Multiple Input Dip Tube with Hydrophilic Membranes for Tilted Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Single-input dip tubes are inefficient when the container is tilted, as the fluid may pool below the input location, leading to incomplete fluid utilization.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-input dip tube with hydrophilic membranes and reservoir regions that expand the intake area, allowing fluid to be drawn from multiple locations and preventing air intake, which increases the total fluid flow and ensures a consistent spray even when the container is tilted.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a single-input dip tube is used, then the device complexity is low, but the fluid utilization efficiency deteriorates when the container is tilted
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube is segmented into multiple input sections (first input section, second input section, etc.) positioned at different locations and orientations. Each input section can independently draw fluid from different regions of the container, ensuring that at least one input remains submerged regardless of container tilt angle, thereby maintaining fluid utilization efficiency while keeping each individual input section relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The dip tube transitions from a single-point input to a multi-point distributed input structure in three-dimensional space. By positioning inputs at different spatial coordinates and orientations, the system captures fluid from multiple dimensional perspectives, ensuring continuous fluid intake across various container orientations without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple inputs are added to the dip tube, then the fluid flow intake capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube is divided into multiple input sections with individual intake openings positioned at different locations. Each section contributes to the total fluid flow, and the segmented structure allows independent optimization of each input section while maintaining manageable overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple input sections are merged into a single integrated dip tube structure that converges to one outlet. This combining approach increases total fluid intake capability while consolidating the structure, preventing excessive complexity by unified the multiple inputs into a cohesive design.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the dip tube is designed to work at various tilt angles, then the adaptability is improved, but the reliability of consistent fluid delivery may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The dip tube uses multiple input sections oriented at different angles (e.g., first input section substantially perpendicular to longitudinal axis, second input section at an angle therebetween). This segmentation ensures that regardless of container tilt angle, at least one input section remains positioned to draw fluid, maintaining reliable and consistent fluid delivery across varying operational conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The dip tube design adapts dynamically to container orientation through its multi-directional input sections. As the container tilts, different input sections become active or inactive based on their relative positions, allowing the system to maintain reliable fluid delivery without requiring active adjustment mechanisms.
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 multiple-input design allows for more efficient fluid use and consistent spraying, enabling the container to be held at various angles without reducing fluid delivery, ensuring complete fluid utilization and flexibility in usage.
Implementation Method 1
A hydrophilic membrane 17 prevents air intake to a reservoir region 15 when fluid does not reach to a location of hydrophylic membrane 17. When fluid does reach to the location of hydrophilic membrane 17, fluid can pass through hydrophilic membrane 17 to reach reservoir region 15.
Implementation Method 2
A venturi section 41 of the input section 33 causes a pressure drop that increases the flow of fluid through the input section 33 and compensates for the loss of flow across membrane 37 into reservoir region 35.
Data Source
AI summary
A dip tube includes a main dip tube section and a plurality of input sections. Each input section in the plurality of input sections includes a reservoir region capped by a hydrophilic membrane. The plurality of input sections are joined to the main dip tube section at a junction.