Foam Generating Spray Head Using Aerating Outlet Bore
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current snow foam generating systems require high-pressure water, making them expensive and limiting domestic use, as they necessitate costly equipment for generating high-pressure water flows.
Innovation Solution
A foam generating spray head that uses a mixing arrangement with a water jet to draw detergent into the head, combined with an aerating surface in the outlet bore to introduce air, allowing snow foam generation at normal mains pressure without the need for pressurization equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-pressure water systems are used to generate snow foam, then the quality and effectiveness of snow foam is improved, but the equipment cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressurization function from the snow foam generation system, eliminating the need for high-pressure pumps and compressors. The spray head design uses ambient pressure water flow combined with aerating surfaces to generate snow foam without requiring the water supply system to provide high pressure, thereby removing complex pressurization equipment while maintaining snow foam effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressurization system with a passive aerating system. Instead of using mechanical pumps to create high pressure, the invention uses specially designed aerating surfaces and chamber configurations that utilize ambient pressure water flow to draw in air and generate snow foam through fluid dynamics and surface tension effects
2Reliability
If high-pressure water equipment is installed for snow foam generation, then snow foam can be produced effectively, but the overall system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive components in the spray head design including basic aerating surfaces, standard orifices, and conventional chamber structures. These components can be manufactured using simple molding or machining processes without requiring specialized high-pressure equipment, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining snow foam generation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the expensive pressurization subsystem from the snow foam generation system. By designing the spray head to function with ambient pressure water, the patent eliminates the need for high-pressure pumps, hoses, and associated safety components, thereby dramatically reducing the overall system cost while preserving the core snow foam production function
3Device complexity
If a water jet is used to draw detergent into the chamber, then detergent mixing is achieved without additional pumps, but the water pressure requirement creates a contradiction with mains pressure availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic principles to achieve detergent mixing without mechanical pumps. The spray head design incorporates a water jet that creates a venturi effect or direct impingement flow to draw detergent solution into the mixing chamber through pressure differential. This hydraulic approach uses the kinetic energy of the water flow itself to perform the mixing function, eliminating the need for additional pumping mechanisms while working within mains pressure constraints
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 cost-effective generation of snow foam for domestic use by utilizing mains water pressure, reducing equipment costs and making snow foam cleaning accessible without commercial washing facilities.
Implementation Method 1
passage of said water jet over said inlet aperture causes detergent from the container to be drawn into the chamber
Implementation Method 2
an aerating surface in the outlet bore to introduce air, allowing snow foam generation
Data Source
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AI summary
A spray device (1) intended for use in producing so-called "snow-foam" is disclosed. The device comprises a container (2) for holding detergent, a spray head (4) for mounting on the container (2), and a liquid supply arrangement (10) for transferring liquid from the container (2) to the spray head (4). The spray head (4) comprises: a body (5), a chamber (12) formed in the body (5) and being in communication with the atmosphere, an elongate foam generating outlet bore (8) formed in the body (5) and extending in a first direction from the chamber (12) to an outlet of the body (5), a detergent inlet aperture in a surface of the chamber (12), said inlet aperture communicating with the liquid supply arrangement (1 0) and being for communication with the interior of the container (2), and a water inlet for the chamber (12). The water inlet is configured to direct a jet of water (27) over said detergent inlet aperture and into the chamber (12) in said first direction towards the foam generating outlet bore (8). The water inlet and the detergent inlet aperture are co-configured so that passage of said water jet (27) over said inlet aperture causes detergent from the container (2) to be drawn into the chamber (12). The inner surface of the foam generating outlet bore (8) is formed as an aerating surface. Spray heads (4) for use with such spray devices (1 ) are also disclosed.