Nebulizer Curved Flow Path Prevents Large Droplet Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nebulizers often output large, insufficiently atomized droplets due to straight paths from the gas hole to the discharge outlet, which allows these droplets to reach the outside without proper atomization.
Innovation Solution
The nebulizer design includes a curved gas flow path within the internal space, with specific points on the inner wall allowing only curved virtual line segments from the gas hole to the discharge outlet, preventing large droplets from reaching the outlet while allowing small droplets to flow smoothly out.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a straight line path is used from the gas hole to the discharge outlet, then the structure is simple, but large droplets can travel directly to the outlet without sufficient atomization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to the gas flow path by designing the internal space with curved surfaces instead of straight lines. The inner wall is configured with at least one curved surface that forms part of the gas flow path, causing the path to bend rather than remain straight. This curvature prevents large droplets from traveling directly from the gas hole to the discharge outlet, as they cannot follow the curved path, thereby improving atomization quality without significantly increasing structural complexity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the gas flow path is curved, then large droplets are prevented from reaching the outlet, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring the curved surface only in specific regions where it is needed to intercept large droplets, rather than making the entire internal space complex. The inner wall includes at least one curved surface positioned to form part of the gas flow path, allowing the path to be curved in critical areas while remaining relatively simple in other areas. This localized application of curvature achieves droplet separation while minimizing overall device complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple curved sections are added to the flow path, then more droplets are caught, but small droplets may excessively adhere to the wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by including only the minimum necessary curved surface area to achieve effective droplet separation. The inner wall is configured with at least one curved surface that provides sufficient path curvature to catch large droplets while avoiding excessive curvature that would cause small droplets to adhere. This partial application of curvature achieves the necessary droplet separation efficiency while maintaining adequate output flow rate.
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 configuration effectively prevents large droplets from being outputted, ensuring that only sufficiently atomized small droplets are delivered at a high flow rate, while large droplets are caught and removed within the device.
Implementation Method 1
a flow path of a gas from the gas hole to the discharge outlet is curved at one portion
Implementation Method 2
Among droplets traveling along a flow of the gas, large droplets are unable to turn at the curved corner of the flow path and adhere to the inner wall of the case
Implementation Method 3
small droplets traveling along the flow path of the gas are likely to smoothly travel in accordance with the flow of the gas within the case because of their lightweight
Data Source
AI summary
A nebulizer includes a case and a nozzle. The case has an inner wall which defines an internal space. The nozzle atomizes a liquid stored in the internal space. The case includes a discharge outlet for guiding the atomized liquid to the outside of the case. The nozzle has a gas hole and a liquid hole. The gas hole ejects a gas. The liquid hole is located adjacent to the gas hole and ejects the liquid. In the internal space, the case does not have any path formed of a straight line which extends from the gas hole to the discharge outlet by passing only through the internal space.