Piezoelectric Bubble Generator for Fine Bubbles Without Tank Vibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bubble generating devices struggle to effectively produce fine bubbles in liquids with high specific gravity, surface tension, or viscosity, as they require stronger vibrations that can leak into the liquid tank, causing unwanted vibrations.
Innovation Solution
A bubble generating device with a vibration plate attached to a cylindrical body, supported by a spring portion and a piezoelectric element, which isolates the liquid and gas spaces to generate fine bubbles efficiently, regardless of the liquid type, by controlling the vibration of the vibration plate without transmitting it to the liquid tank.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the vibration plate is caused to vibrate more strongly by the piezoelectric element to generate fine bubbles in liquids with high specific gravity, surface tension, or viscosity, then the bubble generation effectiveness is improved, but the vibration of the vibration plate leaks to the liquid tank, causing the liquid tank itself to vibrate
Solution Approach 1:
The device segments the vibration function by using a separate vibration plate that can be detached from the liquid tank. The vibration plate is provided with fine holes and can be separated from the tank body, allowing strong vibrations to be applied locally without transmitting to the entire tank structure. This segmentation enables independent optimization of vibration intensity for bubble generation while preventing unwanted tank vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration function is extracted from the liquid tank structure itself and placed in a separate, removable vibration plate. By taking out the vibration-generating component from the tank structure, the patent enables strong localized vibrations for effective bubble generation in difficult liquids while preventing the vibrations from leaking to and causing unwanted movements of the liquid tank.
2Ease of manufacture
If the outer diameter of the first cylindrical body is made smaller to reduce the size of the piezoelectric element, then manufacturing costs are reduced, but the airtightness between the device and the tank may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is segmented from the first cylindrical body and assigned to a dedicated sealing member. This sealing member is provided in the first cylindrical body to ensure airtight connection between the vibration plate and the liquid tank. By separating the sealing function from the structural cylindrical body, the patent allows the cylindrical body to have a smaller diameter for cost reduction while maintaining reliable airtightness through the specialized sealing component.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the first cylindrical body and the liquid tank opening. This sealing member ensures airtight connection while allowing the first cylindrical body to have a reduced diameter. The sealing member mediates between the structural requirements (smaller diameter for lower cost) and the functional requirements (airtightness for reliable operation).
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 device effectively generates fine bubbles in various liquids without causing unwanted vibrations in the liquid tank, reducing manufacturing costs by minimizing the size of the piezoelectric element and improving the airtightness between the device and the tank.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element to cause the spring portion to vibrate
Implementation Method 2
a spring portion that has a plate shape and supports another end portion of the first cylindrical body
Data Source
AI summary
A bubble generating device includes a vibration plate, a first cylindrical body, a spring portion, a second cylindrical body, and a piezoelectric element. The vibration plate includes openings, a first surface in contact with a liquid in a liquid tank, and a second surface in contact with a gas. The first cylindrical body has a first end portion supporting the vibration plate. The spring portion has a plate shape and supports a second portion of the first cylindrical body. The second cylindrical body has an end portion supporting the spring portion at a position outward of a position at which the first cylindrical body is supported. The piezoelectric element causes the spring portion to vibrate and is inward of a portion of a surface of the spring portion supported by the second cylindrical body.