Foam Dispensing Nozzle Cavity Expansion for Precise Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foam dispensing apparatuses struggle to consistently shape foam into desired forms and adjust the flow of foam into multiple outlets, making it difficult to form foam with precise shapes.
Innovation Solution
A foam dispensing apparatus with a nozzle portion that mixes liquid soap with air, using a non-contact sensor to detect the foam receiver and control the liquid and gas supply mechanisms to dispense a fixed amount of foam, forming shaped foam with a predetermined shape through a combination of a gas liquid mixing portion, foam generation mechanism, and a cavity that expands the cross-sectional area of the foam, allowing for precise shaping and stable dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If foam is dispensed through multiple dispensing outlets with specific diameters and positions, then shaped foam can be formed, but it is difficult to adjust the flow of foam into the outlets and control the amount of foam dispensed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single adjustable dispensing outlet that can dynamically change its effective opening area through a movable closure member, allowing the user to adjust foam flow and amount dispensed. This dynamic adjustment mechanism replaces the static multiple outlets system, making flow control easier while still achieving shaped foam dispensing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a fixed amount of foam is dispensed, then consistent shaping is achieved, but it is difficult to form shaped foam with desired shapes depending on the shape requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of opening area of the single dispensing outlet to achieve different foam dispensing patterns. By adjusting the opening area, the system maintains stable foam amount control while adapting to different shape requirements, resolving the contradiction between consistency and versatility.
3Shape
If the cross-sectional area of foam is expanded in a cavity, then shaped foam with clear contours is formed, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mixing chamber and the shaping cavity into an integrated nozzle structure. The cavity that expands cross-sectional area is merged with the mixing chamber, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to form shaped foam with clear contours.
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
Enables the stable formation of shaped foam with clear contours on various receivers, such as hands or cleaning sponges, by controlling the foam dispensing process to achieve consistent and desired shapes, enhancing the user experience in cleaning applications.
Implementation Method 1
a gas liquid mixing portion that mixes the liquid with the gas
Implementation Method 2
a foam generation mechanism that generates foam from the liquid and the gas that have been mixed
Implementation Method 3
a cavity that expands the cross-sectional area of the foam in a foam dispensing direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a foam dispensing apparatus including a nozzle portion (3) that mixes a liquid with gas so as to dispense the liquid in a form of a foam. The nozzle portion (3) includes: a foam generation mechanism (31) including a gas liquid mixing portion (32) in which the liquid and the gas are mixed and a first porous body (33) that is disposed downstream of the gas liquid mixing portion (32); a cavity (3B) that is located below the first porous body (33) and whose cross-sectional area defined by a plane perpendicular to a foam dispensing direction T is larger than the area of the first porous body (33); and a foam dispensing outlet (39a) that dispenses foam that has passed through the cavity (3B) to an outside. The foam dispensing outlet (39a) is configured so as to form shaped foam having a predetermined shape, and an opening area of the foam dispensing outlet (39a) that is on the cavity (3B) side is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the cavity (3B).