Collapsible Soft Housing Fluid Filter for Transport Durability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current water filtration devices are rigid and prone to breakage during transport, making them unsuitable for portable use and inefficient in terms of logistical space.
Innovation Solution
A soft filter device with a cylindrically shaped soft housing encasing a permeable bag filter, allowing for collapsible and expandable design, enabling easy transport and use in limited spaces, with pressure sensors for monitoring and automatic flushing mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a rigid housing is used to protect the filtration media, then the structural strength and protection of the filtration media is improved, but the device becomes susceptible to breakage during transport and occupies more logistical space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional rigid housing with a flexible soft housing made of materials like rubber or silicone. This flexible housing encases the filtration media while being able to withstand transport conditions without breaking, directly resolving the contradiction between structural protection and transport durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft housing can dynamically adapt its shape and volume - it can be compressed for transport and expanded for operation. This dynamic characteristic allows the housing to provide structural support when needed while minimizing space and resisting breakage during transport.
2Strength
If a rigid housing is used to counteract water pressure forces, then the filtration media is protected from pressure damage, but the device footprint increases and transportability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible soft housing material can elastically deform under water pressure forces while maintaining the integrity of the filtration media. The housing expands slightly to accommodate pressure but returns to its original shape, providing pressure resistance without requiring a large rigid structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The soft housing changes its physical parameters (volume, shape) in response to operating conditions. During high-pressure operation, it can expand to accommodate the pressure forces, and during transport, it can be compressed to a smaller footprint, thus adapting to different operational requirements.
3Reliability
If the filtration device is made stationary with rigid components, then the filtration effectiveness is maintained, but the device becomes difficult to transport and deploy in limited spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible housing maintains the essential filtration function while enabling portability. The soft material allows the device to be folded, rolled, or compressed for transport, then deployed in various locations including spaces with limited access, without compromising the filtration media's effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The device transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure that can be easily moved, stored, and deployed. The soft housing allows the filtration device to adapt to different operational environments and be transported without specialized equipment or infrastructure.
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 soft filter device provides effective fluid filtration while being durable and portable, allowing for easy deployment and maintenance, addressing the limitations of traditional rigid filtration systems.
Implementation Method 1
A first cylindrical shaped permeable bag filter 118 is encased by the soft housing 114. The bag filter 118 has a closed end 120 and an open end 122. Liquid 126 entering the inlet 106 may then be passed through the bag filter 118 to provide filtered liquid 130 in a region 130 between the bag filter 118 and the soft housing 114
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid filter device and method are disclosed. The fluid filter device includes a first disk having an opening forming an inlet and a second disk having an opening forming an outlet. A cylindrically shaped soft housing is disposed adjacent the first disk at one end and engaging with the second disk at its other end. A first cylindrical shaped permeable bag filter is encased by the soft housing. The bag filter has a closed end disposed adjacent the outlet, and the bag filter has an open end coupling with the first disk to form a seal around the inlet such that liquid entering the inlet permeates through the bag filter to a region between the bag filter and the soft housing before exiting the outlet.