Segmented Filter Member for Reverse Osmosis Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing filter structures, such as reverse osmosis filters, face issues with uneven filtration efficiency along the longitudinal direction, clogging due to accumulated foreign substances, and the TDS creep phenomenon, which can lead to the discharge of impure water and increased maintenance difficulties.

Innovation Solution

A filter member with a structure comprising a cylinder part, a filter hollow part, and a filtering part that includes a main filtering part wound around the cylinder and a sub-filtering part with openings, allowing raw water to flow through various paths and reducing the concentration of foreign substances, thereby delaying clogging and improving filtration efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If raw water flows in a single direction from lower side to upper side through the filter member, then the filtration process is simple, but foreign substances accumulate on the downstream side causing uneven filtration efficiency and dead spaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflow path structureVSAvoidfiltration efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter member is divided into multiple filter elements (first filter element, second filter element, third filter element) arranged in parallel. Each filter element has its own flow path, allowing raw water to flow through multiple routes simultaneously. This segmentation prevents foreign substance accumulation in a single location and ensures more uniform filtration efficiency across all filter elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from a single-direction vertical flow path to a multi-dimensional flow pattern. Raw water enters from the lower side, flows upward through the first filter element, then laterally through the second and third filter elements before exiting at the upper side. This dimensional change creates multiple flow paths and prevents dead spaces where foreign substances could accumulate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stress or pressure

If raw water pressure decreases along the flow direction, then the force for pressing foreign substances decreases, but this creates dead spaces with high foreign substance concentration leading to TDS creep

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveraw water pressureVSAvoidforeign substance accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the filter into multiple parallel filter elements, the invention segments the pressure distribution. Each filter element experiences more uniform pressure throughout its length, preventing the formation of dead spaces with high foreign substance concentration. This segmentation ensures that pressure decreases are distributed across multiple paths rather than concentrating in a single flow direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of manufacture

If the filter member structure is simple, then manufacturing is easier, but cleaning and maintenance become difficult when foreign substances accumulate excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter member structureVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The filter member is segmented into multiple filter elements that can be independently accessed and cleaned. This modular segmentation allows cleaning fluids to reach all filter elements more effectively, and individual elements can be removed or replaced independently, making maintenance easier while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 proposed filter structure allows for diverse fluid flow directions, reduces the accumulation of foreign substances, delays clogging, and maintains consistent filtration efficiency along the longitudinal direction, thereby improving the reliability and longevity of the filter member.

Implementation Method 1

a sub-filtering part with openings, allowing raw water to flow through various paths

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid flow through multiple paths:

Implementation Method 2

a filtering part disposed to surround the cylinder part from radially outside and configured to filter raw water

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical filtration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Reverse osmosis filters filter raw water by using the concentration difference between raw water and purified water in reverse. Specifically, a reverse osmosis filter generates purified water by forcing raw water to pass through a filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReverse osmosis: Reverse Osmosis

Data Source

PatentUS20250050279A1Filter member and filter structure including same

Publication Date: 2025.02.13 COWAY CO LTD

AI summary

A filter member including a cylinder part extending in one direction, a filter hollow part which is formed inside the cylinder part to pass through along the one direction and allows the inside of the cylinder part to be in communication along the one direction, and a filtering part disposed to surround the cylinder part from radially outside and configured to filter raw water flowing through the filter hollow part.