Reusable Activated Carbon Filter with Segmented Mesh Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing activated carbon filters become saturated and require disposal, leading to waste of materials and environmental impact due to non-reusable hardware components.
Innovation Solution
A reusable activated carbon filter design featuring an outer and inner mesh hollow cylinder, fixing rings, flexible padding rings, a top connector, and a bottom cover, allowing for easy replacement and refill of activated carbon granules, with components made from materials like metal, plastic, and silicone to prevent waste and reduce long-term costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If activated carbon filters are designed as one-time use with extra hardware fixing, then the activated carbon can be effectively sealed and fixed in place, but the hardware must be discarded when the activated carbon is no longer effective, causing material waste and environmental impact
Solution Approach 1:
The filter is divided into two segments: a reusable hardware shell (outer mesh hollow cylinder with fixing rings) and a replaceable activated carbon granule filling. This segmentation allows the hardware to be retained and reused while only the consumed activated carbon is replaced, resolving the contradiction between reliable sealing and hardware waste.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the activated carbon filter uses a fixed structure with extra hardware, then the activated carbon granules are securely held, but the entire filter including hardware must be disposed of when saturated, increasing long-term cost
Solution Approach 1:
The filter structure is segmented into a stable reusable hardware shell and replaceable activated carbon granules. The fixing rings with long curved openings provide structural stability while allowing the granules to be replenished, enabling cost-effective operation by reusing the hardware shell.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for discarding only the consumed activated carbon granules while recovering and reusing the hardware shell (outer mesh hollow cylinder, fixing rings, inner mesh hollow cylinder). This selective recovery resolves the contradiction between structural stability and cost-effectiveness.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the filter uses a sealed structure to hold activated carbon granules, then the granules remain in place during operation, but the granules cannot be replenished when saturated
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing rings incorporate long curved openings that allow the structure to transition from a sealed state during operation (retaining granules) to an open state during maintenance (allowing granule replenishment). This dynamic design resolves the contradiction between granule retention and replenishment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The long curved openings in the fixing rings act as intermediaries that enable both functions: they allow granules to pass through during replenishment and prevent granule escape during operation when the structure is assembled. This intermediary feature resolves the contradiction between retention and replenishment.
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
Enables the reuse of filter components, reducing material waste and environmental impact while maintaining effective air filtration by allowing for the replenishment of activated carbon granules when they become saturated.
Implementation Method 1
Activated carbon filters remove the gaseous substances from the air by a process of adsorption. During adsorption, the gaseous substances stick to the outside of the activated carbon, rather than being absorbed inside.
Data Source
AI summary
A reusable activated carbon filter is disclosed. It comprises: an outer mesh hollow cylinder, having a plurality of meshes formed thereon; an inner mesh hollow cylinder, having a plurality of meshes formed thereon, located inside the outer mesh hollow cylinder; two fixing rings, each having a plurality of long curved openings and a plurality of fixing holes, and fixing the outer mesh hollow cylinder and the inner mesh hollow cylinder at the same end; two flexible padding rings, each having a plurality of fixing protrusions, and detachably padding the long curved openings of one of the fixing rings with one fixing protrusion plugged in one corresponding fixing hole; a top connector, removably connected to one fixing ring, having a connecting opening for connecting to an inline fan; and a bottom cover, connected to the other fixing ring. Activated carbon granules are filled between the two mesh hollow cylinders.