Liquid Saving Device with Vortex Adaptor for Flow Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flow adapters do not effectively address the issue of water wastage and inefficiency in fluid dispensing applications, lacking the capability to precisely control the flow rate and orientation of liquid streams.
Innovation Solution
A liquid guide with a primary recess, indentation, and multiple pores, combined with a vortex adaptor featuring an air inlet structure, trench, and center through hole, which together form a liquid saving device that generates aerated vortices and spray-form outputs, allowing for adjustable flow rates and orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional flow adapters are used to reduce flow rate, then water wastage is reduced, but the velocity and efficiency of fluid stream are not effectively improved
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid guide changes the flow parameters by directing liquid through multiple pores at different orientations, transforming a single stream into multiple directed streams that maintain velocity while reducing total flow rate. The vortex adaptor introduces rotational motion and aeration, changing the physical state and velocity characteristics of the fluid output.
Solution Approach 2:
The vortex adaptor utilizes pneumatic principles by introducing air through air inlet structures that draw air into the vortex chamber. This creates aerated vortex flows that enhance mixing and maintain fluid velocity while reducing liquid consumption, directly addressing both water wastage and process efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If flow rate is reduced to save water, then water wastage decreases, but the capability to control orientation of liquid streams is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid guide segments the single incoming liquid stream into multiple smaller streams by directing liquid through multiple pores. Each pore can be oriented at different angles, providing independent control over stream orientation. This segmentation maintains directional control capability while reducing the flow rate through each individual stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates adjustable components including a rotatable vortex adaptor and switchable pore configurations that allow dynamic control over stream orientation and flow patterns. This enables the system to adapt orientation control to different operational requirements while maintaining water efficiency.
3Device complexity
If conventional adapters are used, then simplicity is maintained, but the capability to generate aerated vortices and precisely control flow is absent
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid guide and vortex adaptor are nested within a single faucet adapter housing, with the liquid guide positioned upstream and the vortex adaptor downstream. This nested arrangement integrates multiple functions (flow distribution, aeration, vortex generation) into a compact unit that maintains relative simplicity while achieving precise flow control capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter performs multiple functions simultaneously: the liquid guide distributes and directs liquid streams, the vortex adaptor generates aerated vortices, and the integrated system provides precise flow rate control. This multi-functionality is achieved within a unified device structure that does not significantly increase overall 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 device efficiently directs and mixes liquids with air, reducing wastage by creating aerated vortices and spray outputs, enabling precise control over the flow rate and orientation, thus enhancing the utilization of fluids in applications like faucets and air sources.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of primary pores are coupled to the indentation for receiving the first liquid stream to generate a same plurality of second liquid streams at respective ends of the primary pores
Implementation Method 2
The at least one air inlet structure draws air into the vortex adaptor. The trench receives both at least one secondary liquid stream and the air drawn by the at least one air inlet structure to generate a first aerated vortex
Implementation Method 3
The trench receives both at least one secondary liquid stream and the air drawn by the at least one air inlet structure to generate a first aerated vortex
Implementation Method 4
The at least one air inlet structure draws air into the vortex adaptor
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid saving device includes a liquid guide and a vortex adaptor. The liquid guide includes a primary recess, an indentation, and a plurality of primary pores. The vortex adaptor includes at least one air inlet structure, a trench, a gap and a center through hole. The plurality of primary pores is coupled to the indentation for receiving a first liquid stream to generate a same plurality of second liquid streams at respective ends. At least part of the plurality of primary pores have different lengths. A primary pore has a shorter length if the first primary pore outputs its corresponding second liquid stream with a larger deflection, and vice versa. The trench receives both at least one secondary liquid stream and air to generate a first aerated vortex. An elevated flow of the first aerated vortex with a spray-form liquid stream to generate a second aerated vortex.