Piezoelectric Spray Nozzle With Integrated Gravity Liquid Collection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nebulization devices are complex, energy-intensive, prone to hygiene issues due to liquid stagnation and leakage, and produce inconsistent mist quality, especially in environments with mechanical disturbances like vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A compact nebulization device with a piezoelectric element and a nozzle design where the liquid collection volume is integrated into the nebulization enclosure, allowing gravity-driven liquid collection and circulation, reducing the number of components and minimizing dead volumes, with a simplified liquid path to prevent leaks and stagnation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If an offset reservoir is used to collect liquid, then liquid collection capacity is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional pipes and pumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the liquid collection reservoir with the main device enclosure, eliminating the need for separate offset reservoirs, additional pipes, and pumps. The enclosure itself serves as the collection volume, directly receiving liquid from the nozzle without requiring external collection infrastructure.
2Ease of operation
If pipes and pumps are used to convey liquid, then liquid flow control is improved, but dead volume of liquid increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the unnecessary pipes and pumps from the liquid conveyance system. Liquid flows directly from the nozzle into the enclosure collection volume by gravity, removing the intermediate components that created dead volume while maintaining adequate flow control for the application.
3Ease of operation
If multiple components are used for liquid conveyance, then liquid flow management is improved, but risk of leaks increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the collection reservoir with the enclosure and eliminating intermediate pipes and pumps, the patent reduces the number of potential leak points. The direct gravity-fed system from nozzle to enclosure minimizes connections and mechanical components that could fail or leak.
4Quantity of substance
If liquid is collected in an offset reservoir, then collection capacity is improved, but hygiene problems increase due to liquid stagnation
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure collection volume is positioned to receive liquid directly from the nozzle by gravity, creating a self-draining system. Liquid naturally flows to the lowest point in the enclosure without requiring pumps or complex drainage systems, minimizing stagnation and improving hygiene through passive self-cleaning action.
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 solution provides a reliable, energy-efficient, and high-quality misting system capable of operating effectively in disturbed environments with improved hygiene and reduced complexity, ensuring consistent performance even under acceleration and mechanical stress.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric element immersed in water generates a mist of water droplets
Implementation Method 2
the mist, which is then carried by an air current generated by a fan
Implementation Method 3
the nebulization is carried out against the weight of the liquid present in the nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
This device comprises: - a nebulizing nozzle (20) provided with at least one liquid-intake orifice (23) and with at least one liquid-outlet orifice, and a piezoelectric element (22) able to emit acoustic waves into the said liquid, - a nebulizing chamber comprising at least one diffusion orifice (14), the said nozzle being able to generate a jet of liquid inside the said nebulizing chamber, - a liquid-collection volume (VC), able to supply the at least one intake orifice (23) of the nozzle, – ventilation means able to generate a gas stream (C7) intended to entrain part of the liquid, leaving the nozzle, in the direction of the at least one diffusion orifice (14). According to the invention, the liquid-collecting volume (VC) is able to collect under the effect of gravity the said fraction of the jet of liquid generated by the nozzle, notably being incorporated into the nebulizing chamber. That makes it possible to reduce the number of component parts of the device and to lighten the overall structure thereof. Moreover, the liquid can be conveyed between this collecting volume and the inlet of the nozzle via a pipe of simplified shape, thereby avoiding losses of pressure head and dead volumes. Because this liquid path is more direct, the risks of potential leakage are also lower.