EP0689786A1

EP0689786A1 - Forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branch guiding tubes

Info

Publication number: EP0689786A1
Application number: EP94110210A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Chyn-Herng Hwu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-04
Filing date: 1994-06-30
Publication date: 1996-01-03
Also published as: ZA943085B

Abstract

A forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes and, in particular, a perforated mesh-like, flexible, flat surface structure (1) having a set of single or double faces, a set or more than one set of hollow guiding manifolds comprising main and branch manifolds being disposed on one surface or between sandwiched layers. A fluid pump (24) is disposed on one end of the main (22) tube and the guiding manifolds are provided with a plurality of suitable fine holes (25), fluid of suitable pressure being pumped into the guiding manifolds by the fluid pump, causing the fluid to produce a uniform pressure and to flow uniformly out from said fine holes (25) and the mesh-like flat surface structure (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes which is a perforated mesh-like, flexible, flat surface structure having a set of single or double faces, a set of hollow guiding manifolds being disposed on one surface or between sandwiched layers. The guiding manifolds are provided with a plurality of fine holes, and a fluid pump is disposed on one end of the main tube such that fluid of suitable pressure is delivered into the guiding manifolds and flows uniformly out from the perforated structure enabling the surface of the object contacting therewith to perform necessary exchanges of physical and chemical properties between said object and fluid.
If two objects are enclosed in a fluid and make surface engagement in a face to face manner, it is often impossible to maintain suitable spacing between the local surfaces of mutual contact, resulting in a local blocking effect on the relative contact surfaces such that the fluid cannot flow through the local blocked area of relative contact, causing adverse changes to occur in the blocked area.
For example, when one sits on a chair or lies in a bed, his legs and back must make a contact with a certain area which is very likely to produce a blocking effect, that is, it will be difficult for fluid to flow through the region. With respect to the human body, the adverse changes represent pains in local areas resulted from the local contact because of lack of suitable air flow and of interrupted perspiration, and even lead to illness changes after a long period of time.
That is to say, for a driver or one working indoors who takes a sitting posture for long time, his legs and back make sealed engagement with the chair face for long time such that ventilation and perspiration of the legs and back are interrupted which results in discomfort and further, affects the attentiveness to driving and the mood for work. A coping measure taken by workers of this type is to place a flat mattress with a thickness of interstices between the body and the chair, thereby to obtain limited gaps, thus reducing the blocked area. However, due thereto that such gaps are discontinuous and the fluid (air) is not forced driven, only insignificant comforting effect can be obtained by air flowing through the region.
In addition, when a broken limb has to be wrapped with a plaster for a period of time, the skin of the limb is enclosed by the plaster to become blocked and tends to result in illness changes in the region. Or during the time when the limb is sealed by the plaster, it is impossible to perform treatment in the blocked area through external coating or soaking of medicine.
To solve the above problems or other adverse effects due to engagement of objects in contact such that it is impossible for necessary exchanges with the surrounding fluid, it is required to have a suitable structure serving as a separator which causes a forced and uniform guiding fluid to flow between the two objects so as to create suitable gaps and to obtain forced and uniform fluid exchange in the blocked area. Accordingly, the present invention is to provide effective fluid exchange in a blocked area by means of a perforated mesh-like surface with a set of hollow guiding manifolds disposed thereon, the manifolds being distributed all over the mesh-like surface and provided with a suitable number of fine holes, and a fluid being forced introduced into the hollow guiding manifolds and flowing uniformly out from the mesh-like surface by a fluid pump.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide forced fluid exchange in the blocked area created between two relatively contacting objects such that desired physical or chemical effects can be obtained on the contact surface.
The above and other objects, features and effects of the present invention will be better understood from the following description by way of embodiments thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention used in a chair mattress;
Fig. 3 shows `another embodiment of the present invention place inside a chair;
Fig. 4 is cross section view showing still another embodiment of the present invention used with plaster for fixing a broken limb;
Fig. 5 is a cross section and perspective view of the fine hole with a micro-valve which is closed; and
Fig. 6 is a cross section and perspective view of the fine hole with a micro-valve which is opened.

