Staggered Conical Filter Elements for Packing Density
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filter devices face challenges in maximizing the filter area within limited installation space, as traditional designs with circular-cylindrical or cuboid shapes do not efficiently utilize available space for large volume flows.
Innovation Solution
The filter device employs conical filter cartridges with staggered rows and a base plate with fluid openings, allowing for a high packing density by minimizing 'dead spaces and optimizing the arrangement of filter elements with varying cross-sections, enabling efficient fluid flow and filtration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If traditional circular-cylindrical or cuboid filter elements are used, then the device structure is simple, but the filter area per installation space is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by using filter elements with non-circular cross-sections (such as Reuleaux triangle, square, or other polygonal shapes) instead of traditional circular cylinders. These asymmetric cross-sections allow the filter elements to be packed more efficiently in the housing, reducing dead spaces and increasing the filter area per unit volume of installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional packing arrangements to three-dimensional optimized packing by varying the cross-sectional shape along the length of the filter elements or arranging elements with different cross-sections in multiple layers. This dimensional approach maximizes the utilization of available installation space and increases the total filter area.
2Area of stationary object
If filter elements with uniform cross-section are used, then manufacturing is easier, but space utilization in the housing is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing filter elements where the cross-sectional shape or size varies at different locations along the length of the element. This allows optimization of space utilization in specific regions of the housing while maintaining manufacturability through modular construction or extrusion processes that can accommodate varying cross-sections.
3Area of stationary object
If filter elements are arranged with uniform orientation, then the structure is regular and simple, but dead spaces increase reducing packing density
Solution Approach 1:
The patent arranges filter elements with different orientations and cross-sectional shapes in an asymmetric pattern that minimizes dead spaces between elements. This irregular arrangement maximizes packing density and filter area while the elements themselves maintain rotational symmetry for fluid flow consistency.
4Area of stationary object
If conical filter candles with opposite tapers are arranged adjacently, then packing density increases, but fluid flow paths become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines filter elements with different cross-sectional geometries (circular, polygonal, varying profiles) in a composite arrangement within the housing. This composite structure allows optimization of packing density while the interconnected design of adjacent elements ensures continuous fluid flow paths, balancing space utilization with flow efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a filtering device comprising multiple filtering elements (3), the bodies of which define a longitudinal axis, said filtering elements (3) being arranged adjacently to one another in a housing such that the longitudinal axes of the filtering elements run parallel to one another. The bodies of at least some of the filtering elements (3) have a shape that deviates from a circular cylinder at at least one part of the body length. The filtering device is characterized in that the filtering elements (3) with bodies that have a shape which deviates from a circular cylinder have a cross-section the size of which at least partially changes from one end to the other end, and said filtering elements are oriented in the housing such that the regions of a larger cross-section are associated with the regions of a smaller cross-section in adjacent filtering elements.