Elastic Flow Resistance for Fine and Stable Liquid Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam production devices, while capable of producing high-quality foam, lack the ability to consistently generate a very fine and stable foam, particularly under varying pressure conditions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flow resistance with movable, elastic resistance elements in the line, which compress and expand in response to pressure changes, creating a variable passage cross-section to produce a fine-pored and stable foam, and arranging these elements in a cartridge for easy replacement and hygiene maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a sieve is arranged in the outlet nozzle to destroy large air bubbles, then foam stability is improved, but the foam fineness and quality are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The flow resistance element is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically adjust its passage cross-section in response to pressure fluctuations. During high-pressure phases, the element compresses to reduce passage area, intensifying foam generation. During low-pressure phases, it expands to maintain flow. This dynamic adaptation enables consistent fine foam production without sacrificing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and geometric parameters of the flow resistance element by using an elastically deformable material. The element's compression state varies with pressure, continuously modifying the passage cross-section parameter. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to pressure fluctuations and produce uniformly fine foam under varying operating conditions.
2Productivity
If the pump delivers aerated liquid under varying pressure, then productivity is maintained, but foam quality becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The elastically deformable flow resistance element automatically adapts to pressure variations by changing its compression state. During high-pressure delivery phases, it compresses to maintain fine foam structure. During low-pressure phases, it expands to prevent clogging and maintain flow. This dynamic response smooths out quality variations caused by pump pressure fluctuations while maintaining continuous productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic element acts as a cushioning element that anticipates and compensates for pressure fluctuations. When pressure increases, the element pre-compresses to prepare for the high-pressure phase, smoothing out peaks. When pressure decreases, the elastic recovery prepares for the low-pressure phase, preventing quality degradation. This beforehand cushioning effect ensures consistent foam quality despite variable pump delivery.
3Device complexity
If the flow resistance uses fixed rigid elements, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to pressure changes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The flow resistance element is constructed from an elastically deformable material that can flex and change shape in response to pressure. This flexible structure replaces complex rigid mechanisms with a simple, elegant elastic element that automatically adapts to pressure changes. The flexibility allows the element to compress and expand, providing pressure adaptation without 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 solution ensures consistent production of high-quality, fine-pored foam by smoothing pressure fluctuations and maintaining the quality of the foam delivery, even under uneven pressure conditions, while allowing for easy cleaning and replacement of the resistance elements.
Implementation Method 1
resistance elements that are movable relative to one another and are made of an elastic material... the resistance elements are compressed when pressurized with the aerated liquid... due to their elasticity
Implementation Method 2
turbulence that occurs when the aerated liquid passes through the passages in the liquid
Implementation Method 3
a pump for conveying the aerated liquid from the air-enrichment device to the outlet device
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An apparatus (1) for foaming a liquid comprises an air-enriching device, by which means the liquid can be aerated. The air-enriching device is connected to an outlet device (8) via a conduit (7). A pump (5) is provided for the purpose of delivering the aerated liquid from the air-enriching device to the outlet device (8). The conduit (7) contains at least one flow resistor (18, 28) comprising a plurality of adjacent resistor elements (20a, 20b, 20c) which can be moved relative to one another, are made of an elastic material, and between which through-passages for the aerated liquid are formed. The flow resistor (18, 28) can be positioned against an abutment such that the resistor elements (20a, 20b, 20c) are compressed when subjected to pressure by the aerated liquid.