Air Vent Assembly for Oral Irrigator Pump Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oral irrigator pumps face difficulties in priming when there is only air in the system or when the water supply runs out, due to insufficient pressure from the pressurized gas to open the outlet valve, leading to potential backflow and inefficient volume delivery.
Innovation Solution
An air vent assembly with a first internal chamber and a blocking element that allows air to escape while preventing fluid escape, utilizing a first valve that transitions from an open to a closed state based on pressure, and a Gore mesh valve at the cap to ensure only air escapes, minimizing fluid release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strong spring valve is used at the outlet port to prevent backflow, then sealing and backflow prevention are improved, but priming difficulty increases when there is only air in the system
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent assembly is divided into two separate chambers: a first internal chamber with a first valve that handles air venting during priming, and a second internal chamber with a blocking element that prevents fluid escape during operation. This segmentation allows each chamber to be optimized for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between backflow prevention and priming ease
Solution Approach 2:
The air vent assembly acts as an intermediary component between the pump cylinder and the outlet. It provides a dedicated path for air to escape during priming while maintaining the sealing function of the outlet valve during fluid operation, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of easy priming and reliable backflow prevention
2Reliability
If the pump compresses air trapped inside the cylinder to purge air, then air removal is achieved, but priming time increases significantly or priming never occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The air vent assembly extracts the air venting function from the main pump outlet path. By providing a separate dedicated chamber and valve mechanism specifically for air removal, air can be efficiently purged from the system without requiring extended compression cycles, thus reducing priming time while maintaining reliable air removal
Solution Approach 2:
The first valve in the first internal chamber is designed to be open during the priming phase, allowing air to escape before fluid operation begins. This preliminary air removal action prepares the system for efficient fluid pumping, eliminating the need for prolonged compression cycles to purge air
3Volume of moving object
If a mini-pump with limited compression capability is used, then device size is reduced, but priming becomes even more difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the venting function into a separate first internal chamber with a dedicated first valve, the system allows air to escape more easily during priming. This segmentation compensates for the mini-pump's limited compression capability by providing a lower-resistance path for air removal, enabling priming in compact pump designs
Solution Approach 2:
The air vent assembly changes the pressure parameters required for air removal. The first valve is designed to open at lower pressures than the main outlet valve, allowing the mini-pump to effectively purge air during priming without requiring high compression forces that would be incompatible with its compact size
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 air vent assembly effectively allows air to escape from the pump cylinder while maintaining fluid within, facilitating easier priming and preventing fluid loss, even at low pressures, thus enhancing the operational efficiency of oral irrigator pumps.
Implementation Method 1
the first valve comprises an expandable element, the first valve arranged to receive the fluid or the gas and transition from an open state to a closed state
Implementation Method 2
there is a cap containing a passage way which may comprise a second valve, such as a Gore mesh valve, which permits air to escape the passage way but not fluid
Implementation Method 3
a frustoconical flange portion with an angled lip which also changes the momentum and velocity of any fluid to push the fluid back to the first internal chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed to an air vent assembly (100), including an air vent assembly for a pump of an oral irrigator. The air vent assembly comprises a first internal chamber (144) in fluid communication with the input port (104) and the outlet port (106) and arranged to receive a fluid or a gas. The first internal chamber comprises: a first inner surface (168) having a first inner surface portion (170) and a second inner surface portion (172); a first valve (134) comprising an expandable element (178), the first valve arranged to transition from an open state to a closed state; and an exit channel (146) in fluid communication with the first internal chamber, and arranged between the second inner surface portion of the first inner surface and the outlet port. In the closed state, the first valve is arranged to contact the first exit aperture and impede a flow of the fluid or gas into the exit channel.