Applicator Inner Plug Flow Passage for Low Viscosity Liquid Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicators with inner plugs (valves) experience difficulty in controlling the flow of low viscosity liquids, such as ethanol, leading to sudden dispensing when the valve is opened, which reduces user convenience.
Innovation Solution
The applicator features a liquid flow passage with a gradual change in pressure loss (flow resistance) corresponding to the valve stroke, achieved through a series of flow passages with varying cross-sectional areas, ensuring a total pressure loss of 1×107 Pa·s to 1×1010 Pa·s per 1 m3/s.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional inner plug with coned valve body and funnel-shaped valve seat is used, then the valve opens easily with minimal pushing force, but the flow control of low viscosity liquid becomes difficult and sudden dispensing occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow passage is divided into multiple segments (first flow passage, second flow passage, third flow passage, fourth flow passage) with progressively varying cross-sectional areas. This segmentation allows the flow resistance to be distributed and controlled gradually, preventing sudden liquid discharge while maintaining ease of valve operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the liquid flow passage have different cross-sectional areas, creating localized variations in flow resistance. The first flow passage has a larger cross-sectional area that gradually reduces through the second, third, and fourth flow passages. This local quality variation provides progressive flow control, allowing the valve to open easily while preventing sudden dispensing of low viscosity liquids.
2Loss of energy
If the valve body face leaves from the valve seat face in a parallel state corresponding to the valve stroke, then the pressure loss becomes extremely small, but flow control by the degree of pushing-on becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow passage is designed with dynamic cross-sectional area variation along the flow direction. The cross-sectional area changes progressively from the first flow passage through the fourth flow passage, creating a dynamic flow resistance that adapts to the valve stroke. This dynamic design allows the system to maintain appropriate pressure loss (1×10^7 to 1×10^10 Pa·s) while enabling flow control through the degree of pushing-on.
Solution Approach 2:
The cross-sectional area parameter of the liquid flow passage is changed progressively along the flow direction. The first flow passage has a larger cross-sectional area that gradually reduces in the second, third, and fourth flow passages. This parameter change creates a gradient of flow resistance that provides both energy loss (pressure drop) and flow control capability, resolving the contradiction between minimal pressure loss and flow control.
3Reliability
If a liquid flow passage with total pressure loss of 1×10^7 Pa·s to 1×10^10 Pa·s is formed, then sudden dispensing is prevented and flow control is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid flow passage with multiple segments of varying cross-sectional areas is integrated into the existing inner plug structure. The first, second, third, and fourth flow passages are combined within the valve body and valve seat assembly, forming a unified structure that provides both the required pressure loss (1×10^7 to 1×10^10 Pa·s) and flow control reliability without requiring separate external flow control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner plug structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the sealing function (valve body closing against valve seat), the actuation function (valve rod receiving pushing force), and the flow control function (liquid flow passage with progressive cross-sectional area variation). This multi-functionality achieves reliable flow control with total pressure loss of 1×10^7 to 1×10^10 Pa·s while minimizing device complexity by eliminating the need for separate flow control components.
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 design prevents sudden dispensing of the application liquid, effectively controlling the flow and preventing excessive flow, even with low viscosity liquids, thereby enhancing user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a valve body member (6) having a cone-shaped valve body (6c) which closes the valve by closely attaching to the funnel-shaped valve seat (5k) of the valve seat member (5)
Implementation Method 2
a liquid flow passage from the inside of the container toward the application member imparting flow resistance to the application liquid is formed at the application unit provided with an inner plug and the total pressure loss per 1 m3/s of the liquid flow passage is equal to or more than 1×107 Pa·s and less than 1×1010 Pa·s
Data Source
AI summary
An applicator is provided with a container containing an application liquid, an inner plug arranged to close the mouth of the container and opens the valve against the biasing force of a spring member to allow the application liquid in the container to be discharged, and the application member arranged to cover an application liquid outlet of the inner plug and enable the application to the application surface by exuding the application liquid discharged through the inner plug. The application unit with the inner plug has a liquid flow passage that provides a flow resistance to the application liquid from inside the container to the application unit, and the total pressure loss per 1 m3/s in the liquid flow passage is equal to or more than 1×107 Pa·s and less than 1×1010 Pa·s or less.