Micro-bubble generator and shower head
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional micro-bubble generators require motive power sources and high machining accuracy for air inlet and gap creation, leading to inconsistent bubble sizes and clogging issues, while existing methods fail to generate fine micro-bubbles effectively.
Innovation Solution
A micro-bubble generator with a water passage having a smaller and larger diameter portion, featuring an elastic body that compresses under negative pressure to suck in external air, generating fine air bubbles without the need for motive power or precise machining, and allowing switching between micro-bubble and foamed water modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional extrusion method or cutting method is used to generate micro-bubbles, then air bubbles can be generated, but motive power sources are required to pressurize air and rotate fan at high speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical fan-based cutting method with a water flow-based ejector system. The high-velocity water jet creates a low-pressure region that draws air through a simple inlet hole, eliminating the need for motorized fans while generating fine air bubbles through fluid dynamic interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses hydraulic principles where pressurized water flow through a narrow passage creates a vacuum effect that draws air into the water stream. The kinetic energy of the water jet directly converts air into fine bubbles without requiring additional mechanical compression devices.
2Manufacturing precision
If air inlet hole and gap are machined with high precision on micrometer level, then uniform air flow can be achieved, but machining accuracy is difficult to maintain and varies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the critical parameter from fixed geometric dimensions (hole size and gap width) to fluid dynamic parameters (water flow velocity and pressure). The air inlet hole is made relatively large (0.5-5mm) to eliminate machining precision issues, while the ejector nozzle dimensions are optimized to create the desired vacuum effect through water flow velocity.
Solution Approach 2:
The air intake system is segmented into two independent components: a large air inlet hole that is easy to manufacture, and a separately optimized ejector nozzle. This segmentation allows each component to be designed for its specific function without compromising the other, with the nozzle geometry compensating for any variations in air inlet dimensions.
3Quantity of substance
If filters with large number of fine holes are used, then air can be introduced into water, but filters are likely to clog up
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the air introduction function from the filter system entirely. Instead of using a filter with fine holes to introduce air, the system uses a dedicated air inlet hole that opens directly to the atmosphere, allowing air to be drawn in by the ejector vacuum without passing through any filtering medium that could clog.
4Device complexity
If ejector method is used to extrude air utilizing water viscosity, then motive power source is eliminated, but air inlet hole and gap cannot be machined accurately and uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the dimensional parameters of the air inlet system. Instead of requiring micrometer-level precision gaps and small holes, the design uses a large air inlet hole (0.5-5mm diameter) combined with an optimized ejector nozzle geometry. The air flow control is achieved through fluid dynamic parameters (water velocity, pressure differential) rather than restrictive geometric constraints.
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 generates a high concentration of fine air bubbles with strong cleaning power, increased dissolved oxygen, and bioactivity, while preventing clogging and providing a comfortable shower experience with adjustable bubble sizes.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic body disposed in the air inlet and is configured to isolate the water passage from external air. The elastic body is compressible by negative pressure generated in the water passage, causing the external air to be sucked into the water passage through the air inlet
Implementation Method 2
The elastic body is compressible by negative pressure generated in the water passage, causing the external air to be sucked into the water passage through the air inlet
Implementation Method 3
The elastic body is compressible by negative pressure generated in the water passage
Implementation Method 4
The elastic body is compressible by negative pressure generated in the water passage
Data Source
AI summary
One object is to generate, without the need for a motive power source and a high level of machining accuracy, micro-bubbles containing a large amount of fine air bubbles. Another object is to provide a micro-bubble generator that switches between micro-bubble water, which contains micro-bubbles, and foamed water containing a large amount of air and having a tender texture. The micro-bubble generator includes: a water passage that includes a smaller diameter portion and a larger diameter portion disposed on the downstream side of the smaller diameter portion; an air inlet disposed in the larger diameter portion and an elastic body disposed in the air inlet and configured to isolate the water passage from external air. The elastic body is compressible by negative pressure generated in the water passage, causing the external air to be sucked into the water passage through the air inlet and over the compressed elastic body.