Ventilated Liquid Dispenser Head with Surface Tension Aperture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid dispensers with ventilation channels for pressure equalization are complex and expensive due to additional filter components, which can be wet by liquids, impeding the equalization process.
Innovation Solution
A discharge head with a simplified design featuring a coupling device, a pump device, and a ventilation channel with small, directly accessible apertures on the end surface that are oriented parallel to the outlet connector, allowing air to enter while preventing liquid ingress due to surface tension, minimizing the number of components and production complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a filter membrane is used to close the pressure equalizing opening, then liquid can be prevented from entering the ventilation channel, but the device complexity increases and production cost rises
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the filter membrane component from the ventilation system. Instead of using a membrane to prevent liquid ingress, the patent uses a purely geometric solution with specifically dimensioned ventilation apertures that rely on surface tension effects to block liquid while allowing air passage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the expensive filter membrane with simple, inexpensive geometric aperture structures that can be directly molded into the housing. This substitution dramatically reduces production costs while maintaining the liquid barrier function.
2Reliability
If a filter membrane is used for pressure equalization, then liquid ingress is prevented, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the liquid barrier function with the housing structure itself by integrating the ventilation apertures directly into the housing wall. This eliminates the need for separate filter components and reduces assembly steps, thereby lowering production costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the ventilation opening from a membrane-based continuous structure to discrete apertures with specific dimensions (0.1-1.0 mm diameter). This parameter change enables the use of surface tension effects to achieve liquid blocking without requiring expensive filter materials.
3Reliability
If the ventilation aperture cross section is reduced to at most 3·10^-2 mm², then liquid ingress is prevented through surface tension, but pressure equalization speed may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ventilation function into multiple discrete apertures distributed across the housing surface. While each individual aperture is small enough to block liquid via surface tension, the collective effect of multiple apertures provides sufficient total cross-sectional area for rapid pressure equalization.
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 effectively equalizes pressure without significant liquid loss, maintaining operational reliability and reducing production costs, suitable for low-cost applications like soap dispensers, while preventing liquid escape in upside-down positions.
Implementation Method 1
a domed liquid surface forms at the liquid-store-side entrance of the ventilation aperture, in the ventilation aperture, or at the entrance on the side averted from the liquid store
Data Source
AI summary
A discharge head for a liquid dispenser having a coupling device fastening to an outlet connector of a liquid store, a liquid inlet, and a discharge opening. The discharge head has a pump device conveying liquid from the liquid inlet to the discharge opening, and a ventilation channel. The discharge head has an end surface by which the liquid store is substantially closed off at the distal end of the outlet connector and which is extended through by the liquid inlet. The end surface and the coupling device are formed as part of a common main component. The end surface has a ventilation aperture which is part of the ventilation channel and through which air flows into the liquid store in an inflow direction. The ventilation aperture has a minimum clear cross section of at most 3·10−2 mm2.