Modular Filter System Fluid-Tight Cassette Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current filter systems for biotechnological products require multiple filters with different capacities, leading to complex handling and increased risk of faulty constructions and reduced yield due to numerous hose connections, resulting in lower filtration performance.
Innovation Solution
A modular filter system comprising a filter module with a filter medium holder and cassette parts that form a fluid-tight connection, reducing mechanical and chemical exposure to the filter medium, allowing for thinner filter media and preventing mechanical loading between modules, thereby simplifying handling and improving yield.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple filters with different capacities are used, then different filter properties and capacities are available, but handling complexity and risk of faulty construction increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into modular filter units with standardized interfaces. Each filter unit can be independently selected and combined, allowing different filter capacities and properties while maintaining simple standardized handling procedures through uniform connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
A universal connection standard is implemented across all filter units, enabling different filter capacities to be used interchangeably through the same interface. This allows versatility in filter selection while maintaining ease of operation through standardized handling and connection procedures.
2Productivity
If parallel arrangement of multiple filters is used, then corresponding lower capacity filters are available, but device complexity increases due to multiplicity of hose connections
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter units are merged into a single integrated filter cartridge assembly with common inlet and outlet connections. This combining approach maintains the total filtration capacity of multiple filters while eliminating the need for multiple separate hose connections, thereby reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter cartridge design provides a universal interface that handles multiple filtration functions through a single standardized connection system, allowing parallel filtration capacity while simplifying the connection architecture to a single uniform interface.
3Productivity
If multiple hose connections are made, then parallel filter arrangement is possible, but dead volume increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple filter units are combined into a single cartridge assembly with minimized internal volume. This merging eliminates the dead volume associated with multiple separate hose connections while maintaining the total filtration capacity, thereby preserving yield and improving filtration performance.
4Ease of operation
If filter medium is exposed to external mechanical and chemical influences, then filter element can be accessed, but mechanical damage and contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter medium is enclosed within a protective filter element housing that acts as a barrier against mechanical and chemical influences. This protective enclosure prevents direct exposure and damage while maintaining filter functionality through the sealed construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter system is segmented into a protected internal filter medium and an external protective housing. This segmentation allows the filter medium to remain protected from harmful influences while the overall filter element can be accessed and replaced as a complete protected unit.
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 modular filter system enhances handling simplicity, reduces mechanical and chemical exposure to filter media, and improves filtration performance by maintaining a fluid-tight seal and preventing mechanical loading, resulting in increased yield and reduced costs.
Implementation Method 1
a filter element (30) having at least one filter medium (34) which separates a filtrate side (32) and a retentate side of the filter element from one another
Implementation Method 2
The filter medium holder is arranged in an arrangement position in a fluid-tight manner between the first filter cassette part and the second filter cassette part
Data Source
AI summary
One aspect of the invention relates to a filter module comprising: —a filter element having at least one filter medium which separates a filtrate side and a retentate side of the filter element from one another, and having a filter medium holder to which the filter medium is attached and which has at least one holder intake channel and at least one holder discharge channel, —a first filter cartridge part having at least one first cartridge intake channel and at least one first cartridge discharge channel, —a second filter cartridge channel having at least one second cartridge intake channel and at least one second cartridge discharge channel, wherein the filter medium holder is arranged in an arrangement position between the first filter cartridge part and the second filter cartridge part in a fluid-tight manner, wherein the at least one holder intake channel has a fluid connection with the at least one first cartridge intake channel and the at least one second cartridge intake channel, in order to form a module intake channel, wherein the at least one holder discharge channel has a fluid connection with the at least one first cartridge discharge channel and the at least one second cartridge discharge channel, in order to form a module discharge channel, wherein the module intake channel has a fluid connection with the retentate side of the filter medium and wherein the module discharge channel has a fluid connection with the filtrate side of the filter medium, and a modular filter system.