Evaporation Device Using Capillary Wick and Timer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for evaporating low volatility active ingredients, such as insecticides, are inefficient as they require high temperatures for evaporation, leading to rapid solvent evaporation and reduced effectiveness, and lack a reliable method to indicate remaining substance quantity, making them impractical for portable use.
Innovation Solution
A three-step evaporation method where a liquid solution is metered onto a support, with the solvent evaporating first, followed by the active ingredient, using a timer to control dispensing to ensure complete solvent evaporation before new doses are released, allowing for efficient evaporation at low temperatures and indicating remaining protection time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high temperature is used to evaporate low volatility active ingredients, then evaporation rate is improved, but energy consumption increases and device portability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperature to low temperature operation. The device enables evaporation of low volatility active ingredients at temperatures suitable for portable battery-powered operation, eliminating the need for high temperature heating while maintaining effective evaporation rates through optimized capillary wick design and airflow management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating system) with a combination of capillary action and forced convection. The wick delivers liquid through capillary forces, and a small fan provides airflow to enhance evaporation, substituting the need for high temperature thermal fields with mechanical and physical field approaches suitable for portable devices.
2Productivity
If high temperature is used for evaporation, then evaporation efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex high temperature heating systems with simple capillary wick structures and low-power fan components. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining evaporation efficiency, enabling portable battery-powered operation without requiring sophisticated temperature control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick structure performs self-service by automatically delivering liquid from the reservoir to the evaporation surface through capillary action, eliminating the need for pumps or complex liquid delivery mechanisms. This self-regulating system reduces device complexity while ensuring continuous liquid supply for efficient evaporation.
3Speed
If solvent evaporates rapidly at high temperature, then evaporation speed is improved, but active ingredient effectiveness is reduced due to premature solvent loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous supply of liquid solution to the evaporation surface through the wick system, maintaining a steady state where solvent and active ingredient evaporate together at controlled rates. This continuous delivery prevents premature solvent loss and ensures the active ingredient remains effective throughout the device's operational life.
Solution Approach 2:
The wick system performs preliminary action by continuously delivering liquid solution to the evaporation surface before the active ingredient is depleted. This ensures the solvent is continuously replenished, preventing premature evaporation and maintaining the proper solvent-to-active-ingredient ratio for effective performance throughout the product's intended lifespan.
4Ease of operation
If disposable evaporators with pre-impregnated elements are used, then ease of use is improved, but loss of substance occurs during manufacturing and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the device into separate functional components: a reusable main body containing the reservoir and wick system, and replaceable refills containing the liquid solution. This segmentation allows the active ingredient to be contained in sealed refills until use, preventing loss during manufacturing and storage, while maintaining ease of use through simple refill replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables recovery and reuse of the main device body while discarding only the consumed liquid refill. This approach recovers the expensive components (wick, housing, electronics) and discards only the depleted liquid solution, significantly reducing waste and loss of active ingredient compared to disposable units where the entire device is discarded.
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 method ensures all active ingredients are used, preventing waste and providing continuous protection by controlling evaporation phases, allowing for a portable, cost-effective, and efficient device that maintains effectiveness over time.
Implementation Method 1
a wick arranged between the liquid solution receiving surface and the evaporation surface, the wick being configured to deliver liquid solution from the liquid solution receiving surface to the evaporation surface
Implementation Method 2
wherein the evaporation surface is configured to release the active ingredients contained therein into the air
Data Source
AI summary
A method to evaporate active ingredients from a liquid solution, in which said liquid solution includes a solvent and at least one type of active ingredient, the method including dispensing in controlled time periods doses of said liquid solution on a liquid retaining support, where the solvent is evaporated from the support such that only the active ingredient remains on the support, and where the active ingredient is evaporated from the support after most of the solvent has evaporated.