Bubble Generating Machine Vertical Airflow Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional bubble generating machines are large, inefficient, and unable to produce continuous streams of bubbles in a vertical direction, leading to bubble wastage and contamination.

Innovation Solution

A compact bubble generating machine design with a motor and impeller configuration reversed and the bubble wheel positioned at a right angle, allowing for simultaneous rotation of the impeller and turntable, and an airflow channel redirecting airflow from horizontal to vertical, reducing the machine's size and improving bubble production efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the bubble generating machine is placed on a horizontal surface and blows bubbles in a horizontal direction, then the machine structure is simple, but a significant number of bubbles burst on the horizontal surface causing waste and contamination

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebubble fluid wasteVSAvoidmachine structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional horizontal bubble blowing direction to a vertical direction by repositioning the impeller above the bubble wheel and redirecting airflow upward. This inversion prevents bubbles from contacting the horizontal surface, eliminating burst bubbles and associated waste without requiring complex additional components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bubble release from a two-dimensional horizontal plane to a three-dimensional vertical trajectory by positioning the bubble wheel vertically and directing airflow upward through an extension. This dimensional change allows bubbles to rise away from surfaces, preventing contact and burst.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of moving object

If the motor and gear box are positioned in-line with the bubble wheel to rotate it, then the wheel can be rotated effectively, but the machine requires a long horizontal length making it quite large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemachine sizeVSAvoidbubble production efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests the motor and gear box within the vertical space occupied by the bubble wheel assembly rather than positioning them in-line horizontally. The motor is positioned above the bubble wheel, and the gear box is integrated into this vertical arrangement, allowing the components to occupy overlapping spatial volumes and reducing the overall machine footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a horizontal component arrangement to a vertical arrangement, stacking the motor, gear box, and bubble wheel along the vertical axis. This dimensional reorganization reduces the horizontal length requirement while maintaining effective power transmission to the bubble wheel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If the motor and gear box are positioned to rotate the bubble wheel, then the wheel rotation is achieved, but the motor and gear box partially block the airflow produced by the impeller reducing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebubble production efficiencyVSAvoidcomponent arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the motor and gear box from the airflow path by positioning them vertically above and around the bubble wheel rather than in-line with the impeller. This separation removes the blocking effect on airflow while maintaining the mechanical connection needed for bubble wheel rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent rearranges components from a horizontal in-line configuration that blocked airflow to a vertical configuration where the motor and gear box are positioned above the bubble wheel, allowing airflow to pass unobstructed through the bubble wheel area while still achieving effective rotation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If the bubble wheel is positioned at right angles to the impeller airflow, then vertical bubble streams are produced, but the machine requires reconfiguration reducing compactness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical bubble stream productionVSAvoidmachine compactness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional configuration by positioning the impeller above the bubble wheel and directing airflow upward rather than horizontally. This inversion achieves vertical bubble streams while maintaining compact dimensions by utilizing the vertical space within the existing machine footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 machine produces a continuous stream of bubbles in a vertical direction, reducing waste and contamination, while being more compact and efficient, with a safer design due to the friction-based attachment of the turntable rotator.

Implementation Method 1

an impeller positioned inside the housing; and a motor positioned inside the housing and operatively coupled to the impeller

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectImpeller rotation generating airflow: Impeller

Implementation Method 2

the turntable rotator, when driven by the motor, operates to rotate the ring turntable via a friction force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP1987866B1Bubble generating machine
Publication Date: 2010.08.18 WING HING MFG
  • EP1987866B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1987866B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1987866B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The current invention discloses a compact size bubble generating machine (300). According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bubble generating machine comprising a housing (301) having a top opening (307); a bubble generator positioned inside the housing and adjacent to the top opening; an impeller (303) positioned inside the housing; and a motor (304) positioned inside the housing and operatively coupled to the impeller and the bubble generator (300), wherein the motor, when actuated, causing the impeller and the bubble generator to rotate simultaneously.