Aerosol Valve Stem Sheath for Breakage Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aerosol dispenser valve stems are prone to breakage during transport and handling, leading to scrap and downtime due to their exposed and fragile nature.
Innovation Solution
A sheath is designed to protect the valve stem by extending upwardly and potentially circumscribing it, providing additional support and protection against breakage through internal or external blades that assist in assembly and welding processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the valve stem is left exposed for ease of assembly and actuation, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to breakage during transport and handling
Solution Approach 1:
A sheath is introduced as an intermediary protective element that surrounds the valve stem. The sheath acts as a mediator between the external environment (transport, handling) and the fragile valve stem, protecting it from breakage while allowing the valve stem to remain exposed enough for assembly and actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath provides beforehand protection by surrounding the valve stem before it is subjected to transport and handling stresses. This prior cushioning prevents breakage from occurring in the first place, rather than addressing damage after it occurs.
2Reliability
If a sheath is added to protect the valve stem, then the reliability is improved by reducing breakage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is implemented as a thin-walled cylindrical structure that provides protection without adding significant structural complexity. The thin-film approach allows the sheath to surround the valve stem while maintaining simplicity in design and manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective structure is segmented into distinct components: the sheath surrounding the valve stem, and internal/external blades positioned at specific locations. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while keeping the overall design manageable.
3Ease of manufacture
If internal or external blades are added to assist in assembly and welding, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blades are merged with the sheath structure, forming an integrated component rather than separate parts. This combining reduces the number of discrete components and assembly steps while still providing the manufacturing assistance functions of the blades.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath structure serves multiple functions: it provides protective coverage for the valve stem, and the integrated blades assist in both assembly and welding operations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
An aerosol dispenser (20) having a valve (28) for dispensing product (42) through a valve stem (28S). The valve stem (28S) is protected by a sheath (28P), to reduce breakage. The sheath (28P) extends equal to or above the height of the valve stem (28S), to absorb axially compressive loads and side impact loads. The sheath (28P) can occur in the aerosol dispenser (20), an aerosol container, an outer container (22), a preform and/or in the valve (28). The aerosol dispenser (20) can include bags (55), pistons and dip tubes (56).