Venturi Eductor With Rotating Flow Restrictor for Dilution Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing venturi eductors for diluting concentrated chemical cleaning products lack user-friendly and reliable mechanisms for adjusting the dilution ratio, as they require disassembly and handling of small, easily misplaced flow restrictors, and suffer from leakage and misalignment issues with prior art designs.

Innovation Solution

A venturi eductor with an annular flow restrictor body and seal member, allowing for rotational alignment of multiple nozzles with varying orifices, and a control mechanism for precise adjustment and locking to prevent leakage, ensuring a consistent dilution ratio.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If removable flow restrictors with small orifices are used to control dilution ratio, then the dilution ratio can be adjusted, but the device requires disassembly and the small restrictors are easily misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedilution ratio adjustmentVSAvoidoperation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restrictor is segmented into multiple interchangeable restrictors, each with a specific orifice size for different dilution ratios. This allows users to select the appropriate restrictor for the desired dilution ratio without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The flow restrictor is designed as a separate, removable component that can be easily extracted from the dispensing passage. This extraction design, combined with a retention feature, allows for simple replacement while preventing accidental loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If interchangeable flow restrictors are used to change dilution ratio, then different dilution ratios can be achieved, but the device must be taken apart and restrictors are liable to be misplaced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedilution ratio controlVSAvoidrestrictor retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A retention feature acts as an intermediary mechanism between the flow restrictor and the dispensing passage. This feature securely holds the restrictor in place during operation, preventing accidental dislodgement, while still allowing intentional removal when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If small flow restrictors are used to control chemical product flow, then precise dilution ratio control is possible, but the restrictors are easily blocked and damaged during cleaning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflow rate controlVSAvoidcleaning accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The flow restrictor is designed as a separate, easily extractable component that can be removed from the dispensing passage for cleaning or replacement. This extraction capability allows users to access the small orifice for cleaning without disassembling the entire eductor device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The design allows for the restriction element to be easily removed, cleaned, and reused. If damaged beyond repair, the restrictor can be discarded and replaced with another from the set, minimizing downtime and maintenance complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

4Adaptability or versatility

If a restrictor plug with grooves is rotated to adjust dispensing passage diameter, then dilution ratio can be adjusted, but chemical product can leak from the socket

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedispensing rate adjustmentVSAvoidchemical product leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A seal member acts as an intermediary between the restrictor plug and the socket to prevent chemical product leakage. This seal ensures that the chemical product flows only through the intended dispensing passage and not around the restrictor plug.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The seal member is designed as a flexible element that can deform to accommodate the restrictor plug in different rotational positions while maintaining a continuous seal. This flexibility allows for rotation adjustment without compromising the seal integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

5Adaptability or versatility

If a restrictor plug is made fully removable for switching between different plugs, then different dispensing rates can be achieved, but the plug can be accidentally removed during use

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverestrictor interchangeabilityVSAvoidplug retention
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A retention feature serves as an intermediary mechanism that selectively retains the restrictor plug. It provides secure retention during normal operation to prevent accidental removal, while allowing intentional removal when the user needs to change the restrictor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 user-friendly, leak-proof, and adjustable mechanism for controlling the dilution ratio, eliminating the need for multiple interchangeable restrictors and preventing accidental disassembly, ensuring consistent and accurate mixing of chemical cleaning products with water.

Implementation Method 1

venturi eductors are commonly used to dilute such concentrated chemical cleaning products with water in a consistent and controlled way. These devices work by passing a controlled stream of water through a venturi, which acts to draw the chemical product through an adjoining dispensing passage and into the water stream

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVenturi effect: Venturi Effect

Implementation Method 2

the proportion of the chemical product drawn into the flow of water can be precisely controlled to obtain a desired dilution ratio of output. This can be achieved by forming the diameter of the dispensing passage such that the chemical product will pass therethrough at a desired rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFlow restriction:

Data Source

PatentEP2578305B1Venturi eductor with adjustable flow restrictor
Publication Date: 2016.11.09 BRIGHTWELL DISPENSERS
  • EP2578305B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578305B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2578305B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A venturi eductor comprising a flow passage 2 for a first liquid, a dispensing passage 3 with an opening 4 into the flow passage 2 to allow a second liquid to be drawn therethrough and into a first liquid flowing through the flow passage 2, and a flow restrictor 5 in the dispensing passage 3, in which the flow restrictor 5 comprises a body 6 with a plurality of nozzles 7 passing therethrough with varying sizes of orifice 8, which body is movable between a first position in which a first 7' of said nozzles 7 is disposed in the path of the second liquid, and further positions in each of which a further of said nozzles 7 is disposed in the path of the second liquid.