Segmented Filter Unit with Hollow Sediment Column

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter devices for cleaning surface water contaminated with solid particles and dissolved pollutants require significant maintenance effort and are costly, particularly due to the large size of filter elements and the need for separate sludge removal systems.

Innovation Solution

A modular filter device with a housing divided into a lower and upper chamber, featuring a filter unit with replaceable, compact filter elements made of porous concrete or granular materials, where the filter elements are designed to be easily maintained and replaced, and a central hollow column for sediment collection and disposal, reducing the need for separate sludge removal systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter elements are made large to occupy entire cross-sectional area, then filtering efficiency is improved, but maintenance effort and replacement cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidmaintenance effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter unit is divided into multiple individual filter elements (at least two) that can be independently removed and replaced. Each filter element is a separate component contained within the filter unit, allowing selective replacement of only the dirty filter element rather than replacing the entire filter unit or moving large amounts of soil to access filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If filter elements are made large to occupy entire cross-sectional area, then filtering efficiency is improved, but work time for replacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidwork time for replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter unit is divided into multiple individual filter elements (at least two) that can be independently removed and replaced. Each filter element is a separate component contained within the filter unit, allowing selective replacement of only the dirty filter element rather than replacing the entire filter unit or moving large amounts of soil to access filters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-generated harmful factors

If separate sludge removal systems are added, then sediment disposal capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesediment disposal capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sediment collection function is merged with the existing filter unit structure. The filter unit serves dual purposes: filtering water through its filter elements and collecting sediments in its hollow body, eliminating the need for separate sludge removal systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter unit is designed to perform multiple functions: water filtration through its filter elements and sediment collection in its hollow body. This multi-functional design reduces overall system complexity by combining what would traditionally require separate systems.

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

The solution reduces maintenance and manufacturing costs, allows for decentralized rainwater management, and can be retrofitted into existing systems, facilitating easier and more cost-effective cleaning of water from polluted areas with significant pollutant concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

a filter unit (21) which is located in the upstream of the water flow and has a defined water permeability

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The filter material of this filter element is made of porous concrete

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 3

a lower chamber (3) for receiving the water to be cleaned, characterized in that a hollow column (6) is provided, which penetrates the filter unit (21) in its longitudinal direction, wherein the lower end of the hollow column (6) has access to the lower chamber (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSedimentation: Sedimentation

Data Source

PatentEP1967657B1Filter device for a cleaning system for water containing solid particles and/or dissolved pollutants
Publication Date: 2015.11.04 3P TECHNIK FILTERSYSTEME GMBH
  • EP1967657B1 patent drawingFigure 1~1b
  • EP1967657B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~4
  • EP1967657B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The filter device (1) has a housing (2) whose interior has a lower chamber (3) and an upper chamber (4), a feed for dirty water (18) in the lower chamber, an outlet for cleaned water in the upper chamber and at least one filter unit (21) between the upper and lower chambers that also forms a dividing wall between the chambers through which water can pass. The filter unit consists of several adjacent filter elements (14a, 14b).