Vibrating Membrane Aerosol Generator Backflush Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inhalation therapy devices with membrane aerosol generators face issues with clogged membrane openings, leading to reduced aerosol generation rates and prolonged therapy sessions, despite regular cleaning, as existing methods do not effectively prevent or eliminate blockages.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning method where the cleaning liquid is supplied to the aerosol side of the membrane and the membrane is vibrated to backflush through the openings, allowing the liquid to collect on the liquid side, effectively removing blockages and enhancing the cleaning process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If regular cleaning of the membrane is performed using existing methods, then the membrane is maintained, but the membrane openings become clogged and aerosol generation rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning liquid is supplied to the aerosol side of the membrane (opposite to the liquid side) and the membrane is vibrated to transport the cleaning liquid through the membrane in reverse direction, from aerosol side to liquid side. This backflushing approach effectively removes blockages from the membrane openings that conventional cleaning methods cannot eliminate.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is set into vibration during the cleaning process to enhance the transport of cleaning liquid through the membrane openings. The vibration facilitates the backflushing action and helps dislodge and remove blockages more effectively, maintaining aerosol generation rate.
2Productivity
If the membrane is cleaned more frequently to prevent blockages, then aerosol generation rate is maintained, but therapy session time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By reversing the cleaning liquid supply direction to the aerosol side and using backflushing, the cleaning process becomes significantly more effective at removing blockages. This allows the membrane to maintain high aerosol generation rates for longer periods, extending the interval between cleanings and reducing the frequency of therapy interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane's own vibration capability is utilized during cleaning to facilitate the backflushing process. The vibration transport mechanism that normally generates aerosol is repurposed to drive cleaning liquid through the membrane, enabling the device to clean itself effectively without external intervention.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cleaning methods are used, then the membrane surface is cleaned, but individual membrane openings remain blocked
Solution Approach 1:
Conventional cleaning supplies liquid to the liquid side, but this invention supplies cleaning liquid to the aerosol side and uses membrane vibration to transport it through to the liquid side. This reverse approach allows the cleaning liquid to reach and flush out blockages in the membrane openings from the opposite direction, effectively clearing individual openings that conventional methods miss.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration of the membrane during cleaning creates dynamic flow patterns that enhance the penetration of cleaning liquid through the membrane openings. This mechanical vibration dislodges adhered materials and facilitates complete clearing of blockages, ensuring all openings remain patent while maintaining a simple cleaning procedure.
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
This method significantly extends the service life of the inhalation therapy device by maintaining high-quality aerosol generation without prolonging therapy sessions, ensuring effective membrane cleaning and preventing blockages.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator, for example, a ring-shaped piezoelectric element and a ring-shaped substrate, which are connected to each other and to the membrane in such a way that a control signal supplied to the piezoelectric element causes vibrations of the vibration generator, which in turn cause the vibrations of the membrane
Implementation Method 2
When the membrane of the membrane aerosol generator is set into vibration, the liquid is transported through the openings of the membrane and released as an aerosol
Implementation Method 3
the membrane is set into vibration such that the cleaning liquid is conveyed through the openings of the membrane from the aerosol side to the liquid side
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention describes a device and a method for cleaning a vibrating membrane (3) of a membrane aerosol generator (4) of an inhalation therapy device, in which a cleaning fluid is supplied to the membrane (3) on the aerosol side, and the membrane (3) is set into vibration in such a way that the cleaning fluid is conveyed through the openings of the membrane (3) to the liquid side of the membrane.