Adjustable Foaming Element for Rapid Foam Consistency Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing foam sprayers lack an efficient method to adjust the consistency of the foam produced, requiring time-consuming disassembly and replacement of felt pads, leading to suboptimal work results and unnecessary liquid usage.

Innovation Solution

A foaming unit with a hydraulically connected foaming element whose active volume is adjustable by changing the relative position of a control edge and end face, allowing for quick adjustment of foam consistency without disassembling the sprayer, by controlling the length of the flow path of the propellant and liquid through the element.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different felt discs are arranged in series and the number of felt discs is changed to adjust foam consistency, then the foam consistency can be adjusted, but the sprayer head must be disassembled and reassembled which is time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam consistency adjustmentVSAvoidtime for disassembly and reassembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the foaming element movable within the spray head rather than fixed. The foaming element can be adjusted axially to change its active volume, allowing foam consistency adjustment without disassembling the spray head. This dynamic adjustment mechanism resolves the contradiction by enabling adaptability while eliminating the time-consuming disassembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the foaming element into a movable component that can be independently adjusted within the spray head assembly. This segmentation allows the foaming element to be positioned at different locations to change the active volume, providing foam consistency adjustment without requiring disassembly of the entire spray head, thus reducing the time loss associated with reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If felt pads are replaced or added to adjust foam consistency, then the desired foam consistency can be achieved, but the process is impractical and users often fail to adjust properly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam consistency controlVSAvoidease of foam adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable foaming element allows users to adjust foam consistency dynamically by simply moving the element to different positions, eliminating the need to disassemble and replace felt pads. This significantly improves ease of operation while maintaining full adaptability for achieving the desired foam consistency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service adjustment where users can directly control the foaming element position to achieve the desired foam consistency without requiring technical knowledge of disassembly procedures or replacement of internal components, making the adjustment process both easy and reliable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the active volume of the foaming element is changed by replacing felt pads, then foam consistency is adjusted, but working time is lost and liquid consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefoam consistency adjustmentVSAvoidwork efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic adjustment capability of the movable foaming element allows instant changes in active volume without stopping work to replace components. Users can adjust foam consistency on-demand, maintaining continuous productivity while adapting to different foam requirements, thus eliminating the productivity loss associated with component replacement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 easy and quick adjustment of foam consistency across a wide range, ensuring optimal results without the need for disassembly, saving time and reducing liquid usage.

Implementation Method 1

The foaming element is a body made of a porous material. When the liquid, along with the propellant, is forced through this porous material at sufficient pressure, the desired foam is produced upon exiting the foaming element.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPorosity: Porosity

Implementation Method 2

When the liquid, along with the propellant, is forced through this porous material at sufficient pressure

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure gradient: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 3

The slide valve serves to open or close an inlet, thereby switching the pressure sprayer on or off.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectValve control: Valve

Data Source

PatentEP3452227B1Foaming unit for producing foam from a mixture of gas and liquid and spray device for producing and distributing foam
Publication Date: 2023.11.08 SOLO KLEINMOTOREN
  • EP3452227B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3452227B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3452227B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a foaming unit, by which it is possible to adjust the foam produced in a foaming element (6) simply and rapidly in respect of strength and dryness.