Abstract
The invention relates to a connection device for receiving and connecting filter modules, in particular tubular filter modules, having at least one lateral, in particular radial, connector wherein a connecting apparatus of the connection device connects the filter module at the lateral connector and fixes it in the connection device. Further connecting apparatus of the connection device serve in the connecting of connectors arranged coaxially on the filter module, wherein the coaxial connectors are not fixed via the further connecting apparatus.
Claims
1. A connection device for receiving at least one filter module which is connectable to the connection device by moving from a proximal position into a distal receiving position along a direction, and having at least one lateral connector, said connection device comprising at least one first connecting apparatus having a connector piece with an inner lumen exhibiting a proximal end facing the filter module and a distal end facing the connection device in the receiving position, wherein the proximal end of the connector piece is designed to enable a connection of the connector piece to the lateral connector, of the filter module, and having at least one first and one second guide member exhibiting a respective proximal end and distal end which define a receiving area of the connecting apparatus for receiving a filter module, wherein at least the first guide member exhibits a side directed toward the receiving area which has at least one guide surface running from the proximal end to the distal end of the first guide member and connecting to the proximal end of the connector piece, wherein the side of the guide member facing the guide surface directed toward the receiving area is of S-shaped configuration in cross section.
2. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the second guide member exhibits a side directed toward the receiving area of the connecting apparatus which has at least one guide surface running from the proximal end to the distal end of the second guide member and connecting to the proximal end of the connector piece, wherein the side of the guide member comprising the guide surface directed toward the receiving area is of S-shaped configuration in cross section.
3. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the first guide member and the second guide member are cantilevered to the connector piece.
4. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the S-shaped side of the at least one guide member directed toward the receiving area of the connecting apparatus or the S-shaped sides directed toward the receiving area of the at least first guide member and the second guide member comprise upper and lower guide surfaces and a groove extending along the guide surfaces between same is arranged such that the guide surfaces run on upper and lower projections relative to the groove.
5. The connection device according to claim 4, wherein the upper projection on which the upper of the two guide surfaces of the first guide member runs is of shorter configuration at the proximal end of the guide member compared to the lower projection on which the lower guide surface runs such that the lower projection forms a platform, or wherein the upper projections on which the upper of the two guide surfaces of the first guide member and the second guide member run are of shorter configuration at the proximal ends of the guide members compared to the lower projections on which the lower guide surfaces run such that the lower projections form platforms.
6. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the connection device comprises a locking mechanism in order to fix the filter module in the receiving area of the connecting apparatus.
7. The connection device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting apparatus comprises at least one further connecting apparatus for receiving at least one connector arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the filter module.
8. The connection device according to claim 7, wherein the connecting apparatus for receiving at least one connector arranged coaxially on the filter enables a movable supporting of the connector in the connecting apparatus.
9. A filter module to be received in a connection device in accordance with claim 1, comprising a tubular housing, a first flow chamber and a second flow chamber which are separated from each other by at least one membrane, at least one first and at least one second connector attached to the filter module, wherein the at least one first connector is in fluid communication with the first flow chamber and the at least one second connector is in fluid communication with the second flow chamber, wherein the one first connector is laterally fixed on the filter module, wherein the filter module comprises a circumferentially arranged bearing surface or a plurality of circumferentially arranged projections at the height of the first laterally arranged connector.
10. The filter module according to claim 9, wherein the circumferentially arranged bearing surface is an annular projection.
11. The filter module according to claim 9, wherein the circumferentially arranged bearing surface is at the height of the central horizontal cross-sectional area of the lateral connector.
12. The filter module according to claim 9, wherein at least three connectors are arranged on the filter module, wherein the first connector is in fluid communication with the first flow chamber and the second connector and third connector are in fluid communication with the second flow chamber, or wherein the first connector and the second connector are in fluid communication with the first flow chamber and the third connector is in fluid communication with the second flow chamber.
13. The filter module according to claim 9, wherein the at least second connector and/or the at least third connector is/are arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis of the filter module.
14. The filter module according to claim 9, wherein the filter module comprises a plurality of hollow fiber membranes which separate at least one first flow chamber from at least one second flow chamber.
15. A filtration system comprising at least one connection device according to claim 1 and at least one filter module comprising a tubular housing, a first flow chamber and a second flow chamber which are separated from each other by at least one membrane, at least one first and at least one second connector attached to the filter module, wherein the at least one first connector is in fluid communication with the first flow chamber and the at least one second connector is in fluid communication with the second flow chamber, wherein the one first connector is laterally fixed on the filter module, wherein the filter module comprises a circumferentially arranged bearing surface or a plurality of circumferentially arranged projections at the height of the first laterally arranged connector.
16. An assembly comprising a plurality of filtration systems in accordance with claim 15 and connecting channels arranged between said filtration systems.
