Capillary Fluid Retention Device for Liquid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional liquid retaining devices fail to effectively separate liquids with similar specific gravities, such as water and ester oil, leading to contamination issues when the liquid level rises, as they do not reliably prevent the outflow of lighter liquids and do not efficiently separate emulsions.
Innovation Solution
A compact liquid retaining device with a capillary channel system where the collector drain is positioned above the inner side wall of the drain pan, and the channel inlet is laterally offset below the collector drain, utilizing capillary action to prevent contaminants from entering the channel and allowing only uncontaminated rainwater to flow through, thus preventing contamination and facilitating easy manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional liquid retaining device is used, then it can retain liquids with different specific gravities, but it fails to effectively separate liquids with similar specific gravities such as water and ester oil
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional gravity-based separation mechanism with a capillary action-based channel system. The capillary channel (22) with its specific width (2-10mm) enables separation through surface tension and capillary forces rather than relying solely on density differences, allowing effective separation of liquids with similar specific gravities like water and ester oil.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation mechanism parameter from gravity-driven density separation to capillary force-driven separation. By controlling the channel width (2-10mm) and using the collector drain (16) positioned above the drain pan (18), the system creates capillary pressures that enable separation of emulsions and liquids with similar densities that conventional devices cannot separate.
2Quantity of substance
If the liquid level in the collecting container rises due to rain, then more water is collected, but the constant impact of raindrops results in mixing and emulsion formation that prevents separation
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary channel (22) acts as an intermediary structure between the collector drain (16) and the drain pan (18). It allows controlled water flow while preventing emulsion formation and separation, using its narrow width and capillary forces to maintain liquid composition stability even when large volumes of rainwater are collected.
Solution Approach 2:
The capillary channel system functions as a thin film structure that controls liquid flow and prevents mixing. The narrow channel width creates surface tension effects that maintain phase separation and prevent emulsion formation, allowing the system to handle varying water volumes without compromising separation effectiveness.
3Reliability
If a barrier and two-part channel system are provided as in EP 2 335 794 A, then contaminants are flushed out and prevented from entering the channel, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of contaminant prevention from the complex two-part channel system with diagonal and horizontal sections. By using a simplified single-channel design with the collector drain (16) positioned above the drain pan (18) and a capillary channel (22) with width 2-10mm, it maintains contaminant flushing effectiveness while dramatically reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific capillary channel width (2-10mm) at the critical location where contaminants need to be prevented. This localized capillary structure provides the necessary contaminant prevention function without requiring a complex overall channel system, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining reliability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the device is designed with a compact structure and capillary channel, then manufacturing becomes easier and height is reduced, but the channel inlet must be positioned below the collector drain level
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dimensional positioning by placing the channel inlet (24) laterally offset below the collector drain (16) level. This vertical offset creates the necessary capillary pressure difference while maintaining a compact overall height. The capillary channel width (2-10mm) is optimized to achieve the required pressure differential with minimal height, enabling easy manufacturing without compromising function.
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 effectively prevents contamination by ensuring that only uncontaminated rainwater enters the channel, reducing the overall height and complexity of the device, making it easier to manufacture and maintain, while minimizing the risk of algae formation and facilitating cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
A capillary channel 22 with a channel inlet 24 inside the retaining device is provided, which acts on the basis of capillary action so that rainwater which reaches the canal inlet automatically penetrates into the canal
Implementation Method 2
a surface of the barrier component facing the interior of the retaining device acts on the basis of gravity as a guide surface for water flowing in via the collector drain
Data Source
AI summary
Retaining device (10) comprises a collector (12) and an adjoining collector outlet (16), a discharge pan (18) with a discharge opening (20), which is formed below the collector, and a capillary channel that is facing away from the discharge opening, with a channel inlet inside the retaining device. The collector outlet is located above a side wall of the discharge pan without contacting the discharge pan. The channel inlet is laterally displaced below a plane with the collector outlet.