Stationary Swirl Chamber for Vortex Water Dispenser
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vortex water dispenser devices for showers are complex, expensive, and prone to malfunctions due to the use of rotating parts, which are susceptible to limescale formation.
Innovation Solution
A compact dispenser device with a reduced number of components, featuring swirl chambers and tangentially arranged supply channels that introduce pressurized water to form vortices, maintaining rotation through progressively narrowing nozzles, and ensuring constructive interference of adjacent jets for a uniform output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rotating parts are used to generate vortex water jets, then the vortex effect is achieved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes rotating parts from the system entirely, extracting the problematic mechanical components that caused complexity and reliability issues. Instead of using rotating propellers or nozzles, the invention employs stationary swirl chambers with specially designed internal geometries to generate the vortex effect, thereby eliminating mechanical wear, limescale accumulation in moving parts, and mechanical failure modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotating system with a hydraulic/swirl-based system. The vortex is generated through the interaction of water flow with stationary swirl chambers that have specific geometric features (such as inclined walls or spiral channels), converting mechanical rotation into a fluid dynamic phenomenon that is more reliable and maintenance-free.
2Ease of manufacture
If rotating parts are used to generate vortex water jets, then the vortex effect is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing rotating parts from the design, the patent simplifies the manufacturing process. Stationary swirl chambers can be manufactured using conventional machining or molding techniques without the need for precision-balanced rotating components, bearings, seals, and motor assemblies, significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary swirl chamber design uses simpler, more durable materials and construction methods compared to rotating assemblies. The components are designed to be robust and maintenance-free, effectively creating a permanent, non-consumable solution that eliminates the need for periodic replacement of wear-prone rotating parts.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If rotating parts are used to generate vortex water jets, then the vortex effect is achieved, but the device is more prone to malfunctions due to limescale formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates rotating parts that are susceptible to limescale accumulation in bearings, seals, and moving interfaces. The stationary swirl chambers have smooth, continuous surfaces without crevices or moving joints, making them highly resistant to limescale buildup and easy to clean, thereby reducing malfunction risk.
Solution Approach 2:
The design accepts that water will flow through the system and potentially deposit minerals, but the stationary geometry with smooth walls and optimized flow paths actually promotes uniform flow distribution and reduces stagnation zones where limescale typically forms, converting a potential harm into a manageable condition.
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 results in a reliable, cost-effective, and efficient vortex water dispenser with a simple structure, producing a uniform and homogeneous mist effect without the need for rotating parts, reducing the risk of malfunctions and limescale issues.
Implementation Method 1
introduce a stream of pressurised water into a swirl chamber (14) in a tangential direction to said chamber, so that the flow of water maintains its speed inside the chamber and, guided by the side wall, forms a vortex
Implementation Method 2
the flow of water maintains its speed inside the chamber and, guided by the side wall, forms a vortex
Implementation Method 3
the dispenser device generates multiple jets of water in the form of a vortex that intersect each other causing the rupture of the bonds between the water molecules and thereby forming a jet of water spray, also known as 'mist'
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A dispenser device of a jet of water in the form of a vortex comprises at least one swirl path (12) of the water comprising a swirl chamber (14) with a circular crosssection. The chamber has a side wall (16) which flows, narrowing progressively, into a respective dispenser nozzle (22). Each swirl path further comprises a chamber supply channel (24) which can be fluidically connected to a water supply pipe and flowing into an inlet portion (162) of the side wall (16) of the swirl chamber (14). The chamber supply channel (24) is arranged tangentially relative to the swirl chamber (14).