Painting Booth Filter Rail System for Rapid Module Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Paint-spraying booths face operational downtime and complex maintenance due to filter clogging, requiring frequent and difficult filter replacements, which can be hazardous for maintenance personnel.

Innovation Solution

A paint-spraying booth with a rail system for easy removal and replacement of filter modules, allowing for continuous air flow and simplified maintenance by using a rail system that supports filter modules between their housing and an entry/exit zone, enabling cyclic and rapid filter changes without halting the operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filters are regularly replaced to maintain air flow, then air flow integrity is maintained, but operational downtime increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveair flow integrityVSAvoidoperational downtime
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system is divided into multiple individual filter modules (first filter module, second filter module) that can be replaced independently. This segmentation allows one filter to be replaced while another remains in service, eliminating complete system shutdown and maintaining continuous air flow through the booth.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple filter modules are combined within a single filter unit housing that shares common support structures and sealing arrangements. This merging allows redundant filtering capacity to coexist in one integrated assembly, enabling hot-swapping of individual modules without affecting the entire filtration system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of repair

If filter replacement is performed manually in contaminated zones, then filter changing operations can be completed, but maintenance complexity increases and safety risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter replacement capabilityVSAvoidmaintenance complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter modules are designed with dynamic, movable components including sliding interfaces and extractable frames that enable easy removal and installation. The modular design with standardized interfaces allows maintenance personnel to quickly swap filters without complex disassembly procedures, reducing maintenance complexity despite working in contaminated environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

An extractable frame acts as an intermediary component between the filter module and the housing. This intermediate structure facilitates the removal and installation process by providing a standardized interface that simplifies handling and positioning of filter modules, reducing the complexity of maintenance operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple filter modules are used to maintain continuous operation, then air flow continuity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous operationVSAvoidfilter unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter unit housing and support structures serve multiple functions: they contain multiple filter modules, provide sealing interfaces for each module, support the air flow distribution, and enable the hot-swapping mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each filter, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity despite having multiple filter modules.

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

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

Facilitates quick and easy filter replacement, minimizing downtime and reducing maintenance effort, ensuring continuous operation of the booth while maintaining air flow integrity.

Implementation Method 1

a filter module removably contained inside a housing in the filter unit... for filtering and separation of the paint overspray from the air flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3344364B1Painting booth with filter changing system
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 GEICO
  • EP3344364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3344364B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3344364B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A paint-spraying booth (10) comprises a paint-spraying chamber (11) inside which the paint is sprayed and which is provided with an air flow for evacuating the overspray, which is conveyed to at least one filter unit (16) of the booth for filtering and separating the paint overspray from the air flow. The filter unit comprises a plurality of replaceable filter modules (17), each filter module being removably contained inside a housing (18) in the filter unit. A track system (30) allows removal and transportation of each filter module (17) of the plurality between its housing (18) and a zone (31) for entry/exit of the filter modules into/from the booth.