Self-Cleaning Filter Device for Toilet Cisterns
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Filter devices for cisterns used in sanitary facilities, which handle raw water, often become clogged with impurities, requiring frequent maintenance and replacement, leading to high costs and operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a housing and valve body that includes a first filter for normal operation and a second filter for flushing, allowing raw water to be filtered into pure water and then reversed to clean the first filter, reducing maintenance needs by using rinsing water to clear contaminants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter device is used to filter raw water in a cistern, then clean water is obtained for flushing, but the filter becomes clogged with contaminants over time requiring regular maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a reverse flushing mechanism where water flows through the filter element in the opposite direction to normal operation. During reverse flushing, contaminated water flows through the filter from the clean water side toward the raw water side, carrying contaminants away from the filter surface and preventing clogging. This inversion of flow direction enables automatic self-cleaning without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic reverse flushing cycles interspersed with normal filtration operation. A control mechanism periodically reverses the water flow direction through the filter element for a predetermined duration, then returns to normal filtration mode. This periodic reversal prevents contaminant buildup by intermittently clearing the filter surface, extending filter life and reducing maintenance frequency.
2Ease of operation
If backwashable filter systems are used to reduce maintenance, then filter cleaning is automated, but the system becomes expensive and requires a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the reverse flushing function into the existing cistern's fill valve and drain valve infrastructure. The same fill valve supplies water for both normal filtration and reverse flushing, while the drain valve handles discharge for both operations. This multi-functional use of existing components achieves automated filter cleaning without requiring separate dedicated backwashing equipment, thereby reducing system complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the reverse flushing mechanism with the cistern's existing fill and drain valve system. The control mechanism coordinates these existing valves to achieve reverse flow through the filter element, merging the cleaning function with the existing water supply and discharge infrastructure. This integration eliminates the need for separate backwashing pumps, tanks, or piping systems that would increase complexity and space requirements.
3Reliability
If regular maintenance of filter devices is performed, then filter performance is maintained, but water supply must be completely shut off and fluid lines must be dismantled
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-cleaning filter system where the filter element cleans itself through automated reverse flushing. The control mechanism periodically reverses water flow through the filter using the existing fill and drain valves, allowing the filter to remove its own contaminants without external intervention. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual maintenance shutdowns and dismantling, maintaining continuous operation and high productivity.
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 minimizes maintenance requirements by automatically cleaning the filter during each flush cycle, ensuring continuous operation with reduced clogging and maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
a valve housing divided into a first chamber and a second chamber, the chambers being separated from one another by a first filter for filtering the raw water into clean water
Implementation Method 2
In the flushing operating position, the flushing water flows through the first filter in a second direction opposite the first direction and the flushing water can be fed to the drain
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
Filter device (1) for a toilet cistern (2), comprising at least: - a housing (6) with a first inlet (7) for raw water (4), a second inlet (8) for flush water (9), a first outlet (10) for clean water (11) and a second outlet (12) for the flush water (9); - a valve body (15) movably arranged in the housing (6) between two operating positions (13, 14) with a valve body (16) which is divided into a first chamber (17) and a second chamber (18), wherein the chambers (17, 18) are separated from each other by a first filter (19) for filtering the raw water (4) to the clean water (11), wherein the valve body (16) has a first passage (20) and a second passage (21) in the first chamber (17) and a third passage (22) and a fourth passage (23) in the second chamber (18). In addition, a cistern (18) with such a filter device (1) is proposed.