17. A method to filter a liquid comprising utilizing the filter module in accordance with claim 9.
18. A method to filter a liquid comprising utilizing the connection device in accordance with claim 1.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION REFERENCING THE FIGURES
[0057] FIG. 1 shows a perspective exploded view of a connection device according to the invention with an inventive filter module, each in accordance with an example embodiment of the invention.
[0058] FIG. 2 shows a connecting apparatus of a connection device according to one example embodiment of the invention in a perspective side view.
[0059] FIG. 3 shows the connecting apparatus of FIG. 2 in a top view from a direction parallel the longitudinal direction of the filter module when arranged in the receiving position.
[0060] FIG. 4a shows the connecting apparatus of FIG. 2 in a further top view from a direction parallel the longitudinal direction of the filter module when being moved into the receiving position.
[0061] FIG. 4b shows a view of the connecting apparatus with the filter module of FIG. 4a in the receiving position.
[0062] FIG. 4c schematically shows the S-shaped contour of the side of the guide member of the connecting apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 4b with the guide surface.
[0063] FIG. 5 shows a perspective side view of an inventive assembly according to one example embodiment comprising a plurality of filtration systems and the at least one inventive connection device according to one example embodiment as well as inventive filter modules according to one example embodiment.
[0064] FIG. 1 is a depiction of an inventive embodiment of a filtration system 1 in the form of an exploded view. The filtration system consists of a connection device 100, a tubular filter module 300, a connecting apparatus 200 for connecting to a radial connector 304 of the filter module 300 and two connecting apparatus 400A, 400B for connecting to coaxial connectors 303A, 303B of the filter module. The connecting apparatus 200 comprises a connector piece 201 via which fluids can be fed to or drained from a flow chamber of the filter module through the radial connector 304 of the filter module 300. The connecting apparatus 200, 400A, 400B are thereby part of the connection device 100. The connection device 100 serves the accommodating and the connecting of the filter module 300 through its movement along direction (E) from a proximal position, which can be represented by the user, into a receiving position which, starting from the proximal position, is distally situated.
[0065] Guide members 202, 203 are further shown on the connecting apparatus 200, connected to the connector piece 201 of the connecting apparatus 200. The guide members exhibit guide surfaces 207, 213 directed toward the receiving area 205, of which only the guide surfaces on guide member 203 are visible in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 furthermore shows a tubular filter module 300 which can be brought into the receiving area 205 in order to connect the connector 304 to the connector piece 201 and establish a fluidic connection between the tubular filter module 300 and the connection device 100. The tubular filter module exhibits a cylindrical housing 301, its outer diameter dimensioned such that it can be received in the receiving area 205 of the connecting apparatus 200. The tubular filter module 300 exhibits further connectors 303A, 303B arranged coaxially to the longitudinal axis 309 of the tubular filter module 300. The coaxial connectors 303A, 303B are thereby arranged at the ends of the tubular filter module and connect at the end caps 302A, 302B of the tubular filter module. O-rings 306, 307, 308 are circumferentially applied to the connectors at the radial connector 304 and the coaxially arranged connectors 303A, 303B, these being provided to seal the connectors vis--vis the connector pieces 201, 401A, 401B of the connecting apparatus 200, 400A, 400B.
[0066] In the representation as shown, the connection device 100 comprises the supporting structure 101 which receives the connecting apparatus 400A, 200, 400B via drill holes 102A, 102B, 102C. By inserting the filter module into the connecting apparatus 200, which connects the radial connector 302, and attaching the connecting apparatus 400A, 400B, which connects the coaxial connectors 303A, 303B, the connection device 100 and the tubular filter module 300 together constitute the filtration system 1. The filter module is thereby fixed in the connection device by the connecting apparatus 200 at the radial connector 304 of the filter module and a locking device not shown in the figure. The connecting apparatus 400A, 400B, which connect the coaxial connectors of the filter module 300, are thereby configured such that the connection is not fixed.
[0067] The connecting apparatus 400A, 400B comprise the connector pieces 401A, 401B for the connecting of the coaxial connectors 303A, 303B. The connector piece 401A can also be configured as or respectively comprise a sight glass in order to enable tightness testing of the membranes by way of a bubble test. The connector pieces 401A, 401B furthermore comprise displaceable sleeves 403A, 403B which can displace axially to the longitudinal axis. In the depicted embodiment, the displaceable sleeves can be moved by levers 404A, 404B. The levers 404A, 404B serve to set the sleeves 403a, 403B into a rotational motion. A sloped groove 405A, 405B converts the rotational motion into a translational motion such that the sleeve is moved in the axial direction. In accordance with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the outer diameter of the coaxial connectors 303A, 303B are dimensioned such that they can be received in the lumen 406 of the displaceable sleeves. The lumen 406 of the displaceable sleeves 403A, 403B is only visible on one of the connecting apparatus 400B shown in the perspective representation of FIG. 1.
