Jet Regulator Conical Holes Low Flow Air Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing jet regulators require high throughflow rates and water pressures to effectively mix ambient air with water, failing to produce an adequately aerated and voluminous water jet at low flow rates, which is desirable for water-saving purposes.
Innovation Solution
The jet regulator features perforated plates with throughflow holes that widen conically towards the outflow side, and includes flow obstructions or mesh structures to divert water into outer annular zones, promoting air mixing over the entire housing cross-section, even at low flow rates, and incorporates an impingement bevel or mesh structures to further split and mix the water jets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional throughflow holes with constant cross-section are used, then the device structure is simple, but adequate air mixing cannot be achieved at low throughflow rates and low water pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The throughflow holes are designed with varying cross-sectional areas along the flow direction, transitioning from a smaller inlet cross-section to a larger outlet cross-section. This parameter change in geometry enables effective air mixing at low throughflow rates by creating favorable pressure gradients and flow conditions, while avoiding the need for complex additional mixing components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dimensional variation in the throughflow hole geometry by changing the cross-sectional area along the flow direction. This transforms the simple cylindrical hole into a tapered or conical passage, adding a gradient dimension that enhances air-water mixing efficiency without requiring multiple separate components or complex internal structures.
2Quantity of substance
If high water pressure is used, then ambient air can be drawn into the housing interior for mixing, but water-saving purposes are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the geometric parameters of the throughflow holes (varying cross-sectional area), the device achieves effective air mixing at lower water pressures. The tapered geometry creates favorable pressure distributions that enhance air entrainment efficiency, allowing adequate mixing with reduced water flow rates, thus supporting water-saving objectives.
3Stress or pressure
If the throughflow holes constrict the clear throughflow cross section, then water speed increases and negative pressure is generated, but adequate negative pressure is not sufficient at low throughflow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The varying cross-sectional area of the throughflow holes creates an optimized pressure gradient along the flow path. The gradual expansion from inlet to outlet generates sufficient negative pressure for air entrainment even at low throughflow rates, while maintaining water flow productivity. The geometric parameter change ensures both pressure generation and flow rate are optimized simultaneously.
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
This design enables the generation of a sparkling, soft, and voluminous water jet that appears similar to standard jets, maintaining visual and tactile familiarity, while functioning effectively at low throughflow rates and pressures, ensuring compatibility with existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
the throughflow holes constrict the clear throughflow cross section in the region of the perforated plate, the through-flowing water increases in speed in the throughflow holes, which, in accordance with the Bernoulli equation, results in a negative pressure on the outflow side of the perforated plate
Implementation Method 2
Due to the tapered or conical spreading of the water emerging from the perforated plate, mixing of said water with the ambient air drawn into the jet regulator housing is possible practically over the entire housing cross section
Data Source
AI summary
A jet regulator (100) including a jet regulator housing (2) is disclosed, in the housing interior of which a perforated plate (5) is provided with a plurality of flow-through holes (6) for dividing the through-flowing water. The jet regulator described is characterized in that at least one flow-through hole (6) extends conically towards its outflow side in at least one outflow-side hole section. It is also possible for flow obstacles to be provided on the outflow side of the perforated plate (5) in the jet regulator housing (2) and/or on the outflow front face of the jet regulator housing, which are arranged or concentrated there in a central or middle region and which deflect the through-flowing water into an outer annular zone. This jet regulator (100) enables an aerated and thereby sparkling-soft water jet to be generated even with low flow-through performance and low water pressure.