the tab down to snap into the mating receptacle
Implementation Method 2
The locking tabs may have a raised detent that snaps into a mating receptacle
Data Source
AI summary
Interlocking brackets for filter capsules are provided. According to one embodiment, a filter capsule bracket includes a first bracket portion including a first side having a concave surface and at least one plug; and a second bracket portion including a first side having a concave surface corresponding to the concave surface of the first bracket portion and at least one socket for receiving the at least one plug of the first side of the first bracket, wherein the concave surfaces of the first and second bracket portions are configured to retain a filter capsule when the at least one plug of the first side of the first bracket portion is received by the at least one socket of the first side of the second bracket portion.