Metered Filter Residue Discharge Device for Plastic Melts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices for plastic melts face challenges in precisely controlling and metering the discharge of filter residues, leading to potential leakage and excessive discharge of already filtered material, which affects operational safety, availability, and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A discharge device with a dosing system that includes a rotary body with receiving pockets and actuators, allowing for controlled and metered discharge of filter residues, isolated from the external environment to prevent contamination and oxidation, and adaptable to different fluids and operating conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional discharge devices are used for filter residues, then the discharge process is simple, but the discharge amount cannot be controlled precisely leading to leakage losses and excessive discharge of filtered material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedischarge amount control precisionVSAvoiddischarge device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge device segments the continuous filter residue stream into discrete portions using a dosing wheel with multiple dosing pockets. Each pocket receives a controlled amount of filter residue, enabling precise metering and discharge. This segmentation transforms an uncontrolled continuous flow into controlled discrete portions, solving the precision control problem while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular pocket design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing wheel rotates to dynamically position dosing pockets at different locations: first at the discharge device inlet to receive filter residue, then at the dosing location for controlled discharge, and finally at the seal location to prevent leakage. This dynamic positioning enables precise control over when and where material is discharged, while the rotational motion provides a simple mechanical means of achieving complex control functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the discharge device is open to the external environment, then access is easy, but contamination and oxidation of the filtered fluid can occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontamination and oxidation preventionVSAvoidaccessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing wheel and dosing pockets create a sealed environment that isolates the filter residue and filtered fluid from the external atmosphere. By containing the material flow within closed pockets during rotation and discharge, the system prevents contact with oxygen and contaminants while maintaining operational functionality. This inert environment approach protects the filtered material without requiring complex access mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing wheel acts as an intermediary between the filter residue source and the external environment. It receives material from the filter, controls its discharge, and seals it during transport and storage in the pockets. This intermediate component enables controlled access and discharge while maintaining isolation from harmful external factors, solving both the protection and accessibility requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If filter residues are discharged continuously, then the discharge process is simple, but already filtered material may be excessively discharged causing waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltered material wasteVSAvoiddischarge efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dosing wheel discharges only the partial amount of filter residue that is actually needed, rather than discharging all accumulated material continuously. Each dosing pocket is filled to a controlled level and discharged only when positioned at the discharge location. This partial action approach prevents excessive discharge of filtered material while maintaining efficient removal of necessary residues, balancing waste reduction with discharge effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The dosing wheel operates on a periodic cycle: dosing pockets are filled during rotation, then discharged at specific intervals when positioned at the discharge location, and finally sealed during continued rotation. This periodic action enables precise control over discharge timing and quantity, preventing continuous uncontrolled discharge while maintaining high productivity through rhythmic, efficient material removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3010620B1Filter device and discharge method
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 ETTLINGER KUNSTSTOFFMANSCHINEN GMBH
  • EP3010620B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3010620B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3010620B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a discharge method and a discharge device for a cleaning device (2) for filters (5, 6), comprising a supply line (26) which can be connected to a collection region (23) for removed filter residue (9) of the cleaning device (2). The discharge device (3) has a controllable metering device (4) which adjoins the supply line (26) and which blocks the supply line (26) and receives removed filter residue (9) from the supply line (26) in portions (35) in a meterable manner and discharges same at a different location. For this purpose, the metering device (4) has a metering element (28) which can be moved in a controllable manner, in particular a rotatably and/or movably arranged metering element. The filter residue (9) can be removed from the filter (5, 6) by means of a backflushing process or in a mechanical manner using a scraper or the like.