Applicator Valve Mechanism for Constant Liquid Ejection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicators face issues with inconsistent liquid ejection due to viscosity and pressure differences, leading to dripping or starvation of application liquids when using conventional valve mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A valve mechanism with a piston and valve rod system that allows for precise control of liquid flow by moving between three states, ensuring a constant liquid ejection volume, and includes a spring element for easy operation and a leading rod for smooth liquid conveyance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional valve mechanism is used to eject application liquid, then the liquid can be supplied to the applying element, but the liquid may drip down or become starved due to inconsistent supply depending on valve operation time and pressure differences
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is segmented into multiple functional components: a valve rod member with front and rear piston portions, a valve seat member with front and rear liquid-tight portions, and an intermediate communication space. This segmentation allows independent control of liquid supply phases, ensuring consistent ejection by preventing both dripping and starvation through structured sequential operation of each segment
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism employs dynamic movement of the valve rod member relative to the valve seat member, transitioning between three distinct states (first, second, and third states) during operation. This dynamic operation ensures that the piston portions sequentially engage with liquid-tight portions to first pressurize, then communicate, and finally eject the liquid, maintaining reliable and consistent supply regardless of external pressure variations
2Quantity of substance
If the valve mechanism isolates a fixed volume of liquid to compensate for air expansion, then excessive liquid supply is prevented, but air displacement performance deteriorates with high viscosity liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism dynamically transitions through three states: in the first state the front piston portion seals to isolate liquid and build pressure; in the second state both piston portions are retracted to open communication and allow air displacement; in the third state the rear piston portion seals to control ejection. This dynamic sequencing ensures both precise liquid supply control and effective air displacement for high viscosity liquids
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism maintains continuous useful action by ensuring that during the transition between states, the communication passage remains adequately open for air displacement while the piston portions sequentially engage to maintain liquid pressure. This continuous operation prevents interruption of liquid flow and ensures consistent ejection performance
3Device complexity
If a simple valve mechanism is used, then the device complexity is low, but the liquid ejection amount varies with operating conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The valve mechanism is divided into segmented functional units: front and rear piston portions on the valve rod, front and rear liquid-tight portions on the valve seat, and a defined intermediate space. This segmentation provides precise control over liquid ejection volume through structured sequential operation, achieving measurement precision without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The valve mechanism is designed to automatically transition through its three states during normal operation, with the piston portions self-regulating their engagement with the liquid-tight portions based on pressure differentials and mechanical geometry, eliminating the need for complex external control systems while maintaining precise ejection control
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 solution achieves consistent and efficient liquid ejection, preventing blobbing and ensuring smooth air displacement performance, even with changes in internal pressure due to temperature or volume expansion.
Implementation Method 1
the differential pressure between the external air and the interior of the liquid container
Implementation Method 2
a piston portion on a front side of the valve rod member that comes into liquid-tight contact with the front-side liquid-tight portion inside the valve seat member and a piston portion on a rear side of the valve rod member that comes into liquid-tight contact with the rear-side liquid-tight portion inside the valve seat member
Implementation Method 3
a spring element for easy operation
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2(a)~2(d)
Figure 3(a)~3(f)
AI summary
The present invention is to provide an applicator that can eject an application liquid in an approximately constant amount without regard to the viscosity of the application liquid. The applicator is constructed such that when the user clicks rear end 12b of an inner barrel 12, the aftermentioned valve mechanism 14 is actuated by moving the inner barrel relative to outer barrel 10, whereby an application liquid is supplied to applying element 16 arranged at front end part 10a of outer barrel 10, and that when valve seat member 30 and valve rod member 38 move relatively to each other, the valve mechanism can take the first state in which piston portion 38a on the front side of valve rod member 38 comes into sliding contact with front-side liquid-tight portion 32b inside the valve seat member 30, the second state in which both of piston portion 38a on the front side of valve rod member 38 and piston portion 38b on the rear side of valve rod member 38 do not come in sliding contact with the corresponding liquid-tight portions inside the valve seat member 30, and the third state in which piston portion 38b on the rear side of valve rod member 38 comes into sliding contact with rear-side liquid-tight portion 34b inside valve seat member 30.