Heated Air Bath System with External Conduit Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional air bath systems experience a chilling effect and rapid cooling due to evaporative cooling, leading to an undesirable user experience and quick temperature drop in the water.
Innovation Solution
A fluid injection system that combines air and water before heating, using a heat source external to the conduit to maintain the temperature of the water by conduction through fins, reducing temperature variations and extending the heating source's effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If air is injected into the tub to create bubbles, then a massaging effect is provided, but evaporative cooling causes rapid temperature drop and chilling effect
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-heats the air in a conduit using an external heat source before the air reaches the tub. This preliminary heating action ensures that when the air is injected as bubbles, it does not cause evaporative cooling and temperature drop in the water
Solution Approach 2:
An external heat source acts as an intermediary between the air supply and the tub. The heat source heats the air through the conduit wall, mediating the temperature of the air before it contacts the water and creates bubbles
2Stability of the object's composition
If an external heat source is used to heat air through conduit walls, then temperature stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit wall serves as an intermediary that allows heat transfer from the external heat source to the air inside the conduit, while protecting the heat source from direct contact with water. This indirect heating method simplifies the system compared to internal heating elements
3Object-affected harmful factors
If air is heated before injection, then chilling effect is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful cold air that would cause chilling into a beneficial pre-heated air flow. The external heat source transforms the cold ambient air into warm air before injection, eliminating the chilling effect while the heat is efficiently transferred through the conduit wall
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 system maintains an elevated water temperature for an extended period, reducing the chilling effect and slowing temperature drops, compared to conventional systems, while extending the life of the heat source.
Implementation Method 1
The heat source is coupled to an outer portion of the conduit external to the central opening. The heat source and the conduit are cooperatively configured to heat the combined flow of air and water in the central opening
Implementation Method 2
The fluid injector is configured to provide an atomized spray of water to the flow of air to produce a combined flow of air and water
Data Source
AI summary
A bath system comprises a tub and a fluid injection system. The tub has a jet orifice, and the fluid injection system is fluidly coupled to the jet orifice. The fluid injection system comprises a conduit, a heat source, an air supply source, and a fluid injector. The conduit has an opening. The heat source is coupled to an outer portion of the conduit external to the opening. The air supply source is fluidly coupled to the conduit, and is configured to provide a flow of air to the central opening. The fluid injector is configured to provide water to the flow of air to produce a combined flow of air and water. The heat source and the conduit are cooperatively configured to heat the combined flow of air and water in the opening before the combined flow enters the tub through the jet orifice.