Method and apparatus for variation of flow to erode solid chemistry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dissolving solid products into liquids, such as in cleaning detergents, face challenges in maintaining consistent concentration and uniform erosion due to varying operating parameters and non-uniform liquid contact, leading to uncertainties in solution concentration and replacement needs.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with a manifold diffuse member and adjustable cover that allows manual or automatic adjustment of liquid flow through multiple ports to control turbulence and erosion rate, ensuring consistent concentration and uniform erosion of solid products by aligning or blocking ports based on temperature changes and other characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If liquid is sprayed onto solid product chemistry, then dissolution occurs, but uniform erosion is not achieved and concentration varies
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid source is divided into multiple nozzles that spray liquid at different locations around the solid product chemistry. This segmentation allows the liquid to contact the solid product from multiple directions simultaneously, achieving more uniform erosion and consistent concentration throughout the dissolution process.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle arrangement is designed to provide different spray patterns and liquid distribution at different locations around the solid product chemistry. By optimizing the local spray characteristics at each nozzle position, uniform overall erosion is achieved while maintaining ease of operation.
2Productivity
If liquid temperature varies, then dissolution rate changes, but concentration consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensing and flow rate adjustment mechanisms that respond to temperature variations. When liquid temperature changes are detected, the flow rate through the manifold diffuse member is automatically adjusted to compensate, maintaining consistent dissolution rates and concentration consistency despite temperature fluctuations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts flow rate parameters in response to temperature changes. By changing the flow rate parameter based on temperature conditions, the dissolution process maintains optimal performance and concentration consistency across varying temperature environments.
3Productivity
If spray nozzle flow rate changes, then dissolution efficiency varies, but concentration control becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The manifold diffuse member incorporates adjustable flow control mechanisms that allow dynamic adjustment of liquid distribution among multiple nozzles. This dynamic control enables optimization of dissolution efficiency while maintaining precise concentration control through real-time flow rate modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The manifold diffuse member serves multiple functions: it distributes liquid to multiple nozzles, controls flow rates, adjusts spray patterns, and compensates for temperature variations. This multi-functionality allows simultaneous optimization of dissolution efficiency and concentration control within a single integrated component.
4Manufacturing precision
If additional space is provided for spray pattern development, then dissolution improves, but dispenser size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple nozzles are arranged in a compact nested configuration around the solid product chemistry, with nozzles positioned at different radial distances and angles. This nested arrangement allows sufficient spray pattern development space for high-quality dissolution while minimizing the overall dispenser volume through efficient spatial utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle array utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement around the solid product chemistry, distributing nozzles in multiple dimensions rather than a single plane. This dimensional approach maximizes spray pattern development in limited space, achieving good dissolution quality without increasing dispenser volume.
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 solution maintains a consistent concentration of the product chemistry and ensures uniform erosion of solid products, allowing for precise control over the liquid's flow characteristics to counteract temperature and other environmental changes, thereby reducing uncertainties in solution concentration and extending the time before product replacement is needed.
Implementation Method 1
Dissolution parameters of a solid product into a liquid solution, such as a liquid detergent used for cleaning and sanitizing, change based on the operating parameters of and inputs to the dissolution process
Implementation Method 2
The amount of liquid allowed through the ports modifies the turbulence of the liquid, which modifies the erosion rate of the solid product
Implementation Method 3
adjusting the characteristics of liquid allowed through the ports in the manifold diffuse to obtain and maintain a concentration for the product chemistry; the amount of liquid allowed through the ports modifies the turbulence of the liquid, which modifies the erosion rate of the solid product
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and apparatus for obtaining a product chemistry from a product and a fluid is provided. A product is housed within a dispenser. A fluid is introduced through a manifold diffuse member having a plurality of ports. A cover is positioned adjacent the manifold diffuse member and includes a plurality of ports. The cover is able to be adjusted, for example, by rotating the cover, to align and un-align the manifold diffuse ports and the cover ports. This adjustment controls the flow characteristics of the fluid through the manifold diffuse member and cover to control the characteristics of the fluid in contact with the product. The adjustment of the cover to control the flow will provide a generally consistent concentration and erosion rate based upon known relationships between a characteristic of the fluid and the flow of the fluid in relation to the product.