Nested Aquarium Filter Prevents Dirt Backflow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing water filtration methods for aquariums face issues such as large space occupation, high costs, inconvenient installation and maintenance, low filtration efficiency, and backflow of dirt during consumable replacement.

Innovation Solution

A box-shaped filtration device with grid panels and dual filtration bodies, where the inner filtration body has higher permeability than the outer, and specific buffer spaces for different filtration materials, preventing backflow and enhancing filtration efficiency and ease of replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an out-aquarium filtration barrel is used, then filtration effect is improved, but device volume and area occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectVSAvoidfiltration barrel volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration device is designed to be nested within the aquarium tank structure, with the filtration chamber integrated into the tank wall. The inner filtration body is nested within the outer filtration body, and both are nested within the grid panels, creating a compact nested structure that provides effective filtration without occupying additional external space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a filter is installed at the upper or rear-end of the aquarium, then filtration effect is improved, but structural restriction and poor universality occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltration effectVSAvoidinstallation universality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration device is designed with a standardized box-shaped structure that can be installed in various positions (upper, rear-end, or side of the aquarium) and integrated with different aquarium configurations. The device includes multiple connection interfaces and can function as both an internal and external filter, providing universal applicability across different aquarium setups.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If a submersible filter is used, then installation convenience is improved, but filtration section area and water filtration efficiency decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidwater filtration efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration device is segmented into distinct functional zones: an inner filtration body for fine filtration, an outer filtration body for coarse filtration, and grid panels for structural support and flow distribution. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function, maintaining high filtration efficiency while keeping the overall structure compact and easy to install.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If a cardcase-shaped filtration insert is used, then installation convenience is improved, but filtration body blocking and dirt backflow occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation convenienceVSAvoidfiltration effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of allowing water to flow through a single-direction cardcase structure that blocks easily, the invention inverts the flow path design by using a dual-body structure with multiple flow channels. The inner and outer filtration bodies create parallel flow paths that prevent blocking, and the integrated design ensures dirt is contained and does not backflow into the aquarium during operation or maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

5Ease of repair

If filtration consumable replacement is performed, then maintenance is simplified, but dirt backflow to aquarium occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance convenienceVSAvoiddirt backflow
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The filtration consumables (inner filtration body, outer filtration body, and filtration materials) are designed as extractable components that can be removed separately from the main device structure. This extraction design allows maintenance personnel to replace consumables without disturbing the sealed containment structure, preventing dirt backflow into the aquarium while simplifying the maintenance process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 device achieves high filtration efficiency, prevents dirt backflow, and facilitates easy installation and maintenance, with a large filtration area and cost-effectiveness, suitable for both submersible and external applications.

Implementation Method 1

after the liquid to be filtered flows through the water inlet into the filtration device, the clean liquid filtered flows out from the grid panels; The inner filtration body and outer filtration body are set respectively inside and outside the grid panels of the filtration device, between the inner filtration body and grid panels sets the filtration materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP2255861B1A liquid filtering process and a liquid filtering device for aquatic animal culturing tank
Publication Date: 2017.12.27 SHENZHEN XING RISHENG INDAL
  • EP2255861B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2255861B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2255861B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The method and device for filtering liquid in an aquarium, the filtration device made by the liquid filtration method comprises a box-shaped casing (1), the filtration bodies and filtration materials are set inside the casing, wherein the casing (1) includes a water inlet (13) set around the casing (1) and grid panels set inside both sides of the casing (1); the filtration bodies include an inner filtration body set inside the grid panels and an outer filtration body set outside the grid panels; the filtration materials are filled inside the casing (1), between the inner filtration body and grid panels; in this way, the liquid to be filtered enters into the casing (1) through the water inlet (13) and flows out from the grid panels, and proceeds further from the casing (1) via the inner filtration body, filtration materials and outer filtration body treatment. The liquid filtration device has the advantages of being an integrated replacement as a filtration consumable, good universality, convenient installation and maintenance, large filtration area and effective prevention of dirt left after filtration from a backflow.