Vibration Plate Bubble Generator with Intermediary Shielding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bubble generating devices face challenges in efficiently generating uniform bubbles across a vibration plate due to vibration absorption by elastic bodies and transmission of vibrations to liquid tanks, leading to decreased amplitude and non-uniform bubble generation.

Innovation Solution

A bubble generating device attachable to a liquid tank, featuring a vibration plate with pores, a first cylindrical body, a spring, a second cylindrical body, and a piezoelectric element. The device isolates the liquid from the gas using the vibration plate and applies back pressure to introduce gas through the pores, generating fine bubbles by vibrating the vibration plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a rubber elastic body is used to hold the vibration plate, then the liquid is isolated from the gas, but the rubber elastic body absorbs part of the vibration of the vibration plate, reducing vibration amplitude

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation of liquid from gasVSAvoidvibration amplitude
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

A rigid shielding object is introduced as an intermediary between the vibration plate and the rubber elastic body. The shielding object directly contacts the vibration plate to transmit vibrations effectively, while the rubber elastic body contacts only the shielding object, not the vibration plate. This intermediary structure allows the rubber elastic body to provide liquid-gas isolation without absorbing vibration energy from the vibration plate itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a hard shielding object is used to hold the vibration plate, then the liquid is isolated from the gas, but the vibration of the vibration plate is transmitted to the liquid tank, causing the liquid tank to vibrate and decreasing the amplitude of the vibration plate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveisolation of liquid from gasVSAvoidvibration amplitude
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding structure is segmented into multiple functional components: a rigid shielding object for vibration transmission, a rubber elastic body for liquid-gas isolation, and a support structure for mounting. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the rigid shielding object transmits vibrations without absorbing them, while the rubber elastic body provides isolation without contacting the vibration plate directly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid shielding object acts as a mediator between the vibration plate and the mounting structure. It provides a stable connection for vibration transmission while preventing direct contact between the vibration plate and the liquid tank or other structures that could cause unwanted vibrations and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the vibration plate is held at an end, then the structure is simple, but bubbles are generated only in the vicinity of the center where the amplitude increases, resulting in non-uniform bubble generation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding structureVSAvoiduniformity of bubble generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The holding structure transitions from one-dimensional end-point support to two-dimensional distributed support along the entire edge of the vibration plate. This dimensional change allows vibrations to be transmitted uniformly across the entire plate surface, enabling consistent bubble generation across all pores rather than only at the center where amplitude is highest.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 device efficiently generates uniform bubbles in a plane by vibrating the first cylindrical body supported by a spring, preventing vibration transmission to the liquid tank and ensuring consistent bubble formation across the vibration plate.

Implementation Method 1

a piezoelectric element provided at another end of the second cylindrical body and configured to vibrate the second cylindrical body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

generates, by vibration, fine bubbles in a liquid in the liquid tank

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 3

a spring having a plate shape configured to support another end of the first cylindrical body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 4

uses vibration in a top-bottom direction in a central portion of a vibration plate that performs flexural vibration, and tears off, by vibration, bubbles generated in pores formed on the vibration plate to make fine bubbles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Data Source

PatentEP4108322B1Bubble generation device and bubble generation system
Publication Date: 2025.01.29 MURATA MFG CO LTD
  • EP4108322B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4108322B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP4108322B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The present disclosure indicates a bubble generating device (1) that is attached to a liquid tank and generates, by vibration, fine bubbles in a liquid in the liquid tank. The bubble generating device (1) includes a vibration plate (2), a first cylindrical body (31), a spring (32), a second cylindrical body (33), and a piezoelectric element (4). The vibration plate (2) has a plurality of pores, is in contact with a liquid on one surface, and is in contact with a gas on another surface. The first cylindrical body (31) holds, at one end, the vibration plate (2). The spring (32) having a plate shape supports another end of the first cylindrical body (31). The second cylindrical body (33) supports, at one end, a position of the spring (32) outside a position where the first cylindrical body (31) is supported. The piezoelectric element (4) is provided at another end of the second cylindrical body (33) and vibrates the second cylindrical body (33).