Leak-Tight Cold Treatment Applicator with Capillary Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cold treatment applicators for skin disorders risk leakage or spilling of refrigerant liquid, potentially causing skin injuries and inefficiencies in cooling delivery.
Innovation Solution
The applicator features a leak-tight tip and a channel body with capillary channels that delay the cooling effect by preventing refrigerant evaporation until the applicator is moved from a pressed position, reducing the risk of leakage and allowing controlled cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the refrigerant is released directly from the nozzle to the contact face, then the cooling effect is immediate and strong, but the risk of refrigerant leakage and skin injury increases
Solution Approach 1:
The refrigerant is released into the expansion chamber before reaching the contact face, allowing it to evaporate and cool in a controlled environment first. This preliminary action in the expansion chamber prevents direct contact between liquid refrigerant and skin, eliminating the harmful effect while maintaining the cooling function.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion chamber acts as an intermediary between the nozzle and the contact face. It receives the refrigerant from the nozzle, allows controlled evaporation, and then delivers the cooled vapor to the contact face, mediating the interaction to prevent skin injury from direct liquid refrigerant contact.
2Productivity
If the applicator is pressed against the skin to activate the nozzle, then the refrigerant delivery is activated, but the release openings remain closed causing potential pressure buildup
Solution Approach 1:
The release openings are designed to open automatically when the applicator is pressed, creating a pressure relief path before excessive pressure can build up. This preliminary action ensures safe operation by preparing the pressure relief mechanism in advance of any potential over-pressurization.
3Productivity
If the channel body allows rapid refrigerant flow to the tip, then the cooling efficiency is high, but the risk of refrigerant spilling increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion chamber serves as an intermediary that receives refrigerant from the channel body and allows controlled evaporation before the refrigerant reaches the contact face. This intermediary structure enables efficient cooling through controlled evaporation while preventing uncontrolled spilling of liquid refrigerant.
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
This design significantly reduces the risk of refrigerant leakage and skin injuries while ensuring a controlled and delayed cooling effect, enhancing the safety and efficacy of cold treatment for skin disorders.
Implementation Method 1
The capillary channels are channels which are too small to allow evaporation of the refrigerant liquid. This helps to delay the cooling effect. The combination of surface tension, caused by cohesion within the liquid, and adhesive forces between the liquid and channel wall, generates a capillary action preventing evaporation and propelling the liquid to the tip of the channel body.
Implementation Method 2
The refrigerant evaporates in the applicator housing. This extracts heat from the contact face of the applicator.
Implementation Method 3
The refrigerant evaporates in the applicator housing. This extracts heat from the contact face of the applicator.
Implementation Method 4
The channel body can for example be formed of a thermally insulating material, such as a plastic material, such as capillary foam, e.g., of a capillary polyester foam.
Data Source
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AI summary
Applicator (3) for cold treatment, comprising an applicator housing (5) with an inlet opening (18) and a leak tight tip (23). The applicator housing (5) enclosies a channel body (20) extending between the inlet opening (18) and the leak tight tip (23). The applicator (3) is mounted or mountable in a releasable manner onto a pressurized dispenser (2) comprising a nozzle (7), such that the inlet opening (18) is in fluid communication with the nozzle (7). The applicator housing (5) is moveable between a rest position and a pressed position to activate the nozzle (7). The applicator housing (5) has release openings (26) which are closed in the pressed position.