Spiral Rectification Unit for Uniform Filter Backwashing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dust collecting devices face challenges in achieving uniform backwashing of entire cylindrical filters, leading to inefficiencies in cleaning and potential negative pressure issues at filter ends.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a backwash auxiliary member with a spiral rectification unit that directs backwash air current along the filter's axis, intersecting with the center axis and rotating around it, ensuring uniform air distribution and preventing negative pressure at the filter ends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a conical upper end contraction unit is used to disperse backwash air current radially, then negative pressure generation is suppressed, but uniform backwashing of the entire filter is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenegative pressure generationVSAvoiduniformity of backwashing
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a spiral curved surface instead of a simple conical shape. The spiral rectification unit creates a curved flow path that guides the backwash air current along a spiral trajectory, enabling both radial dispersion to prevent negative pressure and axial progression to achieve uniform backwashing across the entire filter surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention adds a spiral dimension to the backwash air current flow. By creating a spiral flow pattern with both radial and axial components, the system transforms a simple radial dispersion into a two-dimensional flow pattern that covers the entire filter surface uniformly while maintaining pressure balance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If backwash air current flows radially outward, then negative pressure is suppressed, but the entire filter cannot be backwashed uniformly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenegative pressure at filter endVSAvoidbackwashing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The spiral rectification unit creates a curved flow path that combines radial outward motion with axial progression. This curved trajectory ensures the backwash air current contacts the entire filter surface uniformly while maintaining radial component to prevent negative pressure buildup at the filter end.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The spiral flow pattern ensures continuous and uniform distribution of backwash air current along the entire axial length of the filter. The continuous spiral trajectory prevents gaps or concentrated flow zones, maintaining constant cleaning action across all filter surfaces throughout the backwashing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Ease of manufacture

If a simple conical shape is used for the backwash auxiliary member, then manufacturing is simplified, but backwashing uniformity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of backwash auxiliary memberVSAvoiduniformity of backwash air current distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The spiral rectification unit is formed as a curved surface that can be manufactured using standard spiral forming techniques. The continuous spiral geometry, while more complex than a simple cone, remains manufacturable through established processes and provides superior flow control for uniform backwashing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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

This solution allows for almost uniform backwashing of the entire filter, enhancing cleaning efficiency and reducing resistance to the backwash air current, thereby improving the overall performance of the dust collecting device.

Implementation Method 1

the backwash air current flows along the spiral rectification unit included in the backwash auxiliary member in a direction that intersects with a center axis of a filter away from the center axis and in an axial direction of the filter while rotating around the filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpiral flow:

Data Source

PatentEP3549656B1Dust collection device and sheet manufacturing device
Publication Date: 2021.12.08 SEIKO EPSON CORP
  • EP3549656B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549656B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3549656B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To be able to backwash an entire cylindrical filter approximately uniformly. A dust collecting device includes a cylindrical filter, a backwash auxiliary member 302 that is disposed at an end portion of the filter and of which at least a part is disposed in a cylinder of the filter, and an air current generation unit that generates a backwash air current that passes through the backwash auxiliary member 302 and flows into the cylinder of the filter, in which the backwash auxiliary member 302 includes a rectification unit 324 that extends spirally in an axial direction of a center axis of the filter.