Microbubble generator and clothes treatment device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current microbubble generators for laundry treatment have complex structures, require additional components like water pumps and valves, and are costly due to restrictions on water feeding methods, resulting in inefficient bubble formation and high operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A microbubble generator with a simple structure that uses a flow velocity difference and a baffle to create a high-pressure cavity within an air dissolving tank, enhancing air dissolvability and producing nanometer- to micrometer-sized microbubbles without the need for power or multiple valves, integrated into a laundry treating device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If additional water pumps and valves are used to generate microbubbles, then bubble generation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebubble generation effectivenessVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex components (water pumps and valves) from the microbubble generation system, replacing them with a simplified structure that uses natural water flow velocity differences and a baffle to create high-pressure cavities and generate microbubbles, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes the self-service principle by leveraging the natural velocity difference between incoming and outgoing water flows to automatically create high-pressure cavities without requiring external power sources or control mechanisms, eliminating the need for pumps and valves

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Extent of automation

If multiple valves and power sources are required, then microbubble generation control is improved, but operational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system achieves automatic control through the natural interaction between water flows of different velocities, where the faster incoming water automatically creates high-pressure cavities when encountering the baffle, eliminating the need for powered control systems and reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies hydraulic principles by using the kinetic energy and pressure differential of water flows themselves to control the microbubble generation process, replacing mechanical and electrical control systems with a fluid-dynamics-based control mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 achieves efficient microbubble generation with low costs, improving air dissolving efficiency and reducing the usage of washing powder and resources, while maintaining a compact and easy-to-manufacture design.

Implementation Method 1

The cavitator is provided outside the air dissolving tank and connected with the outlet, or provided at the outlet. The cavitator produces microbubbles from the gas dissolved in water using a cavitation effect.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

The inlet of the air dissolving tank is located above the outlet. The microbubble generator is configured such that a flow velocity of outflow water is less than a flow velocity of inflow water when the air is dissolved. The air dissolving cavity finishes air dissolution by forming a water seal at the outlet.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

The microbubble generator is configured such that a flow velocity of outflow water is less than a flow velocity of inflow water when the air is dissolved

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBernoulli effect: Bernoulli Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3725932B1Microbubble generator and clothes treatment device
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 WUXI LITTLE SWAN ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A microbubble generator (100) and a laundry treating device. The microbubble generator (100) includes: an air dissolving tank (1), having an air dissolving cavity (10) defined therein, and an inlet (11) and an outlet (12) configured to allow water to flow in and out, the inlet (11) being located above the outlet (12); a baffle (3), provided in the air dissolving tank (1), at least partially located between the inlet (11) and the outlet (12) in a horizontal direction, and provided with a gap and/or a through hole; and a cavitator (2), provided outside the air dissolving tank (1) and connected with the outlet (12), or provided at the outlet (12).