Coating Agent Valve with Pressure-Relief Membrane
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotary atomizers face space constraints and potential damage due to excess pressure when the main needle valve closes or seizes, leading to operational malfunctions, and require larger components which increase capital investment and air consumption.
Innovation Solution
The coating agent valve integrates the functions of the valve needle and mixer into a single component, where the lattice or spiral mixer acts as a displaceable valve needle to move the valve head, and includes a flexible membrane to automatically reduce pressure and prevent damage from excess pressure, allowing the valve to open and seal effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate ducts are provided for the main needle valve and lattice mixer, then the valve and mixer functions are spatially separated, but space problems occur in the paint tube
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the main needle valve and lattice mixer into a single integrated component. The valve needle simultaneously serves as the mixing element, eliminating the need for separate ducts and reducing the internal cross-section requirements of the paint tube while maintaining both valve control and mixing functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve needle is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the closure element for pressure control and the mixing element for coating agent components. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure within the paint tube.
2Volume of moving object
If the paint tube internal cross-section is enlarged to accommodate separate valve and mixer, then spatial requirements are met, but the hollow turbine shaft and rotary atomiser must be made larger
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the valve and mixer functions into a single component, the patent reduces the required internal cross-section of the paint tube, which in turn allows for a more compact hollow turbine shaft and smaller rotary atomiser overall, reducing weight and capital investment costs.
3Ease of operation
If the main needle valve is closed or seizes, then pressure control is achieved, but damage upstream from the rotary atomiser occurs due to excess pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a pressure feedback mechanism where a membrane responds to pressure changes in the coating agent supply line. When pressure exceeds a predetermined threshold, the membrane deforms to actuate the valve needle, automatically opening the valve to relieve excess pressure and prevent damage upstream.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve system is designed to automatically protect itself and the upstream system from excess pressure damage. The membrane-driven mechanism self-activates when pressure thresholds are exceeded, eliminating the need for external monitoring or manual intervention to prevent pressure-related damage.
4Extent of automation
If a membrane-driven main needle valve is used, then pneumatic actuation is achieved, but excess pressure damage still occurs when the valve closes or seizes
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane serves as both the pneumatic actuator and the pressure sensing element. It provides continuous feedback on pressure conditions, automatically activating the valve opening function when pressure exceeds safe thresholds, thereby preventing damage while maintaining automated pneumatic operation.
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 reduces the risk of damage from excess pressure, allows for a more compact design, and prevents the coating agent mixture from hardening in the valve drive, ensuring reliable operation and reduced capital investment costs.
Implementation Method 1
the coating agent pressure in the valve space downstream from the membrane acts on the membrane and hence also on the valve needle, as a result of which the valve needle is pressed in the direction of the open position
Implementation Method 2
a flexible membrane which surrounds a thrust piece and seals off the valve space from the valve drive
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a coating agent valve (1) for controlling a flow of fluid of a coating agent mixture consisting of two coating agent components (H, SL), in particular a two-component paint consisting of a master batch (SL) and a hardener (H). The coating agent valve according to the disclosure (1) comprises a valve seat, a displaceable valve head (12), a valve drive (15) for displacing the valve head (12) and a displaceable valve needle (14, 20) which connects the valve drive (15) to the valve head (12) and moves the valve head (12) in correspondence with the valve drive (15). The disclosure provides for an automatic reduction in pressure in order to avoid excess-pressure damage upstream from the coating agent valve (1).