Suction Strainer Air Vent Structure for Compact Bubble Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing suction strainers with check valves on lid members face issues of increased size and complexity, which complicates the removal of air bubbles.
Innovation Solution
A suction strainer with a tubular filtration section and an upper plate featuring an air vent hole, controlled by a moving member that can open and close the vent hole, utilizing a compact and simple configuration to remove air bubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a check valve with valve main body and valve passage is provided on the first lid member, then air bubbles can be removed, but the check valve increases in size and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the air venting function from the complex check valve structure and implements it separately through a dedicated air vent hole in the upper plate, allowing the check valve to maintain its filtering function while the air venting is handled by a simple movable member system
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the air venting mechanism into separate components: the air vent hole in the upper plate and the movable member that opens/closes it, rather than integrating it into the check valve body, thereby simplifying the overall device complexity while maintaining air bubble removal capability
2Reliability
If a check valve with valve main body and valve passage is provided on the first lid member, then air bubbles can be removed, but the check valve increases in size
Solution Approach 1:
The air venting function is extracted from the check valve body and implemented through a separate air vent hole in the upper plate, allowing the check valve to remain compact while air bubble removal is achieved through the dedicated air venting pathway
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the vertical dimension by positioning the air vent hole in the upper plate and using a movable member that travels vertically to open and close the vent, separating the air venting function from the horizontal check valve structure and reducing overall device volume
3Reliability
If the first stopper and air vent hole are in contact by a line, then the air vent hole is closed effectively, but close contact between the moving member and plate is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the stopper contact the plate surface over an area, the invention inverts the approach by designing line contact between the first stopper and air vent hole, which effectively closes the vent while the line contact geometry prevents the moving member from making close contact with the plate, thereby avoiding harmful friction and wear
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 solution effectively removes air bubbles using a compact and simple air vent structure, ensuring efficient operation without enlarging the strainer's footprint.
Implementation Method 1
the moving member is provided to be movable between a position of closing the air vent hole and a position of opening the air vent hole
Implementation Method 2
The first stopper and the air vent hole are in contact by a line
Implementation Method 3
The tubular filtration section is formed by bending a thin plate in a pleat shape
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Air bubbles are removable with the use of an air vent structure having a compact and simple configuration. An air vent hole is formed in an upper plate that covers an entire upper end surface of a filtration section having a substantially tubular shape formed by bending a thin plate in a pleat shape. A moving member is provided to be movable between a position of closing the air vent hole and a position of opening the air vent hole.