Membrane Element Sealing Member With Deformable Protrusions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing sealing material holding members for spiral membrane elements face challenges in accommodating variations in the outer diameter of the center tube, leading to potential eccentricity and complicating the insertion and connection processes, affecting the quality and ease of assembly of membrane elements.
Innovation Solution
A membrane element sealing material holding member with a central opening having a cylindrical inner surface with protrusions at multiple positions, featuring a tilted surface for deformation to accommodate varying center tube diameters, ensuring central alignment and easy insertion, and an auxiliary protrusion to stabilize the center tube.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the inner circumferential surface of the central opening part has a cylindrical form with convex streaks (ribs) to accommodate center tube variations, then the adaptability to different center tube outer diameters is improved, but the center tube becomes liable to become eccentric relative to the sealing material holding member, degrading the outer appearance and making the attachment operation cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the inner circumferential surface of the central opening part deformable. Instead of using fixed rigid ribs that cause eccentricity, the inner surface is designed to elastically deform and adapt to the actual outer diameter of the center tube during insertion. This dynamic adaptation allows the surface to conform to varying tube diameters without creating eccentric positioning, thereby maintaining both adaptability and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the physical state of the inner circumferential surface to change during the insertion process. The surface transitions from a rigid cylindrical form to a deformable state that adapts to the center tube's outer diameter. This parameter change enables the sealing material holding member to accommodate different tube diameters while maintaining proper alignment and preventing eccentricity, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If clearance is increased in the central opening part to accommodate outer diameter variations of the center tube, then the adaptability is improved, but the center tube becomes liable to become eccentric, degrading the outer appearance and making attachment cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transforming the static clearance space into a dynamic adaptive interface. The inner circumferential surface is designed to deform elastically during insertion, dynamically adjusting to the center tube's actual outer diameter. This eliminates the need for increased fixed clearance while maintaining precise centering, as the surface conformally adapts to the tube rather than allowing eccentric positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the physical state of the inner circumferential surface from rigid to deformable. This parameter change enables the surface to adapt to outer diameter variations while maintaining manufacturing precision for centering. The deformable surface ensures that the center tube remains properly centered despite diameter variations, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and centering precision.
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
This design allows for secure centering and easy insertion of the center tube regardless of diameter variations, enhancing the appearance and operational simplicity of membrane element assembly and connection.
Implementation Method 1
there is provided a protrusion that has a tilted surface on its center tube insertion side and is deformable at the time of insertion of the center tube
Data Source
AI summary
A membrane element sealing material holding member comprising a central opening for insertion of a center tube of spiral membrane element, peripheral orifice for flowing of a raw liquid into a membrane end portion of membrane element and outer circumferential part for holding of circular sealing material, wherein the central opening has inner circumferential surface of cylindrical form with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the inserted center tube, and wherein at three or more positions on the inner circumferential surface, there is provided projection that has sloping face on its side of center tube insertion and is deformable at the time of insertion of center tube with an outer diameter larger than that of incircle.