Mist Nozzle Inner Constriction for Stable Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mist generator devices face instability in mist release due to condensation of liquid droplets in the nozzle, which can block the passage and alter mist velocity and direction, leading to inconsistent mist delivery for cosmetic and skin care applications.

Innovation Solution

The mist generator device incorporates a mist nozzle with inner and outer constrictions that gradually decrease in diameter, featuring rounded or chamfered corners and steps to manage condensation, preventing liquid droplets from entering the minimum diameter portion and ensuring stable mist release by utilizing surface tension and gravitational force to direct droplets back to the entrance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the inner diameter of the mist nozzle is reduced to increase mist velocity, then the mist can reach a farther position, but liquid droplets condense and block the passage, destabilizing mist release

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemist velocityVSAvoidmist release stability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mist nozzle is divided into multiple sections with different inner diameters, creating a stepped structure. The nozzle includes a first section with a larger inner diameter and a second section with a smaller inner diameter, separated by a step portion. This segmentation allows the mist to be accelerated in the narrower section while providing a larger upstream section where condensed liquid droplets can accumulate without blocking the flow passage, thus maintaining both high mist velocity and stable mist release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If porous material is used to absorb liquid droplets in the mist nozzle, then mist release is stabilized, but when the porous material is saturated, liquid droplets cannot be absorbed and block the passage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemist release stabilityVSAvoidliquid holding capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful condensed liquid droplets are extracted from the narrow flow passage by providing a separate accumulation space in the first section of the nozzle. The step portion acts as a boundary that separates the liquid accumulation zone from the mist flow zone, allowing liquid to be removed from the critical path without requiring porous absorption materials that can become saturated.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the mist releasing direction is inclined upward, then the mist delivery is improved for cosmetic purposes, but condensation management becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemist delivery effectivenessVSAvoidcondensation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle is designed with an upward inclination angle to facilitate mist delivery toward the user's face in cosmetic applications. The stepped structure is configured in advance to accommodate this inclination, with the step portion positioned to effectively separate liquid and gas phases even when the nozzle is oriented at an angle, thereby managing condensation automatically through the predefined geometric structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This design stabilizes the release of mist by limiting condensation and preventing blockages, maintaining consistent mist velocity and direction, ensuring uniform delivery and effective moisturization for cosmetic purposes.

Implementation Method 1

a constricted portion, which decreases an inner diameter of the mist nozzle from the mist entrance toward the mist exit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

the mist condenses into liquid droplets in the mist nozzle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

the porous material to form the inner surface of the mist nozzle. This allows liquid droplets to be absorbed by the porous material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Implementation Method 4

a high-voltage discharge device that performs a high-voltage discharge to ionize the mist

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-voltage discharge ionization: Ionisation

Data Source

PatentEP2815735B1Mist generator device and nozzle
Publication Date: 2019.10.09 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP2815735B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2815735B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2815735B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mist generator device includes a mist generation unit (30) that generates mist from a liquid. A mist flow passage (37) is connected to the mist generation unit (30). The mist from the mist generation unit (30) flows through the mist flow passage (37). A tubular mist nozzle (50) releases the mist, which is supplied from the mist generation through the mist flow passage (37), out of the mist generator device. The mist nozzle (50) includes a mist entrance (52), a mist exit (53), and an inner constriction (54, 55) located at an inner side of the mist nozzle (50). The inner constriction (54, 55) includes a step (54a, 55a) that decreases an inner diameter of the mist nozzle (50) from the mist entrance (52) toward the mist exit (53). This limits the flow of the liquid droplets from the steps (54a, 55a) of the constrictions (54, 55) toward the mist exit 53. When a certain amount of condensation collects at the steps (54a, 55a), the condensation falls and returns toward the mist entrance 52.