Squeezable Eye Washer Bladder with Adjustable Nozzles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing portable eye washers are not effective in providing a portable and efficient means to cleanse eyes in situations where undesired materials or fluids impinge on the eye, as they often require a piped water supply and are not adaptable to varying eye distances between individuals.
Innovation Solution
A portable eye washer comprising a flexible, impermeable bladder filled with an eye-washing solution and at least two nozzles, where the bladder can be squeezed to increase pressure and force the solution through discharge holes, accommodating different eye distances and allowing for refilling or disposal for sterility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional faucet-based eye washers are used, then a continuous water supply is available, but the device becomes non-portable and requires fixed installation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the water supply from the fixed plumbing system and stores it in a portable container, separating the water storage function from the fixed installation requirement. This allows the eye washer to be moved and used in various locations without requiring piped water supply.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a portable water container as an intermediary between the user and the water source. This container serves as a mobile reservoir that can be carried to different locations, replacing the need for fixed plumbing while still providing continuous water supply.
2Device complexity
If fixed nozzle spacing is used in traditional eye washers, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate users with different eye distances such as children and adults
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the nozzle positioning dynamic by allowing the nozzles to be adjusted to different positions and orientations. This enables the same device to accommodate users with different eye distances and configurations, such as children and adults, while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.
3Reliability
If disposable bladders are used, then sterility is ensured, but the device becomes less adaptable for refilling and reuse
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the eye washer into separate components: a reusable nozzle assembly and a disposable bladder containing the washing solution. This segmentation allows the bladder to be disposed of after use to ensure sterility, while the reusable nozzle assembly can be cleaned and refilled for continued use, combining the benefits of both disposable and reusable designs.
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 provides a convenient, controllable, and adaptable means to cleanse eyes, ensuring effective fluid pressure application regardless of user size, with the option for refilling or complete disposal for sterility, enhancing user safety and ease of operation.
Implementation Method 1
the bladder may be made of rubber, a thin plastic, or other material so long as the bladder material is generally not permeable to water... when the bladder is squeezed a sufficient amount, and the pressure on the contents of the bladder thus subsequently increased a sufficient amount
Data Source
AI summary
A portable eye washer is described including a bladder, which may be disposable, filled with an eye-washing solution such as water or a solution specially-designed for cleaning eyes. The bladder may be made of rubber, a thin plastic, or other material so long as the bladder material is generally not permeable to the eye washing solution.