Magnetic rod guide for a filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large magnetic filters used in heating systems face challenges during servicing due to heavy lids and the risk of magnet corrosion from water leaks, making it difficult to remove the lid without mechanical assistance and leading to reduced filter effectiveness over time.
Innovation Solution
A magnetic rod guide assembly that allows for the removal and retraction of magnetic rods from the filter, reducing the force required to open the lid and preventing water ingress, which is sealed to the lid and bolted in place, using resilient latches to securely hold the rods and prevent corrosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lid is made thick and heavy to provide structural strength, then the filter can operate at higher pressures, but the force required to remove the lid increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic rod guide assembly is segmented into separate components: a guide body, resilient latches, and magnetic rod. This allows the magnetic rod to be independently removed from the guide body, separating the function of structural support (lid) from the function of magnetic attraction (magnetic rod), thereby reducing the force needed to remove the lid while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic rod is extracted as a removable component from the filter assembly. By removing the magnetic rod through the guide body, the magnetic attraction force is eliminated, which significantly reduces the force required to remove the lid for servicing, while the lid itself remains structurally intact.
2Ease of repair
If the lid is removed for servicing, then the magnets can be cleaned, but the heavy lid requires mechanical assistance to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic rod is extracted as a removable component through the guide body, allowing servicing to be performed without removing the heavy lid. The magnetic rod can be pulled out through the aperture in the lid, enabling access to the filtering chamber for cleaning while the lid remains in place.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic rod guide assembly incorporates resilient latches that allow dynamic movement of the magnetic rod between retained and removed positions. This dynamic mechanism enables easy removal and reinstallation of the magnetic rod for servicing without requiring lid removal, improving ease of repair.
3Reliability
If the seal around the magnets breaks down, then water can enter and rust the magnets, but preventing this requires complex sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is merged with the guide body structure, forming an integrated sealing system. The seal engages with the guide body to prevent water from entering the magnet sleeves, combining the sealing function with the structural guide body rather than requiring separate complex sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide body acts as an intermediary structure between the lid and the magnet sleeves. It provides a sealed pathway through which the magnetic rod can move, preventing water from directly contacting the magnets while still allowing for rod removal and installation.
4Productivity
If multiple magnetic rods are used to improve filtration, then the filter effectiveness increases, but the total magnetic attraction force increases the difficulty of lid removal
Solution Approach 1:
Each magnetic rod is housed in its own separate guide body with independent resilient latches. This segmentation allows each magnetic rod to be independently removed from the filter assembly, enabling the filtration effectiveness to be maintained during operation while allowing easy removal of individual rods for servicing without the cumulative magnetic force of multiple rods.
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
Enables easier servicing of filters without mechanical assistance and reduces magnet corrosion, allowing for effective cleaning and maintenance without removing the lid, thereby extending the filter's operational life.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient locking means includes at least one resilient latch. The or each resilient latch may be formed in the body and have a projection extending inwardly of the body for engagement in a recess in the magnetic rod.
Implementation Method 2
magnetic filters are used to collect ferrous particles in suspension in piped water systems... magnets extending into the container to attract and retain magnetic particles from system water
Data Source
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AI summary
A magnetic rod guide (28) for a filter (10) comprises a base (28b) for attachment to part of a filter (10), a through aperture (34) through which a magnetic rod (38) can move, and resilient engagement means including at least one resilient latch (36) for holding the magnetic rod (38) in one or more fixed positions relative to the guide (28), the or each resilient latch (36) further being adapted to allow movement of a magnetic rod (38) through the through aperture (34) in either direction, for insertion into the filter (10) or withdrawal from the filter (10) into one of the fixed positions.