As shown in Fig. 1, the forced flow guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes of the present invention consists essentially of a perforated mesh-like, flat surface object 1 having a set of single or double faces, a branched guiding tubular object 2 and a fluid pump 24. The perforated mesh-like flat surface object 1 and branched guiding tubular object 2 are flat and are flexible structures joined together in a flat stacking manner. A drain tube 26 extends from the main tube 22 of the branched guiding tubular object 2 with the fluid pump 24 connected at an appropriate length.
The branched guiding tubular object 2 is a flat surface object having flow guiding manifolds in tubular distribution thereon, comprising the main tube 22 as its trunk. The trunk has provided thereon a plurality of branch tubes 23 uniformly distributed over its planar extent, a plurality of fine holes 25 which penetrate through the tube wall and are provided on the surface of the main tube 22 or on the branch tubes 23 facing the perforated mesh-like flat surface object 1. Moreover, a support structure 21 (arranged as post shaped bodies) of the same height as the main tube 22 and branch tubes 23 is provided in the space between individual branch tubes 23 of the branched guiding tubes such that the joined perforated mesh-like flat surface object 1 has a junction surface of equal height and uniform support. The main tube 22 will gradually change (decrease) its area of cross section in the direction of the end because of distribution of the branch tubes 23 to accommodate the fluid flow and pressure therein.
The branched guiding tubular object 2 produces significant pressure difference between the fluid pressures at the inlet (the fluid pump) and the fine holes 25 such that the fluid will flow due the pressure and will flow out uniformly at the fine holes. The fluid pump is provided for supplying suitable fluid pressure in the main and branch tubes so as to overcome the resistance to flow in and out the tubes.
One of the embodiments of application for the above structure includes a chair mattress 3 as shown in Fig. 2. Said chair mattress has two sets of perforated mesh-like flat surface objects 1 joined to a branched guiding tubular object 2 serving as a mattress for the chair seat and back, respectively, both being connected by a flexible tube 31 between the main tubes 22, wherein a fluid pump 24 is provided at a suitable position on one end of each of the main tubes. Said fluid pump provides blowing effect for air to blow in from the main tube 22 and to blow out through the perforated mesh-like flat surface objects 1 from individual fine holes 25. By placing such a device between the body and the chair, air flow can be obtained at the legs, the buttocks, and the back, that is, the regions which were originally air tight, thereby to improve the temperature and humidity conditions in local areas.
In Fig. 3 there is shown another embodiment for application of the invention. The perforated mesh-like flat surface object 1 and the branched guiding tubular object 2 are fitted directly inside a chair and at the bottom, and fine holes 25 are provided such that pressurized air produced by the fluid pump can flow out from the fine holes 25 through the main tube 22 and the branch tubes 23. The air blown out will pass through the soft, fine textured chair mattress and flow out uniformly from the surface of the chair. In case of an automobile chair, the fluid pump can be connected to a cool air outlet for air of low temperature to flow out from the chair surface, thereby to relieve the suffering due to the legs and the back being pressed against the chair surface for a long time.
In some special case, when the contact blocking region is not adequate to cover all the fine holes 25, to prevent the leakage of fluid through the un-blocked region, the fine holes could be modified as showed in Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. A micro-valve 27 is inserted in the fine hole 25 with a micro-spring 28 to supply a suitable supporting force to close fine hole 25 when no object contacting force presses micro-valve 27 inward, and to open fine hole 25 when micro-valve 27 is pressed inward by the object contacting force.
In some particular situations when necessary, the branched guiding tubular object 2 of the present invention, which includes a plurality of branch tubes 23, the main tube 2, and the fluid pump 24, can be arranged as a pair of two sets. Each single branch tube 23 of a set, is inserted between other branch tubes 23 of another set, and the tubes are placed together one by one of each set to form a layer which is covered by the perforated mesh surface 1. One pump functions to increase the pressure of the fluid in the end of the main tube of a set, and the other one to decrease the pressure of the fluid in the end of the main tube of another set. Thereby the physical and chemical property exchanges between said object and fluid of the blocking region can be improved.
Furthermore, in certain cases, the fluid in the branched guiding tubular object 2 of present invention is supplied at a proper difference of pressure between their two ends, from the end of main tube to the fine hole of the branch tube, by some certain physical and chemical circumstances. For example, in the case of high pressure steam, or where there is a potential difference of liquid, etc., the fluid pump 24 can be omitted in the present invention by such certain environment.
Fig. 4 shows still another embodiment for application of the invention. A fractured limb 4 is shown fixed for treatment by wrapping with a plaster 41. The forced flow-guiding device has perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes which are provided between the plaster 41 and the limb 4 such that the surface of the perforated mesh-like flat surface object 1 contacts the skin of the limb, the branched guiding tubular object 2 being wrapped around the limb, and then fixed by the plaster or a bandage. A drain tube 26 extends from the end of the main tube to be connected to a fluid pump 24 for fluid to flow over the surface of the limb, thus providing a dry and cool effect. Alternatively, a solution for surface soaking end coating treatment can be injected, thereby to perform the necessary cleaning or attachment, thus improving the surface condition in the affected area by the uniform flow of fluid.
Alternatively, an electric heating device and a selection switch (timing switch, temperature controlling switch, etc.) can be fitted to the fluid pump 24 to provide another type of quilted cover, pillow, chair or bed mattress which supplies warm fluid or for other uses where a warming effect is required.
The present invention can be used for the garments or the protective clothing for sports, for example for use on the inside of a raincoat when the present invention can be used as a forced fresh air flow pad to push the outside fresh air to follow the guiding tubes into the raincoat, and to remove the warm and sweat laden air from the surface of the body, thereby preventing an uncomfortable feeling from the high humidity and temperature caused by blocking a region of the surface of the body which is covered by the raincoat. Another example is a use in sports, such as in football, baseball, or other kind of sports, etc., for wearing the protector for a long time during competitions. The same reason applies namely that it is very uncomfortable due to the high humidity and temperature. By using the present invention in the inside surface of protective clothing, such as a helmet, chest protector and shoulder pad, etc. they can be made to function in the same manner as the raincoat described above.
Another embodiment of the present invention is for use in a storage operation. In this use the invention can supply forced fresh air flow to laminated constructions of a piled up stack, as each layer of merchandise has the forced air flow coming in from outside to adjust the humidity and temperature of the contacting blocking surface to prevent deterioration of the merchandise due to bad storage environments. Commercial benefits can thus result from improving the conditions of storage.
For freezing and thermal treatments, the present invention can offer an effective solution for heat conducting in these operations. For example, in food processing, the traditional steamer can be replaced by putting the present invention into a closed space, In a freezing operation, as the objects under treatment are piled up layer by layer, by putting the present invention between each layer of these piled up objects, the processing speed can be improved and a uniform result can be obtained in each layer.
In the chemical industry, the present invention can provide a forced fluid flow, in the operation of a chemical reaction, for solid objects piled up layer by layer with the fluid surrounding the objects to effect a chemical reaction. Between the layers, forced fluid improves the speed of the chemical reaction and achieves a better and more uniform result. For certain conditions, more than one set of the branched guiding tubular object 2 may be arranged together with each one branch being separated apart from and independent of the others. By putting the branched tubes together one by one to another set, the fluid in each tubular is mixed uniformly and is restricted to the area of the blocking region. Thereby a further specific example of the present invention is provided.
From the foregoing, the present invention aims at forcing fluid to be guided through branched guiding tubes into which a fluid having pressure difference is supplied by a fluid pump. The fluid flows out from the fine holes, the planar fluid effect provided by the perforated mesh-like flat surface object being applied to chairs, bed mattresses, fractured limbs or other surfaces requiring exchange of physical or chemical properties with fluid, all giving good results.
Although the preferred embodiments have been described in detail, it should be understood that various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

A forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes which is a device having flexible forced guiding flat surface bodies, consisting essentially of a single or double faced perforated mesh-like flat surface structure, a branched guiding tubular object and a fluid pump, characterized in that a set of the branched guiding tubular objects in planar distribution are disposed between the single or double faced flexible mesh-like structures, said tubular object comprising main and branch tubes spreading into a tree branch shape, a plurality of fine holes being provided at the contact surface between the tubes and the flexible flat surface object, and the fluid pump being provided at an end or an extended section of the main tube such that surrounding fluid flows between the branched guiding tubular objects through the fluid pump for increasing or decreasing the pressure .
The forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes according to Claim 1 wherein a support structure of the same height as the branch tubes of the branch guiding tubular object is provided in the space between the tubes for uniform support for the perforated mesh-like flat surface object .
The forced flow guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes according to Claim 1 wherein the main tube of the branched guiding tubular object may change in length and area of cross section depending on the amount of fluid required to flow therethrough so as to maintain proper fluid pressure.
The forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes according to Claim 1 wherein a micro-valve is inserted in each fine hole to prevent the leakage of fluid out of an un-blocked region and a micro-spring to supply a suitable supporting and closing force to the micro-valve so that when an object contacts and presses against the micro-valve, the fine hole is opened by micro-valve moving inwardly.
The forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes according to Claim 1 which includes means for providing a predetermined difference of pressure between the end of main tube and the fine holes of the branch tubes by physical or chemical means.
The forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes according to Claim 1 wherein the perforated mesh-like, flexible, flat surface structure which includes shaped surfaces which can match the shape of certain contacting surface by means of preformed.
The forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes according to Claim 1 which includes more than one set of the branched guiding tubular objects put together, the branch tubes of each set being placed one by one and each route of the branched tubular objects being separate and independent from one another, and the fluids in each set of branched tubular objects having its own physical and chemical properties.
The forced flow-guiding device having perforated mesh surface branched guiding tubes according to Claim 7 in which in the more than one set of the branched guiding tubular objects, the fluid pumps of each end of the main tube can increase or decrease the pressure of each branched tubular object identically on its own.
A new flow-guiding device substantially as described herein.