Foam dispenser with ionic wind driven ozone generation and air circulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ozone-containing hand cleaning foam dispensers face issues with inconsistent ozone concentration and delayed dispensing due to static air volumes and the need for separate ozone generation and air circulation mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A dispenser with an ozone generating chamber using a corona discharge generator that produces both ozonated air and ionic wind, which circulates air and ozone, eliminating the need for separate pumps and maintaining a uniform ozone concentration for consistent dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a static volume of air is used in the ozone generating chamber, then the device structure is simple, but the ozone concentration becomes inconsistent throughout the air volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an air circulation system that dynamically moves air within the ozone generating chamber during the charging stroke. This circulation prevents stagnant zones and ensures uniform ozone distribution throughout the air volume, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and concentration uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air circulation operates continuously during the charging stroke to maintain consistent ozone generation and distribution. This continuous action ensures that ozone is uniformly distributed throughout the air volume before dispensing, eliminating concentration variations that would occur in static systems.
2Ease of manufacture
If ozone is generated in a static air volume, then the generation process is simple, but the ozone concentration varies by location within the chamber
Solution Approach 1:
The circulation system dynamically redistributes air and ozone throughout the chamber during charging, ensuring consistent concentration without complicating the generation process itself. The circulation mechanism is simple yet effective in achieving uniform distribution.
3Reliability
If separate pump mechanisms are used to circulate air, then air circulation is reliable, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the air circulation function with the existing piston-driven charging mechanism. The same piston that charges the air compartment also drives air circulation through the ozone generating chamber, eliminating the need for separate pump mechanisms while maintaining reliable circulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The piston mechanism serves multiple functions: it compresses and stores air in the air compartment, drives circulation through the ozone generating chamber, and ultimately delivers ozonated air to the foam generator. This multi-functionality reduces component count while ensuring reliable operation.
4Quantity of substance
If there is a delay between activation and dispensing to generate ozone, then sufficient ozone concentration is achieved, but user experience deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-charges the air compartment with ozonated air during normal operation, so that when the user activates the dispenser, ozone-containing air is immediately available for dispensing. This preliminary action eliminates the delay that would otherwise be required to generate ozone on-demand.
Solution Approach 2:
Ozone generation and air charging occur continuously in the background, maintaining a ready supply of ozonated air. This continuous operation ensures that the dispenser can immediately provide ozone-containing foam upon activation, improving user experience while maintaining sufficient ozone concentration.
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 a consistent ozone concentration and reduces the delay between activation and dispensing by maintaining a charged air compartment with ozonated air, improving user experience and dispenser efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a corona discharge generator that generates a corona discharge to produce: (a) ozonated air, by converting oxygen in the air into ozone
Implementation Method 2
an ionic wind that draws the air from the air source into the ozone generating chamber through the air inlet, and expels the ozonated air from the ozone generating chamber through the air outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A dispenser for dispensing ozone containing foam. The dispenser comprises an ozone generating chamber having an air inlet in communication with a source of air and an air outlet. The ozone generating chamber contains a corona discharge generator that generates a corona discharge to produce: (a) ozonated air, by converting oxygen in the air into ozone, and (b) an ionic wind. The ionic wind draws the air from the air source into the ozone generating chamber through the air inlet, and expels the ozonated air from the ozone generating chamber through the air outlet. A foam generator receives the ozonated air expelled from the ozone generating chamber and mixes the ozonated air with a foamable liquid to generate the ozone containing foam.