Nebulizer Heater Device Drain Pipe Nesting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nebulizer systems face challenges with the external drain tube getting in the way, leading to handling difficulties and potential contamination, as well as requiring additional time for setup and risking system toppling when caught by objects.
Innovation Solution
The nebulizer system incorporates a drain pipe within the heater device to return non-aerosolized liquid back to the bottle, eliminating the need for an external drain tube, enhancing handling ease and preventing contamination by integrating the liquid receiving section within the heater device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an external drain tube is used to return non-aerosolized liquid to the bottle, then liquid can be returned to the bottle, but the drain tube may be caught by objects causing system toppling and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe is nested within the heater device housing, with its first end extending into the bottle through the heater device. This internal positioning eliminates the need for external drain tubes that could be caught by objects, while still allowing liquid to be returned to the bottle effectively.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater device housing serves as an intermediary structure that contains and protects the drain pipe. By routing the drain pipe through the heater device rather than externally, the system eliminates the vulnerability of external tubes while maintaining the liquid return function.
2Reliability
If the drain tube is fixedly connected to the nebulizer adapter, then liquid can be returned to the bottle, but connection work becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe is segmented into distinct sections: a first end that extends into the bottle, a middle portion contained within the heater device, and a second end that opens to the atmosphere. This segmentation allows the drain pipe to be pre-installed within the heater device, eliminating the need for complex external connections during setup.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pipe is pre-positioned within the heater device housing before the nebulizer adapter is connected to the bottle. This preliminary arrangement of the drain pipe eliminates the need for additional connection steps during assembly, reducing setup time while maintaining the liquid return function.
3Reliability
If the drain tube is exposed to the outside environment, then liquid can be returned to the bottle, but the drain tube tip may be contaminated causing liquid contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The drain pipe is nested within the protected environment of the heater device housing, with only the first end extending into the bottle. This internal positioning shields the drain pipe from external contamination sources while maintaining its liquid return function.
Solution Approach 2:
The heater device housing acts as a protective intermediary barrier between the drain pipe and the external environment. By containing the drain pipe within the heater device, the system prevents contact with contaminants while still allowing the drain pipe to perform its liquid return function.
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 simplifies the connection process, prevents system toppling, and reduces contamination risks by internalizing the liquid return mechanism, while allowing for efficient collection and return of non-aerosolized liquid.
Implementation Method 1
a heating unit for heating the water conduit
Implementation Method 2
a heater device for use in the nebulizer system... a heating unit for heating the water conduit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a nebulizer system that allows an easy connection of a bottle, a heater device, and a nebulizer adapter, while eliminating a drain tube that is exposed to the outside to get in the way, and a heater device preferably for use in the nebulizer system. The nebulizer system (1) includes a bottle (2) that has a bottle mouth (25) on top thereof and stores liquid therein, a heater device (3) that is connectable to the bottle mouth (25), and a nebulizer adapter (4) that is connectable to the heater device (3). The bottle (2) includes a dip tube (22) that is dipped into the liquid stored inside therein. An upper end portion of the dip tube (22) is disposed inside a circumferential wall of the bottle mouth (25) with a clearance (226) communicating between an interior and an exterior of the bottle (2) via the bottle mouth (25). The nebulizer adapter (4) includes a nozzle member (42) that has an orifice (421) for injecting gas, and an aerosol-forming member (43) disposed in a corresponding position with the orifice (421), sucks up the liquid in the bottle (2) via the dip tube (22) and heater device (3) by a stream of gas injected from the orifice (421), and generates fine aerosol from the sucked liquid. The heater device (3) includes a water conduit (32) in which a first end portion thereof is connected to an upper end portion of the dip tube (22) and a second end portion thereof is connected to the aerosol-forming member (43), a heating unit (33) for heating the water conduit (32), and a drain pipe (35) in which a first end thereof is positioned to face the clearance (226), the drain pipe (35) flowing back the liquid that is not aerosolized in the nebulizer adapter (4) into the bottle (2) via a second end portion thereof.