Conical Relief Valve for Inverted Liquid Soap Containers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dispensers with relief valves face issues when inverted, as the weight of the liquid can compromise the valve's functionality and air ingress disrupts liquid flow, requiring a robust yet simple solution to maintain seal and prevent air interference.
Innovation Solution
A pressure relief valve with a conical body and flexible diaphragm, supported by the cap, which allows air ingress only when pressure drops, ensuring reliable operation and compact design by positioning the valve closer to the outlet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a robust elastomeric relief valve is used to withstand liquid weight in inverted configuration, then the valve can support the liquid weight, but the valve structure becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin flexible diaphragm as the relief valve component. This diaphragm is supported by the conical body structure, allowing it to withstand the weight of the liquid column without requiring a robust thick-walled construction. The flexibility of the thin film enables it to respond to pressure changes while being structurally supported, resolving the contradiction between strength and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical body acts as an intermediary support structure between the liquid column and the flexible diaphragm. It distributes the mechanical load from the liquid weight across the diaphragm surface, allowing the thin diaphragm to function effectively without needing to be structurally robust on its own. This mediator structure simplifies the overall valve design while maintaining strength.
2Device complexity
If the relief valve is positioned in the cap closer to the outlet, then the device complexity is reduced, but air may enter through the liquid outlet and disrupt liquid flow
Solution Approach 1:
The conical body with its sloped surface acts as an intermediary structure that directs incoming air away from the liquid outlet. When air enters through the relief valve, the conical geometry guides it along the sloped surface, preventing direct mixing with the liquid stream at the outlet. This allows closer positioning of the relief valve to the outlet without causing air interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical body creates different flow paths for air and liquid in different regions of the valve assembly. The sloped surface provides a specific local geometry that channels air flow in a direction that avoids the liquid outlet, while still allowing the relief valve to function. This localized geometric feature resolves the conflict between proximity and air interference.
3Speed
If a thin flexible diaphragm is used for the relief valve, then the valve responds quickly to pressure changes, but the diaphragm may buckle under the weight of the liquid
Solution Approach 1:
The conical body serves as a supporting intermediary structure that prevents the thin flexible diaphragm from buckling under liquid weight. The diaphragm is positioned over the conical surface, which provides continuous structural support. This allows the diaphragm to remain thin and responsive to pressure changes while the conical body bears the mechanical load of the liquid column.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical body provides a curved geometric surface that naturally distributes mechanical loads. The sloped conical surface creates a geometric structure that resists buckling forces from the liquid weight, allowing the thin diaphragm to maintain its integrity while remaining flexible enough for quick response to pressure changes.
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 effectively prevents air from entering the liquid stream, maintaining flow integrity and allowing for a more flexible positioning of the relief valve and outlet, enhancing the dispenser's operational efficiency and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible diaphragm extending over the conical body, being attached at its outer periphery around the substantially conical body and having a central opening surrounding the substantially conical body above the air inlet passage so as to seal the air inlet passage until the pressure within the container falls below a predetermined level
Implementation Method 2
the diaphragm comprises a resilient lip that seals against the conical body
Implementation Method 3
The conical body supports the diaphragm, and the weight of the liquid in the container only serves to enhance the seal under normal circumstances
Implementation Method 4
This thin diaphragm layer is then readily displaceable by the incoming air when the pressure within the container drops
Data Source
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AI summary
A relief valve (60) for a liquid container, the valve comprising a substantially conical body (50) extending into the container, and tapering inwardly away from an external wall of the container, at least one air inlet passage (62) through the substantially conical body; and a flexible diaphragm (53) extending over the conical body, being attached at its outer periphery around the substantially conical body and having a central opening surrounding the substantially conical body above the air inlet passage so as to seal the air inlet passage until the pressure within the container falls below a predetermined level.