Variable-Area Liquid Filtration for Clog-Resistant Appliances
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid filtration systems in water-using household appliances face premature clogging issues, leading to increased hydraulic resistance and reduced flow rates, which can be exacerbated by the accumulation of particles on the filter surface.
Innovation Solution
A system with a movable element that varies the filter surface area by changing its position and size, controlled by an actuator or servo motor, to maintain a constant hydraulic resistance and flow rate by periodically expanding the available filter surface as it becomes clogged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dead-end filtration is used to filter particles from liquid, then filtration effectiveness is improved, but hydraulic resistance increases rapidly leading to premature clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The filter surface area is made dynamic through a movable filter element that can change its position and effective surface area. The filter element is connected to a drive mechanism that periodically moves it along its longitudinal axis, allowing the system to adapt the filter surface area to operating conditions and prevent premature clogging by redistributing the filtration load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of filter surface area dynamically during operation. By moving the filter element along its longitudinal axis, the effective filter surface area available to the liquid flow is varied, which changes the hydraulic resistance characteristics and prevents the rapid clogging that occurs with static filter surfaces.
2Productivity
If filter surface area is increased to maintain flow rate, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to movable elements and actuators
Solution Approach 1:
The filter element is segmented along its longitudinal axis, with different sections that can be selectively engaged or disengaged from the liquid flow path. This segmentation allows the effective filter surface area to be adjusted in discrete steps by moving the filter element to different positions, providing variable filtration capacity without requiring a completely complex adjustable mechanism.
3Reliability
If filter element is made movable to vary filter surface, then hydraulic resistance stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable filter element serves multiple functions: it provides the filtration surface, acts as a movable component that varies the effective filter area, and works with the drive mechanism to automatically adjust to clogging conditions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate adjustment mechanisms and simplifies the overall manufacturing process despite the added mobility feature.
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 system ensures a consistent hydraulic resistance and flow rate by dynamically adjusting the filter surface, reducing the need for frequent filter cleaning and improving energy efficiency by allowing smaller pumps to maintain optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least a part of the housing (2) is designed as a filter element (3), so that the liquid can be discharged from the at least one space (5) via a filter surface of the filter element (3), wherein the filter element (3) is designed to filter particles from the liquid
Implementation Method 2
the filter surface of the filter element (3) is variable by the at least one movable element (10, 11), so that the filter surface of the filter element (3) available to the liquid can be varied by the at least one movable element (10, 11), in particular with regard to its position and/or size
Data Source
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AI summary
A system (1) for filtering a liquid, particularly for a water-bearing household appliance, is provided. The system (1) comprises a housing (2) which has at least one movable element (10) inside it, which together with the housing (2) defines at least one substantially fluid-tight space (5), and a liquid supply (4) configured to supply a liquid to the at least one space (5). At least a part of the housing (2) is configured as a filter element (3) such that the liquid can be discharged from the at least one space (5) via a filter surface of the filter element (3). The filter element (3) is configured to filter particles (9) from the liquid.The filter area of the filter element (3) is variable by means of the at least one movable element (10), so that the filter area of the filter element (3) available to the liquid can be changed by the at least one movable element (10), in particular with regard to its position and/or size. Furthermore, a water-bearing household appliance with the system (1) and a method for filtering a liquid are provided.