Semi-permeable Membrane Dispersion System with Venturi Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for dispersing liquids into the atmosphere lack consistent and controlled release over time, particularly for non-volatile liquids and higher viscosity substances, and often require high voltage or are fragile.
Innovation Solution
A system using a semi-permeable membrane with adjustable porosity and microfluidic channels configured to approximate a venturi effect, combined with heat application, to regulate and enhance the dispersion of active ingredients combined with a carrier into the atmosphere.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If passive evaporation from a wick is used to disperse liquid, then the device is simple and inexpensive, but the liquid is dispersed at an uneven rate and composition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous membrane with controlled porosity to replace the traditional wick structure. This porous material provides uniform capillary channels that ensure consistent liquid flow and evaporation rates, maintaining stable composition of the dispersed liquid while retaining the passive, simple design approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adjusts the porosity parameter of the membrane material to control the liquid dispersion rate. By optimizing this physical parameter, the system achieves uniform evaporation and maintains consistent liquid composition over time, resolving the composition stability issue while keeping the device simple.
2Productivity
If electrostatic forces are used to spray liquid, then liquid transfer can greatly exceed evaporation rate, but relatively high voltage is required and the device is fragile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrostatic field-based liquid delivery system with a passive capillary-driven system using porous membranes. This mechanical/physical substitution eliminates the need for high voltage power supplies and fragile electrostatic components, while still achieving effective liquid transfer through capillary action and controlled evaporation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-driven capillary action through the porous membrane to transport liquid from the reservoir to the evaporation surface, eliminating the need for external power sources or complex pumping mechanisms. The liquid flow is automatically regulated by the membrane's porosity and the evaporation rate itself.
3Ease of manufacture
If gravitational forces are used to diffuse liquid through a membrane, then the device is simple, but non-volatile liquids and higher viscosity liquids are not adequately dispersed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous membranes with optimized pore size and distribution to enhance capillary action. This porous structure creates strong capillary forces that can draw non-volatile and high-viscosity liquids through the membrane and to the evaporation surface, significantly improving dispersion effectiveness for difficult-to-evaporate substances while maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the porosity parameter of the membrane to optimize liquid flow characteristics. By adjusting pore size and porosity percentage, the system can accommodate liquids with varying viscosities and volatility, ensuring adequate dispersion of non-volatile and viscous liquids without complex mechanisms.
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
Achieves a consistent and controlled release of active ingredients over time, effectively dispersing both volatile and non-volatile liquids, including those with higher viscosities, with improved efficiency and without the need for high voltage.
Implementation Method 1
Devices for dispersing a liquid such as, for example, air freshening device in which there is a slow release of vapor into air from a liquid are well known in the art
Implementation Method 2
The liquid diffuses through the membrane and volatilizes into the surrounding atmosphere from the exposed surface of the membrane
Implementation Method 3
materials with microfluidic channels of various diameters are interposed together so that the configuration of the channels approximates a venturi, thereby improving the flow of the solution through the microfluidic channels
Implementation Method 4
heat is applied to the top membrane layer to further accelerate the rate at which fluid is dissipated through the membrane structure
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for releasing active ingredients into the surrounding atmosphere is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispersion rate of the active ingredient through the membrane is passively regulated by adjusting the porosity of the membrane. In another embodiment, materials with microfluidic channels of various diameters are interposed together so that the configuration of the channels approximates a venturi, thereby improving the flow of the solution through the microfluidic channels. In another embodiment, heat is applied to the top membrane layer to further accelerate the rate at which fluid is dissipated through the membrane structure. Devices incorporating membranes with the disclosed properties are also presented.