Massage Device Droplet Temperature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing massage and care devices using nozzles to emit liquid jets struggle to maintain a consistent and safe temperature for human body applications, as the expansion cooling effect makes it difficult to heat the drops, leading to potential skin burns and unsuitable temperature variations during use.
Innovation Solution
A device featuring a cylindrical or frustoconical nozzle with an electrical heat source and a fan to control the temperature and direction of the gas stream, allowing for independent adjustment of the jet's temperature and force, ensuring stable and safe temperature delivery of the liquid drops.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the liquid is heated before spraying to increase drop temperature, then the temperature of drops can be raised, but the expansion cooling effect predominates and requires heating to temperatures likely to cause skin burns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-heating the liquid in a heating chamber before it reaches the nozzle. The liquid is heated to a controlled temperature (e.g., 40-60°C) before spraying, and this pre-heated liquid is then mixed with heated air in a mixing chamber. This preliminary heating action ensures that the drops maintain a safe temperature range despite the expansion cooling effect during nozzle discharge.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses heated air as an intermediary substance. The liquid is sprayed into a mixing chamber where it encounters a stream of heated air. This heated air acts as a mediator that transfers thermal energy to the liquid drops, compensating for the cooling effect of expansion and maintaining the drops at a safe, pleasant temperature for skin contact.
2Quantity of substance
If expansion nozzles are used to cool drops, then water consumption is reduced and device cost is lowered, but the drops become too cold for pleasurable massage applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into a single integrated device: the water-saving expansion nozzle function and the temperature control function. By combining the nozzle with an integrated heating system (heating chamber, mixing chamber with heated air stream), the device maintains both the water efficiency of expansion nozzles and the temperature comfort required for massage applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the temperature of the liquid and the heated air stream to maintain optimal drop temperature. The system can vary parameters such as heating power, air flow rate, and liquid flow rate to adapt to different operating conditions and maintain drops at a pleasant temperature range despite the cooling effect of expansion.
3Force
If the liquid supply pressure is increased to maintain jet force, then the transport distance of drops increases, but the temperature control becomes more difficult and temperature variations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by incorporating temperature sensors that monitor the temperature of the liquid and the heated air stream. This feedback information is used to dynamically adjust the heating power and air flow rate to maintain stable drop temperature even when liquid supply pressure and jet force vary during operation.
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 solution provides a consistent and adjustable temperature for the liquid drops, ensuring safe and pleasurable massage applications while maintaining water efficiency, with the ability to vary temperature and pressure to achieve different sensations on the skin.
Implementation Method 1
the heat source comprises an electrical resistor
Implementation Method 2
The liquid leaving the nozzle undergoes an expansion which causes it to pass abruptly from the emission pressure to atmospheric pressure and causes it to divide into drops projected into the atmosphere. During this expansion, the drops of liquid emitted by a nozzle are cooled.
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Massage and/or care device using a jet of liquid droplets, comprising a supply line (3) of liquid at above-atmospheric pressure connected to a nozzle (1) emitting a jet of liquid divided into droplets (2) into the atmosphere, and in addition a heat source (4) and a means (5, 6) for generating around the jet a flow of air to transfer heat between the heat source and the droplets.