3D Printed Bubble Trap Asymmetric Cavity Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bubble traps for removing gas bubbles from liquid streams are expensive, labor-intensive to clean and sterilize, prone to leaking, and often require assembly from multiple parts, which increases the risk of contamination and material costs.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printed bubble trap designed as a single, integral unit with a unique asymmetric configuration, featuring a tubular spout and ports that communicate directly with a cavity, allowing for efficient gas bubble removal without the need for separate components, reducing material usage and assembly risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If conventional bubble traps are made from multiple parts (metal plates and glass sleeve), then they can be assembled and reused, but manufacturing cost increases, assembly complexity increases, and risk of leaking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bubble trap is formed as a single integral 3D-printed component combining the body, cavity, spout, and ports into one unified structure. This eliminates the need for assembling multiple parts (metal plates and glass sleeve) while maintaining the functional integrity and reusability of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from traditional metal and glass materials to 3D-printable materials (such as photopolymer resins or thermoplastics), changing the material parameters to enable single-component manufacturing while maintaining structural integrity and pressure resistance.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional bubble traps are made from multiple parts, then they can be assembled, but manufacturing cost increases and risk of contamination increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging all functional elements into a single 3D-printed component, the invention eliminates multiple assembly interfaces where contamination could occur. The single-component design reduces manufacturing steps and eliminates the need for gaskets, seals, or welding operations that could introduce contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D-printed bubble trap can be manufactured at lower cost using additive manufacturing technologies, making it economically viable to replace rather than reuse. This disposable approach eliminates the need for expensive cleaning and sterilization processes while maintaining product quality and safety.
3Reliability
If bubble traps are over designed to withstand elevated gas pressure, then reliability increases, but device complexity increases and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The 3D printing process enables precise control of wall thickness and structural parameters, allowing the bubble trap to be optimized for pressure resistance without over-design. The additive manufacturing process can create variable thickness sections and internal reinforcement structures that provide strength while minimizing material usage and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble trap cavity is designed with a spherical or spheroidal shape, which is the optimal geometry for withstanding internal pressure. The curved surfaces distribute stress evenly throughout the structure, providing maximum pressure resistance with minimum material and simplest design.
4Strength
If conventional bubble traps use metal plates and glass sleeve, then structural integrity is maintained, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes from traditional metal and glass materials to 3D-printable materials such as photopolymer resins or engineering thermoplastics. These materials provide sufficient structural integrity for bubble trap applications while enabling cost-effective additive manufacturing production.
Solution Approach 2:
The 3D-printed bubble trap can utilize composite materials or multi-material printing to achieve the required strength and chemical resistance. The material composition can be optimized for specific applications while maintaining cost-effectiveness compared to metal and glass construction.
Data Source
AI summary
A bubble trap includes a body having an interior surface bounding a cavity that extends between an upper end and an opposing lower end, an axis extends centrally through the cavity of the body between the upper end and the lower end, a first plane extends through the body orthogonal to the axis so as to divide the body into an upper body portion and a lower body, the interior surface of the lower body portion having a constant first radius from a fixed first center point, the interior surface of the upper body portion not having a constant radius from a fixed center point. A tubular spout projects into the cavity at the lower end encircles a channel that communicates with the cavity. A liquid inlet port, a liquid outlet port, and a gas outlet port communicate with the cavity.