Separator Frame Covers Repurposed for Tool-Free Pre-Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing separator devices do not effectively utilize the frame material closing the openings, which are typically discarded, thereby limiting the separation performance and requiring tools for assembly.

Innovation Solution

The frame material closing the openings is repurposed as covers to form a pre-separator unit that can be attached to the separator device, enhancing separation performance without tools and additional time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If frame material closing the openings is discarded, then assembly is simple, but separation performance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidseparation performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recovers the frame material that would otherwise be discarded by repurposing it as a pre-separator unit. The frame material closing the openings is transformed into a functional component that provides an additional separation stage, thereby improving separation performance while maintaining assembly simplicity through the tool-free attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The frame material serves multiple functions: it initially closes the openings during storage and transport, then is repurposed as a pre-separator unit that provides an additional separation stage. This multi-functionality allows the same material to contribute to both manufacturing simplicity and enhanced separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If frame material is repurposed as pre-separator unit, then separation performance increases, but assembly requires additional steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation performanceVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-separator unit is designed to attach to the separator device without requiring external tools or complex assembly procedures. The frame material self-attaches through a tool-free process, minimizing the increase in assembly complexity while maximizing the improvement in separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If pre-separator unit is added, then separation efficiency improves, but manufacturing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pre-separator unit is prepared in advance from the frame material before the main separator device is assembled. This preliminary preparation allows the additional separation stage to be ready for immediate attachment, minimizing the impact on total manufacturing time while ensuring improved separation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20250296025A1Separator device

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 NEUFILTER

AI summary

The invention relates to a separator device (10) for separating particles entrained in a raw gas flow, comprising a frame (12) for receiving at least one separator element (14) and comprising two openings (20, 22) in the frame (12) in an operationally ready state. The frame material which closes the openings (20, 22) before the openings (20, 22) are opened functions as a first and second cover (24, 26), and the two covers (24, 26) can be combined in order to form a pre-separator unit (30) after the openings (20, 22) have been opened and can be arranged on the frame (12) in the region of the inflow opening (20).