Rotary Filter Bolt Filtration for Compact Polymer Melt Startup Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filtration devices for molten plastic are large in the axial direction, require significant axial travel for material diversion during startup, and suffer from contamination and wear due to material accumulation, necessitating separate start-up valves and complex seal designs.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with a filter bolt that rotates relative to its working position to achieve a compact design, allowing for a short axial travel and simultaneous drainage, using a combined rotation and axial movement to divert unsuitable material without contamination, and incorporating a detachable rotary drive for efficient filter bolt positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the filter bolt is moved axially to divert material during startup, then material diversion is achieved, but the device requires long axial travel distance and considerable overall length
Solution Approach 1:
The filter bolt is given rotational freedom in addition to axial movement, allowing the discharge channel inlet to be oriented in different directions. This enables material diversion without requiring the filter bolt to travel far axially, as the rotational degree of freedom provides an alternative way to align the discharge channel with the inlet channel for startup material diversion.
2Ease of operation
If the filter bolt is retracted beyond working position for initial discharge, then material diversion is enabled, but the seal between filter bolt and bolt receptacle becomes compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying solely on axial retraction to achieve startup discharge, the filter bolt can rotate to orient the discharge channel inlet toward the inlet channel while remaining in or near the working position. This rotational approach allows material diversion without compromising the axial seal between the filter bolt and bolt receptacle.
3Ease of operation
If separate start-up valves are added to divert material, then startup material diversion is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter bolt is designed to perform multiple functions: normal filtration in working position and startup material diversion through rotation. By making the filter bolt multi-functional, the need for separate start-up valves is eliminated, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the capability to divert startup material.
4Ease of operation
If the filter bolt is extended far from housing for filter change, then filter accessibility is improved, but the axial length of the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The filter bolt can rotate within the housing to orient the filtration unit toward the inlet channel for filter changes, eliminating the need to extend the filter bolt far axially. This rotational approach allows filter accessibility while maintaining a compact axial profile of the device.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a filtration device for filtering polymer melt, comprising a housing having an inlet channel and an outlet channel, and a filter bolt arranged between said inlet and outlet channels and axially displaceable and rotatable in a bolt receptacle of the housing, wherein the filter bolt has a filter section with a filtration device which, in a working position of the filter bolt, is arranged between the inlet channel and the outlet channel and connects said inlet channel with the outlet channel, and a discharge channel which, in a starting position of the filter bolt, is fluidically connected to the inlet channel and leads past the filtration device to a discharge outlet of the filter bolt, wherein the filter bolt assumes different rotational positions in the bolt receptacle in the said working position on the one hand and in the said starting position on the other.wherein an inlet opening of the discharge channel located on the outer circumference of the filter bolt lies in a circumferential sector of the filter bolt which, in the working position of the filter bolt, is rotationally offset relative to the inlet channel of the housing and, in the approach position of the filter bolt, is arranged overlapping with the said inlet channel.