Percolation-type filtering device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Percolation type filtering devices face issues with air trapping in filtering layers due to surface tension, leading to reduced water flow rates and premature filter exhaustion, especially in double-filtration systems, and existing ventilation solutions are complex and prone to mechanical issues or bacterial contamination.
Innovation Solution
A filtering device with a funnel-like dividing element and a ventilation opening that allows trapped air to escape, featuring a removable cap and a bayonet or screw-type connection for easy replacement of filtering elements, ensuring efficient water flow and preventing bacterial contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ventilation means are added to discharge trapped air, then water flow rate is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the ventilation function from a separate complex component and integrates it directly into the seat structure through a simple opening. The ventilation opening is formed directly in the seat body, allowing trapped air to escape without requiring external ventilation pipes or complex mechanisms, thus improving water flow rate while maintaining simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The ventilation function is merged with the seat structure by forming the ventilation opening directly in the seat. This integration eliminates the need for separate ventilation components and their associated complex assembly, achieving air discharge functionality while keeping the overall device structure simple and unified.
2Productivity
If a tube is used for ventilation, then air discharge is improved, but mechanical reliability deteriorates due to potential leaks and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention eliminates the tube component entirely by forming the ventilation opening directly in the seat body. This removes the potential failure points associated with tubes (leaks, connections, contamination) while maintaining the air discharge function through a simple, integral opening in the seat structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat body itself acts as the intermediary structure that provides the ventilation pathway. Instead of using a separate tube to mediate between the chamber and external environment, the seat body directly incorporates the ventilation opening, creating a reliable, leak-free pathway that is integral to the structure.
3Productivity
If complex ventilation construction is used, then air discharge is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ventilation function is merged into the seat structure through a simple opening formed during standard seat manufacturing. This integration allows the ventilation feature to be created as part of the normal manufacturing process without requiring additional complex steps, tools, or assembly operations, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving effective air discharge.
4Productivity
If ventilation opening is positioned upstream, then air discharge is improved, but bacterial contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the ventilation opening in a different spatial dimension relative to the filtration path - specifically in the lateral wall of the seat rather than in the upstream flow path. This dimensional repositioning allows air to escape effectively while placing the opening outside the direct bacterial load zone, preventing contamination of the discharged air.
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 solution enhances water flow rates, extends filter life, and prevents bacterial contamination by effectively removing trapped air and allowing for easy maintenance and standardization of filtering devices for both single and double filtration systems without complex construction modifications.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure gradient to which the fluid to be filtered is subjected is relatively low because the filtration takes place substantially by means of gravitational force
Implementation Method 2
The filtering means normally contain layers of activated carbon, ion-exchange resin and similar materials which, owing to the effect of the respective surface tensions, may cause air to become trapped in the filtering layer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~3A
Figure 4
AI summary
A percolation type filtering device comprises an outer casing, a funnel-like dividing element, a seat which is formed in the funnel-like dividing element in the region of a flow path in order to receive in a removable manner first filtering means, a discharge opening which is formed in the seat and which is capable of receiving in a removable manner second filtering means, a ventilation opening which places in communication the seat with the outer side of the outer casing. The ventilation opening opens in the seat in a downstream direction along the discharge path with respect to a connection portion of the first filtering means. The funnel- like dividing element further comprises a first perimeter wall and a second perimeter wall, between which there is defined a space which defines an expansion of the ventilation opening.