System Separator Plug-and-Secure Housing for Flexible Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing system separators have limited flexibility in housing assembly, requiring screwing and thus restricting positional alignment, making them difficult to install in tight spaces and complicating maintenance, especially when connected to lines.
Innovation Solution
The system separator features two housing parts that can be fixed in any rotational position through a plug-and-secure mechanism, using adjacent sections with circumferential securing grooves and a U-shaped clamp or pins, allowing easy access and replacement of the filter element without disassembling the connected lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the two housing parts are screwed together using threads, then the connection is secure and reliable, but the housing parts can only be connected in a single defined relative position, limiting flexibility in tight spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separate housing parts (first housing part and second housing part) that can be connected in multiple ways. The segmentation allows the use of different connection mechanisms: threaded connection for secure mounting, and the plug-and-secure mechanism with securing element for flexible positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and positional flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system transitions from a static, fixed-position threaded connection to a dynamic system where the securing element can engage securing grooves at different rotational positions. This allows the housing parts to be connected securely while accommodating different orientations and positions, enabling installation in tight spaces with varying alignment requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the housing parts are screwed together, then the connection is stable, but the filter element becomes inaccessible for maintenance without dismantling the entire system separator from connected lines
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into two separable parts that can be disconnected from each other while remaining connected to the respective lines. The filter element is positioned between these two housing parts, allowing one housing part to be removed for filter access while the other remains connected to the system, enabling maintenance without complete disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter element is extracted as a separately accessible component positioned between the two housing parts. By designing the housing as two separable parts with the filter in between, the filter can be accessed and replaced by removing only one housing part, rather than requiring disconnection of the entire system separator from the lines.
3Reliability
If a secure connection mechanism is used to fix the two housing parts, then the connection is reliable, but the filter element maintenance requires complete system disassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into two separable parts with the filter element positioned between them. The securing element provides reliable connection when assembled, but can be quickly released to allow one housing part to be removed for filter maintenance, significantly reducing maintenance time compared to complete system disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The securing element is designed to engage with securing grooves in a preliminary positioning step, allowing the housing parts to be quickly assembled and disconnected without complex operations. This preliminary securing mechanism enables rapid access to the filter element for maintenance while maintaining reliable connection during operation.
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
System separator (10) with a housing (11) defining an inlet chamber (12), an intermediate chamber (13) and an outlet chamber (14), with non-return valves positioned in the housing and connected in series in the direction of flow of a medium, namely a first inlet-side non-return valve (15) connected between the inlet chamber (12) and the intermediate chamber (13) and a second outlet-side non-return valve (16) connected between the intermediate chamber (13) and the outlet chamber (14), and with a drain valve (34) venting the intermediate chamber (13) between the non-return valves (15, 16), which is controlled depending on a differential pressure between the pressure in the inlet chamber and the pressure in the intermediate chamber, wherein the housing (11) is formed in multiple parts from a first housing part (17) and a second housing part (18),wherein the first housing part (17) serves to connect the inlet chamber (12) of the system separator to a first line, and wherein the second housing part (18) serves to connect the outlet chamber (14) of the system separator to a second line, wherein to connect the two housing parts (18, 19) adjacent sections (23, 24) of the housing parts (18, 19) are inserted into one another and fixed to one another in any relative rotational position by means of a locking element (25), and wherein a filter element (26) positioned between the inserted sections (23, 24) of the two housing parts (18, 19) is accessible after releasing the locking element (25) and after pulling the two housing parts (18, 19) apart. (Fig. 1)