Flexible Bladder Fluid Warmer for Variable Container Shapes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid warming solutions fail to efficiently warm liquids in containers of varying sizes and shapes, and often leave residue when the container is nearly empty, as they do not effectively conform to the container's surface for optimal heat transfer.
Innovation Solution
A heat exchange apparatus featuring a bladder support and heating element that conforms to the outer surface of the fluid container, allowing for efficient heat transfer through a bladder or particulate in contact with the container, which can adapt to different shapes and sizes, and includes a holder for supporting the container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed-shape heating device is used, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot effectively conform to containers of different shapes and sizes for optimal heat transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible bladder as the heating element that can conform to the outer surface of containers of various shapes and sizes. The bladder is filled with heating material that distributes thermal energy across the container surface, allowing the device to adapt to different geometries while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating device incorporates a flexible, deformable bladder that can dynamically adjust its shape to match the container it is warming. This dynamic adaptability allows the same device to effectively warm different container types without requiring multiple specialized heating elements.
2Productivity
If the heating device does not conform to the container surface, then the device structure is simple, but heat transfer efficiency is poor and residue remains when container is nearly empty
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible bladder conforming to the container surface maximizes the contact area between the heating element and the liquid, significantly improving heat transfer efficiency. This ensures complete warming of the liquid even when the container is nearly empty, preventing residue formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bladder is designed with a curved, flexible surface that can adapt to the curvature of various container shapes. This curved geometry allows the heating element to maintain close contact with the container walls, optimizing heat transfer across different container geometries.
3Productivity
If a custom heating device is designed for each container size and shape, then heat transfer efficiency is optimized, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The heating device is designed as a universal system that can warm various container types (different sizes, shapes, and materials) using a single device. The flexible bladder adapts to each container's geometry, eliminating the need for multiple specialized heating devices while maintaining optimized heat transfer for each application.
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 ensures efficient warming of fluids in containers of various sizes and shapes, reducing residue by maintaining close contact with the container surface for enhanced heat transfer and conforming to its shape for optimal performance.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element supported by the bladder support, and a heat exchanging portion supported by the bladder support, the heat exchanging portion including a bladder in contact with the outer surface of the heat exchange target
Data Source
AI summary
A heat exchange apparatus including a heat exchanging portion capable of conforming to the outer surface of a heat exchange target.