Mobile Mist Diffuser Positioning for Uniform Food Hydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for spraying a mist of droplets on food products often fail to uniformly hydrate all products on display due to layout constraints, leading to inefficiencies in hydration and increased material and water consumption.
Innovation Solution
A device with adjustable and movable diffusers that can be positioned optimally based on product layout and water needs, featuring a diffuser with rotational freedom and drive mechanisms for precise positioning, including a motor and sensor system to adapt mist distribution according to product hydration levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple regularly spaced diffusers are used to cover all products on display, then the hydration coverage is improved, but the device size and material consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a mobile diffuser that can change its position along the display shelf, transforming a static system into a dynamic one. This allows a single diffuser to cover multiple product zones sequentially, replacing the need for multiple fixed diffusers and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive hydration coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser is designed with modular components including a mobile body, adjustable orifice, and separation from the generator. This segmentation allows the diffuser to be repositioned and reconfigured for different product layouts, enabling one diffuser to perform the work of multiple fixed diffusers
2Reliability
If multiple diffusers are used to ensure all products are hydrated, then the hydration uniformity is improved, but the water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that detect product hydration levels and provide feedback to the control system. This feedback mechanism allows the mobile diffuser to adjust its position and operation based on actual hydration needs, ensuring uniform hydration while avoiding unnecessary water application and reducing overall water consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile diffuser operates by periodically moving to different positions along the shelf and applying mist to different product zones in sequence. This periodic action ensures all products receive adequate hydration while concentrating water application only where and when needed, reducing total water consumption compared to continuous application by multiple diffusers
3Ease of manufacture
If fixed diffusers are used with specific orientations, then the manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the adaptability to different product layouts decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The diffuser incorporates a mobile body with adjustable orifice positioning capabilities, allowing it to adapt its configuration to different product layouts. This dynamic adjustability maintains manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to various display arrangements
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile diffuser is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple product zones and adapt to different display configurations. Its repositionable orifice and mobile body allow it to perform the function of multiple specialized fixed diffusers, enhancing versatility without complicating manufacturing
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
Enhances the uniform hydration of products, reduces the number and size of diffusers, decreases material and water usage, and improves the aesthetic appearance of the display while optimizing product conservation.
Implementation Method 1
The mist of droplets is generated by a generator comprising in particular an ultrasound emitter
Implementation Method 2
The droplets once formed are ejected towards the diffuser using a jet of air
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (18) for spraying a mist of droplets, including at least one liquid diffuser (22) including at least one spray aperture (24), wherein the device is configured such that the diffuser is mobile with at least one degree of freedom relative to the rest of the device (26).