Personal Care Fluid Supply System with Dual Capillary Priming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid supply systems for personal care implements, such as toothbrushes, face challenges in priming the applicator quickly enough for mass production, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A fluid supply system with multiple reservoirs, including one with an absorbent member, and capillary members that facilitate faster fluid flow to the applicator, utilizing a second capillary member made of absorbent material to expedite the priming process by providing a shorter flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single reservoir and capillary member system is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the priming time becomes excessively long making mass production infeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The fluid supply system is divided into multiple reservoirs (first reservoir, second reservoir) with separate capillary members for each, allowing parallel fluid delivery paths to the applicator. This segmentation enables faster priming by providing multiple simultaneous fluid flow channels rather than a single sequential path.
Solution Approach 2:
An absorbent member is introduced as an intermediary component in the second reservoir to accelerate fluid transfer to the applicator. The absorbent member acts as a mediator that rapidly wicks fluid through capillary action, significantly reducing the time required for the applicator to become saturated during priming.
2Loss of time
If conventional single path fluid delivery is used, then the system is simpler to manufacture, but the priming time is too long for mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent member is pre-positioned in the second reservoir during manufacturing, prepared to immediately begin rapid fluid absorption and transfer as soon as fluid is introduced into the reservoir. This preliminary arrangement ensures that the priming process begins at maximum speed from the moment fluid is added.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes capillary hydraulic action through multiple pathways, including the absorbent member's capillary structure, to drive fluid flow without mechanical pumps or external power sources. This passive hydraulic system achieves rapid fluid delivery through capillary pressure gradients.
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 solution significantly reduces the time required to prime the applicator, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and ensuring the applicator is ready for use sooner, potentially cutting down production time and minimizing scrap rates.
Implementation Method 1
a first capillary member in fluid coupling with the fluid in the first reservoir and with the applicator to form a first flow path for the fluid from the fluid supply system to the applicator; and a second capillary member in fluid coupling with the absorbent member and with the applicator to form a second flow path
Implementation Method 2
an absorbent member disposed within the second reservoir and at least partially saturated with the fluid
Implementation Method 3
an absorbent member disposed within the second reservoir and at least partially saturated with the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method of priming an applicator of a personal care implement with a fluid. The method may include flowing a fluid along a first capillary member from a reservoir of a fluid supply system to an applicator of a personal care implement along a first fluid flow path, and flowing the fluid along a second capillary member from the reservoir of the fluid supply system to the applicator of the personal care implement along a second fluid flow path that is distinct from the first flow path. In one aspect, the fluid flowing along the second fluid flow path reaches the applicator before the fluid flowing along the first fluid flow path. In another aspect, the first capillary member is formed of a non-absorbent material and the second capillary member is formed of an absorbent material.