Aerosol Spray Device Bubble-Laden Flow Atomization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol spray devices using compressed gas propellants struggle to produce fine sprays, as existing methods are complex and difficult to mass-produce, and prior attempts at improving spray fineness with two-fluid atomization have not been significantly beneficial.
Innovation Solution
An aerosol spray device design featuring a valve stem that moves between limit positions to open liquid and gas inlets, creating a bubble-laden flow in a flow conduit with specific cross-sectional dimensions, allowing for the production of fine sprays without the need for restrictors, and is suitable for injection molding production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If compressed gas propellant is used to push liquid through a nozzle, then the device structure is simpler, but fine sprays cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The flow conduit is segmented into multiple sections with different cross-sectional areas, creating a progression from larger to smaller dimensions that facilitates gradual gas-liquid mixing and atomization without requiring complex external components
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conduit acts as an intermediary element between the liquid inlet and spray outlet, using its specific geometry to transform the liquid stream and enable fine spray production through controlled gas-liquid interaction
2Manufacturing precision
If two-fluid atomization is implemented to improve spray fineness, then spray quality improves, but the construction becomes complex and difficult to mass-produce
Solution Approach 1:
The gas inlet and liquid inlet are merged into a single flow conduit system, combining the two-fluid atomization function into one integrated component that can be mass-produced through injection molding rather than requiring separate assemblies
Solution Approach 2:
The flow conduit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transports liquid, introduces gas, creates mixing zones, and forms the spray - consolidating what would traditionally require multiple separate components into a single universal element
3Manufacturing precision
If restrictors are added to achieve fine sprays, then spray fineness improves, but the device complexity increases and mass production becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding restrictor components, the invention changes the geometric parameters of the flow conduit itself - specifically the cross-sectional area progression - to achieve fine spray without additional parts, making the device injection-moldable and suitable for mass production
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 device achieves good sprays with a gas/liquid volume flow rate ratio of less than 20, enabling efficient atomization and production of fine sprays, suitable for consumer products like air fresheners and polishes, while simplifying the construction process.
Implementation Method 1
movement of the valve stem from its first to second limit position opens the liquid and gas orifices to cause a liquid/gas mixture to be produced in the mixing chamber
Implementation Method 2
cause a bubble laden flow to be created in the flow conduit
Implementation Method 3
produce the spray... achieves good sprays with a gas/liquid volume flow rate ratio of less than 20, enabling efficient atomization and production of fine sprays
Data Source
AI summary
An aerosol spray device comprising a pressurised or pressurisable container and a spray discharge assembly mounted on the container. The spray discharge assembly comprises a valve stem moveable from a first limit position to a second limit position to effect spray discharge from the device, a spray outlet region having an outlet orifice from which fluid from the container is discharged, and a flow conduit for supplying fluid from the container to the spray outlet region. The flow conduit has at least one first inlet for liquid from the container and at least one second inlet at the same distance along the conduit as the first inlet(s) or downstream of the first inlet(s) for propellant gas from a headspace of the container. A valving arrangement is adapted such that movement of the valve stem from its first to second limit position opens the first and the second inlets to cause a bubble laden flow to be created in the flow conduit and movement of the valve stem back to its first limit position closes the first and second inlets.