Shape-Changing Surface Filter for Adjustable Mesh and Backwashing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filter devices for water-carrying household appliances, such as washing machines, face challenges in efficiently filtering and cleaning, as they often require replacement of filters to change filtering levels and lack effective backwashing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A filter device with a filter housing containing a dirty water inlet, a filter water outlet, and a filtrate outlet, featuring a surface filter with adjustable mesh size and angle, and an actuator device that can change the shape of the surface filter, allowing for dynamic filtering and improved backwashing without the need for filter replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If filter replacement is used to change filtering levels, then filtering adaptability is improved, but device complexity and maintenance cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is designed with a movable structure that can change its mesh size dynamically. The filter mesh is arranged to be movable relative to the filter housing, allowing it to transition between different mesh positions to achieve varying filtering levels without replacement
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering parameters (mesh size) are made variable through the movable filter mesh structure. By changing the position of the filter mesh, different mesh sizes are exposed to the water flow, thereby changing the filtering level adaptably
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional filter structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but backwashing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The filter mesh is designed to be movable during the backwashing process. Water flow can move the filter mesh to different positions, enabling effective backwashing by changing the flow direction relative to the mesh structure
Solution Approach 2:
The same movable filter structure serves multiple functions: normal filtration and backwashing. The filter element can operate in different modes by changing its position, eliminating the need for separate structures for each function
3Manufacturing precision
If fixed mesh size filters are used, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to different filtration needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
While maintaining precise manufacturing of individual mesh sizes, the filter structure enables dynamic selection between different mesh sizes. The movable filter mesh allows the system to switch between precisely-manufactured filtering levels based on operational needs
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
Enables efficient filtration with adjustable filtering levels and enhanced backwashing capabilities, ensuring effective removal of contaminants and prolonged filter life without the need for frequent replacements.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one surface filter is shape-changing to change its mesh size
Data Source
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AI summary
A filter device for a water-bearing household appliance comprises a filter housing with a wastewater inlet, filter water outlet, and filtrate outlet, at least one surface filter and a holder for it within the filter housing. The surface filter has a mesh size and an angle to the horizontal. The filter housing also includes a filtrate chamber for collecting the filtrate. The surface filter, the wastewater inlet, and the filter water outlet are arranged such that water flows from the wastewater inlet to the filter water outlet through the surface filter. The filtrate chamber is accessible via the filtrate outlet for removing the filtrate, particularly by backwashing.The at least one surface filter is shape-changing to change its mesh size, and/or an angle of the at least one surface filter to the horizontal can be changed by moving the surface filter, in particular by rotating.