Water Supply Device Overflow Window Design for Surface Tension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing water supply devices for electric appliances connected to water mains face challenges in preventing backflow and meeting overflow requirements, particularly when surface tension is high, often necessitating increased dimensions of the overflow window, which can be impractical due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a rib or recess at the lower edge of the overflow window, creating an air gap with an unpressurized nozzle or a gap in the flow conduit, allows water to drain effectively within the stipulated time without requiring increased dimensions, utilizing ambient pressure to manage surface tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the overflow window dimensions are increased to overcome surface tension and ensure proper draining, then the draining effectiveness is improved, but the device occupies more space and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the overflow window into multiple separate windows rather than using one large window. This segmentation allows the system to achieve the necessary total overflow area while maintaining individual window dimensions that are compatible with standard body sizes, thus resolving the contradiction between draining effectiveness and space constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a groove at the lower edge of the overflow window that creates an air gap, changing the local quality of the water flow path. This air gap disrupts surface tension effects locally, allowing water to drain effectively through smaller window openings without requiring enlarged dimensions
2Productivity
If the overflow window dimensions are increased to ensure water drains within the stipulated time, then the draining speed is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the overflow window into multiple smaller windows, the invention achieves sufficient total drainage area without requiring any single window to be excessively large, thereby maintaining standard body dimensions and avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The groove introducing an air gap acts as an intermediary element that facilitates water drainage by breaking surface tension. This simple geometric feature enables faster draining without adding mechanical complexity to the device structure
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the overflow window dimensions are increased to overcome surface tension effects, then the surface tension barrier is overcome, but the available space for the device is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The overflow window is segmented into multiple smaller openings, each with dimensions that fit within standard body space constraints, while the cumulative area provides sufficient overflow capacity to overcome surface tension effects
Solution Approach 2:
The air gap introduced by the groove serves as an intermediary that eliminates surface tension barriers at the water-air interface, allowing water to flow through smaller window openings without requiring enlarged dimensions that would reduce available space
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 solution ensures compliance with standards for backflow prevention and overflow management without enlarging the overflow window, effectively addressing the issue of surface tension while maintaining operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an air gap is arranged in said flow conduit, said air gap comprising an unpressurized nozzle from which water falls freely into a collection chamber at ambient pressure
Implementation Method 2
In the case wherein the level within the body of the supply device is greater than the overflow level, as a result also of the surface tension of the water
Implementation Method 3
By virtue of such an arrangement it is possible to ensure that water is able to drain away within the period of time stipulated by the standards, also in the case wherein surface tension is created
Implementation Method 4
an air gap is arranged in said flow conduit, said air gap comprising an unpressurized nozzle from which water falls freely into a collection chamber at ambient pressure
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Water supply device for an electric appliance connected to water mains, comprising a body (1) that defines an inner cavity (19) and, within the inner cavity (19), a flow conduit (26) for water from an inlet (21) to an outlet (20, 22, 24), wherein an overflow window (13) communicating with the inner cavity (19) is formed through an outer wall (11) of the body (1), the overflow window (13) having a lower edge (131) defining a spillover level (H) above which water accumulated in the inner cavity (19) spills out of the body (1). An air gap (32) is arranged in the flow conduit (26)