Foam Dispensing Assembly Constriction Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional foam dispensing assemblies do not effectively optimize the flow of air and liquid mixture to improve foam quality and stability, leading to suboptimal foam formation and homogeneity.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a constriction with a decreasing cross-section between the mixing chamber and the dispensing channel, which acts as an accelerator opening, to enhance the flow of the air and liquid mixture and improve its impingement on foam-forming devices, such as sieve elements, thereby improving foam quality and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a cylindrical opening with constant diameter is used to connect the mixing chamber and dispensing channel, then the structure is simple, but the flow of air and liquid mixture is not optimized resulting in poor foam quality and stability
Solution Approach 1:
The constriction features a varying cross-sectional area along its length, with the first portion having a larger cross-sectional area than the second portion. This local variation in geometry optimizes the flow characteristics of the air-liquid mixture at different stages, improving foam quality without requiring complete redesign of the entire dispensing system.
Solution Approach 2:
The constriction is configured to dynamically accelerate the air-liquid mixture as it flows from the mixing chamber through the first portion into the second portion. The changing cross-sectional area creates a dynamic flow optimization effect that enhances mixture velocity and improves foam formation, rather than using a static constant-diameter opening.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the cross-section of the opening is decreased in the downstream direction, then the flow of mixture is optimized and foam stability improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The constriction is divided into two distinct portions: a first portion with a larger cross-sectional area and a second portion with a smaller cross-sectional area. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized for its specific function while simplifying the overall manufacturing process compared to a continuously varying complex geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area parameter of the constriction is changed along its length, with the first portion having a larger area and the second portion having a smaller area. This parameter variation optimizes the flow characteristics and foam stability while maintaining manufacturability through discrete geometric changes rather than continuous complex variations.
3Manufacturing precision
If the constriction accelerates the mixture flow towards foam forming devices, then homogeneous and fine foam bubbles are formed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The constriction is integrated directly into the dispensing channel structure, merging the flow acceleration function with the existing dispensing pathway. This eliminates the need for separate acceleration devices or components, achieving homogeneous foam formation while minimizing additional device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The constriction serves multiple functions: it accelerates the air-liquid mixture, optimizes flow characteristics, and prepares the mixture for effective interaction with foam-forming devices. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, achieving improved foam homogeneity without proportionally 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 optimized flow and impingement of the air and liquid mixture result in improved foam stability and the formation of more homogeneous and fine foam bubbles, enhancing the overall foam quality.
Implementation Method 1
the constriction comprises a first cylindrical part having a first diameter and a second cylindrical part having a second diameter, wherein the first cylindrical part is closer to the mixing chamber than the second cylindrical part and wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The present invention relates to a dispensing assembly to dispense a foam, comprising: ? a liquid pump having a liquid inlet (15) and a liquid outlet (16), ? an air pump having an air inlet (26) and an air outlet (27), ? a mixing chamber (29), wherein the air outlet and the liquid outlet are in fluid communication with the mixing chamber, ? a dispensing channel (30), wherein a first end of the dispensing channel is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber (29) and the second end forms a dispensing opening (31) for dispensing of foam, ? the dispensing channel (30) and the mixing chamber (29) are connected to each other via a constriction, ? characterized in that the constriction is formed by an opening having a cross section which decreases towards the dispensing channel.