Bubblizer-Chamber Fluidic Mixing for Soap Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shower and kitchen fluidic systems fail to conveniently and reliably introduce liquid agents, such as soap or shampoo, into the water stream before it exits the showerhead, often leading to contamination and increased effort due to high water pressure, and lack visual feedback of the dispensing process.
Innovation Solution
The SudsMix system employs a bubblizer-chamber with a manually actuated push-button that uses either positive or negative pressure to introduce liquid agents into a non-pressurized chamber, allowing for easy metered dispensing and visual observation of the mixing process through a transparent window, reducing effort and preventing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If liquid agents are introduced directly into a pressurized waterline, then the mixing and dispensing function is achieved, but the user experiences increased effort and difficulty due to high water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-pressurized intermediate chamber between the liquid agent reservoir and the pressurized waterline. This chamber acts as a mediator that receives the liquid agent under minimal pressure and then allows it to be injected into the high-pressure water stream, thereby eliminating the need for the user to directly overcome high water pressure.
2Device complexity
If a common mixing chamber is used for multiple liquid agents, then device complexity is reduced, but contamination occurs due to residual remnants of prior substances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the mixing system into separate dedicated chambers for different liquid agents (e.g., one chamber for shampoo, another for body wash). Each chamber is isolated and only mixes its specific liquid agent with the water stream, preventing cross-contamination while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
3Device complexity
If liquid agents are dispensed without visual feedback, then device complexity is reduced, but the user loses ability to observe the dispensing process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates transparent or translucent portions in the mixing chamber walls, allowing the liquid agent and mixing process to be visually observed. This may include clear plastic sections or windows that enable users to see the liquid agent being dispensed and mixed with the water stream, providing visual feedback without significantly increasing device complexity.
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 SudsMix system allows for effortless and contamination-free introduction of liquid agents into the water stream, providing a visually engaging experience and efficient operation, suitable for both showerheads and kitchen faucets, with reduced effort required for dispensing, even in high-pressure systems.
Implementation Method 1
employing a line restrictor orifice 15 stepping out into an enlarged chamber portion 15 in conjunction with a lateral siphon-duct feed
Implementation Method 2
a constant agitator-jet of clear-water up into the abaxial bubblizer-chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus providing improved dispensing of liquid-additives such as soap, shampoo, or bodywash, into an existing waterline outlet in bathroom or kitchen, while optionally featuring a unique Bubblizer™-chamber enabling user to observe an eye-catching dynamic fluidic-admixture display via a 2-inch diameter preview-window, prior to emergence of the bubblized-admixture via a conventional showerhead. The SudsMix™ shower-unit version readily suspends from an existing wall-extending gooseneck-pipe where it fluidicly couples into the water-line without aid of tools. Introduction of the liquid-soap additive is initiated remotely via a pushbutton valve conveniently located at waist-level, while concealed conduit-lines feed selected additive upward from the reservoir-section to the Bubblizer™-chamber integrated into the upper portion of the wall-hugging housing. Other adaptations of the Bubblizer™-chamber are a hand-held wand-like bathing back-scrubber, and similar kitchen-sink dish-scrubber.