Cylindrical Closure Element Mechanical Ejection for Fluid Dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid and powder product dispensing devices face challenges such as unpredictable air pressure requirements, risk of leakage due to spherical closure elements, and difficulties in manufacturing and assembly, particularly in ensuring a tight seal and precise product distribution.
Innovation Solution
A dispensing device with a cylindrical closure element and a mechanical opening system using a set of rods to expel the closure element, featuring a piston sliding in an air chamber for controlled air flow, ensuring a leak-tight seal and precise product dispensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spherical closure element is used to close the reservoir outlet, then the device can be actuated by air pressure, but the sealing effectiveness is compromised and metal particles may contaminate the product
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional spherical closure element into a cylindrical shape. This cylindrical closure element engages with a corresponding cylindrical seat, providing a larger sealing surface area that eliminates the sealing line vulnerability of spherical elements. The inverted geometry also allows for a sealing surface that is not subjected to the same stress concentrations and deformation issues that plague spherical seals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies that the cylindrical closure element can be made from plastic material that is molded directly, eliminating the need for expensive lapping operations required for plastic balls. This molding approach prevents metal particle contamination from lapping tools while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The closure element is designed to be simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
2Stress or pressure
If the interference between the ball and its cylindrical seat is minimized to facilitate expulsion, then the air pressure requirement is reduced, but the obturation effectiveness is altered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different interference fit characteristics at different locations of the cylindrical closure element. The closure element has a first portion that engages the reservoir outlet with a first interference fit for sealing, and a second portion that engages the air flush with a second interference fit for actuation. This allows optimized sealing at the product outlet while facilitating controlled expulsion during actuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cylindrical closure element, specifically the diameters of its different portions. The first portion has a diameter that provides adequate interference fit for sealing with the reservoir outlet, while the second portion has a different diameter that allows for controlled air pressure actuation. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and ease of expulsion.
3Device complexity
If a spherical closure element is used, then the device structure is simple, but the manufacturing precision and assembly difficulty increase due to lapping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the expensive lapping process with direct molding of the cylindrical closure element. Plastic balls must be lapped to achieve proper seating, which is expensive and time-consuming. The cylindrical element is molded directly to its final dimensions, eliminating lapping operations and associated metal particle contamination risks. This significantly reduces manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
4Stress or pressure
If the depth and positioning of the sphere in its seat are minimized to facilitate expulsion, then the air pressure requirement is reduced, but the sealing reliability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cylindrical closure element features different geometric characteristics at different locations: a first portion with specific diameter for sealing engagement with the reservoir outlet, and a second portion with different diameter for actuation engagement with the air flush. This local differentiation allows the sealing portion to be positioned optimally for reliable sealing while the actuation portion facilitates controlled expulsion at lower air pressures.
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 provides a reliable, cost-effective, and easy-to-manufacture device that ensures consistent product distribution with improved sealing and reduced risk of metal particles, facilitating precise control over the dispensing process.
Implementation Method 1
The air flush 20 is actuated manually by the user and is adapted to create an air flow which will cross the tank 30 to carry the product it contains towards the dispensing outlet 10.
Implementation Method 2
the air flush comprises a piston sliding in an air chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A fluid or powdery product dispensing device comprises a dispensing outlet (10), an air ejector (20) to generate an air flow when the device is actuated, and at least one reservoir (30) containing a unit dose of the product, the reservoir comprising an air inlet (31) and a product outlet (32), the air inlet comprising a product retaining member (40) and the product outlet being closed by a closing element (50) press-fitted into the product outlet of the reservoir, the device comprising a mechanical opening system (61, 62) for ejecting the closing element mechanically from its closing position when the device is actuated, the closing element being a non-spherical element.