Spoked Wheel Filter Disc for Easy Element Replacement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing disk filters are cumbersome and expensive due to the need for stable construction to maintain concentricity and withstand dynamic flow forces, making filter element replacement difficult and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A self-supporting spoked wheel design with a rim and spokes forms a stable frame that absorbs operating forces, allowing filter elements to be easily inserted or removed without affecting the spoked wheel's stability, enabling the use of lightweight and inexpensive materials and facilitating easy maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If filter segments are constructed very stably to maintain concentricity and withstand dynamic flow forces, then stability and reliability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase, making filter bag replacement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovestabilityVSAvoidconstruction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter disc is divided into multiple individual filter segments that can be independently removed and replaced. Each segment is a separate module that attaches to the hub, allowing maintenance without affecting other segments. This segmentation enables easy replacement of filter bags while maintaining overall disc stability through the modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If filter segments are constructed very stably to maintain concentricity, then concentricity is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates, making filter bag replacement difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconcentricityVSAvoidfilter bag replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The filter segments are designed with dynamic attachment mechanisms that allow for easy installation and removal while maintaining concentricity during operation. The segments can be quickly detached and reattached without requiring complex alignment procedures, enabling maintenance personnel to replace filter bags efficiently while ensuring the disc maintains its concentric position during filtration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If the spoked wheel construction is made lightweight with simple materials, then cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but strength and stability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidstructural strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The spoked wheel construction utilizes composite material strategies where the hub and spokes are designed to work together as an integrated structure. The hub serves as the central load-bearing component while the spokes distribute forces evenly across the disc. This composite approach allows the use of lighter, more cost-effective materials while maintaining sufficient structural strength to support the filter segments and withstand operational forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentEP2441508B1Filter disc, disc filter and filtration method
Publication Date: 2013.08.07 BOKELA INGENIEURGESELLSCHAFT FUR MECHANISCHE VERFAHRENSTECHNIK MBH
  • EP2441508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2441508B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2441508B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The filter disk has multiple filter elements (80) in the form of circular disk segments which are arranged at a hub (20) for forming a circular disk-shaped filter surface. An annular rim (30) is arranged along an outer periphery of the filter surface. A self-supporting spoked wheel (12) is formed with receiving spaces for the filter elements by the spokes (40) and the rim. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a disk filter with a suspension trough; and (2) a filtration method for filtering a suspension with a filter disk.