[0068] FIG. 2 shows a perspective schematic representation of an embodiment of the connecting apparatus 200 as provided for the connecting of the radial connector of the filter module. FIG. 2 thereby shows a detailed depiction of the connecting apparatus 200 from FIG. 1. The connecting apparatus 200 comprises a connector piece 201 exhibiting a proximal end 208 having an opening to the lumen of the connector piece and a distal end 209. Furthermore shown are the guide members 202, 203 attaching at the proximal end of the connector piece 208. The guide members 202, 203 define a receiving area 205 in the connecting apparatus 200 which is provided for receiving a tubular filter module. An upper 207 and a lower 213 guide surface can be seen in the FIG. 2 perspective representation. The guide surfaces are arranged so as to extend on projections opposite of the groove 210 situated between the guide surfaces. The groove 210 is thereby provided to receive the circumferential bearing surface 305 of the filter module, in particular tubular filter module 300, depicted in FIG. 1 when the filter module 300 is introduced into the receiving area 205 of the connecting apparatus 200. The guide surfaces 207, 213 shown in the FIG. 2 depiction are designed such that the projection on which the upper guide surface 207 runs is of shorter configuration than the projection on which the lower guide surface 213 runs. In thus doing, the projection on which the lower guide surface runs forms a platform 206. This platform serves in bearing the tubular filter module by the circumferential bearing surface before the tubular filter module is inserted further into the receiving area 205 of the connecting apparatus. At the same time, the platform serves in bringing the circumferential bearing surface 305 of the filter module 300 into a position for the circular bearing surface 305 to be introduced into the groove 210. The guide surfaces 207, 213 and the groove 210 are thereby configured on the guide members 202, 203 such that they extend from a proximal end 202a, 203a of the guide members 202, 203 to a distal end 202b, 203b of the guide members. In particular, the guide surfaces 213, 207 and the groove 210 are arranged so as to connect to the proximal end 208 of the connector piece 201 by the distal ends 202b, 203b of the guide members 202, 203.
[0069] FIG. 3 shows a top view of a connecting apparatus 200 showing the respective S-shaped side 211 of the guide members 202, 203 directed toward the receiving area 205. The S-shape can on the one hand particularly be seen here in a cross section along direction Epreferably perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of a filter modulethrough the guide members (see FIGS. 4a, 4b), although preferably can also be seen in the top view from a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of a filter module. Technically, it is the surface which the filter module contacts during insertion along direction E which exhibits the S-shape. The S-shape results from two sequentially assembled curved sections (R1, R1, R2, R2) on the guide members 202, 203 which are directed toward the receiving area 205 at the distal end 202b, 203b. A third section (R3, R3) constitutes a straight section of the guide members at the proximal end 202a, 203a. The clearance in the receiving area 205 in the area of the straight section (R3, R3) is thereby substantially equal to the outer diameter of the filter module 300 intended to be introduced into the receiving area. The outer diameter of the filter module 300 and the receiving area clearance are thereby adapted such that the filter module can be inserted into the receiving area without tilting. The receiving area clearance thereby exhibits a slight oversize in relation to the outer diameter of the filter module. The curved sections (R1, R1, R2, R2) can be described by curvature radii. The radii of curvature are thereby dimensioned such that they align the radial connector 304 of the tubular filter module 300 when the filter module is being introduced into the receiving area 205 of the connecting apparatus to the proximal end 208 of the connector piece so that the connector piece 201 and the radial connector 304 can be brought into connection.
[0070] FIG. 4a shows the connecting apparatus 200 of FIG. 2 in a further top view from a direction parallel the longitudinal direction of the filter module 300 as it is moved into the receiving position from a proximal position. Shown is a position of the filter module 300 in which the radial connector 304 is in a non-aligned position in the receiving area 205. A non-aligned position thereby means that the radial connector 304 is not aligned toward the connector piece 201 of the connecting apparatus 200 and thus not connectable. The guide surfaces of the guide members are not shown in FIG. 4a. The FIG. 4a representation shows the S-shaped side of the guide members 202, 203 directed toward the receiving area 205 on which the guide surfaces run. FIG. 4a furthermore shows the circular-segmented curved sections (R1, R1, R2, R2). The circular-segmented curved sections, the diameter of the filter module 300 and the clearance of the receiving area 205 in the straight section (R3, R3) of the guide members 202, 203 are configured such that the radial connector 304 bears against one of the lateral guide surfaces of the guide members 202, 203 not shown in FIG. 4a when the filter module 300 is being introduced into the receiving area 205. The radial connector of the filter module 300 is then only ever in contact with one of the two guide members 202, 203 upon introduction into the receiving area 205. In the present FIG. 4a, the aligning of the radial connector is supported only by the circular-segmented curved sections of a guide member 203. By the tubular filter module 300 being inserted further into the receiving area 205 of the connecting apparatus 200, the radial connector 304 is guided along the guide surfaces (not shown in FIG. 4a) and deflected by the circular-segmented curved sections (R1, R2) of the guide member 203 such that the filter module rotates about its longitudinal axis in the receiving area. The rotational direction of the rotation is indicated in FIG. 4a by the P1 arrow. The tubular filter module is thereby brought into a second position in which the radial connector 304 is aligned with the connector piece and a connection is made between the radial connector 304 and the connector piece 201.
