Capillary Flow Restriction for Continuous Liquid Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid delivery devices for active ingredients like fragrances and pharmaceuticals rely on intermittent user activation or environmental conditions such as room temperature and air circulation for evaporation, leading to inconsistent and non-continuous release.
Innovation Solution
A discharge device with a flow restriction mechanism, such as a capillary channel, that regulates the flow rate of pressurized liquid to an evaporator, allowing for continuous release without user intervention and reducing dependency on environmental factors, combined with a micro-structured evaporation surface for enhanced evaporation efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a valve is opened permanently for continuous release, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for flow restriction mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restriction device automatically regulates the liquid flow rate through its capillary channel structure without requiring user intervention. The device self-regulates the evaporation rate by design, eliminating the need for frequent valve operations while maintaining continuous release functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the flow rate parameter by introducing a flow restriction device with specific capillary channel dimensions. This parameter modification enables continuous operation at controlled rates, balancing ease of operation with manageable device complexity
2Reliability
If a flow restriction device is introduced to control evaporation rate, then the reliability of continuous release is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow restriction device ensures continuous liquid flow to the evaporator by restricting rather than interrupting the flow. This maintains reliable continuous release functionality while the simple capillary channel structure keeps the added complexity minimal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles through the capillary channel to control liquid flow rate. The flow restriction is achieved through viscous flow in a narrow channel, providing reliable continuous release with a relatively simple hydraulic structure
3Productivity
If the evaporator surface is micro-structured to increase surface area, then the productivity of evaporation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The evaporator employs a porous or micro-structured surface that increases the effective evaporation area. This structural approach enhances productivity while the micro-structure can be integrated into standard manufacturing processes, managing the precision requirements
4Device complexity
If passive devices rely on room temperature and air circulation for evaporation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of consistent release deteriorates due to environmental dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pressurized gas flow through a restricted capillary channel to drive liquid to the evaporator surface. This hydraulic/pneumatic mechanism provides reliable continuous release independent of room temperature and air circulation, while the overall device structure remains relatively simple
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 a uniform and continuous evaporation of active ingredients, independent of room temperature and air circulation, with adjustable flow rates and extended usage without frequent valve operation, ensuring consistent and prolonged release of fragrances or pharmaceuticals.
Implementation Method 1
the flow restriction device comprises at least one channel, in particular a long capillary channel, which restricts the flow of liquid as desired
Implementation Method 2
a flow restriction device for restricting the flow rate of the pressurized liquid from a container to the evaporator
Implementation Method 3
The evaporator comprises an evaporation surface, which is designed preferably by micro-structuring such that the surface area is increased and/or the liquid forms an essential uniform film on the evaporation surface
Implementation Method 4
The active source of energy is preferably gas which may be liquefied gas or a compressed gas. The gas is stored together with the liquid or any active ingredient, preferably plus a solvent or bulking agent, if needed, in a pressurized container
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge device and a method for evaporating a liquid to the atmosphere are proposed. The liquid pressurized by gas is supplied to an evaporator via a flow restriction device which restricts the flow rate of the liquid such that continuous release and evaporation of the liquid is possible. Further, an evaporator is proposed. The evaporator comprises an evaporation surface which is designed preferably by microstructuring such that the surface area is increased and/or the liquid forms an essentially uniform film on the evaporation surface.