Micro Bubble Generator with Angled Passages to Prevent Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing micro bubble generating apparatuses are inefficient and impractical for large-scale production due to high costs and clogging issues with small orifices, making them unsuitable for use with fluid dispensing fittings like hydrotherapy jets and shower heads.

Innovation Solution

A micro bubble generating apparatus that uses a pressurized mixture of liquid and dissolved gas to create micro bubbles, with a cartridge design that includes a housing body and orifice nozzle with angled fluid passages to prevent clogging and enhance micro bubble formation, allowing for efficient attachment to hydrotherapy jets, shower heads, and nozzles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If small orifices and screens are used to generate micro bubbles, then micro bubble generation is achieved, but clogging occurs due to debris in the liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicro bubble generationVSAvoidclogging of orifices
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device divides the single small orifice into multiple larger openings arranged in a grid pattern. Instead of forcing all liquid through one tiny hole, the flow is segmented into several parallel paths, each with a larger diameter opening that is less susceptible to clogging while still generating micro bubbles through the interaction of multiple streams

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the critical parameter from orifice diameter to opening area distribution. By maintaining the total effective area equivalent to a small orifice but distributing it across multiple larger openings, the system achieves micro bubble generation without the clogging problems of small single orifices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Quantity of substance

If small orifices and screens are used to generate micro bubbles, then micro bubble generation is achieved, but prefiltering and continuous cleaning are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicro bubble generationVSAvoidmaintenance burden
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The replaceable faceplate with grid openings is designed as a low-cost, easily replaceable component. If clogging does occur, the entire faceplate can be quickly swapped out without disassembling the main device or performing complex cleaning procedures, significantly reducing maintenance burden

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of trying to prevent clogging through complex filtering systems and cleaning mechanisms, the invention inverts the approach by designing a system where the critical component is made simple, robust, and easily replaceable. The maintenance strategy shifts from prevention to rapid replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Quantity of substance

If small orifices and screens are used to generate micro bubbles, then micro bubble generation is achieved, but excessive back pressure causes premature wear on system components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicro bubble generationVSAvoidback pressure on system
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the flow into multiple parallel openings, the pressure drop across each individual opening is reduced compared to a single small orifice. The total flow distributes across several paths, lowering the back pressure requirement while maintaining micro bubble generation effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Quantity of substance

If electrolysis between two electrodes is used to produce micro bubbles, then micro bubbles are generated, but the process is costly for large-scale production

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicro bubble generationVSAvoidcost of production
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the electrical field-based electrolysis method with a purely mechanical fluid dynamics approach. By using pressurized liquid flowing through a grid of openings, micro bubbles are generated through mechanical shear and turbulence rather than electrical decomposition, eliminating the need for expensive electrical systems and making large-scale production economically viable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enables efficient and cost-effective micro bubble generation, preventing clogging and maintaining system performance, allowing for effective use in various fluid dispensing applications while providing therapeutic benefits like improved skin cleaning and relaxation.

Implementation Method 1

providing a pressurized mixture of a second liquid and a dissolved gas into the well so as to create a plurality of micro bubbles within the first liquid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas release from dissolved state: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentEP2226056B1Microbubble generating apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.10.23 JASON INTERNATIONAL COMPANY
  • EP2226056B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2226056B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2226056B1 patent drawingFigure 2A

AI summary

A micro bubble generating system includes a shell having a well for retaining a first liquid to immerse an object. A micro bubble apparatus is provide to the shell for providing a pressurized mixture of a second liquid and a dissolved gas into the well so as to create a plurality of micro bubbles within the first liquid for engaging the object. A micro bubble generating apparatus may include a housing body having a first fluid passage (310) for a pressurized mixture of a liquid and a dissolved gas in a direction towards a fluid flow, An orifice member can be releasably engaged with the housing body and the orifice member may have a second fluid passage (314ab) being disposed therein; and the second fluid passage being disposed at an angle with respect to the first fluid passage for generating a plurality of micro bubbles from the mixture; and an opening in the housing body for releasing the plurality of micro bubbles.