[0071] FIG. 4b shows a top view of the connecting apparatus 200 with the filter module 300 of FIG. 4a in the receiving position, in which the filter module 300 is situated in a distal receiving position and the connector 304 is in an aligned position. In the aligned position, the radial connector 304 of the filter module and the connector piece 201 are in a connected state. FIG. 4b thereby shows the end position of the filter module 300 in the connecting apparatus 200 which the filter module 300 assumes by being rotated further in the arrow direction (P1) from the non-aligned position of FIG. 4a and pushed into the receiving area 205.
[0072] In FIGS. 4a/b, the radius of circular-segmented curved section R1 is smaller than the radius of circular-segmented curved section R2. The radius of circular-segmented curved section R2 is equal to or greater than the radius of the tubular filter module. In particular, the radius of circular-segmented curved section R1 is less than half as large as the radius of curved section R2 or, in alternative embodiments, the radius at curved section R1 is smaller by a factor of 0.3 than the radius at curved section R2. This special design to the radii ratios enables the optimal configuring of the desired rotational motion.
[0073] In one specific implementation, the radii of the circular-segmented curved sections have the following values:
Radius at section R1: 18.63 mm
Radius at section R2: 57.15 mm
Outer diameter of tubular filter module: 57.15 mm
[0074] The outer diameter of the filter module and the clearance in sections R3, R3 are substantially the same size, although a clearance fit of the filter module in the receiving area is provided.
[0075] FIG. 4c shows a schematic cross-sectional representation of a part of a filter module 300 in a connecting apparatus 200 in a non-aligned position. FIG. 4c shows the S-shaped contour of the side of a guide member 202 in contact with the radial connector 304 of the filter module. The guide surfaces of the guide member 202 are not shown in FIG. 4c. The contour of the schematically depicted guide member 202 directed toward the receiving area 205 is to be equated in the schematically depicted embodiment with the geometry of the guide surfaces. An embodiment of the connecting apparatus is furthermore shown in the depicted FIG. 4c representation in which the S-shaped side of the guide member 202 directed toward the receiving area exhibits a linear section (L1) connecting to the first circular-segmented curved section (R1) and the second circular-segmented curved section (R2). Analogously, the guide surfaces of both guide members can also exhibit a linear section (L1). Furthermore shown are the and angles of the circular segments in curved sections R1 and R2. The FIG. 4c representation clarifies the correlation, according to which the following condition is observed for aligning the filter module 300 from a non-aligned position as per FIG. 4a into an aligned position as per FIG. 4b:
[00002]
wherein:
is the angle of the circular segment in R2 and
is the sticking coefficient of the material pair.
The analogous relationship applies to the circular segment R1 with the angle. The material pair is formed from the radial connector 304 and the guide surface of the guide member not shown in FIG. 4c. Preferably, the radial connector 304 and the guide surface consist of plastic such as e.g. a polypropylene material or of polyvinyl chloride. Other materials can however also be used such as, for example, metal. The same or different materials can be used for the respective components. The angle of the circular segment and the linear section L1 can be accordingly adapted for low-friction inserting of the filter module into the receiving area as a function of the sticking coefficient .
[0076] FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an inventive assembly 500 consisting of a plurality of filtration systems. Tubular filter modules 300 are shown which are introduced into connecting apparatus 200 for the connection of the radial connector 304 and which are connected to the coaxial connectors 303A and 303B via further connecting apparatus 400A and 400B. The connecting apparatus 200, 400A, 400B create a fluidic connection with connecting tubes 501A, 501B, 502 with which fluids can be fed to or channeled out of the tubular filter modules. In particular, the connecting tubes can be connected to a hydraulic system of a water treatment system. A locking device 504 fixes the tubular filter modules in the assembly connecting apparatus at the radial connector 304. The connecting apparatus 400A, 400B do not, however, fix the coaxial connectors 303A, 303B in the connecting apparatus. The coaxial connectors can therefore move in the connecting apparatus 400A, 400B in the longitudinal direction of the tubular filter modules upon thermal material expansion. Thus, thermal material expansion only transmits non-damaging material stresses, or even no material stresses at all, to the connecting tubes 501A, 501B, 502.
