Variable Volume Filtration Device for Small Liquid Volumes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional filtration devices face challenges in filtering small volumes of liquid, such as 1 ml or less, due to the limitations of their piping systems, which restrict the volume of liquid that can be processed.
Innovation Solution
A filtration device with a container of variable volume and a channel member that allows direct fluid communication between the container and a filter, eliminating the need for piping and enabling the filtration of desired liquid volumes without pressure on the target substance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If piping is used to connect the container, filter, and pump in a circulating system, then the system can filter liquid, but the volume of liquid to be filtered is limited by the piping volume and cannot filter very small volumes (1 ml or less)
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the piping system from the conventional circulating filtration device. By removing the piping that connects the container, filter, and pump, the invention enables filtration of very small liquid volumes (1 ml or less) without the liquid volume being limited by piping volume. The container is directly attached to the filter, eliminating the harmful intermediary (piping) that constrained the minimum filterable volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the container and filter into a directly connected integrated structure. The container is attached directly to the filter without intermediate piping, creating a unified filtration system. This merging eliminates dead volume and allows precise control of small liquid volumes to be filtered, while maintaining the necessary fluid communication for filtration function.
2Productivity
If a pump is used to supply liquid from the container to the filter via piping, then filtration can be performed, but the system cannot readily filter desired small volumes of liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the pump from the conventional circulating system. By removing the pump that supplied liquid through piping, the invention enables efficient filtration of small volumes without requiring mechanical pumping. The direct attachment of container to filter allows liquid to be supplied by simple pressure or gravity, eliminating the minimum volume constraint imposed by pump-based circulating systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a direct attachment structure as an intermediary between the container and filter, replacing the pump-and-piping intermediary. This direct connection serves as the mediator for fluid communication, allowing precise control of small liquid volumes to pass through the filter without the overhead of pump-based circulation, thereby enabling filtration of 1 ml or less while maintaining productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If piping is used to form a circulating system, then the system can process liquid, but it is difficult to filter liquid volumes less than the piping volume
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the piping system that created the volume constraint. By removing the piping entirely and directly attaching the container to the filter, the invention eliminates the stationary volume that prevented filtration of small liquid volumes. This enables the system to adapt to a wide range of filterable volumes, including 1 ml or less, thereby expanding the versatility of the filtration device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a dynamic, adaptable filtration system by eliminating fixed piping volume constraints. The direct attachment of container to filter allows the system to dynamically adjust to different liquid volumes without being constrained by fixed piping capacity, enabling versatile filtration across a broad range of volumes from very small (1 ml or less) to larger volumes.
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
Enables efficient filtration of small liquid volumes by varying the container's volume to supply liquid directly to the filter, reducing pressure on the target substance and allowing for precise control over the filtration process.
Implementation Method 1
a filter attached inside the channel member and positioned at the opening
Implementation Method 2
a container having a space of variable volume that can contain a liquid which includes a target substance to be separated by filtration
Data Source
AI summary
A filtration device includes a container, a channel member, and a filter. The container has a space of variable volume that contains a liquid, the liquid including a target substance to be separated by filtration. The channel member includes a channel and an opening that are defined therein, the opening being provided at a position along the channel in a direction transverse to the direction in which the channel extends. The channel member has an attachment part to which the container is attached and which provides communication between the space in the container and the channel. The filter is attached inside the channel member and positioned at the opening.